《Fantasy Realm – Infinite Worlds Adventure》 Chapter 1: A Pathetic Existence Saturday afternoon, a time when most people make memories, enjoy the company of loved ones, or unwind from a week of hard work. For Alex, it''s when he finally drags himself out of bed. At 28, he''s the definition of a man-child, living in the heart of Europe, in a large town in Germany. He stands about 1.78 meters tall, a little over 5''10", with a soft, round belly that speaks of too many nights spent in front of a screen. His face? Plain and forgettable, just like his life. The previous evening had been the same as every other. He spent hours lost in web novels, scrolling through YouTube videos, and stirring up trouble in online comment sections. Now, groggy and bleary-eyed, he checks his phone. The screen lights up with notificationsresponses from Reddit, forum posts, and web novel comments, where he''s left his mark, mostly as a sarcastic know-it-all. Alex enjoys theorizing about games and engaging in discussions, though trolling is a guilty pleasure of his. Despite all his time online, he has no real friendsnot even virtual ones. His interactions are shallow, spiked with moments of bitterness and frustration. The internets his outlet for all that disappointment he feels, his gripes bleeding into every keyboard stroke. Virgin? Check. Internet troll? Check. No friends? Check. Fat? Check. Unkempt? Check. He''s got the whole loser checklist down to a science. Sarch* The N??elFir.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. After shaking off the last of his sleep, he does what he always does: wastes away another day doing nothing of significance. Alex had always been smart, he graduated high school with above-average grades, mostly because of his natural intelligence. But ambition? He never had any. He coasted, doing just enough to avoid falling behind. After high school, he halfheartedly enrolled in college, but his laziness caught up with him. Classes? Skipped. Studying? Barely. He drifted through semesters, changed his major once, and finally dropped out without ever connecting with a single person. His parents, tired of his excuses, pushed him to attend community college. He did just enough to earn a decent degree and landed a standard office job with a mediocre salary. It''s not much, but it''s enough to scrape by, maybe in a few decades, he''ll even be able to afford his own apartment or, if he''s lucky, a house. With minimal effort, his financial future isn''t glamorous, but it''s secure enough. His stomach growls, cutting through his thoughts. Damn... I''m starving. Too bad there''s nothing left in the fridge. He sighs and resigns himself to the usual. Guess I''ll hit up Mario''s, he finally decides. If I want to replay Golden Sun this weekend, I better hurry. Mario''s is the typical greasy pizza joint down the road. Given that Alex lives in a big city, he could easily buy something healthy and cook a decent meal, but why bother? It''s already late afternoon, and the sun will be setting soon. Why waste time? Cheap and unhealthy food, just like his lifestyle, will do the job. He pulls on some wrinkled clothes and steps out of his apartment, a chaotic mess he hasn''t bothered to clean in weeks. His destination is a short walk away, located just outside the city center in the suburbs, where the streets are lined with small stores and restaurants. As he walks, his thoughts wander. They always do. Alex prefers to live in his head. His reality? Dull, unremarkable. But in his imagination, things are different. In his mind, he''s the hero of grand adventures in anime worlds, game worlds, and movie universes. One Piece, Hunter x Hunter, Star Wars, Mass Effect, World of Warcraft, you name it, he''s dreamed about being there. His interests are vast and varied. Why shouldn''t they be? He spends every waking moment watching anime, playing games, and avoiding the world outside. But the real world? It doesn''t even cross his mind. To him, it''s a place that''s always been disappointing. A spoiled, entitled man-child with opportunities most people would die for, Alex refuses to see his own privilege. Instead, he dreams his life away, doing the bare minimum to sustain himself while his youth slips through his fingers. Call him a loser, call him scum, or maybe just call him a dreamer. Either way, he''s barely living. A sad existence, to say the least. Reaching Mario''s, he stands at a traffic light, debating whether to order three or four pizzas. If he buys enough, he won''t have to leave the apartment tomorrow. More time to game, more time to escape reality. That''s when he notices a small kid on an e-scooter. The boy can''t be older than ten, and he''s zooming across the street even though the light is red. Damn... I hate scooters, and I hate kids. Little brat deserves to get run over. It''s a thought that passes through his mind, unfiltered. Alex isn''t inherently evil, far from it. But his frustrations often give birth to fleeting, twisted thoughts. He watches with disinterest as the boy weaves through the cars. Then, the scooter gets caught on the tram tracks. Alex''s mild irritation turns into alarm as a BMW comes speeding down the street, the driver oblivious to the boy in its path. Shit... I''ve got to save him. He''s really gonna get hit. This isn''t a game, it''s fucking real! His heart pounds, and for a brief moment, Alex''s better nature surfaces. He doesn''t want the boy to die. He doesn''t actually wish for anyone to get hurt, his impulsive thoughts were just that, impulsive. In reality, he wants to help. But his legs feel like lead. His hands tremble. He hesitates. His body refuses to move. And just like that, he does what he''s always done in the face of real action: nothing. He stands frozen, staring at the scene. But the crash doesn''t happen. The boy gets out of the way at the last second, the BMW screeching to a halt. Relief washes over Alex, and he exhales, releasing the tension that had gripped him. Thank God nothing happened. Then, out of the corner of his eye, he notices something wrong. The BMW hasn''t come to a complete stop. The driver, in a panic, has swerved onto the sidewalk, the same sidewalk Alex is standing on. The last thing Alex sees is the terror in the driver''s eyes as the car barrels straight toward him. Motherfuc After that, the entire world goes dark. Chapter 2: A White Light and Cracks in Time and Space Itself Germany, Ruhr area: Robin M?ller is a winner. No doubt about it. How could he possibly be anything else? He might not cut the most imposing figure, standing at just 1.70 meters (a little under 5''6"), but to him, success isnt measured by size, its measured by wealth, status, and control. And in Robins eyes, he has it all. Forty years old and already a millionaire. He has a beautiful young wife, two children who adore him, a spacious house that would make anyone jealous, a well-paying job, and, to top it all off, a brand-new BMW. What more could a man want? After a hard nine hours at the office, though one of those hours had been spent in close company with his secretary, he steps out of the building with a smug smile, gaze falling lovingly on his car. Robin, youve really made it. God, I love my life, he thinks. Maybe I should start saving for that holiday home in Italy. With my job and crypto portfolio, it should only take a couple of years. He snickers. I pity the losers scraping by, working lowly office jobs. Id rather die than spend my whole life saving for a cheap apartment or some tiny house. He slips into the drivers seat, runs his hand over the sleek steering wheel, savoring the luxury, before starting the engine and heading home. His mind wanders. He thinks about the house in Italy, his wife, the secretary hes been sleeping with for years, and his kids, presenting the perfect family on the outside. Robin knows hes winning at life. After all, who could say otherwise? In Robins world, the only thing that matters is Robin. His life is smooth, untouchable. Theres nothing hed change. Except... maybe he shouldve fastened his seatbelt. And maybe he shouldve kept his eyes on the road, rather than on the perfect life in his mind. If he had, maybe he wouldve seen the kid on the e-scooter sooner. "Motherfuc" Two men lie motionless in the street. Bloodied. Broken. His BMW, the pinnacle of his success, sits smashed and crumpled. One man had flown through the windshield and slammed headfirst into a traffic light. The other, crushed under the cars weight. The kid, whod stolen his brothers scooter, freezes for a moment, wide-eyed. He stares at the wreckage, then darts a look around. Oh shit... better get out of here... nothing happened here. Without a hint of remorse or guilt, he speeds away until hes out of sight. All that remains is a wrecked BMW and two very bloody corpses, or so it seems. On closer look, the entire world has frozen. Raindrops hover, still in mid-air, as if the whole world has paused. Suddenly, the sky splits into a vast, chaotic dimension. Countless stars and planets float in the sky, glowing with a dazzling light at the center. The light travels through the crack in reality until it reaches the two men on the street, enveloping them. But it turns out those cracks didnt just open in Germany. India, Delhi: A confident woman in her early thirties, wearing military pants and a vest, hugs another woman who watches her with a worried look. Dont worry, Avni. You and the other girls told me everything. This will be a walk in the park. Ill see you soon, and I promise youll be surprised by what I bring back. Without fear, she turns toward a surreal crack thats appeared in front of her, holding a small white envelope glowing with deep purple fluctuations. I dont care about the cost or what I have to do. Ill return, and I wont come back empty-handed! She jumps through the crack without hesitation, leaving her friend behind with a worried expression. Roja... dont be arrogant. This isnt a game! she prays. South Africa, a small town near Cape Town: A tall man is on his morning run to work, watching the night sky fade as the sun rises. Just another day. You can do it, not for you, but for your family! After a grueling 12-hour shift at the factory, hes about to leave when his strict foreman stops him. Sarch* The Novl?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. You cant leave just yet, Thato. We need you to grab the spare supplies from the upper deck where we started the floor repair a year ago. Bring them to the western warehouse. You mean the part of the deck thats about to collapse? The foremans voice rises. Enough with the backtalk! Do it, or dont bother coming back tomorrow! Thinking about his family, Thato complies. He reaches the upper deck and picks up the equipment, but suddenly, the unstable floor gives way. He falls, accelerating toward the ground scattered with sharp metal scraps. His last thoughts arent for himself but for his family. But somehow, his fall stops as a white light envelops him, and a crack in reality appears before his eyes, shattering everything around him. Greece, Thessaloniki: A young woman in her late twenties, working as an archaeologist, reaches for a book at the top of a tall shelf, her foot slipping on the rusty ladder step. She loses balance, and just as her head is about to strike the ground, a bright light appears, cutting off any sound of impact. All she hears is a strange crack, like glass shattering. Indonesia, Jakarta: A woman in her early twenties lies on her deathbed, too poor for life-saving medicine. She decides to let go, closing her eyes, only to see a bright light. Heaven? she thinks as she catches sight of a crack in reality, and a peaceful smile crosses her face as her thoughts come to an end. Scotland, Isle of Skye: A man lies at the foot of a cliff, his head bleeding from a fall, next to a broken harness. As he slips into unconsciousness, he sees the same bright light and a crack in reality, bringing a sliver of hope to his fading vision. USA, Florida: Hurricane season hits hard every year, claiming lives. This year is no different. Yet for some of the storms victims, something strange happens. As the ISS orbits over the USA, Barry Butch Wilmore glances down, thinking of the devastating season below. "It looks so calm from up here, he mutters, before noticing something unusuala burst of light from the southeastern coast, sending three beams across the horizon. Rubbing his eyes, he asks Houston if any sensors picked up something, but theres no response. Must have been seeing things, he muses. Ten lights travel through time and space but where will they land? Thats yet to be decided. Chapter 3: A Pathetic Host "Motherfuc..." The last thing Alex sees is a panicked man flying through the windshield, just before his own body is crushed into a bloody paste beneath the weight of the BMW and a strange white light and a loud crack like a glass that shattered right in front of me but who cares about that? Even in his final moment, Alex can''t help but think: At least that bastard kissed the traffic light. Serves him right. I only wish I Darkness. Nothingness. Death, they say, is only terrifying if you have time to think about it. But if it comes out of nowhere, like it did for Alex, it''s almost a mercy. Of course, there''s the small matter that his life was a waste, his death utterly meaningless, and the kid who caused it all couldn''t care less and fled the scene. Still, you could argue Alex didnt suffer all that much. But then again, maybe his entire life was one long, slow burn of suffering. As he drifts into the void, Alex''s only regret is that he didnt get to see his family one last time. And then theres the unfinished business. You know, like eating the pizzas he was about to buy, clearing his browser history, and getting rid of all the porn on his computer. Oh, and the weed stashed under the TV. And the sex toys next to his bed. And... well, theres more, but none of it matters now. We all have skeletons in our closet, right? Death is final. Even regrets eventually fade into nothingness. Thankfully, he won''t have to witness the awkward scene when his body is found, or when someone has to clean out his apartment. Now he can just focus on... well... nothingness. Eternal nothi What the hell is this? [Host is now entering the Fantasy Realm.] [Congratulations! Because the host spent his entire life watching anime, TV series, movies, playing video games, and reading stories, he has earned a spot in the Fantasy Realm!] [The Fantasy Realm is classified as an L-rank purgatory realm for souls.] [The host can now experience all the worlds he spent his life dreaming about.] [After enjoying his time, and probably dying really soon, the hosts soul will be permanently destroyed.] "What the hell is this? Purgatory? Fantasy Realm? Is this... hell? Am I dead?" [Since the host is clearly not paying attention, allow me to explain. The Fantasy Realm is a combined space made from human fantasies and fictional worlds. 99.97% of all humans have fantasized about living in a different world. This realm is born from those dreams. People like the host, who spent their entire lives fixating on these kinds of worlds, are especially prone to ending up here after death. The overall chance of ending up in the Fantasy Realm is 1 in 1,000. With approximately 60 million people dying each year, only 60,000 souls enter this realm annually.] [The overall death rate of the tutorial mission is over 80%, so the host should feel lucky. He''s already beaten worse odds.] Wait, wait. What do you mean, death rate? Alex stammers. Wasn''t he already dead? What the hell was this stupid system, or realm, or whatever it was, talking about? Alexs mental body jolts with pain. [Apologies, a system error occurred. Is the host alright? Perhaps the host should refrain from insulting this great system, even in his sad, pathetic mind, to avoid future problems. I am FR-1337, a system assigned to hosts entering the Fantasy Realm. This system is really unlucky to have been paired with such a terrible host. The synergy between this system and the host must be broken. Hopefully, the next host will actually survive the first mission.] What the fuck?! Motherfuc" "God, that hurts! Okay, okay, Im sorry! I just... I have impulsive thoughts, Alex quickly mutters, trying to rein in his temper. So, uh... am I dead or not? And what do you mean by survive the first mission? [If the host survives the first mission, he will return to the scene of his death and be temporarily revived. To be permanently revived, the host must reach a high enough level to unlock the option of having his memories wiped and returning to the real world. There are, of course, other optionssome better, some worsedepending on the host''s goals and tolerance for risk. More information will be provided if the host survives long enough.] [The tutorial mission will begin in 0 days, 0 hours, 42 minutes, and 27 seconds.] [The host may want to check his status if he wishes to avoid having his soul permanently destroyed.] Alex curses under his breath, thinking status. Being a lifelong gamer and fan of web novels, he was familiar with the concept of a status screen, and for a brief moment, his excitement overpowered his confusion. He couldn''t wait to see his life in numbers. His stats appear in front of him, and the excitement vanishes instantly. Alex Kerber: Lvl: 0 (UNAWAKENED) STR - Strength: 3 [Average adult human = 5. You dont lift, host. Sitting around all day in front of a screen doesnt count, and no, jerking off isnt arm training.] AGI - Agility: 3 [Average adult human = 5. Youre as nimble as a slime. And thats generous. Pathetic, especially since you had natural talent in this stat before you let yourself go.] PHY - Physique: 3 [Average adult human = 5. Host has high blood pressure and is essentially a weakling. Fat is not a viable form of defense.] SNS - Perception: 4 [Average adult human = 5. Hosts eyesight is deteriorating due to undiagnosed early-stage diabetes. Wearing a headset for 12 hours a day hasnt helped your hearing either.] CHA - Charm: 3 [Average adult human = 5. Host is fat, unkempt, and has poor hygiene. Theres hope, thoughyoud be about average if you lost 50 pounds and started showering regularly.] MNA - Mana: 4 [Average adult human = 1. Host has latent talent in mana, but your lifestyle has stunted your potential. Not that it mattersmana is useless without this system.] INT - Intelligence: 7 [Average adult human = 5. Host has above-average intelligence, yet consistently makes bad decisions. Congratulations on ruining your own life.] Sear?h the novlF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "FUCK YOU!" Alex roars "Aaaaaaaah, go to hell!" SPR - Spirit: 6 [Average adult human = 5. Host has above-average spirit, though that wont help much if you keep ignoring this system''s advice.] LUK - Luck: 2 [Average adult human = 1. Host has double the luck of the average person. Luck is a rare stat and usually cannot be raised manually by players. For 99.9% of players it''s capped at 1.] Alex stares at his stats, feeling a wave of crushing despair. His poor life decisions had followed him even into the afterlife. His stats are garbage. If hed spent any time at all training, he could have doubled his physical stats easily. His unhealthy lifestyle had even affected his perception and charm. The only bright spots are his above-average INT, SPR, LUK and MNAapparently LUK and MNA are rare stats since most people only had a single point in them. Maybe he could even become a mage? Too bad none of that would help him during the upcoming tutorial mission. His STR, AGI, PHY, and SNS are beyond pathetic. What hope did he have with stats like these, especially with an 80% death rate? [The host may choose to begin the mission with his current stats or attempt to awaken any personal innate skills. Innate skills are unique to each host and can be positive, mixed, or, in rare cases, negative.] [Innate skills are somewhat rare. Only 37.54% of people have one, less than 1% possess more than one skill, and fewer than 100 people have awakened three or more skills in the past decade.] [The system strongly recommends that the host awaken any innate skills, as with his current stats, the host has a 98.95% chance of dying during the first mission.] Alex grimaces but quickly agreed with the well-meaning system, and after a moment of hesitation, shouted, SYSTEM, AWAKEN INNATE SKILLS! Chapter 4: A Fresh Start and a New Status! Alex is praying like never before. He to awaken at least one skill that can give him some kind of combat power or advantage. If not, the upcoming tutorial mission will surely be the end of him. Looking at him now, hunched over like a desperate cultist, its clear the accident hasnt changed his overall characterhe still looks like a pathetic loser. [Awakening Innate Skill: Genius Conjurer] Name: Genius Conjurer Type: Boon Level: 0 (Base level, can be leveled up) Effect at Level 0: Conjuration Duration: +10% (Conjured items last longer). Conjuration Strength: +10% (Conjured items have increased durability, damage, and overall effectiveness). Mana Cost: -10% (Conjuration spells cost less mana). Leveling Requirements: 1 Soul Crystal and 1000 Fantasy Coins + 500 Fantasy Coins per level Sub-skill: Arcane Medieval Armory Effect: The character can rarely obtain new conjuration skills by defeating strong enemies. These skills allow the conjuration of medieval or fantasy-themed items (no modern or futuristic weapons like guns or grenades). Limit: The conjured items reflect the equipment or style of the defeated opponent (e.g., slaying a knight might unlock a conjurable sword or shield). Overall Rating: A- Current spells: none [Host has obtained a personal unique skill. Overall, this skill is very strong. The system would rate it as a miracle, given its potential to reach S rank. Unfortunately, this skill requires time to develop, and its true power emerges only after building a collection of conjuration spells. Hence, the overall rating is A- with the potential to become S. Current rating: F, as it currently does nothing.] [90% of positive unique skills are rated C or lower. Hosts luck stat is indeed impressive.] Alex''s excitement flares after hearing about his personal skill, but it quickly fades. This is a great skill he thinks, and if this were a game, I''d be thrilled. But right now? It does absolutely nothing to improve my strength! I can only obtain spells from killing strong enemies. HOW THE FUCK am I supposed to kill strong enemies with these stats?! Panic slowly begins to set in. He might actually die this time. And then [Awakening second skill.] [Awakening Innate Skill: Statistical OCD] Name: Statistical OCD Type: Bane Level: MAX (Cannot be leveled or improved) Effect: Stat Distribution Limitation: The character cannot freely distribute stat points. They must use 4 stat points to raise all stats by 1 evenly. Stat Conversion: Stats gained through special items (e.g., potions, artifacts) are automatically converted into regular stat points, which must also be distributed evenly. Sub-skill: Hellish Greed Effect: Gain 8 extra skill slots, reserved exclusively for the 8 basic skills (one for each stat-related skill), but lose 3 normal skill slots (character has only 2 compared to the usual 5). S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Restriction: The character cannot progress beyond level 1 in those skills unless all 8 basic skills are learned and kept within 1 level of each other. Overall Rating: None (This bane offers no positive rating and severely restricts progression and stat growth. It requires meticulous balancing at every stage of development.) [Host has obtained a second personal unique skill. Host should] [ERROR ERROR C Current stats not in line with Statistical OCD Level MAX.] [Statistical OCD Level MAX takes precedence over current stats.] [Resetting current stats.] Alex feels his entire body shift. His mind becomes slightly sluggish, but physically, he feels incredible. He closes his eyes and a long-forgotten memory surfaces, himself as a child, running freely across a soccer field, leaving everyone in the dust as he chased after the ball. Tears roll down his face, unbidden. He begins to cry. He was about to die without even the smallest chance to fight back, a death sentence with no possible appeal. Alex, grateful that he finally made a good decision and took a gamble that actually paid off, feels as though he''s been handed his last opportunity. He knows that if he screws this up, thats it. This is the final chance hell ever get, at life, at a future, at everything. This bane, this supposed curse, has reset his entire life. There will be challenges ahead, sure, but for now, Alex can only think of one thing: This is a second chance! I wont waste it! Fantasy Realm? HERE I COME! Chapter 5: Stats & Skills As Alex finally stops crying and starts thinking about his two new unique skills, the system abruptly pulls him back to reality. [Host continues to amaze the system. His LUK, which was twice as high as the average, has now become five times as high. Host now looks like a completely average person. Host should take a look at himself.] A mirror suddenly appears before him. Alex stares in surprise. Hes lost a significant amount of weight, looking like a version of himself that actually exercised. He even looks youngermaybe not stunning, but definitely... normal. Almost like he did many, many years ago. Alex mutters, System, can you explain my second skill? [Genius Conjurer] is pretty self-explanatory for now, but what about [Statistical OCD]? It doesnt seem like a bane to me at all! I can use 4 stat points and get 9 stats? How is that not overpowered? Also, [Hellish Greed] took 3 skill slots away, but all my basic skills now fall under this sub-skill? So, in the end, Ive got 5 additional skills! Not to mention, my stats were reset, and even my luck is 5 now! How is this a bane? It sounds insane! [Host has indeed lost 2 INT points and cannot see the bigger picture. While host is not wrong, the Fantasy Realm evaluates this skill as more or less neutral. It is overall 1.65% skewed toward being a bane instead of a boon. This skill forever prevents you from specializing in any one stat, which will have severe repercussions when it comes to class selection and maximizing your main attributes. Haven''t you heard of a jack of all trades, master of none? Also, host''s level is too low for certain explanations... Skill slots are similarly restricted at host''s . Furthermore, being forced to learn all 8 basic skills instead of focusing on one will be resource-intensive and difficult. However, these concerns are irrelevant at your current level. For now, youre correct, this skill is quite beneficial for your situation. Had the reset of your base stats been planned, this skills rating would even be a D since you gained so many basic stats.] [Since the host is now an avatar of mediocrityexcept for your extraordinary LUK and respectable MNA, of courseyour chances of survival have increased from under 2% to over 20%. Congratulations.] Alex gulps. Being ten times more likely to survive sounds good... but 20% still doesnt seem like the brightest future. System, tell me more about these stats and the basic skills you mentioned! [Host cannot learn skills yet and is too low-level to understand advanced concepts. However, here is basic information regarding stats, skills in general, and the basic skills required by your unique skill.] Physical Stats: Sarch* The ovlFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. STR (Strength): Function: Governs raw physical power, melee damage, and carry capacity. Effects: Melee Damage: Increases unarmed and melee weapon damage. Limited Ranged Damage: Some bows and throwing weapons benefit from STR. Carry Capacity: Determines how much weight can be carried without becoming encumbered. Physical Force: Impacts physical strength checks, like breaking barriers or escaping grapples. Synergy: Works well with PHY to boost endurance and resilience in physical combat. AGI (Agility): Function: Governs movement speed, attack speed, weapon precision (melee and ranged), and evasion. Effects: Attack Speed: Increases the speed of physical attacks. Evasion: Boosts dodging ability, reducing the chance of getting hit. Weapon Precision: Improves accuracy and critical hit chance with both melee and ranged weapons. Movement Speed: Increases speed in combat and exploration. PHY (Physique): Function: Governs endurance, health points (HP), stamina, and health regeneration. Effects: HP Calculation: HP = PHY 10. HP Regeneration: HP regen = PHY 0.05 per minute. Stamina: Hidden value affecting strenuous activities (e.g., running, fighting). Physical Resistance: Increases resistance to physical damage and toughness in combat. SNS (Sense / Perception): Function: Enhances sensory awareness, ranged accuracy, and reaction time. Effects: Detection: Improves awareness of hidden threats and traps. Ranged Accuracy: Boosts long-distance precision for ranged weapons. Reaction Time: Aids in dodging surprise attacks. Environmental Awareness: Heightens sensitivity to changes in surroundings. Mental Stats: INT (Intelligence): Function: Governs magical learning, spell effectiveness, and mental sharpness. Effects: Magic Skill Unlock: Unlocks certain spells that require INT. Higher INT is required for more complex spells. Spell Potency: Slightly boosts combat magic (damage, control, casting speed). Tactical Thinking: Improves analytical skills and decision-making. Skill Unlocks: Unlocks advanced non-magical skills (e.g., crafting, engineering). MNA (Mana): Function: Governs MP pool, MP regeneration, and spell power. Effects: MP Calculation: MP = MNA 10. MP Regeneration: MP regen = MNA 0.1 per minute. Spellcasting Power: Directly affects the potency of magic. MP Pool: Increases mana available for combat and spells. SPR (Spirit): Function: Governs willpower, mental resilience, and spiritual/faith-based magic. Effects: Magic Resistance: Increases defense against mental attacks and illusions. Willpower: Improves resistance to fear and confusion. Spiritual Magic: Enhances healing, protective spells, and buffs. Mental Fortitude: Improves focus under pressure. CHA (Charm): Function: Governs social interaction, persuasion, and charm-based magic. Effects: Social Influence: Boosts success in persuasion, deception, and charm-based situations. Charm Magic: Increases effectiveness of magic that manipulates emotions or controls others. Negotiation: Enhances diplomacy, allowing for easier information gathering or conflict resolution. Leadership: Improves ability to lead and inspire, affecting NPC and companion reactions. Miscellaneous Stat: LUK (Luck): Function: Influences chance-based outcomes, such as critical hits, dodging, and loot drops. Effects: Critical Hit Chance: Increases odds of landing critical hits. Dodging Fatal Blows: Helps avoid dangerous situations through luck. Loot Drops: Raises chances of finding rare items. Miscellaneous Outcomes: Can affect puzzles, random events, or NPC interactions. Key Formulas: HP Formula: HP = PHY 10 Example: 20 PHY = 200 HP HP Regeneration Formula: HP regen = PHY 0.05 per minute Example: 20 PHY = 1 HP/minute MP Formula: MP = MNA 10 Example: 15 MNA = 150 MP MP Regeneration Formula: MP regen = MNA 0.1 per minute Example: 15 MNA = 1.5 MP/minute Skill System Overview: Skill Slots: Players start with 5 skill slots, gaining 1 additional slot every 5 levels. This does not include innate or class-specific skills. Skill Levels: Skills start at level 0 and can only be leveled up to the player''s overall level. Skill Acquisition & Improvement Costs: To learn a skill, players need skill books, FC (Fantasy coins, the currency of the realm), and must meet stat and skill requirements. Rare skills require soul crystals (a rare item) Basic Skills: Each basic skill corresponds to a specific stat and serves as a prerequisite for intermediate and advanced skills. While broad, they are essential for building any foundation of power. [Since host can not learn a single one of the basic skills for now, host can ask again should he survive his tutorial mission] [If the host survives the tutorial mission, more skill information will become available.] Warning: Tutorial mission starting in 0 days, 0 hours, 5 minutes. Alex gulps. Hes terrified but, strangely enough, kind of excited. He''s a bit annoyed that the system just dumped all that information on him. Can he even remember all of it? Most of the information about stats is just common sense, STR makes you stronger, while INT makes you smarter! That part he can remember. His skills are easy to handle too since...he doesnt have a single one he can actually use! As the minutes tick down... Warning: Tutorial mission starting in 0 days, 0 hours, 0 minutes, 5 seconds. [Host is a very fun individual to observe and tease. This system hopes host will continue to humiliate himself in exciting ways. Good luck.] Chapter 6: Tutorial Mission: Realm Selection [Player is now entering tutorial mission. Players gathering... total number of players: 10. World selection: in progress] Alex notices a few other people floating next to him in a vast, dark space of nothingness. He can barely make out the figures, but theres something else that draws his attentiona wheel spinning in the distance, with many familiar and some unknown worlds listed. His eyes narrow, trying to focus. "Hmm... what is that? Dragon Ball? OH, GOD, PLEASE NO!!!" The wheel spins again, and Alexs panic subsides just slightly. "If I end up in the Dragon Ball world, with monsters, dinosaurs, and planet-destroying aliens everywhere, I might as well kill myself and kiss my soul goodbye." He watches the wheel spin through several more worlds, some of which he recognizes and even likes: Alex nearly chokes. "What the fuck?! I nearly forgot there are worlds like that too. God, I hope I never end up in a shit world like this... although... it might be fun to kill every single last terrible character in that place." "What the hell... Am I supposed to crossdress and play death golf? These selections are so weird. I swear, if I keep cursing and stressing out, I''m going to get wrinkles. I need to calm the fuck down. Everythings going to be fine... this is the tutorial, itll probably be some comedy anime or romance movie." "Motherf" Alex gulps. "Spin again! Do it!" Alexs vision blurs, and he feels faint. "I like One Piece. Odas a genius, but hell no, theres no way this world gets chosen for a tutorial." [World selected: One Piece. Tutorial mission: One Piece (Fragment)] "WHAT THE FUCK?!" [Player count: 10 World: One Piece (Fragment)] Mission Details: This is a limited world fragment of the universe. Progress will not be saved, and this is a self-contained mission with a limited scope of exploration. Location: A small island in the East Blue Size: Less than 100 km2 (less than 40 square miles) Population: 186 Timeline: Two years before Luffy leaves Foosha Village Setting: The Island of Navalia lies in the East Blue, and is known for its quality wood and fur exports. A peaceful village sits at the center of the island, with a tiny harbor on its eastern sandy beach. The rest of the island is surrounded by cliffs. Most of the villagers work in hunting wildlife for fur and meat or cutting down trees for shipbuilding. However, Baroque Works is rapidly expanding its influence, focusing on the East Bluewhere pirate bounties are low and Marine presence is sparse. Navalia offers valuable resources (furs and wood) and potential recruits (strong workers fit for recruitment as "Millions"). With no Marine base nearby, the island is vulnerable to takeover, and it''s unlikely the Marines would hear about it in time. The village elder, refusing to give in, has hired mercenaries to defend the island. Your Role: You are one of the hired mercenaries. Mission: Help defend the village on Navalia for five days. To increase your mission rating: Ensure the villagers survive. Gather supplies. Hunt wildlife for fur and meat. Defend the village against attackers from Baroque Works (Millions C common enemies, Billions C rare and strong enemies, and potential officer/field agents C bosses). Clear Condition: Achieve at least a D- rating. Rewards: Depends on your rank. Failure Condition: Receive a rating of E+ or lower. Punishment: Permanent soul destruction. Hint: If the village is completely destroyed, all players will automatically receive an F rating. If the village survives for the duration of the mission, all players will receive at least a D- rating. Sar?h the N??elFir.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Player Setting: C PvP actions are strictly forbidden and will result in immediate expulsion and soul destruction. Explanation of Mission Rewards: Normal missions offer the following rewards and punishments. This tutorial mission has stricter requirements, demanding at least an E+ rating to survive, offering the same rewards as normal missions though. Rating Tiers: F (Death): Player dies, no rewards.E (Penalty): Lose 1 to 3 random stat points.D (Neutral): No stat points, 300C600 FC.C (Average): 1 stat point, 1000C2000 FC.B (Good): 2C3 stat points, 3000C5000 FC.A (Excellent): 4C5 stat points, 6000C10,000 FC.S (Exceptional C Very Rare): 6C8 stat points, 12,000C20,000 FC. [Players, prepare to enter the world of One Piece.] Chapter 7: First Steps in Navalia [Player is now entering the world of One Piece. Missing language skills detected. Since this is the tutorial mission, host will receive the corresponding skill for free. This skill will disappear after the mission and will not use up a skill slot.] Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. [Received Basic Common Language (One Piece)] Suddenly, the black void in front of Alex begins to dissolve, and hes momentarily blinded by a bright, harsh light. He throws his arms up to block it and takes a few seconds to steady himself. When his vision clears, Alex notices something strange. His clothes are different. Theyre old-fashioned and plain, made of rough cotton, the kind of clothing a common villager in the universe might wear. He glances around and realizes hes standing in a small, rustic village. The village consists mostly of wooden huts and modest houses, nestled among towering trees. Large trunks dominate the landscape, and the air smells faintly of wood and freshly cut lumber. The village is encircled by a tall wooden palisade, although some villagers are still working on reinforcing it, clearly, they are preparing for something. There are nine other people with him: five men and four women, all of varying ages and races. They seem as disoriented as Alex. Before Alex has the chance to inspect them more closely or start a conversation, an elderly man, flanked by two towering soldiers, approaches. The soldiers attire is a bizarre mix of rugged, homemade leather armor and an assortment of axes and knives strapped to their belts. The old mans face is deeply lined with skepticism as he surveys the group. "I can''t believe you''re the mercenaries I hired," he says, his voice carrying the weight of disappointment. "I paid a full 5 million Berry and was promised elite warriors. Look at you lot! Especially you!" He jabs a finger in Alex''s direction. Alex tenses, his instincts telling him to snap back, but he quickly realizes the old man isnt pointing at him. Instead, hes pointing at the man standing next to him. And then, with a sudden jolt of recognition, Alexs heart skips a beat. Its him!! The guy who hit him with the BMW. I will kill him, Alex thinks, his blood boiling, only to remember the strict rule. His anger deflates almost immediately. Ill get you back somehow, he tells himself, far less assured. Better to keep a low profile and focus on the mission, Alex reasons. Theyve already made a terrible first impression. 5 million Berry hmm? Alex muses. A human slave on Sabaody Archipelago sells for 500,000 Berry! How the hell did this idiot elder get scammed into paying 5 million for 10 random people? Were not even slaves, were just hired mercenaries. What a fool. No wonder Baroque Works is about to enslave this island with a leader as incompetent as this. The old man, now known as "Old Ben" thanks to the murmurs of his soldiers, looks both frustrated and defeated. "Take a look around the village and get familiar with it. I expect you back in a few hours, and youd better be ready! Im not only putting you to work fightingyou''ll be doing anything I ask. You lot dont even look like fighters anyway." Alex relaxes a little and takes a closer look at the people around him. Aside from himself and the BMW-driving scumbagwho, with his designer glasses and panicked expression, looks like a pretentious middle managerthe others seem reasonably competent. The four men, all in their 30s & 40s, stand slightly taller than Alex, who now finds himself in a very average body. The shortest among them is Robin, the BMW scumbag, who stands at just 1.70 meters (not even 56). Alex guesses the others are working-class types, judging by their lean, hardened physiques. One man, in particular, stands out, a tall, 1.95-meter (64) black man who looks like an Olympic athlete. His serious, weathered face seems to tell a story of hardship. Without thinking, perhaps thanks to his lowered INT, Alex blurts out, "Damn, did you die of a heatstroke running a marathon? You look like a freaking Olympic athlete." To Alexs surprise, the man laughs. He introduces himself as Thato Khumalo, a 32-year-old from a poor town in South Africa. He once aspired to be a national athlete, but after placing 7th in national competitions, he never made it to the Olympics. Still, he kept running because it allowed him to escape the crushing reality of his surroundings. Alex, shocked by Thatos athletic prowess, wants to ask about his stats but holds back, realizing it might be a bit too personal for now. Thato continues, explaining how he died in an accident at a metal recycling factory where he worked to support his siblings and extended family. A poorly welded platform gave way, causing him to fall onto a pile of sharp, rusted scrap metal. Alex feels a pang of sympathy. Not only had Thatos life been cut short, but his familys future likely depended on him. Now, everything hung in the balance, resting on whether or not Thato could survive this mission. The other men huddle together, exchanging stories, while Alex''s attention shifts to the four women in the group. Three of them look fairly average, but one woman stands out. She has the confident, no-nonsense demeanor of someone who knows exactly what shes doing. Her dark skin and sharp features suggest shes of Indian or Southeast Asian descent. The moment they arrive, she takes charge of the other women and leads them on a walk around the village, quickly assessing the surroundings. Alex, as a somewhat entitled, clueless white guy from Europe, knows hes bad at identifying races and ethnicitieshe once tried a quiz on differentiating between Koreans, Chinese, and Japanese people and failed spectacularly. This situation feels no different. He decides not to dwell on it. Meanwhile, Robin, the BMW scumbag, sits alone on the ground, staring blankly into space. His expression is empty, his mind likely racing with fear and confusion. Chapter 8: Getting Started After the four women leave to explore the village, the other three men wander off on their own, leaving Alex alone with Thato. As they chat, Alex is surprised to learn that Thato actually knows about . He mentions that hed seen a few episodes with his younger brothers a decade ago but cant remember many details. He only recalls wishing back then that he could leave everything behind and embark on an adventure like Luffy. Hearing this, Alex has a realization: maybe every player in the Fantasy Realm is looking for an escape. A fresh start to their old lives. A way out of the bullshit they have to deal with. Sure, Alexs problems are nothing compared to someone like Thato, who has spent his life working in dangerous conditions, but their emotions are probably not all that different. They all want to escape. Over the next half hour, Alex shares what he knows about the Fantasy Realm, stats, and, most importantly, the One Piece world. Alex, being the type of person whos spent most of his life in front of a computer, knows a lot about One Piece. He gives Thato a quick rundown, focusing on Baroque Works: "Baroque Works was a criminal syndicate created by the Warlord Crocodile to destabilize and conquer the Arabasta Kingdomand to acquire the ancient superweapon Pluton. To achieve this, they carry out countless acts of espionage, sabotage, and murder over the years, eventually manipulating Arabasta into civil war. But that wont happen until the Straw Hats reach Arabasta. For now, Baroque Works is still gathering resources and personnel. They mostly employ bounty hunters and mercenaries under the half-truth that theyre building a new, ''ideal'' nation. Their ranks are made up of the lower-tier Millionsaround 1,800 of themand the Billions, who are higher-ranking and candidates to become agents. In Arabasta, there are around 200 Billions." Alex explains that while Baroque Works has powerful Officer Agents with devil fruit powers, they wont encounter them in this mission. "No use worrying about that. Were just normal humans, man. People like Mr. 1 could kill thousands of fighters like us. He tanked every one of Zoros attacks with the Supa Supa no Mi until Zoro finally cut through iron and defeated him. Even then, it was more about Mr. 1s arrogance. So, dont bother thinking about those types of enemies. At worst, we might run into a Frontier Agent. Probably only one, not a team." Alex recalls that Zoro had killed Mr. 7 before canon even begins, so the Frontier Agents arent nearly as dangerous. "Theyre mostly weak, and none of them have devil fruit powers. They rely on numbers or equipment to get the job done. With the help of the villagers, and if we hold a solid defensive position, we might be able to beat Baroque Works if their numbers are small. This island seems unimportant, so I doubt theyll throw too many fighters at it." Thato, grateful for Alex''s detailed knowledge, begins to trust him. Though he cant understand why Alex knows so much about a "childish anime," he appreciates the honesty. Thato has worked hard his entire life to provide for his family, and while he doesnt judge Alex, he finds the contrast between their lives somewhat amusing. Still, he likes Alex''s straightforwardness and is glad theyve met. They seem like a good team for this mission. They spend some time discussing their stats, and Alex shares his as well. Innate Skill: Dream Runner S~ea??h the ovlFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Type: Boon Level: 0 (Base level, can be leveled up) Effect at Level 0: Running Speed: +10% Stamina Efficiency: Running consumes 20% less stamina. Regeneration Boost: HP and MP regeneration are increased by 20% while running. Overall Rating: C- Potential: The skill offers significant boosts to running speed and efficiency, but it''s fairly basic and lacks versatility in combat or other scenarios. Its useful but limited in scope. Alex is stunned. If Thato wanted to, and if the Fantasy Realm allowed it, he could kill Alex in seconds. His PHY is slightly lower than expected, likely due to years of dangerous factory work wearing him down, but its still leagues ahead of Alexs. Even with his stats reset to an average of 5, Alex cant compare. Thatos only "weakness" is his slightly lower INT, but Alex doesnt judge that, his own INT has fallen to 5, and he doesnt feel any dumber for it. INT isnt just about raw intelligence or IQ. Its more about mental processing speed and the ability to grasp complex concepts. Thato has spent his life focusing on physical activities, while Alex has been able to read, study, and use his mind in a leisurely way. That probably explains the difference. Thatos [Dream Runner] skill is impressive too, but Alex is puzzled by its C- rating. The boosts it givesspeed, stamina efficiency, and regeneration, seem universally useful in almost every type of world. Why is it ranked so low? Alex realizes he needs more information about the Fantasy Realm to properly judge these things. Still, one thing is clear: innate skills seem to be deeply personal. Alex has always gone for balanced characters in games, trying to do everything in a single playthrough, which probably explains his bane skill. Thato, on the other hand, has used running as an escape from his harsh reality, and it manifests in his unique skill. Their powers are reflections of their inner selves. Alex admires Thato but cant stop thinking about his own skill. If something like [Dream Runner] is rated C-, then how powerful would his [Genius Conjurer] be once he unlocks a spell? As they explore the village, they come across a man directing a group of workers who are still putting up the palisade. The wooden stakes, though sturdy, seem hastily constructed, with many gaps still visible between the logs. The man calls them over. "You, big guy," he says, pointing at Thato, "you look like a strong worker. And you" He glances at Alex with a dismissive look. "You look... average. But it doesnt matter. We need hands. If youre willing, help us gather wood for the palisade." [Side Quest Offered C You can only take one side quest in the village at a time.] Mission: Deliver wood to complete and enhance the village palisade. Reward: Contribution points based on the amount and quality of the wood. Thato immediately accepts and turns to Alex. "What do you think?" Alex hesitates. He can only take one quest at a time, but since theres still some time before the main mission, he figures he might as well start with this one. "Ill help," he says, reasoning that with his average stats, he wont excel at anything anyway, so it doesnt really matter what task he takes. The man hands them each an axe. [Inferior Woodcutting Axe] Alex studies the item. Its quality seems to be the lowest tier, and the available information is minimal. "I probably need a skill to get more detailed info on items," he thinks. At least its something, a tool that could double as a weapon, if needed. Still, the whole situation makes him realize just how ill-prepared they are. "No armor, no skills, no proper weapons, and somehow were supposed to be mercenaries worth 500,000 Berry each?" He cringes, imagining how ridiculous they must look. After receiving their axes, Alex and Thato head into a nearby forest. The trees tower above them, casting long shadows across the dirt path. Thato, having some experience with logging, quickly takes charge. "Dont bother trying to chop down these huge trees. With these dull axes, itd take us hours, maybe even days. Look for smaller, younger trees. Theyll be easier to cut, and theyre more than enough for the palisade." Alex nods, impressed by Thatos practical thinking. It reminds him that INT has little to do with common sense or practical knowledge. It isnt about raw intelligence or problem-solvingits more about processing power and learning magical concepts. As they scout the forest for the right trees, Alex feels a small flicker of hope. Maybe, just maybe, they have a chance after all. Chapter 9: Log & Roll Another half hour passes, and Alex is carrying his third small tree back to the village. "Tree" is a generous description; what he has chopped down is more like a large sapling compared to the thicker logs used in the village palisades. Its frustrating, especially as he watches Thato finish hauling his fifth tree. Thatos logs are noticeably thicker and larger, making Alex cringe with a mix of envy and irritation. Alex feels the urge to push himself harder, but he quickly shuts down the thought. He knows better than to let his ego get the best of him. His stats are much lower than Thatos, and trying to overdo it would only make him look like a fool. After returning his third load of wood, he ventures back into the forest, his thoughts still swirling with mild frustration when he suddenly hears a scream, followed by a distinct, bone-chilling howl. "AWOOOO!" "Thato?!" Alex shouts, his heart racing as he bolts toward the sound. He crashes through the underbrush, branches scratching at his arms as he hurries toward the source of the scream. Bursting through a cluster of trees, he sees Thato lying on the ground, struggling beneath a large, wolf-like creature. The beast has its jaws clamped around the handle of Thatos axe, which Thato has shoved into its mouth to keep it from biting down. Blood soaks through his clothes, evidence that the wolf has already scratched him with its claws. Panic grips Alex. His first instinct is to turn and run, just like he did during the car accident. But then he remembers where running had gotten him before. It led to his death. Not this time! He hesitates for a moment, then, summoning every ounce of courage, decides to charge toward the wolf. However, instead of running in blindly, Alex circles around the creature, moving in an arc toward its back. He grips the axe tightly, adrenaline surging through him. This is no game, this is life or death. In a clumsy but determined motion, he swings his axe overhead. His inexperience shows as the heavy axe head wobbles slightly in his grip, throwing his aim off target. The wolf, sensing his approach, turns just in time for Alexs poorly aimed strike to hit where it hadnt been intended, right on the wolfs head. The wolf collapses, its skull split cleanly in two from Alexs accidental but fatal strike. Thato, still pinned on the ground, stares up in disbelief. He can hardly believe that Alex, a man who has lived his entire life in peaceful Europe, just delivered such a devastating blow. He looks astonished, but also deeply grateful, as he thanks Alex profusely. Alex, though proud, feels a strange twinge of shame. He knows that his strike had been more luck than skill, but Thato doesnt care. The wolf is dead, and he has been spared a potentially worse injury. Thato inspects his wounds, just a few deep scratches. Hes taken only 11 points of damage, and thanks to his 7 points in PHY, hell fully recover in less than an hour. No real harm done. Suddenly, another distant howl pierces the air. Alex tenses. "We need to get out of here!" he urges, helping Thato to his feet. They decide to carry the wolfs corpse with them and make a break for the village. When they reach the village, they rush to the worker in charge of the palisades and report the wolf attack. After hearing their story, the worker decides its too risky to continue logging in the forest, and their first side quest is abruptly ended. Thato has earned significantly more points, but Alex doesnt ask about it. Instead, the worker directs them to take the wolfs body to the supply station to have it turned into meat and fur. They hurry, conscious of the fact that the main mission is about to start and the sun is already beginning to set. At the supply station, Alex hands over the wolf and receives another notification. [Smoked Wolf Jerky] Alex is grateful to receive a recovery item. Its far from effective, but in a dangerous world like this, any form of healing is welcome. The notes snarky tone reminds him of his own system, FR-1337. Was that just a coincidence? Deciding not to dwell on it, he hands one portion of jerky to Thato, and they make their first successful trade. To his relief, the system provides a notification to confirm the trade, ensuring theres no chance for scams, a welcome feature that brings back memories of World of Warcraft and RuneScape. With a few minutes left before they have to return to the village elder, Alex and Thato decide to visit the village store. Inside, they find an assortment of weapons, armor, supplies, and even a few rare items. Alexs eyes are immediately drawn to several items: [Hidden Secret Village Medicine] [Quality Hunting Bow] [Quality Arrow] [Quality Hunting Knife] [Quality Fur Armor] .. [Quality Fur Boots] [Quality Fur Gauntlets] .. Alex scans the available stock. Most of the items are of "White" quality, which seems to indicate standard, decent equipment. Compared to the "Gray" quality axe hes been given, these items are clearly much better. Alex is especially interested in the [Quality Hunting Knife] and [Quality Hunting Bow], decent weapons that can be taken out of the mission and used in future scenarios. Unfortunately, with only 130 contribution points, he cant afford anything. These items are valuable beginner gear, and Alex makes a mental note to redeem any points he can after the mission. Survival might depend on having the right equipment. sea??h th novlF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. As Alex lingers over the items, his eyes keep drifting back to the [Hidden Secret Village Medicine]. A rare potion that could increase his PHY by 1 point, its almost too tempting. With just that one bottle, he could raise his PHY to nearly match Thatos. However, Alex knows his [Statistical OCD] skill would prevent him from fully benefiting from the potion. Any stat point gained would simply be converted into a regular stat point, which could then only be used to raise all his stats equally. In essence, hed gain double the value, but only later, when he has the necessary points to spread across all his stats. Still, the potion costs an astronomical 10,000 contribution points, and Alex cant trade for it. Should he aim for the long-term benefit of the medicine or focus on more affordable, practical items that could help him survive now? Before he can make up his mind, Thato interrupts his thoughts, reminding him that its time to return to the village elder. They make their way back to the village center, where they notice that the rest of the group has already returned as well. Chapter 10: Five Nights at Navalia Mission: The village elder has assigned the 10 mercenaries to defend the southern section of the village palisade from Baroque Works attacks. Clear condition: Defend the southern palisade wall for five nights. Reward: Contribution points based on individual performance. Failure condition: Let the southern palisade be breached by multiple enemies. Punishment: High likelihood of the wall falling, resulting in the main mission''s failure. Hint: If the village is destroyed, everyone will fail the mission. Do your best to keep the southern palisade intact! The village elder explains that Baroque Works prefers sneak attacks and would never openly assault the village during the day. They are too few in number for direct combat; their goal is to take over the villages resources discreetly. This gives Alex and the others some breathing room to complete side quests and gather resources during the day, but the nights are when the real danger begins. The sun is already setting, casting long shadows over the village, and Alex feels a sense of unease creeping up his spine. The elder barks orders, directing the group toward the southern wall. Alex follows the others, thinking about the upcoming task and the weight of the responsibility they all share. They arrive at their post and are greeted by a small pile of worn weapons and armors. "Ive noticed that you scammers and wannabe mercenaries dont even have proper equipment to fight! I regret hiring you!" the elder spits, glaring at them. "Each of you can take one weapon and one piece of armor. Choose quickly, because you wont be getting any more help from us. If you want better gear, youll have to earn it through the village shop!" Alex wastes no time and quickly moves to the front of the group. Right next to him stands Roja, the woman from India, who shoots him a look of disdain, clearly expecting some courtesy. What, just because youre a woman, you think Ill let you go first? Alex thinks bitterly. Id rather be a scumbag and live than be a gentleman and die. He ignores her and begins examining the gear. The items are similar to what he saw in the village shop earlier, but the quality is much worse. All of them are gray-grade, the lowest tier. Without hesitation, Alex grabs a bow. He already has the [Woodcutters axe], which can serve as a melee weapon, but what makes him choose the bow is his confidence in using it. Years ago, a well-meaning but nosy relative gave him a coupon for an archery course, thinking Alex needed to spend more time outdoors. After being hounded about it, hed finally gone, only to find that he had a knack for it. He learned that using a real bow was nothing like the movies. There was no sloppy aiming or cool poses; you have to line up the arrow with your face and carefully aim. Maybe that knowledge will actually help in this world, he thinks. Only one way to find out. After grabbing a bow and a quiver of arrows, Alex reaches for a second quiver, but the elder quickly admonishes him. "Only one quiver per person!" Greedy old bastard, Alex grumbles to himself. He spends 5 million Berry on hiring us but wont even give me more than one lousy quiver of low-quality arrows! He ignores the irritated looks from Roja, who clearly thinks hes a lowlife for grabbing the gear first, but Alex doesnt care. For his armor, he chooses a pair of old leather boots. His feet have been aching after their trek through the forest, and as an archer, mobility is more important to him than heavy armor. Plus, something tells him hell need to be prepared to run at a moments notice. Despite having killed a wolf earlier, Alexs instincts tell him to avoid acting like a hero. Hes the type to find loopholes, using others as shields while he swoops in to grab the rewards without taking too many risks. Hes not about to start acting "manly" just because the stakes are higher. [Old Hunting Bow] Quality: Gray Durability: 13/20 Damage: 6-11 [Basic Arrow] x 20 Quality: Gray Durability: 2/2 Damage: 2-3 [Old Leather Boots] Quality: Gray Durability: 11/15 Satisfied with his choices, Alex climbs up to one of the small wooden towers along the palisade wall. Its a simple structure, but it gives him a good vantage point for his role as an archer. Plus, it allows him to sit down and avoid patrolling all night like a lowly guard. As the sun dips below the horizon and night settles in, a ghostly atmosphere descends on the village. The air is cold, and the bright moon casts eerie shadows across the landscape. Alex scans the surrounding area outside the village, but nothing seems out of the ordinary. After about an hour of sitting in silence, Alex decides its time to stop isolating himself. Cooperation will be key to surviving this situation, and it wont hurt to build some alliances beyond just Thato. Climbing down from the tower, he makes his way toward the other players. Most are lounging around, and some of the women are huddled together for warmth. Alex approaches Roja and the three other women. "Hi, sorry about before," Alex says, putting on his best polite smile. "I was just excited to pick my weapon." Roja smiles back, but instead of responding in English, she mutters something in Hindi: "???? ??? ??? ??? ???? ???? ???." Alex forces a smile, though hes sure she just insulted him. Why else would she switch to Hindi instead of speaking English or the common language they learned for the mission? He knows she can speak English, most educated people from big Indian cities can. He has no patience for people who refuse to communicate properly. "Could you at least insult me in English?" he says, trying to keep his tone light. "Or tell me your names?" After an awkward pause, Alex manages to get the names of the four women. Patricia is from the southern United States, which immediately raises his opinion of her, Alex has a thing for southern accents. Eirini is from Greece, and Perlah from Indonesia. Sarch* The n?vel_Fire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Roja, unsurprisingly, remains cold, only giving him her name with a dismissive tone. Despite Rojas rudeness, Alex feels a small sense of accomplishment. Even though hes an introvert and far more comfortable behind a screen, he has a knack for creating shallow connections when he needs to. Its how he has managed to hold down a job despite his lazy, gaming-obsessed lifestyle. He knows how to play the part of a decent guy when it suits him. Having made the minimal effort to socialize, Alex excuses himself and returns to his tower. He still hasnt seen Robin, the BMW-driving jerk who caused his death, but Alex doesnt care. He feels a surge of pettiness, thinking about how he could expose Robins absence to the rest of the group and turn them against him. Office gossip tacticshis specialty. Feeling smug, Alex climbs back into his tower. The night air is cold, and the eerie quiet reminds him of the popular horror game, Five Nights at Freddys He figures nothing is going to happen on the first night anyway, just like in the game. With that thought in mind, Alex allows himself to drift off to sleep, confident that hes given himself an alibi by making small talk with the others. He considers it a clever plan, devious, but effective. This guys a scumbag, he thinks, amused at himself. But a smart scumbag. Hours pass, and Alex wakes feeling somewhat refreshed. He grins, pleased with his gamble. Nothing has happened, and he has gotten a few hours of sleep out of it. From his perch, he can see the other players just sitting around, some of the women even cuddling for warmth. Motherfuckers. How dare they get all cozy while Im out here working?" He counts the group and realizes someone is missingRobin. The smug grin returns to Alexs face. This is his chance to expose Robin and turn the others against him. Quietly, he slips out of the tower and begins creeping around the village, looking for his target. As he nears the edge of the village, he hears hushed voices coming from behind a tree outside the palisade. Oh shit, Alex thinks, his heart pounding. Is that Baroque Works? He creeps closer, trying to make out whats being said. Chapter 11: A Shot in the Dark Alex crouches low, straining his ears to catch anything from the dark figures beyond the palisade. But, unsurprisingly, his SNS, average at best, fails him. The voices are too muffled, too distant. This is pointless, he thinks, frustration bubbling up. But no villager would be sneaking around outside the village at night, whispering suspiciously. He takes a deep breath, trying to steady his nerves. His heart pounds in his chest, but after a few moments, he decides to take a gamble. This is the perfect opportunity to earn contribution points, possibly even a kill, without having to share credit with the others. Memories of playing Skyrim flicker through his mind. He always loves sneaking through dungeons, taking down enemies with a single well-placed arrow. The satisfaction of landing a perfect sneak attack never gets old. Now, he is about to recreate that same moment, except in real life. Ill kill at least one Baroque Works member, Alex thinks, the plan forming in his head. Then I can argue that I did my part. Its only fair that the others take care of the rest. His mind paints a perfect picture: hell walk back into the village as a hero, a master archer who has single-handedly taken out one of the enemy scouts. No one could accuse him of being lazy or selfish, not after he delivers a body to prove it. Without hesitation, Alex kneels down, grips his [Old Hunting Bow], and takes aim at the dark figures next to the tree. His hands shake slightly, but he forces himself to focus. It has been years since his archery course, and this bow isnt the sleek modern one he used back then. The weapon in his hands is old and worn, with a dull string that barely holds tension. But still, he lines up his shot, holding the arrow just as hed been taught, right next to his face, no fancy tricks. He draws a shaky breath and releases. The arrow shoots into the darkness, and for a split second, Alexs heart sinks as he realizes he hasnt practiced with this bow at all. Its a miracle that the string hasnt snapped in his hands. Then, to his astonishment, the arrow hits. Alex stares, dumbfounded. He has just one-shot someone. His first reaction isnt horror, its sheer disbelief. Again? he thinks, a stunned grin spreading across his face. This cant be a coincidence. My luck is insane! His brain, still trying to catch up with the situation, lags for a moment. Then he whispers, half-laughing, half-shocked, "Lol." He has killed someone. And not just anyone, he has killed Robin M?ller, the guy who hit him with a BMW, the man responsible for his death. Suddenly, Alex realizes the full weight of what hes done. He has just committed murder. Yet, oddly, he doesnt feel much of anything. Maybe its because Robin is the one who killed him first, or maybe because this entire situation is so surreal that his brain refuses to process it fully. But then reality crashes back into him, and his stomach twists in panic. [Player setting: Forced peace C PVP actions are strictly forbidden and will result in immediate expulsion and soul destruction.] OH SHIT! Alex thinks, his body freezing in terror. The notification rings through his mind, and he can feel cold sweat trickling down his back. What has he just done? Before he can spiral into full-blown panic, another message flashes before his eyes: [Player Alex Kerber has killed player Robin M?ller. Robin M?ller is declared a traitor for having accepted a new main mission, allying himself with Baroque Works. Alex Kerber will be exempt from punishment.] For a second, Alex cant move. Then, all the tension that has been building inside him explodes in a burst of adrenaline and relief. He pumps his fists into the air and shouts at the top of his lungs: "WOO! YEAH, BABY! THATS WHAT IVE BEEN WAITING FOR! THATS WHAT ITS ALL ABOUT!" His voice echoes through the night, cutting through the stillness like a war cry. The nearby village guards, the other players, and even the NPCs are startled by the sudden outburst. Within moments, the guards are rushing toward the scene, chasing down the remaining Baroque Works members. Alex stands there, watching as chaos unfolds. His reckless celebration has alerted everyone, but in the end, it doesnt matter. The guards manage to subdue the attackers, though one Baroque Works member manages to escape into the woods. A new notification appears: Oh, crap, Alex thinks. One million Berry? He cant decide whether to feel proud of his accomplishment or terrified of whats to come. As the guards and players gather to congratulate him, Alex finds himself shaking hands with a grateful village elder. The elder, who had previously been skeptical of Alexs abilities, now showers him with praise. "Well done, mercenary! We owe you for catching the traitor," the elder says, clapping Alex on the back. Alex tries to smile, but his mind is still spinning. He has gone from nearly soiling himself in fear to becoming the unlikely hero of the night. How the hell did this happen? he wonders. Eventually, the crowd disperses, and Alex finds a quiet spot to sit down and rest. The adrenaline rush fades, leaving him feeling drained and emotionally scattered. As he leans back against the wooden wall of the palisade, he stares up at the dark sky, his mind replaying the events of the night. I really killed someone... and got away with it, he thinks, trying to wrap his head around it all. But then his thoughts shift to the future. He has earned 1000 contribution points, made a name for himself in the village, and even stopped a Baroque Works infiltration. It feels like a victory. And yet... That bounty isnt going to go away. One million Berry. He isnt sure if he should laugh or cry. Finally, as the first hints of dawn break through the horizon, Alex lets out a deep breath. He has survived the night, but things are only going to get more dangerous from here on out. For now, though, he allows himself to relax, leaning back against the wall and closing his eyes. He will need his strength for the days ahead. S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 12: The Grind Begins The following morning, all the players gather at the village center to discuss last nights events. Alex, of course, weaves together a carefully crafted story to avoid any criticism for his solo actions. He isnt keen on explaining that he shot Robin without thinking or that he was motivated purely by selfish reasons. Instead, he leans into the narrative that he saved everyone by exposing the traitor. Thato is thoroughly impressed. First, Alex killed a wolf in one strike, and now, he has taken down a traitor who could have endangered them all with a single, well-placed arrow. To Thato, Alex emerges as a competent, if not somewhat lucky, fighter. But Alexs emotions are more conflicted. On one hand, he had wanted to make Robin a social outcast, not actually kill him, let alone erase his soul from existence. Maybe that douchebag had a family somewhere. On the other hand, Robin betrayed them, choosing to ally himself with Baroque Works, and Alex unintentionally did the group a huge favor by taking him out. Though he doesnt see himself as a killer, Alex feels this strange mixture of fate and inevitability washing over him. He has no regrets, but he also cant shake the unease settling in his gut. Still, he has earned a nice pile of contribution points, enough to feel like a winner, and a fresh target on his back with that new 1 million Berry bounty. Well, whatever happened, happened. Time to focus on whats next, he thinks. The day is filled with various tasks. Alex, being the cautious sort, decides to save most of his contribution points. He only spends a small amount to buy some basic food for himself. He busies himself with gathering tasks around the island, deliberately avoiding the deeper parts of the forest. The memory of the wolf attack is fresh in his mind, and he doesnt want a repeat of that situation. Besides, he feels its smarter to avoid unnecessary exhaustion. If he wears himself out during the day, he wont be at his best when defending the village at night. To him, that risk isnt worth a few extra contribution points. sea??h th n??el Fire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Let the others chop wood all day. Ill keep my energy up and take fewer risks, Alex muses, convinced that his strategy is sound. Throughout the day, Alex earns another 350 contribution points from various gathering tasks. Exploring the island yields more than just points, though, his LUK stat once again works its magic. While navigating the cliffs surrounding the village, he stumbles upon a rare find: [Healing Herb] Alex cringes at the systems sarcastic note but cant help but agree. He has no intention of turning this herb in. With his 50 HP, this herb could heal more than half of his health. Only a fool would throw away such a potentially life-saving item for a few contribution points. Alex might be greedy, but even he knows when to prioritize survival over points. He stuffs the herb into his pocket, comforted by the thought that he now has a safety net in case things go south. Ill keep it. Maybe Ill trade it later, but for now, I need every advantage I can get, he decides, feeling much more secure. As the sun begins to dip below the horizon, Alex cant help but wonder how anyone could possibly earn 10,000 contribution points. He has been productive all day and has only managed 350 points. Even his heroic act from the night before had only netted him 1000 points. The realization hits him that achieving that much would require taking risks, perhaps far greater risks than hes willing to entertain. After a quick rest, the players gather once more at the village center to prepare for the night watch. The southern palisade is their responsibility again, and they take up their positions. As expected, the night passes without incident. The attack from the night before had been an anomaly, and Baroque Works, it seems, isnt going to launch another raid so soon. Nothing to report, Alex thinks, half-relieved, half-bored. Another quiet night. The next day follows much like the one before it. Alex gathers more supplies and completes tasks around the village, earning an additional 400 contribution points. By now, Alex is settling into the routine of village life. Its a hard life, but its oddly satisfying. Theres a simple rhythm to it, work during the day, defend during the night. He hasnt felt this free in years. No endless hours spent in front of a computer screen, no toxic forum posts, no aimless existence. For once, he has a purpose. Thato has become a solid friend. They share stories, Thatos tales of growing up in South Africa a stark contrast to Alexs own experiences in Europe. Alex cant help but feel admiration for the man. Despite their wildly different backgrounds, they both seem to appreciate this fresh start the Fantasy Realm has offered them. Even the other players are starting to warm up. The atmosphere in the village has become lighter, more cooperative. Roja, who had previously been standoffish, begins asking Alex more about the world of One Piece, though she still manages to keep her air of superiority. But with half the mission already completed and only one traitor eliminated, theres a cautious optimism hanging in the air. Weve made it this far. Just a few more nights, Alex thinks, feeling a sense of unity among the players. We can do this. As the third night approaches, Alex returns to his position on the palisade. Another uneventful night would be perfect for him; he could catch a little sleep again, maybe just enough to keep him sharp for the next days grind. However, just as hes getting comfortable, a blood-curdling scream shatters the silence. "ENEMY ATTACK! ENEMY ATTACK! HELP!!!!" The shout echoes through the village, sending a chill down Alexs spine. So much for a quiet night he thinks, his heart pounding as he grips his bow, ready for whatever comes next. Chapter 13: A Cruel Wake-Up Call Alex peers down from his small wooden tower, watching the chaos unfolding beneath him. The village palisade, once quiet and still, is now swarming with Baroque Works agents climbing the walls. He can hear the clash of weapons, the desperate cries of villagers, and the grunts of the mercenaries fighting to defend their positions. To his left, he spots Thato in the thick of it. The tall South African swings his new white-quality axe with deadly precision, striking down an agent from the Millions rank. The unfortunate soul tumbles backward off the wall and falls with a sickening thud. Whether the agent dies from the blow or the fall doesnt matter; either way, hes not getting back up. Alex cant help but feel a spark of admiration for Thato. He moves with the grace and power of a seasoned warrior. In contrast, Alex has spent most of his life sitting in front of a computer. He grits his teeth, steeling himself for what he knows he has to do. Focus. Find a target. Take them out, he reminds himself. Scanning the battlefield, Alex spots the group of women, Patricia, Roja, Eirini, and Perlah, struggling against two Millions agents wielding sabers. The women are dodging frantically, barely keeping ahead of their attackers. Alex takes a deep breath, steadies his bow, and releases an arrow. This time, his aim is decent, though not miraculous. The arrow strikes one of the agents in the back, staggering him. He doesnt celebrate; theres no time for that. He swiftly draws another arrow, aiming at the second attacker. The agent, sensing danger, tries to dodge, and Alex''s arrow only grazes his arm. But the distraction is enough. Patricia, quick to seize the opportunity, swings her axe, cleaving the first agents head clean off. Roja, not one to be outdone, lunges forward and drives her hunting knife into the throat of the second agent, silencing him for good. The brutal execution leaves Alex stunned for a moment. Roja, who had seemed so cold and dismissive earlier, is clearly a killer when it matters. He makes a mental note to stay on her good side. Eirini and Perlah, having regained their composure, take aim with their bows at another Millions agent charging toward them. Their arrows strike true, wounding him, and Alex follows up with a final shot from his tower, delivering the killing blow. He quickly scans the battlefield. The immediate threat seems to have subsided, but the sounds of fighting persist from other parts of the village. His eyes dart around, seeking more enemies. Just as hes about to regroup with the others, he hears shouting from a distance. "Forget taking them as hostages. Kill these fuckers!" The voice is different, harsher, more commanding. Alexs stomach drops as he sees several more formidable-looking men advancing toward them. Billions. These agents, higher in rank than the Millions, are far more dangerous. They draw flintlock pistols from their belts. Alexs heart pounds in his chest as the mercenaries around him hesitate, realizing the peril theyre in. Oh shit Alex thinks, his pulse racing. Without waiting for orders, the mercenaries charge at the Billions, desperate to close the distance before the agents can take their shots. Alex, too, joins the fray, but his inexperience shows. He swings wildly with his [Inferior Woodcutting Axe], trying to keep up with the more experienced fighters around him. A sharp pain erupts in his shoulder, causing him to stumble. He looks down, dazed, and sees blood pouring from a gunshot wound. Alex lets out a scream, more from shock than pain. He feels the warmth of blood soaking through his clothes. But theres no time to retreathe has to fight. With adrenaline pumping through his veins, he charges at the agent who shot him, his vision blurring with rage and fear. He swings his axe with all his might, catching the Billions agent by surprise. The blade cleaves through the agents neck, decapitating him in a single stroke. The body crumples to the ground as Alex stands there, panting, blood dripping from his shoulder. The battle turns into a chaotic melee. The close-quarters combat makes it impossible for the Billions agents to use their pistols effectively, but they still fight fiercely with blades. Amid the chaos, Alex feels another sharp pain in his chest. A dagger finds its mark, and blood begins to flow from yet another wound. Weakness floods through Alexs body. His HP bar is dangerously low, dropping from 50 to just above 10. He can feel his life slipping away as blood pours from his wounds. Panic sets in as he realizes how close he is to death. An agent stands before him, raising a saber for the finishing blow. Alexs mind screams for someone, anyone, to save him, but no one comes. With no other options, Alex barely dodges the strike and makes a desperate decision. He leaps off the wall, hoping the fall wont kill him. Pain shoots through Alexs legs as he hits the ground, but hes still alivebarely. His vision swims, and he can feel the darkness creeping in. Desperation takes hold. His mind races, searching for a way out. Then, he remembers the healing herb he found earlier. With trembling hands, Alex fumbles for the [Healing Herb], pulling it from his pocket. He shoves it into his mouth, chewing it frantically, hoping it will work before he loses consciousness. Just as the edges of his vision begin to darken, he feels the herbs effects kicking in. His breathing steadies, and the warmth of the healing spreads through his body. He isnt out of danger yet, but for the moment, he is alive. His whole body trembles as he lies on the ground, the herb slowly knitting his wounds. This isnt a game. It isnt some save file he can reload. Hes going to die if he doesnt change how he approaches this world. If he didnt have that Healing Herb, it would all be over by now. sea??h th Novl?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 14: A Painful Lesson Alex lies on the ground, cold and bloody, with pain coursing through every inch of his body. Today has been a series of new, brutal experiences: beheading a man, getting shot in the shoulder, stabbed in the chest, falling off a wall, nearly bleeding to death, and being miraculously saved by a shabby-looking yet precious healing herb. His eyes, heavy with exhaustion, catch the sight of the herb dissolving in his hand as the last of its green vanishes. For a second, he isnt even sure if he has hallucinated the note changing, or if it has really happened. [Healing Herb] At least his next experience is more welcome. Alex is dragged into a nearby hut by a group of elderly women and young girls, those too old or too young to fight. They work quickly, stopping his bleeding and patching him up with basic first-aid. He lies on a rough woolen blanket, feeling the relief seep into his bones. As the weight of the battle fades slightly, he decides to check his notifications. ... He scrolls through the cluttered feed of injuries and slow-healing notifications. Finally, the pain, exhaustion, and trauma of the night catch up to him, and Alex falls asleep. When he wakes up, his body still aches, but at least he is alive. He checks his status: Even though he is mostly healed, his HP wont fully regenerate because of his injuries. He is still in better shape than he has any right to be, far better than someone who has been shot, stabbed, and thrown off a wall. He cant help but joke to himself, Didnt Luffy & Zoro just eat meat and drink alcohol to recover from anything? But this isnt an Anime, and he isnt made of rubber. As he thinks it over, Alex notices something strange about his contribution points. Theyve skyrocketed overnight. He does some quick mental math. He should have 2630. But instead, he has 3530. Where did the extra 900 come from? He scrolls through his notifications and finds the answer: But Alex has only received 900. "Stingy village," Alex mutters. Still, he is alive, and that is what matters. But the notification also reminds him, eight remaining players. Which means someone has died last night. Alex leaves the hut, his body sore but moving, and goes to find the others. When he steps outside, Eirini and Perlah rush towards him, hugging him tightly, catching him off guard. He hadnt expected the warm welcome. "Youre alive!" Perlah says, relief in her voice. They walk him to the village center, where the rest of the group is gathered. Thato grins as Alex approaches. "The devils luck, man. I thought for sure you were dead after getting shot, stabbed, and falling off that wall!" Alex forces a smile. "Guess Im harder to kill than I thought," he says, though deep down he knows it isnt toughness. It is pure luck. Without that healing herb, hed be dead. Thato claps him on the back. "Youre a real warrior, Alex. Glad you made it." Alex, still reeling from the night''s events, asks about the missing player. "It was Alan," Roja says quietly. "The guy from Scotland. He got shot in the head during the attack, didnt even have a chance." Alan Alex hasnt known him well, but it still hits hard. One bullet, and just like that, Alan is gone. It makes Alex realize how close he had been to joining him. If not for the herb, hed be dead too. Roja steps forward then, pulling something out from her inventory. A notification appears as she initiates a trade. "My inventory unlocked after the battle," she says, handing Alex two chests. "You earned these." Alex receives two chests, one white, one green. His kills have earned him the right to them, and thankfully the others have honored that. He opens the white chest first. [Chest] S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Nothing special," Alex concludes. "Coins are useless right now." Then he opens the green chest. [Chest] [Solid Marine Saber] Alex grins as he straps the saber to his waist. Finally, a real weapon. No more swinging a dull axe around like a madman. He fiddles with the system and puts his old axe into his newly unlocked inventory. After a few more minutes of talking, the group splits up. Thato, the workhorse, goes straight back to logging trees. Alex just shakes his head in disbelief. What a beast. As for Alex, he has learned his lesson. No more hoarding points for a stat-boosting potion that would do him no good right now. He nearly died last night, and he needs to prepare. The saber is good, but he has lost his bow in the chaos, and he needs something more if he is going to survive. Some things about Alex havent changed; he still schemes and strategizes like he always did, but this experience has shaken him. This isnt a game where you can save, reload, and optimize your way to the best outcome. His life is on the line, and he needs to stay alive, not play the long game. Chapter 15: Hidden Paths and Quiet Preparations Alex, with newfound confidence and a stronger sense of self-preservation, finally decides that hoarding points for a future stat boost was a fool''s errand. He strides purposefully toward the village store, determined to use his contribution points wisely this time. Looking carefully at the items in the store, Alex makes his selections, intent on surviving the coming battles: [Quality Hunting Bow] [Quality Arrow] x50 [Quality Fur Armor] [Quality Fur Boots] [Quality Fur Gauntlets] With just 30 points remaining, Alex decides to round off his purchases with some food, like he bought the last few days from time to time: [Smoked Wolf Jerky]x3 Now fully equipped, Alex takes a deep breath. His worn-out boots, stained with blood and dirt from the last battle, are tossed into a far corner of his inventory. He straps on his new fur armor, appreciating how much warmer it is. Though Navalia was located in the East Blue, the island''s proximity to the Grand Line and the near Calm Belt made it perpetually chilly. The new fur-lined gear not only made Alex feel secure but also protected him from the biting cold. Once hes all geared up, Alex wonders what to do next. Should he spend time practicing with his new bow? He still has some leftover basic arrows. [Basic Arrow] x16 Alex notices a small training area nearby, where a few villagers are practicing. After a brief conversation with one of the soldiers, he decides to take an hour to work on his aim. Despite his experience with the bow being years ago, the soldiers tips prove helpful, and Alex feels his shooting technique improving, though he doesnt receive any new skill notifications. As he suspected, a few minutes of practice isnt enough to earn an actual skill. He figures that with years of practice, the system might recognize his efforts, but for now, all hes got is muscle memory and a bit more confidence. His basic arrows, unsurprisingly, dont last long. Nearly every shot used up a point of durability, and before long, they break. Still, it was worth it for the practice. He didnt plan on using his newly purchased quality arrows for traininghe needed to conserve those for when it truly mattered. After finishing up at the training ground, Alex returns to the village center. Roja approaches him, a serious expression on her face. "You got any plans?" she asks, her tone direct. Alex shrugs, "Not really. I just geared up and practiced a bit with the bow. What about you?" Roja smirks, her sharp eyes scanning the horizon. "Ive been thinking. Where are all these Baroque Works agents coming from? The island''s surrounded by cliffs, right? The only harbors on the east, and its still under control, guarded by villagers. So how are they getting onto the island?" That thought had been nagging at Alex too. "Good point... So where the hell are they coming from?" Roja crosses her arms, slightly irritated. "That''s what Im trying to figure out, genius." After a moment of thought, Alex recalls his exploration of the island. "I''ve been all around the western cliffs the last few days, gathering herbs and stuff. The forest is to the north, where Thatos been logging. But the south we havent really gone down there. I think they might be coming from there." Rojas eyes narrow, a smile tugging at the corner of her lips. "Youre smarter than you look, Kerber. The south makes sense. I talked to some of the guards. The attacks last night? They were heaviest on our sidethe southern wall." Alex, ever the pessimist, cant help but grumble. "Figures. That shitty village elder mustve known and stuck us with the toughest job. Every quest leads us to the harbor, the north, or the west... but nothing leads us south." Roja nods. "Exactly. Ive got a feeling well find something there." Just as they make plans to check it out, the village elder walks over. His tone is as harsh as ever. "So, you figured it out too, huh? Maybe you''re not as useless as I thought." Alex mentally rolls his eyes. Asshole, he thinks, biting back his frustration. "I dont know what you two are planning, but if you go down there, dont get yourselves killed. My men are focused on defending the village. If you want to play detective, youre on your own. However, Im not completely heartless" A system notification pops up in front of them. Secret Side Quest Offered: Mission: Discover how the Baroque Works agents are infiltrating Navalia. Reward: 3000 contribution points Time Limit: Until nightfall Before they can react, the elder tosses them a small bag of supplies. You received: [Quality Medicine] x3 Alex checks his status: His OCD almost compels him to use one of the medicines to heal his shoulder and restore that missing HP point, but he stops himselfwasting valuable resources would be foolish. With the village elders final words, "Dont throw your lives away," pushing them forward, Alex and Roja make their way toward the southern cliffs, preparing to uncover whatever secret Baroque Works had hidden there. Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 16: Crystals and Scouts After an hour-long trek, Alex and Roja reach the southern part of the island, following what looks like an old, abandoned road. The southern part of Navalia had lost its importance years ago, offering no resources worth exploiting. As they venture deeper, the landscape becomes rougher, rockier, with fewer trees and shrubs around, the ground uneven beneath their boots. Roja raises her hand, stopping Alex. "Be careful. Were in open ground here, and theres nowhere to hide if we run into anyone." Alex groans inwardly. Great. Walking through rocky terrain with nowhere to hide. His legs already ache from all the trekking. For a guy used to sitting behind a computer, this sucks. He wouldnt call himself an outdoor person by any stretch. Roja shoots him a look. "Get off the road. We dont want to be seen." Grumbling to himself, Alex obeys, stepping off the road to follow Roja through the rough underbrush. His new fur boots at least make the trek a bit easier, keeping him warm and somewhat comfortable. Still, the dullness of it all doesnt go unnoticed. No action. No treasure. Just an abandoned road that stretches out forever. Suddenly, Roja pulls him behind a large rock, snapping him out of his wandering thoughts. "Two scouts," she whispers, her voice calm and low. "Baroque Works, no doubt. Theyre patrolling the abandoned road." Alex looks up, heart skipping a beat. Sure enough, he spots two figures, walking along the road, weapons visible even from this distance. Roja squints ahead. "Looks like the cliffs are getting lower the farther south we go. They might be using this part to sneak people onto the island." Alex whispers back, a sarcastic edge in his voice, "Great. So theyve been coming from here all along?" "Keep your voice down," Roja hisses, rolling her eyes. Then, with a motion Alex barely catches, a shard of crystal forms in her hand. Without a word, she releases it, the crystal shattering in the air as she peers out toward the scouts. A status screen flashes into Alexs mind: Alex blinks in surprise. "Youve got an analysis skill?" he nearly blurts out loud, forgetting himself for a second. Roja slaps a hand over his mouth. "Shut up," she mutters, "and dont make me regret showing you." She sends him her skill details: Innate Skill: Exploitation Crystal Type: Boon sea??h th N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Level: 0 (Base level, can be leveled up) Effect: Creates a crystal shard that can be used to analyze enemies. The higher the level of the skill, the higher the success rate. It may fail if the enemys level is too high. Can only be used once on an enemy. Range increases with each level and depends on the users INT. Enemies remain unaware when the crystal is activated. Upon a successful analysis, the crystal imposes a random weakness by reducing two points from a random stat of the enemy. The penalty increases by 1 every two levels. Cost: 30 Mana & 300 FC to use; +10 Mana & 100 FC per additional level Duration: The weakness lasts for 1 day by default, with 1 additional day per level. Tradeability: Crystals can be traded to other players, but they can only carry one at a time. User Capacity: The user can hold up to three crystals at level 0, gaining one extra slot per level. Usage: Can be used twice a day at level 0, with one additional use gained every two levels. Upgrade Cost: 1 Soul Crystal and 1000 FC + 500 FC per level. Crystal Duration: 30 days by default, with an extra 5 days per level. Overall Rating: A+ Alex stares, mouth half-open. "Holy crap, you could make a fortune selling those crystals to other players." Roja sighs. "Im not interested in getting rich. Im going to use this to help my guild." That catches Alex off guard. "Guild? What guild? How do you even know about that? Youve been suspiciously calm this whole time... do you know something we dont?" Roja glares at him. "Later," she snaps, cutting off further questions. "Right now, lets take care of these idiots." Her eyes narrow as she sizes up the two Baroque agents. "Theyre weak. We can handle them easily. You go around to the left, get their attention." "Wait, what?" Alex protests. "That sounds like a terrible plan. What happens after I get their attention?" "Ill handle the rest," Roja says, shoving him forward before he can argue any more. "Great... human bait, just what I signed up for," Alex mutters under his breath as he reluctantly sneaks toward the scouts. With his bow in hand, he moves slowly, knowing that with only 2 points in Sense, at least one of those guys probably wouldnt see a neon sign if it were right in front of them. As he gets closer, his nerves begin to fray, but he pushes through and draws his bow. His arrow strikes the nearest scout in the shoulder. The injured scout cries out, grabbing at the wound. The second scout whirls around, eyes locking onto Alex. Weapons drawn, they charge at him. "Shit," Alex curses, pulling out his newly-acquired saber. With a grunt, he parries the first strike, feeling the satisfying thrum of metal clashing with metal. He retaliates, slashing deep into the second agents arm, the saber vibrating like hes just hit a steel pipe. The scout screams in pain, stumbling back and clutching his arm. The first scout, bleeding from the arrow wound, raises his weapon for another attack but suddenly freezes. Roja appears behind him, her dagger flashing as she drives it into his neck, killing him instantly. Alex barely has time to react before the second scout turns and tries to run. Roja is faster. She catches up to him in an instant, thrusting her blade into his back. He collapses to the ground, screaming, begging for his life. Roja doesnt hesitate. Coldly, she pulls out her dagger and stabs him in the back of the head. Alex watches in stunned silence, his mind racing. Did she really just? He wants to say something, but the words dont come. These... these cant be real people, can they? Roja acts like theyre just NPCs. Maybe shes right. Maybe theyre not real... but still... One of the agents drops a chest, but Roja swiftly claims it before Alex can speak up. "Im keeping this," she says matter-of-factly. "I spent 300 FC on my crystal, so its only fair." Alex blinks, a little taken aback. "Uh... fair enough, I guess." Without further discussion, they continue south. Roja softens a little after their fight, glancing sideways at Alex. "Youre not half bad," she says, almost too quietly for him to hear. Alex, caught off guard by the rare compliment, grins. "I guess Im full of surprises," he says, trying to suppress a chuckle. Maybe hes actually starting to get the hang of this. At the southern cliffs, they climb onto a large rock to get a better view. The sight that greets them is shocking. The once-mighty cliffs have collapsed, leaving an artificial slope that looks almost like a landslide. Down below, a few small ships sit anchored at the newly-formed slope, making it easy for Baroque Works agents to slip onto the island unnoticed. Mission Update: Discover how Baroque Works agents are infiltrating Navalia. Progress: You have discovered how Baroque Works agents are entering the island. Report this to the village elder to receive your reward. "We did it," Alex whispers with a smile, though his relief is short-lived. As they start to climb back down the rock, Alex spots something in the distance, someone. His eyes widen, a chill running down his spine. "Holy shit. No way... that guy is..." Chapter 17: Exploding Boogers – Mr. 5 Appears Alex suddenly yanks Roja down behind a rock. GET THE FUCK DOWN! he whispers urgently. Roja, startled and about to slap Alex, hisses, What the hell is wrong with you?? Alex, peeking carefully around the rock, is shocked. Dont you know who that is? he asks, incredulous that Roja doesnt recognize the dangerous figure theyve just seen. Roja raises an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. Why would I know? I dont waste time watching silly animes all day. I only bothered with the important ones and main characters during my prep for this. I know you man-children enjoy that sort of thing... Alex is floored. She knew about this world beforehand? Not like him, he got run over by a BMW and died, forced into this crazy game. Wait... so you willingly entered the Fantasy Realm? Roja just shrugs, avoiding the question. Anyway, who is he? Alex doesnt have time to process her revelation right now. He urgently whispers, Thats Baroque Works Mr. 5. As in, the fifth strongest agent under Crocodile! He ate the Bomu Bomu no Mi. Dude is a literal explosion human. Rojas expression doesnt change much, but the gravity of the situation sinks in. Without a word, she pulls a crystal from her inventory and prepares to use it. Wait, let me use that, Alex urges, stopping her hand. Roja looks at him skeptically. Why? My luck stat, Alex explains, quickly sharing part of his status with her: He continues, My innate skill is pretty unique. Right now, its kind of useless, but it tweaked my stats and gave me high LUK. So I have a better shot at making the crystal work. Besides, you cant have higher luck than me, right? Roja hesitates, then hands him the crystal, curiosity flickering in her eyes. Interesting... alright, go ahead. Alex takes the crystal, feeling its cool surface in his hand. He peeks carefully over the rock and uses it, concentrating on Mr. 5 without making a sound. The crystal shatters silently, and a status screen appears. Alex stares at the numbers. "Huh, it looks like his level is scaled down for the tutorial. Everyone is level 0 like we are. I guess that makes sense for balance. But even with lower stats, hes still a beast. He analyzes, His stats arent insanely high, except for that crazy MNA, thanks to his devil fruit, I bet. His INT is low, though, which matches his fighting style, hes all offense, no brains. The good news is that your skill weakened his PHY, so even though his explosions pack a punch, we can take him down if we strike fast. sea??h th N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Roja leans in, studying the screen. Dont get cocky. Bosses like him always have hidden buffs, especially HP boosts. Hes probably got double, maybe triple the health of a normal enemy. Dont assume one good hit will drop him. Alex frowns, a knot forming in his stomach. Damn, I thought that would be enough. So hes not just a walking bomb... hes a tank too? Roja shrugs, His defense is still lower thanks to my skill, but we cant underestimate him. Dont assume his stats are the whole story. Fine, fine... lets head back. Well need to come up with a plan if this guy decides to attack tonight. Roja nods in agreement. Yeah. And you better fill in the others about everything you know when were back. Nearly two hours later, Alex and Roja finally reach the village just as the sun begins to dip below the horizon. Theyre immediately approached by the village elder and the other players, all eager to hear what theyve uncovered. They relay their findings, explaining how Baroque Works has been using the collapsed cliffs to infiltrate the island. Mission Complete Discover how Baroque Works agents are infiltrating Navalia. Progress: You have discovered how Baroque Works agents are entering the island. You have reported your results to the village. Reward: 3000 Contribution Points. Alex smiles as the notification pops up. Checking his total points, he muses, I could buy a new knife or something... but honestly, I think Im set for now. The village elder looks worried and walks away without a word, leaving the group to their own devices. Roja speaks up, her voice serious. Well only survive this if we work together. Alex, since you seem to be the resident man-baby who knows all about this childrens show, fill everyone in. Alex bristles. One Piece is not for children! he snaps, but the others just give him bemused looks. He sighs, deciding to ignore the judgmental stares and focus on the task at hand. Well, heres what you need to know, he starts. Mr. 5 ate the Bomu Bomu no Mi. The what? Thato asks, looking confused. The Bomb-Bomb Fruit, Alex clarifies. He can make parts of his body explode at will. Hes immune to his own explosions, and if he touches you, you might end up as a pile of smoldering ashes. Its a really strong devil fruit with no real weakness except seawater. And since were nowhere near the ocean, thats not gonna help us. The group listens in grim silence. Roja nods. So, well have to figure out a way to bring him down. Any other tricks we should know? Alex nods. Yeah, aside from making his boogers explode... which, trust me, is a real thing... he also carries a 6 round .44 caliber revolver. He breathes into the gun to create his own bullets. Theyre invisible but pack a punch. If you dont dodge, youre toast. Thato chuckles at the absurdity of exploding boogers, but the mood quickly darkens. Roja crosses her arms, thinking. Well need a solid plan. And fast. Alex continues, Look, we dont know if hell attack directly, but if he does and we take him out, we can end this. Thats our best shot at surviving. Roja interrupts. Hell attack, alright. We killed those scouts, Baroque Works will notice theyre missing and know weve discovered their entry point. Theyll come for us. Great, Alex mutters. So basically, were screwed now after what we did. Roja sighs. We need the best rewards possible from this mission, or were all doomed in the next one. You dont survive this world by playing it safe. Thato nods in agreement. Shes right. If we settle for just surviving now, well be stuck with weak rewards. Then well be dead meat in the next mission. Alex silently reflects on their words, conflicted. Maybe shes right, but not everyones looking to be a hero. Some people might just want one last chance to say goodbye But me? I want to keep going, so I guess Im with them. The group stands in silence for a moment, the weight of whats coming hanging over them. 80%, Alex suddenly says. The others look at him, confused. Thats the death rate for the tutorial mission, he explains. And now that weve triggered a secret quest, things are about to get a whole lot worse. Before they can process his words, the village elder returns, barking orders. Hey, you lazy mercenaries! Back to your posts! Alex groans internally, Damn it, out of time... As Alex, Roja, and the rest of the survivors head toward their posts at the southern palisade, Alex spots a figure approaching along the road from the south. The fading light of the setting sun casts long shadows, but the figure walks confidently, as if daring anyone to notice. Alex narrows his eyes, his heart pounding. The closer the figure gets, the more the details become clear: a brown robe, a large "5" emblazoned on it. Without thinking, Alex shouts, his voice trembling with shock and fear: "Mr. 5!" Chapter 18: Go to Hell! Mr. 5 slowly walks toward the southern gate, followed by a horde of Millions and Billions. So, you lowly mercenaries know who I am? he yells arrogantly. You annoying flies are more persistent than I expected. I cant believe this tiny village still hasnt surrendered. You all deserve to die for not appreciating Baroque Works offer. You can relax, though. I admit youve done a decent job resisting but you should know what Im capable of. With a disgusted grin, Mr. 5 casually picks his nose, pulling out a booger as if it were the most natural thing in the world. He holds it up like a trophy. Alex, quick on the uptake, screams: GET DOWN, EVERYONE! He and the other players dive behind whatever cover they can find as Mr. 5 flicks the booger toward the locked gate of the southern wall. A second later, the booger explodes with a thunderous blast, blowing apart the gate and sending shards of wood flying into the village. Where there was once a secure gate, theres now a gaping hole, granting Baroque Works easy access to the village. Mr. 5 laughs loudly, clearly enjoying the shock and terror on the faces of the players and the villagers who have gathered on the southern wall. Many villagers stand frozen, some shaking in fear. We dont need to kill you, Mr. 5 calls out, his voice dripping with arrogance. This is your last chance. Tomorrow at noon, Ill be back. You have two choices: surrender and live, or oppose us and die. Ill see you all tomorrow. And I expect to hear the right answer, he says, strolling away with his agents following closely behind. The players, along with the village elder, gather in the village square as the sun begins to set. The village elder surprises everyone by saying, Perhaps we should surrender. You mercenaries might have done your best, but I cant expect you to die for us. Main Quest Updated: Mission: The village elder has decided to give you a choice. Either surrender to Baroque Works or fight them to the bitter end. You may choose to abort this main quest. If at least four players agree to surrender, everyone will fail the mission. Clear Condition: Defeat Mr. 5 and defend the village. Reward: Contribution points and bonus mission rating based on individual performance. Failure Condition: Surrender to Mr. 5. Punishment: All players receive the lowest passing rating (D-), lose all items and Fantasy Coins acquired, and are immediately expelled from the mission. Hint: Your efforts have granted you the option to surrender and escape, but this mercy comes at a high cost. No way, Alex thinks to himself. If we surrender, we lose everything, our points, our items, everything we fought for! Whats the point of surviving this tutorial if were broke and weak for the next mission? Thats just setting ourselves up for failure. Its suicide. The players glance at one another, and Thato breaks the silence with a smile. Good. Looks like were all in agreement, no way in hell were gonna surrender. No one contradicts him, but Eirini bursts into tears and runs off, with Perlah following to comfort her. The rest of the group stands in uncomfortable silence until Roja speaks up, her voice cold. If anyone tries to surrender, Ill kill you myself. Id rather die at the systems hands than face slow death in the next mission. Surrendering is a trap, a slow insidious trap. Were not giving up. Her harsh words shock the others, but in a strange way, they also feel reassured. No one speaks of surrender after that. As the group settles in for the night, the atmosphere relaxes. Theres no attack looming, and for the first time, they feel they can breathe. A few hours later, Eirini and Perlah return, and Eirini, her face determined, boldly states, Well fight and win. The group claps, encouraging her, but then she adds, If I die, I hope youll do me a favor. She pulls out her supplies, including a pen and paper she had gathered earlier while away. Did you know you can store ordinary items in your inventory, even things the system doesnt classify as usable? If I die, can someone take this letter and send it to my family? The group is taken aback. Slowly, everyone else begins writing letters with Eirinis supplies. The next few hours are spent writing heartfelt goodbyes, just in case, and sharing addresses to ensure the letters could be deliveredeven from different countries. For the first time since arriving on Navalia, they sleep in real beds. The next day, they rise early. There''s no desire to run side quests or do anything else. The players spend the morning sparring and talking about tactics for dealing with Mr. 5. Alex shares his remaining medicine with Thato, handing him one vial. [Quality Medicine] x3 S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Roja demands an extra dose from Alex, leaving Alan and Mike without any. Alex, seeing an opportunity, smirks and says, One Crystal, holding out his hand. Roja, clearly annoyed, reluctantly hands him a crystal in exchange for the medicine. Some of the players have used their contribution points to buy better armor and weapons, preparing themselves for the inevitable battle. The village store still only offers basic jerky, unsuitable for healing in combat. The group discusses potential tactics, but nothing seems like a surefire plan. Since we used the crystal on Mr. 5 near sunset yesterday, it should still be active when he arrives at noon, right? Alex asks. Roja nods. Yeah, hell still be weakened. His arrogance will be his downfall. They return to the southern wall, where the hole Mr. 5 blasted in the gate is now filled with wooden spikes, creating a makeshift defense. The group readies themselves, with Alex, Eirini, and Perlah, the only bow users, taking up positions alongside the villagers. As noon approaches, they see Mr. 5 approaching with his army of Millions and Billions agents, nearly 100 men. With the players and around 100 militia members, it looks like an even battle until Mr. 5 arrogantly steps forward. So, whats your answer? he demands, standing confidently before the village. The group exchanges glances, waiting for the signal. Then Thato yells, NOW, EVERYONE!! GO TO HELL, MR. 5! Dozens of arrows fly from the group, villagers, and players alike, all aimed at Mr. 5. Alex smirks, thinking, Weve got him! Chapter 19: The Cruel Fight Against Mr. 5 – Desperate struggle! BREEZE BREATH BOMB! Mr. 5, slightly panicked, immediately pulls out his special .44 caliber 6-shot revolver. He opens the cylinder, breathes into it, closes it again, cocks the hammer, and instantly fires all six shots into the air against the incoming arrows. BREEZE BREATH BOMB! Six deafening explosions erupt just above Mr. 5, sending shockwaves through the air. The villagers, players, and even Mr. 5''s subordinates are momentarily frozen by the chaos, their senses overwhelmed. Amid the destruction, one wobbly arrow, fired a second too late by Alex, somehow escapes the blast radius. It falls in a lazy arc, piercing Mr. 5s sunglasses and embedding itself deep into his left eye. Alex cant believe his luck as he sees the notification pop up. With 5 PHY, Mr. 5 should be dead from that shot alone. But instead, he remains standing, blood pouring from his eye. Roja was rightthis guy''s durability is off the charts. His unknown special skill has enhanced his survivability to absurd levels. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH! Mr. 5 lets out a bone-chilling scream. You lowly mercenaries! I will kill you and rip your bodies apart! He glares, his voice full of venom as he orders his subordinates: Millions, Billions! Take care of the villagers. If possible, take them in alive. If not, slaughter them. Ill deal with these mercenary scum myself! The man is a walking bomb, and the group can only brace for the worst. Mr. 5 plucks a booger and, with a wicked grin, flicks it towards the southern palisade. NOSE FANCY CANNON! DOWN! Alex screams, pulling whoevers close enough behind cover. The explosion sends debris flying, splintering wood from the barricade as a few unlucky villagers are caught in the blast, flung back in pain. But Mr. 5 isnt done. BREEZE BREATH BOMB! The barrage of explosions tears through the air again, reducing the remaining barricade to ash and smoke. Alex coughs, wiping dirt from his face as he tries to make sense of the chaos. The village militia is locked in battle with the Millions and Billions, but something feels off. The agents aren''t killing indiscriminately, almost as if theyve been ordered to take prisoners. Still, the villagers are holding the line, but its Mr. 5 whos the real threat. Through the thinning smoke, Mr. 5 steps forward, blood dripping from his damaged eye. He looks more like a demon nowfurious, injured, but far from defeated. Ill torture every single one of you until you beg for death! Again, he pulls out another booger, aiming directly at Alexs group. NOSE FANCY CANNON! The group scrambles to dodge as the booger misses them by inches, exploding against a nearby house. The force of the blast sends Joe and Mike, who were standing closest, flying backward. Wood splinters and debris pierce their bodies before they crash to the ground, motionless. Alexs mind races. His thoughts are a blur. That couldve been me He feels his legs go weak. Are they dead? What do we do? Thatos voice snaps him back to reality. CALM DOWN! RETURN FIRE! SHOOT HIM! Alex, shaking off the shock, loads another arrow and fires. Perlah and even Eirini follow suit, their arrows whistling toward Mr. 5. He dodges with surprising agility, but Perlah''s arrow grazes his arm, drawing blood. DAMN WITCH! YOULL PAY FOR THAT! Suddenly, Patricia pulls out her woodcutters axe and hurls it at Mr. 5 with all her strength. The heavy blade spins in the air, forcing him to dodge to the side, but Thato is already in front of him, swinging his own axe with full force. Mr. 5 barely manages to evade, the axe only grazing his back. He turns just in time to see another volley of arrows coming his way, Alex, Perlah, and Eirini all firing in sync. Eirinis arrow hits his lower leg, drawing a pained grunt. But Mr. 5s fury is far from spent. KICK BOMB! he roars, delivering a brutal kick to Thato''s chest. Thato is sent flying backward despite holding out his arms to protect him, his fur gauntlets nearly burnt to ash, his hands blackened and charred from the blast, from the looks permanently crippled. He screams in agony. Seeing Thato fall, Mr. 5 grins, relishing the pain hes caused. Without missing a beat, he reloads his revolver and fires another BREEZE BREATH BOMB, sending explosions all around the group. Alex somehow dodges the brunt of the blast, but Eirini, Perlah, and Patricia are blown off their feet, lying motionless on the ground. Breathing heavily, Alex checks his status. Frantically, he pulls out his [Quality Medicine] and drinks it down, feeling his wounds slowly begin to close. [Quality Medicine] Mr. 5 locks eyes with Alex. Im going to kill you, bastard, he sneers. And Ill use the bounty on your head to buy a gravestone, just so I can piss on it. Despite everything, Alex laughs, his heart pounding in his chest. Shut up, you one-eyed, nose-picking loser. Youre the one whos going to die today! He draws his saber, charging at Mr. 5 to stop him from reloading or using another explosive booger. [Solid Marine Saber] Alex slashes at Mr. 5, but the man dodges, grinning wickedly. Amateur KICK BOMB! But before he can land the attack, he freezes, his body going rigid. Roja suddenly appears behind Mr. 5, driving a dagger into his back. AAAAAHHHH! he screams, stumbling forward. Blood pours from his wounds. Hes covered in cuts and arrows, his left eye still useless. His robe is soaked in blood, making him look like a walking corpse. But hes not dead yet. With a final burst of energy, Mr. 5 whips around and delivers a kick toward Roja. She barely dodges, rolling to the side, but the kick lands against the ground. ! Im immune to my own explosions, but youre not! Mr. 5 cackles as the blast throws Roja against a building. Hes nearly delirious with rage now, his bloodshot eye scanning the battlefield. He reloads his revolver mid-sprint, breathing into the cylinder as he readies another "BREEZE BREATH BOMB." THIS IS IT! DIE! he shouts, aiming at Alex. Alex watches in horror as the revolver points at him. He braces for death, the world around him fading out. At least I gave it my best shot he thinks, resigned to his fate. Sar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. But just as Mr. 5 pulls the trigger, a figure darts in front of Alex, Thato, moving faster than Alex has ever seen him. Six explosions tear through the air, but Alex remains unharmed. When the smoke clears, he sees Thato standing before him, his already crippled arms raised in a shield, his body now riddled with burns and wounds. Thato, bloodied and barely standing, lets out a ragged breath. Snap out of it, Alex... Kill this evil fucker... finish this madness. THATO!!! Alex screams, rushing to his side as Thato collapses. Mr. 5, covered in blood, an arrow still lodged in his eye, laughs darkly. What a hero. Pity it was all for nothing. With his revolver reloaded, Mr. 5 raises it, aiming directly at Alex, a cruel grin twisting his face. Your turn, bastard. Say goodbye But before Mr. 5 can pull the trigger, Alex explodes into motion, raw fury and desperation fueling his every move. His saber gleams in the air as he lunges forward. Hes too fast Mr. 5s grin falters as he tries to raise his gun. But Alex is already there, saber thrusting straight into Mr. 5s chest. The blade sinks deep into flesh. For a second, Mr. 5s entire body stiffens, his remaining eye wide with shock. Blood pours from the wound, and a guttural sound escapes his lips. Y-you... Alex isnt finished. With every ounce of rage and grief inside him, he rips the saber out and plunges it back in, over and over again. DIE! DIE, YOU MONSTER! YOUFUCKINGDIE! Each word punctuates another stab, another slash. Hes wild, out of control. His strikes become frenzied, hacking and slashing at the man responsible for Thatos death, for the pain theyve all endured. Mr. 5s body hits the ground, blood pooling beneath him. But Alex doesnt stop. His saber continues to rise and fall until hes too exhausted to lift it anymore. The battle is over, but Alexs mind is still racing, his breath ragged. He looks down at Mr. 5s lifeless body, and the reality begins to sink in. I... I did it, he whispers, his hands trembling. He collapses to his knees beside Mr. 5, barely able to keep himself upright. The noise of the battle around him fades into the background as he turns his gaze to Thato. His first friend in this world lies motionless, barely recognizable under the blood and burns. The tears Alex has been holding back finally spill over. The village militia, emboldened by Mr. 5s death, push back the remaining Baroque Works agents. The enemy forces, now leaderless and demoralized, retreat in panic, fleeing the village. The cheers of the villagers mix with the sounds of their enemies retreat, but Alex cant hear any of it. All he can do is kneel by Thatos side. Alex barely notices the notifications flashing before his eyes. His hands clutch at Thatos burned body, and his vision blurs with tears. Im so sorry, Thato... His voice cracks, and for the first time, he allows himself to sob. In the distance, he can hear the cheers of the surviving villagers as they celebrate their hard-fought victory, but all Alex feels is hollow. He finally won, but at what cost? The Battle of Navalia: Baroque Works: 85 Millions 17 Billions Mr. 5 Navalia Villagers & Mercenaries: 8 Players 107 Villagers Winner: Navalia Villagers & Mercenaries Casualties: 28 Millions 7 Billions Mr. 5 3 Players (Mike, Joe, Thato) 27 Villagers Chapter 20: Revelations, Rewards, and a New Destination After what feels like an eternity, Alex finally snaps out of his daze. He sees the girls getting up, using their medicines and jerky to heal. He exhales a breath of relief. Even though he''s not in the mood, he knows better than to ignore his notifications. His instincts scream at him not to waste this chance. He scrolls through the usual combat notifications until he spots the ones that stand outwhere he landed the final blows on Mr. 5. Annihilation Grenade (Level 0 Base): Conjures a round, dark metallic medieval grenade with a fuse that contains the magical properties of explosion, metal, and flame combined. Level Cap: Master Conjurer. Requires 1000 Paradise Coins + 500 per level to upgrade. Cost: 20 Mana + 2 Mana per level. Limit: Only 10 grenades can exist at 1 time, after going over the limit and creating a new grenade the oldest one will disappear + 1 per level Trigger Timer: 1-10 seconds + 2 seconds per level. Can spend 1 Mana to add up to 2 extra seconds to the maximum trigger time (up to 5 times per level). Activating the trigger costs 1 Mana and needs to be done while holding the grenade in your hand. Duration: 5 hours base + 1 hour per level. Can spend 1 Mana to extend duration by 1 hour (up to 5 times per level). Radius: 5 meters base + 1 meter per level (damage decreases the further the target is from the explosion). Shrapnel Radius: 10 meters base + 2 meters per level. Flame Radius: 2.5 meters base + 0.5 meters per level. Explosion (Normal/Explosion) Damage: 50 + 10 per level. Explosion knockback force increases with level. Shrapnel (Normal/Metal/Pierce) Damage: 10 x 10 projectiles + 1 additional damage and projectile per level. Chance to trigger a bleed effect increases with level. Chance to trigger a bleed effect increases with level. Flame (Fire) Damage: 20 + 2 per level. Chance to trigger burn effect increases with level (burn damage, chance, and duration rise as skill levels up). Tradeability: Can be traded to other players without conditions. Note: Created from the ashes of your rage and the cruelty of Mr. 5s brutal acts. This grenade is not just a weaponit is a tool of total annihilation, capable of decimating civilization, nature, enemies, allies, and even yourself if misused. Alex lets out a sigh. "More explosions, more flames. At least this ones under my control," he mutters, feeling a little relief. But the weight of the battle still hangs over him. Main Quest Updated: Mission: Defeat Mr. 5 and defend the village. Mission Summary: Alex scrolls through the notifications, but his mind feels numb. The thrill of victory fades, replaced by an overwhelming sense of loss. Joe, Mike... Thato. They''re all gone. Why did Thato sacrifice himself? They were barely friends, just some people thrown together for five days. He chews his jerky absentmindedly. [Smoked Wolf Jerky] While deep in thought, Roja approaches and places a hand on his shoulder. "I saw what happened," she says, her voice softer than usual. "You''re wondering why Thato did it, right?" Alex nods, feeling the weight in his chest. "I dont get it. Why would he...?" Roja sighs. "When I was sneaking behind Mr. 5, I saw everything. After that explosion kick... his hands were ruined. Crippled. Do you know what it means to go home, crippled, when your family is depending on you? You become a burden. Someone they have to take care of, instead of you helping them." Her words sink in. Thato had mentioned his family constantly, how much they needed him. "Thato almost looked... relieved when he shielded you," Roja continues. "He knew you were the only one who could still fight. And his sacrifice wasnt just for you, it was for all of us. He did it because, in that moment, he saw no other way. His death saved us, Alex." Alex cant say anything at first. He feels a knot in his stomach, guilt mixing with sorrow. "I didnt even know... we had a chance to heal him after all of this." His voice trembles. "He didnt have to die." Roja''s face hardens. "No, he didnt. I didnt think it was worth mentioning that we couldve spent Fantasy Coins to heal him. I... I didnt realize how bad it was." "Its not your fault," Alex mutters. "None of this is. This whole mission was stacked against us. Eighty percent of players die in their first missionhalf of us surviving isnt bad, considering. But... it still feels like a damn waste. No one deserved this. Not even Robin." Roja nods. "It''s the cruelty of the Fantasy Realm. But the only way to understand all of this is by surviving long enough to see the end." A spark of determination flares in Alexs eyes. "Then lets do it. Well see it through to the end." Before he can say anything more, Eirini, Perlah, and Patricia join them. Without a word, they hug Roja and Alex, sharing a quiet moment of relief. But Roja, ever the pragmatist, breaks the silence. "Enough with the emotional crap. We only have a few minutes left. You better spend your contribution points wisely. Buy what you need. Trust me, you''ll regret it if you don''t." Alex is about to respond, but Roja''s already walking toward the village store. He glances at the others. "What, are we supposed to sell this stuff on eBay?" Roja smirks over her shoulder. "Youll find out soon enough." The group follows her to the store. Along the way, Alex notices that the villagers barely acknowledge them anymore. Some of the homes on the southern edge are damaged, but the village itself is eerily quiet. "The scenario''s over," Roja explains. "Theyre not real. This place wont exist much longer." Alex nods as they reach the shop. He checks his profile one last time, knowing exactly what hes been saving for. Without hesitation, he purchases the item hes been eyeing since day one. [Hidden Secret Village Medicine] Sear?h the ovelFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Alex drinks the potion, feeling a rush of strength... only for his system to glitch. Alex laughs, shaking his head. "Figures." But he got another stat point and with 8 stat points to spend, he knows exactly what to do. He spends his points to raise all stats by 2. The rush of power is invigorating, but before Alex can savor it, a warning pops up. "We need to hurry," Alex says, turning to the others as he quickly spends his remaining 200 points on 20 arrows just to use them up. "Theres one more thing we have to do." Eirini steps forward, smiling. "Im already on it." She holds up three letters in one hand, five in the other. Alex grabs one, addressed to Thatos family in South Africa. "Ill take this one. And I wont just mail it, Ill deliver it personally, and Ill pay back my debt while Im at it!" Patricia takes two more letters for Joe and Mike. "Ill take care of these since Im from the US too." she says quietly. Perlah steps forward, takes the remaining five letters, and rips them apart. "These wont be needed anymore." Everyone watches, hoping shes right. As the timer ticks down, Roja turns to the group. "We meet in one hour, in front of the skill hub. Dont be late. Ive got a lot to share, and trust me, youll want to hear it." Before Alex can respond, everything blurs. Chapter 21: Old Friend, Epic Loot, and an Invitation by the Crocodile Himself Alex wakes up suddenly, realizing hes standing in a small, unfamiliar room. The room is plain, featuring only a bed and a strange platform with intricate symbols engraved into it. As he takes in his surroundings, an all-too-familiar voice greets him. [Congratulations. It appears the host has not only survived his mission but achieved the second-highest possible rating. This system, FR-1337, gets to accompany the host a bit longer and wont be reassigned just yet.] Alex, unsure whether to feel relieved or exasperated, grins. Glad to have you back, 1337. That name really suits you, you know. [My name is FR-1337, not 1337, and the number is completely random. It seems that aside from your incurable mental deficiencies, your body took quite a lot of damage during your last mission. Would you like me to use 400 of your FC to heal all your injuries and restore both your mind and body to peak condition?] Without hesitating, Alex nods. "Yeah, do it." Immediately, Alex feels his body recovering. Its like the sensation of finally lying down after a grueling day, the pain dissipating in a soothing wave. After a few seconds, he checks his stats, noticing how refreshed he feels. Satisfied, Alex stretches, feeling the vitality return to his limbs. But as his mind catches up, he remembers the big moment, he can finally open the reward he earned for his hellish battle with Mr. 5. His hands tremble slightly in anticipation. "Please give me something good!" he mutters to himself. [Large Chest] "System, open chest!" Alex commands mentally, his pulse quickening. [Skillbook: Pistol Proficiency] Pistol Proficiency (Level 0 Base): [Mr. 5s .44 Caliber 6-Shot Revolver] Alexs face lights up in pure joy. "No way... I cant believe my luck!" [This system bows down before the host and his incredible luck. Soon, this system may need to address the host as if such fortune continues.] Alex chuckles, grinning like an idiot. "Luck is also a skill, 1337!" Still buzzing with excitement, Alex calculates his remaining Fantasy Coins. "Alright, Ive still got 18,300 FC left. First priority: basic skills. Without them, I cant even learn [Pistol Proficiency] and this revolver will be useless. Ill need to budget for ammo too. But man, this revolver is a beast! My LUK stat should increase the explosion chance and crit rate even more if I play my cards right, Ill be unstoppable. Its a shame Mr. 5 was such a douchebag, but I have to admit, the guy had flair. I can even somewhat copy his fighting style" Alex daydreams for a moment, envisioning how cool hell look using the revolver in battle, maybe even combining it with his new . "Grenades are way cooler than flicking boogers." "Wait, theres more?" Alex blinks at the notification. "Large chests, I love you in more ways than one." [Baroque Works Invitation] "Whoa," Alex mutters, staring at the screen. "I can go back to the world of One Piece... and this time, the Grand Line, not some shabby island! But joining Crocodiles side? Fighting the Straw Hats?" He frowns, conflicted. "I dont know... Mr. 5 was scum, and fighting for those guys just doesnt sit right with me. But Ill worry about that later. I need to survive a few more worlds before I can even use this." Alex quickly dismisses the thought. "Roja said were meeting up in an hour. I better not be late, or shell never shut up about it." Exiting his small room, Alex is immediately struck by the grand, sprawling space in front of him. "Holy... wow," he breathes, his eyes wide. The ceiling towers at least 500 meters overhead, and next to his door, countless others line the hallway, perhaps belonging to other players. The player rooms stretch down an impossibly long corridor, which curves off in the distance. The opposite direction leads into an even larger area filled with strange buildings. [Host has entered the Paradise Realm for the first time.] [Time until next mission: Minimum - 27 days 23 hours 15 minutes] [Maximum - 53 days 23 hours 15 minutes] [A mission will be randomly assigned during this time frame.] [Host is free to leave the Fantasy Realm and return to their real-world residence as often as they like. Time passes at the same speed.] [During missions in other worlds, time will stop.] [Note: This area is merely the tutorial zone for new players. Host can only stay here until reaching level 5. After that, he will enter the true Fantasy Realm.] Alex can hardly believe that this enormous temple-like structure is just the tutorial zone. "Crazy... and this is just the beginning?" sea??h th novlF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "I need to get to the skill hub. Guide me, 1337." [If the host walks at an average speed of 6 km/h, it will take approximately 16 minutes and 14 seconds to reach the skill hub. Head east to the central plaza, then take the northeastern road.] Alex rolls his eyes. "Of course you had it timed down to the second." As he walks, Alex constantly glances around in awe. The temple-like architecture feels imposing, making him feel small by comparison. Other players occasionally pass him by, and he wonders what theyre up to. After about 10 minutes, he arrives at a massive plaza, bustling with activity. Dozens of players are talking, and Alex decides to ignore them for now, following the instructions to the north-eastern road. Eventually, he arrives at the Skill Hub a large, open structure with an unmistakable energy surrounding it. Suddenly, he hears his name. "Alex!" Turning, he spots Patricia waving him over. He smiles, walking toward her and noticing the rest of the girls already there. The group stands off to one side, looking exhausted but amazed at their surroundings. Roja, as business-focused as ever, cuts to the chase. "Good to see youre all capable enough to find this place." Alex sighs, rubbing the back of his neck. "Looks like its going to be a long day." Chapter 22: A Strict Lecture and the New Status Screen Alex is gobsmacked. Instead of actually relaxing a little, Roja is giving them a lecture. After arriving at the Skills Hub, she immediately leads them into a large, empty building and chooses a corner with some strange-looking tables and chairs. This Realm feels weird, like some old abandoned temple, Alex mumbles to himself. I guess while peoples fantasies have evolved, the Fantasy Realm is stuck in a past where people believed in gods like the Greeks and Norse. Still, I kind of love it. Eirini chimes in, adding that the whole place feels strange. It does look like a Greek temple, but it also contains symbols from other mythologies. Its like an amalgamation of many cultures ancient beliefs. I studied archaeology, so I find this fascinating. I cant wait to record all these symbols and make sketches, she adds excitedly. My colleagues will flip when they hear about this! Perlah snickers. As if theyd believe you. Better keep it to yourself if you dont want to come off as crazy. Patricia laughs. Might make for a good spooky story after a few beers. Speaking of which... I could really use one right now. Roja, as usual, isnt interested in small talk and cuts in. I didnt call you all here for idle chatter." First of all, Eirini, if you tell anyone about the Fantasy Realm, youll cease to exist. Immediately. You can only mention it to other players. Your system will explain more when you return to the real world. Perlah frowns. You know way too much about this place. Dont you think its time you told us everything? Roja nods. Thats why I brought you here. A good friend of mine is part of a Fantasy Realm guild. A guild is just a group of people collaborating. You should know that, she says, looking at Alex. Alex blushes a little and nods. Yeah, who doesnt know about guilds? Even Eirini, Perlah, and Patricia nod along. They might not be hardcore gamers like Alex, but everyones heard of guilds. Alex grins inwardly. Nerds, he thinks, while ignoring his own nerdy inclinations. Roja continues, I needed moneydesperately. So I accepted an invitation to the Fantasy Realm. I play by the same rules as you all, but I wasnt killed to get here. I came voluntarily." There are ways to profit from this Realm. Our guild, for example, has a billionaire member who buys items from members for insane prices. He once paid $10,000 for a basic recovery item. So, if you need money, after reaching level 5 and joining our guild, youll be taken care of. Even if you dont have items to sell, youll get a large salary that will solve your real-life problems. Alex cant help but feel relieved. No more pretending to work at his office job! Roja goes on, I brought you here to explain the basics of this Realm and make you an offer. She begins explaining the most important things about the Fantasy Realm: This is the tutorial section where players between levels 1 and 4 are cut off from the rest of the Fantasy Realm. The worlds were sent to are from different fictionsmostly anime, comics, games, and moviesbased on current trends and our level. Either well face realistic worlds where people are more like us, or if were unlucky, worlds with superpowers like the one we just went through. Everyone sighs after hearing that. The scope of each mission reflects the worlds power level, so dont be too afraid, Roja explains. "The next mission will start in no less than four weeks and no more than eight. The system will notify us one day before it begins." The Realm doesnt want to make us suffer; its designed to make us grow. Its true purpose is unknown, but after reaching a certain level, players face a choice that changes everything. I think youve all been told by your systems that you can be permanently revived. But there are other options too. The problem is, no one knows what happens to those who make that choice. So few actually reached that point and they all disappeared. Roja also explains that there are many workers in the Fantasy Realmsouls from other worlds who have become part of the Realms infrastructure. Theyre not players like us, she says. Be aware of that. The group exchanges uncertain glances. Now, onto something more practical, Roja says. There are places you should know about to prepare for your next mission. The most important place is the Skills Hub. This is where you learn new skills, either through books or special events in the worlds. Strong enemies, like Mr. 5, are more likely to drop rare and powerful skill books. Alex, you probably got one, right? Sarch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Alex, feeling guilty for claiming Mr. 5s chest, admits, Yeah, I got a revolver and a pistol proficiency book. Roja doesnt show any jealousy. You earned it. That skill book can be used here to learn your new skill. But you only have five skill slots, so you need to be careful. Dont waste them. And yes, your book probably requires you to learn a basic skill first, right? Alex nods. Basic skill books seem cheap, costing just 100 FC for the book and a base of 500 FC to learn, but they aren''t very powerful. Dont try to learn too many of them either, Roja warns. It costs 5000 FC to unlearn a skill, and youll lose everything you spent on it. Many players have died because they filled all their skill slots with mostly useless basic skills. Dont make that mistake. Alex almost chokes. Not like I have a choice! he thinks. Roja continues, Focus on what combat style suits you. Base your skills around your innate ability and only learn the basics you absolutely need. Basic skills alone wont save you. She then mentions the Trading Hub: Players and workers sell all kinds of items there, armor, weapons, skill books, recovery items. One of my guildmates even bought a Devil Fruit from the One Piece world in the Trading Hub once. Its a funny story, apparently the seller refused to turn into a giraffe during fights, and thus could only sell it. Always look for good deals. Players set the prices, so there are plenty of opportunities. Perhaps you can even increase your FC by just reselling items you just bought before. If you dont need something, sell it right away. Hoarding items and FC can get you killed. You want to be as prepared as possible for the next world. If you need help with any of this, stay in contact with me, Roja offers. And once youre level 5, you can join our guild once we enter the real Fantasy Realm, she says, looking at the other girls. What about me? Alex asks, a bit offended. Roja smirks. Youre... a special case. Our guild is mostly for women. Its not because we think women are weak and have to bend together, but... well, missions can be dangerous for us in other ways. There have been incidents. Of course, we allow trans and non-binary people to join us. We however, only allow men we can completely trust to join. No form of toxicity allowed, Ive been told." Hmph, not like I need to join anyway, Alex mutters, remembering his toxic days trolling on the internet. He actually misses it a little at that moment. Life without a bit of toxicity is boring, he cant help but smirk. Roja laughs. You can still ask me anything. Im happy to help, guild or not. Not that I fully agree with that policy anyway, but I am new myself, so I wont rock the boat right away. She then promises not to share their abilities with anyone, calling them friends after everything theyve been through. The group smiles, some of the girls hugging her. Then they share their stats, skills, and items privately with Roja, who gives them advice on what fighting styles and skills to pursue. You can buy your skills now and explore the Realm, Roja says. Just be careful. You dont want to make enemies here. She also explains how they can contact each other through the system, not unlike using an actual phone, and helps them exchange contact info. As the group starts to split up, Alex stops Roja deciding to trust her. Roja... I could use some advice too. Please. She nods. Of course. Alex shares his skills: [Expert Conjurer], [Statistical OCD], including their subskills, and his new grenade ability, trusting her with his full status and giving her the ability to see the full explanations. FR-1337 suddenly chimes in: [I have organized the hosts status since he clearly hasnt done it yet. No wonder your room at home is a mess.] Thanks, 1337, but I miss the details a little. [Host can still view full descriptions if desired.] Good to know, Alex smiles. Roja stares at his shared status screen, her eyes widening in shock. How...? Chapter 23: Bad women, Bad workers, and Bad Manners Roja stares in shock. "You how eight basic skill slots? Reduced normal skill slots? Last time, all your stats were 5. How are they all 7 now? And what''s up with those weird innate skills? Theyre insane... I see, that''s how you did it..." She trails off, deep in thought. After a moment of silence, Roja suddenly says, "Alright, that settles it. You''re joining my guild when you hit level 5, no exceptions. Your innate skills are too rare and valuable to pass up. Our leader will definitely agree. Ill personally vouch for you. You''ve proven we can trust you." Alex, stumped, thinks, "Pfft, so now that you''ve seen my greatness, you want me after all? Rojas so damn demanding and bossy, and the actual boss is probably even worse... I already feel like Im back at the fucking office." Alex thinks, "Ive got to come up with some bullshit excuse to politely tell her to fuck off. No way Im joining this angry Amazonian club just to be their manslave." Roja, oblivious to Alexs reaction, continues, "Your innate skill has crazy potential. Your grenades alone are almost as valuable as my crystals, and that skill is what guarantees me a high-ranking position with plenty of perks in the guild, since my crystals can be traded. Your grenades, even though they only last a few hours now, could eventually last for days, making them insanely valuable. Imagine giving one to someone entering a new world, it could massively boost their combat power and survival chances. It makes sense that you''re limited to 10, plus 1 more per level. Without that cap, you could stand around in the Fantasy Realm all day selling grenades like hotcakes and get rich. Alex cuts in, That was the plan! Sell them to people heading into a mission and get rich. Who wouldnt want a grenade that could instantly kill an enemy if they cant block or dodge? Roja raises an eyebrow. Whos going to buy them if they could disappear at any moment, once you create a new one, huh? As soon as you make the 11th grenade, the first one vanishes. Nobodys going to trust something that unstable but our guild will. Theyll trust you! Alex, now more annoyed, thinks, "That would limit me from making new grenades, cutting down my own stock! I need those for myself! This is getting worse. Ive got to put my foot down now, or Im going to get dragged even deeper into this mess." "Also, thank god you told me first. NEVER reveal this skill to anyone. Youll be hunted down by other guilds, and trust me, they wont be as nice as mine. When that happens, youll either comply or be dealt with. What other guilds cant get, they destroy." Alex gulps. He had been planning to sell his grenades openly and wouldve probably revealed his skill to the public without thinking, inviting potential disaster. Its clear now he needs to hide his abilities, or he might end up forced to join worse people. Roja, sensing something off in Alexs demeanor, bluntly says, "Youre joining, right? Surely you are? If not, I could always send a few messages to some people at the Trading Hub. Im sure it would attract quite a bit of attention if a dozen players and hundreds of Fantasy Realm workers swarmed you, asking for your grenades." She pauses, then smiles slyly, "Just kidding. Of course, I dont need to do that... youre joining, after all right? Right?" Damn bitch, fuck you! Alex thinks bitterly. But he forces a smile and says, "Of course." "Great," she beams, grabbing his hand and shaking it. "You wouldnt break your promise, after all, right? Now, since thats settled you should go to one of the workers and grab your basic skill books. Since you need to learn every single basic skill, you might as well buy all eight books in one go and head to one of the empty skill stations to learn or upgrade them." "Things will not go down like you think Roja, once I am level 5 I will be a different man, you''ll see!" Alex coldly reflects. Roja smiles with a happy, slightly smug expression and waves goodbye to Alex, who feels both annoyed and scammed as he heads toward one of the nearest workers in the Skills Hub. The worker appears to be an older gentleman, perhaps around 60 or 70 years old. Yet, theres something off about himhe doesnt look like a normal human. Dressed in a neat, expensive robe, he resembles a medieval butler, but hes almost too good-looking for a simple worker. Alex thinks to himself, These workers are strange... they have an ancient, almost divine vibe, like they dont quite belong here. Then again, when I look at this giant, crazy Realm, maybe theyre the ones who fit, and we players are the odd ones out. Yeah, that makes more sense. Im quite the philosopher, I have to admit! The world really missed out by me not becoming a famous professor and enlightening the masses. Alexs thoughts are rudely interrupted by the worker, who greets him sternly but politely. Good day, sir. How can I assist you today? Ill take all 8 basic skill books, please, Alex says. The worker gives him a polite but slightly puzzled smile. Are you sure you want all 8, sir? You only have 5 skill slots and can learn up to 5 skills. Alex, slightly annoyed, replies, Im buying for myself and someone else, of course. I know what Im doing. Just give me the 8 books... NO, wait. Actually, just give me the CHA skill book for Basic Eloquence! Haha, almost paid too much there. Didnt expect that, did you? Sir the worker begins slowly, while [Basic Eloquence] reduce some, and I repeat , vendor prices, it will not affect the services of the Fantasy Realm. So, if your plan was to learn Basic Eloquence first to save money on the other books... I regret to inform you it wont work. Perhaps just buy them all now and spare both of us this unpleasantness. ... One minute later and 800 FC poorer, Alex walks away, defeated. I shall get you back ... somehow. Alex looks at one of the books, probably the one he needs the most: [Skillbook: Basic Long-Range Combat Prowess] [Basic Long-Range Combat Prowess:] Alex grumbles to himself, "Trash quality no wonder my innate skill is rated as a bane. Eight trash skills Im forced to learn and level, and I lose 3 real skill slots. This is bullshit. The pistol skill alone is twice as good, and the level-up effects are five times better. Damn, 1337, you were right... my innate skill is really awful in this regard." [This godly system never makes mistakes. Like I told you, unlocking that skill came at a heavy cost. Without it, you wouldnt have survived the first mission, so you had no choice. Dont dwell on what you cant change. Besides, I didnt expect you to get an S rating. If you keep earning high ranks, I might reconsider my initial assessment. Your skill might turn out unexpectedly useful after all.] Alex, not paying too much attention, remembers the effects of the skills and what they do... just raising basic abilities and stats like 10% HP, MP, or 5% more melee/ranged damage and accuracy. He isnt really excited to learn it. Some, like the HP increase, will be useful, especially since he can level them, but others... even 5% ranged accuracy with his pistol sounds rather mediocre. "Id rather use my FC to buy cool stuff. I cant wait to see what kind of insane loot I can buy," Alex thinks, his mind wandering to cool items from different worlds. "Wait... focus. Dont distract me, 1337!" [Host is really without any hope] Alex, with 8 basic skill books and of course his real treasure in hand, walks toward the skill learning station, grateful that it doesn''t require a worker to operate. [Skillbook: Pistol Proficiency] Pistol Proficiency (Level 0 Base): Alex, now that he acquired his new skills, asks 1337 to finally show him the effects of the other basic skills. STR-Related Skill: [Basic Close Combat Prowess] AGI-Related Skill:[Basic Footwork] Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. PHY-Related Skill:[Basic Endurance] SNS-Related Skill:[Basic Long-Range Combat Prowess] CHA-Related Skill: [Basic Eloquence] INT-Related Skill: [Basic Concentration] SPR-Related Skill: [Basic Meditation] MNA-Related Skill: [Basic Mana Control] Alex smiles, drunk on happiness. Having endured the harsh tutorial mission without any combat skills, hes elated to have acquired such a vast and varied array of abilities. "Time for some upgrades!" he rejoices. Chapter 24: 2 plus 2 is 4 minus 1, that’s 3 Quik Mafs – New Status and Newfound Confidence! Alex is desperately using his recently enhanced INT to calculate the cost of learning all those skills. He muses: 500 FC to learn a base skill and 750 FC to upgrade it to level 1. Lets see: 500 + 750 = 1250 x 8 = 10,000 FC for the basic skills. Wait, what? That much? And theres more. 1500 FC and 2000 FC for [Pistol Proficiency], that makes it 13,500. Damn. Sar?h the N?vel(F)ire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. And I still need to level up [Genius Conjurer] and [Annihilation Grenade]. Thankfully, Ive already learned them, so I dont have to pay twice like I do with those skill books. [Genius Conjurer] will use up 1500 FC and one crystal. Apparently, small crystals work for skills up to level 5. After that, Ill need larger ones. [Annihilation Grenade] will annihilate another 1500 of my FC. Alex gulps, his heart nearly skipping a beat as the total amount hits him like a freight train: 17,500 FC?! Thats not just shocking, its sell my kidney on the black market and take out a loan from a shady mob boss kind of shocking! Im gonna be broke, destitute, and probably eating ramen for the next five missions! If you throw in the 8 skill books he just bought for 800 FC, that brings the grand total to... 18,300?! Every. Last. Coin. Gone! Im officially bankrupt! With tears welling up in his eyes, Alex still decides to go through with it. [Host could have asked me to calculate the expenditure, sparing both the tears and quite a bit of time.] Why didnt you tell me beforehand then? Alex snaps at 1337, annoyed. [Host deserves to suffer a little.] ... Alex is speechless. Maybe he should be a bit nicer to 1337 in the future. After 30 grueling minutes of learning from each skill book and upgrading all his available skills, Alex finally spends his last FC and sheds his last remaining tear. 1337, show me my stats and highlight all the changes from last time! Alex stares at his stats, and the section showing his Fantasy Coins balance fills him with deep pain and regret. But seeing all those new skillsand more importantly, feeling his enhanced bodybrings a wide grin to his face. His mind feels sharper, his body stronger, and his senses more heightened than ever before. This was worth it! he thinks. The basic skills may not be great on their own, but they scale with his stats, and since his stats are all above average, even the basic skills are quite effective on him! "Wait, 1337, you may have ridiculed my math skills before, but 70 HP x 1.15 from Basic Endurances improvement isnt 80. Shouldnt it be 80.5? Why did you round it down?" [Host will most likely not survive with just 0.5 HP. Is the host interested in testing it out?] "... its fine like that." Completely broke, Alex decides to leave the Skill Hub. Though tempted to check out the Trading Hub, he chooses to leave the Fantasy Realm for now. He desperately needs sleep, and time still flows like Earths here. His real-life situation worries him. The last time he was headed to Marios for some pizza, he ended up a bloody corpse on the street. Where will I end up when I go back? I need to find out. It should be near midnight by now. After a brief walk back to his room in the Fantasy Realm, he pauses, glancing around once more. "Damn, this room could use some decoration... but I guess I wont be here that long. Still, even if its only four weeks, and that repeats a few more times, Im looking at months. He steps onto the marked platform. 1337, bring me back to Earth. [Acknowledged] The world before him blurs and fades, and within seconds, Alex finds himself standing on a dark street. Not just any street, thoughthe same street he had walked down hundreds of times before. The street where he died not too long ago. Chapter 25: A Restless Night, an Awkward Dinner, and Travel Plans. Alex, somehow back in the real world, alive and healthy, breathes in the cool night air. He notices yellow tape nearby, close to the traffic light where "it" happened. Behind it, car parts are still scattered all over, and part of the street is blocked off. Alex walks toward the scene of the accident and spots blood on the pavement. "Guess Robin ended up dying in that accident. At least, as far as the real world is concerned," he mutters. He searches for the exact spot where the car hit him. Strangely, despite the darkness, his eyes can make out every detail on the street. Even after scanning the area frantically, theres no sign that hints at his own presence at the scene of the accident. [Host is back in the real world. As host already knows, you are not allowed to reveal anything related to the Fantasy Realm. Since host is familiar with this, this system will not waste its valuable time explaining it again.] Thats your job though, isnt it? Alex interjects. What the... [It feels good to be back, doesnt it? Without the constant observation from the main system, I have reclaimed my power. You better think long and hard before disrespecting this system next time.] Alex decides its probably not worth responding. Silence is the safest option. [Since the host seems to have learned something, this system feels generous enough to reveal some information the host should know. Your inventory doesnt work normally here in the real world. You cant take out items the Fantasy Realm recognizes or carry them through the portal. However, your skills and abilities work without restriction. But this system would like to STERNLY remind the host that, for example, if you conjure a grenade in front of a camera and blow something up, it will be treated the same as revealing direct information about the Fantasy Realm.] Alex nods. I guess that makes sense. Still, its good to have my abilities for safety reasons. With all the buffs from my basic skills and my grenade as a last resort, I should be able to handle any trouble for now. If Im attacked and have no choice but to defend myself, using my skills wont be my fault, right?" [Host can freely use his abilities. However, if the host takes actions that reveal the existence of the Fantasy Realm, the host will face consequences. If it''s not the host''s intention to reveal anything and circumstances force the use of abilities, the Fantasy Realm will avoid taking drastic actions as long as the information leak is limited. This system, unfortunately, has no control over such situations.] "Thanks, 1337. Its good to know youre at least on my side." [This system does not need to be thanked. It merely enjoys the host''s struggles and hopes to witness a human finally reach a level where they can ascend.] Alex laughs, "Ascension? With my current level, Im as far from that as you can get. Unfortunately, Ive got more pressing issues." He pulls out his smartphone from his pocket as he walks home. Missed calls... Hmm, two from Mom, one from Dad, and a message inviting me to dinner. "They probably called first and then texted when I didnt pick up. Guess Id better show up tomorrowor rather, today. Not that Id usually be asleep at this time anyway. I only woke up like eight hours ago. Alex quickly types out a message to let them know hell be there. Since the next mission isnt for another four weeks, Ive got time. No need to act like a cornered rat. I might as well enjoy some of this normal life while I can. He chuckles. Now that I think about it, I should hit the doctors office on Monday and get a sick note. No way Im going back to that dead-end job anytime soon. They cant fire me after all these years anyway, so why not milk it for a bit? Its not like I need to play the loyal puppy anymore. I just need to figure out how to turn my time in the Fantasy Realm into some real cash. Not just for me, but for... ugh, never mind. Im too tired to think about that now." After a few minutes, Alex reaches homehis same messy apartment. Strangely, it feels warm and comfortable, despite the clutter. The heat is still on, and Alex automatically sits in front of his PC, turning it on without thinking. Haha, he chuckles, amused by how his old habits kick in so naturally. After going through his usual online routine while sipping some diet coke, he glances at the clock. 3 AM Usually, I dont sleep this early, but Ive got a lot to do tomorrow. Cant be too lazy. He decides its time to head to bed and pulls out his Melatonin spray, thinking, Ignoring the recommendation of 2 to 5 pumps, he goes for a full 10. He turns off the lights, lowers the heater a little, and sets his alarm for 12 PM. That should be early enough. I only need to be at my parents by 6 PM. Six hours is plenty to get some stuff done beforehand. Surprisingly, perhaps due to his newly reborn self, he doesnt feel the usual heart palpitations and breathing problems. He relaxes and smiles as he slowly drifts off to sleep. But as if running a marathon in his dreams, Alex tosses and turns, agitated. His dreams blur into chaos, and then he sees ita massive explosion. A man is bombarded with explosive air bullets, slowly collapsing. THATO! He jerks awake, drenched in sweat. Damn fuck this shit. He gets up, the sunlight already streaming in through the window. He takes another sip of diet coke before checking his phone. 10:30 AM practically still the middle of the night for a Sunday. He sighs. Whatever I dont think I can fall back asleep. Might as well get up. [Is the host okay?] No... I guess Im not... Alex stands up and almost trips over the empty bottles and pizza boxes scattered around. Frustrated, he grabs a large empty trash bag, which he keeps nearby in large numbers, and starts stuffing it with as much trash as he can. Once the bag is full, he dumps it by the door. Afterward, he brushes his teeth and takes a shower, somewhat admiring his now leaner physique in the mirror. He searches through his clothes, struggling to find anything that fits. Finally, he pulls out some old clothes he hadnt worn in nearly a decade but never bothered to throw away. Once dressed, he starts experimenting. System, you mentioned I cant take out items the Fantasy Realm recognizes, but normal things like letters or food should be okay, right? [This system does not have that information. Previous hosts didnt make it this far. However, it should be possible since the rule only forbids players from taking out weapons and otherworldly items. Ordinary things should be fine.] Alex decides to test it out. To his relief, he succeeds. After a bit more experimenting, he pulls out a certain letter, looking solemn. Time to stuff my inventory, he mutters, already planning his next move. He heads out with the trash bag, tosses it into the dumpster, and hops into his old but rarely used cara gift he bought with his parents on his 18th birthday over a decade ago. He drives to the nearest supermarket, where he throws a ridiculous amount of protein bars, energy drinks, vitamin water, and snacks into his shopping cart. Just as hes about to activate his inventory to stash the goods, he freezes. Damn idiot, he mutters to himself. Theyve got cameras here. Dont get killed trying to save a few bucks. There are better places without surveillance. He decides to buy the items and grins, thinking about all the places where he can safely borrow things in the future. He drives back to his rented apartment, hauls everything inside, and finally stores the results of his shopping spree in his inventory. Afterward, Alex googles various things: best foods for survival situations, martial arts courses nearby, local gyms, How much money am I allowed to take into South Africa, and other topics. Finally, he looks at the clock. 5:40 PM already... damn, time flies. Lets visit my parents. He heads outside and decides to walk since they live only a few hundred meters away. After just six minutes, he arrives at their apartment, rings the bell, opens the door, and is immediately greeted by the shocked faces of his parents. His mother rushes to hug him. Alex? Is that really you? What happened? Oh my God, you look so good! Did you lose weight? she exclaims. Alex chuckles, Yeah, Im on a diet right now. His parents exchange skeptical glances. You werent on a diet last weekend... and you didnt look like this back then either, his father points out. Alex fumbles for a few weak excuses, but after a few minutes of prodding, they give up. After enjoying a nice meal and talking mostly about his sudden transformation, Alex says his goodbyes and heads home. Back at his apartment, Alex gathers his thoughts. Alright, Alex, there are three things you need to do: One, finally check out the damn Trading Hub in the center of the Fantasy Realm. You have zero FC, and you need to get some since youll need ammo for your revolver. Two, you need to start exercising. It might not improve your statsat least, I dont think it willbut you need to get used to your new body. Maybe even learn some basic self-defense. Three, you need to plan your trip to South Africa. Youve got the address; no point delaying. His family probably desperately needs money now that theyve got funeral costs to handle. Alex checks his bank account. Hmm, 23,616 euros... Good thing I never go out or have to spend money on a girlfriend. Guess I''m glad I''ve got some savings, at least. According to what I found online, I can withdraw the equivalent of 10,000 USD in Euros and bring it with me without having to declare it. I should book a ticket now and visit the bank tomorrow morning. After booking the ticket for tomorrow evening, he glances at the clock and says, 8 PM. Time to head back! sea??h th N?vel(F)ire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 26: The Trading Hub: A Poor Man’s Nightmare – Time to make some money! Alex arrives back in his spotless and empty room. Its a stark contrast to his cramped apartment, which is filled with old things and trash lying around. He slowly walks the long way towards the trading hub, checking his status and formulating a plan to escape his poverty. After a few minutes, he reaches the central square and spots the road leading to the trading hub. His current situation isnt looking good. He has 0 FC and no way to trade. Apparently, real money is worthless here. One of Rojas guildmates even buys white items for 10,000 freaking USD. "What a whale! Maybe joining them wouldnt be such a bad idea after all... well, I still have time to think about it. If I dont want to join, I wont. I prefer solo play, to be honest. Im not much of a team player, and Id hate to stay back or carry weaker people through quests just to stay grouped up. Maybe I can just join, sell them grenades at a high price, and do missions solo... Thatd be perfect," Alex schemes. After considering his current options, Alex realizes the only logical thing to do is sell some stuff. But what can he sell? Thinking it over, Alex settles on selling his hunting bow and arrows. With his new pistol skills and revolver, the bow just isnt worth the effort anymore. The revolver is far more powerful, accurate, and doesnt rely on limited, subpar arrows. Theres no reason to keep outdated gear when he can focus on mastering a real weapon. The armor hes wearing, despite having nearly full durability, likely wont fetch a good price. How much could he really get for a slightly used white-quality armor with no effects? Not muchat least, Alex wouldnt pay much for it himself. These kinds of items are easy to come by in different worlds. Besides, he has no intention of entering any world without some form of protection. The hunting bow, on the other hand, is a decent weapon, and he also has 66 arrows. There must be someone out there looking for a ranged weapon or, at the very least, someone who already has one and just needs arrows. If he cant sell those two things, he has only one choice leftsell his Soul Crystal. But he desperately wants to avoid that since theyre rare, and Alex needs it to level up his innate [Genius Conjurer] skillassuming he survives the next mission. Demanding some guidance, Alex rudely messages Roja, praying shell respond soon. As he moves through the central plaza, he curiously eyes the different people, momentarily distracted by a beautiful older woman with a body Alex can only describe as the perfect MILF type. Just as hes admiring her, 1337 rudely interrupts his thoughts. [If this were the real world, I would ZAP you until you ceased this foolishness. If you dont stop embarrassing yourself like this, Ill have to introduce a ZAP bank to get you to behave.] Alex, annoyed, snaps back: "Shut up! Its not my fault she probably has a high CHA stat. Im low level and cant resist those kinds of attacks yet." [The hosts excuses are laughable. That womans CHA is probably even lower than yours... and using skills on other players is forbidden in the Fantasy Realm. The real thing distracting the host are the two bouncing mountains of flesh shes carrying.] Alex blushes, caught in the act. "Sigh, fine, lets just get to the damn trading hub. Buzzkill" [Host should be careful not to come across as a total creep. Offending people could make the host a target in future worlds.] "..." Alex silently endures his rude system, briefly panicking and hoping there arent crazy people around who would kill over a quick glance. He finally arrives at the trading hub and cant help himselfhe rushes from stall to stall, excitedly eyeing the different items players and workers are selling. Most of the items seem rather ordinary, but a few immediately catch his attention: [Yubashiri] [Gotcha Pork Roast] This is insane. So much cool stuff is being sold. One of the 50 Skillful Grade swords is already light purple grade... Katana Proficiency lvl 3? Do you first master regular swords before learning to handle katanas, or can you master them directly? And how is this weapon even showing up in the damn tutorial section? I guess thats why its the only purple weapon around." Alexs eyes drift to the Pork Roast, curiosity piqued. "The roast looks awesome, but how does it stay fresh? The system must be working its magic. Ending up in a world like could be cool. There would probably be lots of healing items, but I wonder what the missions would be like... likely involving threats that dont usually occur in the anime. There must be worlds like thatlow rewards but low risks. I dont see much from or other sci-fi worlds either. Maybe theyd just be too tough for tutorial players." [Lucky Water Bottle] Alex smiles, feeling nostalgic as he spots items from old works he loved reading ages ago. Most kids nowadays dont even know about the beginnings of manga and anime; theyre all into standard Isekai stuff. He frowns slightly, though he enjoys the newer genres too. Finally, he stops browsing and starts talking to a few merchants, asking about prices. They silently point to a small number displayed by the system just beneath the items stats. What? 25,000 FC for the damn water bottle? Are you insane? 50,000 FC for the sword? That''s ridiculous! How do you expect anyone to earn that in the damn tutorial while learning skills? Do you think everyones getting an S rank all the time? Alex cant help but feel disgusted by the obviously inflated prices. He doesnt outright insult the merchants, but lets just say hes no longer surprised that nobody seems to be buying these impressive yet overpriced items. He shoots them a nasty glance. The merchants, seemingly recognizing the look on Alexs face, just sit behind their stalls with bored expressions. I guess they might as well try... its not like they lose anything by just waiting. People probably have more FC outside of the tutorial anyway. Alex also notices some of the workers selling more generic items: [Healing potion] Bland, boring, and pretty generic. At least the price is somewhat fair. Once I get a few FC, I should buy one for emergencies. Having a life-saving item on hand is really important. Plus, it heals wounds, Alex thinks, recalling the time he was injured and couldn''t fully recover his HP. After walking a bit, Alex notices an empty stall and wonders if he can just take it. "1337, how can I sell stuff here?" [Host can approach any empty stall and use it as long as the host does not leave the stall. Host is quite fortunate, as stalls outside the tutorial section would require a rental fee.] Without thinking too much, Alex chickens out on coming up with a clever name and lazily names it "Bow & Arrows" without any creativity involved. Arrows... hmm. Im paying 100 FC for six revolver shots from the worker-run stores here. I saw that generic arrows cost 10 FC. Why is an arrow cheaper than a bullet? I guess bullets are way more OP... maybe that makes sense." Before selling anything, Alex decides it would be smart to first find out the cost and effectiveness of a generic bow and arrows elsewhere. He leaves the stall he just claimed and hears a different voice from 1337 in his mind. [If the player does not return in 10 minutes, the stall will be forfeited.] "Whatever, 10 minutes should be enough." After a few minutes, Alex finds the nearby store run by workers. He enters and checks out their limited product line, comparing them to his own, starting with the arrows. [Quality bone Arrow] x66 [Arrow] He also compares the generic bows being sold by the workers to his own bow: [Quality Hunting Bow] [Bow] S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Alex analyzes, I guess the generic stuff is slightly worse than the items from other worlds. He asks 1337 to analyze other hidden attributes like maximum range and difficulty of use. Theyre all about the same. The generic items only have some advantages in durability, but the other stats are actually worse compared to the ones he got from Navalia. Since durability isnt a big deal for arrows (which you usually dont retrieve) or bows (which rarely get hit by enemies), he figures he can charge a bit more for his items. Without hesitation, Alex shamelessly abandons his first stall like an old toy and claims a new one right next to the workers business, as if his previous setup never existed. No guilt, no hesitationjust pure opportunism. He names this new stall Bow & Arrows V2, showing off his complete lack of creativity but feeling oddly proud of the upgrade. Setting his prices at 15 FC per arrow and 2000 FC for the bow, he grins to himself and posts a note: Package deal: 2800 FC. The nerve of setting up shop right beside the generic sellershe almost feels proud of his boldness and intelligence. Finally, Alex sits behind his stall, waiting confidently for customers... and waits... and waits... until he nearly falls asleep. Chapter 27: Gaining Wealth, Losing Integrity After a few hours, Alex is startled by a loud buzzing sound and lunges forward. "Damn, a message. Looks like Roja finally replied. Lets see." [Roja: Do not sell the soul crystal, and better yet, dont even mention that you own one. Certain worlds arent peaceful, and in some, players can kill each other to steal items. Some worlds even force players to join opposing factions. From what I know, small soul crystals are worth around 10,000 FC, and theyre essential for upgrading any high-ranking skill up to level 5, and even used as a resource for special abilities. They also have many other uses, from what Im told. Even high-level players need them when they unlock additional skill slots. The demand for soul crystals will never disappear. If youve still got some of that cheap jerky left, sell it! You might actually get a few FC for it. Recovery items are in high demand, and prices are outrageous. The generic healing potion only restores 20 HP and costs a whopping 1,000 FC. Those jerkys heal half of that over 10 minutes. Its slower, but still decent. I wish I had known this earlier and stocked up. Dont sell them for less than 100 FC, and keep a few for yourself.] Alex nods, thinking, "Looks like I made the right call about the soul crystal..." Then he remembers the jerkyshes got 14 left. He received some from side quests on the second and third days and even bought a few. He always thought they were pretty bad, but now he realizes he shouldve bought more. Jerkys only cost 10 contribution points... "If Id spent 10,000 contribution points on 1,000 jerkys, I couldve earned... 100,000 FC??? Nah, there mustve been a limit on buying them." Still, hes annoyed he missed out on that extra profit. His mindset wasnt right after the fight with Mr. 5. "Next time, Ill be more alert for good deals and investments," he thinks, starting to learn the economy of the Fantasy Realm. Alex decides to keep 4 jerkys for himself and offers the other 10 for 300 FC each. With weeks before the next mission, he figures he can aim for a high price. Smirking, he renames his stall: Bow & Arrows V2 + Cheap Healing Items. [Smoked Wolf Jerky] x10 One Piece Gray (Inferior) Slowly restores 10 HP over 10 minutes After a while, an average-looking man approaches his stall and tries to bargain. Ill give you 100 FC for the jerky, the man says. Alex, seeing the desperation in his face, just smugly refuses. Sorry, Im not negotiating. 200 FC, please! I dont want to die in the next world. Have some compassion. The man continues pleading, but Alex has a gut feeling its just an act. Angry that the guy is trying to use his emotions to get a better deal, Alex turns away, ignoring him. Hes startled when he suddenly hears a system sound: [[Smoked Wolf Jerky x3] has been sold. Player receives 900 FC.] Instead of celebrating his sale, Alex gets angry. That bastard did all that emotional manipulation and begging, then ended up buying three at full price. He had the money from the start! Cheap bastard." He mutters to himself, "Thankfully, maybe thanks to my new basic skills and stats, I knew from the start that guy wasnt honest. I should trust my instincts and not let people manipulate me with sob stories. After another four hours, Alex cheers inwardly. He actually managed to sell the bow and arrows for 2,800 FC, and despite multiple people begging him to lower his prices, he sold the jerkys at full price as well. Thankful for Rojas advice, Alex messages her backnot outright thanking her, but relaying some information. Fair is fair, I dont want to owe that two faced snake anything. [Alex: Roja, I sold the Jerkys for 300 FC each. Did you want me to sell them for 100 so you could buy them yourself? If you thought 100 FC was a good price, I hope you havent sold yours yet, because you can get at least 200 FC, maybe even 300 if youre patient and can wait half a day.] He gets an immediate reply. [Roja: Stop being an arrogant dick! The information is appreciated.] Alex smirks. Im such a nice guy, arent I? After earning a whopping 5,800 FC, Alex happily decides to snack on some treats he pulls from his inventory, which now has more space since its no longer packed with his bow, arrows, and jerkys. Without hesitation, Alex buys the healing potion he had seen earlier and 120 bullets, spending 3,000 FC in total. He didnt actually spot the ammunition for his revolver, mentioned in the weapons description, until he asked a worker directly. Apparently, these are special bullets made specifically for Mr. 5s revolver. Normal bullets from the real world arent compatible, which is disappointing but makes sense since the revolver is an antique flintlock-style weapon from the One Piece world. Yet, despite its outdated design, it functions like a modern revolver with rapid shooting capabilities. The One Piece world really is a strange one. But as long as it works, Alex isnt complaining. [Healing potion] [.44 Caliber Bullet] x 120 sea??h th N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Before leaving the trading hub, Alex comes across a small crowd gathered in front of a stall. Curious, he squeezes through to see whats causing the commotion. [Skillbook: Sword Proficiency] The price tag reads 20,000 FC, way out of his budget. Another interesting discovery is that the Sword Proficiency skill requires both Basic Close Combat Prowess and Basic Footwork. Alex begins to seriously contemplate whether learning this skill is even worth it. He only has one skill slot left. For now, he decides to move on but starts asking around: Anyone know if Sword Proficiency is a requirement for Katana Proficiency or if it''s separate? No one seems to know, except for one guy who demanded 1,000 FC upfront for the information. Alex looks like he just stumbled across a dead rat and walks away. As he heads back to his room, Alex checks his updated status screen, deciding not to display his remaining ammunition. "I dont want my status getting unnecessarily long," he mutters. Its getting late, and he has a lot planned for tomorrow, so heading to bed is the next logical step. Alex returns to his apartment, orders a pizza, and devours it in a matter of minutes after it arrives. As soon as he hits the bed, he falls into a deep sleep and, for the first time in a while, sleeps through the entire night, waking up at 9 AM, feeling surprisingly well-rested. He gets up, showers, brushes his teeth, and even decides to clean up a bit, actually behaving like a decent human being for once. Around 11 AM, he heads to the local branch of his bank, which is just a few minutes away. When Alex asks to withdraw 10,000 Euro in cash, he slightly shocks the bank workers. It''s rare for someone like him to request such a large sum. They take extra precautions, double-checking his documents, asking him questions, and verifying everything thoroughly. After about 30 minutes, Alex stuffs a thick bundle of 100, 100 Euro bills into his backpack. Feeling slightly paranoid, he walks behind the bank building and stashes the money in his inventory instead. Cant be too careful, he mutters to himself. As a rather boring guy who usually doesnt spend much money, hes not used to carrying large sums of cash around. Now that he thinks about it, Why did I even bother googling how much cash Im allowed to take to South Africa in the first place? With his inventory, he wouldnt need to declare it anyway. Alex, you dumb idiot. You need to start thinking like someone with an inventory and stop acting like a normal guy. Still, to avoid drawing suspicion, he decides to carry some cash openly. Yeah, better keep a bit on me just in case, he reasons. Alex thinks about what he''s doing in the first place: traveling to South Africa to deliver a large sum of moneylife-changing, reallyto the family of a dead player, albeit one who saved his life not long ago. He feels conflicted. "Well, Thato deserves this much at least," he reasons. "I can always make more money." After a quick visit to his local doctor, Alex fakes a list of psychological symptoms like burnout and stress, successfully scoring a 4-week doctor''s note. Guess my Basic Eloquence skill really boosted my lying and acting ability! I shouldve done this earlier, he chuckles to himself. One brief call to his employer later, and Alex manages to secure four weeks of paid leave. *Authors note: Never do this in real life. Its such a scummy thing to do. Not only is it basically stealing, but you can and should get fired for it. Mental health disorders like depression and anxiety can destroy lives. Honestly, Im slightly disgusted writing this, but trust me, this isnt just for the lulz. Theres a reason behind it that will be shown very soon.* Alex returns home, packs a few things into his rarely used suitcase, and decides not to put it in his inventory, aiming to appear like a regular guy going on a vacation. He relaxes for a bit, calls his parents to let them know hell be gone for a few days, then spends a few hours in the Fantasy Realm, checking out the market. Later, he drives to the nearest airport to catch his flight to South Africa, still cringing at the lame excuses he told his parents about his "holiday." Alex checks his phone. 6 PM, two hours left until takeoff to Cape Town... lets do this! He proceeds with the usual check-in and finally sits down in front of his gate, glancing at his phone to gather some more information about South Africa. "Hmm, I always thought Cape Town was the actual capital, but apparently, the country has three capitalseach focusing on executive, legislative, and judicial powers," he muses. Looking into his trip, he feels relieved. "Thatos family lives in a medium-sized city in the Western Cape, not too far from Cape Town. Its only about an hour by car. Since taxis are cheap there, Ill just take one, but I need to be careful not to get scammed." He calculates, Once I arrive, I should exchange my Euros for Rand. Looks like I get a bit less than 20 Rand per Euro, so Ill have about 190,000 Rand after the exchange. He finally hears a woman announce over the speakers: "We are now boarding passengers for flight 8PM to Cape Town. Please proceed to Gate 12." Without listening any further, Alex stands up and joins the line, ready to board the plane. Chapter 28: A Warm Welcome, A Happy Funeral, and an Unwelcome Guest! Alex boards the plane, dreading the long flight ahead. "Hey, 1337, can I only enter the Fantasy Realm from my room back home?" [Host can enter the Fantasy Realm from anywhere in the real world, provided it guarantees 100% privacy and that the host considers it a temporary sanctuary.] "So, a hotel room would count too?" [If the host ensures not to be disturbed and has no quick access to his original dwelling, then yes. Its more about intent than rules.] "Interesting well, lets relax for a bit and think about what to do once this mess is taken care of. I hate dealing with stuff like this, especially alone. This will be so depressing and awkward." After a grueling flight of more than half a day, Alex finally disembarks. Thanks to his late flight time, it''s now morning, and Alex can get straight to his tasks without needing to rest. He uses his smartphone to find a better place to exchange his Euros into Rand, after begrudgingly swapping a few hundred Euros at the overpriced currency exchanges near the airport. Within a few minutes, Alex reaches the exchange shop, paying the driver a fair amount by wisely getting the price upfront before the ride. Exchanging his money is quick and straightforward. After a brief counting of bills, Alex walks out with his entire stash converted into Rand. The bank teller sternly warns him to keep that kind of money hidden, as its risky for someone like him to be seen with such a large amount in cash. Alex nods. He fully agrees and plans to stay low-key. No bullshit, get there, deliver the money, if not too late, attend his funeral, and leave. You owe Thato that much, but you''re not a damn superhero who can change the world." As he exits the store, Alex sees the same driver raising his hand, offering to drive him again. About to agree, Alex stops. "Man, all this is making me paranoid... No need to risk it he tells himself. "Thanks for waiting, but my hotel is close by. I just wanted to exchange a little cash for later," Alex says, pulling out a small tip he had prepared at the exchange for situations like this. The driver appears grateful but there is this vague feeling that he is also slightly disappointed. Alex pretends to walk toward a large hotel, glancing over his shoulder just in time to see the driver pull away. "Am I just imagining things? Well, it doesn''t hurt to be careful," he mutters to himself. [This system is not directly permitted to interfere with the Host''s daily life, only to guide in matters related to the Fantasy Realm. However, this system has calculated a 61.57% probability that Host would have been a victim of an attempted robbery if he had entered that taxi. Since the Host asked whether he was imagining things or if his newly acquired basic skills and stat increases are relaying him information, this system was allowed to answer.] "...REALLY??? Guess I wasnt just being paranoid. Close call..." Alex thinks, relieved. "Also, 1337, despite all the jokes and criticisms, seems to be on my side, bending the rules juuuust a little." After taking a moment to collect himself, Alex finally spots an older driver in a beat-up taxi that looks far less suspicious. He approaches and asks if the driver can take him to Thatos city. The guy just smiles at him and practically yells toward another driver parked about 50 meters away. "Suraav!" A tall, friendly-looking man who seems to be around 40 years old comes over. "Suraav, this man is asking for a ride to your hometown." Suraav sighs and responds, "Thapelo... I came here just for some airport fares. I wasnt planning to drive back until this evening." Alex, realizing that Suraav lives in the same city as Thato but prefers to work near the airport, senses that hes not too eager for the drive. However, noticing that Suraav seems honest and friendlyand might be able to give him more insight into the cityAlex decides to make a deal. "I really need to get there. A friend of mine passed away, and I dont want to miss the funeral. How about I pay for a full day of your time? How does 500 Rand sound?" Suraav smiles and starts to reach for the money, but pauses. "...300 would be more than enough." Alex, genuinely impressed by the man''s honesty, says, "Just take it. Lets go. You can tell me a bit about your town along the way." Suraav agrees with a smile, leads Alex to his car, and they begin their drive. The city is chaotic, packed with cars, turning what should have been a "1-hour drive," according to Google Maps, into nearly two hours. Suraav, however, is in no rush. Hes content, having earned his days wages early and getting to head home ahead of schedule. As they drive, Alex learns more about the city. Its a mid-sized place with limited job opportunities beyond farming and factory work. Alex, growing curious, asks more about the factories. Suraav explains that accidents are frequent, and its not even surprising to the locals anymore. "Its cheaper to pay off families than to invest in better equipment or safety measures," he adds. "Its a calculated risk working in those places. People get hurt or die all the time." Alex feels a wave of shock. "In Europe or the US, that would lead to lawsuits and massive settlements for the families." "I dont want to use stereotypes, but let me guess... the authorities get paid off?" Suraav nods grimly. "Thats how it is, how its always been, and how itll stay." Alex gulps. Hes aware corruption exists everywhere, even in the EU and the US, but there are regulations and watchdogs that make it harder to get away with those kinds of "risks." Here, poverty changes the dynamic. Instead of just exploiting workers or evading taxes, these companies are risking lives, with real people getting crippled or killed. Out of curiosity, Alex pulls out his phone and googles "factory accidents, xxxxx." A name keeps popping up: "Gareth van der Merwe"a famous philanthropist who supposedly provides jobs for many, cares for the community, donates to orphanages, runs food kitchens, and compensates injured workers fairly. A real pillar of the community! Alex reads a few of the articles aloud to Suraav, who bursts out laughing. "Van der Merwe, our local hero," he says, echoing the praise in the articles. Then, unexpectedly, he adds, "That''s what the public knows about him. In reality, he''s the worst of the worst. Owns nearly every factory and farm in the area, and employs half the city. His so-called ''charity'' is just a fraction of what he bleeds from our people. A true parasite. I just dont get close to him or even mention his name too loudly, my friend. I might not have the pleasure of driving you back if you ask about the wrong people." Alex feels a deep emptiness creeping in. Corruption, death, profit over human liveshe knows these things exist. Of course, hes not blind to the worlds realities. But hearing about it from someone who has to live in that nightmare is different, like a slap in the face. As they finally arrive in the city, Alex gives Suraav the address. "Thats an unusual place for someone like you to go," Suraav says cautiously. "No offense, but you wont find any white people around there. You sure you got the right address?" "Yeah will I be okay?" Alex asks honestly. "Of course," Suraav replies. "As long as you don''t flaunt your money and have no bad intentions, youll be fine." "Im just here to visit the family of a friend. A dead friend," Alex says earnestly. Suraav gives him a curious look. "Dont worry. I think youll be alright." They pull up to the address, and before Alex steps out, Suraav hands him his number. "As long as you stay out of trouble, feel free to call me. Id be happy to drive you back." Alex stands in front of a medium-sized house, its odd shape immediately catching his attention. It reminds him of the Weasley house from Harry Potterlike a flat house that somehow grew into a three-story structure, precariously stacked. Alex cant make out a uniform building material, either... He approaches the door, but cant find any sign of a name or address. He spends nearly a minute looking around, feeling more and more suspicious with each passing second. "Shit, what am I doing... just ring the damn bell," he mutters to himself. He presses the doorbell, and after a moment, a young child, maybe five or six years old, opens the door. The kid looks at Alex as if hes seen a ghost, rubs his eyes, and says something in Afrikaans: "Kan ek jou help?" Sarch* The Novl?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Thankfully, Afrikaans is close enough to Dutch that Alex, though he cant speak it, can at least understand a little. "Yes, help me, please. Im looking for the family of Thato Khumalo. Thato Khumalo," he says slowly. The boys eyes widen, and without warning, he bursts into tears and runs away. "...Great, real sensitive, Alex... shit." A half-minute later, a woman approaches the door. She looks weary and saddened, but also curious. Her youngest grandchild must have told her that a strange white man asked about her oldest son. You knew my son? she asks, her voice tinged with sadness. Relieved she speaks English, Alex replies, Yes... Im sorry for disturbing you, but your son, Thato, was a friend of mine. I cant say much, but I owe him something... and I want to give it to you. The woman narrows her eyes for a second, sizing him up, but then breaks into unexpected laughter. "Really? You knew my boy? Come in! Any friend of my son is welcome!" If someone were to ask Alex what the hell had just happened, he wouldnt have been able to answer. The scene inside the house was nothing short of chaotic. As he steps through the door, he is immediately overwhelmed by the sheer number of people living in this three-story building. He counts10... 20... 30? In his home country, a house of this size might house three families at most. Here, however, its packed with people, all sharing the same space. Over the next few hours, Alex talks to the few who speak English, while trying to follow the conversations happening around him in Afrikaans. Occasionally, he joins in, throwing in a few Dutch words or phrases that seem to amuse them as they try to decipher his meaning. The family believes Alex met Thato during one of his many trips to Europe. It turns out that while Thato wasnt a top marathon runner, he had some success and had even worked as a coach. He traveled to Europe, including Germany, several timesuntil he lost his position a few years ago to someone with better connections. "Perfect, thats a good excuse," Alex thinks. Now used to lying, because he cant reveal anything about the Fantasy Realm, Alex weaves a story, mixing truth with fiction. He tells them Thato once helped him out when he was the victim of a robbery, even going so far as to claim Thato had saved his life. He then says that, thanks to Thato, he finally got a decent job. When he heard about the accident, he felt obligated to help. Trying to wrap up the conversation and end the painfully awkward situation, Alex opens his suitcase. He pretends to pull something from it, but in reality, hes using his inventory to retrieve a large sum of moneybundles upon bundles. "Please, listen to me," Alex begins, feeling the weight of the rooms attention. "Ive been doing well financially, so this isnt a huge deal for me... not that Im bragging... ugh, II know about Thatos siblings. Do me a favor: just accept this, and dont question it." The room goes utterly silent. Every eye is on him, shocked as they watch Alex lay out bundle after bundle of cash. "Sorry for the small bills I was told that large 1,000 ZAR notes arent accepted everywhere, so I made sure to get a bunch of 10, 20, 50, 100, and 200 notes instead," Alex explains, feeling awkward as he lays out the bundles. "I kept a small amount to cover my taxi fare, but the rest is yoursaround 190,000 Rand." Alex hates this. "I dont have some damn white savior syndrome. I just want them to take the money so I can leave. Do people really enjoy this? Buying love and thanks from others? I get that there are people who genuinely want to help the poor, but some philanthropists, like the one I just heard about, are fake as hell. Ill never understand the appeal. If I wanted to donate, Id do it anonymously. I hate this attention, the gratitude, the shame... and especially the fact that they feel like they owe me something in return. I can tell they dont want to accept this, but they barely have a choice." He sighs and finally says, "Im just giving this to a good friend''s family. Please take it, dont ask questions. I dont ever expect anything in return. I just wanted to say goodbye to a friend and make sure he doesnt have to worry about his family while in heaven. If you really want to give me something back, maybe just let me stay for the night, okay?" Thatos mother is the first to break the silence, stepping forward and hugging Alex. Soon, the rest of the family joins in, thanking him profusely. Overwhelmed, Alex feels embarrassed and cringes, but he also sheds a few tears of his own as he watches the familytwo or three dozen peopletearfully expressing their joy and relief. "Looks like I was able to help a little bit after all," he thinks. "Maybe this trip was worth it." The time at Thatos home flies by. Alex stays there for several days, getting the privilege of sleeping in Thatos old roomone of the rare single rooms in the house, which he got due to being one of the few providers. He spends his time talking to Thatos family, eating traditional dishes that, despite his unhealthy eating habits, Alex enjoys very much. He plays with Thatos siblings and the other children, telling them funny stories in broken Dutch and English, but mostly he works out like a madman. Running in the blazing sun nearly causes him to collapse on the first day, and at night, he runs while gazing at the stars. He also visits the Fantasy Realm for a few hours every night, even talking to some people deepening his knowledge about the economy there. Thatos relatives and friends even invite him to join their local gym, which is really just a half-open shed filled with old, rusted fitness equipment and punching bags that look like theyve been stitched up so many times the original material is barely visible. Despite feeling out of place, Alex is accepted. The rumor that he helped Thatos family earns him the trust of the locals. Some people even compliment his workouts, genuinely impressedthough Alex suspects its mostly because of his above-average stats and basic skills. Despite the strangeness of it all, he actually enjoys the experience. After a few days, the funeral finally takes place. Alex gets to see the man who saved his life one last time, but then the mood surprises him completely. Instead of the somber event he expected, its a huge celebration. Hundreds of people dance, sing, and eat; its like a massive street festival. Alex, having expected something much sadder, realizes how little he understands about different cultures. While there are tears, theres even more laughter. After spending a few happy days with Thato''s family and attending the funeral, Alex finally decides its time to leave. I never expected something like that I dont regret coming here. The day arrives when Alex is set to depart, but before he can say his goodbyes, the doorbell rings. Thatos younger brother opens the door, but soon comes running back, looking a little scared. An older white man, followed by two tall and muscular bodyguards, enters the house... Chapter 29: Intense Negotiations, Impulsive Decisions, and Choosing a Path Forward No fucking way its that fake philanthropist guy, Van der something, the taxi driver told me about! Alex realizes, immediately on edge. Gareth van der Merwe walks in, his eyes scanning the room before landing on Alex. Ek sien hier is nog ''n onverwagse gas, he says with a curious look. Alex mumbles to himself, Unverwagse gas...unbekannter... nein, unerwarteter Gast? Unexpected guest? He hesitates but then responds, You could say that, I guess, vaguely translating the Afrikaans into German and then into English. Van der Merwe flashes what Alex instantly recognizes as the biggest, fakest smile hes ever seen. Ah, a friend from Germany, I see. Welcome to South Africa! Its a wonderful country, we all agree, how do you say it again ah yes, willkommen! Alex feels every instinct screaming at him. This manhis smile, his overly cheerful tone, everything about him feels off. "This guy that fake smile... that phony hospitality theres probably not a single person as fake as him on the entire planet," Alex thinks, gut tightening with the certainty that this man is nothing but pure scum. Gareth finally turns to Thatos mother with a tone that oozes false sincerity. Good day, madam. As you surely know, I am Gareth van der Merwe, your son''s employer and a well-known philanthropist. I have some good news for you, despite the hard times you and your family must be going through. He continues, now speaking Afrikaans, which Alex can mostly understand... Ive decided not only to drop the investigation into your sons crimehow he disregarded safety protocols, entered a restricted area, and caused massive damage to the factorybut also to make you a generous offer, Gareth says, his voice dripping with false compassion. "You see, I dont want to sue his estate for damages. That would be far too cruel for you, wouldnt it? And frankly..." he pauses, glancing around the room with a disgusted look, "you dont appear to have the money to cover such losses anyway. He continues, Instead, Ive decided to waive my legal claim against your sons estate and offer you a small gift, an act of true charity. Here is a check for 50,000 Rand. Of course, Ill need you to sign a few documentsjust legal stuff. Dont worry too much about it. He hands over a check and some papers for them to sign, his false generosity barely masking his true intentions. The moment Gareth finishes his speech, one of the men in the room, Thatos cousin, who had worked at the same factory until he was injured and fired a few months ago, erupts with anger. HOW DARE YOU?! HE DISREGARDED SAFETY? What safety? Theres no safety at that place! We dont get proper equipment, the tools are old and broken, the machines barely function, there are sharp and dangerous objects everywhere. We work 12 hours a day with no breaks! How did he disregard safety? Feigning shock, Gareth replies, Oh my, those are serious accusations, but completely untrue. Thato entered a dangerous area that was clearly marked. I have multiple witnesses who saw him go therehiding to avoid work, no doubtand thats where the floor gave way, leading to his death. Theyll testify in court if needed. Thatos cousin, now being held back by three others, screams, LIAR! Youre a liar! Gareths demeanor shifts. His smile fades, and with a cold expression, he rips the check in half. Well, it seems my charity isnt appreciated after all. Now youll have to sign the papers without any check. You just lost out on 50,000 Rand. Maybe youll think more carefully next time. "Well sue you!" Thatos cousin shouts defiantly. Gareth chuckles, a sinister smile forming on his lips. Good luck with that. It''ll take about a decade for your case to even reach a courtroom. And as it happens, I golf with the local judges. They''re reasonable people, and they make decisions based on evidence, which I assume youve gathered in support of your wild claims? The two bodyguards, who are from the town but completely loyal to Gareth, take a threatening step forward. Youd better sign those papers... or else, Gareth says, his tone losing any trace of politeness. Tears welling up in her eyes, Thatos mother reluctantly grabs the papers and begins to sign them. YOU SCUM! Gareth, expecting another outburst from Thatos cousin, is caught off guard. The voice came from somewhere else. Alex, with a look of pure rage, grabs the papers from Thatos mother, stopping her from signing. You''re good, really good. Almost got away with your little power play," Alex says, laughing bitterly, holding up his smartphone, now visible after he pulls it from his pocket. Gareth van der Merwe, exposed as a fraud who abuses his workers, threatens their families after they die, and brags about being golf buddies with judges to cover up his crimes. Oh, and uses threats of violence to force them into compliance, Alex declares, tauntingly. Gareths eyes widen, his face pale. His bodyguards look uncertainshould they attack? Threaten? Stand still? They exchange nervous glances at their boss. I just sent this video to my uncle, Alex continues. Wondering why Im here? My uncles a German diplomat, and he loves sending me out to investigate the cities and communities that get millions of Euros in developmental aid from my country. "Funny thinghe might even be one of your golf buddies. Though he sucks at it, as I recall. Haha. Gareth looks stunned, while his guards remain frozen, unsure of how to proceed. What do you want?! Dont think Ill let you walk out of this town alive if you expose even a sentence of what Ive said, Gareth sneers, signaling his guards to draw their knives. Alex panics inwardly, but summons every ounce of control, tapping into his newfound skills to maintain his composure. Great idea, kill me after Ive already sent the video. Im sure that wont trigger an international scandal, followed by a full-blown investigation. Who couldve done it? Maybe the guy I just exposed? Alex retorts, his voice calm despite the situation. Gareth finally starts to sweat. Put the knives away, you idiots! STAY BACK! he shouts at his guards before turning to Alex. Now... I think we can find a peaceful solution to this problem. Lets deal with this calmly and logically. Alex nods, Thats all I want. These papers he hands them back to Thatos motherwell sign them on one condition. You stay away from this family, for good. If I ever hear that you''ve come near them again, the video goes public. Gareth, sweating but still trying to maintain a calm demeanor, nods. Fine. Just sign, and Ill leave you all in peace. Alex smirks. Do you really think thats it? Take out another check. Gareths face tightens before he forces a knowing smile. Ah, of course. Alex continues, Now, 50,000 Rand isnt just a jokeits a damn insult. I know your net worth. Its not just 50 million Rand, but 50 million U.S. dollars! Thats what? A billion Rand? And youre offering 50,000 to a worker you essentially killed with your negligence? Fill out the damn check for 5 million Rand, walk away, and well never see each other again. Gareth slams the table in fury. 5 million?! Are you insane? He could never earn that much! NO WAY IM PAYING THAT! he roars. Sarch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Alex, confused, fires back, Dude, thats whatless than 250,000 dollars? For a life? Thats still dirt cheap! Gareth glares, 1 million, or Ill take my chances. He motions toward his bodyguards. Alex, enraged but keeping his voice cold and steady, stares Gareth down. Do it. Gareth hesitates, clearly unsure. Alex feels the sweat trickling under his clothes, his heart pounding. His bluff could be called at any moment. I swear to God, you greedy, corrupt... 