Chapter 617: Benezia’s Guidance—Stuck in Time

“Sit down where?” Alex wonders upon hearing her words. “You should get a damn chair... come to think of it, how do you even sit in  front of your computer without a ch—”

“Sit on the ground,” Benezia says, cutting him off.

Sighing, Alex does as told and notices that the ground is covered with cushions, making it quite comfortable to sit down cross-legged.

“What is this about?” Alex asks. “It’s a little late for speeches... I think we went over strategy enough in the last weeks. I also know what to do. As long as I know the world, I’m fairly confident, and even if I am not... I’ll somehow pull through.”

“I know,” Benezia replies, “and until now, your success is undeniable. To explain what I mean would take a lot of time... if you trust me, I’d like to share my feelings on the matter.”

“Okay?” Alex replies, not quite understanding.

Wait....

Does she mean that thing again... it always feels so weird...

Now knowing what to expect, Alex feels Benezia sit down across from him. As their crossed legs touch slightly, Alex can see and feel her face directly in front of his own, close enough that they can feel each other’s breath and warmth. She gently grabs his hands and clasps them tightly with her own.

This is so weird...

Alex can’t help but stare at her face and her lips, catching his own thoughts drifting astray.

Stop it... clear your mind and focus. It would be highly embarrassing if she knew....

Also... she sounded serious; this is about Jewel and not about... that. I need to focus.

Slightly aroused and distracted by her beautiful face as well as her scent, Alex is caught off guard as her eyes turn black, and she establishes a Biotic connection as she melds with him.

Once again, feeling the familiar sensation of total unity, Alex clearly senses and feels Benezia’s thoughts as if they were his own.

In just minutes, Alex feels as if he has talked with her for days on end.

Almost dreading the inevitable end, Alex feels the connection weakening before it stops almost instantly, pulling him back to reality.

She... told me how to control... no, not control, how to guide and lead Jewel. She fears Jewel acting irrationally, which she has done countless times... I guess she is worried about me, no... us. I’ll carefully take her advice to heart... and maybe also talk to Jewel. I have to be strict this time. This mission will be our hardest challenge yet.

Anyway... time to get moving. This was helpful, after all.

Regaining his full vision, his face flushed, he sees Benezia still sitting in front of him, staring at him calmly and stoically, their hands still clasped together.

It’s all that easy and casual for you, huh? Anyway... I got what she wanted to say. I guess ‘speaking’ like that has its advantages... that saved a lot of time, indeed.

Slightly embarrassed, he wants to stand up to escape his awkward position, but is unable to let go, as their hands are still connected.

“Huh?” Alex wonders, looking at her, only for her to lean slightly forward and kiss him on the lips.

His eyes widen in shock, and an unshakable feeling of pleasure takes him over as he feels her soft lips meet his own.

His hands clench tighter, and the kiss ends abruptly as Benezia pulls back her head, loosens her grasp, and stands up.

“...”

“What just happened...” Alex mutters, standing up as well.

“That’s what you wanted, right?” Benezia asks. “I’ve felt it clearly.”

She isn’t wrong, but... damn, this is embarrassing.

“Whenever we do this, I feel like you always completely see through me while I only see what you want me to...” Alex complains.

“Of course, that’s true,” Benezia replies. “If you would just calm down and rationally control your mind instead of being so tense, that might change... though I’ll always have the upper hand; that much should be obvious. Maybe in about 900 years you can reach my level, though I’ll have moved on by then.”

“I guess so...” Alex reluctantly agrees.

“I’ll gladly grant you the opportunity to try again... so return soon, hopefully with a slightly less naughty and rebellious little one at your side,” Benezia says, her face now appearing kind as she softly smiles at him. “I’ll let the others see you off... please take care and relay my advice.”

“I... okay,” Alex says, bluntly turning around, his heart still beating quickly.

Leaving the room, Alex meets up with Menchi and Tereza, who stare at him suspiciously.

“What happened?” Tereza asks as they enter Alex’s room and teleport to the Realm.

“... nothing. Just some advice. Not that I needed it, but... I guess it could help,” Alex says, purposely being vague.

“Really? So why did she want to be alone with you?” Menchi wonders.

“Melding... it helps when explaining stuff,” Alex replies briefly. “It’s an Asari thing... ask her yourself if you want to experience it.”

“Ah! I already did... she kinda rejected me,” Menchi says. “But at that time, I was still... quite smitten with her, still am, but I’m keeping it under control. Maybe she thought I was weird. Now I’m more relaxed; I should ask her again.”

“Feel free to ask her... I’ll be gone for a while,” Alex replies, smiling. 

She deserves getting toyed with a little.

Slapping his shoulder, Tereza giggles, while Menchi looks outright confused, not getting the insinuation.

Appearing in the guild house section at the bottom of the Player Tower, the group of three makes their way to the Pet Hub.

The Realm is relatively empty, and they arrive at their destination in just fifteen minutes.

