As Alex leaves the Ranking-up facility with his Supporters and pet, he briefly checks his status.
Alex Kerber: Lvl 7
HP: 424/424, MP: 414/414 AURA: 304/304, BP: 123/123
STR: 21 (+18), AGI: 21 (+4), PHY: 21 (+9), SNS: 21 (+2), CHA: 21 (+7), MNA: 21 (+10), INT: 21, SPR: 21 (+7), LUK: 21 (+8), NEN: 21 (+2)
Available Stat Points: 1
Fantasy Coins: 649,500 Soul Crystals: Small x20Medium x8 Fantasy Shards: 0
Nothing much changed. Things are looking great! SNS is falling a little behind the other stats. AGI could be higher as well. INT is the worst stat. Well, I am naturally smart, so I'll be fine. I hope…. I don't think it's too important for my build.
"The question is… what now?" Alex finally asks.
"As much as I want to hang out with you inside the Realm, Alex," Menchi says, looking a little dejected. "Glimmerwhisk warned you about drawing attention. Maybe it's best if you don't put yourself in the spotlight. You might have a lot of LUK, but you always get yourself into troublesome situations. I worry about you. We are in a great position, no need to risk a thing."
Alex sighs. "You're not wrong, but I still want to trade a little. I've reserved 500,000 FC for my gamble, but I want to see if I can make some good deals first."
"Isn't that my job, human?" Benezia asks curiously.
"Look, Benezia," Alex says, sounding a bit offended. "You're an amazing Supporter, and your trading skill is top-notch, but I've done well on my own too. Even without your help. I appreciate your support, I really do, but that doesn't mean I'm some reckless fool who will just throw away his FC and will go broke."
"He isn't wrong," Menchi admits. "His results speak for themselves. He always managed to land good trades… though he gave away quite a lot of resources to me and his friends. Tereza is a lucky girl… I am jealous of her Devil Fruit."
"I see," Benezia says thoughtfully. "Trading is not just about technique, manipulation, reading people, and knowledge. It's also about intuition. Some things can't be taught. And more importantly, your experience inside the Realm seems rather extensive."
"Thank you…" Alex replies with a small smile.
He then introduces a few of his contacts to Benezia: the scalpers who helped him earlier (and are always on the lookout to scam newbies), Ivar, the craftsman who forged him a ring that ended up becoming a Light Black Quality item, and finally, Stephen, with whom Alex occasionally exchanges messages with.
"I'll listen to Glimmerwhisk and you, Menchi. Still, I want to look around the markets a little. I won't hide like a rat. To be honest, I don't think anyone at my level can threaten me… and if they try, they'll regret it. Jewel was enough to get rid of the last so-called 'genius' in a single attack."
"That was pretty funny," Menchi smirks. "I won't forget that anytime soon."
"Jewel killed a strong player all by herself?" Benezia asks, intrigued.
The Ultimate Secret Technique, capable of bringing down even the gods themselves! Princess Jewel has been initiated into its secrets and is capable of unleashing it at will. Nobody can withstand it—not even the strongest of players!
Alex sighs. "It's just a cheap ambush using deception. Usually, I prepare all of my Annihilation Grenades, light them, then use a bag or something similar to block vision and make them look like something else. If the target grabs the bag… you can imagine the rest. Jewel's variation involves her sneaking up with Zetsu, webbing the target, and slapping the grenades onto them, sticking them into the web. Dishonourable, cheap, twisted, even evil, but highly effective. If you talk about money and bribery, people lose their reason. If they see you offering items to them, they at least momentarily drop their guard. I've used it more than once and it usually works beautifully."
Good old Mr. 5, huh? I should be grateful for getting such a useful ability early on. It really saved me quite a few times. I kinda miss that scumbag. Soon I'll get to see him again… and then kill him again. I'm actually hyped for that.
"I see," Benezia says. "When it comes to life and death, honour is secondary. There are groups of Asari who would look down on you for it, but I'm not one of them. I don't believe pride should outweigh survival."
"I'll throw away pride and honour in an instant if it means protecting one of you… or myself. The group you're talking about… Justicars, right? Sorry, but I've always thought Samara was one of the biggest hypocrites around. Honestly, I think she's rather… pathetic."
"You know about her… she's well-known," Benezia admits. "Her reputation is fearsome. So she appears in the game, too?"
Princess Jewel likes her character very much!
"Let's go and see what the markets offer," Alex interjects quickly. "Glimmerwhisk is planning to refer us to people selling Supporter skills, but maybe we can find some on our own. Besides, you know my equipment. If you see something useful for me, tell me."
The group makes their way to the market, passing the larger official stores and instead browsing through the smaller stalls.
As they wander, they stumble across a familiar pair.
Alex instantly recognizes Misty, whom he had briefly encountered when he visited the Main Realm for the first time. Next to her stands Melissa, her high-level player and 'owner'.
It's the opposite pair. Better not get caught staring at their tits… or their lack of… tits.
"Hello," Misty greets politely.
"Hi," Alex replies. "Nice to see you again, I guess."
"You guess?!" Melissa snaps, already angry.
"Can you please calm down?" Alex asks, visibly worried.
I didn't want to draw attention! Is my LUK cursing me again?
