"Yeah," I said with a sigh, rubbing my forehead. "I guess it's always a mixed bag when it comes to these jobs."
Jim nodded sympathetically, clapping me on the shoulder. "You did great out there, though. Remember, every life touched, every experience shared... it all makes a difference in the grand scheme of things."
As much as I wanted to be angry and frustrated, Jim had a point. Our actions, despite their imperfections, had set into motion changes that would reverberate throughout this universe and beyond. And perhaps most importantly, they had shown me what it truly meant to fight for the greater good – even if it sometimes involved pissing in someone's cereal.
"Well, let's just hope our next mission is a little less... convoluted," I quipped, finally allowing a smile to creep across my face.
Jim laughed heartily, giving me a solid pat on the back. "Amen to that, buddy. Amen to that. Go see Zeus, and don't complain about your pay, or I will use your face to remodel the Heavenly again, okay?"
"Just make sure that when you call me for a job, you cover the taxes, and we are square, okay?" I returned, and Jim just shook his head at me.
"You are the mouthiest little shit I have ever had to deal with, but I think you are starting to grow on me. Let's keep the threats friendly, and I am sure we will get along," Jim said, and I snorted as I stood up.
"You are the most transient boss I have ever had, so I think that makes us about even," I laughed, and with that, we parted ways – for the time being.
"Halberd! You made it back! And another mission completed! you really know how to get the job done!" Zeus laughed after I walked into his office.
Zeus scrounged around his desk until he found the paper that he was looking for and then handed it to me. "Damages are fairly minimal this time, and you got some extra Mana for helping out!" Zeus laughed as I took the paper from him.
[Total Mana earned 9.8 million]
[+8,000,000 for Killing Target: Drexel]
[+1,000,000 positive actions: saving and sparing targets family]
[+4,500,000 Negative Effects: Betrayal x7]
[-3,700,000 for collateral damage]
I raised an eyebrow at the numbers but ultimately couldn't argue with them. It was a decent payout, all things considered.
"Thanks, Zeus," I said, pocketing the paper. "Hopefully, next time will be a bit smoother sailing."
Zeus chuckled and leaned back in his chair. "In our line of work? I wouldn't count on it. But hey, that's what keeps things interesting, right?"
I had to admit he had a point. As much as I sometimes wished for a more straightforward job, there was no denying that the challenges and unexpected twists were part of what made this career so thrilling.
With a nod of agreement, I bid Zeus farewell and left his office, my thoughts already turning toward the future. Whatever adventures lay ahead, I knew one thing for certain – I would face them head-on, ready to fight for the greater good and do whatever it took to make this universe just a little bit better.
Now, it was time to go find my other little goddess, Grimora. She was supposed to be waiting for me outside of the office, but after leaving the building, I couldn't find her anywhere. She had told me that she might be tied up, so I reached into my pocket and pulled out the paper that she had given me.
As I unfolded the paper, I saw Grimora's elegant handwriting scrawled across it. The message read:
"Hey, sorry if I couldn't make it on time to meet you outside Zeus's office, but you know how things can get around here! If I'm not there when you come out, just head over to the Heavenly Gardens, walk twenty blocks south, then go east for ten blocks, after left turn at Moves Like Mick's Crepes, walk five more blocks, kick the gnome, then a left, and you will be at my place! Smell you later!"
I couldn't help but chuckle at her quirky directions and decided to follow them. As I made my way through the Heavenly Realms, passing various gods and otherworldly beings going about their business, I marveled at the sheer diversity of life here.
After following Grimora's instructions to a T (including kicking the gnome, which emitted an indignant squeak), I finally found myself standing outside a quaint little house that seemed to radiate warmth and charm.
I knocked at the door and waited, but nothing happened. I tried again, but still, there was no sound. I was starting to wonder where she could be, but then something pulled at my leg. I turned to see the gnome looking up at me.
"If you are looking for Grimora, she was taken away by Belladonna's men. She has owned Mana for a long time, and now they will be trying to sell her to another one of the gods," The gnome said, and I blinked.
"What did you just say about my mother?! Belladonna?! Who is this?!" I demanded, but the gnome seemed unaffected by my rambling.
"To get to Belladonna, you will have to head thirty-five blocks to the north, Five to the east, ten more to the north, Throw the man-child three blocks west, then head east three more. After that, you will have to fight the guards, and then the guard's guards, and then the guard's guard's guardsmen, then Pizzaria, The God of Not Wanting To Cook. After him, you will need to fight Franky, God of Frankenfoods, and finally, you'll reach Belladonna's lair. That's where they're keeping Grimora."
I blinked at the gnome in disbelief. "You can't be serious..."
The gnome shrugged. "You're right; I did forget a few things. After Pizzaria, you'll need to cross the Bridge of Unnecessarily Spooky Sounds and solve the Riddle of the Forgetful Sphinx. Then you'll face Franky, and Belladonna's lair will be just beyond that."
What? What was going on here?! I had just finished a mission, but now it sounded like I was going to be going on another one in the Heavenly realm!