"Yes, I will!"
Despite Jack's explanation about the cost of covering someone else's mission payment, Yuji Kiba agreed without hesitation. His resolve was clear. He had already made up his mind about what he was going to give up.
It was his ability to transform into an Orphnoch.
Even though losing that ability meant returning to a normal human existence—and possibly being vulnerable in the future—he had no regrets. If this sacrifice could help Yuka Nagata survive and move forward, it was worth it.
More than that… deep down, Kiba had always carried a quiet wish. A longing to return to a simpler life, to be just a regular person again. No more endless battles. No more responsibility to stand between humanity and the Orphnoch. Just peace.
"Alright," Jack nodded solemnly. "If you're sure, then go ahead. Select the compensation you want to pay."
Kiba nodded and raised his hand. A glowing interface appeared before him, courtesy of the Thug Group system. He marveled silently at the supernatural technology—so advanced and yet so intuitive.
He made his selection.
Sacrifice: Orphnoch Transformation Ability.
He braced himself, expecting the power to leave his body completely. But something strange happened.
Instead of being fully stripped of his transformation ability, he felt… diminished.
Still connected.
But weaker.
He raised his hand, testing his aura. He could still sense the Orphnoch power inside him—but it was significantly fainter than before.
Jack raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?" he muttered with mild surprise. "The system didn't take it all. You still have your Orphnoch power… just at half strength."
Kiba opened and closed his fist, getting a feel for his new limits.
"That's… more than I expected," he said, quietly relieved.
Jack nodded, though his tone turned serious.
"Still, that puts you in a dangerous spot. Without Blackening, you weren't at the top tier of Orphnoch to begin with. And now, your power is halved. If the Lucky Clover targets you again, you'll be in a tight spot."
Kiba gave a small, knowing smile. "That's fine. As long as I can still protect the people I care about, that's all I need."
Jack respected that answer. It was simple, humble, and completely sincere.
"Alright," Jack said. "The mission's complete. If you run into trouble again, you know how to contact the Thug Group."
He turned his gaze to Kiba, his voice becoming softer—less like a mission handler and more like a friend.
"I know you're one of the few Orphnochs who chose to fight for humanity. I hope you never lose sight of that. Stay true to yourself."
With that, Jack opened a shimmering portal behind him. The swirling black vortex crackled with golden light, signaling his return to the Thug Group HQ.
Nagata Yuka and Yuji Kiba watched in silence as Jack stepped into the vortex and disappeared.
He was gone.
But his words lingered.
Kiba stood quietly, staring at the empty space where Jack had vanished. Those last words… they weren't just advice.
They were a warning.
He clenched his fist. "I will," he whispered. "I'll stay true to who I am. No matter what."
---
Elsewhere…
> Ding! Congratulations to Group Leader Jack for successfully completing the mission!
> Reward: 50,000 Points.
> Bonus: 5-Star Review Received. One Lucky Draw Ticket Earned!
The Thug Group chat exploded with activity as the system notifications came in.
Beerus:
"Ah, no wonder we didn't get the mission alert. Lord Jack swooped in and handled it himself!"
Krillin:
"Master Jack, someone as strong as you shouldn't be taking these simple missions! Leave them to us small fries next time!"
Piccolo:
"Seriously. You're like calling Goku to squash a fly. It's a little overkill, don't you think?"
Zeno (King of All):
"@GroupLeaderJack I can't believe you're snatching missions from younger members! I've never done that. I always let the newbies grow. For shame!"
Jack:
"@Zeno Oh? Getting bold, aren't we, Little Zeno? Sounds like you're itching to be reminded of the time I chased you around the palace like a puppy."
Zeno:
"Wha—!? Lies! Slander! When did that happen? That never happened!"
Zeno was clearly panicking. A blush of embarrassment would've painted his face—if cosmic deities could blush.
He quickly realized that Jack had mentioned this little episode in front of the entire group.
If his past humiliation became public knowledge… he'd never live it down.
Jack:
"Really? You're denying it now? Hmm. Let's check with the witness. @GrandPriest What do you think? Didn't you see me chasing Zeno back in the day?"
Grand Priest:
"Ah… well… about that…"
The chat paused.
Everyone knew the Grand Priest was the most neutral, non-biased, and high-ranking figure in the multiverse. If he said it happened… then it happened.
But the Grand Priest was frozen with fear. He couldn't afford to offend either of these cosmic powerhouses.
A single wrong word and universes might explode.
Beerus:
"Ahem! Lord Jack, we didn't see anything!"
Whis:
"Indeed! I was meditating with my staff turned off. Definitely didn't witness anything at all!"
Krillin:
"Yeah, I was in the middle of training with Yamcha. Totally missed it!"
Piccolo:
"Same here. I was yawning when the messages came in. No idea what's going on!"
Tien:
"What are you all talking about? Is this some kind of inside joke? C'mon, fill us in!"
Jack:
"Hmph. Cowards."
Even though Jack teased them, he couldn't help but smirk as he read the frantic denials rolling in.
He appreciated the lively atmosphere of the Thug Group chat. For all their ridiculous powers and world-breaking strength, they still acted like a bunch of school kids gossiping in the cafeteria.
And in moments like this—between wars, missions, and cosmic threats—it felt good to have some banter.
But Jack wasn't done just yet.
Jack:
"Fine, fine. I'll let it slide. This time."
Zeno:
"Thank you, Jack! You're the best!"
Jack:
"But next time you talk back, I'll post the security footage."
Zeno:
"NOOOOOO!!"
The group burst into virtual laughter.
---
Meanwhile, Jack leaned back in his seat at the Thug Group HQ, smiling to himself as the chat continued to buzz with excitement. The mission was over, the points were good, and the lucky draw ticket was burning a hole in his pocket.
But more importantly, he had changed someone's fate.
Yuka Nagata didn't die. Yuji Kiba didn't Blacken.
A tragic timeline had been altered.
Sometimes, that was more rewarding than any amount of points.
Jack stood up and stretched.
"Alright, let's see what I win from this draw…"
He pulled up the lucky draw interface, ready to roll for his next piece of treasure or power.
And somewhere out there, in another world, a new plea for help was already forming.
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