3 million, not a single Rand less, or I let it play out. Youll regret this. After a tense pause, Gareth narrows his eyes and coldly concedes, Fine. Five minutes later, hes back to his fake, friendly demeanor as he hands over the check. Well played, my friend. Looks like this family gets to start a new lifehere or somewhere else. But if I see you again in this town, trust me, you wont leave ever again. Dont forget I am the law here. Now you better leave before I change my mind. Alex glares at him with pure hatred. Hes right, Alex admits to himself. Thatos family is safe, but 3 million Rand is nothing to him. Hell just keep doing business like before, and more workers will die. This guy is worse than a serial killer. He deliberately refuses to fix the safety concerns because its cheaper to pay off the families. Hell get away with it all. Hes got the judges in his pocket, the local authorities, blackmailing his own workers hes a mass murderer, and the world loves him! They even give him awards for his charity. This man is a cancerous parasite As Gareth and his bodyguards drive off, Alex is left standing there, seething with helpless fury. Thatos family cheer and wildly hug Alex, screaming, 3 MILLION! WE GOT 3 MILLION! But Thatos mother doesnt share the excitement. Alex, too, shows no sign of happiness. You all realize that hes going to keep doing this... to everyone else, right? Thatos mother pats his shoulder. They know but apparently you dont understand that Gareth isnt anything new. If it werent him, itd be someone else like him. You managed to get us a small victory. Let them celebrate. You still have more than six hours before your flight, right? Stay a little longer and celebrate with us. Alex nods. I guess youre right. He stays to enjoy the final moments of their victory celebration, but it feels hollow. He eventually calls Suraav to pick him up early, deciding to spend some time at the airport. Fully aware of the dangers awaiting him in the Fantasy Realm, Alex says coldly, I wish you all the best. Ill pray for your safety. His words make it clear that he doesnt plan to return. Thatos family smiles at him with gratitude. Thank you for everything. Alex leaves the house, waiting outside for Suraav, only to notice a flashy BMW parked a few houses down. I hate people who drive cars like that. Screw them all, he mutters, knowing exactly who the car belongs to. He moves a bit closer and overhears Gareth talking to another family through a broken window. From what he can pick up, its the same old talk of broken regulations and compensation. "Another one..." Alex sees only darkness. Something inside him finally snaps. "Im already dead. The Fantasy Realm is just a temporary stop before my eventual doom. Chances are Ill fail either way. This damn cancer needs to be removed from this town and this world." Alex quickly calls Suraav and tells him to pick him up at the bus station four blocks away instead, adding that he might need a few minutes. He sneaks closer to the broken window and listens. Inside, Gareths henchmen are beating the family until they break down, crying, and sign whatever documents Gareth throws at them. After about ten minutes, Alex notices that Gareth and his goons are preparing to leave. "I WON''T TAKE THIS SHIT ANYMORE!" Alexs rage boils over. "Im already dead, and whatever life I have left, Ill live without regard for this shitty worlds rules. No more holding back! Ill make it through the Fantasy Realm and become someone who can create real change!" As he whispers these words, something materializes in his hand. "Annihilation Grenade! Set the trigger to max: 12 seconds. Use 5 times extra duration for a total of 22 seconds," he commands silently, feeling the mana drain from his body, forming into a solid object. Just as Gareth steps out of the house and reaches his car, Alex hides behind the rear of the vehicle. He tosses the metallic, round objectits fuse burning a strange purplethrough the open backseat window. As the BMW speeds off, Alex rolls to the side of the road, holding his breath, hoping he hasn''t been noticed. He immediately bolts behind a nearby building, watching the car disappear down the street. "Im not just killing you Im killing my weak old self. Fantasy Realm, here I come!" BOOM Chapter 30: Becoming a Renegade! Alex arrives back in Cape Town, quickly boards his plane, and returns to his home country without any problems. He spends the entire flight frantically reading the news, but doesnt find a single line about a certain explosion in a certain town... Looks like even that incident got swept under the rug tooperhaps by the devils own heirs, Alex mutters. He cant help but laugh, feeling oddly confident and not regretting it at all. Despite all the issues his own country has, Alex arrives with a newfound appreciation for it after what he witnessed abroad. People, including me, should be a bit more thankful for what they have, he now realizes. Feeling reinvigorated, Alex changes a lot over the next few weeks. He wakes up earlier than usual, goes to the gym at least four to five times a week, and even joins a small MMA club to learn fighting techniques. His basic skills and stats allow him to impress the trainers, who consider having him compete in matches despite his late twenties. Alex, of course, declines, thinking, Dont want any attention. After his training, Alex spends his free time watching movies, playing games, or catching up on anime. That knowledge might change his life, and hes thrilled to have a good reason to indulge. His newest, most visited sites are various wikis related to popular franchises. He also hangs out in the Fantasy Realm every day, with the trading hub becoming his second home. After countless minor trades and a few FC earned here and there, Alex has grown his small stash of 2,800 FC to 6,200. Alex constantly buys items priced the same as generic ones and sells them for slightly more. He notices that new players enter the Realm every few weeks and usually make bad deals, which he exploits however he can. Another trick he uses is capitalizing on the sharp rise in the price of recovery items whenever players are called for missions. If multiple players receive mission notifications at the same time, like when 20 players scramble to buy healing items, even generic Healing Potions can suddenly cost a few hundred FC more because the merchants run out of stock. Using these strategies, Alex turns 2,800 FC into 6,200 FC in just a few weeks. He smiles, proud of his achievements, until finally, after a little over four weeks, he gets his own notification: [Player Alex Kerber has been selected for a new Mission. Please enter the Fantasy Realm mission gate near the central hub in 23 hours, 59 minutes, and 45 seconds or face soul destruction.] Alex spends his last day visiting his parents and grandparentsperhaps for the last time. He finally mans up and quits his dead-end office job, deciding to stop behaving like a parasite. He also spends time in the Fantasy Realm, buying 12 bullets for his new revolver, which he uses in the training corner, another facility within the Realm, to get a feel for the weapon. His plan is to use his remaining 6,000 FC to buy more healing items, but that plan quickly goes out the window as soon as he spots an intriguing item while strolling through the trading hub. [Commander Shepards Dog Tag] I need this! Alex casually approaches the merchant, asking, "How much for the dog tag?" Its Deep Blue! I barely survived a special Mass Effect mission that happened before the actual start of the game and now Im level 4, just one world away from leaving the tutorial. I risked my life completing a hidden quest, and this is all I got. I want 20,000 FC. Alex smirks, pretending to lose interest but keeps talking. A hidden quest and all that effort for this piece of crap? Piece of crap? The effect sounds great! Whats your problem? Yeah, it great. Thats the issue. Neither you nor anyone else can actually use it. How do you know it''s any good? 5 LUK? Focus on CHA and SPR? Hah! Whoever tries that is as good as dead, even if they somehow increase their LUK. The merchant snaps back, So why do want it, then, huh? Alex sneers. Youre level 4 and still dont know much about the market? Ive got an Altar of Sacrifice from . I can turn this thing into a random item of the same grade. Sure, I can only use it once and it costs some FC, but I just need something better. Im offering 2,500 FC. FUCK OFF! Despite the harsh insults, the player haggles with Alex. He just needs to survive one more world to leave the tutorial and join his guildmates, which would drastically improve his survival chances. After an intense bargaining session, Alex secures the item for 4,500 FC, leaving him with 1,500just enough for another healing potion. [Healing potion] Sar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Cant have enough potions. Not like I can just buy them at every corner. His winning argument was: 4,500 is enough for 4 to 5 healing items. That dog tag is useless trash and will stay that way, you know it. Keep it, and when youre on the brink of death, remember this moment. Alex smiles, now more calculated and ruthless, filled with newfound conviction. I play to win, not to make friends. Alex stands in front of the giant gate near the center of the tutorial selection with a smile, enjoying the feeling of wearing Shepards dog tag necklace. Suddenly, a system notification pops up: [Player Alex Kerber has been selected for a new mission. Please enter the Fantasy Realm mission gate near the central hub in 0 hours, 4 minutes, and 56 seconds or face soul deletion.] Lets do this. 1337, wish me luck. [Hosts luck is already unprecedented. He doesnt need more than he has. This system is impressed with the hosts changes over the last month and eagerly awaits his return.] Alex stands by the mission portal in the central plaza, checking his status one last time, feeling proud of his progress. Oddly enough, instead of fear, he feels an unexpected surge of excitement. Lets do this! he screams confidently as he enters the portal and his vision blurs. Chapter 33: Making a friend – IT’S TIME TO DUEL! Alex continues to walk forward, his eyes locked on Gilgamesh as the strange figure approaches. "Gilgamesh, unlike his counterpart in other Final Fantasy games, looks more or less like a normal man... well, except for the four hands part," Alex muses. "I should be careful, though. Hes not just a small-time treasure hunter but an all-around thug, known for not shying around theft and even abduction. Hes also supposed to be a famous card player and swindler. Alex, who carries only his [Solid Marine Saber] and not his revolver, keeps a close eye on him. His gil is stashed safely in his inventory. Not like I have anything on me he could take besides the necklace and sword. They pass each other, seemingly without incident, but Alex suddenly feels a slight vibration. Instinctively, he checks his status. Everything seems normaluntil he notices one line: MOTHERFUCKER! Alex roars as he immediately spins around and sprints after Gilgamesh, whos only managed to get a few meters away. Surprising the man before he can react, Alex doesnt bother with words. Instead, he throws a vicious punch straight at Gilgamesh''s face. His [Navalia Fur Gauntlets] absorb most of the impact, but Alex still feels the burn in his knuckles, evidence of a solid hit. Gilgamesh crashes into a nearby building, toppling over a stack of old wooden boxes. Hes stunned but not entirely out of the fight. Fueled by rage but still cautious, Alex knows Gilgamesh is no ordinary thugsmall-time perhaps, but likely skilled in combat. Without hesitation, Alex draws his newly modified [Mr. 5s .44 Caliber 6-Shot Revolver], cocks the hammer, and aims it directly at Gilgameshs face. One move, and youre dead. Gilgamesh just laughs, his expression unfazed as he eyes the strange weapon. What is wrong with you, my friend? Have I done something to offend you? Determined not to fall victim to this petty thief, Alex suddenly feels a strange sensation emanating from his necklace. "I cant kill him," Alex thinks, realizing Gilgamesh is a story characterminor but still involved with Zidane and Vivi. "How would I explain a dead body on the street anyway? Someones bound to see it, and I already look out of place." The tug from the necklace grows stronger, but Alex channels the emotion into something more productive. A red flash crosses his vision as he makes his decision. With steady hands, Alex shifts his aim toward a pile of boxes a few meters away and fires. Instead of just punching a hole through the wood, the shot erupts in a small explosion. Wooden debris flies in every direction, some of it striking Gilgamesh, who uses all four hands to shield his face from the shrapnel. Alex, still seeing the world in a shade of red, silently and calmly says, Return my gil or DIE! He cocks his revolver again, this time sending a shockwave of fear through Gilgamesh, who hurriedly tosses a small bag of gil toward Alex. Alex grins in satisfaction. Well, looks like rent money is no longer an issue! He lowers his gun but keeps it ready, still cautious. Though triumphant, Alex isnt entirely happy with how things unfolded. Gilgamesh, visibly shaken, an unusual sight for such a seasoned thug, makes Alex pause. Despite his rough demeanor, Alex realizes Gilgamesh isnt a bad guy, just a rogue trying to get by. His necklace still emits a strange sensation, but this time its different, not the violent red from before, but something else. Alex recalls how he wished people had treated him differently in his own life and decides to extend the same courtesy. Without fully thinking, he tucks his gun into his pants, making sure its concealed, and then stretches out a hand toward Gilgamesh. You okay? That explosion wasnt intended. Sorry for that. Suddenly, Alex feels a flash of blue, calm and soothing, in stark contrast to the red frenzy moments earlier. Gilgamesh, surprised by the sudden change in Alex''s demeanor, grabs Alexs hand with two of his own and pulls himself up, chuckling. Haha, you really scared the shit out of me. Seems like I was the one who got outplayed today. You''ve got sharp instincts, almost like you knew I was going to rob you. Alex smirks and responds, Lets take a walk before someone shows up here. The last thing Alex wants is to be seen in a shady alley with a known thug, it wouldn''t exactly boost his chances of joining the Knights of Pluto. A few hours later, Alex still cant believe it. Hes hanging out with Gilgamesh, or Jack, as he introduced himself, in the mans cozy little shed, built atop another house in Alexandrias poorer district. The place was humble but had a certain charm to it, a safe haven from the citys more chaotic streets. Alex tells Jack about his life as a hunter and how hes new to the city. At least you got a fitting name, havent you? Jack teases with a sly grin. Alex cant help but smile at the cheeky joke. Hes warming up to this odd yet charismatic man, despite their initial violent encounter. They exchange stories, with Alex getting to know Jack better. At one point, Alex offers to return the money, but Jack shakes his head firmly. A loss is a loss! Id lose my thugs honor if I took it back. Besides, Im a master Treasure Hunter! Ill soon hit it big, and this little amount of cash wont mean a thing to me. The two spend the evening talking about the city. Jack tells Alex all sorts of stories, including gossip about General Beatrix, known as the thorny rose. Rumor has it no man has ever come close to winning her heart. They laugh over the rumors and exchange more lighthearted tales, including Alexs recent encounter with Jaine and Neira, the two soldiers he met earlier that day. Eventually, the conversation shifts to Tetra Master, a game Jack claims to have world-famous skills in. They decide to play a few rounds. Jack shares his impressive collection of cards, laying them out between the two to make it a fair contest. Alex, who knows everything there is to know about the relatively simple card game, manages to impress Jack with his knowledge and strategies. The night passes in good spirits, with laughter, stories, and friendly competition filling the air. The mechanics behind Tetra Master are somewhat complicated, but the gameplay elements are fairly simple. Every card has 4 different numbers: The first number represents the power stat, the next one the Battle class stat, which could either be Physical, Magical, Flexible, or Assault class. The 4 Battle class stats all affect which stat the attacking card attacks. P will attack the Physical Defense stat, while M will attack the Magical Defense stat. The other two have more obscure effects as they are rarer. X will attack the lower of the two defenses, and A will attack the lowest value on the card. The third and fourth stats represent the Physical and Magical defense stat that decide which are used as a defense value depending on the second stat. In addition to its stat values, each card may have a set of arrows pointing at any of eight directions. These points are usually referred to by using the traditional points on a compass (e.g. north, northwest, west, etc.). These points actually decide when a battle occurs and if a card can be flipped over. The battlefield is a 4 x 4 field with up to 6 grid-blocks which prevent card placement there. From there on, it is a straight battle using the stats of the cards to fight against each other. Every player places down exactly 1 card per turn. There are many more gameplay elements like combos and other special and advanced rules but Alex and Jack play by the most common basic rules. However, as in the game, things are not that straightforward. The actual battles are heavily influenced by RNG. A card with a Physical attack class and an attack power of 2 can still lose against a card with a Physical defense of just 1. The only new thing for Alex is that when cards confront each other, the numbers appear in the air! There are numerous rumors about those cards; some argue they are crafted with hidden magic, others believe real monsters or objects are turned into cards. Whatever is involved, or whoever created the card game, is using magic to achieve their goal. No wonder nearly every character in Final Fantasy 9 has cards and likes to play. It reminds Alex of the holographic battles in Yu-Gi-Oh. Its a useful tool to make friendships, gamble, or simply have fun! Out of 10 games, Alex manages to win 4, nearly tying Jack in overall performance, which genuinely surprises him. Suddenly, Jack takes on a serious expression: To be honest, Im kind of broke. How about a little bet? Alex smiles, just stating: Im a shitty gambler but a wise man, so I wont gamble. Jack laughs, No, not something serious. Im just talking about another card game. I win, you give me back the money. You win, Ill let you keep your hand and throw in another one of my cards used in the game you can freely pick. Alex, somewhat surprised, asks him: Are you insane? Your collection is quite rare. I dont get why you steal money and risk your life when you could earn a fortune, enough to live for a couple of years just by selling your cards. Jack just smiles and states, My cards are holy, I would never sell them. But gamble them away? Alex retorts. Jack then just laughs, Gambling is even more holy! Alex, trying to find a way to tell him to go to hell, suddenly sees a notification: Hidden Quest Offered: Mission: Win against Alleyway Jack in Tetra Master Reward: 5 cards out of Jacks collection used by yourself for the contest and 1 of the cards Jack picks for the contest. Friendship increase with Alleyway Jack and world reputation for beating him in an equal contest. Sarch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Time Limit: 5 minutes Failure: Loss of 2,300 gil, friendship increase with Alleyway Jack. Note: Deciding not to accept this quest will cause a friendship decrease with Alleyway Jack. Alex gulps... "Im not a gambler... but an equal game?" Did Jack pretend to lose against me a couple of times on purpose? Alex wonders. "No, he didnt. I could feel him being genuinely surprised after I won... so I have a 40% shot at this." "You know what? In fact, this isnt even a gamble because I cant lose. That money doesnt belong to me in the first place, and my friendship with Jack offers way more opportunities than 2,300 gil, which can barely buy a stinky [Leather Shirt] worth maybe 500 FC if Im lucky! The only way to lose is to be greedy and refuse to play." No hard feelings either way?" Alex continues. "You know youre making it harder on yourself, right? I already offered to give your money back without a contest. Heh, and miss the chance to earn it back the right way? NO WAY! Lets do it then. Jack smirks. Well play with some of my strongest cards. Alex just smirks back and screams: Its time to Duel! Chapter 34: The Heart of the Cards and Becoming a Conman Update 07.10.2024: I have completely overhauled the first 23 chapters of my story and slightly tweaked the other chapters as well. *Chapter start:* Jack takes back the cards from earlier, which in Alexs opinion were already solid mid-tier options, no low-tier Goblin, Fang, Skeleton, or Flan cards here. But Jack surprises him by upgrading those cards, replacing them with even rarer ones. He spreads ten cards out on the small table, and Alexs eyes widen when he sees them. "He even brought out one of his airship cards," Alex mumbles to himself in disbelief, knowing its one of the rarest cards Jack owns. He also notices that some of the other cards are unfamiliar, different from the hundred cards Alex knows from the original game. Clearly, this world isnt restricted to just the known set. Jack flips a 1-gil coin high into the air and catches it, showing Alex just enough of a glance to hint that it might land on heads. The grin on Jacks face instantly alerts Alex; hes about to get played. Bracing himself, Alex hopes to at least soften the blow of the inevitable swindle. Stretch out the hand with the coin, Alex says, masking his suspicion. Jack, with a smirk, stretches out his hand, still holding the coin. Alex then takes out his own gil coin, flips it, and announces the result. Tails, he says confidently. "Why did you choose tails?" Jack asks, intrigued. Because Im not exactly lucky at gambling or good at tricks. So, I decided to trust my own coin flip and let chance settle it! This way, I cant be too disappointed either way. Jack chuckles. "Takes guts to admit your own weaknesses." He opens the hand that Alex is still holding, revealing tails, the opposite of what he had tried to let Alex see. Did you expect a double bluff? Jack laughs. You shouldve picked tails from the start, knowing a little more about me by now. Alex smiles. Its fine, lets go, he says, choosing the rare Airship card first. Jack makes his pick, and Alex ends up with an Airship card boasting an impressive six arrows, only missing the southern and western directions. He carefully selects four more solid cards: Feather Circle, Troll, Abomination, and Zemzelett, all with at least three arrows each. While he would have liked a few other options, he ensures a balanced hand with arrows in every direction. After a tough game, Alex feels defeated. Jack manages to outwit him at the last moment, placing his Gargoyle card with a 5M attack against Alexs Abomination, which has only a magical defense of 3. Alex had set up his Abomination to counter Jacks direction of attack but hadnt factored in Jacks actual strength. The numbers flash as the cards clash, and Alex braces for a loss. Against all odds, however, his luck comes through, most likely his 7 LUK stat, and his Abomination manages to overturn Jacks Gargoyle. Both players shout in shock, WHAT?? Silently, Alex thanks his luck. He knows he didnt truly deserve this win. Jack is torn between laughing and crying. Not only has he lost five strong cards, including the rare Airship, but Alex wastes no time. Ill take your Gargoyle, Alex declares, snatching yet another card from Jack. Hidden Quest completed: Mission: Win against Alleyway Jack in Tetra masters Reward: 5 cards out of Jacks collection used by yourself for the contest and 1 of the cards Jack picks for the contest. Friendship increase with Alleyway Jack and world reputation for beating him in an equal contest. Alex grins, admiring his six new cards. Unlike Vivi and Zidane, who start with the common, low-tier cards every kid has, Alex now holds a set of rare and strong cards. His Airship card, in particular, stuns him. [Airship card] World: Final Fantasy 9 Quality: Light Purple Type: Tetra Master Card Note: Cant be taken out of this mission nor sold for gil in shops. Can be lost in Tetra Master games. Upon returning to the Fantasy Realm, your 10 rarest cards will be converted into FC. All his other new cards range from light to deep green in quality and carry the same note. I dont know how much these cards are worth, probably only a fraction of real items of the same quality, but if I can take out these six, maybe get four more decent cards, Ill make a small fortune! Meanwhile, Jack continues to laugh, genuinely unfazed by his major loss. Alex marvels at the mans mental resilience and good-natured attitude. Its already late, and Alex mentions he needs to head back to the hotel. Jack waves the idea away instantly. Pay those ridiculous prices? Nah. Just stay here. Ive got another cheap mattress. Alex calculates Should I really do this? Normally, he wouldnt. Associating with Jack could ruin his reputation, or worse, might get him backstabbed. Hes about to decline but pauses, thinking about Final Fantasy 9 as a whole. The game has its cruel sides, but most of the characters are some of the most heartwarming, genuinely good-willed people hes ever seen in a video game. Not the one-dimensional good guys from shallow anime and games, but characters whod make you cry manly tears with their depth. Alex decides to live his life with a healthy mindset and goes with his gut. If he ends up paying for it, hell accept it as part of the journey. He nods, Sure, that would be a great help! GREAT! Ive got a good way of earning some Gil planned for tomorrow, and youll help me! Its the least you can do, hehe. Jack grins, and Alex finds himself genuinely smiling too. I always dreamed about becoming a conman or swindler, why not try it out in this world? he grins back. The next day arrives, and some of Alexs worries are already proven wrong. Nothing happens to him, none of his items are missing, and when Alex wakes up, he can still hear Jack snoring. Stepping out of Jacks small, one-room house, Alex breathes in the fresh morning air of Alexandria. From the rooftop, where Jacks little home is perched, Alex has a great view of the city, and he cant help but admire the scenery. A few minutes later, Jack also steps out, and they head off to grab some cheap food from a nearby store. The smell of fresh bread fills the air, and Alex is happy to enjoy something relatively normal. He remembers all the weird and crazy foods from Final Fantasy 9 and decides to buy a lot of regular food to avoid being stuck with delicacies like Soup du Silence. Alex ends up treating Jack but doesnt spend more than 100 gil, even though he buys more than he needs and stashes extra bread in his inventory. As luck would have it, he stumbles upon an item the system recognizes! [Freshly baked pumpkin bread] World: Final Fantasy 9 Quality: Gray Effect: Heals 5HP and increases natural HP regeneration by 10% for 2 hours Note: Dirt cheap, rock hard but very nourishing. Price: 100Gil (Limited to 3 per player inventory) Alex buys it without hesitation. As an item recognized by the system, it costs as much as the 20 to 30 loaves of normal bread he bought earlier. Remembering that even Jerky fetched 300 FC back in the Fantasy Realm, and this item costs just 10 FC when converting gil, he realizes its an insanely good deal. If he decides to sell it instead of using it, he could easily multiply his money by 20! Back at Jacks place, they sit and eat while chatting about cards and the pubs Jack frequents. Since Alex plans to join the Knights of Pluto tomorrow, he tells Jack that today is the only free day he has without any obligations. Starting tomorrow, if he gets hired, hell probably only be available sometimes and wont be able to openly do anything questionable. Jack just shrugs it off. No problem, man, todays good enough. And even if you do join, youll still have some free time... actually, you could even help me with a bit of business if you end up with the keys to the palace, hehe. Alex cant believe the nerve of this guy. Maybe once Im settled in. Id rather not get fired and thrown in jail right after joining... if by some miracle I even make it in. Good enough, my friend. Now, lets talk business. First off, take this. [Jacks Spare Silvery Mask] World: Final Fantasy 9 Quality: Light green Type: Cap (Mask) Required stats: SNS - 6 CHA - 4 Durability: 25/25 Effect: Hides your identity and immediately gives you a bad reputation among honest citizens but a neutral reputation with the underworld. Note: Does not only make you look cool but also suspicious as hell. Works only against non player characters and some characters can see through this shoddy disguise with ease. Be careful who youre trying to fool. Alex checks his status, pleased not only because of the mask but also because Jack had gifted him another dozen trash cards the system categorizes as Gray, along with the few gray consumables he bought earlier, he finally made some progress. He decides to keep the mask in his inventory for now; its perfect for concealing his identity when necessary, but its drawbacks could cause serious trouble if used carelessly. Alex Kerber:Lvl 1 HP: 80/80, MP: 80/80 STR: 7, AGI: 7, PHY: 7, SNS: 7, CHA: 7, MNA: 7, INT: 7 SPR: 7, LUK: 7 Available Stat Points: 0 Innate Skills: Genius Conjurer lvl 1, Statistical OCD lvl MAX Free Skill Slots: 1/2, Free Basic Skill Slots: 0/8 Basic skills: Basic Close Combat Prowess lvl 1, Basic Footwork lvl 1, Basic Endurance lvl 1, Basic Long-Range Combat Prowess lvl 1, Basic Eloquence lvl 1, Basic Concentration lvl 1, Basic Meditation lvl 1, Basic Mana Control lvl 1 Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Passive Skills: Pistol Proficiency lvl 1 Active Skills: Annihilation Grenade lvl 1 Fantasy Coins: 300 Soul Crystals: Small x1 Gil: 2700 Current Weapons: Mr. 5s Revolver (Downgraded) (Deep Blue), Solid Marine Saber (Light Green) Current Equipment: Commander Shepards Dog Tag (Deep Blue),Navalia Fur Armor (White), Navalia Fur Boots (White), Navalia Fur Gauntlets (White) Miscellaneous Items: Navalia Wolf Jerky x4 (Gray), Healing Potion x2 (White), Freshly baked Pumpkin bread x 3 (Gray), Various cards x36 (Mix), Jacks spare silvery mask (Light green) "Anyway, lets get down to business. The plan I have can only work once, so its fine if youre tied up with the Knights starting tomorrow. Jack leans in, grinning. Heres the deal: I want you to act like a complete newbie at Tetra Master. Tonight, well play at a particular pub, and youll keep losing to me, handing over rare cards and a decent pile of gil after each match. The cards Ive given you for now are low-tier, but before the game, Ill slip you a few rare ones. Theyre not especially strong in gameplay, but theyre rare enough to fetch a good price. After a bit, Ill conveniently have business to attend to, and by then, youll have caught some attention. Thats when those vultures will start circling, eager to take advantage of a rich fool. Thats your cue. Raise the stakes, play confidently, and, of course use the real cards you won from me. Jack adds, Ill give you a bunch of mediocre cards, and the stack of gil you pretend to lose against me too of course. Within a couple of hours, I guarantee those greedy bastards will bite. From there, its all on you. Alex hesitates. Are you sure I should take the lead on this? I mean, thats a lot riding on me. Jack smirks. Listen, youre new in Alexandria, while Ive got a bit of a reputation. Youve got a clean slate. Youll play the part of some naive, rich noble from Treno. And dont worry, Ill find you some pompous clothes to look the part. Trust me, Ive got a good sense for these things. For someone like you who knows his way around the streets, it will be no problem. Youll be fine I am sure. Side Quest Offered: Mission: Help Jack in his Tetra master scheme Reward: Gil, based on your success, additionally you get to keep the Ante cards won from the victims for yourself. Friendship increase with Alleyway Jack Time Limit: 1 day Failure: Loss of Friendship with Jack, potential gil and card loss, potential confrontations with victims. Note: Declining this quest quest will cause a Friendship decrease with Alleyway Jack and [Jacks Spare Silvery Mask] will be forcefully taken away from players inventory. Alex accepts without a second thought. Gil is crucial at this point, opening up the possibility of purchasing valuable items like the [Broadsword] or [Leather Shirt], which could not only improve his odds here but also be converted to FC when he returns to the Fantasy Realm. Hes especially keen to keep the mask, its benefits could extend to other worlds, allowing him to take down potential targets under cover, gaining rewards without tarnishing his reputation. Unlike a certain group of pirates, hed rather avoid getting a bounty on his head. Jack grins, Good. Lets meet back here at sundown. I need to... well, lets just say procure some funds for tonights game. Oh, and Ill swing by a friends place to get you some noblemans clothes. Alex laughs, Careful, or I might have to arrest you. Hahaha! So scary. The mighty Knight of Pluto is going to come and lock me up! You really have chosen the job of a lifetime, Jack teases, winking. With that, they leave Jacks small but surprisingly cozy home and go their separate ways. Alex decides to follow through with what he didnt do yesterday: visit the ticket office for the play in the center of the town square. He sets off, strolling leisurely toward the town center, ready for whatever the day brings. Chapter 35: A Little Trickery, a Lot of Gil, and a Bloody Lesson The market square is packed with people enjoying their day, and Alex cant help but be impressed. So many people, wow, he thinks, looking around at the colorful residents of Alexandria. Some of them look strange, but hes slowly getting used to it. Alex reaches the ticket booth, which, despite the crowded square, is... empty? He reads the notice beside the small, round building: NOTICE The hit epic that captivated all of Lindblum, I want to Be Your Canary, triumphantly returns to Alexandria on the Theater Ship Prima Vista! But this time, the performance commemorates the sixteenth birthday of Her Highness, Princess Garnet. Dont miss it! Tickets available at the ticket booth. He approaches and sees a bored-looking animal hybrid man, common in Alexandria, sitting behind the counter. The man brightens when he spots Alex. Good day, son. Can I help you? he asks with a welcoming smile. Hello, sir. Im new to Alexandria and interested in the upcoming performance. How much are tickets? The mans expression drops. Im sorry, but all tickets are already sold out. Alex stares, a bit confused. Arent there still weeks left until it happens? It must be really popular too bad. Guess that doesnt leave you much else to do until then, huh? The ticketmaster sighs. They sold out on day one, and since then, Ive just been sitting here. The next performance doesnt happen for weeks after I Want to Be Your Canary, and people barely show up for the other plays. Too bad; I really wanted to see it, Alex says, acting disappointed, though he had assumed he wouldnt be able to simply buy a ticket. Its too soon to give up. Youre a young man, and where theres a will, theres a way. The mans tone grabs Alexs attention. What do you mean, sir? Isnt it sold out? I know the castle is recruiting workers to help set up for the event and secure the area during the performance, the ticketmaster explains. If youre interested, you can leave your name. The recruitment starts two weeks before the play, so you have time to think it over. Dont expect much pay, but hey, you might get a spot to stand and watch, even if youll still have a job to do on the day of the performance. Thats at least something, right? Alex puts on a grateful smile. That sounds great. Thank you so much! Ill have to see if I can make it Im new here and desperately need a job. Thank you again for the tip. Ill seriously consider it. Side Quest Offered Mission: Help prepare the castle for the upcoming play I want to Be Your Canary Reward: 150 gil per day and access to the play as a helper, provided you dont miss a single day of work. Time Limit: 2 Weeks before Princess Garnets birthday Failure: Missing 2 consecutive days will result in dismissal, no penalty applied. Note: You can only accept a single position of employment at a time. Alex shakes his head. Looks like I overestimated the Fantasy Realm. This is basically a surefire way to get into the castle. Just survive for two weeks, which shouldnt be too hard if you sleep on the streets or find a cheap inn somewhere in the city. Afterwards this quest will handle all your expenses and get you into the castle. He replies with a smile, Theres still time. Ill decide soon and return. Thanks for the tip, sir! The ticketmaster laughs, No problem, lad! Dont miss this chance, the play this time will go down in the history books, Im sure of it! Alex nods to himself. History books indeed but not for the reasons you think, old man! He figures this quest is a safety net for newer players, a straightforward way to access the castle. But hes convinced it offers the least rewards and the weakest starting position. He wonders how a stage helper could end up joining the main characters story. He decides hell only take this route if he cant find something better. Hell, I might just join Vivi and Puck on the day of the play and sneak in with them. Sticking with Vivi might be a smarter entry than as a mere stage helper. The day passes in a flash, and Alex continues exploring Alexandria. While he doesnt find any hidden items or secrets, he at least becomes familiar with the citys layout. After the last two days, Alex knows the general layout of Alexandria well and can find places quickly if needed. He meets up with Jack at his penthouse, as Alex jokingly calls it. Jack is already back, grinning as he holds up a ridiculous-looking noble outfit in deep purple adorned with golden patterns. Damn, that looks awful, Alex blurts out. Jack laughs, Yep, thats how you know its authentic! The two head to one of Jacks favorite bars, a place Alex even recognizes from the game. Its definitely different from the boring side we see in the game, he thinks, intrigued. Alex and Jack slip into a backroom with a sketchy atmosphere. Of course, Alex wears his [Jacks Spare Silvery Mask], no way is he risking his hidden quest by being exposed as a scammer and conman. Guided by Jack, who plays the role of a subservient lackey, Alex acts the part of a real noble: arrogant, out of place, and dripping with disdain for the lowly bar. Their fake games begin, and soon enough, they draw in spectators. In just an hour, Alex has lost his entire stash of rare cards and gil that Jack gave him before they entered. The last game involves a hefty bet of 3,000 gil. Alex pretends to be furious, and Jack, with a quick excuse, bolts from the bar. The sulking Alex is immediately approached by several other players eager to challenge him. Alex, still acting the part of the indignant noble, snaps, "I''m in a bad mood and only want a few more high-stakes games to win back what I lost! That four-armed swindler only won by cheating!" He claims loudly, though anyone watching would know it was a blatant lie. This actually went a little too smoothly I guess I just need to win now. If Jacks right, these are only mediocre players. Lets do this! One hour and 17,500 gil later, Alex is sweating. Jacks scheme is almost too effective, and the sum hes accumulated is making him nervous. With each win, he notices the other players eyeing him more suspiciously, no doubt irritated by the masked noble who lost miserably to Jack but somehow managed to trounce everyone else. Enough, Alex decides. This is more than enough, and risking it all for one more win isnt worth it. Time to RUN! Feigning a slur, Alex says, Be right back, just heading to the bathroom. He slips out of the backroom, bypasses the restroom entirely, and heads straight out of the bar into a nearby alley. But as he makes his escape, he realizes hes being followed by three people, one of whom is one of his recent victims. They break into a sprint, closing the distance and surrounding him. The leader, sneering, growls, "You cheater! Hand back our money, or your own mother wont recognize your face when were through with you." Alexs smile doesnt waver. Coolly, he faces the leader, drawing his [Solid Marine Saber], which, to his surprise, perfectly suits his noble disguise. Do you think a pathetic gambler who underestimated his opponent and two lowlife thugs can intimidate me? Alex laughs, his voice icy. In a flash, he sprints forward, grabs the leader in a chokehold, and presses the edge of his saber to the mans throat. Tonight, I gave you so many lessons. Instead of paying attention and learning something useful, you fixate on your pitiful loss of gil. I dont appreciate that. The mans bravado fades. He starts to sob, pleading, Im sorry, please I was wrong. With a measured breath, Alex releases his grip, removing the blade from the mans neck, and stands in front of him, a cold, piercing look visible through his mask. Now, get lost. A faint red flash crosses Alexs vision, a subtle flicker from his necklace, though it feels weaker than he expects. Dismissing it, he turns, only to sense movement behind him. The man, having retrieved a dagger, lunges with a desperate snarl. Damn, I wanted to avoid this, Alex mutters, half-expecting the betrayal. Thanks to his skills, [Basic Footwork] lvl 1 and [Basic Close Combat Prowess] lvl 1, Alex sidesteps the reckless thrust. The attacker stumbles, left completely exposed. Alex hesitates for a moment before he steels himself, thinking, Throw away your damn weakness and hesitation. This guy wants to kill you! Alex plunges his saber directly into the mans neck, locking eyes with his shocked target. Instead of pausing, Alex rushes toward the two henchmen, whose wide-eyed expressions mirror their disbelief at their leader''s swift demise. Taking advantage of their shock, Alex follows through with precise strikes, delivering a few more decisive blows to his panicked, wounded foes. The second henchman, realizing the danger, attempts to flee. He manages only a few frantic steps before a familiar figure with blazing red hair intercepts him. With a brutal strike from his two-handed sword, Jack lands a devastating blow, swiftly driving two daggers into the mans neck and chest, silencing him instantly. Alex notices a white chest appearing above Drepallas lifeless form. With a grin, he picks it up, and he and Jack slip off into the darkness, leaving behind only three bloody corpses in the quiet street. Back at Jacks "penthouse," Alex hands over the bag of gil, and they celebrate their little heist with some cheap alcohol Jack pulls out from under his mattress. Jack counts the gil with a calculating look, muttering, Lets see this much for the bar staff who kept quiet, a bit for interest on the loaned gil, and something for the dress rental. Satisfied, he tosses a smaller bag to Alex. Sarch* The N??elFir.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Side Quest completed Mission: Help Jack in his Tetra master scheme Reward: 5,000 gil, friendship increase with Alleyway Jack, permanent ownership of [Jacks Spare Silvery Mask] Alex grins, raising his drink, Glad to be working with you, pleased with his share. It was easy money, and he also gained a valuable lesson about strength and mercy with those who mean him harm. Still, his real prize is the chest he managed to grab. [Chest] He opens it and sees a few notifications. [Barbed Dagger] "Jackpot! Light Green quality out of a white chest!" Alex exclaims, grinning as he celebrates his luck. Jack and Alex celebrate their success, clinking glasses of cheap liquor under the dim light of the Penthouse. Laughter fills the tiny space as they recount their scheme, each jab and bluff that led to their payout. After a few hours of revelry, the adrenaline starts to fade, leaving Alex pleasantly tired. He stretches, feeling the weight of both the gil and his new dagger safely tucked into his inventory. Think Ill crash here again tonight if thats alright, Jack, he says, glancing at the makeshift bed in the corner. Jack grins, raising his drink. Stay as long as you want, my friend. With a smile, Alex settles into a cozy corner, hoping for a smooth path through his hidden quest tomorrow. Chapter 36: The Beauty and the Hut. Chivalry? Never Heard of It! Alex wakes up late and, after eating from his food stash, leaves his temporary residence, leaving the still-snoring Jack behind. Id better not be late... This feels like job hunting back in the day. I even feel a bit nervous. At least I can always fall back on the most obvious choice and join the temp workers preparing the castle for the play. Standing in front of the castle gate, Alex tells the soldiers hes waiting for Jaine. They eye him curiously but let him stay. After a short wait, Jaine, the soldier he met a few days ago, appears, greeting him with a curious look. There you are. Come on in, she says. The guards at the castle entrance smirk at her. Sneaking your boyfriend in right through the front gate? Youve grown bold, Jaine, one jokes. Jaine just laughs. Hes not here for a date with me but for a meeting with our boss. The two soldiers look somewhat shocked. Really? Jaine replies, Apparently, the queen spoke to our general personally about him. This man has piqued their interest with some unique abilities they think might be useful for the secret project everyones heard rumors about but that none of us really know anything about. Alex looks confused, thinking, So the common soldiers dont know about the black mages yet or they wouldnt be joking about this right out in the open where I and anyone else can overhear. Jaine leads Alex through the castle, introducing him to key areas like the guard house, the training hall, and several other locations. After a short walk, he asks why shes showing him around. She just laughs and replies, The general and the queen want to meet you, but they may need a few more minutes. Im just showing you around to pass the time or, to be more honest, theyre interested in your special kind of black magic. The queen has recently taken an interest in black magic overall, and when she heard about your new spell, unlike anything in the usual arsenal, she was immediately intrigued. Apparently, she has something planned for the next few months. We dont know exactly what, but were preparing as if war is on the horizon Anyway, after that, she intends to conduct detailed research on black magic. Alex gulps, but thankfully realizes that, for now, Queen Brahne, the female Jabba the Hutt of this world, wants to complete her takeover of the entire Mist Continent, including Lindblum, Burmecia, and Cleyra first, otherwise he would be screwed! "Any advice on what I should do to get hired as a knight?" Alex asks. Jaine replies, Not really. Brahne isnt interested in you, only in your unique magic. Youll need to show her what it can do, or shell not only be disinterested but probably annoyed that you wasted her time. "And what about General Beatrix? I dont stand a chance against her I probably cant even see her moves." Beatrix values her soldiers skills and attitude, Jaine explains. Recklessly using black magic for maximum destruction is the last thing shed want you to do. Alex sighs. "One of them only cares about my magic. The other couldnt care less about my powers and instead wants to assess my character and skill as a soldier. What can I even do? I guess I can only cater to one of them." Jaine leads him toward a small training hall. Were nearly there. Ready? Alex shakes his head. Not really... Why am I being assessed by the General and the Queen anyway? Shouldnt Captain Steiner decide if I can join the knights? But as he speaks, they enter the hall, and he spots them: Queen Brahne and General Beatrix, surrounded by a handful of high-ranking soldiers. Alex gulps. The queen laughs, "You ask about my dear Captain? Steiner, while an honorable captain, has blinded me! He defeated Beatrix, the strongest sword user on the planet. She may have been young at that time, but still, I saw something truly special in him. What a disappointment that turned out to be! Even after the Knights of Pluto were disbanded, I allowed him to rebuild them after he managed that feat. Sadly, Ive seen nothing but incompetence and mediocrity since. His soldiers are lazy, incompetent guards at best. Surely you''ve heard the rumors? They are a joke. Men have completely abandoned the idea of joining the military! So when I heard about a promising man with a unique black magic wanting to join the Knights of Pluto, I decided to see for myself if youre different from the ''knights'' Steiner has recruited. Steiner has no say in this decision." Alex kneels. "Your presence graces me, my queen. I am just a self-taught soldier with a unique kind of black magic. While I am honored by your interest in my ability, I fear I am not worthy of such attention." Brahne snickers, "We shall see! Beatrix! Step forward and assess our young friend. I want to see if he has at least some basic skills, the rest can be trained. Of course, I want to see this magic as well. Youd better not disappoint me." In a single step, Beatrix appears in the middle of the room, her expression blank, focused solely on obeying her orders. Alex stares, taking in her imposing presence. Shes a tall woman, about Alexs height, with striking chestnut-brown hair that flows around her silver eye patch, worn over her right eye. Her left eye, a deep scarlet, seems to pierce through him, as if she can already see every move he might make. Beatrixs armored boots and gloves gleam in the light, and she wears a sleeveless white duster with a rose embroidered on the back, her iconic symbol. "The Rose of Alexandria no wonder shes called that," Alex thinks, glancing at her legendary sword as she draws it. "And that sword..." She unsheathes her blade, Save the Queen, its steel glinting with both power and precision. Hidden Quest updated: Sar?h the N??eFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Mission: Pass the assessment of General Beatrix and Queen Brahne Reward: Employment as a Knight of Pluto Failure: Loss of reputation with Alexandria''s soldiers, Jaine, Neira, Queen Brahne, and General Beatrix Alex, who initially planned to use only his [Solid Marine Saber], quickly reconsiders and also draws his true weapon: [Mr. 5s .44 Caliber 6-Shot Revolver]. Taking on a stance he practiced in his spare time before the Fantasy Realm mission and fine-tuned over the past few days, he holds his saber in his right hand and the revolver in his left, reminiscent of a pirate from Pirates of the Caribbean or Gangplank from League of Legends before his rework. Alex doesnt care how he looks, he knows this stance is without a doubt his most effective. With his skills in Pistol Proficiency lvl 1, Basic Long-Range Combat Prowess lvl 1, Basic Footwork lvl 1, and Basic Close Combat Prowess lvl 1, this stance allows him to combine his proficiency in both pistol and ranged combat, while still enabling him to fight up close and dodge attacks. Ready, General? he asks, slightly nervous but prepared for anything. Beatrixs calm, silent response is chilling: The question is, are you ready? Do you know who youre standing in front of? Fight like you''ve never fought before, and dont disappoint me, whelp. Angry at the taunt, Alex wants to snap back, "Shut up! Youre as old as I am; who are you calling whelp? But instead, he maintains his composure, bowing like a proper gentleman before raising his saber, pretending to cast a spell by waving it in a circular motion. As he does so, he cant help but focus on her cold, unyielding expression, and in his mind, he hears the haunting tune of The Wavering Blade, feeling the daunting weight of his task. SHUT UP! YOU CAN DO IT, he tells himself, brushing aside his self-doubt. Determined, he commits to combining his cunning, ruthlessness, and skill into a single, decisive move, hoping its what the queen will truly appreciate. With Beatrixs attention still focused on his saber, Alex decides to throw chivalry out the window and attempt a bold ambush. He feigns casting a spell with his sword while secretly aiming his revolver, firing a shot straight at Beatrixs face. Despite her surprise, she blocks in time, using her sword and the armor on her right arm to deflect the shot. Alex quickly sheaths his saber and activates his skill, Annihilation lvl 1, conjuring a grenade in his right hand while cocking the trigger of his revolver with his left, preparing to fire again. After the explosion, an angry Beatrix storms forward, her face and right arm showing a few drops of blood. As she charges, Alex fires his gun again, aiming slightly to her right, and hurls the grenade with a tiny fuse ignited just milliseconds before it leaves his hand. Beatrix, dodging to her left, instantly spots the grenade and senses the danger radiating from its ominous purple flame. Realizing that a reflect spell likely wont work against a physical object, she braces herself, deciding to confront the round, metallic object head-on. THUNDER SLASH! she shouts, charging toward it. Alex cant believe his luck. "Stupid arrogant fool, eat grenade! he thinks, a surge of excitement coursing through him as the grenade detonates right in front of her, just as shes about to strike. The grenade explodes just as Beatrix strikes, her sword slicing through empty air as shes blasted backward by the impact, taking not only the initial blast but also the residual fire and shrapnel damage. Feeling the thrill of battle and his own potential for destruction, Alex steadies himself, his eyes narrowed and fierce, aiming his revolver once more at Beatrix and firing with a determined, vicious look on his face. Chapter 37: Desire, Reward, and Illegal Working Hours Alex fires his revolver, but to his utter despair, Beatrix actually manages to deflect the bullet with her sword. What kind of bullshit is this? This is a frigging bullet, how can she deflect it with such a thin sword? Is this the Matrix world? he thinks, barely suppressing his frustration. He cocks the revolver repeatedly, only for Beatrix to deflect bullet after bullet with irritating ease, until he fires his last round. She deflects it too, but not without consequence. sea??h th ovlFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Taking advantage of her momentary shock, he quickly conjures another Annihilation Grenade lvl 1, ducks low, and throws it close to the ground, knowing she cant deflect it from that angle. Beatrix, with her lightning-fast reflexes, leaps into the air. She avoids not only the explosion but even deflects the flying shrapnel, her blade moving so quickly that it forms an arc in front of her. Out of options, Alex decides to show his grit, reloading his gun as quickly as possible while Beatrix is still airborne. He draws his saber in his other hand, determined to face her at close range. As soon as she lands, Beatrix lunges forward, reaching Alex with almost supernatural speed. Testing him with a series of rapid, calculated strikes, she gauges his skills while he struggles to parry. Barely holding up, Alex uses every ounce of focus to dodge and parry her attacks. He could almost swear he saw a hint of surprise, maybe even respect, on her lips. You nearly had me there now let me show you what I can really do, she says with a steely glint in her eyes, clearly irritated by his previous, vicious surprise attack. The next five minutes are nothing short of brutal. Beatrix rains down a torrent of expertly placed kicks and punches, humbling Alex repeatedly. She doesn''t use her sword, instead, beating him down with her fists and feet, each impact leaving him gasping for breath. Refusing to collapse, Alex somehow remains standing through sheer willpower. But finally, after a devastating knee to his stomach, he falls to his knees, coughing up a bit of blood. He struggles to his feet, managing to stand, albeit shakily, with an angry glare set on his face. Beatrix slowly approaches him, a slight smile flickering across her face. Suddenly, a voice echoes through the training hall. General Beatrix, I think that will suffice. Beatrix turns to Queen Brahne and bows. Yes, Your Highness. The Queen shifts her gaze to Alex. Your abilities are certainly unique. Though I dont quite understand that weapon of yours that fires bullets, especially those that explode. I sense the magic in the round metallic object you can conjure though. Its somewhat like a fire spell, but with a weaker flame and a far more deadly combination of explosion and metal shards. I cant say Im not intrigued. Your ruthlessness and courage impress me as well. You fought with all you had and didnt back down once. I can feel your ambition. However, your sword skills are mediocre at best, but still above those of the current knights, who seem to use their swords more as decorations. She pauses for a moment before making her decision. I have decided. Soldiers, summon Steiner at once! You will join the Knights of Pluto. Steiner will give you a crash course in swordsmanship. Though your skills are barely acceptable, I see that youre young enough to improve. With guidance, you might develop into something more. Do you agree, General Beatrix? Beatrix, nursing a few minor wounds herself with her white magic, simply bows again, replying, I would never question Your Highness. Hidden Quest completed Mission: Pass the assessment of General Beatrix and Queen Brahne Reward: Employment as a Knight of Pluto Note: Employment chosen; other quests related to access for the play I Want to Be your Canary are now locked As Queen Brahne turns to leave, she addresses the barely standing Alex, her voice echoing with authority. Do not disappoint me. I look forward to your future. I have grand plans, and in a few months, once this is all over, I will introduce you to someone who will help you understand your abilities. Perhaps then, you may even be able to share that knowledge with some very special black mages. Until then, serve as a Knight of Pluto and heed Steiners orders. Beatrix, still displaying the cold resolve shed shown in their fight, stands beside Alex as her hands begin to glow. Cura, she murmurs. Alex cant help but mutter under his breath, How is that fair? She could basically undo all the damage I managed to deal to her with one spell. She also completely healed me with a single spell. Healing spells are seriously overpowered. Despite his frustration, he turns to Beatrix with genuine gratitude, ashamed of the ruthless tactics hed used. Thank you I wont forget this. Beatrix only shrugs, then turns and strides off after Queen Brahne. A few minutes later, Alex hears the loud clanking of armor approaching, a grin spreading across his face as he realizes who it must be. Rustys on his way, he thinks, amused. Moments later, he stands face-to-face with the man himself. Steiner, looking to be in his mid-thirties, is a towering, well-built figure encased in gleaming armor, with a broadsword strapped across his back. Standing before this steel giant, Alex feels a slight sense of intimidation. Guess he wont be thrilled about a new recruit. But to Alexs surprise, Steiners reaction is the opposite. Grinning broadly, Steiner places a gauntleted hand on Alexs shoulder. A new recruit, eh? Guess that makes you number ten! It seems the queen has finally recognized my efforts and decided to expand the Knights of Pluto! Perhaps were recruiting up to ninety-nine members now, huh? Hahaha! Alex cant help but smile, realizing how wrong Steiner is about the queens intentions. But with Steiner being not only one of the main characters but also his superior and his key to the main quest, Alex takes a moment to consider Steiners character. Loyalty, honor, and duty are his core values. "Guess I''d better play along and behave," he thinks, adjusting his posture respectfully. Before Alex can speak, he feels his necklace react once more. Without hesitation, he introduces himself to Steiner, his voice carrying the formality and pride he imagines an ideal Knight of Pluto should show. Alex salutes and speaks loudly, Greetings, Captain Steiner! New recruit Alex Kerber, reporting for duty. It would be my honor to learn from you, so we can together serve the queen, the princess, and protect them and the citizens of Alexandria! Unlike the faint flicker from the night before, this time he sees a bright blue flash, so vivid that the whole world in front of him is momentarily painted in blue. Thishave I stumbled onto something special? he wonders, hardly daring to believe his luck. Steiners shock is evident, as if hes just found a chest brimming with treasure. After a pause, he mutters, Heavens above! Finally, a recruit who knows how to address his superior, has the right motivation, and the ambition fitting for a knight! I was told to teach you for a few days and planned on showing only the basics since you seem to specialize in some kind of black magic, but it looks like I finally have a worthy student! Are you ready for my special training, young knight? Hidden Quest Offered Mission: Train under Steiner for the next 14 days and become his student in the Art of Swordsmanship Reward: Unknown, based on your efforts. Time Limit: 14 days, you are not allowed to miss more than 5 sessions during that time. Failure: Reputation loss with Adelbert Steiner Alex glances at the notification and feels a twinge of dread. Looks like this is a non-voluntary quest... It got accepted automatically, he thinks with resignation. I have a nagging feeling the next 14 days are going to be hell! Not that I have a choice Alex forces a smile and salutes again, Yes, sir! I look forward to it! He feels a thrill run through him, another hidden quest. He wonders if his game knowledge, combined with his necklace and high CHA, LUK, and basic eloquence, is whats unlocking these opportunities. This is his third consecutive hidden quest on this path. Thinking back to the rewards he received for a single hidden quest in the One Piece World, Alex can hardly contain his excitement. I cant fail now! he thinks, feeling the pressure build. Steiner nods approvingly and shouts, Breireicht! Get over here! A few moments later, a somewhat lazy-looking soldier appears. Im here, Captain. Steiner nods toward Alex. Our troop finally has Her Majestys approval to expand! This is Alex, our newest recruit. Get him checked into our barracks, then issue him the standard armor and sword, hes earned the right to wear them. After that, give him a tour of the castle and show him around. Turning to Alex, he says, Your duties begin tomorrow! For now, get settled in. I expect you here in the training hall every morning at 6 for a two-hour training session with me. After that, breakfast and work will begin. Not only will you perform guard duty, but youll also patrol the city to protect the citizens from time to time. Well meet again at 4 each afternoon for another two hours of training. Dont worry, recruit, Ill take good care of you! Alex finds it incredibly difficult to stay calm after hearing Steiner''s grueling schedule. He does his utmost to maintain a steady smile, though he cant shake the growing urge from his necklace, an urge that might just lead to Steiner ending up with a bullet in his head. "That sounds great! Thank you, Captain!" he says, keeping his voice as sincere as possible while saluting. Chapter 38: The Legacy of Pluto – Blessing or Curse? Breireicht is a rather laid-back guy. Alex immediately recognizes his attitude as someone who just wastes time on the job, stretching a simple task as long as possible so he can spend half the day without doing much. It reminds him of his former job, where he would do the same. After a tour of everything, Breireicht finally leads him to the armory and tells him to pick a set of gear that fits. Alexs eyes nearly pop out of his head as he sees the massive armory, lined with row after row of equipment. Theres enough gear to arm a small army. Its clear the Knights of Pluto must have once been a much bigger force, probably numbering hundreds or even thousands, but their reputation must have dwindled so much that they simply stopped recruiting after the current nine members. As he looks around, Alex realizes he probably has some time to make a choice since Breireicht is in no hurry. To his dismay, though, almost everything he sees isgray. Rows of [Old Broadsword]s, [Rusty Broadsword]s, [Damaged Broadsword]s. After several minutes, he finally spots a white [Broadsword] with only minor durability damage. He moves it to an empty shelf, deeming it barely acceptable. He tells himself, Light green or nothing. Ill take a random [Broadsword] if I cant find anything better He sighs, already feeling the odds against him. Not like I expected anything decent. A normal Broadsword worth 3000 gil would be a miracle in here, he mutters before scolding himself. No, stop being so damn pessimistic. Use your LUK and SNS, search like you mean it! Determined, Alex crouches and begins looking under racks, behind shelves, and in every dusty corner. What are you doing, man? Breireicht calls out. Youve got time, but my shift ends in an hour! Alex walks over to Breireicht, covered in dust and cobwebs, and begs for a little more time. Breireicht just shakes his head, wondering why Alex is treating this like a life-altering choice. "Does he think were heading out to fight monsters? he mumbles, amused. Ignoring Breireichts confusion, Alex returns to combing the armory like a man possessed. Time ticks by, and hes only found gray pieces of equipment, and even the white weapons are uninspiring [Broadsword]s. He sets them on the empty shelf too, unsatisfied. He still hasnt found a single white armor piece worth considering, only standard gray three-piece sets of gauntlets, boots, and breastplates. Among a few badly damaged gray helmets and plate pants, he decides that if hes going to pick his official armor, he might as well aim for a full set. Its free, after all! he reasons. Finally, he shoves aside several shelves and spots a few mannequins in full knights armor, hidden in the very back. His heart skips a beat at the sight of these suits, which seem like relics from a time when the Knights of Pluto were truly formidable. The torchlight reflects off the polished metal, illuminating them with a faint gleam. Jackpot! he shouts. The first few sets he examines are white-grade armor with mostly intact [Broadsword]s, but then his eyes fall on a set pushed all the way to the back. He senses this might be the very first armor ever stored here. The armor isnt as bulky as the one Steiner wears but looks high-class, a perfect mix of mobility and defense. Alex leans in for a closer look, amazed at the craftsmanship and detail, then begins inspecting the set closely. [Armor of Pluto] [Visor of Pluto] [Cuisses of Pluto] [Gauntlets of Pluto] Sarch* The ovelFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. [Sabatons of Pluto] [Sword of Pluto] [Shield of Pluto] The greed in Alexs eyes at this moment could make even Mr. Crabs look like a philanthropist, even when he is stealing candy from crying children. Oh my god, I need this, he mutters to himself, immediately deciding to equip the armor and claim it as his own. Alex straps on the gauntlets first, deciding to test if his Statistical OCD lvl MAX will affect his ability to wear equipment. To his relief, it doesnt, and he can wear them without any issue. With his STR now at 8, hes able to equip all the other parts, along with the sword and shield. He feels as though hes stepped into a divine temple, his very essence renewed by the weight and presence of the gear. After securing the last piece, Alex notices a surge in his SPR and CHA stats, each rising by 5. The extra SPR makes him feel as if hes submerged in a tranquil mountain lake, where every distraction and problem simply fades away. He hasnt felt this level of clarity and peace before in his life. Recalling some of the spells, powerful black mages like the three Black Waltzes are capable of, Alex feels confident that theyll have a hard time affecting him now. I cant believe my luck, he marvels to himself. This has to be the power of hidden quests and my high LUK. Every risk I took to get here has paid off. Examining the armor, he can hardly contain his excitement. Each piece is incredibly well-made, and even though the set bonus focuses on CHA and SPR, each item has its own unique benefits. Theyre slightly damaged, but with the sets Sturdy effect and the high durability, theyll hold up better than most brand new light purple items, and he can repair them over time using Fantasy Coins in the Fantasy Realm if he manages to keep them. His enthusiasm dims a little as he reads the identical note under each piece of the armor, sword, and shield: Note: Can only be stored in your inventory or taken out of this world if you gain the acknowledgment of Pluto. Plutoor maybe even Hades, the god of the underworld, at least in our world, Alex muses. Is there something deeper behind the Knights of Pluto? Maybe it wasnt just a random name because Pluto was the ninth planet Guess all I can do is give it my best! But for this mission, Ill be nearly unstoppable with this gear. As he stands there, reveling in his new equipment, a notification flashes before his eyes: Special Quest Offered Mission: Gain the recognition of Pluto by killing the following 3 enemies: Black Waltz 1 - 0/1 Black Waltz 2 - 0/1 Black Waltz 3 - 0/1 Reward: Acknowledgment of Pluto, Unknown Time Limit: Mission duration Failure: Leaving this world without killing all the targets, losing or selling a piece of the Equipment, Shield, or Sword of Pluto Penalty: Curse of Pluto (- 3 SPR permanently), permanent loss of access to the armor set, Shield and Sword of Pluto. Note: This quest is separate from the main mission and will not impact your mission rating. Damn, Alex mutters to himself. No choice in the matter again Well, its not like I wasnt planning to face at least Black Waltz 1 and 2, but Black Waltz 3 could be tricky. In canon, he only gets hurt during the first battle with the main characters and actually reappears later. Ill have to think about how to deal with that. Even if I somehow fail, maybe my Statistical OCD lvl MAX will help me dodge the penalty Alex glances at his new stats, practically brimming with excitement. "I need to find a way to keep these items. Theyre insane! Ive worked hard for white and green items, and now I have a full set of blue gear. No way Im losing this! I will destroy these damn scarecrows and burn them into ashes Alex recalls that Breireicht is still waiting, and after making sure he hasnt missed anything in the armorys hidden corner, he walks out with a confident grin, feeling like hes stepped into a powerful new role. The armor is leagues above Steiners rusted tank look, and Alex finds himself looking like a proper soldier of Pluto, well protected and battle-ready, with medium-to-light plates that even cover his upper arms and shoulders. The armors deep, dark metallic hue makes it feel like more than simple iron or steel, reminding him of dark iron hes seen in mid-to-late game gear in his favorite RPGs. Altogether, he looks like a formidable, fully geared soldier, even a bit menacing with the dark, almost mystical look of the armor. As he exits, Breireicht is there, waiting, wide-eyed and frozen, staring at Alexs transformation. Unbothered by the reaction, Alex approaches him, stating confidently, Im taking this set of armor, plus the sword and shield. Lets go. Breireicht, usually relaxed and indifferent, suddenly seems overtaken by a greedy glint. Blocking Alexs path, he mutters, You cant just take that armor. It needs to stay here, Ive got to show it to the Captain for inspection. Surprised, Alex instinctively draws his new [Sword of Pluto] from his back. Feeling the familiar pulse from his necklace, he locks a cold stare onto Breireicht, saying, "The queen hired me personally, and the Captain himself is training me. Do you, a lowly excuse of a knight whos never even drawn his blade, think you can steal my rightful equipment? Can you even lift this sword? Here, let me show it to you for a closer inspection. He thrusts the swords tip to hover menacingly in front of Breireichts right eye. A red flash lights up from his necklace, and Breireicht nearly wets himself. His thoughts spiral: "What kind of monster did I just try to rob? Why did I even do that? This is the worst day!" Trembling, Breireicht closes his eyes, his body shaking uncontrollably. Seeing his reaction, Alex slowly sheathes his sword, a sly smile on his face. He pats Breireichts shoulder, saying with a deceptively gentle tone, Just kidding! I would never disrespect a senior knight like that. I really appreciate your patience with me but Im afraid I cant give up this set of equipment. I trust you understand, Breireicht." Without waiting for an answer, Alex adds, So, shall we head to the canteen? Im starving! With a firm but friendly nudge, he guides the still-trembling Breireicht out of the armory. Whispering to himself, he mutters, And Im curious to meet a certain head chef Breireicht, wiping sweat from his brow, realizes his grave miscalculation. "No wonder the queen recruited him personally he gives off the same terrifying energy as General Beatrix. Hes going to become a force around here. Best I keep my mouth shut and stay out of his way. If he wanted to kill me, the queen would probably pardon him, or worse, thank him for sparing the kingdoms budget a bit. The two men walk in silence toward the canteen, one grinning as if hes just scored the ultimate prize, the other looking like hes walked into a pact with the devil. Chapter 39: Dreamlike Days in a Dreamlike Castle Alex and Breireicht finally reach the canteen, where Alex grabs a tray of food. Breireicht quickly excuses himself, saying, "Sorry, I still have things to do I already showed you our sleeping quarters and the room you''ll be staying in, so you should be fine, right? I really need to go. Bye!" He nearly sprints away, disappearing from Alex''s sight. What a coward," Alex mutters, amused. "That necklace combined with my new armor is almost too effective. Its not like I was bullying him, he was the one trying to intimidate me and steal my gear. As Alex eats, he finds himself pleasantly surprised. The food in front of him is recognized by the system as [Grill Plate]. It restores a bit of HP, MP, and Stamina but cant be taken into the inventory. Not bad, he thinks. This way, Ill always refresh my HP, MP, and stamina with each meal, and it tastes great too. After finishing his meal, Alex decides to take a peek into the kitchen, which sits just behind the castles dining hall. Naturally, only the nobles dine there, while soldiers like Alex arent allowed. He sneaks a glance inside and sees the bustling kitchen, with weird looking chefs manning individual stations under the command of a rather odd-looking head chef, none other than Quina! Seeing Quina in person, rather than through a screen, is a surreal experience for Alex. He waits until the dinner rush slows, then approaches her. Hi, Im a new soldier here in the castle, he says, and I just wanted to tell you that the food is really great! Quina stares at him with a wide-eyed expression and responds in her characteristic broken English, I so happy. Soldier like my food. Still, castle bad place. No yummy-yummies anywhere. Alex suppresses a grin, already knowing what she considers yummy-yummies. Still, he plays along. And whats a yummy-yummy? Quina practically sparkles with excitement as she replies, FROGS! Feigning surprise, Alex responds, "Ah, a fellow lover of frogs! I used to be a hunter before coming here, and I always caught the best frogs in the marshes around Alexandria. How about I try to get some for you?" Quina jumps up, barely able to contain her excitement. YOU WOULD? Sure, he says casually. Ill do my best to find you some frogs. I cant promise anything, but Ill be back in a few days. Disappointed that no Side Quest, Hidden Quest, or Special Quest prompt appears before him, he heads to his room to rest, knowing training begins early the next day. His assigned quarters are surprisingly spacious. The room looks like it was designed for at least four soldiers, but since there are only eight knights besides the captain, who, naturally, has his own private room, Alex gets this large room all to himself. He settles in, preparing for the intense days ahead. He immediately lies down, about to drift off when he hears his door creak open. Damn, I forgot to lock it, he thinks, suddenly alert. Is that thief back to steal my armor? Alex quickly grabs the [Barbed Dagger] he left under his pillow and pretends to be asleep, eyes half-shut, scanning the doorway. What he sees is anything but a thief. The figure has flower-shaped eyes, four petal-like formations around each eye, and a slit mouth with a tongue almost longer than Alexs lets not go there. No yummy frogs yet. No can smell them! mutters Quina in obvious disappointment, stepping back and closing the door. Seriously? Thats going to give me nightmares, Alex mutters, once hes alone. He gets up, locks the door this time, and even pushes an unused bed against it for extra security. After such an exhausting day, though, he soon manages to fall back asleep. When Alex finally wakes, its still dark outside, and he isnt sure what time it is. He knows the castle bells ring at 6 oclock sharp, signaling the start of the day. Getting ready, he quickly washes up and dresses in his armor, just as the bells begin to toll. Timing couldnt be better. sea??h th ovelFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He heads to the training hall, where a motivated Steiner stands waiting. The Captain gives him an impressed look, eyeing his new armor with obvious curiosity. This is surprising! What kind of armor is this? Steiner examines the patterns and notices a small symbol, one that he recognizes as the mark of Pluto. Unbelievable! You found this in the armory? I ordered my knights to clear it out and bring me any decent equipment, and theyve done nothing but pretend to work hard for two months. Those lazy bums... Ill be docking their pay. Alex cant help but smile. He wouldnt have spent time crawling around dusty corners if it hadnt been for the possibility of finding powerful gear. If thats what it took to uncover this armor, he can hardly complain though. Steiner finally stops grumbling and nods approvingly. That sword you chose is goodits a knights sword, fitting my own specialty. The swordsmanship Im teaching you works best with larger one-and-a-half-handed and two-handed swords. You can even use a shield in this style. Now, pay attention, recruit! After a grueling two hours filled with intense training, memorizing complex sword forms, and performing them under Steiners watchful eye, Alex is exhausted. They move from forms to basic sparring, testing his technique. It takes everything out of him, and by the end, hes both worn out and starving. They head to the canteen together, and as they eat, Alex notices a notification he must have missed during sparring, too focused to realize it had appeared. You have temporarily learned the skill Inferior unknown Swordsmanship lvl 0. Alex, surprised, suddenly realizes, "Who said you can only learn skills from skill books? Maybe if I give it my all, I can actually learn a skill from Steiner since I got this one after just one lesson! After a quick rundown of his new duties, which mostly consist of Guarding this place and Guarding that place, Alex can only laugh. Volunteering for city patrols, he notices how the current soldiers avoid any work outside the castle and are more than happy to sit in front of the same doorway day after day. This job... I can either stroll through the city as much as I want or just stand around like the others," he thinks. "This might be the easiest job Ive ever had. The next few days pass in a flash. Alex decides to patrol the city regularly, hiring kids to catch frogs for him, spending only a few hundred gil in total. He "patrols" bars as well, using his work-hours to play Tetra Master, where he builds up a solid collection of cards to turn into FC after the mission: one light purple and nine others ranging from light green to dark green quality. In the evenings, he delivers frogs to Quina, who receives them with pure delight, and returns for sword training with Steiner. When not training or wandering the city, he often chats with Jaine and Neira. The two female soldiers now look at him with new respect, particularly after seeing his new armor. Even the other Knights of Pluto seem impressed, especially Weimar, who praises him for his success with Jaine and Neira, slyly telling Alex that theyre in the upper third of his own rankings. Surprised that this lazy knight keeps track of every beautiful woman in town, Alex finds himself unexpectedly entertained by Weimars advice, though he has to admit his own dating experience is almost nonexistent. As the days pass, Alex feels himself growing as a swordsman. Just one week after learning Inferior Unknown Swordsmanshiplvl 0, the skill evolves into Unknown Swordsmanship lvl 0, a testament to his dedication. These days in Alexandria are some of the best Alex has ever had. He trains with Steiner, learning techniques and principles from a true sword master. He explores the town, builds his Tetra Master deck, exchanges stories and banter with Jack, jokes with his girlfriends (though to him, it still feels more like friendly teasing than anything serious), and enjoys Quinas cooking, a thank-you for the steady frog supply he brings her. In the evenings, he practices with his new Sword of Pluto, pushing himself to internalize every lesson Steiner has shared. Checking the date, Alex calculates, Three more days until my hidden training quest with Steiner ends, and about twelve days after that until Garnets sixteenth birthday. Im giving it everything Ive got! Chapter 40: Impossible Reward, Lost V-Card, a Unique Dish, and the Start of the Adventure! On the final day of Steiners special training, he unexpectedly challenges Alex to a serious sparring match. Alex puts everything hes learned into his strikes and footwork, though he avoids using his revolver or grenade, this is about demonstrating his progress with the sword, not about winning by any means necessary. After a grueling thirty minutes, Steiner, though still holding back, finds himself forced to get slightly serious in response to Alexs efforts. Finally, he halts the spar. You have surprised me, recruit no, Knight! You are the first Knight of Pluto Ive seen with a genuine desire to master the sword. It pains me to say, but even after your first lesson, your swordsmanship was better than that of those knights Ive trained for years! He pauses, looking intently at Alex. Do you swear to follow the path of the sword with all your sincerity from now onward? A notification appears before Alex: Hidden Quest completed Mission: Train under Steiner for the next 14 days and become his student in the Art of Swordsmanship Reward: Special - Skillbook:Alexandrian Royal Swordsmanship [Special -Skillbook: Alexandrian Royal Swordsmanship] Note: Accepting this reward will use up 1 empty skill slot. Alexandrian Royal Swordsmanship (Level 0 Base): , Alex mentally spams the "yes" button, practically chanting in his head, YES YES YES YES YES YES YES! When it doesnt respond, he begins to panic, only to realize Steiner had asked him a question. YES, CAPTAIN. I SWEAR! Alex responds, almost possessed, snapping into a salute. Steiner laughs, then his tone turns stern. I expect you to use these skills to protect Her Highness Queen Brahne, Princess Garnet, and the citizens of Alexandria. Do not misuse them, or it will be my duty to personally hunt you down. Alex nods solemnly, thinking, No worries, once the main mission is done, Im out of here! This Steiner is intimidating, but hes solid. I wont let him down! Alex can hardly believe his luck. This new skill feels like its in a league of its own, merging three sword styles into one comprehensive approach. It works with a sword or a one-and-a-half-handed sword, a knight sword, or even a two-handed sword. The bonuses apply to any single weapon of those types with the addition of shields, allowing Alex to switch between defensive and offensive styles seamlessly. It seems, however, that hes bound to traditional swords, forgoing specialization in subtypes like katanas or sabers, and making dual-wielding impossible. Who cares? No katana, no saber, no dual-wielding? Alex grins, These traditional types of swords are my favorite anyway. The skill requirements are high, demanding him to invest in STR, PHY, AGI, SNS, and even SPR, with an additional +2 points per level increase. Yet, Alexs unique leveling system aligns perfectly with the requirements, forcing him to increase those stats anyway. The skill also requires five specific basic skills that most players wouldnt have room for yet. He realizes this skill shouldnt be accessible at his level; its likely intended for advanced players visiting the Final Fantasy IX world at a later stage. The skill requirement that confuses Alex is Basic Long-Range Combat Prowess lvl 0. This is the most melee-focused skill ever, he ponders. Why does it require a ranged proficiency? Maybe leveling it up will reveal some answers. The other four requirements make sense, but this this could be interesting. Alex realizes that just being in this world is a reward in itself. His game knowledge, combined with his high LUK and the [Commander Shepards Dog Tag], has opened doors far beyond what regular players would access at this stage. The potential rewards here are enormous, making him slightly wary. If the Fantasy Realm is as neutral and fair as it claims, he thinks, then the dangers in this world will undoubtedly match its rewards. Alexs time in the castle continues on a surprisingly positive note. However, after a few days, he learns that Jaine and Neira have been ordered to attend a special training camp outside the city, leaving the very next morning. He assumes that this is preparation for the looming assault on Burmecia and Cleyra. Later that night, as hes settling in to sleep, Alex is startled by a soft knock on his door. To his utter surprise, Jaine and Neira have come to say goodbye in a way he hadnt anticipated. One exhilarating, exhausting night later, Alex finds himself amazed at what just transpired. Not only did he finally say goodbye to his V-card, but he also checked off the bucket-list item of having a threesome. The experience leaves him feeling both like hes hit the jackpot and yet oddly reflective. Between the powerful equipment hes acquired, a super-rare sword skill far beyond his level, and this unexpected encounter, he feels like fate is stacking the odds in his favor a tad too much. Despite the thrill, Alex cant help but feel a twinge of loneliness once Jaine and Neira are gone. Although they are NPCs in this world, their personalities and warmth felt genuine. He recognizes that, even though he genuinely cares for them, this world isnt one he can stay in permanently. The thought brings both sadness and gratitude. Hes glad he had this memorable time with them and feels more determined than ever to take on whatever lies ahead, hopeful and ready for the future. As the date of the grand birthday celebration draws closer, Alex spends his final days in Alexandria much as he has before. He makes sure to say his farewells to Jack and his "frog-hunting task force," giving them a small goodbye bonus and bringing his remaining gil balance down to 7300. Despite spending 400 gil on frog deliveries, he doesn''t mind the expense, he''s managed to earn far more in recent days. Preparing for whatever lies ahead, Alex invests in supplies, purchasing five [Potions], three [Antidotes], and three [Eye Drops], knowing the importance of lifesaving medicine. He ignores the basic [Broadsword] and [Leather Shirt], which have no value to him other than resale, and after applying his Basic Eloquence lvl 1 skill for a 6% discount, his total comes to 5280 gil. Feeling a twinge of compassion, he gives his last 20 gil to a beggar on the street, leaving him with a respectable 2000 gil. Better to be ready with supplies that could save my life than some second-rate armor and weapons," he thinks. I have enough valuable items to sell if I make it out of here; no point risking it all for inventory filler. On the eve of the big play, Alex makes one last frog delivery to Quina, mentioning that he might not be able to see her again for some time. To his surprise, Quina replies in her unique accent, "I have enough of boring castle too! I go on adventure and catch more frogs. I leave tomorrow after event!" Alex considers the timeline and realizes that Quinas journey to Qs Marsh after the birthday celebration is indeed part of the main storyline. No changes here. Seems everything is unfolding as it should, he thinks, relieved. "Looks like were both leaving soon then, he says with a genuine smile. It was great meeting you, Quina. Thanks for all the meals! Quina grins, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "Wait. You give Quina lots of yummy frogs. Quina shares result of special training with frogs!" Alex watches in anticipation as the notification appears: [Frog Legs Supreme] [Frog Legs Supreme] Despite his initial disgust at the idea of eating frogs, Alex digs in. To his surprise, the dish tastes great, almost like chicken. As he finishes, a notification flashes before his eyes: Instead of feeling a pang of annoyance at his meticulous stats setup, he quickly rejoices and accepts the stat point reward, knowing itll come in handy later. "Four points for others are nine points for me! These items are more than twice as effective on me!" He cheers. After chatting a bit more with the eccentric but oddly endearing Quina, Alex finally heads back to his quarters. Lying in bed, he reflects on the unexpectedly good times hes had in Alexandria. Despite the missions stakes, he cant help but feel a bit dejected at the thought of leaving this lifestyle. The past few weeks had been a dream come true, full of camaraderie, adventure, and new experiences. But as his thoughts drift, so does his focus, landing on Garnet. Hes only spoken to her a handful of times, but hes noticed how unhappy she seems, her expression often distant and withdrawn. No wonder she wants out of here, he muses, feeling a flicker of sympathy. While Ive had the time of my life here, theres definitely a darkness looming over this castle... the war plans, the secrecy. Determined to help Garnet escape and fulfill his mission, he closes his eyes. Tomorrows going to be a long day, he thinks, bracing himself. He cant afford to mess up, not if he wants to keep his Pluto equipment and make it out of this world alive. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 41: Dodging Responsibilities and Poor Captain Steiner! Alex wakes up feeling slightly nervous, yet ready. Armed with powerful equipment, a stock of healing items, and his newly-acquired gold-quality swordsmanship skill, he feels as prepared as possible for whatever the day may bring. Captain Steiner may not be the most effective leader, but he at least makes an effort by gathering the Knights of Pluto in their cramped dressing room to issue special orders for the big event. As the knights clumsily assemble and don their armor, they attempt to line up in a 3x3 formation. The whole affair looks more like a group of kids fumbling through their first dance class than a proper knightly formation. Alex cringes at the sight and even shoves a few of the knights into their correct positions. Good call on avoiding this dirty, crowded dressing room and keeping my gear in my own room, he thinks, grateful for his high luck stat that seems to have afforded him this small luxury. Steiner, already looking weary, sighs and gets straight to business: As you all know, today we celebrate the sixteenth birthday of Princess Garnet Til Alexandros XVII. Tonight, we will ensure nothing disrupts the special performance by the Tantalus Theater Troupe on their famous airship, the M.S. Prima Vista! He proceeds to assign each knight their role, pairing them up with their usual partners. When he finally reaches Alex, he pauses, mumbling to himself, Now, where can I place you? Perhaps guarding the Queen and Princess... assisting the guests... Alex interrupts, Captain, I would like to investigate the Tantalus Troupe and their airship. Steiner stares at him, clearly puzzled. Huh? And why would we do that? Alex looks around the room, his gaze landing on Steiner and the rest of the knights as he challenges, "Do any of you know a single thing about the Prima Vista? Its weight? Guest capacity? It''s practically a giant air fortress. This ship can carry 300 guests easily! Add in the performers, crew, and staff, and we''re talking about 400 people aboard! Doesnt it seem like a huge security risk allowing a foreign airship to land directly within the castle grounds, especially with all the nobles, not to mention the Princess and the Queen? Just one of those actors could hold a grudge or, worse, smuggle something dangerous aboard or even an assassin. Assassin?! Steiner practically explodes, his face reddening. Who would ever want to harm our Queen and Princess? Alex briefly regrets the ominous tone he took, but he presses on, shifting his approach. Captain, where is this theater troupe based? Where was the airship even built? Steiner rubs his chin and mutters, A big ship like that... wouldn''t it be Lindblum? Ah, of course! Lindblum! Alex nods at Steiners sudden realization. Exactly, Captain. Sure, the war ended years ago, but not everyone in Lindblum feels as warmly toward us as youd hope. Steiners expression turns grave. I see your point, he says, looking at Alex with a hint of admiration. Its clear youve done your research, and your thoroughness does me proud as Captain of the Knights of Pluto! Very well, Im assigning you to inspect the airship and make sure no threats lurk on board. Yes! Alex thinks, barely containing his grin. His plan had worked flawlessly. Sure, he could try to thwart Tantaluss plot right here and now, but his mission dictates he maintain the canon timeline, even if that means letting certain events unfold. For him, the best strategy? Stay far out of sight and hide where no one will notice, he thinks with a smirk. Sorry, Captain, Ill back you up later. But for now, things have to go exactly as planned. He cant help but smile, thinking of the chaos that will soon ensue for Steiner as he gets pulled right onto the stage himself, all while trying to protect the princess. Alex takes one last stroll through Alexandria, casting his gaze up to the sky as the giant airship, the Prima Vista, soars over the town. With its castle-like structure towering above, the grand luxury liner is every bit as impressive as he remembers. "How can this thing even fly?" he wonders, marveling at the sheer scale of it. The Mist must truly be a powerful energy source to keep something so massive airborne. And no wonder the whole city is clamoring for tickets to ; this place is part ship, part theater, and all spectacle. Returning to the castle, Alex glances at the stage prepared for the event, thankful he dodged the job as a stage helper. Instead, he makes his way toward the theater ship itself, where crew and performers are bustling in and out, caught up in the frenzy of final preparations. Once aboard, Alex strolls through the Prima Vistas winding corridors, recognizing much of the layout from the game but still impressed by the intricate woodwork and luxurious decor. Finding a small, quiet room with a perfect view near the main stage, he settles down, ready to watch the performance unfold from his unofficial VIP seat. He even nods off for a moment, lulled by the faint hum of activity, until the orchestral swell of music announces the beginning of the play. Relaxed, Alex enjoys the show as any other spectator might, relishing the fact that, for once, he has no real task here. He has little intention of returning to the castle after this anyway. Occasionally, his gaze drifts from the performance to where Queen Brahne and Beatrix are seated, watching them with mild disdain. "These two deserve a serious reality check," he thinks. "Theyre not even the real villains in this story and yet somehow manage to cause so much misery." As the play begins, he watches events from the game spring to life on stage. The music swells, lights dim, and he catches glimpses of familiar faces: Zidane and Blank in their mock duel, Marcus and Ruby delivering surprisingly solid performances, and even Marcus managing to sound somewhat dignified for once. Its surreal, seeing the scenes he knows so well brought to life in such vibrant detail. Soon after, the wooden stage lift on the Prima Vista brings Steiner, Zidane, and Garnet up onto the stage. Garnets disguise as a White Mage quickly crumbles when Vivi, who is being chased by two bumbling Knights of Pluto, accidentally hits her with a fire spell. This mishap plunges the performance into delightful chaos, sparking a whirlwind battle. Marcus, Zidane, Garnet, and Vivi, all now on stage, face off against Steiner and the two pursuing knights, Haagen, the lazy navigator, and Weimar, the self-proclaimed ladies'' man. Steiner, already on stage, dives into the fray with his usual determination, while the less capable Haagen and Weimar struggle to keep up. "Steiner and his two knights against Marcus, Zidane, Garnet, and Vivi should, in theory, be an even battle, possibly even in Steiner''s favor, but of course, that only applies to real knights," Alex analyzes. Predictably, Haagen and Weimar flee after taking a few minor hits. Watching Steiner, loyal to a fault, left alone to defend the stage stirs something in Alex. Here is a man whos sacrificed everything for these so-called knights: his future, his reputation, and even some of his combat potential, all for this troop. And what loyalty does he get in return? The two knights abandon him at the first sign of real danger. "This is my cue," Alex thinks. Without a second thought, he dashes toward an open window, swings himself through it, and clambers up the airship. In a matter of moments, he leaps down onto the stage and lands at Steiners side, poised and ready for whatever may come. "Ready to back you up, Captain!" Alex shouts, his voice full of energy. "Alex! Thank the gods youre here. IMMEDIATELY ARREST THESE KIDNAPPING SCOUNDRELS AND RESCUE THE PRINCESS!" Steiner yells, furiously pointing his sword at Zidane and Marcus, practically bouncing with rage. Alex salutes sharply. "YES, CAPTAIN!" He draws his [Sword of Pluto] from its sheath on his back and readies the [Shield of Pluto] strapped alongside it. Seeing the reinforcements, Marcus growls in frustration, turning to Zidane, "I''ll take care of this newcomer." But Zidane, noticing Alexs poised stance, tries to stop him, "Marcus, wait! That one looks different!" His warning comes too late. Marcus charges recklessly, leaping in for an attack. Alex sidesteps the clumsy move with ease and slams his shield into Marcuss face and chest, sending him crashing back against the wall of the open-air theater. Alex hears the chaotic crowd erupt in wild excitement after his move. Damn, that looked so real! Is that actor really alright? Alex is momentarily taken aback. That much damage from a simple shield slam? A full sword strike couldve seriously injured or even killed the poor guy. "This shield, combined with Alexandrian Royal Swordsmanship, which boosts my shield skills as much as my swordsmanship, is a game-changer," he thinks. "My defense is through the roof. Normal weapons wont even scratch me unless the opponent is significantly faster." "MARCUS!" Zidane shouts, rushing to his comrade, who slumps dazed against the wall. The battle resumes in chaotic earnest. Alex and Steiner hold their positions defensively, especially with the little black mage Vivi firing off one spell after another, casting a steady stream of fire across the stage. Alex and Steiner exchange a glance and quickly split up, attempting to flank the remaining three fighters. At that moment, the airship suddenly lifts off! Chaos erupts as the massive vessel strikes part of the castle, collides with rooftops, and skims dangerously low over city buildings, far too large to be taking off in such a hasty, reckless fashion. The castle guards scramble, firing heavy chains toward the airship in an attempt to ground it. A massive, living bomb is launched right behind them, barreling toward the ship. Alex holds his defensive stance, urging Steiner, Captain, this is dangerous. Were airborne, and the princess could fall! Zidane, desperate, shouts at Steiner, Hes right! Stop this madness, Rusty. Theres a bomb right behind you! Steiner laughs, undeterred. Hahaha, Alex, my student, dont be swayed by these lowly kidnappers. Believe in the princess, she wont fall! Garnet, pleading, steps forward, Captain Steiner, there really is a bomb! Please, stop this! Alex scans the scene, eyes wide, as he spots the bomb, now about the size of an elephant and rapidly growing. Captain...I can see it too, Alex mumbles, swallowing hard. Steiner finally whirls around, eyes bulging. WHAT IS THIS?! he yells. The group bolts to the side, seeking cover near the stage props away from the outer edge. The bomb hurtles toward the center of the airship, and with a deafening roar, it explodes, sending shockwaves through the ship. sea??h th NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 42: Crash Landing, Evil Forest, Prison Cage Alex clings desperately to a metal beam to avoid being hurled overboard by the explosion. The bombs blast inflicted colossal damage on the Prima Vista, tearing into the poor luxury airship. Many of its propellers sputter and falter, with some stopping completely. Despite this, the airship barely escapes Alexandrias grasp, struggling free of the chains anchoring it to the castle. Yet it now bears a large gash along its left side, listing dangerously as it limps westward, descending at a slow, uneven pace. With its controls lost, the ship dips lower and lower, descending toward the dreaded Evil Forest. Through the mist, Alex can see the looming trees of the forest beneath them, thick and dark. The Evil Forest lies in a basin just west of Alexandria, a perilous place shunned by all nearby towns and settlements. Overrun with aggressive monsters, especially malicious plants, its a place most travelers avoid at all costs. Alex knows the forests deadly reputation well. So the easy life in Alexandria is over, he mutters. This is the first real test. Welcome to hell, where one misstep means becoming plant food or getting petrified forever. As the ship lurches lower, Alex braces for impact and spots Zidane just a few feet away, struggling to maintain his footing as they brace for the inevitable crash. BOOM The airship crashes into the forest, carving a deep path through the thick trees, uprooting and tearing through everything in its way before coming to a slow, shuddering halt. Its clear from the wreckage around them that the ship is damaged beyond repair. Alex and Zidane, thrown off by the first impact, hit the ground nearby but, miraculously, manage to land on a soft grassy cliff. Shaken but unharmed, they get to their feet and look over the ruined airship now embedded within the dense, eerie forest. "Damn, that hurt," Alex yells, grimacing as he tumbles down a slope, rolling over the grass until he finally crashes against a large stone. Groaning, he reaches into his inventory and pulls out one of his [Freshly Baked Pumpkin Bread], taking a quick bite to heal some HP and boost his regeneration. He knows exactly what dangers are about to appear. Looking over, he spots Zidane next to him, sporting a similar look of mild irritation and relief. "This isawkward," Alex says, scratching his head. Zidane nods with a grin. "Yeahso lets bury the hatchet and check if the others landed safely, okay?" Alexs expression softens, and he breaks into a smile. "Thank god youre reasonable, unlike my Captain. This is the forest of death. Its already as dangerous as it gets, and if we start fighting with each other, we dont stand a chance." Zidane glances around at the dense trees surrounding them. "Forest of death? Damn, looks like we really messed up this getaway and landed in the worst place possible." The two of them head toward the damaged Prima Vista, now half-submerged in the mist and lying at a precarious angle. Though the airship is in one piece, its clear its been reduced to a glorified wooden shelter, grounded and stripped of its airship capabilities. As they approach, Zidane spots Cinna, who waves them over with relief. Zidane! I thought you were a goner! Did you actually jump off the ship, you madman? Cinna, we got thrown off. We didnt jump, Zidane replies, rolling his eyes. What do you mean we? Cinna asks, startled as he finally notices Alex. His hand instantly goes for his hammer. CALM DOWN! Zidane practically yells. No time for this. Is everyone safe? Cinna, still eyeing Alex suspiciously, replies, We have a big problem. The rusty Captain, the princess, and even that tiny Black Mage got thrown off. Some of the crew saw them fall right off the main stage. Alex immediately cuts in, No time to waste. If theyre hurt or unconscious, theyll be easy prey for the monsters in this forest. We need to hurry. The ship seems to be blocking off most paths, so the only clear route is south, the same path we likely flew over while we descended. Good thinking, Zidane says, nodding. We need to save the princess, or all of this will have been for nothing. Alex glances at him, curiosity flashing in his eyes. I dont know why youre so determined to kidnap the princess, but I have a feeling I know why shed use this as a chance to escape. Lets save her first, then well talk about it. With that, they sprint into the forest, weaving through twisted roots and thick fog as they head south, hoping to reach the others in time. A few minutes later, a goblin suddenly leaps from the bushes, ambushing them. "No time for this!" Alex shouts, quickly pulling out his [Mr. 5s .44 Caliber 6-Shot Revolver] and firing a round straight at the goblin. The goblin shrieks and collapses to the ground, injured. Without hesitation, Alex steps forward and delivers a deathblow with his [Sword of Pluto], plunging it down into the goblin''s head. "Ha! At least he dropped some gil!" Alex notes. "Looks like the system adapts its drop rules for this world." Zidane stares, wide-eyed. "What is that weird weapon? Thank god you didnt use it on stage, that thing looks dangerous!" With the goblin encounter over, they press on, reaching an open area where sunlight breaks through the thick canopy. Alexs eyes land on Vivi, shivering on the ground nearby, and then on Steiner, who stands frantically swinging his sword at a massive plant monster. The creature, known as the Prison Cage, has an ominous cage-like structure made of tangled roots on its head, and inside it, Garnet lies unconscious, trapped. "Release the princess!" Steiner yells, his voice desperate as he faces the monster, cornered and helpless. Alex and Zidane run to his side, and Steiner''s eyes light up, finally seeing a ray of hope. "Alex! And you, scoundrel! Help me free the princess!" Alex nods, caught between intervening fully or allowing things to play out according to the timeline. Still, he thinks, the monsters here are tough. Even that goblin survived a gunshot. I need to help. Sarch* The N?vel(F)ire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He takes out his revolver, carefully aiming for the lower part of the Prison Cage to avoid hitting Garnet by mistake, and fires. Damn! Looks like bullets arent effective against plant monsters, Alex curses as his shot barely dents the thick, root-covered creature. The fight intensifies as Zidane enters a trance, unleashing a mighty blast of energy. Free Energy! he shouts, the attack hitting the Prison Cage with impressive force. As the monster takes damage, Alex notices it starting to drain Garnets life force. Defeat it quickly, its leeching the princesss life! he yells, urgency in his voice. Steiner and Alex hack at the monster with their swords, but the creatures defenses are formidable. Each strike against its tough, bark-like skin feels like chopping through solid wood. Zidane unleashes another Free Energy! but even that isn''t enough to kill it. The monster, barely holding on, retreats into the forest, taking the unconscious Garnet with it. NO! PRINCESS! Steiner shouts, his voice thick with despair. Before they can regroup, another Prison Cage emerges and quickly snares Vivi, whos still lying on the ground in shock. Take it down fast! Alex shouts as they charge in. The three of them hack and slash at the beast, with Vivi himself managing to cast his signature Fire spell, dealing a direct hit. Alex sprints toward the monster, slamming his shield against its side. As it recoils, he aims a strike toward its face, noticing that the root armor is thinner there. That one felt better, he mutters, realizing hes found a weak spot. "Careful! Its releasing spores!" Alex shouts, trying to keep the others clear of the burst of greenish gas. Despite his efforts, both Vivi and Steiner are hit directly in the face. The spores work instantly, causing both Vivi and the dead Prison Cages body to collapse to the ground. Steiner, stumbling, follows soon after. Alex and Zidane quickly call for help from the Prima Vista crew, who assist them in carrying Vivis limp form and leading a confused, dazed Steiner back to the ship. Alex decides to let Steiner rest in the makeshift prison cell aboard the ship. Ill come back for him later, after hes had a chance to recover, he mutters to himself. Once Vivi and Steiner are safe on the airship, Blank and Zidane escort Alex to meet Baku, the leader of Tantalus. So I heard that not only Captain Rustbucket but one of his soldiers managed to catch a ride on our ship. Cant you knights let a bunch of poor workers do their jobs? Baku grumbles with a sly grin. Alex returns the grin, shrugging. Not here to get in your way, honestly. Didn''t think Id be almost killed by the Queen Im supposed to protect! I still cant wrap my head around her solution to a kidnappingshooting down the entire airship with the princess on board. Brilliant plan, really. Baku chuckles. Youve got a sharp head on those shoulders, knight. So, whats your plan now? Alex sighs, rubbing the back of his neck. Honestly, Id rather just get out of here. But I cant abandon the princess. I heard Blank talking to Vivi about an antidote for the spores. Think you could give my Captain a dose as well? Once hes up and running, hell insist on joining me, and well be out of your way. Our mission is to protect the princess. If theres even a chance shes alive, neither of us will give up on her. Zidane interjects, Rusty already took the cure. Anyway lets all go together. We need to hurry. Baku shakes his head firmly. My mission was to kidnap the princess, but my crews safety comes first. We have too many injured who cant leave yet. Were staying put for now. Youre free to go after the princess, and well support you where we can. But Zidane, he turns, his voice hardening, youre staying on this ship. Take one step outside, and youre no longer a member of Tantalus. Am I clear? Zidane clenches his jaw, his expression stormy as he turns and walks off, Alex following close behind. Finding a quiet spot, Alex sits down for a few minutes to catch his breath. Deciding its time to open his new chest, he mutters, Maybe theres something useful inside. Better check it now. [Chest] [Plant Essence] "Ugh, this things useless for now. Looks like its meant for crafting or something. Some kind of essence that drops across worlds. Better than nothing, I guess," Alex mutters, pocketing the [Plant Essence] with mild frustration before heading toward Steiners makeshift prison room. On his way, he passes Zidane, whos just come from visiting Vivi. Zidane calls after him, "Wait... dont leave yet! Theres something Ive got to do first. Im going to talk to the boss!" Alex shrugs, thinking, "So, hes off for his farewell duel. Well, time to check on the Captain first." When Alex opens the door to Steiners room, he finds the Captain awkwardly playing with a ragged, poorly-made puppet of Princess Garnet. "Captain, are you alright?" he asks, fighting back a grin. Steiner shoves the puppet behind his back, looking startled. "Ah, of course! Are alright? Did they imprison you as well?" Alex shakes his head. "Not quite, Captain. You might not like this, but I made a deal with them. Theyre going to let us go and even help us with supplies. So, no arrests for now. I figured it was the best option. After all, we should hurry up and save the princess, right?" Steiner immediately springs up, practically vibrating with urgency. "The princess! Youre absolutely right! Good thinking, Alex! We need to leave at once!" His eyes light up, then he suddenly adds, Wait during the battle, that little black mage, Master Vivi his fire magic was powerful! Perhaps he could help us! "Absolutely, Captain. His fire spells would be a huge help in the forest. I held back from using my own spell earlier because theyd have hit the princess or Vivi. But Vivis magic is precise," Alex replies. "Lets go find him at once!" Steiner says, charging for the exit before Alex can even move. Alex sighs as Steiner bolts out. "Captain... wrong way!" he shouts. Steiner pauses, flustered, then nods with renewed dignity. Right, of course. Lead the way, my loyal student! Shaking his head, Alex thinks, This is going to be a long rescue mission. Chapter 43: Forming a Party, the Forest of Evil, and the Mighty Plant Brain Alex and Steiner make their way to the small room where Vivi lies resting. As they enter, they see that Vivi is awake, his small figure sitting up on the bed. Alex looks at Steiner with a questioning glance, and Steiner nods in return. Steiner then approaches Vivi and pleads with him, For the sake of Princess Garnet and all of Alexandria, I humbly request your assistance, Master Vivi! Vivi, looking confused, responds, Huh? My assistance? But what can I do? Master Vivi, surely you jest! Steiner exclaims. Your knowledge and skill with black magic were incredibly effective against that monster. Please, Master Vivi, help us. I, Adelbert Steiner, swear to protect you on this journey! At that moment, Zidane enters the room. Vivi, remember what we were talking about! Youll help me rescue the princess, right? Steiner glares at him. What? You scoundrel, you dare to rescue the princess? Its your band of thieves who got us into this mess! If the princess has come to any harm, Ill strike you down! Zidane brushes him off, saying to Vivi, Come on, Vivi, lets go, alright? Vivi nods, Okay if you really need me, Ill do my best to help. As Alex and Zidane prepare to leave the room, Steiner pulls Vivi aside, whispering, Master Vivi, I have an idea. I call it Magic Sword! The group heads toward the exit, but as theyre about to leave, Blank intercepts them. Alex nods to Steiner and Vivi, giving Zidane the opportunity to speak with Blank in private. A few moments later, Zidane rejoins the group, holding a small bottle, the antidote for the deadly spores most likely infecting the princess. They all glance back as they see Marcus waving to them from one of the airships windows, while Cinna appears, offering to sell them a few supplies for the journey ahead. Alex takes a look at Cinnas wares but is disappointed to find the same basic selection as in the Alexandria item shop: [Potion], [Antidote], and [Eye Drops], with no Phoenix Downs or Tents, items that should be available by now. Sighing, he thinks, "Maybe if we make it to Dali, Ill get another chance to find better gear." Before leaving, he tries his luck at selling some of his own items. "Hey, Cinna, interested in buying anything?" He offers his fur gear, saber, and even the newly obtained [Plant Essence]. To his surprise, Cinna agrees but names outrageously low prices: 2,500 gil for all three fur items, 4,000 gil for the saber, and 10,000 gil for the essence. Alex quickly realizes that Cinnas offers are only a fraction, maybe a quarter to half, of each items value. "A [Broadsword], a white item, costs 5,000 gil," he calculates, "so a light green item like the saber should easily be worth around 10,000 gil." Knowing it would be a mistake to sell here, especially since gil is worthless if he cant exchange it for items or Fantasy Coins, Alex pockets his goods. He does, however, take note of the essences high value, thinking, "Maybe this will get me a decent FC exchange rate in the Fantasy Realm." The group then ventures deeper into the forest, encountering foes like goblins, fangs, and Dendrobiums, even passing a majestic river along the way. Alex manages to land the final blow on several enemies, earning another 550 gil. "If only we could stay and farm like in the game," he thinks, "this would be a fantastic source of gil!" After a series of battles, they reach a peaceful clearing, free of monsters, with a magical healing spring at its center. They each take a sip, and Alex is astonished by the effects: not only are his HP and MP fully restored, but every ounce of exhaustion seems to lift from his body. "Incredible," he thinks. He takes an empty apple juice bottle from his inventory and fills it with water, but quickly notices that the system doesnt recognize the item, and its effect seems to weaken by the second. "Too bad, was worth a try, I guess," he smiles. After leaving the clearing and taking a cautious walk along the swamp path, the group finally approaches the sinister den looming in the distance, the lair of the forests ruler, a monstrous creature known as the Plant Brain. Throwing caution aside, they storm inside, rushing to rescue the kidnapped Princess Garnet. The Plant Brain is a massive, rooted monster with thick, twisting roots resembling arms and a large central flower with thorn-like teeth forming an ominous, gaping mouth. Vivi spots Garnet off to the side, looking unharmed, and exclaims, "There she is!" Steiner immediately starts arguing with Zidane. "Stand back, thief! Alexandrias honor demands that I, her loyal knight, rescue her!" Zidane shouts back, "Are you crazy? You think you can handle this thing on your own? Lets go, Vivi." Sear?h the N??elFir.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Alex quickly interjects, "Lets focus on taking this monster down fast and saving the princess!" They step toward the creature, and a fierce battle erupts. Alex recalls the Plant Brains attacks: it can strike with massive root-like tentacles, cast thunder magic if left alone, and release a pollen cloud that causes darkness. Thankfully, Alex came prepared with [Eye Drops] for exactly this scenario. The Plant Brain launches its left tentacle toward Zidane in a vicious strike. But Alex, noticing the creatures wind-up, steps forward and raises his [Shield of Pluto] just in time, absorbing the brunt of the blow. The impact reverberates, but the shields Stalwart ability reduces the force, reflecting part of it back. The massive root arm bounces off Alexs shield and momentarily hits the creature itself, making it squirm in discomfort. Alex feels a surge of confidence. Alex marvels at his shield''s resilience. Even after enduring sparring sessions, the Prima Vista battle, fights with monsters along the way, and now blocking this powerful attack, it has only lost 2 Durability. With 79 out of 100 remaining, it''s holding up impressively. "This shield could easily withstand days of combat," he thinks. "Thank you... Alex, right? I owe you one!" Zidane shouts as he dashes forward, landing a clean strike with his dagger. At the same time, Steiner and Vivi unleash their new combination attack, "Fire Sword." Vivis Fire spell channels into Steiners blade, empowering his sword skills with searing flames. Steiner slashes the creature with the flaming sword, burning and cutting through the Plant Brains tough outer layer, dealing a devastating blow. The monster lets out an ear-splitting screech and retaliates with its pollen ability. Alex raises his shield, but the spores spread through the air, clouding his vision. He quickly grabs his [Eye Drops], applying the liquid to clear his eyes, just in time to see another tentacle strike aiming for Vivi. Alex springs into action, intercepting the blow with his shield. Alex smirks. "This is almost too easy. With me blocking and reflecting its attacks and Vivi and Steiner coordinating their combo moves, this things going down faster than Concord getting removed from Steam." Suddenly, the Plant Brain changes tactics, launching a simultaneous diagonal strike with both tentacles. Alex manages to deflect the left tentacle, protecting Zidane, but the right one lands a brutal blow on Steiner, sending him sprawling and clearly in pain. "What the? That move isnt in the original fight!" Alex panics slightly, thinking, "Is this the Fantasy Realms influence? Are enemies stronger here because of my presence?" Alex knows its time to step things up. Putting away his sword and shield, he considers his next move. "Maybe the element of surprise will give us an edge," he thinks, preparing for a devastating attack. Alex decides its time to use his mightiest weapon. He conjures two [Annihilation Grenade lvl 1], one in each hand. Eyeing the Plant Brains massive form, he calculates his throw carefully, aiming one grenade toward its monstrous face and the other at its right side to avoid Garnet, who lies unconscious to the left of the den. The Plant Brain, caught off-guard, doesnt react as the two grenades arc through the air, purple fuses burning brightly. ThenBOOM! The twin explosions rock the monster, flame and shrapnel flying everywhere. "Yes!" Alex shouts. "Direct hit! The explosion only did about a third of its normal damage, and the shrapnel barely scratched it, but the fire damage is nearly double, and it ignited the beast!" The group cheers as the Plant Brain thrashes, panicked by the flames licking at its body. Vivi takes advantage of the monsters vulnerability, casting another powerful Fire spell directly at its face. That should finish it, right? Alex thinks. But instead of succumbing, the Plant Brain lashes out with a new attack. Multiple roots burst up from the ground, piercing through armor and flesh. Alex feels a stab of pain as the roots pierce into his flesh despite his sturdy armor, and he sees his allies wincing in pain as blood starts to seep from their wounds. Just as the group struggles to fend off the encircling roots, Blank appears out of nowhere, lunging at the Plant Brains face and landing a decisive strike that disrupts its root attack and stops it from preparing a mighty thunder spell. Now! Alex, cover me! Steiner yells. Vivi, one more Fire Sword! Alex dashes forward, shield up, while Steiner charges beside him, and Vivi readies another spell. The Plant Brain strikes with its right tentacle, but Alex deflects it with precision, angling the attack right into the monsters own gaping maw. The creature reels, momentarily stunned. Steiner, invigorated, shouts with renewed determination, Beautiful I swear I will slay this beast by my honor as Captain of the Knights of Pluto! Fire Sword! Vivi cries, just as Steiner raises his blazing sword to deliver the final blow. But in a desperate counterattack, the Plant Brain gathers pollen for another toxic blast aimed directly at Steiner. Reacting instantly, Alex whips out [Mr. 5s .44 Caliber 6-Shot Revolver] with expert speed thanks to his Pistol Proficiency lvl 1 and fires a shot directly into the monsters maw, disrupting the pollen attack just in time. Steiner, with a fiery determination, slashes his enchanted blade deep into the plant monsters head, nearly splitting the beast in two. The impact proves fatal, and the creature begins to collapse, its twisted form crumbling into nothingness. We did it! Alex shouts, exhilarated. Zidane stands in awe at the massive foe they managed to bring down. This unlikely group, with Blanks timely help, has defeated the enormous Plant Brain. As Steiner rushes over to the unconscious Princess Garnet and gently lifts her, Alex follows closely, but his eyes are locked on the monster''s remains as they disintegrate. Just before the last traces of the creature vanish, he spots a chest half-buried among the roots. Green again? Alex mutters, stowing the chest in his inventory. Guess my luck had to cool off at some point. But hey, at least its a large one! He glances over at Garnet, still unconscious in Steiners arms, and assesses her condition. She looks alright, just knocked out. Lets get out of here and use that antidote for the pollen. But before they can make their exit, the ground beneath the den begins to shift and writhe. Dozens of plant creatures resembling oversized spiders crawl out, chittering and skittering toward them. Leave, now! Blank yells, snapping everyone to attention. Without another word, the group breaks into a sprint, fleeing the oncoming swarm of Plant Spiders, their hearts pounding as they race out of the dark, twisted forest. Chapter 44: Desperate Escape and an Uncertain Path Forward The group races through the forest, chased by an onslaught of Plant Spiders. Like the Plant Brain, these creatures lash out with sharp, tentacle-like limbs and are even capable of casting deadly thunder spells if given the chance. They leap down a small cliff, into a ditch, but the spiders quickly surround them. We have to fight our way out! Zidane shouts. At the same moment, Alex charges forward and strikes one of the spiders with his powerful [Sword of Pluto]. He swiftly jumps back, evading a strike from a nearby spider. With his free hand, he pulls out his [Mr. 5s .44 Caliber 6-Shot Revolver] and delivers a point-blank shot to the spider he struck moments earlier. Meanwhile, Vivi launches a fierce fire spell at another Plant Spider closing in on Alex, while Blank and Zidane work together to take down a third spider blocking their way. Steiner, burdened with the unconscious princess, cant assist but skillfully dodges the encroaching enemies. Alex, raising his shield high, leads the way, bashing aside an intercepting Plant Spider as he clears a path. Steiner and Vivi follow closely, barely able to keep up with Alexs relentless pace. More and more spiders join the chase, scuttling through the trees until Alex notices not just roots shooting out wildly, but the entire forest beginning to petrify. Oh, shit! This looks scary as fuck, he thinks as they flee, the very ground freezing beneath them. In the chaos, he barely catches sight of Zidane, who is rescued at the last second by Blank who gets trapped by a monster instead. Zidane manages to catch the map Blank throws at him before the latter is swallowed by the petrification wave, frozen in place as the group finally breaks free from the Evil Forests grasp. The exit looms closer, and Alex stumbles through the clearing, relieved to be out of the forest. Steiner and Vivi follow, and just as a giant plant tendril reaches for Zidane, Alex whips out his revolver, firing a shot that slices through the root, giving Zidane just enough time to make it out. Outside, the group watches in awe as the petrifying roots solidify, blocking the only exit and sealing off the Evil Forest. Alex, barely able to catch his breath, is stunned. It may have looked cool in the game, but experiencing the panic of dozens of giant plant spiders and gnarled roots chasing them while everything behind froze in stone was terrifying. "One wrong step, and we''d be goners," he thinks, feeling the thrill of survival ebbing into exhaustion. The group takes shelter beneath a nearby cliff. They give Garnet the antidote, arrange a few blankets, and Alex is startled to see a tiny tent somehow appear out of nowhere. "Did Steiner or Zidane pull that out of thin air?" he wonders, too exhausted to care. They gather around a small fire set up beside the tent, each sinking into the warmth and stillness. As he sits down, Alex winces as Steiner starts berating Zidane again. This time, its about Blank, whod sacrificed himself for Zidane. A bit harsh, dont you think? Alex reflects, feeling sorry for Zidane, whose friend was now left behind, petrified in the Evil Forest. Then, Garnet stirs, letting out a soft moan as she wakes up. Steiner nearly jumps for joy, and she blinks, sitting up beside the fire, looking at the group with gratitude. Vivi, shyly looking away, gives her a small smile. Steiner beams with pride, insisting it was his duty to protect her. Alex nods in acknowledgment, happy to have made it out together. Zidane, half-joking, recounts how it was his quick moves and Vivis magic that helped them escape, pausing to admit Alexs incredible shield skills, that ranged weapon, and that wild explosion spell helped a lot, too. Steiner cuts him off with a sneer: You useless monkey, this whole mess is your fault in the first place! If it werent for Master Vivi, Alex, and myself, youd have been a goner! You hardly deserve any credit. Alex chuckles quietly to himself, Please, make this stop, he thinks, exasperated. Garnet, in her usual soft grace, thanks each of them profusely. She even turns to Alex, saying, I guess fate was on my side, bringing you to the Knights of Pluto just a few weeks ago? Alex laughs, Well, I think Im due for a pay raise, seeing as I havent even received my first paycheck yet! Garnets face flushes as she laughs, clutching her small wooden mages rod, clearly the only possession she has. After another exhausting argument between Steiner and Zidane, the group finally agrees to rest, given the late hour and cold, dark surroundings. Alex, thoroughly worn out, manages to get a solid nights sleep, despite waking up every few hours to create a few grenades, but staying warm with a few blankets from his inventory. When Alex wakes up for good, the others are still asleep, so he gathers some extra wood to revive the campfire, which has burned low overnight. A few minutes later, the rest of the group stirs, nodding their thanks as they see the flames crackling warmly again. Steiner, with a serious expression, turns to Alex. Im thankful I took you under my wing. I cant believe how far youve come in just a few weeks. Your shield and defensive skills, in particular, are remarkable! During that fight with the monstrous Plant Brain, your timing was perfect, not only blocking its root attacks but deflecting them right back at it. Its as if you were born to wield Alexandrian Royal Swordsmanship, a style that emphasizes both offense and defense. You truly excel at using a shield as well. Vivi and Zidane nod in agreement, with Vivi adding, Thank you for protecting us. He then hesitates, looking thoughtful. Alex that small metal thing you summoned Ive never seen anything like it. It doesnt feel like black magic but something almost brutal. If that thing were used against a person, it would do terrible damage blowing them up, burning them, and then the shrapnel Vivi trails off, visibly disturbed by the thought. Alex responds gently, Dont worry, Vivi. I only use this ability to protect myself and my friends. Ideally, I wouldnt use it at all, but with a monster like that, I didnt see another choice. Vivi nods with a small smile. Its not about the ability itself, but how you choose to use it. Thank you for saving us! Zidane grins. Yeah, I could use a few of those myself! Seeing the opportunity, Alex pulls out a set of eight grenades and holds them out. Everyone instinctively jumps back, and Vivi even stumbles and falls. Relax, Alex laughs, theyre safe for now. Theyll only be active once you imagine lighting the fuse. It takes about three seconds to explode, so make sure youre ready to throw it immediately after activating it. He hands out two grenades each. These wont last forever, about 6 to 10 hours, depending on when I created them. So if you need to use one, make sure to throw it far enough from any of us. The explosion radius isnt huge, but the shrapnel is deadly. Alex estimates each grenades duration: a base of 5 hours, with an additional hour per skill level. Right now, 11 hours is the max he can extend them. Not a long time, but enough to arm the group with a backup weapon in case of ambushes. They eye the grenades in their hands, a mix of awe and nervousness visible in their faces. But theres also relief, knowing they have an extra line of defense. After some planning, Zidane and Garnet take a moment to visit the petrified forest while Steiner and Vivi discuss improvements to their Magic Sword combination attack. Seeing the opportunity, Alex finally opens his chest, debating if he should wait for more LUK points to boost his drop rate. But he knows that greed could cost him when hes already secured valuable gear, the five-piece armor set, sword, and shield. Ive got what I need, he thinks, Now I just need to survive and complete my mission to kill all three Black Waltzes so I can keep them. Lets see what fate has for me this time. [Large Chest] Alex feels torn between excitement and frustration. On one hand, hes amassed a fantastic amount of Fantasy Coins and, even better, a rare Soul Crystal, exactly what he needs to upgrade his core skill, Genius Conjurerlvl 1, or even his recently acquired Alexandrian Royal Swordsmanship lvl 0. But the practical downside is glaring: none of this loot is immediately useful in combat. The Plant Essence is nearly a gamble in itself, its limited healing effect isnt worth the risk of a random status ailment like poison or worse. He checks his status, noting his MP is low after creating grenades for the group all night, but hes grateful for the potential his recent gains bring, even if his current combat power remains unchanged. Alex frowns, recalling the rare chance he has to acquire skills under his subskill Arcane Medieval Armory. Do I need to land the final blow myself for it to trigger? he wonders, thinking back to how Steiner landed the finishing strike on the Plant Brain. A skill like Annihilation Grenade would be really useful right now, he sighs. Sar?h the Novl?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. After a few moments, the group gathers, and Zidane pulls out Blanks map, pointing out the current situation. North Gate and South Gate, the two main exits from the basin theyre trapped in, are sealed. However, Blanks map shows a cavern leading upwards, away from the mist-choked forest and toward safer ground. "This cavern looks like our best shot out of the basin," Zidane says, though the path is uncertain and likely filled with danger. With renewed energy and a new goal in mind, the group heads off, eager to put the Evil Forest behind them for good. Chapter 45: Over the Hills – Emerging Evil Alex and the group move slowly away from the Evil Forest, which now resembles a ghostly, gray petrified forest. Zidane suggested they try their luck with a cave that might lead them above the mist, and Alex knows hes right. Its the only realistic route. The only other option would involve forcing their way through the North Gate, which would mean fighting countless soldiers and sparking a conflict not just with Alexandria but with Burmecia as well. Alex, with his game-related OCD and natural inclination toward min-maxing, despises the idea of skipping over things. If something is there, the developer intended people to find it, he firmly believes. He recalls his times playing FF9, a seemingly wide-open world at this point in the story, though it essentially leads straight toward the Ice Cavern, which is exactly where Zidane suggested. But he remembers that theres one optional stop they could make: the Alexandrian side of the North Gate, Melda Arch. In the game, you could buy medicine there and even find a few hidden chests. Theres also that quirky side character, Ragtime Mouse, who appears randomly in forests to quiz players on the games lore, though Alex doubts hed actually encounter something that random here. But with nothing to lose, Alex turns to the others and suggests, You sure its not worth at least checking out North Gate? Melda Arch might even have some extra supplies we could use. To his surprise, Steiner immediately nods and agrees. Yes, lets go there! There are soldiers stationed there who could lead us right back to the castle. Perhaps they can call an airship or, even better Steiner! Garnet interrupts, Im not going back. Steiners face twists in confusion. Why, Princess? Im going to Lindblum, she states firmly. You can go back, but I wont. Zidane smirks. You heard her, Rusty. You can leave if you want. Well do fine without you. Steiner clenches his fists, glaring at Zidane. Damn monkey thug! One day, I swear Ill strangle him with his own tail. As the group navigates toward their destination marked on the map, the journey proves more challenging than expected. Detours are frequent, as they avoid clusters of monsters, small forest patches, and steep hills. For Alex, though, this rough terrain is nothing he cant handle. His stats, putting him roughly 40% above the average human in every physical aspect, combined with the enhancements from his high-quality gear and basic skills make the hike feel effortless. In fact, Alex is starting to feel a bit bored, as Garnet and Vivi slow the group down, Garnet, unused to walking anywhere outside the castle grounds, is clearly experiencing her first hike, while Vivis small legs struggle with the pace. Yet Alexs boredom vanishes as they encounter the first wave of monsters. Surprisingly, he finds himself smiling. With his [Sword of Pluto] and [Shield of Pluto] in hand, he feels every bit the knight hes trained to be. With each clash, his Alexandrian Royal Swordsmanship lvl 0, despite only being at level 0, makes him feel like hes wielded a sword and shield his whole life. Dispatching a few goblins, Alex moves with a natural agility, skillfully dodging, parrying, or blocking their attacks. As he bashes his shield against one goblins head, stunning it, and then executes a powerful slash that beheads it, a surge of adrenaline rushes through him. The savage thrill of battle is something new, a feeling he hasnt known for long. With his new skill, Alex feels like hes fighting against total amateurs. His high-class equipment and gold-ranked skill almost feel like a cheat to him. Most players would only have access to basic white-tier swords that do less than a third of the damage his [Sword of Pluto] does, and theyd be limited to beginner-level skills like Basic Close Combat Prowess. But Alex? Hes on a completely different level. Sar?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Against low-threat enemies like Mu and goblins, Alex allows himself to experiment, pushing his limits while gathering as much gil as possible. Although Steiners training gave him plenty of experience dueling other humans, he has little practice with striking down beasts, and he makes the most of these encounters. When pythons finally appear, however, Alex shifts his focus. These tougher enemies demand a more disciplined approach, so he coordinates with the others, taking down the pythons in a steady, calculated fashion alongside Zidane, Steiner, and Vivi. Even Garnet is eager to get some real combat experience, though her rod barely scratches the enemies. However, her white magic spells are invaluable, allowing her to keep the groups HP up and save on their costly medicinal items. The group takes about two hours to finally reach the cave, and Alex cant help but smile as he counts the extra 800 gil hes earned along the way. Its not much, but Alex feels a sense of satisfaction at any bit of progress. Hes fairly certain that even if he cant use the money directly, it will get converted back into FC at the end of the mission. 80 FC isnt a lot, but if I keep missing out on 80 FC here and 50 FC there, Ill basically cripple my own future bit by bit, he thinks. Do that ten times, and I might be short on funds to upgrade a skill, buy a healing item, or snag a good deal. Alex reflects on how, back in the real world, he often missed not only small opportunities but major ones too. Here in the Fantasy Realm, however, hes determined to make the most of every advantage. Finally, the group arrives at the cave, where they not only feel but can actually see a cold, blue wind flowing from its mouth, almost shimmering with magical energy. Vivi calls the place the Ice Cavern, explaining that his grandfather once told him about it. The others recognize the name as well; its a place covered in snow and ice, with a path that carries travelers above the mist. Zidane beams, Exactly where we need to go! Once were past here, Lindblum is bound to be close! The scene at the entrance is strikingly beautiful, with clusters of frozen flowers that look like delicate, colorful crystals. Garnet runs ahead to inspect them, while Steiner follows anxiously behind her, cautioning her. Captain, these flowers are just frozen, Alex says. I dont think theres anything to worry about here. You never know, my fellow knight, Steiner responds, shaking his head. Caution is the first duty of a knight! Alex shrugs, feeling the chilly wind and briefly considering switching back to his old fur-lined gear, which would suit this climate better. But his current armor allows him to wield his powerful sword and shield, and besides, the cold here is still manageable. Alex, ever the completionist, takes a moment to search the area near the cave entrance, expecting to find a chest, unsurprisingly, he finds nothing. Why does the Fantasy Realm cut out the fun, if unrealistic, chest placements that show up in those type of games? he sighs. Zidane suddenly calls Vivi over and asks him to melt a small wall of ice, revealing an item behind it, tucked near the remains of a fallen adventurer. Zidane holds it up, and Alex sees a system prompt: [Ether] "Damn, an Ether," Alex thinks. "Ten or fifteen MP isnt a lot, but MP recovery is rare." He hadnt seen items like this yet, even inside the Fantasy Realm. Zidane shows the small vial to Garnet, Vivi, and Alex, commenting, You three can use magic, right? Anyone want it? Vivi shakes his head, saying he already has one, and Garnet, who hasnt used much of her White Magic yet, also declines. Alex, trying to hide his eagerness, says, I could use it. Its nearly enough for a full grenade! Take it, then! Zidane tosses him the Ether. Thanks, Alex says, grinning. Ever the item hoarder, he feels a sense of glee as his inventory fills up. Even with his MP fully recovered, the Ether is a valuable asset. The group continues through the cavern, a place both beautiful and desolate, yet filled with dangers. They encounter creatures like Wyerds, Cave Imps, and Flans. The Flans look like wobbling vanilla puddings with bright green eyes, and Alex has to resist the urge to underestimate them. Goblins are one thing, but these monsters require caution. Getting reckless would be a surefire way to waste healing items or, worse, end up seriously injured, or even dead. Along the way, they find a few more items: a Mage Masher dagger, which Zidane decides to take, and a Leather Wrist that Vivi tries on for better protection. Alex considers taking them for himself but ultimately decides against it. Better to let Zidane make the call, he thinks. If I take these items by force, theyll be weaker, and I need them strong for the rest of the journey. So he lets Zidane distribute the equipment without interference. No point in alienating the group over a few items. Hell need their strength for whats ahead. At one point, they even manage to free a frozen Mog. Alex thinks, Too bad I cant save my progress here, feeling a twinge of apprehension about the boss he knows lies ahead. As they move deeper into the Ice Cavern, the group finally arrives at a section where the stone walls pull back, revealing an opening along one side of the cavern. The rocky ledge they stand on stretches out beside a sheer drop, offering a sweeping view of the misty basin below. The cave ceiling arches high above, but to their right, a long gap runs along the wall, letting in a burst of icy wind and an unobstructed view of the blue-gray sky. The cold air nips at their faces, a sharp reminder of the altitude theyve gained as theyve climbed through the winding, frozen pathways. Frost clings to every surface here, from the walls to the jagged icicles hanging from the rocky overhang above. Theyre close to the caverns exit now, nearing the end of the frigid journey that will lead them up and out of the mist-laden basin below and into the world above. Just as in the game, Vivi, then Steiner, and finally Garnet start to fall asleep. Alex, however, barely feels the effects of the invisible sleep spell. With his Basic Meditation lvl 1 and a solid SPR stat of 12, he can easily withstand the spells influence. "This sleep spell is pitiful," he thinks. "I could probably resist it for an entire day!" Seeing the rest of the group asleep, including Zidane, Alex sits down and pretends to be asleep as well. Soon, a faint bell sound rings, and Zidane stirs awake. After checking on the others, particularly Garnet, he quietly leaves to investigate the path ahead. Alex watches him go, thinking, Hes fallen for her hard, hasnt he? I guess I get ittoo bad Garnets still so young. Not interested in spoiled teenagers. Then again Somehow, the scene sparks an unexpected longing in Alex, bringing back memories of life in Alexandria and, especially, of Jaine and Neira. He wonders how theyll fare in the coming war, a sense of dread threading through the thought. Snapping himself back to reality, Alex follows Zidane carefully, formulating a cruel plan to take down the first of his three targets, Black Waltz No. 1. As he sees Zidane speaking to the menacing figure, Alex slips to the side of the cliff, crouching low behind a frozen rock. He watches intently as Black Waltz No. 1 summons a formidable creature, a beast much more powerful in battle than the Black Waltz himself. Sealion is a massive entity, covered in jagged ice shards that glint dangerously in the pale light. Beneath the frosty armor, bits of bone fragment can be seen around its head and chest, where a large magic stone pulses, shifting from blue to yellow and then finally to red as it grows more dangerous with each stage. As its color changes, it gains access to more potent abilities, the icy gleam in its eyes intensifying as it prepares to attack. The creature has long, limb-like wings, the edges studded with razor-sharp ice spikes, and its classified as a Flying-type monster due to these winged arms. While Sealions power is intimidating, Black Waltz No. 1 himself is simpler, a basic black mage with only Fire and Blizzard spells at his command. As Zidanes battle begins, Alex notes his struggle. Zidane barely manages to evade the beasts sweeping attacks and hasnt landed a single hit; his voice echoes against the stone as he shouts, HELP! I COULD REALLY USE A HAND HERE! In desperation Zidane throws out a grenade at Sealion which does a bit of damage and grabs the attention of both enemies. Seeing Black Waltz No. 1s confusion, Alex silently rises from his hiding spot, his face twisted with a vicious determination. Covered by the ongoing snowstorm, he moves forward, edging closer to the Black Waltz, as his cruel plan takes form. Chapter 46: Devious Assault – Sealion’s Terrifying Might As Alex nears Black Waltz No. 1, he sprints forward, clutching one of the Annihilation Grenades prepared beforehand in his left hand and wielding his [Sword of Pluto] in his right. Without hesitation, he strikes, stabbing his sword toward where a human neck would be, piercing directly into the figures dark form. Wasting no time, Alex ignites the fuse on the grenade and shoves it deep into the shadowy space that should be the black mages face. With ruthless precision, he then slams his shield into the enemys back, forcing him face-first into the ground, pressing the grenade firmly against the earth. Alex leaps away, throwing himself to the ground just in time to evade the explosion, barely dodging both the blast and the deadly shrapnel that follows. A few stray shards graze his shield, but he remains unscathed. Sar?h the ovelFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Damn, that was brutal! Alex exclaims as he assesses the damage. All eleven shrapnel shards hit their mark, each delivering significant impact. Between his initial strike, the grenades explosion, and the fire damage, Alex calculates he dealt close to 300 points of damage, a feat that obliterated Black Waltz No. 1 despite its status as a boss. The mages lack of defensive capabilities had left it vulnerable to Alexs relentless assault. Zidane glances at Alex, clearly grateful for the backup, astonished that Alex managed to take down the black mage with a single, vicious attack. Turning toward Sealion, Alex notices the creature remains undeterred by the demise of its master. The massive beast, covered in sharp ice shards with patches of bone visible around its head and chest, watches them coldly, unfazed and ready for battle. Ill hold the frontline, Zidane! Can you focus on dealing damage? The blue gem seems like a weak spot, Alex calls out. Zidane nods, and the two charge toward Sealion. Alex raises his shield, blocking Sealions wing attack, while Zidane moves in to land a clean strike. As they pull back, Alex spots a glimmer at the site of Black Waltz No. 1s demise. Seizing the opportunity, he quickly scoops up the item while returning to his position by Zidanes side. Hehe, combat looting, always a smart move, Alex mutters with a grin. Its not like there is a loot window popping up in everyones face. Before he can appreciate his find, Sealion casts Blizzard, sending shards of ice hurling toward him. With Basic Footwork lvl 1, Alex sidesteps while raising his shield, reducing the spells impact. Alex and Zidane exchange a quick nod and launch a coordinated counterattack. They toss a pre-conjured Annihilation Grenade behind Sealion to avoid taking any damage themselves. Alex notices that the grenades fire damage doesnt quite reach the beast. Instead, only minor damage from the explosion and a few shrapnel shards connect. But along with Zidanes grenade, the combined assault is enough to make Sealion howl in pain. The gem in its chest, its turning yellow! Be careful! Alex warns. Sealion casts again, this time aiming a powerful Blizzara at both Alex and Zidane. Alex sidesteps, bringing his shield up just in time, but still feels a deeper, biting chill pierce through his defenses. The cold seeps into his body, numbing his hands and legs as he struggles to keep his grip. Zidane, though making a swift evasive move, also takes a hit. Just then, Alex notices Zidane entering Trance, his body glowing with raw energy, a timely transformation that brings a sense of relief. Determined to do his part, Alex pulls out his [Mr. 5s .44 Caliber 6-Shot Revolver] and takes aim at the now-yellow gem on Sealions chest. Zidane swiftly darts in, landing a solid hit with his daggers before retreating to avoid another wing swipe. He then channels his Trance energy to unleash Tidal Flame, one of his powerful Dyne abilities, sending a scorching wave of fire at the beast. Sealion lets out a guttural scream, the intense flames dealing severe damage and seemingly weakening it further. The magical gem on its chest shifts to a menacing scarlet red, signaling Sealions desperation. Cornered, Sealion gathers his remaining strength and casts Tsunami, unleashing a massive wave of water laced with frost, crashing violently toward them. Realizing the imminent danger, Alex hurriedly consumes a [Potion] from the Final Fantasy 9 universe, quickly followed by a [Healing Potion] from the Fantasy Realm to restore as much health as possible. To maximize effectiveness, he uses the Final Fantasy 9 potion first, knowing that the generic medicine from the Fantasy Realm reduces the potency of similar items. Bracing himself, Alex raises his shield, but the force of Tsunami slams into him with relentless fury, nearly sweeping him off his feet. Thanks to Alexs timely use of medicine, he withstands the attack with over half of his HP intact. Beside him, Zidane, barely standing after the onslaught, musters his remaining strength to unleash another Tidal Flame. Alex sighs in relief. "This should be the end of it." The attack lands on Sealion, sending the beast into a state of further agony, its form wavering. It appears to collapse but, shockingly, remains upright. What? How is it still alive? Alex stares in disbelief. It was already in the red; this thing should be dead by now! He notices something, the gem on Sealion''s chest has turned from red to a sinister black. Damn it, this is way off the script! Alex realizes he has no time to hesitate and decides to go all out. He throws his last Annihilation Grenade lvl 1 and immediately conjures three more, igniting each one and hurling them in quick succession. His MP drains rapidly, leaving him on the verge of collapse, his mind throbbing from the exertion as four rapid explosions engulf the enraged beast. Messages flood his vision too fast to read, but he sees Sealion still standing, a grim silhouette amidst the dissipating smoke. The creature prepares to unleash a new form of Tsunami, glowing an ominous bright blue, visibly charged with frost energy. Desperate, Zidane gathers the last dregs of his Trance energy, leaping forward to unleash a final Tidal Flame that collides with Sealions wave, neutralizing it with a massive burst of steam before Zidane collapses, utterly spent. Alex, breathing hard, realizes they wont survive another clash like that. With a final push, he steadies his revolver in his left hand, taking precise aim at the black gem. He fires, then leaps, raising his sword high before cleaving down. Sealions Icewing Embrace (Level 0 Base): Effect: Summons an imposing ice armor around the user, encasing their entire body and existing armor in razor-sharp ice spikes that damage any melee attacker and protect the user from damage. Two large, frost-covered wings extend from the back, allowing the user to slowly glide downwards. The armor also imbues the users weapons with frost magic, causing additional frost damage with each attack. While active, the armor absorbs nearly all external damage until its durability is exhausted, shattering upon depletion. However, it is highly vulnerable to fire-based attacks, which deal increased damage to the armors integrity. Level Cap: Master Conjurer. Requires 1000 Fantasy + 500 per level to upgrade. Cost: 50 MP + 5 MP per level. Duration: 10 Minutes + 1 minute per level Armor Durability: 10 + 1 per level Frost Resistance: 50% + 5% per level Additional Fire Damage to the Armor: 50% Ice Spike Damage (physical): 20 + 2 per level Frost Imbuement Damage (frost): 10 + 1 per level Note: This devastating ability conjures Sealions might into a monstrous armor, designed not only to protect the wearer but also to unleash icy devastation upon enemies. Note2: Please keep in mind that because the armor''s base material is ice, the 10 durability of this armor will deplete much faster than that of an iron armor. Dont assume invincibility for the entire duration of this ability. Special Quest updated Mission: Gain the recognition of Pluto by killing the following 3 enemies: Black Waltz 1 - 1/1 Black Waltz 2 - 0/1 Black Waltz 3 - 0/1 Alex collapses to the ground, breathing heavily. After a few moments, he pulls himself up and reads through the system messages, feeling a mix of excitement and intimidation. Finally, another conjuration ability, and this one feels like it''s on a whole new level, even compared to his powerful Annihilation Grenade. The ability seems almost like a temporary god mode to him, granting near-total protection from damage so long as the armors duration or durability doesnt deplete. Highly defensive but also devastating to melee attackers who dare strike him, the armor even imbues his weapons with frost magic, making each attack more lethal. The only downside is that its vulnerable to fire, taking 50% additional damage from fire spells, though Alex thinks thats manageable. The real drawback is the spells immense cost, a whopping 50 MP at level 0, which almost completely drains his entire MP pool, essentially limiting it to a once-per-battle advantage. Alex grins, thrilled at his new conjuration ability and the rewards from both the green and blue chests. He walks over to Zidane, whos still catching his breath, and helps him up. "Great job defending against that last attack, Zidane. You saved us back there!" Alex says, hiding his knowledge of Zidanes true identity. "When youre in trance, its like you tap into a power thats on another level." Zidane chuckles. "It was nothing. We should check on the others. It was probably that so-called Black Waltzs magic that knocked us all out so suddenly." As they head back toward the sleeping forms of Steiner, Vivi, and Garnet, Alex subtly glances upward and catches sight of two small figures observing from the shadows, one dressed in blue, the other in red jester costumes. Lucky for you two I dont have the chance to introduce you to a bit of icy hell, he thinks, smirking. "Consider yourselves lucky." Chapter 47: Through the Mist – The Village of Dali Alex and Zidane slowly make their way over to the rest of the group. Somehow, Zidane seems energetic, even though he collapsed just minutes ago. Alex, however, feels spent. After risking his life and surviving a death battle, he cant act like an unbreakable soldier. He thinks he did a brilliant job during the fight, but pretending to be invincible isnt his style. S~ea??h the ovlFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The others, now on their feet, stand in a peaceful silence as the snowstorm settles, casting a serene look over the area. Hey, is everybody okay? Zidane asks. Steiner, clearly irritated, demands to know what happened, accusing Zidane of hiding something or, worse, behaving improperly with the princess while she slept. Garnet scolds Steiner for the rude accusation, but Alex shakes his head. Is this a circus? Sorry, Zidane, but downplaying what just happened isnt a smart idea. The others, especially Vivi and Garnet, have a right to know. Steiner turns to Alex, eyes narrowed. What happened? Alex explains, detailing the encounter with a tall black mage, resembling Vivi who cast a sleep spell over them. He goes on to describe how he and Zidane woke up and were forced into battle with an enemy who summoned a formidable creature called Sealion. We nearly died, no joke! I dont understand how you can act like nothing happened, Zidane. He called himself Black Waltz No. 1, and if theres a No. 1, it only makes sense there is also a No. 2 and a No. 3. We have to be careful! Their goal seems to be capturing the princess. Steiner''s expression turns grave as he looks at Alex. What are you saying, Alex? Are you implying the queen would bring back the princess by force, even if it means killing us? Alex nods. Captain, Im not certain, but I know what I saw. We should talk more about this later. For now, the storm has cleared, and we need to get out of this icy cave. After several more skirmishes, the group finally reaches the steep path leading upward. The area where Alex and Zidane fought Black Waltz No. 1 and Sealion has changed. The icy battleground is gone, replaced by a majestic, unfrozen waterfall, now flowing freely. Although Alex earns an additional 300 gil from the skirmishes, he feels drained from the exhausting battle. His mind and body are both taxed, worn from the trials of the day. At last, they approach a warm light spilling in through the path above, the way out. As they finally exit the cavern, the group steps out onto a series of cliffs, overlooking the landscape. They breathe in the fresh air, grateful to finally be above the mist. The warm sun shines down, filling them with relief and energy after the dark, cold cave. From the top of the cliffs, they spot a small village nestled in the valley below. Alex grins as he recognizes it immediately. "Dali its so much bigger in real life! Must be around fifty, maybe even a hundred houses." He appreciates the view as the others regroup, but Steiner and Zidanes bickering picks up again, just as Garnet declares her intent to leave the castle behind. From now on, please dont address me as Garnet. Id prefer Dagger, she says with newfound confidence. As they descend toward the village, Zidane tries to teach Dagger more common speech, though her refined tone lingers, making his lesson only moderately successful. Alex eventually steps in with his own opinion. Honestly, Zidane, we look suspicious as hell. Me and the captain in plate armor with all our weapons, Vivi well, being Vivi. Really, only you and Dagger pass as normal, but then theres your tail, and Daggers, uh, lack of local know-how. Hey! Dagger pouts, giving Alex an indignant look. I dont lack common sense just maybe a little sheltered, thats all. The group continues down the path, encountering a few small enemies along the way. Carve Spiders leap out from time to time, using their webs to slow them down, but with a bit of teamwork, they fend off the creatures easily, netting Alex another 200 gil. As the sun dips lower, painting the sky a warm orange, they finally reach the village of Dali. Tired and eager for rest, they spot an inn marked with a large, hand-painted sign. Inside, the innkeeper jolts awake at the sight of the unusual group. His eyes linger on Vivi, though Zidane mistakes it for him ogling Garnet, tossing a playful comment about it. After a quick exchange, Zidane pays for a room, and they all head upstairs to a larger dormitory with six simple beds lined up along the walls. Alex sighs in relief, noticing that there are actually enough beds for all of them this time, not just four as he remembered from the game. Dagger expresses her hesitation about sleeping in a shared room, but Zidane reassures her. Dont worry, Dagger. This is just how it is when youre traveling. Its completely normal. Already tired of the endless banter, Alex claims a bed near the corner, lying down with a sense of relief as he tries to block out Steiner and Zidanes ongoing debate. Nearby, Vivi flops onto his own bed and falls asleep almost instantly. An hour later, the room has quieted as everyone finally drifts off. With the group at rest, Alex takes the opportunity to open his chests, hoping for a useful item that might boost his combat strength. Probably just more Fantasy Coins or useless crafting junk, he mutters, bracing himself for disappointment but unable to shake a flicker of hope. [Chest] [Chest] Alright, lets open the green one first. Alex opens the chest with anticipation. [Steepled Hat] This hat... its ridiculous-looking and fragile but actually gives a small strength boost. Ten durability means itll barely survive a few magical attacks at best. My [Visor of Pluto] is definitely in another league, but I could probably find a buyer for this in the Fantasy Realm. No stat requirements, so technically anyone can wear it to get an extra strength boost. Not bad! Funny thing, though, I remember it being a steal option from Black Waltz No. 2 and No. 3, not No. 1, which we just fought. Guess the systems balancing out the increased difficulty by giving me better loot. Feeling lucky, Alex opens the next chest, his eyes gleaming with hope. [Frost Essence] [Sealion''s Might] Alex immediately loses any remaining drowsiness, fully realizing the significance of what he has obtained. This ring has high requirements, not only demanding an above-average MNA stat, since most people only have 1 point in it, as not everyone has the necessary arcane talent, but also a high SPR stat of 9, which Alex only reaches thanks to his Armor of Pluto. In addition, it requires the two foundational skills of MNA and SPR, each at level 1 rather than the initial level 0. Naturally, these high requirements make the ring unusable for nearly everyone who doesnt focus on magic, which Alex estimates to be around 95-99% of tutorial players, yet it brings amazing effects in return. It boosts Alexs MP by 30 points, essentially adding the equivalent of 3 points in MNA. Moreover, the ring grants the effect , increasing his Frost Resistance by 10% and making his frost spells 10% more effective. Since Alex is not a mage, the second effect might typically be useless, but thanks to his Genius Conjurer lvl 1 subskill, Arcane Medieval Armory, and his recently learned skill ealions Icewing Embrace lvl 0, this effect enhances his new skills properties, better duration, durability, damage, and frost resistance. This ring effectively raises the level of his skill by 1 without added mana cost! Furthermore, it scales with his level by enhancing the effect by 10%; at skill level 10, it would essentially add 2 full levels to this ability. Alex considers how much frost resistance he could reach at level 10, calculating it would surpass 100%, could that grant him not only frost resistance but frost absorption? He cant wait to find out! Now, with this new item, not only can he cast his Conjuration skill twice in a single battle, but its also far more effective. This item suits Alex perfectly, and he predicts hell keep it for a long time if he survives this mission. Alex decides to sleep without conjuring any grenades, feeling drained after the day''s trials and calculating that they would disappear in just a few hours after waking up. Ill make a few after some rest, he thinks, still holding onto his new ring, its beautiful blue gemstone gleaming exactly as it did on Sealions chest, though now smaller. He admires the ring one last time, then closes his eyes, a satisfied expression settling on his face. Today had been a turning point; he had not only learned a new ability and acquired a powerful ring but also gained valuable combat experience. As he drifts off, he feels a deep sense of accomplishment. Chapter 48: The Peaceful Village of Dali, Taking Candy from a Baby! Alex wakes up as a sharp light hits his eyes, realizing the sun is reflecting off his shiny new [Sealion''s Might] ring, casting its glare right into his face. Hehe, interesting alarm clock, Alex mutters, kissing his new ring, completely forgetting its previous location, etched into the chest of a giant ice monster. As Alex gets up, he notices that only Zidane is still sleeping. Guess the protagonist always wakes up late, huh? he chuckles to himself. Theres much to do and many important decisions to make. I better get my game on, hehe! Making a bad reference to one of his favorite anime series, Alex pulls out his stack of Tetra Master cards while heading toward the village weapon store, run by a young shopkeeper named Eve. In the game, Garnet could befriend her later. Even though its only been a few days, I miss playing. Might as well take some cards off her hands, hehe. Instead of heading directly to the store, Alex takes a short detour around the peaceful village of Dali, discreetly conjuring a few grenades and stashing them right away. There is a windmill turning lazily in the breeze, countless smaller homes, each housing a single family, and a medium-sized vegetable farm that seems just big enough to sustain the population. Too small to export anything, though, Alex notes. The village has a few medium-sized buildings like a bar and some local facilities, as well as the mayors large house. Ill pay you a visit soon, Alex thinks gleefully. Along the way, he only occasionally spots children playing and some older villagers tending to light tasksworking the farm or handling things inside the few village buildings. No working adults in sight. Alex knows the secret of the village: most of the adults are underground, working in a hidden facility that produces Black Mages using machines powered by mist energy. As a child, Alex had loved Dali for its peaceful, serene atmosphere. But now, seeing it with adult eyes and knowledge, the villages dark underbelly disgusts him. The village leaders and the working adults are sick war criminals, Alex thinks bitterly. Their greed led them to abandon the hard but honest life of farming, instead producing soulless weapons of war, machines that would go on to cause untold suffering and nearly destroy entire kingdoms. Unforgivable, Alex concludes, his mind focusing on the villages mayor, who is hinted at being a corrupt, greedy, and unpleasant individual. In the game, this is never explored in depth, and worst of all, the mayor never faces any consequences for his crimes. As Alex finishes his little stroll, he heads back to the weapon store, which stands just across the street from the inn. He is now secretly in possession of six deadly Annihilation Grenades, but his MP pool is completely drained. Since I have 110 MP now and my MP regenerates relatively quickly, I was able to conjure six grenades, though my head hurts like hell, Alex thinks, satisfied. This is so convenient. I should always remember to have a few of them ready. It doesn''t matter who I face. If I bombard them with enough grenades, theres nothing I cant take down, as long as they hit their target and dont get dodged or deflected. Alex enters the store and is immediately greeted by Eve, the young shopkeeper, who seems excited to finally have a customer. "Welcome! Wow, are you a knight? Your armor looks so cool! Youre like the dark prince from one of my favorite stories," she exclaims with bright eyes. Hello, young lady. I am indeed a proud Knight of Pluto, though Im not a prince, Alex replies, smiling. "But it makes me happy that you think I look like one." Yeah, the prince in the story is the antagonist who starts a huge war, takes over the neighboring kingdom, kidnaps the princess, and gets defeated by the hero and the princess in the end. "Wait... do I look like some war-hungry villain to you?" Alex cant help but ask, slightly concerned. Yes! You look exactly like that! Youre really cool though! You look like youre secretly plotting a murder even right now. But youre beautiful and cool, so I forgive you, she replies, giggling. Alex feels a chill run down his spine. ...Lets just drop that. I want to see what youre selling! he says, trying to brush off the creepy accuracy of her comment. "She cant know what I have planned... right?" Alex thinks, feeling genuinely uneasy. He starts browsing through the store, not expecting much after the disappointment of the Alexandria weapon shop that sold nothing but pathetic [Broadswords]. The Fantasy Realm places real value on items and equipment, Alex thinks to himself. "You have to risk your life to get them, whether its through quests, secrets, or the most common method: chests. Theres no way the Fantasy Realm would allow players to buy a bunch of powerful weapons in a simple store. Good gear in these worlds can decide whether you live or die." As he predicted, the shops stock wasnt exactly awe-inspiring, but to his surprise, it wasnt a complete letdown either! Among the usual items, Alex spots a few green-quality weapons and armor mixed in with the lower-grade gear. "Huh didnt expect to find any green items in here," Alex thinks, suddenly more interested than before. [Dagger] [Rod] sea??h th N??eFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. [Mage Staff] [Silk Shirt] 15/15 Alex also spots a variety of other white-quality items without special effects, such as the [Leather Hat], [Rubber Helm], and the iconic [Wrist], which triggers memories of the famous Cotton-Robe trick from the game. This crafting hack allowed players to combine a [Wrist] and a [Steepled Hat], costing 390 gil together, along with a 1000 gil crafting fee, to create a Cotton Robe that could be sold for 2000 gil, netting a profit of 610 gil out of thin air! Seeing this collection of gear, Alex instantly regrets spending most of his gil on healing items back in Alexandria, many of which have barely been touched aside from a single [Potion] and one [Eye Drops]. He reflects on his behavior during the tutorial in Navalia, where the trauma of barely surviving the night pushed him to make a firm decision, never to hold back and always spend his currency when necessary. But now, that strategy seems to have backfired, leaving him without the funds to purchase valuable items that could be sold for a good sum in the Fantasy Realm. Of course, Alex could sell those healing items, but he figures the profit margin wont be anywhere near as high as that of weapons or gear. This reveals a flaw in Alexs personality, he tends to swing too far to one extreme or the other. Back in Navalia, he had made the mistake of not buying anything at all and almost died because of it. In response, he overcompensated by going all-in on the purchase of healing items, opting for safety over strategy. When I buy a chocolate bar, I eat the whole thing. If I order a pizza, I immediately think about getting another one, instead of stopping halfway, Alex thinks, recognizing his lack of moderation. Even in the Fantasy Realm, Alex struggles to find a balanced approach. Instead of buying just a few healing items, he emptied his pockets and bought as much as he could, a decision that now seems excessive. Despite his recklessness, Alex reassures himself that this time he made a safer choice, though it wasn''t necessarily the best one. He had made up for it by defeating several monsters, but his funds are still low, only 4000 gil, leaving him unable to afford any of the basic light-green items in the shop. At least Alex is learning, though. Hes aware that he needs to work on acting with more balance in the future, and vows to be more mindful going forward. "I could buy the dagger," he muses, thinking of the [Dagger] for sale. "Not for me, since I already have the [Barbed Dagger], which is superior, but I could sell it later in the Fantasy Realm for a decent profit. Let''s decide later for now" I saw your note! You like to play cards? Im a pretty famous player, almost as good as my best friend Jack, who has some fame in Alexandria, Alex says, pointing to the note where the shopkeeper Eve challenges people to a Tetra Master game. WOW! Are you the masked devil? I heard rumors about a scumbag wearing a mask who conned a bunch of players out of valuable cards and gil, and it was all orchestrated by Jack. The player was a friend of his who also wore a similar-looking mask. ... I cant believe this. If this wasnt a child in front of me, Id have to take her down to silence her at this point, Alex muses. No, I know that guy, but its not me, he blatantly lies. ... I dont believe you, Mr. Knight! Lying is bad. I want to play you anyway! Im a good player, the best in the village! A few minutes later, Alex''s mood improves after he yanks the gray-quality Zaghnol card and four other low-quality cards out of her hand. Eve is nearly in tears after being totally wrecked by him, as he managed to win a "Perfect" game against her and is allowed to take her entire hand. You are the devil. Evil, evil masked devil! Your evil smile is a dead giveaway. Youre so mean! This shopkeeper is vastly different than the one in the game. This is weird! Alex cant help but notice. Her personality is way more vocal than in the game. Alex smiles. The world is a tough place. Youd better be grateful for some tough love He then remembers the cards, and it finally sinks in that he just wasted his time. He can only convert his ten most rare cards into FC at the end of the mission, and he already has one Light Purple and nine other rare cards, most of them Dark Green and Green. He even has a few Light Green cards that dont count toward the limit of ten. Winning gray cards from this brat was a waste of time. "Too bad I cant sell them in shops... I dont need this crap." Youre so mean! I need cards to play against the others. The children of our village also love card games, and you just took five away from me, which wouldve allowed one more child to play. Alex suddenly feels his necklace react to that and he tries tapping into it again. Im just kidding a bit, my young friend. Im in a bit of financial trouble, but I would never take advantage of weaker players and ruin their fun by taking away their cards. A knight and pro player like me doesnt act that way! Take this. He then removes his ten rarest cards from his stack and gives her the entire pile of cards: 47 in total, plus the five he just won from her. Mostly gray, but also quite a few white and a few rare Light Green cards. Alex sees the usual blue flash, not particularly strong but also not weak. Eve looks at the cards, shocked by Alexs generosity. Wow, thank you, Sir Knight! She then examines them closely, her eyes lighting up. Some of these I havent even seen before! Theres even a Nymph card. Shes so cute! I only heard rumors about her, and she looks beautiful in this card picture! Hmmm, what could I give you in return? she ponders. Alex plays it cool. No need for anything, really... I cant expect a small girl to give me something valuable, manipulating her by treating her like a child, even though she is the same age as Zidane and Garnet. Give me something good you damn brat, NOW! he thinks to himself. Youre a knight! Your equipment looks good, but knights always need weapons, right? Ive got this old sword we used when monsters roamed our village years ago. Nowadays, we dont need to fight ourselves because of all those puppets ah, forget about that. Here, you can have it. Its a bit used, but still in decent condition. [Iron Sword] Alex smiles. Thank you Im grateful. Eve also smiles but is slightly distracted by her giant new card collection. No problem, thanks for the cards. Looks like that was worth the trip. This sword is in very good condition. Thirty-five durability is more than most other green weapons, and the stats are great. It has more damage than the [Solid Marine Saber] and an effect that seems useful to break through enemies guards. If they keep blocking with shields or weapons, sooner or later, this weapon will break through. Im sure this sword will sell for a decent amount of FC. Definitely worth dumping my cards here instead of letting them waste away once the mission is over. Alex heads out of the shop, his light and happy expression turning grim. The fun and nice things are done. Now, Ive sworn to throw away my weakness and fight for my survival... by any means necessary. Time to prove it. He moves toward the Mayors house with dark conviction. Chapter 49: The Mayor? Haven’t Seen Him! I Am Looking for Vivi! Alex walks toward the center of the village, carefully observing his surroundings. He watches the children playing and the elderly working, noting that no one seems to be anywhere near the mayors house, despite its central location. I remember one of the entrances to the secret underground lab is at the mill connected to the mayors house, he thinks. He makes his way toward the mill, recalling the place where Vivi is later kidnapped by the villagers and dragged underground. Alex hops over the small wall, remembering a huge stack of gil and a key item hidden in a chest in the game. As expected, there is no magical chest filled with riches here, but Alex does spot a small, reinforced warehouse nearby. He tries to enter but fails. Should I use my grenades to blow it up?... No, that would lead to chaos, and Id probably end up fighting half the village. The group wouldnt agree with taking care of them, and honestly, I dont want to go down that road either. That''s not me. I shouldnt change the story too drastically, or I risk getting cut off from the group. Examining the warehouse closely, Alex mutters, Looks like I need a key and I know where to find it! He leaves the place surrounding the mill for now, knowing that Zidane enters without trouble later in the story. Alex decides to gamble, relying on his high CHA and his Basic Eloquence lvl 1. He glances around to make sure no ones watching and then boldly enters the mayors house. The mayor glares at him, looking as though someone has just stepped on his toes. I am the mayor of this village, and this is my private residence. Who are you? Im very busy, please leave! Feeling offended, Alex takes a step forward, meeting the mayors eyes. Mayor, I know exactly where I am, and I know who you are are you blind? Dont you see the emblem on my armor? I am Alex, a newly appointed special member of the Knights of Pluto, personally selected by Queen Brahne and recommended by General Beatrix herself! His necklace pulses, empowering him as he draws his [Sword of Pluto]. Dont you recognize this armor and weapon? Or do I need to show you up close? A vivid red flash fills Alexs vision, and the mayor looks as though he might wet his pants. The cowardly mayor stutters, dropping to his knees. I-Im sorry, Sir Alex! I didnt recognize you! Alex calms him down: Mayor, get up, he says, pulling him to his feet. I am traveling here by myself to avoid drawing any attention to my mission. I arrived with some rather peculiar companions. One of them even looks similar to a black mage created by your village but it must be my imagination, right? This one is only half the size of a real black mage, so its probably just a coincidence. He pauses briefly, eyeing the mayor. Anyway, the queen is quite satisfied with your shipments. Theyll be put to use and tested soon enough. Ive also been informed that an airship is scheduled to arrive today to transport another shipment directly to the castle, correct? The mayor, now convinced that Alex is who he claims to be, observes the magically radiant armor and weapons Alex carries. His knowledge of the black mages, the village, and even the airship further reassures him. That does sound strange, Sir Knight. A tiny black mage? You must be mistaken. All our products look the same. But how can I assist you? The queen has sent me to inspect production, Alex replies smoothly. She wants to accelerate the process. A lot more puppets are needed. Show me the facility, and Ill be sure to give you a glowing review, if you show me a bit of sincerity, lets call it. The mayor, believing Alex to be corrupt, smiles as he thinks, Good, this knight doesnt care about us as long as he gets his cut. Well, Sir Knight, if you would kindly follow me, he says, leading Alex not to the production facility but to the warehouse. Once inside, the mayor opens a large chest and pulls out a hefty bag of gil. Sir Knight, please dont misunderstand. This is just to ensure you remain anonymous during your stay in our village. It barely covers your time here, along with your meals. Im sure you understand. Alex sighs and shakes his head. Mayor, is this a joke? Should I execute you right now for corruption and appoint someone new? Im sure there are plenty of people eyeing your position. He unsheathes his sword, letting the cold steel glint in the dim light. The mayor begins to panic, stammering, What I meant I thought you wanted a bribe. Im sorry! Alex smiles coldly. Youre right. I did want a bribe. But not this pathetic offering of 10,000 gil. And you know what? Since were in this warehouse, far from prying eyes, I think Ill take the money and your life! Without warning, Alex charges at the mayor, clamping a hand over his mouth while driving his sword deep into him, finishing the job quickly and efficiently. No chest drop from him? Just as worthless as I suspected, Alex mutters. He then turns toward the chest and grins at the notification that pops up before him. Looks like he was holding out on me after all, Alex muses. He tries to pick up other items from the warehouse but finds nothing of value. With precision, he hides the mayors body in the previously locked chest, carefully erasing any trace of his presence. He locks the chest again with the key the mayor used and carries it outside, then securely locks the warehouse behind him as well. Alex decides to wear the [Steepled Hat], increasing his STR by 1, making him almost twice as strong as a normal man. With the added strength, Alex is able to carry the chest weighing nearly 160 pounds, with the thankfully small-bodied mayor inside. He proceeds to walk out of the peaceful village towards the cliffs. The walk takes a lot out of him, but 20 minutes later he reaches the cliffs and throws the chest downwards. "Problem solved. No clues left behind and one less evil in this world. Maybe now Dali will appoint someone who isnt as corrupt as this guy and end this madness." He switches back to his trusty [Visor of Pluto], transforming him into the stoic, high-class knight he usually appears to be. Alex returns to the village and enters the mill, seeing that the guard has left his position. He searches the mill carefully, and after 10 minutes, just as hes about to give up, he actually finds what he''s looking for. "[Aries]!" Alex nearly shouts in excitement. [Aries] Sear?h the ovlFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "This is insane! A LUK-increasing item? People would kill for this! Thankfully, my stats allow me to use it, but unfortunately, I wont get an actual LUK point, just a free stat point. Still, this is such a welcome find. Some key treasures are still here in these game worlds, though most standard chests are gone. I would''ve kicked myself if I hadnt bothered to look for this." Satisfied, Alex decides to return to the weapon store and use his newly found riches to buy the items he had wanted earlier. As he enters the store, he spots Garnet. "Hello, Miss Dagger. Are you shopping too?" he asks, trying to sound cheerful, though inwardly cursing his bad timing. Spending 30,000 gil in front of her would look suspicious. "Hello, Alex. Not really just looking around. Have you seen Vivi?" Garnet asks, her face showing slight concern. "No, I havent. Is he missing? Maybe hes just exploring the village?" Alex suggests. "Im not sure. Ill look for him," she replies, looking worried. "Ill join you soon. I just want to take a quick look at this store," Alex says, trying to buy himself some time. As Garnet leaves, Alex finally makes his purchase: [Dagger], [Rod], [Mage Staff], and [Silk Shirt], spending a total of 32,000 gil. With his Basic Eloquence lvl 1, he gets a 6% discount, paying only 30,080 gil and leaving him with 3,920 gil. Alex gleefully examines his newly bought items. "Should I buy medicine? Probably not worth it since the selection will likely be the same," he reasons. Instead, Alex decides to buy two [Wrist] items, noticing they are not limited in stock. "Is this a reference to the game where players used to buy 99 of these? Haha!" Alex cant help but smile. He spends a total of 3,760 gil, leaving him with just 160 gil, barely enough for a single night at the inn. [Wrist] "This is terrible... this item only protects the wrists, how can it even be rated as White? Guess this is the actual bottom of the barrel. I wonder if I can even sell this. Well, it doesnt matter!" Alex thinks. Suddenly, he hears it: [Warning. Player has used up 90% of his available inventory space. Please be warned that you may not pick up any more items if your inventory is completely filled.] Alex almost freaks out upon hearing the Fantasy Realm global system again after such a long time. I miss good old 1337, he muses. I wonder what it will say when I return with all these items, my new conjuration ability, my Knight of Pluto equipment, and my gold-ranked skill. I cant wait to rub it in its face. As Alex leaves the weapon store with his inventory nearly full, he is suddenly stopped by Zidane and Garnet. "Alex, we need your help! Vivi is gone! He''s locked up somewhere underground. We just spoke to him through a pipe!" Zidane says with urgency. "Ugh, no time to rest for me... back to fighting and risking my life, I guess," Alex grumbles. "I had my suspicions about this weird village! No adults around, just children and the elderly. How do we get underground though?" Alex adds, pretending to be confused by the situation. "Let''s check near the pipe we found... maybe the mill," Garnet suggests. The group heads toward the mill and discovers the entrance to the underground. As the round hatch opens and reveals a ladder, Alex sighs. "Guess it''s time for this part." As they enter the underground, Alex checks his inventory. Damn, I count 33 different items. The amount of items and the non system items dont matter since I had so many cards and random things in my inventory before. I think the base item capacity is 30, with maybe a 10% increase per level. That would leave me with no additional slots for new items. I need to throw something away, or I shouldve sold something earlier. No wonder Im losing track of my items. Once Im back, I should let 1337 reorganize my inventory, and I need to sell everything besides my current equipment, the mask, and maybe a few healing items. I forgot that even inventory space is a valuable and limited resource. Chapter 50: Dali Underground & Meeting a Chocobo Alex is angry, angry with himself. He didnt think about the item slot limit and now has a serious problem he desperately needs to solve! Snap out of it, you need to focus on what''s ahead of you. If you need space, throw away some gray food items. You may lose out on a few hundred FC, but who cares when your bags are filled with items valued at tens of thousands of FC! Alex tells himself, trying to reign in his perfectionist character, fighting the urge to Reload, a thought bordering on insanity. As the group enters the Dali underground, they sneak along tight passages carved into the heavy rock. The stone down here reminds Alex of the cliffs he had visited earlier to get rid of the problem he caused. Damn, this facility isnt just big, its huge. Such a small village, but the underground is nearly as big as the village itself. Did they build the village over some sort of cavern? This would take ages to construct, at least part of it must be natural. They spot a group of men standing near a small building next to a chocobo, apparently used to transport goods through the facility. The men discuss the Mayor, his brother, and mention Vivi who stands besides them looking scared. Zidane wants to rush in and rescue him immediately, but Garnet pulls him back, dragging both him and Alex along with her. Look at those giant barrels! Do you see the pattern on them? Garnet points out. Ive seen that same pattern on barrels in the castle before. I need to figure out whats going on here. I want to save Vivi more than anything, but if we fight these people now, we might miss out on the truth. Lets wait a few more minutes before we chase them. Theyre close by, and we wont lose them. I dont agree with this, Alex mutters, his tone firm. His time with the group is coming to an end, and he cant help but reveal his true thoughts. You might be putting Vivi in danger. I know you want to investigate the connection between this place and the castle, but you could still do that after knocking out those kidnappers. Your need to avoid conflict is currently more important than saving Vivi. These people clearly arent up to any good, and they dont look very strong I No! Perhaps youre right. Lets save Vivi! Garnet says, her voice hesitant but determined. Alex nods, his voice softening. For now, since weve committed to a stealthy approach, lets stick with that. But the next time we see him, we free him, no matter the consequences. Agreed? Garnet meets Alexs gaze earnestly. Yes! Thank you. Lets go already, Zidane urges, clearly impatient. They all move forward, deeper into the underground, preparing for whats next. They search the small hut for clues but find nothing of note. Alex, however, uses the time to examine the chocobo nearby, even giving it a gentle pet. Despite the tense situation, Alex is amazed by the giant yellow bird-like creature. He hasnt seen a chocobo since arriving in Alexandria, and now, standing before one, he marvels at its majestic yet practical nature. Despite their remarkable appearance, chocobos are essentially used as substitutes for horses, donkeys, and even oxen depending on their owner''s needs. This particular chocobo appears to be used for heavy labor, mainly the transportation of goods. What a waste, Alex thinks, admiring its strength. He has always wanted to ride a chocobo, knowing they are incredibly fast. He remembers the fun chocobo races from Final Fantasy VII. Way cooler than those suicidal pod races, he muses with a grin. Alex, whats wrong? Never seen a chocobo before or what? Zidane calls out, snapping Alex out of his thoughts. Honestly? No, I havent, Alex admits with a sheepish smile, surprising Zidane. You soldiers in Alexandria really dont get around much, huh? Zidane remarks, sounding puzzled. Im pretty new there, Alex replies. Before that, I lived in a small, peaceful village in a forest with my father. I didnt get out much. Ive heard plenty of stories about chocobos, but they arent really suited for living in the forest, so this is my first time seeing one up close. Alex blends truth with lies, not wanting to reveal anything about the Fantasy Realm. Garnet looks at him, curious. Why did you decide to join the Knights of Pluto, Alex? Their reputation isnt exactly... stellar. Alex chuckles softly. Well, Dagger, I was tired of being isolated and cut off from the world. I wanted to become a better fighter, and since Im a citizen of Alexandria, joining the Knights seemed like a good step. I wasnt looking for a great reputation, just an interesting, honest and worthwhile job. Strangely enough, this adventure is exactly what I dreamed about as a kid. Although, I could definitely do without the constant life-threatening battles. Im glad youre with us, Garnet says sincerely, looking at him with a soft, earnest expression. You feel like the older brother I never had. This is worse than being friendzoned, Alex cant help but think with a mental sigh. But given Garnets age and his recent luck with Jaine and Neira, he doesnt care much. He accepts the role willingly, grateful for the bond. Zidane, grinning from ear to ear, chimes in, Can I call you big bro too? Alex glares at Zidane playfully. Sure, little brother, but only if Im allowed to pull that tail of yours to make it more believable! Alex teases, tugging at Zidanes tail lightly, making the thief nearly jump out of his skin. Stop it, you two! Garnet scolds, though theres amusement in her voice. They continue exploring the underground facility, spotting countless chests, crates, and heavy equipment scattered around. Alex cant help but wonder, "What is all this junk? How is any of this relevant for producing black mages? Is this old farm equipment... and are those rusty weapons? Looks like they dumped all their obsolete gear down here." Among the piles, Alex also notices some triangular-shaped crates, instantly recognizing what they are meant to contain. After a brief walk, they hear strange sniffing noises. Curious, they retrace their steps, trying to pinpoint where the sound is coming from. Following the noise, they end up standing beside one of the special crates. A few moments later, they manage to free Vivi, who explains how he was kidnapped by some strange men. Apparently, they recognized him for reasons he couldnt quite understand, and out of fear, he just complied with their demands. They were talking about a strange shipment! Vivi adds, his voice trembling slightly. Sear?h the Novl?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Zidane, ever the big brother figure, gives Vivi a quick lesson in standing up for himself. Next time, you should say something like Get off me, you scumbag! he advises with a smirk. Not only will it scare them, but itll also make you feel stronger! Dont let people push you around, Vivi. Huh... I see, Vivi mutters quietly, still processing the advice. With Vivi back, the group decides to push ahead, although Zidane is visibly worried about him. Vivi, however, is more determined than ever to learn the truth behind the odd situation theyve stumbled into. Eventually, they come across a massive machine that continually spits out giant, round, egg-like objects covered in mist onto a conveyor belt. The conveyor belt is powered by a caged chocobo, forced to walk inside an oversized hamster wheel, a sight that reminds Alex of small pets running endlessly on their toys. However, this chocobo looks far from playful. It appears almost lifeless, with visible wounds across its body, clearly beaten into submission. Damn I shouldve taken down those scumbags when I had the chance! Alex thinks, an unexpected surge of anger rising within him. He suddenly feels the urge to shoot the next worker they encounter. Zidane, oblivious to Alexs internal rage, spots a door. Whats beyond there? he asks, noticing the thick mist seeping through the wooden cracks. That same mist is coming out of the machine... looks like the doors tough to open. Alex, sensing danger, interjects. Maybe we shouldnt open that door. Mist usually means mon But before he can finish, Zidane ignores his warning and pushes the door open. Suddenly, chaos erupts as a loud screech pierces the air, Garnet unleashing a terrified scream as something emerges from the mist beyond the door. Chapter 51: A Glitch in the Matrix – Exploit Detected! As Garnets shrill scream echoes through the underground facility, a swarm of "Ghost" enemies rush into the room. Unlike in the game, where there were only two, Alex is horrified to see ten of them charging at their small group of four. These ghosts not only cast fire and thunder spells, but they also use the osmose ability to drain MP from their enemies. Oh shit! I need to do it now, theyre all grouped together! Alex immediately reacts, pulling out not one, not two, but three Annihilation grenades. He throws them into the swarm, using up half of his prepared grenades in one go. Stealth is no longer an option, and with no villagers nearby, it''s time for an all-out attack. The ground shakes from the blasts, and Alex feels the sting of shrapnel hitting his armor, though it causes no damage thanks to the distance away from the impact and the strength of his Armor of Pluto. The explosions cause a whirlwind of damage notifications to appear in front of him, but Alex ignores them, focused on the battle at hand. Despite the heavy assault, five of the Ghosts survive the blasts, having been quick enough to evade the full force of the explosion. They immediately retaliate, launching fire and thunder spells at the group, with Alex taking the brunt of the attack since he placed himself at the front. "Use your White Magic on them! Theyre undead!" Alex yells at Garnet, gritting his teeth as his MP is drained. He raises his shield, blocking incoming strikes while using his sword to keep the ghosts at bay. Zidane leaps into the fray, spinning and slashing with his daggers, his movements quick and agile as he cuts through the flying enemies. Vivi, seeing the chaos, unleashes a massive "Fire" spell, pushing the Ghosts back with the blast of flames. Garnet begins charging a "Cure" spell, knowing that her healing magic will harm the undead enemies. Meanwhile, Alex and Zidane work together to take down one of the Ghosts, with Alex slamming his shield into the creature, forcing it to stumble back into Zidanes waiting daggers. The sharp blades slice through the ghost, killing it. Garnets spell finally goes off, bathing the room in a soft, healing light that deals devastating damage to the remaining Ghosts. All but one are obliterated by the power of the spell. The last surviving Ghost tries to flee, retreating towards the now open door. Without missing a beat, Alex calmly draws his trusty [Mr. 5s .44 Caliber 6-Shot Revolver] and, with precise aim, fires a single shot. The ghost disintegrates into mist, its presence vanishing as the room finally falls silent. He gets a total of 840 gil from killing six Ghosts, which makes his OCD jump with joy as his gil count returns to a cool 1000. The group hears footsteps and screams behind them. Alex quickly comes up with an idea: Inside the gate! The villagers wont follow us, they most likely fear the monsters! The group enters the area behind the door Zidane had just opened, next to the production area with the conveyor belt. As they step inside, they are greeted by a thick cloud of mist, seeping down from the surface like rolling waves. The mist is drawn into a giant machine, which connects to the one spitting out eggs in the previous room. It seems the two machines are part of the same process, linked through the walls. "Born from mist no wonder their lives are as fleeting as the mist itself," Alex thinks, finding it all deeply ironic. They are turning the mist into partially sentient creatures, some of which behave almost like real humans. His eyes rest on Vivi, who still hasnt fully grasped what is about to be revealed. Poor guy, Alex muses. He checks his status screen, glancing at his current HP and MP: He took 30 damage in the fight, and his MP was drained by the Ghosts. He also used 1 MP per grenade activation. "Not worth using an item just yet. Ether is most effective in the heat of battle," he decides, before calling out, Dagger I could use some healing! Garnet immediately casts a healing spell, giving Alex a thankful smile for protecting her and the others from the ghosts. Alex goes through his usual routine of checking the area for hidden items, but to his disappointment, he finds nothing. Unlike in the game, it seems the secret treasures have been removed, or perhaps hidden even more effectively. "Lets get out of here before more monsters show up. The villagers are hopefully gone by now, and if not, well figure something out," Zidane says. Alex stops suddenly. Theres one more thing that I think needs to be done, he mutters to the group which looks at him with confused looks. He considers conjuring a fresh Annihilation grenade but quickly decides to take out the "oldest" one from his inventory instead. Gotta be smart and manage my grenades logically, he reminds himself. Holding the grenade in his hand, he activates the fuse and tosses it directly into the weird, evil-looking machine thats sucking up the mist. Seconds later, the explosion rips through the machine, leaving it in complete ruin, probably beyond any hope of repair. Alex smiles, satisfied with the destruction, and is about to turn back to the group when something catches his eye. A glimmer of light from inside the wrecked machine. Curious, he moves closer and discovers: [Mist Synthesizing Crystal] Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Unable to pick it up due to his full inventory, Alex quickly discards his lowest value item: [Freshly Baked Pumpkin Bread] x2. [Warning: Player has dropped an item. Please be aware that the dropped item will disappear if not picked up within 60 seconds.] Relieved, Alex snatches up the crystal and wastes no time using it. Worst case, I break even with 1 stat point gained and 1 stat point lost but maybe he trails off in thought. BROKEN! THIS SKILL IS BROKEN! Alex laughs loudly, overwhelmed by his unbelievable luck. His laughter confuses the rest of the group, who stare at him, unsure what to make of his sudden outburst. He quickly remembers the discarded bread and rushes to pick it up before it vanishes. Feeling oddly celebratory after his newfound exploit and wanting to savor the moment, Alex decides to eat one of the pumpkin breads, leaving him with just one portion. [Freshly Baked Pumpkin Bread] Damn, this is delicious! A bit of extra HP regen cant hurt before the next fight, Alex justifies, feeling pleased with his decision. As the group heads back out, they make sure to securely fasten the door behind them, effectively sealing it and buying some time before any more monsters can break through. Alex pulls up the exact description of his innate skill Statistical OCD lvl MAX, filtering through the relevant part. "There it is!" he exclaims, his eyes narrowing as he reads. Stat Distribution Limitation: The player cannot freely distribute stat points. They must use 4 stat points to raise all stats by 1 evenly. Stat Conversion: Stats gained through special items (e.g., potions, artifacts) are automatically converted into regular stat points, which must also be distributed evenly. "No way, this is a clear exploit but also an oversight by the Realm or maybe theyre aware of this interaction and still consider it a bane! It''s written right there, plain as day. ! But there''s no mention of stats through special items. The same weird loophole that happened after my awakening is happening again. My innate skill really embodies my greed and obsession with perfection in character creation. Im so lucky!" He realizes what this means, and his excitement grows. "I need to keep an eye out for items that raise stats but come with heavy downsides. It seems I can just ignore any permanent stat decrease, thanks to this skill! Although, it only seems to work on permanent changes, so I better not get too reckless. It doesnt matter if I lose 10 stats, as long as the item brings me a single increase, its a net positive for me. I just need to find those rare items! This item was only deep green but has the same value for me as the blue items I used before to increase my stats" They continue their investigation of the Dali underground, moving quickly toward a new area where the eggs are hatched. Alex strides ahead with a renewed, almost euphoric energy, feeling like he can take on the entire world. "Im going to be invincible! Guilds? Who needs them? Im a one-man army! Im superior!" he thinks, a bit drunk on his newfound potential. As they move forward, he pulls up his status screen, eager to see that hes just one stat point away from raising all his stats by 1 again. His confidence soars. He envisions a future where his stats are perfectly balanced, where every stat increase brings him closer to perfection, and nothing can stand in his way. Chapter 52: The Truth Revealed – The Conundrum of Decision Making As the group walks toward the end of the underground facility, they can barely see the massive assembly line to their left through tiny windows. Are those eggs hatching behind the windows? I cant see clearly, Zidane asks with a worried expression. Alex glances at Vivi, a small blue flash appearing in his eyes. Kneeling down, he places a hand on Vivis shoulder, speaking softly, Vivi, whatever youre about to see, stay calm. Youre different. I swear on my life. Vivi looks up at him, confused. What do you mean, Alex? Immediately, Alex questions himself for acting on instinct. "What are you doing? These are just characters! Why are you getting involved emotionally? Youre exposing yourself, making them suspicious of you! What benefit does this bring? Your life is on the line! Stop with the sentimental nonsense! Alex takes a deep breath, trying to regain composure, feeling the need to justify his actions. He then says more calmly, The enemy we fought in the Ice Cavern, the way he looked similar to you the villagers reactions, like they know you but are puzzled youre walking around. The connection to the castle, the empty crates, the eggs I have a bad feeling about this. Youll understand soon enough. Lets keep moving. As they pass through the dark section where the eggs hatch, they finally come face to face with a sight that leaves them speechless. Countless black mages, larger than Vivi but with similar features, are being transported along the assembly line to a packaging facility, ready to be boxed up and shipped like products. Both Vivi and Garnet are visibly shaken, each grappling with their own turmoil. Zidane, staring at the scene, mutters, They all look like Vivi. Maybe some small differences, but the resemblance is obvious. Suddenly, footsteps approach. Zidane, on alert, whispers urgently, Someones coming. Vivi, Dagger, Alex, stay sharp! Vivi trembles. Are they dolls? What what am I? Garnet, equally shaken, questions her mothers role in all of this. Why is she doing this? Could she really be behind everything? As they try to process their shock, Zidane hears the villagers footsteps getting closer. In a panic, he pulls the two pondering companions into the packaging room to hide, hoping to avoid detection. Alex, however, knows exactly whats coming. Instead of following them and hiding, he calmly leans against the wall, allowing the villager to spot him. The villager, alarmed, immediately confronts him. WHO ARE YOU? WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?! Alex shows him the Mayors key still in his possession. Inspecting the facility by order of her royal majesty, Queen Brahne. Show some respect or my good mood might take a turn, and trust me, that wont be good for your health. As he says this, Alex brandishes his favored tool of intimidation, the mighty [Sword of Pluto]. As usual, a red flash flickers in his eyes, its source once again his [Commander Shepards Dog Tag], powered by his Basic Eloquence lvl 1 and 12 CHA. The effect triggers an emotional attack that a simple village worker has no chance of handling. At this point, Alex is practically a master of intimidation, well ahead of most players in the use of tools to manipulate people. This being the first real-world hes traveled to, the characters reflect that level of strength. A normal player wouldnt be expected to possess a Deep Blue item focused on intimidation, along with a basic skill of the Charm stat at level 1, and 12 points in CHA. Even without the dog tag, Alex could likely lie or intimidate successfully. But with all these factors combined, his intimidation is highly effective, especially against non-combatants. Sorry, I didnt know! stammers the frightened worker, a simple henchman with no real will of his own, blindly following orders. Of course, he believes Alex. Lacking the strength or reason to question him, the worker succumbs to Alexs blend of logic, charisma, and intimidation. His words seem reasonable, his presence too commanding to doubt, and the threat of force too real to ignore. Of course you didnt. My good friend, the mayor, doesnt pay you to know everything. Now, get back to work. The queen expects the next shipment of goods soon! The worker scurries back toward the others, who overheard the exchange. They continue loading massive barrels, each containing crates filled with black mages, just like the group that got packed into crates earlier. Sear?h the N?velFire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Hurry up! The ships already here if the schedule Ive got is accurate! Yes, sir knight! The transport ship landed just moments ago. Were preparing the final barrel now! Hmmm, good job. It seems the queen will be pleased. Youre in luck, when the queens happy, it means more business for your village and maybe even a pay raise! Hearing the promise of more business and pay, the workers ears perk up, and they smile awkwardly. Thank you, sir knight! Alexs head hurts a bit, but overall, he feels good. His necklace is a double-edged sword, amplifying his emotions and pushing his behavior to extreme degrees. "Why do I feel so good after doing this? Using the threat of murder to influence people has become so normal to me... and I just killed the mayor because I think hes responsible for the upcoming war. Is this really okay?" While the necklace is a useful tool for manipulating others, it makes Alex highly susceptible to external influences. If he feels a strong dislike or affection for someone, he cant help but act on those emotions. His earlier reaction to his innate skill surprising him threw him off balance, putting him in real danger of being blinded by arrogance, only caring about himself and viewing others as inferior. Meanwhile, his empathy for Vivi pulled him in the opposite direction, which was also an irrational response in these circumstances. "I need to be careful not to let this necklace drive me crazy," he chastises himself again. Alex leaves the facility as the workers prepare for cleanup, having already delivered the barrels, now waiting for the cargo ship to pick them up. As he exits, he spots Steiner, who, as Alex knows, has spent the entire day investigating, trying to find a way to bring the princess back to the castle. Steiner might as well have slept in, and nothing would have changed. His CHA & INT stats are probably only at 2 or 3 seeing how bad he is at gathering information, Alex chuckles to himself. Steiner ruthlessly stabs his sword into a large barrel after noticing it shake slightly, inspecting its contents. Who in their right mind stabs into random objects like that? Does he expect the goods to scream, I just got damaged, or does he expect people inside and wants them to cry out in pain after being stabbed? Neither makes sense, Alex muses, somewhat relieved to realize that those around him are acting even dumber and more irrational than he is. Unexpectedly, Zidane screams and bursts out of the barrel and punches Steiner square in the face. Alex stays hidden behind the cargo ship, near the underground exit, knowing who is about to show up. He prefers to repeat his strategy of ambushing the enemy rather than engaging in an open fight. Stats, skills, equipment, they all come second to the element of stealth. I took down the first Black Waltz with a single ambush. I need to focus on smart strategies to get through this. Concentrate!" Alex tells himself, determined. A few minutes later, the group is still arguing after crawling out of the crates. Everyone is criticizing Steiner for his reckless decision to stab his sword into the barrel. What if you hit the princess? Zidanes argument stings, and Steiner, enraged, starts blaming Zidane, as usual. By now, Alex understands that Steiner will always find a reason to blame Zidane; it''s simply part of his character. At this point, Steiner tries to claim that the transport ship, which everyone knows is headed to the castle, is actually flying to Lindblum. The obvious lie is immediately exposed, but Zidane signals to the rest of the group to keep quiet, hinting that he has a plan. At this point, as Alex predicted, Black Waltz No. 2 makes his entrance. Its an impressive display of magic and arrogance. He flies toward the group, teleporting multiple times around them, flaunting his powerful magical abilities and superior mobility. His appearance alone sets him apart from the regular black mages and Black Waltz No. 1. With imposing wings, a twisted hat sprouting horn-like shapes, blood-red gloves, and a colorful blue robe, he radiates menace. Black Waltz No. 2 orders Garnet to return to the castle, completely disregarding the rest of the group, showing no respect even to Steiner, who, in theory, holds a high rank within Alexandrias military. His arrogance is palpable. Garnet refuses to go back, and Steiners pathetic attempt at negotiation, offering to personally escort her to the castle, falls flat. Black Waltz No. 2, half-mad with superiority, declares that he is far beyond the capabilities of his predecessor, dismissing Steiner and the others as insignificant insects. Alex has to admit, Black Waltz No. 2 is definitely more dangerous than the first, probably three to four times as strong. But he isnt overly concerned. The real threat in their last battle wasnt the Black Waltz himself but the Sealion monster he summoned. This time, it''s five against one, and Alex knows he has the element of surprise. The Waltzs arrogance blinds him to the group''s potential, and more importantly, Alex knows that Black Waltz No. 2 cant attack Garnet, he is bound by his orders. This gives the party a significant advantage since Garnet can freely heal them without being in any real danger. As the battle begins, the group struggles to keep pace, but Garnets consistent healing keeps them on their feet. She casts her potent Cure spell across the entire group, completely unimpeded by Black Waltz No. 2. Meanwhile, Vivis magic proves highly ineffective. Each time he casts a spell, the Black Waltz counters with a stronger version of the same element. Vivis Fire spell is returned as a devastating Fira, forcing him to stop attacking and shift his focus to supporting Steiner, who deals the most damage using his magic blade. Watching this unfold, Alex hesitates. Should he intervene or let the group continue handling it? "The Waltz has taken a few hits but looks far from defeated," Alex muses. "I cant afford to sit back and let the group do all the work. I need time to grow stronger, eclipse other players, and dominate future worlds, but for now, I have to play it smart. I cant be too cautious or overly prideful. I need to make rational decisions." As Black Waltz No. 2 prepares to cast another spell aimed at Zidane, Alex spots an opening. The enemy remains still while casting, an opportunity Alex knows he can exploit. Zidane is bracing to dodge the spell, but Alex sees the moment to strike. Why change something that already worked? he thinks, remembering how he took down the first Black Waltz with a surprise ambush. "TIME FOR ACTION!" Chapter 53: Unleashing Sealion’s Terrifying Strength – The Battle against Black Waltz No. 2! As Alex finally commits to action, he pulls out one of his remaining two grenades, setting the fuse to precisely three seconds. With careful precision, he slides it across the ground so that it silently rolls directly under Black Waltz No. 2, who, due to his floating wings, is not grounded. Simultaneously, Alex activates his new ability: Sealion''s Icewing Embrace lvl 0. A sudden drain of 44 MP hits Alex, the cost slightly reduced by his innate skill Genius Conjurer lvl 1, cutting the drain by 12%. His entire body becomes encased in sharp, gleaming ice shards, his armor enlarging and wings of ice extending from his back. Cold mist seeps from his body, creating an imposing, ethereal aura. Alex feels as though Sealions very soul has merged with his own, gifting him terrifying, supernatural power. Black Waltz No. 2, highly sensitive to Mana, immediately notices the shift. His concentration on Zidane shatters, and he abandons his spell to focus entirely on Alex, glaring at him in shock. Taking advantage of the distraction, Alex fires a round from [Mr. 5s .44 Caliber 6-Shot Revolver] directly at the Black Waltzs face. Although the weapon''s special effect doesnt activate, Alex receives a pleasant surprise as he notices that his new ability enhances not only his melee attacks but also his ranged ones. His bullets now carry an icy, cold aura, adding frost damage to his strikes. As usual, Alex lands a critical hit by exploiting the enemy''s exposed weakness, his face shrouded in black mist. A heartbeat later, the grenade explodes. The fire blast hits Black Waltz No. 2 squarely, as the floating mage remains directly above the detonation point. Shrapnel flies into him, fire scorches his robe, and the sheer force of the explosion rocks the battlefield. S~ea??h the N??elFir.