-
### **The Trade Begins**
Jack switched back to the main chat.
**Jack:** Yardrat, huh? I've heard the food there is... different. Hey, Goku, I'm sending you a digital packet. It's a collection of **[Gourmet Cooking Files]** from my world—recipes for stuff like deep-fried monster heart and ultra-caloric ramen.
**Goku:** WOW! Those pictures look amazing! I'm starving just looking at them!
**Jack:** They're yours. In exchange, I just want a tiny bit of that Yardratian soil and maybe a few strands of that "Super Saiyan" hair if you've got any lying around. I want to see if my Crafting System can handle "Ki-infused" materials.
**Goku:** Sure thing! I'll just scoop some up. And I've got plenty of hair—though it's back to black now that I'm not fighting. Does that matter?
**Jack:** (Smiling) Not at all, Goku. The DNA stays the same.
---
### **The Crafting Forecast**
**Jack:** (To the Group) Tony, Momonga—get ready. We're about to attempt the **[Saiyan-Stabilized Power Cell]**. If this works, Genos isn't just getting an upgrade; he's getting a heart that can jump-start a star.
**Tony Stark:** I'll start the simulations. But if the "Super Saiyan" hair starts glowing in my lab, I'm blaming you, Jack.
-
Jack and Saitama exist on a level of power that defies logic. They both possess a type of strength that seems to have no upper limit. Even though Jack has access to many side abilities and a complex Crafting System, these tools do not give him the advantage he might expect. In a direct confrontation with Saitama, all those extra skills and items fail to tip the scales in Jack's favor.
If the two were to engage in a serious battle, the outcome would be unexpected. Jack is so powerful that his very presence would push Saitama to grow even stronger. Instead of defeating him, Jack would act as a catalyst that forces Saitama to evolve at a speed far beyond his natural rate. The harder Jack fights, the more Saitama's power would skyrocket to meet the challenge.
When it comes to anyone else in existence, Jack is confident in his absolute victory. He believes he could easily defeat legendary figures like Superman Prime One Million, Hajun, or Akuto Sai. To Jack, these cosmic beings are not threats because he has spent a vast amount of time studying and harvesting the essence of the strongest heroes and villains across every reality.
Jack has spent his life creating and using special Serums made from the genetic material of the most powerful beings in the Omniverse. He has taken the raw physical force of characters like Metroman and the various Pantheons of gods. He did not stop at physical power, as he also integrated the brilliant minds of geniuses like Tony Stark, Bruce Wayne, and even the collective consciousness of the Zerg Hive Mind.
Even though his body is a cocktail of DNA from countless different entities, Jack has not lost himself. His mind and soul are still fundamentally human. This is because he used a specific Serum derived from Saitama that fused perfectly with his own essence. This connection acts as a permanent anchor for his humanity, ensuring that no matter how many god-like powers he absorbs, he remains as steady and unchanging as a mountain.
The Chat Group has expanded significantly since its inception, now boasting a diverse roster of over a dozen members from across various worlds. This growth has transformed the group from a simple communication hub into a thriving community of powerful individuals. As more members joined and interacted, the group itself evolved, undergoing several major updates that have refined its interface and capabilities.
Each time the group leveled up, it unlocked a wealth of new functions that were previously inaccessible. These upgrades have made it much easier for members to share resources, trade items, and coordinate their efforts across different dimensions. The system has become more intuitive and powerful, adapting to the needs of its high-level users and providing them with the tools necessary to manage their vast influence.
With these new functions, the members can now participate in activities that go far beyond basic conversation. The group serves as a central command for their various adventures, allowing them to track progress and share vital information in real time. As the level of the group continues to rise, the potential for what the members can achieve together grows even larger, making the Chat Group an indispensable part of their daily lives.
The system has introduced a feature that allows every member to spend their earned Points to create a brand new, separate chat group. This gives them the freedom to build their own smaller communities outside of the primary hub. When a member starts one of these groups, they gain full control over the settings and the environment of that specific space.
The creator of a new group has the power to handpick exactly who they want to invite. They can send custom invitations to specific individuals, ensuring that only the right people have access to their private conversations or specialized projects. This allows for more focused discussions that might not interest everyone in the larger group.
By creating a new room, the member officially becomes its Admin, giving them the authority to manage the rules and the roster of that space. Even with this new responsibility, they still remain an active member of the main chat group. This setup allows them to lead their own circle while staying connected to the entire community at the same time.
Jack has accumulated a massive amount of Points, so he decided there was no reason to hold back. He saw a perfect opportunity to use his wealth to satisfy a personal and somewhat vain interest. Since he was originally a reincarnator from Primordial Earth, his childhood was filled with memories of cartoons, animations, and many different stories. These fictional worlds left a deep impression on him, and he still carries a fondness for the characters he admired growing up.
Jack directed the first invitation to a very specific version of Lady Tremaine. In many stories, she is known as the cold and calculating stepmother who treats others with cruelty. However, the version Jack chose to invite does not come from the standard fairy tales or the common timelines found in most media. Instead, he reached into a much more adult and stylized corner of the multiverse.
