Fantasy Realm [One Piece] [Harry Potter] [Naruto] - [Progression] [LitRPG]

Chapter 136: Recovery x Confrontation - The Gig Is Up!

Alex opens his eyes. He's lying on the floor, and a familiar green-haired woman looms over him, wearing a mocking grin. "Not bad, but you're ten years too early to challenge me. Although, ten years later, I'll be even stronger than I am now, so I guess it doesn't matter," she teases.

"I guess so... That's a reasonable assumption from your perspective. But the truth is, I'll become so much stronger than you could ever imagine. I wish I could show you—knock you off that high horse," Alex replies, holding back the true reason for his words.

"You're still hiding things from me! Why?" Menchi asks, a hint of disappointment crossing her face.

"I'm sorry, Menchi," Alex says, guilt washing over him. "It's not that I don't want to tell you... It's like those Vows and Limitations you taught me about."

"Fine!" she huffs, brushing it off. "Let's get something to eat! I'm not in the mood to cook today!"

They head out to yet another overpriced luxury restaurant Menchi had read about. As the dishes arrive, Alex finds himself enduring Menchi's relentless critique of each one. He personally finds the food a little too fancy for his taste, but it's undeniably delicious. Still, the situation brings back memories. Damn, this reminds me of the third task; she's badmouthing everything all over again.

She's really enjoying herself. Alex muses, a small smile on his lips. It's weird hanging out with her like this, but honestly, plenty of guys would probably kill for the chance.

Once they finish their meal, despite its insane cost, Alex barely notices a dent in his prize money of 200 million Jenny.

As they leave the restaurant and walk toward the elevator, intending to ride from floor 51 back up to floor 199, ten angry men suddenly approach them.

Alex regards them with a curious expression, quickly piecing together their intentions. Looks like even guys this dumb talk. I guess they've been bragging about me. Well, it's time to make them see the truth, Alex thinks, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.

The men close in, and one of them—whom Alex vaguely remembers as his future fifth victim—steps forward and yells: "Hey, you! What the fuck do you think you're doing? Do you even realize that losing four times makes your other six fights completely pointless? It means you're forced to drop out! We might get some extra time to fight someone else after that, but it's a hell of an inconvenience. And guess what I just found out from my friends? WHAT ARE YOU PLAYING AT?!"

Alex puts on an over-the-top display of panic, acting as though he's lost his mind. "I... This is all a mistake... It's Kell and Nibul's plan! I'm sorry! I was just following their orders—they forced me to do it, I swear!"

The group immediately turns on itself. Seven of the men spin toward Kell and Nibul, their glares seething with anger, while the two accused look completely stunned, their faces contorted with confusion.

Perfect, Alex thinks, barely holding back a smirk.

The group of men angrily shouts over one another until someone yells, "STOP!"

The voice belongs to a man who immediately commands attention. Unlike many rookie Hunters—who were brutally initiated into Nen through life-threatening attacks, often leaving them scarred or disabled—this man appears untouched. He has no visible injuries or deformities. He's a head taller than Alex, though his frame is unusually thin. Long black hair falls over most of his face, obscuring it. He's dressed in a robe that conceals his physique, but even so, he doesn't look remotely like a fighter.

"You idiots..." the man begins, his voice calm but laced with disdain. "Do you really think Kell and Nibul are capable of orchestrating some grand plan? What would they even gain from it—other than trouble?"