Back home, Alex silently sits on the couch, going through his thoughts, staring at nothing for a while.
It doesn't take long for Benezia and Menchi to approach him.
"I heard about it from Benezia," Menchi says, looking worried. "She learned about it in the market. Anything you know? What happened?"
"Four possibilities... all realistic..." Alex mutters.
"Let me hear them," Benezia says, sitting next to him.
"That fucker... what was his name? Jason! The Seeker who fled the last mission with the Leave card... he lost his squad, a ton of items, and I nearly killed him. Obviously, he has a personal grudge," Alex reasons carefully. "Damn cockroach...."
"I agree, the most likely choice. Who else do you suspect?" Benezia says, continuing to hear him out.
"Any other core Seeker member knowing the details... I don't know why, but maybe someone likes drama or wants to use the hunt for personal gain? Maybe even this Samir clown himself, who wants to use me to make a political ploy. As it turns out he's just the representative leader for the Seekers." Alex suggests.
"Possible as well," Menchi nods, agreeing. "We learned that most members above lvl 20 do not show themselves anymore, or others who from the very start hid their existence."
"Then there is... Stephen, whom I personally told many details," Alex says, looking worried and pained.
"A smart thought," Benezia says, looking impressed. "Almost nobody can be trusted. Only those whose fate is connected will never betray you. Tereza is also someone who has earned our trust. When the ultimate consequences are at stake, anyone is tempted to betray you." She pauses, her eyes narrowing slightly. "However, you mentioned a fourth possibility? I don't know what you mean. Surely you aren't suggesting one of us... or your two friends?"
"Of course not!" Alex states confidently. "While technically possible, if I suspect one of you four, I might as well work alone. Without trust, any sort of teamwork becomes useless. I'm talking about the Union... Glimmerwhisk still has enemies... could also be Softspark, or someone close to her..." Alex wonders. "It's unlikely..."
"But possible," Benezia finishes his thought.
"Well, it doesn't matter," Menchi says. "We'll deal with it! For now, just rest and prepare. I'll supply you with many items; you'll be surprised! Trust me. I just managed to obtain a bunch of herbs from the wizarding world."
"You are right... no use wondering about it," Alex admits. "For now... let's focus on the mission."
Time slowly passes. Alex spends time in the real world, training his body at home and in the Realm, spending almost 20,000 FC to use the facilities in the Player Tower. Of course, Jewel is always accompanying him.
Tereza returns at some point, looking not only motivated but refreshed, and with just a day before the 30-day deadline, the group gathers.
"Let's talk about the next mission," Alex announces.
"Hehe," Menchi snickers. "Before that... it's time to share my results. Now take a look at this!"
She then displays the first item, a familiar-looking potion.
[Twice-Infused Wiggenweld Potion Variant] x 10
World: Harry Potter / Wizarding World / One Piece / Fantasy Realm / ???
Quality: Deep Blue
Effect: Instantly heals 150 HP and recovers moderate wounds. Slightly reduces the effectiveness of similar healing items.
Warning: Consuming it will temporarily sprout a few leaves on various body parts, which quickly wither in the next minute.
Warning: Consuming more than one potion in quick succession can lead to unknown and more devastating and dangerous side effects.
Note: This Wiggenweld Potion has been improved with various ingredients, mostly by using the blood of a Sea King, alongside a [Plant Essence].
"Damn..." Alex blurts out, his eyes full of surprise. "You used a [Plant Essence] to create this... and the blood of the Sea King?"
It does not smell like delicious chicken! Princess Jewel is doubtful.
"Yes!" Menchi replies, grinning, apparently enjoying the reaction. "However, be careful... read over the details of the [Plant Essence] again and then compare it with the item.
[Plant Essence]
World: Fantasy Realm
Quality: Green
Effect: Instantly heals 30 HP and minor wounds but causes 20 HP damage over the next 20 minutes while causing up to 2 random status ailments.
Note: This is a plant essence, not intended for consumption. This item can be found in many worlds and is used in various crafting recipes.
"I see... so if you take more than one, you risk getting weird side effects," Alex realizes. "It also... grows leaves on your body? Wouldn't want to find out what happens if you drink more than one... maybe you become half tree."
"Yes... and since I've combined many potent ingredients with it, the side effects are far worse than those of the original [Plant Essence]... at least when you consume more than one. Also, Essences don't come cheap; I could just afford ten for you, Alex. I also made a pair for you, Tereza... use them whenever you are in trouble. "I sold so many dishes, including the older inferior ones and even a few excess ingredients, to afford these."
"For me as well?" Tereza asks excitedly, hugging her. "Thank you!"
"That's an insane start, thank you!" Alex says, more than satisfied. "Is there more?"
"Of course!" Menchi says proudly, quickly showing off three items in quick succession.
[Infused Exceptional Dish: (Energizing Honey Dew)] x 10
World: Winnie the Pooh / Fantasy Realm
Quality: Deep Blue
Effect: Restores 50 MP over 10 minutes. Instantly restores 50 MP.
Warning: Prevents the user from falling asleep for up to 6 hours, depending on PHY and SPR.
