His shoulder aching from the impact, his mind still racing, stressed from the earlier battle, seeing Menchi almost die after getting rendered unconscious, Alex has to fight hard to remain calm and suppress his rage. He stares at the arrogant hotel clerk and briefly considers his actions.
Calm down... this isn't helping. I need to end this quickly before I do something I might regret. I can't draw attention to myself.
Alex wordlessly presents his [Double-Star Hunter License] and glares at the clerk, [Shepard's Promise R2] activating.
Shaking all over, the man hurriedly looks at the license, goes pale, grabs a set of keys from the wall behind him, right beneath a small note that reads, "VIP Room 4B."
"Enjoy... your date, sir Hunter, ummm the cost will be 5,000 Jenny, of course you can pay later... or not at all... he...hehe," the man stammers, clearly terrified.
"Date?" Alex wonders before realizing what he means, and grabs his remaining money, barely enough
No time to argue. Hunters get huge discounts, so it's true... that saved me.
Paying just 5,000 Jenny for the room, Alex immediately rushes up the stairs, reaching the fourth floor where only two rooms await.
He forcefully inserts the key and pushes the door open.
Without hesitation, he gently places Menchi onto the bed.
"Are you okay?" Alex asks, his expression filled with concern.
"Yes... I just didn't know what hit me. Suddenly, all I heard was this shrill sound, and everything turned bright before I got knocked out."
Princess Jewel is impressed. She wants those grenades for herself.
"Do you know what that was?" Menchi asks. "I just saw a round metallic object, similar to your own grenades."
"Similar to my own?! Mine are primitive pirate grenades... that's fucking sci-fi tech... however, yes... I'm pretty sure I do, to answer your question, and I think that also gives us a big clue about the identity of Jason's supporter. I just wonder... how he can use them? Are they considered abilities? Looks like he couldn't wait to ambush us. Still, as dangerous as he is... it's actually a bit of a relief. I just don't understand how he was able to use that tech in the first place... this world shouldn't allow it."
"What tech?" Menchi asks. "The grenade?"
"If I'm right... that was a Goa'uld shock grenade—a Tok'Kal... and the weapon he was holding, that staff, was a Ma'Tok staff... usually just called a staff weapon," Alex explains.
Princess Jewel is not familiar.
"Me neither," Menchi admits.
"The world is called Stargate... there's talk about a remake, so it seems to be getting more popular again. Anyway, Jason's follower is probably a Jaffa... his way of speaking, mentioning a goddess and a queen, also fits. I also saw a golden mark on that guy's forehead. Stargate has a lot of advanced technology, some of it even more advanced than Mass Effect tech, but overall, it mostly takes place in a world with a similar tech level to this one—basically Earth, maybe 20–30 years behind the modern era. Maybe the rules differ depending on the main world, and since these weapons are core to a Jaffa's abilities, they're allowed here. Surprisingly, they are not too much more effective than actual firearms, at least not in the hands of idiots. Either way, I've got a decent understanding of our opponent now. Scaled down, he shouldn't be too dangerous."
"You should feel better soon," Alex adds reassuringly, looking at Menchi. "Those grenades only knock you out, and they only work if they land right next to you. You had pretty terrible luck. That's why I was fine—since I was further away, add to that my PHY and my [Drakul's Vitality R2], which protects me from low-level debuffs and even weakens stronger ones, and I barely felt a thing."
Soulmate, so who was that assailant?
"One of the strongest Jaffa, I presume... carrying an immature, parasitic snake called a Goa'uld inside his body. Jaffa are used as a breeding ground for Goa'uld as they rest inside their stomachs until they grow enough to take over humans. Without them, a Jaffa can't survive, as their entire immune system depends on the Goa'uld. However, that's also what gives them their superhuman abilities," Alex explains.
"Usually, at least until they eventually break free late in the series, the Jaffa worship the Goa'uld, treating them as gods. Whatever... none of that really matters right now. This is just about one Supporter... one Jaffa. It should be Teal'c... or maybe just some random Jaffa who looks similar to him, but I doubt it," Alex says, thinking it through. "Surprisingly, Teal'c is a main character... could he be Gold Quality? I can't really imagine it... but he's definitely strong and extremely competent. Whoever lent this guy to this asshole Jason is mighty generous... I want to fucking murder that Jaffa, so he'll pay a high cost to revive him, hehe. Also, that guy has insane luck... everything he's gone through makes even my LUK and everything I've achieved in the Realm look like child's play."
It's just a Supporter! Princess Jewel thinks Soulmate will easily take down that god-worshipping Peasant.
Alex snickers, "Just once... Peasant might be suitable here. Though he was first prime of Apophis... the highest-ranked Jaffa under one of the most powerful Goa'uld who has the rank of system lord controlling many worlds. Also... the true Teal'c hates these supposed gods... but who knows what particular backstory the player used to get him to join him... perhaps even an item from Stargate. He seems brainwashed...."
"Anyway, yes, we will take him down... he still acts like when he was loyal to the Goa'uld. He probably just replaced his old god with a new one, the unknown player lending him to Jason. But I know his core personality, abilities, and habits, all of which I can use to my advantage. Anyway, we wanted to rest... let's do it here, and tomorrow we'll continue. Let's quickly inform Benezia."
After a short call with Benezia, with Alex explaining everything that happened, she advises them to stay cautious and remain patient.
"I'll see you soon," she says before ending the call, the small Den Den Mushi cutely closing its eyes, looking a little exhausted.
Jewel slowly crawls toward Menchi, who's sitting on the couch, and stares at the Den Den Mushi, which looks visibly frightened upon noticing her.