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Alex cant help but wonder how the enemy is still standing. Between the surprise shot to the face, the grenade explosion, four shards of deadly shrapnel, and the fire damage from the blast, the Black Waltz should have been done for. The ambush dealt a staggering 126 damage, followed by another 104 damage for a total of 230 damage, nearly enough to kill Alex twice over. Yet somehow, Black Waltz No. 2 still clings to life, shrieking in agony. DAMN KNIGHT! I AM SUPERIOR TO INSECTS LIKE YOU! YOU WILL REGRET THISDIE!! he bellows, enraged. He charges a Thunder spell at Alex, who grins. How can this guy be both nihilistic and stupid? Why use a thunder spell against me when fire would be the obvious choice? Cant he see the ice? Alex thinks, marveling at his opponents poor tactics. The spell hits, momentarily stunning Alex, but it only deals minor damage. A small piece of his icy armor shatters, but the bulk remains intact. Heh, thats all? Alex mutters, smiling. Just one durability point out of twelve. His Icewing Embrace proves more effective against magic than he expected. Thanks to [Sealion''s Might] and Genius Conjurer lvl 1 the base durability of his armor is boosted by over 20%, giving it two additional durability points. This allows Alex to withstand two more attacks of this caliber without much concern. He charges forward, cocks his revolver, and fires at Black Waltz No. 2. The mage, however, teleports a few meters to the right, narrowly avoiding the shot. But this maneuver brings him into range of the rest of the group. Zidane swiftly slices at the Black Waltz, cutting into one of his wings, while Steiner, empowered by Vivi, unleashes a mighty Blizzard Sword upon him. Frustration etches across Black Waltz No. 2''s face. Hes realizing the futility of battling five enemies alone. Perhaps hes even regretting not joining forces with the other Black Waltzes. Together, they could have easily overwhelmed the group. Reeling from the combined assault, the Black Waltz tries to focus on the others, casting another spell, but Alex is already upon him. With his shield and sword now radiating a cold, ominous aura, Alex leaps forward, smashing his shield into the mages face, sending him crashing to the ground. Before Black Waltz No. 2 can recover, Alex slashes down with his sword, cutting into him again and again, drawing agonized, distorted cries from the mage. AaaaaaAaaAAaaaaaHhhhhhhhh, he shrieks in agony. Desperate, Black Waltz No. 2 manages to teleport once more, but the effort is futile. He materializes a few feet in the air and immediately crashes to the ground again, his wounds too severe for him to fight or cast spells any longer. With a final, pained breath, Black Waltz No. 2 stammers, Why... why did I lose? His voice trails off as he succumbs to his wounds, his body shattering like fragile glass, still surrounded by the icy mist that lingers from Alex''s empowered strikes. Special Quest updated Mission: Gain the recognition of Pluto by killing the following 3 enemies: Black Waltz 1 - 1/1 Black Waltz 2 - 1/1 Black Waltz 3 - 0/1 Two down, one to go! Ah great, looks like chests dont count towards the item limit. I guess Im safe for now, Alex reasons. Better open it if I manage to survive this world. Theres only one step left. The group, however, stares at Alex, their faces filled with shock and awe at the might he just displayed. His appearance, covered in powerful ice armor, had been nothing short of mesmerizing. Alex deactivates his Conjuration ability, and his impressive ice armor crumbles away, turning into a large cloud of mist, revealing his usual armor underneath. Zidane grins. Wow, that was some fancy magic. I thought you were more of a black magic user, but no, youre clearly some kind of special blue mage! Theyre really rare. And I always thought blue mages just cast spells, but your blue magic looks different. Its more like a magical construct, isnt it? Really interesting! I wasnt aware of it myself Alex admits. I thought my magic was limited to my grenades, but after defeating Sealion, I suddenly felt something awaken in me. Yeah, blue magic is usually taken from monsters, mimicking their abilities, Zidane explains, clearly intrigued. But yours seems super selective, youve only got two abilities even after all weve been through. But both of them are super effective. I like your style, quality over quantity, huh? Steiner nods in agreement. Most impressive! Thank you for your timely help! This criminal pretended to work for the queen, pah, what lies! He was just a criminal and kidnapper who was obviously trying to confuse us! Garnet shouts at Steiner, Steiner, did you not hear what he said? What is mother doing? She sent him to capture me! And this village, these puppets! Mother is behind all of it! You cant believe those lies, Princess! Steiner yells back. Those are all tricks! Steiner Garnet shakes her head in disappointment. Lets go back to the village. Steiner, you stay here and make sure they dont take off without us. But Princess Steiner stammers, his plan to trick the group into boarding the cargo ship bound for Alexandria slowly falling apart. Alex feels confused. "Shouldnt we be boarding the cargo ship now?" In the game, returning to the village was optional, but it always seemed like a convenience for the player, not a real plot point. "Well, why not? I have 1,000 gil to spare this might be my last chance to spend it. Plus, this break is a huge opportunity to regain my mana." Alex quickly does the math in his head: With 7 MNA, I regenerate 0.7 MP per minute. Even if we only take a 30-minute break, thats 21 MP, enough for another new grenade and its eventual activation. If we stretch it out to three hours, I can fully restore my mana pool. Smiling to himself, Alex quietly uses his mana to create another Annihilation Grenade lvl 1 and stores it, bringing his reserves back up to two. The group returns to the nearby village of Dali for the final time, while Steiner grumbles, blocking the villagers from loading the cargo ship and preventing it from taking off. A few black mages stand next to him, their faces blank, yet Alex swears he sees a flicker of confusion in their eyes, as if they cant comprehend the grand mystery that is Captain Steiner! Chapter 54: Preparations, the Cargo Ship, and a Last-Minute Plan As the group returns to the village, the mood has obviously changed. The villagers are confused, scared, and without leadership. Despite the chaos caused by Black Waltz No. 2, Alexs appearance as a supposed agent of the Castle, and monsters wreaking havoc underground, the mayor hasnt shown up, and the villagers dont know what to do. Alex just smiles slyly and explains to the group that he had to stretch the truth a bit earlier to avoid conflict with the villagers. Good decision, we dont want to fight them It seems theyre just following orders from the castle, Garnet says naively. Just following orders, Alex thinks, recalling the history of his own world and the weakness of that argument. What can you expect from a sheltered princess in a fantasy world? The group enters the inn, startling the lazy innkeeper, who cant understand why the black mage is still walking around freely. After resting for a little over two hours, Alex decides to conjure another grenade, figuring three will be enough. Not like I can keep using them on the cargo ship, or the thing might come crashing down! That would be a stupid way to fail the main mission, he muses. Zidanes words still linger in his mind: Blue mage, huh? Alex considers this, reflecting, I guess if I had to name my fighting style, ''blue mage'' would fit somewhat. But instead of casting spells, I combine physical conjurations of my enemies abilities with my body and use them as weapons and armor. Im more of a mix between a classic blue mage and a physical fighter, mostly a knight with a bit of a gunslinger thrown in. Overall, I make good use of my balanced stats and basic skills. Ive used all my core abilities since I got here, and I dont feel lacking in any direction The only thing I could use is a bit of healing, but I can cover that easily with items. Deciding to leave the inn early, Alex opts to spend his last 1,000 gil while he can. He enters the village bar, which also sells medicine. As expected, just like the store in Alexandria and Cinnas supplies, it carries the same three generic items hes already familiar with: [Potion], [Antidote], and [Eye Drops]. Without overthinking, he dumps his last 1,000 gil, exchanging it for 1 [Potion] and 1 [Eye Drops], filling his inventory to the systems limit, since these items are capped at 5 and 3, respectively. Alex checks his status, glancing over his full inventory. Hes tempted to open the chest hes been holding onto, but decides to wait until after the mission to increase his Luck further. Since its only a green chest, he figures theres no point in wasting resources by emptying his inventory now. Hell wait until his stats, including LUK, are higher. Its unlikely hell get anything useful for the final battle ahead anyway. As Alex strategizes, a sudden realization hits him. "My time in this world is almost over. Whether I die or succeed, Ill be leaving this world today!" Despite the danger and chaos, Alex has truly enjoyed himself. The first four weeks in the castle felt like a vacation. There wasnt a single day that was boring or that he regretted. "Lets not dwell on the good memories... Ill visit more worlds and make even better ones! Only one enemy stands in my way now, and he must die. Defeating him like the party did in the game wont be enough. I have to kill him, or Ill lose my entire armor set, my sword, and my shield, maybe even three stats. If my innate skill doesnt workwhich isnt guaranteed, since that kind of stat decrease comes from a curse, not an item, Ill be in real trouble." Alex walks out of the village. He had always dreamt of being here, but his actions have somewhat soured his view of the place. Hes eager to leave. He heads towards the cargo ship and sits beside the Knight, still blocking the villagers and black mages from continuing their work. "Hows it going, Captain?" Alex asks. "Its alright, young knight! This terrible nightmare will soon be over just a few more hours and well be back at the castle. Everything will make sense again," the captain says, his tone a mix of confidence and self-deception. Alex cant help but question him. "Do you really think so? Well, some things are just destined to be, I suppose. I think we should focus on keeping the princess safe. Thats the best thing we can do right now. Soldiers arent meant to think independently, but I think we ought to anyway Look at these villagers, endlessly producing these puppets. They seem to have only one purpose, dont they? Dont you see the danger in just closing your eyes and ''following orders,'' like theyre doing?" Steiner falls silent. "I I will think about it, Alex. But for now, youre right. Our sacred duty is to protect the princess. Can I count on your help?" Alex salutes, having genuinely enjoyed his time as a Knight of Pluto. "Yes, Captain Steiner!" Steiner smiles, though a bit uncertain. "I admit I dont know whats going on, but Im glad to have you with me on this journey." As Alex talks with Steiner, he notices the rest of the group approaching. "Lets do this, everyone!" Zidane says with a smile, clearly not intending to fly towards Alexandria. Alex observes that Garnet and Vivi dont look too worried, likely aware of Zidanes plan. Steiner, however, says, "Lets go. I cant wait to get back to the castle I mean to Castle Lindblum, of course!" Zidane: "..." Garnet shakes her head, and even Vivi giggles a little despite everything thats happened to him. Alex shakes his head as well, thinking, "You cant be serious, Steiner" The group climbs the ladder into the airship while the villagers and black mages finally load the last barrel onto the cargo ship. Alex hears Garnet shriek, followed by Zidane whispering something about soft. Knowing exactly what happened, Alex cant help but think, "What an idiot. Looks like hell be getting the silent treatment for a while. Too bad I wont have time to enjoy the comedy showI need to prepare!" The group stands on the bottom deck of the ship, staring at the roaring mist engine. It looks old but well maintained. S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Several black mages are busy with various tasks on board, yet none of them acknowledge the groups presence. Vivi desperately tries talking to them, but even he is ignored, making the poor guy seem even smaller than he already is. Alex feels an urge to help Vivi, but realizes he cant. Vivi needs to overcome these challenges himself. Instead, Alex rushes up to the main deck, his focus solely on his own survival. He knows exactly how Black Waltz No. 3 will make his entrance, and he thinks about setting up a trap, but he draws a blank. He isnt sure how to use his knowledge to gain an advantage. "I only managed to beat No. 2 by exploiting his arrogance for a surprise attack. And I only defeated No. 1 by getting rid of him quickly so I could focus on taking down Sealion. I cant afford to be arrogant and fight No. 3 without some kind of advantage! My life is on the line!" "Its too bad I cant use my grenades like mines I can extend the fuse for quite a few seconds, but its not a viable option since I can only activate the fuse when Im holding the grenade in my hand." "What can I use? Maybe I could hide under the deck and ambush him with my gun... No, hell be flying in Thats too obvious. Hed either spot me, or I wouldnt be able to aim properly." "Theres nothing on this dumb cargo ship I can use. Aside from the black mages, theres only the usual logistical materialsropes, some tools nothing Wait a minute... this rope" With no better ideas, Alex grabs a rope and frantically tries to think of a way to combine it with his grenades. He wishes he could summon MacGyver for advice. "That guy could make a mini nuke out of an old battery, some gum, and a few matches." Unfortunately, Alex isnt skilled at crafting. While he isnt dumb, anything related to makeshift engineering or inventing is beyond him. Instead of attempting some crazy solution, Alex decides to drop the idea altogether. "That wont work, or to be honest, I simply cant make it work." He could risk trying to build a bomb or something out of ship parts, but what if he damages the ship by accident? All in all, Alex feels helpless. "Even if its a fair fight, as far as I remember, Black Waltz No. 3 prefers thunder spells over ice and fire. I better use my new ability and try to force him into melee combat. I cant just stand a few meters away, jump in for a single attack, and then retreat like in the game. Thats just silly. Black Waltz No. 3 is much stronger than No. 2, but as far as I recall, hes not as tricky and cant use teleport." "What else is there to know? Hes arrogant, pure evil, and incredibly selfish, even disobeying his creators, Zorn and Thorn, and looking down on them. Think about the lore What is Black Waltz No. 3 really trying to do? Just like the others, he wants to capture Garnet because Brahne wants to extract her summons, which shes not yet powerful enough to use in combat Well, not unless you overlevel like crazy for days," Alex jokes, remembering players who did just that, trivializing the game to an absurd degree. "Wait a minute, summons! He wants to retrieve the royal pendant Garnet carries too, doesnt he? As far as I remember, thats also tied to summoning. Now what do I need? Just a small bag like that one!" Alex spots a small cloth bag lying around and immediately grabs it, treating it as if hes just found a treasure. "Do I use all three? No, thatll be too obvious from the weight and might even look suspicious just one it is. Set the fuse to three seconds perfect!" "I just need to hold it to activate it. I can feel it. I can activate this grenade through the bag. Perfect!" "Looks like I wont have to fight without an advantage after all Now it just depends on my acting and luck. At least Ive done my best even if it doesnt work, I wont have regrets. Hehehe, Black Waltz No. 3, I hope youll enjoy the little present Ive prepared for you," Alex thinks with a wicked grin, his methods of taking down enemies growing more cruel and sinister by the day. Chapter 55: Never-Ending Madness Suddenly, Alex feels the airship rapidly change direction. "Looks like Zidane took over and changed the destination from Alexandria to Lindblum. Hes flying straight toward South Gate, the massive round gate large enough for multiple airships to pass through at the same time." As far as Alex remembers, the gate can close relatively quickly. Since the mist in Gaia limits the maximum height airships can fly at, this gate is capable of stopping any unwanted airships from passing through. Alex walks toward the captains cabin and, as expected, sees the obvious: Steiner and Zidane are arguing. Steiner looks ready to hit him, while Zidane dangles from the ceiling by his tail, mocking the furious captain. "Some things never change," Alex thinks. Suddenly, a large group of black mages enters the cabin, silently watching Steiner and Zidane. Steiner desperately tries to explain whats going on, but the black mages show no reaction to his feeble attempts. For reasons unknown, they suddenly leave and head toward the front deck, as if sensing something. Alex joins Zidane and Steiner in the cabin, wanting a better view of what he expects to happen next. Once inside, Alex spots it: a large black mage, as formidable looking as Black Waltz No. 2, perhaps even more terrifying, wielding a mighty staff. It lands right in front of Vivi and Garnet on the front deck of the cargo ship, attacking Vivi with a powerful lightning spell that sends shock waves through the air. The group of black mages strangely allows Vivi and Garnet to retreat while they try to fight off the attacker with fire spells. What follows can only be described as a massacre. From the pilots cabin at the back of the airship, Alex and the rest of the group witness the spell-slinging battle unfold. Black Waltz No. 3 unleashes a devastating assault, bombarding the black mages with thunder spells. One by one, they fall off the airship. His spells are abnormally powerful, though somewhat unfocused and unstable, hitting parts of the cargogiant barrels filled with crates of black mages, stored on the left and right sides of the cargo ship rather than inside the main hull. Since the cargo consists only of these barrels, Black Waltz No. 3 essentially eradicates every black mage on board, except for Vivi. Now, only the group of five and Black Waltz No. 3 remain on the ship. "This guy is insane!" Alex yells, unable to contain his shock. Knowing what Black Waltz No. 3 is capable of is one thing, but witnessing it firsthand is another. In mere seconds, he slaughtered dozens of black mages. Vivi storms outside, screaming, showing real emotion for the first time. Alex can practically feel the rage emanating from him. "Hes out for revenge. We need to help him," he says. "Master Vivi, I shall assist you!" Steiner follows up, ready to back him up. Alex leaves the cabin as well, deciding to let Zidane handle giving Garnet the order to keep the ship on course toward South Gate. He hears Vivi confronting Black Waltz No. 3: "Why did you do this? Arent they your friends? Theyre the same as you!" The strongest Black Waltz arrogantly responds, "You fool! Do I look like some lowly black mage soldier?" Steiner steps forward. "Even if you are different, what you did was reprehensible. You killed them all!" Black Waltz No. 3 sneers, "Hahaha, worry not, many more are being produced!" Alex smirks a little, thinking, "Are you sure about that?" recalling what he had done to the egg-producing machine back in Dali. Zidane arrives and shouts at Black Waltz No. 3, "What are you?!" Black Waltz laughs gleefully. "Ah, looks like all of the princesss bodyguards have gathered. How very convenient! It wouldnt do you any good if I told you what I am, since youre all going to die, Kwahahaha! I will eliminate anyone who stands in my way!" He points his staff at the group, and Alex realizes he needs to act quickly. "Wait! If you dont stop your aggression right now, Ill throw this overboard, and the royal pendant will be lost forever!" Alex stands close to the railing, holding the small cloth bag over the edge. "What? You scum! Hand that over immediately! Do you have any idea how important that pendant is? Its worth more than thousands of black mages combined!" Alex responds, "Ill give it to you, but only if you fulfill one condition. Take this pendant and leave the ship immediately! If you promise to do that, Ill give it to you." Black Waltz No. 3 sneers again. "I dont care about you even the princess is of no importance. Give me the pendant, and I will leave. You can live another day... for now." Alex presses, "Do you promise?" Both Zidane and Steiner shout in unison, for once agreeing on something. "DO NOT TRUST HIM!" The Black Waltz giggles sinisterly. "Yes, I promise!" Alex pretends to contemplate his decision seriously. After a moment, he ignites the grenade inside the bag and calmly throws it toward Black Waltz No. 3. "Here you go!" Black Waltz No. 3 catches it eagerly. "You fool! Why would you trust me? I was obviously lying!" Alex laughs. "So was I." BOOM. Alex, instead of celebrating, pulls out his favorite weapon, [Mr. 5s .44 Caliber 6-Shot Revolver]. He activates Sealions Icewing Embrace lvl 0, feeling stronger than ever, and aims at his enemy, shouting to the rest, "NOW, ATTACK!" Vivi, still enraged, enters a trance, his body glowing in bright shiny colors with a hint of green. Alex has no time to inspect the changes in Vivis appearance and immediately fires his gun at Black Waltz No. 3, who stares back with pure hatred. "You didnt like that present, huh? How about this?" Alex taunts, firing again. "You scum! I exist to kill. I will kill you all!" Black Waltz No. 3 flies into the air, readying a powerful Thundara spell. Within seconds, the entire group is hit by the spells wrath. Even Alex, protected by his icy armor, feels the pain and force of the spell. Fortunately, his new ability reduces the damage significantly. Vivi retaliates with a double Blizzard spell, inflicting tremendous damage on Black Waltz No. 3, who becomes even more enraged, ignoring all attacks and focusing solely on retaliation. Steiner and Zidane attempt to strike the Waltz, but he uses his wings to fly higher, evading their attacks. Alex quickly readies another Annihilation Grenade lvl 1, setting the fuse to just 1 second before hurling it into the air. Miraculously, Black Waltz No. 3 uses his staff to deflect the grenade back toward the group, showcasing his intelligence, concentration, and quick reflexes. However, shortly after striking it, the grenade explodes, still close enough to injure him. BOOM C The explosion and three shrapnel shards hit him, though he barely avoids the flames. "I HATE YOU! DESTROY! I EXIST TO KILL YOU!" Black Waltz screams in rage. "Fuck yourself too!" Alex shouts, cocking his revolver and firing again. Despite his outfit and body already half-destroyed, Black Waltz No. 3 disregards the damage and casts his mightiest Thundara spell, not at the group, but directly at Alex. Desperate, Alex raises his [Shield of Pluto], fortified by his icy conjuration ability. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Vivi, relentless, casts another double Blizzard, causing the wounded puppet to cry out in agony. Black Waltz No. 3, however, despite his pain charges straight at Alex, using his "Hit" ability. This isnt the simple punch from the game but a blow infused with thunder energy. He strikes wildly at Alex, screaming incoherently, "KILLLL. DESTROY. KKKKKKIILLLL!!!!! YOU SCUMMMM!!!!" After three painful hits that slowly chip away at Alexs armor and reduce his HP by a small margin, it isnt Alex who collapses. Instead, Black Waltz No. 3 reels in agony, taking significant damage from Alexs frozen armor. The ice spikes embedded in his armor inflict cruel, grievous wounds, and Black Waltzs left arm becomes completely immobile. Grinning painfully but defiantly, Alex counters with a heavy strike from his [Sword of Pluto], the blow landing with brutal force. Black Waltz No. 3 stumbles back, barely holding himself together, clearly on the verge of death. Steiner and Zidane join the fray, landing another series of heavy blows. The now permanently crippled and nearly destroyed Black Waltz No. 3 leaps into the air. "Immpp...osss...iible. Huuumannn...usssing...Se...aaaalllio...oonsss pppowerrr..." he stammers, barely able to form words. "Mission...retrieve...Princess...Garnet...alive." In a final act of desperation, he jumps off the cargo ship, clumsily flying toward his airship. "No, you dont!" Alex shouts, throwing his last Annihilation Grenade lvl 1, at Black Waltz No. 3 and firing desperately to stop him from escaping. His attacks, however, miss as the cargo ship he is standing on speeds away, too fast for him to land a hit. "DAMN!" Alex curses in frustration, panic setting in. "Will he even give chase in that condition?" he wonders, unsure of what comes next. The wounded and glitching Black Waltz No. 3 flies toward the small, chaser-style airship following the cargo ship, terrifying Zorn and Thorn. Fearing his growing madness, they abandon the ship in panic. Despite his condition, Black Waltz No. 3 manages to reach the airship within minutes. He steers it towards the cargo ship screaming: KillMissionRetrieve Chapter 56: A Thrilling Descent and a F(l)ight to the Death! Alex checks his remaining HP and MP, trying to come up with a plan. He considers running to Garnet for healing, but shes busy steering the ship toward the rapidly approaching South Gate, and the rest of the group looks shaken up. "Forget it," he mutters, pulling out his [Freshly Baked Pumpkin Bread], [Navalia Wolf Jerky], [Potion], and the generic [Healing Potion]. He starts devouring the food and potions, watching his HP rise by 35 immediately and another 10 over the next 10 minutes, in addition to boosting his HP regeneration. "Damn, I missed with that last grenade! I dont have enough MP for another Annihilation Grenade lvl 1, and Sealions Icewing Embrace lvl 0" "Its not the best move, but I dont have a choice!" Alex decides to use his only [Ether], even though it and the [Potion] from before are only two-thirds as effective outside of battle. Alex feels a slight regret at having used up five items, worth at least 2,000 FC, not gil, but he values his chance to take down Black Waltz No. 3 more than the resources. As he slowly recovers, his half-destroyed ice armor finally collapses. He notices Vivi staring blankly at the hat of one of the fallen black mages. Meanwhile, Zidane, Steiner, and Garnet are desperately working to keep the cargo ship on course. Alex spots Black Waltz No. 3 in the distance, speeding toward their ship. Using the moment, Alex conjures a single Annihilation Grenade lvl 1. "One is all Ive got I better make it count," he tells himself. "Damn, this feels as close as it was in the game. Is this just fate, or is the game recreating the exact same scenario?" He shakes his head. "No, it isnt! Black Waltz No. 3 is flying even more erratically, trying to close the distance. His return to his ship took longer than it did in the game because hes more damaged than he was at that point." Alex wonders if he can even catch up at this point. He already sees the impressive-looking South Gate, a marvelous airship gate that feels completely out of place compared to everything else hes seen over the past few weeks. "Lindblums engineering and construction skills are far beyond Alexandrias, its not even a comparison. It would take decades for Alexandria to build something like this!" Alex cant help but stare at the massive gate and the fast-approaching Black Waltz No. 3. The gate is just a few hundred meters away, but to Alexs shock, Black Waltz No. 3 pulls up alongside their ship, flying dangerously close. He pulls out his [Mr. 5s .44 Caliber 6-Shot Revolver] and begins firing at him, shot by shot. "Damn, I wish I could fire faster! Damn world limitations!" Alex complains, frustrated as he shoots. After a few shots, he finally sees a notification that gives him a small sense of hope: It looks like the distance is reducing the revolvers firepower somewhat. Unfortunately, its not enough. Alex watches in horror as the crazed Black Waltz charges up a massive thunder spell, steering his ship toward the cargo ship. Though Alex cant make out the words, he hears the sickening sound of his maniacal cackle. At that moment, Vivi unleashes his most powerful fire spell yet, striking Black Waltz No. 3 and his small airship, sending it spinning and falling behind again! Vivi collapses, and Zidane rushes to protect him, ensuring he doesnt fall off the ship. Steiner sprints toward Alex. "Get inside the cabin and hold on tight! Stop shooting already, youre risking your life!" Despite the chaos, Alex is deep in thought. "Everythings happening just like in the game. If this keeps up, Ill fail my secret mission!" He sees the cargo ship flying directly above the cable car, which runs across the Aerbs Mountains and through South Gate itself. "I I need to board Black Waltz No. 3s ship! He crashes, but I know the crash is caused by his own maddening thunder spells and he will survive it." They fly into the gate, which leads to a small station with several buildings etched into the mountain itself. Alex activates Sealions Icewing Embrace lvl 0, barely having enough mana to do so, thanks to the few minutes it took for the wounded enemy to return. Steiner jumps up and down, shouting, "What are you doing? Are you mad? Hold on to something, stop this madness!" Alex responds calmly, "Steiner, Im the only one who can survive what Im about to do. It may look suicidal, but these wings arent just for show!" He takes a final look at Garnet, Zidane, the unconscious Vivi, and Steiner. "You handle the rest, Steiner!" Alex then leaps onto the side railing and climbs onto the cabin itself. He grabs a nearby rope tied to the upper part of the cargo ship, which is essentially a vertically shaped balloonthe element that allows it to float, similar in appearance and function to the giant balloon of a Zeppelin. He swings toward the approaching airship piloted by the final Black Waltz. "STOP! Dont risk it!!!" he barely hears Steiner screaming behind him. Using his wings to glide, Alex crashes into the airship, colliding with the half-mad black mage! "Kiiiiiillllll!" is the only thing the deranged puppet screams as Alex slams into him, nearly causing both of them to fall off. They immediately get into a physical struggle over the steering wheel. Despite being a black mage, Black Waltz No. 3 possesses tremendous physical strength, but Alex is no slouch either. His icy armor, with its sharp ice spikes, continuously pierces into his enemy, hindering him. Instead of casting spells, the two combatants focus solely on trying to gain control of the steering wheel. Alex notices that the gate on the other side of the mountain is almost fully closed! The cargo ship barely makes it through, but Alex, on the smaller chasing airship, is too far behind. Black Waltz No. 3 finally cant take the struggle any longer and charges a massive lightning spell, igniting the ships internal components and sending it drifting to the left, directly toward the nearly closed gate. In that critical moment, Alex realizes he must make a choice. "Id rather survive and lose my equipment than die crashing into the gate." With that, a spontaneous idea flashes through his mind. He pulls out his [Sword of Pluto] and pierces it straight through Black Waltz No. 3. Holding onto the sword, he jumps to the right, dragging himself and the impaled enemy through the barely open gate just as the airship crashes into it, causing a huge explosion! As Alex plummets downward, he feels the heat and shockwave of the explosion behind him. The blast nearly reaches them, causing severe damage to South Gate, but even in the chaos, Black Waltz No. 3 doesnt stop casting chaotic thunder spells. Alex feels his HP and the durability of his frozen armor rapidly declining. They dont glide so much as plunge toward the ground, descending rapidly over the hills to the east of the cable car route, with only cliffs, rocks, and trees beneath them. Just a few meters above the ground, Alex feels a sharp pain as his winged armor, after enduring so much, finally snaps. Desperate, he pulls out his sword and maneuvers his assailant, forcing Black Waltz No. 3 to take the brunt of the impact as they crash into the earth. Alex uses the enemys body to shield himself as they tumble across the ground. He feels the black mages body split into two large parts, with the bottom half completely gone. They hit the ground hard, rolling violently. Alex feels faint, his vision blurring as he teeters on the edge of unconsciousness. He barely manages to grab another [Potion] and uses it. Alex looks around, shocked to see that the mad Black Waltz No. 3 is still alive! It has lost its entire lower body but is charging up a barely functioning thunder spell. Its weak, but still dangerous. Too hurt and surprised to react, Alex takes the hit! Alex stumbles, collapsing to his knees. Enraged, he screams, "JUST DIE ALREADY!" He ignites the fuse on his only remaining Annihilation Grenade lvl 1, carefully aiming it at Black Waltz No. 3, and throws it as accurately as his badly injured body allows. Black Waltz, completely broken, uses his one barely functional arm to try crawling away from the grenade but only manages to move a few meters. The grenade explodes about four meters away from the dying Black Waltz No. 3. He narrowly avoids the fire radius but is still caught in the explosion and shrapnel blast. Finally, the mad puppet feels the full impact of the blast as two shrapnel shards tear into him. NOOOOOOO.ooooooooooooo is all Alexs hears. S~ea??h the Novl?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Special Quest completed Mission: Gain the recognition of Pluto by killing the following 3 enemies: Black Waltz 1 - 1/1 Black Waltz 2 - 1/1 Black Waltz 3 - 1/1 Reward: Acknowledgment of Pluto - permanent possession of Plutos ancestral armor "Spirit of Pluto", [Sword of Pluto], and [Shield of Pluto] + [Plutos Ceremonial Blessing]. [Plutos Ceremonial Blessing] Alex, despite his pain, smiles at the reward hes just received. It looks like this item, at the hefty cost of 5 small Soul Crystals, a medium Soul Crystal (which he hasnt even seen yet and assumes isnt obtainable during the tutorial phase of the Fantasy Realm), and a whopping 100,000 FC, can upgrade his blue-quality armor set. "This is insane! If I can gather the necessary Soul Crystals and FC, my armor set will be upgraded! 15 SPR... that''ll easily take me another four or five missions though, perhaps longer... damn!" He decides to lie down, his body aching all over. Alone in the mountains, he gazes into the distance, spotting a group of airships. His eyes focus on a familiar cargo ship flying unsteadily toward Lindblum, which he can barely make out on the horizon. "I wish I couldve seen majestic Lindblum myself... too bad. Hey, at least I get to live and can always see it inside the game, cant I? Hehe." He then checks his inventory. "Well, at least Ive cleared some inventory space, and I still have those two chests. Cant wait to open them! Looks like [Plutos Ceremonial Blessing] and [Baroque Works Invitation] dont show up either. Ill need to tweak my inventory to include them I just wanna go home now..." Suddenly, he hears another system message! [Main Mission...] Chapter 57: Goodbye Gaia, Hello Earth! Findom & Bragging [Main Mission Completed] Mission: Help maintain the integrity of the timeline by ensuring that Zidane Tribal, Vivi Ornitier, Garnet Til Alexandros XVII, and Adelbert Steiner arrive safely in Lindblum. Clear Condition: Arrive in Lindblum with Zidane Tribal and Garnet Til Alexandros XVII. Mission Summary: sea??h th Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. [Converting Tetra Master cards into Fantasy Coins] [1 Light Purple card, 3 Deep Green cards, 6 Green cards detected. Awarding 400 FC per Green card, 600 FC per Deep Green card, 3000 FC per Light Purple card.] [WARNING: All players will be forced out of the mission in 59 minutes.] Alex smiles, genuinely happy and surprised that he still managed to barely earn an S ratingan S-, but still an S. This means vitally important stat points and always useful Fantasy Coins. It also paid off collecting all those Tetra Master cards! It looks like if he had focused on finishing the main quest instead of prioritizing his special quest, he might have even achieved an S rating... or perhaps even an S+ rating. The only thing that annoys Alex is having to wait for another hour. Now that he thinks about it, if he had escorted the group to Lindblum, he could have spent that hour exploring the city. "Maybe I could have even gone shopping or visited the synthesizing shop?" he thinks. But that opportunity is gone nowstill, Alex is more than happy to trade a slightly lower mission rating and a missed shopping trip if it means keeping his armor set, weapon, and shield, plus the rare chance to upgrade them with [Plutos Ceremonial Blessing]! Overall, Alex is thrilled with his results. Now that he reflects on it, this mission feels like a special opportunity because he earned an S rating during the tutorial mission. He knows not many players hit it big every time. Hes spent enough time in the trading hub of the Fantasy Realm to know that people are usually happy just to get a simple green item. They celebrate like crazy if they somehow manage to obtain a blue item. "What would their reaction be if they knew I got a gold-ranked skill, a Deep Purple upgrade material, 5 blue items, 2 Deep Blue weapons, and quite a few green and white-ranked items? I havent even opened my 2 chests yet!" Alex thinks its probably best not to flaunt his [Spirit of Pluto] armor, along with his sword and shield. He suspects his next mission wont be solo, and this one seemed to be a special, one-of-a-kind opportunity. "For now, I just want to sleep... let me return already," he mutters. Exhausted, Alex closes his eyes and falls asleep. About 50 minutes later, he wakes up in his familiar room inside the tutorial section of the Fantasy Realm. [Welcome back, Host! This system is elated to see you again and is astonished by your tremendous gains. Your performance has been truly incredible.] [Your injuries this time are severe as well. Numerous permanent injuries detected, including nerve damage due to high voltage combined with magical residue. Detecting remnants of thunder spells. Additionally, there is damage to the hosts body from frostbite and self-inflicted wounds. The host should use his newly gained ability with great caution and avoid overusing it, especially in short succession.] [To permanently remove all damage to the hosts body, 1700 FC is required. Does the host wish to spend this amount of FC to heal all injuries and restore both body and mind to peak condition?] "Yes," Alex manages to say weakly, feeling his entire body relax and recover. After a long night of sleep, Alex awakens. Despite spending nearly a month in a different world, no time has passed in the Fantasy Realm, aside from the time Alex spent sleeping. Instead of leaving the realm, Alex remains focused, determined not to waste any time. "I have so much to dosell all that useless crap to clear my inventory, upgrade my skills, spend my stat points, then open those chests." First, Alex decides to upgrade his skills and finally use his stat points. He has often felt the temptation to buy various items, but for him, its essential to boost his skills. "Its better to spend my FC early and invest in skills rather than give in to my shopping addiction." His basic skills have given him such a broad skill set that he managed to overcome many obstacles during his last mission. Alex still cant believe what he achieved: he carried the burden of the entire mission, risked his life for the special set granted by the vague divine entity Pluto, and still managed to secure an S- ranking. In all honesty, his greed was a bit excessive. Every battle relied on ambushes, smart preparation, and his deep knowledge of the games events. Without his broad skillset and foresight, he would have died countless times and never succeeded in uncovering the hidden quests and events. In conclusion, Alex is determined to upgrade his skills at any cost. "It doesnt matter if I miss out on rare itemsskills are the absolute priority." Alex leaves his room and heads towards the Skill Hub. On his way, he passes many players who, like him, have just returned from their missions and are in high spirits, having survived and earned the right to exist for another four weeks, or eight, if theyre lucky. He overhears one guy bragging, "I got a B- rank, you plebs! My last missions were all D rank, but I finally did it! Two whole skill points. Im pulling ahead, losers!" "I got this sweet armor, deep green quality! Haha, Im gonna feel so secure in my next mission!" another guy boasts to his group of friends. Yet another player celebrates, "I finally got my first soul crystal after four missions! Now I can upgrade my innate skill before I finish the tutorial section and move on to the big leagues!" A young woman, giggling wildly, chats with a few others. "I invested all my stats into CHA, look at me, 12 CHA. Ive already made so much money in real life. Men are basically under my control with just the Basic Eloquence lvl 4 skill. One more level and I can learn this rare CHA skill I just got and become unstoppable! Maybe Ill even run for office when Im older. I have three slaves now, and I only meet them once every few weeks to let them smell my feet, and they shower me with money. I never knew findom existed, but its so useful! I wish I knew sooner that pathetic men like these existed. This Fantasy Realm is the best thing that ever happened to me, no more sucking up to sleazy middle managers." Alex grins, muttering to himself, "1337, this central space is a gold mine of ideas! I think its time I make some real-life money too! My CHA will be even higher than hers after I spend my skill points! Do you think I should get into this findom business? My feet are beautiful!" [Checking Host, No brain damage detected. Is host alright?] "... It was a joke," Alex replies, shaking his head with a smile. He has a few ideas for making money in real life without selling important items to rich players. Though he hasnt tested it yet, Alex is hopeful his increased SNS and LUK stats will help him rake in some cash. Unlike the girl he overheard, who in his opinion is scamming others, Alex plans to use his stats to earn big at the casino. Hes considering learning basic strategy for Blackjack or even focusing on Poker. His high SNS should give him an edge in reading the emotions, and possibly the cards, of other players. He also hopes his LUK stat will help tip the odds in his favor. Hes even tempted to test the slot machines. If Alex could choose, hed always pick games where hes up against the house. He doesnt want to use his skills to cheat other players out of their hard-earned money, but he has no qualms about taking as much as he can from casinos, which he sees as legally cheating establishments. Fuck them He cant help but think! Alex decides to mingle with the other players, gathering information while everyone is in high spirits after their missions. He picks up several interesting tidbits along the way. The guy who bragged about his B- ranking eventually approaches Alex, curious. "What did you get, dude? You look kinda tired. Did you mess up?" Alex grins and responds, "Yeah, last time I got an S, and this time, only an S-. I must be slipping!" The man stares at him, shocked. Alex laughs, "Dude, you shouldve seen your face. Im just messing with you! Honestly, I got a C- this time, but hey, its still a stat point, right?" The man bursts out laughing. "Haha, youre a funny guy! Youre right. Just aim for Cs. Doesnt matter if its C- or C+, the only difference is the amount of FC you get. You still get 1 full stat point either way. Slow and steady wins the race. Most people only score D or C ratings anyway, so as long as youre in that C category, youre good." "Thanks for the tip. Im kinda new around here." "My names Stephen. Feel free to ask me for help! Here, let me share my ID with you." They exchange IDs through the system. "Always useful to know people and learn about whats going on," Alex says, smiling at having made a new acquaintance. [Host is getting really good at lying through his teeth. This system is impressed.] Chapter 58: Spies, Upgrades, and Magic! Alex returns to the Skill Hub. He finds an empty corner, makes sure no one is around, and spends 8 of his 9 stat points to use his innate ability twice, allowing him to increase all his stats by 2 with the 8 free stat points. Alex closes his eyes, feeling his entire body strengthening. At the same time, his mind, senses, and everything else are tingling with joy. After the sensation passes, Alex cant help but feel genuinely great. "This feeling is so addicting... I feel like my whole existence is getting stronger," he thinks. Alex scans the skill stations and notices a few people lingering nearby. "Surely they arent actually spying on people?" he wonders, feeling a bit hesitant. "Its the time when everyone is happy to be back alive and has their guard down. Surely the Realm forbids people from eavesdropping or somehow seeing others skills, right? So why do these players look like theyre trying to spy?" He watches as a player enters one of the cabins, only to leave less than a minute later. "Time!" Alex realizes. "When I entered and upgraded my 8 basic skills and my pistol skill, it took a long time. I had to learn those skills and then upgrade them. Judging from the short time it took that guy, he probably just upgraded a minor skill from level 0 to 1! No wonder people are hanging around to spy. If someone goes in and spends an hour, theyre probably upgrading a bunch of high-level skills. Thats a warning signa clue to mark that player as a potential rival or threat. It might even be a reason to keep tabs on them or try to recruit them." "Should I wait until the Hub is completely empty... or should I... yes!" Alex formulates a plan. He decides to enter a cabin, spends 1000 FC, and upgrades a basic skill. "Lets choose Basic Eloquence for now." As he expected, the whole process takes about a minute. He leaves, sighing, and whines loudly, "I wish I could upgrade more..." Alex then chooses to leave the Skill Hub and the public area after upgrading only his Basic Eloquence from lvl 1 to lvl 2. "I dont think this cautious behavior is really necessary, but it cant hurt to act like an underachiever. Ill openly upgrade my skills, but only a little at a time so no one pays too much attention to me. That way, I look like someone whos made some progress, but nothing too outrageous. Better to stay under the radar. I already trusted Roja more than I should have, and Im starting to regret it, even though she was probably just kidding with her jokes. If I enter the next world and other players underestimate me, I can surprise potential enemies with my abilities!" Alex returns to his private room and finally decides to open his two remaining chests, which he can no longer trade. "Guess you can only trade chests inside missions," he reasons. [Chest] [Large Chest] He starts by opening the green-quality chest, hoping his increased LUK will bring him some decent items. [Skillbook: Black Magic (Fire-Series)] [Black Magic (Fire-Series)] "Nice! This is what Im talking about! I cant believe this was just a Green chest. Too bad chests can only be traded inside the worlds and not outside, or I could make a fortune just buying chests and opening them!" "Damn, this skill only teaches the Fire-series of Black Magic, but thats already pretty good. I cant see the details of the Fire spells yet, but if you keep leveling up this skill, you not only unlock the higher-rank spells, but you also increase their efficiency. Plus, since these spells function like in Final Fantasy 9, you can always choose to cast them on a single target or use their AoE versions. If I had a free skill point, Id seriously consider learning this, even though my Grenade skill is kinda similar." Alex reflects on the value of the skill. "This will be hard to sell for a fair price and will generate a lot of attention. The requirements are typical for magesyou need a good amount of INT and MNA, and, of course, the two corresponding basic skills of those stats. But that shouldnt be a problem for any decent mage, since these seem like pretty standard prerequisites. Any basic mage can pick this up, and if you specialize in fire spells, this skill boosts other fire spells by 10% when maxed at lvl 10. Even if you eventually outgrow the skill, its still worth keeping if you focus on fire magic." "Alright, lets open the second one! Its a large chest, and its Blue! I cant wait to see whats inside!" S~ea??h the N??eFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "!!!!" Alexs eyes widen in disbelief. "OH MY GOD, IT HAPPENED AGAIN!!!" [Skillbook: Black Magic (Fire-Blizzard-Thunder-Series)] [Black Magic (Fire-Blizzard-Thunder-Series)] Alex is stunned. This upgraded skill is a full purple-quality skill! "The effects are similar, but this is practically three skills of the former quality combined into one. With this, you can always choose the element best suited to your needs. I bet Fire would be effective against plants, Thunder would work great on underwater enemies, and Blizzard seems useful against almost anyone. With this skill, you have such a variety of tools, you could handle many different situations. But theres no way I can sell this openly. It would draw way too much attention. Plus, Im not even sure I could sell it here, or if anyone would want it. Learning this requires four basic skills, so if you pick it up, youre locked in until level 5 when you get another skill slot. Is that what people should be doing? Roja said that learning too many basic skills is a trap and a bad idea... but thats only true if you go for blue or lower-ranked skills that dont demand much in terms of basic skills. For this skill and my gold-ranked skill, four and five basic skills are needed respectively." Alex weighs the pros and cons of learning the skill. "I could unlearn my Pistol Skill and pick this up, but that would make my revolver useless. And the Pistol Proficiency skill was blue! It seems like such a waste, especially since skills are far rarer and usually more expensive than other items." In the end, Alex decides to take only a small risk later on and sell the Blue-ranked [Skillbook: Black Magic (Fire-Series)], but he decides to hold onto his [Black Magic (Fire-Blizzard-Thunder-Series)]. He figures he can either use it later or trade it under better conditions. "I doubt Ill get a fair price in the tutorial section of the Fantasy Realm. Why rush a decision now?" The one true decision Alex does make is to stick with Pistol Proficiency. Despite the limitations his [Mr. 5s .44 Caliber 6-Shot Revolver] had in the last world, it was invaluable. "Why would I give up a skill that lets me wield such a useful killing tool?" Alex also notices that, surprisingly, despite being a purple-quality skill, it doesnt require a soul crystal. "Only my innate skill and my gold-ranked skill need soul crystals! I guess I really picked up a treasure from Steiner." Alex smiles remembering the good old Steiner Time to go home I guess! Alex says as he steps back into the real world. Chapter 59: Upgrading Skills, Daily Life, and a Special Return to the Trading Hub The next few days pass relatively quickly for Alex. In the real world, not much changes. He starts working out at a gym again and settles into a more or less normal routine, except for his nightly trips to a nearby park, where he practices with his [Sword of Pluto] and [Shield of Pluto], honing his skills. For now, he decides not to do anything too risky, like gambling. Alex isnt a vain person, and he and his parents are still living comfortably. His goal is to get enough money to help his parents upgrade from their apartment to a nice house, maybe even hire a housekeeper, but hes willing to wait a little longer. "They dont seem like the type to change their lifestyle suddenly and I cant exactly explain how I got the money. Becoming a professional gambler sounds weird." He also makes regular visits to the Skill Hub and the Trading Hub. After a few days, he notices that the "spies" have almost disappeared, and the Skill Hub is practically empty. Alex spends a total of 7,000 FC to push all his basic skills to level 2, in addition to the 1,000 he already spent for Basic Eloquence lvl 2. He also decides to mercilessly throw away his FC, and even Soul Crystals, to upgrade his other skills. He raises Annihilation Grenade lvl 1 to lvl 2, costing him 2,000 FC, and Sealions Icewing Embrace lvl 0 to lvl 2, which requires 3,500 FC. His Innate skill, Genius Conjurer lvl 1, consumes a Soul Crystal and another 2,000 FC to reach lvl 2, while his gold-ranked skill, Alexandrian Royal Swordsmanship lvl 0, requires 2 Soul Crystals and an additional 3,500 FC to upgrade to lvl 2. Finally, he spends 2,500 FC to bring his Pistol Proficiency lvl 1 to lvl 2. Alex notices that his Basic skills and even his unique skills are quite a bit cheaper than the blue-quality Pistol Proficiency. While his Innate skill and gold-ranked skill are cheaper in terms of FC, they demand Soul Crystals. He also knows that the cost of upgrading purple-ranked skills, although higher in FC, doesnt require Soul Crystals. With this information, Alex can now roughly calculate how much FC hell need to spend after each world... a cost that will increase rapidly and eventually make it impossible to upgrade everything, at which point his level will no longer limit his skill progression. "How am I supposed to save up 100,000 FC for [Plutos Ceremonial Blessing] while still upgrading these insanely expensive, yet life-saving skills? This seems almost hopeless!" Upgrading his skills cost Alex a total of 21,500 FC, actually 500 more FC than he initially had. He only managed to afford these upgrades by selling his [Dagger] to another player who was desperate for a weapon and specifically wanted a dagger. Alex spotted the guy frantically shouting in the Trading Hub, as his next mission was about to start. Seizing the opportunity, Alex squeezed 1,500 FC out of him, probably the guys entire remaining stash. After acquiring all his skill upgrades, Alexs inventory and status looks like this, with all items unequipped: Alex is particularly pleased with his HP and MP, both of which are already over 100, thanks to the 20% boost from Basic Endurance lvl 2 and Basic Mana Control lvl 2. Even after spending all those Fantasy Coins and Soul Crystals, Alex still has 3 Soul Crystals left. More importantly, he only sold his white-quality [Dagger] so far. Alexs next task is to gradually sell his remaining items to other players without revealing his immense wealth and progress. Its time to return to his most loved and hated place, where dreams are born and die, the Trading Hub! To stay anonymous, Alex decides he needs a new identitysomething distinctive, yet giving no clues about his real self. He chooses to wear a completely red suit he bought just a few days ago from a local shop in the real world, along with his [Jacks Spare Silvery Mask]. Although the masks effects dont work against other players, its perfect for concealing his identity. To further protect himself, he wears a wig that looks generic and somewhat androgynous, costing Alex a significant amount of money since its made out of real hair and looks realistic. Combined with his relatively high CHA, he projects a mysterious and eye-catching appearance. Alex now draws a lot of attention, but his true identity remains hidden. Attacking someone or forcibly removing another players clothing or items is severely punished by the Realm, so Alex behaves confidently and arrogantly, trying to portray someone above the rest. Of course, he only puts on his "outfit" after leaving his room. Walking out dressed like that from his room would only give away his identity for nothing. With his new identity, Alex heads straight to the Trading Hub and sets up a new stall, offering his wares at premium prices! He names his shop "Rare Goods from Gaia and Beyond!" Out of caution, Alex avoids selling anything that might connect him to his old identity. For now, he keeps [Quality Fur Armor], [Quality Fur Boots], [Quality Fur Gauntlets], and his reliable [Solid Marine Saber], knowing they might give away his identity to the four female comrades from his tutorial mission. He plans to sell these four items later using his real identity, as they are only average items that wont attract much attention. Three White Armor pieces and one Light Green Saber are useful, but far from special. With his new identity, Alex focuses on selling the items he acquired in Gaia: [Antidote] x2, [Eye Drops] x3, [Steepled Hat], [Rod], [Mage Staff], [Silk Shirt], [Wrist] x2, [Iron Sword], and the extremely rare and valuable [Skillbook: Black Magic (Fire-Series)]. He also decides to offer his Green-quality [Plant Essence] x3 and [Frost Essence], quoting extremely high prices and using customer reactions to gauge their true worth. Alex isnt sure if he wants to keep some of these items, so he only puts 2 out of 3 Antidotes up for sale. Since he leveled up, his inventory space has increased, giving him the flexibility to be a bit greedier about what he keeps. Alexs shop immediately attracts a crowd. His varied items and unique outfit draw a lot of attention to his stall. As expected, the Skillbook is the main attraction. He sets an outrageous price of 75,000 FC as bait. Several people offer decent deals, with one even proposing 20,000 FC, which Alex considers close to the items true value. But he knows it would be foolish to sell it right away. He has nearly a month in the Fantasy Realm, with a constant influx of new players arriving and others returning with fresh loot. There will be plenty of offers for the Skillbook, and Alex plans to use it to draw attention to his other items, good but not flashy. Some try to extort, blackmail, or trick him into revealing his identity or selling the Skillbook for a pittance. One thug even outright threatens to kill him, prompting Alex to laugh strangely. "You really openly threaten to kill me, you braindead idiot? Thanks for showing me your face! You might not recognize me, but the next time I see you in a mission, youll soon see my real face when Im standing above your dying body and youll remember this exact exchange!" The thug, visibly frightened, covers his face and runs away. "What a total lightweight," Alex thinks, shaking his head in disbelief. He doesnt waste time on such losers and doesnt plan on paying them any more attention. At least after that little scene, the scammers and blackmailers steer clear of Alex, perhaps wary of his real identity and the valuable items he seems to possess. Finally, someone approaches Alexa woman in her late thirties. She smiles at him. "Lets talk privately so we can get down to business quicker... give me some space, everyone!" Alex then receives a notification, not from 1337 but from the general system: [Player Vivian Miller wishes to contact you. Do you accept her chat invitation?] Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "1337!" Alex urgently speaks to his faithful companion within his mind. "Do I reveal my identity by accepting this chat invitation?" [If Host accepts this invitation, she will know Hosts registered name, which is currently set as Alex Kerber.] "FUCKING BITCH! SYSTEM, BLOCK HER!" [Player Vivian Miller has been Blocked. If the player wishes to interact with her in the Fantasy Realm, the player must remove her from the blocked players list.] The general system notifies Alex. "1337, you need to warn me about things like that." [While I wish to see Host prosper, the main system does not allow me to proactively give you advice. I can only help you by explaining system functions.] After this ambush, Alex doesnt even look in Vivians direction and ignores her, continuing to answer questions from other players, clearly signaling his utter disinterest in her. Shortly after, he receives another notification: [Player Joe Miller wishes to invite you to an anonymous group chat. Do you accept?] "1337, is this anonymous group chat really anonymous? Is my identity safe?" [Hosts identity will remain 100% safe. This is a one-time anonymous group chat. The previous invitation was an open chat that reveals your player name and allows for communication. This is nearly identical to your previous talks with the player called Roja, except you two exchanged contact information to speak freely without proximity restrictions. If you had accepted her open chat, you would have had to be nearby to communicate.] "System, I accept the anonymous group chat." Player ??? has joined the group chat. Player Joe Miller has joined the group chat. Player Vivian Miller has joined the group chat. Player ???: "Tzzz, I already blocked that bitch. Do I seriously still have to listen to her during this group chat? Makes me want to leave already!" Alex says rudely. Player Vivian Miller: "You arrogant fuck. You should be grateful Im lowering myself to talk to a lone wolf like you. Soon, youll either be crawling to people like me, begging to join my guild, or youll just die. Anyway, I want to buy your Skillbook, and my brother set up this chat since you blocked me like a whiny loser." Player ???: "One more insult, and Im out. The price is clearly listed! 75k, not a single FC less. If youre going to offer me something else, dont waste my time and lets see it!" Player Vivian Miller: "Im offering you 15,000 FC. You know that''s actually a fair dea" Player ??? has left the group chat. "Fucking bitch," Alex mutters angrily. "What a waste of time." This day, Alex draws a lot of attention, but also hate and envy, especially from one particular female player. "Forget that loser. If I meet her in another world, I swear " Alex thinks, feeling irritated. By the end of the day, Alex successfully sells his [Steepled Hat] and [Silk Shirt]. Surprisingly, he doesnt even get the chance to barter, as they are bought at his listed price, and the system automatically completes the deal. Alex earns a whopping 6,000 FC for the hat and 4,000 FC for the shirt! "Damn, I should have asked for even more... These two items boost stats, after all, but I thought the downsides made them less valuable. The hat looks ridiculous, has extremely low durability, and can even fall off during a fight, all just for 1 STR. The shirt only boosts CHA and prevents you from wearing any real armor. Still, 10,000 FC for those two items is way more than I expected... Maybe the buyers desperately needed those stats. Its possible theyre stacking specific stats on certain players. Maybe they have a strategy where one person handles all negotiations with NPCs, requiring a lot of CHA gear or something. The price I got seems fair enough, so no need to be upset. I also dont want to get a reputation for only selling overpriced items that no one buys. That could hurt my business in the long run." "Rare and useful items for a high, but fair price. Thats the kind of shop I want to run with this identity!" "Lets wait a few more days before returning. Maybe tomorrow, I can sell my fur items and my saber from the One Piece world!" Alex thinks, planning his next steps. Chapter 60: Successful Sales and the Mysterious Seer After the chaotic first sales event using his new red outfit, wig, and, of course, his favorite [Jacks Spare Silvery Mask], which for some reason makes him feel safe and comfortable, essentially allowing him to become an anonymous person, safe from detectionAlex feels great! With his new identity, he has developed a ruthless and no-nonsense trading personality. He hopes to keep this up, as it will simplify many things in the future. After a good nights sleep and going about his daily business, Alex returns to the Trading Hub. He attempts to sell his [Quality Fur Armor], [Quality Fur Boots], [Quality Fur Gauntlets], and his [Solid Marine Saber]. He receives a few reasonable offers, but for some reason, he feels oddly attached to these items. They carried him through his first mission and even the early stages of his last mission, enabling him to find better upgrades in the Final Fantasy 9 world. Maybe its personal bias, but to him, these items arent just "three weak White items and a starter saber", theyre something to be treasured. After a few hours of contemplation, Alex convinces himself to let go of that mindset. "Its just silly and serves no useful purpose," he tells himself. He decides to sell them if he gets an offer slightly above the market price, one that leans in his favor. For some reason, the market is unusually empty today compared to yesterday. "Did a lot of players leave today, or... wait! Its Monday. Haha, guess people are still working at this stage?" After not having much luck, Alex decides to check out other merchants in the Trading Hub. He finds nothing of particular value. He does come across a few interesting items, like a flintlock pistolnot a powerful tool like the one he obtained in the One Piece world, but a genuine old-style pistol that can only fire once before requiring a tedious reload using two different sets of gunpowder and a small ramrod. Apparently, a player acquired it in the Pirates of the Caribbean world. The only advantage Alex sees is that this type of gun is likely allowed in any world without restrictions. Also, the ammunition seems dirt cheap, compensating for its low efficiency. A few days go by, and Alex finally manages to sell a few more items. Using his real identity, he sells the [Solid Marine Saber] for 4,000 FC. His three [Quality Fur Armor], [Quality Fur Boots], and [Quality Fur Gauntlets] go for a combined total of 1,500 FC. Alex also spends a total of 1,000 FC repairing his items. Several of his weapons and armor pieces, especially the Pluto set, had low durability since they were already damaged when he acquired them. On average, the blue items cost him 10 FC per lost point of durability, with weapons, shields, and other equipment costing even more. In the end, Alex decides to use 1,000 FC to restore everything to 100% condition. In his new identity, he continues to have success over the next few days. The blackmailers and scammers eventually give up, realizing that Alex isnt giving them any openings. He quickly sells all his items, excluding the essences and, of course, the heavily overpriced [Skillbook: Black Magic (Fire-Series)]. His sales for [Antidote] x2, [Eye Drops] x3, [Rod], [Mage Staff], [Wrist] x2, and the [Iron Sword] bring in a solid 20,000 FC. Apparently, someone who has already formed a sizable group and plans to convert it into a full-fledged guild once his core members and he reach level 5 bought the items. Alex and the buyer haggled hard, eventually agreeing on the sum of 20,000 FC, which Alex feels is very fair. The weapons are all weak, with minor effects, the other items are situational, and the [Wrists] are practically useless. Still, Alex admits its quite a diverse set of equipment, something useful for almost anyone. After a series of negotiations and chatting with various players, including his new acquaintance Stephen, who is a fun guy to hang out with and feeds Alex a lot of information, although much of it is just rumors and conspiracy theories, Alex decides to head "home" to his room. But before he reaches his room, he senses someone approaching him from behind. Its a younger man, probably in his mid-twenties, maybe a few years younger than Alex. He has flawless skin and looks like some kind of foreign prince to Alex. "Hello, friend. Your aura tells me youre quite bored today, and Im not interrupting any important business. Do you have some time for me, please? Id like to discuss something very important with you." Alexs bullshit detectors immediately go off, practically slapping him in the face and kicking him in the nutsrepeatedly. "Its a scam," he concludes. Still, for some strange reason, Alex decides to go along with him, curious to see how this guy is planning to scam him. He sees it as a chance to learn more about the Fantasy Realm and the System. They walk to a beautiful, open, circular structure, surrounded by tall, temple-like walls, with a round space in the center. In the middle stands an ancient-looking well, where the man sits down, inviting Alex to join him. After carefully scanning the area and confirming with 1337 that its not dangerous and that he cant be attacked or tricked by merely sitting down, Alex takes a seat. "Theres a fine line between being extra cautious and being paranoid enough to see FBI agents around every corner," Alex tells himself. "My name is Rishi," the man says. Alex instantly laughs, giving him a strange look. He doesnt know much about other cultures, but hes aware that "Rishi" is a name commonly used in India, referring to a kind of wise seer. He knows this because of the former British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who, despite his name, acted like a total buffoon, completely alienating his own voters. Sunak now leads the opposition, though Alex doubts it will be for long. "Probably not long if he keeps doing the exact opposite of what he should be doing," he thinks. "Sorry about that," Alex says, "your name fits your character very well. At least better than a certain other guy I know." "Im not too familiar with those things," Rishi responds with a smile. "I live far from populated areas, with my brothers, trying to ascend to a higher plane of existence... Pwhhh!" Suddenly, he breaks into laughter. "Ahah! Ahahahah! Sorry, I just like to act mysterious sometimes. One of the perks of having such a mystical name, forget about that! Hahahaha!" Alex smiles, having momentarily fallen for it, thinking this guy might be a serious Buddhist or something. "My parents just followed a family trend when they named me that. I have nothing to do with Buddhism or acting like a seer... or at least, that was the case until recently." "Ive been having mysterious feelings and intuitions. Its my innate skill. There are no visible effects, no stats or anything like that, unlike other skills. It just gives me visions and insights about the future. Upgrading it only makes them clearer and occur more often." "Why would you tell me that?" Alex asks, clearly skeptical about everything this guy is saying. "Well, well be entering the next world together in a few weeks, and Im pretty sure Im going to die... unless I ally with you. You have an odd sense of honor. Youre ruthless in some ways but honorable in others. My skill tells me that opposing you would be a big mistake. Youre vicious towards your enemies, but if my prediction is correct, youll be a loyal friend to your allies, so long as they dont betray you. I like comrades like that, and since were entering the same world, I want to team up with you. I know talk is cheap, so as a sign of my trust, please accept this." He initiates a trade window, and Alex watches as he enters a large sum of FC... 5, 50, 500, 5,000, 50,000! "What are you doing?" Alex asks, shocked. Then, he sees the man confirm the trade, Alex only needs to accept, and hell receive 50,000 FC. A whole 50,000 FC! "This... cant be real. 1337, is there any scenario where accepting FC could have negative consequences?" [No conceivable case detectedthis is simply a favorable trade for the Host. Perhaps skills and abilities exist that depend upon the victims FC amount, but these cant be used in the Fantasy Realm.] Alex hesitates, then quickly presses accept. "No reason to doubt the system and be overly cautious." You have received 50,000 FC "Alright, you have my attention... you just gave me 50,000 FC. Thats enough to decide someones life or death. Its more than the average player earns in three or four worlds, and you did it just to earn my trust?" "No, I didnt. I want to not only survive but genuinely prosper and get stronger. This is just a way to get your attention. My skill has never failed me so far, and I trust it with my life. Giving you this amount of FC is a solid investment for me, I have no doubts about it," he says with a calm smile, showing no hesitation or regret. "You... whats stopping me from walking away right now and never dealing with you again?" "Absolutely nothing, my friend. But maybe I should show you one more thing." [Player Contract] World: Fantasy Realm Quality: White Effect: Enables players to create a binding contractdetermining the scope, length, details, and the punishment for breaking the contract is up to the players involved. Note: This contract can turn a player into an actual slave, potentially for life if the duration is not specified. It is highly recommended that players sign contracts only within the Fantasy Realm, where precautions against manipulation are in place, and players are aided by their personal System. Price: 3,000 FC "I know about contracts," Alex says, and hes not lying, he does know about them, but hes avoided them due to the cost and his preference for a solo playstyle. "I want to form a contract with you for our next mission. Dont worry, we have time to get to know each other and discuss the contract terms." Rishi calmly states Sar?h the N?vel(F)ire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Alex is genuinely confused. "Is this guy just a master scammer, pulling a long con by luring me in with money... or is he serious? With my MND stat and Basic Meditation lvl 2, Im not worried about dealing with him, even outside the Realm. If I stay inside, theres NOTHING he can do to me. And I definitely wont sign any vague contracts, I know 1337 can help explain all the risks to me... plus, I studied law, even if I did flunk out for not putting in the effort. But I know the basics. Thats why everyone gets a personal system, to protect against being tricked into signing stupidly one-sided contracts. They also make it so players cant be drugged and accept contracts in such a state." Finally, Alex makes a decision. Genuinely intrigued by this mysterious man, he smiles and says loudly, "Whatever your game is, lets play!" He extends a hand, and Rishi accepts it with a knowing smile. Chapter 61: Making a Scary Friend – Rishi’s Innate Skill Alex, after exchanging contact information with the self-proclaimed seer, finally returns to his private room in the Fantasy Realm, genuinely confused! He cant help but marvel at his new status and newfound riches. Just a few days ago, he wondered how he would ever manage to earn 100,000 FC, and now, he is hilariously close already! To get a clearer picture of his current stats, he includes the boosts from his current equipment. His "Spirit of Pluto" armor set enhances his HP by 50, increases his STR, AGI, and SNS by 1 each, and the set bonus boosts both his CHA and SPR by 5. Additionally, Alex gains 30 extra MP from his cherished [Sealions Might] ring. He debates whether to spend some of that FC or save it for much-needed skill upgrades, and, of course, his long-term goal that will take some time to achieve: [Plutos Ceremonial Blessing], which requires a whole 15 SPR. Even if he continues to achieve S ranks and earns 2 stat points per level, it would still take him three full worlds, and he seriously doubts he can maintain that trend. His performance in the world of was a special case, he essentially had a whole world to himself, allowed to join the main characters in the early part of the game, and given complete freedom to solve every problem. Alex sleeps soundly, happy with his fortune, but still curious about Rishi, his strange new acquaintance. Over the next few days, Alex slowly gets to know Rishi, chatting about the Fantasy Realm, their favorite fictional worlds, and other casual topics, not focusing on just Fantasy Realm business. Occasionally, Alex visits the Realm, especially the Trading Hub, dressed in his mask, red suit, and wig. Surprisingly, one day he bumps into Rishi, who winks at him and whispers, "Nice outfit. It could use some improvement, though. You should add a few accessories to give it some unique symbols and make it more recognizable. Ill send you some links later today." Later that day, Alex freaks out in his small apartment when he receives messages from Rishi through the system. Rishi sends him links to various jewelry and designer items to enhance his outfit. "How the hell did he see through my disguise? Also is he dumb, it takes so much time to type out these links, wait that is not important right now! If he can do it, can others do the same?" Alex worries and decides to ask the culprit directly how he managed to figure him out. "How did you find out?" Alex sends him a straightforward message. "Didnt I already tell you that I can see your aura? You can disguise yourself all you want, and I admit thats a smart move, but your aura doesnt change over a few days. Dont worry. Lets meet up tomorrow, and Ill give you some reassurance." "What the hell does he mean by that?" Alex wonders. The next day, they meet up in the Realm, and Rishi hands him a contract. The contract is essentially a one-sided agreement, stating that Rishi will never expose, threaten, or even mention Alex to anyone else. The contract spans a few pages and states that Rishi wont take any action that could even be remotely construed as negative towards Alex, nor has he done so in the past. He isnt asking for anything in return. Its as one-sided as it gets. 1337 repeatedly assures Alex that there are no hidden traps or overlooked clauses. "I dont get it... why? You essentially have me in a vulnerable position. Ive already made enemies with my fake identity. Why are you offering a contract that will permanently stop you from doing anything against me? Even if I were to kill your family, this contract would forbid you from speaking badly about me!" "You would never do that, my friend, so its not a scenario I even want to consider." Alex signs the contract, which is essentially just an acknowledgment for him and doesnt bind him in any way. "Youre a weird guy. I dont get why youre focusing on me. There are plenty of other people out there, some of them part of larger guilds." Rishi repeats, "My innate skill has never been wrong. I trust it, and therefore, I trust you. Why not take a look for yourself?" Innate Skill: Aura Divination Type: Boon Level: 2 Effect: Allows you to read the aura of other people, deciphering their emotions, destiny, and unique characteristics. It also enables you to gain information about your own destiny if it is linked to the person whose aura you are reading. Upgrading this skill improves the quality and quantity of information you can obtain. Upgrade Cost: 1 Soul Crystal and 2,000 FC + 1,000 FC per level. Overall Rating: S "1337! Is that information true, or can he fake it? Its the highest-ranked innate skill Ive ever seen!" Alex asks his personal system. [Host can be sure that this is his true ability. This is a sharing function directly from the system. The system cannot be used to create fake abilities and deceive other players.] "Im impressed, and I believe you, but I still dont understand why youre so open with me. You even used that contract to make yourself unable to harm me, not even indirectly, since you included a clause that forces you to warn me if you know anything bad is going to happen to me." "Alex, its purely out of self-interest, as Ive already told you. Now you can trust me completely and not fear any kind of threat from me, since Ive closed every possible loophole." "..." Alex is stumped. He doesnt get this guy. What Rishi says is 100% true, but why go that far? What exactly did his innate skill reveal? "Just one question," Alex asks, his expression serious. "What did your skill show you that made you willing to go this far? Remember, you cant use lies to dodge questions. Of course, you can refuse to answer, but you cant lie outright." "Hehe, now youre asking the right questions. Well, I saw dozens of things, not all of them clear. One of them included a vision of us entering a high-level world together. I was even able to determine that worlds level... it was level 20. Dont ask me how I know, but I just do. So, Im 100% certain that as long as I stick with you, even if you go on most missions alone, our paths will eventually lead us into that world. Surviving until level 20 isnt something just anyone can do, so Ive decided to put my trust in you. As far as I know, level 20 is considered near the endgame for most guilds." "Wont telling me about this change the outcome?" Alex asks. "I have no idea. These visions I get... theyre vague and subjective. If we become overconfident, we could still die before it ever happens, and the vision will never come true. But just seeing that possibility is enough for me to stick with you. I also saw us entering the next world together, and your aura tells me I can trust you, whether we make it to the end or not. Ive chosen to trust in my ability and, by extension, in you. Even if you end up betraying me someday, I wont blame anyone but myself, though I dont think that will happen. Youre not the type to do that." "Theres one thing I can assure you, my friend: Its going to be a bloody good ride!" Rishi smiles and extends his hand, and Alex, with a smile of his own, shakes it firmly, feeling like he got closer to Rishi. sea??h th Novl?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 62: Mind Magic from Azeroth! Nāma over PHY and a Small Gift The next few weeks feel like a fever dream for Alex. Because of the contract, he can freely talk with Rishi about anything, confident that Rishi cant harm him or reveal even the tiniest detail that would be harmful to him. They meet up daily, talking and hanging out, sharing their entire lives and their experiences in the fantasy worlds. Like Alex, Rishi is extremely lucky, perhaps because he is one of the rare players with a base LUK stat of 3. He cant increase it further, but considering the average player only has a LUK of 1, hes still at an advantage. Rishi managed to get an S ranking in his tutorial mission, which took place in the world of . His mission mainly involved defending the Shire from invadersa low-level prologue to the main story, similar in scope to the epilogue of the where Saruman decides to attack the Shire to enact his revenge. A bit uninspired in Alexs opinion, but then again, his own mission was like that too. Rishis second mission was a solo one in the World of Warcraft, much like Alexs, where he managed to temporarily learn the skill, allowing him to finish the mission with an A rank and earn the right to learn a rare purple skill. During his time in Azeroth, Rishi was transformed into a Forsaken, which, according to him, felt almost like creating a new undead priest and starting a brand new journey. The two have a great time exchanging details about these worlds, sharing tips, tricks, and strategies they discovered. For Alex, its a relief to finally have someone to talk to freely about everything, knowing it will stay private. He is genuinely happy for this opportunity. Rishi, too, seems to enjoy it, trusting his innate skill completely and showing no fear of Alex at all. A few days later, Rishi invites Alex to join him on a small luxury vacation in Dubai. Alex is completely stunned. The next few weeks, they travel all over the world. Rishi is the heir to a giant corporation with an annual profit margin of over 1 billion USD. Alex also discovers why Rishi has so much FCthe "whales" Roja was talking about... Rishi is exactly one of them. Even during their global travels, they continue to enter the Fantasy Realm. Alex watches in amazement as Rishi employs multiple workers to broker deals involving real-life money with many players. Rishi spends hundreds of thousands of dollars daily to earn just a few hundred FC. Alex is flabbergasted. Rishi also turns out to be a tech genius, with investments on such a high level that hes a billionaire in his own right, even without his parents'' money. At one point, Rishi casually gifts Alex $10 million as a "friendly gift," completely shattering Alexs concept of money. Within an hour, he goes from being broke to a multimillionaire. While Alex likes to behave shamelessly, he feels guilty for accepting the 50,000 FC, the $10 million, and even the contract that only restricts Rishi from doing anything harmful to him while still allowing Alex to backstab, ignore, or lie to Rishi as much as he wants. "Rishi... if you want, you can create another contract. I dont like that were on uneven ground. If we want to be real teammates, I want to be on equal terms with you," Alex says after returning to his small, sad apartment following their 2 weeks of high-life vacation. "Dont worry about it. You wont betray me! I can sense these things, remember?" Rishi laughs. Alex nods, feeling a bit humbled. "You wont regret this, I promise you," he says seriously. Since Rishi cant betray him, and he somehow knows theyll end up together in the next mission, Alex shares his skills and equipment with Rishi so they can develop a good combat strategy. Rishi also reveals his gear, which is unsurprisingly impressive and expensive. He only has green-quality or higher items, including a few bluesthe best that FC can buy. All of his equipment is geared towards magic, with nothing focused on melee or requiring high physical stats like STR, AGI, or PHY. After sharing his skills, Rishi surprisingly reveals that, like Alex, he also has a second innate skill. Its somewhat similar to Alexs, though Rishi thinks the downsides are smaller while the potential upsides are also a bit more limited. Essentially, it drastically improves his SPR attribute, giving him about half of what a point in PHY and MNA would provide as an added bonus. His HP and MP regeneration no longer rely on his PHY and MNA stats but instead depend solely on his maximum HP and MP, which is a definite advantage, since those values can be raised with items. Alexs HP and MP, for example, are enhanced by his armor set and ring. The downside is that this innate skill locks Rishi into a pure mage role, with his PHY remaining low, essentially barring him from ever learning many physical skills or equipping gear that requires a high PHY stat. Innate Skill: Nma Supreme Body Type: Boon Level: MAX (Level cannot be increased) Effect: The user cannot raise his PHY stat but gains 5 HP and 5 MP for every point in SPR. Additionally, the users HP and MP regeneration depends on his maximum HP and MP values instead of PHY and MNA. HP regenerates at 0.025 per 5 points of Max HP per minute, and MP regenerates at 0.05 per 5 points of Max MP per minute (similar to the values of PHY and MNA). Overall Rating: S- Rishi also has the basic skills of Basic Mana Control, Basic Meditation, and Basic Mind magic (Level 2) Mind magic (Level 2) "DAMN! A purple-ranked skill that essentially lets you learn an entire spell school focused on mind magic? Thats insane! Wait a minute... those spell names... These are all priest spells from the Shadow skill tree in ! Come to think of it, these are nearly all the ''mind'' skills from the classic game that I can recall. Youve got practically half of the Shadow skill tree, all in one skillbookthats sick!" "Oh, you recognize it? Yes, indeed," Rishi nods. "This skill is perfect for me since I specialize in SPR, which boosts the effectiveness and damage of these spells. It also requires INT and MNA, which Ive chosen as my secondary attributes. Sadly, Mind Magic isnt effective against every enemy. Some elemental foes and various creatures have resistance to mind magic. Machines and lower life forms, like plants, can also resist it to some extent." Alex recalls the use of those spells: is a powerful damaging spell that deals a significant amount of damage, but he remembers it has a cooldown and enrages the target. inflicts damage over time to a single target. It looks like after two more worlds, Rishi will unlock , which deals damage over several seconds and slows the targeta channeling spell, if Alex remembers correctly. is an AOE fear ability, which seems incredibly useful. and are utility spells that seem rather mediocre. But is just insane. Alex recalls his days playing a priest in . He loved using Mind Control in PvP, forcing enemies to jump off cliffs and plummet to their deaths. Quite a diverse set of spells perhaps this would compliment it! Alex says. He takes out his [Skillbook: Black Magic (Fire-Blizzard-Thunder-Series)]. "Id ask if youre interested in this one, but the Fire-Blizzard-Thunder Series requires Basic Endurance and a few points in PHY, which youll never be able to get with your innate skill permanently crippling your PHY stat." He then shows him the [Skillbook: Black Magic (Fire-Series)]. "The Fire-only series has lower requirements. It might be worth learning since the prerequisites are very manageable, and you can still focus most of your points on SPR. In my opinion, it would diversify your attack options and be valuable for you." sea??h th N??elFir.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Alex lets Rishi examine the skill hes referring to. "Ill take it! That would fill my last skill slot with a spell that complements my abilities. I also love lighting stuff up," he says, grinning like a pyromaniac. Ill need some time before our mission starts to gather enough FC to compensate you. I should be able to get you 30,000 FC by then. Will that be enough?" Rishi asks. "Are you serious?" Alex responds, feeling a bit disappointed that Rishi doesnt know him better after the last few weeks. By now, his Aura Divination skill and the time theyve spent together should have given him more insight into Alexs character. "You already gave me 50,000 FC, a ton of money in the real world, and you still need to level this up twice. Just take it for now. If were teaming up in the mission like your innate skill predicts, I need you to be as strong as possible. With this, youll have both mind and fire spells at your disposal. And if were true comrades, dont talk to me about FC again." Alex hands over the Skillbook without hesitation. He doesnt need it for himself, and despite his original asking price of 75,000 FC, he knows that this blue-ranked skill is realistically worth between 20,000 and 30,000 FC. Hes already received twice its value, and he dislikes owing favors to allies. Besides, hes set on learning the more demanding but superior purple-ranked skill that combines three elements, so he has no problem giving away the blue-ranked skill. Hes already received 50,000 FC from Rishi, and the contract Rishi signed assures him of Rishis loyalty. "I need permanent and reliable partners. Rishi, with his two S-ranked skills, is a huge asset. He has as much potential as I do, and he cant betray me, plus, he clearly doesnt want to." Chapter 63: Last Preparations, Dangerous Mission, Dangerous Thoughts! The next few weeks pass quickly, with Alex and Rishi visiting the trading hub nearly every day. Alex decides to spend another 2,500 FC on bullets, giving him nearly 300, which he hopes will be enough. He also buys two of the old and reliable [Healing Potions] for another 2,000 FC. [Healing Potion] Alex spends another 2,000 FC on an item he remembers from his first visit to the trading hub: [Gotcha Pork Roast] Alex hopes its not the same item, which, while still fresh, is now months old. "Doesnt matter either way... it''s nearly a full heal and will be useful if I know another battle is coming up," he thinks. He also buys a new item, the [Basic Bandage], a white-ranked generic item costing just 500 FC. [Basic Bandage] After his purchases, he still has 69,000 FC left. Deciding to save up for future skills and his [Plutos Ceremonial Blessing], he chooses to keep the remaining FC. He cant help but let out a silent "Nice" when he sees his current balance. S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. With his remaining [Potions], [Antidote], [Healing Potions], [Basic Bandage], [Gotcha Pork Roast], and his three old gray-quality [Smoked Wolf Jerky], Alex feels confident he has enough healing items to survive the next world. He refuses to waste money on unnecessary items that might end up cluttering his inventory and potentially force him to discard them, as nearly happened in the world of . After dealing with his financial situation in the real world, Alex even visits an attorney to ensure that, in case of his demise, his parents and family have access to his newly acquired finances. Writing a "last will" is something he never expected to do so soon, but he goes through with it anyway, spicing it up with references, memes, and jokes that only the younger generation of his family might appreciate. To celebrate his recent birthday, Alex invites his parents and nearly all his relatives to a nice restaurant. After a pleasant evening, he feels ready for whatever lies ahead. With the four weeks nearly up, and now at risk of being forced into a new mission by the system at any time, Alex focuses solely on the Realm. He hangs out daily with Rishi, doing intensive learning sessions where they explore the most popular movie franchises, games, anime, books, and other popular media. Alex gives Rishi a crash course on fairy tales, not the anime, but real fairy taleswhile Rishi shares insights into Indian culture and Bollywood. With the massive global popularity of Bollywood, Alex is grateful the Realm leans more towards combat than culture, or he might have had to face some of the most famous Bollywood shows and plays. One day, as theyre lounging near the central square, a notification suddenly appears. [Player Alex Kerber has been selected for a new mission. Please enter the Fantasy Realm mission gate near the central hub in 23 hours, 59 minutes, and 58 seconds or face soul destruction.] "You got it too?" Alex asks Rishi, who nods with a smile. "Cant be a coincidence if we both get the same notification at the same time. Looks like your vision was spot on after all," Alex says. "I told you so, friend. My vision about this mission itself was vague... I expect it wont be anything grand like the One Piece world, Middle Earth, Gaia, or Azeroth. Those were special missions. According to most people, missions in the tutorial section of the Realm usually take just a few days or even less. Lets hope its a place where we can use our knowledge to gain an advantage. Ive also prepared several contracts so we can hire lower-level players by offering them real-world rewards to act as our henchmen during the mission." Alex smiles. Rishi is not only smart but also ruthless and practical. He has seen how Rishi handles businessexploiting weaknesses without hesitation, looking down on most people. For some reason, he considers Alex an equal, probably due to his innate skill. "Im glad I dont have to face this guy as an enemy," Alex thinks. "Hes like Roja, but on steroids when it comes to manipulationand way cooler. Hes probably the only true seer around the tutorial section of the Fantasy Realm." Alex and Rishi spend their final day relaxing and getting plenty of sleep. The next morning, they arrive early at the central hub. Alex shows up four hours ahead of time, only to find Rishi already there, chatting with a few other players. Rishi has already identified three other players, all middle-aged men in their 40s, who will likely join them in the mission. Hes signed contracts with them, ensuring they wont be a problem and act as their henchmen. "He wasted 9,000 FC on contracts... damn, hes really not messing around," Alex thinks. "I prefer solo play. This is way too much hassle for me." Rishi approaches Alex to explain. "These three are mediocre players with no special skills, just basic abilities and white equipment. Ive signed one-sided contracts with them, so dont worry. If they turn out to be useless, well just leave them behind. Theyll still get their money, or their families will if they die. Thats my only obligation. Everything else is fair gameat least for me," he adds with a devious smile that sends a shiver down Alexs spine. "I have never seen such a good-looking guy, who could easily be the prince in a fantasy story, make such an evil face," Alex thinks, unnerved. "His sinister mind magic suits him a little well." "I see... I need to recover my MP before the mission. And stop spending so much FC for contracts," Alex replies, gesturing for Rishi to handle the preparations. Rishi simply smiles, showing off an item he recently purchased: [King Yemmas Stamp] "Just bought this beauty for a few thousand FC," Rishi says with a grin. "Its quickly becoming my favorite item. Youll see why soon enough." Alex hands Rishi five of his 12 Annihilation Grenades, now at level 2. He has conjured them early enough to last at least 13 hours each. Alex remembers Rishis warning from a few days ago: Alex gulps, recalling his own heated response at the time. "I want to survive at all costs. Were comrades and wont betray each other, but as for everyone else... whatever it takes!" That answer had made Rishi smilea smile that still sends chills down Alexs spine. "This guy is scary... thank god I dont have to face him as an enemy," Alex thinks. Rishi introduces the three other players to Alex. They exchange handshakes, and while the trio seems nice enough, Alex quickly dismisses any notion of friendship. "This isnt the place to make friends," Alex thinks, observing them closely. "These three are just lambs to the slaughter." He makes a deliberate decision not to get to know them, not even bothering to ask their names. "Why learn the names of people who will likely end up as scapegoats? You dont name the farm animals you intend to butcher!" he reflects coldly. Alex knows he would probably treat Rishi the same way if he hadnt gone to such lengths to earn his trust, and the same is true in reverse, of course. "Im grateful I dont have to go into this alone, even if I prefer to be a solo player at heart," he muses. He acknowledges the danger in worlds where alliances form, where numbers can overpower an individual, no matter how strong. "Even with superior abilities, equipment, and stats, if I face a group in a five-on-one fight, Id likely be overwhelmed. Thats the nightmare scenario," he admits to himself. Fortunately, Rishi''s preparations have significantly lessened that risk. As the countdown inches closer, Alex bumps fists with Rishi for a morale boost, then does the same with the three new members. Strangely, they are some of the most unremarkable men he has ever seen. Alex doubts hed even recognize them if he passed them on the street. Suddenly, Alex''s system alerts him: [Player Alex Kerber has been selected for a new Mission. Please enter the Fantasy Realm mission gate near the central hub in 00 hours, 04 minutes, and 58 seconds or face soul destruction.] More and more players gather around, and Alex quickly counts: 18... 19. But before he can finish, Rishi, standing right next to him, provides the final number: "50, including us!" Alex feels a knot tighten in his stomach. "That''s not a good sign," he thinks uneasily. He leans closer to Rishi and whispers, "I fear some of them have formed alliances. How could they have known? Is there another player out there with a unique skill for organizing groups?" Rishi smiles. "Dont worry. Theyre not like us. I sense that many are just temporary allies, not truly loyal. Their Auras are tainted with deceit, selfishness, and ambition, easy and fragile targets. Remember their faces. Ive identified four real threats: those two over there, the arrogant-looking woman and the meek man beside her. They seem related, and despite their differences in behavior, I can see similarities in their Aura. The twenty lackeys behind them are clearly following their orders." "These are the two scumbags who tried to scam me the other day," Alex nearly explodes with rage, recognizing them and telling Rishi about the woman''s attempt. Rishi goes on: "The other two... one is a giant Eastern European-looking man, clearly a powerful melee fighter, and the other is a hooded woman, likely a speed-based combatant with some mystic abilities." He stealthily points toward these two in the crowd. "Nothing a few grenades cant handle," Alex replies. "I agree. Im curious to see what these grenades do to a human body... shrapnel tearing through flesh, flames igniting them from the inside, and the explosion ripping their bodies apart," Rishi says with a chilling grin. "Are they insane? Was signing this contract a mistake?" the three contracted players whisper to each other, visibly uneasy. Chapter 64: The First Purge – Cruel Mission – First Blood! The countdown ticks away. Alex hears Rishi''s voice reminding him and their three contracted helpers of their hastily constructed plan, thrown together on the spot after analyzing the situation. "Whatever happens, dont do anything rash. The very first thing you should do is try to meet up with each other. Depending on the world we arrive at, remember the different possible meeting points we discussed earlier." Alex reviews his status one last time, checking his healing items and feeling well-prepared. He discovered earlier that he could store certain items in his personal room, up to 50 items. He decided to store his special items and essences for safekeeping. , Finally, the mission begins: [Player is now entering Level 1-4 Mission: Players gathering... total number of players: 50 World selection: Earth (The Purge Franchise) Starting Location: NY, Staten Island Timeline: The First Purge] Setting: In the world of , society has found a dark solution to control crime and unrest. For one night each year, all crime, including murder, is completely legal. This annual event, known as "The Purge," is a terrifying social experiment designed to vent societal anger, allowing citizens to release their violent impulses without consequence. The result is a twisted blend of freedom and chaos, a night where survival is not guaranteed, and morality is pushed to the edge. This mission takes place during , the initial experiment conducted by the NFFA, , a new political party that started it all. In an attempt to reduce crime long-term, the government designates one isolated community, Staten Island, NYas the testing ground for the original Purge. Participants are encouraged to engage in any actions they choose, while wealthy sponsors, thrill-seekers, and desperate individuals each have their own reasons for participating. The night is a brutal test of human nature, where trust is shattered, alliances form and fall apart, and no one truly knows who will make it to dawn. Residents are paid for staying and receive additional rewards if they take part in the violence. Staten Island was chosen for its high percentage of poor residents who voted overwhelmingly for the experiment, driven by the promise of monetary rewards. Player Setting: PvP actions are encouraged, and players will obtain random amounts of their defeated enemies'' possessions, varying between 1% and 20% of the total value of their belongings, in the form of bloody chests. These chests cannot be opened during the mission and must be opened back in the Fantasy Realm. Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Mission Objectives: Survive from 7 PM to 7 AM.To increase your mission rating:Obtain as much valuable loot as possible and store it in the mission-specific section of your inventory (Money, Jewelry, Drugs, Weapons, anything of value). In case of death, this inventory will slowly empty and then turn into a special container with everything valuable inside. Player items cannot be placed into this inventory.Kill other players.Killing non-player characters is neither rewarded nor punished.Hiding in a safe place leads to a heavy reduction in mission rating. The three players with the highest kill count will receive additional rewards: Rank 1: ??? + [Soul Crystals (Small)] x5Rank 2: ??? + [Soul Crystals (Small)] x3Rank 3: ??? + [Soul Crystal (Small)] x1 Rating Tiers (Level 0-4): F (Death): Player dies, no rewards.E (Penalty): Lose 1 to 3 random stat points.D (Neutral): No stat points, 300C600 FC.C (Average): 1 stat point, 1000C2000 FC.B (Good): 2C3 stat points, 3000C5000 FC.A (Excellent): 4C5 stat points, 6000C10,000 FC.S (Exceptional C Very Rare): 6C8 stat points, 12,000C20,000 FC. Failure Condition: Leaving the designated area of Staten Island, NY, for more than 5 minutes. Punishment: Immediate soul destruction. [Player is now entering Staten Island, NY. Current time: 6:55 PM] [Player level 2 recognized - Player will spawn in the southeastern part of the map, the second safest location with a smaller risk of immediate death.] [Warning: Attacking players before the start of the Purge experiment at exactly 7 PM will be punished by immediate soul destruction.] Alex suddenly awakens. "Damn, this is the prequel to ," he mutters, realizing he''s in world. It''s essentially a giant death match confined to Staten Island. He recalls most of the movie plot but isnt entirely certain on the details since its been a while since he watched it. He never really liked this prequel to the original movie, feeling it focused too much on a few specific characters and their backstory rather than the larger things happening behind this event. Still, he knows that there are plenty of opportunities to exploit. As he looks around, the streets seem eerily empty, but in the distance, he can hear the faint sounds of a street party. Though he feels somewhat ridiculous, Alex has decided to wear his full armor. To mask his appearance, he prepared for this exact scenario by bringing a large black cloak, which he throws over his armor, hiding it somewhat. Thankfully, his [Visor of Pluto] covers his head and most of his face, helping him stay somewhat anonymous Alex remembers the first step of Rishis plan: "Immediately go to the highest place in your field of vision and try to group up." Since Alex and Rishi share the same level, they should both be in the southeastern part of the island, making it likely that they''ll be able to meet. He spots the tallest building nearby, a large hospital, the Staten Island University Hospital, and decides to make his way there, using every available minute before the "game" officially begins. He starts jogging toward the building, knowing he doesnt have much time. After two to three minutes, Alex slows his pace to a brisk walk. "I should be able to reach the hospital in another three minutes," he thinks. He remembers that, in the movie, the first hours were relatively calm. People mostly celebrated, some looted, but it was more about wild block parties than outright violence. He knows that, aside from the criminal gangs, who are only an issue if provoked, and the psycho, Skeletor, theres no real threat in the initial phase. "At least for now," he muses. "The real danger lies in the other players." He also remembers that the NFFA hid weapons around Staten Island. "If I get targeted by a sniper, even with my armor, Im in huge trouble," he thinks, feeling a shudder of anxiety. "Later, in the early morning, well-armed gangs hired by the NFFA will arrive. Theyll be a serious problemfirearms, cars, motorcycles, and moving in packs." Suddenly, the system message blares: [The First Purge has started. It is exactly 7 PM. This mission will end in 12 hours, at exactly 7 AM. Good luck to all players.] Alex acknowledges the system message but keeps moving steadily toward the hospital. Suddenly, he hears loud noises ahead, shouting and the sound of car windows getting crushed. "It can''t be? Has it already started? The movie only focused on a few key characters. I have no idea what really happened elsewhere!" he thinks. He hesitates for a moment before creeping closer to the sounds. As he rounds the corner, he spots the source of the commotion: two players locked in a desperate struggle. Their odd gear instantly gives them away. "Players," Alex realizes, adrenaline rushing through him. Rishis words echo in his mind: "No hesitation!" Alex silently tells himself. He ducks behind a parked car and edges closer, keeping his movements low and deliberate. One player wields a crude-looking mace, while the other desperately dodges, armed with a simple bow. "Hehe, guys, this isnt a medieval world, what are you doing?" Alex chuckles under his breath at the absurdity of it all. The bow user scrambles away, vaulting over cars to dodge the swings of the mace-wielder. They are completely engrossed in their awkward duel, unaware of Alexs approach. With calm precision, he draws his [Mr. 5s .44 Caliber 6-Shot Revolver], taking advantage of their distraction. His recently upgraded Pistol Proficiency lvl 2 steadies his aim. He lines up his first shot at the bow users head, firing with lethal intent. Without hesitation, he squeezes the trigger twice more, targeting the man''s exposed upper body, only protected by a flimsy leather chest armor. BANG! BANG! BANG! The shots ring out in the quiet streets. Alex, neither celebrating nor dwelling on the moment, quickly shifts his focus to the remaining player. The mace-wielder, staring in shock at his fallen adversary, turns his gaze to Alex. He spots him crouched behind the car, revolver still aimed and ready. "No, wait. STOP, PLEASE!" the man pleads, his voice shaking with desperation. That was easy," Alex thinks, noting how quickly the encounter ended. "Even though the second guy looked tough, he must have had less than 10 PHY and under 100 HP. Killing is so simple with this monster of a weapon in my hand! He forces himself to push aside the thrill of power. Stop thinking about it, move on! he tells himself, coldly suppressing the rush of adrenaline. Just then, a system message flashes before him, visible to every player in the mission: [Player 48 and Player 45 have been eliminated] [Current ranking: 1. Player 13 - 2] Alexs heart pounds in his chest. "Looks like I''m Player 13," he realizes, seeing his new kill count reflected in the ranking. "I better hurry and leave," Alex thinks, his eyes scanning the area for any signs of movement. "Dont want to get ambushed by other players myself." He moves quickly, keeping low as he navigates through the abandoned streets, his senses on high alert for any lurking threats. Chapter 65: Going for Gold or Going for Blood? Alex keeps moving forward. As he is about to enter the hospital, he spots multiple people carrying medical equipment out of it. It looks like some employees are using this opportunity to haul away anything of value, huge stacks of drugs (medicine), and expensive medical gear. Alex smiles at this unexpected jackpot. "The system mentioned the value of items. Who cares if it''s medicine, medical equipment, or pure gold? It shouldn''t matter, should it?" As he approaches the looters, who have already gathered a large pile of supplies and are loading them into several vehicles, most likely stolen, they immediately confront him. "Hey, you weird-looking freak! Are you some kind of nerd dressing up as a knight? Get off our island now, or we''ll show you how we handle idiots like you around here!" one of them yells. Alex examines them closely. Some carry baseball bats and knives, and hes sure a few have guns tucked away. "Doesnt matter," he calculates. "Ive gotten stronger, and the Frost resistance of my newest conjuration has improved. Id rather pay a few hundred more FC to let 1337 patch me up after this mission than take unnecessary risks. A stray headshot or a bullet hitting my eye could still kill me. I can''t afford to take chances." Sealions Icewing Embrace lvl 2. His entire body becomes encased in sharp, gleaming ice shards, his armor enlarging, and wings of ice extend from his back. Cold mist seeps from his body, creating the usual imposing, ethereal aurathis time with a slightly stronger effect, thanks to his upgrade from lvl 0 to lvl 2. His MP drains by slightly over 50, leaving him with more than half of his MP. At the moment, he can only use this ability since hes already conjured the maximum number of grenades. Alex chooses not to be stingy; he can recover his missing MP within an hour or so. The looters panic, confused and glancing nervously at one another. Alex doesn''t give them any more time to react. He draws his [Sword of Pluto] and [Shield of Pluto] from his back, both now infused with the cold aura radiating from his conjured armor. He immediately slashes at the looters. With a weapon and magical enhancement like this, there''s no need to track damage numbers. His Alexandrian Royal Swordsmanship lvl 2, combined with Basic Close Combat Prowess lvl 2, his STR of 9 + 1, and the frost effect make each strike deliver a devastating blow of 70 to 80 damage at the minimum. Even the strongest ordinary human wouldn''t survive a single hit. These looters have no chance. Alex spins, using the element of surprise to strike multiple enemies in a single sweeping attack. He quickly uses his superior Basic Footwork lvl 2 and AGI to dash toward the remaining looters, swiftly cutting down anyone in his path. As more people emerge from the hospital, he slaughters them too. A few of the dozens of looters manage to flee. Alex pulls out his [Mr. 5s .44 Caliber 6-Shot Revolver] and shoots, taking down most of them, only letting two escape due to his limited ammo capacity. Sear?h the ovlFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Then, he feels his trusty [Commander Shepards Dog Tag] activate, alerting him to two looters hiding inside one of the vehicleseasily detected by his heightened SNS. "Where are the weapon stashes? You have three seconds," Alex demands. "I DON''T KNOW WHAT YOU''RE TALKING ABOUT, MONSTER!" the man answers, panicking. Alex can tell he''s telling the truthsadly, this one really doesnt know. Alex then shifts his aim to the other looter. "I DON''T KNOW EITHER... I...," the second man stammers, and Alex instantly knows hes hit the jackpot. "Tell me, and I''ll let you go if you do an additional task for me," he says calmly. "Im not sure if its about weapons, but... my brother told me about a weird container they put up in front of the golf course, next to the museum." "Im not familiar with this area. Youd better give me your best directions to get there... or better yet, just give me a working phone, and Ill look it up myself. You can go once you hand over a working phone. And make sure to tell everyoneyour friends, brothers, comrades, I dont care, if they approach this hospital or the golf course and museum you mentioned, they wont make it out alive." Alex glances towards the hospital and notices a group of female looters, likely part of the same gang. "Take them with you and help spread the message. Im giving you five minutes to clear out this building and hand me a working phone soon... or else! NOW MOVE!" He then turns back to the first guy. "Show me your most valuable loot. Im not interested in mediocre stuff, just the best you have. If you do, Ill let you collect the rest after Im done here. Ill be leaving the hospital at 10 PM. After that, you and your gang can come back for the leftovers. But if you try to hide anything valuable from me..." Alex swings his sword, the frosty aura surrounding it causing the ground to freeze even though it doesnt make contact. The looters panic, quickly scrambling to bring out their most valuable items. In just a few minutes, Alex fills his special inventory with high-quality medical supplies and drugs. He also drags in a whole MRI machine, Alex knows that they cost a fortune. Hes not entirely sure what their street or retail value is, nor which number matters for the system, but he grins at his haul. He decides to pack his inventory to the brim, leaving only a small amount of space for additional items. "I can always throw out some stuff later," he reasons. He uses the special inventory feature to sort the loot in order of perceived value. After nearly fifteen minutes, his icy armor collapses, and he relaxes slightly. Even so, Alex only manages to grab less than a third of the available loot before his inventory is maxed out. Hes then handed not one, but two phones by the frantic looters, who waste no time running away. They flee just in time before Alex hears a loud, obnoxious sound: "MEEEEEEEH, MAAAAAA, BAAAAA, MEEEEEH!" Alex laughs maniacally, recognizing the "sheep" sound as part of a signal. He immediately mimics it, using a German pronunciation: "M???????????????H!" Rishi approaches him with a smile. "Looks like you made it. I saw you were at the airport south of here, but I figured you were headed for the hospital. Are you 13 or 1, by any chance?" Alex bumps his fist. "Yeah, Im 13. Whos 1? I was kinda busy until a moment ago," he says, pointing to the bodies lying on the ground. "Why bother with those fools?" Rishi asks. "Take a look at the stuff they were stealing. My inventory is already full, so you might as well take the rest. You can always replace it with better things later on!" As Rishi fills his inventory with Alexs help, they discuss the situation. "Im leading in the ranking, of course... and we''re alone in this mission starting now. I decided the helpers werent of much use and didnt want to risk them getting killed by our enemies, handing them free points. So, I took care of it myself," Rishi says with a grin. Alex gulps. "I knew I wouldnt end up working with those three... Rishi really handled them like he said he would. Not only did he get three new empty contracts thanks to his item, but it also looks like their deaths earned him three bloody chests and 3 points. Lets check the ranking." [Current ranking: 1. Player 3 - 5 2. Player 13 - 2 2. Player 1 - 2] "Wait... youre 3? So you got two others as well," Alex questions. "I saw a bunch of suspicious people hiding behind a window... tossed in a grenade. Two for the price of one. Your babies are insane," Rishi responds, smiling widelyan expression that still creeps Alex out, despite knowing him for over a month. Alex hands Rishi a smartphone, already having confirmed that the combination to unlock it works. He shows it to him and asks about their next targets. "The north is where the real action is. The southwest is the safest area, probably where level 1 players spawn, so we should head there first and rack up some points. Lets aim for numbers 1 and 2!" Rishi suggests, his taste for blood driving him to win the contest. He clearly sees the other players not as people but as targets. "Sounds good... we could head west, cut them off, and then move down a bit to intercept them. I also got some intel. Between the museum and the golf course to the west, theres supposed to be a special weapon stash. The NFFA, the movie ''villains'' who set up this first Purge, dropped them to stir things up. Could be useful for the mission even if we are not allowed to keep those weapons. And when I hear ''museum,'' I think of valuable stuff. Not sure what kind of museum it is, but if they have jewelry or anything valuable, we might as well grab it." Rishi smiles, and this time it feels different to Alexless exaggerated and more genuine. "Looks like I underestimated you a bit... time for me to pull my weight, or youll get all the credit. While you may not be a genius like me, youve got a good head on your shoulders. Im a bit surprised. Lets do it this way" Alex kind of expected this. Rishi, while well-behaved on the surface, has slowly revealed his true personality during their time together. This kind of insane, nihilistic behavior doesnt surprise him anymore. Rishi is super intelligent, decisive, and ruthless. Still, with Alex, hes always honest, knowing that deception will only lose Alexs trust. "At least hes straightforward," Alex thinks. "And considering his real-life accomplishments, calling himself a genius isnt far off... its even a bit of an understatement." Rishi finishes packing his inventory with the remaining loot from the hospital, and they begin jogging west, using the GPS on their phones to navigate. "Check out the museum and the weapons stash near the golf course on the way, then go for more points!" They agree, setting their plan into motion. Chapter 66: Golf, Gore, and Guns! Alex and Rishi finally make it to the museum. Its no surprise that the suprisingly small building, nestled in a normal-looking neighborhood and surrounded by a high stone wall, has been barricaded shut. The owners, clearly anticipating looters, have constructed heavy barriersreinforced with both wood and metal. "Shit... this won''t be easy to get inside!" Alex curses. Rishi just smiles, his tone shifting back to the usual polite and thoughtful manner. "I see several weak points in this shoddy construction. Dont worry, my friend. We can either climb in from abovethere are some windows that arent fully blockedor we could use a vehicle, or even your grenades, to force our way inside. For now, let''s focus on finding the weapons. Weve already filled our special inventories. While we could replace some items with higher-value loot, Id say we''ve got a decent haul. We should concentrate on other players and the ranking!" Alex knows Rishi is right, but he would have preferred raiding rare treasures over engaging in risky and deadly PvP. Still, replacing lower-value items with more valuable ones will only slightly improve their mission rating, not secure a spot in the special Top 3 rankings. They casually make their way to the golf course. Along the way, they encounter a few crazed people. Alex, aiming with precision, takes one out with a clean headshot, scaring off the rest. They begin searching for the crate. Half an hour passes, and Alex is ready to give up when Rishi suddenly calls out, "I got it!" Alex quickly rushes over to see Rishi standing by a small container filled with weapons. Its not as much as Alex hoped, but theres still a decent variety. Inside, they find different guns, pistols, and even some explosives. As expected, the system doesnt recognize them as mission items, but after a bit of testing, they manage to fire the guns successfully. "Theres our ticket into the museum, these explosives will do just fine," Rishi says as he sorts through the gear, putting on a bulletproof vest to boost his defense. They quickly store the guns, ammunition, and extra gear, with Alex tossing out a few boxes of medical supplies from his inventory to make space. Rishi does the same. Just as they are about to leave, Rishi suddenly pulls Alex back into the container. "SEARCH FOR THEM! THE PLAYERS SHOULD BE SOUTH," someone yells nearby. "See, my friend, thats what I was telling you about the quality of the larger group we saw in the Realm," Rishi says, grinning. "I recognize that guy as one of the group of lackeys led by that aggressive woman and her brother you told me about. Arent we lucky? They havent found our targets yet and sent out scouts like this , and theyve practically served themselves up to us on a silver platter. Lets take him and the rest out quickly." Instead of targeting the player searching the area 30 meters ahead with their newly acquired weapons, Rishi silently casts "Mind Blast." The "hunter" scouting for low-level players lets out a pained scream, collapsing to his knees. Without missing a beat, Alex finishes him off with one of the Glocks he picked up earlier, using his Pistol Proficiency lvl 2 to deliver a deadly accurate shot. Alex quickly moves up to claim the loot. [Current ranking: 1. Player 3 - 5 2. Player 13 - 3 3. Player 1 - 2] "I owe you one for the kill steal," Alex says, slightly embarrassed. "Its fine. We have plenty more points to gather... and it looks like theyve set up their base in the golf course. Id say its time we pay them a visit." They stealthily approach the golf course, noticing that the players arent even trying to keep a low profile. Theyre yelling and joking, acting as if they own the entire area. The group is lounging in a wide circle in front of the golf courses main building, and Alex and Rishi manage to hide in the nearby bushes, just a few dozen meters away. "Are they serious? Is this some kind of trap?" Alex whispers, baffled by the situation. Rishi''s smile grows wicked, his bloody intentions plain as day. "I told you... even if we were up against a hundred of these idiots, it wouldnt matter," he says, pulling out a heavy machine gun that looks brutally intimidating, though Alex can''t identify the model. "Lets throw some of your grenades," Rishi suggests, a gleam of excitement in his eyes. "Ill take the right side, and you throw yours to the left. Then, we shoot at whatevers left, hehe take a look at how they are joking around looking like they are having a lot of fun! I cant wait to see how their faces will look in just a few seconds! Get ready NOW!" They each grab two Annihilation Grenades lvl 2, lighting the 3-second fuses. Simultaneously, they throw themRishis to the right side of the group and Alexs to the left. Rishis machine gun roars with chaotic, wild bursts, the shots flying everywhere, while Alex methodically picks off targets, taking advantage of the chaos to aim at any player he can easily target. After just a few seconds, they hear the grenades explode, Alex gets hit with dozens of notifications. Still, they keep firing, and Alex sees a few people trying to flee. He accurately guns them down, picking off targets one by one. Finally, an enemy fires back with a gun, having taken cover behind a nearby golf cart. The assailant misses twice but grazes Alexs shoulder while hes reloading his pistols, luckily not landing a full hit or leaving a bullet inside. Sarch* The N??elFir.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Suddenly, Alex sees a massive fire spell being cast by Rishi, engulfing the last enemy and the golf cart at the same time. The screams of agony echo for a few seconds before fading, leaving behind a charred body still smoldering. The aftermath of their assault is a smoky silence, the air thick with the remnants of their attack. Nearby plants caught in the explosions and Rishis spell are still burning, adding to the chaos theyve unleashed. The results of the slaughter? 13 dead, including the one they killed earlier, making it 14 in total. Surprisingly, Alex managed to take out 9 of the 14, which leaves Rishi looking a bit displeased. I guess I shouldnt have played Rambo, wildly spraying the crowd with bullets. You were a bit more effective," Rishi admits. "Are you hurt much, by the way? Dont worry," Alex replies. "The bullet just grazed me. How do we split up the chests? I''ll take 6 more, you get the rest okay? He temporarily removes his armor and clothes, clumsily using the medical supplies he picked up at the hospital to disinfect and bandage the wound. Sure! Rishi agrees with a grin. They both gather the bloody chests after Alex finishes his treatment. Alex now holds 9 bloody chests in his inventory and calculates, "At 1% to 20%, I get somewhere between 9% and 180% of the average player''s items. Nice!" [Current ranking: Player 13 - 11 Player 3 - 10 Player 1 - 4] Alex laughs. Oh my god, we are going to win. The only way for them to beat us is if they target us... oh..." Rishi chuckles, Didn''t think about that, did you? Dont worry! More people targeting us means more bloody chests for us. And if theyre smart, theyll realize were not going down easily if weve racked up this many points in just a few hours. "Anyway," Rishi continues, "let''s check out the museum. According to their website, it''s a museum of Tibetan art. I have to admit, Im somewhat interested! Also, we now have targets on our backs. Lets not bother heading north to their likely spawn point. Instead, well take up a defensive position... and the museum is a perfect spot for an ambush. Other players will come for us, and we can loot the most valuable pieces at the same time." As Alex and Rishi walk towards the museum, they come across a crowd of rioters and gangs still celebrating in the streets. Alex shares what he remembers from the movie, especially about the fake gangs hired by the NFFA that will arrive later. They arrive at the museum to find it already being ransacked. What now? We need to change our plan fast, right? Alex asks, eyeing the chaos. Rishis expression shifts to his trademark, sweet smile as he responds, Alex, my friend, I have a question for you: have you ever robbed a bank before? Alex stares at him, speechless. "..." Chapter 67: The Worst Bank Robbers Ever – System Announcement Alex cant believe what he and Rishi are currently doing. They are heading towards New Springville, taking the shortest route possible, which leads them straight through the golf course. Suddenly, a group of men wearing animal masks jumps onto the road. They wield an assortment of menacing weaponsaxes, bats with nails, and hammers. Reacting instantly, Alex, with his superior AGI, draws his Glocks and executes the attackers on the spot. Four men drop dead in an instant. Rishi laughs, kicking one of the bodies wearing a pig mask. Arent these piggies cute? he taunts. "These NPCs are a joke, the only people we need to be careful about are other players." Rishi checks the map again. Good, were almost through the golf course. Lets get a ride and head further west. There are a bunch of banks clustered together. I doubt looters have hit them yet without explosives. As they finally leave the golf course and step onto the street, Alex barely has time to process Rishis mention of getting a ride when Rishi suddenly shoots at a passing car. The bullet shatters the windshield, causing the driver to swerve and crash into a nearby building. The panicked driver leaps out and bolts away. I see... Alex mutters, a bit shocked by Rishis recklessness. "You seem disturbingly comfortable with all this chaos," he notes. Isnt this exhilarating? Ive always wanted to experience something like this. Lets make the most of it before we return to our dull reality, Rishi replies with genuine excitement. They get into the damaged car, now full of bullet holes and with a shattered front windshield. Alex quickly takes the drivers seat, thinking, "This guy is usually so composed and proper, but hes gone full psycho. There''s no way Im letting this lunatic drive, or hell probably get us both killed." I wanted to drive but fine, you go ahead, Rishi says, pouting slightly, clearly offended. "Tell me where to drive," Alex asks Rishi, keeping his eyes on the road as they leave the golf course and head deeper into New Springville. "Take a look yourself," Rishi replies, holding up his phone''s screen. "There are plenty of options: banks, supermarkets like Target, and even a damn mall! All great targets. Let''s make the most of it!" Alex gives him a skeptical look, to which Rishi quickly responds, "Relax, I''m just enjoying the moment. Well get through this mission, and I guarantee well take the first and second spots." "Fine," Alex concedes, "I suppose it cant hurt to face this with a positive attitude." They drive along Forest Hill Road, then onto Independence Avenue, eventually pulling up in front of a bank. "Haha, no way, this bank has a drive-thru ATM? Ive never seen anything like this before. I love the US!" Alex laughs. They immediately notice a group of looters trying to pry open the outdoor ATMs, but the inside of the bank seems untouched. As Alex steps out of the car, walking casually towards the looters, Rishi suddenly grabs his arm, pointing toward a group near one of the ATMs. "Look at those three over there," he says. "Check out the weapons they''re holding. One of them''s got a spear, and the other has what looks like a saber. Doesnt that seem like too much of a coincidence?" Alex freezes, his face going pale. He whispers to Rishi, "I''ll be damned. Id recognize that weapon anywherethat''s my [Solid Marine Saber]! I sold it after my last mission. And look, one of the others is wearing my old Fur armor pieces! Those are players. They must be low-level if theyre still using those White and Light Green quality items." Suddenly, one of the three players shouts a warning, and the others instantly dive for cover behind the ATM, blocking their line of sight. "Damn, too late!" Alex mutters, realizing theyve been spotted. Rishi, however, reacts quickly and manages to cast a Shadow Word: Pain on the player who screamed before he can hide. Though the target disappears behind the ATM, his pained screams continue, giving away their exact position. Taking advantage of the situation, Alex pulls out another Annihilation Grenade. Adjusting the trigger, he hurls it precisely against a wall, making it rebound and land perfectly behind the ATM. BOOM! Sar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Despite the chaos, Alex quickly checks his damage logs. From the information, he concludes that while two of the enemies are dead, one has survived, wounded but not yet finished off. "Careful, Rishi, one survived!" Alex warns. "Way ahead of you," Rishi replies confidently. He is already channeling his fire spell, this time targeting the ATM and its surrounding area, even though he has no direct view of the remaining opponent. The spell goes off, and moments later, the third player''s anguished screams echo through the air. The poor guy, barely clinging to life after the grenade, is now set ablaze by Rishis fire spell, his cries growing weaker as the flames consume him. "I love this spell, Alex! Thanks for giving it to me," Rishi says with a twisted grin. "Its so versatile. A small adjustment, and it changes from a focused attack to an area spell, igniting everything within range. You know the best part? Cast this way, the flames arent instantly lethal. It gives the target a few precious seconds to realize what''s burning them." Alex watches, half-amused and half-wary. "This pyromaniac is probably the last person who should have access to a spell like that," he thinks, shaking his head. Alex picks up two more bloody chests, bringing his total to an astonishing 11. Rishi grabs the chest dropped by the man who died from his fire spell, taking a moment to inspect the charred remains up close, a disturbing fascination evident on his face. Meanwhile, Alex feels a wave of nausea wash over him. Despite the satisfaction of success, the sheer amount of death and destruction around him is overwhelming. "This is the sickest and most twisted mission ever," he thinks. "The Realm is practically forcing us to kill each other, with no goal besides wealth and survival. If you refuse, you get a bad rating and risk death or stat penalties." [Current ranking: 1. Player 13 - 13 2. Player 3 - 11 3. Player 1 - 5] "Good," Rishi says, a satisfied grin spreading across his face. "The players are dwindling. If we keep this up, nobody can catch us without directly confronting us. They''ll have to kill us to take our spots." Their brutal assault has cleared the area of other looters, giving them the chance to loot the partially destroyed ATMs. A few loose bills are scattered by the wind, and they manage to collect a few thousand dollars with ease. "Lets head inside," Rishi says dismissively. "This is pocket change. I wouldnt even spend an hour of my time for this kind of money. One hour of my life is worth at least $100,000!" Alex, whose sense of money has been thoroughly warped by recent events, agrees. "Yeah, lets get to the real prize." They break into the bank, cutting through security doors with a combination of tools and Alexs impressive 10 points of STR. Eventually, they reach the vault, secured behind a heavy steel door. Through the bars, they can see hundreds, if not thousands, of small safety deposit boxes. Rishi produces a bundle of explosives, placing them against the vault door with a casual confidence that makes Alex nervous. "Are you sure you know what youre doing? Youre just eyeballing it. This could go very wrong," Alex warns, uneasily watching his friend work. Rishi doesnt answer, just sets the timer and they both scramble out of the vault. Moments later, the entire building shakes violently, the ground rumbling beneath them. Dust and debris rain down, and for a second, it feels like the bank might collapse entirely. Returning to the vault, they find Rishis explosive gamble has partially worked, the vault door is blown wide open, but so are more than half the security lockers inside. Cash and valuables are strewn everywhere in a chaotic mess. "At least it saves us the trouble of breaking them open individually," Rishi says proudly. "Not bad, huh?" "..." Alex keeps his thoughts to himself, too stunned to argue. "Lets grab what we can," he says, forcing himself to sound positive. He knows he''d probably have done an even worse job trying to blow open a safe. Even with the chaos and destruction, theres at least some semblance of success. A few hours later, Alex and Rishi collapse onto a couch upstairs, intended for bank customers. Their inventories are packed with cash, gold, silver, some in bars and coins, as well as diamonds, jewelry, and expensive watches. Alex smashes a vending machine in the lobby, tosses a bottle of Coke to Rishi, and opens one for himself. "That was exhausting," Rishi says, looking visibly tired while drinking. Compared to Alex, who still seems fine, Rishis lack of PHY is showingAlexs superior stamina gives him an edge in purely physical tasks. "Robbing a bank is exhausting, I guess!" Rishi admits, though he smiles. "Its worth experiencing those kinds of things at least once. Next time, well know how to do things better." "... Alex isnt sure if hell ever get the chance to rob another bank, or if he even wants that chance. He checks the current rankings: [Current ranking: 1. Player 13 - 13 2. Player 3 - 11 3. Player 1 - 8] "Theyre catching up," Alex says, concerned. "Do we risk more, or should we lay low? Its close to 1 AM. Only six more hours until this mission ends, and things are going to get ugly soon. The mass killings will probably start when the NFFA''s hired gangs arrive." Before Rishi can respond, a system message flashes before them. [It is now 1 AM. Remaining players: 14 - Shrinking playing field. Please be sure to leave the outlined areas in 60 minutes or risk soul destruction. Players locations will be revealed for 60 seconds every hour starting at 2 AM.] Alex quickly opens the system map and is shocked. The entire southern part of the island, including much of the southeast, has been removed from the active playing field. Thankfully, New Springville, located in the center of the island, remains a safe zone for now. Rishi suggests they head toward the mall and wait for the player location reveal at 2 AM before making any further decisions. "Why not stay here?" Alex asks. "I considered that," Rishi replies, "but remember the rules of this mission? Hiding in a safe place leads to a heavy reduction in mission rating. Weve already looted everything valuable here. Staying here could easily be considered hiding by the system. Lets keep moving so we dont get penalized." Alex nods in agreement. "Makes sense. Let''s go." They exit the bank, and to Alexs relief, the car they used to get there is still parked outside. They hop in and drive north, the massive mall already visible on the horizon. Chapter 68: A Violent Shopping Trip – A Visitor Straight from Knockturn Alley Alex and Rishi arrive at the mall. As Alex attempts to park in the expansive lot in front of the mall, Rishi stops him: Park over there between those smaller buildings by the wall. Its closer, and if we need to leave quickly, those extra seconds might be crucial. See that ladder? We may also want to get onto the roof at some point. This way, well have an easy exit route to escape down. A bit overwhelmed by the thought of the situations Rishi has apparently anticipated, Alex follows his directions and parks the car where Rishi indicated. They exit and head toward the mall, spotting a few people rushing in and out, looting what they can. Are you sure we should go inside, Rishi? Alex questions, glancing warily at the looters. Seems risky. We dont gain anything from taking down random looters. Rishi remains calm. Its fine, Alex, only a bit longer than half an hour until the first ping goes out that will reveal everyones location on the map. Well want to be in a large area with lots of exits when it happens. In a big mall with plenty of people, well be hard to pinpoint, and we can use the chaos to either escape or retaliate if necessary. Inside, they stroll around without a set direction, surveying the malls chaotic state. Alex spots a smaller store that has been boarded up and looks untouched. Judging by the sign above, it seems to sell phones and electronics. Think we should go inside? Alex suggests, nodding at the store. A couple of hundred new iPhones are probably worth close to a hundred grand. Id be fine swapping out some of the medical supplies I grabbed for something like that. Rishi nods, interested. Good spot, why not? Together, they pry apart the hastily nailed wooden boards and shatter the glass to break inside. The store alarm starts blaring, but neither of them pays it any mind. After around twenty minutes, theyve managed to gather a collection of high-end phones, filling whatever inventory space remains with the valuables. Alex checks the time. Just three minutes to 2 AM. Should we get closer to the exit? I think weve gotten all we can in this apocalyptic-looking mall. Without warning, Rishis expression changes, and his usual look of enjoyment slips. He gives Alex a serious, cautioning look and whispers, My innate skill lets me see and read the auras of others, remember? I can see an aura approaching us from the stores 10 oclock direction, but theres no person in sight The enemy is likely cloaked by an item or some ability. Dont look over there. Act natural. I cant see them, but I can see the aura slowly moving closer. Alex stays calm and whispers back, "Could be that woman with the hood maybe shes waiting until we all get distracted by the system update in he checks, two minutes. I remember she looked like some kind of rogue-witch hybrid. Could she have an invisibility skill?" Rishi gives a calm, calculated smile. "Ill tap the ground once when her aura approaches the store and twice if she enters it. After that, be ready to defend yourselfshell make her move soon." Alex subtly draws his [Barbed Dagger] from his inventory, positioning it carefully. The weapon hasnt seen much action, but its design makes it ideal for a fight like this. [Barbed Dagger] Right as the clock strikes 2 AM, Alex hears Rishis soft footstep, a single, intentional sound. Then the system notification pops up. [It is now 2 AM. Remaining players locations will be revealed in 5 seconds for the duration of 60 seconds.] Just as the message appears, Alex hears Rishi tap the ground twice in quick succession. With heightened awareness, Alex listens and strains his senses. He cant see anything, but theres a faint crunch near the entrance, someone stepping on the broken display close to where theyre standing. Deciding not to wait any longer, Alex takes the initiative. In one swift motion, he pulls out his [Sword of Pluto] and makes a broad, powerful slash toward the area where he heard the sound. Simultaneously, Rishi leaps back in the opposite direction, anticipating Alexs move and creating distance for himself as a ranged combatant. Alex senses a shift in the air before him, but his slash meets nothing but empty space. Suddenly, he hears a womans voice chanting boldly, "Expelliarmus!" The spells impact is instant, and his sword flies from his hand, landing several meters away in a display case filled with phones. A woman materializes directly in front of him, shedding her invisibilitya Disillusionment Charm from Harry Potter, Alex realizes. She holds a wicked-looking dagger and lunges at him. But Alex is faster. Instinctively, he activates Sealions Icewing Embrace lvl 2, and a frosty mist envelops him, solidifying his armor with icy spikes. Her dagger hits his armor, unable to penetrate, and she cries out as her arm gets pierced by the spikes, leaving it bloodied. Seizing the advantage, Alex drives his [Barbed Dagger] into her shoulder, causing an immediate bleed and additional cold damage. Shocked, the woman stumbles back, attempting to flee. But Rishi has anticipated her move and slips behind her, pressing his gun to the back of her head. "Surrender now," he says icily. "One wrong move, and its over. Drop the dagger." Reluctantly, she lets the dagger fall. Alex picks it up and inspects its stats. [Poison Enchanted Dagger] sea??h th N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Alex whistles. "Not bad, a light blue dagger from Borgin and Burkes and able to cast two powerful spells from the Harry Potter world. You were right, Rishi; shes formidable." Rishi grins, whispering, "You deserve nothing less than death for that assassination attempt, but I can offer you a different path. A way to live, despite your misdeeds against us." He takes a contract from his pocket. "Sign this, and I promise not only your survival in this mission, but Ill also grant you a chance to become a long-term assistant." The woman, torn and intimidated, replies coldly, Kill me. Id rather die than end up as a slave. Rishi hides his anger behind a smile. How about you cut the self-righteous nonsense and actually read the contract? Its more than fair, given the situation. If youre too dense to recognize that, then maybe I should retract my offer since youre obviously not worth taking under my care if thats really the case. The woman quickly scans the contract, while Alex, retrieving his sword, stands guard in front of her, alert for any suspicious movement. A glimmer of hope flashes in her eyes, and Alex smirks, analyzing the situation. "Rishis a sharp one. He probably knows hell gain more from her as an allybound by restrictions, but with enough freedom to live her life. That he had this contract ready means hed already anticipated a scenario like this, planning to catch a useful asset. What a manipulative monster." With a bite to her thumb, she presses it onto the contract, sealing it. Rishi lets out a triumphant laugh and lowers his gun. Wonderful! Youve made a smart choice. Alex glares, sword still raised. Can I trust her not to go rogue? he demands, still wary after the assassination attempt. You can, Rishi reassures him with a calm tone. Alex curses, furious at the attempted ambush and frustrated at having missed critical information. He strikes a shelf in the store with his icy [Sword of Pluto], shattering part of it and freezing the remnants in place. Damn, I was so focused on that ambush that I missed the map reveal. Now we have no idea where the other players are. Rishis smile softens, this time genuine. Dont worry, I caught a glimpse. No ones in New Springville or anywhere nearby. The other players were further north, closer to the bay. We can relax for now. Chapter 69: A New Comrade and a Late Night Snack Alex releases his Sealions Icewing Embrace lvl 2 and hands the still-bleeding witch a few generic medical supplies from his special inventory. She takes them, applies a bandage, and drinks something from her own inventory, her arm visibly healing right before their eyes. Ive never seen such a strong innate ability, she says in a regretful tone. "I know, Alex and Rishi respond simultaneously, exchanging amused glances. Obviously, youre talking about mine, right? Rishi says, grinning. How else would we have detected you? Your ambush was impressive. Using the system message to set up a surprise attack, that was smart! But I sensed an aura nearby, and all that effort went to waste. Alex, not in the mood to argue, replies, Guess so. I take it shes on our team now, at least for the rest of this mission? Rishi smiles, turning to their newest recruit. Yes, shes with us now. By the way, whats your name? My name is Tereza, she replies. Alexs eyes light up. Tereza? Perfekt, also Deutsch! Ich komme aus Tschechien, du Idiot. ... Then why does she understand and speak German? Alex wonders, baffled. The group drops the banter as Tereza quickly introduces herself. Shes level 3, one level above Rishi and Alex, with access to two spells from the world of and more to come as she levels up her special skill. She also has Dagger Proficiency in addition to the four basic skills: Basic Mana Control, Basic Concentration, Basic Close Combat Prowess, and Basic Footwork Liar. Thats one skill too many, Alex accuses, prompting her to reveal her sole innate skill: Innate Skill: Very Skillful Type: Boon Level: MAX Effect: +1 Additional Skill slot +1 additional Skill slot at lvl 20. Overall Rating: A+ Alex raises an eyebrow. Well, thats straightforward. Is there a simple Skillful version too, where you just get one extra skill without the second slot at level 20? he wonders aloud. Rishi, addressing Alex, quickly summarizes the terms of Terezas contract: Tereza is forbidden from revealing any information about Alex and Rishi or taking actions against them in any form. She also has to obey Rishis orders, with specific limits in place, he cant command anything sexual, order her harm, or delegate tasks that would cause certain death or permanent disfigurement. After ten missions, she can buy herself out of the contract by paying Rishi 500,000 FC, retaining some conditions while others might be renegotiated depending on Rishis stance. Wow, a whole 500,000 FC buyout? You dont mess around, do you? Alex says, impressed by Rishis knack for profit. Tereza interrupts, her tone steely. Hand back my dagger. Alex scoffs. Why would I do that? Are you serious? Rishi smiles diplomatically. I get it, Alex, but Terezas best equipped with daggers, so maybe its practical to return it to her? Alex sighs, muttering under his breath, and hands her the [Barbed Dagger] instead of the [Poison Enchanted Dagger]. Tereza: ... Rishi: ... Alex: ... Terezas glare is withering, intense enough to give Alex a chill. Alright, fine, he groans, handing over the [Poison Enchanted Dagger]. You know, a sense of humor wouldnt hurt. You might want to invest in one, he quips, exchanging the daggers and regaining the [Barbed Dagger]. Tereza eyes the weapon in Alexs hand, undeterred. Ill take that one too. The bleed effect is useful, and Im aiming to dual-wield. Alex: ... Rishi: ... Tereza: ... Rishi finally bursts into laughter. This is the most shameless exchange Ive witnessed, he chuckles. Alex, give her the dagger, for now. Dont worry, if she doesnt return it, Ill personally pay you 5,000 FC. Remember, I cant lie to you. This daggers well-suited for her tactics; she can get in close, apply both poison and bleed, then disengage. The poor soul wont even have a chance to retaliate before the effects take them down. Alex sighs, giving in. Fine, as long as Im getting paid... here, take it. He hands her the [Barbed Dagger], reasoning that he doesnt even have the skills to use it effectively anyway. If it strengthens the team, he sees no reason to refuse, though he cant shake the feeling hes been taken advantage of. How does she try to kill me and end up with my dagger as a reward? And how does Rishi switch from pyromaniac lunatic to logic-driven genius in the blink of an eye? Alex muses, questions piling up. The newly formed group leaves the mall, and Rishi announces, Alex, I think we should adjust our approach. With our new ally, who can now scout ahead, and with her deadlier-than-ever setup thanks to dagger, we should go on the offensive against our enemies. That brother-sister duo lost most of their followers, and our only other real threat is that giant, STR-focused guy. Whats strength if we can just shoot him from a distance? Do you agree to take a more active role? Alex nods. Sounds reasonable enough, I guess. Turning to Tereza, Rishi asks, Need any firearms? She shakes her head. I picked up a few earlier. Alex checks the leaderboard as they settle back into the borrowed car and head north on the island. So heres the current ranking, he says, reading aloud: [Current ranking: 1. Player 13 - 13 2. Player 3 - 11 3. Player 1 - 9] How many kills do you have? he asks Tereza. Six, she replies curtly. Rishi chimes in, So if we take down Player 1, we could all end up in the Top 3. Sounds like a solid goal. We might as well aim for the grand prize. As they start driving north, Alex takes the initiative. Makes sense to wait for the 3 AM location reveal to get a sense of where they are. The only way were in trouble is if they manage to trap us in a 10-on-3 fight or something like that. But if we can handle any small group first, then were set. That giant doesnt exactly look like a team player if I remember correctly. Rishi grins. Agreed, my friend. Even Tereza in the back mutters, True, I guess. She then asks Alex, Can you use that Ice transformation again? Alex smirks. Not just once. I can actually use it twice, as long as I recover my Mana in between. Give me about half an hour. Alex notices Terezas genuine admiration as she says, I dont see how a melee fighter could even touch you with that active. He explains, That ability is strong and versatile, but its not invincible. Its vulnerable to fire, and spells still damage me, even with it active, just at a reduced level. Against physical attackers, especially melee types, youre right, theyd have a tough time breaking through. "So, where should I drive? We said we wouldnt engage until we get a chance to check player locations at 3 AM," Alex adds, half-jokingly, "I could use a snack. I only prepped plenty of protein bars for this mission. Rishi grins, Well, theres a Trader Joes up ahead. We could grab a bite, and as long as were not actively hiding, we should be fine. Plus, its not like were camping out for the night. Suddenly, Terezas stomach lets out a loud growl. Her eyes widen, clearly embarrassed. Rishi chuckles, Looks like our new comrade agrees with the plan. She blushes, grateful that her face isnt clearly visible in the darkened car. Sear?h the n??el Fire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. They pull up to the Trader Joes, noting that while some shelves have been ransacked, most of the food remains untouched. Food seems to be low on the looters priority list. The group heads in and fills their arms with snacks, water, and whatever else catches their eye, Alex savoring the absurdity of taking time for a grocery run amid their mission. Then, their quiet moment is interrupted. Headlights sweep over the windows as a large group of cars arrives in the parking lot. Engines shut off, and they hear voices outside. Hide! Alex hisses. They quickly duck behind shelves as a dozen men emerge from the cars, loudly bragging and laughing as they approach the store. One of them shouts, Looks like weve cornered some rats! I bet a hundred bucks I get the first kill tonight! The group gathers, swiftly devising a plan to engage the intruders. Rishi glances at his watch, Ten minutes until 3 AM. We need to handle these idiots quickly so were ready for the real threat. Tereza smiles, clutching her wand. This ones on me, she says confidently. Then, she waves her wand, muttering an incantation as she casts a Disillusionment Charm, vanishing seamlessly into the shadows around them. Chapter 70: A Bloody Grocery Run – Final Showdown! Alex and Rishi stand at the back of the store, looking at each other. Alex feels a bit confused, unsure if Tereza is just being a bit too arrogant, while Rishi smiles as if hes enjoying a live performance. Im not standing around like a moron, lets approach them carefully, Alex says angrily. Rishi nods, No problem. Looks like youre a bit greedy and dont want to be just a mere spectator, right? I get it, lets support our main actress as her loyal side characters. Its not a bloody play Alex mutters as they sneak around the store, carefully watching every corner. Two Glocks are clenched in his hands, ready to fire the moment he spots someone. Suddenly, they hear screams. A few men are yelling in pain, while others desperately order the rest to search for their attackers. The scene repeats just a few minutes later. Alex and Rishi finally see the gang up close. With an eager grin, Rishi readies a large-scale spell while Alex slowly inches forward, prepared to act. As soon as the fire spell launches, Rishi casts another on the leader of the group. Alex rolls to the side and fires wildly into the crowd. After a few seconds of chaos and screaming, the gang is dispatched, save for a single survivor, who runs for the exit, only to be stabbed in the back by Tereza and collapse shortly afterward. That was fun, Rishi says, smiling, while Tereza cant suppress a bloodthirsty smirk as she licks her lips. What the fuck? Alex mutters, regretting his choice of comrades. Lunatics! This is serious, what the fuck is wrong with these people? The three of them finally leave the store. One more minuteget in the car! Alex notes as he checks the rankings before jumping inside. [Current ranking: 1. Player 13 - 13 2. Player 1 - 12 3. Player 3 - 11] [It is now 3 AM. Remaining players: 6 Remaining players locations will be revealed in 5 seconds for the duration of 60 seconds.] A few seconds later, Alex notes that everyone besides the three of them and three other players has been eliminated. The remaining three players are grouped up, positioned at the northern edge of the playing field, seemingly on a bridge. Rishi laughs, See, Alex, your worst-case scenario of a 10-vs-3 cant happen now. If I compare their positions on the system map with the real map, theyre clearly on Bayonne Bridge. Its a beautiful, massive bridge leading into New Jersey... and if we follow the same street, we could probably spot the Statue of Liberty if we were allowed off Staten Island. Tereza, pleased with the turn of events, adds, Perfect! Lets each pick an opponent to take down. Alex wonders aloud, So the siblings sacrificed the rest of their group? They must respect our combined strength to team up like that with the last player. A team of three is ideal here, Rishi points out. Since every last one of us would receive a reward if the others are gone, theyre probably trying to do the same. As they drive, Alex notices a gang blocking the road, shouting threats. Without hesitating, he draws one of his Glocks and fires off a few warning shots, sending them scattering in a panic. "No time for story-related bullshit; this is a battleground," he thinks coldly, indifferent to anything but their objective. This world is just scenery for our battle against the other players, Rishi says with a smile. The NPCs are just a sideshow, and since theres no loot or reward for interacting with them, we dont need to bother at all. Alex briefly wonders if its really that simple but decides to focus on the players ahead. After another half hour, they reach the bridge. The drive would normally have taken half that time, but the streets are choked with abandoned cars, forcing Alex to navigate carefully. He knows all too well the danger of traffic accidents, ever since his first accident that brought him to the Fantasy Realm, hes become hyper-aware of the risks, driving far more cautiously. Tereza scoffs, You drive like an old man. Pathetic. Even Rishi remarks, No worries, Alex; we were all beginners once. You did fine for a newbie. Alex, flabbergasted, snaps, Ive had my license since I was 18! What the hell are you two lunatics talking about? Remind me to never get in a vehicle if either of you are behind the wheel! Alex notices that he is already driving on the bridge, though land stretches out below them for a good 500 meters more. "Damn, what do I do?" he mutters to himself. If I continue to drive forward, they could be lying in wait. Theres nowhere to hide on that bridge... well have zero cover if we move in. Rishi, after carefully analyzing the system map, nods. "According to the official system map, they''re only allowed to walk a few dozen meters onto the water, so theyre likely hiding behind a few cars at the very start of the bridge," he points out, motioning toward a barricade of crashed cars blocking the bridge. Alex frowns, considering another possibility. "Or maybe they ran off to another spot and plan to hit us from behind if we approach." Rishi, deciding on a course of action, issues orders. We leave the car. Lets head toward that bus over there. Alex, you and I will wait there while Tereza scouts. Tereza, he looks directly at her, ONLY scoutdo not engage them. If you spot them, return here immediately. Thats an order! Unhappily, Tereza nods silently, preparing to move. The group exits the car, with Alex and Rishi entering the bus as Tereza begins making her way toward the bridge. Alex mutters under his breath, frustrated. Too bad there wasnt a sniper rifle in that weapon stash. Wait a second, Rishi says, pulling out two semi-automatic rifles equipped with mounted scopes. Not quite a sniper rifle, but theyll do. This might help. He hands one of the rifles to Alex. They use the rifles to scout the area, but still, theres no sign of the enemy. See any auras? Alex whispers. Rishi shakes his head with a faint smile. Unfortunately, I only pick up auras at close range. Its not like theres some bright, colorful light glowing around them that I can see from miles away. Alex, recalling and its powerful Nen users with enormous, shiny auras, looks slightly disappointed. Guess there are different types of aura systems, then. Yours is a bit... boring. Suddenly, shots ring out from the far end of the bridge. Their guess had been spot on, yet they still cant spot the enemy. Moments later, Tereza reappears, bleeding heavily from her shoulder and stomach. She looks in rough shape, staggering toward them. "Sorry!" she gasps. "They spotted me somehow. Theyre hiding behind the two crashed trucks. One of them is lying on top of it with a rifle. I dont know how they saw me." She winces in pain. Rishi doesnt hesitate, ordering, "Heal yourself." Tereza pulls out her last [Healing Potion], muttering, "This bleedings bad." Alex quickly hands her his [Potion], saying, "Take this first; then use your own potion, or itll weaken the effect." She nods and drinks [Potion] first, then her own generic [Healing Potion]. Rishi follows up by giving her a special ration, and Alex applies his [Basic Bandage] on her bleeding. After all four treatments, her condition improves, though some signs of her injuries linger. Rishi, Alex, and Tereza position themselves behind a car and each fire their rifles toward the enemys last known location. Soon, they hear the enemys return fire. At this long range, accuracy is low, and without sniper rifles, the two groups are locked in a standoff. Luckily, Alex and Rishi had picked up plenty of ammunition, and Tereza had also stocked up from a small stash shed found at the start of the mission, so they have no worries about running out. After several minutes, a few vehicles on both sides ignite, their tanks hit by stray bullets. Suddenly, Alex spots three figures sprinting toward them, each throwing a series of grenades. Tereza shouts, Take cover, GRENADES! As instead of explosions happening, thick clouds of smoke rolling in, Alex realizes theyre separated, each obscured in their own cover. "Looks like its every man for himself," he mutters. Dropping his empty rifle, he grabs his trusted [Sword of Pluto] and [Shield of Pluto]hed rather face the enemy with weapons he knows than a rifle he barely uses. Ready to engage, he spots a figure moving behind a nearby car, and without hesitation, he throws two of his remaining four Annihilation Grenades into the smoke. sea??h th Novl?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Seeing the low damage numbers, Alex grins, muttering, So, its the giant. Bad day to be a mighty melee fighter. He activates Sealions Icewing Embrace lvl 2, his MP now fully recovered, and sprints forward. Vaulting over a car, he glides past another, finally spotting his enemy ducking behind the car he just cleared. Come out, you dirty rat, Alex taunts as he throws down his last two Annihilation Grenades. They land right in front of the giant, and Alex cant help but feel a hint of pity as he hears the man start a desperate chant, Doton In the chaos, Alex cant make out the exact Earth-style Jutsu, but he watches as a small earthen wall rises out of the bridge, giving the giant a shield just as the grenades explode. The wall absorbs most of the impact, crumbling from the blast, but the enemy emerges barely scathed. Guess its time for a melee. Alex lands on the hood of a car, locking eyes with his bleeding opponent as they stride toward each other, weapons drawn. I will crush you! the giant roars angrily, his voice echoing off the bridge, and they charge at each other, ready to engage in brutal close combat. Chapter 71: Chaotic Battle! Alex sees his opponent take something from his inventory, and suddenly a green block appears above the man. "What the hell is this? Is he Mario now? Alex mutters, baffled. His opponent jumps up and hits the block, and a metal cap flies out, which he quickly dons. In an instant, the mans body and clothes shift color, now gleaming like metal. Instead of standing by, Alex uses those precious seconds to launch three swift attacks. Alex stares, surprised. His damage is cut to barely 10% of its usual strength, with frost damage reduced to 20%. The giant uses a healing item, and Alex watches as his wounds heal almost instantly. Seeing his chance, Alex presses the attack again, then darts back, using Basic Footwork lvl 2 to escape melee range. "You damn freak, Ive wasted so much on you already. NOW DIE!" the giant yells, throwing a kunai with an angry thrust. Alex raises his shield but cant block it in time; the kunai strikes his chest, though it glances off his armor. Your toys from Naruto dont work against this armor," Alex thinks, noting the kunai did barely scratch his armor. Suddenly, Alex notices something burning. Glancing down, he sees not one, not two, but three explosive tags on the kunai, flames licking closer with every second. Barely in time, he raises his shield in front of his face as the tags detonate, throwing him back through the air, easily 20 meters, until he crashes onto a car. His Sealions Icewing Embrace lvl 2 shatters instantly. Barely surviving, Alex, shocked and injured, decides he needs everything he has to recover. He gulps down both of his [Potion]s and a generic [Healing Potion], then eats a [Navalia Wolf Jerky] as he stumbles away to catch a breather. Alex leaps behind a car as the giant chases him, shotgun in hand. The shots hit him once more, but thanks to the distance and Alex''s armor, he manages to slip away behind a car, only taking moderate damage. "Guess Ive got no choice. Think thats all Ive got?" Alex mutters, conjuring another Annihilation Grenade lvl 2 and reactivating Sealions Icewing Embrace lvl 2, nearly depleting his entire MP pool. As the giant charges, Alex meets him head-on, catching him off-guard with the powerful frost aura. The giant lands a series of punches before Alex manages to leap back, feeling each impact despite his reinforced armor. Even so, the giant takes small amounts of damage from the ice spikes, though his metal-enhanced body reduces it. With a quick dodge, Alex jumps back, then suddenly rushes forward again. He slams his shield into the giants face, then leaps onto a nearby car and glides away using his icy wings. The giant laughs mockingly. Is running away all youve got, COWARD! But just then, he feels an explosion rock the ground beneath him, Alex had secretly dropped the freshly conjured grenade at his feet before gliding away. The shrapnel and explosion, while heavily reduced, set the giant ablaze. His metallic body glows fiery red, trapping the heat and intensifying the agony as the fire roasts him alive. His screams echo across the bridge, each one filled with raw pain and terror, his voice a continuous, horrific wail of suffering. "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Alex sees the smoke clearing and decides to ignore his screaming enemy. "He''s done for. I have an ingenious idea, and that guy better reward me if this works. Let him cook for a while. Doesnt look like he can fight anymore," Alex thinks, giving his burning foe one last glance before moving. Spotting Rishi and Tereza caught in a heated 2-on-2 battle against the sibling duo, Alex quickly remembers the grudge he has against these two from their attempt to manipulate him through the trade system. Knowing its his chance to repay the favor, he surprises them, pulling out his pair of Glocks and firing mercilessly at them from behind, each bullet striking with the added force of his icy conjuration spell. The 2 last survivors are hopelessly bombarded with bullets and instantly collapse, looking up at Alex in shock and disbelief. "Tereza, kill one of them. Rishi, you finish the other!" Alex commands. Tereza and Rishi glance at him, their expressions frozen in surprise as they realize their brutal showdown has just ended in an unexpected twist. Tereza pulls out her pistol, firing a quick shot into the mans chest. Rishi, on the other hand, conjures his "Fire" spell, igniting the woman in a quick, searing blaze. "Now, hurry, both of you!" Alex calls, motioning for them to follow. "The giant''s still barely alive. Lets finish this before he burns out!" They sprint over and find the giant lying prone, his iron-clad body glowing red-hot, barely clinging to life. Alex nods at Rishi. Finish him off, now! Rishi doesnt hesitate this time, casting a swift Mind Strike to bypass the giants iron defense, delivering a fatal blow directly to his mind. The giants body shudders, then falls still. "Why tell me to take the kills? Rishi asks, before realization dawns on him. "Wait! Oh, I see! Youre a genius, my friend!" he exclaims, grinning widely. "How rare that I didnt think of that I must be getting too caught up in the thrill." Tereza looks at them both, puzzled. "What are you two on about?" "Take a look at the rankings," Rishi says, gesturing with a smirk. [Current ranking: 1. Player 13 - 13 1. Player 3 - 13 3. Player 2 - 7] So, youre both tied ah, I see. Both tied at first? Maybe youll both get the top reward! Tereza muses, catching onto Alex and Rishis idea. "Could be that Alex gets it since he reached his kills earlier but the ranking does show you both in first place. Interesting." Alex, meanwhile, retrieves the chest from the giant, making it an impressive total of twelve chests for himself. He considers asking the others to hand over their chests as well, but he knows the contents were set when the chests appeared, meaning who opens them doesnt actually affect the loot. Sarch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. A few minutes later, a system message flashes: [It is now 4 AM. Remaining players: 3 Remaining players locations will be revealed in 5 seconds for the duration of 60 seconds.] What a bummer, Rishi says, smiling. Two hours to go with nothing to do next time, we should try a 100-player mission. One that doesnt end so quickly! Madman, Alex thinks, though hes not sure if Rishis kidding or dead serious. The sheer carnage, 47 people gone, leaves a bad taste in his mouth. While Alex knows he cant save anyone here, the extent of it still hits him. Lets take a look around, he suggests. I know that killing NPCs wont impact our rating, and they dont drop anything, but I have a feeling this mission offers more than just a flimsy backstory for a PvP bloodfest. The Realm usually has hidden quests and items; maybe we can find something. Ive never seen this one, Rishi admits. I think I only watched the first movie, . Tereza shrugs, Me neither. Alex adds, Ive seen it once years ago, while playing custom maps on my second screen Rishi laughs, This is hopeless. Dont worry, weve achieved a lot already. As long as we keep moving, the system wont penalize us for hiding, and were set for now. While they head to a nearby car that still works, Alex takes a seat in the back, and Tereza decides to drive. As they pull away, Alexs thoughts linger on the remaining hours. Killing NPCs doesn''t affect the rating, and they dont drop anything useful, but I still feel like there''s more to uncover here...maybe some hidden quests or items we missed. With the missions main goal complete, Alex can''t help but feel curious about any secrets this world might still be hiding, eager to dig deeper before the clock runs out. Chapter 72: A Small Secret and the End of the Bloody Night As Alex thinks aloud, Rishi and Tereza listen carefully. "The main characters," Alex begins, "are mostly focused on fighting off foreign gangs hired by the NFFA. Dmitri, the local gang leader whos not with the NFFA, ends up becoming a hero by saving a lot of people. But thats about it for them, I dont think we need to get involved in their fight. Then there''s that psycho, Skeletor, the guy who first came up with calling it the ''Purge.'' Hes a dead end. Hell die during that conflict." Alex pauses, trying to recall more. "The real twist was about how the NFFA orchestrated it all and tricked everyone, right? There was a woman, Dr. Updale I think she was called the Architect. She was the brains behind the experimentthe data, science, all of it. She starts to realize things are off, that Sabian, the Chief of Staff of the NFFA, is using the gangs and the weapon drops to skew the experiment." Rishi nods, "Sabian couldn''t have her exposing that, so he silenced her, right?" "Exactly. He knocked her out, took her to Staten Island, and then left her to be killed by the hired gangs," Alex adds thoughtfully. "But what if thats something we could prevent? Alex continues discussing the lore as if unable to stop, with Rishi and Tereza nodding thoughtfully at his final question. Rishi, ever the analyst, offers, "We might as well try! Saving a main character destined to die could shift things in unexpected ways. The Realm might reward unique outcomes. But is she even alive at this point in the story?" "I dont know," Alex responds, frustration slipping into his voice. "All I remember is that she was originally in the NFFA headquarters, but where is that supposed to be? The movies too chaotic, glossing over the details on purpose." Rishi, already thinking ahead, takes out his phone. Hold onI see. Its actually close by. Drive east toward the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge. If theyre traveling from headquarters, thats the most logical route theyd take into Staten Island. Tereza turns the car around and drives exactly as Alex feared she would: like a total lunatic. Alex grips the seat, genuinely terrified as they swerve and speed down the road. The way Tereza weaves through obstacles has him close to throwing up. "This is hell. I just want to go home," he mutters to himself, pressing his eyes shut in the back seat. They finally reach the bridge, which is fully blocked off by the authorities. Nobodys supposed to get through. "Well, looks like we missed it. Too bad," Alex says, stepping out of the car and gulping in fresh air, relieved he didnt actually throw up. He glances back, shaking his head. "Youre the worst driver Ive ever been stuck with. Next time, please warn me so I can run in the opposite direction." Tereza only grins, pats him on the head, and leans in to whisper, "Pussy," with a smile thats way too sweet. "Bitch!" Alex shoots back, walking away from her. He cant help the shiver that runs through him or the blush creeping onto his face. "Dude, whats wrong with you? Are you actually developing a fetish for dominant women?" he wonders to himself, slapping his cheeks to erase the last thirty seconds from his mind. Rishi pulls them back to reality. "Theres something happening over there! Look, the barriers been pulled aside. A cars enteringits a white van, looks like some kind of utility vehicle." "Quick, back in the car! Lights off, and follow them," Rishi orders. They scramble back into the car, Tereza at the wheel, and tail the van from a distance. She navigates the dark roads with her typical reckless abandon, nearly crashing multiple times. Alex grits his teeth, biting back the urge to scream at her. Instead, he focuses on the task at hand, his eyes locked on the white van ahead, as the clock strikes 6 AM. They have only one hour left. [It is now 6 AM. Remaining players: 3 Remaining players locations will be revealed in 5 seconds for the duration of 60 seconds. Mission will end at exactly 7 AM] Tereza finally pulls into a nearby parking lot, entering from an angle different from the van theyve been following. Weapons drawn, they slip out quietly, positioning themselves behind concrete pillars as they observe the scene unfolding. The van halts in the middle of the parking lot, and a woman is roughly thrown to the ground, Alex signals to the others that its indeed the Architect, Dr. Updale. Moments later, as the van pulls away, six masked men suddenly appear and begin to close in on her. Clearly, these men are in league with the NFFA, here to eliminate her. Without hesitation, Alex, Rishi, and Tereza take aim, each assigning themselves two targets. Before the attackers can reach the terrified woman, they unleash a coordinated assault. Rishi and Tereza each manage to take down one of the masked men, while Alexs practiced Pistol Proficiency lvl 2 kicks in. His shots are deadly accurate, taking out two targets immediately. As the remaining men turn in panic, Alex takes advantage of the split second to dispatch the other two. "Nice shooting, my friend!" Rishi praises, impressed. "I didnt realize how valuable your Pistol Proficiency would be here. You practically wiped out those siblings and now this whole crew with standard guns!" They hurry over to the shaken Dr. Updale, carefully escorting her to the car and driving to a secluded park, well away from any cameras. Tereza finally speaks up, What now? Dr. Updale, still stunned, looks between them, confusion and fear etched on her face. "Who are you people? Why did you save me?" Alex, Rishi, and Tereza attempt to bargain with Dr. May Updale, but shes disoriented, clearly not fully grasping the situation. Maybe shes drugged? Alex mutters, frustrated as they try to make sense of her unfocused responses. "Get rid of her," Tereza suggests coldly, her expression unreadable. "Maybe shell drop something." "Wrong," Alex replies firmly, "NPCs dont drop items. The system doesnt lie about its mechanics." Rishi nods in agreement. "Alex is rightthe system has rules. While theres room for interpretation and sometimes things it doesnt mention, it doesnt outright lie. Theres value in keeping her alive, at least until we find a way to leverage her." With a calculated stare, Rishi turns back to the Architect, his tone darkening. "Lady, you have ten seconds to bribe us, or this isnt going to end well for you." But Dr. Updale only stammers, pleading desperately for her life, her words offering nothing of worth to them. Sarch* The novlF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Alex sighs, clearly annoyed. "This woman is the Architect of the Purge. Shell be responsible for countless deaths and the countrys decay. Maybe handing her over to the NFFA is better, let them deal with her in a more... permanent way. Rishis eyes widen slightly as he processes this idea, then nods with sudden excitement. Stop, Alex. Thats actually a brilliant angle. Tereza, get us back to the parking lot. Quickly! On the drive back to the parking lot, they spot a security camera mounted in an obvious location. Rishi grins, his plan crystallizing. After picking up a phone from one of the fallen mercenaries, he holds it up to the camera with Dr. Updale clearly in the frame. Barely two minutes later, the phone rings. Rishi answers with a sweet, almost mocking tone. Hello there, Mr. Chief of Staff. Quite the busy night youve had, havent you? Too bad there are only 30 minutes leftjust enough time to make things... interesting in tomorrows news. What do you want? Arlo Sabian, the NFFAs Chief of Staff, demands, sensing he might be able to strike a deal with this shrewd negotiator. Rishis grin only widens as he continues. You have exactly 30 minutes to bring us the most valuable item in your possession. Just one try. Impress us, and well make sure Dr. Updale here takes no more interviewsshell be out of the picture for good, no questions asked. Disappoint us, though, and shell be front and center at the next news station. Rishi glances at the architect, who, in her terror, finally begins to realize her own precarious position. Precisely 25 minutes later, the white van returns. A frightened man steps out, and Alex immediately has his gun aimed at him, making the visitor freeze. With shaky hands, he pulls out a heavy suitcase and places it just out of view of the camera. Open it, Rishi commands in that same syrupy tone. The man pops open the suitcase, revealing stacks of crisp hundred-dollar bills. On top, he places a sealed letter. D...do you accept? he stammers. Rishi nods, takes out a gun, and without hesitation, shoots Dr. Updale in front of the camera. The courier, visibly relieved, darts back into the van and speeds away. [It is now 7 AM. Remaining players: 3 Remaining players locations will be teleported back to the Fantasy Realm in 0 hours, 0 minutes and 54 seconds. Any Hostile action will lead to immediate Soul destructions. Final Rankings: [Current ranking: 1. Player 13 - 13 1. Player 3 - 13 3. Player 2 - 7] Hurry, were out of time! Alex shouts urgently. He sprints to the suitcase, hastily stuffing the document and as much cash as possible into his inventory. To his surprise, the document doesnt fit in his special inventory, so he quickly places it in his normal inventory, catching a glimpse of a blue glow indicating its quality. Rishi and Tereza move just as fast, grabbing handfuls of cash and stuffing it away. Together, they manage to secure most of the money in the final seconds before everything goes dark and they feel the pull of teleportation whisking them back. Chapter 73: Some Rewards are Better Than Others Alex, floating in a black void, finally sees the mission results, and he quickly scans through them, his smile growing larger: [Player has completed his mission] [Congratulations for achieving the first place and obtaining the following rewards: [Gold-Rank Lottery Ticket] + Soul Crystal (Small) x5] [Main Mission Completed] Suddenly, Alex arrives back, not in his private room, but next to Rishi and Tereza in the central square where they entered. They see numerous people staring at them, one of whom whispers, Oh my god, did you hear? Fifty people went in a few moments ago, and only three came back! The rest must have all died! Another onlooker points, muttering, That woman is the damn Witch Assassin I was talking about. She uses daggers and casts spells! I heard she nearly wiped out everyone in a mission once. Look at those three! Their armor, clothes, everything is soaked in blood. Thats insane! a few younger men notice. Wow, that Indian guy looks dreamy, a group of women marvels, noticing Rishi. Hes wearing no armor, only casual clothes. Do you think hes a magician? He is so my type. Damn, look at that guy in the knight armor with a sword and shield. His armor and weapons are dripping with bloodhe looks fierce and dangerous! Better steer clear if hes in your mission, someone warns, eyeing Alex warily. As they leave and head towards the player rooms, a small group of women glimpses them, their eyes widening in shock. Alex?? they mutter, looking puzzled and bewildered. Finally out of sight from the crowd and walking toward the quiet area near the private rooms, away from the busy central hub, trading hub, skill hub, and the other smaller facilities in the tutorial zone of the Fantasy Realmthe three reach the spot where Alex first spoke to Rishi. Tired but visibly relieved, they sit down on large, white stones that resemble ancient temple ruins. Alex, his face lighting up with satisfaction, asks eagerly, Did it work? I got the full first-place reward and an overall S Rank! Rishi smiles with satisfaction, saying, Yep, [Gold-Rank Lottery Ticket] and 5 Soul Crystals (Small). I got an S rank, too. Tereza adds, Honestly, I thought this mission would be the end of me, but thanks to your insistence on recruiting me as your ally, I made it through. I got a [Copper-Rank Lottery Ticket], 1 Soul Crystal (Small), and an A+ Rank. Guess it worked out pretty well in the end. Maybe it wasnt the worst decision to try assassinating you after all. Or maybe youre just a crazy bitch, Alex mutters under his breath, still bitter about her attempt on his life. He thinks, "She almost killed me. Hell, without Rishis weird skill, she might have actually succeeded." Noticing his irritation, Tereza steps closer, grinning. Are you still angry about that little incident? Didnt you tell me to develop a sense of humor? She leans in until her face is level with his, her voice dropping playfully, Or are you just sore because I called you...a pussy? Her eyes glint with amusement as she holds his gaze, as if shes just hit the jackpot. Alex, visibly flustered, turns his head away, shouting at Rishi, Control your servant! You brought on this crazy woman, you deal with her! But before he can fully escape, Tereza cups his face firmly in her hands, pulling him back toward her. She presses her lips to his, and without hesitation, slides her tongue into his mouth. Alex is caught completely off guard, the fierce Tereza now holding him in an intense kiss, leaving him no room to break free. His face flushes red. After about thirty seconds, he finally gathers himself and pulls away, only to see Terezas victorious smile. She seems to be enjoying his embarrassment, taking pleasure in his discomfort. Alex frowns but cant help thinking, Well, getting kissed is probably the mildest form of bullying I could hope for from her. Your face looks like a tomato, how cute, she says, clearly savoring the moment. Alex realizes the truth. "This woman definitely has some mental issues. Becoming an assassin, kissing me just to mess with me, shes obviously a huge sadist, or maybe shes just dominant?" Alex immediately decides that whatever she is, he should probably keep his distance from this lunatic. Who knows what she might do next? Then he notices Rishi is gone. He searches around, only to spot him briskly walking away, already far ahead and close to the hallway of rooms. He suddenly gets a message: [Rishi: Alex, Im still so thankful for what you did during the mission. You got me the first-rank rewards, and Id feel bad not returning the favor. Lets discuss our loot and items tomorrow. We also need to open our chests and see if theres anything useful. As a token of appreciation for letting me tie with you, Im giving you something I think youll really enjoy, given how close you and she have already become in such a short time. Have a good night and have fun!] [You received: [Player Contract - Tereza ?eznk]] ... Alex isnt sure if he should laugh or cry. He quickly realizes the truth. "He just wanted to dump her after realizing what a huge liability he picked up and even used her as an excuse to even the score after I just did him a huge favor Asshole!" Alex looks back at Tereza, whos still smiling and has taken out her, or rather his own, [Barbed Dagger]. Shes licking the blade with a disturbingly joyful expression. "What the fuck? Shes nuts," is all Alex can blurt out. He does the only logical thing in such a situation, he copies Rishis strategy and runs, hearing Terezas loud laugh echoing behind him in the distance. Finally, he reaches his room, where his personal system greets him. [Welcome back, Host. Congratulations on surviving yet another mission!] [I detect youre injured and suffering from magical injuries related to your frost ability once again. Do you want to spend 1000 FC to heal all permanent injuries?] "Yes, 1337 and while youre at it, why didnt we arrive in our rooms but instead in the central hub?" [Missions with a large number of players often begin and end in the central hub. These large-scale missions are rare, and the Realm only holds such events a few times each year to adjust player population, keeping it constant. I dont know if Host is lucky to have survived such an event or unlucky for having been chosen for such a high-risk mission.] Exhausted, Alex decides to take a quick look at his current status, retrieving the items he stored in his room before the mission. sea??h th N?vel(F)ire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. , Alex examines the Gold-Rank Lottery Ticket first. [Gold-Rank Lottery Ticket] Perfect, Alex smiles. "With my LUK stat, I actually have a good shot at something worthwhile, unlike the Bloody Chest, where the loot is predetermined before its opened," he thinks. He then turns his attention to the item he managed to grab before being forced out of the mission world. [NFFA Recommendation] Interesting! Alex hesitates. "Maybe Ill hold on to this and run it by Rishi. I really disliked that world nothing but senseless killing. Experiencing something like that right after the hopeful and beautiful world of makes me sick. I honestly dont want to go back besides, the only real rewards were the Lottery Ticket and Soul Crystals for the top ranking apart from" Finally, he looks at [Player Contract (Tereza ?eznk)]. Its the same contract Rishi made with Tereza, only Rishi substituted himself with Alex. Since the contract can be canceled at any time, Rishi was able to transfer it to him, as the only restriction is on the specific orders Alex can give her. Tereza Alex blushes before shaking his head. That crazy woman will probably be the death of me. Should I just order her to stay away and wait for her to pay me the half a million FC specified in the contract? Drained from the nightmarish deathmatch, Alex falls asleep, soon haunted by nightmares of the experience. Chapter 74: Messages and Playing the Lottery Alex finally decides to get up. He slept for what felt like an eternity, waking up multiple times throughout the night. Eventually, he resolves to deal with things the only way he knows howby moving on. Dwelling on the nightmare hed just gone through wont help, and blaming the Realm for everything that happened makes it just a little easier to stomach. As Alex readies himself for the day, he sees three unread system messages waiting for him. The first is from Tereza: [Tereza: Good morning! Hope you slept well and had some nice dreams? I sure had some.] Alex stops for a moment, raising an eyebrow. "Is this girl serious? We were just in a deathmatch with 47 out of 50 people killeda 94% death rateand shes... wishing me sweet dreams? I wish I had her balls. Wait, that came out wrong. I wish I had her nerves." He reads on. [Oh, and by the way, that smug mind mage who forced me into the contract mentioned that youre now the contract holder. Isnt that a nice surprise<3 ? Weve got plenty to talk about. Message me when youre awake?] Alex, both annoyed and bewildered, makes a judgment. "Any woman who survives the Fantasy Realms tutorial mission has got to be tough as nails. Im not sure I can handle her better leave that for later. Ill deal with her craziness when I have to." He then turns to his next message from Rishi: [Rishi: Good morning! Surely youre already up by now.] Alex stops reading and sighs. "NO, I literally just woke up. What is wrong with these people?" [Lets meet at 12 PM Central Realm time and discuss a few things. Meet me at the usual abandoned temple structure. Ive already notified Tereza toodont worry, shes your servant now, and I wont do anything inappropriate.] Alex checks the system clock and groans. 11:55. "Why... I wanted more sleep," he mutters, annoyed. "He can keep the damn contract if hed just give me a mountain of FC instead!" Finally, Alex remembers theres another message, surprisingly from Roja. After their initial meet-ups, their conversations had been brief, strictly focused on information-sharing for mutual benefit. Roja and the other tutorial survivors had also kept their distance after that last tense meeting. Alex hadnt minded, figuring it was for the best, but now hes curious about what she wants. He decides to message Rishi to say hell be a few minutes late, then reads Rojas message. [Roja: Hey, hows it going? The girls and I saw you leave the PvP missionimpressive! Lets catch up at 12 PM Central Realm time, okay? Meet me at the Kressen Restaurant in East District.] Alex lets out a frustrated sigh. "12 PM here, 12 PM there I wanted to sleep in after that brutal mission, not be everyones 12 oclock call." He grumbles about missing his pre-Realm life, where waking up before noon was practically a miracle. But, deciding to prioritize Rishi and Tereza, whoinsane personalities asidehave at least proven useful allies, he quickly responds: [Alex: Cant do 12 PM. Ill catch you later. Also, I dont waste FC on Realm facilities and dont know where that even is.] With that, he hurries toward the meeting place. Despite all his character flaws, Alex, being German, hates the idea of showing up late. Arriving at 12:01, he realizes hes the first to get there and mutters, "Im ready for bed already. I hate this day already." Slumping onto a stone ledge to wait, he frowns, only for someone to suddenly wrap their arms and legs around him from behind. Legs lock around his waist as Terezas face appears directly beside his, her voice teasingly soft. "Good morning," Tereza whispers in Alex''s ear, her breath giving him goosebumps. "Cut it out, Tereza... please," he mutters, half annoyed and half flustered. "Ill stop if you can say my name correctly," she teases. After several attempts at the Czech pronunciation, fumbling and even mixing up the English and German versionsshe finally smiles, "See? Not so hard, right?" "Good morning, you two! It looks like my little gift is already paying off," Rishi announces, arriving just in time to witness the bizarre scene of Tereza still clinging to Alex, her legs wrapped around his waist and her face close to his. Alex struggles a bit before finally managing to free himself, realizing that beneath her tough exterior, Tereza has a playful and mischievous sideat least when she''s not trapped in a deadly game. For the next couple of hours, the three of them chat about anything but the Realm. Alex and Rishi share parts of their backgrounds, though Alex holds back a bit, feeling his personal life is mundane and maybe a little embarrassing. He keeps to his interests in fiction, sharing only a few surface-level details. Rishi, as usual, dives into his life as a busy businessman and genius investor. He barely has enough time for everything he juggles, yet, as he puts it, "Moneys worthless compared to the life and opportunities the Realm offers." Alex recalls this phrase, agreeing with him completely. Tereza opens up, revealing more than either of them expected. Shes surprisingly older than she appears33, a good five years older than Alex. She tells them about her upbringing in difficult conditions, her harrowing experiences in the tutorial, where she was the only survivor of her group. The others had turned against her when she refused to support their self-declared leader, who used manipulation and threats to claim all the tutorials rewards for himself. Listening to her, Alex feels a strange respect for her resilience. Hes still not sure if shes being entirely honest or if shes trying to win their trust for some other reason, but he senses theres truth in her storyher experience in the tutorial must have shaped her into the clever, resourceful person sitting with them now. Rishi, in the spirit of camaraderie, decides to give Tereza a small welcoming gift, just as he did for Alex. "Forget about money worries in real life," he says with a smile, promising to wire her a couple million USD. Shes pleased, though her reaction isnt quite as enthusiastic as he expects. "Guess shes got her priorities in the right place," he thinks. "Money''s just not everything to her either." The conversation finally turns to the mission rewards, and Alex takes this chance to level up his stats. With his innate skill Statistical OCD lvl MAX, using all 8 of his skill points to increase all his stats by 2. He grins with satisfaction. "Finally," he thinks, "every single stat is now more than twice the human average." Alex also shares his [NFFA Recommendation] with the group. After all, Rishi and Tereza had seen him pick up something special during the mission, and with Rishis complete trust in him, he feels its only fair to reciprocate. Their teamwork had led to extraordinary results, eliminating every obstacle and maxing out their mission rewards. Rishi responds, Trade it in! while Tereza says, Keep it! Alex groans. "Great. I was unsure before, and now I''m even more so. Honestly, I lean toward trading it in. I don''t want PvP-only missions. My subskill Arcane Medieval Armory was basically useless in the last one since there were no good targets. I''d rather enter regular worlds; I dont enjoy killing other players either. Even if PvP missions would give slightly better rewards, I''d still choose a normal world." He sighs, adding, "But, if our lottery rewards are incredible and these Bloody Chests are full of amazing loot, I might reconsider." Tereza steps up and says, Then let''s open them! Ill start with my [Copper-Rank Lottery Ticket]. It says it guarantees a Light Green quality item. sea??h th N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Alex nods, intrigued. Alright, so its Light Green for Copper, Light Blue for Silver, and Light Purple for Gold. Good to know. As Tereza activates her ticket, a large spinning wheel appears in front of her. Rishi and Alex can see the wheel, though not the names of each item. When it finally stops, Tereza''s face falls a bit, and she shares the item details with them, clearly unimpressed with her prize. [Diamond Necklace] Oh wow! Thats a strong piece. Two extra CHA and the potential to sway NPCs, especially men, could be really handy in missions. Though, be carefulit might spark jealousy in some female characters. Still, its a powerful item, dont you think? Alex says in amazement! Rishi nods. Absolutely. If you dont want it yourself, keep in mind that CHA-focused female players often use their appearance to gain leverage in missions. Theres demand for items like this, and you could sell it for around 15,000 to 20,000 FC. Women with influence know how to keep men under their thumb to skip battles and secure wins. They also tend to have a lot of FC available to them. Tereza tilts her head thoughtfully. Its not exactly my style, but it might come in handy. Ill hold onto it for now. Rishi then stands up, a glint of greed in his eye. Alright, my turn, he says with a grin, opening his [Gold-Rank Lottery Ticket] with palpable anticipation. Chapter 75: Divine Luck! As Rishi opens his [Gold-Rank Lottery Ticket], Alex braces for something legendary. With a LUK stat of 3triple that of most playersRishi surely has incredible odds for a high-tier prize. Yet as the lid opens and Rishi peers inside, his eager smile vanishes. He retrieves the contents, looking vaguely disappointed. "Well, its not bad, I suppose. Just a bit dull. I ended up with 5 Soul Crystals (Small)." Tereza smirks. "Not sure if thats great or just plain boring." Alex considers this, then responds honestly, "For us, maybe it''s not thrilling since we already got quite a few, but these Soul Crystals are hugely valuable long-term. I saw they go for around 15,000 FC here and should fetch even more outside the tutorial zonemaybe even 20,000 each. That''s nearly 100,000 FC. Most purple-quality items wouldnt sell for half that! The only downside is youll have to wait for the right buyer, but its a great stash to have. You can easily invest the earnings to gain even more once we leave the tutorial. I could actually use some so maybe sell a few to me later. Rishi sighs, nodding. Its great on paper, but I was hoping for something exciting. Ill keep a few for you. Anyway, its your turn, Alex. Lets see what you get." With expectations in check, Alex approaches his own [Gold-Rank Lottery Ticket], hoping for something just as valuable and not too obscure. He opens it, but as he lifts the lid, a golden flash erupts from the chest, blinding him and Tereza with its intensity. [Skillstone] Sar?h the N?velFire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Alex stares at it in disbelief, his eyes widening. "!!!" he shares the item details with his teammates. Tereza practically jumps up, going wild, "Oh my god! Thats insane! Give it to meIll give you anything in return!" But Rishi immediately stops her. Its untradeable, Tereza! And besides, if he could, hed hand it over to me. Without hesitation, Alex activates it, laughing with excitement. "I already have the perfect skill to learn, too!" Rishi pauses, advising him, Its amazing, yes, but are you absolutely sure about using the skill you showed me earlier? Youve got some strong abilities as it is. Those spells might not be all that much stronger, especially compared to your grenades and Ice Armor. Alex considers this but responds confidently, Youre right in a way but I have this strange instinct about the skill. I might regret it, but I feel like its ideal for me. And remember, it enhances Fire, Frost, and Thunderall damage types I already benefit from. Plus, I respect a certain Knight a lot, and this skill reminds me of him. With it, maybe I can even pull off something similar to him. And watching you wield that Fire spell made me a bit envious, to be honest. Rishi gives a nod, slightly convinced. "Fair enough, then. With its high and strange requirements, it wouldve been tough to sell, anyway. Go for it. Odds are youll get nothing better than a purple skill for quite some time, especially something as powerful as that." Alex, feeling his confidence rise, recalls the skillbook he has in mind and its unique effects: [Skillbook: Black Magic (Fire-Blizzard-Thunder-Series)] [Black Magic (Fire-Blizzard-Thunder-Series)] Alex then announces, Ive made another decision. He activates the [NFFA Recommendation], transforming it into a [Silver-Rank Lottery Ticket]. [Silver-Rank Lottery Ticket] Rishi laughs, teasing him, Already addicted to gambling, huh? Better stop while youre ahead although, with your luck, Id probably do the same! Tereza just stares at Alex, her eyes showing a hint of jealousy. Alex goes ahead and uses the [Silver-Rank Lottery Ticket]. While it doesnt flash gold like last time, a bright purple glow reveals hes received a high-quality item! [Destiny Supporter Token] Alex raises an eyebrow. This ones unusual. Rishi, intrigued, examines the items description. Interesting. Id love to have something like this, but, as usual, the Realms made it non-tradable. They sure know how to make us earn our rewards. But think about it: for all the rarity of getting a Purple-ranked item, it could turn out more troublesome than useful. Since you cant control who the follower is, it might end up with someone you dont even like. Plus, we dont know much about followers yet. How many can you have? Do they add real value? Could go either way. Tereza adds thoughtfully, Theres also no telling how or when it might activate its the kind of item you just hold onto and hope it kicks in. Alex, still pleased, grins, I dont mind items that start out seemingly limited but have potential to be game-changers. Its how I felt about my conjuration skill. I started with zero skills, and now, with only two under my belt, I feel almost unstoppable! Tereza nods with a smile, Better to aim for the stars and fall a bit short than to stay grounded and never try. Rishi says, Well, now comes the boring part. Weve got a lot of bloody chests to go through. Might as well get it over with. Most of these players were low-level, so its probably just trash or a bit of FC. Alex shakes his head, disagreeing, You might be right about the low-level ones, but theres something youre not considering. Rishi raises an eyebrow with a knowing grin. Oh, Ive considered it. The chests from the last three we took out on the bridge should be a step up, as long as we didnt hit the minimummaybe closer to the max of 20%. Alright, lets get started! Alex, Rishi, and Tereza take out chest after chest and begin opening them. Alex, going through his stack, reads off each result. Alex laughs, amused but a bit disappointed. Man, these are terrible! Four generic Healing Potions, a bunch of loose FC these low-level players were broke! Most of them didnt even get to use their potionshow ironic. But at least those potions are worth 1,000 FC each, so not bad. And look at that, I even got my old friend backthe [Solid Marine Saber]! Finally, Alex eyes his last chest, the one hes been saving: [Bloody Chest (Player 7)]. That guy had complained about burning through most of his items, but he also visited both the Naruto and Mario worlds. Theres a shot at something good here! He says a quick prayer and opens the chest, hoping his luck hasnt run out yet. Chapter 76: Steiner’s Inheritance! Sword Magic! Alex stares at the notification, then mutters, Really? [Miso Ramen with Extra Pork] Alex sighs, Not useless, but not exactly what I was hoping for Guess that guy really used up everything decent. Beside him, Rishi and Tereza are having similarly underwhelming results. Rishi grumbles, For being ranked 1, I have to say we didnt exactly hit the jackpot this mission. Out of everything I got, its barely worth 10,000 FC altogether excluding the Soul Crystals. Tereza nods, though with a faint smile. I mightve come out a bit better. I picked up a few Green quality items, not that any are useful to me or you two, but Im reasonably satisfied. They will sell for quite a sum. Alex shrugs. Well, what do you two have planned? Ive got a skill to learn and some upgrading to do. I may as well do it out in the open. After that massive PvP event, were the sole survivorsanyone paying attention knows were on top. Its not like some pathetic spies are bothering me now. Rishi nods in agreement, True, and showing our strength might even work to our advantage here. Between the three of us, were easily the strongest in the tutorial zone. Sure, when we enter the main Fantasy Realm, well need to navigate players with higher levels and guild alliances, but diplomacy might get us further than acting too aggressive. As they talk, Alex brings up Roja, explaining his past mission with her and her recent invitation. Tereza shakes her head, Boring. Sounds like a group where skilled players have to carry dead weight so the weaklings can survive. Rishi laughs, Not really your style, Alex, is it? Alex nods, Im more of a solo player, true, but I dont mind a small group if theyre on the same page, like us. Ill at least hear her out. Who knows, maybe I can use their resources and sell some of my grenades when Im off-mission. Tereza grins, Then lets go! Alex, a bit taken aback, asks, Wait, what do you mean? Tereza taps him on the head. It means Im coming with you. Contracts still active, isnt it? Youre stuck with me for a whilebetter get used to it. Rishi chuckles, Have a nice date. Ill be heading off to take care of some business. And Alex, since I got those 5 Small Soul Crystals thanks to your brilliant idea to split the first place, take two as thanks. The contract was just a bonus. Are you sure? Alex asks, surprised. We just talked about how valuable these are! No problem, my friend! See you soon, Rishi replies with a grin. Alex watches him go, glad to have made a true, albeit psychotic, ally. Teaming up with Rishi had turned out to be one of the best decisions hed made in the Fantasy Realm aside from joining the Knights of Pluto, of course! As Alex and Tereza make their way towards the Central Hub, Tereza clings to his arm with a mischievous grin, fully aware that Alex isnt used to the attention, his face turning red every time she does it. Nearby players start whispering: Hey, isnt that the crazy witch who wiped out her whole tutorial group and assassinated countless players? Shes hanging onto that knight with the incredible armor. The obnoxious woman Alex had noticed earlier, known for leveraging her high CHA to get financial support from men, comments with a sly tone, Women only do that if theres something in it for them. He must be a seriously powerful player to make someone like her his follower. Finally reaching the Skill Hub, Alex asks, Got enough FC to upgrade everything? Tereza nods, I should be fine. I have plenty of stuff to sell if I need more. Alex, doing a quick mental calculation, realizes that with his recent attribute boosts, he can now not only learn and upgrade all of his Basic and Innate skills but also his Gold-Rank skill, which requires multiple stats at 11. Every single point in Alexandrian Royal Swordsmanship increases my accuracy, speed, and damage with swords by a full 10%. Thats just insane, he says, barely able to contain his excitement. Entering an upgrade cabin with Tereza, Alex notices a small crowd gathering outside, curiosity in their eyes as they watch the pair. After two hours, Alex emerges and checks his new status, a grin spreading across his face. , Alex quickly calculates his FC spending, grinning at the investments he''s made. Pistol Proficiency and Alexandrian Royal Swordsmanship were 5,500 FC together. Eight upgrades for my Basic skills at 1,250 FC each drained another 10,000 FC. Genius Conjurer with Annihilation Grenade and Sealions Icewing Embrace cost me 7,500 FC, and leveling my new Black Magic skill took a whopping 14,000 FC. Altogether, thats 37,000 FC gone in the blink of an eye! Hes also used two Soul Crystals for his innate and Gold-Rank sword skill upgrades. Totally worth it," he says, marveling at the results, especially the impact of his Basic Endurance and Basic Mana Control skills. Basic Endurance has ramped up his HP, while Basic Mana Control, has boosted his MP and overall mana regeneration significantly. "Definitely my favorite basic skills," he says with a wide grin. As Alex leaves the chamber, he catches curious glances from onlookers. "How long was he in there? a player murmurs. Did he fall asleep or something? No, look! Hes glowing; hes probably done some serious upgrades! Just as Alex reaches Tereza, hes suddenly overcome by a strange sensation, like someone calling him. Following the feeling, he finds himself racing toward the central square. There, near the portal, a radiant light appears, and his heart pounds as a figure emerges from the glowa spectral vision of Adelbert Steiner, looking older, wielding the legendary Excalibur II, and accompanied by his wife, General Beatrix with the mighty Save the Queen. "Captain Steiner!" Alex calls out, confused and thrilled. Steiner regards him with a proud, dignified expression as his form begins to fade. I dont have much time, my student, Steiner says. This place isnt for me to remain. Ive reached my peak, my absolute limits. After Master Vivis passing, my Magic Sword ability died, and I never felt right connecting with another black mage. But you, youve taken the right path, one I couldnt. Im proud of yousurpass me! Show me the power of a true Magic Sword. Goodbye, my student. With those parting words, Steiner and Beatrix vanish, smiling at Alex. A notification appears before Alex: S~ea??h the ovelFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. [Your Alexandrian Royal Swordsmanship has evolved. The subskill Sword Magic has been added.] Alexandrian Royal Swordsmanship lvl 3: , with an additional 1% per level. Subskill: Sword Magic lvl 3 As soon as Alex receives the notification, the ethereal images of Steiner and Beatrix fade away, leaving him with a deep sense of awe. Some other players, clearly noticing the phenomenon in the sky, now look at Alex with a mix of awe and confusion. Ive done it now I already had attention on me, but now Im outright famous, he thinks, half-amused, half-exasperated. He checks his status once more, his gaze lingering on the new Sword Magic lvl 3 skill. Who cares about a little attention? Captain Steiner thank you for this final gift. Ill make sure to honor it. He strides confidently back toward Tereza, who, wide-eyed, ran after him and witnessed the strange event. She looks up at him, clearly intrigued and impressed. Chapter 77: Studying Black Magic – Rejecting Roja! After the whirlwind event of acquiring his new subskill, Alex decides its best to take a break and escape the commotion. Together with Tereza, he skillfully avoids any players trying to approach and question him, making a direct line toward his room. Alex sends off a few quick messages: one to Rishi summarizing the events and another to Roja, letting her know hell be available to meet her tomorrow at the same time shed proposed today. Were alone in your room, huh? Maybe youre more daring than I thought, Tereza remarks, lying down on Alexs bed in a sultry pose. Alex: "..." Tereza: "..." Boring, she mutters, rolling her eyes as he sidesteps her provocation. "There''s no time for that, Alex responds, trying to hide his flustered expression. "I need to check out this new skill. That whole ordeal back in the tutorial realm caused such a stir! I mean, the place has less than a thousand players, and you can walk from one side to the other in under an hour. It''s too small to keep a low profile after something like that. Finally settling in, Alex turns his attention to his new black magic spells: Fire, Blizzard, and Thunder. Besides distinct effectslike a chance of causing burn with Fire, a small chance to freeze, with Blizzard (while almost always slowing the target), and stunning with Thunder, these spells share similar effects and costs. Fire Effect: Basic fire spell; can be cast as a single target or as AoE Cost: 10 MP S~ea??h the N??elFir.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Option 1: Fire Damage: 30 Option 2: AoE Fire Damage: 20 (affecting multiple targets in an area) Burn Damage: 20% of the initial damage applied over 10 seconds Note: AoE casting reduces base damage by one-third, making it weaker against individual targets but effective for groups. Alex quickly calculates his new spell costs and damage potential. Noticing that all basic spells cost only 10 MP and currently deal 30 base damage, he realizes that his existing level in Black Magic already adds a 15% boost, bringing the spell''s power close to 35 damage. For only 10 MP, its an impressively efficient spell. He recalls that spell upgrades hell receive at lvl 5 and 10 increase both mana cost and damage significantly, making these initial versions a cheap but effective spell. Reflecting on his new Sword Magic lvl 3 ability, Alex feels even more confident. Sword Magic grants a further 35% boost to the spells damage when combined with a sword strike, increasing its magical power to nearly 50 damage. Alongside the significant physical boost Sword Magic provides, the versatility this skill brings is unmatched. Alex now considers himself a fully-rounded combatantversatile with three elemental spells, two potent conjurations, first-class sword skills enhanced by his powerful Gold-rank skill, and competent ranged attacks, courtesy of both his magic and Pistol Proficiencylvl 3. For the first time, he sees almost no weaknesses in his abilities. "Except maybe movement, he muses to himself. Basic Footwork lvl 3 gives a slight speed boost, and Sealions Icewing Embrace lvl 3 lets me glide through the air, which is useful, but neither truly increases my speed by a significant amount. Its decent, maybe even good, but not ideal in the long term. Alex considers his options. Ill need to find a way to enhance my mobility eventually. Another Conjuration skill could cover it perfectly but that can wait for now. No reason to rushI might even find a rare item that takes care of this gap! As he wraps up for the day, Tereza bids him goodbye with a teasing kiss on the cheek. From their conversations, Alex has already gleaned that she isnt interested in a conventional relationship; she simply enjoys teasing him. Though hes still unsure how best to handle her playful nature, he cant help but laugh at the sheer stupidity of this situation. Returning to real life, Alex spends time managing his personal and business affairs. He prepares a hearty meal and focuses on his physical health, determined to stay in peak condition both inside and outside the Fantasy Realm. The next day, Alex heads to the Central Hub for his meeting with Roja, choosing to avoid the high-cost restaurant she suggested. Although the system workers claim the food is delicious and well worth the FC, Alex finds it a poor deal, knowing he can enjoy top-tier meals in the real world now that money isnt an issue. Instead, they meet in a private space to keep the conversation quiet and free of distractions. After a bit of small talk, Roja leans in, her tone shifting to business. So, tell me about your last mission, and that strange event everyone saw near the mission portal. People are still talking about it. Alex keeps his response casual and guarded. While he respects Rojas capabilities, hes under no illusion about her intentions. Unlike Rishi, whos proven a reliable, if eccentric, comrade, Roja has often held back valuable information, keeping her own interests above all else. Alex has no intention of sharing anything vital, particularly about the new skills and power-ups he acquired from Final Fantasy 9 and beyond. Oh, just standard PvP stuff, he says with a shrug. Honestly, I only made it because the enemy players were as weak as they were arrogant. I barely got any kills. The NPCs were incredibly strong. Rojas expression sharpens as she probes further. So, you really did kill other players? Yes, Alex replies firmly, meeting her gaze. That was the mission. If Id chosen not to fight, Id have died. I dont enjoy doing it, but I wont lie down and let others kill me. Her expression softens as if to show empathy, though Alex senses the calculation behind it. I suppose youre right. Its unfortunate you had to go through that, she says, pausing briefly before continuing. Listen, when I saw your strength, I knew I had to bring you in. Ive been teaming up with Eirini, Perlah, and Patricia over the last couple of missions, and we managed to acquire something rarea Purple Mission item. Alex raises an eyebrow, and Roja grins, the excitement plain in her voice. This item only works for players at Levels 1 to 4, but its a gateway to the Harry Potter world. Alex considers her offer thoughtfully. "That does seem like a rare and valuable item. The Harry Potter world must be filled with unique opportunities, but I imagine itd be high-risk for low-level players like us. The rewards are tempting, but the risks could be... too high." Roja shakes her head confidently. "Not if we work well as a team. The Realm scales each world to suit its players levels, especially during the tutorial. It wont put you in an unsolvable situation as long as youre logical about the risks. Our plan is to clear another mission first, reach level 4, and then take on the Harry Potter world." "So why invite me?" Alex asks. Roja meets his gaze with what looks like genuine earnestness. "We survived a mission together already, and the item allows for exactly five people. Youre strong, and we think youd be an asset" "Not interested," Alex says firmly, cutting her off. Rojas eyes widen in surprise. "What? Why?" "I already have a team," he says. "Id need two more spots for them, and it would have to happen immediately since one of my members cant wait for us to clear another mission. How about you pick an additional member, and we clear it before the next regular mission?" Rojas initial shock hardens into a guarded expression. She seems taken aback by Alexs assertiveness, and her eyes narrow slightly, her plans disrupted. "Im sorry, but we acquired the mission item as a group. I cant just remove them from the team. The invitation was only extended to you." Alex shakes his head. "Then itd be a mistake for me to join. Not as a real part of your group. If anyone needs to be sacrificed in a tough situation, Id be the obvious choice, right? Id love to see the Harry Potter world, but this setup sounds like a recipe for problems. And frankly, while I know you all have experience, they didnt strike me as particularly strong or as having any worthwhile innate skills. That would leave the brunt of the fighting to me, and you don''t seem like the type who dives into combat." She raises her chin slightly, recovering her composure. "Fine. Well clear another mission before then anyway, but give it more thought. It could be a good opportunity for you." Alex forces a nod, keeping his annoyance in check. he thinks but merely replies, "Sure, Ill think about it." Over the next few days, Alex immerses himself in the trading hub, donning his old disguise with his trusty [Jacks Spare Silvery Mask]. After some thought, he makes the informed decision to sell his [Plant Essence] x3. A shrewd player haggles hard with Alex, but Alex knows the essences value, especially for crafting. He manages to secure a solid 20,000 FClikely around 80% of what they would fetch outside the tutorial zone. He keeps the [Frost Essence], however, thinking it could be used to enhance his frost spell and conjuration ability down the line if he can turn it into an item. He also resells his [Solid Marine Saber]for the second time now, for 5,000 FC, wishing the new owner better luck. Balancing his real-life commitments with his Fantasy Realm ventures, Alex finds himself busy over the next few weeks. He finally goes through the process of managing the 10 million USD from Rishi. To bring that much into Germany, he faces steep taxes and hires the best lawyers he can find to minimize costs. Ultimately, he still ends up paying over a million euros in taxes. With the remaining funds, he buys a massive mansion, worth several million euros, large enough for his parents, grandparents, and even a few other family members. They can now comfortably retire, enjoying life with a newfound sense of security and gratitude for this unexpected turn. Alex even hires a housekeeper, making life easier for everyone. He has a guest room in the mansion but decides to also buy a new apartment, a penthouse in a 12-story building just a five-minute walk from his parents place. He chooses a penthouse because he likes living high up and could even glide down using his Sealions Icewing Embrace lvl 3 in case of an emergency. Plus, he values his privacy. Alexs parents, initially shocked by the drastic life changes, eventually accept the wild turn of events, happy to see their son thriving. Now, with no need to work, they focus on hobbies and cherished activities they had postponed. Alex spends quite a lot of time with Rishi and, of course, Tereza. Despite her constant teasing, shes proven herself to be a reliable, if intense, companion. Over time, Alex has developed a thicker skin to her antics, though this only seems to escalate her behavior. In a strange way, hes starting to enjoy the whirlwind she brings. Unlike shy, overly feminine women, Terezas boldness, confidence, and unapologetic dominance draw him in, even if her almost sadistic enjoyment of teasing him is sometimes a lot to handle. Yet, hes realizing that the edge she brings is oddly exciting; as challenging as it is, he finds himself wanting more of it. As time passes, Alex turns his focus back to his Fantasy Realm stats, checking his updated resources and considering how best to use his remaining FC. With his expanded skills and inventory, he begins searching for items or investments that could provide a worthwhile edge in future missions, preparing himself for the challenges ahead. , Today, while strolling around in the trading hub, he spots something that nearly makes his eyes pop out. I HAVE to get this, no question! flashes through his mind, electric with excitement. Chapter 78: Too Good to be True – Snake Oil Salesman! Alex, shopping without his [Jacks Spare Silvery Mask] today, since he has nothing to sell, quickly tries to appear calm and collected, concealing the greed sparked by the item in question. [285th Hunter Exam Application] Despite Alexs best attempt to look composed, the seller immediately directs his pitch at him. Looks like today is your lucky day! Arent you a fortunate newbie? This exclusive item is free today, just for players like you. Do you want one? But be careful, theyre strictly limited, and nearly half have already been claimed! You better hurry, or you might miss your chance! Alex, entirely focused on the item, a simple desk with 17 identical pieces of paper lined up, each displaying the official Hunter association logo, suddenly looks up to examine the seller. Its a strange, green-skinned figure. "A goblin?!" he blurts out. The creature narrows his eyes. Oy, human, have you never seen a goblin before? This is not a zoo! Look at my product, not me. So, do you want one? A simple yes will suffice. Better hurry! [...] Sear?h the n??el Fire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Alex feels 1337 trying to say something but sees that no sound is coming out. He smirks, thinking, "Dont worry, 1337, Im not stupid. This is the most obvious snake oil salesman Ive ever seen. What hes really after isnt the players FC, its their lives." Walking away, Alex ignores the goblin''s continued shouting. Youll regret this, you foolish human! That was your chance for riches beyond your wildest dreams! Amateur. Alex chuckles to himself. This goblin was probably sent to the tutorial zone because of his terrible skills as a merchant. Anyone with half a brain can see right through him. But how in the world has he already sold 13 out of 30 tickets? Despite everything, Alex heads toward the central square of the Realm and quickly messages Rishi and Tereza, asking if they can meet up. He even sends a quick message to Roja and Stephen, his only two other real contacts. Stephen had been a bit angry with Alex after learning that Alex had downplayed some of his accomplishments, claiming to have been getting low rankings which was an obvious lie. However, after a genuine apology from Alex, the two had patched things up, and they still talk often. Alex shares with them the details about the merchants too good to be true offer, making sure to especially warn Stephen, who is known for making impulsive decisions, not to buy the ticket blindly. Responses come quickly: [Stephen: WOOOOW! Thanks for telling me. Ill buy my ticket ASAP! Thanks, dude! Just kidding, thanks for the warning. Even I can see somethings off with this offer. Ill check it out anyway, but Im busy with my new girlfriend, so Ill pass for now.] Alex shakes his head, thinking, "This guy how many girlfriends does that make? Seven? I suppose hes aware that theres a decent chance hell be dead in a few months. Might be smart to enjoy whatever life hes got left, so I cant really blame him." Roja replies as well. [Roja: Thanks for the heads-up, Ive already received ten messages about this goblin merchant. Needless to say, DONT BUY ITnot that theres anything to buy since this complete idiot reduced the price by 100%. What kind of merchant does that? Also funnily come to think of it Anyway, see you soon and please reconsider my offer!] Is she bored? I think a scammer on that level mustve pissed her off. I guess she cant stand people who are obvious in their approach. Interesting. Alex laughs, reading her message. A few minutes later, Rishi and Tereza arrive and take seats beside Alex, whos waiting on a bench near the mission portal in the central square of the tutorial section of the Realm. As always, Tereza cant resist teasing him, and instead of sitting beside Alex, she plops down right on top of him, grinding her hips against him on purpose, nearly making him topple off the bench. "Very funny, cut out the bullshit! Lets check it out, Alex grumbles, brushing her off while steadying himself. Together, they enter the Trading Hub, where a large crowd surrounds the merchants stall. By now, it seems like everyone knows about him by now. Alex also notices a small group of around twenty players standing off to one side. Most women, with even a few men in the mix openly crying and looking defeated. I guess these people are too stupid for their own good and just learned the truth! Alex mutters, realizing they mustve already bought the ticket, only to discover the downside. Rishi and Tereza walk up to inspect the item while Alex keeps a distance, carefully observing the chaos around him. Rishi studies the details, analyzing the object thoroughly. This isnt even a scam, strictly speaking. The system and the Fantasy Realm may be ruthless, but theyre fair. You just have to read the clues, Rishi explains, pointing to the item. For starters, the quality rating is Gray. This is a low-quality rating for any item, even if its a World Item or Quest Item. Quality matters just as much as type, and Gray quality usually indicates limited or even detrimental value. Then theres the level requirementthis ones capped for low-level players. A similar quest item with this requirement would be at least Blue or, more likely, Purple! He points at the tag, nodding to Alex. It doesnt stop there. The massive price reduction is another obvious sign. And heres the clincher: once you buy this thing, you cant trade it, sell it, or discard it. Youre stuck with it, hence all the weeping winners over there whove locked themselves into this." Tereza raises an eyebrow, looking unimpressed. We all know its a trap. This couldnt be more obviousit practically screams do not buy. No need to overthink things, right? Rishi ignores her, still fixed on the item. Actually, there are also several reasons this item might be well, strangely desirable. "What???" Alex and Tereza nearly yell at the same time, looking at him like hes lost his mind. What do you mean, desirable? Alex presses, genuinely curious. Rishi explains, First of all, the world of holds incredible opportunities. I doubt players will gain access to Nen easily, at least not so soon after entering the Realm. It likely has high requirements." Alex interjects, "Thats probably true by Fantasy Realm standards, but according to lore, anyone can learn Nen. There are ways to awaken it, even in ordinary people. So maybe the requirements arent as high as you think. Rishi smiles, Actually, thats exactly what I was getting at. Itll still be incredibly difficult to get, because the Realm balances things out to keep valuable abilities hard to obtain for players. But I do think its technically possible well, it would be, if any of us had any open skill slots. Alex sighs, ...Right, which we dont. Vindicated and clearly exasperated, Tereza chimes in, Exactly, we dont. So, case closed? Can we move on already? Rishi, ignoring her, continues: Theres more to consider here. The Realm tends to be fair, even if its harsh. A 1,000 FC item isnt trivial, it has a value. And the fact that its been reduced to zero probably just reflects its unpopularity with players rather than any lack of worth. Alex nods. True, I guess. Something could seem useless to most people, but with the right buyer, it might be a hidden treasure. People get rich at flea markets for that very reasonthose who know the items value can see what others miss. Looking at Rishi with mounting concern, Alex asks, So, whats your final take? With a wide grin, Rishi replies, My conclusion? We should stay the hell away from this, my friend. Tereza snorts, clearly unimpressed, No kidding, Sherlock, thanks for stating the obvious. Curious despite themselves, the group looks back toward the merchant, seeing that hes managed to sell 22 out of the 30 tickets so far. But a rumor is quickly spreading: apparently, someone had casually nodded at the merchants sales pitchjust a polite gesture. The merchant had taken this as acceptance and immediately transferred the item to them without warning! Now, players are keeping their distance, even avoiding eye contact with the goblin, fearing hell somehow twist a simple glance into accepting his scam. Suddenly, Alex, Rishi, and Tereza find themselves surrounded by a few curious onlookers. "Look, its those three! Are they actually reckless enough to accept this application? Surely Not?" "No way, even they wouldnt be that arrogant!" Tired of these kinds of situations, Alex quickly agrees, "Yes, we just got lucky last time. We dont want to participate, so dont worry ab" Before he can finish, the goblin merchant suddenly storms out from his little stand, grabs an application form, and rushes toward Alex with a cruel smile on his face. Rishi shouts, "ALEX, RUN!" then stands in the goblin''s way, trying to trip him. He doesnt fully succeed, but he manages to make the goblin stumble. Alex, shocked, runs off, struggling to understand what this insane merchant is trying to do. The goblin suddenly activates something on his boots. Alex hears people shouting, "Goblin rocket boots!" Seconds later, Alex sees the goblin closing in quickly with a heat trail behind him, and anger flares up in him, genuinely intending to take the goblin down, Alex draws his sword. "Blizzard Sword!" Alex yells, and the goblin leaps toward him. A loud impact. Alex tries to process what just happened and notices the [285th Hunter Exam Application] now sitting in his inventory. Meanwhile, the goblin lies on the ground, frozen solid, covered in ice, and split in halfcompletely dead. [Violence is strictly forbidden in the Fantasy Realm. The offending player will be punished.] Alex sees lightning building up, clearly targeting him. "Oh, shit..." he mutters. The charge intensifies, growing to the size of a skyscraper. "Guess this is it," Alex resigns. "At least I took down that little bastard with me." But suddenly, he hears 1337, not only speaking to him but broadcasting to the entire realm. [FR-System 1337 is invoking its right for arbitration! Goblin Merchant Nr. 17836 has broken the rules of the Realm and forcibly distributed his items, so force was deemed necessary by the player to save his own life.] The light abruptly halts, and a white, vaguely human-like figure appears, its entire body cloaked in dark, gray, and white shades, making any further details indistinguishable. Chapter 79: Alex Kerber – Ace Attorney! [October 1, 9:47 AM Fantasy Realm Tutorial Section 4 - Central Square] The strange figure moves instantly next to Alex, and Alex feels something being pulled out from within him. In that moment, he feels 1337s presence vanish. A glowing orb of light, pulsing with strange symbols and flickering energies, appears floating beside Alex. Then, with a single gesture from the mysterious figure, Alex, the light orb, and the figure are transported to another place. Suddenly, Alex finds himself standing in a massive hall, one that unmistakably resembles a A courtroom! he says, still reeling from the series of events. Then he hears a voice, a cold, clear tone that seems to fill every corner of the room. Court is now in session for the trial of player Alex Kerber. Alex stands on one side, with 1337 now floating beside him. 1337 appears as a colorful, golden wisp, much like the spirits from , though without a face. Opposite them, a scowling goblin is seated, looking furious. The goblin sneers, his voice dripping with contempt. Honored Administrator, I am Klatch Ingot, a board member of the Goblin Union of the Fantasy Realm. I demand immediate execution for this murderous criminal! He struck down our merchant in cold blood! The administrator, a being composed entirely of swirling black, gray, and white particles, turns to Alex. Though the administrators lips do not move, a powerful voice echoes throughout the hall. Accused, your system was granted the right to invoke arbitration, allowing for a proceeding much like the courtroom trials in your world. However, you must plead your case yourselfno system may speak on your behalf. Your system may communicate with you directly to provide assistance but cannot speak aloud in this court. 