Chapter 54: Split Reputation

Fame.

It wasn’t just some background mechanic—fame was an actual stat in the original game.

It unlocked once you reached a certain level of favor with a faction, and the higher it rose, the more the world reacted to you. Sometimes subtly, sometimes catastrophically.

It could trigger hidden quests, attract allies—or draw out enemies from the shadows.

“I feel like I got the short end of the stick here,” I muttered under my breath.

This reward was something I’d gone out on a limb for—risking exposure, tiptoeing around disaster. And if it turned out to be as basic as it was in the game… then it’d be a serious letdown.

“You noticed it too,” Alice replied coolly, setting her teacup down with a faint clink. “Truly, a pity about the tea leaves wasted today.”

“…Then I’ll practice more.”

Alice latched onto my offhand remark like a hawk spotting prey.

Clack.

The sharp sound of porcelain meeting glass rang through the room as she adjusted her cup. Her face remained poised, but there was a sharpness in her gaze.

“This just reaffirms that my brewing technique is far superior,” she said, voice calm but laced with pride.

“My apologies,” I said immediately.

“The tea ceremony is a fundamental duty of an attendant. Don’t just aim to serve—aim to impress.”

Thankfully, she didn’t press the issue further and quietly resumed sipping the same tea she had just dismissed moments ago.

…Is this the power of affinity?

The trust gauge wasn’t just a gimmick, apparently. For someone as sharp-tongued as Alice to let a mistake slide—it had to be the bond we’d built.

The immediate crisis had passed.

Now it was time to check the real reward from the Valstein job.

I called up my status window.

[Skill Unlocked]

[Grade: A – Split Reputation]

“A true thief knows how to separate the shadow from the mask. The moment the two blur, the game is over.” —Master Thief, Nocturne Shade

Your fame will now be divided into two personas: ’Julies Evans’ and ’The Faceless Imposter’’. Each reputation develops independently, allowing access to separate events, rewards, and responses.

“…Wait, this is actually good,” I murmured.

“What, the tea?” Alice narrowed her eyes.

“N-No, I mean, of course not. I’ll need to work harder on that.”

Watch your words, idiot.

I’d almost blurted out my thoughts again. The skill had genuinely impressed me—it was more versatile than I expected.

In the base game, fame had always been a frustrating system. You could only build renown under one identity. Choosing meant sacrificing the other. If you were famous as a thief, you couldn’t gain recognition as a noble—or vice versa.

But now, with Split Reputation, I could walk both paths.

I could be the devoted attendant by day…

And the faceless ghost of the underworld by night.

A smirk tugged at the corners of my lips.

’TheFaceless Imposter, huh?’

Not exactly flattering, but it worked.

At least this way, I could build a legend—two, in fact.

And no one would ever know they were the same person.

Ding—!

Just as I dismissed the skill notification, another window popped open in front of my eyes—this one edged in red and black, with a faint shimmer of ominous light.

—-

[New Quest Available]

Class: Assassination Thief

Title: Twin Fangs of the North

[You’ve carved your mark into the world as a thief—swift, unseen, and untouchable. But true legends aren’t born from a single title. It’s time to awaken your second shadow.]

Objective:

Eliminate key criminal elements operating in the northern territories.

Reveal the Faceless Imposter as not just a thief—but an executioner of justice in the dark.

Target Examples:

— Bjorn the Butcher (Wanted in Draken Duchy)

— Cline Frostfang (Leader of the Frozen Fang Slavers)

— Merrin the Rat (Spy Broker and Human Trafficker)

Reward:

– New Skill (Hidden)

– Northern Underworld Affinity +

– Secret Title (Locked)

Side Note: Fame under the Julies Evans persona will remain unaffected by this quest’s completion.

—-

My breath caught for a second as I read over the details.

“…Huh.”

An assassination line of quests. These weren’t available unless you followed a very specific route in the original game. Usually, you’d have to side with a dark faction, or fail certain morality checks.

But this?

This was clean. A custom path just for me.

Taking down criminals as a criminal. A self-righteous shadow in a city full of decay.

It was poetic, in a way.

And more importantly… it was efficient.

This could allow me to grow stronger, earn rewards, and expand my influence—while appearing to be a mysterious vigilante rather than just a thief.

“Killing two birds with one dagger,” I muttered.

“Are you talking to yourself again?” Alice asked, peeking at me over the rim of her cup.

I straightened. “Just thinking about how I can improve the tea. Maybe experiment with different leaf blends.”

Alice gave me a long look, then sighed. “If you put half that effort into your posture, I might consider calling you competent.”

“Duly noted.”

But my mind was already far from tea.

Bjorn the Butcher… Cline Frostfang… Merrin the Rat. I’d heard some of those names in the background chatter of the Duchy. People the guards avoided. People the nobles tolerated because removing them would be more trouble than it was worth.

Which made them perfect first targets.

This was more than just a quest—it was a statement.

The Faceless Imposter wasn’t just here to steal.

He was here to clean house.

I tapped the corner of the screen.

[Accept Quest]

The window vanished with a flash of cold steel.

At the moment, I heard Alice voice as she glanced at the newspaper while drinking her tea.

“If this Faceless Imposter caught by me I would immediately execute him on the spot.”

’What the hell is she talking about? I’m right next to her!’

I froze.

The air in the room didn’t change, but somehow it felt colder.

Alice calmly flipped the page of the newspaper, her eyes scanning the column like she hadn’t just casually pronounced my death sentence over tea.

“If you ask me,” she went on, her tone maddeningly composed, “people like that only understand fear. No theatrics. Just a clean, public execution to remind the rats in the alleys who holds the leash.”

I forced a laugh. “That’s… harsh.”

“Is it?” She didn’t look up. “I think it’s rather merciful. Quick, efficient. Better than what they do to their victims, at any rate.”

My fingers tightened around the empty cup.

She couldn’t know. Right?

No. Alice was sharp, but not psychic. The only ones who knew about my split persona were me and the system. As long as I kept up appearances, she wouldn’t connect the dots.

Still… the timing was far too close for comfort.

I cleared my throat. “Well, I suppose it’s lucky we don’t have to worry about someone like that getting too close to the estate.”

She set the newspaper down. “Mmm. Let’s hope not.”

Her eyes met mine.

There was a flicker of something there—amusement? A test?

Then, just as quickly, it was gone.

“Anyway,” she said, rising from her seat and dusting off her skirt, “if you’re serious about improving your tea, you’ll need to accompany me to the merchant’s guild tomorrow. We’ll restock the pantry.”

“Understood.”

“Good. I expect you ready by dawn.”

I quickly change the subject as I checked on the time.

“The next scheduled time is approaching. Let’s get up.”

“Is the break over already? What’s next?”

“Traning time.”

“Good. You will spar with me, as always.”

I couldn’t help but groaned at that.

All she wanted was to beat me up.

Damn it all!

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