With his goal decided and all preparations met, Alex contemplates his final steps, while Menchi and Benezia are in the Realm.
I'm quite confident this time. Not only did I rank up five items, giving me an insane power boost, but I also managed to finally acquire a worthy shield, along with a great one-handed weapon. My [Draining Meteor Sword R2], along with the [Skullflame Shield R2], make an insane combination, increasing my defenses, but also allowing me to be offensive at the same time.
...
The only problem is... what Glimmerwhisk told me. What can I even do? Do I really have to just remain passive and endure...? This is so unnerving. Anyway, the [VIP Invitation] has one crucial advantage. It specifically says random players... it shouldn't be possible for me to become targeted. Though that was true for One Piece as well, and see how that worked out... not only did I bring someone along, so did many others. This is not reliable.
...
Should I ask Tereza to join? Rishi says it's not time yet... so he's out of the question.
Though she was a little dodgy... I think she already acquired a mission item... It's best I let her do what she wants. This world is not suitable for her. It's a modern world that allows most weapons to be used, which puts her with her daggers, spells, and transformation skills at a clear disadvantage.
...
However, with just Menchi... it will be a little dangerous if I encounter large groups...
...
Soulmate! Isn't Soulmate forgetting someone?
Of course not... you'll be a great help as well, Jewel.
❤️
Finally, as Alex's mission timer ticks down, he activates the [VIP Invitation].
[Next mission designated as Hunter x Hunter.]
[Player's progress will be considered, but will not offer any significant advantage in terms of mission difficulty.]
[Random players with a similar level will be selected to join the Player on this mission. It is not possible to influence this decision. Grouping up is not possible through normal means.]
[Mission starting in 5 Days, 12 Hours, 59 Minutes, 54 Seconds]
"What?!" Alex exclaims. "So long? Almost a week... guess we can just wait, if that's the case...."
Sighing, Alex grabs Jewel from his head. "I might as well check out the Realm, chat with a few of the weirdos in my guild, or Stephen... everyone else is already inside anyway. Tereza is busy, focusing on her own progress, and Menchi and Benezia are trading... again. Do you want to go, Jewel? I also need to pick up a new bounty list, just in case. On the way back, we can pay them a visit."
Of course, Soulmate! But didn't the others warn Soulmate to stay home and not show himself in public?
"True..." Alex says, his face twisted in anger and contemplation. "But I don't want to remain passive forever. It's not as if I'm provoking them; I'm just not hiding like a damn coward. Should I hide for the next 10 levels?! I also can't be too passive... frankly, I don't care what the others think or say. I am in charge of my own fate. Hiding and appearing like a coward will not keep you out of trouble—it will mark you as a coward and an easy target."
Princess Jewel agrees! Soulmate does not need to hide like a coward!
Back in the Realm, Alex walks around casually. He enters Eternal Coffins but is told that Glimmerwhisk is busy. Still, he meets up with Softspark, who is also busy, talking with multiple subordinates. Still, she acknowledges and wordlessly hands Alex the current bounty list issued by the Union and nods at him appreciatively.
On his way back, he enters the crowded marketplace, with hundreds of stands set up and people constantly crowding in; it's certainly the busiest part of the Realm.
Walking through it, he and Jewel reach a spot close to the center where he finally spots Menchi and Benezia behind a mid-sized rented stall. One side is filled with multiple Green and even a few Blue Quality food items and potions, while the other one is empty, with just a single item—Alex's [Hades' Hammer]—and a sign beside it reading: "Buying anything. Price Negotiable."
Alex nearly chokes as he sees the price tag of 2.8 million FC under his weapon.
Damn... be a little more realistic, will you? No wonder there are no people checking it out... wait... no people? The market is so crowded... how come there are no people?
"Is... everything okay?" Alex asks as he approaches the stand. "It's a little empty..."
He looks around and sees people walking a big arc around the stall, visibly making extra effort to pass it with the maximum amount of distance.
"What... the fuck?" Alex mutters slowly.
What's going on?
"It's exactly what you are thinking. The situation is quite bad as the Seekers have taken a more active approach. We still get visitors, especially from brokers, but business has slowed down to less than 20% of what it should be," Benezia says.
"Yeah," Menchi adds. "Also, the people trading with us are refusing to pay full price for my food items, or demanding ridiculous amounts for the items they try to sell to Benezia."
"How?" Alex asks, confused.
"Threats. Declarations. There is a rumor going around that everyone doing business with us will become an enemy to the Seekers. They are not disturbing us and not directly breaking the rules, yet the effect is perhaps even worse," Benezia reasons, looking mildly frustrated.
