After leaving the CIC—with only Shepard staying behind to brief the Council—Alex descends a deck and heads into the crew quarters. Thankfully, only two soldiers are inside, both far away from his bed.
He drops onto his mattress and opens his system, checking his World Fragments count. It’s spiked to over 1000.
I’ve got the S+ rank in the bag… I could even abort the mission right now and still walk out of here with top rewards. But I don’t want to. I’ve grown so much stronger since I entered this world. These constant battles have sharpened my senses, and with my current skills and gear—I’ve got the confidence to see this through.
Without further delay, Alex uses one more [Blood Essence] to activate [Drakul’s Vitality R2], his stack now almost completely depleted.
As the familiar power washes over him, he hesitates.
Is it really worth it? Pushing LUK even higher? Does it make a difference anymore? …Well, the gap between a Blue and a Purple item is significant. So yeah—fuck it. Let’s go!
You have lost Blood Essence
All Stats Increased by 6
Not wasting any more time, he opens his remaining blue chests.
You have received Soul Crystal (Small)
You have received 10,000 FC
You have received 5,000 FC
You have received Krogan Life-Essence
Not bad… another one of those Essences. That makes two now. I’ll hand them over to Menchi—they seem pretty rare!
Finally… I guess it’s time to do it.
System, use [Uzin’s Blessing] on [Strength Ring (+3)]!
The tribal charm from Wrex begins to glow, divine power radiating from it. A spectral light rises—red and black, filled with a violent rage that seeps into the air like poison.
As Alex stares, his hands curl into fists. The violent, hate-filled energy slowly wraps around his [Strength Ring (+3)], engulfing it. The ring glows, then begins to shift, its form morphing as it’s imbued with Uzin’s power.
You have lost Strength Ring (+3)
You have received Uzin’s Rage
[Uzin’s Rage]
World: Mass Effect
Quality: Light Black
Type: Ring
Required Stats: STR - 20, AGI - 20, SPR - 20
Effect: Increases STR by 8 (Flat boost, not increased by skills)
Effect: Lingering Rage - Increases all damage caused by attacks or skills, not dependent on items, by up to 25%, depending on Current HP. The maximum amount is reached when HP is less than 20%.
Effect: Release Rage - Allows the user to sacrifice 100 HP to cleanse them from most negative effects and temporarily increase STR and AGI by 20 for 10 seconds, and make them immune to most negative effects and spells for the duration.
Effect: Avatar of Vengeance - Doubles the user's base STR and AGI, grants them the unstoppable effect, making them immune against all effects, and reduces incoming damage by 80%. This effect takes precedence over all lesser effects, trying to cancel this one. Lasts 30 seconds. Can be used once every 24 hours.
Warning: If base SPR is less than 50% of his combined STR and AGI, the user will control and fall into a rage state, causing him to violently attack anyone close by.
Warning: Wearing it causes the user to prefer taking vengeance if he feels wronged.
Note: The Ultimate Vengeance is delivered up close and personal.
Note: Without a strong mind, unfiltered rage will lead to catastrophic outcomes.
Alex rubs his eyes and stares at the system window again, scanning the description line by line. Then he looks at the ring in his hand.
It’s forged from black and red metal, pulsing with barely contained fury. The surface shifts subtly, as if the metal itself is alive and angry.
Light Black?! How the hell… This thing has four separate effects—and they’re all completely insane!
A single effect that grants 8 STR?! Even Gold-quality items usually cap out at 5! And this is the weakest effect?! Up to 25% more damage at low HP? That’s even more insane.
Then there’s Release Rage—sure, sacrificing 100 HP isn’t nothing, but for 10 seconds I become immune to almost everything… and get +20 STR and AGI on top of that? That’s absurd.
But the last effect…. That’s why it’s a Black item. That’s not just strong—it’s a cheat. Doubling STR and AGI, immunity to everything, and taking 80% less damage? That’s a temporary godmode.
Sure, the SPR requirement could be tricky for some players, but not for me. My base stats are balanced. I’ll never lose control of it. As for the ‘vengeance’ downside… I’ve always liked vengeance. I’ll take that risk. No way will I refuse to use this ring!
Hands trembling in anticipation, Alex equips the ring. The moment it slides onto his finger, flashes of black and red lightning fill his eyes. For a brief instant, he sees the silhouette of a massive, godlike figure looming in the sky—its form impossible to comprehend. Before he can process what he's seen, the vision vanishes, and everything returns to normal, Alex just calmly relaxing in his bed.
Alex feels a surge in his strength. His body feels lighter, more dangerous—he almost can’t contain the power rushing through him.
But then, as he tries to recall the figure in the sky, a sudden, sharp pain stabs into his mind. He groans, grabbing his head.