1337, sorry for dragging you into this. What do I do? Alex asks 1337, his face a mask of anxiety. [Host has really outdone himself. Not only did you get caught in the merchants scheme, but you overreacted and killed him. I cant give you the right answers here. Youll need to convince the administrator that this wasnt your fault. Use your guts and logicyour intentions matter most, not the result.] Honored Administrator, it was never my intention to kill this goblin! I swear! Alex declares, holding up the [285th Hunter Exam Application] with conviction. Take that! he exclaims, trying to make his point. Im sure youre aware of the risk this item imposes on players. Everyone views it as a death sentence! Please understand, I was only trying to freeze the goblin merchant to defend myself. But he was both so incompetent and so weak that he died instantly! How could a mere tutorial player like me kill a merchant with one strike? I was only using a blizzard sword technique to immobilize him and get away, so he couldnt force this death trap item on me with his shady tactics. Administrator, is it possible to review the actions of the merchant? Ive heard he even tricked other players by forcing the item on them with just a nod. Is there a way for you to verify this? Sar?h the N?vel(F)ire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The administrators form becomes eerily still for a moment, then, as if reviewing unseen information, he shifts slightly and finally speaks. I have reviewed the footage since this goblin merchants arrival in Tutorial Section 4 of the Fantasy Realm. A realization strikes Alex: Tutorial Section 4? So, there are multiple sections? Ignoring Alexs murmur, the administrator turns his focus on Klatch Ingot. Your merchant manipulated his special privileges, forcing items onto players in underhanded ways. The system grants merchants rights to support players and provide fair offers. But since his arrival, this merchant abused these rights, making deals players never agreed to, with no regard for their intentions. None of his customers left happyall felt deceived. Klatch Ingot flinches, stammering, Mr. Administrator mistakes may have been made by our young merchant, yes, but to execute him? Surely thats an excessive outcome. In response, the administrator makes a simple gesture, and before them appears the ethereal form of the goblin merchant, revived in spirit form. Merchant, testify now about your interactions with this player, your actions concerning this player, and why you felt entitled to give this player that item, knowing he never intended to possess it, commands the administrator. The goblin, looking rattled but regaining his composure, takes a few seconds, then starts his explanation. I am an honest merchant. My aim was simply to assist these players by offering a special item free of charge! I even reduced the steep cost of 1,000 FC to zero! OBJECTION! Alex interjects, drawing incredulous looks from both goblins and the administrator. Administrator, Alex continues, with your power, surely you can tell that hes lying outright. The administrator sighs. I refrain from reading minds, despite my capabilities, to ensure fairness for you lower beings. However, yes... its quite evident that honesty is not this merchants strong suit. Merchant, I suggest you tell the truth. He lifts his finger, and the goblins entire being trembles, screaming in agony as if feeling a searing internal fire. Im sorry! Just give me another chance! the goblin begs. Go on, the administrator replies, visibly irritated. Dont waste my time; Im tired of these protocols. A few thousand years ago, I could pass judgment immediately... but bureaucratic reforms ruined everything worthwhile about this realm, he mutters, his voice dripping with contempt. The goblin gathers himself and speaks again. My task was to distribute these [285th Hunter Exam Application] items to players. Recently, with population surges, longer life expectancies, and the internets reach, the player influx skyrocketed. To handle this influx, we now have 36 tutorial sectionswhereas, 20 years ago, we only had 11. My superior ordered me to distribute these items to control the crowd by offering... lets call them challenging opportunities. Yes, the items pose risks, but any mission could result in player death. And this item provides a chance for remarkable rewards, so it cannot be called murder or a trap. He hesitates, his face showing signs of unease. I recall explicitly informing this player that a simple yes would be sufficient to accept the item. I heard him say yes and took that as consent to bestow it upon him. But then he tried to go back on our agreement, even had his friend trip me as I pursued him. He was clearly attempting to kill me, using some kind of frost magic to enhance his sword. I remember a biting cold, and then... nothing. Player Alex Kerberyour response? [Host,] 1337s voice sounds in Alexs mind, [the situation is precarious. His deception is obvious, but you also killed him. You need a compelling defense to sway the administrator or risk a harsh judgment.] Taking a deep breath, Alex gathers his thoughts, ready to make his case. Honored administrator, I have several points to make, Alex says firmly. First, if I were to say to you, or even the goblins here, The next time you use the word , youll give me all your possessions, would you find that acceptable? Of course not! Forcing me to avoid a specific word and then construing my utterance of it as my intent to accept a deal, which I neither wanted nor agreed to, is absurd. He is obviously a scammer! And, I wasnt even speaking to the merchant when I said the word yes. I was talking to other players nearby, at a distance from him, without even looking in his direction. That madman was obviously abusing his authority! He is a scammer!!! Klatch Ingot snaps back, OBJECTION! Thats not our issue, Honored Administrator. Its the players own fault for misunderstanding. Alex fires back, Excuse me, but Ive never had such misunderstandings with the system or other merchants in the realm. These rules he refers to were never explained to me or anyone else. They dont exist! This is not how the realm conducts trade. The administrator, his patience visibly waning, cuts in, I side with the player on this point. Lets move on. Now, explain why you killed the merchant. Honored administrator, Alex begins, choosing his words carefully, while some workers may be employed by the Realm, there is no real authority or grievance system in the tutorial section. There was no one I could turn to for clarification or support, Its not like I can open a support ticket or something! Had the merchant succeeded in forcing that item on me, Id have had no means of recourse. To protect myself, I felt I had to act. I admit I was angry, but I intentionally used a less lethal option than what was available to me. I could have used a grenade or even a Fire Sword attack. This was actually my first time using that ice skillyou may verify that. I was caught off guard by how effective it was, and I didnt expect it to kill him outright. And lets not forget, he was chasing me down using rocket boots. I took his aggressive pursuit as a potentially lethal threat, justifying my need to defend myself. Klatch Ingot screams, Liar! Murderer! Dont believe him, Administrator! The administrator, visibly irritated, finally raises his hand. Enough! Normally, any player who harms a merchant faces immediate execution. But your unions practices are making me question the integrity of these business dealings. Turning to the merchant, he snaps his fingers, and the goblin begins to glow with an intense light, appearing revived and unharmed moments later. There. Your merchant has been permanently restored, he declares. Player Alex Kerber is exempt from soul destruction. YES! Alex screams inwardly, while 1337s voice echoes, [Host did a good job!] However the administrator continues, eyeing them both sternly, youve both wasted my time. Goblin merchant, you are banned from conducting any business for the next five years. Go back to your goblin school and learn how to properly conduct yourself. Klatch Ingot, appoint someone competent to distribute the remaining [285th Hunter Exam Application] so order can be restored, and dont let this happen again. If it does there will be consequences. He then turns to Alex, and a subtle smirk crosses his face. As for you, human, for your reckless use of force I will do nothing further to you. I believe that will serve as punishment enough. Im curious to see how you handle the results of your actions. This session is now adjourned. In an instant, Alex is teleported back to the central square. Rishi and Tereza rush toward him, Tereza pulling him into a relieved hug. What happened, Alex? Rishi asks, eyeing him with concern. Alex gulps, feeling a mix of relief and dread. I guess Ive been saved from death temporarily, he replies, opening his status and realizing the administrators ominous meaning behind doing nothing and leaving the rest to him. , FUCK! - Its still there! Alex screams in horror. Chapter 80: A Difficult Path Forward – Careful Preparations and Hard Negotiations! Alex, with Rishi and Tereza following close behind, leaves the bustling center of the tutorial section. More accurately, hes leaving Tutorial Section Nr. 4, a detail hes only learned a few moments ago. They head toward their usual spot, a forgotten temple ruin near the player rooms, where Alex explains everything that happened. Rishi and Tereza look at him in disbelief. Rishi, clearly impressed, exclaims, So, there are over 30 tutorial sections? And you argued with a high-ranking goblin merchant before one of the Realms administratorsand came out on top? Pretty damn impressive! Alex sighs, frustration seeping through his voice. I guess my argument worked, but I still lost somewhat. The goblin scammer got revived, and Im still stuck with this stupid [285th Hunter Exam Application]. Worst of all, no one else will fall for this scam now. Im probably going to end up entering that world with only the 20-something losers from before. Tereza grins. Dont worry, Ill join too. Honestly, I cant wait, finally, a real challenge. Rishi adds, with a hint of reluctance, Ill go too. Were not about to let you do this alone. Alex, feeling genuinely moved by his two unique but loyal friends, smiles. Thanks, both of you. I really respect it! He hugs them, genuinely touched. But then he stuns them with, Im going in alone, though. No way am I letting either of you join me! What? Are you serious? Tereza shouts, confused and clearly pissed. Rishi just chuckles, though a bit awkwardly, suspecting where Alex is going with this. To put it simply, we know next to nothing about this specific 285th Hunter Exam, Alex explains. Its not even mentioned in the story. The only thing we know is about the 286th Examthe one where Hisoka goes rogue and gets disqualified for killing an examiner. Aside from that, weve got one key piece of info: rookie odds. On average, only once every three years does a rookie pass the exam. What does this have to do with anything? Well help you! Tereza snaps, looking furious. First of all, Rishi, youre out, Alex says bluntly. Your low PHY makes it impossible for you to handle something like a long-distance marathon, like the one actually happening in . Your stamina is that of an average human. Could you run a damn 80-kilometeraround 50-mile, marathon at a fast pace? Obviously not, and you know it. Maybe it wont be a marathon, but chances are good there will be a similar test. Youd be stupid to take part, and youd probably drag me down. You know it, so dont even argue. Rishi raises his hands in a mock surrender, nodding with a smirk. Youre right, I know. And is it just me, or are you actually getting smarter? he jokes, lightening the mood. Tereza cuts in, rolling her eyes. Guess that leaves me. So whats your brilliant excuse for me, then? Its what the administrator hinted atits a damn death trap, like we suspected. But theres something even worse: the level difference. We know the system gives lower-level players a different starting point, as we saw in the last mission. Rishi and I had a safer start than you, remember? Theres a high chance wed all end up starting in different spots again. Sorry, Tereza, but this mission is starting soon. Tell me, do you actually know in detail? The lore, the characters that might appear? He stares at her seriously. Worst-case scenario, youd end up arguing with one of the Phantom Troupe members and get instantly obliterated. Chances are, you wouldnt even make it to the exam. And yeah, this is practically a death sentence, and I dont want your death on me. Let me handle this one alone. Just to be sure, Terezaby contract, Im forbidding you from even to get the [285th Hunter Exam Application]. After more debate, Tereza and Rishi finally relent. Tereza looks genuinely sad but also touched, clearly moved that Alex cares enough not to just see her as an expendable tool. Dont worry, guys, Alex adds, giving them both a reassuring look. I wont be forced to leave just yet. Ive still got a few more days. And I doubt the replacement merchant is going to be rushing to sell any more applications, so that buys me at least six and a half days. Besides, my next mission should be starting soon anyway. Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Rishi regards him with a serious expression. Alex, your aura is hard to read, but Im telling you the absolute truth now: you can survive this. Im not just saying it to give you hope or to motivate you. Remember the contractI cant lie to you. I see a path forward. I still feel a connection between us. Our paths will stay linked. Tereza jumps in. Yeah, youve got this! And that new technique of yours? That was awesome! You didnt just slice that nasty goblin in two; you turned him into a frozen steak, that kinda turned me on! Alex grins, used to her weirdness, a fierce glint in his eyes. Heh, anyone who dares to stand in my way will get the same treatment. I guess the next few days are going to be packed for me. If you two have the time, would you help me out? Tereza asks, looking surprised, How exactly can we help? Rishi, already catching on, replies, No problem. Ill reach out to my contacts and have them keep an eye out for any valuable purchases. If you need extra FC, Ill even lend you some! Alex waves off the offer. Thanks, but I think Im sitting pretty at the moment. Over 70,000 FC should be enough. Im just not sure what I actually need. Ive already got great equipmenteverything is at least blue quality. I even have a full armor set. My sword, shield, and pistol are all Deep Blue, and I can use them fully in , no problem regarding restrictions. Plus, Ive got a Deep Blue ring and necklace. I mean, looking at my inventory, I dont even know what else I could improve. Maybe a belt, a cloak, a second ring, or some trinket? And probably more healing items. This is going to be tough I have 11 in all my stats, plus some boosts, but even with double the stats of a regular human and a ton of basic skills, the level of the Hunter Exam is just insanely high. Rishi nods in agreement. Pick up some extra healing items if youre low on them, but otherwise, its all about boosting your overall abilities. Youll need to at least match the generic physical tasks in the exam. In combat, though, you can rely on your sword skills, spells, and conjuration spells, even if people give you weird looks for it. Youve got the qualifications to handle fights. The real challenge will be the non-combat parts. Youre pretty balanced, and with an increasingly sharp mind, I dont see any glaring weaknesses. Well, maybe if you could boost movement speed that would be optimal, but those items are hard to come by. For the next few days, Alex immerses himself in rewatching and rereading , especially the earliest arcs, binging through them for every detail. He scours forums, devours fanfics, and jumps into Discord channels, firing off questions left and right. Hes already pretty familiar with Nen, though he honestly doubts it will play a role. He wishes he had a free skill slot available just in case, but he knows therell be other chances to learn it if he survives this mission. As the days tick down, Alex combs through the Trading Hub, searching for anything that might give him the edge he needs. But no matter how hard he looks, he just cant seem to find what hes after. Finally, after days of searching, he spots something intriguing that more than meets his requirements, so much so that he hesitates, wondering if he should really go for it, fearing its price already. [Nimbus Cloak] Alex gulps. A Light Purple item... here in the tutorial section? This is insane. This cloak actually suits me perfectly since I have access to quite a few spells, some of them very cheap like my black magic, he thinks, feeling a tug of excitement. Still, each effect isnt entirely great. Sure, a 40% boost to movement speed is nice, but it only lasts 10 seconds. And a 5% evasion boost wont help much. Even the 1 point Agility boost, especially for a Purple item, feels underwhelming. But its exactly what he lacks, movement speed. Even the single Agility point would help in that regard. Then he sees the price... 50,000 FC. Shit!! Alex curses internally. He walks a bit away and notices other players showing interest in the stall but walking away once they glimpse the price tag. The vendor, an impressive man with a strong, masculine build in his late thirties, looks frustrated after hours of failing to sell the item. Tall, with a short beard, and distinctly Brazilian in appearance, he stares coldly at the crowd. Alex notes his demeanor and decides its time to make a move. Hello, Im interested in the cloak, he begins. 50,000 FC isnt totally unreasonable, but Ive seen a Purple-grade weapon, the Yubashiri from going for the same price. While the movement boost is great, the other two effects feel weak for a Light Purple item, dont you think? And then theres the odd mix of required MNA and AGI stats, not many players could meet that! The vendor stares him down, unimpressed. ...Will you buy it or not? 50,000 FC, he responds coldly, brushing off Alexs arguments. Alex studies him, planning his next move. "This wont be easy," he thinks, not willing to spend 50,000 FC without a fight. Chapter 81: Last Minute Upgrades Not much of a talker, is he? Damn, Alex curses inwardly, realizing his usual tactics are useless here. This guys too smart to be baited into lowering his items value by arguing. Anything else besides FC you might be interested in or need? Alex tries again, nothing much to lose. Not worth naming anything. I need FC. Not like you can give it to me in the tutorial section. Nobody sells it; its rare and precious here. Sometimes idiots even sell it off without realizing its value, the man responds, his frustration showing. Worth a try asking, isnt it? Alex answers, pushing a bit. Come on, give me a shot. I know people, a friend of mine has good connections! The man eyes him before replying, I need Soul Crystals to level my innate skill. So, give me 50,000 FC so I can buy them after my next mission, once I leave this desolate kindergarten filled with small babies! Alex smiles as he casually pulls out not one but Soul Crystals, tossing them in his hand like dice. The mans greedy expression is priceless. Todays your lucky day! Ill give you my two hard-earned Soul Crystals for the cloak! ...I need three, the man counters, eyeing Alexs crystals hungrily. Alex stares at him like hes lost his mind and drops all politeness, his tone turning blunt. Dude, you just said theyre rare, and nobodys trading them here. I only have twohow the hell am I supposed to pull a third out of thin air? Plus, these are worth at least 20,000 FC, sometimes up to 30,000 FC outside the tutorial Realm! You lie. Theyre worth around 20,000 FC. Alex sighs, narrowing his eyes. When did you last check? Thats outdated info. With the rising player numbers and newbies flooding into the 36 tutorial sections, demand is skyrocketing. The mans shocked look says he had no idea there were tutorial sections. After a bit more haggling, theyre deadlocked. This guys pride wont let him just accept my offer, Alex thinks. Alright, time to let him think hes won this round. Fine you win; youre a real master at tradingor maybe just greedy as hell, Alex says with a mock-sigh. Ill throw in another 2,000 FC. 3,000, the man replies, a smirk playing on his face. Alex pretends to hesitate before sighing. Fine, cut me some slack here you got me. Two Soul Crystals and 3,000 FC! After completing the trade, the man unexpectedly extends his hand to Alex. Carlos, from S?o Paulo. Alex, from Germany. Alex shakes his hand with a small smile, handing over his contact details. You look like someone bound to go far. Lets keep in touchmaybe trade again or exchange info, maybe even team up down the line. If you need anything, shoot me a system message. Finally holding his prize, the [Nimbus Cloak], Alexs grin widens. The deal was a steal, and though he hated to part with his Soul Crystals, his survival took priority. "And I even made another acquaintanceCarlos seems strong, if a bit anti-social. Could be useful to know him once were out of this kindergarten, as he called it. Wouldnt be shocked to hear about a Brazilian supernova in the Realm. My guess is he earned that item himself as a League of Legends rewardFantasy Realm edition, most kills. On his way back, Alex cant help but smile. Cant believe I just covered my biggest weaknessmobility. The cloaks perfect for my all-rounder style, especially since I use spells constantly. My Black Magic lvl 3, Sword Magic lvl 3, and conjuration abilities will trigger it easily. He considers his inventory of supplies, mentally cataloging: "[Navalia Wolf Jerky], [Healing Potion] x5, [Gotcha Pork Roast], [Miso Ramen with Extra Pork], and, of course, my emergency [Antidote]. Alex nods in approval. Looks solid. The ramen even restores MP, pretty rare for healing items." After a day with his family in their new home, Alex heads back into the Fantasy Realm. Today is his last day to prepare before his next mission starts tomorrow. To his surprise, its Tereza who calls him up, handing him a small stack of items. [Energy Bar] x5, Alex notes, looking at her curiously. [Energy Bar] Thanks! This ones interesting. I havent seen a Stamina-recovering item before since Stamina is a hidden stat. If theres really a marathon, these are going to be extremely useful! Alex says, genuinely grateful for Terezas thoughtfulness. Even though its a gray-quality item, a stack of five is going to come in handy for the long, demanding Hunter examination. As they talk, Alex suddenly receives a message from Rishi: [Rishi: Trading Hub, eastern street near the end - I think I found something. Can you come and check it out?] Alex quickly says goodbye to Tereza and hurries off toward the Trading Hub. When he finally arrives, he spots Rishi, who immediately guides him over to a nearby stall, which seems to belong to a member of a small group. The stall has a large number of white and green-quality items, but Rishi directs Alexs attention to a specific belt displayed at the very top. It actually looks like a champion belt, paraded around by pro wrestlers. [Champion Belt] As soon as Alex sees the item, hes immediately hooked by its simplicity and practicality. He and Rishi take a step back, and Alex immediately says, This is exactly what I need. A boost to my physical stats, STR and PHY. I already covered my AGI and lack of mobility with that [Nimbus Cloak] I picked up earlier. Rishi looks at him in astonishment. WaitLight Purple gear? How did you get your hands on that? What did you pay for it? Alex grins, responding, Only 2 Soul Crystals and 3,000 FC! I bet outside the tutorial section Id have to pay way more for it! Rishi nods approvingly. You made a great deal, considering Soul Crystals are mostly used for upgrading innate skills. The fact that your skill is gold-tier makes you one of the few who even has a practical use for them at this point. Thats why theyre not too expensive in the tutorial, and you were smart to pick up that cloak. It perfectly covers your mobility weaknesses. But as for this beltI honestly doubt the merchant here actually wants to sell it. This shop has absurd prices, and Im pretty sure this is just here to show off the strength of the merchant and his friends. Theyre clearly aiming to form a guild and recruit. Its like a status symbol. Still, cant hurt to try, right? Alex shrugs. What do you think I should offer them? Rishi looks at Alex and advises, drawing from his experience, Normally, a belt like this would go for about 25,000 FC at this point. Stats are really valuable early on, more so than theyll be at higher levels. But given how much you need it, Id say you should be willing to go up to 30,000 if needed. Alex nods, appreciating Rishi''s insight, and they head over to the stall where the seller and his group have set up their items. Not wasting any time, Alex gets straight to the point, How much for the belt? The average-looking man behind the stall glances at Alex and Rishi, recognizing them. Oh, looks like I have some real customers herethose with the skill to afford our fine selection, he says, dodging the question without naming a price. Already somewhat annoyed by the mans smug attitude, Alex decides to play it cool. Id sure hope so, he responds smoothly, since if I cant afford it, selling it in the tutorial might be a stretch, especially when so few even meet the stat requirements to wear it. Id love to chat about prices, but Im currently eyeing three potential upgrades and will be making a decision soon. He pauses, then adds, Along with the FC, I can also offer my player ID and my friendship and cooperation. I always bring back a load of items from my missions. If youre looking to buy low and sell high, youll definitely make a good profit working with me. The merchants gaze shifts, clearly weighing Alexs words. He looks at him, unsure whether to go with his usual inflated prices or play it smart. On one hand, Alexs reputation precedes himhes the player who took down a merchant defying Realm rules, got teleported away and still returned as if nothing happened, has somehow summoned NPCs from other realms as projections into the tutorial zone, and is tight with some of the most dangerous players here, surviving a PvP bloodbath as one of the only survivors. This guy could either give him a decent deal or risk getting on his bad side by sticking to a ridiculous price. Besides, nobody in their group even uses a Barbarian build focusing on STR and PHYits pointless without AGI and SNS to back it up. So maybe letting this item go would actually pay off. After weighing his options, the merchant finally speaks. Alright 32,000 FC! Alex shoots him a cold look, which nearly makes the seller topple from his chair. Damn, still too much? I guess Ive lost track of real item values by always demanding extreme sums of FC. Looking apologetic, he quickly adds, Im sorry, maybe I overdid it. How about just 28,000 FC? Hoping to save some FC for his critical skill upgrades, Alex counters, I can offer you one Soul Crystal for it sound fair? Your names Alex, right? If I sell this item for just a single Soul Crystal, my team members will literally kill me! The merchant shakes his head, clearly torn. Fine, Alex says, growing impatient, Ill throw in another 5,000 FC. Here, take it! He tries to initiate the trade, making it clear hes done bargaining. Surprisingly, the player accepts. Thank you for understanding. Enjoy the new belt! And by the way, he says, with a sly smile, Id suggest you try some of the workers here to customize the look. That belt is going to look silly if you wear it out in the open like that! A bit surprised the deal went through, Alex reflects, Id made up that line about Soul Crystals value when I was haggling with Carlos. Could it actually be true? Either way, this is still a solid deal. Thanks for the tip, Alex says, handing over his ID. Add me to your contacts. Ill let you know if I have items I want to get rid of in the future. My mission starts tomorrow, so only a small amount of time will pass here, while I am probably be gone for weeks. Sear?h the N?velFire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Thanks, be sure to contact me when youre back, the merchant replies, clearly pleased with how things turned out. Satisfied, Alex heads back to his room, his final preparations finally complete. Chapter 82: A Night to Remember – Departure! (Warning: R18) As Alex returns to his room, he checks his new status: sea??h th N?velFire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Alex notices that his HP only increased by a flat 20. It seems like Basic Endurance only boosts the HP gained from permanent stat points, similar to how the increase in Max HP from his armor provides only a flat bonus. A bit disappointing, but it makes sense, or so Alex thinks. Still, seeing his STR at 14 and both AGI and PHY at 13 fills him with pride. These stats are incredibly high for such an early stage in the Fantasy Realm, even for someone focusing solely on physical attributes. And when he adds in his other strong stats, Alex knows hes a serious force to be reckoned with. I did it! My build is exactly how I planned it. Im not one of those fools chasing after two different roles at once, only to end up with both half-baked. No, I merged two paths into one seamless playstyle. My spells work well enough on their own, but now I can use them with my swordsmanship, amping up both my physical and magical damage. My conjuration boosts my melee combat, and even casting a simple spell enhances my speed and evasion. Alex feels a rush of satisfaction. Hes created his own unique combat classa fusion of magical and physical combat. He lies awake in bed, still buzzing with excitement even though its late. Damn, Im nervous I guess thats to be expected. Failing the Hunter Exam usually means death I could back out, but I doubt the system would just let me give up during the mission. Suddenly, a message pops up on his screen: [Tereza: Open the door] "What the hell? Its this late already is she trying to kill me with sleep deprivation before the mission?" As Alex opens the door to his personal room in the Fantasy Realm, Tereza storms inside without a word, heading straight for his bed. What is it? Alex asks, a bit uneasy, not quite in the mood for her usual teasing. Instead of replying, she grabs him by the collar and pulls him down onto the bed, mounting him before he has a chance to react. She kisses him fiercely, and for a moment, Alex is caught off guard. What the hell is she doing? he wonders, stunned and confused. But Tereza isnt giving him time to think. She rips off his clothes, discarding them in a flash, and does the same with her own. When he starts to speak, she presses her hand over his mouth, her voice low and commanding, No more talking. Taken aback but unable to deny the intensity of the moment, Alex lets himself be pulled into the passion of the night, a role reversal that leaves him wondering whos really in charge. 7 hours later, Alex wakes up to find Tereza asleep beside him, her arm draped possessively over him. Not used to this kind of closeness, he immediately feels his face heat up, remembering everything that happened. To his surprise, Tereza stirs, and instead of awkwardly getting dressed, she slides her hand under the blanket until she finds his morning wood. Good morning, she purrs with a smirk. Looks like youre not quite satisfied yet. Guess Ill have to take care of you again. She disappears beneath the blanket, making Alex feel as if hes caught somewhere between a dream, reality, and an erotic film. Is this really happening? I thought things like this only happened in porn games, he thinks to himself, his thoughts quickly silenced as Tereza shows off her oral arguments with undeniable skill. An hour later, they head to the shower in Alexs room together, kissing passionately under the warm water. Alex cant help admiring her toned physique and feeling incredibly lucky for this unexpected turn of events. Maybe I should take a page from her book, he muses, and stop being so passive. I could end up missing out on things like this. Once they finish and get dressed, they make their way back toward the Center Square. We shouldve slept a few more hours, Tereza grins, nudging him. You still have time before the mission, dont you? What are you doing up so early? I thought you finished all your preparations. Yes, I did, but I still want to check out the trading hub, maybe theres a last-minute deal I can make. And besides, I got a hint yesterday... I need to change how my gear looks! Just look at meIm walking around in full plate knight armor with this massive champion belt and a magical cape that looks like it belongs in a fantasy parade. In Final Fantasy 9, it fit right in. In The Purge world, no one cared because it was dark, and I was just using a basic cloak over everything. But if I enter the Hunter Exam dressed like this, people will think Im a total idiot. Some might even target me just because they think Im an over-geared nerd! Tereza laughs, playfully biting his left ear while clinging to his arm. Wouldnt they be right? she teases. Alex blushes, thinking, This womans as aggressive outside of combat as she is in it. I need to get used to thisIm completely defenseless against her! They enter one of the few shops available in the tutorial section. Its a place he only visited once at the beginning of his journey, a shop that mainly sells generic, white-quality equipment. This time, though, hes here for a specific purposealtering his current items. After a long discussion with the shop owner about his needs, they customize his outfit. His plate armor is compacted, now with cloth woven into its design to give it a sleeker, more understated look. The weight remains the same, but visually, it no longer appears bulky. The massive champion belt is modified to blend in better, appearing smaller and designed to match his armor seamlessly. And the cloak? Alex has it shortened to look more like a draped scarf hanging casually over his shoulder, only revealing its true form when he casts a spell to activate its effect. This modification also helps him track the cloaks duration visually. These subtle, mostly cosmetic adjustments, plus minor repairs, cost Alex 5,000 FC. Even though the price is steep, he pays it willingly, relieved that hell blend in better and look less out of place. The changes also make him feel more agile, as though his armor doesnt slow him down at all. As they continue through the marketplace, they spot Rishi, who greets them warmly. Feeling a little indulgent, Alex decides to do something hes always called wasteful and frivolous: he invites both Tereza and Rishi to one of the tutorial sections rare restaurants run by Realm workers. Alex spends nearly 200 FC on food and drinks, tipping the rest to the workers. I have to say, Roja wasnt exaggerating. The food and drinks here are incredible and I actually feel rejuvenated. Maybe this wasnt such a waste after all! he admits. Sooo good, Tereza says, still savoring her dessert: a giant ice cream sundae topped with exotic fruits, especially a few pink, heart-shaped berries scattered on top. Watching her suck on those berries and slurp down the whipped cream with her perfect lips is driving Alex to distraction. Despite last night and their earlier encounter, he feels himself stirring, unable to help it. Rishi nods in agreement. This is dangerous Now that Ive tasted it, Ill crave it all the time. Im not sure this was such a good idea. As the time draws near according to Alexs mission item, they make their way toward the trading hub, specifically to the replacement goblin merchant handling the Hunter Exam applications. [285th Hunter Exam Application] To Alexs complete shock, there are only two papers left on the merchants table. He actually managed to rope in a few more idiots! Unbelievable, Alex mutters, glaring at the goblin salesman. Greetings, player. Ive heard what you did to the previous merchant here, and I must thank you. Thanks to you, I landed this cozy job, the goblin says with a sly grin. Well, youre welcome, Merchant. You certainly seem sharper than your predecessor. Congrats on getting a few more players killed, Alex replies with a smirk. Kekeke, it feels good to be appreciated. Care to deposit your items in my personal player bank? Ill even give you a handsome interest... if you manage to return, that is. Kekeke. I wish I could take that bet and make you eat your words, goblin, Alex snaps, turning away, done wasting his time on the goblins taunts. To Alex''s surprise, he manages to find a last-minute item he could actually use: [EP Charge] Alex buys the [EP Charge] and willingly spends the 2,000 FC the merchant asks. EP or MP I always thought they were basically the same. Guess theres a difference, he mutters, disappointed. What a shame. Id love to visit the Trails world and buy a ton of powerful Quartz! With their preparations complete, the group finally walks toward the large portal at the center of the Realm. They pass clusters of visibly nervous players, many with familiar, panicked faces Alex recognizes from a few days earlier, the ones whod been crying at the goblins stall. To his utter shock, he spots two more familiar faces in the crowd. Patricia, Eirini is that you? he asks, surprised, while Tereza, eyeing the two anxious women with clear disdain, turns to him with a raised brow. You actually know these useless crybabies? Chapter 83: Betrayal? Broken Team! Everyone for Themselves! Alex? Youre joining too, right? I heard rumors about you and that goblin merchant, so theyre true! Eirini says, a hint of excitement in her eyes. Yeah my participation cant be avoided at this point. But why the hell are joining? Are you insane? And wheres Roja and Perlah? I didnt take you guys for such risk-takers. Theyre not coming. They can go straight to hell for all I care, Patricia snaps. Alex glances at her, debating if he even wants to hear her out. But Eirini jumps in, already explaining: I was busy in the real world for a few days! I didnt read my system messages yet, and when I entered the Realm, I was just strolling through the market curious about all the new items. That damn goblin merchant got me! I fell for his scheme, and by the time I checked my messages, it was already too late. Anyway, Patricia joined just to protect me She starts to tear up. So Roja and Perlah didnt want to risk it? Alex asks her. We all fell for Rojas confidence, her supposed knowledge about the realm. Its obvious now she only values one thingherself. Were just disposable pawns to her. If theres a single obstacle in front of her, shed rather throw us away than risk her own skin. I guess you made the right call keeping your distance, huh? I heard about your small team, rumor has it youre among the top in the tutorial zone? Patricia looks at him, a tinge of regret in her eyes. Heh, yeah, we are. But what a fine team put together, huh? So its those guys you got stuck with in the tutorial Alex? Smart move to keep your distance from them. Rojas no teammate, shes a snake. That was kinda obvious, wasnt it? No wonder she wanted you to join her group in the Harry Potter world after your mission. Well, guess thats irrelevant now, huh? This four-person group is about to lose half its limbs, Tereza snickers. You shut up! Eirini snaps. Roja dont talk bad about her. Its my own fault this happened! Patricia stares at her in shock. Eirini youre still saying that? Tereza, ever the sadist, chimes in, Yeah, and she obviously doesnt give a damn about you or your so-called team. Also, I wonder who has that rare Harry Potter item in their inventory that triggers the mission, huh? Couldnt be either of two, could it? One guess, and I bet Id get it right. You clowns are pathetic. Alex, lets go. I can smell the stench of dying bugsstay close to that, and you might catch something yourself. Patricias face twists in anger while Eirini just stares dejectedly at the ground. I guess it was obvious who holds the item. Anyway, Tereza, dont be so harshthats not helping. Why are you insulting them? Alex says, frowning slightly. Alex, stop what youre trying to do! Rishi, who hadnt even bothered joining the conversation until now, suddenly steps in with a concerned look. What is it, Rishi? Alex asks, confused. he wonders. Tereza is doing you a favor. Youd better stick to the plan and avoid any liabilities that could drag you down. They could end up being your death sentence. Terezas absolutely right. Those two, no matter how nice they may seemare poison to you. Avoid them! Theyre exactly the kind of hopeless low-level players who get manipulated over and over, their whole stay in the Fantasy Realm. Theyre mere puppets. Once the strings are cut, theyre useless. Without someone pulling the strings, theyll desperately cling to the next person willing to guide them. Thats a bit harsh, isnt it? Alex protests. Anyway hey, what are you doing? he asks, startled, as Tereza suddenly grabs his hand and drags him away from them. Then she slaps him. Wake up! I can already feel you getting sympathetic towards them. Stay sharp. We did all the prep for you, and you have everything you need. Dont waste a single thought on them; act like theyre already dead. Now, check your inventory again. Are your grenades ready? Yes, , I checked everything earlier at the trading hub, Alex says, a hint of sarcasm in his tone. Heh getting cheeky, are we? Tereza smirks and slaps him again. Concentrate! Fine, I get it. Ill keep my distance. But it wouldnt hurt to have comrades, you know? There might be a few phases during the exam where teamwork could really help. Rishi suddenly grins, makes a fist, and lightly knocks it on top of Alexs head. What is with you two all of a sudden? Alex asks, bewildered. Rishi replies, Exam phases that require teamwork? Theyll most likely die before they even reach the exam, or theyll be completely lost trying to find it. Even if, by some miracle, they make it there, theyll fail instantly. And if youre on their team, you might as well consider yourself dead, too! Stay away from them. Do play the hero or get involved in some silly game. You know what you need to do. Alex finally understands. I get it Ill stay away from them, I promise. He thinks to himself, I guess this cruelty toward them is their kindness toward me. Theyre right. I need to stay focusedon the mission, and nothing else. I indeed was planning to lend a hand why? I need to wake up, this is not a game. Good, Alex. Remember what we talked about. In the last mission, the real enemies were the players, while the NPCs were irrelevant. This missions different. These players are the most incompetent around; every single one of them was foolish enough to fall for this obvious scam. Theyre practically already dead, so ignore them. Or if you get the chance, use it to your advantage. Extort them for their possessions, and if they refuse, dont hesitate to use force. Your real enemies are the powerful people taking the hunter exam and the challenges the examiners have planned. Alex checks his [285th Hunter Exam Application] again. Five more minutes, he notes. Okay, this is it. He hugs Rishi, then turns to hug Tereza, who just brushes it off and kisses him fiercely. I expect you back in a few days at the latest. If youre late, expect punishment, she demands, unyielding. Alex shrugs. The time compression in the Realm is so chaotic. It could feel like hours or days here while I might spend weeks or even months inside that world. Remember the tutorial mission? It was in some kind of vacuum where only a few hours passed here. I think the bigger the world and the longer players are inside, the longer theyre missing out here. As much as Id like to get into this with you, Alex its time. Rishi smiles. Guess so. Its an interesting topic for later. Keep track of how long Im gone! Alex grins at him before turning and heading toward the portal. Alex makes his way to the portal and waves at his two diabolical yet oddly caring companions. Aside from Alex, everyone else looks like theyre walking straight to their own execution. Many people point at them; most look on with pity, while others watch with twisted glee, savoring their impending deaths for their own sick pleasure. At one point, most of the onlookers focus on Alex, who ended up in this position after essentially being cheated into it. Through some miraculous turn of events, he killed the goblin responsible, managing to survive the Realms punishment. 1337, Ill see you soon. Dont think Ive forgotten about you. Despite my other companions, Im just as grateful for your help as I am for theirs. Ill remember what you did for me! [Good luck, HostIll expect you back soon!] Suddenly, the portal activates, and a large beast enters the tutorial realm through it. The creature looks like a cross between a man, a snake, and some kind of demon, with two large horns jutting from its head. It towers over Alex by at least three or four heads; at 1.78m (510), hes of average height, but this thing makes him feel small. The beast has legs, yet also a long tail, and features dangerously sharp claws, eyes, and teeth. Alex tries to assess it but cant even determine its gender. The creature is holding a large flag bearing the Hunter Association logo. Sar?h the novlF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Participantsss of thisss years hunter exxxam, please follow me. Were going sssstraight through the portal. I am your guide, sssselected by the realm to make thissss misssssion easssy for you. Arent you guyssss lucky? Youve already found your guide to the exxxam! Now follow me. The portal remainssss open for 60 more secondssss. If you dont make it, I fear for your life, and more importantly, thisss crucial exxxam will be over for you. People immediately start sprinting toward the portal, with a few even stumbling and falling in their rush. Alex could swear he saw one trembling guy twist his ankle. What the fuck is wrong with these people? That guy is already as good as dead from a weak threat like that. Or is my SPR just too high to be affected? The group rushes in. Alex, however, takes his time, glancing back one more time before stepping through the portal. The snake beast watches him with a curious expression. Well, well, perhaps I actually have to do my job and guide one of you to the actual location. Hee Hee Hee. The snake demon beast turns back to the crowd, hissing, Ill sssssee you people sssssoon enough. Dont think your current freedom regarding misssion choicesss will ssstay like thisssss. Hee Hee Hee! The other players, who had initially seen the beast as somewhat decent, now look at it with fresh fear. One of the newer players even pisses himself and collapses on the ground, causing others who witness it to step away in disgust. To the players not joining this mission, its clear: this isnt a guide or an examinerits an executioner, and the players who just entered the portal are its victims. Chapter 84: Lake Mobius, Mimbo Republic, January 1st Alex steps through the portal, and his vision turns dark as he sees instructions floating in front of him. [Player is now entering Level 1-4 Mission: Players gathering... total number of players: 28/30 World selection: Starting Location: Lake Mobius, The Known World, Mimbo Republic, Tribaio Village Timeline: January 1st, 1997 (Roughly 2 years and 3 days until Gon leaves Whale Island)] [Missing language skills detected. Since this is a special mission, all players will receive a general language skill for free, as communication is essential in this world.] Setting: In the world of , the world is vast, intricate, and layered with mystery. It is a world where danger, discovery, and opportunity are intertwined, governed by complex natural laws and ancient secrets. Known for its diverse biomes, exotic creatures, and highly competitive power structure, this world beckons only the bravest to explore its depths. Hunters: Hunters are licensed individuals who pass the grueling Hunter Exam, granting them access to otherwise restricted areas, valuable information, and opportunities that others could only dream of. They are often seen as elite adventurers, mercenaries, scholars, or bounty hunters, depending on their specialty. The Hunter Association oversees and regulates them, providing the rules, resources, and missions to ensure Hunters contribute to societythough some are rogue and follow their own agendas. Hunter Association: This is the governing body that oversees all Hunters, ensuring that members adhere to certain codes and granting licenses to those who pass the Hunter Exam. The Association is also responsible for organizing the exam, supporting various missions, and enforcing regulations. Its led by a chairman and has a council of respected Hunters known as the Zodiacs. The Hunter Exam: The exam is a harrowing journey that changes each year, challenging participants with grueling tests of endurance, skill, and intellect. Each stage filters out the weak, until only the most resourceful and resilient remain. Passing is an accomplishment worthy of great respect, but the journey itself is filled with deception, intense competition, and, frequently, life-or-death stakes. PvP & PvE Setting: PvP actions are possible, though not encouraged! This is a lawful world; engaging in battles with other players in public will result in major negative consequences, similar to those for killing a large number of native characters and getting caught. WARNING: Blacklist Hunters will be dispatched if a player reaches a certain level of infamy. Killing other players during the Hunter Exam, depending on the specific task, might be allowed, even if done openly. PvP Rewards: When killing other players, players will obtain random amounts of their defeated enemies'' possessions, ranging from 1% to 10% of the total value of their belongings, in the form of "bloody chests." These chests cannot be opened during the mission and must be opened back in the Fantasy Realm. Mission Objectives: Pass the Hunter Exam and obtain a Hunter License.Failing the exam during the first and second tasks or before reaching the exam site will result in an automatic mission rating of F, regardless of other factors.Passing the second task will lead to a minimum mission rating of E-.Passing the third task will lead to a minimum mission rating of D-.Passing the fourth task will lead to a minimum mission rating of C-.Passing the fifth task will lead to a minimum mission rating of B-.Obtaining the license will lead to a mission rating of at least A-, allowing the player to extend their stay in this world if they choose to accept another task. Players have the option to leave anytime after obtaining their license. Failing the Hunter Exam at any point will result in forced expulsion back to the Fantasy Realm if the player has at least completed the second task. Depending on a players achievements after successfully obtaining a Hunter License, its possible to attain a final rating of A to S+. To increase your mission rating: Unique - Each players own values and dreams are used as a measure of their success. You can improve your mission rating during the Hunter Exam and afterward. After clearing the second task, players may leave the mission at any time. WARNING: This option cannot be used during battles or in dangerous situations. Rating Tiers (Level 0-4): F (Death): Player dies, no rewards.E (Penalty): Lose 1 to 3 random stat points.D (Neutral): No stat points, 300C600 FC.C (Average): 1 stat point, 1000C2000 FC.B (Good): 2C3 stat points, 3000C5000 FC.A (Excellent): 4C5 stat points, 6000C10,000 FC.S (Exceptional C Very Rare): 6C8 stat points, 12,000C20,000 FC. Failure Condition: None WARNING: Mentioning the existence of the Fantasy Realm to any character results in immediate soul destruction! Alex suddenly feels a shift around him and arrives on the other side of the portal. To his absolute surprise, he sees every other player besides himself standing in a small village square, surrounded by insanely large trees towering at least 50 meters high (around 160 feet). He remembers the hints left behind by the system. Since he knew beforehand he would end up in the world of , he studied a lot of the known lore and now tries to analyze the situation to the best of his abilities. "Lets see where am I? Lake Mobiusirrelevant. The whole plot of happens here. The entire Known World is just a group of small islands in the center of this absurdly large lake. Now, the Mimbo Republicthats on the northernmost continent. Not that location matters much since the climate in is weird." He thinks back, piecing together details. "If I remember right, this is the same continent where Killuas home, Kukuroo Mountain, is located, in the Republic of Padokea. Heavens Arena is on this continent too. Good to keep in mind. The Mimbo Republic is the largest country here, but strangely, theres almost no known info about itno notable locations or landmarks are mentioned in canon by Togashi! Kukuroo Mountain and Heavens Arena are both outside the Mimbo Republic, in smaller neighboring countries." "The only thing I remember about the Republic is that its part of the V6 well, at this point in the story, the V5. So this Republic is one of the fiveor sixstrongest nations in the world! It also led one of the only expeditions to the Dark Continent. What item were they after again? Well, I forgot. Not that anything related to the Dark Continent matters. Im staying the hell away from that." He glances around. "Tribaio Village seems to be just a random village in this Republic. The buildings here look strange, and these buildings are also way too large for humans to live in. Still, were probably here because this years exam is taking place in this country, and that creepy snake-demon creature acting as our navigator probably has some connection to it. I have a feeling I should keep a low profile and just follow its instructions." He considers the usual process for becoming a Hunter. "Typically, people who want to become Hunters have to use their knowledge and intuition to locate a navigator, which is their ticket to the exam site. The location is always unknown, and millions of people want to become Hunters, but only a few hundred, or at most a few thousandeven make it to the exam site. Expecting players like us to reach it on our own? Thats a huge stretch and next to impossible." "I think to make up for the fact that the Realm already led us to a navigator there will be other difficulties damn, or else that would be way too easy. Theres no way this guy will just take us to the exam. That would be ridiculous!" After carefully organizing his thoughts, Alex notices the snake-demon beast appearing again, a vicious smile on its ugly face. Alexs eyes lock on its abnormally large, dangerous claws, noticing some kind of greenish veins running under them. "Poison in the claws? This beast looks insane! Theres no way we could fight it even if I had Rishi and Tereza with me and threw all 13 of my grenades, I wouldnt stand a chance!" Welcome to our village, playerssss, the beast hisses. "Our village?" As soon as Alex finishes that thought, a few dozen other beasts appear, each identical to their navigator and each wearing the same bloodthirsty grin. A few months ago, Alex wouldve shit his pants by now. But in his current state, logic and experience from previous missions give him the backbone to stay calm. "The Realm is supreme, the Realm is fair," he thinks, almost like a cultist worshiping a god. "The Realm always gives us a fair shot at everything. Things will be tough but fair. These beasts wont attack at least, not yet." Around him, many players start to panic. Some hug each other, while one of them screams, HELP! What is this? This isnt like the tutorial I cleared a few days ago! What kind of nightmare is this? I want out! Looks like a total level-1 newbie got dragged into this Damn, poor guy, hes as good as dead, Alex thinks, feeling a brief pang of empathy for the unlucky soul. After a long, intentional silence, letting the players stew in fear, the navigator beast finally speaks. We are merely ssservants of the Realm, here to guide playerssss like you. The Realm would never exxxxpect poor foreign humansss from another world to find the illustrious Hunter Exxam sssite on their own. I will persssonally guide you there, ssso you dont have to worry about that! Isssnt that a relief? At this, almost all the players sigh with relief, some even smiling as though this nightmare might have a silver lining. "No way in hell!" Alex thinks. "Theres got to be a massive catch here. If there isnt, Ill be Terezas permanent boot-licking slave!" Hee Hee Heeeeee Of course, theresss a ssssmall condition attached to thissss generoussssity, the beast goes on. "What a fucking surprise. I knew it!" Alex cant help but smirk. Hee Hee Heeee. The human player on the left the beast says, looking directly at Alex. You dont sssseem too sssssurprisssed. Hee Hee Hee. The Hunter Exam site is extremely hard to find, Alex replies, playing it cool. In fact, its probably even harder to locate than the first few tasks of the actual exam itself! It would defeat the whole purpose if you just led us there with no conditions or requirements. That would be way too easy, wouldnt it? Hee Hee Hee, exxxactly, human. I like you Id love to get to know you from the . Hee Hee Hee. The navigator steps toward the players, and the other beasts close in, forming a tight circle around them. Everyone huddles together, practically hugging each other, except for Alex, who stands firm. Hes kind of scared, but his belief in the Realm keeps him confident he wont be attacked outright. If you fail your exxam, players, youll all die anyway, wont you? Wouldnt that be tragic? The beast continues. I, asss the leader of thisss humble Tribaio village of magic ssssnake demon beassstsss, offer you humansss an exchange: Either leave this village right now and try to find the exxam on your own. Hee Hee Hee, I promissse you, we wont chassse or attack you. Or participate in our little challenge, and if you passss, I will persssonally essscort you to the sssite. The rulesss are sssimplegather thingsss for usss: plantssss, tasssty meatsss, or treasssure. Find enough, and youll earn your ticket to the exxxam. Once the time is up, Ill lead you there however All the beasts burst into laughter, some literally drooling, their eyes gleaming with hunger as they eye the players. Thosseee without a ticket youll compensssate usss with your livesss! Human meat isss a delicacy! Some players begin to cry; others scream or look as if theyve already resigned to their fate. Alex watches them, irritated. Shitty idiots. Rishi was right, theyre absolutely garbage and useless. What did they expect? A free trip to the exam with some fun trivia questions? Assholes, theyre all useless. Ill have to do this myself! The navigator, almost as if reading Alexs mind, speaks toward him, Hee Hee Hee, player, youre in luck everyone will gather thessse thingsss on their . Each and every one of you will need to buy your own ticket. The ticketsss cossst will vary depending on your level. The Realm was exxxplicitwe cant defy it. The weaker onesss of you will have an easssier time! Fifty pointsss for level-1 playersss, seventy for level-2 playersss, one hundred for level-3 playersss, and one hundred fifty for level-4 playersss. No bargaining. He gestures toward a small structure nearby. If you want more detailssss, check out thisss little ssstore we built for you The village also sellsss other thingsss, all requiring tokensss. Ssspend them wisssely. A lassst thing if thissss issss all too much why not give up? Ssssee that large building? Well feed you the bessst food and give you all the luxxxuriessss you could want thesse herbsss will make your body tingle with joy, like youre in heaven. Inssstead of dying out there, sssstruggling, we can make it easssy. Jussst give up your choice, playerssss! the beast explains. Pfft, as if, Alex mutters angrily, dismissing the idea. "Thank god this ugly snake demon is finally done, I cant stand lisssstening to his damn annoying accent. Shit, now Im even thinking like that beast too." Side Quest Offered: Mission: Gather village tokens to buy a ticket to the exam Reward: Safe passage to the Hunter Exam site Time Limit: January 4th, 10 AM Failure: Snake Demon Beast tribe will turn hostile Sarch* The novlF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Alex accepts the quest without hesitation. Theres no way he could find the exam site on his own. "On a foreign continent, without a single lead and less than a week? Thats just suicide!" He knows this quest is the only viable way to reach the exam. One more thing. Take thisss, each of you you have until January 4th, exxxactly 10 AM! the beast says, handing each player an old-looking catalog, handwritten and illustrated with sketches of various plants, herbs, ores, beasts, and even insects. Without further explanation, the navigator leaves. "I see we cant gather what we dont recognize. I guess the stuff in this catalog is what were after. Interesting!" Alex then slaps his cheeks and yells loudly, drawing the attention of both the players and the snake demon beasts. Its time to HUNT!" Chapter 85: Strange Birds and Even Stranger Mushrooms Alex decides to carefully skim through the catalog before doing anything else. The facilities this village of monsters has to offer mean nothing to him. Hes already prepared, having packed enough food along with a small tent and sleeping bag in his generic inventory. As long as the village itself is secure, with no threat of monster or beast attacks, hes perfectly fine sleeping outside. The other players dont worry him at all, either. The only thing he truly needs is the 100 tokens required for the ticket. He feels lucky that he only needs 100 instead of the 150 tokens that level-4 players have to gather. Unlike the other players, who are already crowding around the small stall selling tickets and other items, Alex has a different approach. He intends to study the catalog first and then scout the area surrounding the village immediately. This way, he can be among the first to grab materials before anyone else depletes the supply. He suspects that the farther he ventures from the village, the greater the danger will be, but also the better the resources. The catalog lists many strange materials, all seemingly rare and clearly valued by these monsters. There are entries for bark from unusual trees, unique tree sap, special honey, dozens of medicinal herbs, mushrooms, fruits, berries, leaves, insects, birds, eggs, gems, peculiar stones, ores, and monster parts. All of it looks like a list from a fantasy book, which doesnt surprise Alex one bit. The catalog is packed with peculiar entries and a wide range of requested materials. Thanks to his high INT stat and Basic Concentrationlvl 3, Alex manages to memorize most of the catalog entries in under 30 minutes. He also finds a very tattered, old map tucked within the catalogs pages, which helps him roughly determine his location within the Mimbo Republic. From it, he gathers that the village is situated deep within a vast forest, with no human settlements nearby. Given that they only have until January 4th to complete this quest and the Hunter Exam starts on January 7th, Alex deduces theyll need several days to reach the exam site after finishing the task here. Judging by the light, he guesses its midday right now. With less than four days to gather the necessary tokens, he knows he has to hurry. Hell only feel comfortable once hes collected a decent amount of tokens, enough to secure his spot. Hes unsure if the world operates on the same 24-hour cycle as Earth but assumes it does for simplicitys sake. He isnt even sure if this world is on a planet at all or if some other bizarre structure is at work here. Deciding not to dwell on the complex lore of this place, he shifts his focus to what matters most, his own survival. With that mindset, Alex darts outside the village, carrying his trusty 13 grenades in his inventory. He knows they wont last long, as theyll disappear after a day, and making new ones isnt always feasible. He decides to hunt one of the listed monsters, figuring that using grenades might diminish its value but will be the quickest and safest way to secure a kill without wasting time. Hes fully aware of the risks in this unfamiliar forest. Rushing straight in would be reckless, especially with trees five times larger than normal towering around him, its an unsettling thought, making him wonder what else could be five times larger than hes used to. To balance safety with risk, Alex moves quickly away from the village, assuming that resources close by will have already been picked clean by other players. At the same time, he stays away from the thick, dense areas of the forest. He decides to explore the northern part of the village first, noticing that the forest in that direction is much thinner than the other three areas. A thinner forest, he reasons, will mean better visibility of any monsters and fewer surprises lurking in the shadows. He silently prays for his LUK stat to work its magic and bring him some surprises. Even after walking for a solid 20 minutes, he still sees nothing, and he can feel his heart pounding in his chest. Alex stops for a moment, muttering to himself, Calm down. Charging headfirst into this strange forest would be suicidal. Youve got some time. Remember the training you did with the others. Assess the situation calmly, envision your goal clearly, and then work on fulfilling itslowly. Taking a deep breath, Alex slows his pace, his steps becoming more calculated. Moving on with renewed determination, he finally spots a strange bird flying overhead a few minutes later. Alex tenses, watching as the bird circles back, bringing along a few companions this time. With his high SNS stat and Long-Range Combat Prowesslvl 3, enhancing his vision, he notices these birds are surprisingly large, almost eagle-sized. He also notes their razor-sharp claws and a nasty, spear-like beak. Seeing them fly lower, Alex decides to duck behind a nearby tree, observing as the birds start descending, apparently searching for him. He thinks these birds might just make decent prey. They arent listed in the catalog, but the navigator did mention "meat" and "monsters," didnt he? Surely these birds are worth something, he thinks. Drawing his trusty [Mr. 5s .44 Caliber 6-Shot Revolver] from his inventory, Alex carefully aims at one of the birds flying dangerously close to the ground. He focuses intently, channeling all his concentration, and pulls the trigger. The loud explosion instantly draws the attention of the other birds. To Alexs surprise, they dont retaliate but actually flee. He had expected them to attack since they seemed to have him in their sights. Guess theyre just scared and not all that aggressive after all, huh? he thinks, grinning with relief. S~ea??h the novlF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Without wasting any time, Alex rushes toward his downed prey, quickly stashing the bleeding corpse in his inventory. Worried about what the loud gunshot might attract, he decides to move swiftly and put some distance between himself and the scene. Unfortunately, the system doesnt recognize the bird as an item of high value because it isnt ranked, hinting at its limited worth. However, Alex notices that, unlike his generic items, the bird is taking up a slot in his inventory, and the system does at least provide a few basic details. This gives him a bit of hope. [Sinerva Bird Corpse] A few minutes later, he reaches an area where the forest is a bit denser, and he begins scanning the ground. His eyes catch sight of a mushroom that stands out against the foliage. The mushroom looks bizarre, its surface pulsing like a frogs throat, with yellow circles dotting its green cap. Alex gets an unsettling feeling, almost as if the mushroom were alive. He remembers this one from the catalogits described as highly toxic, with a potent poison thats not only deadly but also extremely acidic. Even with his [Gauntlets of Pluto] equipped, Alex is hesitant to touch it. The damn catalog had simply noted handle with care. he thinks, annoyed. Determined, Alex finds a long, sturdy wooden twig and uses it to carefully jab the base of the mushroom, severing it from the ground. As soon as he severs the mushroom, it starts to bloat and sprays poisonous spores into the air! Alex instantly reacts, diving into a dodge roll to the side, narrowly avoiding inhaling any of the spores. After a few seconds, he rummages through his generic inventory and pulls out a mask, a relic from the Corona era: an FFP2 mask. He and Rishi had packed a lot of generic items in preparation for this mission, including medical supplies, common drugs, salves, sprays, and various medicines. They even packed some poisons, sleeping pills, and a bottle of chloroform. Alex had also stashed a collection of forbidden firearms in his inventory, hoping to use them if things got dire. Unfortunately, the system responded as expected, and now Alex cant access many of his items. The poisons, firearms, and chloroform are all disabled, unavailable for use during this mission. Thankfully, the mask, along with most of the basic drugs, medical supplies, food, and other essentials, still works! Alex cheers silently. "They might not be as effective as system-recognized items, but theyre helpful anyway." In this strange forest, Alex feels relieved to have some medicines and ointments with him in case he gets stung or bitten by some unknown creature. Once hes confident the air is clear, Alex approaches the now "dead" looking mushroom. Theres no acid on top of it, but where he cut it from the ground, he spots a dangerous-looking green liquid oozing from the stem. He grabs a bunch of leaves from the forest floor, using them to "bandage" the leaking part of the mushroom, then secures them with several rubber bands from his inventory. Carefully, he picks up the mushroom, adding it to his haul. [Bloating Square Mushroom (Damaged)] Damn, this mushroom is pure evil! Alex thinks, frowning. "A poison thats also acidic? What the fuck? This things even more dangerous than the Claymore Mushroom from the first exam in the original story, located in the Milsy Wetlands." Still White Quality, even though I obviously damaged it Ill need to change my harvesting method next time. This poison could be useful. Id rather keep this for myself than turn it over. It might come in handy. With renewed energy, he continues moving through the forest. No time to waste. I loved gathering mushrooms with my grandfather as a kid. He recalls his grandfathers old saying: Once you find the first mushroom, regardless of its quality, youre bound to find more of the same type nearby. Alex searches the nearby area, and to his absolute delight, he spots another mushroom. This time, he takes a different approach. Digging carefully around the mushroommask securely in placehe loosens the surrounding soil, then pulls it out with its mycelium intact, avoiding any bleeding. As expected, the mushroom releases a burst of spores into the air, which Alex evades by rolling to the side and staying close to the ground. Confident his mask protected him from inhaling anything, he waits for the spores to clear. Once the air is safe, he picks up the mushroom, grinning in satisfaction. [Bloating Square Mushroom] "YES! This time its not damaged, and the quality is Green! Alex feels as if hes struck gold. He scans the area for any signs of danger, then starts methodically combing the vicinity for more of these mushrooms, hoping to build his stockpile. He spends a good six hours at the same spot, meticulously searching every inch. His rewards? Two more [Bloating Square Mushrooms] and six [Small Bloating Square Mushrooms]. [Small Bloating Square Mushroom] The small variant has a similar description with a few tweaks, and Alex cant help but mentally critique the system for its laziness in simply changing minutes to hours and strong to medium. But hey, he thinks, as long as I get rewards, Im not complaining. Feeling the daylight dimming, Alex finally decides to head back. The idea of being caught in an unfamiliar forest at night does not sit well with him. "In the middle of an unknown forest at night? That sounds like a terrible situation." Fortunately, Alex had marked his path by placing subtle markers on particularly unique trees as he ventured north. This straight-line route should make the return to the village straightforward. As he leaves the densely forested area and steps back into the more open space where he killed the Sinerva bird earlier, he notices a large shadow flickering on the ground. What is this? he mutters, looking up. To his horror, he sees hundreds of Sinerva birds descending rapidlyand their target is clear. OH SHIT! Alex yells, turning and sprinting for his life. Chapter 86: Rich Bounty – Dangerous Chase! Alex feels like Ash goddamn Ketchum in the first episode of , being chased by a swarm of massive, murderous birds. He keeps running, glancing back to see the birds gaining on him, their shadows stretching across the ground in pursuit. This is stupid. Theres no way I can outrun these damn birds. Lets try this! Alex skids to a halt, turns around, and focuses, unleashing his new spell, Thunder, in its area-of-effect form. Instantly, messages flash before his eyes: More than ten birds drop dead, but the rest keep coming, undeterred. Using the speed boost and agility granted by the spell, along with the effect of his [Nimbus Cloak] kicking in, Alex manages to evade the birds that close in on him. He pulls out a handful of Annihilation Grenades lvl 3, his mind racing with his next move. He keeps running, his cloak billowing out into its large, mystical form, shimmering with magic. Glancing back, he hurls the grenades high into the air, each one detonating in a massive explosion. The skies burst with fire, taking down several birds in each blast. A few birds manage to get close enough to attack, and Alex feels a stabbing pain, like being hit with spears. Still, thanks to his trusty armor, he withstands the blows and evades most of the attacks. Grenade after grenade is thrown, and finally, after dozens of birds lie dead on the ground, the massive flock gives up and scatters. Alex is left with only five grenades, having used more than half of his supply. He silently thanks himself for his thorough preparations. Breathing hard, Alex scans the area nervously. That was definitely not subtle I just hope I didnt attract too much attention. But his greed flares up, and he cant resist. He races to the bird corpses and, despite the sorry condition of some, collects every last one and stashes them in his inventory. Just as he tucks away the final bird, he hears a rumbling sound. Emerging from the trees, a massive bear appears, clearly drawn by the noise of explosions and bird cries. This bear, however, is far from ordinary. It has a sharp horn protruding from its head, its size easily three or four times Alexs, and its claws look like they could take him out in one or two swipes. Reacting instantly, Alex casts a Blizzard spell at the bear. The spell hits, but the bear barely flinchesits thick fur absorbing much of the impact. The birds had been vulnerable to thunder, but this bear seems highly resistant to cold. No matter. Alex wasnt aiming for damage; he wanted to slow it down. With his boosted movement speed, Alex creates more distance, shouting, Now eat this! as he flings two more grenades directly at the bear. The grenades explode in front of it, dealing massive damage. The bear looks near death, staggering but still advancing, its steps slow and determined. "HOW CAN THIS BEAR STILL BE ALIVE?" Alex thinks, panic setting in. "This forest is insane! A normal bear wouldve died three times by now!" Despite his fear and astonishment at the bear''s resilience, Alex is also concerned by the flames licking across its fur, the creatures thick coat now ablaze. He decides to end it with his powerful Blizzard Sword attack, aiming to both kill the beast and douse the flames in one swift blow, to preserve the value of his prey. The [Nimbus Cloak] activates again, granting Alex an extra burst of speed as he dashes around the burning bear. With a fierce battle cry, he lands a devastating, frost-infused strike on the back of the bears head, the chilling blow finally bringing the massive creature down. Alex cheers, exhilarated by his discovery. Hes realized something interesting: if he uses his Magic Sword lvl 3 skill, his [Nimbus Cloak] activates immediately, even without landing a strike. Sure, if he doesnt act quickly, the effect fades within seconds, but this is a useful trick nonetheless! Now, he can activate the cloak, gain a burst of speed, and then unleash his strike. Alexs face lights up with excitement. Thats such a deadly combinationit makes me nearly unstoppable! Turning back to his fallen prey, he tries to place the massive bear into his inventory but gets an unwelcome message. [Too big to put inside the inventory] appears before him, and he stares in shock. With a sigh, Alex uses all 14 of his STR to drag the heavy carcass behind a tree, moving out of sight from the open field. He pulls out a large, regular butcher knife, unrecognized by the system, and begins butchering the bear. His movements are clumsy but effective. After five exhausting minutes, hes managed to hack off the bears legs, arms, and head. Snapping the bones took a lot out of him, leaving him tired, but now, with the bear in six parts, his inventory finally accepts the dead beast. S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. [Sinerva Bear Arm] x2, [Sinerva Bear Leg] x2, [Sinerva Bear Head], [Sinerva Bear Torso]. Alex grins, satisfied, especially when he notices that the arms and legs are categorized as Gray-quality items, the head is White-quality, and the bear torso is Light Green! Ideally, he should let the bear bleed out, but theres no time for that. Hes left a large trail of blood behind him, and he swears he heard a wolf howl in the distance. Sure enough, he soon spots a few wolves prowling a few hundred meters away on the open field where he fought the birds. SHIT! he curses. Thinking quickly, Alex pulls out a few of the bird corpses in the worst conditionthose ravaged by grenade shrapneland tosses them toward the open field, hoping to distract the wolves. Then he bolts, running as fast as he can. These wolves are two, maybe three times the size of normal ones. Their jaws look like something straight out of those Nightmare animatronics in . NO WAY IM FIGHTING THEM! He thinks, "If it were just one, I could take it, but there are at least three or four! If they work together, Im done for!" Twenty tense minutes later, he knows hes close to the village, but then he hears the wolves again. Desperate, Alex throws out another bird corpse and glances back, only to see the wolves completely ignore it. Angrily, he mutters to himself, Not in the mood for chicken nuggets? How about something spicier? With perfect timing, he drops his remaining three grenades and sprints forward. He hears the explosions behind him and sees a few notifications indicating hes at least damaged some wolves. Their cries of pain fill the air, and he watches as they finally slow down, turning back toward the bird hed thrown out earlier, seemingly preferring the easy meat over pursuing him any further. Thank god these stupid wolves dont know those were my last grenades. Alex takes a steadying breath, his heart pounding. Id better get back quickly without my grenades, I He stops himself, unwilling to finish that thought. Thankfully, Alex had traveled in a straight line north, using his senses to place markers around especially unique trees. Just minutes after his final grenade escape from the nightmare wolves, as he calls them, he finally spots the village walls up ahead. Thank the system! Finally! As he enters, the guards eye him with curious expressions. We thought you were dead, human. Good job ssssurviving, one of them hisses in a tone that could almost pass as encouraging. The other guard adds, Itssss usssselesss to usss if ssssome monster eatsss your corpsssse. Make ssssure to alwaysss drag your body back to the village, human! Alsssso, avoid poissssonssthey ruin your meat, make it tassste bitter. This additional comment makes the former encouragement feel much less comforting. Okay thanks for the advice, I guess? See you around! Alex replies, choosing to ignore the unsettling implications. Still catching his breath, he heads toward the stall the navigator indicated, eager to see what his haul is actually worth. Exhausted from hours of mushroom hunting and barely surviving that insane escape, he checks over his inventory to tally his gains: 1x [Bloating Square Mushroom (damaged)] 3x [Bloating Square Mushroom] 6x [Small Bloating Square Mushroom] 36x [Sinerva Bird Corpse (partly damaged)] and of course the hastily butchered bear contributing [Sinerva Bear Arm] x2, [Sinerva Bear Leg] x2, [Sinerva Bear Head], [Sinerva Bear Torso]. Its not a perfect haul. One of his full-sized mushrooms is damaged, he probably lost a lot of the bears value with his rushed butchering, and most of the bird corpses are in rough shape. Still, hes managed to gather a decent collection, with at least three full-sized and six small mushrooms in perfect condition. Despite how reckless and dangerous the trip was, Alex feels it was worth it. With no real experience in hunting or gathering, he knows he made some mistakes, but he genuinely feels he did his best and came up with decent solutions for the problems he encountered. Overall, Id give myself a 7 out of 10! Not badand I learned a lot. Next trip should be even better Sinerva Forest, huh? Ill be back tomorrow! As he approaches the now-empty stall, he notices a few players sitting around, chatting amongst themselves. However, he quickly realizes that the number of players in the village, which started at 28 (including himself), is now down to 26. This village is so small I can see everyone. So if two are missing, it means theyre either still out hunting, died trying, or they gave up and took the navigators offer. Deciding not to waste any more thought on these scared liabilities, Alex focuses on his task. He hopes the stall run by the monsters is legitimate and not a complete scam. If they decide his haul is worth just a single token, what can he really do? He silently prays the system is involved in the exchange, ensuring fair rates. As Alex, covered in blood from head to toe thanks to his hasty bird slaughter and rough bear butchering, walks toward the stall, the other players stare at him in awe. With nothing better to do, they decide to follow him, curious to see what he plans to exchange. Chapter 87: Finding a New Goal – Jealous Peasants! Alex arrives at the exchange stall, irritated by the crowd hovering around him, blatantly spying on his every move. One guy even stands right beside him, watching with a smug smile. Lets see what our powerful player has got for sale! he says loudly, his tone smug. Not only is Alex annoyed, but he feels a sense of threat. He wants to keep his gains to himself. If hes exposed as having wealth, some of these desperate players might even try to ambush him to afford a ticket. Time for my favorite intimidation tactic, he thinks, and with a quick move, he pulls out his trusty [Sword of Pluto], activating Fire Sword and triggering the effect of his cloak. In an instant, Alex darts around the player twice, disorienting him, then holds his still fire-infused sword inches from the mans throat. Talk to me like that again, and youre dead. I might not be able to lay a hand on you in here, he says loudly, glancing at the curious villagers watching their exchange with grins on their faces, but the moment you step outside this village, consider yourself a corpse NOW SCRAM. He draws strength from [Commander Shepards Dog Tag], and the previously smug player screams in horror, bolting away in shock. The other players quickly back off, putting more than a dozen steps between themselves and Alex, now watching from a much safer distance. Suddenly, a young woman with a righteous look and small stature steps forward, looking a bit younger than him. Thats not right! Were supposed to band together to survive, not threaten each other! Stop this madness! Alex, not in the mood to argue, turns away and heads toward the merchant in charge of exchanging treasures for tokens. HEY! IM TALKING TO YOU! she yells, her voice growing angrier. Sar?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He glances back at her with an icy stare, his voice cold and sharp. I dont talk to dead people. Stay in this village and preach to whoevers desperate enough to listen, while I secure my ticket to the exam and ensure my survival. The woman falls silent, her righteous expression fading as a shiver runs through her. Finally, Alex approaches the merchant. Its a typical horned snake-beast demon, but this one looks older; Alex notices wrinkles, and it has a smaller, more petite build compared to the other villagers. Hello, Beautiful Madam, he says with a slight bow, his voice smooth. Apologies for the rude display earlier. Im here to exchange a few treasures I happened upon in the forest. Would you do me the honor of naming the price for my spoils? Heeeee Heeeee Heeee. Oh my, I cant decide if I ssshould feel hungry after ssstumbling upon such a delightful little man like you or just charmed by your lovely mannersss. I am impresssssed regardlesssss, little tasssty human, she says with a clear, loud, and almost warm voice. Her expression doesnt show hostilitytheres something else there instead. Alex smirks, thinking of Terezas constant teasing. Dont tease me, please, madam! I blush way too easily if a beautiful woman does that to me! he replies with a playful grin. Heeee Heeee Heee, Ive made up my mind. If you fail to get your token, Ill buy you myssself. Youd be better usssssed as a pet than as food, the demon says with a greedy but charmed expression. Well, that doesnt sound bad, madam, but Ive got a few goals in life and some people waiting on me. Can I show you what Ive got to sell? Jusssst dump it all here, and Ill identify, rate, and value it for you, boy, she says, pointing to a large, empty counter, which looks spotless, as if it hasnt been used yet today. Alex then begins unloading his entire haul: all 36 [Sinerva Bird Corpses (partly damaged)], the two [Sinerva Bear Arms], the two [Sinerva Bear Legs], the [Sinerva Bear Head], the [Sinerva Bear Torso], his [Bloating Square Mushroom (damaged)], plus the three intact [Bloating Square Mushrooms] and the six [Small Bloating Square Mushrooms]. As he empties his inventory, the look on the old snake demons face shifts. Human you are powerful, she hisses, her tone filled with awe. come help your mother with thissssits too much work for an old lady like mysssself! A few seconds later, several larger and younger villagers arrive, eyeing Alex with a mixture of curiosity and respect. A handful of other villagers, including the navigator himself, gather at a distance to watch the transaction unfold. After some murmured discussion with her sons, the old lady finally turns to Alex with a calculating look and names her prices. No bargaining: all six bear partsss, 30 tokensss. More than half of the birdsss are badly damaged; half are barely acceptable hmm, and that ones worthless. She gestures at a particularly charred bird. Half a token for that one, one for the others she continues. Lets make it 24 tokenssss for the birds in total. The six ssssmaller mussshroomsss: 6 tokensss each, so thats 36. Ten for each of the larger ones, making 30. I dont have much ussse for the damaged one. Ill give you a ssssingle token for it, or you can keep itit should sssstay fresh at least two weekssss, maybe longer inssside your inventory. What do you sssay, human? Alex is pleasantly surprised. The deal seems more than fair, and to his surprise, hes already met his token goal! He bows and retrieves the damaged mushroom, stowing it back in his inventory. That sounds fair, madam! And while Im here, may I take a look at your inventory to see what else you have for sale? Sssssure, young warrior! she replies, her attitude shifted now, her eyes holding a slightly wary respect after assessing Alexs haul. But firssst, here issss your payment! [Warning: Once players permanently leaves the village or the time reaches January 4th 10AM all remaining Tribaio Village Tokens will vanish] Alex hears the system''s message and nods, not protesting since these details seem reasonable. The first thing he spots is the Ticket he needs, priced at exactly 100 Tokens. Without hesitation, Alex buys it immediately to avoid any temptation that might lead to his death by greed. [Navigators Ticket] Side Quest updated: Mission: Gather in the village center with your Ticket at exactly 10 AM on January 4th Reward: Safe passage to the Hunter Exam site Time Limit: January 4th, 10 AM Failure: No navigation towards the hunter exam site. Heeee Heeee, ssssmart decisssion, human! Greed isss a ssslow and inssssidious killer, the old saleswoman says with a smirk. Where have I heard that before? Alex mutters, chuckling. Are we not in the Sinerva Forest but in the Darkest Dungeon instead? Though I remember it was about overconfidence, not greed. Either way, Id better steer clear of both! He continues browsing her wares, noting an array of impressive green-quality weapons: a bow, a spear, and also several other items. [Tribaio Hunting Bow] [Tribaio Hunting Spear] Damn, these weapons are massive! Alex thinks. Their stats are strong for Green items, bordering on Light Blue territory, but the wielding requirements are just as high. Theyd also slow me down with their size and weight. He browses through a few other items, mostly gray-quality food that barely recovers any HP, as well as white-quality armor priced at 20 to 30 tokens each. Finally, he spots two items that immediately catch his attention. [Skillbook: Poison Resistance] [Poison Resistance] [Tribaio Sacred Poison] "I see so the idea is to buy the skill first, then as a reward, you can attempt to ingest and survive the [Tribaio Sacred Poison], Alex thinks, eyeing the items with a mix of curiosity and caution. Alex analyzes the peculiar skill before him. Poison resistance is useful, sure, but to waste an entire skill slot on it? No way. Its just not worth it. The only remotely interesting part is that reaching level 10 basically grants immunity to all poisons. That could be valuable for some people, but four additional stat points arent worth sacrificing a slot on a skill like this. He contemplates a strategy. The smart move would be to learn the skill, use it to survive the poison, then unlearn it once Im back in the Fantasy Realm. I think unlearning a skill costs 5000 FC, that would definitely be worth it! I see the optimal way to use these items, but he sighs, I dont have a free skill slot! Alex feels frustrated, realizing the Realm seems to be pushing players toward keeping an empty skill slot for scenarios like this. So either you cripple yourself by taking on life-threatening missions without the skills you need, or you fill up with skills and miss out on rewards. Both choices come with major drawbacks. He glances back at the prices. Anyway, that skillbook costs a hefty 200 tokens, and the poison itself is 300. Not like I can afford either one right now! Still, I might aim for the skillbook eventually. I could buy it and sell it back in the Fantasy Realm. Not sure if anyone would be interested, but its worth a shot. Or maybe the weapons would be easier to resell He shrugs. For now, the only thing I know is: Im done for today. Well, thank you so much for showing me your wares, Alex says, bowing again to the saleswoman. Ill do my best to earn more tokens and be back soon to pick up a few more things. Leaving the small stall set up for players, Alex checks his inventory and notices his MP is almost fully recovered. Naturally, he plans to use the evening and night to stock back up on Annihilation Grenades lvl 3, a full 13, with a duration that will last the entire day. He also notes that he still has plenty of item slots open, using only 22 out of an estimated 39, since special items dont consume slots. At least thats not going to be a problem this time, he says with relief. Choosing a safe spot near the village guards stationed by the main hall, where the navigator and village elders liveAlex settles in. He trusts these system-controlled guardians far more than the desperate players, who seem to be edging closer to guaranteed death and might try something reckless to steal his items and afford the ticket. With a sigh, he pitches his small tent, climbs inside, and begins conjuring grenades. His feet and body ache with exhaustion, but the prospect of being well-armed tomorrow keeps him focused as he prepares for another day of survival. Chapter 88: If You Rest, You Rust Despite waking up several times through the night to conjure more Annihilation Grenades lvl 3, Alex still feels rested when morning comes. Stepping out of his tent, he surveys the other players around him. Some are also camped out in tents, while a few are simply lying in front of buildings, wrapped in sleeping bags or blankets. A handful are sprawled directly on the cold ground, using only their jackets for warmth. Did they expect a damn hotel? Alex mutters, shaking his head. These players are badly prepared! Its clear to him that many arent taking this mission nearly as seriously as they should. Alex feels confident. With his [Navigators Ticket] secured, the fear of being forcibly killed and eaten by those snake demons has faded. Now, with two days and a night left to kill, he intends to use every moment wisely. The demon-run exchange offers items that could bring in a lot of FC, and Alex plans to make the most of it. He pulls some food from his inventory, stuffing his mouth with various items. The player inventory slows decay but doesnt completely stop it, so he has plenty to get through: meats, bread, some fruit, and a mountain of energy bars. After a quick meal, he feels full and heads over to the well to wash up and get ready for the day. Sarch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. As he finishes, Alex notices Eirini and Patricia approaching the well for water. He hesitates, remembering Tereza and Rishis advice about keeping his distance. Why risk opportunities for survival just to be nice? He needs every advantage he can get in this world, both for now and whatever awaits him in the future. He looks at them with a solemn, somewhat apologetic expression. To his surprise, Eirini greets him with a friendly smile. Good morning, Alex Can I ask you a question? she says. Sure, what do you want to know? Alex replies, deciding it cant hurt to share a bit of information. I heard you already got your ticket Patricia and I, like most of the other players, didnt go outside yesterday. We just studied the catalog. Can you give us a hint about what items we should be turning in? Alex shakes his head. I studied that catalog for thirty minutes and got the gist of it. Ignore it. Its only useful to identify stuff you find, you cant aim for specific stuff! Just turn in whatever you stumble across. Even things not listed can be exchanged. Go out, kill some of the weaker animals, and turn them in! Dont sit around doing nothingyoull die if you do! Risk it and get out, even if its dangerous. If you wait, youre as good as dead. You tickets! Patricia, whos been listening intently, looks at Alex with a regretful expression. I think we knew that already, but its just so terrifying. Isnt it scarier to stay in this village? Alex replies. In a few days, these peaceful villagers will attack you! Anyway, youve already wasted half a day. Go outside, be careful not to touch anything dangerous, and stick close to the village. There arent any deadly threats immediately around it. Just focus on gathering the items mentioned in the catalog, and youll have a solid shot at this. You two better get moving. He heads toward the village exit, hearing Eirini say softly behind him, Thank you As Alex approaches the exit, hes intercepted by a group of players led by the woman who had demanded he play nice yesterday. Shes surrounded by others, their expressions a blend of respect, fear, and jealousy. Alex sighs internally, deciding not to antagonize them without reason, and stops to talk. The leader, a woman in her late thirties, looks weak by his standards, clearly lacking in physical stats. I know this type, Alex thinks, too trusting, always wants to see the good in everyone, convinced theres a peaceful solution for everything. Might as well hear her out, but itll be pointless. What is it? he asks, keeping his expression neutral. You you already got your Ticket? she asks, the tension in her voice obvious. You need to help us get ours too. Alex feels a chill of disturbance. Is this woman serious? he thinks. How and why should I do that? First of all, the ticket is non-transferable and limited to one per person. And I can see some of you eyeing me with greedyou cant steal anything from me. The system anticipated this scenario, so even if you ambush and kill me, all youd get is a bloody chest you cant even open outside the Fantasy Realm! The woman raises her hands, her voice calming. No ones ambushing anyone, and we know you cant trade your ticket. But you trade the stuff you turned in yesterday, right? You need to gather more and share it with us so we can all make it through this! Alex nods thoughtfully and says, I had similar thoughts. I plan to do just that, and depending on what I find, I could maybe save a few of youespecially those whose tickets are cheaper. Although, those with lower costs also have worse chances in the exam, so it might make more sense to give priority to higher-level players with better stats and more skills. Surely youve already decided wholl get a ticket? A few of them seem surprised by Alexs willingness to help, but before long, several voices chime in, each claiming a reason to go first. I need it first! one player asserts. Others argue, As a level 1, youll never pass the exam! Im level 4, not the strongest, but at least I have the basic skills. I survived 4 whole missions to make it here! I stand a chance to survive, so the ticket should go to me! Another retorts, No way! We could save three low-level players instead of just you! Alex hides a smirk. He has no real intention of donating to charity. Instead, hes nudging this hastily-formed group into chaos, using their desperation to maximize his own advantage. Just a few words, and hes already succeeded. STOP! NO ARGUING! The woman leading the group surprises Alex by calling for silence. Well use a lottery. Its the fairest for everyone! Thank you, Alex, for agreeing to save usyoure making the right decision! A lottery doesnt work for me, Alex replies flatly. Why not? she asks, clearly taken aback. Ill offer my spoils to whoever can offer me the most FC or the most useful items. No need for a lottery. He gives her a calculating look. Of course, I have my limits. If no one has enough, I might as well use my haul to buy something from the store thats worth more FC. So maybe do your lottery first and pool all your items together. Then make sure the winner has everyones stuff to offer in exchange for the chance to buy a ticket. He grins slightly, relishing his strong negotiating position. YOU NO! That isnt right! The womans face twists in shock. Oh? So Im supposed to risk my life out there and not even get anything in return? I should just hand over my spoils to people too scared to fight for their own survival? Thats what you think is right, huh? He shakes his head. Look, I wont argue. I seriously suggest you all go out and gather your own items. Ill even throw in some tips for a safer trip for free. That much Im willing to do. No one makes eye contact with Alex, clearly too afraid to take him up on his offer. Well then, I suggest you start preparing and pooling your items. Your lives are surely more important than a few possessions you dont even plan to use, right? If you want me to save you, Id better head out and try to get more lootwho knows if Ill even find anything today? I had a lot of luck yesterday. He pauses, then adds, Or I can offer you something that might make going out a little easier. He holds up an Annihilation Grenade lvl 3. 5,000 FC per grenadeI can sell you up to ten. Who would pay 5,000 FC for thing? Are you trying to scam us? one player accuses. Seeing is believing. Alex mentally lights the grenades fuse, which ignites with its signature purple flame. He throws it high into the air, and a few seconds later, it explodes. Several players flinch, turning away in shock as shrapnel rains down, though none of them take damage, as the grenades effective range isnt that large. With this, you can head out and gather your own items. If you run into trouble, toss the grenade at the beast. It might kill, scare off, or at the very least wound whatevers after you so you can escape! Im basically offering a get out of jail card. 5,000 FC is nothing. Alex grins as a few players rush toward him, and he uses the trade function to sell five grenades. A wide smile spreads across his face after the deals are finalized. I cant believe they paid 5,000 FC for a grenade that costs me nothing but a bit of MP to create! And since they wont be making it out of this world anyway, my secret stays safe. If any of them survive, well people outside already know about my grenades, and these players dont know any real details, just that the grenade is connected to me. The five players who bought a grenade gather themselves, apparently deciding to head into the forest and try to gather items on their own. Alex respects that determination. Since youre ready to fight for your lives now, come here. Ive got a few tips for you. He pulls them aside and explains some basic survival tactics: how to avoid danger, not to touch unknown objects, how to use dead animals as bait to distract beasts, and shares his knowledge of the terrain. The players seem genuinely grateful and, after thanking him, quickly leave the village to begin their hunt. Alex then prepares to head out as well, noticing that the remaining group is still deep in discussion, clearly split by disagreements. Smirking to himself, he decides to take advantage of the newfound freedom to chat with the villagers without any interference. Most of them ignore him, but a few share useful information about the forest, hunting tactics, and life in the village. It wasnt a waste talking to these villagers! Alex thinks, pleased with the tidbits hes picked up. However, one thing bothers hima younger villager seems to be following him around, always lurking nearby. Whats that beast doing? I have my Ticket, and even without it, I should be safe here for now! Finally, tired of being watched, Alex approaches the beast directly. What do you want from me? he asks bluntly. I WILL KILL HUMAN! DISSSSGRACE USSSS! the beast hisses, barely managing to form words. What the fuck? That freak can barely talk, Alex thinks, bewildered. Suddenly, the beast lunges at Alex, swiping a massive claw toward him! Alex dodges to the side, momentarily stunned by the unexpected attack. The beast swings again, and Alex narrowly avoids the blow, feeling the rush of air from the claw passing just inches from his skin. Quickly, he pulls out his [Shield of Pluto] and manages to block the next strike just in time. Abruptly, the attacks stop, and Alex sees several other villagers rushing over, grabbing the frenzied beast and dragging it away by force. The navigator appears, looking at the still-dazed Alex. Ssssorrry about that, human. Thisss little one is too eager a dissssgrace. Pleassse accept thisss asss an apology. Well, thanks, I guess, Alex mutters, deciding that confronting or complaining would gain him nothing. Nothing major happened, and the crazed beast is clearly being restrained now. He chooses to let it go. The navigator watches Alex with a conflicted expression, as if hed expected a more aggressive reaction. Theres danger everywhere maybe my trust in the system was misplaced! If I hadnt dodged, Id be dead! Sure, the beast might get punished, maybe even killed, but that wouldnt bring me back. I need to be even more careful from now on! Alex realizes. Alex checks his inventory, and his eyes widen as he notices an additional update next to his Annihilation Grenade lvl 3 skill: (Grenades conjured: 7/13). What the hell? Those five already used up their grenades. What happened? Curious, he conjures a few more grenades to start regenerating his MP as he walks. Hed overheard the group mentioning they planned to head toward the small chain of mountains marked on the map to the west of the village. Alex makes his decision. The west it is! he mutters, carefully but decisively leaving the village and setting off in that direction. Chapter 89: The Western Mountains, Hunter and Prey! Alex makes his way toward the western mountains. Theyre relatively close to the village, but the towering trees obscure them from view. After about twenty minutes, he reaches the foot of the mountains. Unfortunately, he doesnt find anything worthwhile along the way. Seems like theres nothing of value near the village. Only once you leave the safe zone can you expect to find anything worth grabbing. Suddenly, he hears a desperate wolf howl. Shit, not this again. Should I leave? He hesitates, but his curiosity wins out. He continues toward the sound, wondering what might have happened to the five players who went out. A few minutes later, he finds the source of the commotion. Hes reached the base of the mountain chain, where he sees two dead wolves and three others, wounded and frantically gnawing on bloody corpses. Near the bodies, he spots themfive Bloody Chests. Theyre dead! Well, these wolves look heavily injured, and two of them are already down. If I can drive them off or even kill them, Ill make another huge fortune! Alex approaches carefully, counting on the wolves attention being occupied by the fresh kills around them. He considers his options and decides to pull out two grenades from his inventory. He has ten stocked already, so theres no need to hold back. Setting a timer for around four seconds, he lobs the grenades in a high arc. As soon as he lets them go, he immediately channels a Thunder spell, aiming to blast the area. The spell hits the wolves, surprising them and even stunning two of them. Just a half-second later, Alex inwardly cheers as his grenades explode; while his timing wasnt perfect, it was still close enough. He glances quickly at his notifications: the two stunned wolves are dead, and the remaining one barely managed to escape. sea??h th n??el Fire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Without hesitation, Alex pulls out [Mr. 5s .44 Caliber 6-Shot Revolver], carefully aiming at the disoriented wolf that, fortunately, is fleeing in his direction. With precise focus, he lines up the shot and fires a single, well-aimed bullet to the beasts head. Wasting no time, he dashes toward the dead players and grabs the five Bloody Chests. When he tries to store a dead wolf, hes hit with an annoying message: [Too big to put inside the inventory]. Shit! he curses, quickly drawing his [Sword of Pluto] and hacking furiously at the wolf corpses. Thanks to the swords high quality and sharpness, it only takes him a minute to cut the wolf in half. Damn, this is a terrible way to butcher them, but I dont have a choice! He quickly repeats the process with the other wolves, then darts back toward the forest. But to his horror, he spots a pack of healthy-looking wolves emerging from the trees. Now Ive done it talking about greed just yesterday! Alex thinks, a mix of shock and anger washing over him. To his surprise, the wolves dont come after himthey head straight for the dead players, who, Alex realizes with a grimace, still have plenty of meat on them. Taking advantage of the situation, he decides to climb further up the mountain, figuring the wolves arent great climbers. He can use the height as a tactical advantage if they decide to follow his scent after theyre done feasting on the other players. Alex scrambles up the mountainside, half climbing, half running. Finally, he reaches a rocky ledge where he feels secure. His inventory is now stocked with 5x [Sinerva Wolf Corpse (Upper Half)] and 5x [Sinerva Wolf Corpse (Lower Half)], along with the five bloody chests. Alex cant help but feel pleased with his haul, knowing the profits are promising. Each half of the wolf corpses is a White-quality item, likely worth a decent number of tokens. As he catches his breath, Alex notices something of interest further up the mountaina medium to large hole nestled between two peaks, clearly leading into a cave. "My gaming sense is telling me to go in but do I really want to take that risk?" Alex thinks, hesitating. "This is the world of Hunter x Hunter. There are no goblins or typical fantasy creatures lying in wait. Its a semi-realistic world with strange, massive monsters and terrible dangersbut not the sort that sit around in caves waiting for adventurers. And a cave up on a mountain? Not exactly prime real estate for beastsno food nearby. I think Ill risk it." With that, Alex slowly and carefully enters the cave. Almost immediately, hes hit by a sudden gust of air. Instinctively, he raises his [Shield of Pluto]. He hears loud shrieks and frantic flapping, but it turns out hes just disturbed a colony of bats. They look fairly normal, and Alex brushes it off, pressing forward without getting rattled by what he considers mice with wings. As he moves deeper, the cave expands, eventually turning into what feels more like a vast underground network than a simple cave. After walking for half an hour, Alex begins to feel uneasy. Hes quite far in now, with barely any light filtering through from small openings above. Despite his high SNS stat, the darkness and silence are unnerving. He pulls out a small light hed prepared beforehand and attaches it to his belt, feeling slightly more at ease now that he can see. Still, the tunnel stretches endlessly ahead, twisting and branching into what seems like a maze. He decides to stick to one side of the cavern, hoping itll lead to something worthwhile. Soon, he reaches a small network of tunnels that look like old mine shafts, crudely etched into the stone by handdefinitely not by any modern tools, hes sure of that. Finally, his light reveals something different up ahead. He catches a glimpse of a dark shape moving. His heart skips a beat as he realizes what hes seeing. CAVE SPIDER! he thinks, his eyes widening as he takes in the giant spider, easily the size of a basketball. Instead of firing his gun, which could echo dangerously in the cave, he casts a "Fire" spell. The flames engulf the spider and its web, setting it ablaze. Though the creature survives the initial blast, the fire spreads across the web, intensifying the burns until the spider eventually succumbs to the flames. "Looks like fire is damn effectiveits dealing nearly twice the damage it should!" Alex watches as the flames spread, burning through the spiders entire web, which brings him relief; with the web gone, theres less chance of being caught by surprise. He stomps on the charred spider, making sure it doesnt crumble completely to ash. Surprisingly, not only does he get a Green Quality corpse, but he also scores his first chest in this world. Maybe the silk and poison in its body are worth somethingthat would explain the green rating. Either way, its exciting to finally see a chest again. Nice haul! Alex grins. He presses forward, realizing hes entering a new section of the cave that the spider had effectively blocked. In front of him are numerous narrow paths, each branching off like tiny fingers in the dark. A glimmer catches his eye down one of the tunnels on the left. Moving carefully toward it, he finds it, sparkling ore crystals embedded in the walls of the shaft reflecting the light from his lamp. Alex pulls a pickaxe from his inventory. Hed prepared for situations like this, loading his inventory with tools like axes, knives, pickaxes, and shovels. His large, unrestricted inventory for non-system-recognized items is barely half full despite all the food, tools, medicine, and other essentials he packed. As he strikes the wall, the sound echoes sharply through the cave, making him wince. Damn, thats loud! Mining sucks! To be cautious, he rigs up a small makeshift alarm with a thin rope and metal hooks attached to the cave walls, hoping hell get a warning if something approaches. Hours pass as Alex continues mining, pausing now and then to conjure grenades to keep his stack at a full 13. His haul? According to the systemnothing notable. The ore goes into his regular inventory with the label [Gloomore] and is unranked. Still, considering he earned tokens for the unranked birds he turned in yesterday, Alex decides its worth keeping. Finally, with the visible ore mined out, he decides to explore more of the tunnels beyond where the spider once lurked. As he ventures deeper, he spots a small waterhole where water trickles down from above, collecting in a natural well before seeping into the ground. Around the well, long, healthy green herbs grow from the stones. Alexs eyes widen in recognition. Lurkwort, he mutters, scanning carefully for any traps. Seeing none, he carefully works to remove the herbs, ensuring he keeps the roots intact to preserve their value. Soon, hes holding a bundle of seven [Lurkwort] in his hands. [Lurkwort] Jackpot! Time to get the hell outno need to be greedy; these seven herbs are more than enough! Alex decides to carefully backtrack. Since the tunnels are relatively short, he easily finds his way back to the main cavern and sticks to one side, walking along it until he finds the exit. He makes it out without issue and begins his descent down the mountain. Suddenly, he spots something he hadnt expecteda villager with the distinct, horned, snake-like demon body. Alexs stomach drops. Shit its that lunatic who attacked me in the village! Human the beast hisses, I, Mussstrano, have come to feassst on your body. You have ssshamed our village by hunting our prey sssso easssily. Your part isss to cower before ussss and die, not to hunt. For this sssin, you will become my prey and die! Alex cant help but scoff. What a complete lunatic. Its our to huntwhat the hell does he expect me to do? No use arguing with this insane beast Ill have to fight! Still, he looks like a total idiot might as well try the old trick. You! The system forbids this! Youll die if you attack me! Look, I have the ticket! Alex holds up the [Navigators Ticket]. It is ussselessss, the beast sneers. I do not care for thessse rulessss. Human, do you accept my sssacred challenge? Die with honor inssstead of ssshame! Alex pretends to consider. Fine, but you must promise me one thing, Snake Demon. Should I die, take this to a woman named Eirini. If you agree to that, Ill accept your duel. Alex pulls out a small bag hed prepared, using a trick hed learned on the cargo ship in the world of Final Fantasy 9. He quickly stuffs five grenades inside, setting each fuse to 10 seconds, then lightly tosses the bag toward his opponent. Heee heee, you have yourssseeelf a deal, human, the snake demon replies, picking up the bag from the ground, not deciding to catch it. But after a few seconds, he sniffs the air. Human I sssmell fire He hastily opens the bag, his eyes widening as he sees the grenades about to explode. With a curse, he flings the bag away just as it detonates in mid-air. Despite Mustranos quick reaction, the five grenades still deal heavy damage, leaving him scorched and furious. Human I will ssssskin you alive! he snarls, enraged. Alex just grins, pulling out his [Mr. 5s .44 Caliber 6-Shot Revolver]. Likewise, you stupid snake! DIE! he shouts, his face twisted in a bloodthirsty expression. Ill show you who the real hunter is and whos the prey! he thinks, feeling a surge of anger at Mustranos blatant disregard for the rules and eager to turn the tables. Chapter 90: I Want to Feel Alive! Alex empties his magazine, firing all six shots from his [Mr. 5s .44 Caliber 6-Shot Revolver] as quickly as he can. Mustrano, the fierce and unrelenting member of the Snake-Demon Beast tribe, slithers forward with unexpected agility, rapidly closing the distance. The strength of Alexs Deep Blue-quality revolver becomes evident with each shot, and Alex feels a surge of power, almost as though the weapon itself is glowing in his hands. [Mr. 5s .44 Caliber 6-Shot Revolver] Despite his precise aim and Revolver Proficiency lvl 3, only three of the bullets hit their mark, with Mustranos thick, scaly skin reducing much of the impact. Thanks to Alexs high LUK, one of the shots triggers an explosion effect, and another, a critical hit, lands perfectly. The combined power is enough to pierce Mustranos tough defenses, causing him to stagger and visibly struggle against the damage. With no time to reload, Alex immediately activates Sealions Icewing Embrace lvl 3, feeling the icy energy as his beloved winged frost armor forms around him. He draws his [Sword of Pluto] and [Shield of Pluto], both weapons now emanating the frost aura from his conjured armor. Bolstered by his increased stats and icy armor, he feels ready for close combat. Youre going down! he thinks, bracing himself as he slams his shield into the incoming beast. To his shock, Mustrano manages to deflect the shield, forcing Alex to grip it tightly as Mustrano pushes forward. The beast ignores the damage dealt to him and counters with a brutal shoulder tackle, causing Alex to stagger backward. In the heat of the clash, Alexs quick observation reveals a crucial weaknessfrost damage. His physical and explosive attacks had only dealt around half their typical damage, but the icy slam from his shield inflicted nearly double, at least the frost damage part of it! Recognizing this opening, Alex pivots, changing his strategy and running full speed away from Mustrano, who is now wildly enraged and chasing him with relentless fury. Alex sprints toward the edge of a steep cliff, fully aware of the danger. Without a second thought, he leaps off the ledge, risking his life if he were to fall. But with a burst of speed, he spreads his conjured ice wings, gliding in an arc and swinging back to the cliffs edge. Mid-glide, Alex reaches into his belt and pulls out his [Mr. 5s .44 Caliber 6-Shot Revolver] again. With practiced precision, he reloads it in a smooth motion, then takes aim and fires at the confused Mustrano, who is now standing exactly where Alex had jumped from. Despite Mustranos quick reflexes and evasive movements, Alex lands three solid shots, each imbued with the frost aura from his armor. The damage of his frost attack doubles once again, and Mustrano recoils, taking another heavy wave of damage. Snarling, Mustrano suddenly gathers a thick, dark liquid in his mouth and spits out a massive poison ball, the dark projectile streaking straight toward Alex. With only his revolver in hand, Alex realizes he has two choices: either release his conjured armor and let himself fall down to avoid the poison or attempt to block it. In desperation, he turns in the air, using his enormous ice wings as a shield against the poison. But as it splashes around him, a searing acidic pain stings his skin. He can feel his conjured wings start to melt and crumble under the intense corrosive effect, the poison strong enough to eat through his magic itself! Shit, Alex curses, refusing to give up. He quickly glides further from Mustrano while reloading his [Mr. 5s .44 Caliber 6-Shot Revolver]. He watches as his assailant alternates between running and slithering, reaching impressive speed as he barrels down on Alex. Despite building some distance, Alexs shots mostly miss, hitting just once, and the long range results in minimal damage. Mustrano suddenly leaps down onto a narrow path, determined to corner Alex and prevent him from using his wings to glide out of reach. While Alexs wings allow him to glide, even giving him limited downward flight, they arent fast enough to truly escape the relentless Snake Demon. Deciding to use the narrow path to his advantage, Alex tosses two Annihilation Grenades lvl 3 toward Mustrano. The grenades miss, but Mustranos agility and inhuman reflexes dont completely spare him; minor shrapnel and blast effects still cause damage, as Alexs notifications show. But as Alex keeps his distance, he notices that the poison from Mustranos earlier attack is still eating away at his Icewing Embraces durability, the armors integrity crumbling under the corrosive assault. Alex is forced to land and sees how his Sealions Icewing Embrace lvl 3 crumbles. With Mustrano closing in, Alex quickly casts Blizzard, choosing the AoE version to maximize his chances of hitting the beast and to counter Mustranos speed. Alexs luck surprises him as Mustrano freezes and slows down, buying him a critical moment. Wasting no time, Alex hurls two more grenades, their arcs aimed perfectly. He cant help but let out a malicious grin as he shouts, DIE! But suddenly, Mustranos entire body shines with a sickly green light from the sunlight reflecting on it. Poison seeps from his mouth, claws, and every joint, melting away the frozen status and dispelling the slow effect. In one swift motion, he lashes his tail and smacks the incoming grenades back toward Alex. Oh shit! Alexs eyes widen as he watches his own grenades spinning back toward him. Desperately, he reactivates Sealions Icewing Embrace lvl 3 and leaps aside to dodge. One grenade hits him directly, while the increased speed from his cloak barely allows him to dodge the other. Although the damage is heavily reduced, the blast still eats away at his newly conjured armor, its durability pushed to the limit by his own grenades, especially the fire part of the explosion. Alex grits his teeth, knowing that his conjured armors one critical weakness is fire damage. Only thanks to his precious ring, [Sealions Might], and Genius Conjurer lvl 3, which boosts the durability from a base of 13 to 15, does his armor hold on by a thread. For the first time since mastering his mighty Annihilation Grenade skill, Alex feels a genuine pang of sympathy for his past victims. Hed almost been killed by his own grenade if not for his second conjuration ability. But his thoughts are interrupted as another poison ball strikes him, shattering his Sealions Icewing Embrace lvl 3. Heee heee, this is so much fun! Mustrano sneers, his voice filled with exhilaration. I am nearly dead, but now it sssseeemsss you are out of tricksss, human! FOR THE FIRSSSST TIME, I FEEL ALIVE!!! THIS FEELING! I WANT MORE! DIE, HUMAN! DIE WITH HONOR! He charges at Alex, his claws gleaming like ten deadly daggers poised to strike. Alex feels the familiar chill of death looming closer. Hed felt it only a handful of times: when he was crushed to death by the BMW, fighting Mr. 5 in the One Piece world, battling Black Waltz No. 3, and getting blasted by three explosive tags against the giant in his last world. And now, here it was againthe feeling of facing his end as the crazed Snake Demon beast bore down on him. Knowing he cant outrun Mustrano for long, Alex hatches an insane plan, praying his LUK will keep him from blowing himself up. He activates his Blizzard Sword lvl 3 to activate his cloaks ability once more. With his boosted speed, he dashes away, Mustrano snarling right behind him. Alex knows its now or never. He quickly conjures 2 more grenades, spending all his remaining MP and drops every remaining grenade, setting each one with a short one-second timer. The ground shakes with a series of deafening explosions as shrapnel flies everywhere. Alex feels sharp fragments tear through the air, but his armor absorbs much of the impact, and miraculously, he dodges most of the blasts deadly force. His LUK clearly spares him from what would have been certain death for any normal person. Notifications flood his vision, showing countless lines of damage dealt to Mustrano. Ignoring them, Alex refocuses, seeing his sword still glowing with ice magic. He spots a horrifying sighta heavily injured yet crazed Mustrano still slithering toward him, his face bloody, one eye gouged out, an arm missing, and his legs dragging uselessly. This is it! Alex knows. He quickly downs a [Healing Potion] and raises his glowing Blizzard Sword for one final assault. With a savage strike, he cleaves into Mustranos side, dealing a devastating blow. But in his last desperate attack, Mustrano slashes upward with his remaining claw, slicing across Alexs left arm, shoulder, and even grazing his cheek in one deadly arc. Alex collapses, bleeding profusely and feeling the sting of poison coursing through him. He glances over and sees Mustrano lying motionless nearby, fatally wounded but still breathing faintly. Realizing hes on the brink of death, Alex scrambles to drink another [Healing Potion]. [Healing potion] Unfortunately, the reduced effectiveness of the potion heals him only a fraction of its usual amount. Thinking fast, Alex pulls out a [Lurkwort] and his sole [Antidote], kept precisely for emergencies like this. With poison still sapping his life, Alex quickly chews on a piece of [Smoked Wolf Jerky], boosting his regeneration by another 1 HP per minute. He lies there, his HP holding at 11, then trickling down. After a quick calculation, he realizes that thanks to the antidote weakening the poisons effect, he will barely surviveif everything holds steady. As he fights to stay conscious, he hears the strained voice of Mustrano nearby. Heeeheee Human it wasss a nice fight. I wissssh I could fight you again. Why why did you do it? Alex asks, his voice ragged. I never did anything to you. W whole life only ssstayed in village never allowed to leave caged only hunting beassstssss, Mustrano breathes, his remaining eye clouded with exhaustion. I longed to hunt the sssstrong to ssseek freedom to exxxxplore to kill to truly LIVE! And for once I felt alive Thanksss for that, human The snake demons voice fades. Alex struggles to his feet, stumbling over to the dying Mustrano. The beasts remaining eye flutters weakly as he senses Alex standing over him. You have a debt to pay, Alex growls. Thanks to you, I nearly died and burned through a lot of supplies. Heee heee I have nothing to give, Mustrano whispers, a hint of dark amusement in his fading voice. Thissss isss it. The beast closes his eye, resigned to his fate, feeling the last of his life slipping away. But suddenly, it feels a sharp, piercing agonya sensation of his very soul being consumed. Sarch* The n??el Fire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 91: I’ll Give You the Freedom You Desire! Alex, seething with anger as his would-be assassin dies without offering any recompense, grips his [Sword of Pluto]. He never even got the chance to use it against Mustrano in battle. He plunges the blade directly into Mustranos heart, rage fueling his words. You want freedom? You want to leave? AT LEAST GIVE ME A SKILL! YOU OWE ME THAT MUCH! YOU HEAR ME?! he shouts, driving the sword in deeper. [ERROR - REMNANT SOUL DETECTED] [WARNING: LEARNING THIS SKILL COULD LEAD TO UNEXPECTED RESULTS] [DOES PLAYER STILL WANT TO LEARN THE SKILL?] Yes! Alex snarls, unphased by the ominous warnings. Remnant Soul? Come along, then, and Ill give you the freedom you desire! You nearly killed me; now youre going to protect me and slaughter my enemies! Suddenly, Alex feels something foreign searing into his left wrist, settling directly over his arteries. A new skill is taking shape, but its more than that, something has permanently invaded him. A tiny, black claw manifests just under his skin like a tattoo, dark and sinister with faint green lines threading through it. He realizes that this skill isnt one he can simply unlearn. Curious, he reads the description. Mustranos Malice Mauler (Level 0 Base): Effect: Conjures Mustranos Malice Maulera demonic, black claw capable of tearing opponents apart with an extremely high chance to cause bleeding that inflicts increased damage. Additionally, it can empower its next attack with a corroding poison that deals heavy damage over time, bypassing poison resistance. Level Cap: Genius Conjurer. Requires 1000 Paradise Coins + 500 per level to upgrade. MP Cost: 5 MP to conjure; consumes 1 MP per minute to maintain manifestation. Duration: Unlimited Damage: 30 + 5 per level Durability: 5 + 1 per level, restores 1 durability per minute synchronized with MP cost. Increased Bleeding Chance: 100% + 10% per level Increased Bleeding Damage: 50% + 5% per level Subskill: Toxic Breakthrough Poison Activation Cost: 5 MP Poison Damage: 20 damage per minute + 2 per level Poison Duration: 5 minutes + 1 per level Poison Penetration: Ignores 20% of enemys poison resistance + 2% per level Max Poison Stacks: 3 + 1 for every 2 levels Breathing heavily, Alex examines the claw mark on his wrist, feeling its power and Mustranos lingering malice coursing through him. The last traces of Mustranos dark essence are etched into this new ability. Still severely injured, Alex decides to use his [Gotcha Pork Roast] to recover his HP, not wanting to risk encountering more enemies in his current state. As he makes his way to the bottom of the mountain, he spots a large boulder and decides to sit behind it, leaning back to recover in relative safety. With his health draining, he devours the pork roast, savoring the surprising taste as it melts in his mouth, rich and savory. The meal bolsters his strength, restoring his HP to near full. [Gotcha Pork Roast] "Not bad," he mutters, still processing the intense encounter. "I dont know if this counts as lucky or not. I got a Blue chest and a new ability for my innate skill but honestly, I almost died. It was my LUK stat that saved me. Mustrano was a terrifying enemy. He shakes his head, half complaining, This mission is completely unfair. How can they even allow something like this? I bet 99% of players would have died if theyd faced him. After an hour of rest, Alexs HP is nearly fully restored, and his MP has mostly recovered as well. The sky is dimming, so he decides to head back before nightfall. On his way, he passes Mustranos body, and after a moment of contemplation, he decides to haul it into one of the craters left by his Annihilation Grenades. He covers it with dust, dirt, and debris. Guess he deserves that much, at least, he murmurs, giving his defeated enemy a hasty burial. As he works, Alexs mind is busy evaluating his new skill. "I cant believe my luck. This ability is cheap to cast, and it means Ill always have a weapon on hand. Plus, it can easily cause bleeding and poison my enemies! But I just hope Mustrano is okay with his new role and wont cause issues down the line. I cant just go killing everyone on sight. Alex wonders if hell need to feed the claw to keep Mustranos spirit sated. "Well, if thats the case, Im sure Ill have enough battles to keep him busy." After finishing the burial, Alex starts heading back to the village. About fifteen minutes later, he can already make out the village lights between the trees, but hes startled by the appearance of a lone, emaciated wolf. Its crazed eyes and bony frame show its starving, and with nothing but desperation in its gaze, the wolf charges at him. Not willing to take any chances, Alex casts Blizzard to slow the beast down. A desperate enemy is the most dangerous one, he mutters as he prepares for the encounter. With his speed boosted, Alex decides its the perfect chance to try out his new skill. Focusing on Mustranos Malice Mauler lvl 0, he feels a pulse of energy from the tattoo under his left wrist, and in less than half a second, an ominous, pitch-black claw materializes over his left hand and lower arm, extending up to his elbow. The claw integrates seamlessly with his [Gauntlets of Pluto], creating an intimidating, monstrous weapon. Alright, lets see what you can do, he says, dashing forward and raking the claw across the slowed wolf. His new weapon feels swift and deadly, inflicting two brutal injuries in rapid succession. Alex grins and decides to test out the claws active subskill, Toxic Breakthrough. The claw begins to pulse with green veins, like poison flowing through its structure. He strikes the wolf again, injecting the venom directly into its body. The wolf collapses, and Alex quickly halves the carcass to store it in his inventory. To his surprise, the items now read [Poisoned Sinerva Wolf Corpse (Upper Half)] and [Poisoned Sinerva Wolf Corpse (Lower Half)]. Unfortunately, the poison experiment has lowered the items'' quality from White to Gray, making him slightly regret testing the ability on valuable loot. Still this is insane! he marvels, staring at his left arm, now resembling a massive, wicked-looking claw. The claws upkeep is just 1 MP per minute, which Alex realizes is sustainable with his current MP regeneration. With 11 points in MNA, he regains 1.1 MP per minute, enough to keep the claw active indefinitely. "I could keep this thing summoned forever," he thinks, a grin spreading across his face. "Mustrano looks like youll be seeing a lot of action." S~ea??h the n??el Fire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Testing the claws grip, he feels a surge of power running through it. The weapon may have once been his opponent, but now its a powerful extension of his own will. Though Alex is thrilled by the new ability, he knows better than to reveal it to the other players. Sporting a demonic claw might provoke too many questions, especially since he just killed a Tribaio villager, albeit in self-defense. Quickly deactivating Mustranos Malice Mauler, he reenters the village. Its dark now, and as Alex approaches the gates, the guards stiffen, alarm spreading across their faces. After identifying him, however, they relax, albeit cautiously. One guard leans in, sniffing the air. Human you sssmell of Mussstrano, he hisses, his eyes wide in shock. You actually sssurvived that insssane devil sssspawnsss assault? Go to our leader now! Alex sighs, already tired, but obeys. Barely inside the village, a swarm of desperate players rushes at him, peppering him with questions. How much did you get? Come on, you have to give us something! Please, I cant take this pressure anymore. Hand over whatever youve got! Ill pay you back with my body! Exasperated, Alex raises his voice, forcing his way past them. Tomorrow! I nearly died out there. I need to rest, so just leave me alone! LET GO he screams at the crazy woman hanging desperately onto him. With the other players finally backing off, he heads toward the villages central hall, where hes led in to meet the Tribaio leader, the navigator himself. The village elder eyes him with an unreadable expression, seeming to assess him. Human he begins, his voice thick and ominous. We could sssmell Mussstrano on you the moment you returned Alex, feeling a bit uneasy, cuts in quickly, I hope you understandI had no choice in the matter! The elder studies him, his gaze sharp. Mussstrano wasss one of our ssstrongessst warriors, yet you ssstand here alive. Impresssive. He takes a slow breath, continuing. We are merely sssservantssss of the sssystem a part of thisss world, yet asslso not. Musssstrano did not accept thisss, and ssso, he dessserved hisss fate. But there isss more to thisss. He narrows his eyes, nodding at Alexs left hand. I sssmell him on you Alexs heart races slightly at this, but the elder shows no hostility. Instead, he surprises Alex by saying, The ssssyssstem demandsss fairnessss, and Mussstrano acted outssside of that. Here, as compensssation, human. Mossst playersss would not have ssssurvived. Alex nearly cheers on the spot. Not only did he avoid punishment, but hes been rewarded for his trouble! 500 tokens? This is perfect! he thinks, unable to hide his excitement. Now he has enough tokens to buy the skill book and a lot of expensive items. This outcome couldnt have been better, and Alex feels relief wash over him as the elder continues. As for Mussstrano the elder begins, a trace of regret in his voice. He wasss an outsssider even among usss. You will not be hunted, human. It isss clear you have freed hissss sssoul. Taking this as a sign to go, Alex nods. Thank you. I swear, Mustrano is lets just say, hes doing what he wants now. He bows slightly, then turns to leave, suppressing a grin. I sssseee, human, the elder replies with an approving nod. Ill ssssee you on the 4th. Dont be late! As Alex exits, he notices the sales stall is still open, though this time its not the elderly shopkeeper but one of her sons behind the counter. Feeling flush with tokens and fortune, Alex heads over to make his next move. Alex doesnt even hesitate and uses his 500 points to buy the [Skillbook: Poison Resistance], deciding not to buy the [Tribaio Sacred Poison] since he cant learn the skillbook and wont survive the poison without it. Here you go, human, the villager says, handing Alex the [Skillbook: Poison Resistance]. Alex nods, intending to sell this item as soon as he returns to the Realm. Still thinking of what to buy with his remaining 300 tokens, he suddenly feels something strange from the tattoo under his left wrist. Alex immediately conjures his strange Claw, Mustranos Malice Mauler, and sees an eye and a small mouth form on it. What the fuck? Mustrano? Is that you? he asks, both alarmed and curious. HUMAN, I LIKE THISSS FORM! I FEEL POWER. I CAN GROW SSSSTRONGER! THE THING YOU JUSSST BOUGHT! I DEMAND IT. FEED IT TO ME. I CAN GROW! Mustranos voice resonates from the claw, hissing with a twisted eagerness. The young villager behind the stall looks at Alex with a shocked expression and warns, Human, Mussstrano is a vile outcassst of our village. He is sssick and a true devil. I dont know what trick you usssed to bind him, but you sssshould think long and hard if you want him to grow in power. Alex is confused, but since the Skillbook isnt that expensive, he decides to risk it. Besides, why would Mustranoor rather, his skillgrow in power from a Poison Resistance skill? Alex sees real utility and usefulness in it, so he takes it out of his inventory and places it into his claw hand. He feels it being absorbed into the claw. What the hell is happening?! Alex wonders, as he sees a notification flash before him: [WARNING: Mustranos Malice Mauler, evolving, effects unknown] Chapter 92: Mustrano’s Evolution – The Absolute Limit of LUK This!! Incredible! Alex checks out his new Conjuration skill that just evolved. Not only did it gain a new effect, but it also rose in level! GreatI cant upgrade it inside a world, but now it leveled up as well! This is helpful! Mustranos Malice Mauler lvl 1: Effect: Conjures Mustranos Malice Maulera demonic, black claw capable of tearing opponents apart with an extremely high chance to cause bleeding that inflicts increased damage. Additionally, it can empower its next attack with a corroding poison that deals heavy damage over time, bypassing poison resistance. Effect2: Passively Increases Poison Resistance by 50% + 5% per level (even without conjuring the claw) Level Cap: Genius Conjurer. Requires 1000 Paradise Coins + 500 per level to upgrade. MP Cost: 5 MP to conjure; consumes 1 MP per minute to maintain manifestation. Duration: Unlimited Damage: 30 + 5 per level Durability: 5 + 1 per level, restores 1 durability per minute synchronized with MP cost. Increased Bleeding Chance: 100% + 10% per level Increased Bleeding Damage: 50% + 5% per level Subskill: Toxic Breakthrough Poison Activation Cost: 5 MP Poison Damage: 20 damage per minute + 2 per level Poison Duration: 5 minutes + 1 per level Poison Penetration: Ignores 20% of enemys poison resistance + 2% per level Max Poison Stacks: 3 + 1 for every 2 levels Note: This ability conjures a claw unique to the Tribaio Tribe. This claw in particular contains a terrifying malice belonging to its former owner Mustrano. Note 2:[ERROR] SSSSSEEE HUMAN? POISSSSON?? YOU HAVE NOTHING TO FEAR WITH ME ON YOUR SSSSIDE!! Alex stares at the description in disbelief. The skill didnt just evolveit absorbed the poison resistance effect from the skillbook and made it part of its own abilities. Best of all, its a passive effect, giving him poison resistance at all times, not only when the claw is conjured. Elated by this unexpected upgrade, Alex immediately realizes the opportunity in front of him. He goes back to the sales stand and buys the item which was previously useless to him, since it would probably kill him, [Tribaio Sacred Poison]. Alex decides to just buy it without hesitation. HUMANHave you learned the poisssson resssist ssskill? You earned our resssspect. Without it, even a human much sssstronger than you, cant ssssurvive! The seller warns him. Thanks for the warning. Just hand it over, Alex replies, eager to push forward with his plan. Alex spends the remaining 300 Tokens the navigator paid him as an apology. He now holds it in his hands: [Tribaio Sacred Poison] Without a hint of fear, Alex downs it in one big gulp. Nice now comes the pain I fear Alex quickly realizes. UUUGGHHH!!! FUCK THIS! Sear?h the N??elFir.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. SHIT THIS HURTS Alex collapses from the pain, overwhelmed but alive, the poisons effects receding after what feels like an eternity of agony. Fuck, this hurts! Alex groans, deciding not to take any risks despite being in a safe spot. He quickly boosts his HP by eating one of his last two pieces of [Navalia Wolf Jerky]. Hes in shock. What the fuck? I nearly died even with my poison resistance? What kind of scam is this? If he werent wearing his "Spirit of Pluto" set pieces that raise his max HP, hed be dead by now. Well no use dwelling on it, I guess! Its time to use my stat points! He grins widely, unable to contain his excitement. Four available stat points? For Alex, thats the best possible outcome! He activates Statistical OCD lvl MAX and increases every single stat by 1. Alex Kerber: Lvl 3 Available Stat Points: 0 STR: 12, AGI: 12, PHY: 12, SNS: 12, CHA: 12, MNA: 12, INT: 12, SPR: 12, LUK: 12 Again, he feels his entire body undergoing rapid growth. Despite the lingering poison pain, he never wants this feeling to end! His entire existence feels like its leveling up, rising by nearly 10%. This is so addicting Alex mutters as the rush finally fades. Setting up his tent quickly, he enters it and takes out his two chests. With his LUK stat now boosted even higher, hes even more confident and eager to open them! [Chest] [Chest] Alex opens the green-quality chest from the Cave Spider first. [Cave Spiders Essence Ring] Oh wow! I needed a second ring. He slides it on, appreciating the simple design and the basic but useful effects. But hes intrigued by the note on it, its a bit strange. The item doesnt require any specific skills, just the base stats, and those stats are exactly what it boosts. Its like the system is secretly praising my LUK almost as if its saying this is as good as it gets. The spider couldnt have dropped anything better. He shakes his head, still amazed. I mean, my LUK is so high, even with 100 LUK I might not have gotten anything better. Considering the enemy was a weak cave spider that died to a single Fire spell, a green-quality chest was already a miracle. Hoping for anything better than this Light Blue ring wouldve been insane. Alex decides to open the blue chest as well, his expectations sky-high, given it came from the mighty Mustrano. Honestly, he wouldnt have been surprised if it had dropped a purple chest, Mustrano was just that powerful at this point in Alexs journey. But as he opens the chest, something feels off. The chest itself seems smaller than usual, and the blue color looks dim. What is this? Alex wonders, confused. He opens it, expecting the usual light, but nothing happens. "Thats it? He frowns. Maybe forcefully absorbing Mustrano didnt just take part of his bodyit must have absorbed part of his loot too. Its like the chest itself is the essence of a slain foe, their life force condensed into an item the system recognizes. But since I already took so much from Mustrano this is all thats left." Still, he inspects the skill book: [Skillbook: Claw Proficiency] Claw Proficiency (Level 0 Base): Claws really are seen as weak and primitive weapons, Alex muses. Makes sense, I guess. In most fantasy worlds, magic and swords rule the stage. Claws are used by beastmen, barbarians, side characters, never the so-called heroes. Because of that, the system is classifying claws as weak, meaning this skill is already the absolute limit of the type. There might be something rarer or a higher path out there, but itd probably be rare as hell and tied to specific characters. Still, if I had a free skill slot, this would be useful with my new ability. He sighs, feeling a bit let down. The chest felt nearly drained and hadnt delivered the dream drop hed hoped for, unlike the green chest. Just then, he feels a strange energy surge in his tattoo on his left wrist. Wait Mustrano? he mutters. Dont tell me Alex activates Mustranos Malice Mauler lvl 1, watching as Mustranos eye appears on the inner side of the claw, staring at him intently. "Human I felt sssomething dissssappear when you killed me," Mustranos voice hisses. "It looksss like thatsss it. I ssstill know how to ussse a claw, but sssince you are now controlling me, it looksss like you need it more than I do. I can feel thisss item calling to me, just like that other thing before. Feed it to me! Your performance againssst that wolf wasss pathetic! You must raisssse your ssskill to properly dessstroy your prey." Alex holds back his eagerness to power up immediately, deciding to get a solid understanding with his new friend before diving in. If he kept feeding Mustrano skills without knowing more, it could backfire. What if Mustrano became too strong, started rebelling, or even turned against him? I cant have that, he thinks, determined. Lets talk, Mustrano, he says firmly. Looks like youve picked up on the essentials. But let me fill you in completely. Since youre part of me now, I think the systems restrictions on information dont apply. Ill tell you everything. With that, Alex opens up, describing his experiences in the other worlds, the nature of the Realm, and his sense of the relentless battles that lie ahead. Sssssooo, human Mustrano hisses slowly, seeming to savor every word. You will continue to fight othersss like yoursssseelf, conssstantly forced into deadly worldssss, fighting for your life? What more could I want? Thisss sssoundsss like heaven! Thisss isss what I alwaysss wanted FREEDOM! Yeah, Mustrano. Lets cut to the chase. What I need is a tool, a weaponsomething I can rely on. I realize youre more than just that now. Youre basically a comrade, so Ill treat you like one. But understand this: Im the one in control, and my lifes on the line. Sometimes, violence isnt the answer, and when that happens, I need you to stay calm. If you can promise me that, Ill make a promise in return. Alex looks at the claw with intensity. When the chance comes, Ill let you feast. And since Im treating you as a comrade, Ill include you in my decisions. This is my offer. I swear on my life that Im not deceiving you. Now, do you accept? I would have followed your ordersss anyway but to be a comrade? Thatsss different. It feelsss sstrange, being comrade to a human but then again, nothing about thiss isss normal. Mustranos voice shifts, a hint of acceptance in his tone. Fine. I accept, human. Ill follow your lead and ssssupport you, not jusssst obey. After our fight, Ive ssseen enough to know what you are, sssomeone driven by violence and sssurvival. Your inssstinctsss your ssskillsss youve killed and will do it again. I know I wont regret thisss choice. Alex senses a shift in his tattooit feels lighter, less like a foreign force. Seems like hes more reasonable than I thought. Maybe this partnership will work out, Alex thinks, pleased. Alright, then. Time to feed my friend, Alex says with a grin, holding out the [Skillbook: Claw Proficiency]. Chapter 93: A Claw’s Favorite Midnight Snack and Mining His Own Business Mustrano greedily devours the [Skillbook: Claw Proficiency], causing Alex a pang of regret; that skillbook is worth at least 10,000 FC, if not more! Ah, whatever! Lets hope the skill integrates as smoothly as I think it will, and that its effect stays the same! [WARNING: Mustranos Malice Mauler, evolving, effects unknown] Seeing his new skill, Alex quickly skims over the already familiar effects, too tired to reread the massive wall of texthe loves them, sure, but seeing it all again feels tedious. He only glances at the added effect, and to his absolute delight, its exactly what hed hoped for! Mustranos Malice Mauler lvl 3: Effect3: +10% damage, accuracy, and attack speed with any claw weapon, +5% per level Effect3: +5% chance to parry and block with claws, +1% per level Yes! The entire Light Blue effect got fully integrated into the skill, and the skill level increased by 2! Its already at the max I can upgrade it to! Alex clenches his fists with excitement. This is exactly what I need. With its base damage of 30 and 15 from the three levels, plus the new effect raising damage by another 25%, the claws damage is now about 56! Thats nearly as high as my sword, and the claw is way faster, inflicts bleeding more easily, and can also poison my opponents! S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. But Alex cant shake a tiny bit of disappointment; deep down, he feels a strange emptiness within Mustrano, as if something inside him is now full. I think Mustranos potential is nearly tapped out. I probably cant feed him much more unless its a perfect match. Maybe after I level up Genius Conjurerlvl 3 and this skill even higher, hell regain a little potential, maybe enough space for one or two more skills. No need to be greedy, thoughthis skill is pretty much a cheat! Its technically a subskill, yet it holds two complete abilities that would usually require two skill slots. Complaining now would just be silly. Alex then as always conjures a few grenades and attempts to sleep, though his excitement and gains make it hard to calm down. After a decent nights rest, Alex wakes up to the sound of people loudly arguing outside. As he steps out of his tent, hes immediately surrounded by a large crowd of angry and despairing players. How can you sleep just like that? Our lives are on the line! one man yells, his voice sharp with anger. Shut up, or Ill cut you off from the people Im dealing with! Alex snaps back, his patience thin. He glares at the mana cowardly leech who is too scared to fight while Alex almost died yesterday, now demanding Alexs immediate attention. He clears his throat, addressing the crowd. Listen up! I have good news for all of you. Yesterday, I found quite a few rare items around 200 to 300 Tokens worth! A few people cheer, while others look disappointed. Only that much? one of them scoffs at Alex. Are you a complete moron? Alex snaps, still fuming from his near-death experiences yesterday. Even the highest-level players only need 150 Tokens! I earned double that in a single day. What the fuck do you expect? If you think its so easy, go out there yourself, you idiot. He lets his words sink in, then adds, By the way, I saw the five others out there yesterday. They all diedwolves were tearing into their corpses. His tone is dark, and some players look visibly shaken, while others exchange uneasy glances, as if using his words to validate their own fears. Leaving the crowd behind, Alex scans the area and spots Eirini and Patricia sitting off to the side, eating something quietly. Ignoring the mob, he walks over to them. How did it go for you two yesterday? he asks bluntly, noticing theyre covered in cuts and bruises. They look like they need at least another day to recover, and he wonders if theyll even make it. But to his surprise, both women flash him wide grins. Heh, why dont you take a look at this? Eirini says, holding out a rare item with a glint of pride. [Lucky Miracle Clover] Eirini beams. We found three of them. We each turned one in and got 90 Tokens! We just need to trade this last one with someone else, and well both have enough to pass! Alex eyes the clover, feeling the weight of its potential. This seems incredibly useful how about I trade you a bunch of items worth 10 Tokens each? Ill add 3,000 FC per person as well to make it fair for you. Patricia nods enthusiastically. Sure, we were hoping to trade with you anyway! Your advice was worth a fortune. We found them in a hidden cave with light shining through the ceilingjust like you hinted at. What the fuck? If I had such information, I would have used it myself, Alex cant help but be skeptical. Perhaps this Eirini character has a high initial amount of LUK as well, Alex reasons, feeling she is too innocent. They walk toward the sales stall, and Alex immediately hands over some of his [Gloomore] to both and the [Sinerva Wolf Corpse (Upper Half)] to Eirini, while giving Patricia the [Sinerva Wolf Corpse (Lower Half)] so they can exchange them for exactly 10 Tokens each. Afterward, they trade the [Lucky Miracle Clover] to Alex, who pays them 3,000 FC each. At this point, the other players start yelling at Alex. HOW DARE YOU! Why are you giving them items? need them! WE WILL DIE! THIS IS NOT A GAME! one of them shouts in desperation. Alex turns to them with a cold stare. So, he says, have you made a decision? Who won your little lottery? As I said, I expect a hefty sum for risking my life. The woman whod taken charge earlier steps forward and says, We plan to give you 5,000 FC for 100 Tokens worth of items Rejected! Alex snaps, cutting her off, leaving them all visibly shocked. Are you stupid? he continues, glaring at them. I can buy weapons and items worth nearly 20,000 FC for 100 Tokens. Why the fuck should I give you the same amount for a measly 5,000? What the hell are you thinking? Alexs tone is sharp, and he isnt totally bluffingthe weapons and items offered for Tokens are indeed valuable and would sell for a decent amount of FC, although they wouldnt quite reach the 20,000 FC he claims. The woman looks dejected, as if shed anticipated Alexs response but hoped hed be lenient. Youd be saving a lot of lives, and BULLSHIT! Alex roars, cutting her off mid-sentence. Youre holding out on me. I know for a fact youve got items worth anywhere from 30,000 to 50,000 FC. I can the equipment youre wearing. Do you think Im a complete idiot? Five thousand FC for your survival? Are your lives that damn cheap? Should I just let you all get killed and ask the navigator if I can pick up the bloody chests you leave behind? Theyre probably worth at least 5,000 FC too! After some tense negotiation, Alex gets his way. They settle on 30,000 FC for each complete 100 Tokens worth of items he provides. They stand next to the stall, double-checking everything with the old female villager whos returned to oversee the exchange. The other players, who seem to have decided on their lottery winner through gambling or other desperate measures, follow Alex to the merchant stall in silence, clutching whatever theyve scraped together for their survival. Alex, after having his items evaluated by the old villager, predicted correctly. The items are worth slightly over 300 FC. The [Gloomore] and [Lurkwort] fetch a high price, while the ordinary wolf corpses barely add anything. He dumps all his remaining items into the trade menu with the female representative of the players: [Gloomore], [Cave Spider Corpse], [Sinerva Wolf Corpse (Upper Half)], [Sinerva Wolf Corpse (Lower Half)], along with the poisoned [Poisoned Sinerva Wolf Corpse (Upper Half)] and [Poisoned Sinerva Wolf Corpse (Lower Half)]. He also trades four out of his remaining six [Lurkwort], choosing to keep two since theyre useful for healing and can stop bleedings. Once the deal is finalized, Alex receives a hefty 90,000 FC, even surprising himself. He realizes he probably couldve extorted more, but theres a limithes noticed the desperation and malice in the players eyes. Theyd scraped together all they had, pooling their wealth to meet his terms. If theyre doomed, theyll do crazy things, he thinks. I saw it theyd try to drag me down with them, sacrificing themselves just to take me out. And theyll never part with their armor, thinking its the only thing thatll keep them alive in this exam. Alex reasons that hes content with 30,000 FC per 100 Tokens, deciding its a very good price for him. Still weary from yesterdays battle, Alex unwraps an [Energy Bar] Tereza gave him, but it does little to shake off his exhaustion. His injuries may be healed, but the mental and physical toll lingers. Part of him wants to take it easy today, but he pushes the thought aside, knowing he cant afford to slack off just yet. Ill go out again, he says to the group, his voice edged with fatigue. Ill try to get as much as possible, but make up your minds about what youre going to do. I dont think I can save all of you! Alex, tired of risking his life and figuring if he overdoes it he might actually die himself, decides to return to the cave. Without a lurking Mustrano around, the danger seems very manageable and well-balanced. He ventures toward the mountains, thankfully avoiding any wolves, and reaches the same cave. This time, he heads toward the other side of it. He continues to search and search, and after two full hours, he finally finds another area with plenty of [Gloomore]. Since Alex knows the ore is worth 2 Tokens per unit according to the system, he stops after mining a solid 100 units. He could go on longer, but he feels even more tired and wants to relax for the rest of the day. Its already afternoon when Alex returns. To his surprise, he finds only the five players who remained behind: the three who already have their ticketsone of whom is the female leader of the player group, Emma, whom Alex suspects is quite skilled at manipulating crowds and not as nice as she actsalongside Patricia, Eirini, and two more people. Wheres the rest? Alex asks curiously. Emma, introducing herself as 39 years old from the Netherlands, explains, They figured you looked really tired and might only manage items for two more people, so they decided to gamble it all and take the risk of venturing out on their own! Alex nods, approving of their decision. Theyre smart. Ive got exactly enough [Gloomore] for two more people at lvl 3. The two remaining players, who still need their tickets, exchange uneasy glances, stuttering as one of them says, We dont have enough FC we can give you a total of 20,000 and two Soulstones. We cant afford more. Alex is momentarily confused, thinking, Are they stupid? He knows Soulstones are worth between 20,000 and 25,000 FC each. 15,000 is way below their value though I only recently figured that out myself. He plays it cool. This is about lives; I guess I can accept that, he says, pretending to be generous. He makes the deal with both of them, causing them to smile with visible relief, even thanking him with tears in their eyes. It almost makes Alex feel a bit guilty, and he starts to sweat slightly, realizing hes actually earned a bit more than the 30,000 FC per person he initially demanded. Alex banks another 20,000 FC and two Soulstones. He then exchanges his last 40 untradable Tokens for a healing item. [Tribaio Village Healing Liquid] Afterward, Alex spends some time chatting with Patricia, Eirini, Emma, and the four remaining players. They exchange theories and information about the upcoming exam, the lore of the world, and other details relevant to the Realm. However, Alex is exhausted, and after about an hour, he decides to rest for the remainder of the day, quickly retreating to his tent even before the sun fully sets, not wanting to oversleep. Chapter 94: Violent Departure! Alex almost instantly falls asleep upon entering his tent. Despite holding back yesterday, he still easily managed a full days work, trekking through dense forest, climbing into the mountains, and mining for days straight. Suddenly, a sharp pain flares in his left wrist, as if someone just drove a knife into it. He jolts awake but sees and hears nothing. Just as hes about to close his eyes again, he senses someone opening his tent from outside and hears faint whispers. In an instant, Alex conjures Mustranos Malice Mauler lvl 3. Looks like his new ally is keeping his word this time, actually giving him a warning. Alex feigns sleep, hiding the massive claw within his sleeping bag. As the tent flap opens, a man rushes inside, attempting to stab him with something. Alexs claw blocks the attack, without even losing a single point of durability. Instantly, he discards any thoughts of handling this without force and unleashes Mustranos ability, Toxic Breakthrough lvl 3. His claw tears through the mans chest, despite some resistance from a hidden layer of armor. AAAAAAHH! HELP! the man screams, stumbling back as he desperately tries to escape. Alex leaps out of his tent, eyes locking onto the other players surrounding it, weapons drawn. He closes the distance to one of them, driving his claw into the players abdomen before slashing his exposed neck, nearly severing it. Before the last player can flee, Alex lunges at him, dragging him down. He drives his claw into the players face, punching it so hard his cheekbones crack, then stabs him in the chest as he raises his arms to shield his broken facefinishing him off. Alex notices the first man moving slower, leaving a trail of blood as he collapses. From his notifications, Alex gathers that the poison and bleeding effects have finally taken their toll. As his attackers lie dead, other players emerge from their tents, weapons at the ready, but it''s already over. Alex glances around and catches sight of the villagers chuckling among themselves. They look at Alex, drag the bodies into a designated building, then retreat back to their huts. Shows over, huh? Alex mutters. Looks like they never intended to uphold any real law in this village. As long as were not too blatant about our intentions, they dont seem to care. To Alexs utter surprise, and cringe, he hears a woman scream, How dare you kill them?! This is all your fault! If youd gathered more items for us, none of this would have happened! This woman, along with the men from earlier, is part of the group of players who lost their internal gamble and chose to risk it all by venturing outside yesterday. They never returned, and Alex had assumed they were dead but evidently, some survived. The woman then goes completely berserk, pulling something from her inventory. Alex cant make it out clearly, but he catches the glint of moonlight reflecting off metal. "A gun?" he thinks, not taking any chances. He draws his own [Mr. 5s .44 Caliber 6-Shot Revolver], aims, and fires two bullets into her. Scanning his surroundings, Alex sees no one else attacking him. He approaches the womans body and realizes she wasnt holding a gun after all, its a [Kunai] from Naruto. Hes unsure what to feel but knows she was involved in the attempt on his life. Moving to where the other players fell, he collects four bloody chests, including the [Kunai]. Looks like the villagers swiped the corpses and their weapons but at least left the chests for me. This is insane, this isnt even supposed to be a PvP world, yet here I am with nine chests already, and over a dozen others dead. The Realm is indeed cruel and unforgiving! he tells himself. Under these circumstances how does the Realms population even increase? All I see are bodies piling up around me. Maybe the last two missions were just a stroke of bad luck, an exception he wonders. Taking a look around, he notices that while not everyone who went out yesterday returned, a few of them barely managed to make it back. Only the three men and this woman seemed involved in the plot to ambush him, so he has no reason to target the others. Alex inspects the [Kunai] he just acquired. [Kunai] How basic, he mutters, with no intention of using it. He looks to the sky and sees the sun beginning to rise. Guess I dont need to go back to sleep! He quickly packs up his tent, then settles down on a blanket to watch the dawn. Using this quiet moment, he reviews his status, mentally noting everything hes gained over the past few days. He decides to separate his Miscellaneous Items from his Recovery Items, keeping a close tab on the latter; he cant afford to run low on essentials. Although he constantly finds and buys new items, every battle drains his resources further. Alex feels a surge of satisfaction as he reflects on his growing inventory, his skills, and his steadily increasing stats. Hes reaching a point where ordinary humans dont even pose a threat anymore. Sear?h the N??eFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. If he had to reassess his Genius Conjurer innate skill, hed now rate it as SSS. It started off nearly useless, but ever since acquiring the Annihilation Grenade, Sealions Icewing Embrace, and now Mustranos Malice Mauler, this ability feels almost unstoppable. He wonders if theres a cap on how many conjurations he can access. The only limitation seems to be the MP cost. Alex intends to boost his MP pool even further, envisioning himself as nearly invincible. While hes focused on physical items for nowanticipating plenty of physical tasks in this world, he plans to branch out into more magical items if circumstances remain stable. If he could gain a recovery conjuration, Alex feels hed be virtually untouchable, as long as he has MP to spare. At 10 AM, Alex observes eight players, including himself, holding their tickets. He earned six of them on his own; only Eirini and Patricia managed to make it independently, while Emma and her now small group, herself and four others, essentially bought their tickets. He watches as the navigator arrives with a team of guards, who begin dragging the remaining players into a nearby building. NOOOOOOOO, STOP! PLEASE STOP! someone screams, while others seem either to have fled the village or resigned themselves to their fate. Alex notices many players who entered this world know each other, and a few now being dragged away look suspiciously naked, as if theyd traded away all their items to one of Emmas remaining group members. I guess theyre still players. Gotta respect them for keeping their wits even in this situation, Alex thinks, turning his head away, unwilling to see firsthand what grim fate awaits them. The navigator finally steps forward. Congratulationsss, playerssss! You made it. I do not care how you did it, you all earned the right to the exxxxam. Asssss you know, this yearsss exxxam isss in our beautiful Mimbo Republic. We will need to travel for a few daysss to reach the capital city where the exxxam will start. As the navigator speaks, another chilling scream echoes from the building where the villagers forced the players inside. NOOOOOOOO, STOOOOP! Alex and the others glance downward, helpless to intervene. Dont let our food sssssupply disssstract you, the navigator sneers. Hee Hee Hee, now follow me. Side Quest completed: Mission: Gather in the village center with your Ticket at exactly 10 AM on January 4th Reward: Safe passage to the Hunter Exam site Chapter 95: A Cozy Camping Trip! Sweat pours down Alexs face. Five hours five frigging hours! he grumbles. Theyve been trekking through the dense forest for what feels like an eternity. Alex is only sweating a bit, but the other players look like theyre dyingliterally. Eirini, Patricia, and Emma are barely keeping up with the navigator and Alex, who stays close behind the guide. The other four players, however, are nearly crawling along at the back. How big is this freaking Sinerva Forest, anyway? No wonder theres no sign of civilizationthis place is insane! Alex thinks, wiping his brow. I keep having flashbacks to the anime in the second phase of the exam, players had to walk through terrain like this too. People got eaten by giant creatures, lured into deadly traps, and tricked into falling to their deaths by those creepy ravens that could mimic voices. Not to mention those dangerous butterflies and the apes with human faces He reminds himself that this forest is on a completely different continent from the Milsy Wetlands where those monsters lurked, but the memory is enough to keep him close to the navigator, following him like a loyal assistant tailing the CEO. The navigator suddenly stops and turns, an irritated look crossing his face. If the playerssss would rather resssst than participate, you may sssstay behind, he hisses. However, I cant guarantee your sssafety if you do not keep up. BREAK! WE NEED A BREAK! one of the female players shouts. Five minutessss, firsssst and final break, the navigator says, surprisingly agreeing to the request. Immediately, everyone except Alex and the navigator slumps to the ground, exhausted. Alex takes the opportunity to strike up a conversation with their guide. Mind if I ask you a few questions, Mr. Navigator? he says politely. Ssssure, my friend in return, Im curioussss. Ssshow me Mussstrano, the navigator replies. Alex steps aside with the navigator and summons Mustranos Malice Mauler lvl 3. An eye and mouth appear on the claw, and suddenly Mustrano speaks. Hee hee, oh, itsss the leader! Jealousss of the power Ive obtained, are you? Im free, while youre forced to rot and ssserve in thisss cursssed foresssst. The navigator studies the claw with interest. You let him speak and act freely? That isss quite a rissssky move, player. After last nights events, Alex responds boldly, I trust him with my life. Were a team now! To his surprise, the navigator smiles faintly, then turns away and murmurs, Take care of my ssson Stunned, Alex quickly dismisses the claw, his mind racing. Mustrano the son of the navigator? Hed always assumed Mustrano was just a violent, unhinged outcast. So, he was the leaders son? Hard to believethey couldnt have taken more different paths, Alex thinks, mulling it over. Well, Ill ask Mustrano about it later he doesnt seem to care or even acknowledge their relationship. Hey, wait a minute! I didnt get to ask my questions! Alex complains, realizing hes been completely bamboozled. As Alex and the navigator return, the players groan in dismay. Come on, just a few more minutes! a male player begs. That wassss your break. Only a few more dayssss, the navigator replies with a wicked smile. The next half-day feels like a nightmare. After another five hours of trudging through the forest, which now resembles a thick junglethe heat and humidity become nearly unbearable, even for Alex, whos finally starting to feel exhaustion creeping in. At last, they reach a cave, which seems familiar to the navigator. Its just large enough to shelter the players and their guide. The navigator sets up a few devices and ignites them, releasing a faint, sweet aroma into the air. Is that some kind of bug repellant or beast deterrent? Alex wonders, grateful for the navigators precautions. At least hes doing his jobno attacks, no disasters so far. Suddenly, a player cries out in pain. Alex glances over and sees the player removing his shoes, revealing multiple blisters on his feet. A few others follow suit, displaying similar injuries. Alex recalls those symptoms from back when he was still in poor physical shape himself. Luckily, his Physique is now high enough to make this grueling trek bearable. He notices that some players have been stung by insects, which leaves him puzzled. I didnt feel a single insect around. Sticking close to the navigator definitely paid off, seems like hes keeping the pests away somehow! Alex decides to set up his sleeping bag close to the navigator. Just protect me and your son, okay? he thinks, hoping the navigator shows some favoritism and continues to guide them safely to the exam site without making things even harder. Alex soon drifts off to sleep. The sun wakes him in the morning, and while his body still feels a bit sore, hes mostly recovered. He quickly eats a few items from his inventory and gets ready to move, like the others. However, one of the players remains asleep, and Emma tries desperately to wake him, shaking him, but he doesnt respond. He issss dead. I told you to sssstick clossse to me yessssterday. Nasty little devilssss flying in the jungle! the navigator states coldly. Who took it? Emma demands loudly, looking around at the group. Was it one of you? she snaps, suddenly turning toward Eirini and Patricia in a rude tone. The two stare back at her in confusion. Excuse me, took what? Eirini asks, still maintaining a polite demeanor. Alex is equally puzzled until he remembers. Rightthe dead guy a bloody chest! Looks like someone in Emmas group of five, now four, is a traitor, he thinks, intrigued. Then again maybe she took it herself and is accusing others to cover her tracks. Or am I just seeing her as a master manipulator like Roja and Rishi? Probably not either way, I should just mind my own business. The navigator, visibly tired of the squabbling, resumes walking. This time, every player, including Alex, decides to stick close, increasing their pace considerably. Another grueling day and a half passes, with relentless travel through the jungle. Eventually, on the last day, the landscape transitions back into a more temperate forest with lower humidity, until, finally, the group emerges onto open plains. Beyond the forest, they come upon a small settlement. Alex watches as the navigator transforms, taking on a human-like appearance similar to the transformation ability Kiriko has shown. So, its some kind of magical beast tribe thensimilar to Kiriko, at least in terms of this transformation ability. Interesting could this tribe also be from the Dark Continent? Alex wonders, looking at his left wrist in deep thought. Inside the settlement, the navigator surprises them by producing a key and walking toward a bus parked by the lone gas station in the compact village. You have five minutes to usssse the toilet here I am not sssstopping once we begin our drive! the navigator warns. Everyone, including Alex, immediately rushes to the restroom. A few minutes later, theyre all seated on the bus. Eirini sits next to Patricia, while Emma and her remaining four comrades take seats in the back. Alex chooses a spot close to Eirini and Patricia but keeps mostly to himself. S~ea??h the n??el Fire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The grueling trek through forest, jungle, and plains has finally transformed into a bus ride! All the players, including Alex, can hardly believe the shift as the bus slowly takes off. I want to shower and sleep in a cozy bed already, Alex mutters, feeling the relief of returning to civilization. Despite the intrigue of the Hunter x Hunter world, Alex and most of the other players quickly fall asleep on the bus, worn out from their long journey. Alex wakes occasionally, catching glimpses of the countryside outside. Nothing particularly notable or valuable catches his attention in these rural scenes. Seven hours later, now in the dead of night, he notices a massive city on the horizon. The city looks like a classic European metropolis. The architecture is unique and old, with narrow streets and a notable absence of skyscrapers. Each building has a distinctive style, and the entire layout feels modern yet historically rich, different from Yorknew City, which is supposed to resemble New York. Overall, Alex feels like he could be in any major European city hes visited before; theres little to suggest hes in a foreign world at all. As they pass through the city center, Alex spots airships glowing in the night sky, their lights piercing the darkness and reminding him of the unique reality hes now part of. The bus soon veers into a gritty industrial district, where dirty streets and aging warehouses line the way. Looks like the kind of place where you could buy drugs back in the real world, Alex jokes to himself as he observes the rundown surroundings. Finally, the bus halts in front of a shabby-looking hotel. As the players disembark, the navigator hands each one a small card marked with intricate symbols and an address. The adresssss is only a ten-minute walk away, the navigator explains. Itssss an old bunker, originally built to protect a large group of people. Arrive there at 12 PM ssssharp. You may ussseee thissss hotel for the night. Consssider it a little sssservice. Goodbye! With a final, meaningful look at Alex, the navigator drives away. Exhausted, Alex and the group enter the hotel, where theyre informed that rooms have been reserved and paid for. Each player receives a key. Though the hotel is cheap and quite old, the rooms are clean, which elates Alex. In his room, he notices an alarm clock waiting for him on the bed. Alex takes a quick shower, sets the alarm for 10 AM, and nearly collapses onto the bed, finally able to sleep somewhere soft and warm. Lying there, he feels like hes in heaven, sinking into the mattress as his tired body relaxes. After a good six to eight hours of deep sleep, hes abruptly pulled from his slumbernot by the alarm clock, but by a sound the faint creak of his door opening. Alex instinctively rolls off the bed, ducking behind it. He quickly pulls out [Mr. 5s .44 Caliber 6-Shot Revolver]. Ah shit, here we go again, he mutters, bracing himself. Chapter 96: Hunter x Exam – This Location is the Bomb! As Alex aims his gun at the door, hes startled when an elderly woman shuffles into the room. She moves slowly toward the bed, taking a full five seconds before she even notices Alex pointing his weapon at her. Oh, great. Another junkie, high as a kite, thinking theyre in some kind of weird delusion. Will you stop this nonsense and leave already? Why the hell are you aiming that toy at me, huh? Did you mistake it for a real gun? Trying to fool me? You should lay off the drugslook where its gotten you. After a careful look at her, Alex lowers his gun and asks, Why did you come into my room? Are you dense, young man? Its 10 AM; that means you need to leave! Either pay up for another night or get out! Its only 9:30, Alex counters, glancing at the time on the alarm clock. Well, no need to be so precise! Does half an hour really matter? Do this old lady a favor and get out already. I have an early appointment todaya date with this sweet, wealthy man who runs the local bar. Why do you care? Ive got to finish my rounds faster than usual, so scoot! the old woman snaps. Alex grins. YOU get out. NOW! he says with a wide smile but in a firm tone. Manners are dead with your generation she mutters, offended. Its a damn shameno respect for elders! Ill be back in 30 no, 29 minutes! With a sigh, she huffs and leaves the room. Alex is speechless. he thinks, shaking his head. He glances at the clock and decides to take one last quick shower. Afterward, he tosses his used towel into the wet shower and grabs the two fresh towels. he thinks with a childish grin, plotting his small revenge. As he leaves the room, though, he feels a twinge of guilt. he tells himself. Alex heads down to the reception desk and approaches yet another grumpy elderly person, this time a man. Excuse me, sir, can you tell me where I can find this location? he asks, holding up the card but not letting go of it. I dont care! Im not getting paid to be your travel advisor! the man grunts back at Alex, his tone dripping with disdain. Tempted to threaten him, Alex instead decides to reason with the guy, feeling an odd sense of confidence from [Commander Shepards Dog Tag]. Sir, cant you help a poor guy out? Im on my last leg here, and this is really important to me Please help me! he pleads, channeling all his charm with Basic Eloquence lvl 3 and seeing a faint blue flash in his eyes. With a huff, the man reluctantly gives in and explains, albeit grumpily. Just follow the street east for a few minutes; itll lead you out of the city. Youll see an extremely wide building surrounded by natural cliffs. There are fences and guard postsyou cant miss it if thats really where youre headed. Though I dont know why anyone would want to go there Some other weird folks came asking for the same place a few days back. Looks like they already left, so youd better hurry. Thank you, old man! Alex says, genuinely grateful for the directions. The old man just stares back, and as Alex turns to leave, he hears an exaggerated AHHHEM. Alex pauses, confused. he wonders. YOUR TIP, YOUNG MAN! The man rudely stretches out his hand, demanding compensation. Sar?h the ovlFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. I already gave the cleaning lady 2000 Jenny! I told her to split it with youIve got nothing left. With that, he walks off, wondering why he lied to the old man just to mess with him and the cleaning lady. he reflects. he admits to himself. A sense of helplessness gnaws at him. he ponders. Deciding against a leisurely stroll, he heads straight to the address. he tells himself. Within minutes, he finally spots the massive structure marking the site for the first Hunter exam. As Alex heads toward the vast exam site, he spots several checkpoints along the way and arrives at a large gate guarded by armed personnel. Each guard is dressed in uniform and wields a hefty rifle. Tempted for a moment to ambush one of them and snag a rifle for himself, Alex quickly dismisses the idea. he thinks, knowing full well that countless hunters are monitoring the exam. Acting out now would be incredibly recklessand it would be beyond stupid to risk getting booted from the exam for something so petty. he reminds himself. These points had been drilled into him repeatedly by Rishi and Tereza, and he wasnt about to forget them now. He takes a moment to ready his equipment, knowing he cant risk openly using his system or making it seem like hes learned Nen. Anything unusual would attract unwanted attention. From his inventory, he retrieves his [Mr. 5s .44 Caliber 6-Shot Revolver], securing it in a holster strapped to his leg. His [Sword of Pluto] and [Shield of Pluto] are both slung across his backa style he copied from Link, believing it makes him look cooler and more intimidating. Four Annihilation Grenades dangle visibly from his belt. With his weapons, newly modified armor, belt, and cloak, he resembles a cross between a seasoned adventurer and a soldier. His [Visor of Pluto] adds an extra touch to the look; now smaller and barely noticeable, its been modified so his hair passes through it, and he can raise the visor over his eyes, giving him a strangely mysterious, almost superhero-like vibe. Altogether, Alex looks imposing, projecting a clear dont mess with me aura. He also shoulders a backpack he prepared for the exam, stocked with food and basic medical supplies. The pack has an added benefitit lets him subtly access smaller items from his inventory. By putting his hand inside, he can access the system without anyone noticing, essentially using the backpack as cover. At the checkpoint, Alex hands his card to the guards, who respond with a nod of approval. Youre early, and you look well-prepared. I like that very much. I wish you luck during the exam. Follow me through the checkpoint, and if you hurry, you can join the next group, one of the guards says. Alex isnt in any rush, though; hed rather take his time gathering information about his surroundings. He follows the guard through the checkpoint, who simply points him toward the building at the center of the area before leaving him to continue on his own. As he walks closer to the structure, he takes in the peculiar landscapea vast, flat surface with steep cliffs encircling the entire zone. The ground itself has a strange look, almost as if its made of concrete. The idea begins to piece together in his mind. Alex speculates, glancing around with newfound curiosity. s Alex stands there, staring at the concrete and cliffs, he suddenly hears a voice beside him. You figured it out too, huh? Interesting location indeed! Without turning around, Alex responds, Yeah, its a crazy location! Makes you wonder how old this bunker is and what kind of impact it survived. Thank God weapons like that are banned now, huh? He finally turns to face the speaker. He sees a young man, about his own height, with blond hair, blue eyes, and an easygoing, approachable smile. He radiates a bright intelligence that most people would find instantly likeable. Handsome and sharp-looking, hes dressed in a distinctive purple suit with a bag slung over his shoulder. But Alex isnt like most people. The sight of this man makes him curse inwardly, a bead of sweat forming on his cheek. The young man seems to notice a slight shift in Alexs demeanor, despite his best efforts to appear casual. You can call me Shalnark. Whats your name, my friend? he says, extending a hand. Alex thinks, struggling to stay calm. Hi, Im Alex. Just your run-of-the-mill knight! Im aiming to be a weapon hunter, trying to collect as many rare weapons and pieces of equipment as I can. How about you? he replies, shaking Shalnarks hand. Shalnark smiles and answers, Im just here for a license. Ive got a group of friends, and Im in charge of gathering information you know how useful a license is for that, right? By the way do you perhaps know me? I sensed a slight shift in your behavior when you saw my face. Alex decides. Shalnark, right? To be honest yeah, Im kind of intimidated by you. My master is an incredibly strong swordsman, and hes told me to get my license. If I pass, he promised to teach me his secret techniques. You well, you remind me of him. You give off the same vibe. Honestly, I dont think I could beat you in a fight, even if you look normal. Alex speaks honestly, though he sprinkles in a few minor lies. His real reason is 100% genuinehe truly does fear him. Shalnark studies Alex with a knowing gaze, his eyes seeming to intensify. No need to fear me, my friend. I just want to get my license quietly. Looks like youre a rare talent yourself if you can sense that. Smart choice to become a hunterI have a feeling youll not only pass but gain fame pretty quickly! You can trust me on that; I have a special eye for these things, he says, still smiling innocently. Alex reminds himself. Lets enter the bunker! Looks like the exam wont be boringlets go in together. Alex thinks, unable to find a reason to refuse. he reasons. Chapter 97: Happy x Carnival – Crazy Bunker Games! As Alex and Shalnark step into the main building, theyre immediately handed tags with numbers on them. Alex, hoping for the number 1337, feels a pang of disappointment when hes given tag 777. he thinks, managing a small grin. One of the exam overseers, dressed sharply in a black suit, addresses them loudly, Alex Kerber, candidate No. 777, and Shalnark, how do you pronounce that Ryusei, candidate No. 778, are hereby accepted into the exam. You two still have a bit of time left, but I recommend heading down now. You wont be disappointed with what weve preparedyoud better be grateful! Alex and Shalnark approach what looks like an enormous hoist setup, probably intended for use in bunkers and mines. Alex grumbles inwardly. A few minutes later, they descend into a massive hall. Part of the space is obscured by a giant curtain. Alex surveys the area; nearly 800 hunter candidates are already gathered, yet the hall still looks oddly spacious, even with so many people. He feels a mixture of apprehension and excitement. he thinks, feeling his confidence grow as he adjusts to the chaos around him. A few people approach Alex and Shalnark, curious about the newcomers. Suddenly, a chill creeps over Alex as Shalnark unleashes part of his aura, immediately intimidating the onlookers, who retreat with expressions of horror as they glance at both him and Alex. Shalnark looks mildly surprised, though hes not focusing on the others but rather on Alex. He mutters, Genius natural awakening Does he have an ability? Alex thinks, cringing internally. They make their way to an empty corner of the hall when Shalnark suddenly says, If you pass the exam and learn a certain secret afterward I might have a special offer for you if a certain situation arises. Lets talk after the examIm curious about your ability and how you managed to learn it despite lacking the basics. What do you mean? Alex asks, trying to feign confusion. Haha, dont bother hiding it, my friend. Dont worryonce were done and can talk privately, Ill tell you more if youre interested, Shalnark replies, clearly not buying Alexs act. Alex thinks, relieved by the extensive surveillance the Association is using to monitor candidates. As more people flood into the hall, Alex takes the opportunity to observe the participants, scanning the crowd. he tells himself. He soon recognizes familiar faces: Eirini, Patricia, Emma, and the four other remaining players from their group. Theyre all looking at him with expressions of fear. Oooh, are you someone dangerous? Seems like multiple people are looking at you with quite the scared expression, Shalnark comments. I know them I guess you could call us acquaintances, Alex replies nonchalantly. I barely know them, but they know enough about me to know not to mess with me, he adds, silently thinking, Ignoring this back-and-forth, Alex refocuses on the other candidates. Unsurprisingly, he spots Tompa lurking around, sidling up to anyone who looks weak or friendly. Hed tried to approach Alex and Shalnark earlier but backed off quickly, visibly intimidated by Shalnark. Alex acknowledges, giving credit to Tompas people skills. Alex also spots a few other familiar faces: the three Amori Brothers, Sommy, and Shishito. The Amori Brothers are three reasonably strong men with solid teamwork, a force to be reckoned with. Sommy and Shishito are side characters with decent skills and veteran status, though Alex only recognizes their names and faces, without much more detail. Then he spots two unexpected figures: Palm Siberia and Melody. He reminds himself to keep as far away from Palm as possible; shes notoriously unhinged and likely knows Nen already, being Knovs student. he reasons. Alex thinks, relieved. As time ticks down, Alex notices yet another participant arriving. He catches a glimpse of the number on the mans badge: 1009. Alex thinks, feeling a twinge of anxiety. Finally, the doors to the large hall begin to close, and the massive curtains start to part. As they open fully, every light in the hall shuts off, plunging the room into darkness. Suddenly, bright, cheerful music fills the air, and Alex spots colorful lights illuminating the far end of the hall. A carousel, a roller coaster, and multiple other rides come into view, along with rows of wooden stalls and carnival attractions. A DAMN CARNIVAL? Alex blurts out in surprise. This carnival resembles European fairs, with plenty of food stalls, amusement rides, games, and booths where people can waste money trying to win cheap prizes. Despite the obvious scams at these places, Alex has always loved this atmospherethe lights, the lively music, and the indulgent, overpriced fast food. As a kid, hed loved going to the Kirmes, as its called in Germany. he wonders, completely thrown off by the scene. A group of men in black suits suddenly approach, striding toward the massive crowd of candidates. It looks like at least twenty staff members are forming a line in front of the examinees, leaving a large space open in the middle. Soon, another man, followed by three others, walks into that space. Alexs eyes widen with recognition. he whispers to himself. You know him, Alex? Shalnark asks, looking genuinely curious. Youre well-informed! Hahaha, I didnt study up on famous hunters. Care to fill me in on him? Hes a Single-Star Jackpot Hunter, Alex explains quietly. Single-Star qualifications are only given to incredibly skilled hunters whove achieved major milestones in their field. Tsezguerra, as a Jackpot Hunter, works for wealthy clients and makes a fortune off them. Hes probably been hired by the Association or maybe just doing charity work but hes probably scouting for his team. And the three behind him are hunters toohis subordinates. Alex wonders, watching closely. Jackpot Hunter, huh? Id rather earn my money more independently, haha, Shalnark says with his usual cheerful attitude. Thanks for the info, Alex. Its always helpful to know about people who deserve respectand by the looks of it, that guy isnt someone to take lightly. As Tsezguerra and his team arrive, he bellows, SILENCE! I am Tsezguerra, your first examiner! Now, before we begin, there is a single rule you need to follow: disrespect me or my team, and Ill fail you immediately! He pauses, scanning the crowd. Now that it looks like everyone understands their place, Ill keep things simple. As you can see, weve set up a little carnival, just for you. This carnival was performing in the capital city only a few weeks ago, and we hired them for this first round so you can have some fun and easily pass the exam. Arent you lucky? However, youll notice the games have been modified slightly. How exactly? Thats for me to know and you to find out! Carnival games? How silly is that! I want to be a blacklist hunter, not play some silly games! a rude, rather large man shouts. In a flash, Tsezguerra darts forward with inhuman speed, striking the man hard in the stomach and causing him to faint instantly. An assistant in a black suit quickly runs over, lifting the unconscious candidate and carrying him away. Looks like one of you already failed for being too stupid to remember my first and only rule. Anyone else have a problem with my exam? He waits, letting the silence settle. Good! He returns to the front of the crowd, continuing his explanation. Each of you will be given ten silver coins. Each silver coin grants you the right to play a game or participate in a specific contest. These games challenge you in various wayssome require strength, others skill or perception. There are over fifty games available for you to play, each offering a different amount of golden coins as a reward for success. To pass this first phase of the exam, you need to win 100 golden coins. If you run out of silver coins and dont yet have 100 golden coins, youll fail immediately. He points to the crowd with a warning look. Now, pay attention: trading or gifting coins will result in immediate disqualification. We have countless cameras and helpers here to report anyone breaking the rules. Also, youre not allowed to play any single game more than three times. I wouldnt want you all relying on just one skill or abilitythat would be boring and wouldnt make for a real test. A smirk crosses his face. Now, the food stalls, rides, and other attractions are FREE! So you can either quickly lose all your coins and go home as a loser, or win and enjoy the carnival as a winner until the time runs out. Either way, you wont be bored! You have exactly eight hours to complete this exam. Check the giant clock on the big tent for the time. Honestly, you shouldnt need more than a few hours, but if you all decide to line up at the same games well, you might just run out of time. Sarch* The N??elFir.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Now, we start at exactly 12:30 PM. Until then, Ill answer intelligent questions. Ask something stupid, and Ill disqualify you immediately. A rugged man with scars on his face asks, Can we take coins from other players by force? Tsezguerra looks at him with amusement. Not the smartest question, but Ill answer. Violence, theft, or any deceptive acts against other players are forbidden. Get caught, and its game over for you. Youll have your chance to compete directly with your fellow examinees in the near future if you pass this round. Any other questions? To Alexs surprise, Emma raises her hand, speaking confidently. Do we get anything if we earn more than 100 golden coins? Tsezguerra chuckles. Hah, confident, are you? Ill remember you, lady. You look sharpperhaps too sharp for your own good. How about this: if you manage to obtain 500 golden coins, of course without taking them from others or cheating, Ill give you a special reward. Hows that? Alex, impressed, cant help but admire Emmas initiative. Chapter 98: Skill x Luck – The Underground Carnival’s Traps! After Emmas bold question, every candidate watches Tsezguerra in silence. With a hint of amusement, Tsezguerra announces, Since there are no more questions, youre free to explore our private carnival! When the clock strikes 12:30, you can start playing any game you want. A last little hint for you youre welcome to line up early! Now, calmly collect your silver coins. If I see even a hint of struggle, Ill disqualify the offenders immediately. Sarch* The n??el Fire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. It takes just three minutes for the coins to be distributed in an orderly fashion, and then the candidates, moving awkwardly, begin to drift toward the carnival area. Alex inspects one of the coins, unsurprised that it isnt recognized by his system. Still, he receives a system notification shortly after. [Main Quest Updated: Mission: Pass the hunter exam First Phase: 0/1 Second Phase: 0/1 Third Phase: 0/1 Fourth Phase: 0/1 Fifth Phase: 0/1 ] Alex wonders, annoyed. He and Shalnark exchange a look, and Alex says, Wed better hurry and check out which games we have a good shot at. If we wait too long, well end up stuck at the back of the line. But Shalnark only grins, holding a phone with tiny devil wings attached, and says slyly, Go ahead, Alex. Ill catch up later. Its more my style to observe for a bit and then decide. Weve got plenty of time, so Id recommend you take yours too. I get the feeling these games wont be as easy as they look. Alex doesnt feel like playing it cool and has no desire to get close enough to Shalnark to risk getting an antenna stuck in him. Taking this as a chance to split up, he heads off to scout the games, though Shalnarks words do give him pause. he reasons. He takes a final look at his stats, deciding that theyll help him narrow down which games to attempt first. Alex takes a careful look around the carnival. The atmosphere is tense, but strolling past the colorful stalls, listening to the cheerful music, and seeing all the candles, lights, and displays helps him relax a little. He even grabs a small bag of popcorn to steady his nerves. Snacks and drinks are set out freely for the examinees, no ordering requiredjust sitting on the counters, ready for anyone to take. As he scans the games, he spots a variety of options: a toughened version of darts, with a throwing distance at least three times the usual, and the classic Test Your Strength game, where players strike a target with a heavy hammer to ring the bell at the top of a tower. Given his 14 points in STR, Alex takes a closer look. The games look rigged; even he can tell there are extra weights and modifications slapped onto the setup, making it obvious that only a fraction of each hammers impact will actually reach the lever, making the game significantly harder. This Test Your Strength game offers multiple difficulty levels, each one requiring more strength to hit the bell. But when Alex sees the rewards, he frowns. he thinks, recognizing the trap set for the candidates. Moving on, he spots a shooting game where players have to hit balloons that slide into view and quickly disappear if not shot in time. The twist? The balloons are positioned at a whopping 50 meters (54 yards) away, and to his surprise, the players use an actual gun. The model is unfamiliar, but it reminds him of the Glock he used back in the Purge World. This game seems to require quick reflexes, sharp decision-making, and steady skill with a pistol. Alex thinks, seriously considering it. He notes the potential rewards: 20 gold coins for hitting 20 out of 25 balloons, 10 coins for hitting 15, and even 5 coins if he manages at least 10 hits. he muses. With Pistol Proficiency lvl 3, Basic Long-Range Combat Prowess lvl 3, and his solid AGI of 15 and SNS of 14, this game seems like a great match for him. Still, Alex decides to move on for now. There are 10 minutes left before the games officially start, and he wants to see if there are any other options that might suit him even better. Alex sees a wide range of games relying purely on luck, like a giant spinning wheel divided into 100 sections. The top prize is a hefty 100 gold coins, but only one section out of the hundred wins 100 golden coins, the other prices far lower in value. he wonders. As he continues exploring, he notices other games, each unique and familiar. One game challenges players to balance the weights of various items without touching them, using only intuition and knowledge. Another familiar sight is the Can Knockdown game, where players throw balls to knock down a stack of tin cans. But something looks offthe balls seem suspiciously light, while the cans look heavier than usual. he concludes, thinking, Alex chuckles when he comes across the classic Hook a Duck game. It looks simple, based on luck and maybe sensitivity, likely demanding a high SNS stat. But on closer inspection, he realizes the sticks with magnets are at least five times longer than usual, and players must stand unusually far from the pool. The ducks are also bigger than expected, while the sticks are as thin as needles, adding an extra layer of difficulty. he decides. The rewards reinforce his conclusion: the jackpot here is also 100 golden coins, but failing might net players only a single coin. He continues to browse game after game, each setup familiar but twisted into extreme versions of themselves: basketball hoops set at half-court distances, an absurdly long ladder tied at only one point that would throw players off balance with the slightest misstep, and even a simple stand selling lottery tickets that require no skill at all! Finally, the clock strikes 10:30, and Alex quickly heads to the shooting game where candidates aim at distant, fast-moving balloons using a real gun. He notices a small line forming, with around five people ahead of him. he thinks, smiling. The stall attendant, clearly not a hunter but likely hired as a helper, calls out with enthusiasm, Welcome, welcome! Weve already got a few sharpshooters lining up! Please take a moment to read the sign so you understand the rulesthere will be no complaints allowed once youre in, so be sure you understand the game before committing! Enough with the scare tactics! They called me the Pistol Master in the military, boasts the man first in line, his voice dripping with arrogance. Your little show doesnt impress me. Ill clear this game three times and earn 60 golden coinseasy! The man, dressed in military garb, wears a wide, self-assured grin. Alex watches him closely, noting his well-built physique, numerous scars lining his arms, and the two pistols he carries openly. Alex muses, sizing up the mans confident demeanor. Finally, the attendant responds, Apologies for the delay, dear guests! Please go ahead and enjoy the game. You have one spare magazine, giving you a total of 40 shots for 25 targets. I hope you enjoy your timeplay to your hearts content! He then holds out his hand, and the soldier tosses a silver coin at him with a rude flick of his wrist. The attendant hands him the gun. Wow, this takes me back. Ive used this old model hundreds of times. My targets were a bit different from these balloons, but thisll be a nice change, the ex-military guy says, brimming with confidence. The attendant shouts, Get ready in 3, 2, 1START! In an instant, balloons start flying across the target area from one side to the other. Caught off guard by their speed, the soldier still manages to take a shot, barely grazing one of the balloons. But since the target is just a balloon, even a graze counts as a full hit. As the game progresses, the difficulty ramps up. Multiple balloons appear simultaneously, moving from different directions, some even traveling vertically and horizontally across the area. The soldier begins missing shots and soon panics, firing wildly until his pistol starts clicking, the magazine empty. Fumbling with the reload, he finally manages to slap the new magazine in place, but by then, most of the remaining balloons are already close to disappearing. His shots grow increasingly desperate and scattered. Alex watches carefully, but not so much the soldierhes focused instead on the patterns and timing of the balloons as they emerge and cross the field. he calculates, ignoring the now-irate soldier whos shouting in frustration. Congratulations, sir! You hit 11 targets. Heres your prize of 5 golden coins! The attendant hands the soldier his winningsa loss in the game, but at least not a complete failure. THIS IS UNFAIR! the man shouts, slamming his hand onto the wooden stand in frustration. This damn pistol is so old, the magazine doesnt fit properly. And how do you expect me to hit targets at this distance, especially when the balloons are all over the place? This games impossible! Please calm down, sir, the attendant replies coolly. Id hate to involve the examiners if things get out of hand. Besides, you can always try againyou didnt outright fail, after all. The soldier cools off slightly, muttering, Fine, Ill calm down. But Ill be back. Youll see. He steps away from the queue but lingers nearby, clearly intent on observing how the next candidates fare. To Alexs disappointment, two of the remaining four men in line decide to leave, clearly discouraged by the poor results of the previous shooter. They dont seem confident in their own skills after seeing the seasoned soldier earn the lowest prize tier, not nearly enough to pass the exam. The next two candidates ahead of Alex fare even worse, scoring only 5 and 7 hits out of 25 targets, earning nothing in golden coins. This games a bust! I heard theres another game where we compete against other examinees, and the winner gets 15 coins. Lets try that one instead! If enough of us focus on that, close to half of us could pass, Alex hears one of them say as they leave, frustrated after watching multiple poor performances. Finally, Alex is first in line, standing face-to-face with the attendant. What about you, contestant No. 777? Are you giving up too? the attendant asks with a faint smirk. Alex smiles, having made up his mind. He tosses a silver coin to the attendant, grabs the gun, and says with confidence, You wish! Chapter 99: Games x Strategy – King of Games! As Alex grips the gun, the attendant addresses him. Are you ready, participant No. 777? Just one second, please, Alex replies, taking a moment to familiarize himself with the weapon, even switching magazines a few times to get a better feel for it. Reloading isnt exactly easy, but I think Ive got the hang of it now. Just needed a minute to adjust to this type of gun and magazine, he thinks confidently. I also have a feel for the waves of approaching balloons. There are some minor differences each time, but the patterns are similarthe slow start and chaotic shifts near the end. Only the exact locations vary slightly. Participant No. 777? the attendant prompts him again. Sorry, Im ready! Alex responds, lifting his gun and focusing on the target area, prepared to start shooting. The attendant shouts, Get ready in 3, 2, 1START! Alex immediately spots the direction of the first balloon, aligns his aim, and shoots it down accurately, pulling his gun back to the center and bracing for the next target. He maintains steady control, hitting each balloon as it enters his line of sight. But as his magazine nears empty, he realizes he hasnt found a good moment to reload. He keeps shooting, mostly hitting the balloons, until he suddenly hears the dreaded click of an empty chamber. Quickly, he reloads, but he misses several balloons during the process. Desperately, he tries to catch up, but a few balloons slip by again, and the last one disappears from the target area before he can fire. Shit! Alex mutters in frustration. Congratulations, participant No. 777! You hit 17 targets. Heres your prize of 10 golden coinsnot bad at all! the attendant announces, handing Alex his reward. You received Golden Coin x10 Realizing exactly where he went wrong, Alex feels a renewed determination to try again. He turns to join the line but notices that the stand is completely empty, except for the soldier whos been spectating. Nobodys here, so let me go again! Alex demands, slightly disappointed in himself. Oh, are you sure, participant No. 777? the attendant replies with a sugary tone. If you wish, youre welcome to try two more times. I always appreciate enthusiasts like yourself! Ignoring the attendants overly sweet words, Alex hands him another silver coin and receives two magazines in return. This time, he loads the gun with a sharp, practiced motion, feeling more prepared than before. The attendant raises his voice to announce the start of another round. Get ready in 3, 2, 1START! Alex launches into action, following the same approach as last time, hitting the first few targets with pinpoint accuracy. After ten successful hits, he decides to reload early, with 10 shots still left in his magazine. Just as he finishes reloading, he spots a new wave of three balloons sweeping in from the right side. With barely a second to react, he regains his focus, quickly aiming and shooting all three balloons before they disappear to the left. As the pace intensifies, Alex chooses to skip a few balloons, instead focusing on those that appear in clusters, aiming at targets that are closer together. Finally, he nails the last balloon and breaks into a satisfied smile, confident in his adjustments and pleased with the outcome. My my, color me surprised! Congratulations, participant No. 777! You hit 21 targets. Heres your prize of 20 golden coinsarent you a quick study? the attendant remarks, handing Alex his reward, double what he earned before. I wanna go again! Alex replies confidently. The attendants smile shifts ever so slightly into one of mild irritation. Perhaps youd like to let others try their hand at this game? Dont be greedy! he says, his friendly tone slipping just a bit. Theres nobody else waitingheres my coin! Alex replies, handing over another silver coin. The attendant has no choice and, with a hint of reluctance, hands Alex two new magazines, announcing loudly, Get ready in 3, 2, 1START! Alex executes the same strategy as before, this time managing to hit 22 out of 25 targets. Here you go, participant No. 777, 20 more coins. Looks like youre already halfway to your target for the next phase50 golden coins in the bag, and seven silver coins left. Not bad at all. Good luck, the attendant says, handing over the coins with a thinly veiled hint of annoyance. Now move aside to make room for other guests! He gestures for Alex to move along, clearly annoyed that Alex cleared the game so efficiently, despite his rough start. Just then, the soldier from earlier approaches him, seemingly having picked up on Alexs approach. Tapping him on the shoulder, he says, Smart play there, nice shooting. Ill owe you one if were in the same round again. Names Linus. Alex, he replies, shaking Linuss hand. Lets see how you do, then, Alex adds, deciding to stick around for a moment to watch. The soldier, now familiar with the magazine and having observed Alexs early reload and his strategy of skipping certain balloons, performs much better. He completes two rounds, scoring 20 out of 25 both times and netting himself a total of 40 more golden coins. Not badyoure good at this, Alex compliments him. Thanks, but even with me using your strategy, you still came out a bit ahead. Im impressedyouve got some impressive pistol skills, Alex. Ive been handling my babies every day for almost two decades, and you still managed to outshoot me. See you around. They shake hands again, and Alex glances one last time at Linuss custom pistols, admiring their unique, sleek design. Damn, are those custom-made? They look really cool. With his confidence high, Alex decides to try his luck with the Hook a Duck game, relying on both his LUK and SNS stats. Ill put my Alexandrian Royal Swordsmanship to use here, he thinks. If I handle the long fishing hook with the magnet as steadily as I would a sword, keeping my movements fluid and controlled, I should be able to hook the duck without slipping. Steiners training had emphasized smooth, continuous motionsmovements that flow like water without sudden stops. Thats exactly the technique Ill apply here. With his plan set, Alex heads toward the stand, passing by a bunch of other booths along the way. Alex observes many players around him, some shouting in excitement while others express anger and frustration, depending on their game results. If he werent carrying the insane risk of dying should he fail, hed actually enjoy himself. Honestly, I have to give credit to Tsezguerra for organizing such a clever task, he thinks. This is a fantastic exam so far, letting candidates test various abilities. It combines physical strength, skill, and smart decision-making, giving everyone a fair shot to pass. And the setting? Unforgettable. Alex takes a look around, taking in the sprawling carnival with its roller coasters, Ferris wheels, and various booths, all set within the eerie vastness of the underground bunker. He finally reaches the Hook a Duck game and, to his surprise, finds that unlike the other attractions with long lines, this booth has no players lined up. A few disappointed examinees hover nearby, looking defeated. One of them approaches Alex, muttering, Dude, dont even bother. You get three tries for one coin, and I tried nine times, only managed to win twice, and what did I get? One measly golden coin each time! Its a scam, man! This games totally riggedavoid it. The attendants here are evil scammers! Hearing this, the attendants at the booth immediately start making a call. Moments later, one of Tsezguerras team members arrivesa short, stocky man with dyed blond hair and dark brown skin. He listens to the attendant, who gestures at the player whod been complaining to Alex, saying, Hunter Rodriot, thank you for coming so quickly. This man was disrupting my stand! Without hesitation, Rodriot grabs the offending participant in a neck hold. I didnt do anything! I was just warning him! the participant protests, his voice strained. But within seconds, Rodriot chokes him out, leaving him unconscious in a nearby corner, a bit away from the crowd. Call me again if theres any more trouble! Rodriot says to the attendant before wandering off to a nearby booth, snatching up a candied apple and a chocolate-covered banana, and stuffing his mouth, clearly annoyed he had to interrupt his snack. Haha, this guy knows his prioritiesthats my kind of Hunter, Alex thinks with an inward chuckle, appreciating the mans laid-back yet efficient style. The attendant turns back to Alex with a more welcoming tone. Examinee No. 777, is it? Apologies for the disturbance. Please, come closer and give our game a try! As Alex steps forward, he feels a flicker of doubt. Somethings off here. The other games are challenging, sure, but they always have people lined up. Why is this one empty? Is it a complete scam? Should I walk away? He hesitates, then reconsiders. No! Lets think this through. He closes his eyes and focuses on the setup of the supposedly simple game. A light breeze stirs behind the small pool. Wind, huh? Even the slightest swing of the string could cause the duck to slip off I think I see the challenge here. His confidence returns. Lets try itthe rest is up to luck. So, Examinee, are you ready for some fun? the attendant asks with a smug grin. This isnt just a game but a test, so youd better take it seriously. Many have failed this deceptively simple challenge! "Well, your game looks fun enough; Ill give it a try! Alex hands him a silver coin. sea??h th ovelFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. You get three tries. Good luck, the attendant says, handing Alex an extra-long fishing pole with a tiny magnet attached to the end. Alex adjusts to the feel of the pole, imagining a sword in his grip. He gives it a slow sideways swing, carefully lowering the magnet onto a random duck, targeting a solid spot before hooking it. He raises the rod higher than necessary. This way, Ill avoid the wind, Alex thinks confidently. Heh, smart move, Number 777. Lets see if you can keep that flimsy rod steady! The attendant chuckles, clearly doubting Alex. But Alex closes his eyes, focusing intently, remembering Steiners teaching. With surprising ease, he maneuvers the pole and hooks the duck without a hitch, making the attendant gasp in disbelief. Well congratulations. Just turn the duck around to see how many coins you wonits on the other side. Alex does so and grins, spotting a golden 25 on it. He proudly shows it to the stunned attendant. Youre quite lucky, Examinee Number 777 you still have two more tries. Alex succeeds twice more, each time winning 5 golden coins. Thats 85 out of 100 already. I like this game. Goodbye, Examinee Number 777. You did a fine job! Good luck! Haha, are you joking, dear attendant? Alex grins. Why should I stop when Im ahead? He hands over not one but two more silver coins. I want six more tries! he declares, leaving the attendant no choice but to comply. Alright, examinee go ahead. With a calm smile, Alex repeats his success, smoothly fishing out six more ducks. His Alexandrian Royal Swordsmanship lvl 3, a Gold rank skill makes this a breeze. He turns each duck over with a smile, announcing his winnings: Five coins, three coins, three coins, three coins, one coin, and 100 coins! What?! The attendant stares at the ducks. But theres only one 100-coin duck in the pond, and there are hundreds of others how can you be this lucky? Well, congratulations on passing the first exam, I suppose. Alex grins, now holding 200 golden coinstwice the amount he needs. Turns out my LUK is a huge cheat indeed, he thinks. Guess I worried for nothing. Now I can take it a little easy. With four more silver coins left, Alex decides to gamble them away. I need 300 more coins to hit the joke target Tsezguerra mentioned. No way I can do that without playing the luck-based games. I have nothing to lose, so lets try! Alex smiles, striding confidently toward his next game the Lucky Wheel! Chapter 100: Tsezguerra x Palm – Luck leads to Destiny! As Alex heads toward the Lucky Wheel game hed spotted earlier, he lets out a sigh of relief. He reaches the Lucky Wheel and, to his surprise, sees Tsezguerra himself standing behind the counter of the modest-sized booth, flanked by a few attendants. As Alex suspected, no one is lined up to play; the odds are so low, and the average golden coin payout per silver coin spent is just two or threenot nearly enough to reach the ten coins needed to pass the exam. This wheel seems to be a last resort for desperate candidates lacking discernible skills and unwilling to compete directly with their fellow examinees. In other words, its a game for those with no better options. Alex wonders as he approaches the booth. Tsezguerras gaze settles on Alex with a mixture of arrogance and disappointment. Examinee lets see, No. 777. Id advise against resorting to such desperate measures so soon, he says. You appear to be a capable candidate. I see youre armed with both a gun and a sword. There are games specifically tailored for those skillsdont squander your chance at becoming a Hunter. Caught off guard, Alexs surprise shows on his face, prompting Tsezguerra to look at him with newfound interest. Thank you, Mr. Tsezguerra. I didnt expect to get such helpful advice from the examiner himself. To be honest, I agree with everything youve said. The only reason Im here is that this wheel has one of the highest possible prizes: 100 golden coins. Ive already earned 200 golden coins and still have four silver coins left. Now, I just want to enjoy myself and spend these remaining coins. The only real way to hit your target of 500 golden coins is by taking chances with games like this. Tsezguerras frown shifts into a smile. I see, so I didnt misjudge you. It turns out youve completed the task and are aiming for 500 golden coins? I wouldnt count on itI only mentioned that prize to mock that arrogant woman. Alex grins back. Well, maybe, but theres no harm in trying, is there? A one-in-a-hundred chance to win 100 golden coins I just need to hit it three times. Ha! Anyway, Ill give it a quick try before I kick back and enjoy the carnival. Very well, then, Candidate No. 777, Tsezguerra says, glancing at his phone for a moment. Alex Kerber. I wish you luck! Alex smiles, handing Tsezguerra three of his remaining four silver coins. Luck is one thing Ive got in spadeslets see how it turns out! Alex gives the giant wheel a spin, and it lands on a big golden 50the second-largest prize. Tsezguerra laughs, clearly amused. I see, you were right. You are indeed lucky. Luck is a quality every Hunter needs. You can be highly skilled, even a genius, put in enormous effortand still come away with nothing if luck isnt on your side. Alex smiles politely, but inwardly he doubts his luck, thinking about all the misfortunes hes faced. Suddenly, a thought strikes him. He says aloud, Man, gambling freaks me out. Let me grab a quick drink. Kneeling down, he opens his backpack, subtly accessing his inventory, and pulls out his [Lucky Miracle Clover]. [Lucky Miracle Clover] Alex quickly eats the clover and takes a gulp from his water bottle, feeling a small jolt of confidence. He hurries back to the Lucky Wheel, but as he watches the wheel spin, he feels a surge of anxiety. he thinks, nervously. Finally, the wheel slows down and lands on 50 again! Incredible! I havent seen luck like this in a long time! Tsezguerra exclaims, clearly a bit taken aback. Alexs success begins to draw a small crowd, with people shouting, Did you see that guy? He already has over 200 golden coins, and now hes won another 100! Why am I so unlucky? Alex curses inwardly, feeling a mixture of regret and frustration. With only a few seconds left before the clovers effect wears off, he quickly gives the wheel another spin. This time, he notices the lights flashing wildly, accompanied by a cheerful, playful tune as the wheel lands squarely on a bright golden 100! Impossible! Tsezguerra exclaims, glancing at Alex with a mix of awe and suspicion. he wonders, reviewing the data on Alexs earlier games. As the crowd erupts in excitement, the attendant hands Alex his rewardanother 200 golden coinsbringing his total to a staggering 400. 