Seeing Jewel's nervousness, Alex can't help but feel a little bad for his pet.
She really did her best... I'm quite proud of her. She's perfectly loyal and incredibly powerful—way stronger than even most players. Just... her attitude and personality have grown in direct proportion to her strength.
"Do it as softly as possible... okay, Benezia?" Alex says, glancing at Benezia—who's trying to look perfectly calm, though there's a slight twitch at the corner of her mouth.
Is she really enjoying this? I guess even people like Benezia need to let off steam sometimes. Maybe Jewel deserves it... juuuust a little.
"I will... little one, just hold tight," Benezia replies, her gaze fixed on Jewel's injured legs.
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While Alex gently holds the crying Jewel in his arms, Benezia decisively adjusts her legs. The poor spider shivers, but once they apply more [Medigel-modified] to her repaired limbs, she starts to calm down—little by little.
They wrap a generous amount of bandages around each other's bodies—even Jewel's—until most of their bodies are almost completely covered in them.
"I feel like a mummy," Alex mutters.
Soulmate is not a mommy!
"You know the word mummy, don't even pretend!" Alex retorts, briefly considering grabbing Jewel's bandaged legs tightly.
"In any case," Benezia begins, slipping into a set of native clothes, common to the Kingdom of Arabasta, they bought earlier, while waiting for her normal outfit to restore itself, "we're out of commission for a while. I'll need at least a few weeks to fully recover. Of course, I can still fight, but only at limited efficiency. I'd say the little one needs about as much rest as well. Tereza, you're in acceptable condition—after a good night's sleep, you should be able to perform adequately enough. As for Alex... I'd say he needs at least a week as well. You can always use your healing spells, but our injuries are deep-rooted and can't be fixed easily, even if our HP recovers."
"Our job is to rest anyway," Alex says. "At least until we get new orders. If we're lucky, we'll have to travel for a while, so we can get as much rest as possible while we fly."
"For now," he continues, now smiling, "I've got four [Bloody Chests] to open. One level 7, one level 8, and two level 9."
"I'm sorry, Alex," Tereza says sheepishly. "I took four as well, even though I didn't contribute nearly as much as you. I can't trade them over, so we can't take advantage of your LUK."
"LUK does not matter," Benezia explains. "[Bloody Chests] and their contents are determined at the moment they're created. They contain between 1% and 20% of their player's total value, split between three items. It's even possible to obtain Gold-ranked items—though most likely paired with two low-quality ones. It doesn't matter who opens them—the contents are already set."
"I see," Tereza says. "I'll just give you some of my spoils, then."
"Keep them," Alex replies. "Honestly, you helped out too. Without you, we couldn't have even dreamed of covering this much ground. If we find something interesting, maybe we can do a trade."
"I agree," Benezia adds. "You are crucial to our mission, and while your contribution in the battle didn't quite reach 50%, warranting half of the rewards, you held back at Whiskey Peak and Rainbase. It's only fair you get a large share of the spoils as well."
"I'll open my chests then!" Tereza says with a grin.
"I'll do the same and open the two Blue Chests I picked up, since my LUK is still boosted for a few more minutes. So let me go first!" Alex says, clearly excited.
Now for the best part... I hope this painful fight was worth it. Ever since we arrived in Alubarna, things have been insanely chaotic.
Alex sits down on the floor and takes out both of his Blue Chests.
His hands are slightly trembling—excited about whatever he's about to get.
You received 5,000 FC
You received 5,000 FC
"Fuck me?! Are you for real?!" Alex yells, slamming his fist into the ground. The stone flooring gives slightly beneath the impact, a few small fragments cracking loose.
"Even with all the LUK in the world, you can't always succeed," Benezia says calmly. "Open the next one before your temporarily boosted stats expire."
"You're right..." Alex mutters.
He opens the second chest—and this time, it sparkles brightly. Only one item appears from within.
You received Tori Tori no Mi, Model: Falcon
"It's here! It's fucking here!" Alex screams, bursting into laughter. "Yes! Hahahahah! Yes!"
"You should never gamble, Alex. Never," Tereza says, shaking her head.
Princess Jewel agrees.
"Shut up! Finally, something good! This was all worth it! Let me take a closer look!"
[Tori Tori no Mi, Model: Falcon]
World: One Piece
Quality: Light Purple
Effect: Grants a new innate skill that can be leveled up.
Effect: Allows the user to transform into a half-eagle or full-eagle form. Renders the user unable to swim and creates a weakness to water and Seastone.