The portrait Jack sketched was based on a specific alternate universe categorized by a distinct adult prefix. This version of the character is designed with an emphasis on physical appeal and a more provocative presence than the original villainess. By choosing this specific iteration, Jack ensured that her appearance and personality would align with the mature and specialized themes he established for his private group.
Jack provided the system with all the necessary details to locate this exact variant among the infinite possibilities of the void. He wanted the version of Lady Tremaine that possessed both her signature commanding personality and the specific physical traits found in that adult-oriented universe. Even though searching for such a rare and specific individual cost a high amount of points, Jack felt it was worth the investment to bring his childhood curiosity into his new reality.
-
Lady Tremaine sat in a small and dimly lit room that was a far cry from the grandeur she once commanded. It had been several years since her life of luxury collapsed and a wave of misfortune stripped her of her status and wealth. The heavy hand of karma had turned the once-powerful matriarch into someone who had to struggle for every basic necessity. Her fine silks had been replaced by worn fabrics, and the servants she used to command were now a distant memory of a life that no longer existed.
Despite the harshness of her current situation, she carried herself with a stubborn and unbreakable pride. Her back remained straight and her gaze was as sharp as ever, refusing to let the world see her spirit falter. However, the years of hardship had forced a change within her that went deeper than her physical surroundings. She no longer looked at the world with the same cold arrogance that had defined her past. The struggle to survive had tempered her soul and forced her to confront the consequences of her former cruelty.
Living a hard life taught her valuable lessons that she never would have learned in a palace. She discovered the weight of true labor and the value of a single quiet moment. While she still desired the comfort and power she once held, she now understood the fragility of such things. She had learned to be patient and observant in ways she never was before. This version of Lady Tremaine was still a woman of iron will, but she was now seasoned by the reality of the world and the echoes of her own past mistakes.
Jack took a moment to gather his thoughts before his fingers began to move across the interface of the Cultural Exchange. He wanted to make a strong impression while maintaining the air of mystery that came with being the Admin of such a unique system. He typed out a polite and welcoming message, treating the arrival of the former noblewoman with the respect her pride demanded.
His greeting was carefully crafted to be both inviting and intriguing. He introduced himself as the person who had brought her into this new digital space, explaining that she was now part of a unique circle of individuals from across different worlds. Jack used a tone that was friendly yet confident, making it clear that he was someone of significant influence who valued her presence.
As he hit the send button, Jack felt a sense of satisfaction. He knew that for someone like Lady Tremaine, who had been through so much hardship recently, the sudden appearance of a luxury like a multiversal chat group would be life-changing. He waited patiently for her response, curious to see how this matured and humbled version of the lady would react to his digital reach.
Lady Tremaine stared at the glowing interface that had manifested before her, her eyes narrowed in a mixture of suspicion and calculation. She was no longer the impulsive woman who ruled her household with a simple iron fist, as the years of poverty had taught her to look for the hidden thorns behind every rose. She reached out with a trembling but steady finger, testing the surface of the screen to see if it was a trick of the mind brought on by exhaustion or hunger.
When the text from the individual named Jack appeared, she did not rush to answer. Instead, she read the words over several times, dissecting the tone and the intent behind them. She noted the polite nature of the greeting and the title of the group, Cultural Exchange, which suggested a level of sophistication she had long missed. She wondered what kind of entity possessed the power to reach into her small, miserable room and offer a connection to other worlds.
Her first response was cautious and carefully phrased to hide her current state of desperation. She asked about the nature of this place and what was expected of her as a member. Even in her curiosity, she made sure to maintain a sense of dignity, acting as if she were still a lady of high standing who was simply considering a new social invitation. She was probing for information, trying to understand if Jack was a benefactor, a merchant, or something far more dangerous.
As she typed, she felt a flicker of the old ambition that had once driven her. If this Jack truly had the power he claimed, it could be the key to reclaiming the life she felt was stolen from her. She remained on guard, knowing that nothing in life was ever truly free, especially something as miraculous as a bridge between realities. She waited for his reply, her mind already working through the possibilities of how she might navigate this strange new social circle to her own advantage.
Jack maintained a calm and steady pace as he responded to the Lady's cautious inquiries. He did not want to overwhelm her or seem too eager, as he knew that someone of her stature and background would value composure and mystery. He sent a series of messages that explained the basic functions of the chat group, describing it as a neutral ground where people from across the vast void could share knowledge and resources. He spoke about the group as a rare opportunity for those with the potential to transcend their current circumstances.
While he provided answers, Jack also began to subtly ask questions of his own to gauge her current situation. He used polite but pointed language to inquire about the world she resided in and the status she held there. He phrased his questions in a way that allowed her to maintain her dignity, but he was looking for the cracks in her story that would reveal the hardship she was facing. He wanted to see how much of her former life remained and how much the weight of her recent years had changed her perspective.