Princess Jewel does not like this snail. May she take a bite?
"Jewel... you are a monster!" Menchi says, quickly grabbing the Den Den Mushi and feeding it a few tiny nutrient balls she created specifically for them.
Looks like she's grown attached to it... I mean, it is pretty cute...
As Alex, Menchi, and Jewel begin to relax. They chat while Alex explains to them the lore of Stargate, and even eat a few snacks Menchi has prepared.
However, Alex suddenly tenses up, sensing movement outside his room.
The adjacent room? More guests?
En!
What the... I recognize that shape... and that cap.
Alex opens the door—and finds Benezia standing right in front of him.
Without saying a word, she steps past him and enters the room.
"Hey?! What are you doing here?" Menchi exclaims, suddenly sitting upright.
"Delivering some local currency," Benezia replies calmly, tossing several stacks of money onto the table.
Alex ignores it and quickly counts it.
100 million Jenny.
"What the?!" Alex blurts out, staring in disbelief. "That much?!"
"We earned a total of 400 million. I'm keeping the remaining three hundred and putting them to use at the auction. I've already secured the right to participate. Even before that, I'm planning on making deals in various markets and smaller auctions. After all, the yearly Southern Piece auction is merely the most popular auction; I can still participate in smaller ones," Benezia explains. "Of course, if you have a better idea, feel free to share it."
"In fact... I kinda do," Alex says, rubbing his chin.
"Really?" Benezia asks, her tone carrying a hint of doubt.
Alex smiles faintly before calmly asking, "What is the biggest advantage of a Player?"
Not giving her time to reply, he smugly continues:
"Obviously, information about the future! What happens on September first..."
"The underground auction gets attacked," Benezia answers without hesitation.
"Can't you use that to your advantage? Somehow?" Alex presses.
"Not really. Your human stocks might present an opportunity, but we don't have enough concrete details about participants. Still, your suggestion isn't completely without merit. I'll consider it. In any case, I'll leave you alone; you seem to have a good handle on things. Remain vigilant, keep working hard, and inform me if anything happens," Benezia replies before leaving wordlessly, not even glancing back.
"She is kinda cold," Alex can't help but say as he relaxes on the couch, throwing himself onto it. The sudden motion briefly flings Jewel into the air before she lands back beside him.
"Yep... but could you imagine her any other way?" Menchi asks, grinning.
Alex pauses for a moment, and an image of Benezia gently smiling at him, leaning in to give him a soft kiss, before gently stroking his head flashes through his mind. Just as quickly, it vanishes in a puff of smoke as he shakes his head.
"Nah... just crazy wish fulfillment," Alex mutters. "Let's rest."
"I'll show you some wish fulfillment!" Menchi says with a smirk, dimming the lights before grabbing him and pulling him toward the bedroom.
Excuse the Peasant, Menchi?! You remember that Princess Jewel is here as well?
Ignoring Jewel entirely, Menchi sticks out her tongue playfully, locks the bedroom door, and shuts it behind them.
No... how cruel. Don't do this to Princess Jewel.
"You sure this is a good idea...? Kinda reminds me of that yandere... at this rate, we won't be killed by a Jaffa, but by a spider..." Alex mutters. "Also, not really the right time, isn't it? We need to pay attention... maybe they can track us?"
"Don't be such a killjoy!" Menchi fires back, already stripping.
Damn, I'm getting in the mood... I so want to fu—
No!
This is about our fucking lives.
She was quite emotional and unstable today. She also didn't pay attention... how could she, a Single-Star Hunter, get caught so easily by that grenade? Jewel and I managed to react just fine. Agility and reaction time are supposed to be her specialty.
Giving in now would feel fucking amazing... what man wouldn't want to, but that will only exacerbate problems.
Alex gently pulls her into a brief hug, then places a soft kiss on her forehead.
"Not today. You need to calm down, relax, and not lose yourself. Properly think through whatever's troubling you. If you need to talk, I'm always here for you. Please trust me," Alex says, briefly standing up and opening the door—only for a teary and desperate Jewel to cling to him.
"And so is Jewel, by the way... you can trust her too," Alex adds as he unequips his items, leaving himself in just a shirt and shorts.
He lies down next to Menchi, with Jewel excitedly sitting on the bed.
"Sleep now... I'll stay awake a little longer, just to make sure we're safe," Alex says, entering Zetsu, pulling Menchi into his arms.
"I... okay," Menchi replies softly, settling against him and resting her head on his chest before eventually drifting off to sleep.
Jewel curls up on his chest as well, just above her head, closing her eyes as her small body relaxes.
❤️
"..."
That didn't take very long....
After a couple of hours of quiet meditation, Alex senses movement. Jewel's eyes slowly open as she crawls up and positions herself right in front of his face.
Princess Jewel will be on guard duty now. Soulmate can sleep for a while.
Thank you.
Alex gently pets Jewel before closing his eyes, falling asleep not long after.
After a relatively calm night, everyone wakes up feeling fairly rested and in good condition.
The group decides to skip breakfast, instead eating the many meals Menchi had prepared earlier, preserved perfectly by the system.
"I used my license yesterday," Alex says. "I just wanted a quick and quiet option. It's better if we don't come back here."
"Indeed," Menchi agrees. "That's a wise decision. We can find something else for tomorrow, especially now that we have more than enough money."
"Let's hunt... not just for rare items, but also for a fucking scared coward and an arrogant Jaffa," Alex declares as the group steps back onto the streets of Yorknew.
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