章 16: Alex's System Bound Involuntary Hunter School Slice Of Life Is Tolerable, As Expected? Part 5
Disclaimer: This is a work of fan fiction based on multiple existing anime/manga series. The characters and settings used in this story belong to their respective owners and creators, and no copyright infringement is intended. This story is purely for entertainment purposes and is not intended to infringe upon any existing intellectual property. I do not own any of the original works that inspired this fanfiction, and I fully support the original creators and their works.
I'm also occasionally chilling in JaxWolf4's (Author of Nah, I'd Adapt and Zenin Days) Discord Server. It's a chaotic lobotomy mess. Not for the faint of heart.
Here's the link:
Disc: HrPrTeam
-Story Start-
-Third Person POV-
Following Alex's conversation with Blake, three days have peacefully passed by as routine.
...With a greater degree of attention than before due to his crushing victory over the 'Invincible Girl' and display of superhuman feats even for Hunters.
But, hushed talks and such are just that - talks.
As long as no one bothers him directly, Alex is fine!
Even though the Vale News Network has been snooping around for an interview and attempting to publish his name publicly, they've been thwarted by Ozpin's authority... so everything's still fine and dandy!
What isn't fine and dandy though?
The looming threat of an entire month in Purgatory!
...The rather obvious stink eye and distance he gets from Blake are also worth noting, one might say he's made negative progress following that lone conversation.
You'd think someone with such a grave threat hanging overhead would spare no resources and lose a great deal of sleep to find a solution.
Right?
...
RIGHT?!
-----------------------------
The Capital City Of Vale.
A part of the Kingdom Of Vale the overarching ruler of the eastern end of the continent of Sanus.
A large port city boasting an impressive population of roughly 5 million residents.
It is one of the few gigantic cities that served as bastions of mankind.
It exemplified its grandeur not in beauty - but in meaning.
The children running around the streets, free and happy along the residential and commercial sections of the city served concrete proof that even in this dark, Grimm-infested world...
Humanity persevered.
Tensions and Negativity were so lax, in fact - that Beacon Students went down to the city for mundane purposes such as:
"Yay, shopping!" Ruby exclaimed with a loud cheer as everyone got off the Bullhead at the Vale Bullhead Airport.
"TV and nothing else." Alex corrected dryly.
"She just wants cookies, you know? It wouldn't hurt to do a little..." Pyrrha's smile froze at noticing people staring at her in recognition and awe.
She coughed and corrected, "A very short and quick detour. Cookies and TV. That's it!" She nodded resolutely.
"I haven't gotten the chance to explore this city properly, so I'd prefer it if we are to stay a little longer," Weiss mentioned with a smile.
Alex deadpanned, "Whatever floats your boat, I'm going on the next Bullhead once I get that TV."
However, Team RAWP wasn't the only one present in this little city outing:
Yang wrapped a hand around Alex's shoulder, shoving his head into her chest, "If you're in a rush you can join me on a bike ride. It's parked over there." She pointed at the gigantic parking lot adjacent to the Bullhead Airport.
Note - Nora and Ren were on a date.
Extra Note - Not a 'Relationship' kind of date, but a 'Friend' kind of date.
Extra Extra Note - Not a 'Friend turned Lover' kind of date but a 'Platonic' kind of date.
Alex's expression gained a note of skepticism, as he struggled to get out of the buxom blonde's clutches with his Aura being sealed, "Does this favor come with strings attached?" He immediately asked.
"Yang! No bullying my partner!" Ruby puffed out her cheeks, a disapproving look centered on Yang.
The blonde snorted at her sister's accusation, letting Alex go as prompted, "He could overpower me whenever he wanted to~!" She shook her head in amusement.
Turning to look at the almost relieved and still skeptical Alex, she gained a devious grin, "No strings attached! I just think this is the perfect chance to get to know you. I've had a proper conversation with everyone in my Rubes's Team, but not with you - her partner!"
She winked at Weiss, "Isn't that right, Weiss Cream?"
Weiss scoffed, "If threatening me in very graphic detail to not hurt your little sister counts as a proper conversation, then certainly."
Ruby's expression froze and cracked, turning to look at a sheepish Yang, "Y-You threatened her?"
She raised her arms in surrender at the accusation, "It's what Dad would have done."
"Don't redirect the blame to Dad!" Ruby exclaimed loudly with a pointed finger.
Grabbing the attention of all those present, and away from Pyrrha much to her relief.
Seizing the opportunity, Blake decided to walk away with naught an exchange of words or goodbye.
Yang's eyes narrowed and she bit her lip at that sight while Ruby tried to hide herself from the nosy crowd.
