As Alex eagerly stares at Benezia, Jewel shuffles on his head nervously.
Jewel… calm down. You've been a godsend for all my missions. You're super useful! You carried the Naruto mission single-handedly, and you were also great in the Wizarding World! There's no need to prove anything.
Princess Jewel is grateful for Soulmate's encouragement, but she wishes to be more useful… she will strive to her absolute best to improve as well! Princess Jewel will not fall behind!
Fine Jewel… but don't overdo it.
"First of all," Benezia says, beginning her explanation, "I managed to get you 150 White Quality items. They're all worthless, but I got them for just 2,000 FC per item, which is less than the shard price, currently sitting at 2,120 FC."
"300,000 FC worth of items?" Alex asks. "You were supposed to keep the 200,000 FC so you can make good deals… that takes a bankroll, aren't you completely broke now?" Alex comments, disagreeing with her decision-making.
"I still have over 300,000 FC left," she says, a tiny hint of arrogance on her face. "Your items sold for a fortune. The [Geth Pulse Shotgun] and the [Skillbook: Shotgun Proficiency] alone sold for 125,000 FC. The other items from your last mission were incredibly popular as well. I'm keeping my current FC so I can slowly increase it. In addition to the 150 shards, I used some of the profits from selling the rest of your items and bought you 10 [Blood Essences]. I don't think it's a good idea to use them just for a temporary increase in stats, but I can't deny the effectiveness of [Drakul's Vitality R2]. I also bought a few ingredients for Menchi and gave them to her."
"Nice," Alex comments.
She did really well! I don't have to deal with these tasks myself anymore, and she does a better job than I could ever do.
Menchi then initiates a trade and transfers 200,000 FC to Alex.
"What?!" Alex asks, visibly surprised.
"I sold so many dishes, all inferior to the ones you have, but still useful. I made a lot of money. It's time to return some of your initial investment," she says with a grin. "I kept a lot of FC. I'm currently working on a new potion focusing on MP recovery. The Green-Quality [Superior Dish: (Energizing Shake)] is not worth using at your current level. Also, I found a [Large Energizing Potion] in the system-run stores. It's 2.5 times as effective as the regular [Energizing Potion], but still a joke, as it just recovers 25 MP. Still, I'll use it as a reference. I'm currently buying more of them and trying to combine them with other ingredients to create a superior version resembling the [Superior Dish: (Energizing Shake)]."
"I see… thanks, you two," Alex says. "I guess that's another problem solved, and one problem—my huge reliance on MP—is already addressed. It's awesome that I'm not alone… it feels quite good to have people to rely on."
"So what are your plans now?" Menchi asks, looking a little embarrassed by the compliment.
"Rank up my [Destiny Watch (Orbment)]—it's not even a question. Despite the item being only a Light-Gold item, it's almost as good as my Light-Black [Uzin's Rage]. Even more important, I can keep upgrading it. At some point, I'll be able to upgrade my items to Rank 2… I can even consider looking for one more Quartz. It's a godlike item," Alex says.
"Let's go then. I'm quite interested in the process," Benezia says.
The group heads toward the familiar ranking-up facility that allows players to improve items. Alex enters a cabin and steps forward, already familiar with the process.
First of all, he exchanges the item from Rishi—worth 100 shards—Tereza's items—worth 50 shards—and the items provided by Benezia for 150 shards, leaving him with 300.
He then looks at the few items he has kept: namely, 10 Light-Green [Military-Grade Chest Armor], and a Green-Quality [Security Gun] and [Security Chest].
He briefly recalls the familiar shard exchange rates.
Gray & Unranked: X/X
White: 1/X
Light-Green: 2/4
Green: 3/6
Deep–Green: 4/8
Light-Blue 7/14
Blue: 10/20
Deep-Blue: 15/30
Light-Purple: 25/50
Purple: 40/80
Deep-Purple: 60/120
Light-Gold: 100/200
Gold: 150/300
Deep-Gold 200/400
He quickly turns his items into a total of 26 shards, leaving him with exactly 326 shards—a very respectable amount.
"1337, help me connect with this system and upgrade my [Destiny Watch (Orbment)]!" Alex yells, his voice filled with excitement.
