558 Meeting of Emperors

"EXPLOSION!"

As the petite Mage dressed in predominately red robes shouted enthusiastically, a small mountain was vaporized due to the powerful Flare spell she had used.

"YES! I FINALLY DID IT!" She declared victoriously, before falling backwards onto her back in exhaustion after draining all of her magic power.

Despite this, Megumin had a massive smile on her face from FINALLY casting the spell that she'd been working towards ever since being summoned to Asora. And the best part about it? Flare was the WEAKEST spell in that family!

Already her mind was racing as she imagined using the higher grade spells, which were capable of vaporizing entire countries and continents in a single shot! But that sill wouldn't be enough for her, as Megumin had set her sights on the zenith of the art of explosions, becoming a goddess of explosion!

*Rustle.*

"Hm?" She hummed in contemplation as a pack of wolf-like monsters approached her curiously, their mouths saturated in saliva as they identified her as an easy meal.

But despite the fact that she was unable to even move her body, Megumin wasn't at all worried.

With a snarl, the first of the wolf monsters lunged at her to sink its fangs into her side. Before it even ruffled her robes though.....

*BOOM!*

An explosion sounded as the wolf was blown backwards, before the smoke cleared to reveal that it's snout had been blasted to gory bits.

"HAHAHAHA! That is what you deserve, for attempting to feast upon this goddess of explosion!" Megumin declared haughtily, despite still being unable to move.

She had just earned enough points the day before to buy the Bomu Bomu no Mi from the Chatroom shop, which she only did because Alex was unsure if he was going to obtain it for her. Now her entire body was like a live bomb, constantly primed to go off at her whim. Even something like her breath could be turned into an explosion, which she likened to an explosion dragon.

The rest of the wolves hesitated for a brief second after seeing what happened to the first, but then decided to attack her again anyways since it was obvious there was nothing Megumin could do to them.

The first wolf that dove for her neck received a blob of spit in its face, which immediately exploded on impact to instantly kill it. In the split second after it, the rest all dove at different parts of her body. One went for her chest, another pair her legs, and one dove for her right arm.

Right before any of them could even touch her with their teeth though, a giant explosion blasted them all back as Megumin detonated her entire body with enough force that she created a crater beneath her.

"MWAHAHAHAHAHA! Behold the might of the goddess of Explosion!" Megumin cried out victoriously as she killed all the wolves, reveling in the ideals Alex placed within her head, all at the extremely 'low' cost of her body and eternal soul. Not that he'd come to collect, yet.

But just as Megumin was reveling in her power, something appeared before her that made her maniacal laughter pause.

Meanwhile, a short ways away in the same subspace orb as Megumin, a group of women attired in maid uniforms were battling while their silver haired boss watched on impassively.

Currently she was putting both Aqua and Darkness through their respective drills as they battled another group of maids. Well Darkness was battling, Aqua was supposed to support her using her powers as an Archpriest in order to heal any damage that Darkness took, while also using her support spells to make her stronger.

This was quite the daunting task considering Darkness was using the Dark Knight Dressphere, which would allow the user to utilize powerful and debilitating attacks at the cost of their own health.

Unfortunately, Darkness tended to focus on the most powerful attacks that had the largest backlash due to her own perverted tendencies. Without Aqua's support, Grayfia speculated that Darkness would've already died several times since the spar started.

It was also the perfect ability for the perverted former Crusader, since it allowed her to fight while hurting herself, as well as increasing her already impressive defensive abilities. Darkness also had access to the the Sentinel Dressphere, but she obviously preferred the Dark Knight since her own attacks would hurt her.

"Her perversion aside, I doubt I'd find a better candidate for one of my Rook pieces..." Grayfia mused to herself as she watched the fight.

"Does that mean you'll make Aqua a Bishop as well?" Asked Grayfia's right-hand woman, Venri.

"Hmmm...." Grayfia hummed to the Dragon-kin's question, since she was unsure just yet about that one.

