The Achievement Junkie

"The name's Jack, but you'll know me better as Jack_J."

"Y-you?!" Trax tensed up as he overheard Jack's statement.

"You… When can you come to see me?" Choron asked, not doubting Jack in the slightest after Jack's verbal recollection of ancient events.

"Well, I've got a few things I need to finish first," replied Jack. "I know you're a god and all, but I've already made plans to visit Jin, Lyrun, and Eedaj first."

"Jack, this request is of the utmost importance."

"Maybe, but visiting those three has something to do with reviving Trodar. And since you orchestrated selling weapons to Prachten, I'm sure you already realize how important that is to me," reasoned Jack.

Choron chuckled, "Of course, what I have to offer will be of aid to Trodar as well. I've become labeled as one of the rebel gods and I can offer you information on the other rebel gods."

"Thanks, but no thanks. I've already spoken to Sterfen about that."

"Sterfen… Well, then allow me to offer my support in your endeavors should you need it."

Jack paused for a moment, taking that in. "You, the Ninja God, are offering me a favor?"

"Such a thing is not impossible," stated Choron. "There is something I need done and you are the only hero to ever achieve something of equal caliber."

"But how did you know that I would be here?" Jack questioned. "It's no longer Ancient Kartonia and this method wouldn't work to find me in the past. How did you know this would work, or that I would even be in Modern Kartonia?"

"Daruun told me of his champion, and that is why I seek your aid."

"Daruun told you about me? When?"

"Before the Godly War, just after your disappearance from Ancient Kartonia," explained Choron. "It was at that time that I wished to seek you for aid, but you had already disappeared and could not be found by myself or Sterfen. With neither of us able to find you, Daruun was my only option to find you.

"I made an exchange with Daruun in exchange for the information and learned that you would be here as his champion. For that reason, I've had my pupil acting on my behalf for the past few years to draw you out."

"Wait… You've been sitting on this quest since before the War of the Gods?"

"Correct."

Jack's mind went crazy trying to quickly come up with an inkling of what the quest might be. "And what's in it for me if I complete this task? I may just be a mortal, but your next few words will determine if I accept your request and when I'll get around to it."

"Very well… My offer contains a few things. First, you'll gain that pupil as a member of your party and will be allowed to use him as you see fit."

With a laugh, Jack started to understand how shrewd the Ninja God was.

"Second, I will owe you one favor that I will be bound to fulfill so long as it is within my power."

The smile on Jack's face widened exceptionally. He loved the thought of having a god owe him a favor. That was something money couldn't buy, something that even during his hunt for achievements Jack had never been able to earn.

"And third, I'm willing to relocate to and operate publicly from Trodar."

That final reward rocked Jack's unprepared heart. From what Sterfen and Lunara had told him, the gods were being ordered to remain hidden. He didn't sully understand their circumstances, but Jack knew that Choron's third offer shouldn't be possible."

"Choron… Are you and the other gods unable to go public for the time being? According to Sterfen, you all have been ordered to--"

"The order was given but that changes nothing," Choron confidently replied. "Once you succeed in fulfilling my request, I'll be more than able to go public once again."

"But… How?"

"Come to me and you'll learn," stated Choron. "I've been waiting for over a millennia and now I can finally fix that error I made ages ago. But only with your help."

"Hmmm…" Jack was torn. He needed to finish the necessary steps to gain control of Trodar, but such a tempting offer had to be considered.

But, one thing wasn't making sense. If Daruun knew that this was going to happen, why didn't he include visiting Choron in his steps to gain control of Trodar? Surely, convincing a god to relocate and make Trodar his new public home would instantly give Jack influence over the people. Yet this wasn't included.

"You won't tell me anything else over the crystal?"

"Jack… I need your aid and I'm willingly offering you something that no god has ever granted. At least come and see me personally. Then we can talk more clearly of this," reasoned Choron. "Your stay doesn't have to be quick, but I wish that you can hear me out and accept my request, even if it's not fulfilled immediately."

"... Okay, I'll see you. But promise that you���ll stop supplying Prachten with weapons."

"Done," Choron chuckled. "Oh, and come alone. It's best if only you know where my shine resides."

"Alright, I'll have Trax take me…"

"No, I'd prefer he stay with your party. Consider it as my offer of protection for them while you're away. Also, he's only ever entered with my aid. But you should be able to enter by yourself, given your reputation."

Jack laughed, "You want to test me?"

"Correct," replied Choron. "It will prove you are who you've claimed to be."

"This won't take like a year or two to complete, will it?" asked Jack in an annoyed tone.

"No. For Jack_J., this should be simple."

"Alright, I'll find my way over but I'm bringing my beast companion."

"I'll allow the Hell-flame Fox to accompany you. It shouldn't affect anything," stated Choron.

"Then I'll be seeing you soon."

"Yes… I'll be waiting."

Taking in the meaning behind that conversation, Jack let loose a long sigh as he tossed the contact crystal back to Trax. He walked up to the ninja and threw his arms onto Trax's shoulders. "Welcome to the party, Trax!"

"HUUUH?!" Even more confused than before, Trax stammered and mumbled, "T-that can't be. I've got so much… And with Choron I need…"

A few seconds later, Trax heard an aged voice in the depths of his mind. "Follow Jack's orders. From now on, you will party with the greatest hero of all ages."

"But I…" Trax then remembered the fame and notoriety behind Jack's former self, the Legend of Trodar. The thought of partying with such a famous figure filled Trax's heart with pride, but Trax also remembered Jack's infamy among the heroes, which practically outweighed Jack's worldly fame.

"No buts… From now on, you can consider him as your Lord, whom the ninja serves whole-heartedly," stated Choron, filling Trax with a sense of duty and pride.

"Y-yes, my Lord."

"I'm no longer your lord, I just told you this," sighed Choron. "I'm still your master, but Jack is your lord. Remember that."

"Yes, Master."

"What's wrong?" laughed Jack, overhearing Trax's side of the conversation. "Begging Choron to no join my party? It's too late for that."

"No, I just had my doubts as to whether you're worthy of being my lord with your noob level," replied Trax.

"Well, that will get fixed in time. For now, let's all get back to the hotel. We've got a slight change of plans," Jack stated as he started sprinting through the alleys.

Rydel followed closely while Trax stayed at the rear. He would need some time to fully incorporate himself into a new party as a former solo player, much like Jack before Jack was summoned to Modern Kartonia.