"Can it get even worse?" Alex asks, his face darkening. "Glimmerwhisk warned us, but at this point, what more can they do? Might as well strike back... look, if we just keep taking this, we're paying an entirely different price. Nobody will take us seriously. I'd rather get into a full conflict with those lowlives than be known as a weak pushover... that will hurt us even more in the long run."
Princess Jewel agrees again!
"Not so sure I fully agree, but... I can certainly see your point," Menchi states. "It probably can't get much worse. Even if they target us more often... Alex is still relatively low level, so he can, at worst, encounter people close to his own level." She pauses, thinking. "If we strike back and actually expose them and their weakness, we might damage their reputation, and business might pick up again. Though I am still unsure if it would be smart to openly antagonize them."
Now, Alex and Menchi glance at Benezia, while all of Jewel's eyes are focused on her, as if she's trying to stare a hole through her.
"It's not time... yet," Benezia states. "Though we need to act. I have thought up two different kinds of response—"
Suddenly, Benezia stops mid-sentence and raises her hand to silence Alex and Menchi.
To everyone's surprise, a man walks up to the stand.
Remarkably, Alex instantly recognizes him.
That's their fucking leader... Samir!
"It's certainly a lovely day, my ladies," Samir says, smiling at Menchi and Benezia.
"It would be, but there is suddenly this bad smell in the air," Menchi says, waving her hand before her nose. "Is that rotten fish? It certainly stinks...."
"Ouch..." Samir says, raising his hands defensively. "That hurts... hostile ladies are my only weakness. These words are like knives stabbing through my heart... it pains me greatly. Usually, ladies come flocking to me... seeing someone so disgusted by my presence really hurts my ego... no, my entire being!"
However, instead of looking at Menchi, he suddenly looks at Benezia, who remains perfectly calm and still.
Princess Jewel does not like this guy. How did Soulmate call him? Budget Prince of Persia?
"Hmmm?" Samir says, turning around and staring at Alex, but then looking a little more upwards, directly at Jewel. "Did I just hear another lady speak? That was a rather insensitive statement. What a stark contrast from such a lovely 'voice'."
He finally looks at Alex, staring him in the eyes. "Are you teaching that lovely lady on your head bad things? A rather stereotypical statement... do you have a problem with my appearance?" His gaze sharpens as he stares directly into Alex's eyes.
I feel... some kind of pressure. His SPR must be insanely high... maybe that's why he could vaguely hear Jewel?
"No, your appearance seems to be fine... it's your character, actions and personality I have an issue with," Alex replies, staring right back without getting intimidated, managing to remain in full control of his emotions.
After a few more seconds, Samir shrugs. "Tsst. It looks like you are indeed someone to pay attention to."
"What do you want?" Alex asks. "We were just discussing how we were gonna deal with your... interference."
"Hahaha, you deal with us?" he asks, now amused. "You are more courageous than I thought. Finally dropped your silly passive approach?"
"Not like we got a choice. You assholes spread the rumors on your own, after all!" Alex says in an accusatory tone.
"A guild... is a collective of players. Ideally, with a similar ideology, similar characters, and compatible goals." Samir tilts his head slightly. "The Seekers are free spirits... at least that's what I'd like to call us. A pessimist would call us a bunch of misfits... misfits who are hard to control and all act towards their own... goals, some willing to pay any price."
"Let's cut to the point," Samir continues. "I pretty much know what happened. You stumbled upon Jason's squad in the last mission. It looks like you decisively sabotaged his plans, and not only killed his entire team and caused him to flee, you also cost him a lot of spoils and resources. He exited that mission with an enormous deficit and a quite diminished position. He lost more than two missions' worth of items, along with his allies."
"So?" Alex asks. "First of all, I'd argue he targeted us. Second of all, that's the Realm. Your guys tried to kill us, so we defended ourselves. Turns out we were stronger."
"True. It couldn't be simpler, right?" Samir asks. "Still, for our guild, reputation is perhaps the most valuable resource. It creates wealth and fresh recruits out of thin air... without a solid reputation, our whole guild would quickly diminish." He then displays a hint of anger and frustration. "It was Jason who spread the rumors... at least according to my sources. I should have kicked him out of the guild the second he came back, like a sore, desperate-for-revenge loser. This is my oversight."
"So, despite that, you'll still target and sabotage us?" Alex asks, now visibly frustrated.
"Indeed... is what I'd like to say," Samir replies, smiling once more, but now all sincerity gone. "However, even I notice that this kind of petty squabble makes us seem weak and pathetic... which is why I want to offer you a deal."
