"So what's your problem?" Greg asked as the four of them sat down in Thomas's new house.

"One of the major Cultivator sects in the area is going to attempt to go Empire, starting with my current nation." Thomas explained.

"So we just need to fight them off?" Chris asked, raising an eyebrow. "Sounds similar to my issue."

"Well… not exactly." Thomas coughed awkwardly. "See, if we fight, even if we win, this whole area is going to get destroyed. The forces we're talking about are simply too powerful. So instead… I kinda… joined the evil sect. With the system, they'll have a huge advantage over everyone else, so instead of a long, protracted war where thousands upon thousands will die, they'll just kinda… take over."

Chris frowned. "Exactly how 'evil' is this sect? Because if they're just trying to take over, that's one thing, but if they have plans to enslave the populace, or do weird rituals involving human sacrifice, that's a much different thing."

"Ah, good question." Thomas nodded. "I have no idea. The sects are… mysterious. The sect I'm talking about is known for subterfuge and assassination and whatnot, but from everything I've gathered, it seems more like a cold practicality than any true 'evil'. They obviously aren't nice, but they don't seem to hurt anyone for no reason. Though, in a couple months, my other self will enter the sect as a new disciple, so I'll know more then."

"And what if it turns out they are truly evil?" Andrew asked with a frown.

"Then…" Thomas hesitated for a moment, before letting out a sigh. "We do what's necessary. But as I said, the sect is strong, so it's going to take work to get to the point where we can do anything to them."

"When doesn't it?" Greg shrugged. "There are certain systemic issues that your- heh, system can cover, but when it comes to assholes abusing their power, fighting them with power of our own is the only option. That's why we're here now, so we have time to focus on gaining that power."

"Right." Thomas nodded. "The good news is that the system is already optimized for this World, so you can start spending points right away. Just remember to raise your Capacity before you Acquire too many Runes, or your head will explode."

"Explode?" Andrew asked a bit incredulously.

"Runes create pressure and if you let it get too high without being able to handle it… pop." Thomas mimed an explosion with his hands.

Greg blinked. "Noted."

"I'm still not happy I'm the only one who can't use this thing." Chris grumbled.

"We'll work on it in my World." Andrew assured him. "I have aura to spare over there."

"In the meantime, maybe you could capture some Rune Beasts using your World?" Thomas offered. "I've been trying to study them, to see if I can find ways to improve the system, but they don't exactly cooperate, and there's only so much you can do in the middle of a fight."

"As long as you can get them in my world, it shouldn't be a problem." Chris agreed with a shrug, before pausing. "Maybe I could mutate them and get subordinates that way…" He muttered thoughtfully.

"Careful." Greg warned. "We're still trying to avoid the evil image here. Walking around with an army of monsters in your back pocket is pretty much classic evil."

Chris waved dismissively. "I'll only make a few, don't worry. I've tried the whole army thing and it's more of a hassle than it's worth."

Jade chose this moment to walk in after finishing up her daily tasks in the courtyard, wearing what essentially amounted to a sports bra and yoga pants, freezing as she caught sight of the three strangers in the room all looking at her, before yelping and covering herself with her arms as she rushed off. Greg blinked after her, before turning to Thomas. "Well she seemed nice."

Thomas sighed. "That was Jade. She's- complicated."

"Who isn't?" Andrew shrugged.

Thomas paused. "Fair point." He agreed. "But she does seem to be a little more complicated than most." He grimaced. "I don't really want to get into it though."

Jade returned a moment later wearing a loose blouse she'd clearly thrown on in a hurry, carrying a tray with a stack of cups and a pitcher of water. [For our guests.] She murmured, flushing slightly in embarrassment. [I apologize for not bringing anything out sooner. I was not informed of your presence.] She explained, shooting a small glare towards Thomas, who rolled his eyes. [We also have juice and tea if you prefer?] She offered for the others, briefly pausing as she focused on Chris, eyes widening as she noticed the horns.

Chris blinked at her, before turning to Thomas. "I think I've noticed a problem." He commented in English, having understood absolutely none of Jade's short, Callowan diatribe.

Thomas groaned, covering his face with his hands. "The fucking language barrier."

"That's going to be a problem." Andrew frowned.

Thomas sighed. "Eh. With the system, it only took me a few weeks to learn. Just boost your comprehension and memory and you should be good." He paused, glancing at Chris. "I don't know how to help you though."

Chris frowned. "If I connect someone to my world, I can go through their memories and pull the language from that. I've done it before." He gave Jade a look. "Do you mind?"

"What- yes I mind! You aren't turning Jade into one of your slaves!" Thomas exclaimed angrily.

"They aren't slaves." Chris retorted. "They're more like subjects. I'm their king, not their master."

"What about the personality altering?" Greg asked skeptically.

