I pulled Timothy into a secluded alleyway. With a flick of my hand, I began to cast the spell, my eyes locked onto his face. As the HEX took hold, his features began to shift and change, reshaping themselves into a more handsome and dashing form.
His jawline became more defined, his cheekbones higher, and his eyes more intense and piercing. His hair took on a more stylish and suave look, and his clothing seemed to mold itself to his new form, accentuating his newfound beauty.
I stepped back to admire my work, feeling a sense of satisfaction and pride. Timothy looked like a completely different person but still recognizable, and I knew that he would turn heads wherever he went.
As Timothy looked at himself in the mirror on a shop window, his eyes widened in shock and amazement. He couldn't believe the transformation that had taken place.
"Is that really me?" he exclaimed, staring at his reflection with a mix of disbelief and excitement.
I nodded, a smile spreading across my face. "Yes, that's you," I said. "And let me tell you, you look great. You can get any girl you want. Not just Yna."
Timothy turned to me, his eyes sparkling with gratitude. "I can't thank you enough," he exclaimed. "I never imagined I could look like this."
I shrugged. "It's just a little bit of magic," I told him. "But it's amazing what a difference it can make."
Timothy nodded, still staring at himself in the mirror. "I feel like a new person," he said. "I don't even know where to begin."
I put a hand on his shoulder. "I have a feeling that Yna won't be able to resist your handsome face."
Timothy's eyes glowed in focus. "Even I couldn't resist this face."
I waved away the strange glint in his eyes. "Let's go and get this girl."
"Wait. This is forever, right?" Timothy asked, voice anxious. "I will look like this forever, right? This isn't just some kind of a spell that lasted a day, right? Right? RIGHT?!"
I could see the effect of the HEX already. I mused to myself.
"That's right." I lied. "Until you die, you will look like that."
I then ignored him and walked to where Yna was. Using [Evil Eyes], I found the elven girl back in her house.
As I walked down the crowded streets, I felt the looks and stares of those around me, drawn in by Timothy's newfound face. I made my way to Yna's house and stopped by a double-story building. It was a grand and impressive structure, befitting of a lady elf like Yna. The house was built with a mix of stone and wood, with intricately carved details adorning the exterior.
The house had a grand entrance with double doors made of rich, dark wood, flanked by tall windows with intricate wrought iron details. Above the doors, a crest with Yna's family emblem was carved into the stone.
The windows on the second story were equally grand, with arched tops and intricate latticework. The shutters were painted a deep forest green, which complemented the natural wood tones of the house.
As we approached the house, we saw that it was surrounded by a well-manicured garden. The path leading up to the front door was lined with colorful flowers and tall, graceful trees. A fountain in the center of the garden added a peaceful and calming touch.
I knocked on the door, and a servant appeared.
"Hello there. Sir Timothy wanted to talk with Lady Yna. Tell her it's important."
The servant's poker face went to me before he shifted his attention to Timothy. He squinted his eyes before recognition took over his expression.
"Wait for a moment. I'll call the lady."
"She'll be here in a minute. Did you ready your speech?" I looked at Timothy and found him vainly checking his appearance on a mirror he bought on the way here.
He was muttering how good he looked and how he was the most beautiful man he had ever laid eyes on. It seemed like he was more concerned about his face than getting back to Yna at this point.
<The System doesn't understand why Host doesn't kill him on the spot. It would be easier if you took over his identity and get the girl to bring to the party>
I thought of that before, but I wanted the kid to feel happy before he died. It was more fun that way.
<Host has a weird sense of humor>
You're the one to talk to. And I'm bored right now. I thought this would be fun, but who knew I would just get annoyed.
<He is happy now, so Host can kill him>
Maybe I should really just kill him from where he stood and get Yna to be my escort at the party later. Going on a ball without a partner would attract unwanted attention, after all.
At that moment, the door opened, and Yna's frowning face stumbled our view. But when she saw Timothy's new appearance, her eyes widened in surprise and admiration.
I instantly saw the spark of attraction on her face, and I knew that she was had.
"Timothy is that you?" she asked, eyes bulging.
Timothy was still looking at himself in the mirror without sparing Yna the barest glance. I nudged him and whispered in his ear.
"If you don't get back together, I will undo the spell."
Timothy straightened up, hid his mirror, and faced Yna with a bright smile.
"Yes. It's me."
"What happened to you?" Yna ran her eyes over at Timothy, gaping. "It's not even an hour that I left you on the streets with snot all over your ugly face, and then you suddenly knocked on my door looking like . . . THIS. What did you do?"
Timothy briefly glanced at me and said, unsure, "Let's just say that . . . I had a little help."
Yna pried at him. "It's not forbidden magic, right?"
"Of course not," Timothy vehemently denied. "I have been good-looking since before. I just didn't know how to dress and style myself. This guy helped me potentially unlock my inner handsomeness and . . . here I am."
I could only shake my head. This HEX was sure powerful enough to cause brain damage.
"I-is that so?" Yna's expression softened, blushing as she did.
Do you believe that?!
<That girl is also brain-dead. Kekekeke>
They're very good together, apparently.
I left them alone to talk and waited at the side. If that guy couldn't get the girl after all that, I would kill him twice over.
When I brought my eyes over to them, Yna kissed Timothy on the cheek and waved at him goodbye.
It was safe to say that everything went well.
<Now you can kill him>
Timothy went running to me, his hand over his face, still amazed at the transformation that had taken place.
"I can't believe it," he said, with a hint of wonder in his voice. "I look like a completely different person."
I sighed. I thought we were over this. "Did you get the girl?" I asked instead.
Timothy beamed, not hearing me. "I feel like a new man! I never realized how much my appearance was holding me back."
"I mean, just look at me," he said, gesturing to his face. "I look like I belong in a painting."
A vein popped on my head. "Did you get the girl?" I asked again, an edge to my voice.
"Ah, yes. Yes. We're going to the party later tonight," he said dismissively and checked his face again in his mirror.
"Good. Now come with me." I have to be careful about using this HEX. The effect was powerful enough to change a person.
As we walked back to a secluded area, Timothy kept catching glimpses of his reflection in windows and mirrors, stopping each time to admire himself.
I let him enjoy what remaining time he had before we rounded a corner, and when I was sure that we were alone, I brought out Lucy.
"It's time to make payments," I told him.
Timothy was still checking his face in his mirror, not sparing me any eye. "Ah. How much do you want? I would get the money ready. I'm rich, so I can throw something extra as payment for your help."
I chuckled. "Who said that I want your money?"
It was only when Timothy peeled his eyes from his mirror and saw Lucy in my hand. "W-wha . . . What's that?"
"A sword," I said and took a step forward.
Timothy was baffled. "What are you doing?"
"Claiming my reward."
". . . The money, right?"
I shook my head. "I want your identity." I raised my sword, Lucy gleaming in the afternoon sun.
Timothy took a step back, covered his face, and shrieked. "Not the face!"
It was his last words before I sliced him into pieces and burned his remains to ashes.
[ACQUIRED! Timothy's face!]
I checked my storage, and Timothy's smiling face was now available in the [Evil Mask of Deceit]. His face was the handsome one plastered on my screen. I wonder if it would remain that way after the spell was done.
It was one of my experiments and another reason that I let Timothy have a handsome appearance. I wanted to know if the HEX would remain even after the subject was dead.
One way to find out when I wore it later at the party.
