As the group leaves the cannon workshop, they continue to walk through the small town. Benezia fixes her eyes on Alex. "Now it's your turn to explain yourself," she finally says once they're alone.
"Curiosity, and more importantly... LUK," Alex admits.
He then adds, sounding quite confident. "However, there's a trick to it. To make use of your LUK, you have to be curious and make an active effort to stumble across opportunities. That sword earlier was probably thanks to my LUK as well, but I would've walked right past it since I didn't notice it myself. If you just sit around, even with the highest LUK, you won't get many opportunities. You have to give yourself—and the system—the chance to use that LUK by actively seeking out random encounters."
"I see," Benezia says, her expression thoughtful. "Good job. Despite the Reputation decrease with Mr. 8, I'd say it would be worth fulfilling the request. A little boost to mission rating could be the difference between an A+ and an S- rank, I assume. The extra Reputation might prove useful, along with the Belly reward. Of course, if we wish to ally with the Royal Family of Alabasta—or even the Straw Hats, if that's possible—this could cause issues. Still, the quest has no penalty even if we fail, so we have a lot of time to think it through."
Alex stops and thinks for a moment. "About the quest itself, I don't think it'll be too hard. We can raid ships for gunpowder easily enough. If we had access to markets, we could just outright buy it. I think Menchi could even create it if we had the right materials, but that feels like a waste. Robbing it will probably be easier."
"We have time," Menchi says, "I'm sure we'll obtain enough. Hunting Pirates was our plan anyway!"
The group eventually heads back to the top floor of the administrative building of Whiskey Peak.
Surprisingly, Benezia opens a trade and offers Alex the newly acquired [Kakuzen].
"Take it," she says. "If you want to sell it later, you can return it to me once we're back in the Realm."
Alex shrugs. "Thank you... but this isn't really necessary. I trust you."
Benezia shakes her head. "You shouldn't. You know, after I entered the Realm, I was a little lost. I expected death, and instead I was greeted by something entirely different. By now, though, I've grown fond of this chance. Call me curious, but I want to see what lies beyond all these missions."
"I see," Alex says. "I guess I want to know too... but for now, I'm focused on surviving until then."
Benezia smiles. "As you should be. Still, we all need goals, ambitions, something to look forward to. It may not be the most unique goal, but I want to know what happens—who the mastermind of this Realm is. Does divinity really exist? In any case, Alex, I'm grateful for the opportunity. You recruited me out of desperation, didn't you? Even with my vague memories... you risked a lot to save me. I'll repay that debt."
A faint snicker escapes her lips. "I've also grown to enjoy this situation, even if a few of you act a little silly at times."
She glances at Menchi with a small smile. Menchi flushes in embarrassment but stays quiet.
I guess it's great that she's also found something to look forward to.
A few hours later, Alex and Menchi sit cross-legged on the ground, practicing their Ten, while meditating. Suddenly, Alex stiffens as goosebumps appear across his skin. Thin, sharp, pointy legs press against his back, creeping up his shoulders before finally reaching his head.
"..."
"You know, if I weren't somewhat used to this, I'd seriously freak out, Jewel... welcome back," Alex says.
Princess Jewel is merely training her Zetsu!
"... Your Zetsu is already abnormally effective, no need for that," Alex mumbles, clearly not buying her reasoning.
Benezia walks up to them. "Did you find anything useful, little one?"
Princess Jewel found a lot of rocks... and gravestones... she wasn't really interested in digging up graves, but whenever she found a slightly different one, she used En to check what lay beneath.
Using this method, Princess Jewel has discovered a few noteworthy things.
Alex's face drops.
So she did dig up graves! Graverobbing spider....
Jewel points to a small pouch spun from her web that's stuck to her back, removes it, and slices it open with one of her sharp legs.
Inside, Alex sees a collection of golden rings, necklaces, and earrings.
"Good job. I guess we can always sell gold," Alex says with a smile. "Did these stupid bounty hunters not check their victims' bodies? I guess sooner or later you're bound to slip up. Your En is really advanced if you managed to detect objects this small. Good job!"
Jewel flicks a thin strand of web, gently slinging one particular ring into Alex's hand.
This ring is the only valuable item Princess Jewel found. Aside from that, there were no ores, caves, or the cactus fruit Menchi wanted. Princess Jewel may have missed a few things, but she has scouted most of the mountains. More searching would not be worthwhile in her opinion.
"Let's see, then," Alex says, turning his attention to the ring.
[Sturdy Gold Ring]
World: One Piece
Quality: Light Blue
Type: Ring
Required Stats: PHY - 8
Required Skills: Basic Endurance lvl 3
Effect: Increases Max HP by 20 (Flat boost, not increased by skills)
Effect: Minor Tenacity - Decreases all Physical damage by 2%—this item prevents at least 1 point of Physical damage.