Alex's voice cut through the sudden awkward silence, "Hard pass." He replied to Yang's offer.
Yang was determined, however, "Oh come on! It'll be quick." She huddled over to him and whispered in his ear.
Her hushed tone transitioned from casual to a cold seriousness, "I need to talk to you about Blake. and I'm not taking 'No' for an answer."
Pyrrha and Weiss exchanged confounded looks with one another.
Approaching with a friendly smile, Pyrrha addressed Yang, "If he really doesn't want to, I think it's po-"
Alex shrugged, "As long as I get to the shop quickly and you don't bother me, fine." He agreed much to the surprise of his teammates.
"Did she threaten you?" Ruby asked quickly then turning to Yang, "Did you threaten him?"
Yang waved the accusation off calmly, slowly pushing Alex through the station as the other girls walked behind them, "I doubt anything could threaten him."
And thus, leaving the Airport, Alex and Yang split-off from the entourage of Ruby, Pyrrha, and Weiss.
Pyrrha's gaze drilled into Alex's back, recalling what Yang just said.
That statement... felt familiar to her.
"Right, that's what I thought as well."
Ruby scratched her ear, only to realize, "Did you say something? Wait! Where's Blake?!"
Indeed, they still haven't prodded or dug deeper into what Alex meant by being 'forced' into his current situation.
Ruby, Weiss, and Pyrrha truly felt progress was made in getting through to him in their short time together being practically glued together and living together.
However, his display of Fairy Tale level strength only made his claim of being 'forced' all the more outlandish.
What could force... That Thing to do anything he didn't actually want to do?
-----------------------------
The commercial district of Vale was a sight to behold:
Designed similarly to Old European Architecture mixed and mish-mashed with modern technological advancements.
Lamped streets and most of the buildings serve as shops or restaurants.
Indeed, it wouldn't look out of place in any modern European country.
However, the difference lay with the dust-powered vehicles, dust shops as well as armed Beacon Students, Professional Huntsmen, and Huntresses roaming around with their sheathed mecha-shifting weaponry - A pacifying and regular view in these parts.
Not to mention the Faunus walking around in relative coexistence with Humans.
But, that is quite a sensitive topic nowadays...
Anyway!
On one of the roads connected to the main street of the commercial district, under the bright and warm light of the sun, the engine of a motorbike roared loudly as it sped through the road, passing by cars and vehicles with almost reckless driving.
Sitting behind the gleeful blonde, was none other than our protagonist, donning a deadpan and unworried expression.
'If I fall, then that is my fate.' He thought with profound wisdom and acceptance, doing little to hold on to the vehicle.
[Alex, I commend your indifference and coolheadedness thus far, however, you need to hurry up. You have four days left and you've made zero progress in completing the quest.] The System's voice suddenly echoed in Alex's mind.
He replied nonchalantly, 'Four days is a long time, I'll be fine...'
[...]
[Alexander.] A shift in the System's tone reverberated in Alex's psyche, only resulting in a raised eyebrow from him.
[This is not a joke, this is not a gag, this is not a farce, nor is this a bluff.]
[I can read deep into your mind. And deep down, you feel that Purgatory might not be too bad.]
[Allow me to correct that mistaken notion.]
[It is not the Purgatory you believe it is.]
[You will suffer beyond mortal comprehension for a month. It'll equate way beyond the cumulative suffering you've had in your entire life combined. It is beyond the simple term of agony...]
[Tortured with no moment of respite in any microsecond in your stay there, to be laughed at as you beg for mercy... your mind will break, and you cannot 'indifferent' or 'don't care' your way out of it, nor will Excalibur or Avalon be there to save you from torment.]
[The things in there will make the Grimm look cute in comparison.]
...
Alex nodded with a grim line on his face, 'Why do you think I agreed to Yang's ride? Do you really think I'd go with her just because it's a shortcut to the TV? I know what I have to do, you don't have to remind me.'
[While trying to get others to help with your quest when you, yourself as you are, are incapable of completing it is a wise notion... it is also a risky and short-term approach. It won't last you long even if it works with your current attitude.]
Alex's brow twitched, 'Lecturing me again? Do you expect me to shove my nose down everyone's business? I don't care about this Blake girl, and, she has friends of her own who DO care and can help her as you can clearly see. I don't have to do anything.'
[It is the role of a Hero to shove their nose where it doesn't belong.] The System lectured.
'I'm not a Hero. nor did I ever want to be.' He reminded with a sigh.
[It is what you will have to be... or you won't like the consequences. Heed my warnings, for that is the primary purpose behind my consciousness.]
...
[And I'm saying that for your sake, Alexander. You will not get better following this path.]
