"Do something!" Menchi yells, riding on Alex's back, shivering all over while looking back at the fast-approaching skyscraper behind them.
"What the fucking hell should I do?!" Alex yells back, genuinely wanting to know.
Princess Jewel knows!
"What?!" Alex and Menchi ask in unison. A spark of hope appears in both of them.
Pray to RNGesus....
"..."
"Fuck that! I'm gonna eyeball it." Alex yells, leaning downward, no longer gliding forward but actually diving down.
The building is right behind him as he dives into the city.
"Eyeball it?! What do you want to eyeball?!" Menchi yells panickely.
Princess Jewel can help with the eyeballing, for she has many eyes to offer.
Desperate Alex looks around, hoping to spot a way to escape the situation.
"The building over there!" Alex suddenly says, noticing a large building in front of him, a glimmer of hope appearing on his face.
"W... what?!" Menchi asks, her body now shaking as she clings tighter to Alex and his frosty armor.
No time to explain....
Alex desperately dives toward a large five-story building in front of him. Without caring about his injuries and the building just meters behind him, he recklessly dives straight into it, crashing through a window on the fourth floor.
As he crashes down, he feels faint from the impact as he slams onto the hard floor and slides forward, his icy armor making him somewhat slippery.
You have received 23 damage
Icewing Embrace -1
Alex continues to slide, barely recognizing office desks and chairs in front of him, which he pushes along with him.
Finally, as he comes to a halt, the building shakes as a giant rumble echoes through it, an ear-splitting screeching sound coming from above, thousands of people in the vicinity yelling in panic, car alarms going off, and a general feeling of dread filling the city.
Part of the ceiling comes loose, Alex feeling a somewhat strong impact as he lies under a pile of chairs and a desk, which thankfully blocks most of it.
You have received 1 damage
Ouch....
Finally, five seconds later, he sighs in relief as the building somewhat holds out, the fifth floor above him only partially collapsed, with most of it remaining intact.
"Fuck me... that was so close..." Alex complains. "Damn, I'm a genius!"
Menchi slides down his back, still shaking before laughing. "That was... crazy... haha."
Princess Jewel is not amused.
"Why... usually you'd enjoy something like this," Menchi remarks, a little confused.
Princess Jewel has had enough close calls recently. She just wants to leave.
"I kinda agree," Alex says, standing up. "I want to check my items, but that can wait. Let's leave quickly; this shit has become crazy..."
Alex looks around in the dark building, an emergency signal ringing through it, and walks back to the window where he entered, Jewel still in his arms.
He stares down and sees stones and rubble up to the second floor, a scene of complete devastation surrounding him in the city, looking like a warzone. However, just a little to the right and left, the city still looks normal, as the building has only caused devastation in a straight line.
Menchi reluctantly follows him to the window, before holding back onto his back.
Without hesitation, Alex jumps back out and floats toward the city center again, leaving behind the rubble-filled area near the building.
"Good... looks like we made our escape... we weren't involved... let's just put some distance between us and the scene of the crime..." Alex mutters, slightly nervous. "Not like we destroyed the building... fucking Silva and Zeno did it."
"You are right, but it's not nice to blame the dead," Menchi replies.
"Fuck the dead! Let's worry about us, okay?" Alex insists.
As he floats, he suddenly spots a large golden light in front of him, and he stops floating and is slammed toward the ground with incredible speed, his brain not comprehending what is happening.
What the fu...
Alex rapidly hits the ground, but thankfully lands on a car, not bouncing off it, but completely crushing it under him.
You have received 12 damage
Icewing Embrace Durability -1
"Motherfucker!" Alex roars in a muffled voice, tightly pressed against the flattened car.
"Ouch..." Menchi whines, lying on top of him, wincing in pain. "That hurt!"
Alex looks around. "What the fuck happened?!"
Princess Jewel saw a golden light, and then Soulmate got smacked toward the ground.
"Fuck this," Alex curses as he and Menchi awkwardly roll off the car and barely manage to land on their feet.
Suddenly, he sees an older man standing right in front of him, smiling politely.
"Are you alright there, young Hunter?" The man asks.
