Now, tell me what you're hiding from everyone? What exactly are you planning?" Gustav asked while squinting his eyes.
Matilda stood in place for a few seconds with a myriad of expressions displayed on her face before moving close to the tree and also leaning her back against it.
"It's a long story... Are you ready to listen?" Matilda asked.
"Hmm," Gustav nodded slightly in response before saying, it's not like I have a choice now, do I?"
A wry smile appeared on Matilda's face after hearing Gustav's response.
She understood that she had put him on the spot today, but she had decided to make up for it in the future.
Her face turned serious again before she started speaking.
"When I was seven years old, I had a friend," Matilda stated.
"This friend of mine was from a different place entirely, lived an entirely different kind of lifestyle, but she and I became close really fast because the relationship between our parents was tight... We bonded even though we came from two different places. I showed her my way of life, and she showed me hers along with some of her memories.
It was wonderful because we both saw beauty in our different lifestyles.
This place you brought happens to be among the places we shared memories as kids," Matilda placed her hand on the tree and rubbed it while looking around with a smile on her face.
"Although her looks were different, I felt it was normal since lots of mixedbloods look different compared to humans. However, I later found out how wrong I was... My friend was an alien from the planet Abruikis.
At that time, I never knew why she couldn't go to school, but every time I came back from school, we would meet here, and I would share stories with her.
We were together for three years until one day..." Matilda's voice and expression turned sad as she got to this point.
"Several spacecraft landed in our residence, and they took my friend and her parents away... I knew something wasn't right that day because I remember they were forced away like criminals on the run.
I kept begging my father to do something about it, but I remember the look of helplessness on his face like it was yesterday.
For some reason, my father couldn't do anything, and I had to watch my best friend being dragged away amidst tears," Matilda's eyes had turned red and watery at this point.
"It has been seven years since I last saw her... At least that would have been the case if she didn't send me a message two years back," Matilda voiced out as she touched her storage bracelet.
Zing!
A small circular but flat-shaped object appeared in her hand.
Gustav's eyes squinted as he stared at the device.
"I suppose a recorded footage is stored there," Gustav muttered, and Matilda replied by nodding before tapping onto the surface of the object.
Troooiinnn!
The image of a beautiful-looking girl with two pear-shaped golden eyes and purplish skin along with silky long black hair appeared above the device.
There was a square-shaped black mark on her forehead along with green contour marks surrounding it.
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
Sounds of an explosion could be heard coming from the footage as it would seem that chaos surrounded her.
The footage shook severally, and although the visibility of the surroundings was low, Gustav could see tiny red glowing particles in the surroundings.
"Matilda, I need your help... I didn't tell you the truth all those years ago, but I'm actually a princess to the largest empire on Abruikis.
We are currently at war. My empire is lacking in forces after my grandfather, the Emperor, was assassinated, and my father also went missing leaving me to cater for the kingdom. I lost over thirty percent of my forces to bad leadership, and some even defected to the other kingdoms after deeming me unworthy to lead..." Tears started streaming out of her eyes as she got to this point.
"I don't want my people to perish, so I will have to surrender... I know many of them will meet their end because of my decision, but I have no other choice so long as some lives can be preserved. I have repeatedly requested help from earth, but they ignored my pleas saying they cannot interfere in interplanetary wars.I do not wish to disturb you with my problems, but if this message does get to you... Please, Matilda, get help for my people... I know you, Matilda, you're strong... When you become powerful enough, please try to save my people.
If you can't, it's okay too; just make sure you live your life to the fullest and be happy... Regardless of what comes to be, I have always loved you, and I will always love you.
I haven't forgotten all the times we spent together... Our fond memories are one of the things that kept me going through the toughest times.
If I ca..."
Sshhrrrkkyyhhh!
The footage suddenly came to an end before the princess was able to complete her statement.
Matilda raised her hand and used her sleeves to clean her teary eyes.
"I always still wonder what she wanted to say at the end. I can tell that something happened..." Matilda muttered with a sad look.
