Reborn: Apocalypse

Micheal blinked, his thoughts racing.

'Cain is definitely going to become an Executive of the Black Flag Pirates in the future. His presence here can mean one of two things…' His mind processed all of this in an instant, continuing,

'He either escapes the brutal battle that takes place with the Godfather Organization, somehow surviving, and goes on to join them after the Organization in this Cluster collapses or…' His eyes flashed,

'Or he betrayed the Godfather Organization in the first place, helping contribute to their downfall and winning himself a position in the Black Flag Pirates.' The first option was possible but unlikely. The second option, however, was not only possible but probable.

'If it's like that, everything makes sense. The Godfather Organization gets wiped out because their own Defensive Team Leader betrays them. No wonder they lost so badly.'

'However… that means that I've just exposed Sophia and myself to the Black Flag Pirates. Cain has likely already betrayed the Godfather Organization and is colluding with the enemy. Damn.'

All of these thoughts raced through his mind in a split second. Micheal didn't let even a hint of nervousness or frustration show as he smiled calmly back at Head Shigun.

"I'm here for two reasons, Head Shigun. The first is to give you an offering to show my sincerity." As he was about to continue, he was interrupted.

Bloody Iron Arm Cain's voice was pointed as he interjected,

"My men reported that you know something that can enhance the power of every man in the Cluster. Is that true?"

Micheal glanced at him, his eyes flicking between the Head and Cain. Shigun simply smiled, his arms crossed as he waited expectantly.

"Yes. It's a way to increase the Physique of every human." Micheal spoke aloud openly, hiding nothing.

"It's the formula for a unique concoction called Dragon Building Liquid."

A few moments passed as Micheal explained the effects of Dragon Building Liquid. He gave them a detailed explanation of the slow acting Dragon Building Liquid, the one that cost more. The fast acting one would be dangerous to use for those that didn't have a fine level of control over their Ki, especially here on the First Layer.

"It can change your Physique? A hidden stat that represents the talent a being is born with?" Cain led the questions as he quizzed Micheal on the effects. His voice was laced with disbelief, something Micheal couldn't entirely fault him for. Very few people on the First Layer would've heard about Physiques, the number of Abilities that would change that were quite small.

"Yes. It will make cultivating your Ki noticeably easier. Abilities will come more naturally and it will become easier to increase your stats." Even one's Soul stat, a stat that was notoriously hard to increase in the First Layer, could be made easier to increase with a stronger Physique.


Micheal had a few ideas on how he could increase his Soul stat on the First Layer.

One of them was to try training himself with his Life Orbs. When he extended them with a great deal of focus, they would strain his soul. It was possible that repeated usage of the Orbs could toughen his soul up and, by doing so, increase his Soul stat. The soul of a being and the Soul stat were linked up. The Soul stat was essentially a representation of how powerful a being's soul was.

'I can't risk injuring my soul now, not before the Black Flag Pirates attack.' He'd put that plan on hold for now, focusing on the present. He shook the stray thoughts from his mind.

"In fact, I myself have already gained a 1 Star Physique." Micheal held out his right hand towards Boss Shigun, flexing slightly.

The Head looked at it for a moment before taking it.

"Hup!" Micheal shook his hand, squeezing with all his might. He pulled on every muscle he possibly could to do so, contributing an inordinate amount of strength. The Ki in his body shook slightly as he drew upon it.

"Oh my." Shigun nodded as he felt this, his eyes glowing. Shigun was an A Ranker, and his strength placed him far above Micheal's current power. However, he had adept senses and was able to finely detect that Micheal was only using his Ki and the raw power of his body, without any other boosting Abilities.

"Quite impressive, young warrior." Shigun let go, smiling. Michael took his hand back, smiling back.

"If all of this is true, and it seems like it is, then this is something that will change not only the entire Cluster, but perhaps the entire world!" Boss Shigun's voice was full of excitement as he heard this, his eyes ecstatic.

'He really is one of the good ones.' People that truly cared for others were not that easy to find in the Layers. As Micheal saw this, he internally made a promise to do his best to save Shigun.

"Cough, cough, wheeze!" In his excitement, Shigun took a long drag from his cigar and fell into a spew of coughing once more, apparently forgetting he was inept at smoking.

Michael coughed as he hid a snort, wiping a smile from his face.

"That is indeed information that stands up to what you claimed. I will have my men test it immediately. If it is tru-" Boss Shigun stopped talking as he saw Micheal hold up a hand, the powerful Head frowning slightly.

"That's not all the information I came to share." Micheal's eyes were cool as he continued,

"That tidbit was just to get your attention and prove I am worthy of trust. You can have your men check it over as proof that I'm not here to mislead you. It should only take a couple of days to see clear effects." He nodded his head.

The frown vanished from Boss Shigun's face as he looked at Micheal, considering. The two Team Leaders on either side of the Boss stared at Micheal intently as well, listening to his every word. Micheal had to restrain himself, again, from directly attack Bloody Iron Arm Cain.

"What do you want for all of this?" The Head of the Stardust Cluster Branch of the Godfather Organization was well aware that there was no free lunch in this world.

Micheal smiled,

"It's nothing complicated. I'm looking for her little sister, and I wish to become a close ally to your organization." He was open and honest. Those two were technically things he was looking for.

'Sophia never found her little sister, even when she became S Rank in the original timeline. 111,000,000 people came before us, her sister in the First Wave. There is no realistic chance that her little sister is in this Cluster, and likely not even in this Layer, so there should be no risk in asking about her, even with Cain here.' His thought process was rather simple.

"Oh? A sister?" Shigun turned his attention to Sophia, giving her a polite nod.

"You are Sophia, yes? You're looking for your little sister?"

Sophia nodded back, her expression demure,

"Yes to both. Anna Morgan, my little sister, came with the First Wave, years ago, and I've been worried sick about her ever since."

A few moments passed as Sophia described her sister. Shigun called one of his guards into the room, making them write down the description Sophia offered.

"If all you have given me is true, I will do my best to see if we can find your sister." Shigun gave Sophia a strong, reassuring nod. He looked down at his cigar for a moment, as if considering trying to take a drag from it before giving up, turning his attention back to Micheal.

"But if it's only this much, becoming a close ally of the Godfather Organization is still a bit much." If the Godfather Organization declared someone a close ally, that word was like stone. They would defend their close allies as they would their own, offering them safety and sanctuary.

"I'm aware." Micheal smiled again,

"I said I had two things to tell you, right?"

Shigun nodded his head slowly.

"The second fact I have is one I'll need to prove to you in person. It's a way to gain a vast amount of Points in a short amount of time, a method that can be repeated over and over." Micheal's voice was passionate and engaged as he spoke, giving him an air of authenticity.

"How many Points are we talking, here?" The Offensive Team Leader, Officer Martin, known to many as Martin the Hammer, spoke up, his voice wavering with curiosity.

"Tens of thousands." Micheal replied, his smile everpresent.

You could hear a pin drop in the silence that came after Micheal's announcement. All three of the men looked at him, a mixture of excitement, disbelief, and expectation filling their eyes.

"And what's more… Like I said, I can prove it to you."

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