Darkness, while tending to focus on her perversion, was at least useful in battle when she could be made to focus. Aqua on the other hand, while significantly powerful and skilled as a White Mage, had absolutely no experience in combat. In fact, she tended to run away from any type of conflict that broke out, which Grayfia could not tolerate. The ONLY reason she was competently doing her job now was because none of their opponents were actually targeting her.

"In time perhaps, but not right now." She said regrettably.

Venri nodded to the head maid in affirmation, even as she produced tea and a number of snacks to go with it for her. Just as she began pouring the tea though, Venri paused as something appeared in front of her that took the entirety of her attention.

"Venri? I am sure that's enough tea." Grayfia commented, startling the other maid as the burning hot tea overflowed from the cup, and spilled onto her hand.

Though Grayfia was about to ask her what happened, as Venri hardly ever lost concentration like that, she noticed that the others had ceased their sparring match as they too began to stare at something in front of them.

***

"Well this takes me back!" Exclaimed a young woman dressed in red with her blond hair tied into twin braids on either side of her head.

"Indeed! It's such a shame the others aren't here with us." Replied another young woman with identical features, except she was dressed in green while her blond hair was flowing freely while being held back by a headband.

"Right. I do wonder how they're all doing back home." Said the last of the three women, who looked nothing like the other two with her long black hair tied back in a ponytail, and amethyst colored eyes that repeatedly swept the corridor they were in for any enemies.

The trio were of course Veronica, Serena and Jade from the world of Erdrea, who were exploring the replicated Orcus Great Labyrinth to see how far they were able to go.

Despite the fact that they were already nearing the lowest floor, the group wasn't all that much on alert as they fought their way further down. With the skills they had honed in order to fight the Lord of Shadows, Mordegon, and then the root of all evil, Calasmus, there was very little that could threaten them down here.

Instead, they were taking the chance to practice several of the new spells and skills they had learned ever since being summoned to this strange land of Asora.

"Well... If I know them, Erik is off on a stealing spree with his sister, Sylvando is touring the world with his little band of boys, Hendrick has probably been freaking out constantly ever since you went missing, Rab is still working on rebuilding Dundrasil, and Erdrick is back home at Cobblestone getting all cozy with Gemma." Veronica said as she ticked all of their former comrades off her fingers.

"Indeed." Serena said with a giggle, before asking with realization, "do you think they've noticed we've gone missing as well?"

"Hmmm..." Veronica hummed in contemplation.

"Probably. Even if the two of you had been at home at the time, it's entirely possible that your parents and Father Benedictus sent word to Erdrick and the others when they noticed you had disappeared as well." Jade stated knowingly, even as she casually swung her glaive to the side to bisect a monster that had been creeping up on them.

The trio continued until they reached a wide open room, where they could feel something moving in the darkness.

*Thud.*

*Rumble.*

The ground shuddered as something impacted it, before the chamber was suddenly lit up by a series of torches to reveal what they had disturbed within, as all seven different colored heads roared angrily.

"""GRYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!"""

In the face of such a monstrosity, the three girls just looked up at it with intrigue.

"So what is that?"

"I think it's called a hydra."

"They sure have some interesting creatures here."

The three girls all commented offhandedly without any sense of urgency or concern.

"Fizzle!"

With a cry, Veronica used her magic to seal every single head from casting any spells before the three of them leapt into action. Veronica had her whip in hand, while both Serena and Jade had their glaives.

The following battle was long and drawn out, but not because the three girls were unable to finish it off. The battle was prolonged because they decided to try out a series of new skills and techniques against the strong opponent.

And it was only after they were satisfied that they decided to deal the finishing blow, and the mighty beast collapsed with a thunderous rumble as it hit the ground.

"Well that was fun~!" Serena exclaimed as the three of them relaxed from the battle. But right as they did so, something appeared before them that caught all of their attention.

"Is this part of the Dungeon?" Jade asked curiously.

"I don't think so..." Veronica answered.

***

"Hmmm... This place truly is amazing." Uttered an attractive girl with long black hair, two strands of which were tied into braids that were held into place with two ribbons.