Gustav, at this point, could more or less understand things.
He began to put two and two together, "This is why you don't want to get betrothed to anyone... You still intend to travel to her planet and save her people?" Gustav voiced out with a contemplative expression.
"Yes... Although I love my family and wish for them to form connections, become larger and flourish, even more, they can survive without making use of me... Unlike Dahria, I'm her only hope right now. Getting betrothed means being chained down, and I need freedom, so I can perform this task in the future," Matilda explained.
Hmm, but what if she's already dead? It's been two years, and before you even manage to get strong enough to go on intergalactic missions, more years will pass... Even if she's alive now, what makes you think she will still be alive then?" Gustav asked pessimistically.
"I have faith that she still is," Matilda answered.
"That's just being naive," Gustav replied while shaking his head in pity.
"It's better than being saddled down in despair..." Matilda said with a look of determination, "I will save Dahria and her people... If Dahria is d..d..dead... I will make sure I honor her memory by saving her people,"
Gustav sighed as he heard that and turned to face Matilda.
"So, the main reason you actually needed me was not just to stall your betrothal but also to help you save this girl and her people, right?" Gustav stated.
"Yes, please... I'm sorry for keeping everything from you till now... I will totally understand if you decide to back out now," Matilda stared at the ground as she spoke.
Gustav stood in front of Matilda and raised his right hand before placing it on her head.
"I think it's admirable that you'd think of doing something like that for someone you've been disconnected from for up to seven years," Gustav said as he raised her head up to stare at him.
"I was skeptical about your intentions at first, but now it's all good," Gustav said as a small smile appeared on his face.
"I'll help you..."
The instant those words dropped from his mouth, a broad smile appeared on Matilda's face as she jumped into Gustav's embrace.
"Thank you," She muttered cheerfully as she hugged his body to hers.
"Whoa," Gustav was surprised by the sudden embrace and was pushed backwards till his back was placed against the tree.
"Ahem," Gustav voiced out, causing the teary-eyed Matilda to regain her senses.
Her eyes widened as she quickly separated herself from him.
"You didn't let me finish... I'll help so long as it doesn't clash with my goals because I also have plans of touring galaxies," Gustav stated.
"That's still fine by me," Matilda displayed her full set of beautiful white teeth as she voiced out.
"Hmm, alright," Gustav had expected her to be disappointed by his statement, but she still seemed hyper.
"That being said, we need to start making plans as soon as possible, and you need to become po..." Before Gustav could complete his sentence, someone screamed out his name from up ahead.
Matilda turned around and noticed Angy far in the distance.
"We'll discuss this later," Gustav said as both of them started walking forward.
Angy was coming towards that direction with E.E, Glade, Ria and Teemee, along with a few guards from the Kwoiune family.
They noticed Gustav and Matilda coming from up ahead side by side.
Some of the guards even started voicing out their admiration as they noticed Gustav and Matilda.
-"Young Miss Matilda and Young sir Gustav are a perfect match,"
One of them voiced out.
Angy's forehead creased as she heard that. She was tempted to scream, 'Shut up,' but she held herself back.
"Gustav, Matilda, you both have been gone for quite some time..." Ria voiced out the moment they were close.
"We had personal business to talk about..." Gustav replied as they arrived in front of them.
"Personal business like..?"
This was the same question on everyone's mind, but Ria was the only one dumb enough to voice it out.
"None of your business," Matilda responded.
Ria; "..."Hey man, imma have to leave now. I need to get back home to my momma," E.E voiced out as he stood in front of Gustav.
"You should meet my sister one of these days... She's a huge fan," E.E added.
"Oh, I wouldn't mind that," Gustav replied.
"You two would make cute babies together... She's single," E.E winked as he added, causing Ria and Teemee to burst into laughter behind.
Angy was not finding that remark funny, so her forehead creased even more.
Glade was on her friend's side, so she also didn't laugh.
