JACG Chapter 85 ( No ducks!!)

The thoughts running through my head seemed to freeze at the message before me. Objectively I knew that the Chat Group was bound to provide missions it was just how it operated. I just did not think that it would be this soon. I did not have to go on the mission of course but I still wanted to. The rewards were far too tempting to simply op out.

The massive amount of points was able to fund my travel between the Chat Members. With those points I could buy some minor items and I was able to roll the Gacha whenever I wished. Fortuna would be capable of carrying the Gacha for me no matter which world I rolled. While those rewards were good they were not the one I was looking forward to the most. It was the Gacha ticket for the multiverse, with it I did not need to have the world connected to the Chat Group to get items. Meaning everything in the multiverse was open for me and with Fortuna on my side that was something priceless.

The Alpha Stigma came from that ticket and that thing has already paid for itself as far as I was concerned. I could not imagine getting another power that fit me just as well. That was the thing about having the multiverse open and having Fortuna guiding that pull. It would select something that would fit me incredibly well. An opportunity like that was not something I would give up.

So while I was not prepared for another mission I was not going to allow myself to not go. I was far too greedy to let go of such an opportunity. 

I looked over at my fellow Chat Member. Rias was vibrating in place with an excited look on her face. She was clutching the sword half of my Sacred Gear absentmindedly and staring at the distance with intense eyes. There was no doubt that she wanted to go on this mission.

She was perhaps the only other person really excited about going on another mission. Ashley could honestly not give a damn as long as I was not involved. Pyrrha might one to go on one out of curiosity but she was far too polite to push if others were more excited about it. Izumi knew that he did not exactly have the power to travel the multiverse so he tended to stay in his own lane. I was not quite sure about Argo but I felt like she had enough danger for a least a little while but who knows?

So Rias was my only real competition for the mission. While I did want to go on the mission I was not sure I had the heart to deny her again. I suppose I was planning far too early. I did not have much information other than that the mission was going to happen.

“You excited to go on a mission?” I questioned with a teasing smile on my face. Rias heard my question and dragged her attention away from the Chat Group for a moment. She seemed to recognize that she was being fairly obvious about her excitement as she shot me an embarrassed look but she still nodded rather happily.

“I can’t wait to travel to a world that is anime like.” She spoke out with a dreamy smile on her face. I was sure that she was rather excited about the prospect of visiting an anime world. That was just who she was there was no fighting that. It was ironic as she already lived in a world that many would classify as anime like even without knowing that it was an anime. The amount of supernatural bullshit that went around in her world was clearly anime like. 

“I can see that,” I spoke out lightly with a small smile on my face. Seeing her that excited really put into motion the thought that I could not deny her this again. Hopefully, it would not come down to that. Again she blushed at my comment but she seemed to recover quicker.

“How could I not be excited this is an anime world Prince-san!” She spoke out with stars in her eyes and I gave her a knowing look. I got where she was coming from and I could not say I felt similar in a certain sense. Even if the major driving force behind my actions was greed.

“Well here is hoping that it will be an anime like world,” I spoke out lightly. She took in my words and wore a pout on her face as she wanted to hear nothing about non anime worlds. I let out a light laugh at the sight of the girl before me.

“It better be!” She announced with a pout on her face. She seemed like she would blame me for it if it did not turn out that way. I rolled my eyes internally as I really had no way of enforcing that. It was up to the Chat Group and sure I would influence that decision but that was just my Luck. I had no active role to play there.

[Grade A Bottom: Oh this is happening again.]

[NTR Victim: Isn’t this a bit soon Prince and I just got back.]

[Overdramatic Fool: You are just saying that because you want me to come back with a Ragout Rabbit.]

[Khajit Has Information If You Have Coin: Damn you really went and called her out. So this thing is what happened to get Ashley and Prince to come to my world.]

[NTR Victim: That is not my only motive….just a large one.]

[I Was A Hunter But I Took An Arrow To The Heel: Wait what is this mission?]

[The Best Oppai In The Underworld: I called Dibs! I’m not missing the mission this time! I will travel to an Anime world and nothing will stop me this time!!]

[Overdramatic Fool: I think everyone can see how serious you are about this Rias-san. A mission is a task the Chat Group will assign us in another world. There are generous rewards at the end of the mission so it is not a thankless task but if you have no fighting potential it’s best to back off.]

[I Was A Hunter But I Took An Arrow To The Heel: Well, I have certainly been in a fight or two.]

[Grade A Bottom: I really want to travel to another world but I have not gotten anything good in the Gacha.]

[NTR Victim: Are you gonna go on this mission Prince?]