Entering and immediately noticing the familiar female worker, who is already smiling at him, Alex greets her politely. “It’s nice to see you again,” he says. “I’m back for my pet... do you remember me?”

“As if I could forget, especially since you have such a unique and beautiful pet,” the worker says with a smile, giggling. “Just a second.”

Returning with Jewel, who is still in the cube-shaped energy field, she places it on the desk in front of the shop.

With a special system panel in front of her, the worker proceeds to process Alex’s request.

Then, suddenly, the energy cube disappears almost instantly, Jewel dropping back onto the table, her eyes moving again.

—Dota 2. She wants to improve her Broodmother skills already! After that, she intends to master the toxicity of Venomancer and Viper.

“...”

“...”

Hurry up, Soulmate! Princess Jewel does not enjoy this suspense.

“Uhm? What?” Alex wonders.

Don’t tell me she didn’t even notice... she just finished the sentence she started over a month earlier.

Why are Menchi and Tereza here as well? Did they come to see off Princess Jewel?

“Jewel,” Alex says, interrupting her. “It’s already over. The mission is about to start, and I’ve just picked you up. I’m afraid you have to delay your toxic games of Dota 2 for now.”

Really?! Princess Jewel didn’t even notice. She’ll reluctantly agree.

She always says that.

“And with that...” the worker says, interrupting Alex and Jewel, “your pet has been returned. You have a remaining balance of 1,500 FC.”

“Transfer it to Menchi,” Alex says, grabbing Jewel and hugging her.

I really missed you... though I’d be lying if I said I didn’t enjoy the silence as well.

❤️ Princess Jewel also missed Soulmate!

“Liar... you didn’t even notice you were gone,” Tereza says, pointing a finger at Jewel.

Silly Peasant. Princess Jewel still missed Soulmate because she anticipated being alone.

“Just don’t...” Menchi says to Tereza. “You haven’t seen her during the last mission. She has grown more and more bonkers. Don’t even try to argue with her. I hope the next mission can fix her.”

Excuse the Peasant?! Princess Jewel doesn’t need fixing! She is already perfect!

“Then what about the Evolution?” Alex wonders.

Simple! Princess Jewel will be even more perfect.

“...”

“...”

Everyone looks visibly stumped, except the Realm worker, who is still smiling enthusiastically, even nodding her head at Jewel.

“Let’s just drop it...” Alex says, shaking his head, as he walks towards the exit.

Why? Princess Jewel will gladly explai—

[Conditions for [True Dream Ticket] met.]

[Forcibly changing next mission.]

[Next mission starting in 0 hours, 59 minutes, and 54 seconds.]

“Well... it’s time,” Alex says, looking at his friends. “Will you come with us to the portal?”

“Of course,” both Menchi and Tereza reply.

Sitting in a café near the portals, the group drinks Trabill juice, which seems to be native to the Realm.

“This is quite special... I might use it in cooking... maybe I can find a supplier... 20 FC for a glass is such a ripoff...” Mensch analyzes her drink, complaining about the price.

“Just enjoy it... we aren’t spending much FC on these things,” Tereza comments, taking a sip.

Princess Jewel demands two drinks next time.

“Why?” Alex asks. “I don’t get it.”

Because Princess Jewel is frugal, she only demands two... isn’t she generous?

“This has to end... I can’t take it,” Menchi says, shaking her head. 

“I... see what you mean,” Tereza replies. “She’s growing more and more nihilistic.”

Peasants don’t understand the vastness of the sacrifice just uttered by Princess Jewel. How sad. As always, true heroes aren’t recognized by the Peasants....

As they slowly joke around, mostly with Jewel bragging about her upcoming Evolution, the mission timer ticks down more and more.

[Next mission starting in 0 hours, 2 minutes, and 57 seconds.]

“We’d better get going,” Alex says, staring at the system screen in front of him.

Princess Jewel will educate the Peasants even more once she returns... even more perfect!

“Listen to Alex!” Menchi says in a stern voice, hugging Alex goodbye while petting Jewel. “This is serious.”

“Yeah... be careful, you two, okay?” Tereza says, hugging both of them. “I’ll be waiting.”

“I’ll prepare a feast when you’re back... focus on your main mission... but plus points if you return with special ingredients, okay?” Menchi says sheepishly.

“We’ll try our best,” Alex says, smiling.

Princess Jewel will bring back the tastiest chicken of whatever world Soulmate and Princess Jewel will conquer!

Standing in front of the portal, Alex notices multiple people looking at him, some of them recognizing him.

In the distance, he sees a few white-robed players silently observing him.

[Next mission starting in 0 hours, 0 minutes, and 2 seconds.]

Smiling while giving them the middle finger, Alex feels the portal activating and himself slowly entering it, everything turning black.

To his surprise, Jewel is fully conscious and with him, still sitting on his head.

[Player is now entering Level 9 Mission…]

[Players gathering... Total number of players: 1]

[World selection: Dragon Ball]

[Starting Location: ...]

[World Scope: No Limitations. Player may freely explore the world to their liking.]