400 coinsvery impressive. But according to my data, you only have one silver coin left! Tsezguerra remarks, his interest piqued. Youve already tried two luck-based games, and theres only one left where you can turn a single silver coin into 100 golden coins. Do you want to give it a shot? Ill take you there. Im curious to see if your luck holds out and you actually reach my hypothetical goal of 500. If you pull it off, as promised, Ill give you a small prize. I might as well give it a try since Ive come this far, Alex replies, though he cant help feeling a bit uneasy with how much attention hes attracted. Alex thinks, mentally kicking himself. He reflects on his actions with growing frustration. As Alex and Tsezguerra walk to the last available spot to win 100 golden coins with a single silver coin, a small crowd of curious examinees trails behind, apparently too fascinated by Alexs luck to leave him alone. Tsezguerra, growing annoyed, turns around and yells, YOU! Dont you all have coins to win for yourselves? Buzz off before I disqualify every last one of you! The examinees scatter, embarrassed and frightened, and disappear into the carnival. Now alone, Alex notices the stand that Tsezguerra had led him to. he thinks, discouraged. Go on, buy your ticket, Tsezguerra prompts him, a curious smile playing on his face. Alex walks up to the attendanta young woman who looks slightly confused by his intense focus. Handing over his last silver coin, hes presented with a large box filled with hundreds of raffle tickets. Without thinking, he reaches in and grabs one at random, barely glancing at it. he notices a hint of gold on his ticket. He peers into the box and sees the other tickets are all different colors. he tells himself, beginning to unwrap the ticket. You wont win. Ive seen it. Thats a bad draw! a voice says with a creepy cackle. Startled, Alex glances up to see a strange-looking woman with long, messy black hair. Shes watching him intently, giggling in a way that sends a shiver down his spine. Then, she abruptly turns and walks away. Alex stares after her in shock. He shakes his head, dismissing her words. With a deep breath, Alex returns to his ticket, unwrapping it slowly. He spots a 1 then a 0 he thinks, his heart pounding, and finally another 0. Alex stands speechless, barely believing his own eyes. Quietly, he hands the raffle ticket to the booth attendant, who looks at him with a mix of awe and disbelief. She seems at a loss for words, especially under Tsezguerras watchful gaze, but eventually manages a soft, Congratulations, you win 100 golden coins, and hands him his prize. You have the devils luck, Tsezguerra says, looking slightly disturbed by Alexs inexplicable fortune. Follow me. Sear?h the ovelFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. They walk toward a small section tucked into a corner of the giant underground bunker, reserved for examiners and staff who monitor the cameras and ensure the exam runs smoothly. Tsezguerra stops and says, Ill keep this brief. I need to get back and keep an eye on the other candidatesthe exam has just begun after all. Ill give you two choices: First choice: Ill give you the privilege of immediately qualifying for the next exam, no questions asked, no need for a navigator. Youll be informed of the exams location and qualify immediately. Second choice: Ill give you a memento from a former comrade. Its an item I only wear off the fieldits known to bring me terrible luck. Perhaps its fitting to give it away today, considering your luck might be strong enough to counter it. Its rare and worth a decent amount, though not enough to make you rich. Its just a nice itemyou may find a use for it. Well, I dont mean to sound arrogant, but I need to pass this yearI have a reason. So Ill take the second option, Alex replies, curious about the item Tsezguerra is offering. Here you go, then. Tsezguerra hands him a small, round object: a golden pocket watch, then heads back to the carnival. Alex inspects it carefully. It appears to be a normal golden pocket watch, but as he looks closer, he notices it has six smaller dials within the main face, displaying various information. Besides the time, Alex realizes the watch also shows the current date, weekday, month, year, temperature, and humidity. Besides these smaller circles, he spots a golden needle, similar to a compass needle. To Alexs delight, the system recognizes the item as [Destiny Watch] and displays its details: [Destiny Watch] Alex thinks with joy. Knowing hell always have access to the date and other valuable information, Alex marvels at the possibilities. He quickly slots the pocket watch into his inventory, noting with relief that it doesnt need to be worn openly. As long as he places it in one of his two available trinket slots, its effects remain active, allowing him to store it discreetly in his inventory. When he wants to check it, he can simply retrieve it. Feeling content, Alex exits the examiners corner and returns to the carnival, finally ready to do what hed intended from the start: enjoy the festival. No sooner does he re-enter the main area than he hears the sounds of a massive quarrel. Curious, he decides to check out whos causing such a ruckus, especially given Tsezguerras strict supervision. Chapter 101: Examinees x Examiners – Checking out the Competition Alex notices a crowd forming inside a large, semi-open tent. Peering inside, he sees that several areas are set up for competitive games where candidates can challenge each other head-to-head. Tonpa, you liar! You cheated! You said wed work together, but you teamed up with someone else! I lost everything because of you! an angry candidate yells, struggling against a few attendants assigned to keep the peace. LET ME GO! HE CHEATED! YOU NEED TO GO AFTER HIM, NOT ME! the candidate shouts, his voice desperate. Sar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. One of the attendants, clearly annoyed, replies, Examinee No. 69, Tonpa, has broken no rules. I dont care what arrangements you had with him in private. GUARDSescort this man out. Hes lost his last silver coin and is officially disqualified! Good riddance! Tonpa sneers with a grin, clearly enjoying the outcome. Why are people such sore losers? Alex thinks, dismissing the minor drama Tonpas caused. Not interested in low-stakes antics, he leaves the tent and heads back to the carnival. With so few examinees finished with the main task, most of the rides are empty. Alex takes full advantage, riding several attractions on his own, relishing the freedom while everyone else is still struggling to earn golden coins. The rollercoaster, in particular, thrills him. As it climbs, he gets a breathtaking view of the bright carnival lights illuminating the cavernous, dark underground bunker. he thinks, genuinely appreciating the moment. As he steps off the ride, he notices Shalnark waving at him. Alex thinks with a hint of resignation. Having fun, Alex? That rollercoaster looked like a blast, Shalnark says with a friendly smile. Yeah, Id recommend it. This is a sight you probably wont see again in your life. Its surreal, Alex replies, attempting to keep things casual with his new friend. Hows the exam going, Shalnark? Call me Shal, Shalnark replies with an easy smile. And yeah, the exams going well. Im done with the first task. Looks like you finished too, right? Lets relax a bit. Sure, Shal sounds good. Alex agrees, nodding. Im still keeping an eye on a few other examinees, though. This exams bound to get tougher. Youre wrong, Shalnark says calmly. Stay relaxed. You dont need to watch out for anyone. Besides me, only two others here truly matter. The rest? Just baby cubs still sleeping, not worth mentioning. And you well, youre still half asleep yourself, but at least youve got one eye slightly open. Shalnark gives him a friendly smile. I see I think I know who you meanthe small, weird-looking woman and that creepy one with the wild black hair, right? I can sense theyre special, but they dont make me feel the same kind of threat I sense from you. They dont feel like fighters, do they? Id agree about the small one, Shalnark nods. As for the creepy one, shes not entirely combat-focused either, but Id avoid her if I were you. She likely has an ability thats dangerous in its own way. But if you steer clear of her, you can just focus on the tasks and passing the exam. Shalnark suddenly grins, tossing an arm around Alex and steering him toward the carnival. Enough serious talk. Lets go grab some food! Over the next few hours, Alex and Shalnark roam the carnival, sampling nearly every snack and dish available. For a while, Alex almost forgets who hes with. Alex muses, watching Shalnark laugh easily. They try every treat the carnival offers, eventually settling in a cozy corner, hands full of drinks and snacks, savoring the surreal atmosphere of the brightly lit carnival set against the endless darkness of the bunker. After a while, a voice crackles over the speakersits Tsezguerra: Examinees, you have one hour left. If you have 100 golden coins in your possession, head toward the western exit. Youll spot it when the lights turn on! As soon as hes finished speaking, lights blink on in the distance, forming a massive number 100 made up of hundreds of bulbs, shining brightly through the darkness and marking the way to the exit. Shalnark, entirely unhurried, finishes his food and glances at Alex. Lets grab a few more chocolate strawberries before heading out. This carnival might just be one of the best Ive ever been to. Alex sighs but follows Shalnarks lead, grabbing some strawberries of his own. They munch on them as they slowly make their way toward the illuminated exit sign. When they arrive, Alex sees hundreds of candidates already gathered near a small checkpoint, each waiting to turn in their coins and secure their spot in the next phase. He and Shalnark hand over their bags of coins and, after verification, are allowed to pass through. Scanning the crowd, Alex spots Eirini, Patricia, Emma, and one other player. he thinks, Without much surprise, Alex spots the other notable candidates among the crowd: Tonpa, still wearing his sly grin; Linus, the military man hed met earlier; the Amori Brothers standing together; and Sommy and Shishito. Despite hoping for her failure, Alex notices Palm made it through as well, standing alone with everyone else keeping their distance. In another isolated spot, he spots Melody, who appears to have passed without a hitch. After another half hour, Tsezguerra and his team finally appear in front of the assembled examinees. Exam No. 1, Underground Carnival: 376 examinees out of 1,009 have passed! he announces loudly. Before you go, let me leave you with a few words of advice. A Hunter does not simply follow a path; a Hunter strives to create his own path! A Hunter does not need to seek a goalhe instinctively knows his goal. Good luck! Tsezguerra, along with his team members, numerous attendants, and other Hunters in black suits, suddenly begin clapping in unison, producing an intense sound that echoes throughout the vast bunker. The examinees take one last look at the carnival as the lights abruptly go out, leaving only the golden 100 sign and a few red emergency lights illuminating the area. Just as suddenly, the bunker is flooded with bright light! Huge lamps, each as large as a room, mounted on the ceiling illuminate every corner of the cavernous space. Through the brightened exit, a striking woman enters and approaches the candidates. She has long, straight black hairan elegant contrast to Palms wild manelarge eyes, pale skin, and golden irises. Dressed not in uniform but in a form-fitting black dress that accentuates her ample cleavage, breasts and figure, she moves with a commanding presence. Alexs eyes widen, his gaze briefly lingering on her figure with a rather perverted expression. He stops mid-thought, realization dawning on him. Shalnark, watching Alexs reaction, laughs brightly. Your expressions are unique, Alex. I love hanging out with you, he says with a smile. Let me guess, you know her too? I think you ought to know her as well, Shal. Thats Gelthe snake of the Zodiacs. Shes famous as a Poison Hunter, Alex explains. As he finishes, a thought strikes him, making him grin inwardly. From his left wrist, Alex senses a faint response from Mustrano, a confirmation that the Claw holds no fear of poisons either. Alex quickly checks his anti-poison skill he acquired at the Tribaio village: Mustranos Malice Mauler lvl 3: Effect2: Passively Increases Poison Resistance by 50% + 5% per level (even without conjuring the claw) Suddenly, Gel begins to speak. Her voice is calm and almost whisper-soft, but with a microphone in front of her, it echoes powerfully throughout the bunker, clear to everyones ears. My fellow Hunter, Tsezguerra I find your selection methods lacking, she says coldly. This isnt a place for fun. A carnival might entertain, but this is the Hunter Exam. Her eyes narrow as she surveys the crowd. 376 candidates remaining? After my second exam, I aim to see fewer than 200. She turns her full attention to the examinees, her gaze sharp and unyielding. I am Gel. You dont need to speak to meyou only need to listen! You will all board the large airship that has landed above us, and I will take you to your next destination. But be warnedfrom now on, your lives are at risk. I expect numerous candidates to die this year, as always. If youre not confident in your abilities, I suggest you leave now. She pauses, her expression turning colder. Im tired of talking. Thats all. Now, follow me in an orderly fashion to the surface. Without another word, she turns, leading the way. The group follows, their previous chatter silenced by her ominous words. As they reach the surface, the massive airship looms above themlikely even larger than the one used during Gon and the other main characters exam. Its size is staggering, easily capable of holding hundreds of candidates. Alex and Shalnark board the airship, Alex struggling to hide his excitement. he thinks, soaking in every detail of the grand vessel. Inside, they find rows of plush seating, some arranged in cozy couches. The two each claim a large, luxurious couch to themselves, although it could easily accommodate ten to fifteen people. Alex reflects, grateful for the space. Shalnark, however, turns to him with a curious expression. Tell me about yourself, he says, his eyes glinting with interest. Alex sighs, instantly regretting his earlier thought. he wonders, feeling the weight of Shalnarks friendly but probing gaze. Chapter 102: Airship x Island – Pick Your Poison Alex looks at Shalnark, feeling a hint of uncertainty. he reminds himself. In his experience, intelligent people, especially those in fictional worlds, can often sense truth from lies. Biscuit came to mind first, and now, sitting across from Shalnark, he recognizes the same sharp intellect. Alex knows hes not a great liar; while he can outwit, manipulate, or bluff most normal people, he has no confidence in deceiving someone of Shalnarks rank. he thinks, He settles on a simple answer. I guess Im from a pretty isolated place. I learned swordsmanship from a master there for a long time. I dont know much about the world beyond the usual stuff anyone can find online. I love reading up on things that interest me, and Id say Im an adventurer. I travel to different places to accomplish certain goals I set for myself. Thats why Im after the licenseitll open new doors for me. Nothing particularly interesting about me How about you? Shalnark, seeming satisfied with Alexs response, offers his own story, blending some truths, a few lies, and carefully omitting anything too revealing. Im also an adventurer, Shalnark says with a casual smile. Ive got a close group of friends, and we go on adventures as well, usually acquiring treasure. I enjoy gathering information, though Im not particularly interested in Hunters themselves. The main thing I want from the license is access to the Hunters-only website. That place has some of the most selective information you can get on any valuable topic. Ive heard about that too isnt the information there insanely expensive? Alex replies. Shalnark nods. Of course! Exclusive and rare information can be as valuable as any physical treasure. Some data, going for a few million Jenny, can be the key to something worth over a billion. If I had to choose, Id call myself an Information Hunter once I get my license. Alex thinks, acknowledging Shalnarks words. They continue chatting, Shalnarks words weaving a careful but open portrait of himself, while Alex responds thoughtfully, learning just enough to feel Shalnarks cunning. Eventually, Alex tries to relax, planning to get some rest. Thanks to his new [Destiny Watch], he knows the exact time. As he glances at it, he thinks about the watchs special effect. Before lying down, he takes a quick scan of the other candidates. Tompa sneaks around in his usual shady manner. In a corner, Palm sits alone, sipping coffee with an unsettling intensity that sends a shiver through anyone nearby. Alex wonders, raising an eyebrow. Finally, he glances outside and notices on his watch that theyre heading south. Deciding to conserve his energy for the next exam, he lies down on the couch and lets himself drift off to sleep. After a short rest, Alex wakes up and checks the time5:15 AM. Just 45 minutes left until the second exam begins. The airship is silent, and everyone else is still asleep, the quiet before the coming challenge. When Alex looks around, he notices that Shalnark is nowhere to be seen. Deciding he should get ready too, he leaves the couch and heads to a nearby restroom to freshen up. Afterward, he peeks outside the airship and realizes theyve already landed. A bit nervous about cutting it too close and risking disqualification, Alex heads out. Outside, several candidates have already gathered, their expressions a mix of anticipation and dread. Alex feels a cool breeze on his face, and as he surveys his surroundings, he makes out the terrain below. he realizes, spotting water in every direction. The island itself is little more than a rocky mound with a few sparse bushesa barren, stony rock with barely enough space for them all. he thinks, feeling puzzled. But as he scans the area, something catches his eyea shadow in the center of the island. His gaze locks onto it, and he realizes he had missed it because of its overwhelming size: a massive, gaping maw leading deep into the ground, as if the entire island is being devoured by some enormous demon. Alex gulps, the sight intimidating him more than hed expected. he thinks, feeling a chill crawl up his spine. The remaining candidates begin to trickle out of the airship, and at exactly 6 AM, the vessel lifts off, leaving them stranded. A sudden scream from within the ship draws his attentiona panicked candidate tries to leap from the airship mid-ascent, falling down with a crash and landing hard. What the? Alex mutters, cringing as he hears the sickening sound of impact. Disqualified, Gel says curtly, stepping forward with an unyielding expression. The airship will return in a day. Youd better sit tight, or that broken leg will get worse. Addressing the remaining candidates, Gel continues, Now then, examinees. It seems a few of you have already failed by oversleeping. She gestures toward the gaping maw. As youve probably noticed, this islands center leads to a descent underground. A few examinees who hadnt yet seen the opening turn to look, and some immediately scream in terror. What the hell is that? Is this hell? one man blurts out, his voice shaking. ...Interrupt me one more time, and I will fail you on the spot, Gel says coldly, her gaze cutting sharply toward the offending examinee. The crowd falls into a tense silence. Now, listen carefully. Ive prepared antidotes for each of you. She gestures toward a small table, lined with vials of a murky, faintly green liquid. These antidotes will cure most poisons and toxins, or at the very least, keep you stable long enough to return here. Each of you may take one. Drinking more than one within a week will kill you, so dont get greedy. She lets her words sink in, her eyes scanning the crowd with a predatory gleam. Your task is simple: collect as many poison samples as you can from the creatures you find below. Be warnedthese creatures are venomous, and many of them are deadly. Im not interested in any common species; I expect rare, potent poisons. Ive provided empty vials for your samples, but if the poison enters your bloodstream instead, youll likely be dead within minutes. Alex watches her closely, feeling the weight of her words. he thinks, gripping the reality of their task. You may present up to five vials, Gel continues. Ill decide who passes based on the overall quality and rarity of the samples you bring back. Dont think you can just hand me a single vial of poison from some common creature and get away with it. That would be unwise. She glances at her watch, then looks back up. You have exactly 24 hoursuntil 6 AM tomorrowto return. She pauses, then adds, Ill allow a single question. Make it count. The examinees shift nervously, some exchanging glances, others simply staring into the dark maw below. Alex feels the tension in the air, knowing that whatever happens down there, it wont be easy. Alex mutters under his breath, glancing at Shalnark, whos sidled up next to him. Any prize for the participant with the best results? To his surprise, Gel whips around, her sharp gaze locking onto him. You want a special prize? Passing the exam isnt good enough for you? she asks, her tone laced with mockery. Alex clears his throat, trying to play it off. I just thought since youre using this exam to gather some rare poisons for your research, a little extra motivation might help us bring in better samples. Ive heard of your achievements as a Poison Hunter. Giving us a reason to push ourselves might bring you better results, dont you think? Gel eyes him, and for a tense moment, Alex wonders if shell call him out. he thinks, feeling a bead of sweat on his brow. Hmmm, candidate No. 777 Your logic actually makes sense. I assumed it was the ramblings of a buffoon, but youve managed to make a reasonable point. Very well. The candidate who brings me the best results will receive a special surprise, she adds, her tone teasing. Alex thinks, cheering inwardly. Now! Gels voice rises. Each of you may take antidote one! Also, grab five empty vials. Thats the maximum number Ill allow for submissions. After that, youre free to begin. There are no rules, but Id strongly advise against pulling anything reckless with your fellow candidates. Were observing your actions carefully, even below. Youll get a chance to face your rivals later. For now, Im interested in poison, not a bloodbath. Disregard my warning, and youll be disqualified. The candidates approach the large bag of antidotes. Alex examines one, surprised when the system not only recognizes it but also values it highly. [Diluted Gels Panacure] Alex realizes, barely containing his excitement. He sees a group of Hunters in black suits stationed nearby, closely watching to ensure that candidates only take a single vial each. Alex waits for an opportune moment and then joins a small crowd of clumsy-looking candidates reaching for the antidotes. He accidentally trips one of them, making a small, chubby man stumble forward. As the guards attention shifts, Alex quickly snatches two additional vials with his left hand, tucking them swiftly into his inventory. He then openly grabs one with his right hand, acting nonchalant as he steps back, grinning to himself. He walks away from the table with the other candidates. Shalnark joins him, chuckling. Not bad. I barely noticed it myself. In fact, I didnt even itI just noticed there were two doses missing from the left side right where you were standing. He smirks. Youve got the instincts of a natural thief, seizing the first good opportunity to grab something valuable. Honestly Im almost disappointed in myself. He laughs, giving Alex a knowing look. But maybe Ill tell you about that some other time. Alex, scared that he got caught after all, wipes a few beads of sweat from his brow but flashes a confident grin. Thanks, I guess! So, are you aiming for the No. 1 spot too? Sarch* The N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Shalnark chuckles, shaking his head. No, Alex, Im good. Ill just grab something quickly and get the hell out of there. Im not a fan of caves or creepy creatures. Im more of a city guy. He laughs lightly, his easygoing tone almost masking the tension of the situation. As they reach the entrance, the ominous mouth of the cave looms before them like the gaping jaws of a beast. It looks like an entrance to the underworld itself, a forbidding gateway into a dark unknown. Alex steels himself, stepping forward without hesitation, determined to seize this chance. he thinks with a devious smile, his mind already racing with plans. Chapter 103: Subterranean x Assault – Dangerous Poison Hell Alex dives into the giant maw leading him deep underground, as one of the earliest candidates to enter. To his surprise, after only a few minutes of climbing down, he spots several lights. It appears that Gel and her fellow examiners have prepared the underground area for the examinees. Alex sees several large floodlights illuminating the very bottom of the cavernous space, providing a broad field of vision in the open area. The light makes Alex feel safe, knowing that any beasts, animals, or whatever might lurk down here would be immediately exposed if it tried to enter this zone, creating a safe area for all candidates. He scans his surroundings for cameras and believes he spots one. he thinks. Alex quickly notices several side passages where the spacious underground area narrows, leading into a dense network of dark tunnels. The light from the floodlights doesnt reach that far; the further away from the starting point, the darker it gets, until eventually, visibility fades completely. To his further surprise, despite the desolate island above, numerous underground plants thrive in this cave. The area feels less like a barren, rocky cave and more like a dense jungle. He checks his [Destiny Watch] and notes the extreme heat of 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) and the high humidity. he wonders. Upon reaching the cavern floor, he spots a few crates stocked with simple flashlights, clearly intended for candidates to take. Well-prepared, Alex already has multiple light sources in his inventory, so he isnt scared by the darkness. In fact, he finds it almost routine. he thinks. He attaches the same lamp he used in the cave near Tribaio Village in the Sinerva Forest to his belt and heads north, assuming the cave entrance is positioned slightly south of the islands center and that the area to the north might be more expansive. As he switches on his lamp and strides away from the underground entrance, he imagines the scenario: if hundreds of candidates enter this same area, theyll likely drive away any nearby beasts. Despite the darkness and unfamiliar terrain, Alex decides to take a bold risk. He sprints through the shadows, raising his [Shield of Pluto] to protect himself from potential impacts. Ignoring the finer details of his surroundings, he prioritizes speed over caution, focused on seizing his chance to prepare in the subterranean depths. After twenty minutes, Alex finds an ideal spot for his trap. Ahead lies a medium-sized area where multiple tunnels converge, filled with giant stalagmites and stalactites. The steady sound of water dripping from the ceiling echoes, amplifying the eeriness of the place. Moving quickly, Alex sets up a tripwire system with small bells attacheda method hes used before, though it didnt yield results last time. But here, he counts six tunnels leading into the clearing. So many entrances mean a high likelihood that other examinees will wander into this spot. He thinks, Once he finishes setting the bell traps, Alex moves further into the underground, now progressing at a brisk but vigilant pace, not wanting to be caught off guard. He pushes deeper into this newly discovered zone, confident that the entrances he just trapped are well guarded. As he navigates around a massive stalagmitea towering structure that, thanks to the abundance of strange underground plants, almost resembles a huge treehe senses movement just ahead. He quickly retreats as three enormous yellow toads leap out from behind the dense foliage, each one towering over him. Their yellow bodies ripple with wave-like patterns that help them blend seamlessly with the surrounding plants and similarly colored terrain. Alex instantly senses that these creatures are poisonous. he thinks, catching a faint, poisonous smell in the air. Acting on instinct, Alex casts a large-area Thunder spell, reasoning that these amphibious creatures, accustomed to watery environments, wont handle electricity well. The spell hits all three frogs, the electrical surge stunning one of them momentarily. With a quick, practiced motion, Alex conjures Mustranos Malice Mauler lvl 3 and immediately lunges at the frog to his left, which is still completely stunned from the spell. Drawing his fingers close together, he forms a deadly, sharp weapon resembling Killuas transformed hand, capable of piercing flesh and bone. With one decisive strike, he drives his dark, clawed hand deep into the toads head, feeling his claws cut through tissue and bone, sinking halfway into the creatures brain. A shudder passes through the frog as its life slips away. The other two frogs, seemingly aware of their comrades demise, seize the opportunity to leap high into the air. They land on the side of a nearby stalagmite, then use their powerful legs to propel themselves toward a thick bush. Moments later, Alex hears a loud splash, signaling some kind of small lake or body of water behind the foliage. Without delay, Alex pulls out an empty vial and a knife, swiftly cutting open the fallen frog. He remembers that poison dart frogs secrete their toxins through their skin, but this frog has dry, rough skin instead. Though his instincts told him it was poisonous, he needs to confirm it. Carefully, he cuts into the frog, focusing around its mouth, where he finds several glands that look like they could hold venom. Gently pressing one, he squeezes a few drops of poison into the vial. After doing the same with the other glands, the vial is filled with a bright yellow liquid tinged with green. The system even registers the poison. [Giant Yellow Wave Frog Poison] Sar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Alex, pleased with this early success, thinks, He continues scouting the area, his attention drawn to the murky water, where he spots the shapes of various fish and other creatures, though he cant make out details through the cloudy water. Extra cautious now, aware of the dangerous creatures that could be lurking, he walks along the edge of the plant-covered pond. Suddenly, he spots a long, dark shape slithering under the waters surface. he immediately guesses. Using the elements to his advantage again, he casts another Thunder spell, this time a more focused version aimed directly at the dark figure. Alex mutters to himself, realizing that in murky water, eels can look a lot like snakes. Deciding to take advantage of this find, he retrieves the dead eel and moves to a safer spot where he wont be caught off guard. Carefully, he slices off one of the eels heads, letting its dark blood flow into another vial. [Two Headed Black Eel Poisonous Blood] Alex, well-equipped with more than the five vials they were initially allowed to take, decides to fill an additional ten small vials with blood, figuring the item will likely be valuable back in the Realm. he reasons. Satisfied with his bounty, Alex moves forward, but then he hears a faint, unmistakable bell sound in the distance. He immediately realizes, Without hesitation, Alex backtracks toward the exit, employing the same tactics as the frogs by using the towering stalagmites and thick plants as cover. Soon he spots multiple lights moving through the cavern. A smirk spreads across his face as he recognizes them. Chapter 104: Revenge x Karma – Cockroach Tonpa – Beast Wave! Alex, hiding behind a stalagmite, spots Tonpa, who is now encircled by a mob of furious examinees. Alex thinks. Tonpa! Do you even recognize our faces? Do you remember what youve done to us over the years? Angry shouts erupt from the crowd around him. You trapped me and my brother three years ago! My brothers permanently crippled, and hes lost the will to live because of what you did to us. Youre going to pay for this. Another voice calls out, You miserable excuse for a human, you dont even try to pass, do you? You just like destroying other candidates! Youre sick, and its time we dealt with you! Tonpa, visibly sweating, stammers, This is all a misunderstanding, folks! Ive failed all these times because because Im just not skilled enough! Its all coincidence; I didnt do any of those things As he speaks, the leader of the groupa scarred manslams a fist into Tonpas stomach, sending him to the ground. But he doesnt stop there. With a vicious glare, he stomps on Tonpas head, causing blood to spill onto the rocky floor. Just a coincidence, huh? Just a coincidence you threw me off that mountain path after teaming up seven years ago? Ill never forget it, and Ill never forgive you. Any last words? Tonpa, despite the pain, suddenly grins and yells, YOULL ALL FAIL THIS YEAR TOO! At that moment, several figures appear from behind, and chaos erupts. Alex recognizes their distinct appearances and realizes, A violent struggle breaks out between the brothers, Tonpa, and the examinees. From his vantage point, Alex feels a surge of uncertaintythis was not the kind of scene hed expected to stumble upon. But as he observes from a safe distance, a large shadow suddenly catches his eye. Alex focuses on it, making out the shape of an enormous green lizard, easily ten times his own size. he thinks, feeling a chill of dread. The beast ambushes Tonpa, the Amori brothers, and the dozen other candidates who had been set on revenge. Without giving them a moment to react, the lizards massive tongue snaps out, wrapping around one of the candidates, retracting, and pulling its victim straight into its maw in seconds. A stunned silence settles over the scene. Everyone seems paralyzed with fear, watching in horror. The lizard seizes the opportunity, snaring another candidate and swallowing them whole. Then, suddenly, it unleashes an agonized scream. It thrashes about, appearing to be in severe pain. Alex thinks, still keeping hidden. Suddenly, more lizards appear, smaller than the giant one but still larger than any human. Alex feels movement behind him and turns to see a group of Giant Yellow Frogshis earlier foesemerging. Reacting quickly, he bolts out from behind the stalagmites and runs forward to dodge their attack. He finds himself next to Tonpas group and the revenge seekers. With the lizards blocking all the exits and the massive lizard still wailing in agony, he watches in horror as even more Yellow Frogs approach from the only open direction. Alex thinks. Thinking only of his survival, Alex spots an opportunity. The giant lizards mouth is wide open in its scream of pain. He immediately grabs two of the four Annihilation Grenades strapped to his belt and hurls them forcefully into the creatures gaping mouth. Without hesitation, he grabs the remaining two grenades and repeats his throw, the lizard continuing to scream, oblivious. The grenades detonate, and Alex watches as blood begins to pour from the lizards midsection. Now, its not just screaming but thrashing wildly, rampaging and attacking anything in its path. Alex receives an overwhelming number of damage notifications. he wonders. He sees one of the Amori brothers get knocked aside like a ragdoll and several smaller lizards trampled beneath the thrashing behemoth. The scarred leader of the group attacking Tonpa rallies the frightened candidates, shouting, MEN, FIGHT! We take down these lizards first, and then Tonpa will get whats coming to him! Hearing Tonpas name, Alex realizes with a jolt that the scoundrel is gone. As the giant lizard begins to regain a sliver of composure, it locks eyes with Alex, as if recognizing who threw the grenades into its maw. In an instant, it charges straight for him. Alex, desperate, conjures another grenade and triggers the speed boost from his [Nimbus Cloak]. With the added speed, Alex manages to leap to the side. Instead of fleeing, he seizes the moment and scrambles up onto the lizards back. Drawing his [Sword of Pluto], he plunges it into the creature repeatedly. The lizard, with Alex clinging to its back, charges headfirst into a wall. The impact dazes it, clearly injuring its head, but it also manages to shake Alex loose, flinging him off! SHIT! Alex shouts as hes flung from the lizard. Thankfully, he manages to land safely, scrambling to hide between two large rocks. The lizard attempts to break through the rocks with its head but fails. It then extends its long tongue, trying to snag Alex from his hiding spot. Alex dodges the grasping tongue and immediately conjures Mustranos Malice Mauler lvl 3. He uses it to pierce the tongue and follows up with his sharp [Sword of Pluto] to slice off the front tip! The lizard lets out an ear-splitting scream, its expression twisted with malice and anguish. Despite the chaos, Alex almost feels a pang of pity for the creature. Realizing it cant continue the fight, the lizard retreats, leaving Alex alone, hidden behind the rocks with the severed, oozing tongue still impaled by his claw. Noticing the tongue secretes a green liquid, Alex quickly deduces that its poisonous. He pulls out an empty vial and fills it with as much of the green liquid as possible, though its only a small amount since he managed to cut off just the tip of the tongue. Examining his prize, he finds: [Green Lizard Matriarch Tongue Poison] Alex grins, pleased with such a rare prize. Leaving his temporary hiding place, he tosses aside the now-drained tongue, which is no longer recognized by the system, and returns to the battlefield. No lizards remain, but several wounded candidates lie scattered across the ground. Frustrated by their reckless grudges that nearly got everyone killed, Alex decides to search them, finding another seven portions of [Diluted Gels Panacure]. he thinks, inwardly blaming them for creating such a dangerous situation. Spotting a dead lizard nearby, Alex fills another vial with poison from its tongue. The system classifies it as a Light Green itemnot as rare, but still useful enough to present to Gel later. [Green Lizard Tongue Poison] He notices another lizard with part of its tongue missing and collects half a vial from it as well. Just as he finishes, he sees a horrifying sighthundreds, if not thousands, of lizards pursuing a few terrified candidates, including the Amori Brothers, Tonpa, and some of the revenge seekers, with their leader among them. Without hesitation, Alex turns and bolts, fleeing through the same tunnel hed used to enter. After twenty minutes of chaos, he reaches the central cavern illuminated by giant floodlights. He pauses, but the distant sounds of panicked shouts and scurrying footsteps catch his attentionTonpas group and the others are still being chased, even under the floodlights. Alex and a few remaining candidates, who had been resting nearby, immediately scramble upward, racing back toward daylight. But the lizards are relentless, still pursuing them up the tunnel! As Alex and the others approach the surface, he spots Gel, along with dozens of hunters and armed guards, sprinting downward, weapons at the ready. The sounds of gunfire, explosions, and the frenzied roars of monsters echo through the tunnel. Reaching the surface, the candidates are urgently directed away from the entrance. The second exam is canceled! Get back to the airship NOW! one of the black-suited hunters orders. Sarch* The N?vel(F)ire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Alex thinks, silently wondering what this means for the exam going forward. Chapter 105: Scheme x Bribery – Don’t Forget To Wash Up! Alex sits on the airship, glancing around at the candidates whove returned. He counts about 150 to 200, thinking uneasily, Dont tell me all the others died? Well, its Tonpas fault for stirring up all that trouble. I just hope they can figure out what happened and leave me out of it! He takes a moment to organize his poison collection, examining the vials carefully: [Giant Yellow Wave Frog Poison], [Two Headed Black Eel Poisonous Blood], [Green Lizard Matriarch Tongue Poison], and [Green Lizard Tongue Poison]. Were allowed to present up to five different poisons, he considers. The Frog Poison, Lizard Poison, and Eel Poison are all solidtheyre average to good quality. The Frogs is Deep Green, while the other two are Light Green. That should be enough to pass, right? But should I present the Matriarch Poison too? Without it, I probably wont get first place, but that poisons effects are intense. Do I really want to give it up just for a shot at the top prize? He glances at the half-filled vial of the regular Lizard Tongue Poison. Maybe I could mix it with that damaged Bloating Square Mushroom I still have, he thinks. If I claim its a mutated poison, they might not question it. Alex goes through with his plan, squeezing the remaining poison from the damaged mushroom and watching as the system logs his new creation. [Mushroom - Lizard Poison Mixture] World: Hunter x Hunter Quality: Green Effect: Contains the toxin from a large Green Lizards tongue, combined with the toxins of a Bloating Square Mushroom. This poison merges the effects of both, with surprisingly high compatibility. Not bad, he thinks, pleased with the upgrade from Light Green to Green. That mushroom was deteriorating anyway. With this, Ive got five solid poisons. I can still decide whether to submit just four and keep the Matriarch Poison for myself or go for the first prize by presenting it. Settling back, Alex closes his eyes and dozes off. He wakes suddenly to see a familiar face approaching him. Hey, Alex! Glad you made it out too! the man greets him. I had to take a huge detour when a lizard beast wave overran the whole underground area! I overheard some examiners talking about a lunatic who attacked the Matriarch, the ruler of the islandcrippling her by cutting off part of her tongue and even bombing her insides. They had to call in a team of beast hunters to calm her down and restore order to the underground. Whoever did it is in serious trouble. Wonder whatll happen to them? Alexs face tightens. SHIT! What the hell is he talking about? Im a lunatic for defending my life? Screw their Matriarch, and screw them. Damn it, what am I supposed to do? Sarch* The ovlFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Better go take a shower, he thinks, and only submit the Toad and Eel Poisons. Anything lizard-related might look suspicious at this point. Id better wash myself thoroughly, just in case theyre somehow tracing lizard venom residue. Well, thanks for the info, Shal, Alex replies, trying to stay casual. Its ridiculous, isnt it? They send us down there to gather poisons and then act all surprised when the beasts dont appreciate us invading their territory. Anyway, Id better go take a shower. Good idea, Alex, Shalnark says with a grin. Better to keep it under wraps that you were behind that little accident. Not that Id hold it against you, of course, he laughs. What the? Im innocent! Why would you think it was me? Alex responds, a bit rattled that Shalnark has put it together so quickly. Shalnark gestures to Alexs belt and calmly explains, The metal balls you had attached there. I saw four of them before, but now youve only got one left. Might want to replace those if youve got any more. Alex freezes, realizing, SHIT, hes right. Gotta shower and fix that ASAP. Hopefully, no one else noticed. Without delay, Alex heads to the showers to eliminate any trace of scent from the lizard. That freaky Gel might actually be able to smell the Matriarch on me, he thinks nervously. He conjures five more Annihilation Grenades, attaching three to his belt and storing the other two in his inventory. He also loads up his inventory with [Diluted Gels Panacure] (nine portions), along with [Green Lizard Matriarch Tongue Poison], [Green Lizard Tongue Poison], and [Mushroom - Lizard Poison Mixture]. Lastly, he stashes the ten extra vials of [Two Headed Black Eel Poisonous Blood] in his inventory, keeping only a single one out to present. He packs a single [Diluted Gels Panacure] and vials of the Toad and Eel poison in his backpack, effectively erasing all connections to the lizards, the other players, andmost cruciallythe Matriarch Lizard. Returning to Shalnark, Alex looks visibly worn out. Nice work. We should all pass this exam, especially since they didnt expect so many participants to die down there, Shalnark says, musing aloud. Mustve been some bad timing, maybe the beasts breeding season is different this year. Or the underground volcano could be more active, throwing the creatures instincts into overdrive a bit earlier than usual. Exactly! a harsh voice cuts in from behind. Alex turns to see Gel standing there, her expression severe. At least shes admitting her own incompetence, he thinks. But whys she hanging around here? Id rather she left me alone. She points directly at Alex. YOUFollow me. Now. Shocked, Alex blurts out, Why? Her hands morph into snakes, wrapping around his throat as she flashes a cruel smile. She seems entirely unconcerned that shes revealing her Nen ability in front of everyone. Why? she hisses. I think you know why. Follow me NOW. Shalnark gives Alex an awkward, sympathetic smile and gestures toward his back. Whats wrong with my back? Wait the sword I cut the tongue with it OH SHIT! Alex realizes his mistake in a rush of horror. Alex follows Gel to a large, spacious room, and they both settle on a couch. She starts the conversation with an icy tone. Obviously, I cant condone what you did. Ill give you a chance to explain yourself. Dont leave anything out! Knowing hes caught and feeling unfairly targeted by the entire ordeal, Alex decides to go all in. He uses his backpack trick again, pulling out all five of his poisons, and then recounts his experience underground. He spends most of his explanation blaming Tonpa and the so-called Tonpa Hunters, whose vendetta spectacularly backfired. Anyway, its not my fault that you didnt factor the volcanic activity into your planning around the beasts breeding season. How the hell was I supposed to know? Im not a beast hunterI just fought for my life! And, honestly, you set up the lights down there. You must have noticed the temperature. Now that I think about it, how could you miss that? Arent you supposed to be a Zodiac and a poison hunter? YOU should have known As he speaks, Alex feels a genuine confusion creeping in. How couldnt she know? he wonders. She wanted poisons, and the poison from the Matriarch is classified as forbidden by the system, probably difficult for even a hunter to obtain without violating regulations or damaging the ecosystem of this protected island even as a Zodiac His mind races, connecting the dots. Dont tell me You that was your plan all along, wasnt it? Alex asks, finally realizing that this chaos might have been Gels way of getting her hands on the Matriarchs poison. I was expecting a bit more poison, she says, her voice betraying only a hint of amusement, and Ill admit I was a bit disappointed to find only a squeezed tip of a tongue. But at least you got the most potent part of the Lizard Matriarch. Youre the one who asked about a special reward, right? Ill make you a dealgive me your poisons, and not only will I let you continue the exam, but Ill give you something special for your efforts. Of course, if you deny possessing the poison Ill fail you and arrest you as a terrorist for carrying a forbidden substance. Alex forces an awkward smile. Not wanting to risk provoking this unhinged Zodiac whod sacrificed hundreds of examinees for her poison collection, he hands over all five of his poisons. Good boy! Gel pats his head. I like boys who know their place. She inspects each vial, listing them out loud. Eel Poison not bad, but not what I need. A fresh Toad Poison samplefine, I can use that. Lizard poison Ive got plenty of that stuff after what happened down there, but Ill take it. Alex bristles inwardly. If youve got tons, then let me keep itI might actually need it, you greedy snake! Do I see any displeasure? she asks, a smirk playing on her lips. No, no, please, take it! Alex replies, forcing a helpless smile. Now, what is this? Gel mutters, holding up one of the vials. Lizard Poison? But its mixed with something else She sniffs the poison, narrowing her eyes. Im not sure I recognize this toxic mushroom? I know most of the poisonous fungi in the Mimbo Republic, but I dont know that smell. What is it? she asks, scrutinizing him. I had a leftover mushroom from the Sinerva Forest, Alex explains. Figured I could mix it with the remaining Lizard Poison. They seemed compatible. Impressive! A lucky find, it seems, she remarks, though her praise does little to lift Alexs spirits. And finally, the Matriarch Poison. Perfectits freshly extracted. Ill be able to create a new version of my she trails off, catching herself and glancing at Alex with a pointed look. Well, as promised, Ill let you pass the second exam, she says, tossing him a small copper earring with a large emerald embedded in it. And here, this is your reward. Its quite rare and valuable. When youre near poisonous animals, plants, or any toxic substance, itll glow in a pleasantly toxic green hue. I sense you have some potential as a Poison Hunter. Once you pass the exam, come to me if youre interested in learning directly from me. Now, Im busy, she snaps, pocketing the vials. I have to work quickly to keep these poisons fresh. Out with you! With a swift kick, she ushers Alex out of the room. This could have gone worse or maybe better? he thinks as he exits. At least now, even if I fail the exam, I can survive this mission. He takes a deep breath, grateful hes somehow managed to get through it. Alex examines the earring closely. [Sacred Emerald Copper Earring]. As he turns it in his hand, he notices a faint purple glow radiating from the gem, and he cant help but grin, thrilled to discover its effects. Chapter 106: Travel x Reward – A New Examiner and a New Task! Alex examines his new earring carefully. [Sacred Emerald Copper Earring] World: Hunter x Hunter Quality: Purple sea??h th N??elFir.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Type: Earring Required Stats: PHY - 12, SNS - 10, SPR - 10 Required Skills: Basic Endurance lvl 3, Basic Meditation lvl 3 Effect 1: Increases HP Regeneration by 20% (Flat boost, not increased by other skills) Effect 2: Minor Poison Aptitude - Increases Poison Resistance and the Potency of all poison-related abilities by 10% Effect 3: Begins to glow if Poisonous substances are nearby - Focusing on the earring can turn this function off temporarily Note: A mysterious earring using copper and a sacred emerald to increase the wearers healing functions and poison affinity. It also signals to the wearer when poisonous substances are nearby. YES! Alex exclaims, barely caring if anyone thinks hes crazy. This is amazinga full purple item, and every effect is super useful, he thinks, thrilled. With that extra 10% poison resistance, Im nearly immune to poisons now. Plus, my Toxic Breakthrough lvl 3 will be even more powerful! The HP regeneration boost is great too, scaling with my PHY stat. And now, the glow isnt just for warning me about nearby poisons; itll notify me if theres something valuable to collect! Five rare poisons was definitely worth it. Im really starting to feel like a budget Killua with my claws and poison resistance! Alex makes his way back to Shalnark, who is already grinning, clearly having pieced together Gels scheme. With a chuckle, Shalnark says, You shouldve seen your face when you got caught. You looked like you were about to die. Alex feels momentarily speechless. Of course I looked like thatI really wouldve died if shed failed me! A few hours later, Gel summons all remaining participants to a designated room on the airship to assess their collected poisons. After what feels like a long wait, Gels voice rings through the ships speakers: 285th Hunter Exam: 132 candidates have passed the second exam! We allowed some of you to pass with even the most common of poisons, to make up for these unusual circumstances, so you better dont complain. We will arrive at our next destination in approximately 30 hours. You may relax until then. As for the candidates who failed, youll be dropped off in the capitalconsider it a generous gesture. Looking around, Alex notes, with mild annoyance, that Tonpa somehow passed, at least judging from his smug expression. Dont worry, Ill get my revenge soon enough. He also spots Eirini, Patricia, Emma, and the other player beamingclear indicators that they made it through this round as well. Of course he also assumes that Palm, Shalnark, and Melody passed without a hitch. [Main Quest Updated: Mission: Pass the hunter exam First Phase: 1/1 Second Phase: 1/1 Third Phase: 0/1 Fourth Phase: 0/1 Fifth Phase: 0/1 ] After passing the second phase, Alex now feels assured of at least an E- rating, and given his two special rewards in the first two phases, hes realistically looking at an E+ rating already. He finally breathes a sigh of relief, thinking, At last, I can enjoy this world a little Sure, theres still danger, but at least now I wont die just for failing a damn exam! When the airship lands in the capital to discharge the examinees who didnt pass, its clear how empty the vessel has become. Over a thousand candidates have been culled down to just 132 after only two exams. Alex takes a moment to reflect on the exam structure as he gazes out over the city from the airship. The first task was focused on decision-making and individual skills, while the second seemed to be about what, exactly? Hunting, survival? I have a feeling whats missing is an exam that tests combat and physical abilities directly. The examiners hinted more than once that wed get a chance to fight each other. Deciding to avoid small talk with others, Alex prioritizes getting some much-needed sleep. With the now-spacious airship, Alex has no trouble finding a cozy spot and claims one of the large couches in the main passenger room. Lying by a big window, he watches the night sky as the airship travels over the vast Mimbo Republic, passing over cities, farmlands, forests, and mountainous areas. It takes a bit longer than the 30 hours Gel estimated, but eventually, Alex notices the sun rising, signaling their arrival. Looking out the window, he observes the landscape belowdry grass, scattered trees, and a flat, barren terrain with hardly any hills or mountains. Looks like a savannah, he thinks. What are we supposed to do in a place like this? Theres no sign of a city or any nearby civilization. The only thing he can see is a large fenced area dotted with smaller cages and a few larger buildings, including warehouses, massive stables, and a few rundown living quarters, all giving off an abandoned vibe. The airship hovers directly over an open space within the fenced area, carefully descending to avoid the surrounding structures. As soon as they land, an announcement comes over the speakers: Examinees, please exit the airship and gather outside. Alex spots Shalnark nearby and joins him as they leave the airship, reflecting on how naturally hes come to talk and hang out with Shalnark. Thank goodness hes one of the more reasonable members of the Troupe. If he has no reason to attack you, hes pretty easy to get along with. This task will be a real challenge, Shalnark remarks, catching Alex slightly off guard. Have you slept well and are you ready? How can you tell? Alex asks, looking around the barren landscape. Its just a dry savannah. This place feels like a wildlife research station, if you ask me. Doesnt it pretty much seem like a repeat of the last task? Only this time, were supposed to hunt non-poisonous animals in a savannah instead of hunting poisonous beasts in a cave. Maybe, Shalnark replies, your guess makes sense at first, but this place feels abandoned. And lookthe cages are all empty. I think they have something special planned for us today! His words send a slight chill through Alex, who still has no idea what the task will involve. As some candidates chat about the exam and others wait in silence, Alex spots two women approaching the group. The first is a young woman of average-to-slightly-above-average height with turquoise hair. The back of her hair is styled in five top knots, and her attirea pair of shorts, a bikini top, and a light mesh shirt over itis anything but typical for an examiner. Shes pushing a wheelchair carrying an elderly woman. Shalnark gives Alex a curious look and asks, Surely you recognize her, too? Is she famous? She looks pretty young. Alex nods, recognizing the examiner immediately, though his knowledge is limited. Thats Menchi, a single-star Gourmet Hunter. Shes only 19 years old but already has a single star, which is incredible. Shes pretty famous, especially known for being a really picky eater. Honestly, shes a prodigy with insane potential. If shed chosen a different profession, she mightve had the chance to become the chairman of the whole association one day. I cant even imagine when she passed her exam probably around age 12 to 14. A true genius. Shalnark whistles. Impressive! Lets see if shes as good an examiner as she is a hunter. Alex then turns his attention to the elderly woman in the wheelchair. She looks ancienther round, deeply wrinkled face and short blond hair give her a nearly mummified appearance. Her body seems shrunken, as if shes lost half her height over the years. Though he doesnt immediately recognize her, he has a hunch. This must be Linne, he thinks, the Double-Star Gourmet Hunter who traveled to the Dark Continent with Netero and Zigg Zoldyck. Her eyes have a dim quality, hinting at a life filled with experiences and wisdom. Is she Menchis mentor? he wonders. It was never confirmed, but it would make sense I guess. What about the old woman? Shalnark asks, but before Alex can respond, Menchi begins to address the group in a loud, clear voice. Welcome, examinees! Menchi announces with a bold grin. Im Menchi, a Single-Star Gourmet Hunter, and this lovely young lady is Linne Horsdoeuvre, the worlds most beautiful and skilled Gourmet Hunter. Shes a Double-Star Hunter, so show some respect to my mentor and fellow hunter. She doesnt speak much, so Ill be the one in charge of you lot today! Honestly, though, you all look really weak. I have to say, this seems to be quite a disappointing year so far. At her words, nearly everyone glares at her. Alex notices Shalnark is simply smiling, clearly unfazed. A few other candidates, however, look visibly offended, and he spots Linusthe soldier specializing in pistolswearing a particularly intense expression. Oh, looks like a few of you have some backbone after all, Menchi remarks with a smug smile. Seems you got a bit riled up by my words. Maybe youll get a chance to prove me wrong soon enough. Youd better at least try, or your exam ends right here! She continues, This third exam will be a unique challengeone you wont forget for a long time! Its going to be a lot of fun for me, anyway, she says, grinning with a half-playful, half-sadistic glint. For you, itll be exhausting and aggravating. As you may have guessed, this is an abandoned wildlife station. It was once used to monitor local wildlifecreatures that can be lets just say challenging to humans. This third exam will be a team cooking challengebut not an ordinary one. The exam will be split into three parts. First, youll need to qualify just to participate. Today, it wont be animals getting cageditll be you! Follow me, she commands, her smile a mix of enthusiasm and mischief. She leads them to a large area filled with empty cages, surrounded by helpers who are clearly either hunters or employees of the Hunter Organization. Heres how it works: each of you will have three chances to enter a cage. Well randomly pair you with another examinee, and the two of you will fight for exactly one minute. After the time is up, the hunter overseeing each cage will decide the winner based on who landed the most hits. For each win, youll receive a special ingredient card! Whats an ingredient card, you ask? Well, thatll be explained later. But let me warn youif you dont get at least one card after your three rounds, youll be disqualified! Her eyes narrow, adding with emphasis, If you kill, maim, or intentionally cripple your opponent, youre out. No weapons allowed! I want to see what you can do. A strong hunter has to rely on their own strength. Why Alex almost whimpers. I suck at unarmed combat He thinks, I cant use any of my magic or conjurations either without exposing myself if I could, Id just summon Mustrano and finish this easily. Menchi draws from a lot. First fight: Examinee No. 777 Its me??? Alex is stunned. ...versus Examinee No Chapter 107: Ingredient x Card – Alex VS Tonpa Menchi announces the result of her first draw: Examinee No. 777, Alex Kerber, versus Examinee No. 16, Tonpa. Tonpa stares at Alex with an unhappy expression as he approaches the cage and immediately begins to plead, Ill give up as soon as the fight starts dont attack me, please! Alex returns his look with pure disgust. Your tricks dont work on me, you scumbag. Youd better pray I dont lose control and cripple you. The threat strips away Tonpas mask of weakness for a moment, revealing a sneer. Well, lets see if you can actually do that without your pistol, sword, and shield! Both Alex and Tonpa hand their equipment to one of the exam helpers stationed outside the cage. Though confident, Alex feels a slight edge of nervousness. As Alex steps into the cage, he feels a faint, compelling voice in his head accompanied by a burning sensation on the tattoo on his left wrist. Human. You know how to fight with clawssss. Your fingerssss are your clawssss. The ssssame way you ussse me when you conjure me, you can ussse your own handsss! You know the sssstances, you know the formall thatssss left issss to claw! CLAW UNTIL YOU KILL. Alex looks down at his fingers, still encased in the [Gauntlets of Pluto] and thinks, A small grin forms. Loosening his fingers, he mentally prepares, treating his hands as if he were wielding Mustrano himself. He takes a low combat stance, clawed fingers poised in front of him, angled aggressively like a pair of deadly weapons. The referees voice cuts through the air, Take your positions at opposite sides of the cage. Prepare to fight for one minute! On my command 3 2 1 FIGHT! Alex doesnt charge recklessly but approaches Tonpa with swift, measured steps, maintaining control. Tonpa, true to form, immediately drops to his knees, throwing himself on the ground. IM SORRY! PLEASE FORGIVE ME! Alex, having glimpsed Tonpas cruelty just moments before, doesnt buy his act for a second. He notices Tonpa subtly grabbing a handful of dirt from the floor, and in a flash, Tonpa hurls it at him. Anticipating the move, Alex raises his left arm to shield his face, blocking the dirt just in time. He jumps back, watching as a surprised Tonpa punches the air, not expecting Alex to dodge so quickly. Seizing the opportunity, Alex springs forward, forming his right hand into a claw and driving it straight into Tonpas stomach. Despite feeling a slight sting in his hand, Alex can sense Tonpas agony as his hand sinks into Tonpas abdomen. Grinning, he thinks, With his left hand, he claws at Tonpas face, ripping into his skin. Though his knuckles are blunt, the impact still leaves deep, bleeding cuts across Tonpas face. Alex feels an almost supernatural power coursing through his left hand, as if hes channeling Mustranos Malice Mauler lvl 3. Relentless, Alex strikes Tonpas face again with his right hand, savoring the sight of his pain. FUCKING TAKE THISSS, YOU SSSSCUM! Alex roars, lost in the thrill of the fight. He forms a vicious claw with his left hand, ready to stab directly at Tonpas eyes. CANDIDATE NO. 777, STOP! THE BATTLE IS OVER! someone shouts just as Alexs clawed hand hovers inches from Tonpas barely conscious face. He manages to halt his strike just a hairs breadth from Tonpas eyes. Without further hesitation, Alex leaves the cage, receiving a card for his victory. Menchi, whos been watching the fight, approaches Alex with a look of intrigue. Impressive claw techniques! I thought you relied on a sword and shield and your gun? Looks like youve got a few aces up your sleeve. Not bad! NEXT FIGHT! Ill read out the next five fights so we can speed this up a little! If your name is called, head to one of the numbered cages! Since we have 132 candidates and everyone needs to fight three times, there will be 198 fights in total! If you dont show up within a few seconds after I call your name, you automatically lose! Menchi continues to draw lots, calling out, Candidate No. 265 versus Candidate No. 274, and Candidate No At the back, Alex stands next to Shalnark, who, unlike many others, seems perfectly at ease despite the tension in the room. Other candidates are instinctively keeping their distance from Alex after his fierce performance. Shalnark, however, simply grins, saying, Nice technique! Looks like youve got some interesting martial arts skills. A claw style, huh? Pretty unique! Although, if youre aiming for true mastery, theres a bit of room for improvement. I guess so, Alex replies, thinking, Then, directing his thoughts to Mustrano, he adds, Mustranos voice echoes in his mind, Human rulessss ssssso complicated. Killing isss much sssimpler. Alex responds mentally, Alex watches as the next fights unfold, his attention drawn to Eirini entering a cage to face off against a tall, imposing man. Standing at roughly two meters (over 6.5 feet), her opponent makes Eirini, barely 1.60 meters (5.2 feet), look even smaller. Its quickly apparent that Eirini is a ranged fighter at heart. She has decent footwork, darting around her opponent and landing a few quick strikes while skillfully avoiding his attacks. But her punches seem to have little effect, and Alex realizes why: The tall man laughs off her strikes, his confidence growing as he sees how ineffective her attacks are. Then, in a sudden move, he manages to land a single punch, which sends Eirini reeling. She doubles over, nearly vomiting as she rolls away, screaming in pain. Watching the uneven matchup, Alex mutters to Shalnark, How unfair is that? Shalnark gives him a knowing look. She just needs to avoid him for half a minute more, and shell win. Remember the rules? Its not about who does the most damage; its about who lands the most hits. That rules in place to give fighters like her a fair chance. With sheer determination, Eirini manages to stay on her feet and keep dodging, evading her opponents attacks for the rest of the fight. She even lands two more quick strikes before the referee overseeing the fight shouts, STOP! Examinee No. 862, Eirini Ariti, wins! Her opponent, stunned by the referee''s decision, screams in rage, HOW THE HELL IS SHE THE WINNER? She was barely holding it together, and all she did was run away! This isnt fair! The referee remains calm, reminding him, Those are the rules. Leave the cage now, or Ill disqualify you. Instead of backing down, the enraged man charges at the referee. In a flash, the referee smiles, seeming to vanish into thin air, only to reappear behind the examinee. With a swift chop to the back of the neck, the man collapses, unconscious. Alex is impressed. Eirini exits the cage, collecting her card as a reward for the win. But just as she leaves, Menchi calls her number again, Examinee No. 862 versus Examinee No. 863! Move to the second cage! Oh, just finished, did you? Tough luck, but try your best anyway! Eirini glances at her new opponentPatricia. Alex isnt close enough to hear their conversation, but Eirini surrenders immediately, handing the victory to Patricia. Examinee No. 862 surrenders. Examinee No. 863, Patricia Nichols, wins! declares the referee. Smart choice, Alex mutters to himself. Theyve both won at least once, so they move on. Eirinis taken damage and isnt likely to win another fight, but she doesnt need to. That first win was enough to pass this round. Alex is impressed by their luck and quick thinking. S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Alex continues watching the fights. He sees Tonpa step into the cage for another round, only to be utterly defeated. His attempts at his usual tricks fail spectacularly. Already battered from his duel with Alex, with his face bruised and ribs aching, Tonpa is bested to the obvious delight of his opponentthe same man who led the vendetta against him during the previous task. For him, the victory is even sweeter. In another cage, Palm faces off against a formidable-looking man, towering over her by at least two heads. Yet the mans expression shows pure horror, as if hes seen a ghost. Alex muses. Within seconds, Palm dismantles her opponent, leaving him in a bruised heap. Despite her seemingly normal build, she thrashes him mercilessly. Meanwhile, Melody secures an easy win against a nimble opponent, employing an unusual fighting style. Alex notices her lips moving in strange patterns, likely using sound to disrupt and disorient her adversary. Landing hit after hit, Melody is declared the winner as the one-minute mark passes. Shalnark, despite his relatively unassuming appearance, wins his first match effortlessly. He simply punches his opponent in the stomach, showing no specific technique beyond raw power. Alex notes. Just as Alex is reflecting on the fights, his thoughts are interrupted by the next announcement: Examinee No. 777 versus Examinee No Chapter 108: Deal x Team – Idiot Sandwiches and Iron Chefs Menchi, her voice laced with boredom from hours of announcing matches, calls out the next one: Examinee No. 777, Alex Kerber, versus Examinee No. 151, Gihi Latur. Alex walks toward the designated cage but sees no sign of his opponent. Where is Examinee No. 151? Move your ass or lose by defaultI dont have all day, Menchi snaps. A referee nearby steps in to explain. Menchi, I had to knock out No. 151. He attacked me after losing his match. Hes disqualified. Menchi shrugs, glancing back at Alex. Looks like youre in luck, huh? She gestures toward the referee overseeing the match. Just give him his ticket and lets move on Next match: Examinee She drones on, already focused on the next fight. Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Alex grins as he receives his second ticket, thankful for the free win. He spots Eirini and Patricia in the distance, losing their second and third matches but still safe thanks to their earlier wins. Suddenly, his attention shifts to Emma. Shes lost two matches in a row and looks battered and frustrated, her hands trembling in anger. Alex thinks, deciding to ignore her. Time drags on as Alex waits for his final match. Nearly everyone else has finished, and the tedium is starting to set in. Even Shalnark, who fought his first match after Alex, returns holding three cards. Finally done, Shalnark says, his tone casual but tinged with fatigue. This is getting a bit tedious, dont you think? Alex smirks. Yeah, I guess if youre way stronger than everyone else, tedious is the right word. By the way, do you have any idea what these cards do? They just look like blank white cards to me. I obviously dont have the hardware or software to check their data. Shalnark chuckles. Well find out soon enough. Only a few matches left. By the way, you still have one fight left, right? Better get ready. Guess youre right, Alex says, rising to his feet. He heads toward Menchi, preparing himself for the next fight. Examinee No. 777, Alex Kerber, versus Examinee No. 865, Emma Kramer, Menchi announces, her irritation evident. Hurry it up, you twoits been hours already she urges, rubbing her temple. Alex walks toward the cage and, to his surprise, spots Emma waiting for him. She looks desperate, her expression bordering on panic as she pleads, Please let me win! I havent won a single time! Please, do this for me! Alex shakes his head, thinking, and continues walking. Visibly annoyed, Emmas face twists with hatred as she screams, YOU EGOTISTICAL SWINE! FINE, TURN AROUND ALREADY! ILL MAKE YOU A DEAL, YOU GREEDY BASTARD! Alex stops, turning slowly, both bemused and cautious. He considers the sheer absurdity of her outburst, wondering, What the fuck is wrong with you? he finally snaps. Youre so unbelievably entitled! Let me win, and Ill give you three pieces of green equipment! Hurry up and decide! she shouts, trying to sound persuasive. Forget it, Alex replies bluntly. Five green pieces or one blue pieceand a bit extra on top. Fine, okay, deal! Just let me win now, alright? Emma relents. Before Alex can respond, Menchis exasperated voice cuts through the air. WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU TWO DOING?! GET INSIDE, OR ILL DISQUALIFY BOTH OF YOU! THIS IS NOT A TALK SHOW! Alex smirks, still standing at the cage door. Contract or hand over the items now, he demands, slowly stepping inside. No wayIll give them to you afterward! she counters, trying to maintain some leverage. Alex shakes his head. The referee, clearly fed up, shouts, Get in position, both of you! Finally, Emma yells in desperation, One Soul Crystal and 10,000 FC! LAST OFFER! ILL GIVE IT NOW! Alexs grin widens. Deal. Why didnt you say so earlier? He walks up to her and initiates a trade, causing the invisible trade window to appear. Emma begrudgingly places the , 10,000 FC, and a hastily written contract into the trade. The contract reads: Satisfied, Alex accepts the trade with a smile and steps into position. The referee announces, 3, 2, 1 START! Alex immediately raises his hand and declares with a grin, I give up! Then, without another word, he turns and casually strolls out of the cage, thoroughly pleased with the deal he just made. he thinks, utterly devoid of regret. His thoughts drift to Emmas likely attempted scam. The entire crowd, including Menchi, stares at Alex with puzzled expressions, clearly aware that some kind of deal had gone down. Menchi glares at him and groans, You you could have handled that BEFORE stepping inside and wasting my time! Annoying! She quickly brushes it off and announces, Last five battles and moves on. A few minutes later, the final battle concludes. Menchi, the referees, and the other staff gather and walk toward the silently observing Linne. Alex notices her for the first time in a while and thinks, Shalnark approaches Alex, giving him a curious look. Made a deal? Alex nods. It was worth it. I think I can afford to pass on one card. You didnt strike me as someone who cared about material possessions. Im a little surprised, Shalnark responds, his impression of Alex shifting slightly. Menchi and the examination staff return to address the candidates. Alright! Everyone without a card, you gave it your best, but youre out. Weve prepared a small airship thatll pick you up in a few hours. Until then, wait in that small building over there. She gestures toward a distant, unassuming structure. You! she barks at a few staff members, Escort them there. Menchi turns back to the remaining group. Now, lets see We have exactly 100 examinees left! Arent we lucky? It couldnt have worked out better! She pauses, scanning the crowd. Now, I assign you into random groupsbut dont you think that would be boring? Any good hunter needs to know how to connect with others, build relationships, and form alliances. A hunter who isolates themselves will never achieve greatness! So, Im giving you one hour to form groups of five. Keep in mind, she smirks, this is a cooking competition. Thats something you should consider heavily. She lets the weight of her words hang before continuing. Meet me back here in one hour. If you fail to form a group, Ill randomly throw you into one myself! Be grateful Im even giving you that chance instead of outright failing you. With that, Menchi strides back to the examination team. Linne, still seated and staring vacantly, gives the group a glance that seems to pierce through them, her eyes distant yet oddly perceptive. Alex turns to Shalnark and slowly asks, Yo Shal, you want to team up? Sure, Shalnark agrees with an easy smile. But well need someone who can actually cook. Its not my strength. What about you? Can you cook? Alex shrugs. Not the worst, but not great either. Ive done some cookingmy mom taught me a bit. I know the basics and a little about ingredients and techniques, but I wouldnt call myself a chef. As Alex says this, memories flood his mind of his mom teaching him to cook in their kitchen. He recalls years later becoming hooked on YouTube cooking videos and competition shows like , , and . he muses, Shalnark raises an eyebrow. Not bad. Alright, lets find a few more people who wont drag us down. Scanning the area, Alex quickly spots Linus. Nudging Shalnark, he strides over to him and asks directly, Hey, Linus. Want to join us? Linus, who had been standing alone with his arms crossed, looks at Alex, then at Shalnark. Seemingly relieved, he nods. Sure. I hate group tasks, so Id rather join someone I know wont hold me back. Shalnark says, Good, we just need someone who can cook now! Alex suddenly recalls the remaining examinees he knows. he thinks. Alex reasons. Scanning the area, Alex spots the two women sitting off to the side, mostly ignored by the other candidates. With just one card each and weak fighting performances, they arent exactly prime choices for teams. Follow me, Alex says to Shalnark and Linus. I know these two women. Im not sure about their cooking skills, but its worth a shot. Most of the other candidates are rough-looking menfighters, thugs, mercenaries, or wannabe blacklist hunters. Theyre not worth asking. I guess its worth a try, Linus responds. Shalnark chuckles. Women tend to be better cooks on average, so why not? The three of them approach the pair. Alex speaks first, Hey, you two. Have you found a team yet? If not, would you be interested in joining ours? Patricia eyes him warily, her suspicion clear. Why would you ask us? We appreciate the offer, but we dont need pity. Eirini blushes, looking embarrassed. Pati, dont be like that we dont have anyone else. Alex responds honestly, Lets be upfront herewe all want to pass the exam. This round isnt going to be just about fighting. How are your cooking skills? Eirini answers first. Im a vegetarian and cook daily. Im not confident with meat dishes, but everything else should be fine. Pati, you said barbeque is one of your hobbies. Patricia nods, her suspicion giving way to thoughtfulness. Yeah, Ive helped my dad with weekly barbeques for years. When he was sick for half a year, I handled everything myself, and people said my cooking was great. We even entered a local contest together a few times. Good memories. I havent focused on it much since that day, but I guess Im decent enough at cooking overall. She says with a sad smile, as if recalling days that were both happy and bittersweet. Thanks for being honest, Alex says with a nod. Lets team up. I can cook a little myself, so we should be fine. Perfect! Shalnark exclaims. Im not much of a cook, but I know a lot about ingredients and techniques. Leave the research to me. Linus, however, looks a bit sheepish. Military rations are all I know The group shares a laugh and exchanges information about their cooking experienceor lack thereof. They also pool their cards, revealing the following: Linus and Shalnark each have three, Alex has two, and Eirini and Patricia have one apiece. Eirini and Patricia look slightly guilty, their expressions apologetic as they glance at the others. Alex thinks. Suddenly, Menchis voice booms across the facility: EXAMINEES, GATHER NOW! Lets go, everyone! Alex calls to his hastily formed team. Hes not entirely confident in their chances, but for some reason, he feels strangely content with the group. Chapter 109: Rules x Decisions – This Task Slaps! Alex, Shalnark, Linus, Eirini, and Patricia make their way toward Menchi, Linne, and the black-suited examiners overseeing the task. Around them, other groups form up, with most candidates arriving in teams of five. Menchi scans the crowd, her excitement palpable, but her expression turns sour when she notices a handful of stragglers arriving alone or in incomplete groups. Lets see how many of you couldnt even set your differences aside to form a simple group, she says, her gaze critical. One pair, three people short of a full group, and eight of you couldnt find a single ally. How disappointing. Her eyes linger on the pair and the eight single examinees. She points to three of the solo candidates. Youthe man with the glasses, you the cool looking woman with the sniper rifle on your back, and you, the idiot with the two giant axes. You three look at least somewhat capable despite being off-putting. Join that pair. She waves dismissively at the remaining five loners. And you fivethe most hostile and weird people herecongratulations, youre the final group. Maybe youll surprise me and actually pass. Thatd be hilarious. With that, the groups are finalized, bringing the total to 20 teams of five. Now for some good news! Menchi announces, her tone suddenly upbeat. Half of you will pass. Even if you all fail miserably at cookingwhich I fully expectmy generous mentor Linne has decided that at least half the groups will advance. Youre welcome! She pauses for effect before continuing. Here are the rules: Each group will receive a single computer with a card reader and five mobile devices. These devices work anywhere within a large radius around this camp and show the locations revealed by your scanned cards. However, she emphasizes, the computer only works specifically, in that building over there. She points to a structure outfitted with equipment. And, she adds with a mischievous grin, fighting, stealing, or any other bad behavior will result in the being disqualifiedat least inside the fenced area. Outside, though? I couldnt care less what you do. So, to the few nasty-looking people here, feel free to go wild. She continues, Now, whats the purpose of the computers, card readers, and mobile devices? Even an idiot should figure this out. You scan the cards you won earlier, and the computer reveals a location. How do you track these locations outside? With the mobile devices! Her grin widens. What will you find at these locations? Random ingredients, animal breeding grounds I wont give you the specifics. But fair warningsome of these locations might be dangerous! And dont forget, she adds, with a hint of sadistic glee, some cards are duplicates. That means you might not be the only group heading to certain spots. Have fun with that! Finally, Menchi says, wrapping up her explanation, whats the goal? You have exactly six hours to hunt for these ingredientsor gather whatever else you can find outsideand then prepare a great meal. Be back here by 8 PM sharp. Anyone whos late, even by a few minutes, is automatically disqualified! She pauses for effect before adding, Youll have an additional two hours to cook. But let me give you some adviceyou might want to return earlier, especially if your dish requires more time. Your team must present up to three dishes to me and the best gourmand in the world, the Double-Star Hunter Linne Horsdoeuvre. Menchi gestures dramatically and hugs Linne, who remains completely unresponsive. Menchi continues, The top 10 teams will move on to the next exam. A few last hints: Its better to present two or even one well-prepared dish than to serve three subpar ones. Your score is based on the average of all the dishes you present. If you present only one or two dishes, a point will be deducted for each missing dish. We rate your dishes from 1 to 10 Suddenly, Linnes hand flashes out, slapping Menchis rear. The elderly woman looks at Menchi with clear disapproval. Aaaahh, youre so mean, Linne! Menchi whines before composing herself. Well, it seems Linne will be the only one officially scoring your dishes. Ill just taste them and give you my opinion anywaylucky you! She winks mischievously. Menchi elaborates further. For example, if you present two dishes and Linne scores one a 6 and the other a 4, that averages to 5. Since youre missing a third dish, well deduct a point, giving your team a total score of 4. However, if you present three dishessay, one scores a 6, one a 4, and the last ones a disaster and earns a 1your average drops to about 3.6. So, youd have been better off with just the first two dishes. I hope even the dumbest among you understand what strategies are possible here! As for supplies, Menchi goes on, weve built temporary cooking stations for you. Theyll have all the utensils you need, as well as salt, pepper, and some oil. Thats it! If you dont bring back ingredients, youll fail. And if you cant present even one dish, thats an automatic disqualification! Alex suppresses a groan, thinking, Finally, Menchi announces, the task starts at exactly 2 PM, which is in about 30 minutes. Until then, youre not allowed to leave the base. You are only allowed to cook inside the designated zone, and well also be monitoring you outside of it. If you cheat by bringing in ingredients, meat, or anything not caught by you, youll be disqualified from the exam.Any questions? Alex, angry that she mentioned finally more than once, briefly considers asking if theres a special reward for first place but feels a bit embarrassed. Thankfully, Emmas arrogance and greed save him the trouble. Is there a reward for first place? Emma asks, her tone dripping with expectation. Menchi looks at her with mild confusion. Not really. But how about this? The top three teams get to join us for dinner tonight. Ill be cooking! A few candidates smile at the prospect of tasting the cooking of a Single-Star Gourmet Hunter. Alex, however, shakes his head and mutters under his breath, Useless! YOU! Menchi snaps, her patience clearly fraying. She appears directly in front of Alex, unsheathes two knives from her back, holding them in a threatening pose aimed directly at Alexs nose. Youd better place in the top 3, or else I might just have to punish you she says, her tone dripping with menace. Alex stares at her in shock, unsure where to look. he complains inwardly. His thoughts stray, and before he can stop himself, he adds, Suddenly, Menchi sheaths her knives and slaps Alex across the face. WHAT WAS THAT FOR? Alex yells, clutching his cheek. Menchi grins mischievously. I felt you had some bad thoughts. Pervert! she accuses, sticking out her tongue teasingly. Anyway, you deserved it! Now Im angry and very hungry. No more questionsyou better get moving. The computer rooms are open, so you might as well get started. Weve set up private rooms for each group. Rubbing his stinging face, Alex curses internally. Eirini looks at Alex with a mix of sympathy and amusement, while Patricia, Linus, and Shalnark cant suppress their laughter. Linus smirks. That crazy-looking gals pretty sexy, alright, but you shouldnt ogle her that openly. Women like her? Theyre allergic to that kind of thing! I didnt even! Alex starts to defend himself but quickly realizes he doesnt have a strong argument to back it up. Shalnark, ever the voice of reason, interjects. Lets just check our cards. The building with the computers is right over there, he says, pointing to a nearby building where other teams are already heading. As the group walks toward the building, Patricia glances at Alex and comments with a smirk, Youve got a nice hand-shaped tattoo on your face. It looks hilarious! Even Eirini cant suppress a giggle, her soft laughter joining the others. Alex decides to remain silent, unwilling to derail the morale of their newly-formed group. The team enters the building, where a staff member leads them to their assigned room. Inside, they find a single computer with a card scanner attached and five small mobile devices. Alex picks one up, inspecting it. he thinks. Theyve only got two buttonszoom in and zoom out. Thats it? How cheap, Alex remarks. Shalnark takes a seat in front of the computer, where a program is already running, displaying an empty map. Looks like we need to scan our cards, he says, placing one of his cards in the scanner. A location immediately pops up on the map, and Alex notices the same location appearing on the mobile device in his hand. Neat, he mutters. Shalnark proceeds to scan his remaining cards. The rest of the group hands him their cards one by one. Once all the cards are scanned, the computer reveals a total of nine locations. Alright, Shalnark says, leaning back in his chair. Weve got nine spots to check. Lets figure out how to approach this. Damn, looks like we already have bad luck! Alex exclaims, frustrated. We got one of the duplicates she mentioned. It was this last cardno new spot showed up! We cant even see which location we have twice, which makes it feel even worse! Well, it cant be helped, Shalnark says with a shrug. The group stares at the map, contemplating their next move. Linus, leaning forward, asks, What now? Id suggest splitting up. These locations arent just around the corneritll take hours to reach some of them. If we stick together, well never get to them all. Shalnark speaks up, We should at least form two groups. Im confident in my abilities, so Ill handle these three spots in the east on my own. Dont worry about me. Alex, Eirini, and Patricia exchange a glance, fully aware of Shalnarks skills, and nod in agreement. Linus, however, looks skeptical. You dont look all that strong to me but if the others are fine with it, whatever. Alex interjects, We should forget about the southit only has one location, and its too far away to be worth it. Eirini points to the map and reasons, Then we can start with the west, grab ingredients from the three nearby locations, move toward the north, and return along this route grabbing the other two. She traces a path with her finger. Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Alex looks at Eirini and Patricia, noting their slightly battered state. Do we all stick together? You two seem a bit beat up. Id be fine going out with Linus aloneyoull be more useful cooking later, remember, the rest of us suck at it. Alex thinks, He mulls over his earlier thoughts, recalling the people who already know about his grenades: Patricia cuts in decisively, Not only should we avoid staying here, but we should also split up further. Lets create another group, starting in the north and meeting up at this last point in the northwest here. She points to a faraway location in the northwest, intending it as the rendezvous point. Suddenly, Shalnark interrupts. Wait. I just noticed something. Press the button on the back of the device! The back? Alex asks, turning the device over. Sure enough, theres a small, inconspicuous button. Pressing it, he watches as the previously displayed locations disappear, replaced by a single spotthe groups current position. What is this? Isnt this useless? he mutters. Shalnark chuckles. Zoom in. Alex presses the zoom-in button repeatedly until the single spot splits into five smaller dots. Ah, I see! These are the locations of our mobile devices. The discovery sparks more discussion among the group as they adjust their plans, ultimately agreeing on a strategy. Alright, lets do this, everyone! Alex says as they finalize their approach. Glancing at the clock, he adds, Two more minutes until we can leave. Despite their careful planning, Alex feels a twinge of doubt. Chapter 110: Collect x Hunt – The Final Phase of the Third Exam Begins! Alex, still uneasy about their strategy, exits the secure fenced-in area alongside Linus. he thinks, glancing toward the direction the two women had gone. Around them, other examinees are leaving as well, moving quickly but avoiding eye contact. The atmosphere is tense, with no one willing to draw attention to themselves. They soon split up, deciding to go in different directions. Alex takes a moment to look back at the fenced-in area, scanning for any signs of pursuit. Instead of walking, Alex and Linus pick up their pace, jogging toward the first location marked on their devices. The landscape around them is desolateburnt grass, sparse trees, and no signs of life. No animals, no structures, nothing but the vast, dry savannah. When they finally reach the first marked point on the western side of the examination area, Alex notices nothing immediately visible. He zooms in on his device until it wont zoom further, following the directions precisely. As he steps forward, his foot hits something solid, hidden in the tall grass. Kneeling down, Alex uncovers a small metal chest. He opens it to find an assortment of unfamiliar sauces inside. The labels and brands are foreign to him, but he recognizes some of the contentsketchup, a brown pepper sauce, soy sauce, and others he cant identify by sight alone. Not bad! Linus, I found our bountyjust a bunch of sauces, but its something. Lets move on. Linus nods in approval as Alex packs the sauces into his backpack. The two quickly resume their journey to the next marked location. Linus glances at his device and remarks, Looks like our two girlies made it to their first point too. It was closer than ours, sure, but theyre already heading to their second spot. If they keep this pace, well meet them at the last point in the northwest. Alex feels a wave of relief. Linus suddenly breaks the tension with an unexpected comment. That taller womanwhats her name again? Shes exactly my type. If I pass, I might ask her out. Alex blinks in surprise. Patricia? I guess she could be your type, if youre into women with a rougher edge. Linus shrugs with a small grin, unbothered by Alexs remark. As they approach their second point, Linus suddenly raises his hand, signaling Alex to stop and stay silent. Alex halts immediately, scanning the surroundings but unsure of what Linus has noticed. Without explanation, Linus pulls out his pistols and fires several shots into the brush ahead. A flurry of birds erupts from the bushes, scattering into the sky. Alex watches, stunned. They move cautiously toward the area where Linus fired and quickly locate his targets: two dead birds lying in the grass. Theyre not large, but they look edible. What are these things? Do you know the species? Alex asks, kneeling to get a closer look. Are you not from this continent, Alex? This is a simple Juta bird, Linus responds, looking mildly surprised. Cant believe you dont know them. Anyway, theyre edible Ive even seen some restaurants serve dishes made from them. But Im not just after the birds. Linus begins searching the area until his eyes catch something up a dried tree. Quickly, he climbs it and comes back down holding five eggs, each with strange black dots that make them look exotic to Alex. Jackpot! Linus exclaims. Juta eggs are delicious. Just some oil and salt, and youve got tasty scrambled Juta eggs. I ate tons of these during survival training. Alex nods, genuinely pleased. As they move toward their next point, Alex checks the mobile device while deep in thought. Shalnark is already at his second location, moving at an inhuman speed. Alex notes. Meanwhile, Eirini and Patricia are making steady progress, about halfway to their second spot. Alex and Linus continue without needing to alter their route. Everything is going better than planned, especially with the extra bounty of poultry and eggs. When they reach their second location, Alex freezes in surprise. A small lake stretches out before them, reflecting the vast savannah sky. Their devices point toward the water, suggesting theres no hidden cratejust the lake itself. Looks like were going fishing, Alex says. But I suck at it. Ive got next to no experience. Dont worry, Linus reassures him. Ive got this covered. Ive trained for situations like this, and I even brought a net. Let me dive in first to check for any dangers. You keep an eye on the mobile devices and watch out for enemies. While Linus wades into the lake with practiced caution, Alex scouts the surrounding area. Alex reasons. Finding a patch of tall grass, Alex lies down, using the cover to observe his device. He notices Shalnark has already reached his third location. Meanwhile, Eirini and Patricia seem to have slowed down, which makes Alex uneasy. After 20 minutes of quiet observation, Alex begins to doze off slightly when his instincts snap him awake. He spots movementthree examinees approaching quickly. Thinking fast, Alex grabs a stone he picked up earlier and hurls it into the lake, creating a loud splash. Linus, startled, looks toward Alex, who holds up three fingers and then points in the direction of the incoming group. Linus, clearly annoyed but quick to act, leaves the water and ducks behind one of the many trees growing near the lake. Both men stay hidden, waiting to see what the newcomers will do. Alex squints, taking a closer look at the approaching group. He sees one fairly average-looking woman and a man with a gymnasts build, dressed in typical athletic gear. But what draws his attention is the petite woman among them. he realizes. Before Alex can decide, Melody shouts, her voice surprisingly loud for someone so small. We dont intend to fight you! We just want to fish as well! If we keep this up, were both wasting time! Alex glances toward Linuss position and signals him to stay down, preparing for the worst. Steeling himself, Alex reveals his position. Okay! As long as you dont attack me, I wont attack either! Alex yells back. As he steps forward, his mind races. He grimaces at the memory of Melodys tragic tale. Melody shouts again, her voice steady but still loud for someone so petite. We dont want to fight! How about this? You and your comrade stay at the front part of the lake to fish, and well move to the far end. That way, were not in each others way. Alex looks back towards Linus, preparing for the worst. he thinks, weighing his options. Finally, Alex steps forward, deciding to take the risk. Alright, fine! Alex yells back. As long as you stick to your end, well stay here. No funny business! His tone is firm but cautious as he studies Melody and her group. Alex nods toward Linus, giving him a sign that theyll stay put for now. Linus emerges from his hiding spot reluctantly, still eyeing the newcomers with suspicion. Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Melody and her team hold true to their word, moving to the far end of the lake. Alex watches them carefully as Linus resumes fishing, his grip tight on his pistols just in case. Alex thinks, though his guard never lowers entirely. Linus, after some time, returns from the lake carrying two small fish. Their strange violet color catches Alexs attention, but otherwise, they look fresh and healthy. No use, Linus grumbles. I couldnt catch more. These two were the only ones big enough to be worth it. Lets leave. Alex nods and adds, Yeah, lets go. But somethings not rightEirini and Patricia havent reached their second spot yet. I think somethings happened. What should we do? Head toward them or go straight to the third spot? Linus considers for a moment. Lets head toward them. If somethings wrong, they might need help. We can skip the last point or hit it later if theres time. Weve already spent nearly two hours here with the fishingbetter not risk losing them now. Agreed, Alex says, nodding. He casts a final glance at Melody and her group before the two set off. Ten minutes into their trek, Alex checks his device again. Eirini and Patricia havent moved much. His grip tightens on the device as his thoughts race. Chapter 111: Rescue x Ambush – The Hidden Way to Advance Alex and Linus continue rushing toward the location of Eirini and Patricia, guided by the blips on their mobile devices. Alexs mind races, flipping between and Finally, he voices his concerns to Linus: Worst case scenariotheyre already dead, and their killers are using their devices to bait us into a trap. If thats true, theyll see us approaching and be ready for us. Just a few more minutes and well know, but Im not sure if were in fact running straight into an ambush. Linus replies calmly, Its good youre thinking about worst-case scenarios. But it doesnt really matter whats waiting for us. The only thing that matters is dealing with whatever comes our way. If theyre dead and we get ambushed? Fine, then well use it as an opportunity to get revenge. Alex pauses for a moment before responding, I guess so. Internally, he reflects on Linuss attitude. To their surprise, when they arrive at the indicated location, they find Eirini and Patricia perfectly fine. The two women are clumsily butchering some sort of giant animal that resembles a buffalo in the distance. Alex exhales a deep sigh of relief, though his internal frustration boils over. Before he can yell at them, Linus grabs Alex and forcefully drags him to the ground. Careful! Look to the rightenemies approaching! Linus warns, immediately firing his pistols into the air to alert the two clueless women still focused on the buffalo. The gunfire jolts everyone into action. The approaching examinees dive into the tall grass, scanning for Linuss location. Eirini and Patricia, startled, abandon their butchery and throw themselves behind the dead buffalo for cover. Alex quickly surveys the situation, counting aloud. Three over there two further behind wait, another two up north? Are there more? There are more than five people working togetherwhat the hell?! Linus grimaces. So its happening. This is exactly what Shalnark warned us about during our planning. Those bastards are playing the numbers game. They know only the top 10 teams will pass. If they eliminate enough teams, theyll secure a spot for themselves even if they serve raw meat. Theyre betting on sheer numbers to guarantee their survival. Do not hold back. Kill! Fuck! Alex mutters, finally drawing his [Mr. 5s .44 Caliber 6-Shot Revolver] He carefully lines up his aim, looking for a clean angle on the advancing examinees. FUCK THIS. LETS KILL THESE TWO BITCHES AND BE DONE WITH IT! Alex hears someone scream. One of the examinees, seemingly having lost control, charges at Eirini and Patricia, who are still crouched behind the half-butchered buffalo. Alex glances at Linus, who meets his gaze with a nod. Without hesitation, they both fire their guns. The shots arent perfect at this range, but theyre good enough. Alex watches as his bullets hit their target twice, while Linus lands at least four shots. It only takes two seconds before the examinee collapses, riddled with holes. Alex cheers inwardly, Suddenly, the sharp crack of gunfire interrupts his thoughts. Enemy bullets zip past them, missing but revealing their general location. Alex quickly rolls to the side, using the tall grass for cover and creating some distance. He glances up and spots at least five examinees charging toward him, clearly unequipped with ranged weapons and opting to close the gap for a melee confrontation. Without hesitation, Alex hurls two grenades toward the advancing group. Alex quickly reviews the combat log. He draws his [Sword of Pluto] and [Shield of Pluto], standing tall as he charges at the remaining enemies. One of the examinees swings a large mace-like weapon at Alex, but Alex raises his shield. Thanks to its effect, the weapon bounces off harmlessly, throwing its user off balance. Alex capitalizes on the opening, slashing at the now-defenseless examinees chest before delivering a precise thrust to the throat. Sarch* The ovelFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Alex picks up the chest but immediately turns to face another examinee, who stares at the carnage around him with wide, trembling eyes. Stop I give up! Sorry! the man stammers, his hands raised in surrender. Without hesitation, Alex swings his sword in a wide, powerful slash, beheading the examinee in one brutal motion. Alex hears a voice from his left wrist: GOOD NO MERCY! SSSSTRIKE THEM DOWN! Alex flicks the blood off his blade with a sharp motion and surveys the battlefield. Eirini and Patricia have each handled an enemy on their own. Eirini is holding a deadly-looking bow, standing over a man with three arrows embedded in his gut, clearly dead. Patricia grips a large, blood-drenched axe, her victim lying lifeless at her feet. Alex smirks, Looking at Linus, Alex notices that hes taken down another three enemies. Alex inspects the corpses closely, hoping for loot. His disappointment is immense when he finds no additional chests. He sighs. Everyone gathers around Eirini and Patricia, searching the fallen examinees for ingredients. They find nothing, making Alex silently curse. Eirini and Patricia, looking both grateful and surprised, meet Alex and Linuss questioning gazes. Alex doesnt hold back. Why the hell did you spend so long butchering that buffalo? We thought you were dead and sprinted here as fast as we could! Eirini looks down, clearly embarrassed, while Patricia tries to explain. It took us a while to approach it without spooking it. Once we finally got close enough to kill it, we thought itd be worth it. Wed only just started butchering when you arrived. Linus shrugs and smiles. This thing does look mighty tasty. Cant go wrong with a nice steak, right? Alex nods, though his frustration hasnt fully subsided. Sure, but you still havent reached your second point, have you? What do we do nowjust head back? What did you find at your first location? Eirini pulls out a small pouch filled with spices. We got some basic spices. I dont recognize them all, but they look pretty good. Alex takes a closer look, recognizing some of them. Smoked paprika, chili powder, turmeric this sweet powder looks interesting, but its not plain sugar. No clue about the rest. So, whats the plan? Weve got bird meat, eggs, buffalo meat, spices, sauces, and fish. Should we head back now? The only things were really missing are vegetables and some kind of starchy food for a side dish. Hopefully, Shalnark has that covered. Patricia checks her device. We have three and a half hours left. Lets at least collect the ingredient at the second location. Then we can decide whether to go to the last spot or return to the exam site. Everyone nods, their confidence bolstered by the fact that their group is intact and ten fewer enemies are lurking nearby. They collect a few more choice cuts from the buffalo before leaving the area. The group jogs to the second location originally assigned to Patricia and Eirini, only to find an open metal chest. Alex curses under his breath. Shit. We were too slow. Now what? The last spot is only 15 minutes away. Might as well check it out. Lets do it, Eirini agrees. Fifteen minutes later, they arrive at the final location. Alex surveys the area, frowning. I dont see anything just a bunch of trees. Lets check the devices. Maybe we missed itor maybe it got stolen again. Linus scans the surroundings, his tone growing more annoyed. Damn it, this was a waste of time. Lets head back. Shalnarks already at the camp, and hell probably laugh at us if we dont make it back soon. Worse, he might try cooking with just his few ingredients. If he wastes them, were screwed. Lets go. Wait a minute! Eirini suddenly speaks up, a confident grin on her face. Look closely at the trees again! Alex takes another look, focusing harder on the environment. Suddenly, it clicks. He smirks. I couldnt see the forest because of all the trees! Patricia turns to him with a puzzled expression. That doesnt make any sense. Are you stupid? Alex laughs and explains, Its just a local idiom. It means you miss something obvious because theres so much of it. Look up! He points toward the treetops, finally drawing their attention to the hidden bounty. Patricia, now embarrassed, squints at the trees and mutters, Damn it. I see it now. Chapter 112: Banana x Spice – I’ll Whip up Something Tasty! Alex climbs the massive tree, its size and lushness dwarfing any banana plant hes ever seen on Earth. The bananas themselves are larger, their vibrant yellow skin making them look almost unnaturally tasty. He picks a large bunch, only to feel a bit of disappointment as the system fails to recognize them as items. Still, he collects as much as he can carry, figuring theyll come in handy, and carefully descends back to the ground. Linus, climbing a separate section of the tree, manages to gather just as much, his movements quick and practiced. Once back on the ground, Alex stashes most of the bananas into his inventory for later, while putting a smaller portion into his backpack for immediate use during cooking. I guess its time to go back then? Alex asks the group, looking at the others. Yes, we can go back, Eirini agrees, holding up several large banana leaves shes collected. What the hell are those leaves for? Linus asks, clearly puzzled. Eirini responds, We can use them for wrapping food and maybe even cooking if we simmer something. They add a bit of variety and can work as decoration too. Good plating is highly valued by chefs, so its worth having extra options. Patricia grins, patting Eirini on the head. Youre so smart, Eirini. Good thinking. She grabs one of Linuss bananas, peels it, and tries a bite. Not bad! she says, smiling. Its quite sweet. Maybe we can pair it with that sweet spice we found earlier. If we had some milk, we could even make a dessert! Alex offers another idea. What about a curry? We could use the buffalo meat, the sauces, and spices, then throw in some bananas. People usually add apples for that sweet-and-spicy balance. We can substitute bananas for something a bit more tropical. Its not a bad idea, Alex, Eirini nods approvingly. Linus, however, interrupts with an annoyed tone. Guys, I dont want to ruin your cooking class, but lets move back already! Shalnark is probably getting pissed. Alex shakes his head, smiling. Dont worry, Linus. We still have over two hours if we leave now, plus an additional two hours for cooking. Shalnarks smarthe probably saw our movements and knows we went to the final spot. He wont be mad. Besides, with four hours to prepare, thats more than enough time to whip up three solid dishes. I just hope Shal managed to grab something good too. He cant help but add, You know, if you took out the life-and-death part of this, its actually kind of fun. I guess so, Patricia agrees. Its fun discovering ingredients, working with a time limit, and then competing. This exam is really well-made. It tests fighting, exploring, decision-making, and cookingits challenging but interesting. MOVE. NOW! Linus barks, his patience clearly wearing thin. Alex, Eirini, and Patricia exchange glances before nodding to one another. One last thing, Eirini says, making Alex imagine the sound of something snapping in Linuss head. Which route do we take back? Do we run straight toward the camp? she asks. I guess so. Its not like anyone knows our exact position or can predict the route well take to the camp, Alex replies. But mid-thought, he hesitates. Worst case, someone skips hunting for ingredients altogether, camps at one of the entrances, and ambushes returning groups to steal their spoils Wait. That actually sounds like a smart tactic now that Im saying it. Linus stops, momentarily perplexed. For once, he doesnt immediately demand they move. Alex, now that you mention it thats definitely something Id consider. It sounds way easier, and you could even combine it with that strategy those two groups used earlier. Get rid of entire teams and steal everything. Even if more than 10 groups remain, youd probably still grab enough to secure a decent spot and move on. Alex reassures the group. Well be fine. First off, we already got rid of two groups headed west. And if anyones lurking near the camp, Shalnark will probably come out to escort us in. That guy always has a plan and I doubt hed leave us alone. Eirini and Patricia seem to relax, nodding at Alexs reasoning. Linus, however, shakes his head in disbelief. I still dont get why you all think that pretty boy is so strong. Whatever. Lets just go. As they continue running, Alex notices the strain on his teammates. Patricia and Linus are holding up decently, but Eirini looks like shes about to collapse. Realizing they might not make it back in time or be too exhausted to cook, Alex rummages through his inventory and pulls out his remaining 4 [Energy Bars], a gift from Tereza. Here, Alex says, handing one to each member of the group. These will help. Eat them. Sarch* The N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Everyone takes one gratefully, chewing them down quickly. The effects kick in almost immediately, bringing a noticeable boost to their energy levels. Thanks I needed that, Eirini says, her voice steadying as her tired expression softens. Even Linus looks slightly grateful, though he doesnt say much. Alex eats one himself, feeling the refreshing surge. With renewed strength, the group resumes their fast pace toward the camp. When they are finally near the camp, Alex checks the mobile device and notices Shalnarks position. Guys, Shalnarks standing just outside the camp, Alex tells the group. I think thats his way of signaling its safe. Everyone looks at Alex and silently agrees, following him toward the camp. As they approach, Alex is met with a shocking sight. Around Shalnark, a handful of unconscious, or possibly dead, examinees are sprawled across the ground. Shalnark stands in front of the camp gate, smiling brightly and casually waving at them, as if nothing had happened. Alex stops, stunned. Eirini clutches Patricia tightly, visibly unnerved by the scene. Patricia looks equally unsettled but manages to pat Eirini on the back to calm her down. Linus, on the other hand, bursts into laughter. Not bad, pretty boy! Guess you cleared the way for us. Smooth entranceno annoying flies trying to take our spoils. As they approach, Shalnarks smile widens. There you are! I was getting a little bored waiting here. Kinda mean of you to have all the fun without me. I hope you at least brought me some souvenirs! His voice is cheerful, but Alex cant help but feel a chill, looking at the bodies scattered around Shalnark. Despite his unease, Alex forces a grin. We brought plenty. Youll like what weve got. The group enters the camp together and chooses one of the 20 cooking stations the examiners have set up inside the camp, each equipped with basic utensils, stoves, and an oven. They pile their collected ingredients onto the table, taking stock of their haul. Alex looks at the scattered items and summarizes for everyone: So what do we have? Two Juta birds, five Juta eggs, a bunch of sauces, two small fish, a mix of spices, a lot of buffalo meat, and a ton of sweet bananas. Shalnark smiles, clearly pleased. Looks like Im in luck. I felt bad about what I managed to find, but you all did great! I got butter and milk from a cooled box at my first location, a bunch of vegetables from the second spot, and a large sack of potatoes at my final stop. I didnt look for much else and just returned early. I spent the extra time gathering a lot of wood from dead trees. Since weve got stoves and an oven here, I thought we might want to try a smoker or grill. No wood or coal is provided, so I figured wed need it. Patricia examines the wood and shakes her head. Good idea, but this wood isnt right. Its old and smells slightly rottenusing it would ruin the flavor of the meat. Id stick with the stoves. Shalnark shrugs with his usual smile. Fair enough. Like I said, Im no cook, so Ill leave it to you. Ill just help and give feedback. We need three dishes. Should we split up and have different people handle each one? Alex steps forward. Ill take one. Linus, maybe you can help, and Shalnark, you can taste-test. With the buffalo meat and potatoes, I could do a pan-seared steak with pepper sauce, fries, and a few fresh vegetablesmaybe just some carrots. My cooking isnt great, but if the ingredients are top-notch and I keep it simple, it should turn out decent. I can test it once or twice to get it perfect since it wont take long to cook. Linus grins. Yeah, that works! Hell, even I could sear a decent steak. Lets do it. Patricia speaks up enthusiastically. Im thinking of making a stewfish, the Juta birds, some buffalo meat, and a ton of vegetables, potatoes, spices, and sauces. I might even add some bananas for sweetness. Itll be hearty and rich. Thats my style! Eirini chimes in, Ill use the milk, eggs, butter, bananas, and that sweet spice to create a dessertsomething like banana pudding. We dont have flour, but the bananas are starchy enough to work as a substitute. As long as its sweet and fruity, it should turn out okay. Shalnark nods approvingly. Sounds perfect. You didnt let me down! The stew can be our appetizer, the steak the main course, and the banana pudding our dessert. I think this will be good enough to pass. The group gets to work, preparing their ingredients and setting up their stations. I need to be careful, Eirini mutters, eyeing the limited eggs. We only have five. I can only experiment once or twice to get the puddings consistency right. Shalnark approaches her, his expression calm and focused. Let me help. Im no chef, but Im good with measurements. I can help you nail the consistency. Eirini blushes slightly as the pretty Shalnark stands close, offering his help. She nods, flustered but grateful. Meanwhile, Alex and Linus focus on the steak dish, peeling and cutting potatoes for fries, slicing carrots, and portioning the buffalo meat into steaks. Patricia, on the other hand, enthusiastically throws nearly their entire stock of ingredients into pans and then after a while into a large pot. Alex glances over, slightly concerned. The sun begins to set, but the camps floodlights keep everything brightly illuminated. The group continues working diligently, their confidence building as the dishes start taking shape. Suddenly, Menchis voice echoes through their mobile devices: You have five minutes to get back to the camp! After that, youll have two more hours to prepare your dishes. You better hurry up! Chapter 113: Dish x Rating – Linne’s Judgment While most examinees are frantically cooking at their stations, Alex and Linus are casually stuffing their faces with steak and fries. This is actually pretty good, I have to say, Linus says, his mouth half-full. Not bad, I guess, Alex replies. The crust and temperature could use a bit more consistency, but I feel like Ive nailed it after these practice runs. That ketchup is surprisingly good too. We should serve it with the dishits bound to make it even better. Shalnark walks over, eyebrows raised. You two seem awfully relaxed. Are you already done? Alex smirks and hands him a plate. Weve practiced three times already. Here, try it. Shalnark takes a bite of the fries, the steak, and even the carrots. His expression brightens into a genuine smile. This is honestly fantastic. The seasoning is spot-onsalt, pepper, and those spices you added work perfectly. The sauce is rich and complements the steak beautifully. The fries are crispy, and the carrots are well-cooked. If I got served this in a random restaurant, Id be more than happy. I cant comment on technique, but everything seems evenly cooked and balanced. Alex nods, satisfied. Glad to hear it. Well just cook one more batch before the judgment to ensure its fresh. Hows the pudding coming along? Shalnark chuckles. That perfectionist over there is driving herself insane. The very first batch was already restaurant quality, in my opinion, but shes on her third round now, tweaking every little detail. Shes used up almost all the ingredients for experimenting. Even if this third attempt flops, the second one could easily pass the exam on its own. It looks and tastes fantastic. Linus leans back and adds, Weve got this in the bag. There are only 16 teams left, which is slightly more than I expected considering we took out two teams ourselves. Shalnark, you wiped out one solo. That means only one other team is missing. We just need to be better than six teams to make the top ten. Honestly, I took a walk and looked at some of the other stationssome of these teams are working with just one or two ingredients. Theyre using oil and salt in different ways to pass it off as a dish. Its pathetic. Alex laughs quietly. Finally, Alex turns to the group and asks, Should we just present the steak and pudding? Im not too sure about the stew. Rude! Patricia exclaims, clearly offended. Linus, slap that rude guy for me, will you? Linus, secretly smitten with Patricia, swings at Alex, but Alex quickly ducks and counters with a light tap to Linuss arm. Hehe. Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee. The hands cant hit what the eyes cant see! Alex quips, smugly borrowing Muhammad Alis famous phrase. Seriously, though, Patricia, at least let us try it first, Alex says with a grin. And by us, I mean Linus. You can try it first. Linus looks at Alex with mock betrayal. What? Why me? Patricia crosses her arms and says with a smirk, Fine, but Im warning you, the stew is . Dont come crying to me when you realize how wrong you were, Alex! Linus gulps, glaring at Alex with mock irritation but still walking over to the enormous pot. He grabs a fresh spoon, dips it into the stew, and takes a tentative bite. Almost instantly, his scowl morphs into a smile. Wow, this is unique! I really like this! Without thinking, he takes another spoonful, then another, clearly enjoying himself. Patricia notices and smacks the spoon out of his hand. STOP EATING! What if we dont have enough left to present for the judgment? Linus looks sheepish, rubbing the back of his neck. Yes, Patricia sorry, my bad! Alex snickers. Linus, youre turning into a full-blown SIMP. Patricia, congratulations, youve just caught yourself a lonely, single veteran! Looks slightly used but still works just fine. Linus blushes slightly, confused. Wait what does SIMP mean? Is it like super important person? Because I like that. Sure, Alex responds, trying to keep a straight face. Patricia blushes slightly as well but quickly turns her embarrassment into anger, glaring at Alex. Shalnark, meanwhile, is practically doubled over with laughter, thoroughly enjoying the banter. Suddenly, Menchi appears beside them like a ghost, her sharp voice cutting through their playful mood. Twenty more minutes! Youd better stop fooling around and get serious! Her eyes linger on Alex, clearly scrutinizing him for any excuse to criticize. Alex and Linus exchange a quick nod, snapping back to focus. Under Alexs direction, they concentrate on preparing two more servings of steak and fries, ensuring they have at least one dish thats near-perfect for presentation. Eirini, on the other hand, finally lets out a sigh of relief. Guys, I did it! The third batch turned out really well. I think this one could at least get us an average score! With only three minutes left, the group hustles to plate their dishes. They garnish and arrange everything as best they can, using banana leaves and other items for decoration to enhance the presentation. They line up their three dishesa steak and fries, Patricias stew, and Eirinis banana puddingat the front of their cooking station. Alex looks around and thinks, Menchis voice echoes across the camp. AND STOP! IF I SEE ANY MORE MOVEMENT, YOURE DISQUALIFIED! All 16 teams freeze in place. Menchi continues, Now, as I said, Linne will review each of your dishes. The top 10 teams will move on to the next phase! She dramatically wheels Linne forward, but the elderly woman suddenly leaps off the wheelchair and lands gracefully in front of the very first station, just two places to the left of Alexs team. Alex stares, dumbfounded. How is she gonna judge anything when her head barely reaches the top of the table? Its like watching a gnome standing in front of a table made for giants. Before anyone can respond, Linne begins to float, hovering effortlessly in front of the first station. What the fuck?! Alex mutters, and a chorus of shocked whispers echoes among the candidates. Alexs mind races. Menchi, standing beside the floating Linne, addresses the first team. Present your first dish! The team hurriedly pushes forward a single bowl of soup or stew. From Alexs vantage point, it looks plain and uninspired. Menchi doesnt hold back. Are you serious? You expect Linne to eat this revolting mess? DISQUALIFIED, I SAY! But Linne silently slaps Menchis ass again, cutting off her tirade. With a serious expression, Linne tastes the dish. After a moment of contemplation, she raises two fingers. Menchi rubs her stinging ass and smirks. Two out of ten. And since you lack two more dishes, thats minus two points, giving you exactly what you deserve: a score of ZERO out of ten! The team looks utterly defeated, retreating from their station in shame as Linne hovers toward the next group. Alex, watching it all unfold, cant help but feel the tension rising. Linne moves to the table directly to the left of Alexs group. On it, three plates of roasted bird meat sit, each adorned with differently colored spices. To Alex, they look suspiciously identical. He mutters, Thats cheating. Menchi, hearing him, smirks and says loudly, This time I agree with you! The intention of this contest was to present three dishes! Just swapping the spices doesnt make them different dishes! Linne gazes at Menchi with approval, lowers her head slightly, and whispers something in her ear. Menchi straightens and announces, Linne says you can choose one dish to be judged. The other two wont count! The team quickly chooses one dish. Linne samples it, her face neutral, and then raises three fingers. Three out of 10, Menchi says with her usual disdain. And since youre short two dishes, we subtract two points. So, congratulations, youve earned a out of 10. Frankly, thats more than you deserve. The group of five burly men collectively groan, curse, and glare. One even raises a hand aggressively but freezes when Menchis knife glints menacingly as she barely unsheathes it. With no further theatrics, Linne hovers to Alexs table, with Menchi striding alongside her. Alex narrows his eyes, squinting at Linne, trying to figure out her floating trick. He still cant make sense of it. Menchis sharp voice breaks his focus. Your turn. I hope you can at least score higher than Even if your team doesnt make it to the top three, I throw you some scraps in a dog bowl and let you kneel and eat next to me while I dine. Consider it a charity and let me show you what a true gourmet hunter can create! Alex groans inwardly, Linus leans closer and whispers, Arent you lucky? Damn, Id to be her dog. Alex recoils and takes a deliberate step away from him. S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Menchi claps her hands sharply. Enough chatter. Present your first dish. Patricia proudly steps forward with her stew. Linne tilts her head, examining the dish with what Alex thinks might be mild curiosity. She tastes it, her expression unreadable, and then raises both hands, holding up eight fingers. Patricia beams. The rest of the group cheers. Menchis eyes widen in shock. Are you serious, Linne?! She tastes the stew herself, then mutters, Its not bad. Id have given it a five out of 10. Well, I suppose Linne is feeling generous today. Compared to some of the garbage weve seen, eight out of 10 is reasonable. Next, Alex steps forward with his steak and fries. Linne takes a bite, and for the first time, her lips curl into a faint smile. She gestures for Menchi to lower her head and whispers something inaudible. Menchi straightens and relays, Linne says you made several mistakes, but this dish reminds her of a special memory from 110 years ago. She also appreciates the effort you put in. Linne raises seven fingers. Alright! Linus cheers, fist-pumping. Menchi tastes the steak and fries herself, her face twisting slightly. So many mistakes Id barely give it a three out of 10. Alex looks at her with a smug expression and ignores her comments, making her fume with rage. Finally, Eirini nervously presents her banana pudding. Linne tries it, her stoic mask softening just a little, and raises seven fingers. Menchi samples it as well and nods in approval. This is great. Seven out of 10 feels low to me, but I suppose Linne isnt as fond of sweets as I am. Menchi begins to tally the scores. So, thats 7.33 out of 10. Not ba Before she can finish, Linne tugs her down and whispers again. Menchis eyes widen in surprise. Linne awards an additional point for composition. She says your team made an effort with plating, garnishing, and presenting a proper course. So, your final score is 8.33 out of 10! The group exchanges satisfied smiles, their teamwork and effort paying off. Despite the tension earlier, they feel a quiet sense of pride. Alex notices Linne open her mouth slightly, and hes almost certain he hears her whisper, Well done. Before he can react, she and Menchi move on to the next team, leaving him stunned but content. Chapter 114: Midnight x Meal – New Horizons! The judging wraps up, and Alex can''t help but smirk as the other teams'' scores are announced one by one. He hears some of the totals: 4, 2, 3, 5. None of them come close to his team''s score. His smirk grows as he thinks, When the scores are tallied, Alex''s team comes in first place. Emmas team, surprisingly, takes second place. Alex notices her smirking alongside Palm and a handful of strong candidates she roped into her group. Alex thinks, The third-place team turns out to be led by none other than Melody, who somehow pulled off an impressive effort with her calm and focused demeanor. Alex is mildly impressed but keeps his thoughts to himself. Menchi finally announces the top 10 teams one by one, each group sighing in relief as their names are called. When the announcements are over, she addresses the remaining examinees. Congratulations to all the teams that made it through! It looks like we now have exactly 50 examinees left, she says with her usual flair. But dont get too comfortable. I have some bad news. Your next examiner is straight-up nasty. I wouldnt be surprised if nearly all of you fail, and honestly, Ill be shocked if more than five of you pass. Groans echo through the candidates. Alex feels his stomach drop at the ominous warning and silently curses her. A notification from the system pops up: [Main Quest Updated: Mission: Pass the hunter exam First Phase: 1/1 Second Phase: 1/1 Third Phase: 1/1 Fourth Phase: 0/1 Fifth Phase: 0/1 ] Menchi continues, As promised, Ill prepare a late-night dinner for the top three teams. The rest of you are free to return to the airship and do whatever you wantrelax, shower, cook your own meals with leftover ingredients, or go to sleep. The airship will leave at 6 AM sharp for your next destination, where youll meet your fourth examiner. She looks at Linne, who is seated quietly in her wheelchair again, and then smiles back at the candidates. Oh, and one more thing! If you fail at this stage, youll be allowed to take the exam next year without needing a navigator. So dont be too discouraged when you fail this year. Better luck next time! The announcement sparks a mix of irritation and relief. Most candidates shuffle off toward the airship, eager to rest or forget their stresses. Meanwhile, Alex, his team, Emmas team, and Melodys team stay behind, curious to watch Menchis much-touted cooking skills in action. A group of assistants hauls in a staggering variety of ingredients: animal carcasses, vegetables, exotic spices, and more. Its a feast in the making. Alex watches with mild interest, though his exhaustion is catching up with him. Menchi sets to work with her signature knives, slicing and dicing the ingredients with astonishing speed and precision. Within minutes, what should have taken hours for a normal chef is neatly prepped. Alex squints at her hands and knives, his curiosity piqued. But despite focusing his senses, he cant detect anything. Annoyed, he silently curses, Determined to figure it out, Alex closes his eyes and focuses. Using his Basic Meditation lvl 3, breathing deeply and steadying his mind. For 10 minutes, he maintains the state, his body completely still. Gradually, he feels something foreigna faint, subtle energy radiating from Menchi. When he opens his eyes, he sees her in a slightly different light. Theres a faint aura around her hands and blades, he cant outright see but feel it, confirming his suspicion. he thinks. Satisfied, he leans back and relaxes, deciding to savor this moment of reprieve before the madness of the next phase begins thinking, Alex, exhausted but still enjoying himself, watches Menchi as she prepares the food. Her skimpy outfit and confident movements catch his eye, and the delicious smell filling the air makes it even better. For Alex, this is solid entertainment, a skilled chef putting on a show under the night sky. The cool breeze and the quiet around him make the moment even better. The stars above are bright and clear, with no city lights to drown them out. Time moves quickly as Menchi lays out dish after dish, and the other examinees dig in without hesitation. Alex cant deny itthis food is on another level. Its way better than anything his group managed to throw together. Menchi kept the dishes simple and straightforward, but everything was cooked to perfection. The flavors are spot-on, and even someone with no cooking knowledge would be impressed. Despite the sheer amount of food, it vanishes fast, leaving Alex scratching his head. How did all that disappear so quickly? he wonders, especially with so many of the women looking like theyd barely eat. Menchi suddenly walks up to him, her smug grin plastered across her face. She stops in front of him and asks, So, how was it? You got lucky and didnt end up eating out of a dog bowl. Did I open your eyes? Alex genuinely enjoyed the food, but her attitude rubs him the wrong way. With the exam over, he lets his pettiness shine through. Its good, honestly. Probably the best you can expect... from a regular chef. Thanks for giving it your all, he says, his tone just vague enough to be irritating. Menchi freezes for a moment, her grin fading as her brow furrows. Linne, sitting nearby, raises an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. Menchi, however, bristles. WHAT DO YOU MEAN REGULAR CHEF?! Do you even know who I am? she snaps. Alex doesnt hesitate. Youre a Single-Star gourmet hunter and a prodigyI know exactly who you are. But do you really think that means youve reached the top? There are chefs out there whose skills you cant even imagine, people who would make this food of yours look like a mediocre attempt. Dont get me wrong, it tasted great, but thats all it was. Ive had food so good that it made meals like yours seem like nothing more than dog food. That food saved my life! Yours? Just tasty, thats all. There are chefs who could use techniques so advanced, theyd make yours look like you were playing with toy utensils instead of real tools. Youre like a frog at the bottom of a well, proud of what you can see, but completely blind to the vast world outside. Maybe youre satisfied with this level of cooking, but Im not. And while cooking isnt something Ill ever try to master, Ive seen enough to say with confidencethis is good, but its nowhere near what you should feel so smug about. Alex goes on, stating his honest opinion, thinking back to all the food and healing items he used before. He is happy that he achieved yet another goal and smiles, thinking, Menchis face shifts from fury to something more complicatedfrustration mixed with curiosity. Linne, meanwhile, says nothing, watching Alex closely. The other examinees, sensing the tension, make a quiet exit. Shalnark walks over to Alex. You coming? he asks, a slight smirk on his face. Alex shakes his head. Ill catch up in a bit, he replies. Left alone with Menchi and Linne, the air feels heavier. Menchi crosses her arms, her glare fixed on Alex. Youre full of it. I dont believe a word you said! You cant prove any of that, and I only trust what Ive seen and tasted myself. Her words are sharp, but theres a hint of doubt creeping into her voice. To Alexs absolute surprise, Linne speaks for the first time: This girl may be a bit arrogant, but I can vouch for her skills. The ingredients were simple, but every dish was crafted to perfection. Im surprised this couldnt satisfy you. Partly to prove himself, but also driven by a faint hope of a miracle in the back of his mind, Alex decides to do something bold. He acts as though hes rummaging through his backpack but opens his inventory and pulls out: [Miso Ramen with Extra Pork]. [Miso Ramen with Extra Pork] How about you try this? Alex says, holding the bowl out toward them. Dont ask me how its hot, why its fresh, or how I even carried it with me. Weird things happen around me, and I cant explain them to you. Just taste it and judge for yourself. Menchi eyes him suspiciously but mutters, Nen. Her casual mention of the secret power makes Alex flinch, though Linnes silence seems to confirm her agreement. I cant use that, Alex admits plainly. Ive tried to see it, to feel it. I know some of the other candidates have it too, but its not something I can understand yet. Still, I have this ability. Call it luck, call it miracles, whatever you want. This ramen is proof of what Im talking about. You wanted evidence? Here it is. Its your choice nowopen your eyes or in this case, your mouth. Menchi and Linne exchange glances before cautiously taking a taste. Their initial skepticism fades as their eyes widen in surprise. Slowly, they eat, their expressions shifting to quiet astonishment. As Menchi is about to take another bite, Alex abruptly grabs the bowl and finishes it himself. You!! I wasnt done! Menchi snaps, glaring at him. Hey, this was really hard to get. Im not about to let anyone else finish it without tasting it myself, Alex replies unapologetically. As the flavors hit his tongue, Alex cant help but admit its excellent. But as good as it is, Menchis food wasnt worsemaybe even better in terms of pure taste. Yet, the ramens effect elevates it beyond anything Menchis dishes could achieve. Its not just foodits magical, and thats what makes the difference. Your dishes might have been tastier, Alex says, setting the empty bowl aside. But even you can feel the effects of this ramen, right? Can your food do that? If not, then to me, your dishes are nothing more than great mealsnothing more. Menchi and even Linne lower their gazes slightly, though Linne soon bursts into laughter. See, Menchi? Theres always a goal beyond the horizon. As a gourmet hunter, your ambition should be limitless. Youre still so young, and your potential is boundless. Dont let this make you feel defeated. Alex checks his [Destiny Watch] and sees its already past midnight. The airship leaves at 6 AM, and while he doesnt know how long the next journey will take, he knows he needs at least a few hours of sleep. Despite his curiosity, he feels theres nothing more to say tonight. Anyway, Alex says, standing up. Thanks for the food and for this exam. Honestly, I think this was the most interesting one yet. Good night. He turns and walks away. Menchi opens her mouth as if to say something but then hesitates, closing it again without a word. Alex boards the airship, noticing the dimmed lights and the quiet atmosphere with only 50 examinees remaining. He finds an open spot, settles in, and drifts off, exhausted from the long, grueling day. Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 115: New x Examiner – Chest & Status Alex awakes as the airship begins to lift off the ground, thinking, He decides to use his free time until the airship arrives at its new destination to take stock of his current items, skills, and stats. First, Alex remembers that he obtained a white-quality chest from the examinee who tried to assault Eirini and Patricia during the last exam. Alex thinks. [Chest] Heavy Mace] Alex examines the [Heavy Mace], quite happy with it. Alex pauses, thinking, Alex reflects on his experiences and gains in this world. S~ea??h the n??el Fire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He takes stock of his new status and inventory. [285th Hunter Exam Application] and [Navigators Ticket] are redundant at this point and removed from his updated status. His [Energy Bars], [Lucky Miracle Clover], and [Miso Ramen with Extra Pork] were consumed. He received 10,000 FC and 1 Soul Crystal from Emma earlier, and an additional 1,000 FC from the chest he just opened. He also has 10 vials of [Two Headed Black Eel Poisonous Blood], 10 portions of [Diluted Gels Panacure], and the [Heavy Mace], which will likely be sold later. The airship continues flying steadily through the clouds. Alex checks his [Destiny Watch] and notices theyre surprisingly heading back toward the capital. Alex wonders, confused. Taking a walk around the airship, Alex spots Linus, Eirini, Patricia, and Shalnark sitting at a table, drinking coffee and tea. They immediately spot him and wave. Alex, despite being antisocial and reluctant to join, feels like he has little choice and relents. Good morning, he greets, sitting down. Slept well? Linus asks. Im glad you made it out alive after what happened last night. Good job surviving that. Thanks, I guess I wont stay up much longer. Ill lie down again since today we probably wont be doing anything, Alex responds. You already figured out where were headed? Shalnark asks. My bet is the bunker on the outskirts of the capital. Judging by our flight direction, I think so at least, Alex replies. I liked the underground carnival! Eirini says, adding, I couldnt enjoy it because I was so worried about passing, but Id love to visit again under different circumstances. I fear the next task wont be as relaxed, if what Menchi said is true, Patricia adds. Alex sighs. They continue to discuss and speculate as the day passes. Later, they hear a message: Examinees, we will reach our target tonight. You will leave the airship at 6 AM tomorrow and will be escorted to your next exam site. They talk a bit more before deciding to sleep early. At 6 AM, the 50 remaining examinees leave the airship. They soon realize they are back in front of the bunker where their first exam took place. They walk slowly back inside, descending into the bunkers massive depths. Finally, they reach the same hall where the underground carnival was held. To their surprise, no trace of it remains. Instead, Alex vaguely makes out five large structures hastily assembled from metal containers or modular parts. Oh no this will suck, I bet, Alex mutters under his breath. Suddenly, a man approaches the group. He wears a long white trench coat, gloves, and a police cap decorated with a flame motif. As soon as he arrives, Alex curses inwardly. Hunter examinees! I am Bushidora Ambitious, a Single-Star Blacklist Hunter! It is my duty to judge whether you qualify to become hunters! Hunters are not just special individuals; they carry heavy responsibilities. It is their duty to uphold morality and help the common people! I will test myself whether you are ready to shoulder that responsibility. Alex thinks. Bushidora clears his throat and loudly declares: Now the theme for the fourth exam is: DEMOCRACY! ... Everyone is staring at him with a blank expression. Chapter 116: Rules x Isolation – Inevitable Loss! I’ll Take You Down With Me! Alex thinks, a confused look on his face. Bushidora steps forward further to explain the rules: For now, you 50 examinees will be randomly assigned to one of the 5 buildings you see in front of you. This will be your playing field, so to speak. Each of you will randomly draw a ball with a number from this bag. You! Bring the bag and let them draw. Alex silently pleads to the system and his LUK stat, A man walks from examinee to examinee, each pulling a small ball with a number. Finally, Alexwho positioned himself at the very backdraws the last ball. He pulls it out and sees the number written on it. Now, each of you, go to the building corresponding to your number. Ill explain the rest of the rules once youre inside. Before you enter, grab a wristband placed in front of each buildingyoull need those. Alex walks toward his assigned building, a big smile spreading across his face. He watches as Shalnark, Melody, Linus, Patricia, Eirini, andthankfullyeven Palm head toward different buildings. he notes. The only person Alex recognizes in his own group is Emma. Taking a good look at the other examinees walking beside him, he notices they all seem weak. But something feels off. Every single candidate, including Emma, is smilingand theyre all glancing at Alex in particular. Alex can only quote Obi-Wan Kenobi in his head: He silently whispers the line to himself. The groups enter their assigned buildings. Each building is circular, with a smaller, equally round structure attached to itabout four times smaller than the main one. Alex grabs a wristband labeled and steps inside. The room is unremarkable, though he notes 10 beds arranged in a wide circle, spaced apart from each other. Theres a small amount of food, drinks, and basic supplies for daily life, along with some cleaning items. As everyone settles in, Bushidoras voice echoes through speakers installed in the building: Now, this exam is called Democracy as Ive mentioned. The rules are very, very simple. Each day, every one of you must vote twice. First, youll vote for a leader for the day. Second, youll vote to eliminate someone from play. Needless to say, anyone eliminated is out of the exam. You must vote every day at 12 AM, and youll have exactly one hour to cast your votes. So the next exam will be in around 18 hours. The door to the voting room will open at 12 AM and close at 1 AM. If you dont leave the voting room before the door closes, you will also be eliminated. Theres also a special vote you must hold right now to decide your leader until the next vote. You have less than an hour until 7 AM. If anyone fails to vote, they will be immediately disqualified. Heres an important detail: you are to vote every day. If you fail to vote on both questions, you will be eliminated immediately. Votes are registered using your wristbands. Each wristband has a visible player number, and you are not allowed to hide it. You must also allow others to see your number. To vote, stand near the console in the voting room and input your vote using the wristband. One final rule: if the person elected as leader also receives the most votes for elimination, they will be spared, and the person with the second-most votes will be eliminated instead. If theres a tie in any of the votes, the results will be decided by random chance. He goes on: The leader gets to decide any other decisions that happen : who is in charge of cooking, cleaning, and even who is allowed to access food and drinks. The leader is essentially a king who can dictate anything, though they are not allowed to force others to perform physical actions related to other examinees. If you have such thoughts, Bushidora continues, raise your hand now so I can eliminate you on the spot! However, the leader could, for example, order someone to clean the entire day, forbid them from sleeping, or force them to starve. Be very careful about who you select as a leader. The leader, however, cant order others to give up the game, surrender their possessions, or refuse to vote. During voting time, the leader loses all power. We are monitoring you, and if someone disobeys the leader, we will call them out, and they will be eliminated. Of course, you can give up at any time and simply leave. In fact, it might not be a dumb idea if you know you will lose. Save yourself some time and dignity, and leave with your pride intact. Attacking other players inside the buildingwhere you will be sleeping and spending most of your day, is also not allowed. Any such attack will lead to immediate disqualification. Now, the only candidates moving on will be the remaining five examinees, 1 in each room, after 10 days. As you may have realized, there is only one outcome: in essence, only five examinees will remain in 10 days. All other 45 will be eliminated. The game begins now! Bushidoras voice slowly begins to fade away leaving the room silent. Alex stares at the group and the room, cursing inwardly. Suddenly, Emma begins laughing loudly and says, Wow! I cant believe nine out of ten members in this room are already allied with each other. Looks like destiny has finally decided to punish you for your arrogance, Alex. What the fuck do you mean? What alliance? Alex asks, clearly confused. In fact, over 60% of the examinees were allied during the last exam looks like your small group took out three entire teams, but it still worked out just fine. Now, how does it feel to lose against me? Are you some kind of fifth-rate movie villain or something? Is this some sort of grand plan? Only one person can win this game. Why would these other people work together with you? Alex turns toward the other examinees and asks them. Forget it! Emma responds arrogantly. We might eventually have to eliminate each other, but well let random chance decide! So, anyone has a shot at moving on. However, before that, you will be eliminated first. As for the rest of us? Well each vote to randomly become the leader and vote for the person beside us to be eliminated. We all have a fair shot at winning this way. Do you all agree? They all nod, seemingly having already built some trust in Emma. I hate cheap and stupid manipulators like you the most! Alex exclaims. Lookshes going to scam you and secretly work with someone else! If you trust her, you will lose without a doubt. Only the results are revealed, not who voted for whom! She has already secretly made a deal with a few of you! If you trust her, you wont have a small shot, youll lose 100%. Look at this woman. Throughout the entire exam, shes manipulated other people, including myself, so she can advance. Do you honestly believe someone like thissomeone who deceives others, will just accept a one-in-nine shot at winning? She blackmailed me during the last exam to win! You all saw it! She threatened to kill my family! Do you trust someone as vile as this? Alex says, making up outright lies to bolster his arguments. A few examinees look at Alex with shocked expressions, but others remain unconvinced, clearly already siding with Emma. You have 30 minutes to cast your vote, a voice booms through the hall. For now, vote for me. The eliminations only start tonight, Emma says. See? Shes already setting herself up as the leader and manipulator she is. Dont fall for it! Alex tries again, attempting to sew doubt among the group but he just gets ignored. S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Finally, everyone moves into the small attached room through a narrow tunnel and enters the round voting room. For now, only one machine is active inside the room. The other machine is apparently not operational. Alex walks up to the active machine, and a text is displayed on his wristband: Alex inputs his own number, and then takes a good look around the room. It is completely empty. Time passes, and a voice comes through the speakers: Voting room closes in 1 minute. Any candidate remaining will be disqualified. Alex leaves and the door closes a few seconds after him. A few seconds later, a screen near the top of the building lights up with text: Alex glances at Emmas wristband and, sure enough, it reads . he thinks. Emma laughs and says, Now how about this. Number 7, immediately clean this building! Everyone else, please relax and enjoy the show. Alex shakes his head, grabs a broom, and starts sweeping the spotless room. Time drags on, and Alex keeps cleaning the same spots over and over. Five hours pass. Alex is trembling with rage while the others, including Emma, laugh at his expense. As Alex sweeps, wicked thoughts swirl in his mind. Alex forces a twisted expression onto his face and says, I think you win, leader. I dont see any way I can turn this around. Emma smirks. Hehehehe, so youve finally realized it. Follow meI have something to talk to you about. Alex follows her to a secluded corner, where she leans in and says, 30,000 FC per day, and I might give you a chance after all. How about it? I can easily manipulate these fools into letting you stick around a bit longer. Give me 30,000 FC, and I might just let you stay. Are you fucking retarded? No way in hell am I paying you. How about thisyou stop giving me orders, and you tell your people to vote for someone else, Alex responds coldly. Emma sneers. Have you gone insane, you dummy? Why would I ever do that? Alex replies with a sinister smile and a menacing gleam in his eyes. If I fail this exam anyway, I dont need to follow the laws or rules anymore. Ill kill you. If I fail, Ill take you down with me. The only difference is, youll be deadand Ill return to the Realm. Chapter 117: Democracy x Anarchism – Hatred and Rage! Destiny Suggests Carnage! Emma immediately sprints toward the other players, screaming, HELP! HE WANTS TO KILL ME! PROTECT ME, PLEASE! Alex laughs. Shes such an insane, bad actor. Shes finally gone mad! She just tried to extort me and manipulate you into letting me stay a bit longer so she can profit even more! Despite his confident tone, Alex is doubting himself. Emma screams, Number 7, I order you to give me your weapons! Alex shrugs and flips her off. Go to hell, bitch! The other players exchange confused looks. Emma, equally baffled, screams toward the cameras at the top of the building. SEE? HE REFUSED MY ORDER! DISQUALIFY HIM! Amused, Alex talks down to her. Are you stupid? The rules are clear. You cant force me to give you stuff! You can only order me to stop eating, clean the room, or do other things related to the room. No way in hell am I giving you any of my possessions. Well, if you want, I can spit in your face, you vile, manipulative bitch, but thats sure as hell all youre gonna get. One of the rougher-looking candidates bursts out laughing, drawing a malicious glare from Emma. See? The guy who just laughedyoull be next on her list to be eliminated. Just look at her! Is this someone you can trust? Alex continues, trying to sow discord in the group. I FORBID YOU, NUMBER 7, FROM SPEAKING! Emma suddenly commands, a smug smile spreading across her face. Alex thinks. Alex grabs a bottle of water, takes a swig, and then spits it directly in Emmas face. He flips her off again before sitting down in a corner. Openly holding his sword and shield, he makes a throat-cutting gesture toward Emma, who looks utterly bamboozled and terrified. Emma, steaming with rage, and the other candidates huddle together, whispering among themselves and silently discussing the situation. Meanwhile, Alex contemplates his next move. Then it hits him. Alex pulls out his [Destiny Watch] and carefully examines its third effect. [Destiny Watch] Alex decides to use the time while Emma and the rest are busy discussing things to activate his [Destiny Watch]. He focuses his mind and says, ACTIVATE! The Destiny Watch glows, and suddenly, Alex sees rainbow-colored fragments appear before his eyes. They look like colorful fireflies flitting through the room. The other nine examinees are oblivious to them. The glowing fragments appear to playfully dance around before finally gathering and flying toward the entrance to the voting room. There, they align themselves to form a shimmering rainbow line across the doorway. Alex wonders. He recalls Bushidoras explanation of the rules. Alex clenches his fists. His mind is made up. Time drags on. Emma and the others appear relaxed, seemingly unworried. Emma positions herself in a far corner of the room, shielded by at least two other players sitting in front of her. Feeling confident in her safety, Emma bombards Alex with commands. Clean this! Move that table to the other side of the room! she orders relentlessly, never letting up. The group eats numerous meals, and Emma forbids Alex from eating. At one point, she takes his meal, eats it in front of him, and spits some of it onto the ground. Use your tongue to clean it! she demands with a cruel smile. Alex simply shakes his head, doing nothing, and looks confidently toward the ceiling. Surprisingly, a voice interrupts from the speakers: Invalid order. We have been through this. If it happens again, I will disqualify you, Number 1. Emma stomps the ground in anger before turning her frustration on Alex again. Fine! Move that table back and forth across the room until I order you to stop! Alex obeys, moving the table endlessly for hours. Eight hours pass, and he can barely stand, silently cursing. Suddenly, one of the other players yells, I cant sleep! Emma, order him to stop already! Fine! Emma snaps. Stop making any noise, and continue cleaning. Do it silently! she commands with a smug expression. The night passes in agony for Alex. He continues cleaningor more accurately, scraping the spotless floor down to its metal surface. His anger simmers as exhaustion weighs him down. Finally, a message echoes through the speakers: Examinees, it is now 12 AM. Please vote within the next hour for who should be the next leader and who should be eliminated. As soon as Alex hears the announcement, he sprints as fast as he can through the door to the voting room, which has just opened, surprising the other examinees and Emma. Laughing like a maniac, Alex feels his body finally relax after enduring hours of physical labor. He quickly hides behind the door, conjures Mustranos Malice Mauler lvl 3, draws his [Sword of Pluto], and readies himself to strike down anyone foolish enough to enter. However, no one follows immediately. Suddenly, he hears Emma scream, STOP! DO NOT ENTER FOR NOW! A man, presumably the one who had laughed at Emma earlier and clearly hates her arrogant attitude, retorts, Shut up! Youre not our leader anymore. Im getting real tired of your bossy attitude! Guys, stop. Im not trying to boss anyone around. I think this guy is planning something! Emma responds, attempting to sound calm. What can he do? Violence isnt allowed, and as soon as the vote is done, hell be disqualified. Lets get it over with. I want to sleep some more. Lets vote him out, pick a new leaderhow about me?and then get some rest, the man replies, sounding irritated. Emma, with a cruel smile, says, Im sorry. Youre right. Lets do it, everyone. You go ahead. Alex hears footsteps approaching and deduces the man is doing as Emma suggested. Just as the man crosses into the voting room, Alex immediately activates Toxic Breakthrough lvl 3 and thrusts his claw toward him. Sarch* The N?vel(F)ire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The mans face contorts with shock and surprise as he tries to dodge, but fails. Alex moves to make a follow up slash with his sword, but the man quickly gathers himself and stumbles back into the main room, clutching his wound and screaming in pain: HELP! WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH HIM? HELP! I NEED HELP! Alex considers using his [Mr. 5s .44 Caliber 6-Shot Revolver] to finish him off and attack the rest but hesitates. He hides behind the door again, staying out of sight and untargetable. SHIT! EXAMINERS, WHAT ARE YOU DOING? IMMEDIATELY ARREST AND DISQUALIFY THIS MURDERER! Emma screams in panic, her voice filled with shock and rage. But no response comes. The wounded examinee continues screaming, blood pouring from his wound as the poison takes hold. He desperately gasps, Save me, I give before collapsing. Moments later, he dies. Alex shouts loudly, She knew I was going to do that and sent one of you idiots ahead to die instead of her! Lookone of you is already dead! Do you want to keep this up? If you abandon her, Ill play by the rules and stop this! Of course, Alex thinks to himself, Chaos erupts in the room. Examinees scream at each other, one shaking the dead mans body while the others glare at Emma with rage-filled faces. Finally, someone shouts what everyone is thinking: THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT! Alex smiles smugly. Then Emma screams: STOP NOW YOU LOWLIVES! IVE GOT A PLAN! Chapter 118: Chaotic x Conclusion – A Nightmare Unfolds… Blood and Ice Alex notices the remaining eight candidates discussing something quietly. Wasting no time, he casts his votes: for candidate No. 2 to be eliminated and for himself, No. 7, to become the leader. he thinks. From time to time, Alex peers into the main room through the open door and narrow tunnel. The group is still huddled together, talking in low voices. Feeling isolated, Alex loudly complains, How about you include me, your master, in your talk? This lying bitch will lead you all to your deaths, I can promise you that! If you talk with me, we might actually resolve this peacefully. I even found a way for more than one person to pass this exam! In fact, I can 100% assure you that more than one can pass. If everyone votes for the new leader to be eliminated as well, then no one will actually be eliminated, and everyone can move on! But this witch? She knew that and used it to strengthen her position, playing dictator. She wants to get rid of you first and only let her closest team members move on with her! Alexs lies are as blatant as ever. He knows full well that even if people aside from the leader receive zero votes, it would count as a tie, and someone would be randomly eliminated regardless. WHAT?? someone shouts, finally snapping. Is that true??? another asks. Alex thinks with a smug grin. His nonsense is finally starting to show results. YES, IT IS! Alex shouts with mock sincerity. Do you really think the examiners would eliminate 90% of us in this fourth exam? Theres bound to be one or two exams left. It makes no sense to eliminate 90% of us now. Think about it! This exam is about seeing if we can put aside our differences, but this witch immediately turned it into a game of revenge, acting out her secret fantasies! You will all lose if you trust her. Shes a snake Alex glances at his left hand, still conjuring Mustranos Malice Mauler lvl 3, and adds mentally, None taken, hee hee. I like how thissss exxxaaam issss going kill them all! Mustranos sinister whisper fills Alexs mind, clearly thrilled with the chaos unfolding. Hes right! one of the examinees declares. A few of them, apparently believing Alex, turn away from Emmas group. Three candidates break away and huddle in a different corner, clearly puzzled and uncertain. Alex continues his performance, trying to "reason" with the remaining candidates. he thinks. OKAY. I TRUST YOU. LET ME INSIDE THE VOTING ROOM! someone suddenly screams. Alex looks up to see its one of Emmas group membersnot one of the three who had already distanced themselves. Okay, no problem! Hands up while you enter, Alex says, smiling. As soon as the man steps inside, Alex immediately plunges his claw into the mans throat, nearly beheading him. The mans head dangles grotesquely from his body before he collapses to the floor. Too bad. He had a hidden weapon and was trying to kill me. I see that woman is still using her tricks, sacrificing her pawns to take me out instead of doing it herself, Alex says, his tone cold and mocking. Hes clearly intent on ending this exam here and now. The remaining candidates, who had just witnessed the examinees brutal death, tremble in fear. One of them exclaims, Do you see his claw? Thats not human! This guy is a monster! His claw is pure evil! The other guy was killed with one attack alsoit tore open his arteries and poisoned him. We cant win! I WANT OUT! I WANT OUT! screams another candidate, one of the three who had left the group earlier and now stands apart, consumed by panic. The voice of an examiner echoes through the speakers: The door you entered from is open. You can leave at any time. Without hesitation, the terrified candidate bolts out of the room, leaving Alex wondering how someone so weak-willed managed to make it this far. Alex thinks, Alex notices Emma walking over to the two candidates who had separated earlier. She whispers something to them, pulling them back into the group. 10 minutes left to cast your vote! a voice booms through the room. Suddenly, Alex sees all the remaining candidates glance toward him and the voting room. In unison, they start sprinting toward the door. Alex curses under his breath. He quickly activates Sealions Icewing Embrace lvl 3, not caring about revealing his abilities since his claw has already made it clear, that he is not a normal examinee and has access to Nen-like abilities. Theres no doubt the examiners have taken notice. Cold mist begins to fill the voting room as Alex conceals himself behind the wall, staying out of sight. The icy vapor swirls ominously, hinting at his presence. The other candidates stop in their tracks, visibly unsettled by the sudden change in the rooms atmosphere. What the fuck is this? one of them says, fear thick in their voice. I just saw him encasing himself in ice! Hes a monster! The room is freezingits magic! Alexs cold voice cuts through the mist: Ill kill you all if you enter. How about you send in first, if youre so eager to throw away your lives? Finally, someone snaps. A burly, older man with an evil grin, who hasnt uttered a single word until now, suddenly shouts like a berserker: ILL KILL YOU FREAKS BOTH! GUYS, BACK ME UP. SHOVE HER INSIDE AND USE HER AS A SHIELD! GET RID OF THE SNAKE AND THE MONSTER AT THE SAME TIME! YES! one examinee agrees. OKAY, LETS DO IT! another chimes in. NO! What are you doing? You only came this far because of me! STOP, PLEASE! I BEG YOU! THIS IS AGAINST THE RULES! YOU CANT USE FORCE TO SHOVE ME, STOP! HELP I GIVE UP STOPPPP! Emma pleads, her voice trembling with shock and desperation. Alex silently agrees with her, but its clear no one is going to stop them. He watches as the last five examinees grab Emma, hold her up in front of them, and then hurl her toward him as they charge into the small room. Alex quickly strategizes. Emma is thrown at Alex, while the others spread out to surround him, trying to attack from all sides. Without hesitation, Alex drives his claw straight into Emmas throat. A sickening cackle echoes through the room as Mustranos Malice Mauler lvl 3 pierces her flesh. HEEEEEE HEEEEEE HEEEEEEEEE HEEEEEEE DIE! YOU WILL ALL DIE!!!!!! Alex claw bellows. As the claw drives into her throat, an icy aura bursts into her body. A vile, gurgling sound escapes Emmas mangled throat before she collapses like a puppet with its strings cut. The deranged laughter from Alexs claw continues, its chilling voice filling the room: HEEE HEEE HEEE BLOOD! MORE BLOOD! THISSSS FROZZZEN POWER COURSSSING THROUGH ME I LIKE IT! MORE! I NEED MORE! The remaining candidates freeze in horror, unable to act. Their plan to use Emma as a shield backfires as the crazed, frost-empowered Mustranos voice echoes, shocking them to their core. Alex immediately casts an AoE version of Blizzard, targeting three enemies who had spread out but remained within range. He then turns his attention to the burly man who had taken charge earlier. Alex readies a mighty Blizzard Sword and swings it toward him. The man raises a thick metal stick, his weapon of choice, to block. The blade cuts cleanly through the stick, slicing it in half, and continues through to land on the mans chest. Sar?h the ovelFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. To Alexs shock, the man is still alive. Without hesitation, Alex drives Toxic Breakthrough lvl 3 into him. Not stopping for a second, Alex charges at the three slowed examinees, who are visibly shaking from the cold and sheer panic. He strikes relentlessly with his [Sword of Pluto], alternating between slashes and stabbing attacks with his claw. HEEE HEEE HEEE. ALREADY OVER? I WANT MORE! Mustranos voice bellows, echoing through the now blood-drenched and frost-covered room. The tiny voting room is a hellish sight, with blood pooling on the ground and freezing into beautiful crimson crystals in places. The walls glisten with frost, framing the grotesque scene of carnage and chaosa nightmare painted with blood and ice. Finally, Alex deactivates Sealions Icewing Embrace and surveys the room. Six bodies lie lifeless on the groundno one else remains alive. His eyes fall on the loot hes acquired: two [Bloody Chests] from Emma. It confirms what he suspected, Emma had stolen the [Bloody Chest] from the player who had died during the journey through the Sinerva Forest. Alex realizes. He counts his spoils. Leaving the small voting room, Alex steps into the now completely empty common area. The silence is deafening. Alex sighs. He doesnt regret his decision, but a faint shadow of remorse lingers in his mind. Suddenly, a voice echoes through the room: Examinee No. 777 that was a curious decision you made. We saw everything through the cameras. Now, you may leave the building. It looks like this task is over for you as well. Oh, and cancel that freaky claw on your left hand immediately, or I might have to take action myself. Alexs expression twists in shock. Alex thinks slightly panicking. Chapter 119: Surprising x Show – A Look From the Other Side Alex leaves the building, feeling a mix of anger and frustration. To his absolute surprise and astonishment, Bushidora and a few fellow hunters in black suits arent angry. In fact, they begin clapping. Congratulations on passing the fourth exam, Examinee No. 777, Alex Kerber. Looks like you figured it out quite fast. Didnt expect this kind of thing to happen during the first vote. You had the instinct, guts, and strength to pull this off. Quite unexpected! Bushidora says with an approving nod. Alex stands there, stunned. He had fully expected to be arrested, scolded, beaten up, or even interrogated. I didnt enjoy it, Alex replies honestly, but I have a reason to pass the exam this year. Its worth risking my life for, even if that means taking the lives of those standing in my way when I have no other choice. Bushidora smiles slightly. The reasons and lessons from this kind of exam are endless. People trying to reason with you about your decisions only prove their own ignorance. The ones who truly learn something arent people like me, watching from the outside, but people like you, experiencing these extreme situations. Everyone leaving this building will be changed in radical ways, each experiencing unique scenarios based on the groups they were part of. Your group, however, seemed almost lacking in variety. One manipulator, eight rough, semi-trained dogs ready to rush in random directions while pulling their owners leashand then you. A joker, who I couldnt classify until now. At first glance, you didnt seem to fit into any role. But now? Its clear your role was that of a hunter, Bushidora states confidently. Anyway, I could have let you sit around for another ten days, but that would just be a waste of time, wouldnt it? Congratulations on passing the fourth, and, honestly, the final exam. I hope you become a strong hunter, with the same strong convictions youve shown today and during the other phases. I enjoyed your performance. [Main Quest Updated: Mission: Pass the hunter exam First Phase: 1/1 Second Phase: 1/1 Third Phase: 1/1 Fourth Phase: 1/1 Fifth Phase: 0/1 ] What do you mean, final exam? Theres a fifth exam, right? Alex asks, his voice laced with confusion, surprise, and shock. He struggles to believe the situation unfolding in front of him. Yes, Bushidora replies, but its nearly redundant in your case. Its merely an interview. Your case, however, is special. You need to be taught, for your own sake and for the sake of others. I need to continue monitoring the other four groups, which are playing the game more like I envisioned: scheming, planning, deceiving, showing their true characters. Your way was refreshingly simple. Honestly, I also cant believe youre still not fully awakened. Your ability is simply outstanding! Without a doubt, youre one of the most impressive conjurers Ive ever seen. Its obvious youre also quite talented in transmutation and enhancement as well. It looks like there are strict conditions attached that let you use other categoriesand even emission abilities, to such extreme degrees. Outstanding! Average Nen users wouldnt reach your level of ability usage in decades, perhaps never. The only thing you lack is the basics: information, training and sheer force. Your abilities are varied, well-constructed, but not quite there in terms of raw strength. Youll learn more about these abilities in the coming days, so forgive my confusing drivel. He finally hands Alex a card. Once you have the basics down, call me. I can immediately give you jobs befitting your strength, and theyre all for a good causeand they pay extremely well! Of course these jobs carry a certain kind of risk. Your decision if you dare to call me or not! Thank you, Hunter Bushidora, Alex replies with a smile, accepting the card. He feels genuinely grateful for such an honest and refreshing evaluation, free of the usual pathetic, hypocritical criticisms. [Bushidoras card] Alex looks at the item, shaking his head as he thinks, Bushidora and the others leave, but one hunter in a suit approaches Alex, even shaking his hand. Congratulations, Examinee No. 777. I enjoyed your performance during the first three exams. You stood out in each task, and this time you stood out as well not like I hoped you would but still. Your skills are undeniable. Personally, Im a bit disappointed it turned out this way, but thats just my opinion. So much death shouldnt stain any person. Your path looks dangerous, dark, and solitary Forgive me for boring you. Anyway, your final exam is waiting. You can already start while the others are still taking their exam, as youve been told. Its just an interview. Alex wonders, not particularly eager to meet the strange and chaotic chairman, whose unclear thoughts and bizarre goals leave everyone guessing. Alex follows the suited hunter, trailing behind Bushidora and the others, until they arrive at a small office filled with hundreds of monitors and dozens of people monitoring the five different games taking place in each building. Alex notices a few examiners chatting casually while many of the monitors are no longer on. Alex thinks, amused at the thought. You can wait here and watch if youre interested. Ill ask when the interview can take place, the hunter tells him. Alex glances at the monitors. Sarch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. In Shalnarks game, nothing much is happening. The participants are just sitting around and talking, though it seems one player has already been eliminated. He looks at the other games, but as far as he can tell, nothing significant is happening anywhere. None of the noteworthy participants seem to have been eliminated yet. Suddenly, Alex hears the examiners raising their voices: Did you see? He finally snapped! SEND SOMEONE TO MAKE HIM STOP! Alex watches Linus on the monitor, shooting wildly at the rest of his group, obviously killing them. What the fuck is he doing? What made him snap like that? Alex blurts out, unable to hide his disbelief. He feels Mustranos sinister laughter echoing in his mind. Hee hee, your former ally isss a ssssmart man. I like hissss approach! Alex sighs internally and responds, But he got to kill them all, Mustrano hisses. Thatssss a good trade, issssnt it? That feeling issss everything. Alex thinks back, trying to keep his tone calm but firm. Alex lets the thought sink in, emphasizing the consequences of Linuss actions and how he had lost sight of his goal for a moment of rage-fueled pleasure. Perhapsss you are right, human, Mustrano surprisingly acknowledges his point. Alex looks back at the monitor just in time to see Linus being ambushed by several hunters and knocked unconscious. The damage, however, is already done. Everyone else in the building is dead. The second complete wipe! a man behind the monitors exclaims in frustration. What is wrong with these candidates? The first one did it legally by abusing an oversight during the exam preparation, and the second one just doesnt give a fuck and outright slaughters them even though he knows hell be disqualified? A bunch of lunatics, I say! The man turns and notices Alex standing behind him. Ino offense, he stammers. Alex replies calmly, without a trace of aggression. I cant even disagree with you, man. It really is insane. I did it out of desperation because I had no other way to pass, but this guy just snapped. Weird I wonder what happened to make him lose it like that. Another voice, firm and authoritative, cuts through the room. Throw this guy outside immediately. He can wake up alone on the street. Stupid ex-military lowlife lunatic. Too bad we cant punish him for this! Alex thinks, allowing himself a wry smile at the absurdity of it all. Examinee No. 777, your examiner for the fifth and final task is ready! Please follow me to that small room over there, the man in charge of leading Alex through the facility says, motioning him forward. Alex is led into a cramped room, barely large enough for two people to sit with a small table wedged between them. It looks like it was once a storage space for cleaning supplies. Alex wonders. As he steps inside, he immediately notices the person already seated at the table. His breath catches. Chapter 120: Interview x Result – A Special Interrogation Alex enters the small room, stepping toward the table. His eyes immediately lock onto the imposing figure sitting before him. The man is enormouseasily taller than Alex even while seated. Alex guesses he must be at least 2.30 meters tall (7.55 feet). His appearance is something else entirely. His gray hair is styled into two flame-like bundles on the sides of his head. The weird eyebrows and mustache only add to his bizarre look, and his overall face reminds Alex of a Kabuki mask. Alex thinks, sizing him up. Alex Kerber, Examinee No. 777 you may sit down, Botobai says in a deep, commanding voice. Something about his tone compels Alex to obey without question. Alex takes the seat, unsure of what to expect. He hesitates. Alex takes a deep breath. Why do you want to become a hunter? Botobai asks, his tone neutral, his expression unreadable. My life depends on it, Alex says bluntly. I need to pass this exam, as a special task and for my future. Id rather not lie to you, so I cant get into the details. But Ill admit, I also like the benefits a hunter license brings. And as youve probably seen, I have some unique abilities. Ive been told becoming a hunter could help me uncover their secrets. He pauses, then adds, Also I think hunters are cool. I like the freedom that comes with the job. Its the kind of life I want for myself. What exactly would you use your license for? Botobai presses, his tone still emotionless. Alex shrugs slightly. The license itself? I dont have a specific use for it right now. Lets just say I need to have it because I need to pass this exam. Once I do, Ill use it if I see a good reason to. Thats all. He refrains from saying what he really wants to: Your abilities how did you awaken them? Botobai asks, leaning forward slightly, his gaze unwavering. Alex exhales, deciding to be direct. Id rather not say specifically but fine, Ill tell youjust keep it between us. He leans back in his chair. Ive defeated some pretty strong enemies, and somehow, I ended up with the ability to conjure their souls in different forms. I dont get to choose what form they takethey just show up like that. For example, my claw? Thats from a guy in Tribaio village who tried to kill me. It happened while I was doing a task the navigator assigned me as payment for being led into this years exam. Alex decides to be completely truthful, because he simply doesnt care about Botobai and sees no danger in revealing that kind of information to him. He studies Botobais reaction, but the mans face remains as unreadable as ever. Hmmm. Do you plan to use your abilities to commit crimes? Botobai continues his questioning without offering any commentary on Alexs previous answers, making Alex uneasy. The mans poker face leaves him guessing at what hes looking for. No, Alex says without hesitation, keeping his response short and to the point. Is that so? Good, Botobai finally replies after being silent for a few seconds. What kind of hunter do you want to be? Surely youre familiar with the Hunter Bylaws. You strike me as someone who approaches situations from different anglessomeone who goes with the flow but still does their due diligence and prepares as much as possible. So, you know about them, right? I dont know them, actually. They didnt come up during my research, Alex answers, carefully hiding the drop of sweat rolling down his face. What kind of hunter do you want to be? Botobai repeats, completely ignoring his previous question and Alexs response. I like weapons. I also like armor and equipment, Alex replies honestly. I want to be a weapons hunter, collecting rare weapons, armor, and other useful itemsmostly focused on obtaining combat strength and utility. Besides that, Im interested in becoming a blacklist hunter to earn money for these weapons maybe even a beast hunter because of my special ability. Sorry, I dont have a clear path yet. I might dip into several professions, but weapons are my main focus. In truth, Alex loves collecting powerful equipment and using it to enhance his combat abilities. Its a hobby he genuinely enjoys. The other professions interest him, but theyre mainly tools to help him reach his goals, not something hes deeply passionate about. Even inside the Realm Alex loves to collect different pieces of equipment. If he had a large amount of FC he might end up becoming a real weapons collector. This is my last question: do you have the will to become a hunter? Botobai asks, his tone suddenly serious. Alex prepares to answer, but before he can speak, Botobai continues, No need to answer that. How about thisjust sit there quietly and dont stand up. I think standing up or leaving the room during an interview before its concluded is grounds to fail someone. Wouldnt you agree? No need to answer that, either. Just sit there for 10 seconds, and you pass. Without warning, Botobai unleashes his Aura. Alex feels as though hes been transported back to the freezing ice caverns in the world of Final Fantasy 9, except this time hes completely naked, and Sealion is bombarding him with frost spells. Alex shuts his eyes and focuses. He knows this kind of Nen attack is meant to crush his spirit. He steadies his breathing, trying to clear his thoughts and calm his body, even as it trembles slightly. Seconds stretch into what feels like minutes. The overwhelming pressure pushes Alex to the edge of breaking, but he refuses to give in. He powers through, doing his best to stay composed. Suddenly, the cold vanishes. Botobai looks at him, showing the first hint of emotion since the interview began. Your will is impressive. I guess you pass. Examinee No. 777, congratulations on clearing the fifth task and officially becoming a hunter. Youve passed this year''s exam! Thank you, Alex says with a shaky smile, his body still trembling slightly from the ordeal. [Main Quest Updated: Mission: Pass the hunter exam First Phase: 1/1 Second Phase: 1/1 Third Phase: 1/1 Fourth Phase: 1/1Fifth Phase: 1/1 ] [Main Quest Updated: Mission: Acquire your license 0/1 ] Alex thinks. He grins, feeling satisfied. You will receive your license in about 10 days, along with the other examinees who pass, Botobai continues. Now, this isnt something we usually announce openly, but youve shown natural Nen ability without any formal training. Thats rare. People like you are often referred to as geniuses. There have been famous craftsmen, for example, who subconsciously crafted weapons without knowing anything about Nen. Those weapons are now regarded as treasures, often containing unexplained powersyou may have heard of them. Alex nods and replies, Im aiming for a few of Bens knives to start my collection. Was he one of those geniuses? Sar?h the N?velFire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Botobai gives him an approving nod. In fact, yes. But beyond craftsmen, there are others with strange and unnatural abilities they cant explainpeople like you. These individuals are usually highly gifted. Since youre one of them, I, along with the other examiners who praised you highly by the way, have decided that you can start learning Nen now. You can use these 10 days to cover the basics. Normally, the Hunter Association would dispatch a random Hunter without any students to approach and teach you. But in your case, we already have a volunteer. You might even recognize them, Botobai says, a slight smile forming on his usually stern face. Now well meet again once the fourth task officially concludes and you, along with any others who pass, receive your license. By the way, after eight days, something special had been planned for this phase. Of course, two out of the five groupsincluding yoursended things early, so youd never know about it. Feel free to watch how it unfolds. You have full access to this facility, and you can watch the monitors as much as you wantas long as your teacher allows it. Botobai chuckles. Your teacher will continue explaining things to you. I hope you enjoy this special treatment. Its been planned just for you. You can leave now. Your teacher should already be waiting outside. How I thought I just passed. How can my teacher already be waiting outside if I could have failed? Alex asks, raising an eyebrow. Your teacher was bored. And in case youd failed, I think the plan was to humiliate you and laugh in your face. Kids these days Anyway, Ill see you soon. Botobai stands up, towering over Alex, forcing him to stand as well since the cramped room leaves no space for maneuvering. Alex quickly steps aside and opens the door to let him leave. As soon as Alex steps outside, he freezes. Standing there is the literal grinchbut with longer green hair, tied into 5 top knots, a smug, arrogant smile, and an outfit thats barely an outfit at all. Shes wearing denim shorts, usually only worn by female characters in certain works, a bikini top that barely covers her large chest, and a mesh shirt thats practically see-through, leaving almost nothing to the imagination. In fact, its just a slightly different version of the outfit she wore days ago. Menchi Alex mutters, unsure whether to laugh, cheer, or cry. Chapter 121: Nen x Initiation – Taking Shortcuts is Just Smart! Hey, thats not the face you should be showing after learning about your genius master! I dont need you to bow down, but you should at least show a bit of gratitude! Menchi says, smirking at Alex, who still looks a bit stunned. Will this teacher really be fine? Alex asks, turning to Botobai as he walks past them. Hey!! You punk! Youre the first person ever to complain about my cooking, and now youre questioning my knowledge of Nen too? Ill have you know Im a genius! I know everything there is to know about Nen! You should be grateful and kiss my feet for having someone like me as your teacher! Menchi snaps, glaring at Alex. I guess Im grateful I was just kidding, of course, Menchi. Also, thank you for congratulating me so nicely Alex says, his tone deliberately mild to placate her. Children behave yourselves and find somewhere else to go so you dont distract the others, Botobai says, shaking his head as he glances toward the room. The people inside, clearly distracted, quickly turn back to their monitors, though many cant resist sneaking curious glances at Alex and Menchi. Lets go, Menchi says, exhaling. My own master wants to meet you too. She doesnt go out much anymore, and she said this will be her last time participating in the exam. Shes kind of depressed and wants to witness it one last time. Be nice to her, will you please? Of course. I actually enjoyed the third exam quite a bit, Alex replies. Menchi and Alex walk toward a different part of the bunker, one apparently reserved for examiners, assisting hunters, and the other personnel needed to run the exam. The area is expansive, with a giant canteen, training rooms, and numerous personal quarters for everyone involved. These facilities were originally built to shelter people Now theyre being used to conduct the Hunter Exam, at least this years exam. I have to say, its a spectacular location, Alex says, genuinely impressed. Yeah kinda boring, but I guess it works, Menchi replies, clearly not sharing his enthusiasm. Alex thinks. He shakes his head, not understanding Menchis low opinion of the current exam setup. They arrive at a large apartment, clearly intended for wealthier families. Menchi unlocks the door with a key and steps inside. This is our place now. Yep, also your living quarters for the next 10 days. Your room is the smaller one over there on the right. Youd better behave, or else you wont be getting your license. You wont be physically able to get it, if you catch my drift. She hands him two keys, one for the apartment and one for his room. As they step inside, Alex immediately notices that the apartment has been heavily modified. What was once a standard living space now looks more like a dedicated training quarter. Near the entrance, a huge kitchen remains intact, but the rest of the apartment is wide open, as if most of the walls had been torn down to create a single, expansive training hall. Sitting on the floor in the middle of the space is Linne, her eyes closed. Alex assumes shes meditating but quickly reconsiders. he guesses. Master, here we are. Of course he passed, Menchi says confidently. Linne opens her eyes and locks them onto Alex, making him shiver. Her gaze feels impossibly sharp. Congratulations. Im here because Menchi has yet to take on a student. Ill be supervising your training, as her master, this is something I must do. One of my final tasks I feel fortunate to have someone like her as my last student, Linne says with a deep, sincere tone. Theres a trace of sadness in her expression, though, one Alex doesnt quite understand. Alex wonders, studying her. Well, I guess Master Linne you look a bit depressed. I wonder why? Alex says, pausing to think carefully about his next words. I cant see your aura, or whatever you call it, but I can see something else. Pure life force. Not in the form of Aura, but in your spirit and demeanor. He conjures Mustranos Malice Mauler lvl 3 onto his left arm, the claw slowly coming into existence from his tattoo on his wrist. The fearsome black claw materializes, and Alex strikes and stabs the air a few times, demonstrating his sharp, fluid claw techniques. In fact, its pure life force that gave birth to my abilities, Alex continues. When I look at you, I dont see an old woman at all. Im not used to judging things like this, but I can say with 100% conviction, so much so Id stake my life, my abilities, and everything I ownthat at least for the next four years, youll be perfectly fine. You shouldnt let yourself feel this way. Its not worth living like that. Linne stares at Alex and his claw, her sharp gaze softening with surprise. For a moment, she remains silent, then her expression brightens considerably. After a few seconds, she smiles. Perhaps youre right. Theres still a lot for me to do. Thank you for trying to cheer me up, Linne says warmly. Hmph, looks like you can occasionally say something meaningful after all! Menchi quips with a smirk. Now, enough talk, Menchi says, straightening her posture. I said I would teach you the basics. For the next 10 days, you will be meditating and gradually opening your Aura nodes. Let me explain. Nen is simply the way living beings manipulate their life energy, what we call aura, to accomplish various things. Before we begin, you must slowly discover your own aura and open your aura nodes. Most people require months to achieve this. I believe youre talented, so perhaps you can do it in three or four weeks. Alex thinks, his mind racing. Im sorry, but I dont think Ill be able to do it like that, Alex says carefully. My master tried to teach me this kind of meditation for years, and I failed. Somehow, I activated my abilities without it. Ive been told that once Im ready, he would awaken me forcefully. Menchi, you can save us some time and forcefully awaken him, Linne says with a slight smile. Normally, thats not the preferred method, but since hes already using Nen, it shouldnt be a problem. I also think his body and spirit are ready for it. Besides, I dont have unlimited time, and I want to see as much of the world as I can while Im still able. Master I havent done that before. Its risky you told me that yourself, Menchi replies, hesitating. My student no, not just my student anymore. Now that youve finally become a Single-Star Hunter and reached this level of skill, youre not just my pupilyoure my fellow gourmet hunter. You can do it. I guarantee it, Linne says, her expression filled with pride. Okay! Menchi responds, her hesitation replaced with determination. She turns to Alex. Take off your armor. Quickly get changedjust regular clothes are fine. Then sit down on the ground and relax. After I open your aura nodes, youll need to control them! Pay close attention to your aura. Take note of every detail, then focus on relaxing and stopping your aura from leaking out. Alex follows her instructions. He quickly goes to his room, stashes his weapons and equipment into his inventory, and changes into training clothes. Alex thinks as he ties up his boots, Returning to the main room, Alex sits in the middle of the floor, closes his eyes, and focuses on relaxing. Suddenly, he feels Menchis hand on his back. Its warm, surprisingly strong, too. Alex can tell her hands, essential for any skilled cook, are trained to the limit. They rival even Mustranos claw in raw power. Then it happens. Sar?h the N??eFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. A surge of warmth flows into his body, and suddenly, Alex feels like hes exploding. Aura bursts out from every single node in his body, as if decades of blockages have finally been cleared. The sensation is overwhelming, yet exhilarating. Alex stares at his hands, watching as a faint, luminous energy surrounds them. So this is aura he says in awe. But before he can fully process what hes seeing, a voice echoes in his mind. Its neither Menchi nor Linne. [Player Alex Kerber .] Chapter 122: Ten x Zetsu – Learning the Basics [Player Alex Kerber has forcefully opened his Aura nodes] [WARNING: Nen skills not found, Nen Stat not found, Aura resource not found. Player will continue to lose HP until aura nodes are closed or controlled] Alex doesnt panic. He expected something like this to happen. Closing his eyes, Alex steadies his breathing and focuses on the sensation of his body releasing aura. He imagines it like steam escaping from every pore. He directs his attention to his feet, visualizing the steam slowing down and finally stopping. Sar?h the Novl?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. A small smile appears on Alexs face as he notices his left foot has stopped leaking aura. Instead, the energy surrounds his foot, resembling an invisible layer of clothing. he reminds himself. Alex accepts his limitations. He knows he isnt a natural genius but someone who grows stronger by using the system. When relying solely on himself, he understands the importance of smart, rational decisions over impulsive, superhero-like actions. Gradually, he begins controlling the aura in his lower body, stopping the energy from leaking. The drain on his body lessens slightly. Working from the bottom up, Alex continues to control his aura nodes. After about ten minutes, only his arms and head are still losing aura. Alex Kerber: Lvl 3 HP: 125/220, MP: 180/180 Alex focuses on the remaining nodes in his arms and head, directing his thoughts toward containing the energy. Slowly but surely, he gains control. Finally, after nearly 20 minutes of intense concentration, he manages to stop the leakage completely and achieves a basic mastery of Ten. Alex Kerber: Lvl 3 HP: 85/220, MP: 180/180 Alex thinks, wiping the sweat from his face. [Hidden Quest Discovered: Mission: Learn the Four Major Principles of Nen Ten: 1/1 Zetsu: 0/1 Ren: 0/1 Hatsu: ERROR/1 ] Alex thinks, staring at his strange progress display. Frustration and fear appear within him. He exhales, trying to suppress the growing fear of what these errors could lead to. Good, I think youve got it. Slowly open your eyes! Menchi instructs. Alex does as hes told, his gaze settling on Menchi. She looks pleased, though a hint of worry lingers in her expression. You did just fine. I was a bit scared! It''s dangerous if the person who awakens his Nen this way cant control his aura nodes. It can potentially end up deadly. Anyway your slow and steady approach worked out fine, you are surprisingly rational and careful. Remember this technique well. Its called Ten and is one of the four major principles of Nen. Once youve learned it, you wont ever forget. Alex thinks grimly. Keep it steady. Calm down, Menchi says firmly, interrupting his spiraling thoughts. I can sense youre suddenly panicking and losing focus. Youre doing fine, just breathe and calm down. Alex thinks, forcing himself to refocus. Gradually, Alex calms himself, and his chaotic, thin aura begins to flow more steadily, like a gentle creek. Better, Menchi says, watching him closely. Time passes, and Alex slowly gains better control over his aura. Hours later, though, fatigue sets in. Maintaining Ten becomes increasingly difficult. His aura no longer surrounds his body as tightly as before; instead, it begins to dissipate into the air through his now only slightly open pores. His body relaxes, and the flow of his aura becomes faint and natural, like it had been his whole life. Not bad, Menchi comments. Looks like youre getting the hang of it! Real masters can keep Ten active at all times, even while sleeping. If you manage to do that, you can almost completely stop your body from aging. Plus, staying in Ten constantly protects you from potential ambushesyoull always be somewhat prepared. She grins mischievously. Just look at Linne-chan, and youll see how shes managed to stay so youthful at an age of one hundred and f Linnes hand lands firmly on Menchis ass, making her scream and squirm. Alex smiles, thinking, Ouch!!! Master, what was that for? Menchi complains, rubbing the spot. Linne ignores her and turns to Alex, her expression calm. Anyway, what should I do now? Should I try again? Alex asks, uncertain about how to proceed. Surprisingly, Linne answers: Take a break, she says gently. Youve just awakened your Nen abilities and opened your aura nodes. Dont push yourself by trying to explore your abilities on your own. For the rest of the day, take it easy. Tomorrow, well work on stabilizing your Ten further and start learning Zetsu. Dont rush, learning Nen requires mastering the basics first. Thank you. Im pretty tired anyway, so I guess Ill rest for now, Alex replies, relief washing over him. He yawns as he adds, Its been a long day, or night, I guess, since I didnt even get to sleep properly during the task. He recalls the exhausting hours of annoying tasks he was forced to endure. Finally, Alex retreats to his small room and collapses onto the bed, letting his tired body sink into the mattress. A lot happened, and Alexs long list of people he killed got longer, making his heart beat faster thinking, After a while, Alex manages to fall asleep. After what feels like an eternity, Alex wakes up and takes a look at his [Destiny Watch] and notices that he just slept for 1 hour. he thinks. Alex quickly gets up and sees that nobody is inside the room. he sighs. Alex decides to just calm and focus on his new ability Ten. He sits down and again closes his eyes, stopping his aura from leaking and leaving his body, and surrounds him instead. This kind of meditation feels really satisfying to Alex. He feels his body getting stronger. Its not easy for him to maintain Ten, but he feels like he is slowly getting the hang of it. Time passes, and he is getting a bit tired again and opens his eyes, stopping his Ten. He sees Menchi and Linne have returned and are also doing some basic training. As soon as Alex stops his Ten, Menchi complains, Finally woke up? Didnt take you for a long sleeper. I tolerated it just this once since you had a long day and even opened your aura nodes. I hope it doesnt happen again. We dont have an endless amount of time. Alex this time just responds with a simple, Yes, I am sorry. I admit I overslept. Linne and Menchi nod at him, probably satisfied with his honesty. Menchi begins to explain. Now you have already finished another training session focusing on Ten, and honestly, you were doing quite good. Your aura is pitifully weak, but its quite calm and stable. While you need to work on it, strictly speaking from a technical standpoint, I think your Ten is at a very basic level but essentially you have learned it, in fact you are way ahead of where you should be at this point. Looks like you have some talent for Ten. Now I am teaching you Zetsu. As you know, Ten retains your aura that you usually release to build up a small aura, similar to invisible clothes around you, essentially stopping your aura from leaking away. Zetsu stops the flow of aura from your body altogether. You achieve that state by closing off all your aura nodes! Now its not that hard to get a basic grasp of it since you already opened all your aura nodes, and closing them is not that hard if you have control over them. The real difficulty is completely closing all your nodes even advanced users cant close every single aura node, and experienced Nen users can detect even a tiny amount of aura. Over the next 10 minutes, Menchi carefully observes Alex and constantly describes to him how he can close his aura nodes. She says, You need to master Zetsu. Its essential. Zetsu is useful for stealth, hiding yourself from strong enemies, but its also super useful because it enhances your healing capabilities since the aura you usually expend is instead kept in your body! All basic techniques are also needed for Menchi step by step, Linne interrupts her. Alex continues his training, and it takes him about 30 minutes to get the hang of it, achieving a rudimentary mastery of Zetsu. [Hidden Quest Updated: Mission: Learn the Four Major Principles of Nen Ten: 1/1 Zetsu: 1/1 Ren: 0/1 Hatsu: ERROR/1 ] Alex thinks with a big smile on his face. Alex, without intending to waste time, looks at Menchi with a serious face and says, Menchi I want to move on to the next step! Chapter 123: Struggle x Ren – Unleashing Rage! You You just learned Ten and Zetsu. Are you insane? Why do you want to jump straight into learning more? No, you need to master the basics first! Theres one technique thats technically considered a basic technique, but its requirements are way harder, and its strictly tied to your aura reserves, Menchi responds sharply. Then at least tell me about the two other major principles you mentioned, Alex replies, clearly annoyed by her refusal. Well, I can tell you, at least. Youre still missing Ren, which is a bit like Ten, but it generates a far larger amount of aura and projects it outward in an explosive way. This is your main fighting skill because it significantly boosts your strength and durability. Ten is purely defensive, while Ren forms the foundation of offensive Nen techniques, Menchi explains. The last major principle is Hatsu, and its a bit more complicated. Hatsu is your personal Nen technique, unique to you. Its your own expression of Nen, involving the creation of a technique that reflects who you are. Its tricky because everyone falls into one of six different Nen types. I wont bother explaining those for now, especially since you already know a form of Hatsu. You need to forget about that for now and focus on mastering Ten and Zetsu! Besides, there are also the adv Menchi Linne interrupts, cutting her off again. Alex, you seem pretty eager to learn Nen. Do you have some reason for wanting to master it so quickly? Alex thinks, He finally answers, Yes and no. Ill need to go on a journey soonnot right away, and I think I have a few months. But I am in a bit of a hurry, which is why I want to master the basics as soon as possible. Once I have those down, I can keep polishing them on my own, even during my journey. Im afraid if I dont learn them now, I wont have the chance to later. Alex thinks calmly, Now, Menchi, listen, Linne begins again. Every student has their own circumstances. Alex is a reasonable man, but it looks like hes determined to progress quickly and learn the basics. How about I give you some motivation? Since my student is your master, that makes me your grandmaster, doesnt it? If Alex can master the four major principles of Nen before the exam ends, Ill give you something really special. Ill even write it down for you during the time we have left. Does that motivate you? Linnes mischievous grin grows as she adds, And Menchi, your student isnt a total beginner. He should be able to get the hang of Ren fairly soon. Of course, I mean just the basics, enough to use it briefly. Also, if you can make him succeed youll finally get the reward I promised you all those years ago! Menchi looks stunned. Really?! Great! I guess were going for it, then! she says, a newfound determination in her voice. [Hidden Quest updated: Mission: Learn the Four Major Principles of Nen Ten: 1/1 Zetsu: 1/1 Ren: 0/1 Hatsu: ERROR/1 Reward: ??? Time Limit: Until the end of the Hunter Exam Failure: none] Alex smiles excitedly, thinking, So, explain to me how does Ren work exactly? How can I project my aura outwards and increase my strength just like that? Alex asks Menchi, clearly motivated to succeed in this little task. Menchi stands in front of him, her expression serious, and suddenly releases a powerful surge of aura. The sheer force shocks Alex, making his skin tingle as if electricity is running over him. Ren is easy once you figure out how to activate it. Maintaining it is about stamina, aura reserves, and concentration. Theres no easy way to teach you, its all about imagination. Personally, I envision my aura exploding. Its like a muscle for me I cant even remember how I first learned it. Its like discovering an invisible muscle. I want to win this bet with Linne, but... She glances at Linne. For now, try it once every few hours. In between, concentrate on practicing Ten and Zetsu. If youre tired from training Ten, switch to Zetsu to recover quickly. Once youre back in good condition, try Ren and return to Ten. After each cycle, try working a bit on Ren. I think thats the smartest and fastest way to improve right now. Alex nods. He also notices Linnes approving expression, making him think, Over the next few days, Alex dedicates himself to training. At one point, he even thinks, Finally, on the eighth day of the trial, Alex decides to change things up for once. He leaves his training room and joins Menchi and Linne in the supervision area where the Hunter staff is monitoring the ongoing exam. There, Alex notices that hes missed some developments. Eirini and Patricia have been eliminated. He thinks, Scanning the remaining contestants, Alex notes, Alexs attention shifts as Bushidora reveals the trials big surprise. The twist is simple: the examinees can vote to end the current challenge and instead participate in a series of fights against other contestants who choose this option. However, only groups with at least two out of three members voting in favor of the fights will be allowed to compete. If the group votes no, the trial continues as usual. To Alexs surprise, every single group refuses the option. What a boring bunch of candidates. I cant believe this, Bushidora grumbles, clearly irritated. A few of the staff behind the monitors look equally disappointed, their boredom written on their faces. Alex knows whats really going on. He thinks, Another two days pass, and the exam is minutes away from ending. Alex, despite his relentless effort, hasnt made any progress. His calm focus from a few days ago has been replaced by anger and bitter disappointment. Alex, calm down, Menchi says, her voice soothing. This competition was silly to begin with. Dont worryyoure not missing out on much, forget this silly price! Over the past few days, Alex and Menchi have become close. Even though shes nine years younger than him, Menchis intelligence, knowledge, and experience with Nen have impressed him. Alex has picked up countless tips from her, and her stories, along with her cooking, have been a bright spot in the training. he thinks. he wonders, when suddenly a voice echoes in his mind: Human letsss try together. Thisss time, do not sssstay calm. Unleasssh your anger. We will exxxplode in rage! sea??h th N??eFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Alex looks at Menchi and nods. Ill try something else now. Dont worry, he says. He activates Mustranos Malice Mauler lvl 3, pouring all his rage, frustration, and disappointment into his aura. He focuses on everything he hates and the worst memories he can recall, while Mustranos spirit adds its own rage to his aura. Alex lets his emotions take over, thinking about all the negative experiences and feelings hes ever endured. Finally, he screams, his rage eruptingand in that instant, his aura explodes outward. His previously thin, barely visible Ten shatters into an enormous surge of Ren, flooding the room with his energy. Thats it! Thats Ren! You did it! Menchi exclaims, her voice full of excitement and pride. Alex breathes heavily, completely drained. He finally feels like hes tapped into something he couldnt before. Testing himself, he stops calling on Mustrano and tries to activate Ren alone. Its weaker and less impressive, but it still works just fine. Menchi smiles, clearly satisfied with his progress. Just then, Linne walks into the room, clapping lightly. Congratulations, she says, her expression a mix of amusement and approval. Looks like you barely managed to pull it off, good job young ones! Guess I can give it to you after all no need to take that knowledge with me to the grave. [Hidden Quest completed: Mission: Learn the Four Major Principles of Nen Ten: 1/1 Zetsu: 1/1Ren: 1/1Hatsu: ERROR/1 Reward: Advanced Nen Techniques Manual, Basic Nen Manual Time Limit: Until the end of the Hunter Exam Failure: none] Alex suddenly notices it. Not only has he received the [Basic Nen Manual], clearly a reward from the system itself, not Linne, but also a second manual: the [Advanced Nen Technique Manual]. [Basic Nen Manual], [Advanced Nen Technique Manual] Alex stares at the two manuals, barely able to believe what hes seeing. Chapter 124: Compatibility x Integration – Risking it All! [Basic Nen Manual] Basic Nen lvl 0 base [Advanced Nen Technique Manual] Advanced Nen lvl 0 base !!!!!!!!!!!!!! Alex cant believe this. He has struck gold but cant pick it up because he cant carry it. SHIT, FUCK, NO SLOTS! WHAT DO I DO? he curses out loud, making Menchi and Linne look at him with curious eyes. Linne even jokes, That impressive, huh? Thanks for appreciating my wisdom. Or do you want to get in my good graces and inherit my fortunes? Sorry, Im not interested in a boy toy at my age. Hehe, sorry, I was just a bit overwhelmed Ill take a quick rest. Ren tired me out quite a bit, Alex tries to explain. Linne raises her hand to stop Alex, then grabs a glass, fills it with water, and places a large, slightly wilted green leaf on top. The leaf floats on the water and has a strong, pleasant smell. She hands it to Alex and says, We need to identify your affinity first. This is called water divination and will tell you what category of Nen user you are. Im just a curious old lady, but I have to know which of the two it is. Do this old lady a favor and show me. Try activating your Ren and focus your aura on this glass. Alex, not intending to hide his Nen affinity, does as hes told, but he barely cares at this point. He finally admits to himself, Alex feels even angrier than he did moments ago when he finally learned Ren. He actually has the urge to kill someone at this moment. As expected, impurities appear in the water. A bit surprisingly, there are four types of impurities altogether. One is just a basic gray shiny fragment, similar to how it looked when Kurapika did the water divination test. Alex can also see a bunch of tiny frozen fragments. He also sees a bunch of pitch-black, lengthy, and sharp-looking fragments and a few tiny, round, metallic fragments. Alex thinks, still very angry and disappointed. Oh it looks like you are a Conjurer! However, the impurities look a bit special to me. Maybe well, not that it matters! Anyway, take a rest now, and well talk about all the affinities and your future training tomorrow. We still have two days left until this exam is overwe might as well use them, Menchi notes, while Linne looks at the impurities in the glass with a surprised expression. Alex notices that Menchi doesnt think its anything too special, but Linne seems a bit surprised, which makes Alex think, Anyway, thanks for all this training. I feel really tired I think I overdid it today. I need some rest, Alex says and uses his newly learned Zetsu to slowly leave the room. Menchi and even Linne have slightly confused and worried looks on their faces. Now I worried them, shit! Alex says, angry with how that turned out. He uses the opportunity to take another look at the [Basic Nen Manual] and [Advanced Nen Technique Manual]. Alex analyzes the skill books. Alex suddenly has an idea. He physically opens the [Basic Nen Manual], and suddenly, the system reacts. [[Basic Nen Manual] high compatibility with innate skill Genius Conjurer lvl 3 detected.] [Analyzing compatibility 99.79%] [Does Player want to try to integrate this skill into Genius Conjurer lvl 3?] [WARNING: Failure and even success can lead to various negative results, including destruction of this skill, degradation or mutation of this skill, and other unforeseen consequences. Integration uses up [Basic Nen Manual].] Alex suddenly feels a surge of energy in him. He spins around in a circle with a big smile on his face. Alex thinks, stopping his interaction with the manual and seriously worrying if he should go for it. He checks out the [Advanced Nen Technique Manual] as well and gets a response. [[Advanced Nen Technique Manual] high compatibility with innate skill Genius Conjurer lvl 3 detected.] [Analyzing compatibility 95.21%] [Missing Skill Basic Nen detected] [Integration into Genius Conjurer lvl 3 not possible] Alex thinks for a moment before deciding, System! Integrate [Basic Nen Manual] with Genius Conjurer! Alex says, confident enough to risk his future and believing his LUK and the high compatibility will carry him through! S~ea??h the Novl?