What the hell was that?! Better not think about that figure anymore... Are Black items tied to divinities?Also, this item… it can be traded.I need to be careful. If anyone finds out I have this… I’m dead.
More than satisfied—if slightly unsettled—Alex lies down, exhaustion catching up with him hard.
He wakes up later to the sound of footsteps and crew voices nearby, echoing with excitement.
“Did you hear that? We’re heading back to the Citadel! We’re getting reinforcements!”
“Finally, someone’s taking this seriously!”
“A joint species fleet! That hasn’t happened in decades!”
Still feeling drained from the effects of [Drakul’s Vitality R2], Alex rests a bit longer before finally rising. He walks toward the cockpit, but before ascending to the top deck, he stops by the med-bay.
Ashley is awake now, sitting upright on her bed. She looks better—pale, but alert.
“How are you feeling, Ashley?” Alex asks, stepping into the room.
“I’m fine,” she replies with a tired but genuine smile. “I heard you saved my life by shoving weird drugs down my throat. Whatever it was… thank you. I owe you. I’ll make sure to repay the favor.”
“No need,” Alex replies, smiling back. “We’re comrades.”
He turns to leave. “I’ll check on Joker—we should be arriving at the Citadel soon, if what I’ve heard is true.”
Ashley nods, her expression softening.
Alex climbs to the top deck and enters the cockpit, where only Joker is present.
“How’s it going, Joker?” Alex asks.
“Pretty damn good, actually,” Joker says with a grin. “Looks like things are finally falling into place. In a couple of hours, we’ll be at the Citadel, and then Saren’s gonna get hit by the combined wrath of every Citadel species.”
“Are you sure about that?” Alex asks, a tinge of regret coming over him for choosing these exact words.
Joker blinks and turns in his seat. “What do you mean?”
Alex crosses his arms, leaning against the frame. “The Council usually plays it safe. They’re more interested in saving face than taking action. Wouldn’t surprise me if they went all defensive again.”
“Don’t jinx it, Kerber!” a voice cuts in from behind.
Alex turns around. Shepard is standing there, arms crossed, watching them with a tired but amused look.
“Well, I retract my cursed statement then, Commander,” Alex says. “Surely the Council will, for once, do the right thing, like they did in the past….”
Shepard narrows her eyes, fully realizing what Alex has just said, “Now I’m actually worried. The way you said that… it sounds like your fears might be spot-on. But after everything we’ve uncovered, surely they have to believe us.”
“I’m sure there’s nothing to worry about,” Joker adds, still sounding optimistic. “ETA two hours, Commander.”
Alex makes sure to contact Menchi, mentioning the [Krogan Life-Essence], the stack of [Varren Meat], and the remaining [Geth Part] he picked up on Feros. He tells them to meet him at the bay so he can hand over the items before heading off to face the Council.
As he finishes typing his message, a memory from Noveria suddenly flashes across his mind. He sighs.
What will they think when they learn about Benezia...? Let me deal with that after this mission.
Two hours later, after jumping through the mass relay, the Citadel comes into view in the distance.
The Normandy quickly approaches and docks at the same bay as before, still reserved exclusively for the ship.
Shepard gathers the team outside. Captain Kirrahe, his surviving men, and the Krogans exit the Normandy after exchanging short farewells.
The moment Alex steps out, he spots Menchi waiting at the same place as last time. Without hesitation, he walks over and gives her a hug, using the system to transfer over his remaining Credits, the Varren Meat, and both Essences.
While hugging her, his hand moves around her back, gently petting Jewel, who is clinging tightly to Menchi’s shoulder.
“This will be over soon,” Alex says quietly. “It’s almost done.”
“Make sure to come back,” Menchi replies, her tone serious as she meets his gaze.
Promise Princess Jewel, you’ll return safely!
Don’t worry, Jewel, this world was a jackpot. A massive success. Even better than Naruto! I’ll be fine.
As he chats briefly with the two of them, Alex notices Shepard and the rest of the crew approaching from behind.
“Sorry… I don’t have time right now,” he says quickly. “You two should get somewhere safe. You can’t fight during this mission, after all. How’s your research going?”
“Don’t worry about it!” Menchi replies smugly. “Already finished! You focus on your part, alright?”
Alex smiles, raises a hand in farewell, and walks away, moving to rejoin the others.
Soulmate…!
Calm down, Jewel. I’ve got this. I'll see you later!
“Sorry about that. I’m ready now,” Alex says as he returns.
“Your sister must be worried,” Shepard replies. “It’s fine if you need a few more minutes.”
Alex laughs. “So what, you want to make the Council wait while I chat with my sister? Don’t worry about it. Let’s go. Udina’s probably already waiting for us, right?”
Shepard nods, then turns to address the rest of the crew.
“Let’s move out!”