Note: Wearing this ring toughens you up more than you might think!
"Wow!" His eyes widen. "A great find!! Good job, Jewel! This actually isn't worth sharding—I think players would actually want to use this! If I didn't already have so many great rings, I might be tempted myself. 20 HP is nice, and 2% damage sounds extremely low, but it always blocks at least 1 point of damage! That quickly adds up. For example, this ring would be highly effective against the shrapnel part of my grenades. A combination of percentage and flat damage reduction, whichever is more effective... that's solid. Not bad at all!"
He grabs Jewel up and gently massages her back.
❤️
"30,000 FC," Benezia says without hesitation. "If I had to guess. It's worth 14,000 in shards alone, but you're right—this is usable, at least for average players. There are also ways to upgrade items. With such a rare effect, it might be worth holding onto. If we could push it to Deep Blue or even Purple Quality, its value would skyrocket. There's also the matter of ranking it up. We can't do it, but whoever buys it might be interested. At its current quality, ranking it up would only cost 14 Shards."
Princess Jewel wants a reward! She wants to test her new Ultimate Secret Technique!
"I'm not sure I should enable that delusion, Jewel. This technique is...! Well, you earned it, so go ahead. Whatever it is you've planned, I can't help being curious. What new technique?" Alex asks, looking torn between reason and madness.
Menchi raises a skeptical brow, while Benezia looks amused, clearly entertained by the situation.
This technique is too spectacular to explain in words. Ultimate Secret Techniques are beyond description. Princess Jewel must demonstrate her genius idea!
Did Soulmate acquire the fish Princess Jewel requested?
"Yes..." Alex says. "I picked out the best they had available. I actually tried my best, and I got a few big ones that are all relatively fresh."
Princess Jewel accepts Soulmate's efforts, but she requires one more thing! Soulmate, please hand over all grenades.
Alex sighs. "I knew it. Just another cheap attack using my grenades. You know, even after all the times I've used my first Conjuration to deceive enemies and cheat my way through otherwise impossible battles... continuing to rely on this technique even manages to hurt my pride—and I barely have any to begin with. Maybe I should stop conjuring them daily...."
"I don't think it's that bad," Menchi says, barely containing her laughter. "Look, survival above everything! You did what you had to. Jewel's just overdoing it and planning on using it to bully people, even if we could win without relying on that strategy. I still remember that player hired by Glimmerwhisk's brother... his end was truly pathetic. I almost feel sorry for him."
"Your so-called grenades were spectacularly ineffective during your time on the Normandy, weren't they?" Benezia asks, her voice filled with doubt.
"Yeah... that kind of armor used in Mass Effect made the shrapnel effect nearly useless, and even the explosion barely did any damage," Alex explains. His gaze shifts down to Jewel, still sitting in his lap. "But they've never let me down otherwise. Even inside that world, I found uses for them. Let's go then, Jewel. You've made me a little curious, I admit. We follow your lead! What should we do?"
Princess Jewel wants to go... fishing!
"..."
"..."
"..."
Ten minutes later, the group gathers at the small harbor. Alex spots a medium-sized boat and quickly leaps aboard. The others follow.
Benezia uses her biotic abilities to raise the sails while Alex hauls up the anchor.
"I'll be the helmswoman!" Menchi announces, gripping the tiller with excitement.
"Don't sail out too far... let's start slow, okay?!" Alex warns, a drop of sweat running down his cheek.
"I agree," Benezia replies firmly. "I have no desire to end my life in the stomach of a Sea King."
The fishing boat drifts to a stop, the island still only a hundred meters away.
"This damn island doesn't even have a beach, that's why the water's already incredibly deep!" Alex complains.
From his inventory, he produces the three fishing rods looted earlier and hands them to Benezia, Menchi, and Jewel.
Princess Jewel refuses to use these peasant tools! This is where her new Secret Technique comes into play! Soulmate, the fish!
She is excited, alright... whatever.
Alex pulls several fish from his inventory and drops them onto the deck.
Jewel seizes one, driving her legs into its body until it completely tears apart. Then she spits out a mass of webbing, encasing the shredded fish with it and flinging it overboard while keeping her thread connected to it.
"I see..." Alex comments, genuinely impressed. "That's actually clever. Guess I can use the fishing rod then."
"Let's make it a contest! Whoever catches the most valuable fish wins!" Alex suggests, grinning.
"Deal!" Menchi answers, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.
Benezia looks genuinely confused, and for the first time, Alex notes a hint of insecurity in her eyes. Regardless, she also grabs a rod. "I guess I should try to experience new things... this is a surprise. Despite my age, I haven't fished in my entire life."
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