Fantasy Realm – Infinite Worlds Adventure

As he lies on the rough, cold floor, Alex uses Zetsu to recover not only his Aura and soothe his aching body, but also to cleanse and sharpen his mind. What happened just hours ago is not something he expects to ever fully get used to, so the rest is exactly what he needs to clear his thoughts.

Resting, the hideout of the Troupe becomes eerily silent. Despite that silence, the remaining members are visibly uncomfortable, with one of their comrades dead and another captured, a situation they simply couldn’t have imagined a few days ago.

Hours quickly pass, and soon the rest of the Troupe returns... notably, Uvogin is not among them.

“Even after everything that happened, Uvogin still decided to go 1-on-1, and the others accepted it?” Alex mutters quietly, so only Menchi and Jewel can hear him.

“You can’t teach an old dog new tricks,” Menchi states, still whispering so only Alex can hear her. “Circumstances change... personalities not. I don’t believe in something like fate... but Uvogin is fated to die like a dog.”

“You got that figure of speech from this or the real world?” Alex wonders.

Dogs are simply inferior. Spiders can learn new tricks during their entire lifetime. Princess Jewel specifically, is constantly learning the newest tricks and discarding anything useless.

Then why are you constantly behaving in the same predictable manner?

No... to be precise, she is picking up new tricks... but those are only worsening a terrible situation even more, and she keeps expanding her silliness.

“You look like you have something to say, Alex,” Menchi says, her face visibly frustrated after hearing Jewel’s comment.

“No, why would I?” Alex replies, shrugging.

Of course, Soulmate has nothing bad to say. Menchi should not judge others by her own warped perception.

“...”

“A dish with human eyes is indeed a little disgusting, but how about spider eyes?” Menchi mutters, juggling her knives, Jewel not backing off, smacking her legs together, and entering into a staring contest with her.

“Calm down, girls,” Alex says, sighing.

Sitting a little away from the Troupe, Alex decides not to interfere too much in the Troupe’s business and their conversations.

The members quickly exchange information.

Shalnark, who was in charge, shares what he found out about the so-called ‘Chain-user,’ and his connection to the Nostrade Family.

Finally, he says, “Uvo will kill him... avenge Franklin, and then return,” Shalnark says in a low voice.

Nobunaga, who is looking around in frustration, stares at Alex.

“Nothing to say this time?” he asks, his voice a mix of genuine curiosity and frustration.

“What do you want me to say, Nobunaga?” Alex asks. “That it’s a very smart and safe idea to challenge someone to a 1-on-1 battle who can capture someone like Franklin and Uvogin himself with zero effort?”

“That it’s the right time for ego trips, because only one Troupe member has been killed so far... and another has defected?” Alex continues. “Granted, he couldn’t have known the latter if he wasn’t told.”

“As I’ve just been told, you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, but the owner of said dog, in this case, you, Shalnark, should have tightened the leash a little,” Alex replies.

“... I was only asking in jest,” Nobunaga complains. “Arrogant asshole.”

“I was also only responding in jest,” Alex replies. “Stupid idiot.”

“...”

“I’ve thought about that... perhaps you’re right,” Shalnark admits, completely out of the blue.

“Once you cage a wild animal, it becomes a shadow of its former self,” Chrollo states. “Uvo would rather die than cower back. You did what you thought was right. Let him fight and return as a hero and avenger... if he doesn’t return, our reply will be swift and brutal. If he doesn’t return until dawn... we have to assume the worst, and our plan will change. I’m working on something from the information about the Nostrade Family... something has caught my eye.”

“Boss... do you really think Uvo can lose in a 1-on-1 fight?” Nobunaga asks.

“The chain user... is either a Manipulator or a Conjurer. While Uvogin is a dominant fighter in a 1-on-1, he is vulnerable to those two categories. Just look at what happened when he fought a Conjurer just a few days ago.” As his voice echoes through the hideout, everyone then stares at Alex, looking worried.