[Understood, Host.]
You have lost 200 shards
[Destiny Watch (Orbment)] >>>[Destiny Watch (Orbment) R2]
Alex, visibly excited, slots both of his Quartz into the Ranked up [Destiny Watch (Orbment) R2] and inspects it.
[Destiny Watch (Orbment) R2]
World: Hunter x Hunter, Zemuria (Kiseki/Trails Franchise)
Quality:Light Gold
Type: Trinket (pocket watch / orbment)
Required Stats: LUK - 18
Effect:Increases LUK by 2(If LUK is below 18, just carrying this item will reduce your LUK by 2, and the other effects will remain inactive, displaying random information instead.)
Effect: Always shows the current day, weekday, month, year, temperature, humidity, and contains a 100% reliable compass. Works in any world—circles may adjust in worlds with alternative interpretations of days, months, or years.
Effect: Once per mission, you can activate this item to give you a random hint. Following the hint always leads to a good outcome!
Effect (Special): Orbment Slots: 2 (While inside the world of Zemura, this item will transform into a full Arcus unit, granting access to 7 slots for Quatz and 1 slot for Master Quartz)
Note: All-knowing, mysterious, and magical, this watch holds powers that provide accurate information regardless of location. However, if the wearer's LUK is low, it won't work at all and even decreases the wearer's LUK.
Effect: Current Quartz: [Heal], [Water Bell]
Note: If you look carefully at this watch, you may discover the source of its mysterious power.
Alex stares at the item. With a little bit of disappointment, he sees that only the requirements rose slightly. However, just as expected, his Orbment Slots increased to 2, allowing him to use both the [Heal] and [Water Bell] Quartz.
"I have quite a bit of FC left…" Alex mumbles. "Should I save some FC? Or maybe buy more shards—I only need 74—and I could also upgrade my [Savant M] or my [Shepard's Promise]. Though [Savant M] would require 100 additional shards."
He then looks at Benezia and Menchi and softly grabs Jewel, pulling her into his arms.
"Any suggestions?" He finally asks, staring at the three.
"Save your FC!" Menchi yells.
"Upgrade [Savant M]!" Benezia states.
Soulmate should upgrade [Shepard's Promise]!
"..."
"..."
"..."
"... Are you guys serious?" Alex asks, sighing.
"I could also save 400 shards to upgrade my [Cataclysmic Frost-Fire Ring]. Despite the cost, I think this item is incredibly effective," Alex explains.
Menchi raises her finger, her expression turning serious. "Don't forget your gambling opportunity! Didn't you stumble across a secret shop thanks to that silly guildmate's advice? You can do that every 30 days, who knows how long that store exists! I say as long as you can, use that opportunity! With your LUK your chances are clearly in your favour. The 500,000 FC option gave you something truly incredible, didn't it? I say save your FC! If you want to Rank up an item, maybe just focus on the [Shepard's Promise], as it doesn't require you to spend too much to obtain the missing 74 shards."
"I'm kinda sold, Menchi. I agree with you," Alex says.
Let me quickly check my current Status. A lot has changed in just a few days.