"Eh? It's not so much that their personality changes, just their perspective on me. It's hard to say how it happens though. There's some level of implicit understanding between me and those connected to me, so it could be that the change is because they understand I don't hold any ill will towards them?" Chris explained, before pausing. "They do generally do what I say though… However, it could just be that the implicit understanding includes my thought process, so they don't even need to have the argument unless they actually disagree with me. And my subordinates can disagree with me." Case in point, literally all the female kobolds who continued to pursue him even after he told them it was pointless.

Thomas frowned. "That still seems iffy to me. I mean, would you connect Beth to your world?"

"I'm currently having that argument, but that issue is related to how it affects the dynamics of our relationship, not how it affects her personality. As I said, they're my subjects, and having that sort of power imbalance with someone who is supposed to be your partner seems off to me. Possibly necessary given my nature, but still uncomfortable. However, I'm not in a relationship with Jade, so there shouldn't be a problem."

[Are you talking about me?!?] Jade asked nervously. She'd been standing there, stunned as they suddenly began to argue in some foreign language, until the horned one said her name.

[Sort of, but-] Thomas began, before hesitating. "How about we just ask her? If she's down, then no problem. If not, we aren't going to force it on her."

Chris shrugged. "Sounds good to me. Just remember to tell her about the benefits, not just the possible consequences."

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Thomas nodded, before turning to Jade. [Okay, basically, my friend here has this ability he could use on you, which would allow him to learn our language by going through your memories. This would also cause you to see him as some sort of lord or king, but to what degree that actually affects you is a matter of debate. In return, you- well, you essentially become immortal. Any time you die, you simply return to… him, in perfect health. I believe he also has ways to make you stronger, but the system is better for that, so you probably don't need to consider that part.]

Jade blinked, turning to look at Chris with wide eyes, before looking back at Thomas. [Would- would this help you as well?]

Thomas frowned. [I don't want you to do this for me. This is a decision you would have to live with for the rest of your life, while it would merely save us a bit of effort.]

"If it helps, I could let her go through my memories as well." Chris offered. "Sort of an even trade."

"Why would she want to do that?" Thomas asked, giving him a weird look.

Chris shrugged. "She could learn Human so she isn't confused when we talk."

Thomas blinked. "Huh, good point." He turned back to Jade. [He also offered to let you go through his memories so you can learn the language we're speaking.]

Jade hesitated for a moment. It didn't seem like a bad deal. She didn't mind if anyone saw her memories, since it wasn't like she'd done anything particularly special with her life. The part about viewing him as a lord sounded weird, but she could already tell these men were far, far above her in status, so would that really change much? As for immortality… that could either be great, or terrible, depending. She'd heard horror stories of Cultivators who failed to advance spending decades in decrepit, failing bodies. Would something like that happen to her if she accepted this deal? [What- what would this immortality look like? Would I get old and ugly?]

Thomas frowned at her, before asking Chris her question. "If she wanted to?" Chris shrugged. "I should be able to return her to whatever state she's previously been in, particularly if I go through her memories. Anywhere from a baby to whatever age she's previously reached."

Jade's eyes widened as Thomas repeated Chris's answer. [Yes!] She exclaimed, before flushing. [I mean, I would like to accept his offer. Please.]

Thomas sighed. "She agrees. Though I think she's just doing it because you can keep her pretty forever."

Chris raised an eyebrow at her. "Really? I mean, she's attractive, sure, but is that really such a big deal?"

Thomas shrugged helplessly. "She thinks that's all she has to offer the world. Just- are you going to do this or not?"

Chris frowned, glancing at the girl looking at him with an increasingly desperate look, before sighing. "Well, now I feel almost like I'm scamming her or something, but I still think it's a good idea, so yes." He stood up, opening a portal for her. "Step-" He paused, before turning to Thomas. "Tell her she just has to step inside and accept the connection."

Thomas did so and Jade eyed the portal nervously for a moment, before taking a deep breath and stepping through. A moment later, she felt a small pressure begin to build, which she initially began to resist, before flushing as she realized this was the thing she was supposed to accept and let it do its thing. The connection was… anticlimactic. One moment there was nothing, and the next there it was. Her thoughts drifted to the horned man, checking to see how her perspective on him had changed, but it hadn't seemed to? Sure, she recognized he was powerful and it was in her best interest to listen to him but… she'd already known that? The feeling just seemed reinforced, as if it was more of a fact and less of an impression.

Suddenly Jade cried out and clutched her head as a tidal wave of memories crashed into her! Memories of a life in the City, growing up powerless, full of the knowledge that death was coming closer and closer year by year. Then the craziness of the last few months, dying the first time, the relationship with Beth, joining the Scouts, exploring this strange new ability, the other world, the game, the invasion, and finally the strange room with the three others and the whirlwind of the events that followed. Jade stumbled out of the portal in a daze, blinking at Chris before wrapping her arms around him and giving him a tight hug, tears in her eyes. [You've gone through so much.] She choked out with a sob.