“Enhancers are the easiest bunch to deal with... so predictable. I have so many cards to easily take care of these raging bull fighters, while still being strong enough in melee combat myself to take care of non-Enhancers,” Alex says, shrugging. “Though who knows if that chain user will even fight 1-on-1? Why the fuck do you assume he is as simple-minded as Uvo? Worst case, he’ll get triple-teamed and beaten up in just a few seconds. I am way more worried about those people on the airship... the one using the smoke is the one we have to watch out for. Trust me, even I might struggle against that fucker... honestly, I need whoever that is to die....”

“Since he or she is responsible for Franklin’s death... I’ll help you on that matter,” Nobunaga says, approaching Alex, sincerity in his eyes.

Alex shakes his hand, unable to refuse his sincerity. “I swear... I’ll do my best to avenge Franklin by killing whoever did it. The chain user is probably just a pawn in their game.”

“Let’s hope Uvogin takes him down... otherwise, we need to learn more about him,” Phinks reasons, everyone agreeing with him.

He’ll die... 100%... what a mess!

“...”

“Boss... our identities have been partially leaked,” Shalnark says, showing off a few printouts that he gathered earlier.

“Also...” he continues. “Alex has been exposed as well; he’s viewed as one of us. In fact... he’s supposedly the masked leader of the Troupe. They’ve got footage from both our battle against the Mafia and the Pure Paladin Squad. The Mafia has placed a bounty of 2 billion on each of our heads... minus Alex, who’s worth 5 billion. The Association hasn’t made a move, however.”

“What the fuck?! Why am I singled out?!” Alex complains loudly. “Let me see.”

He walks up to Shalnark and takes a look at his printouts. In the pictures, he sees Uvogin, Shizuku, Shalnark, Feitan, Machi, Nobunaga, himself with his trusty mask, and Franklin, whose picture is already crossed out.

“Good...” he mutters. “My mask saved my ass. Also, it looks like Jewel, who could potentially expose my identity, wasn’t seen... at least she isn’t mentioned in the picture. Wait a minute, what’s that bullshit comment? Nickname: Butcher, carries an oversized sword, and enjoys cleaving his opponents in half. Skilled archer, using hidden weapons such as flamethrowers, electric shocks, and cryo-weaponry. Are they stupid? Cryo-weaponry doesn’t even exist. They just outed me as a Nen user to the entire world... that bounty is bothering me a lot as well... bad experience with that kind of thing....”

“Scared of getting a bounty? Be proud of receiving the highest one,” Feitan jests. “Some would consider it an honor.”

“I don’t deserve a bounty, as I haven’t committed a single crime at all,” Alex boldly states, visibly confusing every single member, including Chrollo.

“You’ve got to explain that one to me,” Phinks replies.

“Killing and arresting Mafia members is not a crime. As a Hunter, I am allowed to do that. The same goes for rogue Hunters committing atrocities openly. Fuck them all. I can also argue that I didn’t know your identity at all. Or I’m doing some investigation or something. Maybe I’m just a spy. I am an innocent bystander; any reasonable person would agree.”

“You can argue that before the Association,” Shalnark replies. “And your argument will be dismantled and dismissed as ludicrous. Maybe you got a solid case for insanity and can avoid repercussions that way. I admire your confidence and shamelessness, though. That’s the same Alex I saw during the exam.”

“...”

“Am I really that unreasonable?!”

Yes, indeed! Soulmate clearly is ❤️. Princess Jewel is so impressed. She wants to learn from Soulmate.

“Yes.”

“Stupid.”

“Yes.”

“Yeah.”

“Totally.”

“You are.”

Multiple Troupe members reply, despite not having heard Alex’s question, merely guessing it from Jewel’s reply.

“Always was... always will be... can’t teach an old dog new tricks,” Menchi says, smirking at him.

“...”

“Maybe I should kill you all, remove my mask, act as a Hunter, collect that bounty, and then disappear, with cash and a harem of female therapists,” Alex retorts, backing off again, causing the Troupe to laugh, their frustration about Franklin’s death and Uvogin’s disappearance forgotten for a brief moment, before the gloominess returns.

“...”

Time passes, and the next day, after almost two full days have passed, on September third, Chrollo decides to act, carefully constructing a plan, though not bothering to announce any of the details.

Eating a bunch of snacks, stored for emergency food supply, Alex decides not to reveal his full inventory of Menchi’s food. The Troupe discusses various things related to the Mafia and the recent events. Alex, Menchi, and Jewel, the latter of whom has, for some reason, earned both the respect and the wariness of the Troupe, are all included in the discussion.