"Allow Jason to join your next mission, as an enemy. There are three... no, four possible outcomes:
You both die, and I'll ignore your friend, along with your Supporters, who'll probably end up under another player. No more bad blood between us.You both survive... and you'll both remain my enemies... people I need to get rid of. You survive... all conflicts will be forgiven, and Jason will become a scapegoat, known as a traitor who falsely accused you. I promise, I'll even guarantee you through a contract that I will bear no more grudges, and any kind of targeting or interference from our side will stop... permanently. Jason survives, and not only will he regain his position, but he will be promoted and become stronger than ever, with all the opportunities our guild can offer... with a little caveat."
"No rules... aside from a contract. No outside interference. You both go in solo," Samir clarifies.
"Fuck you, I won't leave my pet and Supporters behind," Alex replies without tact, instantly blurting out his true thoughts.
"When I said solo, I meant other players. Supporters and Pets are your own strength...." Samir clarifies, causing Benezia to perk up ever so slightly.
"We accept," Benezia announces, speaking for the first time.
... She is right. This is not even worth a thought... but... no! It's MY fucking decision. Not hers!
"If it's all secured by a contract..." Alex mutters. "Maybe."
"However, forget it if you don't answer a few questions first," Alex states.
"Are you sure?" Samir asks. "I'm giving you a way out... it will not get better than that. You should take the advice of your lovely Asari Matr—"
"Shut the fuck up. Why the fuck would you do this? Why do you personally come out for that?" Alex asks. "Tell me the fucking truth, or I'll walk off and just go into full-on war with you and your guild. Even if I die, I'll fucking make it hurt for you!"
"Profit..." Samir states, his calm and charming behavior now replaced by cold calculation. "This situation has cost my guild credibility, and it has hurt our reputation. Either I get Jason back as a fully redeemed, competent leader... and a slave by signing the strictest contract I have ever written, or I gain a convenient scapegoat who I can blame for all this fallout."
He keeps going, now revealing a chilling smile.
"After that, you'll be of no use to me. Frankly, you won't even be worth talking about. All four scenarios are positive outcomes... though I really hope you don't make it back alive. That would be my least desirable outcome, as it leaves me with a lot of work... to seal the deal."
Fucking psycho....
"... Are you willing to fill out a contract... to prove that you'll leave me alone? You may act like you're in control... but aren't you just a token head? I think your head is at stake... in the end if you reputation goes down the toilet... your own head will roll, you fucking token leader!!" Alex asks him, his voice growing in volume until he's almost screaming, causing Samir to display a hint of panic.
"If you shout like that again, the deal is off... and to answer your question, yes I'll sign your contract... if you'll grant me the same privilege," Samir replies, the smile slowly returning to his face, all the coldness replaced by fake hospitality.
"Call Jason... let's do it. Two contracts. One with you, one with him," Alex says, taking out two of his three contracts and handing them to Benezia.
"You draw them up, make it foolproof," he says, taking a step away and turning aside, not even wanting to look at Samir any longer.
Just thirty minutes later, Jason arrives, but Alex ignores him, standing far off and keeping his hands still.
Finally, after another thirty minutes, Benezia gestures to him, calling him over. Alex ignores Jason and Samir, quickly scans the contracts, and signs them. After that, he immediately walks off without even looking at the two.
The contracts force me to end any Realm hostilities and specifically bar me from targeting the Seekers... fine. If I encounter them... randomly... they're fair game... with my LUK... they'll suffer!
Also, Jason can't cheat. He'll use an item that allows him to join my mission, and the contract is foolproof. There is no way he can bring additional people and seekers members along; the contract forbids help from guilds, which includes my own, but I couldn't give a fuck. Although... if he made preparations before signing... whatever... I'll crush him!
With the contracts signed, Benezia and Menchi resume regular activities, both earning FC, acting as if nothing had even happened.
Finally, Benezia ends with 311,000 FC, as she managed to teach a few skills to other Supporters—though completely unable to tell Alex any details, as per the contract she signed when she made the deal.
Time quickly passes, and Alex stands in the center of the Realm next to the giant player portals, Benezia and Menchi behind him, while Jewel comfortably sits on his head.
A little off to the side stands Jason, accompanied by a hooded person.
Can't be a player... a Supporter? How the fuck? I thought he lost everything... well, fine. He'll die with him.
Let's do this... Jewel!
Yes, Soulmate!
[Mission starting in 0 Days, 0 Hours, 2 Minutes, 31 Seconds]
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