[The Best Oppai In The Underworld: No I am!]

[NTR Victim: Alright I get it already Magic Tits. You really want to go on the mission but that does not stop Prince from going again. The last mission only allowed two people to go who knows how many are going to go this time.]

[Overdramatic Fool: I won’t deny that I want to go on this mission as well.]

[NTR Victim: Alright cool in that case I’m coming along as well.]

[Overdramatic Fool: I figured that would be the case.]

[The Best Oppai In The Underworld: ….I will not be cut out again so you better hope there is enough space for me as well. The couple may want to go on a vacation with each other again but I guarantee that I will be a lightbulb next to you guys this time.]

With the last message Rias sent she wore a sour look on her face. The excitement on her face faded as the jealousy in her face became clear. I felt sweat beading down my back as if she really did accompany Ashley and I her feelings would be clear to anyone with a functioning set of eyeballs. Ashley was going to find out about this and I could not run damage control just yet. That was going to be a rather awkward conversation to have in the middle of a fucking mission.

Sometimes I really have to question my luck. This set of circumstances was clearly unfavorable to me yet it still happened. It was baffling and it was going to drive me crazy. Whatever it was not something I could do much about now. I could only assume that this would be for the best even if it did not feel like it was in this moment.

[The mission has been generated. Please select four members to take part.]

Seeing that prompt I felt both relieved and anxious. There was enough room for Ashley myself and Rias but that meant I had to have that awkward conversation. I suppose I can’t have it both ways. I did not want to deny Rias her place again and I also did not want to have that conversation at such an awkward moment. I was just going to have to deal with it as I could not have both in this case. 

Seeing the amount of people on the mission Rias sent an excited look at me. She was back to vibrating in place with a dreamy smile on her face. She was clearly happy that there was enough space so that everyone would get what they wanted. Although another sour look flashed across her face as she realized she was going to have to see Ashley and I being rather intimate.

That look faded quickly and she looked as if she was starting to chastise herself for the thoughts running in her head. 

[NTR Victim: Great you can be a lightbulb all you want Magic Tits.]

[Grade A Bottom: That’s more people than I expected. Well, I’m backing out now, I’m just glad that I am able to back out this time as well.]

[NTR Victim: Afraid I’ll bite?]

[Grade A Bottom: Well I was not before but now I am very much afraid of that happening.]

[NTR Victim: Baby.]

[The Best Oppai In The Underworld: Yeeeeeeeeeees there is no stopping me now. This mission will be mine!!]

[Overdramatic Fool: I think I made my stance clear as well that is three people definitely wanting to go and one person who is backing off early. So that leaves Argo and Hunter-san.]

[NTR Victim: You should definitely sign up Argo. I can finally stab you :3]

[Khajit Has Information If You Have Coin: Really feeling the love there Ashley. As tempting as that offer is I am still emancipated and stuck in a hospital bed. So I think I am going to back off as well.]

[Overdramatic Fool: Well that just leaves Hunter-san. So we have all four members for the mission.]

[I Was A Hunter But I Took An Arrow To The Heel: Oh brothers above I am going to face both of them at once.]

[Grade A Bottom: Stay strong Hunter-san. You will be facing a great evil but with enough strength and enough bird repellant you will make it through this!]

[I Was A Hunter But I Took An Arrow To The Heel: Already ahead of you Izumi-san. My inventory is filled with all the Duck repellant available in the stores near me!]

[NTR Victim: Is that like a lot? I figure something like that is a fairly niche product so you have like five of them or something?]

[I Was A Hunter But I Took An Arrow To The Heel: I have fifty of them….. You are right it’s not enough.]

[The Best Oppai In The Underworld: I think it’s a pretty good number Hunter-san.]

[Grade A Bottom: No she is right fifty is far too little, quick before the Chat sends you to another world buy as much as you can!]

[I Was A Hunter But I Took An Arrow To The Heel: Already on the move Izumi-san! He won’t get me this time!]

[Overdramatic Fool: I feel like you guys are not really thinking this through. The damage I can do is not just based on birds I could deal equal damage with literally anything it just so happened that birds were the choice of a weapon of the world. Not that I am planning on messing with you Hunter-san. This is a mission and I am not going to risk failure just to fuck with you.]

[Overdramatic Fool: Also I am not going to fuck with you for no reason. I thought I made that rather clear Hunter-san.]

[I Was A Hunter But I Took An Arrow To The Heel: I get that I really do Prince but I just can’t take the risk. Even if you are not behind it ducks are everywhere and I will not be caught off guard again!]

[NTR Victim: Damn what did the ducks do that has you so riled up?]