Effect: Half-eagle form - Gain +1 AGI, +1 STR, +1PHY, +2 SNS +1 per every two levels, and the ability to fly with a pair of wings. Along with that, the user gains an enhanced beak, talons while transforming the user's hands into hand-talon hybrids.
Effect: Full-eagle form - Gain +2 AGI, +2 STR, +2 PHY, +4 SNS +1 per additional level, and the ability to fly. In this form, the user fully transforms into an eagle, acquiring the same abilities as in half-eagle form but losing the ability to use their hands, replacing them with even bigger wings than in Half-eagle form, making the user unable to use most weapons or use most other abilities.
Note: Are you willing to accept the curse of the sea?
Note: Don't get greedy—eating more than one of these fruits is a bad idea.
Note: The devil within does not accept outside help, whether from other fruits or anything else entirely.
"It's perfect!" Alex shouts. "It's almost as good as Tereza's fruit!"
"Mine is better," Tereza replies sulkily. "This doesn't have any special effect—it's just raw stats and the ability to fly."
"Isn't that fucking enough?" Alex retorts, grabbing a bottle of beer stolen from Whiskey Peak and popping it open. "This calls for a damn celebration! Stop me when I get too crazy, or I might actually eat this fucking beauty myself."
"I see," Benezia says, staring into Alex's eyes. "I have to agree."
Smiling wildly, Alex takes a gulp and responds. "Really? I'm glad you see it my way. How about a bottle—you can drink, right? Let's get dru—"
"Agree with Tereza," Benezia finishes her sentence. "You should never be allowed to gamble."
"..."
"..."
Alex sighs. "Fine, I'll stay calm... however, don't you realize how much this beauty is actually worth? It's worth at least half a million FC. If the user didn't look so ridiculous while using it, I'd have eaten it already. What's the point of strong combat skills when most missions are just about fulfilling objectives? That's what I've finally come to understand—the Realm and its missions, no matter how different they seem, always come down to one thing: survival, and seizing opportunities when they appear. Combat is rarely the answer to problems. Even if I were three times stronger than I am now, the Mass Effect mission wouldn't have played out much differently. This fruit offers an absurd level of utility."
He then rubs his chin, "reminds me of Fire Emblem, you know the Pegasus Rider and Cavaliers are so strong because of their high movement!"
"Not mentioning your juvenile and silly example, you aren't exactly wrong," Benezia says, her tone calm and measured. "It would be a logical decision to eat it. I won't try to stop you, and it would certainly help you in future missions. But it's a choice you'll most likely never be able to take back. Just be aware of that before you commit."
Princess Jewel does not like birds. She only enjoys eating them—especially when they taste like delicious, crispy chicken.
"Of course you won't use it. Idiot!" Tereza snaps at Alex. "I'll get angry if you do! You need to wait for something that's at least Gold-Quality. You only get to choose one Item-related Innate skill... ever! How stupid would it be to use it on something objectively worse than my [Batto Batto no Mi, Model: Desmodontinae]? How do you think I'd feel after that?! Especially since you're the one who gave it to me! If you then go and use something worse, I'll never be able to forgive myself. Just sell the damn thing and use the money to get something different!"
"It's only proper.... You deserve more. I'll help you get something truly amazing." Tereza adds, locking eyes with him.
... Tereza. She's still somewhat subservient and can't just accept the gift I gave her... I guess. It looks like she clearly understands the value of the fruit I gave her by now. Honestly? It was a risky investment. Even this Falcon fruit is priceless—but that one was worth even more. I guess I can understand how she feels. I also hate owing friends.
Alex nods slowly. "You're right. Someone like me—with a shitton of LUK—has to aim higher than this."
Princess Jewel approves of Soulmate's arrogant attitude! Soulmate should only settle for a fruit that transforms him into a truly majestic being—like a spider.
"..."
"..."
"Since when are spiders considered grand beings?" Alex mutters, blinking twice before glancing at Jewel, who looks fully convinced and serious. He shakes his head slowly, then lets out a tired shrug.
"Whatever. Anyway, time for the [Bloody chests]," Alex says, pulling out his four crimson-colored boxes and placing them in front of him.
Since Soulmate has already used up all his LUK, Princess Jewel believes there's nothing inside but worthless Peasant trash.
"Little one, I told you—these have nothing to do with LUK. Their contents are fixed at the moment they're created. Just watch quietly for once," Benezia says, sighing as she gently chides her.
"Yeah, don't spoil my fun!" Alex jokes before beginning to open the first chest.
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