Himekawa Hayuru was currently walking around Asora on her own to learn more about this strange world. Ever since they had arrived, she had been focused on fighting and training with her Heart Hybrid Gear(HHG) alongside Aine and Yurisha. So today she decided to take a break as she explored Asora.

The thing that surprised her the most though, despite already seeing it within Alex's harem, was the sheer number of different types of people that were here.

Not only that, but the marketplace that she was currently in was also selling goods that looked like they belonged to every singe period of time. One stall had the merchant selling medieval weapons, like swords, daggers, maces, and bows, while the booth next to it was selling different type of firearms and blasters.

As a proud samurai, Hayuru was naturally drawn to the blades weapons as she examined them with a discerning eye. Of course, none of them could compare to the blades created by her Neros, much less her Gladius. Now if only she didn't need to perform Heart Hybrid with Alex just to use it...

"Looking for a blade little girl? You'll get no better than true Orc-forged steel!" Growled the green-skinned shopkeeper, even as he grinned to flash her his tusks.

"Perhaps I'll just look a little." Hayuru said as she happily browsed the blades. There weren't any katanas, but then again she couldn't expect EVERYONE to make those.

"Hmmm..." She hummed while looking over the items for sale, losing track of her surroundings as she did so.

"Look at that..."

"How daring!"

"She's quite brave."

"Huh?" Hayuru uttered confusedly as she noticed numerous gazes and muttering towards her.

"Little girl, that's quite the bold fashion statement." The Orc vender said to her with flared nostrils and a wide smile.

"What do you mean?" Hayuru asked curiously, before looking down at her clothes. Or rather, complete lack of them.

"!!!"

"KYAAAAAAAAAAA!" Hayuru screamed at the realization that she was completely naked in this massive crowd of people. Ironically, it was her scream that drew more gazes her.

"What's this?"

"Is it some kind of stunt?"

"Maybe she's advertising for a new brothel?"

As more eyes and theories flew towards her, Hayuru's shame reached an all time high as she screamed out,

"NEROS!"

In an instant her body was covered by her robotic battle armor, though it didn't do anything to cover the areas that actually needed to be covered, like her breasts, butt, and crotch.

"How erotic!"

"So this IS a stunt!"

"I think I'm in love!"

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

With a distressed cry, Himekawa Hayuru used her HHG to fly back to the Misty Manor. Fortunately for her, everyone was distracted a moment later as something appeared in midair before them.

And it was only when she returned to the Misty Manor, that Hayuru was reminded of the penalty for not sending a picture in the previous mass quest, which was randomly being subjected to Dress Break.

***

All throughout Asora, as well as each of the space-time and subspace orbs within it, every single person experienced the same phenomenon as an illusionary screen appeared before them.

On the screen they saw their own names, followed by something called a Rank, then their Race, Titles/nicknames, and finally something referred to as a Job. That slot was filled by something called Jobless for everyone, which was set to a hundred for all of the adults, and most of the children in Asora.

After that was a section labeled Attributes, which listed their Vitality, Mana, Stamina, Strength, Agility, and Intelligence along with numerical values. That section was followed by another labeled Skills, which was separated into two categories called Passive and Active Skills.

Under this section, everyone saw the different abilities and talents they had honed throughout their lives, from combat abilities, to even things as mundane as reading, cooking, and cleaning.

The very bottom of the list was a section called Status Effects, which showed various conditions that every single person had, such as blessings, illnesses, and other conditions they had. It even listed things like old age, or missing limbs.

While everyone else in Asora was pondering the sudden status screen, there was one man who was cackling with what sounded like deranged glee.

"FINALLY! I FINALLY DID IT!" Hajime declared while laughing manically.

Though he had told Alex that he'd need a few more days, Hajime had made a breakthrough in the night that helped him finish Asora's own Status System early. Now it was up and running, and all people would need to do is go to one of the Job changing stations he'd already linked to the Status System to start taking Jobs and grow stronger.