Gustav laughed lightly before speaking, "Alright, you need to go,"
"Yeah, I think I do... before Angy stares me to death," E.E said as he noticed Angy's dark glance.
"Take care, man,"
E.E shook Gustav's hand before turning around with some of the guards escorting him.
"I think I'll leave you girls to catch up first," Gustav said as he started walking away also.
Ria and Teemee followed behind, leaving Angy, Glade and Matilda there.
Matilda smiled at both of them before gesturing for them to follow her back to their house.
Several minutes later, the three girls sat in the dining area and started discussing.
"Matilda, do you like Gustav?" Angy asked with a slightly shaky voice.
"Huh?" Matilda exclaimed with a confused expression.
----------------
An hour later, Gustav and Angy arrived back home.
Angy looked swell and quite delighted as they got down from the ride that brought them back.
She and Gustav walked upstairs to the last floor amidst the glares and looks of admiration their neighbors were throwing at them.
As they arrived at the corridor, Angy spoke.
"Gustav, do you still remember our date tomorrow?" Angy asked.
"Sure I do... Where do you want us to go?" Gustav asked.
"Let's meet up at the Cremlin Restaurant by five pm tomorrow, is that okay?" Angy asked.
"Five pm... Alright, cool," Gustav responded as they arrived in front of each other's apartments.
Angy bid him goodbye and walked into her apartment.
As she shut the door behind, she breathed out a long breath and placed her back against the door, "I'll have to make use of the advice Glade gave me," She muttered underneath her breath before moving forward.
Gustav also arrived within his apartment and took off his jacket.
"I can just hold off whatever I want to say till tomorrow," Gustav muttered as he proceeded to head towards the bathroom.
Several minutes later, he finished showering and moved to his bedroom to change.
"I might have to spend the entire night within the borders testing out my Yarki," Gustav said as he got clothed in black.
"I will also be getting my armor clothing tomorrow... Friday hunting the mixedbreeds needed for the new department Mr. Gon is giving me..." Gustav's mind suddenly recalled something as he got to this point.
"I am yet to open the package Mr. Gon gave me," Gustav stated.
He finished putting on his clothes and walked towards the living room.
He grabbed the small box on his reading tab and started to unwrap it.
He grabbed the small box on his reading tab and started to unwrap it.
He already knew what was within was recorded footage, so he wasted no time tapping the play button.
Troooiinnn!
A holographic footage displaying a particular part of the city appeared before him.
The moment Gustav saw the highrise buildings on both sides of the road, he instantly recognized this part of the city.
The footage focused on the part of the road where the transportation spatial ring could be seen.
"Isn't this...?" Gustav mumbled as he kept watching the bleeping dark blue and purplish waves within the spatial ring.
Zwwhhoooonmn!
The spatial ring made some weird sounds and brightened up a little, and in the next instant, Gustav saw himself walking out of the ring naked.
"Just as I thought... It was truly that day," Gustav said with a look of displeasure.
'How is it that I didn't notice this?' Gustav wondered as he kept watching the footage.
He could be seen breathing in and out profusely as he walked a few steps forward.
'Based on the closeness of the recording device, this is within my range of detection, which means it was zoomed in from far away,' Gustav analysed.
As Gustav sped off into the distance a few moments later, the recording device zoomed out, and Gustav figured out just how far it was from his location.
His speculation was right because he could tell that the video was taken from more than ten blocks away.
"We got him," These were the next words Guatav heard before the footage came to an end.
"For Mr. Gon to give me this... He must have gone through some trouble to acquire it," Gustav muttered with a look of gratitude as a milky glow covered his hands.
[Atomic Disintegration Has Been Activated]
The object that displayed the footage slowly disintegrated and started to disappear into thin air.
"This shows his sincerity," Gustav said as he closed his palm completely after the object had been completely incinerated.
He knew how this would have caused a big stir if it was revealed to the general public since no Zulu ranked mixedblood was supposed to have a body as sturdy as his.