Chris blinked at her, having gone through her memories as well, which essentially amounted to a life spent under the thumb of a bitter man who only saw her as a memory of what he'd lost, rather than someone to love and cherish, before turning to frown at Thomas, reaching out to slap him upside the head. "You're an idiot." He chastised him.

"Hey, I-" Thomas cut off as he realized Chris had just gone through all of Jade's memories, flushing deeply. "Uh, yeah, actually, I deserve that."

Chris then refocused on Jade. [As for you, I'm fine. You don't need to comfort me.]

[But you shouldn't be!] Jade retorted. [Your life was horrible! So much emptiness! How did you even survive?!?]

[Eh?] Chris shrugged. [Plus, it's better now. No harm done.]

[But-] Jade began.

[Stop. Seriously. I'm fine.] Chris insisted, shutting her down.

Jade's mouth snapped shut, but she continued to glare at him. No matter what he said, there was still a void there, an emptiness that seemed like it could never, ever be filled, only a few small sparks managing to light it up, making her struggles seem paltry in comparison. What was a little bit of rejection compared to that never-ending void? She tightened her hug around him. He needed all the warmth he could get.

"Dude, I think your connection does more than you thought." Greg commented, gesturing to Jade as she was suddenly acting very close to the man.

Chris scratched his head awkwardly. "I think this has less to do with the connection and more to do with me dumping all my memories into her head. She seems to have decided I'm in need of emotional support."

"You are in need of emotional support." Jade grumbled in Human. It felt strange to suddenly understand a new language, but less than suddenly understanding an entire person. She paused, before pulling away slightly to glare at Thomas. "Sex is not emotional support."

"Correct." Chris nodded, patting her on the head while Thomas groaned and covered his face with his hands.

"Where did that come from?!?" Andrew asked incredulously, looking between Jade and Thomas. "Did you sleep with her as emotional support?"

"I was weak!" Thomas protested. "I never said it was a good idea and I've been trying to fix it ever since!"

"No, you've been trying to avoid the consequences ever since." Chris retorted, giving him a look. "You don't want to actually be with her, so you've been trying to make her independent, which still doesn't solve the problem of you taking advantage of her."

"I was taking advantage of him as well, though." Jade muttered. "I saw he was weak and I pushed him, because I thought that once he'd been with me, he would be more inclined to accept me."

"Two wrongs don't make a right." Chris countered. "The fact that you weren't handling this situation any better doesn't make what he did right. You were both more focused on your individual needs than making the best of what had already happened. I can forgive a moment of weakness, but you should at least own up to the consequences."

"So what would you have done?!?" Thomas snapped.

Chris shook his head. "The same as you, but it isn't about the actions, it's about the attitude. You made it clear every step of the way that this is the last thing you wanted to be doing. That you were only doing it grudgingly, because you made a mistake. Even if you two eventually did end up together, how do you think she would feel after you made it clear she essentially trapped you in the relationship?"

"So I should have pretended I was happy about this?!?" Thomas protested.

"No, you should have simply been happy, or at least accepting. You made the decision to sleep with her. The least you could do is accept it." Chris replied.

Greg started clapping. "Now that's a mic drop if I've ever heard one." He chuckled.

Thomas sighed, slumping down in his chair as he knew Chris had a point. It didn't help that Victoria was cheering him on in the background, which proved a part of him knew he was being shitty, he just- damn it, he was just letting his emotions control him again! "You're right. Jade, I'm- I've been an idiot. I'll- I'll try to be better going forward."

Chris snorted. "There you go, trying to avoid consequences again."

Thomas blinked. "Huh?" This time even Victoria was confused.

"You've made it blatantly clear you aren't actually interested in her. The damage is done." Chris explained. "No, I'll take care of her from now on. Without sleeping with her."

Thomas blinked. "That- isn't that just another way for me to avoid consequences?"

"At this point, it isn't about you." Chris shrugged. "She deserves a chance at living a happy and fulfilling life. You can't provide that anymore. It's as simple as that."

"Are- are you sure?" Jade asked hesitantly. Thomas had been the only man who ever seemed to even have a chance of accepting her, even if it was only in a physical sense. She knew he wouldn't love her, but as long as he enjoyed sleeping with her, it was something, right?

Chris frowned at her. "You need to stop looking for shortcuts. Life takes more effort for you, but that isn't an excuse to give up. It's only hopeless if you never try."

Jade lowered her gaze, chagrined, knowing he was right. "I understand."

Thomas scowled. "Hey, I told you essentially the same thing and you argued with me!"

Jade blinked. "I guess he said it better? Or I understood it better?"

Chris shrugged. "The connection does have its benefits."