As Alex rushes through the Tomb of the Kings, he is calm and highly focused, carefully going over his plan, determined not to make a simple mistake that may cost him his life.
This timeline... It’s all wrong. Eventually, it still led me here, but this is not how I imagined it would happen. I need to be very careful. Anyway, this path I’m rushing on—it leads me back into the main part of the city, only underground. At the very end is the Ponegylph. The problem is that this grave is at risk of collapsing should the King snap and decide to destroy this tomb with the hidden switch. I can’t risk that. I don’t really care about this kingdom, and I sure as hell don’t want to commit suicide to save this Kingdom. If I die, it’s all over, the last thing I need is a timer.
Running along the almost endless corridors under the city, Alex sees a person in the distance, lying on the ground, seemingly unconscious.
His SNS allows him to spot him early, and soon he recognizes him as King Cobra. He also notices a faint amount of movement, seeing him painfully struggling to drag himself forward, desperately crawling ahead.
That’s King Cobra and... he’s moving! That can only mean one thing. I can’t let you do that.
Star Fox
Huh? Jewel?? ... hello?! Jewel!!
...
Am I already hallucinating? That’s what Jewel would say. Is she close by?! It does not matter; I need to stay focused.
As Alex is about to reach him, he sees Cobra moving towards a column in the ground near the wall, stretching out his hand towards it.
No! Fuck off!
Angry, Alex speeds up as fast as he can, desperately trying to reach him. When he is in range, he jumps and stomps onto his hand, trampling it into the ground, barely in time to stop him.
You have dealt 6 damage to King Cobra
You have crippled King Crobra (Right hand)
“Agh... No!” Cobra yells, his face full of panic. “You... Butcher?! What are you doing?! Are you working for Crocodile after all?”
“Fuck off, I’m working for myself. Don’t fucking destroy this place, you fool,” Alex yells angrily, catching his breath and then letting out a hard sigh of relief.
Made it... damn that was way too close.
“I have to stop him, I have to end it here. Even if it costs my life!” Cobra yells. “Don’t stop me!”
“Fucking idiot! He can just turn the stone into sand, you’ll only kill yourself and the others here, most importantly... me!” Alex snaps, lifting him up and hitting him on the back of the head, careful not to kill him.
You have dealt 23 damage to King Cobra
You have knocked out King Cobra
He then drops him to the ground by just letting go and moves on.
You have dealt 1 damage to King Cobra
Sorry about that... anyway, enough time wasted on this clown.
Alex speeds up again, knowing that it isn’t far until the chamber with the Poneglyph.
He checks his status once more.
Alex Kerber: Lvl 7
HP: 444/444, MP: 243/414, AURA: 141/304, BP: 125/125
Shit... I am kinda low on MP and very low on Aura. I need to solve this the smart way. I have the skills and tools to win against anyone! I just need to remain calm and make smart decisions.
Finally, Alex reaches a large chamber, seeing the giant Poneglyph in the middle of the room. Still using Zetsu, Alex does his best to walk silently, not drawing attention to himself.
Alex scans the room, instantly spotting Nico Robin near the entrance, kneeling on the ground and clutching her shoulder, obviously injured. Blood drips from her dirtied face as well.
She was pierced by the hook and then fell onto her face. She looks wounded, but she is still alright... somewhat.
On a closer look, he sees her shoulder has been pierced, a large bloody spot visible despite her hand pressing against it. Still, she somehow managed to stop most of the bleeding and is not in danger of dying.
That’s different... she is not out of the fight. I need to remember that.
In the middle of the room, next to the Poneglyph, a partly roughed-up Crocodile stands opposite Luffy, whose body is extremely bloody, not just on his hands and face as Alex expected.
This looks bad....
He also sees Luffy’s body twitching, which makes him immediately look at Crocodile.
Despite displaying a few wounds, Crocodile is still in good condition. His left, usually golden hook has been altered—namely the top part, which has now been removed. Now revealed, Alex notices the poisoned hook underneath, which is now on full display. Most strikingly, Crocodile is looking different, more bulky, his veins popping out, radiating a feeling of power.