Warning: Consuming this dish will drastically reduce any effects of other drink-food items for the next hour.
Note: A superior dish in the form of a shake containing pure, highly nutritious honey, perfectly altered and mixed with an [Energizing Potion R2].
Note: This dish is the result of excellent preparation and synthesization, achieving results similar to actual medicine.
"Damn... 100 MP?" Alex asks. "We are finally getting somewhere. That's a hefty chunk of points. Nice... though this also has two restrictions.... beginning to sense a pattern here."
"Go on..." Menchi says, looking a little embarrassed.
[Infused Exceptional Dish (Cherry Crusted Dinosaur Steak)] x 10
World: One Piece / Fantasy Realm
Quality: Deep Blue
Effect: Heals 150 HP over 1 minute with an additional 50 HP and 30 MP over 10 minutes. Increases natural HP and MP regeneration by 20% for 4 hours.
Warning: Consuming this dish will drastically reduce any effects of other non-drink food items for the next hour.
Note: An exceptional dish, consisting of various Dinosaur meat, perfectly cooked, involving a masterful use of Nen and an extract made out of copious amounts of Cherry Pie.
Note: This dish is the result of excellent preparation and synthesization, achieving results similar to actual medicine.
"You... used the cherry pies and Dinosaur meat for this?" Alex asks, not sure how to react, "Also... even that has a restriction."
"Yes," Menchi admits, before Alex inspects the last item.
[Exceptional Dish (Meatpaste Supreme)] x 10
World: One Piece, Fantasy Realm
Quality: Blue
Effect: Recovers all resources by 20 (can't increase more than 10% of the total amount) and increases a moderate amount of Stamina.
Warning: Consuming this dish will drastically reduce any effects of other non-drink food items for the next hour.
Note: A superior dish created by mashing together highly nutritious squid, Sea King, dinosaur, lizard, and shark Meat, carefully synergizing each's food effect to create one powerful dish. It may look crude, but it combines many different vital powers, allowing whoever eats it to recover a large amount of stamina and energy.
"The last one is the improved version of the [Superior Dish (Fried Squid Balls)], not bad, that's what I needed," Alex notices. "It recovers all resources? Even Aura and BP? That's quite interesting. However, like all of the other items..."
"It has a downside, hehe..." Menchi says, rubbing the back of her head. "Couldn't help it. I think you can all see the theme, right? I increased the effects to the max, but that caused a few side effects. You can only eat one food item and one drink item. However, in return, the effects are stronger than ever. I thought this was the way forward. You have to sacrifice some things to progress."
"Perfect! I agree. The restrictions are more than acceptable," Alex agrees. "You outdid yourself. These things are worth a fortune... I think I can use them for quite a while... they will be quite effective. I like them all."
"Indeed," Benezia comments. "It's rather confusing to see you produce items at this level, child. You are incredibly talented indeed."
"Thank you," Menchi says, blushing. "To be honest... I don't think I can create better things in the near future. I'd require very expensive ingredients, which are better used for things like this: [Mythical Dish: (Surf and Turf Deluxe)] ." She suddenly reveals, grinning, as she showcases one last dish.
[Mythical Dish: (Surf and Turf Deluxe)]
World: One Piece / Fantasy Realm
Quality: Light Purple
Requirements: STR-15, PHY-15, AGI-15
Effect: Permanently increases INT by 1
Note: A perfect combination of the most expensive and nutritious Dinosaur Meat, a fresh Blue-Finned Elephant Tuna, perfectly seasoned with Aqua Laguna Salt and various herbs, fruits, and vegetables, giving it a unique flavour.
Note: Through ingenious and illogical means, this highly nutritious meal does not improve the body of the user, but the mind. However, to benefit from it, the user needs to be highly trained in numerous aspects, making it hard to benefit from.
"A stat item!" Alex says, smiling wildly.
"I have to admit..." Menchi says, now completely serious. "I'm proud of this one. Made without Purple ingredients. The only thing truly valuable was the [Blue-Finned Elephant Tuna] Jewel caught.
Good job, Jewel! It looks like fishing actually paid off.
❤️
"Hmm... I'm getting a little jealous." Tereza admits, staring at the stat screen, displaying the tasty-looking Surf and Turf dish.
Princess Jewel is not jealous! No tasty chicken? What a disappointment.
"I am sorry, everyone... but I can't share this..." Alex says, looking a little embarrassed as he immediately eats the dish. Despite his dislike for fish in general, he gulps it down in just a few minutes. His brain is weirdly stimulated as he suddenly encounters feelings, sensations, and realizations he has never felt before.
What felt like a long journey, taking place over many days, suddenly stops as Alex finishes the last bit of food.
You have gained 1 INT
ERROR: Current stats not aligned with Statistical OCD lvl MAX
You have lost 1 INT
You have received 1 Stat Point
"So that leaves us with our next Mission," Alex says. "With all these items, I'm more than prepared."
