Alex carries Tereza into his bedroom, softly kisses her, and then places her on top of his bed.
"Hehe," she says, smiling at him as she pulls his arm closer.
I...
"Just to make sure, you are not too drunk to conse—" Alex tries to ask, but Tereza kisses him again, shutting him up. After a long and extremely wet kiss, Tereza pulls back and places her finger on his lips.
"With my PHY, I can easily drink another five bottles and still be capable of driving, you silly goose," Tereza notes sheepishly. "Now don't get all shy with me."
I hate drunk people... well, she seems to be just fine if she can talk like that.
"... I won't!" Alex says, taking off his shirt before grabbing Tereza and pulling up her blouse, causing her to laugh, as she acts like she's desperately holding on to it.
"Hehehe, oh no," she snickers. "How could you? So forceful!"
"..."
"Time to speed this up," she says, smiling, grabbing her wand from her pocket and waving it around, magically undressing herself and even Alex, who does not resist, their clothes getting thrown around the room.
This crazy witch needs to be taken down a peg.
Feeling incredibly aroused and eager, Alex throws himself onto his bed next to Tereza and swiftly, yet gently, grabs her, wrapping his arms around her body.
They quickly huddle under the blankets and lose themselves in each other's bodies.
...
...
Waking up with Tereza still in his arms, Alex feels great. The sun is already slowly coming up, and his bedroom feels unexpectedly comfortable, especially after living for over a month in the world of One Piece, sleeping on primitive and uncomfortable wooden beds or on the ground, constantly worrying about attacks from other players or various pirates and marines.
A large part of his earlier stress, exhaustion, and even mental fatigue is now suddenly gone without a trace.
As he lies on his back and smiles, fully satisfied, he stares at the ceiling. Even the multiple scarlet-red eyes staring right down at him from the ceiling can't dampen his great mood.
Without a word, Alex lifts one hand, stretching it towards the ceiling.
Wordlessly, a certain spider drops onto it, climbs down, and lies on top of him, her legs poking against Tereza's eyebrows, cheeks, and nose, causing her face to suddenly twist in discomfort.
Only when she wakes up and slaps at her itching face does the spider close her eyes in satisfaction and remain perfectly still.
❤️
Alex and the now awake Tereza stare at each other, unable to say a single sentence, both of them looking at Jewel.
"How unbelievably petty..." Tereza can't help but mutter.
The next morning, Alex takes a good look at Jewel, who is still tightly clinging to him.
Jewel: Lvl 8
Relationship: Worshipped (Maximum - Can't be lowered or increased)
Rarity: Gold
HP: 410/410, MP: 360/360, AURA 394/394
STR: 21 (+10), AGI: 21 (+10), PHY: 21 (+10), SNS: 21 (+10), CHA: 21 (+10), MNA: 21 (+10), INT: 21 (+10), SPR: 21 (+10), LUK: 21 (+10), NEN: 21 (+10)
Innate Skills: Thornback Conquering Trailblaizer lvl MAX, Nen Prodigy lvl 6 (Limitless Legacy lvl 6, Basic Nen lvl 6, Advanced Nen lvl 6)
Thornback Legacy: Thornback Poison lvl 6, Thornback Poison Spit lvl 6, Thornback Web shoot lvl 6, Thornback Burrow lvl 6, Thornback Bite lvl 6
Free Skill Slots: 1/4
Skills: Arachmagic Eight-Spear Style lvl 6, Superiority lvl 6, Hidden Power (Dark) lvl 6
Special Skill: Telepathic Bond lvl MAX
The spider is getting strong....
Though I'm not so bad myself!
Alex Kerber: Lvl 8
HP: 478/478, MP: 448/448 AURA: 328/328, BP: 142/142
STR: 22 (+18), AGI: 22 (+4), PHY: 22 (+11), SNS: 22 (+2), CHA: 22 (+7), MNA: 22(+11), INT: 22, SPR: 22 (+7), LUK: 22 (+8), NEN: 22 (+2)
Available Stat Points: 3
Followers: Menchi (Purple) lvl 13 (25%), Benezia (Deep Purple) lvl 19 (50%)
Pets: Jewel (Gold) lvl 8
Innate Skills: Nen Prodigy lvl 6 (Genius Conjurer lvl 6, Basic Nen lvl 6, Advanced Nen lvl 6), Statistical OCD lvl MAX
Arcane Medieval Armory: Annihilation Grenade lvl 6, Sealion's Icewing Embrace lvl 6, Mustrano's Malice Mauler lvl 6 (Claw Proficiency/Poison Resistance) / Toxic Breakthrough lvl 6, Magorian's Rage Arrow lvl 6, Thorian's Domination lvl 6, Sea King's Giant Plate Swimfin lvl 6
Free Skill Slots: 0/4, Free Basic Skill Slots: 0/8
Basic Skills: Basic Close Combat Prowess lvl 6, Basic Footwork lvl 6, Basic Endurance lvl 6, Basic Long-Range Combat Prowess lvl 6, Basic Eloquence lvl 6, Basic Concentration lvl 6, Basic Meditation lvl 6, Basic Mana Control lvl 6
Passive Skills: Alexandrian Royal Swordsmanship lvl 6, Imbuement Archery lvl 6
Active Skills: Black Magic (Fire-Blizzard-Thunder-Series) lvl 6, Sword Magic lvl 6, Kunrith's Biotics lvl 6 (Warp, Stasis, Barrier, Throw, Pull), Arts (Tear, Teara, Aqua Bleed, Frost Edge, Hydro Cannon, Crystal Flood)
After relaxing for a while longer, Alex and Tereza get up from the bed, quickly dressing themselves.