“Heh, what did they call it? Frenzon? I guess these stupid Marine traitors were useful for something. Maybe I won’t kill them after all,” Crocodile laughs heartily. “Not only have they warned me about your plan and your potential, but they’ve also gifted me something truly unique. This is the end... Straw-Hat!”
Luffy has been poisoned. This situation... it looks a little worse than I remember. These Seeker fuckers have probably told Crocodile all kinds of information... and he looks like he’s on drugs. Even after they have all been killed, fled, or are missing, they are still annoying me. I hate that fucking guild.
Also, Frenzon again... how can they give it to an NPC? Cards from Greed Island, drugs from Warhammer 40k. They are powerful and rich, the first dangerous players I have encountered, even far superior to those in the Wizarding World. How does that even work with the drugs? They gifted it to an NPC? Maybe they have a special item, who knows. I need to be careful regardless. Anyway... I’ve also given items to NPCs with overall good results... I guess it makes sense.
Alex stares at Luffy again, looking worried.
Luffy’s condition is critical—the guy is on his last legs. Why is he losing to Crocodile?! Did I negatively affect his odds... how?! No... probably the other players and a variety of circumstances. Crocodile is no longer looking down on him and seems to have knowledge about him. In any case... it looks like it’s actually up to me, but this change is a little scary. It means I can’t fully predict Crocodile’s actions anymore, especially since he looks way stronger.
Anyway, this is also my chance... Crocodile is not looking at me, his back is pointed towards me... if I can time it right, I’ll kill him. This is not a damn game or drama. Screw this—if I aim for his head, I can behead him the same as anyone else. This doesn’t have to be a drawn-out fight... I’ll execute him! No fight, no struggle...!
However, Luffy laughs, spitting out blood from his mouth and immediately following it up with a punch. “Gomu Gomu No Pistol!”
Crocodile leans his head to the side, but his head still sways backwards, having received a glancing blow. Luffy’s arm snaps back, and his face shows his determination to keep going.
“You... are persistent, Straw Hat!” Crocodile yells, his rage obvious. “Why don’t you die already?! The poison will take care of you... enjoy your last seconds in life and leave me the hell alone!”
Good... that’s my shot, now or never!
Alex sneaks forward, his [Executioner’s Blade R2] now drawn. He moves as fast as he can, already lifting his blade, just trying to get in range.
“Oh! You!” Luffy yells, staring right at Alex.
Motherfucker! Stupid liability. Is he fucking retarded?!
“What do you mean... Straw-hat?” Crocodile wonders, his eyes turning nervous at Luffy’s strange behaviour.
No time to hesitate. I need to act now, as fast as I can.
“It’s you! I’m glad you are alive,” Luffy yells, now actually pointing towards him.
Alex drops all attempts at stealth and unleashes his Aura, displaying his strongest Ren.
Striking with his blade, Alex immediately activates Blizzara Sword, using it to gain even more speed.
Nimbus Cloak effect activates - Increasing Evasion by 5% and Movement Speed by 40%
When he is about to reach him, Crocodile turns around, revealing a cruel smile.
He knew I was coming... he was acting, as I did earlier with Smoker?!
In Crocodile’s right hand, Alex sees a terrifying gathering of sand, giving him a shiver as Crocodile prepares to unleash his attack.
That’s the preparation for Desert Spada. If I get hit, I’m fucked. Fuck, I need a reset... how about this, you fuck?!Stasis!
Ripping his left hand free from his sword, cancelling his slash, Alex performs Stasis, his Biotic energy locking Crocodile in place, his body surrounded by a blue hue as he is unable to move.
With his balance now slightly off, Alex spins in place and jumps into the air, changing his attack into an overhead slash, bringing his left hand back in to control the follow-through.
However, much earlier than he expected—just around a second after activation—Crocodile moves again, unleashing his Desert Spada, a terrifying sand attack that splits the ground as it crashes under Alex, barely missing him and tears into the walls.
“Huh?!” Crocodile blurts out, his eyes desperately seeking Alex, only for him to briefly close them and then snap them open again, locking onto Alex in the air right before the slash lands. Desperate, Crocodile prepares another attack, his signature move, a small sandstorm almost instantly forming in his arms.
“Too late!” Alex yells in satisfaction as he slashes towards him.
Ko!