Jack's tone remained that of a high-level benefactor who was simply curious about a new acquaintance. He hinted that the group offered many benefits to those who were willing to participate and contribute to the exchange. By acting as if he already knew she was someone of importance, he encouraged her to keep up her noble persona while simultaneously inviting her to be honest about her needs. He waited for her to reveal the truth of her struggle, knowing that the contrast between her proud words and her actual reality would eventually come to light.
Jack decided that a small display of his immense wealth would be the most effective way to gain her trust and cooperation. He navigated to the direct message function and selected the option to send an item through the system. With a casual flick of his wrist, he authorized the transfer of a heavy bucket filled to the brim with pure gold coins. To him, this was a negligible expense, but he knew exactly what it would represent to someone in her position.
In Lady Tremaine's small and drafty room, a sudden shimmer of light appeared on the floor. Before she could even gasp, a solid, wooden bucket manifested out of thin air. The room was instantly filled with the brilliant, warm glow of gold. The coins were stamped with unfamiliar symbols, but the weight and the unmistakable shine told her everything she needed to know. The sheer value of the gift was enough to buy her way back into high society several times over.
Jack followed the gift with a simple message, explaining that he understood the value of comfort and that he wished for his first member to be at ease. He did not ask for anything in return, nor did he mention her poverty directly. By presenting the gold as a simple welcoming gesture, he allowed her to keep her pride while providing the lifeline she so desperately needed. He wanted her to understand that being part of his circle meant access to a level of abundance she had never imagined.
The sight of the gold left Lady Tremaine breathless and momentarily stunned. She looked from the overflowing bucket to the glowing screen, her heart racing with a mixture of fear and exhilaration. The lessons she had learned about the harshness of life were suddenly met with a miracle that could undo years of suffering. She realized that the person on the other side of the chat group was not just a conversationalist, but a being of incredible power who could change her destiny with a single thought.
Lady Tremaine stared at the gleaming gold, but she did not reach for it immediately. Her years of navigating the treacherous waters of high society, followed by the bitter cold of poverty, had taught her one absolute truth: every gift has a price. She knew that the more generous the offering, the more significant the debt being created. In her mind, this Jack was not a simple philanthropist, but a powerful architect setting a foundation for a future request.
She understood that by accepting this bucket of gold, she was effectively signing a contract with an entity she did not yet comprehend. To a woman who had lost everything, this was both a lifeline and a cage. She recognized that Jack was buying her loyalty, her attention, and perhaps her very soul, using a currency that was trivial to him but life-changing for her. The fact that he called it a welcome gift only made her more wary, as it was a tactic she herself had used to put others under her thumb in the past.
Despite her deep suspicion, she also knew she had no choice. Refusing such wealth while living in squalor would be a foolishness she could no longer afford. She realized that in this new relationship, Jack held all the power, and her only path to survival was to play along with his game. She composed herself, forcing her shaking hands to be still, and began to formulate a response that would show her gratitude without making her appear weak or overly desperate.
She decided to accept the gift with the grace of a noblewoman receiving a tribute, rather than a beggar receiving a handout. She understood that if Jack wanted her for his Cultural Exchange, he valued her for more than just her presence; he valued the persona and the intellect she possessed. As she looked back at the screen, she resolved to remain useful and intriguing to him, knowing that as long as she held his interest, the gold would continue to flow, even if the eventual price was one she had yet to discover.
Jack decided to bridge the gap between their worlds by sharing his own image first. He uploaded a high-definition 3D portrait of himself, appearing as a man of immense presence and vitality. His features were sharp, his gaze was piercing, and his body looked like it was carved from stone, marked with subtle battle scars that spoke of a long history of conflict. By showing himself in such a powerful and perfected state, he established a standard of honesty and transparency for the group.
Along with the picture, Jack sent a direct request for Lady Tremaine to do the same. He wanted to see the person he was talking to, framing it as a necessary step for their mutual exchange. However, this demand filled Lady Tremaine with a deep sense of dread. She looked at her reflection in a cracked, dirty mirror and saw a woman who bore little resemblance to the portrait Jack had used to find her. The years of hunger and manual labor had taken a heavy toll on her physical form.
She hesitated, her fingers hovering over the interface. Her skin had become thin and sagging, losing the porcelain smoothness she once maintained with expensive creams. Her back, once as straight as a spear, was now slightly hunched from the weight of her burdens, and her hands were calloused and worn. In her own eyes, she looked like a decrepit old woman who had been discarded by time itself. She feared that if Jack saw the reality of her current state, the illusion of her nobility would shatter instantly.
The shame of her appearance felt like a heavy weight in her chest. She was terrified that the gold would be taken back or the connection severed once he realized she was no longer the vibrant, commanding figure he expected. She sat in the dim light of her room, caught between the necessity of obeying a powerful benefactor and the crushing embarrassment of revealing how far she had truly fallen. She knew she could not hide forever, but the thought of showing her withered form to a man who looked like a god was almost more than her remaining pride could bear.