Alex Kerber: Lvl 7
HP: 424/424, MP: 414/414 AURA: 304/304, BP: 122/122
STR: 21 (+18), AGI: 21 (+4), PHY: 21 (+9), SNS: 21 (+2), CHA: 21 (+6), MNA: 21 (+10), INT: 21, SPR: 21 (+6), LUK: 21 (+7), NEN: 21 (+2)
Available Stat Points: 1
Followers: Menchi (Purple) lvl 13 (0%), Benezia (Deep Purple) lvl 19 (0%)
Pets: Jewel (Gold) lvl 7
Innate Skills: Nen Prodigy lvl 5 (Genius Conjurer lvl 5, Basic Nen lvl 5, Advanced Nen lvl 5), Statistical OCD lvl MAX
Arcane Medieval Armory: Annihilation Grenade lvl 5, Sealion's Icewing Embrace lvl 5, Mustrano's Malice Mauler lvl 5 (Claw Proficiency/Poison Resistance) / Toxic Breakthrough lvl 5, Magorian's Rage Arrow lvl 5, Thorian's Domination lvl 5
Free Skill Slots: 0/4, Free Basic Skill Slots: 0/8
Basic Skills: Basic Close Combat Prowess lvl 5, Basic Footwork lvl 5, Basic Endurance lvl 5, Basic Long-Range Combat Prowess lvl 5, Basic Eloquence lvl 5, Basic Concentration lvl 5, Basic Meditation lvl 5, Basic Mana Control lvl 5
Passive Skills: Alexandrian Royal Swordsmanship lvl 5, Imbuement Archery lvl 5
Active Skills: Black Magic (Fire-Blizzard-Thunder-Series) lvl 5, Sword Magic lvl 5, Kunrith's Biotics lvl 5 (Warp, Stasis, Barrier, Throw, Pull), Arts (Tear, Teara, Aqua Bleed, Frost Edge, Hydro Cannon, Crystal Flood)
Fantasy Coins: 797,500 Soul Crystals: Small x20 Medium x8 Fantasy Shards: 126
Current Weapons: Magoroth's Legacy R2 (Gold), Enchanted Runeblade (Deep Purple), Executioner's Blade R2 (Light 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 (Light Black), Savant M (Gold), Geth Waistguard (Deep Purple), Destiny Watch (Orbment) R2 (Light Gold), Shepard's Promise (Light Gold)
Recovery Items: Superior Dish (Dragon Skewer) x19 (Deep Green), Infused Exceptional Dish (Dragon Skewer) x9 (Blue), Wiggenweld Potion V2 x7 (Deep Green), Superior Dish: (Energizing Shake) x3(Green)
Miscellaneous Items: Jack's Spare Silvery Mask (Light Green), Hunter License (Deep Green), Butchering Knife (Deep Blue), Quintessence of Blood (Purple), Blood Essence x12 (Green), Brawler-Pistol (Light-Purple), Colossus Armor S (Deep Purple), Logic Arrest Tool (Deep Blue), Mobile Skill Station (Purple)
Marked for Trading/Selling/Gifting: —
Special Items: Baroque Works Invitation (Purple), 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), Superior Supporter Armor-Rank Upgrade (Deep Blue), Superior Supporter Weapon-Rank Upgrade (Deep Blue), Spectre License (Purple)
"I guess… It's time to visit my 'Master,'" Alex says. "She can help me get a few shards. Even if I use 500,000 FC, I'll still have almost 300,000 FC left—more than enough to buy the 74 shards I require and still have FC to spare!"
Jewel trembles.
Princess Jewel is intimidated by Glimmerwhisk.
Menchi shrugs, smiling at Alex. "Let's keep our visit brief, as not to upset our Princess, okay?"
"Your Master?" Benezia asks. "Could you be talking about that Goblin you mentioned?"
"Yes," Alex comments.
"I'm interested in meeting her. I will accompany you." Benezia says.
Together, they make their way toward the Eternal Coffins.
As soon as Alex enters, a couple of Goblins approach him and bow. He then sees Softspark, who has a complicated look on her face.
"Hello, Softspark… I'd like to meet our Mistress. Glory to the Union," Alex says with a grin, saluting.
"Shut up, human slave! Mistress Glimmerwhisk is busy and doesn't have time to meet you whenever you please. Who do you think you are?!"
Alex's expression changes. "Okay, I guess I'll just message her that I wanted to see her, but you blocked me from entering. Let's go then," he says, turning around.
"Wait… damn you, human. Go ahead. You know the way! Try anything funny, though, and I'll personally show you your place," Softspark says, her teeth grinding together so hard that Alex can hear a terrifying sound being created.
Benezia nods at Alex in approval, while Menchi looks a little surprised.
Princess Jewel loves her Soulmate so much!
Alex then turns back again and walks toward Glimmerwhisk's room, followed by the others.
They finally enter her private quarters and see her dressed in an expensive-looking red dress, sitting on her large, comfortable sofa, drinking wine.
As soon as she sees Alex, her lips curl into a devious smile.
Princess Jewel wants to leave already….
I guess… I agree with you. Let's just push through.
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