Unable to resist the temptation of power, James decides to take the bait of the system.
Even if it wasn't the best choice, playing into the systems machinations that is, the fact of the matter was-
James did not have any idea what to do.
If he really was someone who could jump up from anything, he wouldn't have ended up the way he did in his past life.
The only reason he had the confidence to shit on DJames came from his experience and the fact that DJames was just a spoiled rat bastard.
Still, comparing shit to bullshit was useless if the final goal is to be golden.
No matter how much better one piece of shit is to another, that wouldn't change the fact that both were shit.
Now, James had to find a way to change his current status. He had capital but the problem was not "having capital" but instead it was the idea.
Geniuses struggle with capital, many would end up unable to bring their innovations to light due to the lack of capital but James… being the piece of shit that he was had the opposite problem.
He has the capital, what he lacks is the idea.
Because of this, James had manipulated his own train of thought, he had hypnotized himself into believing that having the system lead him by the nose was a good starting point. After all, unlike the bastards in his previous life who approached him with bad intentions, the system was looking out for him… right?
[Of course]
The system's replies echoed in his head but James, already used to it, did not reply verbally and instead continued his silent conversation with the system while he got ready.
Don't demons have magic? Is there no instant cleaning spell or something?
James thought as he washed up, the bathroom was fully equipped but by the looks of it, the place had yet to be used. It was expected but that meant that…
The prideful idiot didn't even bathe for days!
DJames washed up in the bar's public bathroom, the VIP bathrooms had more facilities but they were just enough to ensure that the VIP's could relieve themselves in a private and clean environment. There were no showers so the deceased James had cleaned himself by wiping his body with soap and water, using the sink as a makeshift bucket.
The idiot even used copious amounts of cologne to mask the smell that was building up.
It was truly fortunate that the penthouse bathrooms had utilities that allowed for scrubbing.
As a man who had worked in the sex industry, James knew the importance of keeping his body clean. Although many others reached a point where they didn't really care about such things, those people were the types to take any client.
James had focused on ensuring that the people he contacted and the clientele he had connections with were all decent people… at least, the kind who would actually worry about venereal diseases and VIP escort and hooker services.
Even the market for sex was highly competitive, especially for men.
Because of such experiences, James developed a habit of keeping clean. Though even deeply ingrained habits could be forgotten in high stress situations.
[It's good that you have finally calmed down, yes, magic is an inherent ability that demons have. But such abilities are not yet available to you]
Figures
James sighed internally as he continued to scrub the dirt off his body, with practiced efficiency, James cleaned himself multiple times. Rinsing off the first wash where the soap bubbles had turned gray, the second wash was a bit better and only when he could feel the oils that clung to his body gone and the soap that had washed off looked white as snow did he go through the final rinse.
Washing one's body was not enough though, after drying off his body, he started to moisturize. He used the men's body lotion and applied it to his skin.
He went through the cabinet above the sink and found a bunch of men's face care products.
Interestingly enough, his fiance had been forcing James to take proper care of his body. He was already a waste and she would have stuck to him if he was decent enough to properly take care of himself.
Alas, the idiot seemed to have an extreme level of faith for his genetics. He cared for his body like a working man, but instead of using cheap soap, he used more expensive products but still did the same basic routine.
Water, shampoo, soap, rinse, face wash, wipe, done.
It was a simple routine, hell, the idiot didn't even bother using a face towel. The towel he used to wipe his ass, was the same one he used to dry his hair.
Though he did do the top to bottom approach where he dried his hair then his face until he reached his legs. BUT! He would still use the SAME towel after letting it out to dry.
The worst part about it all was that James really had cheat level genetics as he had never experienced acne or any other type of skin problem. He could stay up for multiple nights and barely have any sign of dark circles under his eyes.
His health was not taken care of yet he was able to remain healthy.
There were hundreds of things that people would complain about but the fact of the matter was that James was a specimen of perfection. That was one of the reasons why his parents didn't immediately throw him out.
It was also the reason why he was wanted as a son-in-law despite his many flaws.
This world was one where racism was not something that many believed was immoral. "Human" was just a blanket term that referred to intellectual beings with "humanoid forms".