Chrollo, however, is busy searching through the Hunter Association database, finding information about the Nostrade Family. Alex, looking at his calm face, has to rub his eyes as he, for a brief second, sees a devilish smirk flash across it.

“I have some business to attend to...” Chrollo states. “I’ll call you, should I require some help.”

“What about us?! And the chain-user?!” Nobunaga roars.

“I leave it to you,” Chrollo replies, leaving them behind, everyone visibly shocked.

“Kortopi, Bonolenov,” Shalnark addresses them. “Could you stay inside the hideout? Whatever happens, you two need to remain here for now. You haven’t been outside. Phinks is also not yet exposed, but there is a chance he’s been exposed already. I think we need you two to remain completely safe.”

Will they also guard the treasure? No... Chrollo probably has taken it with him using Owl’s Hatsu. He has also ordered someone to pick up Owl and ‘store’ him.

Don’t worry, Soulmate! Princess Jewel will obtain more treasure. Even better treasure.

Well, don’t overdo it. I think we already accomplished what we set out to do. I am not sure we should take on that Logia user... in any case, we need to play it carefully. I’d rather just deal with Hisoka and then call it a day. Should be enough for a decent rank.

“Okay,” Kortopi replies, not seeming to care, while Bonolenov just nods at Shalnark.

“I need to find the chain user,” Nobunaga says, clenching his fists.

“I have an idea,” Shalnark states, smiling, before looking directly at Nobunaga. “Do you trust me?”

“... Of course, idiot! Tell me what to do!” Nobunaga replies without hesitation.

“Hehe, let’s do it like that,” Shalnark says.

“...”

After a comically brief explanation, Nobunaga and Machi leave, with a vague plan to lure out the chain user by openly showing themselves in a public square.

Yet despite the sloppy plan, both Machi, her eye now open again with only a small bruise left, and Nobunaga, who has fully recovered as well, leave, not doubting Shalnark, known for his reasonable decisions and high intelligence.

“So you’ll hope to draw out the chain user by secretly following them?” Menchi asks him.

“Exactly... You’re quite attentive. It’s a Double-Tailing strategy that only works if our own people are unaware of it,” Shalnark clarifies, raising a finger.

“I’m going... I have had enough of these secrets,” Pakunoda announces. “With my presence, we’ll solve the issue once and for all.”

“Me as well... I’ll deal with anyone after us... even if it’s the chain user,” Phinks adds, stretching his arms.

The two wait a while and then leave, making sure they aren’t spotted by the others and keep a huge distance.

“Obviously...” Alex announces. “I’ll join as well... let’s make it a Triple-Tailing; man, I am so smart!”

“Why?” Shalnark asks.

“Because, I fear that something out of the norm might happen... if nothing happens, I’ll just not act and pretend I didn’t do a thing,” Alex explains.

“I’m leaving as well to act as support and investigate a bunch of other issues,” Menchi announces.

“You need a partner as well, Alex,” Shalnark interjects, looking at Alex. “Going alone is too risky.”

Princess Jewel will pair up with Soulmate!

Knowing about Jewel’s capabilities, the others have no objections, though their expressions are still a little confused, about the weird pairing.

“Let’s go then, Jewel!” Alex says, and he, along with Menchi, leaves the hideout.

Outside, Alex and Menchi talk openly.

“I’ll try to do some investigation and find out what the hell is going on here... I’ll do so carefully, so don’t worry about me. I haven’t been exposed, and I’m not too keen on participating in the later events... though I’m more than willing to help you, Alex... whatever it takes,” Menchi states confidently.

Alex briefly hugs her, and she stares at Alex, then at Jewel. “Take care, you two... if you need me, call me immediately,” she says before they walk their own ways and separate.

Soulmate... what is Soulmate planning to do with the Peasant Kid Protagonists?

“I’m already being called a Butcher, a killer, and this time, an outright villain as well... I might as well fully embrace it!” Alex announces, his expression turning serious. “I have a plan to dominate the rest of the mission, Jewel, and you need to help me. I’m not getting screwed over again like last time. It’s time to do our own thing.”