"Motherfucker!" Alex instantly retorts, drawing his blade. "Do you know who the fuck I am? Did you do that, you fucking reta—"
Before Alex can finish his sentence, he realizes who the old man in front of him is. He is wearing a traditional kimono and wooden sandals, his gray hair tied into a bun, the rest of it shaved off.
Netero...!
Staring at the man's stretched earlobes and thick white beard, Alex visibly hesitates, unsure how to act.
"Ah, sorry," Alex replies. "I've been rude. You look like a beggar. I always respect the homeless, especially if they're part of the elderly. It was wrong of me to raise my voice. Have a nice evening; I hope it doesn't rain so you don't get wet."
He then turns around and speedily walks off, hearing a "Hohoho" in the distance.
However, to Alex's horror, a whole group of people has already surrounded him from all sides.
He instantly recognizes them as every single Zodiac, minus a certain Boar who isn't among them.
"..."
Princess Jewel has a bad feeling about this. She suggests using the [Leave Card].
"Might not be a bad idea," Menchi says, rubbing her head, feeling everyone's gazes on her.
"No..." Alex whispers; his voice starting off quiet, but growing louder as he continues. "Why would I waste that? I can deal with this, no problem... I can bullshit my way out of any situation. The truth is on my side after all. I am not just just; I am... uh... justice! I am a hero... practically a saint... almost!"
I can do anything, and to do that I first need to believe in myself!
"I'd like to see you try," a man in a shiny orange suit with a silver tie says, smiling brightly as he steps forward. "Mr. Saint."
Pariston... huh?
"Hmph," Alex harrumphs. "Yes, indeed, I am. Saving the citizens of Yorknew, while the Hunter Association sits on its ass and does nothing. Nice of you to show up when the party is almost over. Worst of all, you idiots are wasting your time with me while the real criminals and guilty parties escape. How foolish."
"We've just arrived," Cheadle says, appearing like a small dog. "Sarcasm and pathetic excuses are not required."
"Excuse me, could you 'people' tighten the leash on your dog before it runs off or craps onto the street or something? Else I'll have to file a complaint with the city; I heard the fines are not cheap."
"..."
"..."
Soulmate... while Princess Jewel is highly amused, this might not be the best approach to take. Acting all indignant and arrogant in this situation is a surefire way to a bad ending.
I am innocent! Completely innocent! An innocent man doesn't need to hold back!
Is this the rumoured secret special technique Jewel has heard about? How was it again... To confuse your enemy, you must first deceive yourself.
Princess Jewel finally understands! ❤️
No...
"Considering he just got smacked to the ground by the Chairman, he's pretty energetic," Botobai notes. "It's been a few years; it seems you have grown a lot."
"Not in a favourable direction, I might add," Gel continues, looking disappointed as she shakes her head.
"And you still look like freaks... only slightly more stupid," Alex can't help but admit. "So what do you want from me? I'm just a harmless and innocent traveller on the long road of life; if you don't have a good reason for me to stay, I must excuse myself. I'm quite busy and don't have time to take a group walk and enjoy the city life. It's also embarrassing being seen with you."
"..."
"Is this guy insane?" Saiyu asks.
"He must be stupid!" Kanzai says, gnashing his teeth.
"Incredibly arrogant," Pyon says, smiling sweetly.
"Stupid, dumb, arrogant, hateful!" Cluck comments.
Only Pariston and Netero are not glaring at Alex, the former one smiling the latter one being visibly amused.
"Menchi, my girl," Netero says, walking up to the group. "Has your friend hit his head too hard? Swatting him out of the air must have done too much damage."
"It didn't even hurt a tiny bit. I crashed down because I was blinded by the light," Alex says, straightening his body, his icy wings giving him an impressive width and covering a large part of the street. "I'd love to play with you, old man, but unlike you people, I adhere to the Hunter Bylaws, specifically the fourth article about not targeting other Hunters. Have you forgotten about that one?!"
"Are you lecturing us about the Bylaws now?" Mizaistom asks, his face genuinely stumped.
Alex nods at him, his face completely serious. "If I have to. Anyway, let's cut to the chase: what do you people want? My time is expensive."
