SWNOVELXO Chapter 21: Chapter 21
A new Powerstone Week has begun! Let's all cast our votes and feed me those delicious power stones!The goal remains the same: Every 50 power stones = one bonus chapter.
Alex sat cross-legged on the polished hardwood floor of his dorm room, surrounded by a chaotic but organised array of several black leather-bound notebooks, each filled with meticulous notes and calculations. A slim, sleek laptop glowed in front of him, its screen illuminated with colourful spreadsheets detailing his most recent venture. A cigarette, still smouldering, rested idly in a nearby ashtray, forgotten as his attention locked onto the numbers on the display.
"Eighty weapons to the Gojo clan," he murmured to himself, his voice barely above a whisper, as he meticulously analysed the figures. "One hundred and twenty to the Kamo branch. Total contract value: two billion yen." The numbers danced before his eyes as he scrolled down, his brow furrowed in concentration. Payments received, shipping costs, and enchanted metallurgy expenses are all meticulously accounted for.
And then, the final figure appeared: a profit of 1.9 billion yen. A grin broke across his face as he leaned back in his chair, his hands folding behind his head in a gesture of relaxed confidence. A rare, prideful smirk tugged at his lips. "Not bad for some scrap metal and a few sleepless nights," he mused. The satisfaction was palpable, a tangible feeling that surged through him. This win wasn't about greed; it was about achieving freedom. It was about control over his life and his choices. No more missions driven by necessity. No more limits imposed by circumstance.
With a soft click, he closed the laptop, his heart racing with excitement. He reached for his phone, the prospect of a new chapter ahead buoying his spirits.
Later that afternoon, under the bustling, neon-lit skies of Shibuya, Alex approached an impressive glass-walled high-rise. The towering structure glimmered in the sunlight, reflecting the vibrant energy of the city. Beside him, the real estate agent fidgeted nervously, her hands anxiously shifting the folder of documents. "This... is the most expensive unit in the building. It's a penthouse. Two floors," she stammered, glancing at him as if to gauge his seriousness.
Without hesitation, Alex produced a sleek black card, its surface smooth and cool to the touch, featuring a single kanji character intricately etched in silver. He handed it to her with a poised determination. The woman blinked in surprise, her mouth slightly agape. "You're serious?" she asked, her voice cracking with disbelief.
"I want the keys today," he stated, conviction lining his voice.
Hours later, Alex stood in the heart of his new sanctuary. The penthouse was a striking blend of modern luxury. It reinforced sorcerer-grade infrastructure, designed to withstand anything that might threaten it. Floor-to-ceiling windows stretched across the walls, offering a breathtaking, panoramic view of Tokyo's sprawling skyline, a shimmering sea of lights and life. The sleek, dark stone floors gleamed beneath his feet, while minimalistic, custom-designed furniture adorned the space, exuding both elegance and comfort.
He finally shed his coat onto the velvet-backed sofa, taking a deep breath and letting the silence envelop him. For once, it was his. It was a moment of solitude and reflection.
The elevator chimed softly, breaking the tranquillity. Alex turned just in time to see Nobara stepping out, her eyes wide with awe as she slowly spun to take in the magnificent view. "Holy shit," she breathed, her voice filled with surprise and admiration. "You live here now?"
A mischievous smirk crept onto Alex's face. "We live here. If you want," he replied nonchalantly.
Her cheeks flushed with excitement as she walked over, leaning in to plant a quick kiss on his cheek. "You're serious?" she asked, her expression a mix of disbelief and excitement.
He took her hand, gently guiding her towards the expansive windows. "You always said you hated living in the dorms. Now you don't have to," he explained, his tone light but sincere.
Her eyes sparkled with delight as she turned back to him, an infectious joy radiating from her. "You're still you, though. Still the same grumpy bastard."
"Maybe," he chuckled, giving her a wink. "But now, I can afford to spoil you."
She laughed softly, wrapping her arms around his waist and gazing up at him playfully. "Then start by buying me everything in Shibuya."
Alex laughed in return, the sound rich with warmth. "Deal."
They spent the evening exploring every corner of the stunning apartment, fingers interlaced as their laughter echoed through the high-ceilinged rooms. In a walk-in closet that dwarfed her entire dorm room, Nobara tried on a pair of designer shoes, laughing and twirling. Alex, on a whim, ordered a set of exquisite kitchen knives after she remarked about how dull the blades in the dorm were.
By nightfall, they sprawled comfortably on the oversized sofa, takeout boxes spread between them, as casual banter flowed, music playing softly in the background. The Tokyo skyline sparkled beneath them like a sea of stars, and Alex felt something within himself shift. It wasn't just his bank account that had changed; he sensed a growing stability, a newfound power, and something almost close to happiness blossoming in his chest.
Suddenly, his phone buzzed on the coffee table, breaking the momentary calm. It was a message from Gojo. Alex hesitated, contemplating whether to ignore it, but curiosity got the better of him, and he answered.
"Hey, Mr. Millionaire," Gojo's voice crackled through the line, a mixture of mischief and urgency in his tone. "Or should I say billionaire?"
Alex groaned, already anticipating what was to come. "Get to the point."
"We're hosting a tournament," Gojo announced cheerfully, unbothered by Alex's lack of enthusiasm.
Alex raised an eyebrow, intrigued but sceptical. "Why?"
"Because tensions are high, the clans are eyeing each other with suspicion, and the higher-ups want to display a show of power. Young talent, elite skills... Flashy PR and bloody knuckles to keep everyone entertained," Gojo elaborated, his tone almost gleeful.
"Sounds stupid," Alex replied, shaking his head, his shoulders slumping in annoyance.
"Oh, it is," Gojo agreed with a laugh. "But it's mandatory."
A heavy pause filled the space between them.
"For me?" Alex asked, realising the implications.
"For everyone," Gojo confirmed, his tone now serious.
Alex walked over to the massive windows, his gaze drifting down to the glittering sprawl of the city below. "So it begins again," he murmured to himself, a bitter taste of nostalgia settling in.
"Oh, and one more thing," Gojo added, a sly grin evident in his voice. "The Zenin clan wants revenge."
An unsettling smile spread across Alex's face, a mixture of defiance and challenge. "Let them try," he replied, his voice low and steady as he hung up the call. As he turned to look at Nobara once more, he felt a rush of adrenaline course through him, aware that the peaceful life he had started to build was on the brink of being disrupted once again.