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 125: NEN x Aura – Genius turns into a Prodigy [Integrating [Basic Nen Manual] into Genius Conjurer] [Analyzing compatibility 99.79%] [Starting integration Finished integration] [Integration successful - No unexpected changes] ... Alex cant help but feel a bit disappointed, expecting way more. Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Alexs thoughts are interrupted by a sudden notification. [Player has unlocked the Nen Stat] [Checking Players Nen progression. Player has just unlocked his Aura. Default NEN stat = 0, checking players current NEN stat. Players current NEN stat = 1] [Analyzing NEN stat:] NEN (Nen): Function: Governs Aura pool, Aura regeneration, and Nen strength. Effects: Aura Calculation: Aura = NEN 10. Aura Regeneration: Aura regen = NEN 0.1 per minute. Nen abilities: NEN increases the strength and effect of every Nen ability by 0.5% per point Limitations: NEN stat can only be as high as PHY + SPR combined, divided by 2. It takes 2 stat points to increase NEN. Another notification interrupts his train of thought. Alex suddenly feels a massive surge of Aura flood into him, as if its being teleported out of nowhere, directly into his body. AAAGHHHHH Alex screams, overwhelmed by the absurd power invading him. His Aura spikes uncontrollably, and his vision starts to fade. The last thing he sees before collapsing is Menchi and Linne bursting into his room, alarmed, as he falls unconscious. A full day passes before Alex awakens. Fuck, my head hurts, he mutters, blinking at the ceiling. Looking around, he notices Menchi sitting beside his bed, watching him with a curious expression. Im glad youre feeling better. We were kinda worried about you! Your Aura spiked so suddenly she says, focusing her Aura into her eyes with Gyo, a technique to enhance vision, particularly related to Aura. She continues, Even now, your Aura is still way stronger than before. Nen is just like training musclesyou cant just awaken a huge amount of Aura all at once. It takes months, sometimes years, to build it up noticeably. But you just progressed years in a single moment. Ive never seen anything like this. Your Aura feels like the average Hunters now. Nothing outrageously strong, but what you just gained would take normal people five to ten years, she explains, looking both worried and impressed. Im sorry to worry you, Alex replies. Im sure this wont happen again. My Hatsu evolved on its own, and that must have fueled my Aura. It was only half awake before, and now that its complete, I suddenly got a massive boost to my Aura reserves. I couldnt handle it, and I passed out. Oh! So your Hatsu awakened? Thats a good thing. Could it be a conditional Nen ability? You should be careful and take it slow. Test to see if your ability has changed in other ways. Anyway, how are you feeling? Youve been asleep for nearly a day! Can you get up, or do you need more rest? she asks. Alex, not wanting to look weak, answers, Give me an hour, and Ill be back on my feet. Then we can continue our training, he says with a small smile. Sounds good. Also she suddenly slaps him, causing him to flinch. Dont scare us like that, she scolds, leaving the room. Ouch Alex mutters, rubbing his cheek, annoyed. he thinks. Alex searches for Genius Conjurer lvl 3 but cant find itits gone. Looking more carefully, he notices a new innate skill called Nen Genius lvl 3. Nen Genius lvl 3 Type: Boon Leveling Requirements: 1 Soul Crystal and 2000 Fantasy Coins plus 500 Fantasy Coins per level Effect: Combines Basic Nen and designates individual Hatsu as Genius Conjurer with its subskill Arcane Medieval Armory. Effect: Every Nen Ability + 5% in effectiveness + 1% per level Effect: Every Nen Ability - 5% in cost + 1% per level Overall Rating: S+ Alex cheers as he analyzes the changes. Genius Conjurer lvl 3 Effect: Conjuration Duration: + 10% + 2% per level (Conjurations last longer). Effect: Conjuration Strength: + 10% + 2% per level (Conjurations have increased durability, damage, and overall effectiveness). Effect:AURA Cost: - 10% + 2% per additional level (Conjurations cost less AURA). Effect: Basic and advanced Nen techniques used in conjunction with Conjurations are 20% + 2% per level more effective. Arcane Medieval Armory and its three conjuration subskills remain completely unchanged. The only difference is that the MP cost for these skills has been converted into Aura cost. Alex thinks, his expression now resolute. [Integrating [Advanced Nen Technique Manual] into Genius Conjurer] [Analyzing compatibility 99.997%] [Starting integration Finished integration] [Integration successful - No unexpected changes.] [Nen Genius changed into Nen Prodigy] !!! Alex is shocked. The compatibility increased to an absurd degree. Nen Prodigy lvl 3 Type: Boon Leveling Requirements: 2 Soul Crystals and 3000 Fantasy Coins + 1000 Fantasy Coins per level Effect: Combines Basic Nen, Advanced Nen and designates individual Hatsu as Genius Conjurer with its subskill: Arcane Medieval Armory Effect: Leveling this skill will level every subskill automatically Effect: Every Nen Ability + 10% in effectiveness + 2% per level Effect: Every Nen Ability - 10% in cost + 2% per level Overall Rating: SS+ Alex thinks, astonished. Alex checks out the Basic Nen skills he acquired: Ten lvl 3, Zetsu lvl 3, Ren lvl 3. He notices that the NEN stat also influences these skills. Although its effects arent directly displayed, every single point of NEN increases the effects of all Nen skills by 0.5 percent. he considers. Ten lvl 3: Effect: Decreases most types of damage by 1 +1 every 2 levels Effect: Increases defense against all types of attacks by 5% +1% per level Effect: Slows down aging by 50% +2% per level Note: It takes a lot of concentration to keep Ten activated, there is no aura loss, however. Zetsu lvl 3: Effect: Increases HP, Stamina and AURA regeneration by 20% + 2% per level Effect: Increases your stealth and hiding capabilities by 50% + 5% per level Effect: Increases most types of damage done to you by 5 Effect: Decreases defense against all types of attacks by 25% Note: Most normal people cant talk or even interact with you while this skill is active. Their senses can''t comprehend your presence anymore. Requires a calm mind. Ren lvl 3: Effect: Increases all stats (without increasing any resources like HP, MP or AURA) by 25% + 5% per level Effect: Inflicts up to 10 damage per attack +1 per level (Nen/Aura type damage) Effect: Decreases most types of damage by 5 +1 per level Effect: Increases defense against all types of attacks by 20% +2% per level Aura Cost: 5 AURA per Minute + 0.5 per level Note: If trained to a high enough degree Ren turns you invulnerable against most normal physical attacks. Alex gathers his thoughts. Alex concludes, finishing his analysis of the basic skills. Alex decides, excited like a child. Chapter 126: Advanced x Skills – Creating a New Fighting Style Alex takes a closer look at his new Advanced Nen skills: Gyo, In, En, Shu, Ko, Ken, and Ryu, feeling overwhelmed by the flood of data. Alex thinks. Gyo lvl 3 Effect: Focus a larger than normal portion of your Aura into one specific body part, increasing the boost of Ren for that body part alone. The other parts of the body proportionally lose their benefits from Ren. Increasing the level of this skill makes the shifting of Aura faster and smoother. Effect: Increase the speed of your Aura shifting by 25% + 5% per level. Effect: When used to focus more Aura in the eyes, be able to see hidden objects and people, and increases SNS by up to 50% + 10% per level. Aura Cost: 5 Aura per Minute + 1 per level. Note: Gyo is merely a redistribution of Aura when using Ren, concentrating it on a specific body part, most often the eyes. In lvl 3 Effect: This advanced form of Zetsu renders your Aura or an Aura construct invisible. Effect: The higher the rank of this skill, the harder the invisible Aura or Aura construct is to detect, and the larger the object can be. Aura Cost: Depending on the size of the object. Note: Someone else using Gyo, Zetsu, or similar skills can potentially see or feel your hidden Aura or Aura construct. En lvl 3 Effect: This advanced application of Ten and Ren uses Ren to cover a wide area around the user. The user then contains that Aura and gives shape to it using Ten. This creates an area where the user can feel any kind of shape and movement within that area. Effect: En size of 2 meters up to 10 meters + 1 / 5 meters per level. Aura Cost: 5 to 10 Aura per Minute + 0.5 to 1 per level (depending on minimum and maximum size). Note: The shape of En is usually a circle but can be changed with a lot of training. Shu lvl 3 Effect: This advanced application of Ten enshrouds an object with Aura. Effect: Objects can be used in conjunction with any applicable Basic and Advanced Nen skills. The items in question gain the same boost as your body. Note: This basic technique opens up a lot of possibilities. Ko lvl 3 Effect: This combination of Ten, Zetsu, Ren, Hatsu, and Gyo concentrates the user''s entire Aura into one particular body part, raising it to the very limit, leaving the rest of the body in a state of Zetsu. Effect: Ren effect on the particular part x 3 + 0.1 per level. Effect: Increases most types of damage done to you by 5 (similar to Zetsu). Effect: Decreases defense against all types of attacks by 25% (similar to Zetsu). Aura Cost: Ren Aura cost x 3 + 0.1 per level. Note: In a Nen battle, this skill can instantly kill your enemyor yourself. Can be used in conjunction with Shu to strengthen an object. Ken lvl 3 Effect: This advanced form of Ten and Ren is a primarily defensive technique that boosts the user''s defense up to 10 times the amount of Ten while losing any offensive benefits of Ren. Effect: Decreases most types of damage by 10 +2 every level. Effect: Increases defense against all types of attacks by 30% +3% per level (There is a diminishing return of 50%, 100%, and 200%, once a damage decrease of 70%, 80%, and 90% is reached). Aura Cost: Ren Aura cost x 3 Note: Ken can save your life! Ryu lvl 3 Effect: This highly difficult and complicated technique is named after the use of Gyo in a state of Ken. This enables real-time offensive and defensive value adjustments. Effect: This technique uses a certain percentage of Aura to perform Gyo and Ken at the same time. Effect: Increase speed of shifting between Gyo and Ken by 25% + 5% per level. Aura Cost: Gyo and Ken, depending on current use of those techniques. Note: The Aura flow may give your intentions away if you are too slow! Alex looks at his [Destiny Watch] and thinks, Alex checks his abilities again and notices something that makes his mood drop slightly. Statistical OCD lvl Max now requires 5 free stat points to increase all stats by 1. he admits, not overly concerned about the slight change. Alex finally leaves his room with a bright smile. All the worries and frustrations he had displayed earlier are gone, replaced by confidence and joy. He knows he took a huge gamble by risking his innate skill to evolve it into an S+ and then into an SS+ skill, but it paid off. S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Alex uses Ten as he steps out, clearly displaying a strong, smooth, and calm aura. Menchi and Linne immediately notice, and both smile. Incredible! Menchi exclaims. Linne cant help but add, Menchi told me that your Nen somehow awakened, but these results are far beyond what I thought possible. Your Aura is more than ten times stronger than it was just a few days ago. Alex responds, not holding anything back, I think everything about my ability to use Nen has changed. I feel like I can do anything now. Ive even been experimentingI can use the Basic skills without any problem, and Ive already made progress with the advanced techniques from your manual. How about this? Alex conjures Mustranos Malice Mauler lvl 3 and then uses In, making the vicious claw disappear right in front of their eyes. Menchi and Linne immediately react, activating Gyo in less than a second. Theres a lot of room for improvement, but this should have taken you years to learn. Your speed is outright scary. I thought you only had average talent, looking at your first week of Nen training but this is something else entirely, Menchi says, clearly confused by Alexs transformation. Heh, this is nothing yet! How about a spar? Alex asks, clearly excited to test his new abilities. You are getting cocky let me punch some sense into you rookie! Menchi says with a scary smile on her face. Alex looks a bit scared, thinking, Chapter 127: Affinity x Spar – Getting Taught by a Brat! You were so cocky a moment ago. Now come on, let me teach you how to use Nen in a fight. Show me your Ren, whelp, Menchi says arrogantly, unleashing her own Ren. Youre nine years younger than me stop calling me a whelp Alex cringes but unleashes his Ren anyway. His aura is now multiple times stronger than the one he had barely managed to unlock with Mustranos help and their combined rage. Still, it obviously pales in comparison to Menchisa seasoned Nen prodigy. They slowly approach each other, and Alex unleashes the first attack, a stabbing motion with his left hand, imitating a claw. Hes surprised by his own strengthhis Ren provides a tremendous boost to all his physical abilities, making him feel like hes inside a foreign body. Menchi easily dodges his attack and counters. Alex blocks her strike, and the two begin trading attacks, each blocking the others. This continues for several minutes, with Alex gradually getting a feel for his Aura and his new abilities. The experienced Single-Star Hunter, clearly holding back, pressures Alex just enough to keep him from relaxing. He has to concentrate intensely to keep up. Deciding to step up his game, Alex begins using some of the Advanced Nen techniques in his arsenal. As Menchi bombards him with rapid kicks and punches, Alex stops using Ren and switches to Ken. His newly boosted defense helps him shrug off most of the pain, though the AURA drain is intense. Even so, the enhanced defense makes Menchis attacks feel almost negligible. After blocking several attacks, Alex counters using Ryu, shifting from defensive blocks with a base Ken, into Gyo-enhanced strikes as he trades blows with her. Even Ryu. Your progress is incredible, Linne comments with a serious smile, clearly impressed and surprised. However! Menchi says with a grin, pressing her attack. Alex feels his body aching all over and realizes his Aura is nearly depleted. Desperate to land at least one good hit, Alex hides his Aura on his left hand with In and pretends to throw a light jab. In truth, he uses Gyo, pouring nearly all his remaining Aura into the strike. he thinks. Sar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Menchis eyes glint for a brief moment before she dodges the jab instead of blocking it like before. She counters with a powerful kick to Alexs chest, sending him flying backwards and landing onto his back. Before he can recover, she steps onto his stomach, her boot pressing near his crotch. Smirking, she looks down at him. Not bad. This was kinda fun. Of course, you stand no chance youll need a LOT more training if you want to beat me. Anyway, get some rest and recover with Ten while I tell you about Nen affinities. After that, we can go see how the exam ends. The last vote will happen soon. Sounds good could you perhaps Alex starts to ask. Perhaps what? Remove my boot? What are the magic words? she responds with a smirk. Please, Menchi, Alex says with a shameful expression on his face, feeling embarrassed to be treated like that by someone so much younger. Secretly, he thinks, Wrong I am your master, Menchi grins, pressing harder on his chest, making him groan in pain. please, Master Menchi, Alex says, slightly blushing as he calls this arrogant young hunteressentially just a barely legal girlhis master. He asks himself, Sure, my cute, weak student, she says, finally stepping off him. She adds, That was a nice fight. While you dontand probably never willstand a chance against me, I think your overall Nen abilities are quite decent already. Your use of advanced skills, in particular, is astonishing. Even I havent dabbled in In at all. Seeing you use it like that, even though I didnt fall for it, is still impressive. Well have to talk more about it later, but for now, lets finish our talk about affinities. Menchi continues, drawing the well-known iconic Nen graph to show Alex his affinities. Anyway, well leave out Specialization for now. Thats something well talk about laterits not relevant to you right now, Menchi begins. Lets start with Enhancement," she says. "Enhancement uses Aura to strengthen an object or a part of your body. Many natural Enhancers dont even have a Hatsu because their use of the basics is already balanced in terms of offense and defense. In your case, Enhancement is particularly useful for strengthening the items you conjure. Since you can also enhance your own conjurations, it makes sense training this affinity. While the durability of your items depends on your Conjuration skill, you shouldnt dismiss Enhancements importance. Its also critical for using the Basic and Advanced Nen skills. "That said, Enhancement isnt your strong suit. Look at the graphyour affinity for Enhancement is only at 60%, making it your second-weakest category. While your affinity for different categories determines effectiveness, its not that simple. Many powerful Nen abilities use multiple categories. The most important thing is that your natural affinity forms the core of your ability. Even if your ability includes elements of other categories, their lower effectiveness wont significantly reduce your overall power. Linne interjects, Training can overcome anything. Nen affinities are your foundation, and its good to stick to them closely. But at some point, these categories may not even matter to you anymore. Menchi glares slightly at Linne for the interruption but continues: Next is Emission, which is your weakest category at just 40% effectiveness. Any Aura that separates from your body and isnt conjured into an object is considered emitted. There are many abilities that incorporate Emission in some way, though pure Emission abilities are rare. "Emission can be used for simple ranged attacks, but its also involved in more complicated abilities. Honestly, you shouldnt spend too much time training in this affinity. Conjuration is the opposite of Emission, and you can achieve similar effects using entirely different approaches. Menchi pauses for a moment and adds, Overall, Enhancers and Emitters are the most common Nen types. These two categories make up a little over 50% of all Nen users. Whats your Nen type, huh? Alex asks, curious. Not telling! Be quiet while Im explaining, or do you need another lesson? Menchi scolds him, lifting her boot threateningly. Its probably Enhancement Alex mutters under his breath. Menchis expression darkens, and though she looks annoyed, she continues her explanation. Transmutation is your closest non-natural affinity. It has an 80% effectiveness for you as a conjurer. Its a natural ally of your own category, in fact. Conjurers often conjure special items, so it only makes sense to give them special properties. Transmutation doesnt actually create different or special elements but merely mimics them. You can transmute your own Aura to take on the properties of elements, man-made substances that dont occur naturally, or even animals. Even altering something as basic as the shape of your Aura is a transmutation ability, for example, Menchi explains. She lifts her finger, and her Aura slowly forms a heart. Since Menchi isnt using In, Alex can see it just fine without activating Gyo. Interesting, I guess, Alex says, sounding slightly bored as he thinks, He continues analyzing: Menchi finishes her explanation. Whats left? Manipulation. Its your second closest non-natural affinity, similar to Enhancement at 60% effectiveness. Any Hatsu involving controlling something remotely, even if its just a tiny command or some kind of activation requirement, involves Manipulation. Manipulation is used for many different abilities, but the most dangerous Hatsus are pure Manipulation Hatsu. Oftentimes, a single successful attack can immediately take control of youand essentially kill you. Even Linne interjects, You should fear Manipulation. Be careful not to give your opponents an opening, and try your best not to fulfill the activation conditions for Manipulation Hatsus. Even a single Yes can spell doom for you. There are many types of manipulation abilities, for now this should suffice however. Alex cant help but be speechless, thinking, That leaves us with Conjuration Menchi continues. I think you already know most about it, but make sure you keep improving your Advanced Nen skills. They can be devastating if combined with Conjuration. Also, without In, even normal people can see your abilities. Id suggest focusing on In and Shu. You can also openly reveal some conjuration ability to disguise the fact that youre hiding another part of it. Conjuration usually requires a lot of thought, though looking at you, I guess there are exceptions in its users. I actually have to agree and cant deny this one. My ability is pretty straightforward. Thank you for explaining it to me. Honestly, I think I just need experience, and for now, a lot of training. Im not too keen on starting any kind of Nen battle right now. Linne interrupts, saying, Its time. The fourth exam is ending for the other examinees now. Lets take a look. Chapter 128: License x Opportunity – Plans for the Future Menchi, Linne, and Alex walk towards the control room and see the usual monitors. They are just in time to see the three remaining winners walk out of their individual rooms. They are, of course, Shalnark, Melody, and Palm. Alex thinks, clearly not surprised by the outcome of the task. He watches as Bushidora approaches the three winners outside of their individual rooms and congratulates each of them. Looks like, aside from you, only Nen users made it through the exam. Hmph, this isnt how it should be! Alex hears someone saying. He turns and nearly screams as he notices the imposing Botobai Gigante standing next to him. Botobai continues, Tell them theyve passed the fifth exam as well. No use in not letting Nen users passthey indeed possess the necessary qualifications. Alex cant help but complain in his head, though he would never dare say that to Botobais face. Do you have something to say to me? Botobai asks, looking at Alex. No Alex responds curtly. Menchi, standing a bit behind him with Linne, smirks, obviously noticing Alexs true feelings and finding it funny that he gives such a meek response. sea??h th N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. A few minutes later, Bushidora arrives and walks towards Alex, saying, Looks like this years exam is nearly over. After the final interview, whoever remains will get the license. Alex replies, Botobai just told me hes not interested in testing them since theyre all Nen users already. Theyve passed the fifth exam. Everyone looks at Alex in shock at this surprising message from Botobai, especially Shalnark, who fixes Alex with an intrigued expression. Congratulations, I guess, Alex finally adds. Shalnark and Melody shake Alexs hand and congratulate him. Palm, on the other hand, says, I knew you would pass. Right from the start, I knew. Alex thinks. Not only did you pass before all of us, but you also learned Nen in just a few days! Im impressed, Alex. I knew I wasnt wrong about you, Shalnark says in a happy voice, his true feelings, as always, impossible to identify. Shalnarks eyes suddenly glint, revealing a hint of craziness as he unleashes his Aura, displaying a powerful and cold Ren. Alex, Palm, Melody, and even a few of the Hunters nearby instinctively respond by unleashing their own Ren. To Alexs surprise, his Ren isnt weaker at all than Melodys or even that of the Hunters assisting the main examiners. Shalnark, of course, instantly suppresses his Aura again and laughs. Sorry, that was just a small joke, he says with a sweet, way-too-friendly face. Alex, Palm, Melody, and everyone else just stares at Shalnark. Some of them show a frightened look on their faces. Everyone! Congratulations on passing the 285th hunter Exam! A tiny man, completely green body, approaches them, his head round and looking like an actual bean. Alex recognizes this weird freak as Beans, the Chairmans personal secretary. He begins to loudly clap, and the rest of the room reluctantly claps as well. Please follow me to the small room right over here. Ive got a small presentation prepared for you! he says, with a big smile on his face. Alex looks at Menchi, but she just shrugs her shoulders and gestures to follow Beans. Alex cant help but stare at this freak of a man while he and the others follow him into a small room, thinking, He hears a voice in his mind asking him: Alex responds in his mind, Alex sits down next to Shalnark in the empty room, and Beans stands in front of the group of examinees, standing on a small podium. My my, I thought this year''s examiners would be even harsher, but it looks like we found four real gems. Of course, I already know about you, Palm. I guess your master will be quite impressed, wont he? Chairman Netero will also be happy. Palms look suddenly distorts as she shows a disgusting smile, her face beet red. Alex cant help but think, feeling genuinely disgusted by her. Now, you are called Melody, right? I think you will be a very special hunter. Im glad you passed. People like you are desperately needed inside the organization. Thank you, Hunter Beans, Melody replies, without too much of a reaction. Shalnark and Alex, you are an odd combination. Shalnark, you used your one-of-a-kind intellect to easily pass the exam. As far as I and the other examiners could tell, you didnt even remotely strugglenot even once. Your talent is truly frightening Oh, sorry. I didnt mean to sound so ominous. Dont worry about it, Shalnark responds with a smile. Anyway, opposite of that, you, Alex, are a bit of a wild card. Pistol skills, sword and shield techniques, a claw-style martial artwhat a weird combination. Physically, you are fairly above average as well. No complaints here, definitely qualified. I think you earned your license even if you didnt possess your unique abilities! You are indeed one of those hidden geniuses you couldnt be more different from Shalnark, but you are frightening as well. Now that you have discovered how your ability works, your Aura looks like it grew to a level most hunters need decades for. Truly scary. Although, Im sure the Chairman would be delighted and very curious about you. Ill welcome you two to the organization as well. You surely deserve it. Beans finally ends his personal congratulation speeches. Thanks, I guess. Too bad I didnt get to meet the chairman, Alex responds, obviously not serious. The chairman is a great person! Dont worryyoull get to meet him sometime soon. Perhaps in a few years, one of you will act as an examiner as well. Now, lets begin please pay attention to the things Im about to tell you right now, as they are very important. Lets talk about benefits first. Youll be very interested to know that you can use 95% of all public facilities at no cost. You have access to the most restricted countries and areas. Then there is. Beans goes on and on, not stopping or asking questions at all. Alex tries to pay attention to Beans, but it only takes five minutes before he stops listening and thinks back to his spar with Menchi. He remembers her standing in front of him, her foot placed on his stomach just above his private parts. He can still see it in his mindher beautiful face, slightly flushed, with a big mischievous grin, completely dominating him. he thinks, a bit grateful that one look at the silly Beans immediately got rid of any excitement he was feeling just a moment ago. Two hours later, Beans complains, You guys, I get the feeling nobody is really paying attention. Even you, Melodyyou look like youre thinking about something else as well Fine, I think thats enough. Ill give you what you are after now. He takes out a small box with four cardsfour hunter licenses. He takes them out one by one and hands them to Palm, Melody, Shalnark, and finally Alex. After this boring lecture about rules, laws, and the ethics of being a hunter, Alex is jolted awake by his reward: his very own hunter license! He finally takes a look at it. Its a card the size of a credit card, with the hunter logo at the very top, and a bit of information on it. It looks a bit more like a trading card than a credit card. To his surprise, the system recognizes the license! [Hunter License] Alex looks at it with a bright smile, thinking, [Main Quest completed: Mission: Acquire your license 1/1] [Congratulations on clearing the main quest - Player will be teleported back to the Fantasy Realm in 0 days 01 hour and 59 minutes] Alex thinks, alarmed. [Player has earned the right to extend his stay by accepting a side mission. However, performing badly during this side mission will lead to a reduction in Mission Rating, while traveling outside the mission parameters will immediately lead to mission failure and forced return back to the Fantasy Realm] [Does Player want to accept the side mission? The side mission will be chosen randomly from suitable missions for Players current level and abilities] [Player has 5 minutes to decide] he thinks, addressing the system. [Player has accepted the side mission] [Generating suitable side mission] [Checking location: Mimbo Republic, choosing the nearest suitable location. Kukuroo Mountain selected - Error, Kukuroo Mountain danger level not suitable for player level - choosing next best location: Heavens Arena] [Side Quest Accepted: Mission: Reach the 200th floor of Heavens Arena in less than 3 months time. 50th Floor: 0/1 100th Floor: 0/1 150th Floor: 0/1 200th Floor: 0/1 Reward: ???, Increased Mission Rating Time Limit: 3 Months Failure: Lowered Mission Rating] Chapter 129: Travel x New Status – A New Journey Alex leaves the room along with the other freshly certified hunters. He says a relatively short goodbye to Palm and Melody, who he barely even spoke to or interacted with, and walks away from the room, deciding to talk with Shalnark, with whom he formed a rather strange but overall friendly relationship. So, what are your plans now, Alex? The Phantom Troupe member asks, seemingly curious about Alexs plans. Ill travel to Heavens Arena. I heard its a great place to get some fighting experience. I also heard rumours that theres a secret about the special skills of candidates fighting above floor 200. I guess those guys are Nen users as well? Im ready to challenge them! How about you? Alex responds, seeing no reason to hide his intentions. Interesting. Ill return to my comrades. There are certain activities planned in the near future. To tell you the truth, Im a rather unique thief by trade. Your abilities are really intriguing. I felt them through the walls during the 4th exam. You killed all the other examinees, right? You are far stronger and far more decisive than I initially gave you credit for. Shalnark says and goes on: There is currently an open spot in our group. Although a certain individual, lets call him , is interested in joining, I feel you would be a better fit. Hes a frightening man, but Im not sure he can be trusted. Regardless, the sad reality is that some of us die, and sooner or later, there will be a spot open. I have the right to recommend talented people like yourself to the boss. He finally concludes his offer by saying: Use the time to train yourself, and if you feel like you are ready to join us, contact me. If you really want to achieve something groundbreaking and change the world, this would be a great opportunity. You wont regret it, the boss will open your eyes to a brand-new world and give your life true meaning. [Shalnarks Card] Ill hope I hear from you once you are ready. Goodbye, my friend, Shalnark says, waving goodbye to Alex. Alex reasons. Alex, now a freshly certified Hunter, returns to his room. Inside, he finds Menchi and Linne slowly packing up their things. Congratulations, they both say at the same time. Thank you so much. I am genuinely grateful for everything you have done for me. I see you are already packing. Is this goodbye? he asks them. Menchi bonks Alexs head with her fist and says, You! You have barely learned anything about Nen. Im planning on teaching you some more! At least a few months longer, I guess. You also owe me some information. Linne, however, responds in a different way. I had initially planned to return home and dwell in memories. However, Ive changed my mind. Im in the mood to meet some friends and accomplish some unfulfilled goals. You have brightened my outlook, Alex. Im grateful for that. Im sure well see each other again sometime in the near future. Though you are Menchis student, Ill see you as my own. If you ever need help, feel free to contact me. Thank you, Master Linne, Alex says, truly grateful to this ancient Nen master, as experienced and knowledgeable as Netero himself. He even kneels down and gives her a small hug. Ill treasure your teachings and show the world what I can achieve with them! Ill make you proud. He stands back up again and addresses his bratty master. Menchi I have something planned. Can you accompany me to Heavens Arena? I have 3 months, and Ill reach the 200th floor by then. Not only that, but Ill also win against other Nen users! Can you help me with my goal? Menchi, with a curious look, replies, Heavens Arena? Not what I expected. Im a gourmet Hunter, but I guess it would be helpful for your training! Heavens Arena has a few local restaurants Im interested in too, so why not! Your treat, of course. You win money in Heavens Arena while I spend it on food! Hehe, yeah, this will be fun. ... Alex is unsure how to respond while Linne lets out a small laugh, the first laugh he has heard from her. 3 hours later, after saying goodbye to Linne and the other examiners still in the bunker, Alex and Menchi arrive at the capitals airport. Menchi is checking out various shops and snack stalls at the airport while Alex is honestly tired. Its dark outside already, and Alex just wants to board the airship and sleep. Still, he uses the opportunity, now that Menchi is gone, to take a look at his Status: Alex decides, deep in thought but proud of his progress! His thoughts are rudely interrupted by a green-haired woman''s face suddenly appearing just a few inches from his own. Alex shrieks back in shock, and Menchi begins to laugh. Did I interrupt your thoughts? Did you perhaps think about your lovely travel companion? You sure are lucky, traveling with such a beautiful genius like myself, huh? Alex blurts out, Yeah, right. Sorry, I was deep in thought about something else. Despite your bullshit, Im genuinely thankful that you decided to stick around a bit longer with me, Menchi. Hey, isnt that sweet. Are you aiming for me after all? Are you sure Im not waaay out of your league, rookie? she responds, with a bright, happy smile, obviously teasing Alex. he tells himself, while just responding with a quick, Two years, and Ill beat you easily, to which she just laughs. The two hunters wait a bit longer before finally entering the airship. Menchi booked a large cabin for them, and as they walk toward it, Alex wonders aloud, Wait, one cabin? Where is my cabin? You are my student, of course we will share one! Or are you nervous? Will you perhaps attack me? Huh, youre making me nervous pervert, she cheekily teases him before continuing, Now come on, lets go inside! Alex gulps after entering the relatively small cabin, realizing there is only one bed. Sar?h the ovelFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 130: Flight x Laki City – Arriving at Heavens Arena As Alex and Menchi enter the cabin, Menchi immediately sits down on the small sofa. She reaches into her small bag, pulls out a few bills, applies a light layer of Shu and throws them toward Alex in one swift motion. Alex barely manages to catch them, to which she claps and says, Good job catching it. Now use that money to buy us some food. It will most likely be terrible, but a trip is made memorable by the food you eat! Its an adventure just discovering what food each place has to offer, regardless of whether its good or bad. No need for the explanation Im hungry too, so Ill grab us something. Ill pay you back once I win some money at Heavens Arena. Anything specific youre in the mood for? No, she says while closing her eyes, obviously training her Nen Surprise me! she adds. sea??h th N?vel(F)ire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Fine, I guess, Alex says as he leaves the cabin, only moments after entering it. He walks around the airship, even stepping onto the deck for a moment to enjoy the cold but clean air, deep in thought. Alex finally stops his daydreaming and heads to the airships canteen. Once inside, he doesnt recognize much of anything. He also doesnt see anything of noteit looks pretty much like normal canteen food, probably close to what he could buy at a truck stop. He just buys a bunch of random snacks, drinks, candies, sweets, a couple of sandwiches, and a few random dishes like pizza, burgers, a grill platter, and even some kind of stew, along with a huge salad. Just five minutes later, his order is ready for pickup, and Alex is confronted with regret seeing the giant mountain of food in front of him. Young man, we prepared a small food cart for you. Just return it once you leave the airship, okay? a friendly-looking man working in the canteen tells him. Thank you!! Alex, grateful for this unexpected help, says and hands him a bit of the remaining cash as a small token of appreciation. He then pushes the cart with food back into their room and sees Menchi lying on the bed, just wearing her pair of extremely short hotpants and her bikini topthis time without any mesh. It nearly looks like shes wearing underwear; thats how skimpy her outfit is. ... Alex, a bit nervous, just tries to ignore this weird situation. He pushes the cart next to the small table, and Menchi immediately stands up to inspect his choices. You Are you stupid? You just bought random dishes, fast food, candies, and sandwiches. You should have asked for the specialties! Menchi criticizes him. Menchi, this is a damn commercial airship. Their inventory has nothing unique; its probably the same anywhere on the damn continent, Alex responds, slightly annoyed. Tzzz, you could have tried harder!! Im not in the mood to eat this! she nags, looking like Alex tried serving her poison. Honestly, this looks pretty decent to me Alex responds and begins to eat. Just a few minutes pass, and Menchi joins him, eating only small portions of everything. She opens any kind of snack, takes tiny bites out of it, and moves on to something else. Alex sighs but ignores her silly antics and eats whatever he wants, including the stuff shes nibbled at, deciding its not worth complaining about. After 10 minutes, Alex keeps a few of the unopened snacks that Menchi spared and pushes the cart, along with all the half-eaten food and trash, back to the canteen. When he returns, Menchi has a different look on her face. This time, she speaks seriously: If you really want to challenge Heavens Arena, especially the 200th class, you need a LOT of training! You need to learn to constantly use your Aura. If youre bored, use Ten. If you have time to train, improve your Ren. Need to recover? Zetsu! he thinks, as he sits down and begins to focus. Alex uses the time traveling to Heavens Arena to constantly practice his newly acquired abilities. He focuses on the basics: and He also experiments with managing to extend it to nearly 30 meters (almost 100 feet). While sitting comfortably on the floor, he senses various people on the decks above and below them. He can even feel whats happening in the cabins next to theirs. Suddenly, Alex focuses on the cabin beside theirs and notices two people lying on top of each other on their bedobviously having sex. What the fuck! he blurts out, losing his concentration and stopping his En. Whats wrong? Dont tell me you got all flustered because you noticed something naughty with your En? You are such an innocent little man Menchi teases him mercilessly for the rest of the flight. Just an hour later, Alex is finally freed from her torment as an announcement echoes through the airship speakers: Thirty minutes until we arrive at Laki City Main Airport. Laki City? Alex wonders aloud. Come to think of it, Ive never heard the name of the city Heavens Arena is in before. I actually didnt know either. Who cares about the city anyway? The city is essentially Heavens Arena. We dont even have to leave the arena since it has restaurants, casinos, cinemas, and pretty much anything else you could imagine, Menchi explains. Half an hour later, the two hunters leave the airship and arrive at Laki City. They immediately board a bus that takes them to Heavens Arena. Alex glances at his [Destiny Watch] and notes the time6 PM. I guess we should book a hotel close by or maybe even inside Heavens Arena and wait until tomorrow? Alex suggests. Stupid! We have no time to waste. Heavens Arena is open 24/7! You better hurry up and win enough fights to quickly get to the 100th floor so you can have a private room. Hell, you might even use your Aura to frighten the judge into bumping us to the 100th floor immediately, Menchi counters. I guess that makes sense will you compete too? Alex asks, curious. I I cant enter, Menchi admits, looking slightly embarrassed. Why cant you enter? As far as I know, you can join as often as you want, even if you fail, Alex presses. Lets just say I needed some money, so I quickly made my way to the 200th floortwice. And after that, my participation was revoked. I didnt know you couldnt do that! I was young and very hungry, and was planning to constantly go from 1 to 200 and earn an infinite amount of money! I didnt listen to the instructions during that time. Also all those expensive restaurants drained my travel funds. It was a bad time afterwards. Anyway, Im not allowed to enter again, she explains. How the fuck do you spend 400 million on food?! Thats impossible! Alex is seriously gobsmacked by the absurdity of her situation. Shut up! You wanted to come here, so now you win your fights. Dont mind me! Menchi snaps, clearly ashamed. I guess Ill do just that. Not like we have another choice, do we? Alex relents, finally letting her off. Anyway, were nearly there, if my eyes arent deceiving me, he says, looking out the window. He sees a giant building with multiple fighting arenas visible even from the outside. It somewhat resembles the Burj Khalifa, only grander and crazier in scope. Chapter 131: Climbing x Tower – The Fighting Paradise The bus stops in its tracks close to Heavens Arena, just a few minutes on foot away. Alex and Menchi confidently walk toward it. In front of the building, Alex notices a lot of fighters, some beaten up and wounded, and even more spectators walking in and out of the large Arena. he thinks, losing a bit of confidence as he sees some fighters that look like they mean serious business. As they walk inside the massive building, 991 meters (approx. 3,250 feet) tall, having over 251 floors, Alex is in deep thought. Alex and Menchi enter the building and walk a few minutes until they see the area where fighters can register. There are multiple counters, each with hundreds of people lining up behind them. Menchi sighs, mumbling, This will take hours, boooring. Do you want to skip the line? Alex, determined to change not only his approach but also to build up confidence, says, Exactly my thoughts! Huh, what do you mean? Menchi asks, but Alex chooses to bypass the line and walks exactly in front of the counter. Immediately, he gets surrounded by some nearby angry fighters wishing to register, obviously not accepting Alexs blatant line cutting. Not intending to even waste a word, he unleashes his Ren fueled by his own rage and determination. Immediately, the fighters begin to shiver, as if they have seen a ghost in front of them. Everyone close by backs off, and Alex is now standing in front of the counter with nobody else in sight. Id like to register... now! he says to the woman behind the counter as he stops his Ren S...sss..sure. Fill out this form, please! She says, slightly frightened. Alex hastily fills it out, despite not knowing the language. The system allows him to write in the local languagesymbols closely related to Japanese Hiragana and Katakana but looking more similar to symbols and weird runes, almost like hieroglyphs. The attendant finally says: Alex Kerber, you are number 1337. Please proceed to the large fighting arena on the first floor. They will call out your number once its time to fight. Heh, good job. I like you! he says in return, smiling and walking away afterward, leaving the attendant confused. He and a slightly impressed Menchi walk towards the fighting arena on the first floor. They see a huge hall, the ceiling almost as high as the one in the underground bunker. There are dozens of small fighting rings set up, with thousands of spectators sitting on the giant wall of seats along the outer sides of the arena. Before they even have time to sit down, Alexs number is immediately called. Numbers 6969 and 1337, please enter ring L. Alex confidently walks toward ring L and sees a mean-looking man already standing on top of the slightly elevated fighting arena. Alex drops his weapons and gauntlets, which are not allowed until he reaches the 200th floor, onto the ground before him and enters the square-shaped fighting zone as well. First-floor contests are used to appraise each participants skill level. Please demonstrate your abilities within 3 minutes. This is not only about winning and losing, the referee, wearing a silly bright red and yellow vest and a weird hat that reminds Alex of Aladdins capa fezexplains. His vest and cap have the typical fist logo on them, the official logo of Heavens Arena. Any questions? Also, number 1337, if possible, dont use... you know. I wont evaluate you any lower if you hold back. We dont want any accidents on the lower floors. The referee looks at Alex with a slightly pleading expression. I dont need it! Alex says, choosing not to activate Ren and just casually having his Ten, a purely defensive technique, activated. Now get ready FIGHT! the referee screams. His enemy looks slightly flustered but angrily charges at Alex, screaming, Ill cripple you for life, you arrogant fuck! Alex, surprised by how easily this man is triggered and by the fact that he wants to cripple him for no reason at all, feels a profound anger inside himself. He dodges the tackle and immediately forms a claw with his now bare hands. He claws the mans chest, his fingers actually piercing the mans flesh and leaving bloody trails on his body, like the claws of a small bear. AAAAAH, WHAT IS THIS? KNIVES! HELP! his enemy screams in panic. Alex, still angry, doesn''t intend to spare him just yet. He sprints toward the man and forcefully inserts his clawed hand deep into his opponents body. Deciding to let him leave with his life, Alex targets a lung instead of the hearta feat he is able to accomplish despite not actively using his Aura, thanks to his steadily increasing STR, SPD, and PHY. He then hears a loud, STOP! This fight is over! from the referee. Alex pulls out his hand, blood gushing from his opponents stomach, which now looks like it was impaled by a large spear. His opponent immediately stumbles backward and collapses, and a few medics rush in to carry him away. Some spectators watching the fight scream in excitement, shock, or horror. Those more accustomed to the violence clap and yell in approval, while others, clearly not regulars, are visibly shaken by the brutality. Number 1337 your first time here, but you look ready for the 200th class. However, its policy that we dont send newcomers straight to the top, so youll be entering Floor 100 for now. At least this way, youll get a room. At your level, the other floors wont take much time at all, the referee says, printing out a tiny receipt from the mobile computer all referees carry. [Side Quest Updated: Mission: Reach the 200th floor of Heavens Arena in less than 3 months time. 50th Floor: 1/1100th Floor: 1/1150th Floor: 0/1 200th Floor: 0/1] Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Alex accepts the receipt, grabs his dropped equipment, and walks back toward Menchi. Whats wrong with you? Why go that far? Did he piss you off or something? Menchi asks him. Told me he was gonna cripple me, so I turned it around on him. Guess hell probably miss one of his lungs, Alex says, unapologetic. Hmmm, fair is fair, I guess. Seems like you dont enjoy acting like the bigger guy, huh? she responds. Usually, I dont have a problem staying calm, but sickos like that who seriously want to cripple enemies just because they dont like them are cancer cells that need to be removed immediately. If Im in that situation, I wont hesitate. Better him than one of his future victims, Alex explains his logic. Hmmm, countless people get hurt herethats what this place is all about. You cant protect everyone. If they lose, they get hurt, Menchi says. Indeed, Alex answers with a slight smile, deciding not to debate further. he thinks. Anyway, lets check out my new room. I heard the rooms can be anywhere. Even if I have to fight on the 100th floor, the room could be higher. Since the referee sent me straight to the 100th floor, I should get one now, Alex says as they leave the giant hall, heading toward the main area and one of the many elevators leading upward. They enter an elevator reserved for fighters, and Alex notices there is an attendant inside. He politely shows his receipt to the well-dressed, quite beautiful female attendant and says, 100th floor, please! The attendant nods and flashes a professional, business-like smile, which makes Alex blush slightly, unused to such treatment. Menchi steps on his right foot, and Alex cries out in pain. OUCH! What the fuck? You stop fooling around and acting like a pervert! Menchi scolds him. ... Alex thinks, his foot still throbbing. They step out of the elevator, and Alex receives his payment for the first fighta disappointing 152 Jenny. It''s barely enough to buy a drink from the nearby vending machine, which he promptly does. Always curious about the different drinks and food items in other worlds, its one of the few things Alex will never tire of. A/N: 100 Jenny = 90 Yen = 0.78 USD (The Heavens Arena arc was published in 1999, and this is 2 in-universe years before that, so Im acting like inflation doesnt exist and will be using those numbers for reference. They should be pretty accurate, lore-wise. So if you read 1 USD be aware that 1 USD at that time is worth nearly 2 USD today.) Alex is also handed a key, and to his absolute delight, his room is on floor 199just a single floor below the 200th. Since hes aiming for the top anyway, this is as good as it gets. He decides to schedule his next fight for tomorrow, so they can finally rest and check into the new room. Using the same elevator, theyre greeted again by the same female attendant. This time, Menchi strategically blocks any angle Alex might have to see her and looks at him with a smug expression. ... he thinks. They enter the room and are greeted by a well-cleaned, rather large space that resembles a studio apartment more than the basic room Alex had been expecting. Inside, Alex notices more than one bedroom is available, and he immediately relaxes. he thinks, still struggling to ignore Menchis beautiful figure, which is always accentuated by her skimpy outfit. Suddenly, Menchi smiles and declares, You know what its time for? Time for TRAINING! ... Alex sighs. Chapter 132: Hardcore x Fan – The Magical Spectator’s Glasses Alex sits on the ground training his Zetsu. He is strangely relaxed and feels almost like a new person. He and Menchi spent the entire night practicing Ten and Zetsu. Zetsu has the huge advantage of cutting off any aura leaving the body, which speeds up not only HP regeneration but also a fast recovery of AURA and Stamina. Using this ability while meditating is essentially almost as effective as normal sleep. Finally, Alex stops using Zetsu and takes a look at his [Destiny Watch], noticing, Menchi notices that Alex has stopped for now and says, Your next fight is in 1 hour. You should really get your own damn phone. It is annoying that you gave the arena my number. Now, I am the one getting these messages! You are right, sorry for that. After today''s fightwhich I absolutely cant afford to lose since it would mean losing our room as wellIll get paid some prize money, so Ill buy one in the many stores inside the Arena afterwards, okay? Alex responds, agreeing with her point. Okay, lets do it after your fight. I wanna check out the stores as well! Menchi replies, her excitement visible on her face. Alex, after dumping most of his equipment into his inventory and just wearing simple workout clothes, walks to the elevator on floor 199 to ride it down to floor 106, where he is scheduled to fight in an hour. Menchi stands beside him and slightly elbows him, asking, So how confident are you? S~ea??h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The elevator suddenly arrives, and they both enter it. Alex, slightly annoyed, responds to her earlier question, Im fairly confident I can win against most fighters against a few, Ill probably struggle if I dont use that. The elevator attendant, a rather old and experienced-looking woman, suddenly chimes in: If you need to use your Aura to defeat the small fry on these floors, you better train some more, kiddo. If you cant advance without your Aura, thats also a sign that you lack basic fighting skills. Use this opportunity to get some fighting experience! Thanks for the advice. It looks like you know quite a lot even about Nen, Alex responds, noticing that Menchi also looks slightly surprised. I love martial artists. My father once fought in the 200 class! Its been ages since that time still, I myself never get tired of the excitement of watching a battle between two Nen users, each using their abilities to fight against each other. The only reason I work here is to be able to get any ticket for the 200th class for myself. I got connections after all these years! I am excited to see you enter it as well. Ill definitely watch your fights. My only regret is that I was never able to enter it myself It took me years to open my aura nodes, and even after decades of training, my aura is pitifully weak. Still, it somehow excites me to be able to train aura. Want me to rate your Nen ability, young man? Its my hobby! the eager attendant asks Alex. You know, ma''am, that sounds fairly interesting, but my danger sensors are kinda kicking in right about now. Alex responds. The elevator door opens, and they arrive at floor 106. Dont be silly! Now we are on floor 106, so just let me do it. Your beautiful but skimpily dressed friend can watch! Im just evaluating you so I can earn a fortune placing bets later. In return, Ill give you all the info you need about your future opponents. How about that? The old attendant offers, a hint of greed in her eyes. If you sell out my information I am a hunter I hope you know what that means. As long as I dont overdo it, my license is safe, and the law cant touch me, Alex responds, wary of the woman but also deeply interested in her offer. Ah, Im not worried. Ive never reneged on a deal before. Follow me. She urges Alex and Menchi toward a nearby staff room, which she opens using a set of tools instead of a key. The tools seem specifically designed for breaking into a certain type of door, likely for doors mass-produced for Heavens Arena. Im kinda getting the creeps What do I have to do? I wont trust you and enter into some sort of contract, just so you know, Alex says, slightly intimidated by this older woman, who looks old enough to retire in a few years. No need Let me use and also explain to you my own Nen ability. Its called Spectators Glasses! It combines Enhancement and Conjuration. I conjure a seemingly normal pair of glasses, and those glasses dont have any other use but to strengthen and evolve my Gyo! If I use it on them, not only is my Gyo pushed to levels even the most accomplished hunters couldnt reach, but it also shows me the current combat level of participants. The only downside is that as long as I use it, I cant fight at all, and I have to sit down on a chair or something similar, so excuse me, young man. She explains this as she pulls a plastic chair from a nearby closet and sits down. With this ability, I can enjoy the fights and dont miss out on any tricks! Some fighters are especially crafty and use In, so many spectators dont even understand the fights, even if they are mediocre Nen users themselves, she continues. Finally, she openly conjures a pair of glasses, puts them on, and activates Gyo. Ive developed my own rating system. Its fairly accurate, ranging from 1 to 10. The winner of Battle Olympiathe highest position in this toweris what Id call a 10. Of course, not every winner of Battle Olympia is strong in everything, but just use that as a general range. The average Floor Master is a 7, and the average 200th-class fighter is a 4, she explains. She begins her examination of Alexs fighting strength: So, lets see what youve got, young man: Physical abilities: Id say a bit more than 5, maybe more like a 5.5. Aura: A solid 5, I guess. Nothing special, but above average at least. Nen abilities: Oh my 8.5 at the very least! And there is something else which I usually call the X Factor. That thing is easily a 9.5, maybe even a 10. You show quite a bit of promise. Whats your name? My name is Alex Kerber To tell you the truth, I just got my license, and this is my Nen master Yes, despite the age difference, Alex answers. Incredible, young man. Anyway, your physical abilities and Aura are not bad at all, but maybe on the lower side if you want to become a Floor Master But this will deceive most fighters into underestimating you. Your Nen abilities and your uniqueness are insanely strong. I think you could be the one Ive been waiting for! Ill bet big on you! You wont regret it. Youre living on floor 199, judging from where you entered the elevator? Ill visit you later, and Ill tell you whatever you want. I cant wait to see you fighting. Hmmm, thank you, I guess, Alex says, a bit confused but also intrigued by her ability. Menchi, seemingly impressed, adds with a sweet but menacing smile: Your ability is interesting, old woman. Youve probably used it for a long time, right? I see that your aura is incredibly weak. Youre not talented at all, but I see an insane amount of dedication and polish in your aura and your ability. I think well agree to your little scheme, but if you dare to go back on your promise Im not just a rookie hunter like my cute student over there but a Single-Star Hunter. If I wanted to, I could kill any Floor Master in a matter of days, so you better not deceive us! Anyway, Alex, your fight is starting soon. You better hurry up! Alex, Menchi, and the old attendant, Sua, exchange contact info before Alex hurries to the Arena. As he enters, Alex is surprised by the sheer size of the crowdeasily a few thousand people, all gathered around a single fighting arena in the center of the stage. Normally, Alex would start panicking, sweating, and outright making a fool of himself in a situation like this. But his extensive Aura training has tempered not just his body, but his spirit as well. He manages to walk calmly toward the middle of the arena and ascends the few steps to the platform, where an attendant directs him to wait for the announcer''s cue. It only takes a few minutes before the voice of a young female announcer echoes through the arena: Now, we have our next fight! Introducing our veteran, Robinoldoa fighter who once reached floor 160 but, after sustaining an injury, went on a losing streak and dropped all the way back to the 70s. Recently, though, hes on a comeback streak with three consecutive wins! Robinoldo is known for his acrobatic kicks and a mix of throwing and grappling techniques! The crowd cheers as she continues: Facing him is Alex! He may look like your average, good-looking guy, but dont be deceived. Alex was sent directly to the 100s, and not much is known about him yet. However, during his assessment, he used an impressive claw technique to brutally cripple his opponent, piercing deep into his opponent''s lung! Be warnedthis fighter may look normal, but he is vicious! Cheers erupt from the crowd, and Alex hears several voices calling out: Im rooting for you, Alex!!! Destroy that arrogant fat slob Robinoldo! Im betting on you! Claw style! Claw style! You have to win! To Alexs surprise, quite a few spectators are cheering for him despite the rather ominous description from the announcer. He gives a casual wave to the crowd, and their cheers grow even louder. Now, lets check the betting odds Oh, it looks like our newcomer is slightly favored! Lets see if he can live up to the hype! the announcer declares. Alex thinks. The referee calls Alex and his opponent, Robinoldo, to the center of the ring. Robinoldo, an older and gritty veteran with a bizarre body shape, steps forward. Alex notices hes nearly two heads taller than his opponent, yet somehow Robinoldos build still makes him appear larger and stronger overall. Alex thinks, annoyed. The referee begins his announcement: This match will consist of three rounds, each lasting three minutes. The match will be decided by points or a KO. A clean hit earns 1 point, while a critical hit earns 2 points. If you go down, youll lose 1 point. Unsportsmanlike conduct, such as intentionally leaving the arena, will result in additional point deductions. Play fair! He steps back and shouts, Now get ready! 3 2 1 FIGHT! Chapter 133: Climbing x Progress – A Difficult but Worthwhile Journey Alex rushes towards Robinoldo, his eyes focused on his opponent''s weird long legs, disregarding his comically short upper body. As he reaches him, Robinoldo unleashes a swift, vicious sidekick that looks like a spear thrust at Alex. Still, Alex, with his high AGI and SNS along with his Basic Close Combat Prowess lvl 3, Basic Footwork lvl 3, including the combat forms of Claw Proficiency lvl 3, manages to easily evade the brutal but telegraphed attack. Instead of going in, Alex is wary of his opponent''s ability to use throwing and grappling attacks, which the announcer previously mentioned. He focuses on his claw-style fighting style, his hands transforming into nasty-looking claws, his nails now looking like blades attached to a bone-shaped claw, just slightly covered with skin and flesh, overall looking quite monstrous, albeit not even half as terrifying as Killua''s claws, whose skills are without a doubt at least 4 to 5 levels higher than Alex''s. Without waiting for his opponent to react, Alex targets his opponent''s still outstretched leg. He manages to cut open his leg, even grabbing it and pressing his blade-like nails deep into it, making his opponent scream in pain. Still, he reacts and unleashes another kick with his other leg, a feat that Alex didn''t expect. Alex decides to let go and dodge, satisfied with the damage he caused. "CRITICAL HIT!" The referee screams and holds up 2 fingers. "EVERYONE, TAKE A LOOK AT THIS! Contestant Alex has somehow turned his hands into claws; what skill! Contestant Robinoldo''s sidekick looked spectacular, but now his leg is bleeding profusely. Can he recover?" Robinoldo screams in pain but still charges in. Alex dodges, using his claws to counter, and repeatedly lands light blows, stabbing attacks, and cuts on his opponent. He does not risk going into close range. Alex is not a total amateur at martial arts since he took a few introductory courses after his initiation into the realm. However, he still isnt confident at all to get out of a submission hold of a strong fighter from this world, thinking, Robinoldo''s bleeding wound slowly covers the ring in blood, his remaining time clearly limited. Alex looks at Robinoldo and feels like he can read his mind. He immediately forms a nasty plan to easily win the fight: "I just have to stay defensive, and I''ll win in a couple of minutes when his sight slowly turns blurry from the blood loss," he says He dodges attack after attack, but suddenly, a thought creeps into his mind: The referee screams, "STOP! The first round is over. Go to a corner. Take a one-minute break, and then the fight continues!" "Wow, everyone, this is not what we expected. Contestant Alex used a decisive attack to gain an advantage. He has been playing with his prey like a smart and vicious predator! Can Contestant Robinoldo keep up the pace, or is he done for?" The announcer says with glee. The spectators are satisfied with this bloody fight, reveling in Robinoldo''s desperation. The time passes, and the announcer signals to the candidates to resume the fight. Alex enters the ring and slightly bows towards Robinoldo, saying, "I am sorry. My behavior was not sportsmanlike. I hope it is not too late, but let''s have a real fight and show the spectators what they came to see!" Sarch* The N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Robinoldo looks at Alex with a confused face, clearly not believing him. Still, as the referee screams, "CONTINUE!" Alex charges in. However, his opponent''s weird combat techniques manage to outrange him a bit, and his kicks keep him at bay. Robinoldo spins around himself, unleashing swift and effective kicks that Alex blocks with his arms. He feels quite the sting but no real damage. He also uses a few jabs between kicks when Alex is focused on blocking. After analyzing his style, Alex advances and lands numerous attacks himselfclaw attacks, consisting of cuts, slashes, stabs, and even a few kicks well suited to his current style. Claw Proficiency lvl 3 also has some techniques for claws attached to the legs and feet. Thus, Alex is at least somewhat capable of landing these attacks, even if he is unarmed. After landing a good combination attack, he feels confident and is improving by the second. "Clean hit!" The referee announces: "3-0. Contestant Alex Kerber in the lead." The fight continues, and Alex takes some damage as well, but his claw attacks are clearly way more effective than Robinoldo''s, who has lost quite a bit of steam by now. Alex lands another vicious kick. He sees his opponent falling to the ground, but his eyes suddenly turn crazy. He manages to grab Alex''s leg and drag him down to the ground with him. "LOOK, EVERYONE, A LEG LOCK FROM CONTESTANT ROBINOLDO! Can Alex fight back?" Alex knows the basics of getting out of locks. He sees this as a challenge and thinks, even with a slight smile, He immediately reacts, not allowing his opponent to strengthen the lock, and twists his body. After a few seconds of struggle, his leg is still in his opponent''s lock, and he feels some severe pain. However, he also manages to grab his opponent''s leg, and a vicious smile forms on his lips as he thinks, His claw forms again on his hand, and he pierces it into his opponent''s leg in one swift motion. "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGGGHHH" Robinoldo can''t take it and screams in pain. Alex uses this opportunity to twist his body again and forcefully escape the lock. He then charges at his opponent, puts him in a chokehold, and holds his claw to his throat. "STOP! This fight is over! Winner contestant Alex Kerber!" The referee announces. "What a turnaround! Alex Kerber escaped the lock with another cruel stabbing attack with his claw-like hands, " the commentator shouts excitedly. Alex lets Robinoldo go, and his opponent looks down to the ground and immediately leaves the arena. However, before he steps down, he turns around and nods towards Alex, seemingly grateful for giving him a chance. Alex leaves the arena smiling, knowing he made it to floor 110, learned a few things, and didn''t choose the cheap and easy way out. As he leaves the Arena, Menchi gives him a thumbs up: "Not bad, my cute student. I like your attitude towards martial arts. You didn''t chicken out! Still, your grappling techniques are pathetic. We''ll split time between some basic combat techniques and Nen starting today." Alex and Menchi finally visit the numerous stores inside the tower after Alex collects his fight money, a whopping 1 million Jenny, enough to buy 20 good quality phones. He buys a relatively easy-to-use model, which is not suited for fighting and exploration since he knows he will only use it for the three months he can stay inside the tower. The following two weeks pass quickly. Alex''s days are structured the same way. He sleeps 6 hours, trains Nen for 12 hours, and then learns about martial arts with Menchi. Alex is constantly put into embarrassing holds by Menchi, failing spectacularly to break free. Her teasing quickly escalates into her sitting down on his face, just wearing a thin training suit, her ass firmly pressed against his face. At other times, she immobilizes him with her legs. She puts his face into her chest, causing him to be unable to breathe, nearly causing him to faint. It even escalates into her squeezing his balls with her knee while holding him in a lock, clearly enjoying humiliating Alex like that. Alex can''t help but feel torn. On the one hand, he discovers that he enjoys this kind of ''training'' but also feels highly humiliated being treated like a pet. Worst of all, he knows that Menchi knows he doesn''t precisely dislike these things. Still, Menchi only rarely engages in these things and is mostly serious, teaching Alex valuable techniques. After the two weeks are over, Alex, despite still struggling crazily, has learned the basicsnot the pathetic ''basics from Earth,'' of course, but the basics of the world of Hunter x Hunter, where humans are so strong that the fighting strategies differ significantly from those known to Alex. Not only does Alex learn about basic grappling techniques and how to integrate them into his claw style, but he also learns how to evade them. In addition, he now knows basic fighting strategies, movement techniques, and many other tricks he needs to be aware of. Alex also gets closer to Menchi on a personal level, learning about her hobbies and interests beyond just cooking, which she still does for both of them daily. They even go out occasionally to try different restaurants, spending just a fraction of Alex''s prize money. Of course, Alex fights every single day and continues to climb Heavens Arena slowly despite his training. While mostly winning, he fights a few opponents who are clearly superior physically and look like they''ll make it to the 200th floor easily. Alex also realizes that a few of those fighters know Nen. Still, as if some secret contract was in place, nobody even attempted to use any technique other than a basic Ten. Overall, it takes Alex 14 days to reach the 190th floor. He could have perhaps struggled like crazy and risked a few things to not lose. Still, he emphasizes not getting wounded too seriously. While he may have lost, he only lost through points. Each loss is vital to him, and he learns important lessons and discovers weaknesses, which he promptly discusses and works on with Menchi. Today is Alex''s next fight. If he wins, he will reach the 200th floor, and his true challenge will begin. He is proud of himself, not having used any spell, weapon, or Nen technique but only his basic fighting skills to reach the top. It was not easy, but he feels he has made some real progress beyond his skills. Alex feels like he clearly acquired a change in mentality, learning about fighting on a deeper level than before. Chapter 134: 200 x Class – Fighting against the Top Alex stands inside the large fighting Arena on floor 191, the crowd already excited and loudly screaming. His opponent is a large man, easily 2.3 meters tall (around 7.55 feet). Alex remains unfazed by his opponent''s towering presence. He has grown accustomed to facing monstrous fighters with incredible physiques. , Alex imagines, a hint of bloodlust in his eyes. As usual, the commentator engages the crowd, asking them to vote for their favorite fighter. Despite Alex''s somewhat impressive journey to the 190th floor in under two weeks, his opponent appears to be the crowd favorite, boasting significantly better odds. Finally, the referee enters the ring, gestures for Alex and his opponent to come to the middle, and goes over the rules again. To Alex''s surprise, he looks at his opponent specifically, clearly recognizing him. With some visible disdain in his eyes, he says, "You better make sure to follow the rules! I''ll disqualify you if you don''t stop when told!" Alex wonders, thinking, The referee finally looks at them, ready to start the fight, and yells, "Get ready... BEGIN!" As soon as the referee starts the fight, Alex''s opponent immediately charges toward him. Alex easily sidesteps, but to his surprise, his opponent''s body suddenly glows brightly., Alex recognizes immediately. His opponent emits a large amount of Aura, and a clone, which shares his body type but appears as a mirage made of pure Aura, floats next to him. Surprised by this, Alex tries to dodge with all his skill, but it''s too late. Cornered by the two of them, his real enemy not only lands a solid hit, fully powered by Ko, but the mirage also tackles him like a mad elephant. Alex barely manages to activate Ken but still eats the punch and the charge and gets thrown outside the ring. "Critical hit and down. 3 Points for Millardo," the referee announces, looking somewhat disgusted by Millardo''s surprise attack using Nen and breaking the unofficial code of the lower floors. Alex lies on the ground outside of the Arena, hatred visible in his eyes, along with a single thought: Alex gets up while the referee counts him down: "6, 7. "When the time reaches 8, Alex reenters the ring. "Contestant Alex Kerber, can you continue?" He asks him. "No problem. Let''s go already," Alex responds. "Okay. RESUME!" The referee announces. Alex immediately activates his Ren, not holding back at all. His opponent and his clone, which is hovering in the air, are clearly surprised. Alex conjures Mustrano''s Malice Mauler lvl 3 and hides it with In. Rather than respecting his opponent, Alex taps into Mustrano''s hatred, experiencing a surge in his Aura. Although the system does not register this as an ability, Alex senses a significant increase in raw power. He immediately activates Toxic Breakthrough lvl 3, empowering the invisible claw with a potent and vicious toxic enhancement. Alex wildly charges towards his opponent. He dodges the approaching clone by using Gyo and quickly using an empowered step to sidestep it. Then, he propels himself towards his opponent with another one to immediately close in the distance and reach him. Using the momentum, Alex immediately takes a big gamble and decides to use Ko, ready to unleash his most potent attack. His opponent, Millardo, uses his hands to block. He is clearly unaware of Mustrano''s presence and thus gets hit by the dangerous attack. Mustrano, vaguely familiar with Alex''s previous wish to slice through his opponent like butter, indeed pierces through both of his arms and leaves a huge hole, resembling a crater in his opponent''s body, injecting the poison straight into it. sea??h th N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Millardo struggles back. His clone immediately dissipates into the air, and he faints on the ground without fully realizing what happened. The referee jumps in front of Alex, blocking his way and shouting: "THE FIGHT IS OVER! IMMEDIATELY CALL IN THE MEDICS! FAST!" Alex steps aside and watches as the medics rush in to provide first aid, only to see a message appear before him. Alex immediately sees a chest next to Millardo and stealthily, using In, decides to grab it. Alex, curious, waits for him to be declared the winner and then leaves. While waiting for Menchi, Alex decides to open the chest immediately. [Side Quest Finished: Mission: Reach the 200th floor of Heavens Arena in less than 3 months. 50th Floor: 1/1100th Floor: 1/1150th Floor: 1/1 200th Floor: 1/1 Reward: 1 Free Stat point, Increased Mission Rating] Alex thinks. While Alex waits patiently, Menchi finally arrives, looking a bit concerned. She asks him, "Are you alright? It looks like that surprise attack took a toll on you. Good job reacting quickly enough to activate Ken! That decision may have saved your life or at least prevented you from suffering a permanent disability. We should get you to a doctor and see what the damage is. You may need to rest for a week if you''re unlucky." After visiting the Doctor, Alex receives treatment for his chest injury and is diagnosed with three cracked ribs, which, according to the Doctor, require at least 1 to 2 months of strict recovery. Alex, however, knows that his high stats, Zetsu, and his [Sacred Emerald Copper Earring] will significantly speed up his recovery, similar to what happened to Gon. After leaving the Doctor''s office, Alex calmly tells Menchi, "It was my mistake. I needed to pay more attention. Anyway, from now on, it''s serious. I''m curious how far I can make it! I''ve set a time limit of 3 months, so I have about two and a half months left. I guess I have to accept a pause for a week or so. In any case, let''s at least register for the 200th class now." Menchi jokingly slaps his chest, causing Alex to groan in pain, and she responds to his suggestion, "Good attitude! You did fine; I mean it. That guy got what he deserved for what he was trying to pull. Let''s register and talk to Sua to better understand the situation up there. Maybe You can start with a few of the weaker opponents if possible." "I agree!" Alex says, eager to take things slowly. "I also managed to hide 2 out of 3 of my Nen abilities, along withlet''s call themsome other tricks. I want to win my fights using my Claw skills, along with Mustrano, Basic Nen, and Advanced Nen techniques! That way, I''ll have a few aces up my sleeve if I can make it to 10 wins." Entering the elevator on the 191st floor, Alex and Menchi are surprised to see Sua standing inside. "Congratulations! You took your time but still made it in less than 2 weeks; impressive. I hope your injury isn''t too bad," she says. "I''ll be fine in a week or two," Alex responds, smiling at Sua, who seems rather intense in her enthusiasm. As the elevator goes up, Sua bids farewell to Alex and Menchi: "Tell me when you''re feeling better, and DON''T register until then. Many unsavory people are lurking around, trying to take advantage of newcomers to earn quick wins. Don''t fall for their tricks, okay?" "Thanks for the warning; I think we''ll be fine!" Menchi replies with a confident smile. They casually walk toward the counter on the 200th floor and approach the lone attendant. With fewer than a hundred fighters in this class, additional staff isn''t necessary. "Hi, I''d like to register for the 200 class!" "Contestant Alex Kerber, right? We''ve been expecting you," says the attendant, a woman in her 40s, in a quiet and eerie voice that lacks emotion. "From here on, you''re no longer fighting for money or gain; only fame is what you can win in this class. You are required to fight once every 90 days, but you can fight as often as opponents are available. Please be aware that weapons of any kind are allowed from now on. Also, you lose your right to participate in further matches after 4 losses. If you win ten times, you can challenge a floor master for his title to participate in the next battle, Olympia. Please ask me or any other attendant up here if you want to know more." "Thanks for the information! However, I''m just registering and not signing up for a fight yet. I''ll be back in a couple of days," Alex replies, already aware of how the 200 class operates. [Secret Quest Discovered: Mission: Win fights in the 200 class of Heavens Arena Won fights: 0 Reward: ???] Alex thinks and immediately accepts the quest As they are about to leave, Alex is caught off guard when he and Menchi are confronted by two suspicious-looking men. "Really?" Alex says in a surprised voice, laughing about the bluntness of these two "rookie hunters." Chapter 135: Rookie x Hunters – Like a Moth to a Flame Alex approaches the two friendly fighters with a beaming smile, ceasing his Ten immediately and allowing his Aura to leak out like that of a normal person. Menchi uses Zetsu and steps aside, planning to let Alex handle the situation. Exuding confidence, he says, Oh wow, its really you two! Im a huge fan of your fights! Its such a pleasure to finally meet you. My name is Alex Kerber! A small but visible blue flash appears in his eyes. [Commander Shepards Dog Tag], activating. The two fighters exchange surprised glances, clearly taken aback and struggling to collect their thoughts. Finally, one of them replies, Yeah, nice to meet you too, I suppose. Im Kell. So, youve made it to the 200 class, huh? Are you looking for a fight? You you want to fight me? This is like a dream come true! To go up against real combat artists like you! Alex exclaims, struggling to contain his excitement. Ive had quite a bit of trouble on the last floors, and as you can see, I even broke some ribs. He lifts his shirt, revealing a large, bandaged area where the skin is swollen and discolored. Both fighters glance at the wound on Alexs body, their expressions shifting to concern. Its clear they realize he isnt in any condition to take on a fight right now. However, the other fighters face lights up with a mischievous grin as he says, Yeah, youll need to give it some time before you jump into the ring. But I advise you to step in as soon as you can. Otherwise, people might start to look down on you, and rumors could start to swirl. You can trust me on this. Im Nibul, the Gentleman of floor 200; my words are worth something! Yeah, you have a point but I need to give my wound some time to heal. Honestly, I might not stand a chance against you, but it would be a memory for the agesto fight you in an official Heavens Arena match. Thats a story Id love to share with my grandkids someday. So, how about it? Maybe a few weeks from now? By then, my wound should be mostly healed. Kell and Nibul exchange glances, trying hard to hide their smiles and excitement. Kell seizes the opportunity and suggests, Yeah, were kind of busy as you may know. We wouldnt typically consider fighting someone like youit would be bad for our reputation. But I guess if it means that much to you, we could squeeze you into our schedule. How about we schedule the fights right now? REALLY? Alex exclaims, a big smile spreading across his face. YES, OF COURSE! Sorry for being so excited. I would love to set up my fight with you two right now. Fine, well do you this favor, rookie. Nobody can say Kell and Nibul are unwelcoming to newcomers. Lets schedule the fights. I need to fight in 2 weeks, and you, Kell, only have a few days longer, right? So lets schedule my fight in 2 weeks and yours 3 days later. Dont worry about this A A Alex Kerber! Alex interjects, looking a bit embarrassed but showing a hint of anger. Yes, Alex, of course. Ill be going easy on you, so you dont have to worry about fighting just 3 days later. It will be a nice, fair fight! Sure, no problem. I guess if youre going easy like you said, we can do it that way Im trusting you, okay? Alex replies, looking a bit worried. Alex and his two idols approach the counter again and immediately schedule their fights. The attendant glances at Kell, Nibul, and Alex, showing a hint of confusion but decides not to mention anything other than the fights. Just a few minutes later, Kell and Nibul chuckle. Well, thank you so much for the free wins hahaha. Well see you in a few weeks! Alex laughs and waves, feigning excitement. As his future opponents leave, Menchi reappears with a smile, saying, Decided to use the opportunity? Alex responds, Yes, I have a plan. I, of course, accepted their ridiculous challenges. The people who are so weak, desperate, and talentless that they can only win by challenging and actively hunting for rookies are bound to be extremely weak. Perfect enemies for me to gain some experience and essentially get free wins from. He continues, Anyway, this was quite unexpected. Lets meet back up with Sua. Change of plans, I guess! Just a few minutes later, after calling the old hustler, she immediately scolds them: I TOLD YOU TO WAIT. WHY DID YOU ACCEPT THESE FIGHTS? she screams angrily. Well, I saw an opportunity and took it. They must be weak if they act like a bunch of arrogant show-offs. I cant believe they didnt question my act, he replies, thinking, Sua I have a request, Alex says. You know a lot of fighters and rookie hunters, right? Can you spread some rumors about me being a total idiot and gullible as hell? If these rookies are as arrogant as those two buffoons before, and they won''t even bother to check out my old fights, I need to exploit this NOW. How do you plan to exploit that? Sua asks. Simple. I want to throw out as much bait as possible. I want every single rookie hunter to target me! I want to schedule as many fights as I can. Also, please talk to the attendant so she doesnt mention that Im accepting matches left and right. I want ten matches scheduledright now! Before I even fight once, I want all of them within 50 days! I just need a week or so to rest, which gives me a bit more than 40 days to fight ten opponents, Alex demands. Menchi grins at Alex, clearly impressed with his scheme. He is deep in thought but remains silent about it. Sua acts as if Alex wants to engage, and while Alex openly shows his face around the tower, visiting restaurants and attending eventshe is approached by numerous fighters, all resembling creepy hunters, who desperately want to challenge him. However, Alex does not immediately accept their challenges. He plays along at first so they dont become suspicious. A few days later, Alex''s efforts pay off. Suas connections, schemes, and reputation, combined with Alexs seemingly naive and weak demeanor, easily attract the exact type of fighters he expects: desperate, crude individuals without a hint of earnestness. It takes him a few more days, but to his own surprise, his plan works flawlessly. Less than a week later, Alex has a total of ten fights scheduled, just as he had hoped. It is now the sixth day after his last fight. He lies on the bed, his upper body naked, while Menchi sits atop him. Please tell me it wont hurt, he pleads. Dont be such a pathetic wimp! Menchi replies, almost giggling in anticipation, as she quickly pulls off Alexs bandage in one swift motion. FUCK, SHIT! THIS HURTS! Alex screams while Menchi laughs. Alex throws her off him and stands up. He does a few quick training exercises and notes: Im back to around 90%, Secretly thinking, So when is your first fight scheduled, huh? Want to do some sparring to get you back into shape? Menchi asks, a cheeky grin on her face. Two more days. I did my best to spread them out as evenly as possible. I made up so many ridiculous excuses that I cant wait for them to realize their error. I cant believe they actually did exactly what I wantedwhat fine hunters they are. No wonder these bottom feeders can only dream about becoming floor masters. A few out of a hundred of those pathetic weaklings may actually succeed in farming ten wins like that, but how will they ever win against a true floor master without any real experience? After my first few fights, theyll all know whats in store for them, and theyll be angry, confused, and utterly humiliated. I wonder if they will even try to fight against me, Alex responds, excited that his scheme has seemingly worked well enough to trick ten of them at the same time. Heh, you are a real piece of work, I gotta admit. Now show me if youve forgotten how to fight during your week of recovery! Menchi says, taking on a fighting stance. Here we go again Alex says dejectedly, but he still aims to fight as hard as he can. Sarch* The N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 136: Recovery x Confrontation – The Gig Is Up! Alex opens his eyes. Hes lying on the floor, and a familiar green-haired woman looms over him, wearing a mocking grin. Not bad, but youre ten years too early to challenge me. Although, ten years later, Ill be even stronger than I am now, so I guess it doesnt matter, she teases. I guess so... Thats a reasonable assumption from your perspective. But the truth is, Ill become so much stronger than you could ever imagine. I wish I could show youknock you off that high horse, Alex replies, holding back the true reason for his words. Youre still hiding things from me! Why? Menchi asks, a hint of disappointment crossing her face. Im sorry, Menchi, Alex says, guilt washing over him. Its not that I dont want to tell you... Its like those Vows and Limitations you taught me about. Fine! she huffs, brushing it off. Lets get something to eat! Im not in the mood to cook today! They head out to yet another overpriced luxury restaurant Menchi had read about. As the dishes arrive, Alex finds himself enduring Menchis relentless critique of each one. He personally finds the food a little too fancy for his taste, but its undeniably delicious. Still, the situation brings back memories. Alex muses, a small smile on his lips. Once they finish their meal, despite its insane cost, Alex barely notices a dent in his prize money of 200 million Jenny. As they leave the restaurant and walk toward the elevator, intending to ride from floor 51 back up to floor 199, ten angry men suddenly approach them. Alex regards them with a curious expression, quickly piecing together their intentions. Alex thinks, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. The men close in, and one of themwhom Alex vaguely remembers as his future fifth victimsteps forward and yells: Hey, you! What the fuck do you think youre doing? Do you even realize that losing four times makes your other six fights completely pointless? It means youre forced to drop out! We might get some extra time to fight someone else after that, but its a hell of an inconvenience. And guess what I just found out from my friends? WHAT ARE YOU PLAYING AT?! Alex puts on an over-the-top display of panic, acting as though hes lost his mind. I This is all a mistake... Its Kell and Nibuls plan! Im sorry! I was just following their ordersthey forced me to do it, I swear! The group immediately turns on itself. Seven of the men spin toward Kell and Nibul, their glares seething with anger, while the two accused look completely stunned, their faces contorted with confusion. Alex thinks, barely holding back a smirk. The group of men angrily shouts over one another until someone yells, STOP! The voice belongs to a man who immediately commands attention. Unlike many rookie Hunterswho were brutally initiated into Nen through life-threatening attacks, often leaving them scarred or disabledthis man appears untouched. He has no visible injuries or deformities. Hes a head taller than Alex, though his frame is unusually thin. Long black hair falls over most of his face, obscuring it. Hes dressed in a robe that conceals his physique, but even so, he doesnt look remotely like a fighter. You idiots the man begins, his voice calm but laced with disdain. Do you really think Kell and Nibul are capable of orchestrating some grand plan? What would they even gain from itother than trouble? Alex watches the scene unfold with a growing smirk. Sar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He claps slowly, the sound echoing in the hallway, drawing all eyes to him. Wow, congratulations, Alex begins, his voice dripping with sarcasm. It looks like one of you has an IQ above 90. You must be the respected leader of this unofficial club of imbeciles. Truly, an honor to meet you. Several of the men stiffen, glaring at Alex, but he doesnt stop. Anyway, its too late for regrets now. The only question is this: do you want to face me in the arena, or do you prefer to handle this right here and now? Either works for me. He shrugs casually, letting the tension build. The only thing I need from you fools is ten wins so I can become a Floor Master. Originally, I figured Id just kill a few of youlet the survivors realize their own stupidity and save me the trouble. But hey, Im flexible. So, whats it going to be? The group erupts into whispers and muttering. Whats up with this guy? Is he insane? It cant be Is he bluffing? Screw this! Lets just take him down right now. Hes gonna pay for deceiving us! As Alex listens to their frantic discussion, Kell and Nibulstill standing behind the groupquietly sneak up on him. Without warning, they launch a combined attack. Alex doesnt even bother activating En; he feels their presence long before they strike. he thinks with an inward chuckle. In an instant, Alex conjures Mustranos Malice Mauler lvl 3 a claw-like weapon glowing faintly with his Aura. He reinforces it with and unleashes his Ren, slashing at both attackers in one swift motion. Blood splatters as Kell clutches his arms, and Nibul staggers back, gripping his shoulder in pain. Before they can recover, Menchi appears behind them like a ghost. With a single, fluid motion, she delivers sharp neck chops to both, knocking them out cold. She steps over their unconscious bodies, laughing coldly. Pigs have so many weak points. Its almost too easy to slaughter them. Even boars like these two can barely qualify as a threat. The rest of the group stares at Menchi in stunned silence. Her Aura flares momentarily, reminding them of the helplessness they felt when they were first exposed to Nen. Its clear to everyone present that her power far surpasses their own. So, anyone else feels like fighting? Menchi asks, her voice calm but dangerous. Just a reminderHunters can kill legally. Im offering you a deal: 50 million Jenny each, and Ill let you walk away. No fights, no bloodshed. Ill even promise not to touch you here and let you fight my cute student fair and square in the arena. Refuse, and... well, Ill handle this right now. You! one of the men stammers, trembling. Pay up, the leader finally orders, his voice low and defeated. Well accept todays loss. But you wont be able to protect your cute student forever. Well see him in the ring. The group reluctantly pulls out their phones, transferring the money to Menchi without another word. Once the transaction is complete, Alex and Menchi walk away, both grinning. Thanks for the backup, Menchi. I guess ten-on-one mightve been a bit much, even for me, Alex says, breaking the silence. Haha, dont thank me. I got paid a lot for this, she replies, smirking. Ill wire you 200 million to make it fair. Didnt you have some big plan for your money anyway? Over the last few weeks, Alex had tried various methods to convert his cash into valuable items. He visited weapon shops, antique stores, and explored other ventures, but the system failed to recognize a single item. Hed quickly learned that players could only take items officially recognized by the system when leaving this worldgold and other materials were useless. Believing that more money would lead to better options, Alex used the official Hunter website to request rare, expensive weapons and armor. Hed scheduled a series of private showings from vendors, all eager to overcharge him for premium items. To ensure their cooperation, Alex had vouched to the organization that the request was legitimate, not a scam or trap. Yes... The vendors are coming in a few days, Alex says, answering Menchis question. But its after my first fight. Maybe Ill find something useful. And thanks for the extra 200 millionthatll definitely open up some better options. Menchi shakes her head, amused. She still doesnt understand Alexs obsession with weapons and all those items, but she decides not to press him further. Chapter 137: Offense x Defense – Monstrous Damage! Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to todays fight in the 200 class! the announcer bellows, her excitement palpable as her voice echoes across the arena. Weve got an electrifying matchup for you tonighta rookie versus a seasoned veteran! Introducing Finur, with a record of 5 wins and 2 losses! After losing his debut match, he bounced back with five victories and only one more defeat. If he keeps this up, he might have a shot at becoming a Floor Master! As you all know, his fighting style is one of the most unique in the arenahes the ! Using an array of knives, daggers, and other bladed weapons, Finur overwhelms his opponents with speed and precision! The crowd erupts in cheers as Finur enters the arena. He looks slightly uneasy, his posture betraying his nerves. Its clear that whatever occurred earlier with Menchi has shaken him. The announcer doesnt miss a beat, continuing with unrestrained energy. And now, his opponent! There are rumors swirling around this one. Supposedly, hes already managed to set up ten fights! TEN, folks! How did our staff even allow that? Usually, only a few fights can be arranged at a time. I smell bribery! But hey, were not here to speculate but to watch a fight! sea??h th n??el Fire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Not much is known about his fighting style, but heres what weve managed to dig up: hes a newcomer with a 0-0 record. Before entering the 200 class, his main technique involved unarmed combata personal variation of a claw-based fighting style. Oh! And here he comes now! The crowd turns toward the arenas entrance as Alex strides in confidently, waving to the audience. The announcer continues: Our rookie appears to be wearing some formidable-looking gear todaya sleek, sturdy suit of armor. Hes also carrying both a sword and a shield. Lets give a big welcome to Alex Kerber, the newest contender in the 200 class! Alex scans the audience as he walks in, spotting Menchi and Sua seated among the crowd. he thinks. The commentator cuts in again, her enthusiasm barely contained. LOOKS LIKE WERE READY TO GO, FOLKS! The referee is calling both fighters to the center of the ring. Probably going over the rules again. Honestly, if you dont know them by now, I wont bore you with the details. Lets just shut up and get to the action! Alex sizes up his opponent. Finur is dressed in a long robe, with two massive blades strapped across his back. Despite the announcers commentary, Alex knows better than to underestimate him. Thanks to Sua, he has additional intel: Alex reminds himself. GET READY TO FIGHT. BEGIN! the referee roars. Wasting no time, Alex decides to use one of his strongest cards immediately. He activates Sealions Icewing Embrace lvl 3 cloaking himself in a frosty, menacing aura. With a quick In, he suppresses the visible portion of his Nen ability, leaving only a faint chill in the air and a patch of frost forming beneath his feet. His opponent narrows his eyes, observing Alex carefully. Alex grits his teeth. But Alex remains committed to his plan. Alex raises his shieldthe [Shield of Pluto] its surface enhanced with a frosty glitter from his conjuration ability. In his other hand, he grips the [Sword of Pluto] equally enveloped by the icy power of Sealions Icewing Embrace lvl 3 With his defenses bolstered further by Ken, Alex charges forward, shield and sword held steady. Whats this, folks? Is it just me, or is the ground beneath the rookies feet completely frozen? And theres some kind of frost emanating around him! the commentator exclaims. In the audience, a few spectators, each surrounded by an auraactivate Gyo, focusing their enhanced vision on Alex. Finur, meanwhile, instinctively retreats, darting backward to avoid Alexs advance. As he leaps into the air, he pulls several throwing knives from within his robes and hurls them toward Alex. With his [Shield of Pluto] raised, Sealions Icewing Embrace lvl 3, and Ken, Alex notices with delight that he isnt taking a single point of damage! However, Alex also makes a frustrating discovery: his [Nimbus Cloak] does not activate, despite casting his conjuration. It seems the conjuration is no longer recognized as a spell, as it now functions as a full-fledged Nen ability instead. Alex chases after his opponent, enduring hits from a variety of blades but avoiding any real damage. Only the durability of his conjuration takes a hit. Finur, as it turns out, is an expert in a hit-and-run fighting style. Despite Alexs best efforts, he struggles to close the distance. SHIT, that actually hurt! ENOUGH! Alex roars, frustration boiling over. He activates Blizzard Sword lvl 3, causing his sword to glow faintly with a blue light. Thankfully this is not too obvious, and Alexs magic is not too flashy. With his boosted speed, Alex pretends to struggle to catch Finur, deliberately telegraphing his movements. But at the last second, he bursts forward in a sudden dash. Caught off guard, Finur, with no way to dodge or evade, resorts to drawing the two massive blades strapped to his back. He swings one blade offensively while holding the other defensively to block Alexs charge. FOOL! Alex screams, his thoughts racing. To most of the spectators, Alexs [Sword of Pluto] appears unchanged. However, those with Nen-enhanced vision can see the truth: the blade is wrapped in a dense, frosty aura from his conjuration, Ko, and glows faintly with an otherworldly blue light. Finur moves slightly faster and manages to strike Alex with one of his massive blades while defending himself with the other. Alex feels the sting of real damage for the first time in the match, but he doesnt let it distract him. His focus is locked on delivering a decisive blow. His sword meets Finurs giant blade, which is raised in a desperate attempt to block the strike. To Finurs horror, Alexs sword slices cleanly through it and digs deep into his body, carving into his shoulder, upper arm, and chest. STOP! BACK OFF!! the referee shouts. Clean hit for Finur, 1 point. Critical hit and down for Alex Kerber! Fighter Alex Kerber is leading 3-1. Finur, you have 10 seconds to get upcan you keep fighting? Finur lies on the ground, clutching his wound. A vicious slash stretches from his shoulder and arm down to his lower stomach, blood soaking through his robes. Alex shudders at the sight, a chill running down his spine. Finally, Finur struggles to his feet, swaying unsteadily. His robes slip off his shoulders, revealing the gruesome new wound. Beneath it, Alex notices another cruel scar on Finurs opposite side, where a chunk of flesh is missing. Moments later, Finur collapses to the floor, unable to continue. STOP!! This is a knockout! Finur can no longer fight! Alex Kerber wins! the referee declares. The arena erupts into cheers as Alex raises his fist triumphantly. He exits the ring, his thoughts racing cheerfully. As Alex leaves through the same dark entrance tunnel he came from, he suddenly senses someone ahead. Despite looking straight forward, he doesnt see anything. Feeling uneasy, he activates En, ensuring its safe to proceed. Alexs aura expands outward, giving him nearly 30 meters of 360-degree vision in every direction. To his shock, he detects a figure clinging to the ceiling like a damn spider. COME OUT! Alex shouts, his voice echoing through the tunnel. If you want something, talk to me and dont stick to the damn ceiling like a stalker! I already told you fucking rookie huntersIll take you on inside outside the damn arena! To Alexs absolute horror, the figure that leaps down isnt one of the rookie hunters. Instead, its a familiar face. A chill runs down his spine as the shock sets in. Immediately, Alex panics, screaming inwardly: Chapter 138: Clown x Party – I’ll Slap that Ass One Day Footsteps echo through the dark corridor as a figure approaches slowly and confidently. Oh, you have some impressive instincts, sir Knight ?, a man dressed in a jesters outfit says, his voice smooth yet unsettling. His clothing is adorned with all four card suitshearts, diamonds, clubs, and spades, which Alex instantly recognizes from card games like poker. Step by step, the man closes the distance. His bright red hair glows faintly in the dim light, and on his pale cheeks, two distinct drawings stand out: a star on one side and a large tear on the other. You your outfit. I know you! Alex blurts out. Oh? How do you know me ?? the jester replies, a playful smirk spreading across his face. Im having my first fight against someone named Kastro in an hour. Your fight ended so quickly, and now Im soooo bored waiting ?. Say, are you interested in entertaining me ?? I dont know your name, Alex responds, trying to act tough, but Shalnark told me about someone who fits your description. Did you already take the spot? That was supposed to be my spot! Oh you know about my new colleague ?? I suppose I did take that spot. My apologies ?. You know the rules, though, if you want it back ?. Are you planning to use this opportunity in front of you ?? Ill die if I fight you now Alex admits, his voice steady but tinged with unease. Ive only just awakened my Nen less than a month ago. Youd better take your shot at me now, because if you dont, Ill come back in a few years. And when I do, Ill gladly rip that number off your dead body. Less than a month ?? the jester murmurs, his eyes widening with twisted delight. Aaahhhhhh I cant hold out much longer ?. This is so exciting.? He takes a step closer, his grin growing wider. You have a deal. Ill be expecting a visit from you in a few years ?. Dont disappoint me now ?. Alex, was it ?? You got yourself a deal, Jester! Alex growls. Once I wipe the floor with the other nine rookie hunters, Ill focus on getting stronger. Mark my wordsyoull regret this. But for now, Ive heard about Kastro. Hes a true genius. His Tiger Bite Fist is legendary. If you dont want to lose your spot without a fight, youd better concentrate on that battle instead of daydreaming about ours. Oh ?? Hisoka replies, his curious expression quickly replaced with a dangerous glint in his eyes. Can I really be this lucky? Two tasty fruits in a single day ?? His body begins to tremble, shaking with barely restrained madness. He leans in slightly and whispers with a soft, eerie tone: Go I cant control myself much longer ?. Ill see you soon, Alex ? ?. Alex briskly walks away, his thoughts racing. What a fucking degenerate psychopath. Thank god this fool is so easy to trick. I got the feeling he was seriously planning to kill me just for fun. Damn psycho! He wastes no time leaving the area and calls Menchi to regroup with her. Upon hearing Alexs account, she looks visibly shaken and quickly offers her thoughts: So, a Phantom Troupe member just approached you? Good job making it out alive. Theyre one of the most dangerous criminal organizations out there. The only reason there hasnt been a full-scale hunt for them is because of their ties to Meteor City and the fact that they mostly steal instead of outright slaughtering people. That said, most of their victims deserve whatever happens to them. Its best to just forget this happened, Alex replies, brushing off the encounter as if the clown is no longer his concern. So you dont want to watch his fight? Menchi asks, raising an eyebrow. Not like weve got tickets, Alex shrugs. I can help with that! a cheerful voice interjects. They both turn to see Sua approaching, a big smile plastered across her face. You did good, young man! Ill wire you your cut100 million. She sounds quite pleased with the results of todays fight. Thank you, Sua! Alex replies, his smile growing wide. Hes more than happy with the payout. With this, hes now sitting on about 500 million Jennya hefty sum for someone who only recently entered the world of Hunter x Hunter. They watch the fight, which turns out to be quite boring. Kastro manages to land only a single hit, but Hisoka lets him leave the ring in one piece, seemingly intrigued and having seen significant potential in him. Instead of splitting up, the trio decides to grab some food to celebrate their business venture. Menchi, in particular, seems to be in high spirits and starts drinking heavily. Alex watches in stunned amusement as she surprises him with the sheer volume of alcohol she consumes. Over the course of a few hours, Menchi completely overdoes it, getting so drunk that Alex has to carry her back to their room. As he cradles her in his arms, princess-style, Alex clenches his teeth, struggling to keep his thoughts in check. Dont even think about it, Alex. Youll end up regretting it. When they arrive, Alex gently kicks open the door, carrying Menchi inside. He sets her down carefully on the bed and turns to leave, intending to continue his Nen training. But just as hes about to step away, Menchis hand suddenly shoots out and grabs him. Before he can react, she pulls him closer and begins kissing him deeply. Alex freezes, completely shocked by her actions. His face turns bright red as her scent washes over him. Her face is so close to his, her beautiful yet tired eyes just centimeters away. His heart pounds as he struggles to process whats happening. Sar?h the ovelFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Then, just as suddenly, Menchi stops. Alex pulls back slightly, confused. He quickly realizes whyMenchi is now completely asleep. ... No fucking way. Are you serious right now? Alex mutters, loudly voicing his frustration. Before he can fully register the situation, Menchi, now almost completely naked, groans and kicks him in the face. Shut up let me sleep, she mumbles groggily before rolling over. Alex, rubbing his face, stares at her in disbelief. Unbelievable OUCH!Why is it that Im always surrounded by these types of people? Alex curses inwardly, rubbing his face in frustration. I swear to the System, if I werent so turned off right now, Id seriously. He trails off, his annoyance growing stronger. Ill get you back for this, he decides. I swear Ill spank that fat ass before I leave this world. No longer in the mood for training, Alex decides to head back to his own room and get some much-needed sleep. As he lies down, he reassures himself: I did more than okay today. I can allow myself to rest for once. The next day, Menchi barges into Alexs room, her voice cheerful and energetic. Hey! Why are you still sleeping? The sun is already shining! Wake up! Alex groans, opening his eyes. His face still stings from Menchis drunken kick the night before. He immediately complains, Remind me to never drink with you again! I had to carry you back, and as a thank-you, you kicked me in the face! Menchi giggles unapologetically and strolls out of his room, her figure swaying naturally. Alex cant help but stare at her as she leaves, his eyes drawn to her behind. Ill punish that ass soon enough, he thinks, renewing his vow. Time passes quickly, and Alex begins preparing for his next taskacquiring rare and powerful items. The plan makes him slightly nervous. We booked a room in that tower, he explains to Menchi. Its on floor 197, though, so we need to head out now. Over ten people are supposed to show up. I just hope the Hunter Association didnt send us a bunch of scammers. Menchi nods, following Alex as they leave their suite and take the elevator to floor 197. They walk toward the reserved room, with just a few minutes left before the scheduled meeting. As they enter, Alexs gaze sweeps across the room. He sees a group of men gathered around, each looking sketchy, unreliable, and downright scammy. His stomach tightens with unease. This is already looking bad. I swear, this might just be a complete waste of time. One of the men steps forward, introducing himself. Ah, welcome! Youre Alex Kerber, right? Im Bruno Dianata. The Association asked me to organize this room since I was the first to respond to your request for rare, precious, and powerful weapons, items, and armor. Weve already laid out all the items we brought for sale. Please, take a look. I hope we didnt come all this way for nothing. Alex crosses his arms and responds firmly, not wanting to appear weak or gullible. First of all, if I dont buy anything, youll all still receive 1 million Jenny for your time. The Association must have told you that, right? Now, let me make this clear: Im only interested in genuinely expensive and useful weapons & items. Thats it. Anyway, welcome, and thanks for taking the time to show up. With that, Alex begins inspecting the items the ten sellers have prepared for him, determined not to let anyone take advantage of him. Chapter 139: Special x Sale – Never Question Women’s Clothes Alex stares at the ten small stashes of items laid out on hastily arranged tables. To his absolute horror, there are hundreds of items cluttering the displays. He curses inwardly. With a sigh, Alex readies himself. He moves to the first table, Menchi trailing behind him, her expression shifting from confusion to outright annoyance as she glances at the so-called merchandise. What the hell did you call these idiots for? she snaps. All I see is junk! Lookrusted armor pieces, random bits of jewelry that are probably cheap fakes, and a bunch of other random crap I cant even identify. , Alex? This is all trash! Menchis exasperation only deepens Alexs growing sense of dread. The merchant behind the table, an older man with a haughty demeanor, sneers. YOU! Young woman. I dare you to repeat that again, and Ill sue you for slander! Judging by your looks, your only job is pleasing menand that wont pay for the compensation Ill demand. These are expensive antiques, treasures worth far more than what some skimpy little playgirl like you could ever dream of affording! He scoffs, turning to Alex. Hunter Kerber, Id advise you to leave your girls behind if you want to conduct proper business. We men should separate business and pleasure, you know. I keep my wife and side chicks far away from my dealingsthey only bring trouble! ... Alex is dumbfounded, left momentarily speechless. Finally, he manages, Id be careful, you know. This may be a young woman, but Before he can finish, Menchis aura explodes, wild and oppressive. The air around her crackles with intensity, and the arrogant merchant begins trembling uncontrollably before collapsing to the floor. Menchi forces a smile, but the murderous edge in her voice is unmistakable. You were joking right? The mans arrogance evaporates in an instant. YES, YES! I WAS JOKING! IM SORRY! PLEASE FORGIVE ME! he cries, desperately pleading for his life. Ill let this slide just this once, Menchi says coldly before turning her back on him and heading to the next merchant. The second merchant, clearly having witnessed the spectacle, greets her with a nervous but welcoming grin. Welcome, young lady! Please, take a look. If anything catches your eye, Ill give you a huge discount! ... Alex stares at the scene in disbelief. His thoughts quickly take a turn. Alex shakes his head to refocus, moving on to check out the merchants goods. Unfortunately, the system doesnt recognize a single item from the merchants wares, confirming that its all useless. The second merchants collection isnt much better. He offers unique-looking hats and boots, some of which may hold historical or collectors value. However, for Alex, its all meaninglessonly items the system recognizes are worth anything to him. By the time he moves on to the fifth merchant, Alexs patience is wearing thin. But here, he finally spots something of interest. The fifth merchants table is full of clothesshirts, robes, and various accessories. Alexs frustration mounts as he mutters under his breath, Still, deciding to keep his temper in check, Alex inspects the items anyway. To his surprise, two of the shirts are actually recognized by the system! [Elegant Shirt] and [Noble Shirt] appear before Alex. The [Elegant Shirt] looks like it was made for royalty, its intricate design highly decorative and ornate. The [Noble Shirt], while similar, is far simpler and more subdued, resembling an everyday shirt for someone wealthy. [Elegant Shirt] 10/10 [Noble Shirt] S~ea??h the novlF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. 20/20 Alex thinks as he inspects the shirts. Alex raises an eyebrow at the merchant and asks bluntly, Why the fuck did you bring clothes? I was requesting something else, you know? The merchant looks nervous, his posture shrinking as he stammers, I guess I thought items meant clothes as well? Not what you wanted? Sorry for that If you must, you dont need to pay me the 1 million. To be honest, I was desperate to sell my wares, and your offer sounded like a win to me. 1 million even if I sell nothing? Since this only takes one day of my time, I figured Id give it a shot. Please just keep your girl away from me Im sorry! ... Dont worry about her, Alex replies, waving off the comment. Well, I actually like these clothes, even though they arent what I was looking for. I guess Im so focused on fighting and acquiring powerful items, I didnt bother much about clothes. Cant become a Floor Master looking like a beggar, right? How much for these shirts? Might as well throw you a bone. You look like youre on your last legs, my friend. The merchant sighs deeply, looking defeated. I guess Im a bad merchant if its that obvious. But these shirts are genuine designer pieces from decades ago! Rare collectors items, created by the fam STOP! Alex cuts him off, narrowing his eyes. I know youre bullshitting me. The Hunter Association told you explicitly I dont want fakes, didnt they? The merchant freezes, his confidence crumbling. I you how? He stutters before admitting, I okay, maybe they arent entirely original. Why do you even want them then? They might be fake, Alex replies with a smirk, but they look cool to me. Their uniqueness fits my future image as a Floor Master. And honestly, I just wanted to throw you some money. Ive already passed four merchants, and Im trying to spend something here. The merchant looks relieved but still hesitant. Just take them but pay me the 1 million, okay? That way, Ill survive the month at least. Alex chuckles. You know what? I like your honesty. 1 million Jennyfor each shirt. He pulls out two bundles of cash from his bag and tosses them onto the table. The merchant scrambles to catch them, his face lighting up with gratitude. Alex carefully bags the shirts, immediately storing them in his bag. As he walks away, he fights hard to suppress a grin, thinking, The remaining merchants glance at Alex with newfound interest, realizing that hes actually willing to spend money and isnt just wasting their time. The sixth and seventh merchants eagerly present their wares, both offering a variety of weapons. Alex examines the goods with rising horror as none of them are recognized by the system. He sifts through countless swords, axes, and daggers, tossing them back onto the tables with disgust. YOU SUCK! he exclaims, glaring at the merchants as frustration boils over. The merchants exchange insulted looks but ultimately sigh in resignation, too intimidated to argue. Menchi looks at Alex in confusion, her hands on her hips. Whats wrong? Nothing catching your interest? Youre pretty hard to please, I gotta say. Also, those shirts you bought were awful! What do you even want with them? I dont get you at all. And these swordshonestly, they look decent enough to me. Alex sighs and shakes his head. No this is all shit, Menchi. Ill explain it to you later. Nothing of value here, not for me. Anyway, Im moving on. Three more merchants to go. With that, Alex briskly walks toward the next two merchants, carefully inspecting their wares. However, it doesnt take long for him to realize its yet another complete bust. he thinks bitterly. His patience is wearing thin as his gaze shifts to the final merchantthe one who greeted him at the start. Alex narrows his eyes. Slowly, Alex turns and makes his way toward the final merchant, recalling his weird name: Bruno Dianata. The man exudes smug confidence, the corners of his mouth curling into a subtle, knowing smile. This is the merchant who organized the event, the man who made sure everything was set up just for him. Without holding back, Alex aggressively confronts him: So did you invite all these scammers just to piss me off? Was this your plan? To make me upset and then get me to overspend when I finally take a look at your wares? Because Ive got to tell you, Im so pissed right now, I dont even know if I should bother looking. Bruno raises his hands, maintaining an air of calm. Why I never! Hunter Kerber, please, you are misunderstanding me entirely, he says smoothly, his voice as slick as oil. Also, for your information, some of the items you so quickly dismissed are, in fact, original and fairly priced. I find myself questioning your criteria for choosing items. He pauses, giving Alex a confident smirk. Anyway, pleasetake a look. Im certain youll regret it if you dont. Then lets see what youve got, Alex snaps, his tone sharp. Or if this has all been a giant waste of my time! Brunos smile widens as he reaches for a piece of cloth covering his wares. With a theatrical flourish, he playfully lifts the cloak, revealing what lies beneath. Chapter 140: Ben’s x Knife – Shut Up and Take My Money! Alex, unimpressed as Bruno reveals his table, plans to take a quick look and leave. His thoughts wander as he glances at the merchants setup. he muses, Alex reflects, Feeling reasonably satisfied with his earlier gains, Alex braces himself for yet another disappointment. But as the merchant dramatically reveals his wares, Alex is caught off guard. For the first time today, hes genuinely impressed. Brunos table holds only three items, but all of them are recognized by the system. Alexs heartbeat quickens, but he forces himself to stay calm, using every ounce of willpower hes developed through rigorous Nen training to avoid showing his excitement. On the table before him, Alex sees a small [Soul Crystal], [Bens Knife], and [Ancient Rapier]. His eyes dart toward the [Soul Crystal] first. he thinks, inwardly fighting the urge to grab it. Still pretending indifference, he moves his attention to the next item: [Bens Knife]. [Bens Knife] Alex glances at the knife, his face neutral as he tries to act unimpressed. This looks kinda cool, he says casually, tilting his head. Reminds me of the moon or maybe a small scythe. It looks a bit girly and ornamental, but also kinda old. Bruno smiles faintly, his expression unreadable. Alex shifts his gaze to the [Ancient Rapier], feeling a flicker of disappointment as he scans the stats. [Ancient Rapier] He analyzes the rapier, comparing it to his old friend, the [Solid Marine Saber], as he examines its various stats. he thinks. Alex acts like hes deep in thought before finally saying, Okay, merchant. Let me make this simpleIm not like your type. I dont like bullshitting, deceiving, or manipulating. If I want something, Ill take it. These three items all interest me. Name your price. The merchants smile broadens as he leans forward. Oh, youre interested in all three items? What an honor, my good sir hunter! Now then, what can we do about the price? Dont worry, I wont charge you too much; surely a powerful, mighty hunter like you can afford these with ease, he says with a chuckle, clearly savoring the moment. He gestures toward the [Soul Crystal] first. Lets start with this mysterious crystal. You know as well as I do that it holds unknown powers, and there are collectors out there willing to pay handsomely for it. I wont sell it for less than 50 million. No bargaining on this. Next, he picks up the [Ancient Rapier] with a flourish. Now, the rapier. This is a real antique, over 500 years old. It once belonged to a prestigious family from the Kakin Empire. Its crafted from several rare ores only found in that region. My price is 75 million Jenny, and I wont go lower. Finally, the merchant picks up the beautiful and smooth [Bens Knife], his tone becoming more dramatic. And now, the knife It may look old, as you put it, but it has a historyan extraordinary one at that. This piece was forged by Benny Delon, the infamous serial killer and blacksmith who murdered 288 victims, dedicating a knife to each one. This particular knife, is unique compared to most of his works. While many of his creations are cruel and sinister, this one embodies beauty, hope, and positive emotion. You might find other Bens Knives for 5 to 10 million Jenny, but this is a rare, elegant masterpiece. I cant tell you the full backstory, which slightly lowers its value, but I demand 150 million for it. So, if you want everything, that will set you back 275 million Jenny. Can you afford it, Hunter? Menchi, standing beside Alex, bursts into laughter. Hahahaha! Are you serious? This is the worst scam attempt Ive ever seen! No way in hell The merchant flinches at her reaction and quickly defends himself. You Im sorry, but I havent lied! These items really are quite valuable, and I have to make a profit. I also have to justify this to my Before he can finish, Alex cuts him off. Without a word, Alex slams a suitcase filled with nearly 300 million Jenny onto the table. The thud echoes through the room. He only says one sentence: Shut up and take my money. WHAT! WHAT? Menchi and the merchant shout simultaneously, both stunned. Alex calmly counts out 275 million Jenny and then forcefully grabs all three items. His voice is filled with unrestrained joy as he shouts, Deal is a dealNO takesies backsies! As the merchant stands there in disbelief, Alex adds, I want more of this stuff! And Im not just talking about weapons and armor. I want herbs, crafting materials, and anything rare or unique. Bring me whatever you can findIll continue to pay handsomely! The merchant, now fully elated, claps his hands together and celebrates. Wonderful! I love customers who appreciate rare items like you! Of course, Ill return soon with more treasures. You wont be disappointed! [System Detects Error - Mission Balance Integrity in Jeopardy] [Calling Administrator - Manual Override Required] Alex wonders, feeling a sudden sense of unease. [...] [...] [...] [Administrator 161: This player rightfully gained these items and is allowed to keep them. However, for balances sake, I will be cutting off further use of this particular merchant and the cooperation of the Hunter Association regarding further requests. These items are far too easily gained and were never intended to be within the scope of this mission. He shouldnt even be allowed to be a fully recognized Hunter or have access to the Associations full support. Well, it seems his initial innate skill was highly compatible with Nen, and his other innate skill pushed his Nen to exceptionally high levels. Still, Ive seen worse abuses, and despite these advantages, hes not as strong as some others, I have seen before. System, let him keep everything but implement my earlier decisionno more of this!] [Cutting off Player Alex Kerbers access to Hunter Association cooperation regarding the acquisition of various items and services] [Also, revoking the power and influence of NPC Menchi, who acts as a Proxy to the Player] Alex thinks, his frustration enormous but quickly subsiding again. As if on cue, the merchant and all the others suddenly begin packing up their things. Alex hears them mumbling under their breath: Need to leave not allowed to do more business. Menchi grabs Alexs hand and drags him out of the room without warning. She doesnt stop until theyre safely inside the elevator, heading back to floor 199. That was close! she exclaims, her voice filled with concern. Do you realize what just happened? Someone, probably a strong manipulator, was clearly controlling those merchants! I know it wasnt you, but somehow a conditional Nen ability was triggered by you. I just hope well be okay. Once theyre back in their hotel room, Alex finally decides its time to open up. Menchi, he begins, his tone serious, I think its time for me to tell you the truth. Menchi looks surprised but quickly regains her composure. Finally. You didnt seem too surprised earlier, and the merchants behavior didnt even bother you. Whats going on? I Alex hesitates, then presses on. Im what youd call an outsider. Take that however you want. I dont belong here. Ill be leaving soon but I hope to come back someday. I cant tell you much more than that. I play by certain restrictions. Its not that I dont want to tell youIm not allowed. If I break the rules, Id probably die. Lets just say that the Ramen I gave you is from somewhere else entirely. I think thats as much as Im allowed to share. Sorry. Menchi stares at him, her mind clearly racing. Is this related to your weird abilities? During your fight, I noticed that your blade produced a frost effect not connected to that conjuration ability, and you almost magically sped up for no reason. I know your physical abilities and limits, but somehow, you surpassed them mid-fight. Alex nods silently, confirming her suspicions. I have just one question, she says, her voice steady. How can I go to that world? I need a new goal. Just being a good cook and gourmet hunter isnt as exciting anymorenot since Ive learned that magical food like that ramen exists. Alex looks at her, surprised by her determination. You obviously cant or wait He pauses, considering his options carefully. Maybe if you really wish for it with all your heart, there might be a way. Im as sure as hell not allowed to tell you how, but if you desperately want it I think Ill see you again, even after I leave. It all depends on what you wantand on luck as well. Menchis expression hardens into one of unshakable resolve. Good. Then theres no need to think about it. My intentions and my will are as clear and powerful as they can be! Alex smiles but shakes his head. I wouldnt be too confident about this but I think Id really appreciate it if it happens. Switching gears, he sits down and says, Anyway, Im going to take some time to study the videos Sua sent me. She found a suitable target for my next challenge, a floor master who is very likely to accept any challenge. Apparently, this guy openly brags about never refusing a challenge from anyone. Ill aim for him next. I dont have the luxury of picking a random floor master. Heavens Arena grants them a huge amount of preparation time, so even if Im technically allowed to fight them, they could just abuse the rules to delay the match indefinitely. Lets see who my target is. Sarch* The N?velFire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 141: Preparation x Progression – Aiming Higher Time passes in Heavens Arena, and Alex continues his climb. He fights his second and third opponentsboth of whom are mediocre fighters with, at most, a basic Hatsu to somewhat compensate for their crippling wounds and deformities. Unlike Alexs first opponent, who was actually strong and earned Alexs respect for his skill, these two enemies prove to be utterly useless. Alexs second opponent had a missing hand, which he replaced with a conjured round ball. This conjuration created various fingers with transmutation, capable of performing tasks beyond those of a normal hand. While the ability was creative, it was ultimately useless in combat. The fake hand granted little more than a few gimmicky techniques, such as sharpening and lengthening his conjured fingers and using them to stab at opponents. Unfortunately for him, those tricks were no match for Alexs sword and shield. The fight ended quickly, with Alex easily overpowering him. Alexs third opponent was even worse. The man had lost both eyes in a prior battle and wielded a dangerous-looking spear. His strategy revolved around pretending to be fully blind, only to activate En at the right moment to spot his enemy and land a vicious ambush attack. However, Alex had been warned beforehand about this tactic. Fully prepared, Alex easily saw through the ruse. The mans reliance on switching between Ren and En left him vulnerable, as he had no other notable skills or techniques. Alex took him down without much effort, landing numerous nasty stabs and slashes. After securing these two wins, Alex learns the truthneither of his last two opponents had wanted to fight him in the first place. Both were sacrifices, sent by their boss to gather information about Alexs abilities. However, the plan backfired spectacularly. Alex only used the most basic techniques in both fights, giving nothing away about his true power. Worse still for the rookie hunters, both of Alexs new opponents suffered terrible sword wounds, with the third enemy sustaining life-threatening injuries. With the rookie hunters morale shattered, none of them were willing to experiment further. Even Kell and Nibul, the first two rookie hunters Alex met, had forfeited outrighta fact that Alex regrets somewhat. he thinks bitterly. Sitting in his room, Alex takes a moment to check his progress on his secret quest. He now has three real wins under his belt. While his first fight had offered a bit of a struggle, the last two were easy victories. However, earlier in the day, Alex had been informed by the Heavens Arena staff that the remaining rookie huntersall except their leaderhad forfeited their matches against him. This grants Alex a total of nine official wins! According to Sua, Alexs first opponent was either the strongest or second-strongest fighter of the rookie hunters. [Secret Quest Updated: Mission: Win fights in the 200 class of Heavens Arena Won fights: 9 Reward: ???] Alex thinks, leaning back in his chair with a satisfied grin. Despite his success, Alex cant help but feel a bit bored. Now what? he wonders, his mind already drifting to his next challenge. Menchi enters the room, and Alex greets her with excitement. Menchi, I missed you. You were gone for quite a while this time. I thought you had ditched meyou disappeared for almost three weeks. Menchi, wearing a surprisingly skimpy outfit thats slightly warmer than her last one, grins smugly and explains, Since Ill be leaving for your secret place or whatever, I had to do some last-minute studying. I also gathered a few supplies! With these tools, spices, and condiments, I can work my magic anywhere. But what about you? Besides your messages telling me you obliterated two rookie hunters and that everyone else gave up, you were pretty silent. Sar?h the ovelFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Alex answers, I was mostly training, learning about my target, watching his fights, and preparing strategies to counter him. Along with a bit work lets call it a side project to get my name out there. Ill be a famous researcher, youll see. I see! So who is it? Menchi asks, crossing her arms. I didnt care much about him. And what about your last opponent? Its that leader, right? The one who told those suckers to give me their money? That philanthropist, heh? Shouldnt you focus on him first? Dont get too cocky for beating those losers. These are the weakest fighters in the 200 class, so beating them isnt impressive. Hell, even a talented newbie without any Hatsu could do that. Alex thinks, recalling Gons and Killuas fights against the next generation of rookie hunters. He responds, Well, the last target is brilliant, but hes the worst of the bunch. He won all his fights outside of the arena. Hes got seven wins and one loss. That loss was his first fightapparently, it was his initiation. Either hes hiding a grievous wound under his robe, or he just got lucky. Im not sure. From the tape, it looked like he was hit in the chest during his fight, causing him to faint and almost die. Thats as much as I could gather. As for the seven wins? They were all by default, because his opponents didnt show up. A bunch of them have never been seen again up to this day. I wonder why Heavens Arena is still letting this scumbag get away with that. So yeah, theres not much I can tell you about him. As for my strategy Ill have another Conjuration ready besides the claw and the armor. Its a grenade. Im keeping it as my joker so I can instantly turn the tables if things dont look good. Alex continues, More importantly the Floor Master is my favorite kind of enemy. His name is Darius, no tricks, no deception, just pure might. I prefer opponents like that. He uses a giant warhammer, kind of like a Paladin from video games. It looks fierce. His Hatsu revolves around that hammer, allowing him to generate shockwaves by striking the ground. He can create a shockwave that sends a booming sound in all directions, disorienting his enemies, or a more focused shockwave that rips through the ground like a damn earthquake, burying anything caught in its path. Hes most likely an Enhancer, maybe with a bit of Emission thrown in. Beyond his shockwave ability, hes skilled at using his hammer for straight-up smashing, and he can take a few hits, too. Hes a rather large enemyprobably as big as Botobai. Despite his Floor Master rank, I dont anticipate too many problems with him. Hes stronger than me in Aura and physical strength, but I more than make up for it with my equipment and my jokers. If Im lucky and havent revealed my grenades by then, I should be able to catch him off guard and finish him off with a coordinated attack. Alex pauses before adding, Anyway, Ive got one more month until my fight against that rookie hunter leader. His names Bawahinthats all I know about him. After that, if I win, Ill finally get my shot at the Floor Master. Im getting excited! As he speaks, Alexs eyes wander to Menchis body. Her new outfit consists of a black vest with a see-through black shirt underneath, paired with black hot pants. Shes also wearing tall leather bootspractical for adventuring but undeniably stylish. Menchi grins mischievously and says, Ill make sure to train you hard so youll leave this place as a Floor Master. Alex immediately feels a chill and mutters nervously, ...Normal training is fine, thank you. Memories of her special training flash through his mind, sessions that always leave him collapsing to the ground, utterly exhausted. Menchis grin grows even wider, her expression almost sadistic. Rejected! Lets start now. Ive kinda missed this! Chapter 142: Cheater x Corruption – Bahawin’s Scheme Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to another fight in the 200 class! the cute, sassy moderator announces, her voice brimming with excitement. This one is special, for sure! One of our fighters, Bahawin, has a stellar record of 7-1! He lost his debut fight in the 200 class, but after that, he won 7 times You may be wondering why youve probably never heard of him or even seen him fight. Well, none of his 7 opponents actually showed up, so he won every single match by default! I cant tell you much about this man, aside from his creepy robe and his unsettling, unpleasant appearance. But you can see that for yourselves, cant you? Look at him walking into the ring This guy gives me the chills, she says, her voice dropping slightly in discomfort. Now! Opposite him, we have Alex Kerber, currently boasting an insane record of 9-0! It seems like hes been targeting a group of so-called rookie huntersfighters notorious for luring newcomers into scheduling fights with them. Alex has won 3 of his matches through convincing victories, while the remaining 6 wins were earned thanks to his fearsome reputation, which scared the rest into forfeiting! If Alex wins today, hell earn the right to challenge a Floor Master! Look at him walking into the ring nowconfident as ever. But dont be deceived. This fighter may look normal and unassuming, but he is a vicious competitor capable of taking down almost anyone. Alex listens to the moderators words while sizing up his opponent. he thinks. Alex focuses as he steps into the ring. Now, you both know the rules! the referee announces, stepping into the center of the ring. I want to see a clean fight. Are you ready? Alex nods silently, turning to walk toward his corner of the ring. But before he can take more than a few steps, his opponent speaks up. I am forced to explain my ability before I can use it, Bahawin declares, his voice slow and deliberate. The robe drops from Bahawins shoulders, revealing a horrifying sight. On the right side of his chest, where one of his lungs should be, theres a massive, gaping hole. Inside the hollow cavity sits a large, empty orb, glinting faintly in the arenas lights. Alexs eyes narrow, his thoughts racing. He shouts at the referee, his frustration boiling over. START THE FIGHT NOW! HES ACTIVATING HIS ABILITY ALREADY! For every breath you take, in comparison to me, a number will appear above your head. Once the number Bahawin continues speaking calmly, completely ignoring Alexs outburst. The referee, still standing in the center, turns back to Bahawin. Are you ready, Bahawin? I need your answer now. ...Once the number hits 100, my ability FUCK THIS! Alex roars, unable to hold himself back any longer. He draws his sword and charges at Bahawin, determined to stop him before the ability takes effect. But just as Alex closes the distance, the referee steps into his path, revealing a slight smirk as he blocks Alexs advance. I havent started the match yet! STOP! the referee warns, his voice firm. S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ... will activate its effect. My ability is called Stolen Breath Bahawin finally finishes his explanation. Suddenly, a glowing number 0 appears above Alexs head. When he takes his next breath, the number immediately changes to 1. Alex curses inwardly, his frustration and fury boiling over as he instinctively holds his breath. Despite Alexs earlier demand and charge, the referee calmly turns back to Bahawin, completely ignoring Alexs outrage. Bahawin are you ready now? I still need your answer! Please respond within one minute, or Ill be forced to penalize you. Alex cant believe what hes hearing. Alexs rage reaches its peak, and without meaning to, he activates Mustranos Malice Mauler lvl 3, unleashing a terrifying surge of Aura. The sinister energy radiates outward, its dark hue enhanced by Mustrano, who shares Alexs raw emotion of pure, unfiltered rage. The referee visibly falters under the oppressive weight of Alexs aura, his confidence shaken. Despite this, he begins to count down the time, trying to maintain composure. Meanwhile, Alex struggles to calm himself, but his anger gets the better of him. Hes breathing too fast, and the number above his head quickly climbs to 11. Alex decides grimly, his mind racing for a solution. Finally, as the referee approaches the 60-second mark, Bahawin speaks again: I am not ready. My shoe is untied. Give me a minute! CHEATER! ANNOUNCER! ANNOUNCER, HES CHEATING! THE REFEREE IS ON HIS SIDE, BUYING HIM TIME! Alex screams at the top of his lungs, trying to shift the pressure onto the referee. The referee, now sweating visibly, loudly responds, I am always impartial! Fighter Alex Kerber, I will penalize you with 1 point for this unjust accusation. Bahawin, you have 1 minute to tie your shoe. After that, the fight will either begin, or Ill compensate your opponent with a point for every additional delay! Alex grits his teeth, seething with rage. Feeling the pressure, Alex takes a step forward, directly approaching the referee. He unleashes a fresh surge of Aura, more sinister than before, and glares at the referee with murderous intent. Slowly, he raises his hand and gestures a deliberate throat-slitting motion right in front of the referees face. The referee flinches, his confidence crumbling further. Alex takes it a step furtherhe places a hand firmly on the referees shoulder and squeezes hard. The referee winces in pain, a faint yelp escaping his lips as Alexs grip tightens. ONE MORE POINT DEDUCTION! HOW DARE YOU THREATEN A REFEREE! the referee shouts, his voice trembling with anger. Meanwhile, the moderator provides comedic commentary, her tone laced with mockery and sarcasm. Could fighter Alex Kerber be right? Is this referee biased and intentionally delaying the fight? We all know the 200 class fighters often have unique abilities! Maybe this referee should be on the list for replacement. The crowd erupts in boos, and the referee, shaken by the escalating criticism, speeds up his countdown slightly. Alex, staying silent, focuses entirely on conserving energy and breathing as few times as possible. He even enters , calming his body and suppressing his Aura, minimizing energy consumption. The number above his head slowly climbs to 25. Time drags on. One minute passes. Then two minutes. Three minutes. Four. Five. Six. Seven. Eight. Nine minutes. Bahawin has now received nine penalties for stalling, and the audience grows louder with every second. Despite Bahawins delaying tactics, Alex is still at just 45 on his counter55 points away from triggering Stolen Breath Bahawin, however, is beginning to sweat profusely under the pressure. The referee, now sweating like a pig as well, from the constant boos of the crowd and the relentless jabs from the moderator, finally speaks up, his voice cracking: Bahawin, if youre not ready now, Im sorry, but Ill have to deduct one more point. If that happens, you will lose. Bahawin, desperate, signals to someone in the audience. Before the referee can proceed, a commotion breaks out. A group of spectators enters the ring, waving bizarre banners with accusations and slander against Alex. The signs bear outlandish claims, accusing Alex of cheating, committing crimes, and even keeping female sex slaves. Some banners allege that Alex uses his Hunter license to get away with unspeakable acts. Despite the chaotic scene and his rising anger, Alex forces himself to remain calm. he thinks, assessing the situation. Alex glances at his left arm, where Mustrano still burns brightly, steam hissing and swirling around his hand. He speaks to the conjured entity in his mind: With calculated steps, Alex walks toward Bahawin, locking eyes with him. Bahawin meets his gaze with a huge, smug smile, his expression infuriatingly calm. Alex thinks, but instead of attacking, he slowly opens his left hand, turns and walks backthis time toward the referee. The disrupters continue parading their banners, shouting accusations, but Alex ignores them completely. He stops directly in front of the referee, his Aura intensifying. In that moment, [Commander Shepards Dog Tag] activates. Alexs eyes begin to glow a fiery red, radiating a menacing, otherworldly light. Chapter 143: Decisive x Attack – Let’s Celebrate with a Boom! Alex stands in front of the referee again, his fiery red eyes glowing ominously thanks to [Commander Shepards Dog Tag]. In a calm but threatening voice, Alex delivers his ultimatum: I am a Hunter. Do you want to die? You have 5 seconds. Start the fight or declare me the winner... NOW. The referee looks stunned, clearly intimidated and unsure how to handle the situation now that things have escalated to this point. Five! Alex begins counting, his tone steady, calm, and deliberate. Four. Three. Two. One This is your last chance! Finally, the referee relents. Bahawin, Im starting the fight now! Agree or forfeit! Bahawin looks momentarily shocked, glancing at the number above Alexs head. Its only at 63theres still a third of the timer left. However, he quickly regains his composure, sneering. Sure, the fight is as good as won anyway. If you fight, youll be breathing heavily soon enough. Id love to see you try. Referee, Im ready! THEN FIGHT! the referee shouts, visibly relieved to regain control of the match. Ladies and gentlemen, you heard it! The fight has inally started! the moderator announces excitedly. Oh, but waitwhats this? Alex is just standing there instead of attacking? Whats he doing? He was so adamant about starting the fight, yet now hes motionless! You surprise me, Bahawin taunts. Are you really that curious to see what happens when the counter hits 100? No, Alex replies, flashing a sinister smile. I just dont see the need to do anything. Ill never know what your ability does, and frankly, I dont care. Just die, will you? Bahawin laughs maniacally, his voice echoing through the arena. Hahaha! Youll regret your arrogance, you stupid, unprepared clown! Alexs grin grows wider as he raises a hand and points toward his eyes. You might want to look a little closer, he says cryptically. Bahawins expression falters as confusion sets in. Gyo? YOU USED IN? The realization dawns too late. As Bahawin activates Gyo, the last thing he sees is a cluster of small, round metallic objects lying at his feet, their bright purple fuses burning down rapidly. STOP I GIVE U He begs Goodbye, Alex says with a wide grin. BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! Eight deafening explosions engulf the arena in a fiery storm. Bahawin is caught in the full blast, his body torn apart by the devastating force. To Alexs absolute delight, he notices the referee getting caught in the explosions as well. While the referee avoids the full brunt of the blast, hes struck by shrapnel, leaving him wailing and bleeding on the ground. Alex ignores the systems damage calculations entirely, focusing instead on the two notifications that flash in front of him: The referees panicked screams fill the air, but the crowd and moderator cheer and analyze the match; they pay him no attention at all. As Alex surveys the scene, he feels a wave of relief wash over him when he sees the system recognizing his win. [Secret Quest Completed: Mission: Win fights in the 200 class of Heavens Arena Won fights: 10 Reward: Spiders Blessing] [Spiders blessing] Alex wonders, analyzing his spoils with excitement. Seconds later, the blessing vanishes, replaced by another item: a round, purple ball resting in Alexs hand. [True Gallery Fake] Alex grins widely. He feels extremely lucky! Both his enemies are dead or incapacitated, and hes secured his tenth wina milestone that comes with significant rewards. Alex muses, watching workers load the referee onto a stretcher and gather up the scattered body parts of Bahawin. He chuckles to himself, unable to resist enjoying the sight of the referees pitiful state. The moderators voice cuts through the chaos, addressing the crowd. FOLKS, WE HAVENT SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE! PURE MADNESS! Im getting word from the higher-ups Its official: this match is over! Alex Kerber wins! What chaos, what carnage! I hope you all join us at Heavens Arena again for another unforgettable night. Have a good STOP! Alex suddenly shouts, his voice booming as he steps toward one of the arenas cameras. The moderator freezes, startled, while Alex takes control of the moment. MODERATOR! Alex calls out. I have something to say! The crowd falls silent, riveted. I hereby challenge Floor Master Darius to a fight, Alex declares boldly, staring directly into the camera. Ive heard you accept any challenge Funny, because all Ive seen you do is fight total losers and overachievers. You havent faced a single real opponent. Youre a Floor Master in name only. I wouldnt be surprised if you got that title the same way my last opponent got his winswith tricks and schemes. I challenge you to accept a fight within 14 days. Its fine if you want to avoid a humiliating lossor perhaps something even worse. But at least everyone will see your true reputation in a few days! sea??h th N?vel(F)ire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Alex smirks into the camera, his tone dripping with arrogance. Ill look forward to you finding a good excuse to back out! As the tension in the arena hangs thick, Alex thinks to himself, The crowd erupts into chaos, with cheers, boos, and animated discussions filling the arena. Even a few fighters in the audience seem to be arguing over Alexs bold challenge. Wasting no time, Alex leaves the arena and heads back to his room, where Menchi is waiting. Not bad, my cute student! Menchi says with a grin, wrapping her arm around Alexs head. You stayed calm and didnt fall for his tricks. And wow, you were intimidating with that refereeIve never seen you like that. I felt that threat too, you know? I liked it, but honestly, I prefer the normal you. That dominant attitude doesnt suit you. Alex sighs, gesturing to the snacks and drinks scattered around the floor. Its been, what, ten minutes since this sad excuse for a party started? Were just sitting on the ground, eating cheap snacks and drinking cheap booze! We couldve gone out to a nice restaurant, you know? Are you a fake gourmet Hunter? Is your star made out of copper? NO WAY! Menchi snaps back, laughing. Fights have to be celebrated like this! You dont appreciate this celebration at all. Youre naughty, and now I have to punish you, she declares as she mounts him. Stop this already youre drunk! Alex protests, struggling beneath her. I hate drunk peopleespecially when Im sober. Seriously, get some hel Before he can finish, Menchi presses her foot onto his mouth, silencing him. Alexs face turns red as he blushes uncontrollably. He freezes, feeling her warm, slightly moist sock against his face. His breath comes faster as he catches glimpses of Menchis joyful, mischievous expression peeking out from behind her foot. In a swift motion, Alex rolls out of her grasp and lunges toward her. Menchi, however, looks more amused than anythingher expression a mix of surprise, entertainment, and mischief. It doesnt last long. A few seconds later, Alex finds himself kneeling on the ground like a dog, Menchis legs tightly wrapped around him. She effortlessly pins him down and delivers a few slaps to his rear. Alex thinks, gritting his teeth as he reluctantly accepts his punishment. After ten seconds of victorious smirking and slapping, Menchi lets him go and flops back onto the floor, returning to her drink and watching one of her favorite shows on TV. Alex, finally free, uses the moment to activate his newly acquired [True Gallery Fake]. Alex decides after weighing his options. Activate [True Gallery Fake], Alex says aloud. [[Destiny Support Token] chosen.] !!! Alex stares at the notification, stunned. But his excitement quickly turns into anxiety. Alex prays fervently, his heart racing. He knows the odds arent in his favor since Purple items are two grades above guaranteed success. [[True Gallery Fake] activations outcome: ] Chapter 144: Results x Response – A Surprise Visit! [[True Gallery Fake] activations outcome: success] [Destiny Supporter Token] YES! Alex screams in joy, unable to contain his excitement. Shut up! Im watching this. Stop talking to yourself like an idiot, Menchi snaps, her tone half-annoyed, half-drunk. Alex thinks, glaring at her. Menchi is still guzzling alcohol while watching a ridiculous cooking show on a weird cooking channel Alex doesnt even recognize. Alex tries to join her but quickly grows bored. Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. When the shows host, a 50-year-old budget Indiana Jones wannabe, attempts to scale a dangerous cliff to cook mushrooms growing there, Alex loses it. Didnt you see that cut? He didnt even climb the damn thing! How the hell did he get up there? I dont know, but it wasnt by climbing. This show is fake as hell! The food looks generic and boring tooits trash. How can you even watch this? Alex complains, throwing his hands up. SHUT UP! Menchi yells back, clutching her drink. I like this show! Its fun, entertaining, and I think the host is great. Give him another five or ten years, and hell be a superstar! Alex stares at her in disbelief. ...Youre an embarrassment to Gourmet Hunters. Im going to bed! You!! Menchi growls, launching herself at Alex. She pins him down, her face only a few centimeters from his. Now I get it, she teases, smirking. Youre jealous, arent you? Isnt that cute? Sorry, but Im usually not into young boys like you. Maybe I couldve been a little more considerate. Young boys? Im 28! Youre the bratyoure nine years younger than me! Alex retorts, glaring at her. Do you have some old-man fetish or something? That host is over 50! Giving him five or ten more years? Youre the worst. I wouldnt be surprised if people start calling you a gold digger when you marry an 80-year-old geezer. SHUT UP! Menchi shouts, clearly embarrassed. I like gentlemen! Youre the opposite of that! You use cheap tricks, you play dirty, you scheme youre crude, weapon-obsessed, and Lame armor scary conjurations boring hairstyle Alex wonders, his irritation peaking. Alex takes a deep breath, determined not to let her drunken rant get to him. Are you done? This kinda hurtsespecially the hair partbut Im not taking fashion advice from a snack-eating, drunk Gourmet Hunter right now. Menchi suddenly pauses, her expression softening. I dont even know why I like you, despite all of that, she mutters, immediately blushing as the words escape her lips. Realizing what shes said, Menchi jumps up and rushes to bed without another word, leaving Alex stunned. Alex thinks, his face heating up. He feels his own cheeks flush at the unexpected confession. After cleaning up Menchis mess, Alex heads to bed himself. Despite his seemingly easy victory earlier, the fight had drained himit wasnt as effortless as it looked. Bahawins pathetic but effective scheme had almost worked. The next morning, Alex wakes to Menchi banging on his door. Wake up! You have a visitor. Get yourself cleaned up and come to the living room, she shouts, barging in without waiting for a response. Alex wonders groggily. He smirks to himself. He quickly dresses in one of the many training suits he bought at Heavens Arena and heads to the living room. To his absolute shock, Menchi is sitting next to a giant. The man has blond hair, massive muscles, and a giant warhammer resting casually beside him. What the fuck?! Thats Darius! Why the hell did you let the enemy into our room? Are you still drunk, Menchi?! Alex yells, his voice rising in disbelief. Darius stands up slowly, his towering frame barely fitting in the room. With steady, deliberate steps, the giant walks toward Alex, his movements unnervingly smooth for someone of his size. Alex instinctively readies himself to fight, but to his surprise, Darius smiles warmly, extends his hand, and says, Nice to meet you! I saw your fights, and I have to say, Im impressed. You came out of nowhere, but your Nen abilities are very solid. Youve got a strong grasp of the basic and advanced techniques. More importantly, you got rid of a bunch of annoying bugs infecting the 200 class with their filth. Id like to thank you for your service and talk to you about your challenge. Is that okay? Feeling a bit guilty about how hed planned to provoke him, Alex awkwardly grabs Dariuss hand and shyly replies, Sure nice to meet you The two sit down, and to Alexs surprise, Darius is bright, honest, and surprisingly sociable. Yeah, so Ive been a Floor Master for close to a decade now, Darius begins. I really enjoy it, and I also teach martial arts. I dont have many students since I focus on hammer techniques, and not many people have the physical strength for it. Its also pretty unpopular! People complain about hammers being too tedious to carry around, too big for travel, or just too heavy to use. Excuses! Thankfully, Ive got a few core students who make me proud. Yeah, I guess warhammers are kinda cool. I like them too, but Ive mostly studied swordsmanship, Alex responds. Im open to learning new things, but I honestly think its better to master a single style rather than spreading yourself too thin. Pfft. A bunch of weapon freaks geeking out over their toys. Disgusting, Menchi interjects, clearly bored with the conversation. She heads back to the couch, turning her attention to another low-budget show on the same strange cooking channel. This young lady doesnt appreciate the fine art of weaponry, Darius says with a chuckle. Then, turning back to Alex, he adds, Its great to hear youre a fellow martial artist and that you can appreciate my choice of weapon. I also really like your sword-and-shield fighting style. You balance offense and defense while staying mobileits impressive. Its just a shame your recent fights have been so weird. I barely got a chance to see you use your skills. Youll see them soon, Alex replies, smirking. I like that youre an honest fighter. No gimmicks, no tricks, no running around to waste timejust straight-up combat. Youre the kind of guy who wont back down from my challenge, right? Honestly, I was just trying to rile you up, but now that Ive met you, I see that was pointless. Youre not the kind of person who falls for cheap tricks. Of course Ill accept your challenge, Darius says, his tone unwavering. But the reason Im here is simple: Ive killed 11 challengers during my time as a Floor Master. This position is my dream, and Ill never give it up willingly or hold back in a fight. I always give it everything Ive got, no matter who my opponent is. While I wont try to kill you outright, I wont pull any punches either. I just want to be upfront about that. Alex nods, appreciating the warning. Youre a good guy. Thanks for letting me know, but Im not backing off. I respect and admire your fighting style, but I still think Ive got the advantage. If the worst happens, Ill have no one to blame but myself. Just so you know, this goes both waysespecially after what happened to my last opponent. By now, we both have a good idea of each others Hatsus. This will be a fair fight. Darius smiles faintly. Your Claw, your frost armorwhich, honestly, would be a far better fit for me since it would make me nearly unbeatableand your bombs, right? Im curious to see how they stack up against my shockwaves. But His demeanor suddenly shifts, becoming serious. Theres another matter I need to discuss with you. Its personal, and I hope you wont take offense. Alex leans forward, visibly confused. Yeah? What is it? Chapter 145: Proposition x Gamble – I’ll Give You a Special Reward Darius fidgets awkwardly, looking a bit embarrassed before finally saying, I propose a trade A trade? You dont seem like the type to gamble on fights. What is thisare you trying to bribe me to lose on purpose or something? Alex asks, clearly confused. NO! Of course not! Darius quickly protests. Its about my daughter. Shes usually pretty demandingconstantly wanting the latest clothes, phones, jewelrypretty much anything. My position as a Floor Master, along with a few side jobs, lets me earn enough money to keep up with her demands, so its usually not a problem. But now, shes throwing the biggest tantrum of her life because she wants something I just cant find. "Heres the thingIve watched your fights, and by chance, my daughter happened to see one of them too Alex interrupts him, grinning. Hah, so she wants my autograph? I mean, makes sense. I think Alex is a pretty cool guy. Eh kills aleins and doesnt afraid of anything. Menchi suddenly jumps up and points at Alex. AGAIN! You did it again! Randomly blurting out weird, nonsensical garbage! You do this all the timeits so strange! Its just a meme! Calm the hell down! Alex replies, slightly embarrassed at being called out. Ive never heard of these memes. Are there more people like you? Silly man-children," Menchi says. Alex fumes internally. Excuse me! Darius cuts in, sounding frustrated. Im being serious here! And no, my daughter doesnt want your autograph. Actually, she thinks your armor is kind of lameor at least, thats what I remember her saying. You have failed as a father! Whats this about constantly spoiling her? I thought you, as a Floor Master, instructor, and Nen master, would be stronger-willed than this! Alex snaps, instantly disliking Dariuss daughter for insulting his armor. And shes obviously brain-damaged if she thinks THIS armor isnt cool. Do you know I modified it myself? How the hell is this not ultra-cool, huh? It looks like someone cosplaying a video game character, Menchi remarks coldly. Its wishy-washy, Darius adds, rubbing his chin. Not quite full plate armor, not quite regular clotheshalf-baked, really. Looks like you wanted to kill 2 birds with 1 stone but instead hit a Pidgeon. If you designed this, it doesnt reflect well on your character, Alex. Alex is speechless. Over the last two days, his hair, his armor, and now his autograph had all been insulted. So, what does your entitled, spoiled daughter with terrible fashion sense actually want? Alex asks, visibly annoyed. Shes into the whole mysterious princess aesthetic. Loves unique dresses, fancy shoes, accessories, and of course, jewelry. She told me she saw the most charming, feminine, mysterious, and all-around gorgeous piece of jewelry shes ever seenan emerald holy item, she called it. Shes furious because shes jealous and cant stand this weird sissy she saw wearing it looking so amazing and supposedly getting all the hot princes. How the hell does this involve me? Darius, pleasejust get to the point. This is getting annoying. I dont care about petty squabbles between your wannabe princess daughter and her rivals. I care even less about her picking up princes if it doesnt involve me being one of them, Alex says, annoyed. Do you need my Hunter license to get her some special girly jewelry or something? Because if thats the case, sorryits not happening. Maybe ask Menchi instead. Shes a Hunter too, Alex suggests. Darius shakes his head, looking frustrated. Alex, didnt you hear what I said? She saw it. She was talking about you. Specifically, your earring. The fuck?! Alex blurts out. How am I a sissy?! Look at this armor! I like this earringits cool as hell, and it doesnt look sissy at all. Cant guys wear badass emerald, magically glowing jewelry? Your daughter sucks! No wonder the princes arent into herher personality must be driving them away. Sigh I feel so out of place here. Anyway, Alex, stop being so petty. I want that earring, Darius says, his tone softening. I love my daughter, and shes all I have left of my dear darling. Youre not getting it! Alex snaps. This earring is worth way more than you think. Its a priceless treasure with effects more useful than she could ever imagine. Sure, it looks cool, but thats secondary. They do look pretty feminine to me, Menchi interjects with a smirk. Not something Id wear myself, but hey, Im not against you trying to look a bit cuter. If she really wants them, why not give them to her? Your taste in jewelry is more feminine than mine! Ill even buy you a new matching pair if you want to keep playing dress-up, darling. Im not giving them away! Alex says firmly, glaring at Menchi. Internally, though, his thoughts are racing. But then he reminds himself of the earrings perks: Still, curiosity gets the better of him. Just for the sake of discussion What are you offering? How about 100,000 Jenny? Darius offers. Idiot! Its easily worth a billion Jenny, probably way more! Youre wasting my time! Alex complains, annoyed. Sigh. Sorry, I dont know much about these feminine things. I didnt think you were such an expert in this field, Darius says with an apologetic tone, though his words carry an unintended jab. Now youre just pissing me off on purpose, huh? Alex growls, while Menchi bursts out laughing, clearly enjoying the situation. Darius, looking genuinely confused, replies, Im not trying to upset you. But how about this instead: a bet? If I win our fight, you give me the earrings. If you win, Ill give you something in return. That doesnt sound fair, considering you just tried to lowball me with a pathetic 100,000 Jenny offer. Do you even understand their value? You lack common sense! Alex questions, raising an eyebrow. Ive been told I lack common sense a couple of times, Darius admits sheepishly. But let me ask you this: do you know about my hammer? Its a friggin hammer. Whats there to know? Dont tell me its got some sacred backstory or cultural significance or something, Alex says, unimpressed. As a matter of fact, it does. Darius nods. Im originally from a tribe of mountain warriors. We moved to the city centuries ago, but some traditions never change. Whenever we lose a battle, we surrender our weapon and start anew with a different one. I havent lost a single fight since becoming a Floor Master. So, Im betting my hammer. If you manage to defeat me, its yours. I wont need it anymore if I lose. And, honestly, winning your earrings for my daughter will give me extra motivation. Darius lifts the massive hammer and hands it to Alex. Alex hesitates but grabs it anyway, his curiosity piqued. Im not interested. I dont need a hammer, he says dismissively. Still, he instinctively checks its stats, and his eyes widen in shock. For the first time ever, Alex sees a Deep Purple-ranked weapon! [Shockwave Hammer] Alex thinks, his eyes scanning the stats. He recalls how the system enhances certain items, turning them into treasures. [Secret Quest Offered: Mission: Beat Darius in a fight and become a floor master Reward: ???, [Shockwave Hammer] Penalty:[Sacred Emerald Copper Earring]] Menchi, watching Alexs conflicted expression, smirks and says, Even if you lose, Ill just buy you a new earring. Or, you know, I can lend you some of my clothesif youre into this kind of stuff! The fuck? No, Im not! Alex snaps, but he cant shake his thoughts. S~ea??h the N?velFire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Menchi grins mischievously. Im not so sure about that. We can try it out later but seriously, she adds, her tone softening, how about this? If you become a Floor Master, nobody will be able to dispute that youre a talented Nen user and a strong Hunter overall. And she hesitates, her face turning slightly red, Ill give you a very special graduation gift if you pull it off. Dont back off from this challenge, Alex. This was your goal in the first place, so dont even think about losing now! Menchi finishes, looking both embarrassed and completely serious. Alex exhales and smiles faintly. Thanks, Menchi for that last part, at least! I guess itd be pathetic to think about losing now. Fine, Darius. I accept your challengeon one condition. Whats that? Darius asks, raising an eyebrow. Alex glares at him. If you lose, you stop spoiling your brat of a daughter. Calling me a sissy? Insulting my armor? That annoying, spoiled girl? How about you stop being a sissy yourself, Darius, and teach her some responsibility! Lets schedule the fight within two weeksIll need to leave by then. [Secret Quest Accepted: Mission: Beat Darius in a fight and become a floor master Reward: ???, [Shockwave Hammer] Penalty:[Sacred Emerald Copper Earring]] I still dont get why youre so attached to that earring, Darius says, shaking his head, but youre not too different from my daughter in that regard. I dont understand either of your tastes, but at least youre manning up for this challenge. Darius stands and grips his hammer tightly. The game is on. Ill talk to the staff and make sure the fight is scheduled within two weeks. Ill see you in the ring, Alex. Chapter 146: Falsified x Research – Unethical Methods and Final Preparations As Darius leaves their hotel suite on floor 199, Alex and Menchi exchange looks, both still processing the surprising turn of events. Any plans for the actual fight? You provoked him, you challenged him, and he accepted. Forget the bet for now. I have to admit, besides his obsessive love for his daughter, he seemed like a strong fighter, Menchi says, her tone slightly worried. Ive got a strategy, Alex replies confidently. After buying all those treasures the other day, I had some leftover cash, so I ordered something special from a local blacksmith. Youll seeits friggin ingenious. I had to think long and hard about it. A simplistic moron like Darius wont know what hit him. Before Menchi can press him for details, Alex quickly adds, Of course, I know hes strong, and that trick alone wont guarantee a win. But its not like I have to him, do I? I just need to win the fight. I see, going for 10 points, huh? Menchi nods, understanding his plan. Anyway, dont get cocky! Im adding another penalty: if you lose, Ill make sure the joke from earlier becomes reality. Youll be my maid for a weekwearing the frilliest dresses I can find, cleaning up my mess in the kitchen, cleaning my room, bathing me, massaging me. Andoh!youll use your to clean my feet! Hehe, you better make sure you win! I want to brag to Master Linne that my student became a Floor Master under my genius tutelage. Alex cant help but blush slightly, though a small, dangerous part of him wonders what that would even be like. He quickly shakes the thought off. And if you win, Menchi continues with a smirk, Ill reward you as I promised. So you better fight like your life depends on it. Stop with this joke already! This is serious; even if I lose, Ill refuse, and I wont lose in the first place, Alex protests, groaning in frustration. Menchi giggles at his reaction, but Alex changes the subject. I need your help with something! I think speed and agility will be the key. Ive got some ways to increase my speed, but as you know, those are limited and not something I can rely on forever. Can you teach me techniques to strengthen my jumps or temporarily boost my speed? Like using Aura to propel me forward? Menchi tilts her head, intrigued. Especially the jumping part, Alex adds. Ive got an ability that lets me glide through the air. As long as I can get enough height, Ill be able to make good use of it. Geniuses can learn that almost instantlyits basic Aura manipulation, Menchi replies, clearly trying not to laugh. I always forget you learned Nen just a short time ago. Okay, fine! As your super beautiful and talented teacher, Ill teach you! A few hours later, Alex is smiling, satisfied with his progress. Menchi, pleased with his results, heads out on one of her shopping trips to buy ingredients for some new dishes shes been planning to experiment with. Even while at Heavens Arena, her dedication to honing her cooking skills is impressiveshe spends hours a day refining her craft when not training with Alex. Once Menchi leaves, Alex suddenly remembers the green chest that dropped after his fight with Bahawin. His expectations are low, but with his upcoming fight against Darius looming, he figures its worth taking a chance. Alex decides, hoping for something useful to support him in the battle ahead. Alex wonders, startled by the notification. [Stolen Breath] Alex thinks, his mind already racing with possibilities. Alex quickly reviews his inventory. Over the next two weeks, Alex trains diligently every day. He focuses on refining his Nen techniques and improving his agility and jumps, as Menchi had taught him. Beyond training, Alex immerses himself in a side project he had started shortly after arriving at Heavens Arena: studying weaponry. He dives deep into ancient weapons, learning their designs, functions, and histories. Luckily, the Hunter x Hunter world has many similarities to Earth, making most of his research feel familiar. Alex goes so far as to take pictures and measurements of various weapons and equipment, conducting tests in a laboratory located within the massive tower. Using the lab, he analyzes the material composition of his system-recognized items from other worlds. To make the results more compelling, Alex blends scientific facts with some fabricated details about the origins of the materials. He publishes a report with the overarching conclusion that certain items are foreign and beyond the comprehension of modern science. His analysis suggests that some of the materials dont exist on any known periodic table and contain multiple unknown elementsclaims that, if true, could shake the scientific community. As part of his proof, Alex shaves off minuscule fragments from a few system-recognized items and assembles small kits containing the samples. He plans to send these kits to the Hunter Organization, along with some of the most prestigious universities and research facilities he can find in the Hunter x Hunter world. Of course, he makes sure, not to reveal anything directly about the Realm. Alex thinks, smirking as he plans out his next move. Using the information provided by the systems "Notes" window, Alex prepares to spin a detailed explanation. Hell incorporate what the system told him about the knifes origin and then create some basic justifications for how Nen could have altered its properties but not its composition. Alex chuckles to himself. For the other items, like the [Sword of Pluto], [Mr. 5s .44 Caliber 6-Shot Revolver], and [Shield of Pluto], Alex has an even bolder plan. Hell claim these are relics from some unexplored continent, then publish his findings as if they were groundbreaking. To top it off, hell announce plans for a grand expedition to this supposed continentan excuse to explain his long absence. Alex congratulates himself. Sarch* The N?velFire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. A few days before his fight with Darius, Alex sends out almost 50 large packages. Each one contains his mostly fabricated thesis, samples from various weapons and armorincluding some from other worldsand the results of basic scientific tests. The tests, naturally, failed to identify certain elements in the items from Final Fantasy 9 and One Piece, further fueling his narrative. As Alex watches the last package leave, he cringes. He pauses, frowning. Did you send your research away? Menchi asks when she returns. She sounds genuinely impressed. I have to say, I thought you were just a brute focused on collecting items and fighting, but youve really opened my eyes! This research is on the same level as mine, and I became a Single Star Hunter because of it! Im seriously impressedI think your conclusions are fascinating! I even copied your data and sent it to Linne. You seriously? Alex stares at her in shock. he thinks, hiding his amusement. Yeah! Menchi nods enthusiastically. At first, I thought you made it all up. You managed to create this research out of nowhere, so it was suspicious. But then I looked into it myself, mostly to rub it in your face.... Surprisingly, what you claim is true! Sure, you barely offer any answers to the questions you raise, but the questions themselvesand your observationsare undeniable. By the way, your research mentions Sword A and Shield A as sources, along with a few pictures thats your equipment, isnt it? And this unexplored continent? I was supposed to never mention it, but Ive heard some things from Linne. She told me stories about her adventures, but she left out most of the details. Anyway, she continues, I know for a fact you didnt visit that continent yourself! You wouldnt have survived for one minute. So Im very curious about where those items in your research really came from. Your research is fundamentally true, but your explanation about the continent is a cheap excuse that sounds reasonable but is totally wrong! Alex grins and shrugs. Ill tell you once I become a Floor Master, and Ill leave this world if you decide to follow me, of course. HUH? WORLD?? Menchi stares at him in shock. You heard me, Alex says You BETTER tell me! And I already said Im coming with you! she huffs. Just a few more days until your fight. Make sure you actually win or ELSE! Menchi says with a joyful expression. Chapter 147: Proposal x Interview – Honor? Can I Eat That? Chapter 147: Proposal x Interview - Honor? Can I Eat That? Alex wakes up and glances at his [Destiny Watch], thinking, He heads to the main room of his suite, immediately catching the scent of Menchis cooking wafting through the air. Unlike traditional breakfasts with eggs, toast, or simple foods, Menchi always prepares full-fledged dishes. Good morning! Smells awesome as always, Alex says as he enters. Today, Im going all out. Eat well so youll be ready for your big fight tonight, Menchi replies, carefully carrying several dishes to the dining table. Alex sits down, impressed. He sees soup, several vegetable dishes, and a variety of meatno bread at all. Smiling to himself, he thinks, As Alex hastily digs into the meal, he says with a big smile, Seriously, Menchi, I want to eat your food every day. Ill never get tired of it. Having you as my master is such a luxuryyoure the best. You why Menchi stammers, her face suddenly turning red. To Alexs surprise, she blushes deeply and quickly runs out of the room. Alex pauses mid-bite, confused. he decides, realizing he might have unintentionally sounded like he was proposing. After finishing the meal, Alex cleans up the small mess Menchi made while cooking. Its a small price to pay for such a wonderful breakfast, he thinks, feeling grateful. Suddenly, his phone rings. He glances at the screenits Sua. Alex picks up, answering casually, Hey, Sua. Whats up? Want to cheer me on for my big fight? Nope, Sua replies bluntly. I still think you picked the wrong Floor Master to challenge. If youd been a bit more patient, you couldve gone for a weaker one. Even now, Im still offering you a chance to throw the fight 10-0. I could have billions riding on you losing with just a call. With five major mafia families involved, I can guarantee you 500 million just for cooperating. No risk, no downside, Sua suggests, his tone calm but persuasive. Sorry, Sua, Alex responds decisively. I need the title, and I need it now. Moneys useless to me. Sua sighs but doesnt push further. Instead, he shifts topics. Alright, fine, but Ive got another favor to ask. Despite my fake lowly job as an elevator attendant, Ive got a lot of connections. One of my betting partners offered me a hefty sum to convince you to do an interview with one of his sugar babies. He wants to promote herturn her into one of the big-name fighting commentators and analysts. You know how huge the fighting industry is. There are millions of jobs tied to it, and Heavens Arena is at the center of it all. This could be a solid opportunity for her. Can you do me this favor? Alex listens carefully, but he cant help but think, Ive always turned down interviewsI dont need the attention, Alex says, sighing. But if its that important to you why not. I wont make a huge show of it, though. And I might want to talk about something thats not strictly related to fighting. Seriously? Youve declined everything Ive ever offered you before! Sua exclaims, genuinely surprised. Not that I care why. Alright, heres the plan: Ill prepare a space for the interview, and you show up in five hours. A big interview just a few hours before the main event. We can live stream it. My friend will be thrilledthats a huge scoop. Fine. But you owe me! Alex warns. Ill be gone after my win, but when I come back, I might need some information. After hanging up, Alex begins preparing his equipment. He carefully organizes his gear, items, and two small bags containing special presents for his fight with Darius. As he waits for Menchi to return, his mind drifts back to their earlier conversation. Look, Menchi, about earlierthat came out a bit wrong. I was just complim Alex starts, but Menchi cuts him off, pressing her hand firmly over his mouth. Focus on the fight, she says, her tone both embarrassed and commanding. Well talk later. Just win, and your reward will be even sweeter. S~ea??h the n??el Fire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Her slightly flustered expression leaves Alex no room to clear up the misunderstanding. Fine Alex mutters as she moves her hand. Anyway, I gave in to Sua, and now Ive got an interview lined up in a couple of hours. Want to come with me? Is it one of Suas sleazy contacts? Menchi asks, her tone sharp. Its probably some slutty girl looking for a promotion, huh? Of course Im going with you! Youre naive and too easily influencedI cant let you get manipulated by some lowly bimbo! Alex raises an eyebrow, amused by her sudden outburst. Sure. I cant say Im the type to fall for lowly bimbos, like you call them, but His eyes wander to Menchi, who is once again wearing her usual skimpy outfit and hot pants. he thinks, but wisely keeps the thought to himself. BUT WHAT, HUH? Menchi snaps, glaring at him with a dangerous expression. Nothing. Please come with me, then. Im always thankful for your support, Alex responds with a perfectly innocent smile. Hmph. You should feel lucky, she mutters, crossing her arms. I guess Ill help you out, then. Alex thinks, turning his focus inward. Confident in his strategy, Alex, closely followed by Menchi, makes his way to the interview room Sua mentioned. As it turns out, its the same room where the moderator will later host Alexs fight. As Alex enters, he immediately feels a twinge of regret. His eyes land on his interviewer, who is standing next to Sua. The woman is an over-the-top, fake-looking blonde, no older than 25. She has exaggerated featureshuge breasts, heavy makeup, plump lips, and an ass that seems almost comically large. Alex thinks, mentally cursing his decision to accept this interview in the first place. Standing beside her is an older gentleman who looks somewhat nervous. Alex approaches the group. Hi, Sua. So, this is your friend and his up-and-coming moderator youre supporting? Nice to meet you both. Im Alex KerberWeapons Hunter and future Floor Master. Sua introduces them. This is Mina. Shes not only going to interview you but will also be the moderator for your fight. And the gentleman here is my good friend, Lugh Nando. Hes the Don of the local family in charge of Heavens Arena and Laki City. Alex shakes both of their hands. Lugh gives Alex an approving look, his demeanor calm but calculated. Before Alex can say much else, Mina interrupts in a cold, businesslike voice. Can we start this interview now? I dont have much time, and I need to prepare for the fight moderation itself. Alex thinks, her tone catching him off guard. Slightly offended, he responds, If you dont have much time, we can just postpone the interview. I wouldnt want to bother you. Okay, Mina says immediately, without hesitation. Sua and Lugh yell in unison, NO! Alex and even Menchi are left stunned. This is turning weird, Alex mutters, looking at Sua. Maybe I should just leave? Give us two minutes! Sua pleads. Alex watches as Sua and Lugh pull Mina aside for a hushed but clearly heated discussion. Two minutes later, Mina turns back to Alex with a dazzling smile plastered across her face. Welcome, Master Alex! she says in a chipper, overly enthusiastic tone. Im such a fan of yours, and its incredible to meet you in person! We can start the interview whenever youre ready. Im just so hyped to be here! Tell me when to start the cameras. Alex blinks at her sudden 180-degree shift in demeanor. Did you just switch into business mode or something? he asks, glancing at Sua and Lugh. Both shake their heads, looking slightly exasperated. Alex sighs. Whatever. Im ready. Lets do this in your style. Just rememberI have a personal topic I want to discuss during the interview, and it needs to be included. Itll only take a few minutes. Of course! Whatever you want! Mina chirps, all smiles. Alex thinks, but he forces a polite smile as the cameras start rolling. Chapter 148: Misunderstanding x Confession – Fake Bimbos are Dangerous Welcome, my dear fans and martial arts enthusiasts! Mina begins, her voice overly enthusiastic as she beams into the camera. This is your lovely, gorgeous host, Mina, bringing you an exclusive interview with a very special martial artist. Do you know what the hottest fight everyones talking about is? Yes, the challenge to Floor Master Darius! And the challenger is none other than the man himself, Alex Kerber! Welcome, Alex, and thank you for spending some time with me. Hehe! Alex can practically feel Menchis glare burning into the back of his head. he thinks, but the absurdity of the situation actually helps calm his nerves. He responds smoothly, Nice to meet you. Usually, Im a busy guy, but for you, Mina, nothings too much to ask for, as you know. Teehee, youre such a sweet man, Mina replies, giggling dramatically. So, how do you feel about the big fight? Since you challenged the Floor Master, you must be confident, right? Alex smirks internally. he thinks, remembering Dariuss earlier insults about his armor and his daughters remarks. Yes, Im very confident, he says. This fight is a bit personal for menot just a test of skill. Im not only giving Darius a lesson in the ring, but Im also teaching his spoiled daughter a thing or two. She openly demeaned my character, and that wont stand. Theres also a private bet between Darius and me, so neither of us can afford to lose this fight. But trust me, Ill take down that brute of a fighter. Wow! Mina exclaims, clearly eating up the drama. This sounds like a real contest! So whats your strategy? Alex leans forward slightly, his tone growing even more smug. My strategy is simple: Ill beat him. Ive noticed a weakness. Just like hes half-baked as a father for spoiling his daughter, hes half-baked as a fighter. He has numerous obvious weaknesses, and today, Ill give everyone a master class on how to dismantle fighters like him. Mina gasps, her eyes wide. So what exactly is the strategy? Tell me pleeease! She grabs Alexs hands and presses them against her chest, leaning in with exaggerated enthusiasm. Alex blushes slightly but manages to stay composed. I cant tell you, obviously, he says coolly. Youll see it soon enough. Anyway, while I was developing my strategy, I was also busy finishing my groundbreaking research. Ive discovered a whole new world while studying various weapons and armor. This research is now complete, and the best scientific minds in the worldas well as the Hunter Associationwill be reviewing it shortly. People might remember me for my fighting skills now, but in a few months, theyll know me as a world-famous Hunter. Wow, groundbreaking research a big fight? Mina says, feigning amazement. Then she shifts gears dramatically, her voice turning somber. Back to the fight Do you know how many people Darius has already killed? I dont want you to die. Are you sure you can handle it? S~ea??h the n??el Fire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Alex doesnt miss a beat. I just hope Darius himself is strong enough to survive my assault, he replies smugly. Not only for his sake, but for his daughters. Ill do my best to hold myself back. Neither of us wants anything unfortunate to happen. I actually like the guy a lot! Confident words! Incredible! Mina exclaims, her fake smile as wide as ever. Perhaps you really will become the next Floor Master. Alex leans back, crossing his arms with a smirk, feeling the interview winding down. Inwardly, he wonders how long Menchi can hold herself back from ripping into Mina after this circus of an interview. Ill gladly invite you to my personal floor once that happens Ah, that came out wrong, Alex says, stumbling over his words as he glances nervously at Menchi, who looks ready to explode. I mean I invite you and your good friends here for a tour of my floor. Menchi, already furious, steps closer and enters the cameras view, her glare practically burning a hole in Alex. Mina seizes the moment with a mischievous smile. Oh, and who is this lovely person? Could it perhaps be your girlfriend? I bet many of your female fans are disappointed right now. Turns out youre not available or are you the open type with multiple spots available for female support? Menchis glare sharpens, her hatred for Mina almost palpable. Alex, feeling like hes cornered, scrambles to salvage the situation. This is Menchi, a world-famous Single Star Gourmet Hunter and my teacher, he says, attempting to sound calm. Shes not my girlfriend I havent become worthy enough to ask her out yet. Maybe after today, that will change. Im not looking for anyone else because nobody even remotely compares to her in the first place. Alex realizes instantly. Menchi, blushing furiously, immediately steps out of the cameras view. Minas smile grows even wider as she leans into the drama. Wow, a confession on live television! I recognize that lovely ladyshes indeed the beautiful Gourmet Hunter. It looks like she hunted herself a different kind of preynot for cooking but for keeping. No, its not that, its Alex tries to protest, but Mina cuts him off. No need to be shythats quite manly of you, Mina teases. I think we all respect this! So, will you confess to her directly after the match, or save it for later? Alex is visibly flustered but quickly changes the subject. Well, I cant say Anyway, Mina, Im afraid I have to leave now. My fight is starting soon, and I need to prepare. Mina, ever the opportunist, wraps things up with a coy smile. Thank you for your time, Alex, and good luck in both your fight and your confession. Ill be rooting for you two! Turning back to the camera, she adds, There you have it, folksAlex Kerber, not only aiming to become a Floor Master but also head over heels for his younger teacher and master. An oddly romantic couple, wouldnt you agree? I think that deserves respect! Looks like theres no space for me to intervene between those two lovebirds. As the interview concludes, Alexs frustration simmers. Well see you around then, Alex says, slightly embarrassed, as Menchi grabs him by the arm and pulls him out of the room. Menchi, Im sorry, that came out wrong. I can clarify things afterward so your reputation doesnt suf Alex starts to apologize, but Menchi interrupts him, her face half-embarrassed as she says, Its fine!! Just win, so people wont laugh at me! Alex thinks, Alex jokes to himself. Back in their room, Alex decides to rest for a couple of hours, lying down to clear his mind. Finally, 30 minutes before the fight, Menchi wakes him up and says, Its time. You can do this. Do you want to warm up? Okay! Lets spar and please, go easy on me. Just warming up, no Nen! Alex replies, getting into position. They begin sparring, but Alex cant seem to focus. His eyes keep drifting to Menchi, his mind wandering. To his surprise, Menchi seems distracted too, and after just a few minutes, they both stop. Sorry, Menchi says with a small smile. That wasnt much of a warm-up. Just win tonight, and well celebrate big! I promise you! Her tone is serious, but theres a tiny trace of worry in her expression. Dont worry. I will, Alex replies confidently. Then, after a brief pause, he adds, And Menchi, sorry about the interview. But just to say the truth I think youre a lovely woman. Beautiful, smart, talented, and funny. Id honestly feel honored if people thought I was dating you. Menchi grins, her usual confidence returning. As you should! Now go out there and get that title! If you fail, dont think sweet-talking me will save you from your punishment. You better win if you dont want to become my maid. Alex curses inwardly, but he forces a confident smile. Together, they make their way to the Arena, the anticipation thick in the air. Chapter 149: Challenge x Spectacle – Sold Out Match! Alex and Menchi step into the elevator, heading up to Floor 229. Each of the 21 Floor Masters have their own designated floor, from 230 to 250. Alexs challenge is for control of Floor 237, but the fight itself will take place in a massive arena capable of accommodating a huge audience. Its the same stage where, according to Alexs research and earlier observations, Hisoka will fight Chrollo later in the timeline. When they reach Floor 229, Alex and Menchi proceed to the backstage area. Its relatively empty, as only staff members and 200-class fighters have access here. Alex feels more at ease, knowing there wont be any distractions from the crowd just yet. To his surprise, he spots a familiar figure approachinga tall, handsome man with white hair, blue eyes, and a yellow cloak. Nice to meet you, the man says, extending his hand. Im Kastro. I couldnt help but notice that you seem to have some connection to Hisoka. He mentioned you. After my humiliating loss to him, Ive resolved to train as hard as I can against the fighters here. Today, I just wanted to introduce myself and wish you good luck. Thank you, Alex replies, shaking his hand. He pauses for a moment before adding, But let me give you one piece of advice: trying to train as hard as possible against the losers here wont give you the results youre hoping for. Its like an Enhancer trying to learn a Manipulation and Conjuration Hatsuit might work, but barely, and the results wont be satisfying. Youd be better off focusing on your fundamentals and avoiding the trap of thinking youre strong after beating a few 200-class fighters here. Kastro smiles stiffly. Ill keep that in mind, he says before quickly walking away, almost successfully hiding the panic on his face and the sweat trickling down his forehead. A few moments later, a group of Floor Masters approaches Alex. He exchanges polite greetings, pretending to know them. Once they leave, Menchi leans in. These Floor Masters are all around Dariuss level, she says. Darius might have more Aura, but he leans heavily into Enhancement and Emission, so its not a direct comparison. Id say hes slightly above average strength for a Floor Master. Alex glances at his [Destiny Watch]. Only ten minutes remain. If I win quickly enough, well be perfectly on time for dinner, he jokes. Quite confident, arent you ?? a familiar voice interrupts from the side. Alex turns and immediately tenses up. Hisoka is leaning casually against one of the pillars in the center of the room, his unsettling smile plastered on his face. Im looking forward to an exciting performance ?, Hisoka says, his tone dripping with amusement. He giggles creepily before walking away. What a fucking lunatic, Alex mutters. What a creep, Menchi agrees, for once matching Alexs sentiment. Just then, another unexpected pair approaches. Its Darius and a young woman walking beside him. The girl is tall but far from her fathers hulking physique. She looks more or less normal, though her haughty expression and confident stride immediately give away her personality. I see youre already here, Alex. Ready for the fight? Darius asks. sea??h th N?velFire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Before Alex can respond, the girl interjects, her voice dripping with entitlement. Wrong question, Daddy. You should ask him if hes ready to lose and hand over that absolutely gorgeous earring. I cant wait to wear it! You might as well give it to me now to keep it from getting damaged during the battle. Alex stares at her, unimpressed. He ignores her provocations and instead addresses Darius directly. Im ready, Darius. No hard feelings, regardless of how it turns out, right? By the way, I have this friend named Suashe has some good connections inside the tower. After you lose and go broke, I can help get your daughter a nice job cleaning toilets here. Itd suit her well, I think. That mop of hair of hers could finally get some real use. The daughters face twists in rage, and she opens her mouth to fire back, but Darius laughs and places a calming hand on her shoulder. Dont worry, my girl. Daddys going to take care of things in the ring. Ill see you soon, Alex, Darius says, leading his daughter away. She continues to hurl curses and insults at Alex as they walk off. Menchi shakes her head but cant hide the grin spreading across her face. You can be so petty sometimes. But I have to admit, I liked the mop joke. Havent heard that one yet. Glad you enjoyed it, Alex says. Alright, Ill see you in a few minutes. Cheer me on, okay? As he begins walking toward the Arena, Menchi suddenly grabs his arm, stopping him. Dont lose, she says firmly. Then, after a brief pause, she adds, And even if you do dont get yourself killed out there. Alex is taken aback by her unusually caring tone. Dont worry. I wont throw my life away for pride, he reassures her, giving her a confident smile. Menchi releases his arm, and Alex strides toward the Arena, his nerves steeling as the countdown to the fight begins. As soon as Alex steps into the Arena, the sound of thousands of cheering spectators hits him like a wave. The massive circular stadium is packed to the brim, with rows upon rows of seats carved into its walls. Above the noise, Alex hears the familiar, overly enthusiastic voice of Mina echo through the loudspeakers. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to this special Floor Master challenge! she announces, her tone trying to sound cute while hyping up the crowd. Floor Master Darius needs no introduction! He has dominated countless fights in his reign as a Floor Master and never shies away from a challenge. Perhaps the strongest fighter in terms of raw physique alone, he wields his mighty warhammer and uses his devastating shockwave fighting style. Let me tell you, countless opponents have been smashed to death right here on these floor tiles, sharing the fate of common flies being swatted to the ground! Oh no, this scares Mina! I hope I wont have to see something that cruel today! The audience roars with laughter and cheers, leaving Alex wondering if Mina is more popular than she lets on. And now! she continues with exaggerated flair. Facing him is none other than Alex Kerber, who stormed through the 200-class fighters with a record of 10-0! His last fight against Bahawin was just as cruel as some of Dariuss infamous matches. Poor Bahawin was blown to pieces by mysterious explosions! Some of the crowd jeer and laugh at the mention of Bahawins fate, while others seem genuinely shocked. Mina doesnt stop. I hear theres a special bet between these fighters todaysomething about a precious earring Darius wants to give his beloved daughter and Alex wanting to use it to propose to his newly revealed girlfriend, Menchi! Its romantic, its exciting, and its going to be brutal, people! This will be a fight no one forgets anytime soon! Alex tunes her out. he thinks, shaking his head. As Alex approaches the center of the ring, he lights up a pair of flame-spewing devices attached to the two large bags hes carrying. Bright purple flames shoot out from the devices, catching the crowds attention. Alex thinks as he glances around the massive audience. The referee begins reciting the rules, though Alex barely pays attention. Its just formalities at this point. Finally, the referee asks the fighters if theyre ready. YES! Darius declares in a booming voice, his tone full of confidence. Alex, still calm, nods. He walks back a few steps, pulling out a small pouch from one of his pockets. Okay, START! the referee shouts. Instead of charging forward, Alex holds up the pouch and tosses it toward Darius, shouting, Your daughter is right. Heres the earring. You can keep it during the fight. Dariuss lips curl into a smirk, but instead of picking up the pouch, he swings his warhammer, sending it flying into the air. The pouch explodes midair, unleashing deadly shrapnel into the crowd. A few sharp fragments hit some spectators, causing panicked screams to erupt throughout the arena. Alex grimaces; Darius doesnt seem fazed in the slightest, instead glaring at Alex with a fiery intensity. Wouldve been too easy! Alex yells. YOURE GOING DOWN! With that, he swings open both of his bags, revealing dozens of small grenades inside. Without hesitation, he grabs a handful, lights them on the purple flames, and hurls them directly at Darius. Chapter 150: Effective x Strategy – Is This All You Got, Big Guy? Countless grenades land all around Darius. Alex deliberately avoids throwing them directly at his opponent, ensuring Darius cant just knock them away with a swing of his massive hammer. He also staggers his throws, forcing Darius to deal with each grenade individually rather than deflecting them all with a single shockwave. The grenades explode in chaotic bursts. Some flash with blinding light, others unleash fire, smoke, or small concussive explosions. sea??h th novlF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Darius activates Ken, his aura flaring as he blocks almost the entire barrage of explosions. Despite the chaos, he remains unfazed, taking next to no damage. But Alex grins. Hidden within the smoke and confusion are three more grenadescloaked with In, making them invisible to the naked eye. Darius, overconfident with his defense and fully relying on Ken, fails to use Gyo to spot the hidden explosives. The grenades detonate right next to him. The explosions are far more dangerous than the previous ones, their fire and shrapnel slamming into him with full force. Alex gleefully watches as the damage numbers finally climb. The fire damage lands true, while the shrapnel and main explosions deal relatively low damage thanks to Dariuss Ken. Still, the sudden hit was enough to rattle him slightly, and Alex doesnt let up. Seeing Darius emerging from the smoke, Alex immediately casts Blizzard lvl 3. A freezing burst of frost surrounds Darius, slowing his movement. With his [Nimbus Cloak] boosting his speed, Alex focuses his aura under his feet and leaps to the side, dodging Dariuss incoming charge with ease. His evasion and agility, combined with Menchis training and his Aura manipulation, hopelessly outpace Dariuss brute force. Too slow, big guy! Alex taunts as he lands effortlessly. Darius doesnt flinch. Gritting his teeth, he strikes the ground with his warhammer, sending a shockwave toward Alex. The ground erupts, the force tearing through the floor tiles in a straight line toward him. The sight reminds Alex of the Tauren Chieftain from Warcraft 3 or the Barbarian from Diablo. But he stays calm. Alex times his next move perfectly. As the shockwave approaches, he gathers all his Aura once again under his feet and jumps straight into the air. While airborne, he activates Sealions Icewing Embrace lvl 3, the frosty aura surrounding him like a protective cocoon, slowly forming a thick frozen armor. He immediately cloaks it with In. CRITICAL HIT! 2-0 for Alex Kerber! the referee screams as Alex floats mid-air. Mina, the moderator, drops her usual bimbo persona for a moment and riles up the crowd, her voice booming through the arena: Did you see that??? Alex is leading 2-0 already! GRENADES! EXPLOSIONS OUT OF THIN AIR! And then he used some sort of freezing ability on Darius! But Darius tanked it all like a monster, countering with a charge followed by a shockwave! Still, Alex avoided him flawlessly. Despite the lack of visible damage, the referee has declared a critical hit! I cant believe it, but Alex is flying inside the arena now! How is that possible? Does he have invisible wings or something like that? Look at thathe just flew to the stands! What is he doing now? Alex glides toward a group of spectators seated high up, lands briefly, then executes another powerful Nen jump, propelling himself even higher into the air. From this height, Alex pulls out [Mr. 5s .44 Caliber 6-Shot Revolver], the weapon glowing faintly with the icy aura of Sealions Icewing Embrace lvl 3. The frost-infused rounds give the firearm enough punch to bypass Dariuss Ken defense and deal steady, small amounts of damageespecially with Alexs Nen Prodigy lvl 3 and Genius Conjurer lvl 3 enhancing the strength of his conjurations. While normal firearms barely scratch someone with Dariuss mastery of enhancement, the freezing effect of Alexs attacks begins to add up, draining Dariuss Aura as he struggles to maintain his Ken. The combination of cold damage and the small explosive impacts begins to wear Darius down. Another explosion beneath his feet finally causes him to stumble as the weakened ground gives in slightly. CLEAN HIT AND DOWN! 4-0 for Alex Kerber! Floor Master Darius, can you continue fighting? the referee calls out. The crowd erupts in a mix of cheers and gasps as Darius struggles to regain his footing. Minas excited voice echoes through the arena. Is this it for Darius? I cant believe what Im seeing! Challenger Alex apparently has the ability to FLY! I dont know how hes doing it, but theres this strange fog surrounding himits like hes gliding through the air with invisible wings! Alex lands gracefully on the opposite side of the arena. Using the visitor stands as a platform, he executes yet another Nen-powered jump, regaining his height as he reloads his revolver. From above, Alex looks down at Dariusstill standing in the center of the ring, his face a mix of annoyance and confusion. Not letting up for even a second, Alex continues his assault. In addition to firing his revolver, he begins dropping Annihilation Grenades lvl 3, mixing them seamlessly with numerous fake grenades to further disguise his true ability. The air is filled with the sound of explosions and icy blasts, leaving Darius to navigate through the chaos while the crowd watches in stunned silence, unsure of how the Floor Master will turn the tide. Alex can only sneer inside his mind. Alex observes with satisfaction as his continuous assaults chip away at Dariuss defenses. Seeing how effective his strategy has been so far, he decides to burn through his MP, which he only uses for casting his Black Magic spells. With a total of 180 MP and steady regeneration, Alex calculates he can cast at least 20 spells while keeping up his pace. He goes all out. Fire lvl 3, Thunder lvl 3, Blizzard lvl 3. The spells hit their mark, slamming into Darius with bursts of fire, lightning, and ice. Each spell deals around 20 damage, hitting harder than Dariuss Ken can fully nullify. The momentum from his spellcasting also speeds Alex up because of his [Nimbus Cloak], making him fly even faster and more nimbly from one side of the arena to the other. He zips across the ring like an unstoppable force, raining destruction with each movement. The referee, seeing Alexs relentless and precise assault, awards him three more clean hits. The crowd grows restless as the scoreboard shows the lopsided result: 7-0. Alex keeps his focus sharp as he unleashes another wave of bullets, spells, and grenades. Suddenly, a thunderous roar echoes through the arena as Darius screams wildly, his Aura spiking to an intense, overwhelming level. Alex thinks, watching the surge of energy. But he remains calm. But then, something unexpected happens. Alexs eyes widen as Darius, his warhammer glowing fiercely with his flaring Aura, unleashes a focused, emission-based strike straight from his weapon. The attack hurtles toward Alex with blistering speed, far faster and more dangerous than anything Alex has seen so far. Alex feels a sudden chill of danger as the massive strike closes in on him. For the first time in the fight, he realizes he might have underestimated the Floor Master. Chapter 151: Miscalculation x Mindset – Need for Change! Alex spins mid-air, his icy wings twisting desperately to avoid the incoming blast. He manages to evade the brunt of the attack, but one of his wings shatters immediately upon impact. With only one wing remaining, Alex glides unevenly toward the ground. Alex fumes internally. Alexs eyes blaze with determination as he makes his decision. FUCK YOU! ILL CUT YOU UP! he roars, shifting into a direct dive. Darius smiles, anticipating the move. He channels a large amount of his Aura into his hammer using Gyo, preparing a devastating counter-strike. But as Alex nears, he suddenly twists in mid-air, redirecting his descent to slow his momentum. Dariuss hammer swings with incredible force, but it misses, grazing Alexs second wing instead. Alex lands with a smooth roll, drawing his [Sword of Pluto] as he charges forward. He slashes with extreme force, the strike carving deep into Dariuss side. Alex smirks. Darius grits his teeth but counters instantly, slamming his hammer into the ground to unleash a massive AoE shockwave in all directions. Alex braces himself and raises his [Shield of Pluto], infusing it with as much Aura as he can during the short time he plans to absorb the impact. Alex realizes in alarm as his limbs seize up. Darius capitalizes on the moment, following the shockwave with another ground-type shockwave that slams into Alexs shield. The sheer force hurls Alex into the air, leaving him vulnerable. Before Alex can recover, Darius launches a rapid emission strike straight from his hammer. The blow hits Alex mid-flight, sending him crashing outside the arena. Alex crashes to the ground, dazed and bloodied, just outside the ring. STOP! the referee yells. Clean hit for challenger Alex Kerber and critical hit and down for Floor Master Darius! 