[Khajit Has Information If You Have Coin: It must have been something pretty crazy if she is more afraid of meeting ducks as opposed to the girl who admitted she might stab her.]

[The Best Oppai In The Underworld: I am kind of afraid of finding out. Izumi-chan had all of his merch destroyed by birds but Hunter-san had Prince messing with her way longer and he seemed way more annoyed back then.]

[Grade A Bottom: He was not even all that mad at me, he was just messing with me for Ashley-san. So I can’t imagine what happened to someone that actually annoyed him.]

[The Best Oppai In The Underworld: I can, the things that are happening to Riser right now are awful. If I did not hate the bastard for all that he was worth I would feel sorry for inflicting that torture on him. ]

[Overdramatic Fool: ….As much as I hate to admit this what I am doing to Riser is probably lighter than what happened to Hunter-san. I had no personal annoyance with Riser I just knew you hated him, with Hunter-san it’s different.]

[I Was A Hunter But I Took An Arrow To The Heel: They were everywhere…….EVERYWHERE!!!!]

[NTR Victim: Sweet so if I come to the mission wearing a duck costume would you freak out?]

[I Was A Hunter But I Took An Arrow To The Heel: Please don’t]

[Grade A Bottom: You would really do that Ashely-san !?!]

[Khajit Has Information If You Have Coin: She probably would……]

[The Best Oppai In The Underworld: Don’t poke at other people’s trauma Ashley-chan, Hunter-san has been through enough already. ]

[NTR Victim: But it would be hilarious.]

[Overdramatic Fool: I still feel kind of bad about this so can you not Ashley?]

[NTR Victim: But she would be shuddering at the sight of a small girl in a duck costume, when can I get to see shit like that?]

[Overdramatic Fool: You would also be wearing a duck costume, Ashley.]

[NTR Victim: …that would be pretty embarrassing but I could totally pull it off!]

[Grade A Bottom: Her priorities are always so surprising.]

[Khajit Has Information If You Have Coin: Yeah you learn to deal with it after years of her complaining about random woman near Prince. I swear she once wanted to dress up like a gnome because she heard this one girl really fucking hated the sight of them.]

[Overdramatic Fool: Really a gnome? That sounds like something she would do but it’s still odd to hear. She is far too impulsive for her own good.]

[Khajit Has Information If You Have Coin: Amen to that Prince. The amount of time I had to spend talking her down from some dumb plan is uncountable.]

[NTR Victim: I confided in you with confidence Argo! This betrayal will be remembered! Also my plans are not dumb!]

[Overdramatic Fool: Ashley you were planning on going to another world in a duck costume to fuck with a person you have no personal vendetta against.]

[Khajit Has Information If You Have Coin: Damn Prince you really just going to hit the mark dead on.]

[NTR Victim:.....Okay when you put it like that it does sound stupid. Fine I won’t wear a duck costume.]

[I Was A Hunter But I Took An Arrow To The Heel: You promise?]

[NTR Victim: Do you really need a promise out of me? I think those two bozos made it clear my plan was….not the best.]

[Khajit Has Information If You Have Coin: Dumb she meant to say her plan was dumb and everyone could see that it was dumb.]

[NTR Victim: Shut it Argo! It was not that bad….]

[Grade A Bottom: Okay the stab happy girl is pretty impulsive that’s nice to know. Even if it puts her threats of stabbing people into a whole new perspective.]

[Overdramatic Fool:....Honestly Izumi-san you are probably the only person she could actually stab.]

[Grade A Bottom: That does not make me feel better Prince-san.]

[NTR Victim: Hey!! I could totally stab Argo as well!]

[Khajit Has Information If You Have Coin: Again really feeling the love Ashley, truly the two years of friendship means so much to you.]

[NTR Victim: Shut it! If I am stabbing you then you totally deserve it!]

[NTR Victim: I could also stab Magic Tits and Ducklover69 don’t underestimate me!]

[The Best Oppai In The Underworld: I would very much like not to be stabbed so can we not provoke the girl that is willing to wear a duck costume to scare someone? ]

[Overdramatic Fool: I don’t see why you are so scared you could probably wipe the floor with the entire Chat Group if given the chance. If I did not have bullshit luck powers I would be scared of you.]

[NTR Victim: Magic Tits is that good?]

[Overdramatic Fool: Her brother is so ridiculously powerful that I could not even put into words the damage he could deal. Let’s just say that if he wanted he could wipe out a planet with just his presence.]

[Grade A Bottom: Did I ever tell you how much I appreciate our friendship Rias-san. Cause I really do appreciate it let’s trade manga right now.]

