The Multiverse Hunter

"How much to fix it?" Ali asked, his voice calm but firm as he placed his tattered Sith uniform on the counter.

The craftsman, a short man with wiry glasses and a meticulous air, looked up from behind the counter. He inspected the uniform with a critical eye, running his fingers over the burned and ripped fabric.

"Sir, the material is extremely high quality. I'll have to source the exact fabric directly from Paradise," he explained, his tone respectful yet firm. "It'll cost at least 100 Paradise Coins."

Ali raised an eyebrow, hesitant to part with that much for a piece of clothing.

"One hundred? And you're sure you can restore it fully?"

The craftsman gave a confident nod. "It'll be even better than before, I promise. Just give me two days."

Ali considered this for a moment, his fingers tapping lightly on the counter.

"Alright. Here's the fee." He brought up his interface and confirmed the payment.

Paradise Coins: 2139 → 2039

The craftsman smiled, bowing slightly. "Thank you, sir. I'll take good care of it."

Ali walked out of the store and into the bustling streets of the Slum, the lively yet gritty heart of Paradise. His eyes drifted upward to the massive tower dominating the centre of the district, a monolith that seemed to loom over the chaos below.

"It's been a while since I was last here," Ali muttered, his voice low.

Paradise always had its peculiarities, but one of its most unsettling features was the time disparity between worlds.

Months or years spent in a different world often translated to mere minutes or hours in Paradise. For players, it could feel disorienting, as if their lives existed in two separate timelines.

Ali checked the time on his interface and moved to sit on a nearby bench, blending into the crowd yet standing out effortlessly.

He watched the daily rhythm of the Slum unfold before him: merchants haggling over goods, players discussing strategies for their next world, and new players running around like lost lambs.

His striking appearance naturally drew attention. Women walking by found themselves captivated by his handsomeness, their hearts fluttering despite themselves.

Dressed simply in the common Paradise grey clothes, Ali still carried an aura of power and mystery that seemed to whisper to them: He's untouchable. None dared approach him.

After a few moments, Ali stood and began walking. The crowd instinctively parted as he moved through, his presence commanding both respect and fear.

Those who tried to follow him discreetly found themselves losing track of him when he ducked into an alley.

Ali reappeared in a quieter side street where Catherine stood waiting for him. She was dressed in a stunning black dress, its open neckline highlighting her ample cleavage.

Her sharp eyes sparkled when she saw Ali approaching.

"Ali," she greeted warmly, her voice carrying a playful undertone.

"Catherine," Ali replied with a slight smile. "It's been a long time."

Her smile widened as she tilted her head knowingly. "A long mission?"

Ali caught himself and nodded. "About a month."

"A month is quite the long mission for the Slum?" Catherine said, her tone light as she extended her arm for him to take.

Ali took her arm in a gentlemanly manner. "Star Wars," he answered simply as they began walking. "A battle between Sith and Jedi."

Catherine's eyes lit up with interest. "Oh, Star Wars. I've always wanted to go there—travel in a spaceship, see the galaxy… It must have been quite lucrative. Star Wars is an excellent world for those strong enough to handle it."

Ali didn't mind sharing. The weekly review in Paradise would make his mission public knowledge soon enough.

"It was good," he admitted. "But enough about me. Do you know what's on the auction block tonight?"

Catherine leaned closer, her tone conspiratorial. "Not much, but I hear there'll be plenty for element users, given the number of guild members attending. Don't worry, though. There should be items for independent players like you, too."

After turning another corner, the pair entered a dark alley where a small line of merchants waited outside the auction entrance.

Ali recognised a few familiar faces, while Catherine, ever the socialite, seemed to know everyone.

Catherine intended to step into the line, but Ali gently held her hand and guided her past the waiting merchants.

The crowd murmured, some visibly annoyed by the breach of etiquette, but the irritation faded the moment they saw Ali.

His towering figure and overpowering presence silenced any protests before they could form.

At the front of the line, two merchants opened their mouths to complain, but as Ali approached, they took one look at him and immediately stepped aside, swallowing their words.

The door opened, revealing the underground auction entrance. Ali and Catherine descended the dimly lit staircase until they reached a pair of attendants dressed in striking white-and-red suits.

Catherine noticed the smirk forming on Ali's face as he spotted the attendants—a pair of twins with striking blue hair. The teenage girl nudged her brother, who turned to see Ali.

Gunther's calm expression darkened instantly. His new cat-like eyes, unnatural and piercing, narrowed as he took a step back.

"Well, well," Ali drawled mockingly, his tone dripping with amusement. "What do we have here?"

Gunther's sister shrank behind him, her eyes filled with hatred as she glared at Ali.

'What happened to him?' Ali thought as he noticed Gunther's feline eyes.

"How…? I thought you died," Gunther muttered, his voice shaky.

Ali's smirk grew colder. "You ran away, kid," he said, his tone icy. He stepped closer, and Gunther instinctively retreated.

"I thought you died—I swear! If I'd known—" Gunther stammered, his words tumbling over each other.

"It's fine, kid," Ali cut him off, his voice sharp. "Now let us in."

Gunther hesitated, his breathing uneven as he forced himself to calm down. "Of course," he said, stepping aside and opening the door for them.

As Ali and Catherine walked through, Gunther's sister hissed angrily, "Brother, you didn't check their passes—"

"Shut up," Gunther growled, his eyes flashing dangerously. He turned back to the door, muttering under his breath as the next guests arrived.

Catherine glanced at Ali as they entered a wider hallway. "Those kids looked absolutely terrified of you," she said, her lips quirking into an amused smile.

Ali shrugged nonchalantly. "Who isn't?"

"That boy's eyes… they were Witcher eyes. Impressive," Catherine mused, her tone thoughtful.

"Witcher?" Ali asked, intrigued.

"The world is called The Witcher," Catherine explained.

"It's a dangerous and beautiful place where enhanced humans fight monsters and sorcerers while kingdoms wage war. Witchers are made from children who undergo the Trial of the Grasses. Most don't survive, but those who do gain incredible strength, agility, and those signature eyes."

Ali listened intently. "Interesting," he said, his mind turning over the implications.

"Those twins… I met them after they butchered a couple in their home for fun. The girl's a psychopath. The boy's smarter—he takes care of her. They could do well in Paradise."

The auction hall was a grand theatre, its dim lighting and velvet-draped walls lending it an air of mystery.

Ali and Catherine took seats at the back, observing as the room filled with high-ranking guild members and seasoned merchants.

"It'll be an interesting night," Ali muttered, his sharp eyes scanning the crowd.

"It always is," Catherine replied with a knowing smile.

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