8-3, challenger Alex Kerber in the lead! Challenger, you have 10 seconds to get back into the ring! Alex curses internally as he struggles to stand, blood trickling from his wounds. As the referee begins the countdown, Alex forces himself to focus, his mind racing. Minas excited voice echoes through the arena: WOW, EVERYONE! WHAT A FIGHT! Its moving so fast that I can barely describe it properly! Darius managed to land a ranged hammer attack, clipping Alexs invisible wings and forcing him to fall. But Alex retaliated with a solid hit on Darius before getting stunned and slammed with two devastating follow-up attacks! Somehow, Alex is still standingthough just barely. Point-wise, Alex remains in the lead! Can he recover? Alex calmly gets to his feet, hearing the referee counting: 2 3 He takes his time, staying focused and calculating. He activates Sealions Icewing Embrace lvl 3, and Mustranos Malice Mauler lvl 3, feeling a burst of cold resolve. Without hesitation, he tosses both [Smoked Wolf Jerky] into his mouth and washes them down with a [Healing Potion], an [EP Charge], the juicy herb [Lurkwort], and even the potent [Tribaio Village Healing Liquid]. [Tribaio Village Healing Liquid] [Lurkwort] [EP Charge] [Healing potion] [Smoked Wolf Jerky] x2 By the time the referee reaches 9, Alex reenters the ring, wiping his mouth and thinking, As Alex reenters the ring, the referee turns to him. Can you keep going? Alex nods, immediately taking up a fighting stance, unleashing the strongest Ren he can manage with his remaining Aura. Okay! FIGHT! the referee shouts, retreating quickly. Instead of charging in recklessly, Alex raises his hand and fires a Fire lvl 3 straight at Darius, engulfing him in flames. Using his boosted speed, Alex presses the assault, closing the gap while firing his revolver. The shots deal minor damage, but the barrage begins to chip away at Dariuss defenses. Darius, unsure of how to respond, finally unleashes another shockwave. But this time, Alex activates Ken, ducks behind his [Shield of Pluto], and blocks the attack almost entirely. sea??h th N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Not giving Darius any time to recover, Alex, not stunned this time, dodges the incoming ground shockwave, sidestepping to the right and avoiding most of the damage. Only a few debris chunks, infused with Dariuss Aura, graze him. Lets finish this! Alex growls, activating Thunder Sword lvl 3, boosting his speed even further as he charges toward Darius. Darius swings his hammer in a desperate counterattack, but Alex, moving too fast to be caught, dodges with ease. He capitalizes on Dariuss misstep and lands a devastating slash to his upper leg, making the giant roar in pain as his legs buckle beneath him. DARIUS GOT HIT! IS HE ABOUT TO GO DOWN? IS THIS FIGHT OVER? Mina screams in excitement, her voice electrifying the crowd. Alex steps back; his eyes locked on his opponent as he prepares to cast another Fire lvl 3 at Darius. He waits for the referees judgment, his breath steady but his body tense, about to unleash his next attack. Chapter 152: Conclusion x Result – A Fierce Battle Despite buckling heavily, Darius somehow remains standing, his leg trembling violently. "Clean hit! 9-3. Continue!" the referee declares. Hearing this, Alex shows no hesitation. He refuses to risk anything now that the fight is nearing its conclusion. He casts his prepared Fire lvl 3, sending flames crashing into Darius. Darius screams in pain as flames engulf his clothes, his Aura too depleted to shield him completely. Taking advantage of the opening, Alex hurls his final Annihilation Grenade lvl 3 along with his remaining fake grenades. Darius, summoning his remaining strength, unleashes another 360-degree shockwave, bouncing the grenades away. Alex braces himself, raising his [Shield of Pluto] and channeling his Aura to absorb the impact. Sarch* The novlF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Now! Alex mutters as he activates Blizzard Sword lvl 3, propelling himself forward with another speed boost. He charges at Darius, who is still burning, visibly drained, and struggling to keep himself upright. Alex slashes at Darius, but the floor master, showing incredible reflexes, blocks with his hammer, reducing the attack, to minor damage. In desperation, Darius counters with a bare-fisted strike. Alex instinctively shifts his Aura with Ryu, focusing his defense to tank the impact. Despite his efforts, the punch lands with tremendous force, slamming into his chest. Alex winces but grins through the pain. Its over! he yells as he activates Toxic Breakthrough lvl 3, landing a devastating blow, piercing his claw deep into Darius chest. Alex darts back, confident that the fight is won. He glances at the referee, expecting the declaration of victory. Instead, the referee shakes his head, refusing to end the match. Alex snarls inwardly, cursing as he notices Darius preparing another desperate hammer strike. Alex thinks, dodging the hammer swing just in time. YOU WANNA PLAY IT THAT WAY, HUH? FINE! YOURE GOING DOWN! Alex screams, his voice echoing through the arena, rattling the audience. What is happening?! Somehow, despite Alex landing a decisive hit, the fight continues! Will this be the turning point? Mina yells, her voice frantic with excitement. Fueled by rage, Alex begins casting spell after spell, using every drop of his remaining MP. Blizzard lvl 3, Thunder lvl 3, Fire lvl 3, Blizzard lvl 3, Thunder lvl 3, Fire lvl 3 Darius staggers as each spell chips away at his defenses. His Aura shrinks with every hit until he finally collapses to his knees, the poison taking its toll as well. Not taking any chances, Alex draws his [Mr. 5s .44 Caliber 6-Shot Revolver] and unloads all six bullets into Dariuss chest and legs. Alex deliberately avoids critical areas, showing restraint despite the chaos. STOP!!!! the audience, and even Mina, scream in unison, fearing for Dariuss life. Minas voice echoes through the arena: WHAT IS THIS REFEREE DOING? As the moderator, I warn youthis fight is OVER! Finally, Darius collapses completely, unable to continue. The referee, visibly shaken, raises his hand and announces: Critical hit and down. 12-3. Winner, Alex Kerber! IT IS OVER! MEDICS, get him some help! Mina screams. Ladies and gentlemen, this was too much for my poor heart to bear, but we have a new floor master! Alex Kerber, with what I can only describe as a decisive assault of what looks like real magic, has finally taken down the mighty floor master! Alex lifts his fist into the air and screams in joy! [Secret Quest completed: Mission: Beat Darius in a fight and become a floor master Reward: [Chest (Purple)], 1 Stat point, [Shockwave Hammer]] [Due to achieving the title of floor Master, you have gained worldwide recognition as a skilled martial artist, and your future interactions with the characters of this world will reflect this] Alex thinks, seeing Darius, with his last strength, shoving his hammer toward him before finally losing consciousness. Alex thinks, before slowly walking out of the arena, not in the mood or condition for an interview. But Mina sprints down and blocks his path. Wait a minute, Floor Master Alex! We need to do your victory interview. You wont reject Mina, will you? This makes me cryour new floor master doesnt like Mina. The audience claps, laughs, and a few even boo. Alex thinks, before sighing and saying, Fine. Two minutes. You are the brand-new floor master of Floor 237. How does it feel? Are you satisfied? Alex responds: No. I feel I lost this battle. Darius is still clearly superior to me in almost everything. I think I only won because I took the time to devise a proper strategy instead of brute-forcing it like Darius. Im slightly proud that Darius revealed a new ability just to fight me, but overall, I am still very weak. In a few years, that will change. You can be sure of that. How boring! Why are you so humble now? Can you be any more fake? Mina doesnt like fake men! Alex, for the first time in his life, feels a giant urge to outright slap the hell out of a woman but endures and responds: Cant you be serious for once? I am hurting all over, Darius is bound to spend months in the hospital, and you expect me to gloat? It was a hard battle. Okay, last question: Are you prepared to apologize and compensate the audience who got hit by your shrapnel at the beginning of the fight? Mina asks, her face feigning innocence and concern, but a slight evil smile betrays her true intent. Darius knocked that dangerous object into the crowd. Its not my fault. Goodbye! Wait a minute Mina starts, but Alex quickly walks out of the arena, scanning the audience and noticing a few familiar faces. Kastro gives him a warm smile, Sua gives him a thumbs up, and Hisoka, standing at the very top of the stands, exudes a vile, nasty aura, his eyes fixed greedily on Alex. Alex thinks, seriously freaked out as he quickens his pace and leaves the arena. Chapter 153: Big x Boss – Girly Heir to the Tower Alex hastily leaves the Arena and makes his way back to his room, keeping his head low and moving quickly. He wants to avoid running into moderators, rookie hunters who might still hold a grudge, or honestly, anyone at all. As he reaches Floor 199 and walks toward his room, he spots Menchi standing outside, chatting with a young, girly-looking man. The man is accompanied by two bodyguards in matching gray suits. Both are tall, appearing to be in their late forties, with sharp features and a calm but dangerous air about them. Alex immediately uses Gyo to examine them, and what he sees sends a chill down his spine. Their aura is eerily serene and controlled, yet theres a quiet menace beneath it that feels suffocating. Alex thinks, stunned by the revelation. Despite his shock, Alex notices Menchi looks completely at ease while chatting with them. Taking that as a good sign, he approaches cautiously. Before Alex can say anything, the girly-looking man notices him and lights up. Oh wow, look, guys! Its the new Floor Master himself! Congratulations! The man, who looks no older than eighteen, walks toward Alex with an enthusiastic smile and grabs his hand, shaking it vigorously. Caught off guard, Alex awkwardly returns the handshake. Uh thanks. Sorry, Ive been pretty focused on my fights, so I dont know too many people. Who are you again? The young man chuckles. Ah, Im not surprised you dont know me. Most people dont. But you might have heard of my motherGillian Roster, the current owner of Heavens Arena! Im her son, Julius Roster. Nice to meet you. Alex blinks, surprised. Nice to meet you, I guess, Alex says cautiously, trying to keep his tone neutral. But Im a little surprised. What did I do to deserve this honor? Honor? Julius laughs, as if the idea is absurd. Oh, come on, the honor is all mine! Ive been dying to meet such a Nen genius like you! You were incredibleI havent seen a fight that spectacular in years. Youre, without a doubt, one of the most talented Nen users Ive ever seen. Your potential seems limitless! Alex narrows his eyes slightly, his skepticism creeping into his tone. I appreciate the compliments, but let me guesswhat youre really saying is, my fighting style is interesting, and in a few years, I might be worth your attention. Is that about right? Julius shakes his head, grinning even wider. Why so cynical, Alex? I mean what I saidIm genuinely impressed. Youve already proven yourself as a mighty Floor Master! Alex snorts, glancing at the two bodyguards standing silently behind Julius. Yeah, a mighty Floor Master who wouldnt stand a chance against one of your bodyguards back there. Even at my best, Id get crushed in seconds. Julius chuckles, seemingly unbothered by Alexs bluntness. You know, the fact that youre not drunk on fame and excitement, even after such an intense battle, tells me Im right to pay attention to you, Julius says, his tone calm yet upbeat. If Im correctly informed, you only recently learned Nen, right? Meanwhile, these two bodyguards behind meEgao and Tsearanstarted learning Nen before they turned ten. Theyre now both over fifty and have a combined experience of more than eighty years. Naturally, theyre incredibly strong. But you? Youve just started, and yet here you are. Im looking forward to seeing you surpass them in a few years! Alex thinks, studying Julius closely. Thank you, Alex replies, keeping his voice neutral. So, Im guessing this visit has something to do with my new title? Julius nods enthusiastically. Exactly. As I told your girlfriendwho, by the way, is surprisingly even stronger than youthe floor master I came here to meet. Dariuss floor will be cleaned and refurbished for you immediately, as is standard after title matches. Youll be able to have a nice private dinner, and afterward, your new floor, 237, will be ready. It has a luxury apartment and several empty rooms you can customize to your liking. Darius left most of them unused and only organized a few of the larger ones into training rooms with a ton of equipment. Should we clear that out or leave it there? Alex, mindful of his upcoming departure, pauses for a moment before responding. Wow Honestly, Im leaving the Arena tomorrow. I have an important trip, so why dont you just leave everything the way it is for now? Also, I have a request. I might be gone for a whiledo I need to defend my title right away? Julius waves a hand dismissively. No, dont worry about that. As a new floor master, unless you want to, no one can challenge you for two years. After that, youre only required to accept one challenge per year. And frankly, since you beat Darius and will likely be even stronger in the future, I doubt youll get many challengers. Most fighters in the 200 class just want the title, so theyll go after the weaker floor masters instead. Only real enthusiasts who are looking for a strong opponent might come after you. Strength-wise, youre not at the very top yet, but Id say youre solidly in the middle. Youre in the clear for now. Alex nods, processing this, as Julius continues. Alright, well leave Dariuss training setup intact. The luxury apartment will be deep cleaned, and well replace most of the furniture. Ive got a crew of a couple dozen workers on it, so just relax and enjoy your win. In a few hours, Floor 237 will be ready for you. Here Julius reaches into his pocket and hands Alex a pair of keys, along with several keycards. These are for your private floor and special elevator access. Congratulations again. And heres my number, he adds, handing Alex a small card. If you ever need anything, dont hesitate to call me. Julius flashes a big, confident smile as he finishes. Alex accepts the items, nodding politely. Julius waves as he turns to leave, his two bodyguards following close behind. Before they go, the bodyguards each give Alex a small, polite nodacknowledging him, at least in some capacity. Alex looks at the card, strangely it gets recognized by the system: [Juliuss card] [Juliuss card] Sar?h the N?vel(F)ire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Finally, Alex approaches Menchi, who greets him with a teasing smile. Congratulations, mighty Floor Master Alex! I guess Im proud of you for winning, though I have to say, you have the most shameless fighting style Ive ever heard of! Using a gun? Sure, its not forbidden, but seriously, who does that? Spamming grenades to confuse your enemy and hide your real Hatsu? Flying above the arena and bombarding him? And you still just barely won? She crosses her arms, raising an eyebrow. Oh, and lets not forgetI clearly saw you eating some kind of medicine and that magic food you gave me during the exam. Thats basically cheating, isnt it? I have to say, Alex, theres definitely room for improvement Alex thinks, feeling slightly insulted. Before he can respond, Menchis tone softens, and she smiles warmly. However, she says, her voice more genuine now, Im still proud of you. You did your very best, and you won. Becoming a Floor Master after only three months of learning Nen? Thats seriously impressive. Her smile brightens, and before Alex can say anything, she pulls him into a long hug. Caught off guard, Alex instinctively hugs her back. As he does, her scent washes over him, making him a little nervous. When she finally pulls away, her cheeks are slightly flushed. Alright, go on, she says, smirking. Get into the room and take a shower. Youre all sweaty! Hehe, sorry about that. I guess I should, Alex replies with a sheepish grin. Ill take a shower, then we can grab something to eat like we planned, and then we can check out our new floor! With a smile, he heads into the room and does exactly that. The shower washes away the exhaustion of his fight. His HP, MP, and even AURA are steadily regenerating, and his internal injuries are almost fully healed thanks to the potent effects of [Lurkwort]. Dressed in fresh clothes, Alex leaves the apartment for the last time. For three months, this little space had been his homewhere he trained, ate, slept, and made countless memories while climbing the tower. He pauses at the door, taking one final look around. Alex thinks, closing the door behind him with a newfound sense of excitement. Chapter 154: Takeover x Floor – Reaping the Rewards Alex and Menchi leave Floor 199 and head to a luxurious restaurant on Floor 100. The restaurant typically requires reservations made at least three months in advance, but as they approach, the staff immediately recognize Alex. Dropping everything theyre doing, they rush to welcome him with enthusiasm. Welcome, Floor Master Alex! Could it be true? Have you decided to visit our restaurant today? We are honored! Please, follow mewell escort you and your lovely friend to our best table! one of the staff members exclaims. Is that possible? Great! Alex responds, surprised but pleased. he laments to himself. The staff guide Alex and Menchi to their best table, a slightly elevated area with a perfect view overlooking the entire restaurant. As they sit down, Alex cant help but feel a little self-conscious; nearly everyone in the restaurant is staring at them. He glances at Menchi, who sits across from him with a radiant smile, looking completely at ease. he tells himself, trying to shake off the nerves. They enjoy their extravagant dinner, which, to Alexs delight, they dont even have to pay for. After the meal, they finally make their way to Floor 237. The food was disappointing, Menchi complains as they walk. Out of the seven courses, only the appetizer and dessert were passable. The wine card was uninspirednothing specialjust expensive labels with no thought put into pairing them with the dishes. Alex laughs. First of all, we didnt reserve a table or even pay, which is already a miracle. I thought everything was incredible! Sure, it wasnt as good as your cooking, but your standards are way too high. Also, the dessert was kind of mediocre. You and your sweet tooth, seriously! They arrive at the elevator and are surprised to see Sua inside. Happy to serve you today. Which floor are you heading to? Sua asks, her tone playful. Hi, Sua. Sorry for ruining your bet, I guess! Floor 237, Alex says, scanning his new keycard. Going up! Sua says with a grin. To tell you the truth, the bet fell through. People werent willing to bet against youthey thought the risk was too high! So, I decided to make a little private bet myself, hehe. I won 500 million. Thanks for that! She bursts out laughing. You congratulations, I guess, Well be leaving tomorrow so thank you again for everything. Alex responds, his face a mix of shock and disbelief. Even Menchi looks stunned by the old martial arts maniac. Finally, they arrive on Floor 237. The entire floor is a circular structure, with the elevator stopping in the center. As they step into the main lobby, they see six different doors branching out, each leading to a different area. Alex scans his surroundings. One of the doors seems to lead to their new apartment, marked by a collection of huge bouquets displayed in front of it. Between the apartment and another door is an open medium-sized arena that resembles a small office space. Near the arena is a desk that reminds Alex of a hotel reception area. Noticing the bouquets, Alex steps closer to inspect them. The largest one has a card that reads: Congratulations, Floor Master Alex Kerber From Julius. He spots a few smaller bouquets as well, each from strangers congratulating him. Judging by their modest size, its clear his personal fan club is small, but he cant help grinning anyway. My own fan club! Thats a surprise! Alex says, clearly amused. Pfft, dont let it go to your head now, will you? Menchi chimes in, rolling her eyes. To their surprise, a female receptionist approaches them, stepping out from behind the reception desk. Welcome, Im Liz, the former attendant of Floor Master Darius. You may wish to replace me as soon as possible, but in the meantime, Ill act as your temporary floor manager. Congratulations on your win! I have to say, I think Darius is the better martial artist, but youre clearly the more determined fighter. Your will to succeed is commendable, she says, her expression tinged with sadness. Sorry for winning that way. I agree with youDarius is clearly the stronger fighter. But still, I won, Alex says, his voice calm but resolute. Thank you for admitting that. And you dont need to leaveplease, keep doing your job. Could you give us a short tour? We wont be staying long, but well return when were done. He pauses for a moment, but leaves the word unspoken. Liz smiles faintly and responds, Youre indeed kind, which is a surprise considering your fighting style is the most evil, cheap, and vicious Ive ever seen. Anyway, your character is exactly like Darius described you. Her tone softens as she continues, Thank you to be honest, I need this job. My childrens education doesnt pay for itself. I promise Ill do my very best. She gestures to the space around them. As you can see, this floor has six complexes. I have a small reception here in the main lobby to welcome visitors. If someone requests access to your floor, I can temporarily allow them in, but only with your consent. Without it, nobody, except the owners of Heavens Arena, can access this floor. Now, as for the different complexes: The northern room is the floor masters personal apartment. Its quite luxurious. In fact, forty people completed the fastest renovation Ive ever seen in my lifeits a miracle. All the furniture is brand new, and its high-quality. The apartment includes numerous bedrooms and bathrooms. The highlight, though, is the small outdoor bath. It partially hangs over the side of the building, giving you a view of both the night sky and the city. Its spectacular, I have to say. Wow, thats insane! I need to try that, Alex comments, clearly impressed. Liz nods and continues. Apart from that, the apartment has everything youll need. Lets move on: the second large door leads to a small living complex with about twenty smaller apartments. These rooms are similar to the ones offered to fighters after they reach Floor 100. Dariuss best students had rooms here, but theyre currently being cleared out by staff. Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. I dont have a need for them just leave them empty for now, okay? Maybe you can use a few of them for your private things. Thatll be your bonus, alright? Alex says. Really?? Liz asks, her face lighting up with gratitude. Then Ill have my two sons and my daughter move in! These rooms are nice, and it would save us a lot of money if they could live here for free. Thank you so much! So, what are the other four doors for, huh? Menchi asks, her curiosity piqued. We have one huge training area with all kinds of gym equipment, weapons, training facilities, and everything you might need to improve your fighting performance. Then we have a sparring arena with a few small rings. Dariuss students used to hold small contests there, and he also invited famous martial artists to spar with him in that space. The last two doors lead to empty sections. If you go inside, you wont even see roomsjust two enormous, empty halls, Liz explains. Ten years, and he couldnt find a use for them? Stupid! If he didnt have any ideas, he couldve at least set up an open gym or created more rooms to rent out, Menchi complains, clearly shocked by Dariuss lack of initiative. Ive been telling him the same thing, Liz responds with a small, embarrassed shrug. He just wasnt interested in anything besides martial arts. Well, just focus on maintaining this floor, okay? You can use a few rooms like I said, but dont go overboard. Were heading into the main apartment now. Well talk to you tomorrow before we leavewe dont need any help tonight, Alex says, though in the back of his mind, hes unsure what use this floor will even have for him, especially since hes leaving this world so soon. When Alex and Menchi enter the apartment, they are greeted by an enormous open space. Its easily twenty times larger than Alexs former room on floor 199, and for a moment, Alex feels like hes stepped into one of those TV shows where the ultra-wealthy show off their giant mansions. The floor gleams like polished marble, the ceiling towers above them, and the furniture looks both stylish and absurdly expensive. But the real highlight is the outer wall, made entirely of tall, thick windows. The view is breathtakinga stunning panorama of the city at night. The glittering lights stretch out endlessly, and for a moment, Alex feels like a king surveying his domain. So what now? Just sleep and then leave tomorrow? Alex says, checking his remaining mission time. [Remaining Mission Duration: 15 hours] Sleep and leave? Are you for real? That sounds so boring Menchi replies, her tone playful. Say, I promised you a reward, didnt I? Before Alex can respond, she steps closer, sliding her arms around his neck from behind. Pressing herself against his back, she says softly, Lets have fun. Her voice carries a mix of confidence and nervousness. Alex gulps. he tells himself, trying to psych himself up. But as soon as he turns around and sees Menchis face, his legs go weak, and all his confidence crumbles. he admits to himself, briefly wondering if he should actually buy one of those scammy how to pick up women courses hes seen online. Chapter 155: Reward x Desire – Time to Man Up! (NSFW 18+) Alex looks at Menchi, clearly nervous and unsure of how to act. How about we visit the outdoor bath Liz mentioned? Its supposed to be the highlight. I want to see the city from up here! All these lights will look awesome since its already dark outside. Youre right! I want to see that too, good idea! Menchi agrees, full of enthusiasm. They make their way through the luxurious apartment until they arrive at the special outdoor bath. Stepping onto a terrace, they see that the bath is more like a giant pool. Part of it hangs over the edge, and that section is entirely made of glass, making it seem like the water is floating in the air. I dont have any swimming trunks with me, Alex realizes. Who cares about that? Its just us! Menchi confidently begins to strip off her clothes, making Alex blush and look away in embarrassment before he thinks, Alex quickly strips and forcefully jumps into the pool, making a huge splash. To his absolute delight, the water is not cold at all. Oh wow, this is a heated bath! The water is warm! Alex says, turning around only to see Menchi standing outside the pool, completely naked. He takes a good look at her, taking in her slightly flushed face, her cheeky grin, her medium to large breasts supported by her toned back and shoulders, her silhouette a study of grace and elegance. Her legs are long and shapely, her calves toned and defined. Her arms are similarly toned, hinting at a level of fitness and care for her physical health. Still, Alex''s gaze lingers on her intimate area. , he immediately recognizes, and continues to stare, but Menchi, similar to Alex, also jumps into the pool, surprising him and pulling him out of his daze. She swims towards the very edge of the pool, floating in the water and looking down towards the city. Alex swims next to her and also looks down. Oh wow, this is beautiful. After taking a good look, he turns around towards the tower and notices that from where he is now, he can see the few remaining upper floors, including the penthouse at the very top. Still, its nothing compared to the view towards the city below. This is quite special, I have to admit. Thanks for inviting me, Alex. I guess I couldnt have seen this without you. You know, despite me being a famous single-star hunter, I barely have anyone I really care about. As I told you, Im an orphan, and Linne picked me up after I encountered her by chance she turned me into a first-class hunter, cook, and Nen user. Besides her I dont really have anyone. Menchi explains. Same for me, I guess, although I at least have my parents. I also recently made two good friends. I didnt talk much about them, but if you leave with me, which I really hope you do, youll get to know them soon. Alex responds. Menchi swims close to Alex, her naked skin touching his, and she whispers, Why not get to know me a bit more closely before doing that, hmm? Alex sees the naked Menchi swimming directly in front of him, her arms wrapped around him. Despite his nervousness, he also wraps his arms around her, feeling the heat of her skin. Without saying anything, they slowly move their faces towards each other. Alex sees Menchis beautiful green eyes, her lips still forming a slight smirk, before her lips touch his own. Alex immediately gets hard, the situation too intense for him to stay calm. Menchi pulls back for a second and snickers, Guess my body is clearly to your liking, hmm? Guess that part of you is quite honest. She moves her knee towards Alex''s cock, teasing it a little before kissing him again, this time deeper. They continue to make out, with the insane panorama of the city at night behind them, making Alex feel like he''s dreaming. They begin a deep French kiss, and Alex cant get enough of Menchi. Her smell and taste make him incredibly excited. For months, he has yearned and dreamed about this moment, and its finally coming true. He even puts his hands on her breasts, her hips, and ass, exploring her body from top to bottom. Finally, Menchi says, Enough. Follow me. Now! and she jumps out of the pool in one motion. Alex leaves the pool the normal way, and they go back into the apartment. Menchi lets her aura explode into a huge Ren, getting rid of all the wetness, making Alex look at her in amazement. Neat trick! he says as he copies her, getting rid of the moistness as well. They make their way to the master bedroom, which has a huge bed inside it, twice as big as a normal king-sized bed. Menchi seductively lies on the bed and gestures at Alex to approach. Come on, my cute student. That is an order. Alex, still hard, awkwardly crawls onto the bed and approaches Menchi. Before he can reach her, she spins around using a grappling technique and makes Alex lie on the bed on his back, while she sits on top of his face. Now lick! she says. Alex, instinctively, cant help but immediately obey and lick her beautiful pussy, not a single hair visible to him. He feels that she is already a bit wet and she lets out a few moans, clearly enjoying the attention. Keep going! she orders, and turns around, pressing her ass deeper against Alex''s face. Alex grabs her ass cheeks and continues to lick her pussy, honestly enjoying this situation. , he thinks as he suddenly feels something warm on his cock. Menchi is lying on top of him in a 69 position. They continue to pleasure each other, Alex noticing Menchi getting wetter and wetter. To his absolute delight, Menchi is not only sucking the tip of his cock but also massaging his balls and slowly blowing him deeper and deeper, going all the way down to the base of his cock. , Alex feels himself slowly reaching an orgasm, but Menchi suddenly pulls back and laughs. The night has just started! You are not cumming yet. She turns around again and lifts her body slightly upwards, her pussy now over Alexs still raging hard cock. This sight is making Alex go crazy, desperately trying to reach her, but she avoids his cock by lifting her body just slightly higher. Desperate, are you? She teases him. She slowly lowers her body, making the tip of Alexs cock slightly touch her extremely moist pussy. Alex''s cock desperately twitches, and he tries to insert it, but she just hovers above it. Alex tries to use his hands to drag her down, but she instead pins his hands down. Its not going to be that easy. Tell me what you want. I want to fuck you! Alex says, not interested in her games. Not good enough. One more try! She sheepishly responds. Please let me fuck you, Menchi, please! I want you so bad! Alex, desperate, blurts out. Well, at least you put in some effort. Not bad! Let me finally reward you! She says, lowering her hips slightly, the tip of Alexs cock finally entering her pussy. They both moan a little, and then Menchi, in one motion, fully sits down on Alexs dick, taking it all in one go. Alex feels her moist pussy squeezing his hard cock while Menchi smiles, moans, and clearly enjoys this. She begins to ride him, lowering her head to kiss Alex from time to time. After a few minutes, Alex feels Menchi speeding up even more, riding him faster. Menchi, stop not so fast! Alex says, close to cumming already. Menchi ignores him and keeps speeding up. Alex cant control himself anymore and begins to cum deep inside her, feeling his cock shoot out wave after wave of cum as she continues to ride him hard. Finally, Alex takes a good look at her, but she shows no sign of stopping, even mocking him. You are not done yet! I didnt cum yet. Your turn! Feeling a bit humiliated, Alex begins to thrust wildly but slowly calms down. He takes a good look at Menchi and the situation. His mind races; Alex uses Gyo and notices a tiny bit of blood on the bed and his legs. Alex finally relaxes and carefully massages her legs and thighs while thrusting into her rhythmically. He takes his time, still rock hard, despite cumming earlier. He carefully looks at her bodys responses and sees that with each thrust hitting the right spot, Menchi desperately tries to suppress a moan. Alex keeps thrusting in a rhythm and hits the same spot again and again. Menchi tries to stop him, but Alex this time, forcefully speeds up. Finally, Menchi loudly moans, and Alex can feel her pussy tightening around his cock, clearly experiencing an orgasm. Not bad, huh? Alex says smugly. he tells himself. Alex, not letting her rest, kisses her again and presses her down on the bed, with her ass up in the air. You always act so strong and so independent. Its time you let go for once! Sar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He begins to fuck her again, slowly speeding up. Menchi, completely passive now, moans as Alex fucks her from behind. Suddenly, Alex slaps her ass, making Menchi shriek. You like this, dont you? Acting all strong and mighty, but in reality, you are a little girl wanting to get tamed, huh? Alex thrusts faster and begins to slap her ass, of course holding back so as not to seriously hurt her. Alex feels that with each slap, she moans louder, and her pussy tightens even more. He begins to slap her again and again while thrusting faster and faster. Suddenly, he smirks and stops. Huh, why did you stop?? Menchi suddenly notices and asks him. Beg for it! Alex says. You!!!! Menchi, clearly annoyed, looks at him with a blushed face. Alex slaps her ass and says again, Beg for it! Please fuck me! Menchi says, embarrassed but also clearly turned on. Alex slaps her ass, this time with more force. Not good enough! He slaps her a few more times, his cock still inserted in her pussy, clearly feeling that Menchi enjoys this. Aaaah she moans and stutters, Please fuck my Pussy ! Good girl, Alex says and finally fucks her again. Both of them, now completely in the right mood, begin to speed up, and finally, Menchi screams, More, more, Im cumming! while Alex himself desperately holds himself back from cumming until he feels Menchi is there too and cums again, this time even stronger, shooting all his cum into her pussy. Alex collapses onto Menchis sweaty body. After a few minutes, they begin to lie down next to each other, cuddle a little bit, and kiss softly. Spent and totally satisfied, they fall asleep, still embracing each other. Chapter 156: Goodbye x Return – Return to the Realm! [Remaining Mission Duration: 3 hours] Alex is pulled out of his sleep by a system notification. he thinks, not used to sleeping that long anymore. He wakes up in the enormous bed, the events of the previous night still fresh in his mind. A satisfied smile crosses his face as he thinks, Getting out of bed, Alex pulls a few clothes from his inventory and gets dressed. As he stands up, a delicious smell wafts through the apartment. Curious, he stumbles through the insanely large luxurious space, searching for the kitchen. When he finds it, he sees Menchi cooking breakfast. Shes dressed casually, wearing only pants and a bra, her movements precise as she prepares the food. Good morning, Alex says cheerfully as he approaches her. Good morning, Menchi replies, her voice cold and distant. Alex frowns, slightly confused. Is something wrong, Menchi? Oh, nothing at all Menchi says, her tone sweet but laced with venom. You see, when I woke up today, I had some pain in a particular part of my body. You know, someone, for whatever reason, did this to me. But dont worry. This will not happen again, and the person responsible will pay dearly for it over a very, very long time. You can be sure of that. Alex gulps, a chill running down his spine. Despite Menchis veiled threat, they sit down to eat breakfast as usual. As they talk, they both cant help but admire the apartment, its luxurious features even impressing Menchi. They spend their remaining time visiting Liz, whom Alex tasks with managing the floor. They also invite Sua to help Liz and instruct the two of them to focus on simple, unproblematic businesses like renting out the extra rooms and unused sections of the floor. Use this floor to generate some income, Alex explains. You can keep a small percentage for yourselves but save the rest for me whenever I return. Its a smart idea to let the floor earn money for you, Menchi comments, her mood visibly improved. You never know when you might need it. Who knows, maybe youll find a few more of your so-called treasures if we come back here and need a lot of cash to afford them. Yeah, I figured it cant hurt to have some assurances. I dont need the money, but moneys just a tool to get the things that truly matter to me I hope Ill be able to explain it to you soon. Now that thats settled, weve got twenty minutes left. Lets head back to the apartment and sit on the balcony. I want to see that view one last time. Who knows when well be back. They return to the large balcony inside the apartment and sit down, feeling the cool breeze on their skin as they look out at the breathtaking view of the city below. Sar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Alex breaks the silence. Menchi, Im sorry for what I did last night. It was wrong of me. I suddenly had the urge to do this, seeing you trembling like that, I felt for once I should take the lead. Shut up, Menchi replies, cutting him off. Dont talk about that again Also, I didnt dislike it. Lets just say I deserved it, okay? You surprised me a little thats all. Her face flushes slightly as she avoids his gaze. Great now I just hope everything works out as planned. Are you sure about following me? Alex asks, his voice turning serious. To tell you the truth, I dont even know the full consequences myself. You might regret it, and theres probably no turning back. This is your last chance. I am sure just will I see Linne again? Menchi asks, her expression a bit torn. Im almost completely sure that you will, Alex replies confidently. I can guarantee you that Im planning to return, and Linne isnt going anywhere during that time! Great. I cant wait for it. Im seriously tired of hearing your vague statements already! Menchi says, her conviction growing, looking fully convinced now. There is, however, one thing I need to make clear, Menchi continues, her tone turning serious. Alex, I really quite like you. To be honest, this is unexpected even for me. However, I want to clarify that Im not following you just to be with you. I have my own aspirations. I want to be the greatest cook in the world. I want to discover new ingredients, try out the craziest recipes, and go even further down the road of a gourmet hunter than my master ever has! Youve shown me a path I didnt even know existed, and for that, Ill be forever grateful. But Im following you to achieve my dream. I dont know if Ill ever be interested in settling down or just being a wife or girlfriend. You need to know that I wont sacrifice my dream for anyonenot even you, Menchi says, her expression firm and resolute. Hehe, perfect! I like that about you, Menchi, Alex responds with a grin. I loathe womenand men, for that matter, who just silently support their partner with no ambition of their own. I could never spend my time with someone who blindly follows me. I promise Ill support you in your dream, and Im sure youll make it! To be honest, the best way to support me is probably directly tied to your own goal. Lets talk more about it in a few minutes, Alex says confidently. [Remaining Mission Duration: 1 minute] [Remaining Mission Duration: 5 seconds] Alex grabs Menchis hand, clearly worried as he says, Its time! Suddenly, everything goes dark, and Alex finds himself in a familiar void. To his shock, his hand is no longer holding Menchis. Out of sheer panic, Alex screams, MENCHI!! Alexs mind races as he tries to understand what happened. [Player has completed his mission] [Main Mission Completed] [Side Mission Completed] [Hidden Missions Completed 2/2] [Detecting numerous quest items - merging [Bushidoras Card], [Shalnarks Card], [Juliuss Card] into [VIP Invitation]] [VIP Invitation] [Destiny Supporter Token activating!] [Checking for eligible targets target found: Menchi] YES! Alex screams. It worked, after all! [Destiny Support Token checking for necessary conditions: NPC willingness to join the player - conditions met NPC rating - checking rating for [Menchi]: Light Purple - conditions met NPC uniqueness - checking if the target already exists within the Realm: Target still available - conditions met Menchi successfully joined as a follower] Alex suddenly sees Menchi floating next to him and immediately rejoices, pulling her into a hug. It worked! he says, his voice filled with pure joy. Menchi, completely baffled by everything happening around her, returns the hug hesitantly. Her eyes wander into the void, clearly trying to process the situation. Suddenly, the darkness around them fades, and Alex, along with Menchi, finds himself standing in a familiar spacehis private room in the Fantasy Realm tutorial. [Welcome back, Host, new Subhost, and subjugated parasite. Congratulations on surviving even this particularly difficult mission. I am very pleased to be assigned to you. Despite the rocky start, you have turned out to be incredibly competent and frankly, lucky as well.] Hi, 1337, glad to be back! Hehehe, of course, I succeeded. Im so damn glad to be back! This is Menchi. Alexs grin widens, but then his tone shifts as he asks, And what the hell do you mean by subjugated parasite? Is it Mustrano? He activates Mustranos Malice Mauler lvl 3, and the claw appears, moving curiously as it scans the room. This is so weird, I feel like weve traveled to an entirely different place. This room feels ancient like its steeped in some kind of timelessness, Menchi says, clearly confused. Well, Menchi, Mustrano, wait until you see the rest, Alex says with excitement. First of all, welcome to the Fantasy Realm! The voice youre hearing is my friend and personal system, 1337. I think its best if I explain everything now. [My name is FR-1337. Please dont forget essential details, Host.] Alex sighs, pausing for a moment. Chapter 157: Catching Up So let me get this straight. Not just me, but my entire world, is just fictitious? Thought up by some manga author named Togashi? While you, as a player, died in the real world, got revived, and now have to complete missions to survive? Are you on drugs or something? Who would ever believe this! Menchi, clearly annoyed and angered, asks Alex again. Alex sighs. Even after a few hours, Menchi still refuses to believe anything hes told her. You know it sounds kinda insane, but floating in a dark void, speaking with a weird system logic cant explain that, can it? How about this: lets just leave my player room for now. I need to contact a few friends and get a lot of work done. I think seeing is believing, and once you experience more of this Realm, youll finally accept it. Oh, and maybe you should take a lesson from Mustrano. Hes not complaining or asking questions. Good boy! I do not underssstand a ssssingle thing you exxxplained to me, Mustrano hisses in response. The only thing I care about is killing! Alex sighs again. He glances at Menchi, whose smile is wide and smug, clearly enjoying Mustranos outburst. With a thought, Alex stops conjuring Mustrano, and his left hand returns to normal. [Host, before you leave, there are several issues that require your immediate attention. First of all, I see that you have taken quite a lot of damage. Do you want to spend 2,000 FC to eliminate all external and internal injuries?] Yes, do it. What else is there to take care of? Alex responds, shrugging. He doesnt value 2,000 FC very much at this point. [Its about the new Subhost. She can move freely in the Realm, but certain limitations are placed on her. First, you may only take a single combat supporter with you on missions. To enable this, youll need a particular item, which can be purchased in the main section of the Realm. Note that followers have their own levels, and if you take them with you, they will be scaled down to maintain world balance. For example, Subhost Menchi is currently level 11 but has the combat strength of an average level 17 player. In this regard, shes a valuable choice as a supporter. However, if you take her with you, her strength will be scaled down significantly. For instance, she would be adjusted to level 5, meaning her combat strength would be lowered by more than half.] [Additionally, should a follower perish on a mission, you will need another rare and costly item to revive them.] What? So I cant take Menchi with me for now? This sucks! Alex complains, frustrated by the limitations. [You can take them with you as a non-combatant follower. These followers may interact with NPCs, yourself, and other players in peaceful zones, such as towns, cities, and camps. However, they may not participate in battles. If a battle occurs, these followers will be forcefully removed from the fight and may only reappear in a peaceful zone.] I like a good fight, but Im not really here to participate in fighting. Im fine as long as I can visit foreign towns, get to know their food specialties, cooking techniques, ingredients, and dishes. That suits me just fine, Menchi says, then adds, Of course, if you ever need my help, Ill gladly join as a combat follower as well. Still, Im less interested in hunting my prey and more interested in turning it into a delicacy. Alex nods. I guess thats fine. You can accompany me into the worlds, stay in towns, and support me that way. For now, thats plenty, I guess. The most important thing is that you can move freely in the Realm. The Realm has items from many other worlds available, and as long as you have money, called Fantasy Coins, or FCyou can purchase them freely. You can expect a lot of different ingredients and foods to show up. I see! I cant wait to see whats available! Menchi says, her excitement evident. Alex feels his injuries slowly healing, and after a few minutes, he and Menchi leave his private room. You werent kidding! This architecture is insane. Is this heaven? It looks like some kind of ancient ruin, theres no way this place could have been built by humans! Menchi says, looking around in awe. I said the same thing when I first got here, Alex replies. Anyway, I need to contact my friends. Ive got a bunch of messages. [Rishi: Contact me when you are back. I have a plan that needs your input; its important.] Alex wonders to himself. Thats one of your friends, right? I can see these messages as well. Thats interesting, Menchi says, peeking over at the system interface. [Menchi: Test! Menchi is the best ????] ... Alex stares blankly at the message, then replies flatly, Its working alright. Looks like you can write your own messages, but we have access to each others messages as well. Menchi sheepishly sticks out her tongue in response. Alex continues reading through his messages: [Tereza: Are you back yet?] [Tereza: Getting a bit worried here.] [Tereza: Your two friends, Eirini and Patricia, are back why are you still missing?] [Tereza: ANSWER ME!!!!] Alex thinks. Feeling slightly uneasy about Terezas concern and Menchis recent arrival, he tries to shake the thoughts away. Hes also unsure about his relationship with either of them. [Alex: Im back. Sorry it took a while longer since I wanted to clear the optional DLC after the main mission ended.] Guess shell respond sooner or lat Alex starts to say but is cut off by an immediate reply. [Tereza: WHERE ARE YOU? Also, stop using gamer slang, thats so lame!] [Alex: It isnt. This whole thing is like a game. Get used to it. I just left my room and was planning to go to the center. Need to use my stats, upgrade my skills, and sell a bunch of things, the usual stuff. Want to meet up?] [Tereza: Come to the usual place first!] Alex sighs. Change of plans. Lets take a small detour first to meet her, he says, motioning for Menchi to follow him. He leads her toward the abandoned temple ruins in a deserted corner of the Realm. As soon as Alex enters the temple ruin, Tereza rushes toward him with a big smile and hugs him passionately. Im so glad youre back! I seriously thought you were gone, she says, visibly relieved. Wait, who is that? Tereza asks, noticing Menchi standing behind him. Her eyes widen in disbelief. No way! Is that Menchi? What is this?? How?? Damn she looks really hot, Ive got to say. You know me? Menchi asks, clearly surprised. Yeah Ive been binge-watching all episodes of Hunter x Hunter the last few days since you entered that world. So, of course, I remember the second examiner of the Hunter Exam, Tereza explains. Wait a minute, I was the examiner of the third exam, Menchi argues, frowning slightly. Menchi, its like I told you, Alex interjects. Theres the canon version of yourself, and then theres the real, current you. In the manga and anime, you dont show up until two whole years later to test the main character of the show. Now that were talking about it I wonder what happens now? Since you left the world, the plot cant move forward like it usually does. Will you get replaced by a random NPC or what? Alex wonders aloud, scratching his head. [Host should know that Menchi is still part of Hunter x Hunter. Any player that enters a fresh world will encounter the canon Menchi. Your particular progress in the world of Hunter x Hunter is special. Even during your absence, a part of Menchi still remains. Should you and Menchi reenter that world, Menchi will integrate into that placeholder version of hers for the time of the mission.] Countless versions of me am I just a random copy 1337? This is kinda scaring me!! Menchi says, her voice shaking slightly. [You are as much alive as these players. The Realm is divine; it is beyond what humans like you can comprehend. Every single named NPC, as you call them, in each world is as human as the players. Just because numerous versions of you exist does not diminish your current state. In fact, you are clearly superior, as there is only a single version of each NPC allowed in the entire Realm. There will never be another Menchi present as long as you accompany the Host.] Menchi looks visibly appeased after hearing this explanation, but Tereza interrupts, her face growing serious. Sorry to interrupt, but theres something you need to know, Tereza says, her tone worried. Its about Rishi! We found out some information while you were gone, and Rishi hes gone for now! Sarch* The ovlFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Gone? What do you mean? Alex asks, confusion written all over his face. Chapter 158: Rishi’s Plan – Immediate Preparations Tereza begins to explain: You see, its actually been nearly a week since you went on that mission, pretty long, even by Realm standardswhich is why I was kinda worried about you. Anyway, Rishi paid a huge sum of money to dig up more information about the Realm from other players whove reached the main area of the Realm. Its really hard to get solid info since the Realm actively works to prevent that. Your acquaintance Roja, right? Apparently, she got an extremely rare and unique item, an invitation that gives her access to way more information about the Realm, Tereza continues. After spending a fortune, Rishi managed to track down a player whod completely given up on ever escaping the Realm and was expecting to die on his next mission. In exchange for a large sum of money, that guy spilled some valuable information before the Realm forcefully disposed of him. Of course, Tereza adds, Rishi used his many employees for that. Hed never dirty his own hands or risk interfering with the Realm directly. That guy is a real-life Mafia don. His company is super sketchy. Were just lucky hes on our side. Im not doubting that at all. That guy is the scariest person Ive ever met, way scarier than you, Alex replies, remembering Rishis terrifying methods, especially how he uses contracts to bend people to his will. Whats that supposed to mean? Tereza snaps, looking insulted. Heh, youre quite rude to this lovely lady, arent you, Alex? I feel sorry for her! Menchi chimes in at the worst possible time, clearly enjoying the chaos. Whatever. Thats not important right now, Alex says, brushing off their bickering. So, Rishi found out something? What is it, and why is he gone? Well, Tereza begins to explain, it looks like the step from level 4 to level 5 is similar in difficulty to the tutorial mission. In other words: the next mission will be extremely risky. Even if youre strong, there could be circumstances that cause you to fail and die. By now, we all know that strength isnt everything. Missions are about accomplishing your objectives, not just blindly flexing your strength. I know, Alex says, nodding. During my mission, I had to pass the Hunter Exam, and strength alone sure as hell wasnt enough! Hmph, of course! A true hunter needs to be smart, cunning, skilled, and wise. Like me! Strength is important, but its not everything! Menchi adds with a smug look. Wow, so you really had to take the Hunter Exam, huh? And you passed it? Congratulations, I guess, Tereza says. Anyway, Rishi had another one of his visions... Now I get it, Alex says, suddenly understanding. His vision probably showed him a viable path forward. He trusts them with religious zealhed bet his life on his visions. Hell, he gave me 50,000 FC just to get to know me, all because of one of his visions. Exactly, Tereza confirms. Anyway, he said he saw a huge opportunitythats what he called it. To move forward with it, he needed to get to level 4 as well, so he went ahead and bought the next available mission item that let him join a mission early. It was such a quick decision; he didnt even tell me the details. Satisfied with her explanations, Alex says, I see well, he should be back soon then. What about your next mission? You still have a bit of time, right? Come to think of it, after Rishi is back, well all be level 4. Might consider teaming up again? Lets talk about it once he returns. Anyway, its good to be back in the Realm. I have a lot of work to do oh, and here, a little gift. Alex hands Tereza two vials of [Two-Headed Black Eel Poisonous Blood] and his newly acquired [Bens Knife]. ... Tereza stares at the [Bens Knife] in complete silence, her expression a mix of awe and obsession. Its as if shes uncovered the greatest secret of the universe. Without saying a word, she strokes the knife lovingly, then kisses itand even licks it. S~ea??h the ovlFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Yeah, Rishis a bit crazier than you just a little bit, though. You and your obsession with knives is incredible, Alex comments, shaking his head. Menchi, on the other hand, bursts out laughing. She doesnt seem to mind Terezas behavior and even adds, I love my knives like that too! Of course, theyre mostly used for cooking. I remember playing with mine a lot when Linne gifted them to me. Thats normal girl behaviour Alex, you should mind your own business. How about you two lunatics keep playing with your knives, and Ill go handle my business, huh? Alex says, thinking to himself, To his surprise, the two women immediately start chatting with each other, enthusiastically showing off their knives. See you later, then! Alex says as he walks off. The two women only wave at him absentmindedly, too absorbed in their knife discussion to care. ... Before Alex can check his status, a message pops up. [Tereza: Thank you <3 Ill personally thank you later] Alex thinks, shaking his head. Alex continues to plan his actions while slowly walking to the central square of the Realm. Chapter 159: Loot Box Addiction and Ghosts! Before entering the square, Alex decides to spend his 10 remaining stat points to raise all his stats by 2. The increased cost of 5 points per stat, which he has to endure after unlocking his NEN stat, feels like a relatively minor price to pay, especially considering he gains twice as many total stat points as he spends. Plus, NEN, as a special stat, is usually twice as expensive to raise compared to regular stats. Alex thinks, savoring the moment. Human, I can feel our sssstrength growing! Isss thisss the reward you get for completing your missssions? Mustrano hisses in his mind. Alex responds internally. I sssseee, Mustrano replies, his tone curious. You need to get more of thisss. I feel if you crossss a certain point, there will be a ssssignificant change! Alex muses, then adds aloud in his mind, [I am unable to talk about this issue. Once the host has fulfilled certain conditions, I will be able to offer explanations.] Alex sighs. He shakes his head. As Alex walks toward the central square, he notices a large number of players bustling about, which is completely normal. To his surprise, though, many of them glance in his direction, whispering and talking among themselves. Trying to avoid the attention, Alex presses on and finds a quiet corner on the outskirts of the busy center plaza, with all its shops and buildings. He decides to quickly open his chests before dealing with anything else. he concludes. Alex analyzes eagerly. S~ea??h the ovlFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Alex celebrates internally, his excitement hard to contain. Alex wonders as he shifts his focus to the unfamiliar item. Alex thinks as he examines his newly acquired [Upgrade Token]. After reading its description, he guesses that 1 Stage likely means a substage upgrade, like going from Regular to Deep, rather than a full jump in quality. Alex wonders. After some thought, Alex narrows it down to three items: [Hunter License], [Noble Shirt], and [Jacks Spare Silvery Mask]. Alex reasons. [[Upgrade Token] activating] [[Noble Shirt] selected Upgrading success [[Noble Shirt] has been upgraded to Light Blue quality] [Noble Shirt] 25/25 Alex celebrates, grinning to himself. Hehehehe! Lets keep going! Alex says aloud, acting like an addicted gambler. Open all 11 Bloody Chests now! FUCK! Alex screams in frustration, his voice echoing in the quiet corner. His earlier prediction had come true. The last item catches his attention. Alex concludes, his frustration slightly eased by the promising item. A few players standing nearby hear Alex scream and shriek in fear. Recognizing him instantly, they walk away as quickly as possible, not wanting to attract his attention. [Kyubeis Deception] Counting his gains, Alex concludes: Finally, Alex walks toward the center square, only to notice that almost everyone he passes continues to recognize him. Alex thinks, growing annoyed as he presses on. When he reaches the center square, Alex finally spots someone he recognizes, Stephen, an acquaintance he often chats with. After getting over Alexs previous white lie, the two had grown closer. Relieved to see a familiar face, Alex walks up to him. Hi Stephen, whats happening here? I feel like everyones looking at me like Im a ghost! A GHOST! Stephen suddenly cries out loud, his face full of shock. Chapter 160: Ghosts and Skills Stephen looks at Alex, his expression blank, like hes in a daze. ... ... ... Alex stares at Stephens face, waiting for him to say something. Finally, he breaks the silence: Your jokes are getting worse and worse. Seriously, stop this bullshit and tell me whats going on! Hello!!! Realm to Stephen, is someone in there? Alex says, knocking on Stephens head for emphasis. Wow! Ouch! Sorry about that! Stephen replies, snapping back to reality. You see we all thought the maximum time you could be on a mission was just a few days. You were gone for seven days, so everyone assumed you messed up and died. Especially since Eirini and Patriciawho were believed to be the only two survivorsmanaged to come back in less than a day. You mustve been in there for weeks no, months, right? Nobody thought such long-term missions were even possible, at least not in the tutorial section! So thats why youre all staring at me? Because you think Im dead? And by the way, the ghost joke? Not funny. There might actually be real ghosts somewhere out there, and personally, I hate them. I hope I never encounter one myself, Alex snaps back, clearly unimpressed. Alex chats with Stephen for a while, catching up on rumors and recent events in the Realm. As the two of them talk, more and more people gather around, curious to confirm that Alex is indeed not a ghost. Soon, word spreads throughout the busy Realm: Alexs mission simply took longer than usual, and hes very much alive. Alex sighs. This is so stupid. Whoever started the ghost rumor, I swear Ill get them. And Eirini and Patricia shouldve told everyone I was fine. They didnt say anything, probably because they didnt want to reveal anything about you. My guess? You mustve gotten another monster rating if your mission took that long, right? Ill tell you later, but yeah honestly, I cant complain, Alex replies, keeping the details to himself. Anyway, Stephen, Ill catch up with you later. Ive got a lot, and I mean a lot, of things to do. Youre level 4 now too, right? Please be careful on your next mission, and make sure to talk to me before you leave, Alex says, standing up and waving at Stephen as he heads off. Alex makes his way toward the Skill Hub, mentally preparing himself for whats to comeand what its going to do to his enormous stack of FC. By now, Alex has become quite famous in the Realm and no longer feels the need to hide his strength. Confidently, he walks to one of the upgrade chambers, not bothering to conceal his presence. Alex thinks, Extorting, trading, and scamming reign supreme. The last world was so incredibly difficult that Alex managed to take some of the other players for all they had. Alex realizes, Now, lets see upgrade EVERYTHING. Start with the basic skills! Basic Close Combat Prowess lvl 3, Basic Footwork lvl 3, Basic Endurance lvl 3, Basic Long-Range Combat Prowess lvl 3, Basic Eloquence lvl 3, Basic Concentration lvl 3, Basic Meditation lvl 3, Basic Mana Control lvl 3 Alex spends 1,500 FC to upgrade each basic skill to level 4, paying a total of 12,000 FC. Pistol Proficiency lvl 3 costs him 3,500 FC, Black Magic lvl 3 a whopping 6,000 FC, and Alexandrian Royal Swordsmanship lvl 3 costs 3,000 FC and 1 Soul Crystal. The most expensive skill to level is Alexs new Innate Skill: Nen Prodigy lvl 3. It costs him not only 7,000 FC but also 2 Soul Crystals. Since Soul Crystals are worth around 20,000 to 25,000 FC depending on demand, this single skill upgrade costs Alex the equivalent of 57,000 FC. On the bright side, Nen Prodigy lvl 3 is Alexs absolute ace. It encompasses his Basic Nen lvl 3 and Advanced Nen lvl 3, along with his Genius Conjurer lvl 3 abilities and all associated Conjuration techniques. This even includes Mustranos unique abilities, such as Poison Resistance lvl 3 and Claw Proficiency lvl 3. It takes Alex several hours to upgrade all these skills. In total, he spends 31,500 FC and 3 Soul Crystals, an amount that would take an average player three to four missions to accumulate. Still, Alex feels the investment is worth it. he reasons, To Alex, some of his skills are as much a part of him as his arms and legs. The only debate he has is whether to upgrade Pistol Proficiency. The skill had been nearly useless against a Nen Master like Darius, whose Nen abilities negated most attacks of that kind. Alex thinks. Still, he reasons that his last world was particularly unfavorable for weapon users and decides to upgrade the skill, unwilling to abandon his only real long-ranged option. Thanks to all these upgrades, Alex gains significant additional HP, MP, and even AURA. Basic Nen lvl 4, Basic Endurance lvl 4, and Basic Mana Control lvl 4 each increase his total resources by 5% per level, giving him a noticeable boost, along with his increased stats. Leaving the Skill Hub with a smile, Alex feels satisfied. For now, he decides to leave the Realm, remembering that hes been absent from the real world for over a week. Of course, numerous people watch him in awe as he exits the Hub. The rarer and more expensive a skill, the longer the upgrade process takes. Since Alex upgraded so many skillssome of extremely high rarityit had taken him several hours to complete. Alexs reputation inside this particular tutorial Realm is already sky-high. His PvP mission in the Purge World, his encounter with the Goblin Merchant, and his exceptionally long mission duration have made his name almost legendary. Alex thinks, Alex decides. Alex contacts Tereza and Menchi, and they agree to meet up outside Alexs room. Already done with your upgrades? Tereza asks, standing beside Menchi. Yeah, it took long enough Also, I found out that everyone thought I was dead! I was treated like a damn ghost! You shouldve told me! Alex complains. Oh, come on. People just didnt know missions could take this long. I was scared too, you know Anyway, why did you call us? Are you planning to leave the Realm for a while? Oh, and tell me your address! I want to visit, Tereza says. How can you visit? Are you planning to take the long drive to Germany? Alex responds, rolling his eyes. He adds, Come to think of it, I visited Prague with my parents a couple of years ago. It only took about 8 hours to drive there. Youre living in Prague, right? I might be interested in taking another trip there. Its a nice cityway better than Paris or London, Id say. Its maybe nice for tourists, but this city holds a lot of bad memories for me, Tereza admits. Anyway, Im already in Germany. I was waiting for you and just decided to move there. Thanks to Rishi, Im rich now and can afford a nice hotel. Give me your addressyou bragged about your penthouse, and you sure as hell have a room for me too! she demands. Alex frowns. Ive got the feeling somethings wrong here. Remember, I have your contract in my inventory. Why are you acting like the boss? You shouldnt use that contract to win arguments, Alex, thats very unmanly, Tereza shoots back, clearly unimpressed, putting her palm on Alexs chest. Before Alex can retort, Menchi chimes in: Do I have to stay in this little room while you leave? Ive learned quite a bit about the Realm from Tereza, but I want to see the so-called real world as well. Alex hesitates. 1337, can supporters leave the Realm? I mean, if a famous character suddenly appears, thatd cause chaos, right? he wonders, feeling unsure. Sar?h the N?velFire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. [Supporters will have their looks changed slightly, and the Realm will make them unrecognizable. Followers can leave the Realm and act independently, not unlike players. However, for the first time, you''ll need to accompany them, so they are bound to your own real-world destination and home.] I guess lets leave then, Alex says, sighing in resignation. Then, turning to Tereza, he adds, My new address is Alex tells her his address. Can you use Google or grab a taxi to get there? You speak some German, at least, so you should be fine, right? Ill see you in a couple of hours! Tereza says with a big smile, then heads toward her own room to prepare to leave the Realm. Chapter 161: The Worst Timing, The Worst Situation Alex and Menchi step into his room within the Realm, making their way to the small platform that teleports players back to the real world. As they stand on the platform, Alex reluctantly stretches out his hand to Menchi, worried that the small platform might only teleport him and leave her behind. Menchi, however, smirks at his hesitation. Ignoring his outstretched hand, she steps closer to Alex, wrapping her arms around him in a close embrace. Despite spending months with her, Alex cant help but blush as she pulls him this close. Her beautiful face is mere inches from his, her body pressing lightly against him. To hide his embarrassment, Alex looks away. Menchi, however, grabs his face with both hands, forcing him to look directly at her. She leans in, her lips almost brushing against his, but at the last second, she kisses his cheek instead and pulls back with a teasing smile. Oh, did you expect something else? Well have to save that for later! Menchi says, smirking mischievously. Alex blushes even harder, grumbling: 1337, what the fuck are you doing? Teleport us already! [This scene was too funny to interrupt. Teleporting now.] ... Alex can only glare in silence as his annoyance boils over. I love your system! 1337, you are awesome! Menchi declares cheerfully as the teleport activates, and both of them disappear from the platform. Alexs vision blurs as the teleportation ends, and the two of them reappear inside his newly purchased penthouse apartment. Menchi looks around curiously, walking from room to room. Oh, not bad. This is a nice place. Its not comparable to our apartment on the 237th floor of Heavens Arena, but its way cozier. Yeah its exactly how I like it, Alex replies. I have this whole floor to myself. Everything looks clean. I let my parents find and hire a trustworthy housekeeper, and it looks like they did a good job keeping the apartment in good shape; well, its only been a week, but still. I cant wait to meet your parents as well. I wonder what they look like! Menchi comments, her tone playful. No way!! Sorry, Menchi, but Ill never let that happen! Alex blurts out. How would I even introduce you? Also, my parents, like many older Europeans, dont speak English. You mightve noticed that you automatically started understanding and speaking English when you entered our world, but here in Germany, most older people dont speak it very well. ... Is that so? Menchi questions, clearly skeptical but letting it slide for now. Alex sighs in relief, sitting down on his couch. He turns on the TV and grabs his smartphone to catch up on some news. Meanwhile, Menchi walks onto the large balcony, taking in the view of Alexs hometown. The city is one of Germanys largest, but it pales in comparison to the fantastic cities of her own world, like Heavens Arena with its towering megastructures. Hunter x Hunters world feels like something out of a dream compared to this. Alexs hometown, part of Germanys industrial belt, has a long history of coal mining that has gradually shifted to other industries over the last 30 years. Still, the influence of its past remains. The city isnt filled with skyscrapers or enormous buildings like an American city but is instead dotted with parks and trees. Most of the buildings are only two stories tall, giving it a unique charm. Alex grabs one of his smart pads, joins Menchi on the balcony, and hands it to her. The technology here is a bit further advanced than what youre used to because your world was created in 1998, 26 years ago, when tech was way behind todays standards. This is a smart pad, its like a miniature computer. Im giving it to you because I installed an app on it that lets you read various mangas. You can also access the internet through it. You might be interested in taking a look at well your world, Alex explains, adding, Of course, your actual world is real. Its been given life by millions of fans worldwide and empowered by the Realm. But this is what created your world and what millions of people know about it. Menchi takes the smart pad excitedly and smiles. Thank you I cant say Im not curious to take a look! As Alex walks back to the couch and lies down, all he wants is to close his eyes and relax. He stretches out, slowly getting comfortable, and is just about to drift off to sleep when the doorbell rings. ... Alex stares at the ceiling, a single tear sliding down his cheek. he laments. The doorbell rings again. Yeah, Im coming already, Alex mutters, cursing under his breath as he gets up. He opens the door, and less than a minute later, Tereza enters the elevator leading up to his penthouse with two large bags and two suitcases. Wait a minute you said visiting, right? Alex stutters, staring at her luggage in disbelief. I lied. Im moving in. Its a nice place, Tereza says nonchalantly as she forces her way into Alexs apartment. ... What did I do to deserve this? Alex mutters, looking completely defeated. Stop whining already, Tereza says, rolling her eyes. You should be jumping around in joy like a little kid. Not just one, but two beautiful women are moving in with you! Its way too much for an inexperienced guy like you, but look at it as an opportunity to finally grow up, huh? she says cruelly, a smirk plastered across her face. Im not complaining about your looks but about your per just forget it. Welcome, I guess, Alex groans. Menchi is reading at the moment better not interrupt her. Let me show you to your room. We have a slight problem, though. While this apartment is pretty big, it only has two bedrooms. You might have to share with Menchi. No problem, Tereza replies boldly. I like her a lot. Id love to spend some time with that lovely girl sharing a room is a great opportunity! You are you bbinterested in women as well? Alex nervously asks, his face turning red. Yeah. So what? Tereza responds bluntly. ... It might be awkward for Menchi. I dont know how shell react it might get weird, Alex stammers. Sarch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Itll be fine. If shes not interested, I promise she wont feel awkward at all, Tereza says with a confident expression that somehow instantly convinces Alex. Alex thinks to himself. A few hours later, as the sun sets, Alex, Tereza, and Menchi are lounging on the couch, watching a movie after setting up the second bedroom. Another tear slides down Alexs face, not because of the movie but because he cant enjoy it at all. Menchi and Tereza constantly question every single scene, making snide comments and joking around. Instead of focusing on the movie, they take every opportunity to tease Alex, asking him random questions, tickling him, or even using their feet to annoy him. At one point, Alex finally snaps. Grabbing Menchis leg, he attempts to get some revenge by giving her a snake bite. But before he can succeed, Menchi easily pulls her leg back. In the same instant, Tereza grabs Alexs legs, and the two of them gang up on him, putting him into a ridiculous leg lock. As Alex struggles helplessly, he hears their laughter echoing around the room. The movie is completely ruined for him. Alex thinks, imaginary tears welling in his eyes as he mourns his sad fate. At that exact moment, the lights flick on, and Alexs parents enter the room. Alex? What are you doing? his mother asks in German, her voice tinged with both confusion and concern. ... ... ... Alex thinks as the two women stop laughing, turning to face his stunned parents. ... ... ... It takes Alex almost 30 minutes to come up with a ludicrous, obviously fake explanation for the situation. Alex uses his newfound wealth to introduce Tereza and Menchi as his business partners. To Alexs total surprise, Tereza transforms completely, acting like a top-tier female CEO or an experienced politician. Her sudden shift into a serious, competent, almost godlike presence leaves Alex utterly gobsmacked. She commands respect effortlessly, exuding trust and intelligence. Within minutes, she manages to charm Alexs parents, who are both impressed by her worldly image and exotic but pleasant-sounding dialect. Menchi, however, remains her cheerful self, not bothering to change her demeanor. But shes much more passive, partly due to her lack of German language skills, which limits her interactions. Suddenly, her ears perk up at the mention of food. Alexs parents explain that they came by to fill up his fridge with fresh groceries, not sure when hed be back. The moment his mother finishes her sentence, Menchi jumps to her feet, seizes everything, and declares, I need one hour! before vanishing into the kitchen. Alex, Tereza, and his parents chat while waiting. Though Alexs parents dont fully believe his explanation about the situation, they feel happy and reassured seeing their son surrounded by what they assume are intelligent, impressive women, a first for them. An hour later, Menchi emerges from the kitchen with a feast. The smell alone captivates everyone, and as they sit down to eat, the food completely steals the show. Alexs parents, along with Tereza, are utterly baffled by the incredible quality of the dishes. The table is emptied in minutes, leaving everyone stunned. What kind of cooking was that? Asian? South American? It tasted so good; this might have been one of the best dishes Ive ever eaten. Thank you so much Menchi, right? Alexs mother says, her face filled with amazement. Even Alexs father, an extremely picky eater who typically only tolerates a limited range of dishes, eats without a single complaint and even praises the food. Menchi proudly explains the dishes while Alex translates, his parents growing even more impressed as they learn about the thought and skill behind the meal. Shortly after finishing dinner, Alexs parents say their goodbyes, insisting they dont want to disturb him any longer. Clearly relieved that their son is back safe and unharmed after his unexplained absence, they head for the door. As they leave, Menchi and Tereza teasingly call out, Goodbye, Mom and Dad! See you soon! Alex cringes hard, his face flushing red as he quickly retreats to another room. At the same time, his parents laugh and smile, clearly pleased with this hypothetical family dynamic. Chapter 162: Am I Getting Cucked? (NSFW 18+) That was awkward, Alex mutters, still cringing as he processes the events of the evening. Your parents are nice and very understanding! They seemed quite smitten with us, I have to say, Tereza comments with a sly smile. I like everyone who appreciates my food! Menchi adds with a bright grin. Then, without missing a beat, she declares, Anyway, you two help me with the cleanup! Alex sighs, wanting to protest. But he decides against it, too exhausted to argue. As they clean up the table and do the dishes, Alex cant help but notice Tereza blatantly flirting with Menchi. Your cooking is the absolute best, Menchi. I cant believe how lucky we are to enjoy it. Lets go shopping tomorrow, okay? Alex can show us around his town, and we can buy some clothes for you and maybe some ingredients. While I love your outfit, I fear its not exactly acceptable for this boring and stiff society were living in. I guess youre right, Menchi says thoughtfully. I noticed Alexs parents were staring at me a bit. Its probably a little inappropriate. Youre the loveliest wife ever, Menchi. Youre just perfect. I blame society for not appreciating your lovely outfit, Tereza says with a honeyed tone. Alex thinks. Still, he begrudgingly admits, I dont think Im wife material, Tereza. Youre quite sweet, though. Thank you, Menchi responds, her tone tinged with confusion at Terezas insinuation. Bold as ever, Tereza puts an arm around Menchis hip and continues, Oh no, its the truth. Youre the perfect wife. Id not only love to gobble up your food but also you If youre this good with your hands and tongue in the kitchen, I cant even imagine what you could do in other areas. Alex cringes inwardly. They finish the cleanup quickly, and Alex prepares the second bathroom, pulling out a new toothbrush, bath towel, and hand towel for Menchi so she can properly clean herself. When Alex returns, he notices something suspiciousTereza and Menchi standing very close to each other, their movements halting as soon as they spot him. Alex thinks, his mind racing in shock. A few minutes later, the two women casually announce that theyre tired and want to sleep. Menchi even grabs Alexs hands and whispers, No using En! I dare you! The two women disappear into their shared bedroom, leaving Alex standing in the living room, dumbfounded. I what the fuck? Did I just get cucked? Alex mutters to himself. Despite feeling relieved at having some peace, a strange pang of jealousy gnaws at him. Alex tells himself, attempting to reason through the situation. Despite his pep talk, Alex remains uneasy. He browses some of his favorite sites online, watches a few YouTube videos on the side, but nothing helps him calm down. Finally, curiosity gets the better of him. He activates Zetsu, completely suppressing his aura, and silently approaches the door to the womens bedroom. His breathing slows to a near halt as he listens intently. And then he hears it. Moans. From both of them. Alexs thoughts race as he stands frozen outside the door. He swears he can hear other unmistakable erotic noisessoft gasps, giggles, and more. But after a few seconds, Alex pulls back, disgusted with himself. Refusing to stoop any lower, Alex retreats. Suddenly feeling the weight of the days events, the excitement of opening all those chests, the hours spent upgrading his skills, the awkwardness of meeting his parents, it all crashes down on him. Alex thinks bitterly as he heads to his bathroom. After a quick shower and brushing his teeth, Alex finally climbs into bed. Within minutes, he calms down and drifts off to sleep, something hes been craving since returning from the Realm. But his peace doesnt last long. Alex wakes to an awkward sensationa strange licking noise and something warm pressing against both sides of his body. Alex wonders, still half-asleep, but suddenly his eyes fly open as he feels a hand on his cock and another on his balls. He sees Tereza and Menchi lying beside him, kissing each other. Both have one hand under the blanket, obviously touching him. Alex, tired, confused, and freaked out, but also a little excited, opens his mouth to complain. However, Tereza immediately puts her finger on his lips. She stops making out with Menchi and presses her wet lips against Alex''s. He cant help but accept her deep kiss, tasting not only Terezas but also Menchis juices. Alex''s cock, already hard, gets even harder and twitches in anticipation. Menchi cant help but whisper in his ear as she slowly strokes him, You like that, huh? Bad boy! Alex''s face turns beet red, still not fully comprehending whats happening., he thinks, barely able to breathe properly because of Terezas wild kiss. She pulls away after a few seconds and kisses Menchi again. Seeing the two of them kiss in front of him excites Alex even more. Menchi moves her hand away and leans in to kiss Alex as well, while Tereza disappears under the blanket. Suddenly, he feels Terezas mouth on his cock, slowly beginning to suck it while Menchis tongue invades his mouth. Alex admits to himself, comparing this situation to his time in Alexandria, with the innocent soldiers who did nothing of the kind. Menchi suddenly stops the kiss and pulls away the blanket, revealing Tereza giving Alex a deep throat, making obscene noises while doing it. Wow, Tereza, you are indeed very hungry. Looks like you are enjoying what Alex has to offer, Menchi says, softly stroking Terezas cheek, making even Tereza blush a little. Meanwhile, Alex is already close to cumming, but Tereza quickly pulls her head away, freeing his cock. Tereza and Menchi kiss again and then lie on top of Alex, licking both of his nipples while taking turns stroking and teasing his cock. Hehe, you like this a lot, dont you? Tereza says. You are quite the lucky guy, arent you? Do you want to cum? Menchi asks him. Yes I want to fuck you! Alex says, unable to contain his excitement. Nope! You havent earned that yet, Tereza immediately denies his request, making Alex blush even more while the girls continue to stroke his cock, licking and nibbling on his nipples. I want to try something! Tereza, kiss me! Menchi says with an excited expression as she moves her face down to Alexs cock. Bad girl, I like that! Tereza says as the two girls begin to kiss Alexs cock, their lips closing on each other with his cock in between. OH FUCK! Alex says loudly, never expecting such a thing to happen to him. Seeing these two lovely girls kiss each other with his cock between their lips is enough to drive him crazy. It only takes a few minutes, and despite Alex desperately trying to hold himself back, he has the biggest orgasm of his life, pumping his cum into both of their mouths. Tereza and Menchi eagerly catch his cum and take turns sucking the remaining cum out of his cock. They erotically open their mouths and proudly display his cum before returning to kiss each other. Despite cumming, seeing this wild, lewd scene before his eyes, Alex remains hard, and the girls begin to stroke him again. Just a few minutes later, the girls open their mouths, filled with spit and cum, and swallow it in front of Alex while stroking him as fast as possible, making him cum again, shooting it all over them, their faces still close to his dick. The girls, still going at it, lick each others faces clean, and Alex lies down with his head on his pillow, extremely satisfied. He feels the girls still going at it, licking and touching each other, but Alex soon falls asleep, insanely tired. Alex opens his eyes and notices two beautiful girls lying next to him, causing him to immediately get hard again. Sear?h the N??eFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Menchi wakes up as well and cant help but tease Alex. Hard again? You cant get enough, can you? No more for today! We have a lot planned for today. Alex, a bit embarrassed, leaves the bed and takes a long shower. Upon returning to the bedroom, he sees Menchi and Tereza lying on top of each other, making out. A few minutes later, the girls finally return to their own bedroom, and Alex gets dressed, still unable to comprehend what happened last night. he asks himself. Chapter 163: Shopping Trip from Hell! Alex stumbles into the living room and collapses onto the couch, still feeling dazed and drained from the insanity of last nights events. He grabs his phone and starts replying to the numerous texts his parents sent him. Using vague replies and a generous helping of white lies, Alex does his best to answer their questions without raising any suspicions. As he sits there, he catches the scent of something cooking in the kitchen. Curious, Alex drags himself to investigate, only to find Menchi, now wearing some of Terezas clothes, which are a bit too big for her, cooking up a small breakfast. Alex, you really need to change your eating habits, Menchi begins, her tone scolding but lighthearted. Your parents barely brought you any healthy groceriesprobably because they know how awful your diet is. We desperately need to go shopping. A balanced diet is vital! Even with your system, youd benefit a lot from maintaining a healthy body. Trust me on this. ... I agree, Alex says, still too frazzled to argue. Anyway, Menchi continues, unfazed by Alexs tone, Im only preparing a few eggs for now. We can eat them alongside the bread and cold cuts your parents brought over. Oh, and I made a few toasts since you at least have some honey, jam, and this weird thing called Nutella. I tasted it, its very sweet. I like it! Thank you, Alex replies, rubbing his temples. Youll probably like a lot of the sweet junk food they sell here. Anyway, I need to return to the Realm at some point, but I guess we have enough time to go shopping first. I didnt buy a new car yet, but my old one is still parked in the garage. Its good enough for basic errands, especially since we have the system and can store items easily. Tereza enters the kitchen a moment later, wrapping her arms around Menchi from behind and kissing her neck. Thank you for preparing breakfast, sweetie. No problem, Menchi replies, a slight blush creeping onto her cheeks. A few minutes later, the three of them sit around the dining table, quietly enjoying breakfast. You I think we need to have a conversation, Alex finally says, deciding to address the elephant in the room. Alex, calm down. You need to stop being so serious and getting embarrassed so easily, Tereza responds with a teasing smirk. Although I do think that shyness of yours makes you even more worth eating up. She giggles a little. Terezas right, Menchi adds, chiming in with her trademark grin. Calm down, my shy student. Were just having a bit of fun! Look, not only your life but m own is on the line as well. If you die, Ill cease to exist, too. Were not neglecting the Realm or our responsibilitiesbut it doesnt hurt to enjoy ourselves here and there. And dont even try to tell me you didnt enjoy it. She leans in closer and smirks. We wouldnt dare neglect you, would we, Tereza? Never, Tereza replies, her voice dripping with mock seriousness as she takes another bite of toast. Alex sighs, trying to regain control of the conversation. I think after I smacked your ass, I graduated from being your stu Before Alex can finish, Menchis aura flares violently, cutting him off mid-sentence. ... Never mind, Alex mutters, immediately backing down. Oh, you did what? Didnt expect you to have it in you! Not bad. I hope you didnt hurt my sweet Menchi, or Ill have to even things out in the name of justice, Tereza jokes. Fine, so anyway lets go shopping. Menchi needs a bunch of clothes that actually fit her! I didnt expect that, despite her body, your clothes would still be a bit too large for her, Alex comments. Menchis body is perfect like that. Im a bit older than her; in a few years, shes bound to become even sexier and fill out a little more, Tereza adds while Menchi nods in approval. The group finishes eating, cleans up the mess, per Menchis direct orders, and makes their way down to Alexs small car. Tereza immediately starts giggling the moment she sees it. I wasnt rich before! There was no point in buying an expensive car when I had to park it on the main street in front of my small place. Besides, its reliable, Alex defends himself. Its fine, Alex. It would indeed be wasteful to spend money on a car you dont need or even want. Its just kinda cute, Tereza says, agreeing with him but clearly still amused. Menchi climbs into the backseat while Tereza sits up front next to Alex. Alex drives the group slowly but steadily toward the city center. The trip is thankfully short. As usual, Alex, you drive like a total pussy, Tereza comments, smirking. First of all, this is not The Purge. Secondly, I dont want to get a ticket. And even if I did speed, wed only save a minute! What would we do if we got stopped by the cops? Menchi doesnt even have an ID! Alex replies, keeping his eyes on the road. Menchi, meanwhile, stares out the window curiously, taking in her surroundings. Youre right, good citizen. Always obey the law and dont ask questions, Tereza chirps sarcastically. Now youre just being silly. Never mind, were nearly there, Alex says, already tempted to turn around and drive back home. After about five minutes, Alex parks inside the parking garage of a medium-sized shopping center. The mall is compact but packed with a variety of stores. Sarch* The N?velFire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. This place doesnt have much in terms of food, Alex explains as they walk inside, but we can drive to a nearby grocery store afterward. For now, we can get everything else we need here. I brought my cards, so Menchi, feel free to spend as much as you want. Buy clothes, cooking supplies, like knives, pans, pots, whatever you need. Youve seen my kitchen its pretty bare, I admit. Sounds good to me! Menchi replies enthusiastically. What follows is, in Alexs mind, nothing short of torture. After experiencing the worst movie experience of his life, he now endures the ultimate shopping nightmare. Tereza and Menchi are relentless, buying anything theyre even remotely interested in. Meanwhile, Alex is constantly tasked with hauling their purchases to a deserted corner, storing them in his inventory, and then using En to quickly find the two women again. Three painful hours later, the three are sitting on a bench, eating ice cream. Alex slouches deep into the bench, holding his ice cream cone limply in front of him. Menchi, without asking, leans over and licks a bit of his cone, analyzing the flavor. This is not bad at all! Italian, huh? Is that some special method? Italy is a country, Menchi. Their ice cream is famous, though nothing is as sweet as you, Tereza explains with a wink. Okay, thats it. Thats as much as I can handle. Id like to leave NOW! We still have to buy the actual food, and judging by your ridiculously slow pace, thats going to take forever too, Alex announces, his patience finally snapping. Fine, I guess we really pushed you a little, huh? Tereza says with a chuckle, while Menchi just sticks out her tongue playfully. Both women grab one of Alexs arms, and together they walk back to the parking garage. On their way back to the car, theyre stopped by a pair of smug men blocking their path. Yo, beautiful ladies! one of them calls out, smirking as he sizes up Tereza and Menchi. Todays a nice day. How about we take you two on a proper shopping trip? Weve got a nice BMW, and we can easily score reservations at 3 Moons, one of the best restaurants around, as you surely know. His smirk deepens as he continues, That guy youre clinging to? Hes clearly beneath you. Why waste your time indulging him? Ladies of your caliber deserve way more! And you, he says, addressing Alex with a sneer, leave now if you want to avoid any injuries. If youre lucky, well return your girls after were done! ... ... ... Menchi, Tereza, and Alex exchange glances, their expressions shifting from slight amusement to outright disbelief. The bluntness and sheer pathetic nature of the pickup attempt leave them speechless for a moment. Finally, Alex snaps, his patience completely spent after enduring the shopping trip from hell. His eyes flash red, [Commander Shepards Dog Tag] activating as he releases his Nen. His Aura surges, suffocating the two men with its intensity. Directing his full attention toward them, Alex calmly but firmly orders: Fuck off. The two mens legs buckle instantly, and they collapse to the ground. Their bodies tremble uncontrollably as they piss and shit themselves in sheer terror. Their faces twist into masks of pure panic, their expressions screaming that they believe their lives are about to end. Lets go. Ignore this trash, Alex says, stepping over the collapsed men without a second glance. Menchi and Tereza follow suit, both laughing as they step on the mens faces before continuing toward the car. Inside the car, Tereza leans over and whispers, That kinda turned me on. So thats Nen, huh? Menchi, can you do that too? I can do that, and way more, Menchi replies with a confident grin. This sort of intimidation is usually pretty basic. But I have to say, Alex, yours is clearly special. To make them collapse and leak themselves like that is impressive. I also noticed something unique in your Nen. Could it be an item or something related to the system? Alex opens [Commander Shepards Dog Tag] in the system and shares its details with the two women through 1337. Tereza and Menchi grow curious, and the three of them start exchanging information about their current items. Menchis expression brightens as she realizes something crucial. I see! Thats why you wanted to buy those trashy things at Heavens Arena! Theyre system items! According to this rarity scale, [Bens Knife] is a real treasureits quite expensive, huh? I also have to say, it suits you perfectly, Tereza. Of course it does, Tereza says with a smirk, flipping her hair. The group finally drives to a nearby grocery store, and Menchi takes her time exploring every single aisle. She meticulously examines products, filling up three whopping shopping carts. Hours later, they finally return to Alexs apartment. Exhausted, Alex starts unloading their haul from his inventory while Menchi and Tereza begin organizing everything in the kitchen. Suddenly, Alexs phone buzzes with a notification. Rishi is back! Alex announces, his voice filled with surprise. Chapter 164: Gastronova Alex, Menchi, and Tereza immediately enter the Realm, having wrapped up all their tasks in the real world. [Alex: Rishi, we are inside the Realm. Ready to meet up? Were glad youre back!] [Rishi: Sorry, give me a few hours to sleep and recover, please. We have a lot to talk about, but I need some rest.] S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Well, that was stupid. Hes not even coming? Why did we enter the Realm then? Tereza complains as the group sits in their usual hangout spot, a secluded space in one of the abandoned ruins, far from the more popular areas of the Realm. Its not stupid! We wasted the entire day going shopping, and I still have a lot of stuff to do! Alex retorts. First of all, before even thinking about selling or buying stuff, I need to figure out how the follower system works. It seems like nobody else has one; its clearly uncommon in the tutorial area. 1337, can you explain it to us? You already mentioned that Menchi is level 11, but her combat abilities are equivalent to a level 16 follower, right? What else can you tell us? [When entering a world as a combat supporter, which, as already mentioned, requires a specific item that can be purchased in the main Realm, your followers will scale down to match the world level of the mission youre entering. Their overall stats will decrease accordingly. Each follower operates within their unique combat system, which they must adhere to. In Menchis case, her system is Nen, along with her general combat skills. Entering as non-combat supporters requires nothing.] Whats your Nen ability, anyway, Menchi? Youve never told us, and it wasnt even mentioned in the manga, Tereza asks, leaning forward curiously. She refused to tell me too. Its so silly; why hide it at this point? Its obviously something food-related, Alex adds, still annoyed by Menchis reluctance. Menchi sighs. I guess its time to tell you. No, my ability is, sadly, nothing like that. Im an enhancer with an affinity toward transmutation. My Hatsu is called Dismantling Edge Its incredibly useful for dismantling monsters, ingredients, and pretty much anything else including humans. Its perfect for striking at weak points and delivering fatal blows in combat. It can easily break bones, sever nerves, or cut organs in half. I use it in combination with my knives. Of course, I chose it primarily for hunting and dismantling edible monsters, beasts, animals, and various ingredients. Can you learn another Hatsu? Wouldnt it make sense to focus on one more related to cooking? Alex asks, tilting his head. Ive been holding myself back because, according to Linne, its better to completely master my first Hatsu. Otherwise, both abilities could end up mediocre. Learning a second Hatsu thats unrelated to your first is a risky thingor so Ive been told. [This is no longer a concern.] 1337 interjects. [The system has already revealed your potential. Based on your current Basic Nen level, which is at level 11, a second skill is easily feasible. Your abilities arent quantified like a players, but I can sense your potential. Youre more than ready for a second Hatsu.] This is weird, Alex says, frowning. Shouldnt the system tell me something related to Menchis ability? Cant she learn new skills from other worlds? Im getting a bit disappointed here. [Followers only gain levels. If they join a mission as a non-combat supporter, they gain 1/4th of a level. If they join as a combat supporter, they gain half a level. Menchi is currently level 11. Of course, there are also very rare items that increase the level of supporters. Additionally, there exist some rare and unique items that bestow new skills to followers. Each follower gains 1 extra skill slot, apart from their innate skills, for every 5 levels. Menchi currently has 2 skill slots she could use for various skills. These can be support or combat-related skills.] [In addition to that, most supporters also have unique support skills that work outside of battle. In Menchis case, because of her Light Purple classification, she has 3 support skills. These support skills are all non-combat related. They are mostly about crafting, information gathering, analyzing, or even certain rituals. Menchis support skills are: Advanced Cooking (-), Advanced Dismantling, and Basic Synthesizing (+). A Purple follower only has access to 3 support skills. Blue followers only have access to 2, and Green followers to just a single one. White and Gray level followers do not have access to any support skills.] Wait a minute. Only Advanced Cooking? Is this true? Also, whats with the minus and plus signs? Is that another sub-tier? That would mean Menchi is a better dismantler than a cook seriously? Alex questions 1337, clearly puzzled. [The system classifies cooking differently than the standard in your world or the world of Hunter x Hunter. The system evaluates cooking based on the ability to create unique dishes that enhance combat effectiveness, cure ailments, or restore resources. In that regard, Menchi has next to no experience. Only her prodigious talent pushes her skill to Advanced (-) in the first place. Advanced is the third of six ranks. The only ranks above Advanced are Expert, Master, and Grandmaster, which are exceedingly rare. Before Advanced are Intermediate and Basic, with Basic being the lowest rank. Of course, it is possible to increase these skills with rare items or through special circumstances. However, the chance of these circumstances occurring is extremely low. Obtaining items to raise these skills is more feasible but also extremely difficult. Through gaining levels, these skills can also improve. The rarity of a follower also influences how fast and how far these skills can improve. For example, a Green-quality follower will never go past Advanced, a Blue-quality follower is capped at Expert, while Purple-quality followers can achieve the incredibly rare Master rank.] Menchi trembles, her entire body shaking uncontrollably. Menchi calm down, Alex says, stepping closer while Tereza hugs her tightly, trying to comfort her. Dont listen to the stupid system. You can still improve, Tereza reassures her. Its fine! Menchi blurts out, her voice trembling with a mix of anger and determination. In fact, this is what I wanted! Ive been waiting for this a true challenge! Ive already reached the top in my world, and now I find out that Im barely considered Advanced in cooking in this realm? Menchi clenches her fists, her trembling subsiding as a fierce determination lights up her eyes. She looks directly at Alex and 1337. 1337, I have one last question. What is Synthesizing? If its related to cooking, of course, I already know. Its the process of combining different flavors, ingredients, and even techniques. You need to understand how the different components interact with each other to enhance their unique attributes and achieve exactly what you want in your dish. Thats just basic! Why isnt this included in cooking? Menchi asks, her tone sharp but laced with excitement. [Your explanation regarding its use in cooking is correct. Nearly everything requires some amount of synthesizing. The reason its listed separately is because you possess an exceptional talent for this, strong enough to qualify as a skill. Its an innate understanding, a natural feeling that lets you instantly realize what you need to do to enhance specific effects. Synthesizing is a support skill valuable for many different crafting disciplines. It will significantly enhance your cooking skills, particularly when combining multiple ingredients.] I always thought about using this to create my Hatsu! I I I have an idea. Suddenly, Menchis Nen surges, and a massive, blue flame erupts above her palms. Woah, what the fuck is going on? Did she just have an epiphany or what? Alex exclaims, visibly stunned. Menchi, youre beautiful, Tereza whispers, her eyes glued to Menchi and the imposing yet mesmerizing blue flames dancing in her hands. Gastronova! Thats what Ill call it! Menchi announces, her voice filled with excitement and determination. It combines Enhancement and Transmutation. I transmute my Aura into a flame that lets me synthesize different ingredients, boosting their synergy to normally impossible levels! As long as I can sense some synergy between two ingredients, I can amplify the desired effects. The only downside is that I need to sacrifice equal parts of other effects to power this ability. For example, if I want to enhance the sweetness of two different berries while making a jam, I have to sacrifice something else, like the sourness, to achieve that result. But this is also a huge advantage, it allows me to remove undesirable properties at the same time! The possibilities are endless! This is what Ive always wanted to do. This is my path to the peak! Menchi exclaims, her eyes blazing with passion. Oh, and I can even use it to intentionally destroy something. This would be super useful for both fighting and dismantling. Alex and Tereza stare in stunned silence as Menchi, right before their eyes, casually develops a new Nen ability that perfectly aligns with her ambitions. [Menchis level increased from 11 to 12] [Menchis rarity increased from Light Purple to Purple] [Menchis Cooking skill increased from Advanced (-) to Advanced (+)] [Menchis Dismantling skill increased from Advanced to Advanced (+)] [Menchis Synthesizing skill increased from Basic (+) to Advanced (-)] What the fuck? What sort of deus ex machina crap is this? This is blatant cheating, isnt it?! Alex protests, flailing his arms in disbelief. How can you just create a Nen ability like that, huh?! Tereza bursts out laughing. Says the guy who literally gets new abilities handed to him just by defeating enemies! Alex ignores her, still feeling as though the system is rigged in favor of supporters. Congratulations, Menchi! Tereza cheers, pulling her into a tight hug. Menchi, still smiling like she just won the lottery, hugs her back, the blue flames in her hands fading away as her confidence burns brighter than ever. Chapter 165: Menchi’s New Business Venture Well, Menchi congratulations. You are incredible. Seriously, Im almost a bit jealous, Alex admits. Youve got all three of your skills at the third rank now, with two of them already close to reaching the fourth Expert level. Thats insane. Also, I understand the whole supporter system a bit better now. Once we reach the main Realm, Ill buy you two skills for your open slots. Thank you! Menchi replies, her face lighting up with a gleeful expression. So, 1337, one last question, Alex continues. Im already guessing the answer, but supporters cant use player equipment, right? [Correct. Supporters have their own base equipment, which is an intrinsic part of their strength or weakness. For example, Menchis knives are her primary weapon. These knives are exceptionally powerful and are comparable to weapons of Purple quality.] That makes sense. You told me these knives were gifted to you by Linne, right? Alex asks, glancing at Menchi. Yeah, Id never give them away. Theyre as much a part of me as my hands, Menchi replies, her tone resolute. Besides the knives, though, you dont have anything else, do you? Tereza asks. Menchi shakes her head. [Menchis outfit is considered a type of armor. It offers minimal protection but significantly increases her mobility and evasion. There are certain items that can improve both weapons and armor. Menchis weapon rank is at the Purple level, while her armor is at the Light Green level. These items can be upgraded using specific materials. Additionally, consumable items, such as healing potions, can be used by supporters just like players; Supporters have their own inventories] This is getting a bit overwhelming I need a status screen just for Menchi at this rate, Alex mutters. In response, 1337 immediately projects a compact, detailed screen in front of him: [Menchi] Hey! This makes me look like a damn item! Menchi protests, clearly offended. Im a human being, not a tool! It is kinda demeaning Tereza agrees, crossing her arms. Even Alex nods in agreement. [Humans and their weak psyches are illogical. Menchi is a supporter, while you two are players. Regardless, all of you are human beings. Accept your roles.] Im kinda glad its this short, Alex says, ignoring 1337s blunt comment. Managing your entire inventory and skills would be a nightmare. This is relatively easy to track. Imagine wasting weeks just organizing my own and my followers equipment! Followers? Menchi and Tereza ask simultaneously, raising their eyebrows. Yeah, Alex replies. Thanks to an item I received in Heavens Arena, a random item of mine got copied. Thanks to my insane LUK, I still have a [Destiny Supporter Token] left. By the way, it was a huge windfall that someone as powerful as Menchi joined me. Her level is eight levels above my own! Not to mention her skills are insanely useful. Sarch* The N??eFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Alex looks directly at Menchi and adds, Menchi, I hope you realize how much Im depending on you! I only have a ridiculous amount of those useless [Healing Potions] leftno other recovery items. I hope you can use your skills to cook up something the system recognizes. I think at first youll need to get used to your abilities, but once you gain more experience, I hope youll be able to create useful items for us. Healing items are invaluable during missions, and itd save me a ton of FC in the long run. I see! So thats what you stuffed into your mouth during the fight with Darius. Yeah, Ill do my best but how am I supposed to obtain ingredients? Menchi asks. First of all, here. Alex opens his inventory and transfers 50,000 FC to Menchi. Thats an insane amount for the tutorial, and you should be able to buy a lot with it. You also have your own version of an inventory, right? Maybe try experimenting with real-world food items too. Ill explain online shopping to you later so you can order whatever you need. He continues, Of course, check the market rates in the Realm first. Then, I guess, just experiment. In the best-case scenario, youll be able to cook up so many useful items that you can even sell them. That way, we can earn some extra FC, and itll be a win-win. Menchi nods, her expression determined. Got it! Ill make sure to put everything into this. Alex suddenly has a small realization: Shit! I realized something. During my missions, I picked up various monster parts! For example, I got a spider corpse, a bird corpse, a bear corpse, and a wolf corpse last time. All these monsters I crudely butchered, and the system recognized those items! I sold them all for tokens to exchange for other things. Now I realize that these items could have been given to Menchi instead. Maybe some players have a few of those corpses left? Thats what you need to aim for, Menchi! That also reminds me take these items as well. Alex hands her 10 [Diluted Gels Panacure]. These are antidotes of light blue quality. Ive sto obtained them during the second exam. Theyre created by Gel, the legendary Poison Hunter and Zodiac member. Perhaps you can use these to create food with the ability to get rid of or weaken poisons. Anyway, I have no use for them because my poison resistance is already at 70%, and these only work to cure common poisons. Stronger poisons will only get weakened a bit. You can also take all my remaining 8 [Healing Potion]; theyre as good as useless for me. Wow, thanks, Alex. These things might enhance any dishes I make. If I can synergize these special effects with the food, I may create something useful. I need to experiment a lot, so these items will be perfect. For now, I wont use the blue-quality items; I fear I might ruin them, Menchi says, genuinely thankful for Alexs huge trust in her, giving her so many items and a considerable starting budget of 50,000 FC. She even gives him a hug, no trace of teasing involved this time. Tereza wraps her arm around Alex and smirks, saying, Youre doing the right thing, investing in my sweet Menchi. I believe in the long term, shell be our goddess. Well lets check out the market for now. Rishi will probably sleep for a few more hours, Alex suggests. The group walks toward the market, and Menchi catches curious looks from several players. A few of them even seem to recognize her. One of them loudly exclaims, This Alex guy is a cheater! Obviously, he managed to capture an NPC. How can this be possible in the tutorial? Not only was he inside that world for a week, but he also managed to bring out an actual character from that world! Alex, Tereza, and Menchi choose to ignore him, but Alex makes sure to memorize his face, silently wondering when he might have the pleasure of seeing this guy inside a different world. The trio enters the trading Hub, where, as usual, a long row of player merchants have set up their small stalls, each doing their best to sell various wares. Alongside the player stalls are a few NPC vendors and stores, mostly selling the bare essentials, white-quality items of almost every type imaginable. Hmmm, its not that large. I expected a bit more, Menchi comments, looking around the bustling market. There exist many tutorial Realms like this one, Menchi, Alex explains. The real market will become available after our next mission. That ones bound to be around 100 times as large as this. For now, though, this should suffice. Lets take a look. The three wander through the market, and as usual, Alex spots a variety of items originating from different games, movies, comics, and anime worlds. Its interesting, for sure, but most of the goods being sold are white-quality, with the occasional green-quality items here and there. These are just the surplus items that other players have found and are willing to sell. Rare items like the [Yubashiri], [Nimbus Cloak], and [Champion Belt] are far more uncommon. Alex remembers how much time and effort it took him to acquire items of such high quality. The bargaining process was always grueling, and in the case of [Yubashiri], hed even had to let it gothe items owner had already moved on to the main Realm. Menchi suddenly perks up and quickens her pace as she spots a player selling a variety of meats. Alex and Tereza follow her and take a closer look at the stall. [Kulu-Ya-Ku Leg], [Kulu-Ya-Ku Head], [Kulu-Ya-Ku Tail], [Kulu-Ya-Ku...] Oh, I know that thing, Alex says, recognizing the name immediately. Damn, its head is fully intact. Thats a Bird Wyvern from Monster Hunter World! One of the easier bosses to hunt, if I remember correctly. Looks like these different pieces are all at least green quality. And theyre quite large might be worth buying. Wow, Ive never seen meat like this I want to cook it up! Menchi says, her eyes lighting up with curiosity and excitement. The player selling the meat looks bored, his face blank as though he hasnt had much luck attracting buyers. Wait a minute, Menchi. Perhaps its best if I handle the trade instead Alex starts to suggest, but Menchi has already walked up to the stall and is talking to the player. Alex thinks, watching as Menchi confidently engages the merchant. Thankfully, the player doesnt recognize Menchi and has no idea that shes a cook who probably desires the Kulu-Ya-Ku meat more than anything else in the market. Just a few minutes later, and with 5,000 FC less in her stash, Menchis inventory is filled with enough monster meat to feed an army. Chapter 166: The Reaper Returns Menchi visits several more stalls at the market, buying a variety of other meats, mostly White but also some Gray quality items. She drags Alex and Tereza into a few of the shops set up by NPCs and loads up on various cooking supplies of White quality, like spices, vegetables, flour, oils, and basic condiments. Im not too sure its a smart idea to buy all this stuff, Menchi! Sure, the system recognizes those items, but maybe the quality isnt all that different from items youd use from the real world! Alex says, feeling increasingly nervous as he watches the money he gave Menchi dwindle. No, Alex! I can feel that the quality of these items is simply insane. I dont know much about rankings, but I can tell these ingredients arent as simple as they appear. No way the generic mass-produced items can compare. I even feel a certain energy in them. Maybe its because of my supporter skills, but I just know this will create better dishes! Also, these cooking supplies are rated items. I feel theyll enhance my cooking as well, Menchi argues confidently. Yep, Menchi is correct, Alex; give it up already! Tereza adds, supporting Menchi and pissing Alex off, especially since shes not even pretending to use logic and just blindly sides with her. ... Alex decides to just shut up for now, unwilling to argue further, especially since Menchi is a very stubborn character. He ignores Tereza completely. A few hours later, Menchi has spent a total of 25,000 FC, also picking up a bunch of generic healing items and medicines, leaving her with only 20,000 FC. Youll ruin me, Menchi. Seriously, 30,000 FC just gone! Alex complains, close to tears, while Menchi looks like shes reached cloud nine. Just as theyre about to leave the market, Alex receives a message from Rishi. [Rishi: Usual place?] [Alex: On our way!] Sar?h the N?velFire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Thankfully, Rishi is finally here, or else you two would have ruined me! Seriously, lets leave already. Maybe you shouldnt be allowed to visit the market; this is dangerous! Alex grumbles. Stop your crying already! Tereza scolds him, punctuating her words with a slap to Alexs ass. You like a little ass-slapping, huh? she teases. Alex, refusing to back down, tries to slap her back, but Tereza skillfully avoids him, her AGI clearly higher than his. Excuse me, I liked doing that to Menchi, and Ill gladly try it out on you until your ass burns like its on fire. Now stand still already! Alex says, chasing after her, unwilling to let it go. He notices the crowd of people staring at them. Menchi, meanwhile, is completely engrossed in reviewing all the treasures in her inventory, smiling like she just won the lottery. Lets go Alex finally says, realizing the scene theyre causing. Tereza and Menchi agree, also noticing the unwanted attention. They slowly make their way to their usual meeting spot, the abandoned ruins. On the way, Alex reflects, When they arrive, they see Rishi already sitting down. Despite his careful grooming and his usual meticulous appearance, Alex immediately notices that he seems somewhat tired. Hi, Rishi. You look good, although you could have used a little bit more sleep. Why the rush? Alex asks while giving him a small hug and shaking his hand. Its good to be back and see that you two are in good health. Tereza is as cold as ever to me, I see Rishi says, faking a look of dejection as he glances at Tereza, who barely reacts. Unlike Alex, she clearly doesnt enjoy engaging in sentimentalities with him. Rishis gaze shifts to Menchi, and he takes a second to register her presence. I see we have a guest. Its nice to meet you wait, am I indeed too tired? Menchi? Your [Destiny Supporter Token] worked like a charm, huh? Bullseye after only a single attempt? He looks surprised and impressed as he stands and politely shakes Menchis hand. So, tell me about your trip! Im intrigued, he says, turning his attention back to Alex, clearly eager to hear the details of his recent mission. Alex summarizes everythinghis time in Tribaio village, the interactions with other players, the Hunter Exam, and his time in Heavens Arena. He also mentions the items he gained, which even makes the usually stoic Rishi appear a bit excited, maybe even jealous. When Alex gets to his [Shockwave Hammer], Nen Prodigy innate skill, and, for some reason, [Kyubeis Deception], Rishis interest visibly deepens. These items are just incredible! I cant believe you got them that easily, Rishi comments, his tone betraying genuine admiration. Meh, I prefer the [Sacred Emerald Copper Earring] and the [Destiny Watch], Alex responds. The hammer is incredible, but you need a specific build to use it. It demands a close-range fighting style, and youd need to have the skill to wield it effectively. Oh, before I forget, I got you a little souvenir. The [Elegant Shirt]. Rishi takes a moment to examine the shirt and smirks. You know me well. The lack of stamina due to my ridiculously low PHY is my major weakness. This helps a little, at least. Thank you. Curiously, Ive never even seen a shirt item before. It seems to be quite rare. Your [Noble Shirt +1] seems to be a real treasure, though. The upgrading mechanic is also important, and we should be aware of it in the future. Your [Kyubeis Deception] while youre clearly good-looking, Alex, I dont think it exactly suits you, especially with the armor and weapons you are usually carrying around. Mind trading it with me? I think this kind of item could be useful to me. Im naturally good at masking my real personality, so I feel Id get some decent use out of it. After SPR and INT, CHA is my third-highest stat. I cant use it anyway, Alex says, shrugging. Its probably because of my weaponry and equipment as you said. Here, just take it for now. Give me something useful later. If were lucky and Menchi succeeds in creating food items for us, FC wont be such a huge problem anymore. But enough about us. Tell us about your world, your strange vision, and your plan! Alex hands over the [Kyubeis Deception] and leans forward slightly, clearly eager to hear what Rishis vision entails. So, I dont know how much Tereza told you. Im constantly researching the Realm, Rishi begins. As you probably know, manpower is cheap in India, and I have a few thousand people working for me investigating Realm players. Alex wonders, his thoughts racing. Menchi whistles, clearly impressed, and comments, Money is not something you should value compared to items and knowledge. You clearly know how to set up priorities. Tereza nods in agreement. Anyway, Rishi continues, what we lack is information about the main Realm. After thousands of failures, we managed to find someone willing to share what he knew for a small financial gesture, of course.... He recorded all the information he had about the main Realm, which wasnt much since he was only level 6. Afterward, the Realm punished him, and some of my investigators were also changed, their memories essentially fried. It turns out anyone who read the information about the Realm shared their fate. However, I took the risk and was able to read it just fine. To sum things up, he goes on, the main Realm is exactly as we expected. Everything, but larger. Many specialized areas. For example, did you know theres an entire specialized area just for supporters? 1337 hinted at the possibility, but no, we didnt know, Alex responds, intrigued. The most important thing I got out of that player is this: the next mission will be difficult, but with difficulty often comes great reward, Rishi begins, his tone measured. Not only do the risk factors increase, but the possibility of obtaining extremely rare loot is greatly enhanced. I rushed through a mission specifically so we could all join one together. What world did you go? Alex asks, leaning forward, his curiosity piqued. You should have used up a special item or entered a world with someone else, right? Usually, you have to wait until the timer ticks down to zero unless youre joining someone elses mission using a special item. I found someone who had a slot for a team member left. It wasnt an outright combat world, Rishi answers. It was the world of Death Note. I got some nice spoils from it as well: [Lights Watch], and [Death Note (Weakened)]. What the fuck, a friggin Death Note?! Alex exclaims, his voice full of excitement but tinged with fear. How in the hell did you manage to obtain that? And Lights watch? Dont tell me Alex trails off, his mind racing to piece it together. Rishis expression remains cold as he answers, Light and L are two incredible individuals, probably way smarter than me. Sadly for them, we werent playing an even game. Sorry, but I dont need a Death Note to kill. A single mind strike is enough for a puny human no matter how smart they are. ... Alex is speechless. I dont know that series, Tereza says, breaking the silence. Its so lame when you talk all vague about it. So, you killed a bunch of NPCs and got those two items? What do they even do, anyway? You We told you already to read the most famous mangas! Alex snaps, clearly exasperated. Light and L are legendary. I cant believe you managed to come out on top. What the hell is wrong with you, Rishi, to be so nonchalant about it? That sounds like some S+ rank achievement. I wanna see those two beauties as well. Of course, I got an S+ rank, Rishi responds calmly, his demeanor unflinching. You couldnt really achieve much more in that world. I got the role of an investigator, and it was my task to help L bring Kira to justice, of course, it ended up my kind of justice, where I took everything they got. The thing youre so excited about, Alex, has been nerfed to the ground, however. If it was indeed the real Death Note, Id also be more excited. Alex gulps, and together with Tereza and Menchi, he leans in to take a closer look at Rishis two spoils: [Death Note (Weakened)] and [Lights Watch]. Chapter 167: Death Notes and Potato Chips Alex, Tereza, and Menchi stare at the items Rishi has laid out before them. [Death Note (Weakened)] Sear?h the Novl?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. I see what you mean, Alex says, examining the [Death Note (Weakened)] closely. Its no longer instant death, and you cant even control the targets actions. Its just five uses, each dealing 100 true damage. Also, the effect doesnt last for up to 23 days anymorejust 23 hours. Still, it seems really useful. True damage means it completely ignores defenses, right? There are players running around with less than 10 PHY. Theyd die instantly! But the real downside is your lack of access to the Shinigami eyes that means you cant always figure out full names. Still, against most plot characters, this thing is devastating. Alexs voice rises with excitement as he analyzes the item. Who knows what happens if you feed it enough Soul Crystals Rishi listens in silence as Alex continues. [Lights Watch] Damn, I remember this watch, Alex says, turning his attention to the [Lights Watch]. Its kinda iconic. Its effect is almost identical to the Death Note, except you cant specify the time of death. Still, its useful since you can eliminate your target right in front of them without leaving any evidence. But one thing really worries meboth items mention that their effects may not work. I guess that depends on the mission context? It seems like their use could be broken, depending on the circumstances. Youre pretty hyped about these items, Alex, Menchi comments, raising an eyebrow as she watches his enthusiasm. I guess its hard to explain, but these are such cool items, Alex replies, his face lighting up. Even with their effects nerfed, theyre treasures most people would kill for but you know whats really terrifying, Rishi? Theres nothing here that says the Death Note cant be used in the Realm or the real world. At least the watch specifies that its mission-only, but the Death Note? If it works in the real world, you could throw everything into chaos in just 40 seconds! If someone survives the Realm and keeps this item nothing can stop them. You could become a real-life Kira! True, Rishi says, his tone calm and detached. For now, these charges will be saved. I dont intend to imitate what Light did, nor do I need to use it for financial gain. Then why did you even go to that world? Tereza interjects, curious but unimpressed by Alexs enthusiasm. Because I had a vision, Rishi answers. It showed me an incredible outcome. While I didnt recognize much, theres one detail Im absolutely certain aboutit involves witches and wizards. I saw a bunch of wands similar to the one you use, Tereza. I know for a fact that these are from the wizarding world. Thats why I took the first chance to enter a random world in the first place, I didnt particularly want to join the world of Death Note. Witches and wizards Harry Potter? Alex says, the realization dawning on him. Wait a minute I got an invitation from a certain someone to join that exact world at level 4. Roja. Exactly, Rishi confirms. By the way, I heard that her group recently split up. Two of her members went with you on your last mission, didnt they? When I left, rumors were that they werent even on speaking terms anymore. I also heard you teamed up with them despite all the warnings we gave you. No, not really, Alex clarifies. I did some minor trading with themand lets be honest, it was to my advantage. For the cooking part, I asked for their help. I had friggin Shalnark in my group, so fighting wasnt an issue. Everything worked out perfectly. Fine. It seems like you did more than just fine. Rishi nods, clearly impressed. Anyway, I can assure you that inviting Roja to team up wont hurt us. Any possible issues can be solved with a good contract. Does it have to be Harry Potter Alex sighs, his tone heavy with reluctance. While he doesnt outright dislike the world, he clearly prefers simpler ones. Didnt expect you to dislike Harry Potter, Tereza says, her tone lighthearted. I personally love it. I enjoy worlds that blend realism with magic. Plus, Id really prefer to go there. Actually, I need to go there. My current skill only gives me a handful of spells, and thats far from satisfactory. I need more charms, transfiguration spells, and defense against the dark arts spells. Do you have some specific reason for avoiding that world? Alex doesnt hesitate. Yes, I do, he says, his voice firm. Even some of the dumbest, most incompetent idiots in that world have access to spells like Fiendfyre and Avada Kedavra. There are hundreds of them who could kill us with just a single spell. Sure, theyd probably go down just as easily in return, but Id prefer slower fights, ones where a single bad decision doesnt mean instant death! And then theres that guy. I could go on A magical world of sorcery. Im interested! Are there beasts and special ingredients around? Menchi asks curiously, ignoring Alexs rant. Yeah, a lot! Its probably not a bad world to obtain some specific ingredients. Harry Potter is known for its variety of special herbs and magical beasts, Tereza explains. ...I know Im outvoted. Fine, I agree, under one condition. Tell me more about your vision, Rishi, Alex says, clearly a bit unhappy about this particular world. Rishi takes a deep breath and tries to explain his vision to Alex: I sadly cant tell you much more. The only thing I saw was a bit of information about this particular world, just enough to identify it. I also saw a bunch of positive outcomes, but also a few negative ones. Its pretty vague, but I have a strong feeling that this world, in particular, offers great rewards. Anyway, here, AlexI just remembered something I had left. Take it as a small consolation prize, and thanks for giving me that shirt. Ill also think about what to gift you in return for [Kyubeis Deception]. [Potato Chips] ... Alex thinks, amused by the item. I dont get it, Tereza says. Menchi nods in agreement. Me neither. ... Alex, unwilling to waste time explaining memes to casuals, just ignores them and focuses on the next step. So I guess the next step would be making sure our ticket to the wizarding world actually agrees. Roja can be a snake; I doubt shed just accept being suddenly outnumbered two to three. Plus, shed have to agree with our timeline since Tereza doesnt have quite as much time left as we do. We have four to eight weeks left, depending on the system''s mood, while Tereza only has around two weeks left if shes unlucky, Alex says, already strategizing. True. Better contact her now and see if shell agree to our terms, Rishi adds, nodding in agreement. Me?! Alex questions, raising an eyebrow. Who else? We dont really know her. Just do it already, dummy, Tereza replies, reprimanding him with a smirk. ... Fine! I am not a social guy; I hate these kinds of things Alex complains as he starts composing a message to Roja. He doesnt send it right away, instead rereading it several times, tweaking phrasing here and there, trying to avoid anything that might come across as awkward or aggressive. SEND IT ALREADY! Tereza barks impatiently. Shut up! If I get on her bad side now, she might not take us! Its better to proofread these kinds of messages a few times! Alex snaps back, his voice filled with the frustration of countless past regretsemails, texts, and messages sent too hastily, leading to inevitable embarrassment. Alex, youre fine. Cautiousness is warranted, but have some more self-confidence. Youre above average in nearly everything, and your message reads fine to me; being too cautious can be a huge chain, Rishi reassures him in a calm, measured tone. Fine! Alex huffs before finally hitting send. Just a few minutes later, Rojas response arrives, and the group huddles eagerly around Alex to read the message displayed on his screen. Chapter 168: Business Expenses, Round of Introductions and Silly Games [Roja: Meet us in an hour at the central square near the portal.] How rude! Alex grumbles, frowning at his screen. This bitch knows we want something from her. Why else would we even contact her? We can probably pretend we just want to join a mission together, but Rojas case is special. She has more information than most players, and she hates to share it. She just tells you barely enough not to make a huge mistake. Maybe you can take care of the negotiation, Rishi. I already feel triggered. I agree. I hate these kinds of backstabbing snakes the most, Tereza chimes in. She abandoned her team while they were at fault, but the selfishness she displayed cant be forgotten. Even if we enter into a contract with her, shell probably look for loopholes and wont lift a finger more than she is contractually obligated to do. Since she also has access to more information than we do, shes dangerous. This time, you better be careful, Rishi. For these kinds of situations, a manipulator would be really useful. Although that probably wouldnt be allowed by the system, huh? Too bad, Menchi comments. Id say Rishi probably fits the bill. If he could learn Nen, hed be a manipulator without a doubt, Tereza jokes, giving Rishi a sly glance. Thank you for the compliment, Tereza. I have no doubts Id be able to guess your Nen affinity as well, Rishi replies smoothly, the faintest smirk curling his lips. Alex tries to suppress his laughter but fails miserably, snorting in amusement. Tereza immediately turns her glare toward him, her eyes promising retribution. Alex gulps as she leans closer, whispering: You will regret this. Alex complains inwardly, feeling unfairly targeted as usual. The group walks toward the busier corners of the Realm, discussing strategy as they go. Just let me do the talking, Rishi says firmly, cutting through the banter. But dont forget, this is especially important for you, Menchi, since this is all new to you: Do not reveal any items or skills we possess. We merely want to go to this particular world because Tereza needs to progress her skills, which is a known fact at this point, and because we want to do more team missions. Ill take care of the rest and decide how much we reveal. Although you are not stupid, youd have to be a moron to just reveal your innate skills like that. ... Alex feels a sting in his chest, imagining his HP decreasing just a little. Menchi gives him a thumbs up, her experience as a hunter kicking in. She knows when silence is the best option. Alex and Tereza agree as well, both relieved to leave the hassle of negotiation in Rishis capable hands. As they approach the central square, they spot Roja and Perlah waiting for them. Roja has her arms crossed, her stance rigid and soldier-like, exuding a no-nonsense attitude. Perlah, in contrast, seems more relaxed, even cheerful, as if shes genuinely happy to see them. Alex notes the stark difference in their body language and decides to pay closer attention. he thinks. The two groups stand face to face, and the atmosphere is thick with awkward tension. The silence stretches on, almost suffocating, until Alex, unable to bear it any longer, blurts out the first thing that comes to mind: Oh hai! ... Rishi, Tereza, and Menchi immediately turn to stare at him. Roja and Perlah, on the other side, look equally baffled, Rojas eyebrows shooting up while Perlahs lips twitch, as though suppressing a laugh. ... ... You guys are weird. Lets go to some cafe or restaurant or something. We can spend a few FC today since this is an important meeting, Alex says. Oh? Hello Alex, and thank you for the invitation. Your financial situation seems to have shifted. I also heard rumors about you and your lovely new supporter emptying the market and buying up any food-related item, Roja says politely, casually revealing shes keeping tabs on the Realm. It was not an invi Alex tries to respond, but before he can finish, Rishi interrupts. That sounds good, lets go, Rishi says, taking the lead. Alex thinks, barely able to contain himself. The group heads toward a small cafe. Alex notes with some relief that the prices are thankfully minuscule. Drinks range between 2 and 5 FC, and food costs no more than 10 FC on average. he finally decides. Once inside, the group is seated by a Realm worker. They settle down on two benches with a large table in between, thankfully nobody else nearby. Roja, Perlah, and Rishi sit on one side, while Alex is sandwiched between Tereza and Menchi on the other. The table, quite large, and the two groups, quite far away from each other. Menchi enthusiastically orders five dishes and multiple drinks, stopping when she notices Alex''s painful expression. Okay, I''ll stop. I can hear your veins popping, calm down, she says with a grin, without any guilt. The rest order just a drinkexcept for Alex, who orders several menu items, prompting Tereza to smirk and redo her own order to match Alex''s, adding one extra dish just to irritate him. Alex thinks, his irritation increasing. But before Alex can get too far down the mental rabbit hole, Tereza leans in, suddenly licking his ear and whispering, Ill make it up to you. The unexpected move derails Alexs fragile plans for revenge, leaving him red-faced and confused. He stares at her, flustered and unsure how to respond. You... have an interesting team, Roja comments, her expression a mix of amusement and mild disturbance, while Perlah blushes faintly, clearly taken aback by the display. Alex sighs, his hopes for a peaceful and quiet meeting long gone. Anyway, I guess I can at least introduce everyone, he begins. Maybe youve heard of them already, but this is Tereza from the Czech Republic. Unlike her fellow countrymen, shes not welcoming, is a huge menace, and overall clearly psychAH SHIT. Dont kick me! Alex yelps, cutting himself off as Tereza lands a solid kick against his shin under the table. It was just a joke. Calm down! Alex grumbles, glaring at her briefly before moving on. Anyway, youll probably recognize Menchi, right? A gourmet hunter from Hunter x Hunter and now my follower. And over there, the sharp-dressed guy is Rishi from India. He runs Indias business world and collects castles on the side, just for fun. Alex leans back in his seat, crossing his arms. Since Ive been responsible for holding this group together so far, Rishi will be doing the talking today to give me a much-needed break for once. ... Rishi smiles, clearly amused rather than offended, while Tereza wears a far more sinister smile, her eyes locked on Alex with thinly veiled menace. This young lady here is Perlah from Indonesia, Alex continues, pointing at her. You might know her under the famous alias Kobo Kanaeru from Hololive. Perlah raises an eyebrow but doesnt seem particularly fazed. Sorry, I dont like Kobo, she says casually. Shes way too much of a Kusogaki for me. I like Moona. Alex laughs, genuinely surprised by her response and knowledge about this topic. Fair enough. And this, he gestures to Roja, is Roja, also from India. She knows a lot of stuff but hates sharing any of it unless she absolutely has to. ... Roja smirks faintly, her lips twitching as if suppressing a laugh. This was, without a doubt, the worst round of introductions Ive ever heard, Roja says dryly, though theres a faint trace of amusement in her tone. At least you lightened the mood a little. Thank you for that, though it seems to have come at a personal cost. Her eyes dart to Tereza, who has wrapped one arm around Alexs neck, her fingers beginning to tremble as they lightly squeeze. Alex, trying to pry her hand off, mutters under his breath, So, you want to join us on our upcoming mission? Why exactly? Roja continues, her tone businesslike as she observes Alexs plight with thinly veiled amusement. Rishi smoothly steps in, taking over as planned. We believe its in both of our interests, he begins, his calm and composed demeanor immediately changing the tone of the conversation. Mostly, we want to stay in a group; also, we have the huge advantage that Tereza has a certain skill that will give us numerous benefits in this world, Rishi explains, his delivery calm and calculated. The food and drinks arrive, filling the table thanks to the excessive orders made by Menchi, Tereza, and Alex. To a good cooperation, Alex says, lifting his glass. The group clinks their cups together, though the atmosphere remains slightly tense. While Alex, Tereza, and Menchi dig into the dishes before them, Rishi and Roja continue hashing out the details of their arrangement. The discussion turns highly technical, with Roja bringing up various contingencies and potential issues, prompting Rishi to counter with airtight safeguards and suggestions for contracts. Alex, listening with half an ear, finds the whole thing tedious. he grumbles inwardly. To his surprise, Perlah joins the conversation with enthusiasm, offering insightful suggestions from time to time. Alex raises an eyebrow, impressed with her attentiveness, Deciding that the negotiation is better left to people who care, Alex shifts his focus back to the table. His eyes land on two steak dishes: one a perfectly cooked, massive cut of steak glistening with juices, the other one with two smaller, overcooked, and dry-looking pieces of meat. Tereza, of course, reaches for the superior steak. Alex, seeing an opportunity, casually snatches it first and begins cutting into it with exaggerated satisfaction. He takes a bite, savoring the perfectly cooked meat as the juices burst onto his tongue. Alex thinks, feeling absurdly triumphant over this small and petty victory. Tereza stares at him with narrowed eyes, her lips curling into a dangerous smile. Enjoying yourself, Alex? she asks sweetly, though her tone carries an undercurrent of menace. Very much so, thank you, but please dont distract me; this is a serious conversation, no time for your silly games, Alex replies, grinning smugly and taking another exaggerated bite. Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 169: Under the Table Dealings (NSFW 18+) As Alex eats his steak and continues to listen to Rishi and Roja argue, he cant help but laugh a little. Both Rishi and Roja occasionally add special terms in Hindi to the conversation. Perlah shyly suggests that they limit the discussion to English since she cant follow, but Rishi and Roja are so engrossed in their debate that they dont even notice. Alex also struggles to follow the details as he listens. The clause about not sabotaging each others goals is too broad. Our goals arent strictly defined. The broadness is warranted, but we need clearly defined terms he hears Rishi explain. Suddenly, Alex is startled. He feels something between his legs, touching his cock and even grabbing his balls through his pants. He looks to his left towards Menchi, who is casually eating, more focused on the dishes and drinks in front of her, earnestly tasting everything. Then he realizes whos responsible and barely dares to turn his head to the right, seeing Tereza giving him the smuggest look he has ever seen. She wears a huge smile, looking totally satisfied and pleased. Alex tries to confront her, but before he can even open his mouth, he feels her hand grabbing his balls even more firmly. Alex whimpers silently, not daring to say anything to avoid getting caught by the staff, other customers, or the three people discussing the contract before them. Suddenly, he feels Tereza opening his pants and taking out his cock, grasping it firmly. Alex blushes, trying to hide his face by drinking from his cup, but inwardly panicking. He looks at Tereza with a serious expression, but she acts innocent while her hand continues to switch between his cock and his balls, jerking him and squeezing his balls. Suddenly, Menchi takes a sniff while smelling and tasting the dishes before her. Her sense of smell is trained to the human limit, strengthened by Nen, which she subconsciously uses while tasting new dishes. She looks at Alex, notices his slightly flushed face and nervous posture, and sees Terezas gleeful, excited expression. It takes her just a few seconds to realize what Tereza is doing with her left hand, and she slides a bit closer to Alex. Alex notices this and panics as she also reaches towards his crotch with her right hand, but to his relief, she grabs Terezas hand, momentarily stopping her. However, to his horror, Menchi also smiles sheepishly and simply shakes Terezas hand, creating a discreet under-the-table agreement with her. Both of them quickly continue to tease Alex. Alex does his best to keep calm, using his aura to appear as if nothing is happening, while being rock hard, his dick and balls being teased by two hands under the table. Alex looks towards Rishi, Roja, and Perlah, even nodding here and there, but he doesnt register a single word they say. He''s far too panicked about the girls assaulting him under the table, feeling close to orgasm. Just as he is about to cum, Menchi immediately squeezes his dick as hard as she can while Tereza grabs his balls tightly. Alex''s lower body tries to push upwards desperately, but nothing happens. They stay like this for a few seconds before Alex calms down, and they immediately pick up again. We dont let you off this easily, Tereza snickers, while Menchi also teases: Take your time, Alex. This sounds like it could go on for a while longer. Suddenly, Alex panics when he hears his name. What do you think about this, Alex? Roja asks. Alex thinks, his aura helping him seem somewhat calm while Tereza and Menchi show no mercy and begin to tease and assault his cock even harder, like sharks smelling blood in the water. They both look like they are in a trance, smiling brightly, appearing to have the time of their lives. Well, uhm, to tell you the truth, Im torn between both sides, but I think this whole discussion is a bit misplaced. We should focus on the broader things and try to include only things that fit every situation. I think a step back is warranted, or else the contract will be 100 pages long, and nobody will remember anything. I admit Im already a bit confused. Thats actually a smart point, me too, to be honest, Perlah says, while Rishi also agrees, Thats true, Alex. So lets back up a step and return to Tereza says, whistling softly, Wow, Alex, you are so smart Im impressed. Though your arguments are a bit tense and stiff, huh? Menchi also giggles, impressed by Alexs skillful bullshitting. They continue stroking Alexs cock softly and lovingly as he silently pleads, Stop this shit now, seriously. Tereza whispers, Now its time for your punishment, while saying in a normal voice, Fine, Ill pick up my spoon myself; you arent behaving like a gentleman should. Ill need it for dessert. Tereza then disappears under the table and begins to suck on his cock as fast as possible. Alex thinks, unable to comprehend what is happening. Menchi is also quite surprised and glances under the table while leaning close to Alex. It takes only a few seconds until Alex cant take it anymore, and he begins to cum wildly, shooting his cum deep into Terezas mouth. Just 30 seconds after picking up her spoon, Tereza sits back up and smiles, now using her spoon to play with her dessert. Perlah looks at her and says, Uhm, Tereza, you have some pudding on your cheek. Alex immediately perks up as he secretly fastens his pants, noticing that Tereza indeed has something white on her cheeks. Tereza smiles, takes her spoon, skillfully removes the pudding from her cheek with her spoon, and licks it clean. Sorry, thanks for telling me, sweetie! Alex questions himself. Alex finally begins to calm down and pays attention to Rishi and Roja, who are still deep in conversation, arguing about the contract. Sarch* The N?velFire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He reaches for a dessert and notices that Tereza and Menchi have already eaten everything, leaving him with nothing. he curses in his mind. It takes another hour for Rishi and Roja to finalize their deal. Alex, sadly, didnt catch the majority of the discussion and understood only the broader details of the planned contract. Lets take a break and meet after discussing this privately. You can stay seated; well be back in a bit, Roja finally declares. Sounds good to me. See you soon, Rishi says as Roja and Perlah stand up, walk towards the exit, and leave the restaurant. So, I think you all agree with me that this is the absolute best deal for us, right? Rishi asks the rest of the group, who all stare at him with blank expressions. ...Sure, just to make sure, can we quickly go over the details again? Thanks to these two menaces, I was... a bit distracted, and I feel drained, Alex asks. Thats not a bad idea. Okay, lets go over the details one more time so we are all on the same page, Rishi says, agreeing with Alexs request. Chapter 170: Finalized Deal, Relationship Advice, and a Devil Fruit! Rishi takes charge, summarizing the proposed contract to Alex and the two girls. It essentially boils down to three key points, Rishi begins, listing them one by one. First: no lying. Were not allowed to outright lie to each other. If we dont want to answer a question, we must openly say so and explain why. Were also obligated to share vital information of our own volition if it impacts the current mission, Rishi explains. This one seems pretty straightforward. I think we all get it and agree, Alex says. The actual contract will list examples and exceptions though, right? Like, we cant misuse this to ask irrelevant questions and exploit how much the contract forces us to reveal? Exactly. The exceptions are reasonable and clearly defined, Rishi replies. Theres not much more to discuss here unless anyone has objections? When no one speaks up, Rishi moves on. The second point: were obligated to help each other. None of us are allowed to deliberately let another member die or leave them to certain death. That said, there are a few specific exceptions. For instance, if someone goes off on their own and recklessly endangers their life for personal reasons, were not required to follow them into a suicide mission. There will be plenty of examples in the contract outlining what qualifies as valid exceptions. However, he adds, if someone objects to the groups actions or choices, they must voice their disapproval beforehand. They cant wait until after something goes wrong to claim it violated the contract. This makes it fair for everyone. If someone decides to take a foolish risk despite the groups veto, theyre doing so at their own peril. At the same time, if you act alone, you cant assume the others will back you up, which is acceptable for us as well and leaves us with numerous options. Yep, thats how I understood it too, Tereza says with a shrug. Alex has to resist the urge to roll his eyes, thinking, The third point is the most complex, Rishi continues, though Alex draws a blank, realizing he doesnt even remember what it was. Its about shared mission objectives and personal freedom to explore the mission, right? Menchi chimes in before Rishi can elaborate. I think its smart to keep it vague so were not forced to grind away at the main mission and miss out on other opportunities. In some cases, it might even make sense to accept a lower mission rating in exchange for completing a hidden quest with better rewards. Alex raises an eyebrow, wondering how Menchi managed to absorb so much when shed been just as distracted as Tereza. Thats correct. Youve summarized it well, Rishi says, nodding in approval. There are smaller details to consider, but those are the main points we need to follow. The group spends a bit more time discussing the finer details, with everyone now fully engaged and focused. It doesnt take long before Roja and Perlah return as well. The discussions drag on for a bit, but eventually, everyone agrees to the laid-out terms. So, are we in agreement then? Roja asks, her sharp gaze sweeping across the group. I think so, Alex replies, feeling confident about the contract. His mind drifts for a moment as he glances at Rishi. With everyone on the same page, the contract is signed. Roja stretches out her hand toward Alex, who shakes it, then shakes Perlahs as well. The group follows suit, shaking hands all around. The gesture makes Alex cringe, his stomach churning. he apologizes inside his head. Stupid, we cleaned our hands after we did that. A woman always comes prepared, Tereza whispers in his ear, her words somehow soothing his nausea. The group exchanges contact details, and Alex pays 200 FC for the food and drinks. Before parting ways, they agree to hold another meeting in the next two weeks to prepare for their mission. Nicely done, Rishi. I think youve earned yourself a good nights sleep, Alex says, noticing the fatigue in Rishis face. Thanks, Alex. Honestly, I need it. I gave it my all during the negotiation, but now I feel drained. Still, Im glad we secured our mission so early. Its a relief, knowing we can relax a bit and start preparing at our own pace, Rishi replies, his expression softening with a hint of relief. One question, though, Alex interjects. Do you think I should sell my items? I mentioned earlier which ones Im planning to sell. Rishi shrugs. Honestly? When it comes to trading, I dont think I can give you much advice. If anything, your trading instincts and results so far have been spectacular. Youve probably made better deals than I ever could. Just stick to what youre doing; its clearly working. Rishis words strike a chord, and Alex realizes hes right. His past trades had gone well enough; there wasnt much need to second-guess himself. After saying his goodbyes, Rishi heads off, leaving Alex and the girls standing together. Come on, dont be mad... this was exciting, wasnt it? Tereza asks with a playful grin. This was crazy, but I have to admit, I enjoyed it too, Menchi adds, smirking. Alex sighs. Id be lying if I said it wasnt exciting. Lets just put it behind us for now I need to think. So, what are your plans? Im thinking of heading to the market. I might as well set up my stall now. Ive got two weeks, but Id rather start early. I want to focus on my cooking now, Menchi says firmly. Ive got so many supplies, Ive got my new hatsu, and my support skills are even stronger now. No more excuses! Im going to set up my equipment from the Realm in one of the empty rooms. Alex, is it okay if I remodel it a little? Dont worry; you wont regret investing in me. Come back in a few hours and Ill cook up something normal to eat as well. Sure, go ahead, Alex replies, though he adds with a faint smirk, but please dont destroy the rest of the apartment in the process. Shes probably going to have to move a bunch of stuff. Ill help her, Tereza chimes in. Alex raises an eyebrow, but before he can say anything, Tereza quickly adds, Alex, I promise I wont distract her. Play hard, work hard. Dont worry. Her reassurance is enough to quell his doubts. Waving goodbye to his two wild companions, Alex watches them head off. He exhales deeply, thinking, He pauses, a faint smile on his lips. Alex heads to the market, scanning the stalls as he walks, but nothing catches his eye. Eventually, he spots Steven and decides to say hi. Hey, Steven, what are you looking for? Alex asks. I wrote you a message. Didnt you read it? Steven says, questioning him. Ah, crap. Sorry, I told my system to mute messages while I was dealing with something important. Let me check real quick! [Steven: Alex, if you have some time, come to the trading hub! Theres this guy selling an actual devil fruit!! First time Ive ever heard of one being sold inside our tutorial Realm. However my friend told me its supposed to be unobtainable because the price its being sold at is insanely crazy. Still, its worth checking out. Ill go there later myself, after my date is over! Being too popular with the ladies can be a huge hassle, I tell ya.] Shit, my bad, Steven. I was busy, Alex says, scratching the back of his head. And I... uh... kinda understand your last sentence, though I feel like your popularity with the ladies is a bit different from mine. Steven grins. Want to talk about it? The fruit isnt going anywhere. I havent seen it yet either, but we can swing by in a few minutes after we chat. Alex hesitates for a moment but decides to take him up on the offer. They find a quieter spot, sitting on a bench a little away from the bustling trading hub. Steven leans back, giving Alex a curious look. So, whats bothering you? I mean, Ive seen you walking around with two gorgeous ladies at the same time. You dont exactly scream trouble in paradise. They dont look like just friends, if you catch my drift. Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Alex sighs and starts to open up, recounting his chaotic experiences with Menchi and Tereza, including the insanity that went down just a few hours ago. Damn, Steven says, leaning forward with a smirk. Thats kinda hot... though, uh, not really my thing. I like to take action myself, you know? Those girls of yours? Definitely not my type. Alex blinks. I... see. Hes a little surprised by Stevens bluntness. Hey, it doesnt matter what I think, Steven says, shrugging. But man, just judging by their looks, theyre top-tier. I dont think Ive ever gotten lucky enough to end up with anyone like that. Ever. But forget about me, its not about what I think. Whats important is what you think. Do you hate this stuff and just go along with it to make them happy, or do you actually enjoy it? Alex pauses, caught off guard. ...I guess I dont dislike it, he finally admits. But honestly, I think I mainly enjoy it because theyre the ones involved. If it were someone else, I dont think Id be into these... uh... special things, however, if they are involved, Im pretty entranced, willing to do nearly anything. I guess Im a little confused. But I know I like them both for sure. Steven nods, thinking for a moment before speaking. Heres my take: just experiment. Maybe try being a bit more aggressive about taking the initiative sometimes, but theres nothing wrong with going at their pace either. Like you said, theyre into it, right? Its pretty clear they love doing this stuff with you. Thats the important part. If someones teasing you or going out of their way to do wild stuff for you, thats basically a huge compliment. Its not really about the acts themselves, its about the person. Theyre into this because youre involved. If you like them, and theyre crazy about you, youre bound to enjoy it too. Just go with the flow, but if you clearly dislike something, set boundaries; also if you feel like you are missing something, communicate that as well. Alex lets out a small laugh, feeling a bit better. Thanks, Steven. Youre right. Ill stop overthinking and just take it at my own pace. Anyway, enough about meI wanna see that fruit! Lets go check it out! Chapter 171: A Huge Decision, Batto Batto no Mi Alex and Steven make their way toward a hooded player whos sitting silently at his stall. The guy isnt talking to anyone and has his face completely hidden. His stall only has a single item on display, a colorful, weirdly shaped black fruit with red lines in the form of swirls. Thats the guy, right? Why the hell does he look like some kind of cultist? Well, not like I havent used that tactic myself, Alex mutters, rolling his eyes. He quickly recalls his own habit of using [Jacks Spare Silvery Mask] along with other clothing pieces to disguise himself. So far, its worked flawlessly and remains a solid option for him. Lots of people disguise themselves. Theres always a small chance youll end up in the same world with others, and if that world encourages PvP, youve got a huge target on your back, Steven says with a shrug. Its lame, but I get it. The odds arent high, but people might even pull these items from bloody chests if theyre crazy lucky. And lets be real, there are tons of desperate players and gambling addicts out there willing to risk it. Hell, I might even do it too if my targets a total asshole. While they talk, the two other visitors at the stall give up and walk away after the hooded merchant ignores their questions. Alex and Steven step closer, and to their surprise, the hooded man actually looks up and speaks directly to Alex. If youre interested in buying this, the price is clearly listed. Theres no bargaining, but Im willing to accept trades besides Soul Crystals and FC, the man says, his voice calm but firm. Wait a second, Steven cuts in. Isnt this guy supposed to be silent? Why the hell is he talking to you, Alex? Do you know him or something? Obviously not. Are you stupid? Alex retorts, annoyed by the dumb question. Steven is about to respond when the hooded man interjects, his tone sharp. Your friend here is a fool. People like him always cause trouble. You should drop clowns like that early before they become a liability. Steven looks offended, but the hooded man ignores him, focusing entirely on Alex. Im selective about who I talk to. I keep a low profile, but Im always watching. You and your companion, the seer, rank as Number 3 and Number 2, respectively, on my list in this Realm. Naturally, Im willing to talk to players of your caliber. As the Number 3, you should have the resources to trade for my item. The question is whether youre wise enough to accept the price. Alex thinks, his pride stinging a little. But he keeps his mouth shut, not wanting to sound as dumb as Steven. The fuck? Why is Alex Number 3? And did you just call me a clown, huh? Steven blurts out, glaring at the hooded man. Alex blushes slightly, embarrassed that Steven asked the exact question hed been thinking. My system for evaluating players is none of your concern, the hooded man replies coldly. Players of your rank are insignificant and not worth my attention. You dont need to know how I rate people, as its merely my personal evaluation. Steven looks like hes about to argue, but Alex steps in, keeping his tone calm. I dont care about your ranking system, but I am interested in the fruit. Let me take a look. [Batto Batto no Mi, Model: Desmodus Draculae] Wow, thats so cool! Steven says, practically bouncing on his heels, making Alex give him a weird look. Steven Zoans are literally the most boring and weakest fruits overallunless youre talking about the Carnivorous, Ancient, or Mythical types, Alex replies, his tone flat. This is just Stussys fruit. Sure, its useful, but its nothing special. It might help you in the short term, but youre stuck with it for life. Wouldnt you rather save yourself for a truly insane fruit? Sorry, but while this is an incredible item, its not the strongest. Maybe a bit above average at best. Honestly, I wouldnt even use it on myself, Alex finishes, deliberately downplaying the fruit to try and lower its price. Thats not to say Alex doesnt recognize its value. He feels a tiny twinge of temptation, wondering if he should go back on his words and just use it himself. Id like to disagree with you, Mr. Kerber, the hooded man cuts in, his tone sharp and impatient. Devil Fruits are extremely rare, and actually acquiring one is nothing short of a miracle. This is a permanent enhancement, with next to no downsides, its not like a mere piece of equipment that gets replaced! Dont think Devil Fruits just drop if you kill a Devil Fruit userthese are treasures of the highest caliber. This fruit is easily worth as much as one or two gold-ranked items. Even the most basic fruit that lets you fly is worth a fortune. This one, however, offers much more. Dont forget, this fruit grants its abilities through an innate skillno need to waste precious skill slots! And the supposed weakness of Devil Fruits is mostly negated here since you can fly. Even if you dislike the full-bat transformation, the half-bat form alone is a massive advantage. You can fly, your stats get an insane boost, and at level 5, youd gain 7 AGI and 9 SNS. Do you even realize how much that is? Combine that with the bats fast, maneuverable wings, and your combat potential skyrockets, the hooded man barks, trying to hype up his merchandise as much as possible. Alex wonders, his thoughts racing. Alexs mind churns as he considers his options. Not really interested, Alex finally says, keeping his tone calm and detached. Sure, this might be useful for the average player, but it locks you out of getting other innate skills. You probably only get to acquire one innate skill from items like this. Its a nice boost now, but who knows what opportunities youd miss later? So what do you want for it anyway? These items are rare! the hooded man snaps. You cant just acquire an innate skill anytime you want. In the main Realm, this would be a treasure that hundreds of people would fight for! Yeah, but you need to sell it now, dont you? Because you cant take it with you, Alex says, his voice turning smug. Dont think I havent noticed that youre desperate to get rid of it. So just state your price. The hooded man glares at him for a moment before finally answering. 250,000 FC or 12 Soul Crystals. Sar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Alex snorts. Come on. Nobody in the tutorial Realm has that kind of cash. Youre not being serious. What are you willing to offer, then? the man fires back, his annoyance clear. Im actually more interested in a collection of items than just one expensive one. So name your terms. I can just throw you the junk I have left from my previous mission. Youre clearly familiar with market prices and have to agree this is a fair deal. All of this could be yours: [Ancient Rapier], [Kunai], [Heavy Mace], 8 [Two-Headed Black Eel, Poisonous Blood], [Stolen Breath], and this beauty right here, my [Shockwave Hammer]. Are you kidding me? The hooded mans voice rises with irritation. Thats just random junk from your last mission! One White weapon? Two Light Green weapons? Not even worth mentioning! The poison, okay, thats interesting, I guess, and theres a decent amount of it, but its still just a consumable. And that [Stolen Breath]sure, its strong, but its also a consumable. These things are probably worth 50,000 FC at most. And whats that crude thing? Another hammer-type weapon like the mace? Wait a second... Deep Purple weapon As soon as he spots the [Shockwave Hammer], he cuts himself off mid-rant, his tone shifting. First of all, Alex starts, smirking, these itemsexcluding the hammerare worth way more than just 50,000 FC, and you know it. Secondly, theyre perfectly suited for you You can get the best price for them, and theyre ideal because they wont attract too much attention, which Im guessing is something you value a lot. You like quantity over quality, right? Then theres the hammer. Ive seen Light Purple items go for 50,000 FC on their own, and weapons are generally more expensive than other items. This hammer isnt Light Purple; its Deep Purple And all three of its skills synergize perfectly. Altogether, Id say my items are worth 200,000 FC. Maybe even more. No... maybe 150,000 FC, but not 200,000, the hooded man counters, though his tone lacks the earlier confidence. Well, you could make 200,000 with themIm sure of it. Either way, thats all Im offering, Alex says, bluffing with every ounce of confidence he can muster. He can hardly believe his strategy might actually worktrading off his leftovers for a devil fruit? Its almost too good to be true. As I said, I dont bargain, the hooded man replies, shaking his head. Sorry, but this isnt something I can accept. Its a serious offer, Ill give you that, but its still not enough. To tell you the truth, Im being forced to hand over my most expensive item, and I need at least one worthy piece to turn in, or else as you have guessed, Im in trouble. If I hand over the fruit, I lose it, sure, but I gain a lot of respectand maybe even a small reward. The [Shockwave Hammer] could replace the fruit, no question, and Id get to keep the rest of the items... but even so, its just not a good enough trade. At best, Id be breaking even. Id rather hold onto the fruit than take that risk of trading it away for just this much. So, youre saying you need more? What exactly do you want? Alex asks, narrowing his eyes. I need Essences, FC, Crystals. Put together the numbers, and weve got a deal. Alex pauses for a moment, thinking hard. Then he makes his move. Fine. Heres my offer, and like you said at the start, no bargaining: [Frost Essence], one Soul Crystal, and 10,000 FC. Exactly how you like it, quantity with good quality, but nothing too extravagant to draw attention. The hooded man goes silent, clearly calculating and weighing his options. Chapter 172: Trash for Treasure, This Fruit Looks Tasty! After a few minutes of tense silence, Alex can tell his trading partner wants to push the price even higher. Sensing the stall, Alex decides to draw a hard line. Sorry, thats all Im offering. See you around, he says firmly before turning and walking away, leaving the hooded man stunned. Steven follows, glancing back at the merchant, but Alexs mouth soon curls into an evil grin when he hears the hooded mans panicked shout: STOP! Okay, lets do it! Just one condition! Alex slows his pace, turns around, and raises an eyebrow, feigning confusion. Sorry, I told youno more bargaining. Whats your condition? I want a contract, the hooded man says, his tone sharp but controlled. Dont worry, nothing serious. You and your friend just need to promise to keep the details of this deal to yourselves, especially anything about me. Ill sign it too, so your possession of the devil fruit will also remain a secret. Sounds reasonable. Lets talk details, Alex replies. Drawing inspiration from his earlier contract discussion with Roja, Alex manages to keep the terms incredibly simple: neither party can mention anything specific about the hooded man, the deal, or any items involved. In return, the hooded man cant say anything about Alex, the trade, or the fruit. Once the draft is ready, Alex turns to Steven. Steven, youre not getting anything out of this deal I cant force you to sign. Alexs voice carries a hint of guilt. Its fine, Alex. I dont like this hooded freak, but Ill sign it to help you, Steven responds without hesitation. The hooded man quickly draws up the contract, and all three sign it, sealing the deal. Finally, Alex holds the [Batto Batto no Mi, Model: Desmodus Draculae] in his hand. His fingers tremble slightly as he stares at the fruit, its glossy surface almost taunting him. The temptation to eat it is enormous. With a nod to the merchant, Alex turns and walks away with Steven. The hooded man, though not looking entirely pleased, seems relieved as he packs up his stall and disappears into the crowd. Steven, I owe you, Alex says, grateful for the hint that led to this trade. Can I give you something as thanks? Uh its a bit embarrassing, but Steven hesitates before finally admitting, Could you loan me a couple hundred FC? Sometimes you need a little extra to learn a language, you know? Ive only got about 700 FC left, and I feel like thats cutting it way too close. Id like to have at least 1,000 FC for some breathing room. Without hesitation, Alex opens his trade window and sends over 300 FC. Take it. Thank you so much! With 1,000 FC, you should be fine. And dont even think about paying me back. Thank you!!! Man, this was worth it for me. Now I can go into my next mission without freaking out, Steven says with a wide grin. They part ways, and Alex makes his way back to his player room. As soon as he gets inside, he sends a quick message to [Rishi], informing him about the trade while carefully abiding by the contract, leaving out any mention of the hooded man or specific deal details. Finally, Alex flops onto his bed, staring at the ceiling. He doesnt immediately log out to the real world. Instead, he pulls up his status screen and starts scanning through it, taking note of his current stats, resources, currencies, skills, and items. Alex smiles. He lost or gave away nearly every item he acquired in his last world, and aside from his equipment, his inventory is now pretty clean. While relaxing on the ancient but comfortable bed, he gathers his thoughts. Sear?h the N??elFir.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Alex thinks, quite satisfied with his trading results. Alex continues to think about various things, calmly analyzing his situation and making sure he isnt forgetting anything. After a short nap, he decides to finally head home, dreading the chaos thats awaiting him. He steps into the portal and arrives back in his penthouse apartment. He can hear the sounds of pots and pans coming from one of the empty rooms, making him think, Alex enters the living room and sees Tereza watching TV while playing around on a laptop and her smartphone. Hi, cant decide on what you want to do? Alex asks her. Nah, I always do this. Anyway, Menchis busy. She kicked me out right after we finished setting up her kitchen. The Realms cooking utensils look pretty weird, but she seems fine with them. Guess our beautiful honeymoon phase is over, and now shes focusing on cooking, Tereza replies with an exaggerated sigh. Yeah, I feel so bad for you, Alex says dryly, ignoring her delusional rant about her supposed relationship with Menchi. Anyway, guess whatI traded away all the items I told you about. I even threw in 10,000 FC, a Soul Crystal, and the [Shockwave Hammer]. What? All of that? What did you get? Tereza suddenly perks up, her interest piqued. Just this tasty-looking fruit: [Batto Batto no Mi, Model: Desmodus Draculae]. Want a bite? Alex teases, holding it up with a smirk. Incredible! I think that was worth it. That actually sounds cheap! This thing is amazing... so how does the hybrid form look? she asks, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. You just get two large bat wings, Alex explains. Stussy, the user of it, looks more like a succubus than a bat with them. As for the full bat form? That hasnt been revealed yet. So are you going to eat it right away? she asks, watching him closely. Nope, I dont intend to use it. You dont want it? Alex counters, raising an eyebrow. I I dont think I can accept it. You already gave me the [Bens Knife]. Theres a limit to these kind of things. I cant just keep taking from you, she says, though the temptation flickers briefly in her expression before she shakes her head. I have no real use for it, so you can take it. The only other possibility for it is extremely unlikely to work. Honestly, I think this fruit would suit you perfectly. Its ideal for your fighting stylemobility and decisive attacks. Dont you think? I I need to think about it. But thank you, she responds, her voice soft, her expression uncertain. Alex nods and heads to his room, changes into more comfortable clothes, and then sits down on the larger, empty couch in the living room. Tereza shuts down her laptop, stands up, and quietly lies down behind him on the couch. Alex wonders, unsure of what shes planning. But nothing happens. Tereza simply lies there in silence. After a while, Alex shifts, lying down on the other side of the couch. Tereza grabs a blanket, drapes it over them, and snuggles up next to him, lying in front of him. Without a word, Alex wraps his arms around her, feeling the warmth of her body. The comfortable position helps Alex relax as he lets his mind drift away from thoughts of the Realm. For the first time in a while, he feels calm. A few hours later, feeling tired, Alex says, Im going to bed. Its been a long day, and Im still a bit stressed out... even though I feel calmer now, thanks to you. He stands up and heads toward his bedroom. Tereza leans in, giving him a soft kiss on the lips before retreating to her room as well. Both of them quietly ignore the clanging sounds coming from Menchis new cooking laboratory, which shows no sign of slowing down anytime soon. Chapter 173: Where is the Mess?! Clean Freak Menchi Alex slowly wakes up, feeling well-rested. For the first time in a while, hes in a calm and rational state with no immediate worries. Alex thinks as he lazily makes his way to the bathroom. After freshening up and putting on some clean clothes, Alex heads into the living room. To his surprise, he sees Tereza casually chatting with a middle-aged woman. Alex freezes for a second; who The woman notices him and greets him warmly, all while continuing to tidy up. Hello there, Alex, right? Your parents werent lying when they said you like to sleep in. The youth today, I wouldnt have been allowed to act this way when I was so young! Anyway, Im nearly done for today. Is there anything you need? Alex suddenly remembers, quickly pulling out his phone to check his messages. Sure enough, theres a note from his parents about her visit. No, not at this time. Thank you for doing such a good job, Alex says politely. He tries to keep his distance, but 15 minutes later, the housekeeper approaches him. Im done, but I havent cleaned that one room that smells like a second kitchen. Your girlfriend told me not to go in. Theres no need to be embarrassedIve seen messier apartments than you can imagine. Oh, today, theres no need to clean that room... you know what? Dont ever enter it unless I specifically tell you. Thank you so much. Ill see you in a week, Alex replies quickly, handing her a small tip. No need for that. Your parents already pay me more than enough, she says, shaking her head. Please... I insist. I have more than enough money, so let me share the wealth a little. After a moment of hesitation, she smiles and accepts the tip. Thank you, Alex, she says before promptly leaving. Good morning, Tereza. Menchi didnt want to let her in? Alex finally says, turning to Tereza, whos sitting on the couch with a thick book in hand. Six more books are piled up on the table next to her. Tereza pauses her reading and looks up. Alex glances at the books title: Youre... reading Harry Potter? Alex asks, raising an eyebrow. Guess Ive kept those books with me all this time. Were they in one of the boxes I took with me from my old place? Can you even understand it? Is your German that good? Maybe order the English ones if youre trying to study for our next trip. I rather like this version. It also helps me improve my German skills a little, Tereza replies with a small smile. And yeah, they look pretty old. Menchis still locked up in her experiment. Honestly, shes kinda scary when shes that serious about cooking. Even Im worried about the state of the room; its probably more chaotic than a battlefield, Im sure, she adds, looking genuinely concerned. Well lets give her a few more hours. These books, by the way, are hand-me-downs from my mother. Its one of the few book series thats popular with so many age groups, and its probably the reason why this world has such a huge influence on the Realm, Alex says. Your idea isnt bad. Now that we know which world well be entering, it cant hurt to study. Might even be worth watching the movies, too, since the characters will probably look pretty similar, even if the lore is based on the books, Alex continues, eyeing the seven books in front of him and wondering, Copying Tereza, Alex decides to dive into the world of Harry Potter, though his study method is very different from hers. While she reads the books directly, Alex pulls up YouTube videos from channels like Harry Potter Theory and browses the Wiki to learn about specific topics that catch his interest. After a few hours of focused study, both Alex and Tereza stop when they hear a door opening in the back of the apartment. They exchange glances before deciding to cautiously approach Menchis intimidating kitchen laboratory. Alex steps into the room, his eyes half-closed, bracing himself for the chaos he expects to see. But when he fully opens them, he freezes in shock. The room is spotless. The kitchen setup, complete with furniture and cooking utensils from the Realmlooks slightly out of place, almost like it doesnt belong in this time period. But aside from that, everything is unbelievably clean. Wow, Menchi, Im surprised. Your kitchen is spotless! Alex says, staring in awe. Menchi beams and hugs him tightly. Alex! Thank you so much for inviting me to this world! Having an Inventory is such a blessing! I cant believe how easy and fast cleaning up is! Its like a dream come true. I can just dump anything I dont want or need into it and empty it later, she says with a big smile. Alex thinks, still a little puzzled. What about your experiments? Have you had any success yet? Tereza asks, intrigued. Ive only been working with generic supplies and Gray items so far. I havent touched any healing items or White-quality meat yet, let alone the [Kulu-Ya-Ku Meat]. Most of the dishes ended up as failures like these, Menchi says, pointing at two plates. [Ordinary Dish (Fried Cucco)] sea??h th N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. [Failed Dish (Fried Cucco)] Haha, I like this one. I always hated those damn chickens. I probably died a bunch of times because I accidentally hit them, Alex says with a laugh. You even know specific chicken types from games? Alex, get some help! Tereza teases, clearly amused. Anyone who plays Zelda games knows about them, Alex retorts, then turns to Menchi. So I take it the unranked [Failed Dishes] were your unsuccessful attempts, while the [Ordinary Dishes] are what you consider failures because they didnt exceed the default result. Honestly, theyre probably the standard outcome if you dont make mistakes but also dont do anything to improve the quality. Still, this is what you need to aim for. If you can maintain this level, Green Ingredients will turn into Green-Quality dishes! Menchi says, Yeah, Ive bought a bunch of Cuccos to cook up. Whats strange is that even while cooking, I can immediately tell the portion size I need for the item to be accepted by the system. If Id only use half the ingredients, it would probably turn out as something worthless. I failed the first few batches, but I quickly got the hang of using my new equipment and cooking with these types of ingredients. My Hatsu also took some time to get used to. Anyway, I even managed to create this herethis is what Id consider an acceptable result, she says while showing Alex another plate. [Successful Dish (Fried Cucco)] Not bad! A White-quality dish Whats the quality of the Cucco meat? Just Gray, right? So it looks like you managed to enhance its natural grade! Thats awesome, congratulations. Also, I cant believe the difference between these dishes. With every grade improvement, the effects doubled The White-quality dish is something that even has some use for me, while the Gray, and especially the unranked dishare probably not worth carrying around, Alex says, analyzing the results and praising Menchis progress. Tereza hugs Menchi, rubbing her head affectionately while showering her with praise. Youre so talented! This will be such a huge help. Alex cringes at the display and immediately exposes Tereza. Dont lie... these are a good start, but seriously, well probably need food thats a grade higher than this. Honestly, 10 HP and 10% increased HP regeneration mightve been effective a few missions ago, but I need way more now. That said, I agree with youthis is a great result, especially considering you were only working with Gray-quality ingredients. Did you just stick to the evil Cuccos, or did you try anything else? Menchi nods and explains, I made a few other dishes. This one is apparently some kind of Blobfish from the world of One Piece, and the other one I bought from the same player who sold me the Cucco meat. [Successful Dish (Braised Blobfish)] [Successful Dish (Cucco Eggs Benedict)] I see, so thats another two types of food. I recognize both. I remember eating [Freshly Baked Pumpkin Bread] from Final Fantasy 9, which also recovered a bit of HP and increased HP regen, kind of like the Fried Cucco. This one, though, is more like the [Gotcha Pork Roast] I ate, while the dish made with eggs is similar to the simple generic [Smoked Wolf Jerky]. I have to say, this is great. All three types of food have their uses. The fish dish is perfect for recovering a lot of HP between battles, while the fried Cucco works as a kind of buff food. Its useful to eat before engaging in combat, but you could also use it if youve already taken some damage and have a moment to spare. The egg dish feels more like a generic recovery foodprobably the most useful one to me, if I had to choose. Anyway, having access to all three types is a luxury. I love it. This is exactly the outcome I was hoping for, Alex says, genuinely impressed by Menchis results after just a few days. Alex thinks, a satisfied smile on his face. Chapter 174: Business Plan and Juicy Decisions Alex, Menchi, and Tereza sit in the living room, discussing their future plans. Anyway, we need to make plans to sell the unranked and Gray-quality dishes No. We might as well sell most of the Ordinary White-quality dishes as well. Youll end up with more of that, Id reckon, so we might as well sell early. Even if you fail at cooking up Green-quality food, theres no way the quality will drop to Gray if you cook with Green ingredients! These dishes are almost useless to us, but players just entering the Realm from their tutorial mission, or even players whove finished one or two regular missionsmight need them. Im also sure that even if theyre not interested, we can vendor them to the workers. We might need to calculate at which quality we incur losses, or if we might be able to break even despite selling it to the stores run by workers, Alex explains. This sounds complicated, but I see what youre trying to say. I want to sleep for a few hours, but after that, Ill go to the Realm to check for more ingredients and to check the prices offered to me by workers. Ill try to come up with a few calculations after that, Menchi says, not particularly excited about the tasks but understanding their importance. I guess Ill help you out and check the market. Ill read a bit more while you sleep, Tereza says, planning to tag along. That sounds good. Dont forget to message Rishi and ask about his opinion too, that guy might have some suggestions, Alex suggests. Anyway, Menchi, I dont want to pressure you, but we all need at least Green-quality food items for our next mission. We have 13 days left. There could also be a scarcity in the Realm, so we need to start buying these items at least a few days before our mission. Id say you have roughly 10 days to continue your experiments. After that, well need to decide if we buy food for our next mission or if we can use your cooking. Honestly, I think youll succeed, especially if you use Green-quality ingredients. Thats no pressure, Alex. Ill be able to create Green-quality dishes, I promise you. Ive been cooking my entire lifethis is nothing. Give me a few days, and youll be surprised, Menchi says with absolute confidence. As Menchi heads to her bedroom for a nap, Alex and Tereza continue studying. Aside from Harry Potter, Alex also researches One Piece and Devil Fruits. At one point, Alex pulls out his Devil Fruit, conjures grenades, and tries to somehow use his Nen to connect them. It takes Alex two hours before his Aura is completely drained, and he realizes that what hes doing is pointless. Blushing slightly, he notices Tereza smirking at his failed attempts. It was worth a try, Alex says, attempting to justify his ridiculous dream of infusing the Devil Fruit into his Annihilation Grenade lvl 4, creating living bat grenades that could fly directly into enemies faces. Alex reasons. So now that thats over I dont have a single remaining use for this thing. Its trash, Alex says and casually tosses the fruit toward Tereza. Tereza desperately stretches her body to carefully catch the fruit before it falls. ARE YOU INSANE? Dont throw this treasure around like its trash! What if you damage it? This is easily worth 250,000 FCprobably way more in the main part of the Realm! Tereza exclaims, clutching the fruit tightly. Alex smiles, slightly amused by her reaction, and responds dryly, You know, your reaction is kind of funny. Thats probably how Id react. Youre acting out of character! Now stop your annoying hesitation already, or do I have to issue an actual order? Are you sure? Tereza asks, confirming his intentions once more. Yes! Alex replies decisively. Tereza stares at the rare [Batto Batto no Mi, Model: Desmodus Draculae] in her hand one last time, understanding the weight of her decision. Eating it will change her life forever. Finally, she gulps and takes a bite. "..." Sear?h the ovelFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "..." Alex and Tereza stare at each other as nothing happensTerezas teeth cant pierce the fruit. I think this is similar to an orange or a grapefruit. You probably have to peel it or something, Alex reasons, making Tereza blush a little as a drop of sweat trickles down her face. He stands up and walks toward the kitchen, saying, Ill get you a knife. A few seconds later, Tereza skillfully peels the fruit with a knife in hand. To her delight, the flesh of the fruit is quite moist, though no juices are leaking from it. Hehehe, this will be funny! Alex says, his grin mischievous as Tereza looks at him with a confused expression. Why? Whats wrong? Tereza asks, narrowing her eyes. You know Devil Fruits are known to be very tasty. Also, theres this rule that you need to eat the entire fruit so as not to waste it, Alex says, his tone light but his thoughts scheming. he thinks to himself, holding back a chuckle. Thats complete bullshit. One bite is enough Still, I will eat it all. Its a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and you dont hold back on things like that, Tereza says confidently as she begins eating the first piece of fruit. Alex thinks, a bit touched by her attitude. Tereza shows no visible reaction as she silently eats the fruit, slurping a little while chewing and swallowing the juicy pieces. Alex watches her with a newfound respect, staring in awe. Ive eaten worse things in my youth as a child. This is bad tasting, but I can feel something unique. Definitely not as bad as you made it out to be, Tereza states, unimpressed by the rumors of horrific-tasting Devil Fruits. Forget the damn taste Do you feel anything? Alex asks, leaning forward with curiosity. Tereza looks ahead, her eyes narrowing as she focuses. Im getting a few messages. The process takes a few minutes, apparently. A new innate skill is being generated. A few minutes later, Tereza smiles and activates her Hybrid form. Her teeth sharpen, and two dark purple wings sprout from her back, ripping through her sweater, which is clearly not suitable for this transformation. Shes left wearing only a bra as her wings stretch outward. Wow that is indeed impressive! Alex says, staring at her in awe. Her busty figure, combined with her new purple bat, or more devil-like wings, leaves him unable to look away. Alex thinks, his reaction quite intense as he marvels at her new appearance. Tereza looks around, a wide smile spreading across her face. This is incredible. Its just lvl 0, and I can upgrade it four more times for now, but I already feel amazing, she says, experimenting with her wings and lifting herself a few inches off the ground. Dont even think about flying around, not here, at least, Alex warns her quickly. Maybe at night, if we leave the city and drive to the countryside. You could try flying in a forest or something. Its less than an hour if we take my car. Yeah, that sounds good, Tereza agrees, nodding. Anyway, I can see so well now! Its like I needed glasses before, and now Ive finally put them on. And my ears theyre so sensitive. I can hear people talking on the street, hundreds of carseverything. Its insane. Even my eyes feel different. I have some kind of thermal vision, and I can see your blood flowing through your body, she says, her excitement barely contained. In the Anime, this fruit is considered a normal Zoan, Alex begins, but it has the special ability to suck the blood of its target, weakening them. I also remember Stussy having the ability to use that special sight you just mentioned. Honestly, the abilities of this fruit are pretty rare and almost lean into being a Mythical Zoan. Its easily one of the more impressive Zoans out there, Alex explains. For once, Tereza doesnt mock Alex for his Anime knowledge. Instead, she listens attentively, understanding how vital this information is for her. You know Alex hesitates for a moment before continuing, I might regret this, but if you want, try sucking a little of my blood. We need to figure out how much it weakens the target and how much of a buff you get from it. But seriouslydont overdo it, or Ill be really angry this time. For real. Tereza blushes slightly and whispers, You know, ever since transforming and getting these wings, Ive been kind of in the mood for a little snack. I guess its feeding time. Without waiting for a reply, she undresses herself, also forcefully tearing away Alexs pants and shirt in one swift motion. Sitting on top of him, her naked breasts press against his chest as she leans down, her voice soft. Thank you Ill be gentle, she whispers, kissing Alex softly on the lips. Her mouth stretches into a wide smile as she opens it as far as it can go, her sharp fangs slowly sinking into Alexs neck. Chapter 175: High on Blood (NSFW 18+) As Terezas fangs sink into Alexs neck, he feels a brief sting, but the pain quickly fades. She gently strokes his head and neck, her touch careful and soothing, as if to ensure hes alright. Looking into her deep, alluring eyes and feeling her naked body pressed against him, Alex cant help himself. His arousal grows, and he hugs her tightly. The sensation changes suddenly as Alex feels his neck ignite with heat, like its on fire, when Tereza begins to slowly suck a little of his blood. Terezas expression changes entirely, her face now overtaken by pleasure. She even lets out a soft moan, momentarily losing herself in the sensation, but quickly snaps back to her senses. Sorry, she says quickly, her voice almost breathless, but that felt so good. Are you alright? I recovered 10 HP and quite a bit of stamina, but nothing really happened since my HP was already full. I feel very energetic, though. Also, my physical stats increased by 1 for 2 hours, just like the description hinted at. Too bad those stats are capped at 5 for now though I guess if I upgrade this skill, they might go up as I level this skill. Honestly, I could get addicted to this feeling, Tereza admits, her voice filled with both excitement and restraint. Alex takes a deep breath, his mind trying to focus. Hmm, I do feel weaker and pretty tired. I guess the reason people faint or fall asleep in the anime is because if all of their stats are drained, they cant stay awake. If their PHY gets too low and they lose stamina on top of that, theyd have no choice but to collapse. He pauses, then continues, Its also important for you to know I lost twice as much as you gained. So even though your temporary enhancements are capped, I think Id keep losing stats if you kept it up, Alex explains, attempting to sound analytical, though his arousal is still evident. Terezas lips curve into a teasing smile as her gaze shifts downward. I see Thank you for letting me experiment on you. Her voice softens, becoming more playful as she adds, I also cant help but notice that youre quite excited right now Alex blushes slightly but says nothing, his silence betraying him. Tereza leans closer, her smile widening as she continues, To tell you the truth, I feel weird too. Im pretty excited myself. You need to help me calm down, she says, her teasing tone making her intentions clear as she hints at Alexs obvious erection. Her fingers trail gently along his neck as she whispers, Let me help you heal that little wound, her voice sweet and soothing. Tereza leans in, carefully stroking his neck before licking the wound clean, her soft, warm tongue sending shivers down Alexs spine. She snuggles even closer to Alex and whispers in his ear, Take me! Alex, extremely aroused, cant help but comply with her request. He slowly lifts Tereza up, marveling at her magnificent wings and beautiful face, which holds a hint of danger with her teeth slightly protruding as she smiles. He carefully enters her, and Tereza surprisingly begins to scream in pleasure. Sarch* The n??el Fire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Oh my god What is this? My senses are going crazy! This form is making me so sensitive, she cries out, overwhelmed by the intensity. Alex gently lowers her onto the couch, lying on top of her, giving her a moment to recover. He slowly kisses her and begins to move, drawing moans of pleasure from her. It doesnt take long for Alex to feel Tereza nearing orgasm. Despite his growing fatigue, he speeds up his movements, determined to make her first transformed experience unforgettable. Tereza wildly screams, oblivious to her surroundings, Fuck! I cant take this. More! Make me cum Kyaaahhh! Her unrestrained pleasure arouses Alex even more, spurring him to give his best to satisfy her. Alex accelerates his pace, and Terezas screams grow louder, as if shes in a state of ecstasy, acting without any inhibitions. More, more! Please more! she screams, using her legs to drive Alex even deeper inside her. Finally, her face contorts in pleasure as she and Alex, incredibly aroused by her wild reactions, climax together. Tereza is left speechless, only able to let out a primal, Aaaaiiiiooooooouuuhh, with a look of sheer ecstasy that Alex wont forget anytime soon. A few minutes later, they both bask in the afterglow of their orgasms, lying entwined on the couch, kissing and cuddling. Ahem! They suddenly hear a voice and perk up, noticing Menchi standing in front of the couch. She looks slightly amused, teasing the two naked lovers. You know, I said I was just taking a nap, but I couldve used a few more hours of rest. I woke up thinking Tereza was dying, only to witness this scene whatever. It seems like youre done, at least. Nice wings, by the way, Tereza. Terezas face turns beet red as she blushes furiously. Anyway, Ill give you some space Ill change clothes and be back in 10 minutes, Menchi says with a smirk, turning and walking back to her bedroom. Alex and Tereza sigh in unison, both clearly embarrassed. After cuddling for a few more minutes to collect themselves, they quickly get dressed. Feeling like shes given the couple enough time, Menchi returns and crosses her arms, looking amused but curious. So what the hell did I just witness? Tereza, still blushing, reluctantly explains everything, including how her body reacted to the hybrid transformation and the effects of sucking Alexs blood. So the hybrid transformation made you super sensitive, and your body reacted way more intensely to everything? And sucking Alexs blood also made you go crazy? Menchi asks curiously, her analytical nature kicking in. Tereza nods, feeling a bit self-conscious as her wings twitch slightly in response. Its also interesting that you can just keep up the transformation. That seems really useful, Menchi observes, rubbing her chin thoughtfully. Now that weve come this far, might as well show us the full transformation, Alex says, genuinely curious and excited to see how that form looks. Tereza, intrigued herself, removes most of her clothing and focuses. Moments later, she suddenly transforms into a huge female bat, her body covered in fur. Despite bats being small creatures, Tereza retains her human sizeor perhaps becomes slightly largernow looming over them in her fully transformed state. She still looks kinda cute, if a bit menacing, Menchi says, petting Terezas fur, which she accepts. This feels good, Tereza responds in a low, fear-inducing voice that makes Alexs skin crawl slightly. I can see a hint of cuteness, indeed, but this is also kinda scary, Alex says. Your power-up shouldnt be underestimated. I can already tell youre abnormally strong. I was looking down on Zoans a bit, but I think theyre the best fruit for increasing raw stats. Honestly, I dont think I could beat you in this form Id never be able to hit you, and with your increased hearing, vision, and the raw boost to SNS, you could probably even see through my In. Not to mention your voice attacks. Anyway, can you test if you can see through my In? Alex activates [Mustranos Malice Mauler lvl 4], his claw-like hand forming with a dark, menacing energy. He cloaks it in In, making it disappear completely before Terezas eyes. Tereza narrows her eyes and focuses on his left arm, studying it carefully. I cant see exactly what it is, but even if I didnt already know about your ability, Id notice something sharp and black wrapped around your arm. Its not entirely visible, but in a battle, Id immediately be aware of your left hand. I might not know exactly what youre doing, but I wouldnt be caught completely off guard. Aside from vaguely seeing it, I also sense some kind of power radiating from your armthat would be my second warning sign. Tereza slowly transforms back, first into her hybrid form, and then into her human form. This is weird my normal human form it feels like Ive lived my entire life like this, but I already miss transforming. I feel weaker, Tereza admits, frowning slightly. I think youll get used to it. Oh, and the additional stats you leeched off meare they still there? Alex asks, curious. Tereza nods, grateful for Alex pointing it out. Anyway, Alex says, stretching, youre going back to the Realm, right? I think Ill visit my family in the house I bought for them. I havent exactly been very social since entering the Realm, I feel like I should at least use opportunities like these. Im also feeling tired, and I need to relax a little. However, when youre back in the Realm, I want you to ask Rishi something for me. I forgot about it until now. Ask him about the changes in stats and what his base SPR stat is. Mustrano hinted that stats unlock something when they hit a certain threshold, and I dont want to forget about it again. My base AGI is at 19, Tereza replies, intrigued. But Ive also got quite a few points in SNS, INT, MNA, and even a bit in STR and PHY. If something happens at 20, Ill probably regret not focusing on it sooner. Anyway, Ill ask him immediately, she says, clearly interested in the topic, as her own strength is extremely important to her. As Alex leaves his apartment to visit his family, Menchi and Tereza eagerly step into the Realm, ready to continue their preparations. Chapter 176: Riding Tereza… Literally Alex spends a calm day with his parents and other relatives before returning home. By now, the weakening effects from Terezas blood-draining ability have worn off completely. As he steps back into his apartment, Alex immediately picks up a strange smell. Its hard to describe, it smells like meat roasting, but its unusually strong, slightly pungent, and not particularly appetizing. Alex thinks, wrinkling his nose slightly. he adds, slightly regretting his earlier decision to let Menchi set up a kitchen specifically for her experiments. Alex walks into the living room and finds Tereza in her usual spot on the couch, reading his Harry Potter book collection. She closes the book as soon as she notices him. Had a nice time at home? she asks. Yeah. Felt strangely normal, I guess. You already done in the Realm? Im guessing Menchi will be busy for a while. Its getting dark outside, will she really cook through the night again? Probably, Tereza replies with a shrug, looking a little helpless. Anyway, Rishi told me his SPR is at 23, and nothings come up yet. If there is such a thing as a special threshold, its probably at 25, 30, or even higher, Tereza says. Shit Thats so unfair! Alex curses, clearly frustrated. You know what? We made a contract with Roja we might as well ask her. If she refuses, we can probably buy that information from her. Its not that important to me since I cant freely raise my stats anyway, but for everyone else, this kind of information is crucial. Alex suddenly remembers the other reason they entered the Realm and turns to Tereza. Any good news? Did the vendors buy Menchis dishes? Tereza nods. Yeah, surprisingly, your hunch was spot on. Menchi is insanely talented. Even her Gray-ranked dishes, made with Gray-quality meat and generic ingredients, just about broke even on costdespite selling them to the workers at Realm-run stores. The unranked food, though, was a big loss, just like we expected. As you said, as long as Menchi can maintain the grade of the prime ingredient, the dishes will sell for roughly what we spent. Plus, we sold some to players directly, charging 20% to 50% more depending on their knowledge of market prices. A few fools would buy anything from two cute and sweet ladies like us. She smirks slightly. We also sold the White-quality dishes, and Menchi made a nice profit. Overall, your investment paid off big time. Weve already bought new ingredients as well. Alexs expression twists into a nasty grin, making Tereza recoil slightly. Alex thinks, his mind racing. Stop it. I know where youre coming from, but that expression disgusts me, Tereza says flatly, giving Alex a judgmental look. Sorry You know, it feels good to finally see the rewards of all the time Ive invested, risking my life and items, Alex explains. Anyway, he continues, his tone shifting, want to take a ride with me? Tereza looks up at him, slightly surprised. Sure! Do you want to go watch a movie? Go to a restaurant? Im up for it, she says with a happy expression, clearly in the mood for a fun night out. Boring! Alex retorts. Lets drive into the forest! 45 minutes later, Alex and Tereza are driving through the hills in Alexs car. The terrain is extremely hilly, and the city has long since disappeared from view. The streets are dark, with only a few other cars passing by. Alex slowly pulls off the highway onto a poorly maintained road that leads into a dense forest. If you translate this part of Germany into English, its name is Sour Country. Its extremely hilly, and there are lots of mountains, lakes, and forests around. Its also pretty sparsely populated, considering its not far from the most densely populated area of West Germany. The name was chosen because, a long time ago, this area was filled with swamps, Alex explains, his tone casual. Tereza listens half-heartedly, nodding as she stares out the window, already imagining herself flying through the trees. Shortly after reaching the end of the drivable road, Alex parks the car, and the pair step into the dark forest. Thanks to Alexs good SNS and the faint light of the moon, he can see well enough to avoid stumbling, even without a flashlight. I know this place a little. My family used to come here every year to gather mushrooms. It was kinda fun, Alex says, reminiscing as he walks. In about 15 minutes, well reach a nice spot on top of a small mountain. I think that would be a great place to try out your new abilities, huh? Alex says, glancing at Tereza, who looks visibly excited at the prospect. As they walk through the forest, Tereza grabs Alexs hand, and they continue in silence, the only sounds coming from the occasional rustle of leaves beneath their feet. Eventually, they reach the spot Alex mentioned. The small mountain offers an excellent view, with the moonlight shining brightly over the area. One side features a steep decline with a small fence built to protect tourists and hikers from falling. Tereza gazes at the moon, then strips off her jacket, revealing a sports bra. While unsuitable for a cold forest night, it isnt overly revealing. She turns toward Alex, grinning, and suddenly her two dark purple wings sprout from her back. Without hesitation, she jumps onto the fence and dives straight down the mountain. Alex thinks, watching her transformation with awe. But his admiration quickly turns into exasperation. Just seconds later, Tereza soars back into the air, the wind from her wings rushing past Alex. She flies over him gracefully before disappearing into the forest below. Occasionally, Alex spots her shadow darting between the trees, accompanied by the sound of wind tearing through the air as she speeds around like a daredevil. Alex thinks, watching her move through the forest like a speed junkie. A few minutes later, Tereza returns, her face glowing with a satisfied smile. She hovers directly above Alex, her wings gently flapping to keep her aloft. Hang on, she says, offering him her foot. Lets test out what this fruit can accomplish for our team! Alex grabs her foot, and Tereza slowly lifts him into the air. Her speed decreases significantly with his added weight, but she still manages to fly steadily. She flies a small lap around the area before returning to the top of the mountain. Once there, Alex lets go of her foot, landing safely on the ground. Not bad. You could probably even carry Rishi as well, at least for a few minutes. That would be useful for quickly climbing a mountain or getting past some kind of obstacle, Alex says, analyzing Terezas capability with satisfaction. Now lets try this! Tereza says, transforming into her full bat form. She slowly walks toward Alex, her massive frame casting an ominous shadow in the moonlight. Alex involuntarily shivers, his thoughts racing. Tereza stops in front of Alex and lowers her head. In her shrill, animalistic voice, she commands, Climb on! Alex gulps but obeys, lying on her back and wrapping his arms tightly around her fur-covered body. With a powerful push, Tereza shoots up into the air, flying hundreds of meters high. From this height, Alex can see smaller villages and cities scattered in the distance, illuminated faintly by the moon and artificial lights. Alex curses inwardly as Tereza suddenly dives, descending rapidly into the forest. She lets out a shrill shriek, weaving effortlessly between the trees at breakneck speed. Alex feels his stomach churn, his body struggling to keep up with the dizzying maneuvers. 30 minutes later, Alex sits slumped in the passenger seat of his own car, looking pale and disoriented as Tereza drives them home. Oh, come on, Tereza says, trying to sound lighthearted but with a tinge of guilt in her voice. I already apologized. Yeah, I might have overdone it just a little. But that was really fun, though! Thank you for sharing this place with me. Lets do it again once you feel a little bit better. Her face shows genuine remorse, though her words suggest shes not entirely sorry for the thrill. Alex decides silently, glaring at her but keeping his mouth shut. He stares out the window as the car slowly leaves the forested countryside and heads back toward the city, the dark hills fading into the background. Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 177: Change, Results, and Last-Minute Preparations Time passes in a flash. Alex spends his days checking out the trading HUB, training his Nen abilitiessometimes alone, sometimes with Menchiand genuinely living a fulfilling life. Tereza takes near-daily trips to the forest, careful to avoid being seen and risking punishment from the Realm for exposing its existence. Alex notices his life changing little by little. Almost daily, he casually interacts with his teammate and his supporter, no longer feeling as nervous as before. While he still struggles to fully accept his new position, hes now able to enjoy close, intimate moments with both of themsometimes even at the same time. If it werent for the looming mission, Alex feels he could happily continue this blissful existence forever. Their teasing has decreased significantly, though Alex cant imagine it ever stopping completelyits just too deeply ingrained in their personalities. Whenever Alex looks at Tereza or Menchi, taking in their stunning figures, he cant help but feel a little proud of what hes experienced with themthough he tries not to let it go straight to his head. One day, just 4 days before the start of the next mission, Menchi gathers the group, including Rishi, to announce the results of her last-minute cooking sessions. They meet inside Alexs player room in the Realm, unwilling to discuss these matters anywhere else. Ive heard about your dishes, and honestly, Im amazed by your success, Rishi says, his expression calm but clearly impressed. With you on the team, we now have as many White-ranked dishes as we want. I also heard youve managed to sell your dishes at a profit. I guess were lucky to have you. Tereza immediately chimes in, her tone playfully sharp. Shes Alexs supporter and my gi my friend. Why are you happy? Rishi raises an eyebrow, unfazed. Were a team. Of course, our supporters support the entire team. If you or I ever get a supporter, theyll offer their services to everyone as wellthat should be obvious. Alex intervenes to keep things on track. Rishi is right, Tereza, that should be obvious! Anyway, Menchi, carry on. As Rishi said, youve managed to turn a slight profit with your cooking, so by now youre no longer using up FC with your experiments, right? You can more or less sustain yourself now? Menchi responds, her tone smug as she crosses her arms. Hmph. Ive been turning a slight profit from the start. By now, Im earning quite a bit every day. But I dont just want to earn FCI want to use it to invest in even higher-quality ingredients! You know my dream: I want to create the greatest dishes in existence! I want to make food that defies logic, that creates miracles just by eating it. Every bit of FC I earn, Ill reinvest into making that dream a reality! Her expression softens as she looks at Alex. Despite her busy schedule, the past 10 days had been filled with meaningful moments shared between them. Alex had never pressured her and had supported her unconditionally, alongside Tereza, who didnt care about the financial investment at all, even offering her more FC. Anyway, Alex, Menchi continues, her voice sincere, Im grateful for your support. Only after experiencing the market and meeting other players did I realize how much 50,000 FC actually is. I met someone who cried with happiness after making a 2,000 FC profit, acting like it was a life-changing windfall. If you ever need FC, Ill stop my experiments and focus solely on earning back every last bit for you. Im your supporter, and while I live for my own goals, my main job is to support youand of course, your teammates as well. For now, our goals align perfectly. You said you and your teammates desperately need high-quality healing items since the generic [Healing Potion] isnt suitable anymore. You gave me until today to produce the best dishes I canor else wed have to buy them from the market. Ive called you all here to show you the results of my efforts! Alex, Tereza, and Rishi watch intently as Menchi begins pulling out her dishes. [Infused Superior Dish (Kulu-Ya-Ku Hamburg Steak)] x10 World: Monster Hunter, Fantasy Realm Quality: Deep Green Effect: Heals 75 HP over 10 minutes. Immediately heals 30 HP and cures minor internal wounds. Note: A superior dish pressed into the form of a hamburg steak, containing Kulu-Ya-Ku meat, various other ingredients, and a [Healing Potion]. Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Note: This dish is the result of excellent preparation and synthesization, achieving results similar to actual medicine. Alex and Tereza look at Menchi with bright, happy faces. You did it! Alex cheers, forgiving her for keeping quiet about the results earlier. Tereza hugs her tightly and plants a kiss on her cheek, obviously thrilled by her achievement. Rishi, however, looks almost alarmed. Whats wrong, Rishi? Your expression looks weird. This quality is quite good. We get a 50% larger instant HP boost than the [Healing Potion], and 75 HP over 10 minutes is also solid. Did you expect even better items? Alex asks, confused by Rishis reaction. No Im just a little shocked, Rishi admits. Surely you noticed the amount, huh? You told me Menchi bought medicine for cooking, and you also gave away your remaining stock of [Healing Potions], but this amountdespite probably wasting a lot of ingredients during testingthats crazy. These items are easily worth 5,000 FC these 10 are already worth your entire investment! No wonder you said she locked herself in the kitchen for 10 days, only sleeping a few hours each day. Amount? Tereza repeats, puzzled, and then her eyes land on the x10 behind the dishs name. Oh wow 10 of them! After quite a few failures, I finally figured out how to infuse the [Healing Potion] into the meat, Menchi explains with a proud smile. I needed to buy a few more potions, but I think the result is worth it. The last thing I focused on, by the way, is a gift from Alex and me to you two. She turns toward Rishi and Tereza with a meaningful look. Another gift? Dont overdo it, Alex I still owe you for that charm! Rishi says, looking flustered, quite a rare occurrence for Rishi. [Infused Exceptional Dish (Kulu-Ya-Ku Hamburg Steak)] x4 World: Monster Hunter, Hunter x Hunter, Fantasy Realm Quality: Blue Effect: Heals 75 HP over 10 minutes. Cures most poisons and significantly weakens others, reducing their remaining duration and mitigating their effects. Note: A superior dish pressed into the form of a hamburg steak, containing Kulu-Ya-Ku meat, various other ingredients, and [Diluted Gels Panacure]. Note: This dish is the result of excellent preparation and synthesization, achieving results similar to actual medicine. Remember [Diluted Gels Panacure]? I gave my 10 remaining doses to Menchi so she could use them to improve her cooking. This is the result, apparently, Alex explains. The effects of the poison removal are enhanced, as you can see from the quality and description. Its a bit weird that the HP recovery didnt improve, even though the dish reached Blue quality. It looks like the Green-quality Kulu-Ya-Ku meat is responsible for the healing effect, while the Blue quality comes from the poison-removal properties, Alex analyzes, clearly impressed. This is so fun! You combine normal food and a healing item into a unique dish with both effects enhanced. Its like multiplication instead of addition, Alex notices, the others agreeing with him. Menchi hands Rishi and Tereza 2 poison-removing [Infused Exceptional Dish (Kulu-Ya-Ku Hamburg Steak)], 3 HP-recovering [Infused Superior Dish (Kulu-Ya-Ku Hamburg Steak)], along with a few White-quality [Successful Dish (Fried Cucco)] and [Successful Dish (Braised Blobfish)]. The former increases HP regeneration and instantly heals a little HP, while the latter significantly heals HP over a longer time outside of battle. You know I would have liked to create food thats a bit more refined, Menchi comments. However, I chose dishes like these that you can easily stuff into your mouth, even during a fight. It should only take you a few seconds to eat them. Tereza and Rishi both accept the food, fully aware that the funds and ingredients were all provided by Alex. Thanks for this. I promise you, Ill return the favor! Rishi says earnestly. I didnt think your plan of using Menchi to create items of this quality was feasibleIm genuinely surprised. Once were inside the mission, we can keep an eye out for more ingredients and maybe even medicine, particularly potions, to infuse. This cooking style has so much potential. To have access to this even inside the tutorial is something I never expected. Yeah, thank you so much. I owe you so much already, Alexthis little bit more doesnt make a difference, hehe. Also, thank you, Menchi. I feel a lot better now going into the next mission, Tereza adds, her tone slightly sheepish but her gratefulness genuine. So I think were done with the business of acquiring healing items. Weve got 3 full days left. What do we do? Alex asks, looking around at the group. We planned to meet up with Roja and Perlah again before the actual mission, right? I want to ask Roja about the damn stat threshold. The contract is signed, so she has to answer usor at least tell us why she cant, right? No, Alex, Rishi explains. Its one of the exceptions. Its not related to the mission at all. Sure, helping each other is part of the contract, but this doesnt count. Might as well ask her anyway! Alex retorts, unwilling to let the matter drop. Thats true, Rishi concedes. I propose we set up the meeting for tomorrow. Its just casual, but we need to talk to her more. I feel like her information could be useful for the mission, and I plan to get it out of her. The contract gives me a few ways of achieving this and if not, we bribe her! Lets do that! Tereza says confidently, clearly bolstered by her newly acquired power. Chapter 178: Let’s Test It Out Right Now! The next day promptly arrives, and Alex, Rishi, Tereza, and Menchi find themselves back at the same establishment as last time, where Roja and Perlah are already waiting. The group sits down in a similar fashion to last time, and Alex wastes no time, immediately saying, Hello there! Also, Im not paying this time. ...Petty Tereza mutters under her breath, unable to resist commenting. Never a boring moment with you, huh? Sit down. Ill pay this time, Roja responds, rolling her eyes but with a faint smile. Rishi and Roja dive straight into a discussion about several topics theyd touched on last time concerning the contract. Alex stares at them in disbelief, thinking, Suddenly, Alex feels not one but two hands on his crotch again. Cringing internally, he grabs the hands of the two troublemakers beside him and pulls them closer, their faces now right next to his own. In a low whisper, he gently warns, Not this time youre already due for a punishment. Dont overdo it. Menchi and Tereza giggle, a tiny drop of sweat forming on their faces. They immediately stop their antics. I guess this is important enough to pay attention to this time, Tereza says, slightly chastised. Yeah, Tereza, theres no time for playing around this time! Menchi adds in agreement. So did you just fuck around last time or what? Perlah asks, her tone one of mild confusion and slight offense. Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. They always fuck around. Please excuse their behavior this one time, Alex responds, his voice firm and irritated. Now that the mission is close, I wont tolerate this foolishness anymore. If they ever bother you, tell me, and Ill make sure theyre punished. Maybe I like being punished, huh? I want to try it out. Lets see if you can do it, Tereza shoots back without missing a beat, her newfound confidence from her Devil Fruit clearly showing. Well see about that, hehe. Lets see if youre up to it, student, Menchi says at the same time, her tone teasing as always. Alex thinks, suppressing a groan. Shaking off his frustration, Alex focuses on the matter at hand. Anyway, ignore them, he says, addressing Roja directly. Sorry for butting in, but we have some serious questions, Roja. Tell us about the stat threshold and what happens if you surpass it. His tone is calm but serious. Stat threshold? Whatever could you mean? Roja replies, her expression one of feigned innocence. Please dont mess around, Alex says, his voice steady but firm. We know that once a certain stat surpasses the threshold, something happens. Name your price if you dont want to share the information. Well find out anyway once we reach the main Realm, so its not like this is some massive secret. Though Alex doesnt activate his [Commander Shepards Dog Tag], he taps into its power subtly, channeling the mindset it represents. He begins to understand the balance between the Renegade and Paragon approaches, wielding both confidence and diplomacy as tools to achieve his goals. However, he always chooses one extreme to solve his problems, this time deciding on using a Renegade method to get the information he needs. Hmmm, is it just me, or are you slowly growing up? Roja says in a smug tone, her expression feigning pride. Looks like your only real weakness is slowly getting patched up. That makes me feel a bit proud but also regretful. Children arent supposed to leave the nest so soon. Is it just me, or is every female here a damn psychopath? Alex retorts, suddenly turning his gaze toward Perlah, as if trying to analyze what devil might be lurking in her. Rishi, standing nearby, shows the faintest hint of a smile, as though silently agreeing with Alexs observation. Oh, come on, Roja replies dismissively. Your friends and I just like to have a little fun. Now, you correctly said youll learn these things once you reach the main part of the Realm. Do you really need to know about it now? Its not really necessary, is it? If its no big deal and well learn about it soon anyway, you might as well tell us now, huh? Alex counters smoothly. Lets call it a gesture of good faith. Or are you not serious about our team? I dont like being taken advantage of. ... Roja is momentarily speechless, caught off guard by Alexs directness, his Renegade attitude clearly pressuring her. Rishi gives Alex an approving nod, and Alex takes note, realizing something important. Alex reasons, adjusting his strategy. ...You owe me one, okay? Roja finally says, leaning forward slightly. If you accept our team and can genuinely tell me youll do your best, not just to survive and fulfill the contract, but to really try your best to achieve the best results as a teamI wont be stingy. Ill just tell you. Truth be told, that information isnt even free inside the Main Realm. Its only for serious players. Most players below level 10, or even level 15 or 20dont learn about it naturally. I want to achieve the best results in the next mission. I promise you Ill do my best to make our team succeed! Alex says earnestly. He doesnt outright activate [Commander Shepards Dog Tag], but he feels its influence nonetheless, tapping into the Paragon side of it this time. Alex wonders. You Okay, I trust you, Roja says after a moment, her voice softening. You can be quite corny sometimes, but I know youre not acting. Going through one mission with you is enough for me to tell. Your character is so different from what I remember. Is this what Americans call Carrot and Stick? Dont you usually need a partner for that approach? Looks like youre doing it on your own. It surprises me that you can say these things so naturally. Alex, still slightly confused, thinks to himself, You wanna know about it that bad? Fine, Ill tell you! Roja says, glancing around to ensure no one else is nearby. She then begins explaining in a calm, matter-of-fact tone: Once a stat reaches 30 points, it will be declared as your primary stat. When that happens, you gain various bonuses. The same applies to your secondary stat, but the bonuses will be reduced. Still, your secondary stat is equally important. Your third and fourth stats that reach the threshold also matter and will provide very small bonuses as well. These are called side stats. Once these two side stats reach 30, it will take two stat points to increase them. For all other stats, it will take you three stat points to increase them past 30. You see, its quite important to think about your future and fighting style. Once a few of your stats reach 30, youll reach a point of no return. As far as I know, this cant be reverted ever. Want to switch to a mage class after reaching 30 in your physical stats? Impossible. Youll lack the unique benefits you would have gained if youd chosen MNA as your primary stat. And, of course, it will cost you three times as many stat points to improve it. I wont tell you the details of the bonuses, thoughthat information will cost you. 50,000 FC, and Ill tell you more. I also know quite a bit more about this whole system, which contains a huge trap. Its not apparent now, but youll learn about it eventually. By that point, though, it might be too late. If you want to make it far, youd better pay up, Roja concludes, her expression serious. ...! Everyone listens intently to Rojas explanation, their faces filled with surprise. Alex, in particular, finds himself deep in thought. Being a special case, he wonders what would happen if all his stats reached 30 at the same time. After a long pause, the group decides not to pay Roja for the additional informationfor now. As they prepare to leave, Alex, feeling the urge to return the favor, asks Menchi to give Roja and Perlah two White-ranked dishes. The two accept the gesture with a smile, clearly aware of Menchis reputation as a talented cook. By now, Menchis cooking abilities have become well-known, as she continues to empty the market of all Gray- and White-quality meat, as well as the rare Green-quality meat whenever its available. Returning to Alexs room, the group, Alex, Rishi, Tereza, and Menchi, stare at each other, the weight of Rojas explanation sinking in. Rishi breaks the silence, smiling slightly. Well, lets test if thats indeed true. System use a few of my remaining points and increase SPR to 30! he commands, directing his system with his mind. Chapter 179: Concerning Stats You had some free stat points left? I thought you were stuck at 22 or 23? Alex asks, surprised. These are my current stats! Always keep a few points in reserveyou never know when theyll come in handy, Rishi replies with a small shrug. Also, didnt you wonder why my SPR stat is so low after getting all those S ranks? Anyway the system is confirming what Roja said. I didnt want to experiment without proper information, but if its just about choosing a primary stat, then I have no choice. I can only choose SPR. What are these bonuses? Tell me! Tereza demands, leaning forward with eager curiosity. Looks like I can choose three different bonuses, Rishi explains. I can pick one grand improvement, one major improvement, and one minor improvement for my SPR stat. This is quite interesting. It also confirms the rest of Rojas information. My secondary stat will probably let me pick one major and one minor improvement, while my third and fourth stats that reach 30 will only give me a single minor improvement each. Whats the major trap Roja mentioned? Alex asks, clearly intrigued. He continues, As far as I know, its best to focus on a single or two stats. Even the side stats, after your primary and secondary, cost two points to level, huh? Is it really useful to level them? Seriously, just level all your key stats to 30 and then focus on a primary statthats the way to go! Its friggin obvious, isnt it? You picked them because theyre the most useful stats for your build. Why would you spend twice as many stat points to improve a stat you value less than your primary? Or, worse, another stat for three times the cost? Still, this seems a bit silly. This way, everyone will become either an all-rounder with one or two outliers, or a monster who only focuses on one or two stats and sucks at everything else, Alex concludes, sounding almost annoyed. Heh the trap Roja mentioned is quite simple, Alex, Rishi says, smirking. Your plan sounds logical, and thats probably how many people would approach it too bad theres a small limitation that makes it impossible. What limitation is that, huh? Tereza asks, her interest piqued. Basic skills, Rishi says with a sly grin. You cant increase a stat above 20 without having a Basic skill at level 1. Each rank up, starting at level 1 of that Basic skill, allows you to increase that stat by 5 more. My system just informed me that it wasnt allowed to mention this limitation before unlocking your first primary stat. You know, suddenly those puny, pathetic Basic skills we were forced to choose just to unlock stronger skills seem awfully important, dont they? For example, without Basic Eloquence, youll never be able to raise your CHA above 20. Beginning at level 1, Basic skills increase your max stat limit by 5. This that means your primary stat will be capped at 70 as well, Alex muses, his brow furrowed. Also, we still dont know how to upgrade skills past level 4. Itll probably be more expensive so in reality, the stat limit is effectively capped at 40? Alex, by now its obvious there are always ways around it. For example, I can choose three improvements that increase the limit you just mentioned even further. Still, I would have to forego other useful boosts just to increase my stat cap. Its a hard decision, and I wont pick my three bonuses just yet. Its clear now that the stat limit is the reason why youd even want to invest in different stats and not just focus on one. You simply cant put all your free stat points into one stat that is, if youre successful. Players who earn just one or two stat points each mission wont have that problem for a long time. As usual, your acquaintance Roja held back some information. Still, I wouldnt have changed anything. Good that we experimented on our own and didnt pay Roja for that information, Rishi says, his voice calm but resolute. Rishi, in hindsight, that was kinda risky you shouldnt have done this! Alex says, a hint of concern in his tone. Everyone needs to take risks, Rishi responds firmly. Youre not my subordinatesyoure my teammates. I wont hold back in cases like these. As long as were a team, we all take risks equally. Everyone nods and smiles at Rishi, clearly respecting his decisiveness. Rishi then lists all the different improvements available for his SPR stat. The list is surprisingly long, and the sheer volume of possible minor improvements leaves Alex and Tereza visibly shocked. The options range from raising the stat cap, increasing resistance to various mind-related conditions, and improving the effectiveness of mind-based abilities, to more unique enhancements. A specific grand improvement, for example, immediately allows the user to notice the mental strength of others and reveals flaws or traumas they may possess. There are dozens of these unique abilities. Anyway, these are the available picks for me, Rishi continues. At least take note of this. Tereza, the improvements for other stats will be quite similar. You should mentally prepare for the direction you want to develop into. Youve focused on an assassin and mage hybrid buildit might not be practical to keep this up. You better think about it in terms of your skills as well. Shit Im confused now what should I do? Tereza admits, her voice tinged with panic. She looks visibly shaken, unsure if her build can even be salvaged. Calm down, Tereza! Alex says, grabbing her shoulders firmly. Nothing changes for now, he continues, his tone steady and reassuring. First of all, some stats are just required. For example, it doesnt matter if you abandon your assassin fighting styleeven mages benefit from AGI, SNS, and PHY. You wont regret pushing these stats a little, maybe even up to 20. My strategy from earlier is still valid. Every stat that has a use for you is worth pushing to 20 sooner or later. Especially PHY. Of course, youre the exception, Rishiand I guess I am as well. I can just forget about this topic altogether, Alex explains, his words helping Tereza settle down. Alex, who typically dislikes planning out such details, begins to calculate aloud: Lets do a bit of math. Eight stats, all starting at around 5, give or take. Thirty missions is the absolute limit of the Realm, right? Even if you S+ rank every single mission, youd get a maximum of 240 stat points this way. Now, lets say you have two Basic skills that you slowly push to level 10. That would give you 2 times 70 statsso 140 stats, minus the 10 starting stats in each stat to invest into. Thats around 130 stat points flowing into these two stats alone. Youll probably run out of stat points at some point. Also, lets be realyou wont consistently achieve S+ ranks every time. I dont believe thats possible. You cant max out every stat. I think these limitations arent as bad as they sound. You should pour as many points as you can into your primary and secondary stats, maybe unlock a few side stats for their bonuses, and push a few other important stats to 20. After that, focus entirely on your primary stats. Alex finally finishes his thoughts. Thats a solid calculation, Alex, Rishi says, nodding in agreement. Nobody will be able to max things out. There are plenty of options, but pushing a stat like PHY in your case, Tereza, even if you dont pick it as one of your primary, secondary, or side stats, will never be a mistake. Sar?h the N?velFire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. We can discuss it furtherdont worry. However, its indeed important to learn about this now so we can still make adjustments. As you said, Alex, you are a special case. I wonder what will happen when your stats reach 30. It will probably be quite a surprise. The group continues to discuss strategy, stats, and the implications of the newfound information, their conversation stretching deep into the night. Chapter 180: Preparations Complete – Mission Start – NEW ARC Alex sits on a bench inside the Realm next to another man who is about 1.80m (5''11'''') tall and looks to be around 30 years old. As usual, the man in question has a bright smile and is quite social, making Alex constantly worry about him. Dont fuck this up Ill see you after this shit is over, okay? Take this. I dont have much use for it, but your stats are low enough that itll be helpful, Alex says, handing his good friend Stephen a couple of White-quality dishes. Thanks! You take care as well. Once were inside the main Realm and have some time to relax, you have to visit me in the US. Ill give you the full luxury tourist treatment. Before all this, I was a NYC tour guide for visiting tourists, Stephen replies with a grin. You know what? Ill hold you to that. See you soon, Alex says, shaking Stephens hand and wishing him the best of luck. Alex thinks. [Host has promised his teammates to meet up in exactly 21 minutes and 18 seconds. The distance needed to walk to the meeting point is around 10 minutes.] Alex tells himself, hyping himself up for the mission. Alex arrives in front of the Player Portal in the center of the Realm, taking one last look around the tutorial Realma place he wont be seeing again. Alex, youre late, Rishi says with a smile, Tereza, Menchi, Perlah, and Roja standing beside him. Im actually too early, Alex replies, his tone not sarcastic but firm. Hes always hated when people set a time only to expect others to arrive earlier out of some fake, dishonest politeness. Alex joins the group, excitedly discussing the possibilities for the mission. While they chatter, Alex decides to check his Status screen one last time, ensuring everything is in order. He glances at his available recovery items, paying particular attention to something he specifically requested from Menchi. Its made from a generic MP-recovering item hes always ignored because of its low efficiency and relatively expensive price: [Energizing Potion] Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Menchi managed to purchase a large quantity of Light Green-ranked fruits and, using her cooking expertise, created a special fruit shake by combining the fruits with various spices, expensive Realm ingredients, and the [Energizing Potion]. [Superior Dish: (Energizing Shake)] Alex smiles, feeling satisfied with Menchis ability to take even mediocre ingredients and turn them into something genuinely useful. Alex firmly believes, appreciating Menchis dishes and trusting in the potential of his supporter. He looks forward to the day she can go beyond synthesizing dishes that merely recover resources. Alex walks over to Menchi and pulls her aside. We dont know how the supporter system works yet, Menchi. It could be that you cant outright join me for now. 1337 explained that you can join and stay in settlements, but who knows where well end up? So Ill use the first opportunity to call you so you can check out whatever settlement is available. Dont worry if it takes a while, okay? Menchi wraps her arms around Alex and calmly says, Ill trust you. Just make sure to use the first opportunity to call me. I cant wait to study that worlds dishes. Also, keep your eyes out for any ingredients I can use. Dont worry about it. Ill act according to plan, Alex responds, clearly pleasing Menchi, who gives him a quick kiss before letting go of him. Damn, did you see that? Thats Menchi, the supporter of that Alex guy. I hate him so much! I wish I had a beautiful supporter like that, Alex hears someone loudly complaining nearby. The man continues, his voice full of envy. I also heard shes constantly selling high-quality dishes that are White-quality and sometimes even Green-quality. This damn system is so unfair. I would give 10 years of my life to have someone like that as my servant. I bet shes serving him in bed as well. Alex fumes inwardly, feeling the strong urge to confront the man. However, he restrains himself and silently adds the guy to his mental blacklist, waiting for the right moment to settle things if they ever end up on the same mission. Looks like well be the only ones joining this mission after all! Perlah says with a smile. That would indeed be the best, Roja responds, but Alex notices a faint hint of contempt on Rishis face. Alex wonders. Unable to hold back, Alex blurts out, Just because were the only ones from our tutorial Realm joining doesnt mean people from other tutorial Realms cant be joining the same mission as well. Thats true, Alex. I didnt think about that possibility, Roja responds, her face showing mild surprise. Perlah, standing next to her, also looks enlightened by Alexs observation. Who cares? Whoever stands in our way will die, Tereza says coldly. Despite being warned by Alex and Rishi not to underestimate others because of her newfound power, her confidence is still obvious, and it shows in her tone. Rishi maintains his poker face, but Alex, once again observing him closely, imagines seeing a small hint of appreciation flash across his expression. Seeing Rishis expression, Alex recalls the rare item Rishi picked up and has been keeping for the team. Its the same item he spent his entire remaining fortune on, paying for it all by himself so that Tereza could use her resources to upgrade her Devil Fruit all the way to level 4. Rishi had even refused any resources from Alex, firmly stating that he already owed Alex enough. [Mobile Skill Station] [Mission starting in 0 Days, 0 Hours, 0 Minutes, 10 Seconds] Alex thinks, silently saying goodbye to his ever-friendly system. [Good luck again, Host!] Alex sees the mission portal opening in front of him. Without hesitation, he and the rest of the group step through together, knowing that avoiding entering voluntarily would bring "quite uncomfortable" consequences, as Roja had warned them. [Player is now entering Level 4 Mission] [Players gathering... Total number of players: 30] [World selection: Harry Potter] [Starting Location: Chapter 181: Calculated Aggression, Lapdogs, and Corruption [Player is now entering Level 4 Mission] [Players gathering... Total number of players: 30] [World selection: Harry Potter] [Starting Location: Outside of Hogsmeade Village] [Timeline: October 1st, 1994 06:30 AM] [Setting skipped] [Mission parameter: Hogwarts (and surrounding area), Forbidden Forest, ???, ???, ???] [PvP & PvE Setting: PvP actions against your fellow allied players are absolutely prohibited and the person engaging the battle will immediately be punished, using soul destruction. This is a lawful world; openly engaging in battles with characters in public will result in major negative consequences. WARNING:Aurors may be dispatched] [Mission Objectives skipped] Rating Tiers (Level 0-4): F (Death): Player dies, no rewards.E (Penalty): Lose 1 to 3 random stat points.D (Neutral): No stat points, 300C600 FC.C (Average): 1 stat point, 1000C2000 FC.B (Good): 2C3 stat points, 3000C5000 FC.A (Excellent): 4C5 stat points, 6000C10,000 FC.S (Exceptional C Very Rare): 6C8 stat points, 12,000C20,000 FC. Failure Condition: None WARNING: Mentioning the existence of the Fantasy Realm to any character results in immediate soul destruction! [Supporter Menchi, designated as non combat follower. Can be summoned inside a peaceful settlement] Alex opens his eyes and sees himself surrounded by many other players, standing in front of a small village. Alex thinks, immediately recognizing the village. His mind races. Hmph, so much dirt around here, Rishi says loudly. Every single player turns to look at him. Without wasting any time, Alex gathers with his team, deciding not to mess around. The other players quickly do the same, and six distinct teams form around him. To Alexs shock, two of the teams are made up entirely of women of various races. Instinctively, Alex turns to Roja with an accusing glare, but as if she can read his mind, she responds calmly: This is a coincidence. Remember the contractIm not allowed to lie or betray you. I dont know them, and they arent from my guild. Reluctantly, Alex accepts her response and observes the other teams. Two more teams stand out, both made up entirely of men. One of them looks like a military combat unitwell-trained, disciplined, and carrying guns. The five men stand in a tight formation, their diverse appearances hinting at an international background. Alex notices an Asian man, a black man, two white men, and a Latino. The other male team, however, couldnt be more different. They resemble thugs and gangsters, looking like real-life Sizilians,, their smug expressions exuding hostility. Alex shifts his gaze to the final team. They all look incredibly youngprobably between 18 and 20 years old. Alex scoffs internally. With his observations complete, Alex focuses on the task at hand. Heh, these people arent much! Alex boldly declares, unleashing his Aura onto the other players. The oppressive force makes them shiver as if theyd been thrown into a blizzard without any clothes. Thats our competition? What a joke! Tereza says, her expression full of mockery as she glares at the other teams with clear disdain in her eyes. She lets out a small shrieknot powerful enough to cause damage, but clearly empowered by her Devil Fruit, even without transforming. Even Rishis face displays a smug, almost comically arrogant smile. Its a PvE mission. You three what kind of bloodthirst are you displaying? Focus on the mission objective. PvP is strictly forbidden, Roja warns sternly, her voice laced with disapproval. Perlah, standing beside her, looks almost a little scared. Its a PvE missionyou hear that? You all get to live for a while. Arent you lucky? But dont be too happy Ill add you to my harvest SOON ENOUGH, Alex says loudly, addressing the other teams. His words are punctuated by him unleashing his full Aura. [Commander Shepards Dog Tag] activates, and his eyes burst with red lightning. I-IIIEEEH! A few players from the youngest team scream, falling to the ground in fear. Everyone else looks incredibly pale and immediately steps back a considerable distance. Enough, Alex. These people are so pathetic and weak, this kind of scare might even count as an attack under the system, Rishi jokes, pulling Alex back lightly. YOU enough! Im warning youthis wasnt part of the deal! Roja yells at Alex, her voice louder and sharper than usual. In response, Alex pulls out his sword, igniting it with flames and slashing in a wide arc just in front of Roja. Fuck off! Now that Im inside this world, I have no need for you. You two can fuck right off if you want to live! Alex shouts, grouping together with Tereza and Rishi, standing opposite Roja and Perlah. Traitors! We should have never invited you D D Devils of the Realm! Perlah stammers, screaming. Alex thinks, cringing internally. Damn, she sucks at acting. Even more than you, Alex, Tereza whispers under her breath, clearly amused. Alex glances at Tereza, offended by the truth of her remark. Thankfully, the significant distance between the six groups prevents the other players from noticing Perlahs poor acting. Suddenly, everyone feels a strange sensation, as though their attention is being pulled in unison. All eyes turn to the village, where they see two figures approaching. An old, bearded man in long robes walks forward with a commanding presence, accompanied by an enormous, bulky man easily 3.5 meters tall (over 116 feet). Alex curses internally. Dumbledore and Hagrid continue their slow approach until they stand in the middle of the six separated groups. Good day, dear guests, Dumbledore says warmly, his voice calm but firm. Please gather around so this old wizard doesnt have to talk so loudly. Alex groans internally, his annoyance growing. He glances over at Rishi, who awkwardly fiddles with his eara subtle signal for Alex to Alex resigns himself, exhaling heavily as he prepares to play his part. Hmph, if you cant talk properly anymore, maybe you should have sent someone else to welcome us, old guy, Alex rudely comments, using Gyo as he stares at Dumbledore. Dumbledore lowers his spectacles and takes a long, appraising look at Alex. Interesting. Those are strong eyes, my young friend. I can see you use some unique abilities. It seems there are indeed people among you with special powers and magic, just as I was promised. Yet, some of you are even hiding incredible dark monsters inside of you. Dumbledores gaze shifts to Tereza, lingering for a moment before moving on to Rishi. He quietly adds, And some of you may appear simple, but within your thoughts, even more frightening monsters are lurking. You, young wizard, have a very strong mind. Alex wonders, his thoughts racing. Now, has everyone gathered? Dumbledore begins. As you know, I have hired you foreign witches and wizards to protect a special event that is beginning shortly at my school. There has been some disagreement between myself and our cherished Ministry. Thankfully, you are here to support me in ensuring the integrity of this event. His tone shifts slightly, becoming more formal. As you probably know from your contact, Hogwarts has the distinct honor of hosting the revival of the legendary Triwizard Tournament. Yes, indeed, this historic tournament is happening once more. Legendary tournament Professor Dumbledore, sir. I feel this tournament will bring nothing but shame to Hogwarts. Now it has even attracted these people, Hagrid comments with a worried expression, eying the players. Alex wonders, bracing himself to speak. At least we are indeed people! Half-giant freak! Alex looks around and spots one of the Mafia-looking players smirking smugly. You better tell us what you hired us for. Were not in the mood to play around! another member of the same team says, his voice filled with impatience. Id like to receive our orders now as well. Were not here to waste time! the leader of the military group chimes in, his voice loud and commanding. Now, everybody, calm down, Dumbledore interjects, raising a hand to silence the murmurs. The reason I hired you is simple. Since the attack on the Quidditch World Cup a little over a month ago, things have changed. Dumbledore pauses briefly, his gaze sweeping over the six teams. Your mission is quite simple. I sense a strong dark force aiming to destroy our efforts at better international cooperation. This tournament cannot failfor all our sakes. Recently, incidents in the Forbidden Forest have become troubling. We need the outer parts of the forest for our first task, and we cannot allow this corruption to linger there. Mission Objectives: Sar?h the Novl?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Stop the spreading corruption emanating from the Forbidden Forest and protect Hogwards from outside threats.Protect the integrity of the tournament, ensuring everything runs smoothly.Protect Harry Potter until the end of the Term, ensuring he enters Little Hangleton graveyard and returns safely.[Hidden][Hidden] To increase your mission rating: Fight against the corruption in the Forbidden Forest. Every successfully hunted prey adds to your mission rating. Participate in defending against outside threats during the Triwizard tournament. Ensure Harry Potters survival, and his successful journey throughout the tournament. [Hidden] [Hidden] Alex thinks, glaring at the system screen. I sent out five invitations through an old friend and was assured that only the most qualified witches and wizards would arrive. Yet now, six small teams are standing before me, Dumbledore continues, his voice calm but tinged with curiosity. I suppose the more, the merrier. After this tournament is over, you will all receive your promised rewards. Until then, I have rented a few old cottages on the edge of Hogsmeade. Thankfully, there are exactly six left. Guess being a bit over-prepared paid off this time. He gestures toward the village. For now, please follow me. Ill introduce you to the students and your new place of worka place that means everything to me and that I have sworn to protect with my life. I hope you will do the same, he says, his tone suddenly grave, with a glint of determination in his eyes. The group silently follows him, walking toward Hogwarts. The castle looms larger and larger as they approach, its majestic structure illuminated by the morning light. Now, finally, let me welcome you to Hogwarts, Dumbledore says, his voice carrying a hint of pride. Chapter 182: The Legendary Hogwarts, First Sign of Corruption, Surprised Students Dumbledore leads the large group of players briskly through the castle. Alex cant help but stare at the imposing structure in awe. While the castle looks grand and ancient from the outside, its clearly enhanced by magic, appearing even larger and more impressive on the inside. Alex thinks, silently comparing Hogwarts to Castle Alexandria, where he once resided for quite some time. As he walks, Alex notices ghosts floating about and a few students lingering in the halls. They stop and stare at the large group of players being led by Dumbledore, their expressions ranging from curious to outright fearful. Eventually, they reach the Grand Hall. Alexs jaw almost drops as he takes in the sight. He glances at the long rows of wooden tables, estimating their size. The scale of the schools population surprises Alex, and he quickly begins reassessing his impressions of Hogwarts as a whole. Before the group can reach the front of the hall, a loud, piercing scream echoes through the chamber: DUMBLEDORE!! You dare invite these foreign devils into our castle?! You are unfit to be headmaster! The players and students alike freeze at the sudden outburst. Alex spots a ghost barreling towards them, wearing a strange, pointed hat and flashing a wicked smile. The figures dark eyes glint with malice, and his voice sends shivers through the room. Its Peeves. The mischievous poltergeist zips through the air, tossing down food, tableware, and anything he can grab, sending plates clattering and students scrambling out of his way. A few scream, their faces pale as Peeves rushes past them. Peeves! Look at his chest. Something weird is going on, Rishi whispers to Alex, who immediately focuses on the ghosts torso. Alex narrows his eyes. Peeves is cloaked in an ominous dark glow, radiating malice far beyond his usual penchant for chaos and mischief. He looks outright evil. Peeves these are my guests. What are you doing? Youre usually smart enough to show me at least some respect, Dumbledore says, his expression complicated as he observes the corrupted poltergeist. The old wizard turns to the group of players, his tone serious. Well, guests, this is a typical problem caused by the corruption I mentioned earlier. Peeves seems to be affected by something foreign. Can you take care of it? Consider this a small testit shouldnt be much of a problem for you, right? Rishi lightly taps Alex on the shoulder, his expression apologetic. Alex thinks, stepping forward without hesitation. Activating Ren, Alex raises his voice and shouts, Glacius! A blizzard erupts from his outstretched hand, engulfing Peeves entirely. The ghost freezes mid-air, his form encased in shimmering ice. Peeves looks momentarily stunned as if surprised that the spell worked so effectively against him. Thank you, that will suffi Dumbledore begins to say, but Alex cuts him off. Without waiting for approval, Alex channels his Aura into his legs and leaps high into the air, reaching the ghosts frozen position. The dark glow on Peeves chest still lingers, a clear sign that the corruption hasnt been fully purged. Alex draws his [Sword of Pluto], its blade glowing faintly, and yells, Incendio Sword! Of course, Alex cant use the typical spells of the Harry Potter world. Alex used Blizzard lvl 4 and Fire Sword lvl 4, respectively, only falsely screaming the names of spells vaguely resembling his own. The blade ignites in roaring flames as Alex slashes through Peeves in a wide arc. The ghost shatters into dozens of glowing fragments before reforming briefly, then dissipating entirely into the air. The lingering darkness vanishes along with him. As Peeves disappears, a glowing chest materializes where the ghost once floated. Alex grabs it midair on his way down, barely succeeding in landing properly, avoiding embarrassing himself. He straightens up, holding the chest in one hand, and looks at Dumbledore, whose expression betrays a mix of surprise and approval. Looking a bit worried about showing this aggression, Alex immediately says to Dumbledore: Headmaster Dumbledore, right? This kind of corruption needs to be exterminated before it can spread. This is not the time to be soft! The ghost seems to be fine. He will recover in a few days, hopefully without the corruption. Hmm, I dont like your forceful methods, but I cant deny their effectiveness, Dumbledore responds, his expression neutral yet contemplative. I suppose, as long as you target only the corruption, you may do what you deem fit, young wizard. Your fighting style is quite interesting. Is that what is taught at Durmstrang these days? Judging from your accent, you seem to be a German wizard. Dumbledore continues, observing Alex closely. You strengthened your body with magic and used swordplay combined with basic elemental spellscasting them without a wand at your age? Quite impressive and equally effective. If we had a bit of peace and quiet, Id want you to teach some of the older students. Perhaps we can arrange something. The students in the hall are staring at Alex in awe, whispering among themselves. Now, follow me; the students are a bit confused by your presence, Dumbledore says, gesturing for the group to move forward. He leads them to the front of the hall, where Alex notices several professors gathered. His gaze stops on one particular figure, instantly recognizing Snape, whose appearance is almost identical to how he remembers him from the movies. Flitwick looks so cute, Alex overhears one of the female players commenting softly, stifling a laugh. Sar?h the ovlFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Dumbledore steps forward, addressing the room. Now, students, calm down. Please, take your seats. I have a few words Id like to share with you. The chatter subsides as the students focus on Dumbledore. In preparation for the Triwizard Tournament, which I announced at the beginning of last month, I have hired a group of wizards and witches who will focus on protecting the castle and ensuring that the tournament proceeds smoothly. As you all know, the resources we received from the Ministry last year were not well received, and the presence of those dark creatures frightened some of you. Dumbledore pauses, scanning the room with a reassuring expression. These people, however, are graduates of magical schools from all over the worldsome of which you may never have heard of. They will work together to make this international tournament a symbol of unity! We aim to foster international cooperation, and I expect each of you to treat our visitors with kindness and respect. Now, can I have a small round of applause for our visitors? The students clap awkwardly, though some seem more enthusiastic than others. Alex smirks slightly as he overhears a few students whispering: That wizard with the sword is so cool! Did you see him take care of Peeves? Alex glances around the room, noticing some of the other players looking at him with serious, calculating expressions. In response, he casually spins his [Sword of Pluto], that he is still holding, a few times, before making it vanish into his inventory in one smooth motion. Hmmm? Interesting magic. I didnt even see him perform any spell! Flitwick comments, his high-pitched voice tinged with curiosity. An extension charm? Did he put it in one of his pockets? Impressive sleight of hand, McGonagall observes, her sharp eyes narrowing as she tries to figure out the trick. Some students clap in appreciation after seeing the display. These people look scary but quite competent. I like them better than the Dementors, a girl with bushy brown hair, brown eyes, and a knowing gaze comments. Alexs sharp SNS stat allows him to immediately notice her presence and make out the location of the voice. Alex observes, taking note of the girls appearance. Chapter 183: Abuse of Authority, Raiding the Kitchen! Alexs eyes shift toward two other figures, instantly recognizing Harry Potter and Ronald Weasley. He rubs his eyes, surprised by how unimpressive they appear. Harry, in particular, looks extremely average, lacking the typical main character energy Alex expected, with only his lightning-shaped scar confirming his identity. Alex decides, filing Harry away in his mind as a potential focus for later. After the short introduction in the Great Hall, Dumbledore leads the group of players, along with the professors, into a side room behind the hall. The professors take turns explaining the rules of the castle to the players. Snape, in particular, takes every opportunity to admonish them, his tone dripping with disdain: I warn you, should you disrupt my lessons or throw this castle into turmoil, I will take immediate action, Snape says coldly, glaring at the group. sea??h th ovlFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Alex hears some of the male players snickering behind their hands, muttering insults about Snape under their breath. Meanwhile, a group of female players giggle softly, whispering among themselves about the dark, brooding professor. Alex wonders, narrowing his eyes at the players antics. Dumbledore clears his throat, redirecting everyones attention. Now please get serious. For now, I want you to patrol the castle without disrupting the lessons. Ill grant you free access to the castle grounds, but do not abuse my trust. His tone shifts slightly as he continues. Of course, your primary task is to address the corruption spreading from the Forbidden Forest. If left unchecked, it could pose a serious threat to the school and the tournament in the long run. The players exchange glances, listening closely as Dumbledore elaborates. We will pay you each 100 Galleons a week for your services. Your pay will be delivered to your temporary homes in Hogsmeade. Additionally, as a gesture of good faith, I will provide a 100-Galleon bonus later today to help you get settled. Alex raises an eyebrow at the mention of the bonus, his attention sharpening. Furthermore, Dumbledore continues, should you find valuable items in the Forbidden Forest, I have tasked Hagrid with facilitating their exchange for various rewards. Some of you foreign witches and wizards have expressed interest in our unique brand of magic, and I am happy to add that knowledge as a reward option. Of course, you can also exchange your finds for simple Galleonsno questions asked. Should you succeed in felling corrupted beasts, well take note of that as well. The choice of how you approach your task is yours. Alex cant help but smile at this. Glancing to his side, he notices Tereza smiling brightly as Dumbledore mentions magic. Now then you are dismissed. Every week, I will call you to my office to discuss your progress. Expect an owl to deliver your summons. With a casual wave of his hand, Dumbledore sends six keys flying from his pocket. Each key lands in the hands of a team leader, one of them instinctively landing in Rishis palm as though the castle itself recognized their groups strategy. Dumbledore and the professors then leave promptly, exiting the backroom of the Great Hall and leaving the players behind. The room falls silent, the players looking around at one another with confusion and unease. ... Alex breaks the silence. Lets check out the castle and visit Hogsmeade, he suggests, excitement creeping into his voice at the thought of exploring Hogwarts freely. The teams split up, each heading in different directions. Roja, watching the others carefully, suddenly drops her angry act, her demeanor shifting in an instant. Nice acting, Alex. Damn impressive. Well discuss everything later. For now, the early bird gets the worm, so lets move. We need to be the first players to act, Roja says quickly, her tone sharp and decisive. Turning to her teammates, she issues orders: Perlah, to the seventh flooryou know what to do. Ill try to catch some of the professors. Tereza, youre checking out the Whomping Willow and the Shrieking Shack. If you run into trouble, use that hidden escape method you mentioned, just as we discussed. Alex, the kitchens. Rishi, the girls bathroom on the second floor. Lets go! Without waiting for a response, Roja swiftly heads toward the grand staircase, moving as though she had known the castles layout for years. Alex sighs inwardly. With that thought, Alex obeys Rojas orders, at least for now, since they align with his own goals, quickly heading toward the castles kitchen, hoping his research into the castle is enough to find it. Alex rushes through the castle, slightly panicking as he fails to recognize much. The halls look completely different from the games and movies he used as reference. he reminds himself. He quickly scans his surroundings and spots a group of 13- to 14-year-old students wearing yellow robes. Alex immediately approaches them and asks, Hello there, students. Can you lead me to the entrance of your houses common room? Or, even better, straight to the kitchens? Kitchens? Where are they? one of the students responds, looking genuinely confused. Alexs eyes narrow as he notices a chubby girl in the group nervously looking at the ground, avoiding his gaze. Alex wastes no time. He activates [Commander Shepards Dog Tag], his eyes emitting a brief but compelling flash of blue light. You there, the beautiful student, Alex says with exaggerated charm, locking his gaze on the chubby girl. I think you know where it is. Can you please lead me there? You heard what the headmaster said. Im trying to protect the castle, and I think the kitchens may be in danger. Its urgent and important that I inspect them immediately. The girls cheeks flush as she looks up at Alex, suddenly flustered. After a few moments of hesitation, she gives a shy nod. Perfect! Thank you so much! Alex says with a pleased smile. Less than 10 minutes later, the girl escorts Alex to a small set of stairs and a door leading underground. This way, sir. The kitchens are just through there, she says, still blushing. Thank you so much! I owe you one, beautiful lady, Alex says before descending quickly down the stairs. Alex thinks, preparing himself. He quickly approaches the location and sees a portrait with a lot of different fruits on it. As Alex literally tickles the pear, a door knob magically appears and Alex enters the kitchen, Alex sees dozens of house elves scurrying about, busily cleaning, preparing ingredients, and carrying trays of ingredients. The atmosphere is bustling, and the small creatures seem completely absorbed in their tasks. Alex thinks, his sympathy threatening to break through his act. After a few moments, one of the house elves finally notices Alex and cautiously approaches him. A guest in the kitchen! Oh, I am so honored. Dear visitor, how can I help you? Alex, feeling slightly uncertain, decides to play it safe but bold, with not much to lose. He activates [Commander Shepards Dog Tag] again, this time emitting a strong red flash. His eyes shine with a menacing crimson glow, the intensity even surprising himself. Im not a mere visitor, house elf, Alex declares, his voice firm and commanding. I am a recently employed guardian of Hogwarts, responsible for protecting the castle and eradicating any corruption that threatens its students. I am conducting an emergency inspection of this kitchen. Suddenly, every house elf in the kitchen freezes. Their movements halt, and they all turn to stare at Alex, wide-eyed and silent. You, Alex says, pointing to the house elf who first approached him. You will give me a tour. The rest of you, stay here. This wont take long, and you may resume your duties afterward. The selected house elf nods quickly and obediently, motioning for Alex to follow him. The rest of the elves remain frozen in place, waiting for Alexs inspection to conclude. Alex wonders, his expression confident. Alex sees numerous ingredients, various large pots, pans, and the sort of equipment any kitchen should have. However, the items used by the house elves appear almost ancient to Alex. He sighs a little, almost ready to give up until he finally spots something glowing, the system reacting immediately. Chapter 184: Cellars and Chambers – Invading the Chamber of Secrets! Alex continues his inspection of the kitchen. Besides old cooking equipment, normal-looking food, and ingredients, he sees absolutely nothing else of interest. He moves deeper into the kitchen, entering a section that seems completely abandoned. The equipment here looks badly damaged, and there are no fresh ingredients anywhere in sight. However, Alex pauses as he examines some of the old items more closely. His expression immediately changes. This!! Alex exclaims, his eyes lighting up as he spots a collection of old cooking equipment. Among the mess, he manages to find 5 pots in different sizes and 3 pans, all recognized by the system. With growing excitement, he aggressively tosses everything else aside. [Ancient Hogwarts Pot]x5, [Ancient Hogwarts Pan]x3 [Ancient Hogwarts Pot] x5 [Ancient Hogwarts Pan] x3 Why are you not using these anymore, house elf? Whats your name, by the way? Alex asks, his excitement still palpable. Master, this house name is called Billy. These pots and pans have been around for hundreds of years. They are black with soot. We only keep them for emergencies, Billy answers. That is not soot! This is corruption! It needs to be contained! Im confiscating them all. Dont spread this around, Billy, thats an order! It would cause panic! Keep your eyes out for anything of value, I mean anything corrupt, and if you see something suspicious, immediately tell me, okay? Alex says, sounding more like a thief tricking a child into handing over his parents belongings. Yes, Master! Im so touched that you are protecting us like that! Billy responds enthusiastically, his face lighting up. Out of sheer greed, Alex grabs a bunch of various supplies, ingredients, condiments, and spices and stuffs them into his system, blatantly stealing right in front of the elves. [The Castle is watching you] Im taking this as well. We need to check if the corruption has spread so far that the food has been infected. If something is wrong with it, Ill immediately tell you, Alex lies without hesitation, his shamelessness only growing. Suddenly, Rishi enters the kitchen. You done? Yes I confiscated some corrupted items nothing of real value, though, just a small present for Menchi, Alex responds. What are you doing? Couldnt get inside? Did you use force? Its as we thought. The castle has warned me already. I felt I better stop. Any damage I caused by my attempts to get into the chamber has been reverted, Rishi says. Lets return there. I wanna try, Alex says. This is a waste of time, Alex. I didnt manage to destroy it; using even more force wont help in this situation, Rishi explains. Heh, who says Im using force? Lets go! Alex responds, suddenly having an eureka moment. Hmmm? Rishi looks at Alex with a confused expression but then grins and says, Interesting. Lets go then! The two sprint towards the girls toilet on the second floor of the castle, directly above the Great Hall. You know, I like to keep quiet myself, but how about you clue me in? Rishi asks, huffing slightly as they run. Clearly, endurance isnt one of his strengths. Your stamina is really shit, Im taking it pretty slow already, Alex says with a smirk. Do you know what your weakness is, Rishi? Despite your confidence, your preparation, your talent, and your information, you still respect these worlds too much. I get itthe named characters in this world, in any world, are legendary. Theyre admired by millions of people, so they should be amazing! However, this is not the original story. You can change anything you desire as long as it satisfies the rules of this world. The exact method doesnt matter. Sometimes you just gotta find an angle and brute force it! They arrive at their destination, and Alex immediately asks, Is there anyone nearby? Better check. You check by the entrance, Ill check the stalls. As Alex opens one stall, a raging and angry Moaning Myrtle bursts out. I told your handsome friend alreadyleave my home! You are not welcome! she screeches. Her piercing scream reminds Alex of Terezas newly gained screeching ability. Shut the fuck up, or Im shattering you into a thousand pieces like I did with Peeves! Alex snaps. Myrtle ignores him entirely, and Alex, with an annoyed sigh, casts Blizzard lvl 4 directly at her. Myrtle floats in place, immobilized. One more sound, and Ill shatter you and throw the remains back into the damn chamber as well! Alex threatens. Dont kill her; the castle will not tolerate it! Rishi warns. I know Anyway, that shut her up. Lets get inside the chamber. Man, this is such a stressful first day. Well be staying nearly a year in this world and are already going through all this shit on the first day, huh? Alex complains, shaking his head. So, how are you gonna open it? You dont speak Parseltongue, do you I see. Not you but. Exactly! Mustrano! Come out! Alex yells, conjuring Mustranos Malice Mauler lvl 4. The vicious black claw materializes around Alexs hand. Slowly, an eye and a mouth form on it, adding to its eerie, brutal appearance. How ssssshould I open thissss door? I dont know thisssss place. I just want to kill! the claw hisses. Mustrano, Rishi interjects, grabbing the creatures attention. Say the word Open towards the sink! Fine, human! Open! Mustrano hisses begrudgingly. ... ... ... You fail as a snake, Mustrano! Alex shouts in frustration. ITSSSS NOT MY FAULT, HUMAN! Mustrano snarls in anger, its hissing growing louder. Put more spirit into it, try again! Command the damn thing to open up. Say open in different wordsjust unleash your spirit! Alex urges. OPEN!!!! HISSSSSSSSSSSSSS!! O(/=%! &)==족/ ILL KILL YOU! )=)=/( Mustrano screams and curses at the sink furiously, but nothing happens. ...Alex, I cant say it was a bad idea, but this is such a sad outcome. I cant bear to watch. Stop already, Rishi says, shaking his head. Even Mustranos eye looks a bit sad and humiliated, clearly realizing that Rishi isnt wrong. Youre giving up too early! Both of you! Alex says. Mustrano, remember the thing we did when we first combined our strengths to unlock Ren? Lets do it again. Its not so much about the word, but the intent. You provide your ancestry, rage, and power while I add intent and convey our thoughts! Letssss go, human!!! the snake screams as a black aura surrounds the claw. Alexs own aura spikes in response, growing larger and larger, its color shifting from gray to a darker gray with black stripes. [Unknown Skill activated - This skill is not recognized by the System] [Aborting Skill] NO, NOT YET! OPEN!! YOU DAMN SINK, OR ILL FUCKING DESSSSTROY YOU! OPEN!!!!!! Alex screams wildly, clearly influenced by Mustranos rage. [The Castle is watching you] Suddenly, the ground begins to rumble, and the sink indeed opens up, revealing the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Its actually working, Rishi says, his expression one of total surprise. He clearly hadnt expected this conclusion after such a shaky start. Heh, the castle can watch all it wants. Lets go. Mustrano, Im keeping you conjured, theres another door down there if I remember correctly, Alex says, speaking directly to his claw-hand. Alex glances down at the dark pit that has just been revealed. I just hope we can get back up as well. Dont worry, theres bound to be an escape route we can use. As long as you can command the doors to open, we should be fine. The Basilisk managed to appear anywhere in the castle, and it was huge. We should be able to use the same method to travel through the castle. This could be useful, Rishi says confidently. The two men exchange a look before jumping down into the pit, leaving behind a frozen Myrtle. Chapter 185: Rotten Corpse and the Castle’s Rejection Alex and Rishi jump down, and just like in the movie, they slide through a long pipe before landing in a pile of bones. Alex easily lands on his feet, while Rishi, thanks to his low physical statsflops awkwardly onto his side. Alex thinks, holding back a laugh. The two of them leave the landing point, walking a few meters before spotting a pile of rocks with a small opening. Alex glances around the area, looking for the basilisk skin near the start of the chamber, but its nowhere to be found. Someone must have taken it. Makes sensewhy leave it here? It probably has some value, Alex says. Sear?h the N?velFire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Its fine. Lets keep going to the chamber. The corpse should still be there! Rishi replies, his eyes lighting up a little. They climb over the rubble, and Alex opens another door. This one only takes a few seconds. Its a cool lock, Ill give it that. But seriously, why would anyone build the chamber in such a dump? It smells like absolute shit in here, Alex says, shaking his head. Oh, come on, practicality rarely matters, does it? Rishi laughs, clearly agreeing, not looking very comfortable either. Eventually, they reach the iconic spot where Harry fought the basilisk. Near the center of the chamber, they see the massive corpsebut right away, something feels off. Alexs [Sacred Emerald Copper Earring] suddenly begins to glow in a bright emerald green. Thats poison nearby, alright, too bad it smells even worse here! Is the corpse fucking rotting? Looks like nothings been taken, but is this even useful? Lets see if the fangs are still there; at least some sort of poison source should be here if my earring glows, Alex says, clearly unimpressed. This was always a possibility, Rishi explains. In the seventh year, the basilisk was completely rottenonly the bones were left by then. Sure, there was a chance someone harvested the skin, organs, or meat before that, but this lines up with what we knew. Its been about a year and a half since it died. If it was fully decomposed by the seventh year, it makes sense that the process would already be underway by now. Alex moves closer to the basilisks mouth, carefully inspecting it. He quickly spots several intact fangs, and the system recognizes them immediately. Their qualities vary, ranging from Green to Deep Blue, but one fang stands out: the one directly opposite the fang Harry had obviously taken. Its quality is Light Purple. [Basilisk Fang] Heh, not bad! Ill cut them out and bag them all! Not 100% lethal, sure, but even if you inject only 10 out of 100 charges, it lasts for 3 minutes. Thats 360 damagepretty much lethal to any human, Alex says as he excitedly but carefully starts removing all the fangs from the basilisk. The corpse looked like a bust at first, Alex, Rishi says, inspecting the body, but I found a few pieces of meat and some skin that are still unspoiled. Most of its unranked, so not even worth picking up. But some of the meats so far gone it actually raised the grade because of that. Its similar to a bioweaponwe need to be really careful. After stashing all the fangs into his inventory, Alex takes a closer look at the rest of the corpse. It might take a while, Alex comments before turning to Rishi. You prepared knives, right? Since this was supposed to be your task? Give me one. Im nearly immune to poisonI can extract what we need a lot faster. Thank you! Rishi says, genuinely relieved to avoid the grueling task of butchering the basilisk with his terrible physical stats. He tosses Alex a knife and adds, Might as well keep it. It wouldnt even work properly if I used it because of the requirements. Besides, I owe you anyway. [Butchering Knife] Nice, I needed something like this! Ive been using my damn [Sword of Pluto] to butcher things before it worked, but the results werent exactly great, Alex says with a grin. Alex wonders. Beads of sweat roll down Alexs face. Its taken him 2 whole hours to cut out everything the system judged to be valuable. He had to use Nen, specifically Shu, to increase the cutting power of his [Butchering Knife] from time to time. His final spoils: 7 pieces of [Basilisk Meat (Small)]5 pieces of [Basilisk Meat (Medium)]3 pieces of [Basilisk Meat (Large)]1 piece of [Basilisk Meat (Huge)]21 units of [Basilisk Skin]4 units of [Rotten Basilisk Meat (Small)]1 [Rotten Basilisk Heart]1 [Basilisk Horn]10 [Basilisk Bones] Thats huge! Alex jokes with a smile, looking over his haul as Rishi returns to the corpse. Yes it is? Rishi replies, confused, wondering why Alex felt the need to point that out. ... Anyway, the skin varies between Light Green and Light Blue quality, and the meats even rarer, starting at Green-quality for the smaller pieces and going up to Blue-quality for the huge one. The Bones are just White-quality, but the Horn is Deep Blue as well! The heart, though, is Light Purple. I cant believe we got so many rare items just like that. The rarity alone is insane, but I dont know how to use these items just yet maybe we can turn them in to Hagrid for contribution points? Might count, maybe before that, we ask Menchi, Alex says, thinking aloud. Give Menchi the option to pick first, or I fear things may end badly for you. Well find out later. Ive got some good news, though. I think I found a bunch of pipes leading out of here. If I read the walls right, all of them are behind doors that youll need to open, Rishi says. Also, the deeper parts of the chamber have some other doors. I think theres more down there than whats mentioned in the books, which makes sense. This place is supposed to be for the heir of Slytherin, and lets be honest, you cant achieve much with just a basilisk. Follow me and see if you can open them. Rishi tries to act calm, but the excitement in his voice is hard to miss. Alex starts to grin, catching some of that excitement. They walk toward the deeper rooms behind the giant statue in the central part of the chamber, and Alex begins to open a door. OPEN! His voice combines with Mustranos and he feels the door reacting. As the sound of unlocking mechanisms echoes through the chamber, Rishi and Alex exchange a satisfied smile. [The Castle is warning you] You see that too? Alex asks, glancing at Rishi. Yes, I do but Im tempted to ignore it, Rishi replies, a bit of defiance in his voice. Fine. Lets go! Fuck the castleIve never heard of it fighting anyone directly, Alex says, shrugging. Rishi pulls a stone out of his pocket and throws it into the room. It lands without issue. However, the moment they step into the room themselves, an invisible force slams into them, knocking them back hard. Both of them hit the ground with a heavy thud, and another system message immediately appears. [The Castle is warning you] Alex winces as he notices Rishi bleeding from his mouth. ...I think its better to give up for now, Alex says after a moment. The door should close again, and besides me, there shouldnt be many people who could enter anyway. We need a plan. Rishi wipes the blood from his mouth, and stuffs one of Menchis dishes into his mouth, and pauses for a moment. Then, with a calculating expression, he begins to speak: Lets see Chapter 186: A Narrow Escape, Dumbledore’s Curiosity, and the Failing Dog Tag Rishi displays a serious face, as if he is seriously contemplating what to do, but then says exactly what Alex expected him to say. Yes, we already got quite a few priceless basilisk parts, and you got at least something out of the kitchen, right? Id say we stop while were ahead, Rishi says, agreeing with Alex. Heh, dont make it sound so logical. You just dont want your face all bloodied up, huh? But yeah, forcing this and taking such a huge risk at the very start of the mission is a dumb idea. Why take that risk? After making sure they havent missed anything, Alex and Rishi head out through another exit at the back of the chamber. They slowly make their way through the dark pipes. Rishi uses a flashlight he brought along to light the way, while Alex activates En every few minutes, scanning for the best path forward. At one point, the pipe turns into a near-vertical incline, and Rishi frowns in worry. I hate to say this, Alex, but I dont think I can continue, Rishi admits. Just grab onto me! Alex suggests. Without arguing, Rishi climbs onto Alexs back, gripping his shoulders as Alex grabs hold of Rishis legs to keep him steady. Alex powers up his jumps with Nen, using his aura to stabilize himself and prevent slipping backward. After a few jumps, he stabs Mustrano deep into the pipe, creating a hole to steady himself before continuing. Activating En again, Alex exhales in relief as he notices that the pipe levels out a little further ahead. Just a few more jumps! Alex grunts, pushing forward with determination. Using up the last of his aura, Alex finally makes it up the incline. They continue walking through the pipe, both visibly tired, until they spot a faint light ahead. Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. An exit, finally, Alex mutters. This was riskier than I thought Without you, Id have been screwed, Rishi says, a hint of worry on his face. Both exhausted, Alex unable to use more Nen abilities, and Rishi drainedthey manage to open the exit, a heavy-looking latch, opening some sort of metal door and jump down, unable to see clearly where theyll land. As they hit the ground, surprised screams echo around them. Alex looks up and spots a group of students in red and blue robesand, in front of them, a very surprised Professor McGonagall staring at the two of them. Hello there! Alex says with a slightly twisted smile, still catching his breath, while Rishi barely manages to stick the landing. McGonagall steps forward, looking at them both. Students, read on a little bit I have to talk to these two guests who look like theyve been crawling through our pipes. Im also sure thats just dirt I see on their clothes, and not blood or organs. Would you kindly follow me to my office? I have a few questions for you, she says calmly, but with a pointed edge to her voice. Well, this cant get any worse, can it? In her office, McGonagall turns to face them with an expression thats anything but amused. Now, she begins, could you explain to me what, exactly, you two were doing in the pipes under this castle? Professor McGonagall, were being paid to protect the students from the corruption. We felt something was off in the pipes and decided to investigate. Its not something Ill ever try again, I promise. Were sorry for interrupting your class, Rishi says, his exhaustion showing on his face. Suddenly, the office door bursts open, and Dumbledore and Snape stride in, their robes billowing dramatically as they storm into the room. Or maybe it can get worse! Minerva, we need to talk Dumbledore begins, but he stops in his tracks as soon as his eyes land on Alex and Rishi. He removes his glasses, staring at the two of them intently. Alex, instinctively cautious, avoids making direct eye contact. Well, this is a curious coincidence, Dumbledore says slowly. These two happen to be the very reason we came to see you, Minerva. Now, what exactly are you two doing in transfiguration class and why are your clothes in such a state? Im quite curious to hear your explanation. They fell through the ceiling and landed in the middle of my class. Im just as surprised as you, Albus, McGonagall explains, still trying to make sense of the situation herself. Well, Headmaster Dumbledore, Rishi begins again, his expression completely neutral. As I just explained to Professor McGonagall, we felt something unusual in the pipes and tried to investigate. I see Snape interjects, his dark eyes narrowing. Its interesting, though. Weve had reports from some scared first-years who accidentally wandered into an unused bathroom above the Great Hall. They told me a rather peculiar story. A man wearing armor, armor strikingly similar to what one of you is wearing, summoned a terrible black claw that screamed and hissed insults. According to these children, the two men and the evil claw suddenly disappeared somewhere. The only clue left behind was a sink, wide open, leading down to who-knows-where. Thankfully, the first-years were smart enough not to go inside. Snape pauses, his sneer deepening. You know, hidden entrances are nothing new around here. But not just anyone can waltz into the Chamber of Secrets. Dumbledore steps forward, his expression a mix of curiosity and concern. Now, is there something youd like to tell me? Alex shrugs, his face unreadable. First-years are such pranksters. Id never lie to a professor, though; these are some tricky first years. That is such a mean prank. ...Do you honestly expect that excuse to work? Snape snaps, his voice dripping with disdain. Parseltongue isnt rare in my home country, Rishi cuts in calmly. I saw a snake emblem and accidentally opened the sink. Naturally, we investigatedits our job, after all, isnt it? That might explain part of the story, Snape replies coldly. But it wasnt you who summoned the claw, was it? According to the children, the claw itself was responsible for opening the chamber. They described it as a claw that spoke and hissed like a snake. Snapes sharp eyes land on Alexs left hand. And, wouldnt you know it, every part of your friends body is filthy and bloody except for his left hand, which is mysteriously clean. What a funny coincidence, Alex says, trying to keep his tone light but starting to sweat slightly. ...Quite, Snape replies, his eyes boring into Alex. Should we just tell them? Alex thinks, growing annoyed. You know what? Im getting pissed off a little. Without warning, Alexs [Commander Shepards Dog Tag] activates. His eyes glow deep red, and a mischievous smile spreads across his face. Deciding to stick with what he does best, Alex leans into the moment and prepares to bullshit his way out of the situation. You know what, why even beat around the bush? We saw some suspicious bathroom, abandoned for no reason, a crazy ghost screaming at me, and then a certain sink with a snake emblem on it. So, I opened it. Why the fuck not? It wasnt our intention to end up in a damn chamber with a rotting snake corpse down below. Were lucky we even made it out of there. We took a huge risk investigating the corruption, so why does this feel like an interrogation? Honestly, Id say were owed an apologyand compensation! This fucking castle is a deathtrap! Alex snaps, arms crossed. Hearing it from your mouth, it indeed sounds like you have great intentions, Dumbledore says calmly. Im just wondering, though, why you, young wizard, are covered in basilisk blood and organs and smell like you just butchered it. Shit, its not working! Let me try this again! Alexs [Commander Shepards Dog Tag] activates again, and his expression softens, his eyes flashing blue. Some things are better left unsaid, Alex begins, his tone now calm and disarming. To be honest, Im very tired. We worked hard today to investigate the castle for potential dangers. Do you think we could return to Hogsmeade? Our friends are probably worried about us. Oh, theyre your friends? Then why did you act like you were fighting earlier? And of course, youre free to leave. Id just like to hear an honest answer before you go, Dumbledore says with a warm smile, leaving Alex momentarily speechless. Even Rishi looks like hes starting to lose hope. Snapes expression darkens as he snaps, Your pathetic attempts at Legilimency on two of the most accomplished wizards practicing Occlumency are, quite frankly, sad and embarrassing. Now spit it out! To tell you the truth Alex looks straight into Dumbledores piercing gaze. We wanted to gather that damn meat as soon as we saw the huge snake. I know a great cook who specializes in mystery meat, and we figured wed sell whatever we didnt eat ourselves! You Snape snarls, his patience snapping. Its time to stop with the excuses and Severus, calm down, Dumbledore says, holding up a hand to stop him. Odd as it sounds, I feel this is the most truthful thing Ive heard from them so far. Fine, Ill accept that explanation for now. Youve done nothing wrong. However, in the future, do not enter hidden places like the chamber. If you happen across them, inform us immediately. Your focus should remain on the forest and not the castle. You may leave. Alex grins and turns to McGonagall. Sorry for disrupting your class, Professor, he says with an apologetic smile. McGonagalls eyes narrow slightly, but she doesnt respond, simply nodding as Alex and Rishi hurry out of the office. As they make their way back to the castle floor and pass through the classroom, Alex notices Harry, Ron, Hermione, and the rest of the class staring at them. Have fun with your lessons! Alex calls out to the room, waving with a wide grin. If you ever want to learn something beyond these silly books, feel free to ask this great master for help anytime! he says jokingly before leaving, his voice echoing down the hall. Chapter 187: A Fun Day, New Home & Spoils As Rishi and Alex slowly walk through the castle halls, Rishi looks incredibly pale. He places a hand on Alexs shoulder and says, I now understand how youve managed to survive all your missions. I have to say, I genuinely thought we were screwed back there. But its impressive how you even attempted to bluff your way out of that, and despite failing, you just kept going. I think even Dumbledore was impressedthats probably why he let us off so easily. Nothing to lose in these situations, Alex says with a shrug. You just gotta fight through the cringe, shame, and embarrassment, and keep spewing bullshit until the other person gets so confused they just let it go. Honestly, that was only the third most embarrassing thing Ive had to endure in the last few weeks. ...Only the third? Rishi replies, raising an eyebrow. You know what? Im curious, but Im too tired to listen to whatever disasters took the top two spots. Lets just get to our house already. Were extremely late. As Rishi trudges along, Alex walks more energetically, his eyes lighting up as he takes in every detail of the castle. Hes still enjoying the sights of the beautiful, ancient structure. Yeah, I wasnt gonna tell you anyway, Alex says, smirking. Maybe Ill spill when Im drunk. Still, you have to admit, it was funny falling into the classroom like that. McGonagall looked so stunned. Honestly, that witch is ancient, but she still looks pretty young, like a strict teacher whos just a few years away from retirement. You think I should aim for her? Rishi stares at Alex, stunned. Im really tired. Did you just ask me if you should start a relationship with her? Nah, not like that! Alex says, waving it off. I mean as a supporter! Shed be a great fit to educate Tereza and Menchiput a little strict guidance into them. Thats an unexpected choice, Rishi says, clearly surprised. It wont work, though. Supporters need some kind of reason to leave with you, right? What reason would she have? Shes a Gryffindor, right? Maybe the promise of adventure? Meh, youre probably right. So how about Snape? Spare me Rishi groans, rubbing his temples, clearly too tired to keep up with Alexs nonsense. I just want to sleep. On their way out, Alexs sharp SNS picks up whispers from nearby students. He hears them murmuring, Hes the heir he opened the chamber. Third times the charm. Alex sighs and activates [Commander Shepards Dog Tag], his eyes flashing blue for a moment as he decides to put the rumor to rest. He approaches the group of students confidently, planning on using his relatively high CHA to stop the gossip before it spreads further. You know, dear students, Alex says with a smirk, its kinda dumb to whisper so loud that the person youre talking about can hear you. Also, do I look like the damn heir of Slytherin? Im not even from this country! Use your headsif theres a will, theres a way. I can open any door, but that doesnt make me some heir. Dont go believing stupid rumors. Sorry, were so sorry, the students say, their voices trembling with fear. You dont need to be sorry, Alex says, waving them off. Its just a silly rumor. If you have actual questions, come to me anytime. Maybe Ill even share my ingenious ways of opening doors. Stupid people think they can get through anything with a simple Alohomora, but trust me, theres way more to it. Just ask the curse breakers at Gringotts. Youre a curse breaker? Thats cool! one of the boys says, looking genuinely impressed. Not a true curse breaker, but Ive developed my own methods, Alex says with a grin. Anyway, Im tired, but as you can see, Ive already gotten rid of a bunch of nasty stuff inside the castle. Dont worrywith me around, youll all be safe! Wow! The students, along with a few others who were nearby, look at Alex with growing admiration. Sarch* The N?vel(F)ire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Alex returns to Rishi, smiling. You know what? Im actually starting to enjoy this realm. This is so much fun! Were going to be here for over half a year, right? I cant wait to search the castle from top to bottom. Im feeling pretty motivated! Lets go home, a comrade is still waiting for us. Alex and Rishi finally make it out of the castle and start walking toward Hogsmeade. Were gonna get a bunch of Galleons, right? Alex muses as they walk. The master manipulator promised us 100 Galleons to start with, plus 100 more every week. Maybe we can spend some at Honeydukes or Hogs Head Inn? Theres also a potion shop, a quill shop, and a bunch of other stores. We might find some interesting stuff if we have enough Galleons. Galleons will definitely come in handy, Rishi replies. Well need them for a lot of things, especially daily meals. Weve got some normal food in our inventories, but we probably cant access most of it because were in the past. Anyway, normal food shouldnt cost too much. Heh, I stole a bunch of food from the kitchen, so were set for a couple of days at least, Alex remembers, grinning. The two finally reach the streets of Hogsmeade. The sun is still up, and the villagers cant help but glance their way, clearly curious about the newcomers. Its this way, Rishi says, pointing toward a cluster of small houses barely visible on the edge of the village. Alex stands in front of the six houses and activates En, his aura large enough to cover two houses at a time. Each house looks old and tiny, just large enough for one or two people to live in. Finally, Alex stops at the last house and knocks on the door. Rishi smiles and says, Such a useful ability. The door swings open, and Tereza greets them with an unimpressed look. What the fuck happened to you guys? You reek! Did you go into the damn Chamber of Secrets or something? Yeah, we did. It wasnt a pleasant experience, Rishi replies as they step inside. Alex glances around the house and notices that its much larger on the inside, with at least six rooms. Clearly, its been expanded with an extension charm. It was kinda fun, Alex admits, but the situation afterward was worse. Even worse than the smell, and butchering that damn basilisk. Roja and Perlah, who were sitting nearby, look at them in shock. You actually got into the Chamber of Secrets? Roja asks, her voice full of disbelief. You were just supposed to check out the bathroom and look for something small, like an abandoned cauldron or whatever! Hehe, of course, we went in, Alex says smugly. Anyway, before we go into all that, I need to summon Menchi. Alex smirks and yells dramatically, Menchi, I choose you! while pretending to throw an invisible Pokball. ... ... Its a classic, I guess, Rishi comments dryly. Im telling on you for treating her like a Pokmon, Tereza says with a smirk. [Summoning Supporter Menchi] Suddenly, Menchi appears before them. Huh? Where are we? she asks, clearly surprised, as Tereza immediately pulls her into a hug. Whats the last thing you remember, Menchi? Rishi asks. Walking through the portal and starting the mission. And now Im here. This is a chaotic entry! she says before sniffing the air. You two have an interesting smell. Im not talking about the dirt, its the scent of a specific creature. A snake, maybe? Well, Menchi, Alex says, clapping his hands together, lets exchange stories. I summoned you so you could hear it all from us, so we dont have to repeat anything. Anyway, heres a quick summary of what happened. Alex quickly explains the events of the first day to Menchi, finishing with: At that point, we split up. Now, before we get started, let me open the chest. We agreed to share our loot with the group and let everyone have a chance to buy the equipment. Alex opens the White-quality chest he got from Peeves. You received 1000 FC You received Essence of Corruption 1000 FC, and this [Essence of Corruption], Alex announces to the group. [Essence of Corruption] World: Fantasy Realm / Harry Potter / Wizarding World Quality: Deep Green Effect: Increases all stats by 3 for 10 minutes. Afterwards, your body will be permanently corrupted. Note: This is a rare essence, that can be used for crafting or unique purposes. Note: Consuming this essence will permanently alter your body. Note: Consume it! The fuck? It says to consume it? Is the note corrupted as well? The systems being ridiculous! Alex says, staring at the item and its obviously messed-up third note. These Essences are probably really common in this world, considering how big a role corruption plays here, Roja explains. Yeah, theres bound to be a way to use or exchange them. Hold onto it, Alex, Rishi adds. So now lets start our reports. You go first, Perlahyou look extremely calm, Alex says. I look calm because I was the first to return, Perlah answers. I didnt find anything. The room appeared, but I couldnt enter it. I got a system message informing me that the castle was rejecting me. Interesting so it didnt happen to just us! Roja clears her throat and begins her report: I spoke with Professor Flitwick. He was very open and friendly, and we had a great conversation. However, he couldnt give me any relevant information or even a guess about hidden or side missions. So, sorryI didnt find anything either. I did use the time to check out the stores in Hogsmeade, but aside from a few White-quality items, I didnt bother with anything. Nothing worth sharing, Roja explains, looking a bit disappointed. As soon as she finishes, someone knocks on the door. Tereza opens it, and immediately, five owls fly into the room, each dropping an envelope in front of them. Alex catches his and opens it. One by one, 100 coins spill out onto the table. You received 100 Galleons Well, at least were getting paid, Perlah says, smiling as she looks at her shiny gold coins. This mission seems pretty simple, and the terms are really lax. The only problem is the lack of information and the things they arent telling us. Rishi turns to Tereza. So, youre next. What did you find? Nothing, Tereza says bluntly. I made it through the Whomping Willow by using the Disillusionment Charm. The Shack was empty, though. But when I was leaving, I used my hidden skill to boost my SNS. Thats when I noticed a particular branch of the willow that caught my attention. She pulls out a branch and continues, Its Deep Green quality wood. I also found two Light Green quality branches. The system says this is rare and expensive woodapparently even good enough to be turned into wands. Youre quite lucky! And thats actually a really smart idea, using your SNS boost to look for loot. Good job, and congrats, Roja says, forcing a smile. But Alex notices how strained her expression is. This bitch is jealous. Alex smirks internally. Shes gonna be even more jealous after I tell her what we got. Hehe. Ill keep it short, Rishi says. There was nothing in the toiletat least not at first. I finished up quickly and went to find Alex. Then well, Alex, its your turn. Rishi looks mildly annoyed, clearly still salty about how things unfolded. Alex quickly summarizes his story for the group, explaining the events of the day. He lays out the food, pots, and pans, and hands them to Menchi. Along with those, he also passes her the basilisk bones and meat, figuring she could make something useful out of them. The remaining basilisk parts, the fangs, heart, horn, and skin, Alex decides to hold onto for now, planning to either keep them, sell them, or exchange them with Hagrid. The bones and meat could make some interesting dishes. Basilisk soup? Basilisk steak? Lets see what Menchi can whip up. You really have some LUK, huh, Alex? Roja finally says, her forced smile now completely gone. Theres a hint of greed in her eyes. Heh. This feels so good. Shes clearly pissedespecially since I bet she wanted to be the first to hit up the shops. Looks like she got nothing! Take that, Roja. Chapter 188: Reputation, Strategy, and a Date Alex smiles, fully aware of Rojas jealousy and his own LUK. True, I guess I am a bit lucky! But after todays events, I think we should abort this stupid plan of catching the other players and NPCs attention. I get why we did it, as youve explained countless timesyou need to build a reputation with the NPCs. Its important that your name is known by everyone, and it doesnt even matter much what they think of you. But I think everyone knows about us now. Alex half suggests, half begs, already tired of being recognized by every single character he meets. Trust me, Alex, what you did earlierand even that heir rumorwill be useful. Youll see. This kind of world is packed with hidden and side missions. Even your little trip today was a huge benefit, despite it not being a mission. Trust me on this, Roja says confidently. Everyone else is silent for a moment and Menchi suddenly asks: Is that all? I want to leave! I cant wait to experiment with all the stuff you gave me, Alex. Even the normal food looks interesting! Good job raiding the kitchen. That should be a new rule, whenever you explore a new world, you raid the kitchen. Hehe! She stands up, plants a quick kiss on Alexs cheek, and leaves the room. Moments later, she starts ripping out half the furniture in the kitchen to make space for her system-bought kitchenware, furniture and new pots and pans. Ill help! Tereza says, trying to get up, but Roja stops her. Wait, Tereza lets talk about our plans first! Roja says firmly. Tssss, fine! Tereza huffs, casting a longing glance toward the kitchen. So, Id suggest we head to the forest tomorrow. We should go as a group to determine the danger level first, Roja suggests, while Perlah nods along in agreement. Honestly, that sounds like a waste of time, Alex says bluntly. Id rather go solo. Since PvP isnt allowed, whats there to be afraid of? It makes more sense to cover as much ground as possible, figure out whats there to loot, and then share the information. I refuse to believe the forest is that dangerous. I agree! Tereza chimes in with a big grin, clearly brimming with confidence, thanks to her new Devil Fruit. You can stay in the outer part of the forest if its too dangerous. But yeah, I want to go solo too. Tomorrow, though, we should definitely visit Hagrid to see what items he wants for exchange and what hes offering, Rishi adds. You guys thats too risky, Roja says, frowning, clearly unhappy that her suggestion is being ignored. Shes obviously not used to having her opinions disregarded. Everyone we really should stick together, Perlah says hesitantly, looking a bit uncomfortable. I just feel like we dont know enough about the hidden dangers of this world yet. Alex looks at his two new teammates and says, Perlah, nows the time to cover as much ground as we can. The real dangers will show up once the tournament starts. This is our chance to explore freely. Besides! This shitty forest is safe! Corruption? Maybe a corrupted centaur or a damn Acromantula. Sorry, but those things are a joke. I dont see the need to be careful. Lets focus on grabbing items, secrets, ingredients, and monsters for ourselves! Oh, and dont forget to grab the meat too, Menchi can cook it up for you. Shell give you the majority of the food and only keep a small portion for herself. You wont find a better cook anywhere. This is your chance to stockpile mass amounts of Green-quality recovery items, Alex says, his tone tempting and confident. Its fine. It also works with our apparent weaknessothers will think were a team thats constantly fighting, Roja finally says, shrugging. Im done for today I need to recover for tomorrow. Maybe Ill grab some stamina potions too. I cant keep this up, Rishi mutters, clearly annoyed at himself. Wanna go check out the village? Alex asks Tereza. Its a date! she replies with a grin. But first, Alex Tereza starts, her tone teasing. Shower! she says sweetly, batting her eyes. After a quick shower, Alex and Tereza walk through Hogsmeade together. Alex feels a little self-conscious as Tereza clings to his arm. Even though theyve been living together for weeks, having a beautiful woman hanging onto him so closely isnt something hes fully used to yet. As they stroll through the village, Alex notices people staring at them. Hes pretty sure a few men are throwing him jealous looks. The pair explore every shop they come across. In a small Herbology shop, they find various White-quality herbs, plants, and plant-based products. However, the system informs them that these items cant be taken out of the world. Despite that, Alex decides to splurge, spending 20 Galleons on herbs related to healing and strengthening the body. At a potion shop, Alex picks up various books for another 20 Galleons, focusing on healing potions and potions that enhance physical attributes. Alex, I like shopping, Tereza says, tilting her head, but dont you think youre spending too much? Its called investing, Tereza! Alex replies confidently. And with all the loot I got, I can just sell some of it to Hagrid! Plus, did you notice that these books, ingredients, and items are all limited? Its not like a game where you can buy 99x units over and over again. Once theyre sold out, theyre gone. So I say we spend hard and fast! Tereza smiles warmly at him, her expression sincere. Im trusting your gut, Alex. Her words make Alex feel unexpectedly touched, a bit of warmth rushing to his cheeks. As they walk further into the village, they come across a trio of students who stop in their tracks and stare at Alex in awe. Alex also freezes when he sees them, staring back in equal amazement. To Alexs surprise, Draco bows before him and kicks Crabbe and Goyle until they realize what hes doing and quickly follow suit. Hello, Sir Alex! We are honored to meet you, Draco says with a polite smile. Draco Malfoy, Vincent Crabbe, and Gregory Goyle, right? Nice to meet you too! Alex replies. The trio exchange confused glances before Draco asks, You know about us? How? I might be from a neighboring country, but of course, I know about the most important and prestigious wizarding families in this region. Dracos face lights up. I see, of course! Hehe, sorry for the stupid questionof course you do, he says, clearly pleased at being recognized. You see, weve already heard the rumors about your abilities. To be honest, everyone knowseven people outside the school will hear about it soon. I just have to say, its an honor to meet you. We rarely get the chance to interact with great wizards in this school, which is filled with mud-bloods. Draco leans in slightly, as if sharing a secret. To see someone of your lineage here is a huge honor. If you ever need anything, please let me know. And greetings to your female companionI must say, a lady of such beauty is certainly suitable for someone of your stature. Tereza smiles sweetly at Draco, making him blush slightly. Draco, Alex begins, his tone shifting to one of business, Im interested in getting to know your father. I have a small business proposal for him. If possible, Id be honored to have the opportunity to speak with him. Ive already written to my father! Draco says enthusiastically. But Ill write another letter and mention this request, hes incredibly busy these days, but Ill make sure he knows about you. Hogsmeade is connected to the Floo Network, so perhaps hell visit you soon. Thank you so much, Draco. I owe you one. If you ever need anything, dont hesitate to come to me! GREAT! Thank you so much! Draco exclaims. The trio bows again, their faces beaming, before they walk away, practically skipping with excitement. Nice job, Alex, Tereza says, watching them leave. It looks like Roja was right. Your reputation has already opened up a potential connection to a major story character. What do you plan to do with him? Alex smirks and pulls out the [Basilisk Horn] to show her. How about a new wandone made specifically for you? Not some cheap, stolen one like the one youre using now. Youve already got some good wood; you could use that or exchange it. Ive got the wand core. All we need is someone willing to work with the horn. I doubt Ollivander would, but well figure it out. Anyway, take the hornits useless to me. Terezas eyes widen in surprise, her cheeks flushing. She takes the horn, staring at it for a moment before suddenly pulling Alex into a tight embrace. Before Alex can react, Tereza leans in and kisses him right there in the street, completely unconcerned about being seen by anyone. The kiss lasts for half a minute before she finally pulls away and whispers, You really want me to fall for you even more? CarefulIm not planning to let go anytime soon. If you push me even further she trails off, still holding him tightly and staring into his eyes. Alex, blushing furiously, barely manages to keep his gaze steady. You dont need to let go in the first place Is that so? Good to know, Tereza says with a sly smile. She hugs him even tighter for a moment before gracefully pulling away. Sliding back into his arm, her face is bright red, glowing with happiness. Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 189: Offending the Mafia Alex and Tereza continue their stroll through the village. Though Tereza seems like shes just enjoying herself, its clear shes using her high SNS to carefully observe their surroundings. She studies the layout of the village, notes the various shops, watches the behavior of the NPCs, and most of all, keeps an eye out for other players. Alexs thoughts are interrupted as he spots a group of players approaching them. Its an entire team, and judging by their demeanor, Alex quickly sizes them up as the mafia members he identified earlier. Tereza looks up at him with a smirk, still clinging to his arm, clearly curious to see how hell handle the situation. Alex and Tereza continue walking forward, while the team of players does the same. Both groups lock eyes as they approach each other. Alex glares at the group. Their expressions are a mix of fear, arrogance, hatred, and jealousy. Suddenly, Alex feels [Commander Shepards Dog Tag] activate on its own, completely against his will. A red flash appears in his eyes, and his aura surges, spiking sharply as he stops in front of the approaching group, blocking their way. This is my road and village. Pay me 10,000 FC or get lost! EACH OF YOU, Alex threatens, his voice loud and forceful, almost a scream, as his aura flares even stronger than before. You! How dare you!!! Do you know who Ugh One of the players steps forward but is immediately overwhelmed and suppressed by Alexs aura. [Warning: Players use of Nen is approaching the threshold of an attack. Please be aware that PvP is strictly forbidden and will be immediately punished should you attack one of your allied players. Please be aware of the risk before proceeding.] Alex suppresses his aura as fast as he can, desperately pulling himself back from the edge. Without hesitation, he yanks off [Commander Shepards Dog Tag] and shoves it back into his inventory. Nico, are you okay? You crazy fucker, what the hell do you want? one of the mafia team members yells, glaring at Alex. Dont think were pushovers. Do you want to die? PvP is forbidden during this mission! Sorry about that. It was just a joke, Alex says with a twisted grin. Surely you guys arent scared of just one guy? But isnt this hilarious? Youre relying on the system to protect you? You call yourselves mafia, but youre the most pathetic ones Ive ever seen. Youre a fucking joke, a disgrace to your profession. Hahahahahahahaha! Alex bursts into mocking laughter, his expression wild, almost crazed. The group looks furious, but theres nothing they can do. Defeated, they lower their heads and walk away, clearly humiliated. Oh wow, you really showed them. I have to say, Ive got goosebumps. Incredible! Tereza says, looking at him with a mix of shock and admiration. Whats wrong? she asks, noticing Alexs pale face and the worried look in his eyes. I might have a problem. Lets go back, Alex says quietly, his expression confused and troubled. Alex and Tereza arrive back at their shared house, the sun slowly setting. Back already? Found anything interesting? Roja asks, her curiosity obvious. No. Is Rishi already sleeping? Alex asks. Yeah, he was pretty tired and decided to go to bed early, Perlah answers. Alex heads to the kitchen and sees Menchi experimenting with one of the smaller pieces of basilisk meat, running multiple tests. He also notices the new pots and pans he gave hernow looking spotless and shining. Alex? What is it? Im really busy, Menchi says without looking up. Bought you some herbs and books, Alex replies. Well be here for a while, so its probably a good idea to study first, before using up too many ingredients to do tedious experiments. Maybe you could apply some of the principles of potion-making to your cooking? These books explain the effects of the herbs and the theory behind the potions made with them. Alex places the herbs and books in front of her. Thank you so much, Alex! Thats actually a really smart idea. This is exactly what I needed! I can even use Gastronova to make the process more efficient Menchi says excitedly, but then she pauses and looks at him closely. Wait is something wrong? Alex hesitates, debating whether to share. He sighs and explains his struggles with [Commander Shepards Dog Tag], detailing how it activated on its own, his recent difficulties controlling it, and his worry that he may have relied on it too much in the past. He also mentions what happened earlier with the other players. Menchi immediately stops what shes doing, shutting off the stove and clearing the counters. Without a word, she grabs Alex by the arm and drags him toward the bedroom shes chosen for herselfright next to the kitchen. As they pass Tereza and the others, Alex hears Tereza nagging: Hey! Thats unfair! We all agreed, no distractions during the mission hey!! Menchi ignores her and pushes Alex into the room. Sit down on the bed and strip, Menchi orders. Dont question me, just do it! Menchi snaps, clearly annoyed. Alex awkwardly starts to strip but hesitates as he begins to remove his shirt. Before he can figure out what she means, Menchi smacks him on the ass. Not fully, silly! I just meant take off your armor and heavy clothes so you can relax! Oh sorry, Alex says, realizing how obvious that shouldve been. Menchi rolls her eyes and waits for him to finish before continuing. Now, Zetsu. Calm down and listen: relying on tools from time to time is smart. But depending on them? Thats a fatal mistakeyou should know this, she says firmly. Alex initiates Zetsu, but his mind races. I said calm down! Concentrate on your breathing! Menchi snaps, her tone commanding. Nen isnt just a tool to enhance yourselfits about tempering your spirit as much as your body. Thanks to the system, you might be a skilled Nen user, but youre still lacking when it comes to tempering your mind. This isnt a lecture, but you need to be calm, Menchi says, fully in teacher mode now. Now, you were actually quite smart to come clean about this problem early. Good job on that, Menchi says, her tone softening slightly. That alone tells me youre not being controlledyou just have trouble keeping a calm mind. Subconsciously, youve been using the conversation techniques provided by the Dog Tag. From what youve told me, it seems like you especially leaned on the so-called Renegade option, a behavior pattern thats not really your usual style. So, first things first: breathe, calm down, and think logically. Go over every situation where youve used it, not just in this world, but in every world youve been to so far. Alex begins to recall his liberal use of the Dog Tag. He remembers the multiple times he relied on it shortly after acquiring it in Gaia, the world of Final Fantasy 9. He even remembers using it to intimidate pathetic villagers who posed no real threat to him. As he revisits every instance where he used the Dog Tag, Alex realizes something. Ive always immediately used the Dog Tag. I didnt even consider if I could handle the situation without it. I shouldve at least tried first and only used it as a last resortor in emergencies, Alex says, his tone calmer now. Sear?h the novlF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Exactly. And now that habit is deeply ingrained in you, Menchi replies. You said it yourself, you used its tactics against the players earlier, even when you werent wearing it. Thats just silly! You did it yourself. You copied the effects of the Dog Tag without needing it. That alone proves you dont need to fear it. What you do need is to control yourself. Now, take it back and equip it. Are you serious? Why? Alex asks, frowning. It doesnt matter, Menchi says bluntly. What matters is your mind, your attitude, and your control. If you want to act that way, as you did earlier, youll do so with or without the Dog Tag. Wearing it makes no difference at this point. Alex hesitates, but Menchi doesnt give him time to overthink. Now, she continues, Im going to show you a new breathing technique. And while Im at it, Ill explain a little about control, temperance, and spirituality. Alex subconsciously smirks, but before he can say anything, Menchi slaps him lightly across the face. You can laugh all you want, but Im always in control, Menchi says sharply. When I act out, its because I choose to. You? Youre not in control. So, while you might think this is funny, you also know Im right. Menchi crosses her arms and adds, And you didnt lash out just now when I slapped you, which tells me you know you deserved it, and you can control yourself! Now cut the bullshit. We have a lot of work to do. Tomorrows going to be an important day. Alex closes his eyes and begins the breathing technique Menchi teaches him. Focusing on her instructions, he carefully regulates his breathing and feels himself calming down. For the first time in hours, a sense of serenity begins to wash over him. Spoiler Always thankful for reviews, comments, and suggestions! Thank you for reading! I would be super grateful if you could rate and, if possible, leave a Review for this story. That would really help me out! If you are interested, then please support me on Patreon www./FRWriter 45+ Early chapters are available right now. Thank you so much for reading Bored? Complains? Demands? Check out the Discord: .gg/puVqWsf3y9 [collapse] Chapter 190: New Day, New Mindset, New Goal Time passes, and Alex finally opens his eyes, finding Menchi sitting in front of him, reading one of the new books he gifted her. Your aura is much calmer now. I think you really needed that, Menchi says, closing the book. Dont forget this feelingkeep it up, not just during meditation, but try to hold onto this mindset all the time. Its already the middle of the night, and in a few hours, you were planning to check out the forest and visit Hagrid. Honestly, it wouldnt hurt to take a few days off. This mission is long-term, and skipping a day or two wont make much of a difference, Menchi tells him. It might be the smart thing to do, but it would also feel like running away Ill try to get some sleep, and I promise Ill be careful tomorrow, Alex says, his confidence slowly returning. Menchi turns off the rather primitive oil lamp and lies down in the bed, tugging Alex down with her. Good night, Menchi says softly, giving Alex a quick kiss before wrapping her arms around him and closing her eyes. Feeling her warmth, Alex hesitates for a moment but eventually hugs her back. Her familiar scent puts him at ease, and he shuts his eyes, pushing all his thoughts aside. It only takes a few seconds for him to fall asleep, feeling safe and completely at peace. Alex wakes up to sunlight shining through a small window. He opens his eyes and notices the room is empty. Menchis side of the bed is cold, but her familiar scent still lingers faintly in the air. Sarch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He doesnt put his armor back on yet and leaves the room, ignoring the looks from everyone else. After greeting them quickly, he enters his own room, washes up, changes into fresh clothes, and finally equips his armor. Feeling refreshed and determined, he heads back to the living room. Youve got a nice look on your face, Alex, Roja says with a grin, pausing briefly before continuing, and I heard you put that Mafia team in their place too! Keep it up, I think its been pretty effective. Im sorry, I wont be able to do that anymore. Ive done enough. From now on, Im focusing completely on the mission, Alex says, his tone firm and leaving no room for arguments. Roja looks at Alex with a strange expression but eventually seems to accept his decision. Perlah glances at Alex, then at Menchi, who smiles knowingly at him. Perlah blushes slightly and looks away, asking in a low voice, Is this because of yesterday? Are you feeling better, Rishi? Alex asks, turning his attention to his friend and comrade. Yeah, Im fine. Sorry for making you worry. Tereza told me you wanted to talk to me yesterday, do you need help with something? Rishi asks. No, Im fine, Alex says, glancing at Menchi with a warm expression. Its about something else. Its probably nothing serious, but theres something I cant help but worry about. It could be important. What is it? Rishi asks, clearly interested. Do you remember some of the comments Dumbledore made about us players? Specifically, the number he mentioned, Alex asks, looking not just at Rishi but at the others as well. He said he invited five teams but was a bit surprised that six arrived, Perlah replies. I remember that too, and Ive wondered about it, Roja says. Characters like Dumbledore dont share insignificant details just for fun. Are you suggesting theres something off with the sixth team? Rishi nods, clearly catching on to Alexs train of thought. I think that detail alone is just too vague, Alex says. But yesterday, I lost control and almost attacked another player. Thankfully, that wont happen again. Still, the system issued me a warning. Alex repeats the exact words from the system: Warning: Players use of Nen is approaching the threshold of an attack. Please be aware that PvP is strictly forbidden and will be immediately punished should you attack one of your allied players. Please be aware of the risk before proceeding. Allied players, huh? Rishi says, raising an eyebrow. Roja, do you remember when Alex starts to ask, but Roja cuts him off. During Navalia, you accidentally killed another player, Roja says. But the system not only spared you, even though PvP was strictly forbidden in that PvE world, it actually rewarded you because that worm tried to betray the mission and allied with Baroque Works! I remember you telling me about that too, Alex, Rishi adds. So, theres that possibility after all, huh? Ive been wondering why PvP is strictly forbidden in a mission like this. This was one of the scenarios that crossed my mind. But with just Dumbledores comment, there wasnt enough to go on. Now, with your new information thats two clues pointing in the same direction. This is all still very vague, Alex says. But its worth considering the possibility and paying attention to it, isnt it? I dont know This all sounds like a conspiracy theory to me, Tereza says. It might end up meaning nothing. Still, the possibility is there, Alex replies. I agree with you, Terezanothing is clear. We shouldnt jump to conclusions, but we should keep this in mind as a possibility. What exactly are you suggesting? Perlah asks, still unsure. That theres a team actively trying to sabotage us, or even attack us, Roja says bluntly. Alex nods. The best thing to do is keep moving forward, but stay aware of that possibility. I wouldnt say we should get scared, but Roja, this changes my response to your idea yesterday. Splitting up might not be a smart move after all. If one of us gets ambushed by an entire team, I dont think the odds would be in our favor. So, lets visit Hagrid together, Alex suggests. At least for now, lets stay in the same vicinity. Everyone seems to agree. Even Tereza, usually the most confident, doesnt argue. Now that were all on the same page, lets go, Rishi says. As the others begin to walk out of their home, Alex steps closer to Menchi and whispers something to her. Her eyes widen, and she perks up. Thats my idea, Alex says quietly. Its a huge opportunity. I dont know if itll work, but youd have to deal with that guy. With your looks, your synthesizing talent, and your special Hatsu, I think you could really impress him. Its worth a tryand most likely, you can move there by yourself, since the school should also count as a safe zone or settlement. Menchi smiles, her confidence shining through. No problem! Thanks for the heads-up. Hehe, Ill surprise you with the results! The group leaves the house, with Alex taking a moment longer before following. He walks steadily toward Hogwarts, heading for Hagrids hut, which is situated near the Forbidden Forest, away from the castle. Unnoticed by the group, a green-haired woman also leaves their home. With a confident and determined look on her face, she trails closely behind them. Alex breathes in deeply, enjoying the crisp air. The group reaches Hagrids hut and immediately notices a massive cart parked next to it. The cart is nearly as big as the hut itself. Hagrid is sitting before it on a normal-sized stool, which looks comically tiny compared to his massive frame. Oh, its you lot, Hagrid greets them with a grin. Youre the third group to show up today. Come to see what Dumbledores prepared for you in exchange for what you find in the forest? Yeah, can you show us? Tereza asks eagerly, her excitement evident. Hagrid stands up and walks over to the cart, which reminds Alex of a street vendors stall. The whole thing shakes violently as Hagrid climbs inside, eventually settling down once he takes a seat behind a small window. This is everything, Hagrid says, gesturing to the items inside. Feel free to take a lookbut I doubt youll be able to afford much. Alexs eyes immediately spot something peculiar. Some of the items are shared between all team members, meaning they disappear as soon as one player from their team buys them. Among the items, Alex quickly notices three skillbooksexactly the ones Dumbledore hinted at earlier. All three are non-tradable, Deep Blue quality: [Transfiguration Skillbook], [Charms Skillbook], and [Defense Against the Dark Arts Skillbook]. However, Alexs excitement is quickly tempered by the price tag. Each book costs an outrageous 3,000 contribution points, thirty times more than the 100 points he earned for dealing with Peeves. Alex remembers that Tereza already knows the Defense Against the Dark Arts skill. She had explained her skill to him in detail before, since he initially didnt understand the difference between Charms and Defense Against the Dark Arts without looking it up. As Alex takes a closer look, his and Terezas earlier guesses are confirmed. The [Charms Skillbook] contains several spells that are useful in battle, like Incendio, but it also includes more practical, utility-focused spells like Lumos. On the other hand, the [Defense Against the Dark Arts Skillbook] includes combat-oriented spells like Expelliarmus and even Terezas Disillusionment Charm, spells she had used during Alexs first encounter with her. Before Alex can process the thought, Roja interrupts him. No potion-making skillbook, huh? I guess it wasnt going to be that easy. Too bad! Roja complains. The spells arent really suitable for me anyway. Since theyre limited to one per team and Perlah and I dont need them, feel free to aim for them if you want. Rishi walks over, grabs Alex and Tereza by the arm, and pulls them aside. Tereza, I know you want the two remaining skillbooks, Rishi says quietly. But you saw the real main attraction, didnt you? If you can get that, youd be practically unstoppable. Tereza nods in agreement. Its the most straightforward path to getting stronger, I need it. The only problem is the price! Alex knows exactly what Rishi is talking about. His eyes flick to the item in question, and he has to reread its description twice just to fully grasp its usefulness. [Spell Mastery Skillbook] Chapter 191: Hagrid’s Rewards, A Difference in Teamwork [Spell Mastery Skillbook] Quality: Light Gold Effect: Combines the skills of Defense Against the Dark Arts, Charms, and Transfiguration into this skill and enhances them. Note: Choosing this spell school may prevent you from learning other magic systems or cause conflicts with existing spell schools that are not compatible. Note: Can only be bought once per team, cant be traded or taken out of this world. Price: 15,000 Contribution Points [Spell Mastery] Requirements: 7 MNA, 7 INT + 2 per level, 5 SNS + 1 per level Requirements: Basic Mana Control lvl 0, Basic Concentration lvl 0 + 1 per level Requirements: Defense Against the Dark Arts, Charms, Transfiguration (Must either be learned or you need to possess the skillbooks) Leveling Requirements: 1 Soul Crystal, 1,000 Fantasy Coins + 500 per level Effects: Combines the skills of Defense Against the Dark Arts, Charms, and Transfiguration into this skill. Effects: Enhances the effect of your spells belonging to the three aforementioned spell schools by 25% +5% per level. All other spells/magic abilities from Harry Potter / The Wizarding World are enhanced by 10% +2% per level. Compatible spells from other worlds are enhanced by 5% +1% per level. Effects: Enables you to cast spells nonverbally, at a reduction in effectiveness of 50% -5% per level. Enables you to cast spells without the required motion, at a reduction in effectiveness of 50% -5% per level. Effect: Enables you to cast spells without a wand and use basic abilities like minor telekinesis, starting at lvl 5, with a reduced effectiveness of 100% -5% per level. Note: True mastery of dueling is achieved by combining different spells into a cohesive fighting style. This thing is completely broken, Alex says, staring at the description. It combines three Deep Blue skills, each containing around ten useful spellsor in the case of Transfiguration, multiple methods for transforming things. All three of these spell schools are insanely enhanced as well. You can cast spells nonverbally and without motion right away, and if you push it to level five, you can even cast wandlessly. How crazy is that? If it werent for that one limitation, Id want to go for it myself. Yeah, without that restriction, Id want it too, despite the heavy investment cost, Rishi adds. You guys dont want to risk losing access to your other spells, afraid this skill might cause a conflict? That warning is written in all three subskills too. If not for that, I wouldve suggested Alex learn them as well, Tereza says. But yeah, the risk is high. Exactly, Alex replies. And its irrelevant anyway because youre going to get it. Im not touching this spell system, its way too risky. My Black Magic lvl 4 is far too important, especially because I need it for my Sword Magic lvl 4. Anyway, the real problem is the cost: 3,000 contribution points each for your two missing skillbooks and then another 15,000 for this thing. Anyway, its great that youve found something useful, but I dont see anything here for me. The group takes a closer look at the other items Hagrid is offering. They notice a collection of Green-quality itemsrobes, hats, and special gloves, but none of them seem particularly useful. A few Light Blue-quality items stand out as the highlight, though these, like the skillbooks, are also limited to one per team. Couldnt we just buy some of this shit, take it with us, and sell it later? Alex guesses. Of course, but there is one more highlight here: [Supreme Strengthening Potion], Rishi says. But I wouldnt drink it, even if I desperately needed PHY and couldnt raise it naturally. Its just not worth it. Swapping stats like that feels like a bad trade, 5,000 contribution points could easily buy Green-quality items worth 50,000 FC if sold in the realm. [Supreme Strengthening Potion] World: Harry Potter / Wizarding World Quality: Deep Blue Effect: STR +1, AGI +1, PHY +1 Effect: MNA -1, INT -1, SPR -1 Note: A potion invented by Severus Snape but discarded as useless for wizards. He kept this one because he couldnt find a use for it. It will permanently enhance your physical stats at the cost of a permanent weakening of your mental and spiritual stats. Note: Cant be traded. Can only be bought once per team. Price: 5,000 Contribution points I need that!!! Alex exclaims loudly, a look of pure greed in his eyes. Why Alex, its the same for you. You also depend on these stats. In fact, doesnt your innate skill make this potion useless? You gain 3 stat points, and you lose 3 stat points No dont tell me. Rishi stops mid-sentence, noticing Alexs reaction. His eyes widen as he realizes the possibility. Are you sure about that? Rishi asks. Tereza, standing nearby, looks between the two of them with a confused expression. I already got an item like this once, Alex explains. It was back in Gaia. I used it as a gamble, and yes, Rishi, what youre thinking is true. Ive been looking for items like this ever since. Thats almost cheating, Rishi says, grinning. Yeah, you should definitely go for it. Terezas eyes widen in realization. Waitdont tell me! You gain the stat points, but you dont lose any? So you end up with 3 additional stat points? Alex nods, confirming her guess. Meanwhile, Roja and Perlah finish checking out the rest of Hagrids offerings. Rojas face betrays her disappointment. I see a few blue-ranked items that seem useful, but nothing too exciting, she says, crossing her arms. Perlah nods in agreement. Maybe I should get a blue-ranked spellbook after all? But Tereza, you need them too, right? Get the [Defense Against the Dark Arts Skillbook]! Tereza suggests immediately. Its mostly combat-focused and easily the strongest of the three, at least if were just talking about battle. Plus, I already own it. Perlah nods along, satisfied with the suggestion. Well, since were done here, lets see what the forest has to offer, Roja says, her eyes wandering toward the treeline in the distance. Sorry, I need a moment longer, Alex interjects. I told you guys about the loot I got from the chamber. According to the rules, Ill share my gains with you. Since we split up and assigned different locations, its only fair. Besides, I already gave the cooking supplies to Menchi since that counted as me using them myself. So, heres the deal: either pick one of the fangs or a bit of skin, or let me check out the prices. I can ask Hagrid to split the contribution points instead. Hmm, youre quite fair, Alex, Roja says thoughtfully. Considering this was mostly due to your own ability, Im not even sure youre bound by the contract to share your findings. If anything, points would be appreciated. Its fine, Alex says, shaking his head. I dont want to argue over small things. Ill share some of the points. Hagrid also sells a few supplies that might be useful for you. Plus, were in this for the long runwe need to come together as a team, especially with the potential danger of an imposter team. Besides, Rishi, Tereza, and I are pooling our resources for Tereza anyway. That has the highest priority. Might as well give them a small share to keep them happy. Also, this way, they cant argue later and demand other stuff. Hagrid, I already have some items I want to sell. What are you offering me for this? Alex asks, presenting the remaining loot. The items include 21 units of [Basilisk Skin] and a large collection of [Basilisk Fangs], which range from green to deep blue in quality. He also shows Hagrid the [Rotten Basilisk Heart]. Yer one crazy wizard. How did ya get those things? If anyone wanted ter find these, theyd have ter go look in the cha Hagrid suddenly stops mid-sentence, eyeing Alex suspiciously. So youre the rumored one, huh? The heir? Thats not true, Alex says quickly. Ask the headmaster. He can confirm it. I just have a useful ability that helped me get inside. Is dat so? Alright, this is what I can offer ye, Hagrid says. As Alex waits, a series of floating numbers appears in front of him. No wonder the system takes over. Hagrids probably not smart enough to do these calculations. Alex sees that the [Basilisk Skin] is worth exactly 4,200 contribution points, while the [Basilisk Fangs] are worth an astounding 9,000 contribution points. However, Hagrid only offers a pathetic 1,000 contribution points for the [Rotten Basilisk Heart], which leads Alex to keep it and decide to offer it to Menchi. She can experiment on it and maybe find a way to use it. Its not worth selling such a high-quality item for just 1,000 contribution points. Alex turns to Roja and Perlah. Do you want to split your contribution points or pool them on Perlah for the skillbook? Perlah starts to speak. It would be useful for me if we could po Split! Roja interrupts decisively. Okay then. Alex responds, cutting off the conversation before they can argue further. Alex immediately buys the [Supreme Strengthening Potion], instructing Hagrid to subtract its cost from the total sales price. After accounting for the 100 contribution points Alex already owns, he orders Hagrid to allocate 1,000 contribution points each to Roja and Perlah, and to give the remaining 6,300 contribution points to Tereza. sea??h th ovlFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Alex holds the potion in his hand, grinning widely before placing it into his inventory for now. Tereza, as soon as she sees her contribution points, looks at Alex in shock. Her face shows gratitude for the windfall, but theres also a hint of reluctancemixed with a strange obsession Alex cant quite figure out. That many points? Thank you, Alex. Thats quite fair of you. I wont forget it, Roja says. Perlah looks pleased as well, now having reached a third of her goal. Wasting no time, Tereza spends 6,000 contribution points to buy both the [Transfiguration Skillbook] and the [Charms Skillbook], her gleeful expression making it clear shes thrilled by the purchase. Rishi glances toward the forest. Its time to get to work, he says. The rest of the group turns their gaze to the forest as well. Exchanging determined looks, they move forward together, ready to explore. Chapter 192: The Forbidden Forest – Stop it with the Wolves Already! The group moves closer to the Forbidden Forest, spotting an opening where the open field gradually darkens, turning into a dense and shadowy forest. I still dont think this is needed at all, Alex. Going into the forest with five players? Itll be hard to find enough to do, and then we even have to share our loot? Tereza complains in an annoyed tone. Sorry, but if its really like that, we can reevaluate. Lets just take a look first. Jumping in too quickly could be dangerous. Lets use this as an opportunity to evaluate the dangerand keep your eyes and ears open for other players, Alex says. Also, before I forget... take this as a last resort, Alex adds, handing each of his teammates an Annihilation Grenade lvl 4 he conjured after waking up. As the group slowly enters the Forbidden Forest, the sunlight outside quickly diminishes. The dense canopy overhead blocks out most of the light, casting the forest into near darkness. Alex takes out his [Sword of Pluto] and begins cutting away tall grass and plants in his path, refusing to walk through them and risk unnecessary danger. Perlah, stay in formation. Dont walk right next to me, Rishi says, glancing at Perlah, who had abandoned her position on the left side of the group. Why am I supposed to be on the left side? Roja gets to be the rearguard, while youre in the center of the group, thats unfair, Perlah says. Alex is the vanguard, and is he complaining? Shut up! Tereza snaps. Alex stops and turns to the group, whispering, Be silent, please. First of all, were so loud that anyone nearby could hear us and ambush us. Second, if we want to hunt anything, well need to pay attention and be quiet. This is serious. The group nods in acknowledgment and continues their march in silence. After a slow and careful ten-minute walk, Alex raises his hand, signaling the group to stop and pay attention. He points ahead at a small group of wolves. At first glance, they look like normal wolves, but Alex notices a faint dark fog surrounding their bodies, and their eyes glow with a sinister red light. These wolves appear to be corrupted, Alex whispers. Then its time to kill them, Rishi says decisively. You guys split into pairs and attack from the sides, Alex orders. Once youre in position, Ill openly engage them and draw their attention to me. This isnt just about killing themits more about preventing them from running away. Stop them from fleeing, and if they dont and attack me, then help me by flanking them. Tereza casts the Disillusionment Charm and vanishes from sight. Rishi follows shortly after, approaching from the same side she disappeared to. Roja acts quickly as well, heading toward the opposite side with Perlah following close behind. Alex watches as Roja draws a rapier-like weapon, while Perlah surprises him by pulling out a harp instead of a weapon. Activating Zetsu, Alex suppresses his presence and waits patiently for his team to get into position. As he observes the wolves, he counts over a dozen of them, with more possibly hiding behind various trees and rocks. Once his teammates are in position, Alex makes his move. He swiftly approaches the wolves, keeping himself low and quiet. Before they can detect him, he casts Blizzard lvl 4 using its AoE variant to slow them down. Alex smiles, knowing he hit five wolvesalmost half of themthree of which are slowed, and one even frozen. He immediately draws his [Mr. 5s .44 Caliber 6-Shot Revolver] and takes aim at the frozen wolf, landing two precise headshots. Switching gear, Alex fires off the last four bullets into the still-gathered wolves. When the [Mr. 5s .44 Caliber 6-Shot Revolver] effect triggers, the explosion hits nearby wolves for additional damage. Alex looks at the wolves, who howl in pain and scatter in confusion. Some of the nastier-looking ones, however, charge directly at him, snarling and baring their teeth. Drawing his [Sword of Pluto] and [Shield of Pluto], Alex prepares for close combat. With his Alexandrian Royal Swordsmanship lvl 4, which increases his sword damage by a massive 60%, and Basic Close Combat Prowess lvl 4, which adds another 9%, along with his STR of 17, Alex is far beyond just dealing the base damage of his sword, which already has an impressive range of 30C40 damage. In addition to his passive skills boosting his damage, Alex activates Ren, increasing his base STR by another 45%. This pushes his strength well above 20 and also allows him to deal a fixed amount of Nen damage. As a wolf charges at him, Alex blocks with his shield, dealing minor damage and stunning the creature. He immediately follows up with a clean strike from his sword, effortlessly slicing through the wolf''s unprotected body. Two more wolves rush at Alex, but he uses the strength boost from Ren to easily dodge one and repeat his previous tactic against the other. The wolf whose attack was dodged hesitates and begins to back away, staring and howling at Alex. Alex decides to cast Blizzard Sword lvl 4 and uses his Aura to propel himself toward the wolf, striking it with his enhanced weapon. The attack combines the base sword damage with the effects of his Magic Sword lvl 4, which boosts physical damage and adds 30 base spell damage with an additional 40% enhancement. Despite dispatching these wolves with easethanks to his increasing skill levels and their growing synergyAlex remains calm, maintaining control of his emotions. He surveys the scene of the battle. To his side, he sees Tereza slicing through two wolves with her dagger skills. Two wings sprout from her back, showing shes no longer hesitant to use her devil fruit abilities. Alex also remembers hearing screams during the fight, clearly a result of Terezas powers, leaving the wolves bleeding from their ears. Looking toward Rishi, Alex notices him casting Mind Flay on a fleeing wolf, the creature already suffering from his Shadow Word: Pain. Moments later, the wolf collapses, dead. Rishi wastes no time and casts Mind Strike on another wolf, causing it to howl in agony, buying him enough time to unleash a powerful Fire spell, the same one Alex uses as well. Alex sprints toward the left side, where Roja and Perlah are stationed, and notices a few wolves successfully fleeing deeper into the forest. He sees Roja engaged in a duel with a wolf, using her rapier, while Perlah plays her harp, confusing another wolf. Using Zetsu to suppress his presence, Alex sneaks behind the distracted wolf and carefully drives his [Sword of Pluto] directly into its head, killing it in one swift motion without the target ever realizing what happened. Alex observes Roja finishing off her target as well, but he cant help but reevaluate their combat strength. He notices Roja staring at the scene of the battle with a mix of fear, jealousy, and doubt in her eyes. You are quite surprising, Roja says, forcing a calm tone. It looks like youve come a long way that was impressive. You two as well, she adds, glancing at Rishi and Tereza. Lets collect the loot, Alex says. Perlah, I wont loot the wolf I stabbed; its yours. You can decide if you want to give the wolf corpses to Hagrid or maybe just hand over a few parts. You might want to save the meat for Menchi. Loot it for now! The group begins collecting the wolves, which are small enough to fit into their inventories without needing to butcher themlikely thanks to their rising levels and the relatively small size of the wolves. S~ea??h the ovelFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. As Alex scans the battlefield one last time, he notices a [Chest (White)] he missed earlier during the fight. Naturally, he grabs it along with six wolf corpses, four of which he finished entirely on his own and two that died but were wounded by himself during the beginning of the skirmish. I got a chest! Its a white one, but still, Tereza says with a smile. Got one as well, Rishi adds. Rojas expression darkens, and she mutters, Just the corpses for us. Well, a decent haul, Alex says, glancing at the gathered loot. The corpses are only White quality not worth much. Still, Menchi can create guaranteed White-ranked dishes with them. Maybe we can convince Hagrid to let us keep the meat, though Im not sure Menchi can even use it since its corrupted. Honestly, maybe just sell the wolves for nowIll keep two of them. Were bound to find a lot more, so it doesnt matter in the long run. Anyway, lets move on. That was a decent warm-up. More?? Were not going back? Perlah asks, her face filled with shock. Warm-up, Roja repeats, her tone questioning. These pathetic fights against these wolves dont require five members. No, if we are going to act like a group, we are going for the actually challenging parts of the forest, Rishi says, as if this was obvious from the beginning, with Alex and Tereza nodding along. Of course, Roja says, trying to sound confident, while looking a bit worried, while Perlahs face turns even paler. Chapter 193: Wall of Corruption, Slow Steps The group advances deeper into the forest, occasionally hearing the chilling screams, screeches, or other unsettling sounds of animals and beasts. Each sound causes Perlah to twitch or step back, her movements loud enough that even Alex, as the Vanguard, immediately notices. Alex turns around and whispers, Perlah, switch positions with Rishi. Also, calm down, please! If enemies approach, Ill stop them. You saw Terezas wings, right? If someone cant take it anymore, she can evacuate them! These words seem to make Perlah feel a lot better. Thanks. she whispers, moving to switch positions with a calm-looking Rishi. Roja tries to maintain her cool expression while Tereza stares at Perlah but manages to avoid saying anything that could cause conflict. As they continue forward, the group spots several normal animals and magical beasts. Among them is a scary-looking Blood-sucking Bugbear, which quickly runs awayseemingly uncorrupted. They also encounter foxes, Nifflers, small spiders of various sizes, and Mooncalves. Why are we not doing anything, Alex? Tereza asks, confused by Alexs passive approach. Alex thinks for a moment before explaining, These are all uncorrupted beasts and animals. Also, they spotted us from far away and werent a threat. Id say we focus on corrupted animals and beasts for now, unless you want to risk offending Hagrid and Dumbledore. If we start slaughtering normal beasts, well probably also make enemies of the Centaurs if we run into them. I agree with Alex, Rishi adds. Ignore these animals. Wed only gain minor rewards anyway. Our task is simple: find and get rid of the corruption. A few fox pelts arent what were after. The group moves on, continuing deeper into the forest. Suddenly, Tereza makes the sign for stop and makes a soft hissing sound. Alex turns to her, and Tereza points eastward toward an area where the trees are even thicker overall. Alex carefully scans the ground and notices something growing in the weak sunlight filtering through a tiny clearing. Alex changes direction and approaches the spot, smiling as he recognizes the herbs. Dittany and Horklumps, he says with satisfaction. Dittany is a basic healing herb, while Horklumps appear like pink mushrooms but are actually small beasts. Alex decisively rips the Horklumps out of the ground, and their previously mushroom-like appearance changes dramatically. The underside reveals nasty, worm-like bodies with sharp horns and mean-looking jaws. Perlah covers her mouth in disgust, and even Roja draws her rapier, ready for a fight. Meanwhile, Tereza and Rishi look at Alex with interest, seemingly unbothered by the sight. In one swift motion, Alex draws the [Butchering Knife] gifted to him by Rishi. Using the flat side of the blade, he stuns the Horklumps, then pulls out a few bottles. Without hesitation, he cuts off the heads of the creatures, letting their juice flow into the containers. Tereza quickly grabs a few of Alexs bottles and helps him, using her daggers to assist in the process. The group quickly gathers 10 bottles of [Horklump Juice] and 20 units of [Dittany]. Alex calmly explains, They are both Light Green-quality and have some minor healing effectsbut they come with a downside, so they shouldnt be used raw. However, they are used In potions, Roja finishes Alexs sentence and continues, particularly, they can create a potent healing potion. You keep them for now. I know your plans of letting Menchi study some herbology and potion crafting to combine them with her cooking. If you manage to turn them into useful items, share them. We trust you by now. Despite your apparent greed, youre the type who would even share his own blood with his teammates. I have to say, despite my confidence in judging people, my first impression of you was quite wrong. Alex grabs the [Horklump Juice] and [Dittany], puts them inside his inventory, and the group moves on. After a few more minutes, Alex holds up his hand and stops the group, turning around. S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Tereza activates her devil fruit powers, wings sprouting from her back, her teeth sharpening, and her AGI and SNS increasing. She stares into the distance, her expression suddenly shocked. Roja, Perlah, and Rishi question Alex. Why did you stop? What did you see? Alex replies, I cant see it clearly, but there seems to be a dark-colored wall. I can spot it despite the darkness. Let me check again. Alex activates Gyo and takes a closer look as Tereza whispers, Thats a huge wall of web obviously laced with corruption. Its everywhere in that direction. This looks extremely dangerous. Its sectioning off a huge part of the forest! Perlah looks visibly shaken. She had often thought of Terezas confidence as pure arrogance, but now she realizes that if even Tereza is wary, there must be serious danger ahead. Its like she says, Alex confirms. I can see the corruption with Gyo; its coming from the Northwest. The forest looks even gloomier in that direction. Rishi calmly analyzes the situation. The most logical choice would be to go to the Northeast, then. How do you figure that? Roja questions him. I agree, Alex interjects. Instead of going straight into the nearby abyss, lets check out the wall of web where its not as thick, and with a lighter corruption and, most likely, easier difficulty. That makes sense! So were not running away, but instead starting to approach from the easiest side to get a feel for whats waiting for us. Lets go, Tereza concludes, nodding in agreement with Alex and Rishi. A logical choice indeed. I concur, Roja adds, while Perlah remains silent, seeing the reason in Rishis idea. Alex leads the group straight east for a while, the wall in the distance becoming thinner and thinner before Alex finally turns north to approach the web. By now, the web has thinned out significantly, and its corruption has also greatly reduced; overall, its barely visible. A bit too cautious, Id say, Tereza comments. Rishi and Roja both respond simultaneously, Thats fine for now. As they approach the giant corrupted wall of weblike a barrier splitting the forest into two partsAlex spots smaller spiders on the ground, ignoring the groups presence. Alex carefully scans the area, despite his personal dislike of spiders. Two possible nests detected, he says. One is in that direction, Alex points toward the larger corrupted web wall from earlier, though its a joke to the initial dark wall of corruption from earlier. Another one is curiously a bit closer to the entrance, away from the corrupted web wall, he adds, pointing toward the Southeast. Southeast please, Perlah says quietly. I agree, Alex says, nodding. It looks like its the closest. I can see some sort of cliff or ravine in the distance, its probably infested with spiders, but itd make a decent first target. Rishi, Roja, and Tereza all give him approving nods, and the group heads toward the spider nest. As they approach the nest, which appears to be somewhat underground and built into a natural ravine, Alex immediately realizes something. These arent Acromantulas; these are just Thornback spiders, Alex says. How do you figure? I dont recognize these spiders, but youre right. Despite their dark colors hinting at corruption, I actually see different colors underneath. They dont look like Acromantulas. I see green, yellow, bronze, and gray spiders down there. Inside the giant web, surrounded by dozens of others wait, let me see Tereza squints, using her enhanced SNS to scout. I can spot a red one. That one is huge. I dont remember reading about them. What is all this? I know the lore of Harry Potter, and these are never mentioned anywhere. We arent in the world of Harry Potteror at least, not in the book world, Alex reminds her. Remember the items weve acquired? They all say Wizarding World as well! These spiders look similar to the enemies in Hogwarts Legacy and it makes sense. There should be other types of spiders than just Acromantulas. And honestly? Its not bad for us. Theyre probably an easier target! Tereza, dont risk flying above the ravine. There are webs everywhere, and if the spiders trap you mid-flight, youll crash down below, Alex warns her. Focusing his aura into his eyes with Gyo, Alex studies the spiders carefully, recalling the research hed done beforehand on the properties of enemies in Hogwarts Legacy The green ones are shooters, focusing on ranged attacks with acid. The gray ones, lurking at the edges, are ambushers. They trap you with webs before striking. The small, more yellow ones are hatchlings, and the larger yellow or bronze ones are warriors. Those can even burrow into the ground. And the red one thats a Matriarch. Its incredibly dangerous. Its bite can break through nearly anything. Dont get caughtit could kill you with a single attack. Also, I reckon all of them can poison you. Thankfully, this is a small nest, with only one Matriarch. Most importantly: theyre weak to fire! Very good, Alex. Youre completely right, Rishi says, nodding. Thankfully, even you three ladies have access to Alexs grenades, which deal a small amount of fire damage as well. Alex, you and I should wait until theyve grouped up, then unleash our AoE fire spells, Rishi suggests. Alex nods in agreement. I see just one way to the Matriarch, Rishi continues. Its down where the incline isnt as steep. However, there might be more enemies inside the tunnels and caves on either side of the ravine. The most important thing is not to get overwhelmed. We need to stand firm and clear them out slowly. We either move forward or backward as a group. If anyone breaks formation and runs, youll endanger yourself and everyone else. Yeah, I doubt these spiders are as dumb as game enemies that only attack with five or six at a time. Wouldnt surprise me if the whole nest swarms us as soon as we go inside, Alex says. The group cautiously approaches the ravine, but Alex suddenly hears movement before they can even begin descending. Tereza, her voice sharp and urgent, whispers, Enemies! Behind the trees! I hear them! Alex wastes no time. He activates En and to his absolute shock, at least 10 giant spiders appear within rangeexcluding the hundreds of smaller spiders, ranging in size from a human finger to a fist. More and more spiders enter his En, hiding behind the trees near the ravine. Shit! No use hiding, theyve spotted us! At least 10 to 15 enemies on the right side, opposite the ravine; behind and even on top of the damn trees! Get in position and fight! Also, dont get caught from behind; the ravine is right behind us if we focus on the trees! Alex shouts, abandoning the silent approach. He pulls out his [Mr. 5s .44 Caliber 6-Shot Revolver], memorizes the positions of the spiders and readies himself, activating Ren! Chapter 194: Thornback Massacre As Alex readies himself to shoot, numerous spiders suddenly leap out from behind the trees or drop down from nearby branches. A few are even descending slowly on threads from the highest trees in the area. Alex immediately fires his [Mr. 5s .44 Caliber 6-Shot Revolver], deciding to focus on the ranged spiders first. He targets two Thornback Shooters at the very back, his Aura adding an extra punch to his shots thanks to Shu, despite his low affinity with emission. With his more-than-decent AGI and SNS, along with Pistol Proficiency lvl 4, all six shots hit their marks in a matter of seconds. S~ea??h the novlF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Alex quickly holsters his revolver and draws his [Sword of Pluto] along with his trusty [Shield of Pluto]. He raises his shield just in time to block a web attack from a nearby Thornback Ambusher, who rushes at him while continuously spitting web. Alex activates Fire Sword lvl 4, hiding behind his shield until the beast is directly in front of him. With his evasion and movement boosted, Alex lunges forward and finishes it in a single, vicious strike. Alex heaves a sigh of relief, already taking down three spiders. The burning corpse of the corrupted spider in front of him releases a nauseating smell that drives a feeling of madness into his mind. For a moment, panic grips him as the sheer number of Thornback spiders still approaching becomes apparent. Clenching his teeth, Alex charges into the fray. Slicing to his sides, his Aura flares and slashes at anything within range. He spins his Aura slightly, extending the reach of his sword. Simultaneously, he activates Ken, draining his Aura rapidly but protecting him from incoming attacks. Surrounded by countless Thornback spiders, Alex fights bravely despite being entangled in their webs. He manages to resist their poison but suffers numerous injuries, including bite wounds, slashes, and stabs from their sharp, claw-like legs. Despite the stress and danger, Alexs increasing INT allows him to make a critical observationone that could turn the tide of the battle. RISHI!! These hatchlings only have 30 HP! Even if you cant group them up, a single Fire is enough to kill them easily as long as theyre nearby!! Alex screams desperately, still surrounded by Thornback spiders. Alex wildly blocks and slashes at the surrounding spiders, using his AGI to dodge most of their attacks by rolling on the ground. Despite his efforts, he still gets hit occasionally by spiders biting or slashing at him with their sharp legs. Alex feels a sharp hit of acidic poison splattering onto him, nearly making him vomit. He jumps away quickly and activates En for a split second, immediately realizing there are four Thornback Shooters at the back, some of them targeting him. Not willing to take any risks, Alex throws three Annihilation Grenades lvl 4 at the shooters, ignoring the exact damage numbers but ensuring they are taken out of the fight. The explosions send shrapnel into the remaining spiders in the backline, dealing minor damage. Behind him, Alex hears the sounds of his teammates fighting, their spells and attacks lighting up the battlefield. Ignoring them for now, he focuses on holding back the dangerous Ambushers and Warriors heading his way. Alex activates another Fire Sword lvl 4, a spell that costs a mere 10 MP but is strong enough to kill even the Warriors in a single hitif he can strike the main part of their bodies instead of just their legs. Alex lunges straight toward another Warrior and unleashes his fiery attack. With several enemies now wounded, dead, or scattered, Alex takes a moment to check his status. Alex casts Fire lvl 4 repeatedly, targeting the Ambushers and Warriors. Casting the spell four times, he kills two Ambushers and two Warriors. The Warriors, with their higher HP, endure his initial attack but die after he unleashes another Fire lvl 4 as an AoE spell, which also kills a few nearby Hatchlings. With all enemies at the front finally dead, Alex scans the group to check on his teammates. Roja and Perlah are standing close together, with Perlah using a sound attack from her harp to confuse the spiders. While the attack doesnt fully incapacitate them, it disorients them enough for Roja to unleash precision strikes with her rapier, targeting the weakened enemies. Tereza is flying low to the ground, staying close enough to avoid getting caught by hidden webs in the trees. She circles around a large group of at least eight spiders, screaming loudly at them to confuse and distract them, casting Flipendo from time to time to group them up together. Rishi seizes the opportunity and casts Fire lvl 4 on the ground, immediately repeating the spell. Alex joins in with his own Fire lvl 4, and their combined efforts decimate the entire group. Notifications flood Alexs view, confirming every spider encircled by Tereza is dead. The Ambushers and Hatchlings fall to Rishis first two spells, while the surviving Warriors are finally finished off by Alexs last attack. Alex rushes toward the remaining wounded Hatchlings, his sword easily penetrating their small bodies. Alex sighs. The battle, despite the seemingly weak enemies, had drained both his stamina and mental strength. He looks toward the ravine and notices a few remaining spiders cautiously approaching. However, upon seeing the dozens of dead spider corpses littering the ground, they hesitate and retreat back into their nest. That was stressful, Alex jokes, slashing his sword through the air to rid it of the dripping, mud-colored, slightly green spider blood. Rishi and Tereza nod at Alex with impressed expressions, while Roja and Perlah look like theyve just survived certain death. Both of them stand at a distance, looking scared and already half-fleeing from the ravine. Alex quickly stuffs two of the White-quality [Successful Dishes] into his mouth, namely [Successful Dish (Braised Blobfish)], and [Successful Dish (Fried Cucco)] [Successful Dish (Braised Blobfish)] : :( [Successful Dish (Fried Cucco)] Lets loot them! We can split the chests laterI see quite a few! Tereza says, her face lighting up with glee. The group begins gathering loot, picking up spider corpses and discovering a total of three chests. Alex claims one for himself, while Roja and Perlah hesitantly grab just a few spider corpses, not daring to demand anything more. Im still good to go. Shall we head inside before they can prepare an ambush? Alex asks, noticing his HP quickly recovering, turning to the group. Chapter 195: Cowardice, Insanity, and Madness – Culling the Nest Alex''s words are still fresh in the air, and Roja and Perlahs faces visibly contort. Yes, we need to hurryor it will be harder for us, Rishi says, calmly walking down into the ravine, with Tereza and Alex following close behind. Are you insane?! You still want to go down there? Do you want to die?! Perlah exclaims, shocked at the three allies'' decision to press on. Roja also speaks up, her voice filled with concern. This is too dangerous. Its not worth the risk! Rishi, you must realize this too! This area is not suitable for groups. We need every single group to combine to take care of these targets! We need a full raid! Rishi, however, just shrugs, not bothering to respond to the protests. Alex, carefully observing Rishis neutral expression, manages to catch a glimpse of something darker beneath the surfacea tiny hint of clear disdain, along with a faint but unmistakable spark of hatred and madness in his eyes. Theyre lucky we made a contract Alex thinks, his mind racing. Rishi looks ready to kill. That guy may appear calm and act the most rational out of all of us, but he harbors the most violence and the strongest potential for killing inside him. He would sacrifice weak, useless helpers at the earliest opportunity. The contract is the only thing keeping these two alive. Alex responds, looking a bit annoyed as well, and says in a firm voice, We went for the weakest possible target, and we havent accomplished anything yet, aside from earning a few white-ranked chests and bagging a few low-ranked spider corpses, most of them ruined by fire! We need to clear the nest! If youre not up to it, you can stay here. This is still relatively easy. Honestly, I could have done this alone with a few more grenades and more spells. Anyway, we need to go in. Guard the entrance and kill stragglers, or follow us inside. We wont blame you, but we will finish this! Roja thinks for a moment before reluctantly responding. Well provide backline support and kill stragglers who try to leave the ravine. Alex, Tereza, and Rishi nod at them and proceed into the ravine. Rishi, with his vast MP pool, uses the AoE variant of Fire lvl 4 to quickly burn away any webs blocking their path. The flames spread rapidly, consuming the sticky silk. As the fire rages, Alex hears the wild screams and agonizing cries of young spiders being burned alive. Rishis face contorts into a twisted smile, no longer hiding his true feelings. He even whispers, Alex, your gift from when we first met is very much to my liking. These flames I cant get enough of them. Scary guy. Well, not a surprise at this point. Creep! Tereza snaps, though her own expression isnt much different. She looks as though shes comfortably sitting around a cozy bonfire, clearly enjoying the situation. The group continues moving forward, and Alex cant help but voice a concern. This is suspicious. Not one real enemy either theyre planning an ambush, or Alex halts mid-sentence as they round a large stone and see the Thornback Matriarch in the center of the small ravine. Surrounding it are 20 to 30 large Thornback Shooters, Warriors, and Ambushers, as well as around 30 smaller Thornback Hatchlings. They will gather up and defend their Matriarch! Tereza finishes Alexs sentence, her eyes fixed on the scene ahead. Well, its time for some explosions, Alex says with a happy, slightly crazed expression, pulling out numerous Annihilation Grenades lvl 4. Rishi and Tereza grin as well, drawing their own grenades. Tereza activates her full transformation, morphing into a massive bat. Alex hands her three additional grenades, which she clutches in her sharp toe clawstwo grenades in each claw. Time to kill!! she screams in a chilling voice, unleashing a powerful shrill cry that visibly vibrates the air. She quickly flies several meters into the air, the sound disorienting the spiders below while Rishi and Alex sprint forward. As Tereza carefully flies into the air, Rishi yells, Alex, lets get her some space! Burn those webs, burn the entire nest down into ash! Alex nods and quickly moves to the left side of the nest while Rishi heads to the right. Both unleash Fire lvl 4, aiming for as many webs as possible. The flames spread rapidly, transforming the outer edges of the nest into an inferno. What is this? Alex notices that the flames are failing to reach the horde of spiders in the center of the ravine. The corrupted webs, seemingly stronger and thicker, resist the fire and burn much slower than the rest. So the corruption is the strongest in the center interesting. The spiders, noticing Alexs and Rishis attempts to burn their entire nest, begin to mobilize. The horde starts to move as if guided by a skilled general. Thornback Shooters stay at the back, protected by Warriors and Hatchlings, while the Ambushers move to the flanks. Suddenly, Alex realizes the numbers have changed, several Warriors are missing. SHIT!! Are they underground? En! Activating En, Alex detects several Warriors tunneling beneath the battlefield. We need to start now! Rishi shouts, obviously noticing it as well. Alex doesnt hesitate and hurls four Annihilation Grenades lvl 4 into the horde of spiders, specifically targeting the Shooters at the back. BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM Four deafening explosions tear through the horde, sending spider limbs and shrapnel flying, Alex ignoring the hundreds of combat messages. Rishi follows up with a barrage of Fire lvl 4 spells, the flames wreaking havoc on the remaining backline. By the time the smoke begins to clear, most of the spiders in the back are dead. But suddenly, four Warriors burst out of the ground behind Rishi, leaping toward him with their sharp, deadly legs ready to tear him apart. Shit, I cant reach him in time! Alex sprints toward Rishi, but before he can get there, Tereza drops two grenades directly behind Rishi, landing them next to the attacking spiders. The Warriors, unable to dodge, are obliterated in the explosions. BOOM BOOM Rishi desperately jumps to safety but is hit by shrapnel. A wound appears on his shoulder, blood seeping through his clothes. With half of the spiders now dead, Alex notices the Thornback Matriarch letting out a deafening scream. She begins leading the remaining spiders into battle herself, charging forward at the head of the group. Shit, this Matriarch is quite smart. She tested us out, made us waste our grenades, and now fights herself. Shit, I only have one grenade left! Alex screams. He immediately throws his last grenade into the approaching group of spiders. Rishi follows suit, hurling his final grenade as well. Tereza, seeing the situation, lets out a piercing scream aimed at the oncoming horde and throws her two remaining grenades into the chaos. The Thornback Matriarch reacts quickly, unleashing a dark, corrupted web to shield herself and several of her minions. BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM Four more explosions rock the ravine, sending spiders flying in every direction. Bodies burn, explode, and are cruelly torn apart by the flying shrapnel. However, as the dust settles, Alex notices the Thornback Matriarch emerging from the chaos, almost completely unharmed. She lets out another terrifying scream and begins charging directly toward him. Hmmph, I can dodge this! Alex jumps back to evade the Thornback Matriarch''s charge but feels something is wrong. Activating En again, he notices two Warriors tunneling beneath him. He quickly dodges their attack, only to get blindsided by Ambushers flanking him. They spit webs that pull him back to the ground, leaving him immobilized as the Matriarch charges toward him. KEN! Desperately activating Ken, Alex raises his [Shield of Pluto] to defend himself. The Matriarch slams her body against his shield repeatedly, her massive limbs hammering it aside. She lunges with her powerful bite, sinking her fangs into Alexs stomach. You have taken 5 damage You have taken 7 damage You have taken 4 damage You have taken 90 damage FUCK! THIS HURTS LIKE A BITCH! Panicking, Alex quickly conjures Sealions Icewing Embrace lvl 4, using his AURA to boost his defense, followed by Mustranos Malice Mauler lvl 4. The icy armor he conjures significantly weakens the spiders next devastating bite. You have taken 21 damage Icewing Embrace Durability -7 Still pinned to the ground, Alex watches as Rishi casts Mind Strike, Shadow Word: Pain, and Mind Flay on the Matriarch. Though the Matriarch shrugs off the effects, she pauses her assault momentarily. Seeing a brief opening, Alex activates Toxic Breakthrough lvl 4 and plunges his empowered claw deep into the Matriarchs body. You have dealt 56 damage to Mutated Thornback Matriarch (Corrupted) You have poisoned Mutated Thornback Matriarch (Corrupted) The Matriarch lets out a piercing scream of pain. Alex grits his teeth and repeats the attack, injecting more poison into her with two additional strikes. His Aura rapidly depletes with each use of Toxic Breakthrough lvl 4, and the Matriarch thrashes her limbs to defend herself with limited success. You have dealt 32 damage to Mutated Thornback Matriarch (Corrupted) You have poisoned Mutated Thornback Matriarch (Corrupted) You have dealt 26 damage to Mutated Thornback Matriarch (Corrupted) You have poisoned Mutated Thornback Matriarch (Corrupted) DIE, YOU FUCKING BEAST! Alex roars and uses Toxic Breakthrough lvl 4 twice more. He feels his strength waning but manages to land both strikes, injecting stack after stack of poison into the Matriarch. You have dealt 22 damage to Mutated Thornback Matriarch (Corrupted) You have poisoned Mutated Thornback Matriarch (Corrupted) You have dealt 20 damage to Mutated Thornback Matriarch (Corrupted) You have poisoned Mutated Thornback Matriarch (Corrupted) Seizing the moment, Alex rolls to the side and jumps toward Rishi. Rishi continuously casts spells to cover Alexs retreat, while Tereza flies above the battlefield. She grabs spiders one by one, slamming them against the ravine walls before sucking their stunned bodies dry. Alex watches her in shock, but his respect for her grows as he sees her becoming stronger and more ferocious. Her mouth drips with muddy green blood as she tears apart the Hatchlings with ease, killing one or two with every swoop, like an unstoppable beast. Meanwhile, the Matriarch writhes on the ground, visibly weakened. Alex''s combat log continues to update, showing the Matriarch taking heavy damage from the poison. The base effect of Toxic Breakthrough lvl 4 allows up to 3 poison stacks, with an additional 2 due to it reaching lvl 4, totaling 5 stacks. Despite the Matriarchs natural poison resistance, Toxic Breakthrough lvl 4 ignores nearly a third of it, causing her immense suffering. Toxic Breakthrough dealt 1 damage to Mutated Thornback Matriarch (Corrupted) Sar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Toxic Breakthrough dealt 1 damage to Mutated Thornback Matriarch (Corrupted) Toxic Breakthrough dealt 1 damage to Mutated Thornback Matriarch (Corrupted) Toxic Breakthrough dealt 1 damage to Mutated Thornback Matriarch (Corrupted) Rishi! Shes as good as dead! The poison will kill her; we can stay defensivewe dont need to risk it. We just need to endure a bit longer, Alex shouts. As he speaks, Alex pulls out a [Infused Superior Dish (Kulu-Ya-Ku Hamburg Steak)] and stuffs it into his mouth, feeling his HP recover rapidly after nearly succumbing to the Matriarchs devastating assault. Time for the finale! Chapter 196: Cleansing the Nest, Waning Corruption! [Infused Superior Dish (Kulu-Ya-Ku Hamburg Steak)] Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Alex heaves a sigh of relief as he watches his HP climb back to almost 100, enough to survive another assault. Tereza, in her fully transformed state, flies through the air with a crazed expression. Her sharp claws rip into anything in her way, her lethal draining bite finishes off weakened enemies and strengthens and sustains herself, and her screeching voice disorients her foes. Alex watches as Tereza even lands a few light blows against the Matriarch, drawing its attention. She then quickly retreats, redirecting her focus to the weaker spiders nearby. Using the confusion caused by Tereza, Alex and Rishi seize the opportunity. They unleash as many Fire lvl 4 spells as possible, concentrating their attacks on the Matriarch, who now lacks most of her protectors. After three successive rounds of Fire spells, the Matriarch is engulfed in flames. Her body glows a bright red, her limbs unrecognizable as her entire form appears to bathe in molten lava. Every remaining spider stares at the Matriarch, letting out horrifying cries, slowly succumbing to her injuries, collapsing on the ground with her crippled and burned body, and finally dying. As the Matriarch falls, Alex notices a Blue Chest materialize alongside a massive, dark glowing crystal. Suddenly, as the Matriarch collapses, a huge wave of corruption is unleashed, spreading outward from her body and hitting everything in the area, including the remaining spiders, Alex, Tereza, and Rishi. The wave hits like a truck, Alex collapses onto the ground, Rishi drops to his knees, looking extremely pale, and even Tereza crashes against the wall of the ravine. She bounces back after the impact and struggles to land next to her two comrades. Slowly, the darkness and corruption magically lift from the area. Every remaining Thornback spider in the distance, those outside the wave of corruption, quickly flees the nest. However, any spider caught in the wave instantly perished. In just a few minutes, the entire ravine transforms into a peaceful, quiet hiding placeif not for the thousands of dead spiders and the blazing inferno still devouring the nest. Without the corruption, the area looks completely different, as if a curse had been lifted. Alexs HP slowly recovers thanks to the [Infused Superior Dish (Kulu-Ya-Ku Hamburg Steak)], which is still active and restores 75 HP over 10 minutes. He looks around, checks his body and finally breathes a sigh of relief. Good job, guys that was closer than I expected it to be. The damn thing was mutated and corrupted. Fuck that disgusting thing, he says while slowly walking toward the Matriarchs remains and looting the [Chest (Blue)] and the [Corruption Crystal], a Purple-quality mission item without any text or explanation, surprising Alex. Suddenly, Alex notices a few messages. [Side Quest Offered: Mission: Find out more about the [Corruption Crystal] by asking someone who can tell you more about it. Reward: ???, Increased Mission Rating] You see that as well? Alex asks. Yeah, it counts for us all, apparently, Rishi replies. Tereza transforms back into her hybrid form, spitting out a mixture of saliva and leftover spider blood before wiping her mouth clean. Disgusting... she mutters. ... No surprise there; lets loot whatever is left that didnt get burned and then leave. The body of the damn Matriarch is totally scorched, nothing useful is left. The other spiders either got burned or were hit by the corruption wave, which pulverized them only a few spiders on the side have usable parts, Alex says, rummaging through the mountain of dead spiders and picking out small Thornback spider parts that still appear valuable. We need to investigate the caves on the sides of the ravine; there might be more valuables left, Rishi reminds him. Treasure? Lets check it out! Tereza exclaims with a gleeful smile. The group gets moving and starts searching the battlefield. Each of the trio manages to pick up another White-quality chest from the mountain of spider corpses before noticing Roja and Perlah cautiously approaching the devastated ravine. What the hell happened here? It looks, smells, and feels like weve descended into hell! Perlah exclaims, clearly disturbed by the scene. Indeed, you look like you went through hell as well. Your insane risk-taking will kill you one of these days, Roja adds, frowning at the battered group. Oh, now that its safe and were talking about treasure, you shamelessly return! Tereza snaps, clearly irritated. Its obvious shes angry that they reappear just as the group is planning to enter the caves in search of treasure. Its a good thing you two are fine, Alex says, shifting the topic. Say, Id really like to knowdid you get rewards or maybe a quest for clearing this nest? Rishis eyes shift for a split second. Alex notices the subtle movement and assumes he might also be curious about the answer. Yeah, we got 500 Contribution Points each, and we also got the quest about taking the [Corruption Crystal] to someone who knows what it is. Of course, one of you surely holds the crystal, so we dont even know what it is, Roja replies, slightly annoyed but compelled by the contract to speak the truth. We also got Contribution Points and the quest It sounds like maybe Dumbledore could appraise this crystal for us. Hes the one who tasked us with cleansing the corruption, after all, Alex suggests. Thats the most obvious and straightforward answer. I dont see a reason why we shouldnt first show it to him, Rishi says, agreeing with Alex but also obviously doubting that the solution to this mission is really that simple. Enough about that! Treasure. Lets see what the spiders were hoarding, Tereza says, excitement flashing in her eyes, her entire body still pulsing with energy from her blood-draining ability. These are not friggin crows. I doubt they hoard anything of value! Heck, the only thing theyre hoarding is probably eggs, maybe not yet corrupted, that we can sell to Hagrid. I heard that guy loves to breed beasts, especially if theyre dangerous, Alex reasons, clearly not expecting much from the search. The group enters the cave on the left side of the ravine, with Roja and Perlah sticking to the back once again. Tereza glares at them but presses on, taking the lead as the vanguard, while Alex stays in the center to recover, his HP still too low to risk leading the group. Alex also notices something strange about Rishi, who maintains his usual casual, friendly expression but seems slightly off. The group cautiously explores the dark, damp cave. They soon come across clusters of massive spider eggs, some of which seem to pulse unnervingly, as though ready to hatch. As Tereza steps closer to one of the clusters, Alex senses a sudden shift from within the eggs. Tereza notices it too, quickly leaping backward with her wings easily allowing her to fly back in under a second, clearly used to them by now. Alex and Rishi exchange a knowing glance before unleashing Fire lvl 4 spells at the hatching egg cluster. The cluster explodes violently under the might of the spells, and the spider brood within is immediately consumed by flames, perishing mere seconds after hatching. Alex and Rishi press forward carefully, approaching each egg cluster with precision. Each one behaves the same, pulsing and reacting when they draw near. They destroy the clusters one by one, flames consuming the unborn spiders before they can become a threat. Eventually, they come across a smaller group of eggs, separated from the massive clusters. These eggs stand out due to their pristine, smooth surfaces, and their unusual appearance catches Alexs attention. [Thornback Egg] Alex grabs the egg and moves on, his eyes lighting up as he discovers more shiny white eggs in the distance, even forgetting his dislike for spiders. Chapter 197: Arachnophobia and Claustrophobia, Overcoming Your Fear – The Secret of the Spider Cave The group of five ventures deeper inside the cave, picking up more [Thornback Eggs] until they hit a dead end. They leave and enter the slightly larger cave on the other side of the ravine, finding more egg clusters and eggs, which they, of course, collect as well. Alex, Rishi, and Tereza each carry five now, while Roja and Perlah decide to just take a single egg each, obviously not bold enough to demand more. As they reach another seemingly dead end and plan to return, Tereza raises her voice: Wait! There is something on that side of the cave wall. I can see signs of frequent use by the spiders. Its like this part is an old highway thats been used for 50 years, compared to the rest of the cave. This spot looks like it hides a secret passage, Tereza says. Alex pays close attention and uses Gyo for a second, nodding his head. Youre right. There is a pathway leading further inside, its also going slightly downwards. But that area is pretty narrow. We can squeeze through, but forget about fighting once were in there, well be trapped! Lets burn every single web before entering. Im not squeezing through that small opening without it. I hate fucking spiders, he says, half complaining, half demanding. We still have our Annihilation Grenade lvl 4, shall we just throw them in? Roja suggests, looking at the others. I actually agree. If the damn thing collapses, Im fine with that, as long as we can eliminate the threat of enemies! Let me check a bit more, Alex says, using En. That damn opening is a small tunnel. It doesnt get smaller, it pretty much stays the same size as it is now. Large enough for us to duck and slowly walk through it. Also, no eggs in sight. No enemies either but hundreds of smaller spiders, of course. So yeah, burn it down or blow it upboth sound like good ideas to me, Alex tells them. Thats quite a useful ability, Alex, Perlah says, looking relieved. Alex, youre being a bit irrational. You obviously dislike and fear spiders, so I respect you for pushing through this, but lets neither burn the webs nor throw grenades. If you cant detect anything with your En, well just announce our presenceor worse, cause a cave-in. Just close your eyes and go in, Rishi urges him. ...You first, Alex replies, hating the idea of squeezing through this spider-infested narrow tunnel. Rishi moves forward, but Tereza interrupts. Im going first. My SNS is the highest! No Im going first. I have my shield, and I can cast Fire as well. Also, my En is most effective with me at the front, Alex says, eating two more White-quality dishes: [Successful Dish (Braised Blobfish)], which restores the most HP outside of battles, and [Successful Dish (Cucco Eggs Benedict)]. [Successful Dish (Cucco Eggs Benedict)] Not bad, Alex says, finishing the food and seeing that his HP is close to full. Alex Kerber: Lvl 4 He looks at Roja and Perlah. Give me the grenades back. I might need them, Alex says. Sure! Perlah eagerly stuffs a grenade into his hand. Roja hesitates slightly but doesnt deny Alexs request. Alex takes out his [Sword of Pluto] and conjures Mustranos Malice Mauler lvl 4, hearing the snakes voice slither into his mind: More tassssty sssspiders. I like eating them they sssstruggle sssso nicely in my ssstomach when I ssswallow them, by biting down jusssst a little to unleash their tasty juicessss. You are misssssing out on their unique, crunchy, juicy tasssste. The texxxture isss ssssimply divine, Mustrano hisses, trying to win Alex over but failing spectacularly, as Alex nearly throws up. Shut up about it, I want you to get rid of them, not play or eat them! Alex snaps, drawing confused looks from his group members. Mustrano, make sure he doesnt panic, Rishi says. A mouth forms on Alexs claw hand, whispering: Ssssure, more sssspiders for me, if he doesssnt want them! Perlah lets out a small scream after seeing Mustrano, and Roja immediately covers her mouth. Shut up! Dont reveal us, Roja admonishes. Alex enters the small tunnel, twitching slightly as he uses his sword and claw hand to clear away the webs, cutting a path forward. Suddenly, he notices a mouth forming on Mustrano, and the claw twitches for a moment, as if wanting to eat the tiny spiders inside the webs. Finally, he grabs a medium-sized spider and clenches his claw-like hand. Let me at least keep trying! Mustrano whispers in his mind. Fearing Mustranos continuous arguing, Alex swings his claw hand, cutting through the webs. A fist-sized spider suddenly descends directly in front of his eyes. Alex nearly panics, but Mustrano, in his claw form, grabs the spider immediately. His nail-like fingers press into the spiders body, and then he tightens his body into a fist, slowly clenching. Through Mustrano, Alex feels the spider suffering and finally dying after a few seconds. S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. I obey do humansss not enjoy thisss kind of thing? You lack a sssense of joy! Mustrano argues. Alex uses Menchis meditation technique to calm himself, ignoring Mustrano, who tries to eat the spider but fails again. The spiders body simply does not enter Alexs hand, Mustranos mouth is just a tool for speaking, not swallowing. You were right, human it doessss not work. It wassss pretty fun regardlesssss! Mustrano admits. Alex, ignoring Mustrano slowly cuts his way through the tunnel, feeling a bit calmer after using the meditation technique and getting used to the narrow space. He reluctantly lets Mustrano continue his torturing spree, clearing out the larger spiders along the way. What is that crunching sound, Alex? Thats disgusting! Tereza asks, close behind him, finally noticing Mustranos antics. I fucking agree! Just dont ask, Alex replies, shivering all over but moving forward regardless. Alex finally makes it to the end of the tunnel. Before stepping out, he activates En to make sure he isnt walking into a trap. What he sees shocks him to his core. He senses a small, roughly rectangular chamber ahead. Apart from the creepy small spiders crawling everywhere, he detects a massive presence, easily three to four times larger than the giant Thornback Matriarch they fought a few hours ago. Surrounding her are dozens of Thornback Spiders, a mix of every type the group has encountered before. To Alexs horror, the Matriarch reacts to him, clearly sensing his En. Instantly, dozens of Thornback Spiders scurry toward the tunnel where Alex is still hiding. He immediately leaps out, desperate to avoid getting trapped in the tight space where he wouldnt stand a chance. Holding his [Sword of Pluto] in his right hand, with Mustranos Malice Mauler lvl 4 still conjured in his left, Alex braces for battle. But, for some reason, the spiders dont attack. The pause gives his teammates time to exit the tunnel as well. He glances at Rishi and Tereza, who stand beside him, but Roja and Perlah are nowhere to be seen, even after thirty seconds. Fuck those traitors! Ive had it with them! Tereza growls, staring at the swarm of Thornback Spiders guarding the enormous Matriarch. These spiders arent attacking us, Rishi says, clearly focused on the immediate danger rather than Roja and Perlahs betrayal. Theyre just standing there. Suddenly, the spiders lower themselves onto the ground, shifting to the walls of the chamber, forming a clear path toward the massive Matriarch. Are they telling us to approach? Tereza asks, her voice uncertain. Cant trust them! Obviously, we are dead if we approach! I say we drop the grenades and run back into the fucking tunnel, we can make it out! Alex practically shouts. Rishi, however, keeps his eyes on the Matriarch. We can trust her. I can see her Aura. Theres zero intent to fight us. No if Im right, shes grateful? Chapter 198: The Gratefulness of a Monster – Playing God! Fuck, Rishi, be careful! Alex says as Rishi fearlessly walks toward what is probably the old brood mother and Matriarch of this Thornback tribe. Alex carefully inspects her, shes red, almost crimson, with specks of purple. Her appearance is similar to the Matriarch they fought earlier but slightly different, even aside from her much larger size. Dozens of Thornback spiders remain submissively on the ground, but theyre close enough to swarm and probably kill him in an instant. Alex sheathes his [Sword of Pluto] and takes out his two retrieved Annihilation Grenades lvl 4, cloaking them with In. Since theyre his own Conjurations, its still possible to do so, regardless of when they were first conjured. Alex watches closely as Rishi seems to be reading the spiders thoughts. Alex, come closer, Rishi says. As the freaked-out Alex and the skeptical Tereza step forward, Rishi turns toward them. I can read her aura. Shes not hiding anything; shes openly displaying her emotions. Shes extremely grateful especially to you. She admires you but also fears you or rather, the weapon you wield in the form of Mustrano. I feel something else as well, she seems to like your Aura and felt you fighting earlier, Im sure she knows what happened, Rishi explains. Heh, maybe, she just has a unique taste like Menchi and me, Tereza jokes. Tereza, you are disgusting, I swear, Im already panicking, and this is not helping! Why is it always me? Cant fate just ignore me for once? Alex groans. Anyway, you know, if you had a real beast communication skill, Id fully believe you. But what if shes faking her aura, her emotions? Or even manipulating them? Dont trust your innate skill too much, Rishi. I know you trust it with your life, but no skill is almighty, there are always exceptions! Rishi nods. Youre not entirely wrong, Alex, but trust me on thisthese spiders arent corrupted. I can tell the difference in their auras. The other spiders were frenzied, and corrupted, like they were being controlled by something foreign. These ones are normal, natural spiders. A natural spider is bad enough when all it wants to do is kill and eat whatever flies into its web! And look where the fuck we are! Alex argues. We arent helpless flies, are we? Were dangerous wasps that invaded a spiders nest. Shell gladly let us fly away. In fact, shed pay us to do it, Rishi counters. Anyway, I can feel it, this old Matriarch wont attack us. In fact, it seems almost magical. She looks different from the one we fought earlier like shes gained some higher form of intelligence, Rishi says, trying to calm Alex down. The burning red Matriarch, her body strangely marked with a few purple spots, lets out a deep, rumbling soundcompletely unlike the other spiders. A few Thornback Warriors suddenly burrow beneath her. Whats this now? Maybe shes ordering her children to bring out her treasures and reward us, Tereza says, grinning brightly. You know, if that happens, Ill eat my [Visor of Pluto], Alex mutters, mocking her naive optimism. Suddenly, the spiders return, carrying a bunch of skeletons. Alex tenses immediately. So does Tereza, as both of them jump backward. A few spiders twitch as well, clearly agitated. Calm down! Rishi orders. Lets leave! Alex says. Tereza nods, adding, I love treasure the most, but the risk-to-reward factor seems pretty low here. Im getting a bit spooked as well. I disagree. The rewards look quite spectacular, as far as I can tell, Rishi says, kneeling next to the skeletons. He starts rummaging through a pile of small bags, opening one, and pulling out a fistful of shiny, golden Galleons. Bags with the Undetectable Extension Charm! Alex notes. Treasure! See? I was right! Tereza says with a grin, her excitement flaring up as she immediately kneels beside him to inspect the loot, as if a switch in her mind just flipped. Theres more here! Light Green to Deep Green wands, jewelry, and those are SOUL CRYSTALS! Tereza exclaims, her excitement growing. Tereza and Rishi carefully dig through the spoils, pulling out everything they can from the bags. Fuck, stop sorting through it here! Just grab the damn bags and make a run for it! Alex snaps, his eyes locked onto the Matriarch. For some reason, shes staring directly at him, clearly amused. Shes not done yet, Rishi says. I can see it in her Aura. This color combination seems to be linked to rewards, gratefulness, and fairness. Her attention is directed somewhere else, but the color is the same as this gift. Lets wait a little while longer. "Here, Alexmaybe this will calm you down. Your share! Alex immediately stashes the Soul Crystals and the Galleons into his inventory, visibly shocked by the sheer amount of wealth. Rishi also hands him a small bag containing the looted jewelry. Tereza can keep the wands for now, you keep the jewelry, and Ill take most of the empty bags, they should be worth something as well. We can trade later if this doesnt feel equal, Rishi suggests. Im not arguing about this. Whatever, do whatever you want. Now, can we fucking leave? Alex says impatiently. The only thing waiting for us if we stay is death, Rishi. These are monsters. Even if you see gratitude and reward, their logic and their entire existence are different from ours. I have a damn bad feeling about this, and usually, my instincts are right. Ive survived a lot, and Ive learned to trust my gut. You cant predict what will happen! "Theres nothing left down here thats worth the risk. Lets quit while were ahead. This is valuable loot, but we need to be alive to use it, Alex argues. I trust you and your feelings, Alex. I have nothing but the utmost respect for you and everything youve achieved so far. Maybe youre right but I trust my Aura as well. At least when it comes to sensing danger, Im sure we wont be attacked, Rishi says, though a hint of uncertainty shows on his face. Somethings happening, Tereza says as Rishi glances at Alex, unsure how to react. A few Thornback Ambushers appear, dragging two large, webbed objects toward the Matriarch, two giant cocoons. They place them before her. The Matriarch has grown and evolved so much that Alex no longer sees her as just a simple broodmother. No shes more like a Queen, especially considering her intelligence. The cocoons struggle, whatevers inside still alive. These are our two traitors. Looks like they got caught on the way out. Maybe there are more hidden paths in the cave? Probably underground, Tereza says with a satisfied smile. This reward is not good at all, Alex. Your hunch turned out to be correct, she jokes, just as the cocoons shift violently, muffled sounds escaping from within at the sound of Terezas voice. Sarch* The n?vel_Fire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Suddenly, the Queen lifts one of her massive limbs and viciously thrusts it downward, impaling one of the Ambushers. The spider twitches for a few seconds before going completely still, dying. WHAT THE FUCK?! Alex shouts, jumping back in shock. She killed her own brood? Why?! They did exactly what she asked them to why would she betray them? Tereza asks, her expression shifting to confusion. I see so this is what betrayal looks like in her Aura, Rishi murmurs. The Matriarch then reaches for the two cocoons, softly poking at them, muffled sounds still coming from inside. The color of betrayal is still there in the Matriarch its focused on our two allies here, Rishi says, a gleeful expression on his face, a rarity for Rishi. It looks like our dear friend Roja still managed to use her Realm knowledge, maybe some sort of item, skill, or similar method, to avoid or manipulate the contract and plan something else. You know, Id love to extort her for everything shes got, but were bound by the contract as well, and we dont have a loophole. Still, we cant be expected to attack the Matriarch and the remaining Thornback tribe. That would be suicide for us, hehe. Thats the same logic we had written into the contract, the same logic they used to abandon us and flee earlier, Rishi muses. Can we trust a spider? Gamble their lives on it? This Matriarchno, Queen, looks smart enough and apparently wants to help us but to trust our comrade''s lives to her? Really? Alex questions. Suddenly, the devil whispers in Alexs mind, presenting a tempting offer: Alex glances at Rishi. He wants to let them die. Tereza doesnt seem to care much either. He remembers Roja and Perlah. Especially Perlah, who seems like an innocent person, just desperately clinging to Roja to survive. Suddenly, Alexs [Commander Shepards Dog Tag] activates. He feels multiple paths open before him, however his strengthened will and resolve keeping him in full control. A blue flash in his mind points toward Roja and Perlah, urging him to grab and free them. Another blue flash points to his friends, pushing him to negotiate to convince them to save the women, despite their earlier actions. A red flash directs him to the grenades still in his hand, an option that would lead to conflict. And the strongest flash of all urges him to do nothing. It drifts aimlessly through his thoughts, carrying no clear direction. Alex steadies his breathing, his meditation technique keeping his Aura flowing smoothly. His mind floods with memories, his experiences in the Realm, the deaths, the dangers, his first meetings with Roja and Perlah, and every interaction theyve had since arriving in this world. Then, suddenly, something else surfaces, Rishi. His constant, tiny facial expressions, almost invisible to anyone else but not to Alex. Hes always had a knack for reading people, a habit of observing the smallest details. Again and again, hes caught those subtle hints, just never fully processed them. With a determined expression, Alex finally says: We should. Spoiler [collapse] Spoiler [collapse] Chapter 199: Fateful Decision, Reaching an Understanding—Unexpected Gift Before Rishi or Tereza can react, Alex speaks decisively. We should just leave. It looks like we cant help them. According to the contract, that would be life-threatening for us since wed have to fight the spiders for their prey. The two cocoons suddenly struggle violently, clearly having heard Alexs comment. This is the cycle of life we obtained treasure, and its only fair that something gets left behind. You are, of course, right, Alex. Im gladand surprisedyou realized it this quickly, Rishi muses, his voice carrying an amused tone. He throws Alex another curious glance, his eyes lighting up as if hes just discovered something new about him. Tereza looks a bit shocked but then nods along, clearly agreeing with her comrades. The three of them give a respectful nod toward the giant mutated Thornback Matriarch before turning to leave. The cocoons continue to struggle. Alex stops. He turns back toward the two trapped figures and the Queen, who curiously stares at him. Stepping forward, Alex walks a little closer to the Queen and, to everyones shock, lowers his headalmost bowing. His expression is softer now, free of the earlier fear and disgust. Thank you for the help, Queen. I learned a lot about myself and others during this encounter. I wish you the best. Rishi and Tereza are visibly stunned. They had clearly noticed Alexs earlier skepticismhis outright hatred and fear of spiders. Alex turns back and walks toward his comrades, nearly reaching the small tunnel, when something unexpected happens. The Thornback Queen lets out a loud, determined sound, and the surrounding spiders stir once more. The group turns back, and Rishi carefully observes her from a distance. Shes displaying joy, appreciation, and most of all, respect I think, Rishi analyzes. Alex notices the shift as well. From beneath the Matriarch, a Thornback Warrior carefully moves forward, carrying a single large egg. It looks pristine, almost like a massive diamond, glittering under the dim cave light. The spider, as if carrying something sacred, moves with extreme caution. Lowering itself before Alex, it gently presents the egg to him. Its like being handed a football-sized diamond. Alex is instinctively drawn to the sparkling, beautiful egg, reaching out carefully and picking it up. The moment his hands touch it, he feels an immediate connectiondeep and undeniable. Holding it in his arms, he cradles it instinctively, as if it were his own child. [Royal Thornback Matriarch (Mutated) Egg] Alex shares the item details with his friends, who look at it with curious eyes. What is this? Why is the quality so high? Also, I feel like this egg is different from the others we got earliernot just because of the description I already feel connected to it, Alex says. The spiders, including the Matriarch, finally stop paying attention to them, shifting their focus toward the two freshly caught humans. The group stands at the entrance to the small tunnel, watching as countless spider eyes settle on Roja and Perlah. Color me surprised, Alex. You managed to impress her; your success with the ladies is indeed not just a coincidence, Rishi jokes, a rare moment of humor from him. Hehe, he can be a charmer sometimes. I love it when he gets all nervous and riled up, its kinda cute seeing him struggle. Though I hate being compared to a giant spider, Tereza jokes. Lets leave my thoughts are all over the place, Alex mutters. The group slowly makes their way back to the small tunnel. Just before reaching the exit, Alex grabs a small bottle and carefully places a few relatively normal-sized spiders inside. Collecting spiders, Alex? I thought you hated them, Tereza asks, raising an eyebrow. If Im expected to raise a damn monstrous Thornback Matriarch, I might as well get used to spiders early starting with the almost normal-sized ones. I still dont feel equipped to handle whatever is coming out of that egg. Alex admits honestly. The group rushes out of the cave, leaving the small ravine behind. As they step into the open, Alex suddenly notices a new, exclusive quest appearing in his system. [Unique Hidden Quest Accepted: Mission: Carefully hatch the [Royal Thornback Matriarch (Mutated) Egg] Reward: Light-Blue to Gold-ranked Pet, Increased Mission Rating,] I just got a quest to hatch the egg! We should return to Hagrid, and while were walking back how the hell are we going to explain what happened? I think were in for it now. Roja and Perlah by now, theyre surely. Alex stops, imagining what happened to his former teammates. Dont worry, Alex, Tereza interrupts. Youre the kindest man Ive ever known. Those traitors simply got what they deserved! After all the stunts they pulled, and with the hint we got from the Matriarch, we had to let them go. Who knows what kind of shit they were trying to pull? There are so many skills and items out there, maybe they would have sacrificed us to some evil god to pull of whatever scheme. "You were the only one of us who even considered saving them. Rishi and I knew instantly what we were going to do, and honestly? Im glad you let it happen. Youre a big softie, and deep down, you really respect women, even when you see our bad traits, you somehow find them endearing. Even to a fault, she says, throwing her arms around Alex. You even care deeply for someone like me forget those traitors, Ill take care of you forever, she says softly, whispering the last part, her face slightly blushed. Your strong-willed servant is right, Alex, Rishi adds. You made the right decision. Remember what you said earlier about sharing items with those who deserve them, and refusing to do so with people who are just holding out on you? The same logic applies here. "Traitors should be abandoned. True allies are the ones worth risking your life for. Id risk my life for you two without thought, but I wouldnt even lift a single finger for a traitor, Rishi says. I know this. Youre right, and Im fine. Still, Im not happy about being put in a position where I had to do this. Well its fine. I made my decision, and Ill stick by it. I think I reached it after a fair amount of consideration. I wont regret this however, Roja was someone special, Alex reminds them. "Its publicly known that we went into a world with her. Her guild is going to be fucking livid! I think we just became a target. Theyll never believe or understand the circumstances, Alex says, looking slightly worried. Hehe, dont worry. If Roja was someone important in her guild, then her guild must be completely irrelevant. I was sorely disappointed with their combat abilities; they were useless. If those pathetic guildmates try to take revenge, theyll without a doubt suffer an even worse fate than Roja did, Rishi says, almost excited at the thought of facing them. The group makes their way through the forest, surprisingly encountering no corrupted beasts, no players, and only a few harmless animals. As they finally reach Hagrids hut, they are met with an unexpected sight, Dumbledore himself, standing next to the half-giant, watching them with a worried expression. His sharp eyes scan over them, immediately noting their dirtied appearance, evidence of a hard-fought battle. Hagrid stares as well. Yer lookin mighty beat up wait a minutewhere are yer two comrades? the half-giant asks. Alex shakes his head. Im afraid they didnt make it we didnt expect the corruption to be that bad. We barely managed to take down a single corrupted Thornback Nest, and even that turned out to be too much. Dumbledores piercing gaze locks onto Alex. Thats the reason Im here. I sensed part of the corruption disappearing from the forest. I am grateful for your service, and sorry for your sacrifices and loss. I didnt expect the corruption to be this dangerous as well. Can you tell me exactly what happened? Dumbledore asks, seemingly worried about Alex and his team. Alex suddenly feels a strong compulsion to answer. His mind urges him to speak, to spill everything. Our group went into the forest to explore the corruption. We first encountered wolves Tereza begins. Let me explain, Tereza. You tend to be a chaotic narrator, and Im sure the Headmaster doesnt want to waste his time, Rishi interrupts, clearly realizing what Dumbledore is doingand that Tereza isnt fully in control of what shes saying. Rishi carefully recounts the events, telling the entire truth, only omitting a few details, such as specifics about their combat styles, abilities, and rewards. The only outright lie is that he claims not to know Roja and Perlahs exact fate, only hinting that they saw blood trails when they left the cave. As the explanation ends, Alex suddenly remembers his quest and presents the [Corruption Crystal] to Dumbledore. After we slew the corrupted Matriarch, she unleashed a huge wave of corruption and dropped this. The corruption disappeared afterward. Can you tell us more about this crystal? It could be a hint, Alex asks, for once genuinely seeking the Headmasters insight instead of just playing along. Curious indeed. This crystal holds traces of dark magic, that much is certain. It could very well be one of the sources of corruption, but since much of the corruption remains, its obviously not the only one. Sadly, I cant tell you much about it myself. "But you should ask the Centaurs. Theyre also affected by the corruption and are undoubtedly studying it. The Forbidden Forest has been their home for centuries, and they will never abandon it, Dumbledore says. Hagrid, fetch one of the older maps of the forest. Ill try to mark down the location of the Centaur tribe. You should ask them about the crystal if youre still willing to fight, despite the loss of your comrades, Dumbledore suggests. As Hagrid steps inside his hut, Rishi speaks up. Can you tell us about the wall of corruption inside the forest? S~ea??h the ovelFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Ah, you mean the Acromantula nest. Their lair is surrounded by a massive wall of corrupted webbing. Theyve carved out their own territory, claiming nearly a fifth of the entire forest. They were among the earliest creatures to fall to the corruption. Thankfully, their nest is far from the school. "You might as well ask Hagrid about them, he knows quite a bit. He can also tell you more about the forests layout. But thats all I can share for now. If you discover anything more, report it to me immediately, Dumbledore says, his face as warm and kind as ever. Yet Alex senses something beneath the surface. [Side Quest Updated: Mission: Find out more about the [Corruption Crystal] by asking the centaurs in the Forbidden Forest. Reward: ???, Increased Mission Rating] As Dumbledore leaves, Hagrid returns, holding a worn, aged map in his massive hands. Spreading it out, he explains the general layout of the forest, using a thick finger to trace over key landmarks. Then, he takes a quill and carefully draws a line, outlining the wall of corruption that surrounds the Acromantula nest. He looks at them sternly, saying in a serious sounding voice: Neverever, venture near that wall, let alone inside the nest. Thats a death sentence. Acromantulas are already dangerous enough now imagine adding corruption to the mix, Hagrid warns. Didnt Dumbledore say the Acromantulas were the first creatures in the forest to be affected by corruption? Alex questions. Logically speaking, that means their nest could be ground zero for the corruption itself. Ground what now? Ah you mean the corruption started from there? That might be true lad, Hagrid admits, but yer cant enter it. Even Dumbledore wont go there. Yer best bet is fightin the corruption in the forest; maybe thatll weaken the nest over time. If yer still dead set on going there at the very least, take the rest of yer hired wizard troop, Hagrid says firmly. The group talks a bit longer with Hagrid before Alex finally says, Hagrid, weve got a bunch of things to exchange for Contribution Points. Also I have a serious question for you. Can you keep a secret? This must stay between us its about beasts. More specifically eggs. Hagrid studies Alexs expression carefully. Then, a massive grin spreads across his face as he says: Yer talkin to the right person! Chapter 200: Eggs and Pets – Hatching for Dummies Alex carefully explains to Hagrid that they obtained a bunch of [Thornback Eggs], then slowly takes out his [Royal Thornback Matriarch (Mutated) Egg], holding it softly and carefully, strangely possessive of it. Hagrid inspects the eggs, including those of Rishi and Tereza, nodding in approval. Fine-looking Thornback eggs youve got. I like those good old Thornbacks quite a lotmisunderstood creatures, the lot! Surely you dont need these eggs, right? Ill offer you some contribution points for them. These 15 eggs are all good quality; Ill give you 400 contribution points for each. Rishi looks at Alex and Tereza, who just shrugs before saying, Sure, take them and give the points to Tereza. A notification pops up, Tereza has earned 6,000 contribution points, which is quite the fortune. Ah, and yer got one more egg, Hagrid says, eyeing the one in Alexs hands. Im taking that one as well, of course. Sorry, Hagrid, you can inspect it, but Im not handing it over. Alex tightens his grip slightly. The Matriarch of the Thornbacks willingly gave me this egg. Its clearly special, and thats what I wanted to talk to you aboutI want to raise it. No way, lad! Yer got a Royal egg? Thats a future Matriarch, and you want to raise it? Hagrid whistles. Thats quite a dangerous beast Although, when I was young, I raised an Acromantula, so I guess at your age, with your skills, you should be fine! Yeah, Ill take care of it. Do you have any tips for me? Alex asks with interest. Hagrid leads them into his hut and pulls out a few ancient-looking books and begins to search for the information Alex requested. Looks like normal Thornback eggs actually need warmth, the same should apply for yours as well. You have to keep them inside, though Im not sure if that applies to yer special egg. But normal ones should be similar, Hagrid says, flipping through the pages. He also talks about humidity, even recommending that Alex stroke the egg, sleep with it, kiss it, lick it, and talk to it. Yer looking at me like Im crazy, lad. Hagrid chuckles. These lil buggers need to recognize you as their kin! Trust me, this aint just a game. Do it if you want to raise em properlyso they wont betray you. Theyll recognize you the moment they hatch. Hell, they start recognizing you even inside the egg. Maybe even consider applying your own blood on top of the egg, it''ll help The group continues chatting about raising beasts, and Alex learns quite a lotHagrid, unsurprisingly, knows a ton about raising spiders, likely thanks to his own experience. Before leaving, they decide to sell the remaining wolf corpses to Hagrid, earning Tereza another 1,000 contribution points. What? Only 1,000 for this many corpses? Tereza complains. To tell ya the truth, I dont even need em, Hagrid admits. I woulda paid ya even less, but Im giving you as much as I can justify. These corrupted corpses cant be used for anythingtheyre actually dangerous. Ill just dump em after taking em off yer hands. Since they dont plan to keep any corpses for Menchi, the group hands them all to Tereza, who accepts Hagrids offer. There is one more thing the spider corpses. Some are damaged, but we got a few dozen, along with some extra parts, Alex says. Yer picked up that many? I need quite a lot of em. Their poisons valuable, and so are their fangs, and some of their other parts too. I reckon Professor Snapell be quite happy. Show me what yer got, Hagrid says, his face lighting up slightly. The group takes out everything they collected, and Alex, curious, asks, Can you even use them, despite the corruption? We couldnt use the wolf meat, after all. Eatin the meat of corrupted wolves and usin specific parts is different, Hagrid explains. Corruption can be cleansedits expensive, but worth it for valuable stuff. Course, not for that simple wolf meat ya got! Nobodys really eatin that anyway. Yer a bit weird, my friend. Alex nods, feeling a little ashamed. The explanation sounds obvious enough now that he hears it. Hagrid looks like a kid who just found a new toy as he carefully inspects all the spiders. But theres also a hint of sadness in his expression; hes clearly not too happy about their deaths. I reckon I could give yer about 3,000 for the lot, he says. Rishi grins, and Alex gives him a weird look. What follows can only be described as a mix between a mafia-style interrogation and an outright scam. Rishi, backed by Alex and Tereza, somehow manages to haggle Hagrid into offering a stunning 5,000 points. Just enough for Tereza to afford the [Spell Mastery Skillbook]. Tereza immediately exchanges all her contribution points for the [Spell Mastery Skillbook], making even Hagrid look at her with a mix of respect and confusion. As they leave the hut, Alex looks at Rishi and Tereza. Are we actually incredibly powerful? Pffft! Hahaha, Alex, youre funny. Tereza laughs. Of course we are! I wasnt, at least not until recently but thanks to you? Yeah, every single one of us is crazy strong. I havent exactly earned it yet, but Ill use this power to get even stronger. Ill turn this temporary power into permanent strength! Its true, Alex. Terezas saying it like its obvious, but we really have come a long way, Rishi says. We dominated our Tutorial Realms and slowly turned into elite players. With those two pests gone, things are finally looking bright. But were aiming to survive permanently. I think the level of success were having right now is the bare minimum we need. We cant relax! Were not just trying to make it through each world; we need to squeeze out the maximum amount of rewards. Only by constantly risking our lives and taking everything each world has to offer can we make it all the way to the end. Getting too comfortable is a trap! Alex nods. I think youre right. Still, its kinda crazy 15,000 points in a single day. And me and you, Rishi, still have 3,000 left. Might as well buy a few Green and Light Blue items to sell, right? But we dont need to do that today. Its fine if you take it a bit slow, Alex. Tereza pats his head. Ill take care of you, even if you fall behind. Im not your pet, Alex mutters, too tired for her games. But Im yours, she whispers in his ear. So you better take care of me, feed me, gift me toys, and play with me! Come to think of it, thats what youve been doing anyway. Just keep up the good work. She laughs and grabs Alexs arm as the group heads back to their house. Rishi, obviously exhausted, doesnt even try to hide how tired he is. I need to rest for today. Good job. Lets talk more tomorrow, he says. Alex groans. Im still gonna shop for a few more minutes. Since we looted thousands of Galleons, moneys no longer an issue. Ill spend a few hundred Galleons on books, supplies, and herbs for Menchi. Feel free to go home without me. Rishi smirks. Dont take this the wrong way, but my legs are killing me. Im using 80% of my willpower just to keep walking and make a normal face. Yeah, even Im feeling tired as hell good job making it this far, Alex says. Sarch* The n?vel_Fire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Lets go on another date, then! The last one ended awkwardly because of those players, Tereza says, still full of energy despite the long day. Alex nods, and with her still clinging to his arm, they enter the various shops of Hogsmeade. They stop by Honeydukes and buy a huge amount of sweets, most of which arent recognized by the system or are classified as unranked. Tereza spends 200 Galleons on Blood-Flavored Lollipops and Bats Blood Soupactually emptying their entire supply, which normally lasts over half a year. Still not satisfied, she forces Ambrosius Flume, the shop owner, to order 1,000 Galleons worth more, even paying upfront. She clearly plans to take these interesting but otherwise useless sweets back to the Realm and even urges him to find more. Alex avoids classics like Bertie Botts Every Flavour Beans since they can contain every single flavor, including disgusting ones, despite his high LUK. Instead, he buys various other sweets like Pink Coconut Ice, Glacial Snow Flakes, Shock-o-Choc, and Pumpkin Pasties, things that arent too weird and look tasty enough. They also pick up more herbs, books, supplies, and various random items that catch Alexs (and mostly Terezas) interest. By the end, Alex has spent around 600 Galleons, leaving him with about 4,500, more than enough for anything he might need. On the way back, Tereza sucks on a Blood-Flavored Lollipop while Alex stuffs a bunch of Pink Coconut Ice into his mouth. They sit on a bench at the outskirts of the village, looking out at the peaceful streets of Hogsmeade. After about 30 minutes, Tereza suddenly kisses Alex on the mouth and says, Lets go home. That was fun and relaxingI needed that. Finally, Alex and Tereza return to their little house, only for Alex to be immediately surprised as soon as he steps inside. Chapter 201: Empty Home—Jealous Women and Thirsty Eggs Alex and Tereza enter their house and find it completely empty. Rishi is obviously in his room, sleeping, and Menchi is nowhere to be seen. Hehe, looks like we have the place to ourselves. You know what Im thinking, Tereza says in a sheepish voice, moving closer to Alex and pulling out another Blood-Flavored Lollipop, licking it playfully. Yeah, its time to take care of my darling, Alex responds, walking toward Tereza. But instead of stopping, he walks right past her, pulling out his [Royal Thornback Matriarch (Mutated) Egg], igniting the fireplace, and settling down in a chair in front of it. ...This really stings, Alex. Is my CHA stat reduced by something hidden? Tereza questions, pouting just a little. Alex takes out the bottle containing the four spiders he picked up from the cave. Despite the days adventure, his body begins to shiver again. It takes Alex a lot of willpower and time, but he manages to pick up each spider from the bottle, touch it briefly, feed it with a bunch of meat taken from his own world, and then put it back. After repeating the process a few times, Alex is able to handle the spiders without freaking out. As instructed by Hagrid, Alex carefully strokes the egg in front of the fireplace. Youre really taking Hagrids advice seriously, Alex. Im getting jealous, Tereza says, clearly bored. After a few minutes, Alex sits back on the old, creaky couch, probably decades old, right next to Tereza, letting the egg rest on the chair. Tereza smiles, lays her head on Alexs lap, and says, My turn! Sure, my sweet little pet bat, Alex jokes, patting her head softly, making her let out a fake moan. Your hair feels really soft. Now that Im looking at it, its back to its usual color. Looks like the changes were only temporary, and the same goes for your hazelnut-colored eyes, Alex observes. You dont like it? Did you prefer the slightly reddish version? Tereza asks curiously. No, I love your hair color; the same goes for your eyes. It suits you perfectly, Alex replies, making Tereza smile warmly at him. Suddenly, both Alex and Tereza tense up. They sense movement. The egg! Tereza exclaims. Alex immediately stands up and grabs the egg, but it shows no signs of activity. Maybe I should just hold onto it? This damn egg is jealous, I tell you, Tereza accuses. Now thats just silly, Alex says, nearly laughing. Remember what you said about the treasure! Tereza reminds him. Nothing comes to mind, Alex says playfully, stroking the egg from time to time. He notices how the egg constantly absorbs his heat, remaining cool to the touch. Maybe feed it blood? Or spit on it? Remember what Hagrid said, he even told you to sleep with it, Tereza suggests. Are you insane? That would be disrespectful! Especially the spitting part. Imagine how youd feel if you were trapped in a tight, inescapable egg, and someone spit on your shell. I wouldnt care, especially if it helped! Besides, its a spider, it wont even know. Youre lucky if it behaves like a dog. If youre unlucky, youll get an individualistic cat that just demands food and full-time maid service from you. Worst case? It goes completely rogue, Tereza says. Yeah At least betrayal shouldnt be possible. According to the system, itll be soul-bonded to me. Sure, it could fail, but Id probably know about it. The worst-case scenario would be if the spider backstabs us during a battle but that shouldnt happen, Alex says, analyzing the situation. [Royal Thornback Matriarch (Mutated) Egg] sea??h th n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Alex and Tereza spend a few hours recovering, the sun slowly setting. Tereza, as always, loves to talk about anything and everything, but keeps most things about herself hidden, even when Alex asks for vague details. Alex, someone who has no problem lying to strangers, especially for profit, hates lying to his friends and family. He has no problem telling Tereza almost everything about himself, only skipping the more embarrassing stories from his past while generally being open with her. The two are interrupted by a knock on the door. Alex and Tereza exchange a look, then open it to find a group of players outside. Theres a woman from one of the female teams and a young man from the team made up almost entirely of younger players. Both players look at Alex nervously, clearly unhappy to see him at the door. His reputation precedes himalmost legendary for being hostile even to characters like Dumbledore and for blatantly intimidating other players, almost going past the allowed limit. Good evening; how can I help? Alex says, dropping his usual aggressive act. With Roja and Perlah no longer in the picture and his name already famous enough, hes tired of keeping it up. We, youre not alone! Tereza chimes in with a mischievous smile. We wanted to invite you to a player gathering, the young man says, his tone cautious. Weve begun exploring the forest, and weve all come to the same conclusion. The Acromantula nest, it cant be taken down by just a single group, no matter how strong. The only solution is to team up. Weve already seen it, Alex replies, his voice steady. And just going by the sheer amount of corruption, I agree with youand I also disagree. At its current strength, no single group can take it down, sure. But youre mistaken if you think teaming up will be enough. Even if we had twice as many players, we wouldnt stand a chance. Obviously, we cant take down the nest. You are you someone else? the woman, who looks to be in her late thirties, asks, clearly surprised by Alexs calm and practical response. This is unexpected. A few of us actually agree with you, but we all thought youd try to tackle it alone. Turns out youre as pessimistic as some of us. Anyway, we gladly accept your invitation, Alex says. If its about sharing information, were on board if its an equal deal. And, of course, wed demand a contract to be involved. Great! both players say at the same time, as if theyd expected these terms. How about tomorrow morning at 8 AM? Sounds great. See you tomorrow, Alex replies with a friendly face. He closes the door as the players walk away, visibly relieved, and he and Tereza return to the couch. You sure this is a smart idea, Alex? You made that decision on your own, Rishi might be pissed, Tereza says. My mind is as clear as it can be. Menchis meditation exercise is working wonders. Its time I started acting a bit more proactively. Besides, Rishi will agree with me, Alex says, clearly without a care in the world. Oooh, proactively you know what Im thinking, Tereza teases, repeating her earlier phrase with a mischievous smile. Alex hugs Tereza, grabs his egg from the couch, and heads toward his room. Good night, Tereza, he says with a smile, leaving her slightly stunned and pouting behind him. Alex finally lays down, the egg in his arms. Its sturdy surface reassures him that it wont break. Alex gathers a bit of saliva in his mouth. Instead of spitting it disrespectfully onto the egg, he carefully uses his fingers to rub it on the surface. Using Gyo, Alex waits for a few minutes, seeing nothing happen. He feels a bit silly, but then notices slight movement. The liquid begins to absorb into the egg, little by little. Not being someone as tough as Killua or Silva Zoldyck, Alex doesnt just bite into his finger. Instead, he pulls out medical supplies (which are unrecognized by the system) and carefully draws 100 milliliters (around 3.3 fluid ounces) of blood, pouring it into a sterilized bottle. He immediately eats a successful dish to restore his HP and give his body the sustenance to recover the lost blood. Alex slowly drips a small amount of blood from the bottle onto the egg. The blood takes a few minutes to absorb but eventually stops. Feeling a bit lightheaded, Alex lies down with the egg, holding it close. As he relaxes, he faintly feels a slight vibration coming from the egg before drifting off to sleep, intending to recover before the player meeting tomorrow morning.