Alex Kerber: Lvl 8
HP: 478/478, MP: 448/448 AURA: 328/328, BP: 142/142
STR: 22 (+19), AGI: 22 (+4), PHY: 22 (+11), SNS: 22 (+2), CHA: 22 (+7), MNA: 22 (+11), INT: 22, SPR: 22 (+7), LUK: 22 (+8), NEN: 22 (+2)
Available Stat Points: 4
Followers: Menchi (Deep Purple) lvl 13 (25%), Benezia (Deep Purple) lvl 19 (50%)
Pets: Jewel (Gold) lvl 8
Innate Skills: Nen Prodigy lvl 6 (Genius Conjurer lvl 6, Basic Nen lvl 6, Advanced Nen lvl 6), Statistical OCD lvl MAX
Arcane Medieval Armory: Annihilation Grenade lvl 6, Sealion's Icewing Embrace lvl 6, Mustrano's Malice Mauler lvl 6 (Claw Proficiency/Poison Resistance) / Toxic Breakthrough lvl 6, Magorian's Rage Arrow lvl 6, Thorian's Domination lvl 6, Sea King's Giant Plate Swimfin lvl 6
Free Skill Slots: 0/4, Free Basic Skill Slots: 0/8
Basic Skills: Basic Close Combat Prowess lvl 6, Basic Footwork lvl 6, Basic Endurance lvl 6, Basic Long-Range Combat Prowess lvl 6, Basic Eloquence lvl 6, Basic Concentration lvl 6, Basic Meditation lvl 6, Basic Mana Control lvl 6
Passive Skills: Alexandrian Royal Swordsmanship lvl 6, Imbuement Archery lvl 6
Active Skills: Black Magic (Fire-Blizzard-Thunder-Series) lvl 6, Sword Magic lvl 6, Kunrith's Biotics lvl 6 (Warp, Stasis, Barrier, Throw, Pull, Reave), Arts (Tear, Teara, Aqua Bleed, Frost Edge, Hydro Cannon, Crystal Flood)
Fantasy Coins: 183,000 (In Benezia's possession) Soul Crystals: Small x13 Medium x3 Large: x1 Fantasy Shards: 130
Current Weapons: Magoroth's Legacy R2 (Gold), Draining Meteor Sword R2 (Gold), Executioner's Blade R2 (Light Gold), Skullflame Shield R2 (Gold)
Current Equipment: Armor of Pluto (Purple), Visor of Pluto (Purple), Cuisses of Pluto (Purple), Gauntlets of Pluto (Purple), Sabatons of Pluto (Purple), Nimbus Cloak (Light Purple), Sacred Emerald Copper Earring (Purple), Noble Shirt+4 R2 (Light Purple), Drakul's Vitality R2 (Deep Gold), Skitterguard Bracers (Light Purple), Cataclysmic Frost-Fire Ring (Deep Gold), Uzin's Rage R2 (Light Black), Savant M R2 (Gold), Geth Waistguard (Deep Purple), Destiny Watch (Orbment) R2 (Light Gold), Shepard's Promise R2 (Light Gold)
Recovery Items: Twice-Infused Wiggenweld Potion Variant x10 (Deep Blue), Infused Exceptional Dish: (Energizing Honey Dew) x10 (Deep Blue), Infused Exceptional Dish (Cherry Crusted Dinosaur Steak) x10 (Deep Blue), Exceptional Dish (Meatpaste Supreme) x10 (Blue)
Miscellaneous Items: Jack's Spare Silvery Mask (Light Green), Hunter License (Deep Green), Butchering Knife (Deep Blue), Quintessence of Blood (Purple), Blood Essence x7 (Green), Brawler-Pistol (Light-Purple), Colossus Armor S (Deep Purple), Logic Arrest Tool (Deep Blue), Mobile Skill Station (Purple), Contract (Unused) x3, Seastone Dagger (Deep Purple)
Marked for Trading/Selling/Gifting:
Marked for Sharding:
Special Items: Destiny Supporter Token (Purple), VIP Invitation (Deep Purple), Tsunade's Scroll (Purple), Glimmerwhisk's broken Runic Choker (locked) (Light Green), True Dream Ticket (Light Gold), Spectre License (Purple), Death Duel Voucher (Deep Gold), Scapegoat-card (Deep Purple), World Governments Invitation (Light Gold), Leylin Farlier's Bloodline Extraction Syringe (Deep Gold)
"As for the world..." Alex says. "Menchi... you knew this was coming, right?"
"Of course..." she says, looking a little bit guilty, "and I am grateful for this... last opportunity. I will not disappoint you."
[VIP Invitation]
Quality: Deep Purple
Type: World Item / Quest Item
Effect: Allows the player to enter the World of Hunter x Hunter shortly before the beginning of the Yorknew City Arc. The player is free to associate himself with Bushidora and Shalnark, and accept a special invitation by Julius to participate in the auction as a VIP, entry fee already paid.
Requirements: Level 5-9
Note: A floor master of Heavens Arena is a welcome guest at any event.
Note: This item cannot be traded or sold. It will disappear after the effect activates or the player reaches level 10.
Note: This item is a continuation item, and you will return to this particular world with memories of your person intact! A random number of players will be selected to join you on this mission.
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