"By my authority as a Double-Star Crime Hunter, under the very fourth Hunter Bylaw you just mentioned, I'm placing you under temporary arrest. You should have read further than the first words. 'Unless they commit heinous crimes' is the part you have seemingly forgotten. You're suspected of committing heinous crimes, indeed. This includes you, Alex Kerber, you as well, Menchi, and also the Demonic spider on your head," Mizaistom declares.
"I'm also heading the investigation as a Terrorist Hunter," Botobai informs him, his face extremely gruff. "Suffice to say, you are the number one suspect in this incident."
... that didn't go too well. How should I reply to this accusation? I need to carefully consider the consequences.
"..."
"..."
"No..." Alex mutters, sounding unsure.
"What do you mean, 'no'? That's all you have to say?" Cheadle yells, her mouth open in shock. "This guy is a complete moron. You are coming with us!"
[Side Quest Offered:
Mission: Follow Chairman Netero and the Zodiacs and cooperate to a reasonable extent.
Reward: —
Failure Condition: Try to flee, use force, or do not cooperate in any way.
Failure: Loss of [Double-Star Hunter License], Hostility with the Hunter Association (if any attempt to flee or fight back has been taken)]
Fuck no! I can't lose my license! It's one of my most important items, and the new one is so OP! I have no choice....
"Fine, I'm a nice guy, and I always like to help out. You guys may be late, but maybe my expert information will help you realize what happened here," Alex says, shrugging.
At the same time, Alex's Conjuration ends, and his wings shatter and drop to the ground before disappearing in a cold puff of Aura.
"..."
"..."
"It looks like the air is out..." Netero says, smiling. "In more ways than one."
Not the best end to an argument, indeed.
"Botobai, Mizaistom, Pariston," Netero orders. "Take care of him and Menchi and bring them to the airship. Don't be rude to our guests. For now, they are just persons of interest. We'll talk after we secure the scene."
"Understood, Chairman," Botobai replies.
Walking with the three of them, Alex and Menchi feel a little silly.
"Aren't you glad I am such a nice guy? I could take you three chumps easily, but since I want to help out, you're safe. Isn't that nice?" Alex jokes.
"You truly believe that, huh?" Pariston wonders, rubbing his chin. "Most impressive. Perhaps you are the most daring and destructive terrorist I've ever heard of."
"Terrorist?!" Alex yells. "Do I look like a terrorist to you?"
"Yes, indeed," Pariston replies, smiling.
"Yes," Botobai replies in the affirmative.
"Absolutely," Mizaistom declares.
This will be a long night...
Back on the airship, a huge ship Alex remembers from when he took the Hunter exam, the three Zodiacs lead him into a small room in the middle deck.
"Can you command your spider to follow me?" Botobai asks. "She must be locked away temporarily."
"No, it's best I don't, or she'll kill you or go wild. She tends to do that when she's not on my head," Alex replies.
Princess Jewel should stay on Soulmate's head all the time so things like that don't happen.
She's not speaking with these peasants so as not to arouse suspicion. Perhaps she can facilitate communication with Menchi.
Good... nice idea! That will make coming up with a bullshit story easier.
"We wouldn't want that to happen, would we?" Pariston asks, happily smiling at Botobai.
Sitting in a small room, a glass of water in front of him on a small table, Alex relaxes.
He quickly uses En and senses Menchi, close by, sitting in another room on the Association airship.
Thanks to Jewel, Alex is communicating with her without any problem.
The assassins attacked us... Illumi wanted to assassinate me but failed, so they wanted revenge.
Good... that works.
Princess Jewel agrees. That's actually the truth, too!
Time passes, and Jewel relays all the necessary information so their stories match, and Alex finally relaxes.
"Kinda comfortable," Alex says, looking around the tiny room, which consists only of a bed, a wooden chair, and a small table.
As long as they don't expect me to piss in a bottle... I guess that's it for the mission. The only thing I need to do is keep my license by somewhat cooperating.
Anyway, let's check out my reward... I can open the Chest later.
Alex then looks at the [Kurta's Sacred Artifact] in his inventory, and his eyes go wild.
---------------------------------------------------
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