A lot had already been revealed to the general public, and he was still being questioned based on those revelations.
This would make things far worse than the current situation.
Gustav decided that he would call Mr. Gon later to thank him.
A few moments later, he proceeded to leave the house.
After several hours had gone by, Gustav was within the border, standing on a rocky path with a pinkish glow spread outwards from his body.
A large crab-like creature with green pincers could be seen moving according to the movement of his fingers and words.
"Stop," Gustav commanded, and the creature immediately came to a stop.
Gustav checked on his Yarki and noticed that he still had around thirty percent of energy left.
"I'm able to keep level seven mixedbreeds under my control for about thirty minutes before running out of energy." Gustav took note of this.
In the last few hours, he had been using his Yarki on different levels of mixedbreeds and calculating the usage of energy in tune with the time he spent putting them under his control.
He has only used his Yarki on the mixedbreed in front of him for about five minutes, but he was able to calculate the time he would be able to keep them under his control if his energy was full.
'That's enough experimenting for today...' Gustav dashed forward and used slash repeatedly.
[Slash has been activated]
His arms were coated in a milky glow as they sliced through the legs of the creature, making it handicapped a few moments later.
[You have killed a Quintlet mutated Crab]
[+20,000 EXP]
Gustav deactivated his Yarki afterwards and took the remains of the mixedbreed before leaving the scene.
He didn't want to make the mistake of overusing his Yarki once again, but with today's experiment, he could more or less understand how his Yarki worked.
It would be able to affect creatures and beings three to four levels higher than him, but the higher the level, the lesser the amount of time they will remain under its influence.
The serpentine creature he fought the other time was only under its control for less than a minute. Gustav could tell that if he wanted to make use of his Yarki on a creature one level higher, it wouldn't last up to a second.
He decided he would come here again tomorrow to test it out and keep training with it for the next few days that he was going to be around the neighborhood.
Gustav got back into his apartment close to midnight and immediately started the process of recharging his Yarki.
This time it was way faster than before since it didn't completely run out of energy.
In a few hours, Gustav went to bed after it got recharged back to a hundred percent.
Gustav woke up around ten am in the morning, different from his usual time of waking up.
Because of his lack of sleep during these days, he had actually slept longer than he wanted to.
("Good morning sunshine,")
Gustav heard the voice of the system as he stood to his feet.
"What's with the cheesy greeting?" Gustav had a weird look on his face as he spoke.
("Have you forgotten when you mentioned that I didn't interact with you..? Well, I'm doing that now,") The girly voice of the system turned cuter as it spoke.
"That sounds quite disgusting... Stop it," Gustav said with a look of discomfort.
("Guess what's disgusting? Your morning breath,") The system voiced out with a slightly annoyed tone.
Gustav; "..."
("Aren't you forgetting something?") The system asked.
"Hmm... Forgetting what?" Gustav asked.
("Your daily tasks,") The system reminded.
"I didn't forget my daily tasks. I'm not about to start today's daily task... I'm not that dum..." Gustav paused as he remembered something.
"I missed two days... Which means I have to complete three days worth of daily tasks. A total of nine today..." Gustav stated with a look of realisation.
("There you go Sherlock,") The system voiced out with a solemn tone.
("Failure to complete even one of these tasks will result in a three-day punishment,")
The system added before displaying the three days worth of daily tasks together.
Gustav's eyes opened wider as he stared at the nine daily tasks.
Daily Tasks]
....
----------------------
Gustav kept reading the descriptions one after the other, and for each one, his facial expression would change.
This kept happening till he completed the last one.
"What is up with these weird quests? And I have to finish them today?" Gustav said with a tone of disbelief as he stared at the list from top to bottom and from bottom to top repeatedly.
("What do you mean weird? You better check out the punishments before thinking of trying to ditch any of these,") The system voiced out.