[The Best Oppai In The Underworld:....I did not want to fix our friendship like this Izumi-chan but I guess beggars can’t be choosers. ]

[NTR Victim: Fuck I don’t want Magic Tits to be cool again. Quick tell me something lame about her.]

[I Was A Hunter But I Took An Arrow To The Heel: I am still waiting for that promise.]

[NTR Victim: Still? Do you really think I would dress up like a duck after Argo made fun of me for the idea.]

[Grade A Bottom: Yes.]

[Khajit Has Information If You Have Coin: Is that even a question of course you would do that shit. You would find it even funnier that she thought that you were talked out of wearing the costume.]

[Overdramatic Fool: Again I would like to defend her but that sounds like something she would find joy in. Well, if you do manage to get the promise out of her she should keep her word.]

[The Best Oppai In The Underworld: I thought we agreed not to poke at other people’s trauma Ashley-chan! ]

[NTR Victim: Lame all of you are lame and you should feel bad about that.]

[Khajit Has Information If You Have Coin: See how she does not deny what we are saying but that she found our tatteling lame.]

[NTR Victim: Et tu Argo, Et tu.]

[NTR Victim: Why are we still here, the members have been decided already the Chat Group should have already sent us on the mission. That is what happened the last time.]

[Grade A Bottom: That is rather strange, the last time the mission popped up Prince-san and Ashley-san got sent immediately.]

[Khajit Has Information If You Have Coin: She is still trying to weasel her way out of promising to not wear a duck costume.]

[I Was A Hunter But I Took An Arrow To The Heel: Which is really driving me up the wall!]

[NTR Victim: I’M NOT GOING TO WEAR A DUCK COSTUME!!!]

[I Was A Hunter But I Took An Arrow To The Heel: Then just promise me!!!]

[Overdramatic Fool: I think I get what is happening, Technically Hunter-san has not agreed to be the last member. We just assumed they would be as they were the only one left but until she herself says she is coming the mission won’t start.]

[NTR Victim: Fuck that does make sense.]

[Khajit Has Information If You Have Coin: Why are you so upset about that Ashley, are you perhaps already wearing a duck costume?]

[NTR Victim: No…..]

[Overdramatic Fool: That’s not very convincing Ashley, can you take the costume off and just promise Hunter-san. I would like to start this mission already.]

[NTR Victim: Fuck it fine I promise that I won’t wear a duck costume on the mission. Are you happy now.]

[I Was A Hunter But I Took An Arrow To The Heel: …Is that promise trustworthy?]

[Khajit Has Information If You Have Coin: Yeah, Ashley may be a brat for the most part but she tried to stand by what she promises.  She does not want to disappoint Prince too much if she broke her promises too easily it would upset him.]

[The Best Oppai In The Underworld: Awww that’s sweet Ashley-chan.]

[NTR Victim: Betrayal! This shall be remembered Argo!]

[Grade A Bottom: Ashley-san will remember that.]

[Overdramatic Fool: I would not be too disappointed as I love her but it would upset me if she did not keep her word. So you should be good for the most part Hunter-san.]

[I Was A Hunter But I Took An Arrow To The Heel: Okay but if she does show up in a duck costume I am shooting her no questions asked. I am willing to sign up for the mission.]

[Members have been selected. Prepare for world travel!]

I let out a sigh as the moment has come. I looked over at Rias as she wore an expression that was child like in its excitement. There was also a hint of nervousness about what was to come next.

There were probably a million things going through her mind at the moment. The burning curiosity about the unknown and the fear of the same thing. The childish wish of visiting a world that only existed in her head for the longest time. The longing to spend time by my side and the dread of feeling like that in the first place. Conflicted feelings that dampened her light mood but it was something she had to be feeling.

I did not blame her for feeling the way that she did because I played a major part of that but it did not mean her feelings were convenient for me. It would be way better for me if she just treated me like a friend but that was not in the cards.

When I saw Ashley again I would have to drag her away from the rest to have that conversation. It might not be the best place to have the conversation but I was not going to leave her in the dark.

She might berate me for sticking around Rias after I knew how she felt but she did make a good point. Or maybe I was deluding myself in that sense. Maybe I just liked the feeling of someone liking me and I stuck around to experience it longer. I did not think that was the reason but what did I know?

I could tell myself hundreds of things but that did not make them true. It just meant that those words were what I wanted to be true. It was certainly possible that I was acting on feelings that I did not quite acknowledge.

Whatever the case was I could figure it out later. I had a mission to go on now. So I braced myself as the world around me faded in a flash of color and I was greeted with a new scene.