"Thank you for your concern, Charlie."
"I don't know how strong you truly are, but since Gaia claims you are 'The Strongest' among us currently, it must be true. In the previous session, you managed to complete the most difficult and dangerous Quest alone, and I believe you can do the same now."
Pausing for a moment, Miguel seemed to recall something. The look in his eyes became firm, implying a resolute determination.
"Anyway, I will take Quest 5 even if I have to go alone. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I don't want to miss it. Instead, Charlie, it would be better if you helped Frank with Quest 4."
"..."
Miguel's sudden obsession not only surprised Charlie. All the Saviors in the room stared at Miguel with various expressions after hearing his words of resolution.
'Quest 5 is the Planar World: Sword Art Online. The only factor I can think of for Miguel's determination is Yuuki Asuna. That makes sense. Asuna was among the million-follower waifus before Covid-19 hit the world. Maybe Miguel really wants to meet his waifu?'
Speculation began to form in Charlie's mind.
He couldn't blame Miguel if that was the reason. Asuna's reputation in the ACG (Anime, Comics, and Games) industry was indeed enormous before the Covid-19 pandemic changed many things.
Before Covid-19, people who had the hobby of watching anime were often considered strange or less sociable by some of society.
A million-follower waifu is a term used to refer to a fictional female character from anime, manga, or games who is very popular and loved by many fans, thus becoming a kind of imaginary wife favored by many people.
Characters like Hyuga Hinata (Naruto), Yuuki Asuna (Sword Art Online), Kirisaki Chitoge (Nisekoi), Nico Robin (One Piece), Tokisaki Kurumi (Date A Live), and Erza Scarlet (Fairy Tail) are some examples often referred to as million-follower waifus in that era.
However, after the Covid-19 pandemic emerged and caused many people to isolate themselves at home, the number of anime viewers and manga readers increased significantly.
ACG culture became more accepted and no longer considered too strange. This development also gradually led to a shift in the concept of a million-follower waifu.
The generation that started watching anime during the pandemic may have different preferences and tend to call characters from currently popular anime their waifus, even after watching only one or two trending titles.
Now faced with the opportunity to meet one of the million-follower waifus, and perhaps... just perhaps establish a romantic relationship with Asuna even if only temporarily during the Quest, how could Miguel not seize this olive branch?
"What do you think, Frank?"
Charlie asked the person involved before making a decision.
"Miguel, how strong are you currently? Have you learned Observation Haki and Armament Haki, or even awakened Conqueror's Haki?"
Frank did not immediately give an answer, but instead asked about Miguel's fighting abilities.
"Uhhh..."
Miguel's firmness seemed to waver slightly upon hearing the question.
"Well, the timeline in the Planar World: One Piece where I reincarnated is five years after the execution of the Pirate King Gol D. Roger. It was the beginning of the Great Pirate Era, where people raced to sail in order to obtain the One Piece left behind by Roger on Laugh Tale Island."
"Currently I am in the weakest sea, East Blue. Where could I learn Haki in a place like that?"
The answer implied that he did not possess the Haki abilities Frank asked about.
Before other Saviors had a chance to question his strength further, Miguel hurriedly continued.
"However, I was lucky enough to get a Devil Fruit!"
Hearing the name Devil Fruit come out of Miguel's mouth, the expressions of the Saviors who had knowledge of the One Piece anime immediately changed.
Devil Fruits are unique and mysterious products that only exist in the Planar World: One Piece. It is said that these fruits are the embodiment of the Sea's desires.
Anyone who eats even a single bite of a Devil Fruit will gain extraordinary superpowers, often turning weak people into individuals far beyond the limits of ordinary human abilities.
Looking interested, Thomas immediately asked.
"What Devil Fruit did you manage to get, Miguel? Considering the timeline before Luffy set sail, there are many powerful Devil Fruits that don't have owners yet. Two very powerful Logia-Type Devil Fruits, the Goro Goro no Mi on Skypiea and the Mera Mera no Mi in the Lower Beach area, still haven't been eaten by anyone at that time."
Miguel sighed slightly before answering. "The Devil Fruit I found on the shores of East Blue wasn't a Logia-Type, but a Paramecia-Type."
Thomas clicked his tongue with a condescending tone. "Tch, Paramecia-Type... I think only Logia-Types truly change the course of the game."
Feeling his pride slightly trampled, Miguel was not happy with Thomas's comment.
"Hey, don't underestimate Paramecia-Types! There is no truly useless Devil Fruit, there are only incompetent users who fail to maximize its potential."
"Besides, the Devil Fruit I got is the Doa Doa no Mi, which will be eaten by Blueno of CP9 in the future. The Doa Doa no Mi gives me the ability to create doors in the air and on any surface. It's a spatial ability, you know!"
"In any Planar World, powers related to space and time are always considered rare and very valuable!"
Miguel emphasized the potential of his newly acquired power.
After learning that Miguel possessed spatial power, the other Saviors changed their views on him.
"With the power of the Doa Doa no Mi, Miguel can indeed quickly evacuate the protection target if the Abyssal Devourer attacks. That's a big advantage in terms of evacuation. But that's it."
"How will you defeat the Abyssal Devourer? Moreover, Quest 5 mentions that it is an Assassin-Type, which means it will be very good at hiding, moving silently, and will never stop chasing its prey until death."
"I think it would be much safer if Charlie went with Miguel to take Quest 5. His proven fighting strength would be very helpful."
After hearing Frank's logical and reasonable analysis, Miguel finally realized his lack of offensive capabilities to face the Assassin-Type Abyssal Devourer.
"You're right, Frank. I don't mind if Charlie comes with me for Quest 5. The help of his strength would be very meaningful."
"..."
"It seems the discussion is over. Alright, let's begin."
Ending the meeting in the Void Sanctuary, Alaya then waved her hand gently, sending the ten Saviors to the Planar Worlds corresponding to the Quests they had agreed upon.
*BUZZ!*
A soft light enveloped the bodies of each Savior, signifying the start of the interdimensional teleportation process.
"Gaia, let Aishia and Est stay behind to guard my body. This time, I won't bring them with me." Charlie said quickly, just before his figure completely disappeared from the Void Sanctuary.
His original body was still resting on the 28th Floor of the Dungeon. Although that place was a relatively safe point and he had set up dozens of protective magic formations, Charlie felt more at ease if Aishia and Est remained by his side.
Better safe than sorry.
"I understand, Charlie." Gaia replied with her cheerful smile.
"Farewell to you all! Good luck with your respective Quests and return safely."
Gaia waved her hand cheerfully, as if sending her children off to work.
*SHUA!*
Not long after, the light enveloping the ten Saviors dimmed, and their figures completely vanished from the Void Sanctuary, leaving behind an empty round table in the midst of eternal darkness.
New adventures in different worlds awaited them.