And the way he'd designed the Job system was that, aside from the hundreds of Jobs and Skills he'd installed in it with help from Azazel and his parents, the system itself would create brand new Jobs and Skills based off of the development of the people linked to the Status System.

Like a proud parent, he was REALLY excited to see what kinds of Jobs and Skills would be developed in the future with all of the different races and people in Asora. Even as he continued to laugh evilly in glee of his accomplishment.

***

Unaware that the Status System in Asora was finished, Alex continued on his way in the New World as he hunted down his next target, the Moby Dick.

With the magic compass pointing the way though, Alex knew he was headed in the right direction as he shot through the seas. And at his speed, he managed to arrive shortly after the sun went down.

Seeing a ship designed like a massive white whale, Alex shot out of the water and over the heads of the crew members on board while simultaneously canceling his Wereshark transformation.

"What the-?!"

"A Fishman?"

"It an attack!"

As Alex landed on the deck of the ship, he was immediately surrounded by numerous pirates with expressions of fury. But he just ignored the scrubs while focusing on the massive old man man sitting before him with numerous IVs connected to his body.

"Back off. None of you will be a match for him." The overly large man stated lazily.

"But pops-!"

"Listen to him. Besides, it's not like I'm here to kill a decrepit old man anyways." Alex told them with a smirk, before proceeding to take a seat in front of the old man.

"So what is it you want, dragon brat?" The old man sneered down at Alex with a voice full of contempt.

"Well, I just figured I'd come by to drop something off that belongs to you, Whitebeard." Alex told him with his a small smile, before waving his hand as another person appeared beside him.

"Huh? Pops!" Portgas D. Ace exclaimed in surprise, before seeing the old man before them.

"Ace? Where have you been?"

"That..." Ace began awkwardly, before Alex explained for him.

"My people picked him up right before he could challenge Teach. You're lucky we did, considering that if he had challenged Teach he would've lost."

"Oh?" Whitebeard asked with a snort of amusement. "And I suppose you want my thanks for 'saving' my son?"

"Not at all. I just wanted to return him to you, and make a proposition." Alex said while producing a couple large barrels of ale for them to drink.

"Is that so?" Whitebeard asked, even as he picked up the barrel and took a long drought of the ale inside without a single shred of caution.

"Yeah. You see, I have no official navy in my empire. As such, I think you'd make the perfect Fleet Admiral for it."

"..."

Silence met Alex's offer, for Whitebeard of all people to become his subordinate. An offer that infuriated all of the Pirates surrounding them as they talked.

"Gu.... GURARARARARARA!"

Everyone except Alex was surprised to see Whitebeard throwing his head back and laughing at his 'offer', before he began to slam his hand down on the arm of his chair, making the entire ship and even the surrounding area shudder from the impact.

"That is a good joke!" Whitebeard declared with a smirk, before taking another swig of the ale Alex gave him.

"It was no joke. I'm completely serious." Alex said to him, which made the smirk fade from Whitebeard's face. "Either you can join me on your own, or you can join me after I kick your ass up and down the New World."

"..."

"You're quite the cocky brat, aren't you." Whitebeard growled down at him, making Alex smirk as he took another swig of ale.

*CRASH!*

Whitebeard suddenly crushed the barrel of ale in one of his massive hands, sending the remaining ale splashing to the deck as he stood and ripped the IVs from his body.

"You seem to be forgetting something though..." Whitebeard stated as he reached for his naginata, Murakumogiri.

He then raised the weapon overhead, and swung it around with enough force that he created a cyclone that grew into a full blown tornado around himself and Alex.

"This is bad! Everyone back up!" Cried out Whitebeard's right hand man, and the commander of the First Division, Marco the Phoenix.

Even as they all fled, Whitebeard brought Murakumogiri down onto Alex's head at full force.

*CRAAAAASH!*

Cracks appeared in empty air above Alex's head courtesy of Whitebeard's Devil Fruit power, the Gura Gura no Mi, while the entire ship began to shake violently and powerful shockwaves began to spread out from it in every direction, creating massive tsunamis and clearing the skies of any cloud cover.

"I AM WHITEBEARD!"