Even the genetics of each race could be easily distinguished from one another.
This was not the same as discrimination based on skin color or facial features.
Some races had literal predator-prey relationships which only calmed down due to the emergence of "society".
In such a world "true humans", a race of beings who descended from the same line as Apemen were treated as the "perfect humanoid race".
Researchers found that the "true human" race had completely separated themselves from their beastial ancestors.
Moreover, mutations came quicker in "True humans" and this is what led to many rich families spending millions to look for partners who had the "best genetics".
James, for all his flaws had "the best gene's", it was the only thing that made the engagement possible in the first place.
But, with his bad habits and lack of care for his body, his fiance was worried that the "perfection" which he had physically affected him mentally.
At least… that was her excuse, in reality, she just didn't want to marry him. She wanted a prince charming, a man who was hardworking and caring.
James? He was a playboy who wanted to be pampered and treated like a child instead of an adult.
But that James was already burning in hell, the current James was not going to let his favorable genetics waste away!
He was still young… Well, he passed puberty but he still developed nicely.
Staring at the six pack and muscular frame that developed naturally pissed him off.
Took me years to get a four pack and this kid got it by just growing up… what a fucking waste!
Despite not training his body, James had a muscular physique and a well defined one. Without caring about his diet, he had tight skin that showed off his sculpted muscles.
[That's part of the demonic enhancement, although the genetics were perfect, the body had been battered through years of abuse. Like a sports car whose interior and engine is rusted over, the transformation into a demon had revitalized the body, it is now in perfect form]
Hearing the explanation from his system, James let out a sigh of relief.
At least, he knew that his current body was not just a result of genetics. He could still faintly recall James complaining about back pain and other such problems. He did not get sick with the flu or other simple diseases but he did show signs of internal problems.
With the explanation calming him down, James finished his routine.
Normally, he would have looked for make-up, after all, looking good was a requirement for his job in the past but now?
A face that had never experienced acne, smooth and supple, with sharp and well defined features. He really looked like one of the comic characters from the east. The type of face that would look perfect from any angle.
But, James noticed that there was something else… a mysterious charm-
[As the inheritor of Lust, you have naturally acquired the essence of desire. Even an ugly person could seduce the most defiant hottie, but an exceptional appearance would make seduction simple, effortless even!]
Yeah, nothing beats good genetics
Now that he had relaxed, James spent quite some time marvelling at his new appearance. Also, despite just taking a bath and doing some basic proper skin care, his looks had gotten better than it was from his memories.
The previous James, despite his impeccable looks, because of his lack of care, made many of his imperfections stand out.
Sometimes he would have gunk at the corner of his eyes, it wasn't obvious from afar but when dancing at clubs or talking with someone up close it would stand out. Especially since dirt was more obvious on a clean surface.
His flawless skin was the perfect canvass to show off the effects lack of care would have.
Oily skin was more obvious and his not so great stench would stand out since people would ignore his perfect appearance.
Now though, after proper care, his good looks finally shone.
[Stop wasting time]
Fine
Being reminded by the system made James quickly get ready.
He went over his luggage and found a pair of white chinos which he matched with a navy blue button up shirt.
After deciding what to wear, James found the bag filled with cologne, he went over them and chose the one with a light ocean like scent. He did not use much, just a few pumps which he rubbed onto his skin.
The goal was not to have an overpowering odor, the goal was to have a subtle odor that gets stronger the closer you get.
Getting dressed was easy, James did not use any flashy jewelry which the man in hell loved to do. Instead, he opted for a high class silver watch and a pair of luxury shades.
He tucked his shirt in and made sure that it wasn't buttoned all the way up. In fact, his figure was not that bad and the shirt was tight fitting which allowed James to only button his shirt halfway through his chest.
He folded his sleeves and chose a belt that was neither flashy nor bland.
He looked at his figure in the mirror, taking various poses and looking for any problems with his wardrobes.
"Perfect"
[Agreed]
After confirming that there was nothing wrong with his clothes, James entered the bedroom where there was a walk-in closet. The shoes that he had weren't really in good shape, as such, he decided to check, maybe his ex had left him something more than just a million dollars and a building.