Alex stares in shock at the new message appearing before his eyes.
After a few seconds, he finally speaks, "I guess we got stuck with Baroque Works after all, but as compensation, we more or less skipped the first part of the Main Mission. Also, the mission timer for the second phase is suspicious. I'd say we earned another extra three days, giving us an advantage. Even if we totally fuck things up now, I think I should be safe from getting the dreaded F rank and having my poor soul destroyed."
"Considering your World Item started this mission and it was Purple Quality, I'd say that's more than fair. Of course, you should have a little advantage," Menchi reasons.
"Alex, what item did you receive? Let's take a closer look," Benezia asks, stepping closer.
"I… of course," he replies.
Alex, stay calm. You've been living together with her for over a month now. You're also not some inexperienced idiot anymore. This is serious—no time for screwing around.
He focuses on the mission item and shares the details with the others.
[Baroque Works provisional Membership]
Quality: Green
Type: World Item / Quest Item (card)
Effect: Proof of Allegiance to Baroque Works
Note: A card is much smoother than a Tattoo...right?
"It's nothing really," Alex comments. "I can prove my membership, that's all. It reminds me a little of the Hunter license. I'd say we're done here, let's get the hell out of this tiny room already…"
With Benezia and Menchi right next to him, he feels more than awkward and walks towards the door.
"Wait," Benezia says firmly.
"Sit down," she orders, pointing at the bed.
"Why?" Alex grumbles, but as Benezia stares him down, he obeys and sits. Menchi plops down beside him and flashes Benezia a teasing smile.
"Please educate us, Mommy," she jokes.
Benezia ignores the crude remark and crosses her arms.
"I'm new to this Realm, but I have talked with dozens of players and coaxed them into revealing their experiences to me. In theory, I've been through almost a hundred missions."
That's actually smart… now that I think about it. I never considered it, because I wasn't interested in how mediocre players handle their choices. But it's a useful way to learn how the System builds its missions. Maybe she can even tell me more about the later phases. If I could redo all my missions, I'd probably handle a few things differently. Benezia used logic instead, listening to other players' stories, and now she can judge how these missions typically work.
Benezia continues:
"This type of mission scenario is fairly common. It's more or less a free world. The mission confines us to Paradise and the East Blue, but this isn't a huge problem. We're probably not strong enough for the New World anyway. Don't forget our plan. As far as I see it, we have two urgent tasks. First, we need to find Tereza. She is essential to our plans, and without her, our efficiency will drop by about ninety percent. We can't afford to go without her—she's the key to everything!"
"I agree… we all do," Alex says, nodding.
Princess Jewel needs her mount! How can she walk or sail like a poor peasant or dirty pirate? Princess Jewel demands the finest and fastest transportation available! She won't be satisfied with anything less!
"Ignoring Jewel's arrogant and selfish demands," Menchi says, smiling, "which I think are adorable," she adds with a wink at Jewel, "we need her ability to fly to quickly explore the Grand Line! With her, you can turn trips that would take weeks or months into journeys of just a few days at most! Remember—you need to explore all the major towns so I can improve my craft! That's the highest priority!"
Benezia sighs. "Menchi, my dear. Please cease this foolishness. Your cooking is important, but it doesn't have the highest priority."
Menchi blushes and nods apologetically.
Benezia, still in serious mode, proceeds, "Apart from finding Tereza, we need to carefully balance our standing with Baroque Works," Benezia explains. "We should look for opportunities on our own and not blindly accept every job they throw at us. However, we also can't ignore their requests. If we're expelled early, the mission ends, and all our resources are wasted, and we lose the opportunity to make progress. Worse, you might even lose stat points while gaining a level, making future missions even harder. We cannot afford that. So we must strike a delicate balance—we need to do enough to not stand out negatively, while still securing time to explore this world and make the most of it."
She narrows her eyes at Alex. "I've asked you this once already… are you willing to go for maximum profits?"
Alex sighs, knowing exactly where this is headed.
This is tough…
Finally, he nods. "Yes… and no. I don't want to actively hunt other players. I want to aim for other ways to profit, but if we stumble across them, or if they attack us or block our path… we'll get rid of them. One exception... Glimmerwhisk's bounties. Whoever is on her list is a target, no hesitation."
"An acceptable compromise," Benezia replies. "This is your choice. In any case, our priorities are set: find Tereza and learn more about our temporary organization. According to other players, these missions eventually allow you to switch allegiances and allow for more freedom. But for now, we must remain loyal to Baroque Works. Losing access to this world would cripple us. Our goal should be to explore as much as possible, gather the greatest amount of resources we can, and still complete our missions. We cannot afford failure and a poor rating. After all, mission rank is what matters most—not for the FC, but for the invaluable stat points."
Why is she so experienced? She talks like she's done this a million times. It almost feels like I've got a teacher with me. If only her personality were a little more open, and…
In any case, it might be good to follow a stricter plan. Up until now, I've been winging it in every mission. Eyeballing it every single time is probably not a good long-term strategy. That's my usual style… but it wouldn't hurt to be a little more disciplined. Let's do it. Always listen to Mommy... hehe.
"Okay, Benezia. Thank you for caring. We'll follow your approach—that's what we planned for anyway," Alex says.
Menchi smiles. "Just listen to her, she's smart."
"However…" Alex adds, "it's great to have a plan, but you can't plan for every situation. I really appreciate the preparation, Benezia, but when something unexpected happens, I'll act how I see fit."