Lowering his head, Alex contemplated the stern and rather chilling warning.
He knew his circumstances very well.
He had mostly accepted them because there wasn't anything better he could do.
He'd truly rather do nothing at all, yet here he was.
A Slave to the System.
But...
He was deadset on staying true to who he was and his values.
He might be unhappy, he might be angry, he might be feeling nothing at all...
But regardless of it all, he was still Alexander.
Whatever actions he takes or actions he doesn't take...
He'll survive his predicament by staying who he is and doing what is unavoidable... His way.
Any epiphanies, any emotions, any attachments - they will be forged, grown, and decided...
By him and him alone.
'Nah, I'm gonna do it my own way. Not gonna wishy-washy my way into the sulky lady's heart.' He nodded in a rare show of resolve.
The illusion of freedom?
So what? Bite him.
It's his way of rebellion.
[One day, you will realize that I am an ally to you, Alexander.]
'You're a shitty employer hiring me for an unfit job to amuse a god.' He corrected.
As the lazy Alex declared his stand for once in his life, fate wasn't too kind as Yang shouted in a panic, "LOOK OUT!" She roared as she noticed a cargo truck driving towards the bike from the right at an alarming speed despite there being a red light.
The deadpanning Alex didn't quite react in time as Yang hopped off the bike, noticing it was heading straight for impact and the poor sod flew straight into the heavy vehicle at breakneck speed.
Literally.
A resonating crack reverberated from the Aura-sealed Alex's neck as he crashed into the truck and the irresponsible driver began to press the brakes with all his power.
Yang's bike crashed into the side of the truck alongside Alex, exploding in a cloud of smoke and flame the gruff, drunk-looking driver froze in shock as the large truck stopped in its tracks and blocked half the street whilst being lit aflame.
Having rolled safely onto the road, Yang clicked her tongue as her eyes widened in panic bursting into motion towards the flames in the container of the truck, "Shit! He's got no Aura!"
Charging into the flames, her Aura sizzled and drained in real time as she searched through the flames with gritted teeth.
Her eyes widened in surprise and, while she couldn't exactly breathe in the toxic smoke of the flames, her facial features softened at seeing Alex's broken neck and shattered bones...
Amount to nothing.
Something, unlike Aura, seemed to heal his wounds and bones in a feat of regeneration beyond conventional Aura:
His bent hands and legs straightened and restored, his body covered in cuts from debris stitched themselves together and the burnt skin and blood were recovered with new and healthy replacements.
He stood up as good as new on his feet, quicker than expected from one having sustained normally life-threatening injuries with but a pained groan, "Fuck that hurt. Come." He immediately summoned 'Stick' and his monstrous Aura covered him protectively.
Nodding in acknowledgement Yang dashed outside and so did Alex in an instant, as the assembled crowd and cars stared at the two in a mix of worry and awe.
Their eyes gravitated particularly to the eye-catching sword Alex immediately dismissed.
Yang smiled awkwardly, her expression apologetic, "I guess that's how you survived getting stabbed? Haha...ha"
He blinked giving a lookover to the assembled crowd, "Sure."
[PING! EMERGENCY QUEST ISSUED!]
[Sub Quest - 'Save The Drunk Driver' has been issued!]
-Sub Quests-
↓
[NEW!] Save The Drunk Driver↓
Requirements - The drunk driver that had accidentally run you and Yang's bike over is frozen in shock and panic! Save him before the flames or an explosion engulf him!
Static Rewards - 200 Lien.
Performance-Based Rewards - Monetary reward [Quintupled] should the quest be completed before Yang Xiao Long solves it herself.
Time Limit - 20 Seconds.
Punishment For Failure - None.
Difficulty - E-
'I like money.' For a moment, he forgot his loyalties to himself.
To Be Continued!
-Author Note Start-
RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!
NO STOP CAN'T STOP!
FEED ME HONEST FEEDBACK YOU SCALLYWAGS!
WILL ALEXANDER THE DETERMINED MOOCH MANAGE TO SOLVE THE BLAKE QUESTLINE AND AVOID PURGATORY OR OTHERWISE?!
OR MAYBE BECAUSE HE WILL CARE ABOUT HER (UNLIKELY)?
WHO FUCKING KNOWS!?
CAUSE I SURE DON'T!
BU BYE!
If ya'll feeling frisky and rich you can donate to my P. A .T R 3 0 N to show some nice and kind support - This is purely support no benefits except early chapters (That I do not do yet properly lmao) which will eventually be available for everyone... like a twitch donation typa thing.
Here's the link:
patre0n.com/BurgerNoTomatoes
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