Just a few minutes later, everyone is awkwardly sitting in front of the table.
Alex, using the occasion, also takes the chance to look at both Menchi and Benezia's status, keeping it to himself, however.
[Menchi]
Level: 13 (25%)
Rarity: Purple
Free Skill Slots 0/2
Skills: Potioneering (Advanced +), Trading (Intermediate)
Support Skills: Cooking (Expert), Dismantling (Expert -), Synthesizing (Expert -)
Weapon rank: Purple
Armor rank: Light Purple
Menchi, thanks to her contest with Sanji, has increased both her Cooking and Synthesizing skills. Apart from that, thanks to the group's constant hunting and thus, dismantling of powerful beasts, her Dismantling ability has also increased. Because of Benezia's lessons and her constant bargaining, she also advanced in her trading skills.
Not bad... Menchi really grew. It looks like, despite taking her along as a non-combat Supporter, she managed to grow extremely much.
[Benezia]
Level: 19 (50%)
Rarity: Deep Purple
Free Skill Slots 1/3
Skills: Swordsmanship (Expert +), Movement (Expert)
Support Skills: Diplomacy (Master -), Teaching (Expert +), Trading (Expert +)
Weapon rank: Deep Purple
Armor rank: Deep Purple
Benezia didn't progress much. She gained half a level because she was my combat supporter, but that doesn't play a role. As long as I'm below her in level, she will always be scaled down and unable to perform at her true strength. Aside from that, her Movement skill improved. To become a Master will be quite difficult. I guess it will take at least a few more missions and some kind of intuition or catalyst to awaken.
After finishing their food, Alex shares the news about Stephen.
"Your friend is playing a dangerous game," Benezia comments. "Do you know who is generally even more despised than a hated enemy?"
"A traitor?" Alex asks.
"Exactly," Benezia replies. "Even more so, sending a strong response and sign is of the utmost importance. There is a good reason why treason is considered a crime punishable by execution in the vast majority of all cultures and civilisations. It's simply intolerable."
At least in your universe... times have changed on this planet, but I guess it's still considered one of the worst crimes, and many countries still punish it harshly. Stephen really needs to be fucking careful.
"I'll guess I'll tell him to be careful... again," Alex says, reminding himself. "I also need the [Cage of Hattori (Pet)]—I'm trading it with Rishi. Also, please hand me the [Pokéball (Permanent)]."
Benezia doesn't hesitate and immediately returns both items to Alex's inventory.
"Tereza..." Alex says, staring at her sitting next to him, currently slurping a Latte Macchiato containing a questionable amount of milk and sugar.
"You said you didn't want the bird... but I still have this [Pokéball (Permanent)]," Alex suggests. "I also owe you something. It can only catch a Green Quality Pokémon, but you might even get one that may offset your Devil Fruit weaknesses."
Tereza has the incredible chance of catching a Spider Pokémon. That's not fair! Princess Jewel wants the Ball instead to catch a servant for herself.
"No, you can't use it!" Alex immediately shuts her down. "It would be a huge waste to even try. You use it, Tereza!"
Alex then takes out the ball from his inventory, briefly looking at the iconic ball in front of him.
"Damn... it looks fucking incredible; this would make a killer room decoration. Just take it... before I change my mind!" Alex says, reluctantly handing it to Tereza.
"... I'll think about it. In any case, I'll accept it, but I don't want anything else. I have gained more than enough from the last mission," Tereza says, accepting the [Pokéball (Permanent)].
Princess Jewel suggests a Spinarak.
"Enough..." Alex says. "If you want to catch a Pokémon, catch one with an interesting skill like the Storm Drain ability, that might help shield you from water attacks or maybe a Sandygast... anything that may counter moisture. It may save your life one day. Both of these choices should be perfectly possible, even with a Green Quality Pokémon... also, who knows? You might be able to improve the Quality after catching one."
"In any case, think about it... now, what do we do?" Alex asks, looking around. "I, for once, am done with my most important business."
"I've briefly spoken with Glimmerwhisk. The auction will start in a week. With the expected income and resources, we might be able to progress tremendously," Benezia states confidently.
"So until then...?" Alex asks.
"We rest, and each focus on our own tasks and goals," Menchi finishes the thought.
Hmmm... what is it that I do?
I guess I can finally relax a little. Maybe look for a new shield... I want one. Also, when we manage to sell our items, I might be able to buy an innate skill item for myself. Finally... I am rich!
-------------------------------------------------
A/N: Always thankful for Power Stones, Comments, and Reviews. Thank you for reading!
If you are interested, then please support me at patreon.com/FRWriter
90+ Early chapters available - I will still release on WN daily!! Thank you!
New Chapters every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday!
Bored? Complains? Demands? Check out the Discord: https://discord.gg/puVqWsf3y9
Thank you for supporting the story with Power Stones! Every bit of help is appreciated.