Benezia smiles faintly. "Of course."
"Then let's go out!" Alex says.
Princess Jewel will become the Queen of the Pirates!
"…"
"…"
"…"
Alex exits his room, finding himself in a medium-sized chamber with similar rooms on either side and across from his own.
A few tough-looking pirates sit on a couch, drinking beer and lazing around.
"Huh?" one of them mutters. "What's this? Is this guy new? I hate this cramped dormitory! Maybe I made a mistake signing up as a million. Wait why does he have two hot chicks with him… and that one's blue with tentacles on her head. Weird, but damn, she's smoking hot. Hey, miss, why don't you ditch that loser and have some fun with me?"
"SHUT UP!" another pirate suddenly yells, storming into the room.
"I'm sorry for that!! He doesn't know! Please forgive him!" the new arrival blurts out, bowing low toward Alex.
"What's going on, Fruchal?" the first one asks, obviously confused.
"SHUT UP! This is a new Frontier Agent! He arrived only yesterday! He's called the Butcher of the South Blue—he's got a bounty of 69 million Berry! If you don't want to lose your hands, or worse, your head, then shut your mouth! And how dare you lust after his partners? Are you insane?! Lady Benezia is also a Devil Fruit user with incredible abilities. Lowlives like you should be grateful you even get to see her! Are you an idiot?! It should be obvious!"
My… reputation from Mass Effect followed me? Is this because of my new alignment? I don't know if this is good or bad… but it looks like it'll save me some trouble this time. Whatever.
The man who insulted Alex, along with the others who had snickered earlier, goes deathly pale.
"No… the Butcher?! He beheaded a hundred pirates in a single battle!"
"He wiped out a crew all by himself, beheading every last crewmate!"
Alex slowly draws his [Executioner's Blade R2] for effect, releasing his Aura and activating Ren.
The others begin to panic, and all of them also shake wildly.
"P…P…Please spare us!"
"Please, it was all him!"
"Spare us!"
"Fine…" Alex says, voice calm but cold. "I'm new here, and this will be the one time I show mercy. You'd better tell the others not to disrespect me. Next time, I won't be this understanding…"
He follows the group down the corridor until they enter a larger room, halfway between a common hall and a barracks.
"B…B…Butcher… why are you in this room? Shouldn't you be—" Another man says.
Alex shrugs. "I just arrived. I suppose I'll get a real residence once I'm given my rank and mission."
"That's why I just left and just returned," the Baroque Works member from earlier explains nervously. "Mr. 8, who's in charge here, wants to speak with you."
"Where do I find him?" Alex asks.
"Just follow the street to the main port. You can't miss it, it's right on the thinnest part of the channel. But be careful—if visitors arrive, there's one rule we all follow. Be extremely kind and friendly. We lure them in… then strike when they drop their guard."
"Pathetic…" Alex mutters. "I could get rid of them in seconds. This coward's approach disgusts me. But since I'm new, I'll play your game—for now."
"Let's go, Benezia, Menchi!" Alex orders, walking outside.
"Nice acting," Menchi says with a grin as she joins him.
"I've seen records of your actions during your time with Shepard," Benezia comments. "I was a little confused when I saw how you behaved day to day. It's good to see you can assume a strong persona when needed."
Alex ignores them, his eyes scanning the scenery. They step into a broad street lined with small houses, the ground dry and dusty.
"This island…" Alex mutters, "is pretty barren, huh? Let's head toward the port—it should be next to the channel running deeper into the island."
As they move through the streets, townsfolk catch sight of Alex. One after another, they tense up, quickly lowering their gazes.
"This place is terrible!" Menchi complains. "I was promised an endless paradise for gourmets! Boundless ingredients, talented chefs, giant monsters! A cook's paradise! Instead, this is just a dry wasteland. Only those ridiculous cactus mountains are remotely interesting. I wonder if they have fruit? When you leave, I'm climbing them myself to check! I can't wait to taste them."
"Pretty sure they're just rocks shaped like cacti," Alex replies dryly. "There are gravestones on top of them too—like the needles of the real thing."
"You should have known that already, Menchi," Benezia says, staring at her.
"I… focused on the places with actual gourmet potential, okay? This place was never on my list," Menchi admits, embarrassed.
"So the only thing this island has is… dirt?!" Menchi growls in frustration.
"They import plenty of food and alcohol to lure pirates and travelers. You'll find more than enough ingredients to practice with," Alex says, shrugging.
The group continues toward the bustling harbor, walking alongside the water channel until a large building comes into view.
There, they see a man enthusiastically running outside.
Alex stops in his tracks, disgust spreading across his face. The man is absurdly tall, with blond hair styled in ridiculous rolls that resemble a powdered wig.
Is this supposed to resemble an eight? I hate this stupid number theme, it's so silly… what if you rise in ranks, do you change your entire look?
"Welcome… Butcher, and Lady Benezia. I also see you brought a friend along with your famous pet with you… Please, don't feed it human meat. We'll provide you with as much other meat as you want," Igaram, acting as Mr. 8, declares nervously.
Human Meat? Princess Jewel only eats the finest dishes and ingredients personally cooked by Royal Head Chef Menchi! However, if this peasant dares to insult her again, she might take a bite or two!
"Mr. 8. Correct?" Alex asks with a thin smile.
Igaram gulps. "Yes!"
This will be fun…
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