"I remember you had questions for me... but I think you'll be the one answering mine first."
I looked at her. Is she about to cry? Great, now I feel like a generic anime villain again.
"D-do you even realize what you're doing?!" Zoe stammered. "Slavery is prohibited on Palpagos!"
"Haha! Look at you," I smirked. "The head of a criminal syndicate involved in poaching and robbery is trying to hide behind the 'law.' That's rich. You lost your right to the law the moment you attacked me. Now, let's skip the small talk. Lyleen, if you would."
Lyleen nodded and showered Zoe in a shimmering green pollen. Her scratches and bruises vanished instantly.
"Better. Now, Miss Rayne: where did you get a Grizzbolt that strong?"
"Miss Rayne?" she blinked.
"I need to call you something. Unless you prefer 'Boss'? But I'm not your lackey. Or maybe I should use the nicknames your subordinates use behind your back?"
"Just call me Zoe," she muttered.
"Too familiar. We aren't friends. 'Miss Rayne' it is. Now, the Grizzbolt. Talk."
"I caught it at one of the—"
[ Action: Michael summons his Iron Man gauntlet and fires a 25% power plasma blast at a nearby rock. ]
BOOM. The rock disintegrated. The recoil almost knocked me off my chair since I wasn't wearing the full suit.
"Don't bullshit me! My blasts crack Mammorest hides, but your Pal barely felt them. You didn't catch that thing. It's too strong."
"I-I don't know!" Zoe squeaked. "It was already captured when I found it and let it out. Maybe it has something to do with Victor and his 'PAL Genetic Research Unit'..."
The Loneliest Syndicate Leader
"Question two: How long until your 'friends' come to rescue you?"
Zoe's shoulders slumped. Her eyes welled up. "Don't worry. No one is coming."
"What? They just abandoned their boss?"
"I don't have friends," she whispered. "Only Grizzbolt."
She released her Pal from its sphere. The yellow giant immediately hugged her, tiny sparks of electricity jumping between them.
Note to self: Even humans caught in Pal-spheres can still summon their own Pals. That's... potentially dangerous.
I retreated to my bed later to think. Zoe is an orphan who was treated like a tool, hated by her own gang, and only has a monster for a friend.
I'm definitely the bad guy here.
According to her, there are five towers:
Rayne Syndicate (Zoe - Captured).
Free Pal Alliance (Lily Everhart - Basically Pal-PETA).
Brotherhood of the Eternal Pyre (Axel).
Palpagos Island Self-Defense Force (Marcus Dryden - Corrupt military).
PAL Genetic Research Unit (Victor - The most dangerous).
I decided to stay for one more week. I need to hit Level 20 in five more skills and maybe challenge Lily before I head back to the DC world.
Dinner and Cultural Shock
By evening, I went back to the roof. Zoe was lying on Grizzbolt's stomach, staring at the sunset.
"Hungry?" I asked.
"I'm not hungry..." she said, trying to sound offended, but her stomach betrayed her with a loud growl.
"Right. I'll be downstairs. More for me."
"Wait! I... I wouldn't mind eating," she blushed.
I let her out of the cage (after threatening to lock her in with a pack of Lovanders if she tried anything) and led her to the base's "Tavern."
I set out some bread, roasted Lamball (sorry, Roach), and a bottle of Pepsi.
"What is that?" she asked, pointing at the dark, fizzy liquid.
"Pepsi. It's like... sweet beer without the alcohol."
I gave her a glass. She sniffed it, took a sip, and her eyes went wide.
"It's delicious! More!"
"I only gave you a taste, greedy. It's my last bottle from the 'outside world.'"
"The outside world? Tell me everything!"
"Later. Drink your milk too," I said, pointing at a glass of hot milk. "I heard it helps you grow. Breasts included."
Her face turned beet red.
Click.
[ Achievement: Caught the Moment ]
That photo was priceless.
Michael's Status Update:
Current Location: Michael's Base (Palworld).
Company: Zoe Rayne (syndicate boss/prisoner/dinner guest).
Current Objective: Skill grinding and mapping the next Tower.
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~ Evey 150 PS = Bonus Chapter
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