"Melissa… don't make a scene," Misty urges her, looking slightly worried.
"Thank you!" Alex says, looking at Misty. "I like you and your personality. It's so different from the anime. You're awesome, refreshing like a spring breeze!"
"Haha… thank you?" Misty replies, clearly confused, but blushing a little.
Melissa's stare shifts to Menchi and Benezia, jealousy flashing in her eyes. "Unbelievable. You pervert did it again. I heard rumors… and now I see they're true."
"What rumors?" Alex asks.
"That Benezia was spotted at the markets, together with Menchi—the Supporter of some rookie."
"Am I still considered a rookie?" Alex asks, slightly annoyed.
"I guess you barely passed that hurdle. Level 6 or 7, right?"
Alex just shrugs, refusing to reveal anything more about himself.
"Do you have some time?" he asks Melissa, an idea forming in his head.
"For you? Forget it! I wouldn't hang out with you for a million FC," Melissa barks.
"You know, your gown looks noble and expensive, but do you have to act this barbaric? It's quite shameful," Alex retorts.
"Melissa… you should accept his invitation. You barely have any friends—"
"Misty, please not here." Melissa says, now red like a tomato.
"Look, when I see Misty, I think I have a decent offer for you, I really don't have bad intentions," Alex says.
"Forget it! I will never hand her over to you! Not even for a single date. You disgusting men are the worst—she's mine!" She yanks Misty closer and hugs her.
"Alex… I am genuinely confused," Benezia says. "Is this woman mentally deficient?"
Harsh… but she isn't wrong… not that I can afford to say that.
"No, Benezia… she just assumes the worst of me…" Alex says, which only makes Melissa blush.
"Let's go," Misty offers.
A few minutes later, they're sitting in a private room of a nearby restaurant. They order food worth a few hundred FC, digging in as soon as it arrives.
"So what is it then?" Melissa asks impatiently. "If it's not about hooking up with Misty."
"Can I assume that whatever we discuss here stays between us?" Alex asks.
"Sure. I actually have a good reputation," Melissa replies, now acting all smug.
I doubt it…! Well, it should be fine.
Misty immediately backs her up. "Melissa is a good person. She might act rash, but her heart is always thinking of others. I'm infinitely grateful to be her partner."
"Spit it out already!" Melissa snaps.
Menchi looks irritated but ignores her, instead flashing a warm smile at Misty. Jewel doesn't care at all, happily focused on the food in front of her. Benezia stares at the scene with interest, as if she is watching a play, her expression a mix of curiosity and confusion.
"Are you aware of the Supporter skill 'Teaching'?" Alex asks.
"'Teaching'? Honestly, no. I only have Misty, and she doesn't have that skill."
"It allows a Supporter to teach skills they already possess to another Supporter," Alex explains.
"I see… that's pretty rare. So, you're asking if I, or more specifically Misty, wants a skill that Benezia has, right?" Melissa says.
I guess it's obvious who has the Teaching skill.
"Just a question. Feel free to decline," Alex says.
"I'm interested, but not now. Misty needs to reach her next level threshold to unlock a skill. I'll contact you when that happens," Melissa answers. "Should only be one mission!"
"Another question then," Alex continues. "Any idea where I can get good Supporter skills? Preferably useful ones that almost anyone can use. Combat skills are fine too."
"Combat skills?" Melissa frowns. "Supporters already have their own unique abilities. I assume Benezia has Biotics and maybe some weapon skills. If you want to teach her a combat skill that alters her fighting style, I'd advise against it. At best, it will be situational or outright useless, at worst, she will become confused and neglect her own style in favour of an unstable and unsuitable skill."
"I see," Alex nods. "Maybe you're right. You are quite clever."
"Not maybe!" Melissa snaps. "Also, you should consider leaving a slot open. There's a chance a Supporter can learn skills during missions. It's rare, but those are often far better than generic ones you can buy or trade."
"Hmmm," Alex thinks. "I guess I should be grateful for your input."
Similar to Menchi… she learned from Snape. I guess her reminder can't hurt.
"You guess again?!" Melissa shoots back.
This woman pisses me off so much. I want to—
Just ignore her, Soulmate. Princess Jewel suggests ignoring thots.
Where did you even learn that word Jewel? Also, it's wrong. A thot is a woman who acts like a slut and sleeps around. This is just a hostile Tsundere who enjoys annoying people. I doubt many men tolerate her… maybe for a night… wait, so maybe you're right? Is that your instinct talking? Is she a Thot because she is looking for a partner and is constantly sleeping around, and has now abandoned all hope and only cares about Misty?!
Princess Jewel just likes the word. Thot! ❤️
… I was thinking too deeply about it.
"Melissa, calm down," Misty says. "You know… we're reaching the higher levels. Everyone's on edge. Missions are deadlier, and our time is slowly running out. We can only delay the inevitable so much."
I guess things are about to get serious for them. Time, huh? Now that Benezia and Menchi are making steady profits… is time something I should start worrying about, too? I need to ask Glimmerwhisk later.
After the meal, the group browses the market briefly before heading back home.
I guess… the market doesn't have anything too exciting currently. I can relax for a while. Still, I need to check the secret shops, wait for Glimmerwhisk, and finally gamble. Things are progressing nicely… the next mission is just around the corner!
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