--------------------------------
[Punishment for failing to complete tasks]
<-500 Credits from shop currency>
[Rewards for completion]
<+1,200,000 EXP>
<+2 Stats points for all attributes>
Gustav stared at the punishments and scoffed, "Who are you trying to scare with those? I'll definitely complete the tasks even though they are just as weird as you are," Gustav voiced out.
("Look who's talking? Don't get me started with you, Virgin,") The system retorted back.
Gustav; "..."
"By the way, what's that teleportation thing? How is that a punishment?" Gustav asked.
("You'll find out when you fail... If you're so curious, why don't you consider failing?") The system laughed lightly as it suggested.
Gustav ignored its words, reminding himself not to ask the system any questions anymore.
He moved out of his apartment a few minutes later and went on to start the daily tasks.
He decided to hunt for the mixedbreed needed first. The Giorno Stallion mixedbreed was a muscular and rare type of mixedbreed.
It was like a combination of a gorilla and a horse due to its very muscular limbs.
Gustav had only come into contact with this type of mixedbreed once within the border, and at that time, he was unable to defeat it because of its speed and power.
With a pound of its two front legs, it was capable of crushing objects with a sturdy weight of four thousand pounds.
Gustav had already done research on them, so he knew they liked to hang out in moist areas to moisturize their hoofs.
Swwoooooosshh!
Gustav arrived within the border in a few minutes and started moving towards the northwestern area.
He used the map to move towards a place within the border where a small swamp was located.
Gustav arrived at the swampy area in a few and made use of one of the vines to climb atop a tree to scout the place.
He kept looking around for the next thirty minutes till he finally found one, a Giorno Stallion mixedbreed standing in a muddy, swampy area in between two trees.
Gustav slowly and silently advanced by making use of the vines to swing forward before landing on a tree branch a few meters from the position of the mixedbreed.
The instant Gustav landed on the tree, the mixedbreed noticed his presence and instantly turned around with an alarmed look.
It stared at Gustav and suddenly jumped forward before Gustav could get to analyze the situation.
Thoomm! Thoom!
Its two front legs crashed into the tree just as Gustav also jumped away from it.
Bang!
The tree was sent crashing down instantly, causing a loud sound of snapping branches to reverberated across the place.
Gustav grabbed a vine and swung forward as the mixedbreed chased after from behind.
The Giorno Stallion mixedbreed was also capable of leaping far distances with its powerful legs.
The instant this particular one leapt, it arrived behind Gustav with its two front legs pounding forward with intensity.
Gustav let go of the vine and started free falling, which allowed him to miss the leg of the mixedbreed.
'First off, before I waste my time... Is that a level ten?' Gustav asked.
("That is a level 10... Lucky for you, it's still bordering on the line of breakthrough into level 11,") The system replied, causing Gustav to sigh in relief.
("But guess how many levels it will go up if it manages to eat you?") The system added.
Gustav; "..."
Gustav quickly leaped backwards in the next instant, dodging the landing of the creature.
Mud was sent splashing everywhere, but Gustav still bolted forward with speed in the next instant.
His speed was reduced due to the thick mud that kept splattering everywhere as he moved forward.
The Giorno Stallion also leaped forward, stomping towards Gustav's face.
Gustav could feel the intensity and the amount of force those mighty legs carried as they moved towards his face.
Luckily he was only slower than it a little when making use of sprint.
Gustav spun around and sent his palm towards the right front leg of the creature.
[Slash has been activated]
A milky glow coated his palm as it arrived before the leg and slammed into it.
Thhhiinnngg!
A loud metallic sound rang out as the creature spiralled across the air and landed several meters towards the side due to the collision.
'Looks like what they say about its legs being extremely sturdy is no joke,' Gustav said Internally as he discovered that his hit didn't manage to damage the creature's legs.
The Giorno Stallion quickly jumped back to its feet again after being beaten down and ran towards Gustav.
Gustav, who had realised that he shouldn't aim for its legs, started transforming into the mutated bull.
His legs that were initially being trapped by the slightly deep mud were now moving with ease.