"How much yall want for this?" JacQuarius inquired, eyeing the Sacred Rank Heaven Animal egg.
"Make an offer, and I'll check with my manager," the employee responded.
"10 billion cash right now! Your boss can count it out right here," JacQuarius countered confidently.
The employee stepped aside to make a call, engaging in a brief discussion with her manager before returning with an answer.
"My manager says 100 billion cash counted right here, right now, or the price goes up to 150 billion," she announced with a smile.
JacQuarius felt the urge to act aggressively but restrained himself, mindful of the need to maintain a low profile for the upcoming tournament.
"50 Billion in cash right now, or else I'll take your high price as an insult to me directly. Do you know who the fuck I am? I'm Akiba's Black Dragon, bitch! Accept the offer or consider me an enemy." JacQuarius asserted, his killing intent palpable, eliciting fear from the employee.
"I'll discuss it with my manager, but he won't be pleased. Maybe you should go," the employee replied anxiously, walking away to confer with her manager.
JacQuarius and his companions overheard the manager's heated conversation from a short distance. Eventually, the employee returned with the phone for JacQuarius to speak directly with the manager.
"Bitch ass nigga, we want 100 Billion in cash, fuck yo name, fuck yo threats and fuck yo dead homies nigga and that's on 52 Gangster Crips!" The manager said through the phone.
"Alright bet, keep that same energy when I see you gang," JacQuarius replied then left.
JacQuarius and the group left and eyed a few more cultivation shops before making way to their hotel room.
"How come we ain't just rob the store? It's not like they could stop us. We could even mask up and rob them at night." Tela spoke.
"Well because we're here on important business for the tournament and to join the US Military. If we did rob the shop, it would most likely lead us into a gang war, they definitely had hidden cameras. Even if we mask up and rob them, they would know it's us, we've already shown interest in wanting it. Wait until we get into the Military first, then we'll get it, I have a plan!" JacQuarius replied.
The group then went to sleep, preparing for the next day.
Tokyo, Japan
Daniel remained confined to his hospital bed, trapped in a world of silent contemplation. His body felt distant and unresponsive, except for the restless workings of his mind. While Selena had recovered and Ian lingered in a comatose state, Daniel spiraled into an abyss of melancholy.
Even the attempts of nurses to feed him were met with refusal, a testament to his despondency.
Every day, Daniel's thoughts engulfed him. He found himself ensnared in regret, realizing the intricate trap laid out by the GEI. Chenjao, once a mentor, was now exposed as a tool to manipulate him. The tournament loss had been the true snare, swiftly transforming him into a pawn in exchange for illusory power.
Regret gnawed at him as he lay motionless, entangled in the consequences of his choices.
Daniel's boss then entered the room, his arrival evoking a mix of excitement and fear in Daniel. Daniel wasn't sure if the Boss was arriving to help him or deliver his punishment! Yet, to Daniel's surprise, the boss bypassed him and approached Ian's bedside with purpose. Applying a mysterious ointment to Ian's forehead and administering a vial of liquid, the boss triggered a miraculous awakening. Ian jolted awake as if propelled by the urgency of a tardy school day.
"Ian, welcome back! Now that you're awake, we can get back to business. Despite the loss, your mission was a success. However, as you know, I don't reward failure. Your defeat was a failure, even though the mission succeeded. Now, let's get these punishments over with. Who would like to go first?" The boss stated with a chilling smile on his face.
Daniel, Selena, and Ian exchanged uneasy glances, none willing to step forward. The boss posed another question.
"Well, since no one wants to volunteer first, I have a question for Ian and Selena. Selena, I'll start with you. I'm offering two choices for your punishment. You can either skip your punishment, doubling Daniel's penalty, or accept your own, which will be far worse. What do you choose?" The boss inquired.
Selena trembled, torn between her own well-being and Daniel's fate. Ultimately, she chose to face her punishment herself, a decision driven by honor.
With a snap of the boss's fingers, Selena collapsed, slipping into an unconscious state. Moments later, she began to cry out in agony, trapped in a nightmare where her family suffered unspeakable horrors.
"Daniel, she chose honorably. For the next 24 hours, Selena will witness her family's torment in her dreams. Now, Ian, it's your turn. Same question—what's your choice?" The boss turned to Ian.
Ian, showing little regard for Daniel, opted to shift the punishment onto him, absolving himself of consequence.
"Excellent choice, Ian. Report back to Headquarters for your next solo mission," the boss instructed before Ian swiftly departed.
The boss then turned to Daniel, disappointment etched into his features.
"Daniel, we invested so much in you, provided every advantage against JacQuarius, and yet you lost. For the next 24 hours, you'll endure the same punishment as Selena—except it won't be a dream," the boss declared before vanishing.
The hospital room plunged into darkness, a projector flickering to life on the wall before Daniel, who could not look away. The screen revealed a chilling scene—an image of his father bound in a chair.
"D-Daniel, why are you doing this?" his father's voice echoed.
As the video played out, Daniel realized with horror that his punishment was to witness a doppelganger of himself tormenting his own father for a relentless 24 hours. Tears streamed down Daniel's face, trapped in a helpless state, forced to endure the anguish inflicted upon his family.