Alex had to spend some time calming the girls down after they learned the harsh truth about their universe. It was revealed to them that everything happening around them was nothing more than a meticulously staged performance orchestrated by a powerful being for its own amusement… before it would devour the universe itself.

None of the girls could have imagined that the zombie apocalypse they’d endured was merely a part of that terrifying spectacle. But the most horrifying revelation was that another powerful being had also invaded their universe — one that sought immortality for its people, destroying universe after universe to achieve that goal.

Alex had to confess: the creatures they believed to be mutated undead were actually demons. However, he deliberately avoided going into detail — the how and why of their transformation into demons didn’t matter in that moment.

To steer the girls away from grim thoughts, he offered to answer any questions they had. And they didn’t hesitate — they bombarded Alex with questions, which he answered calmly and patiently, occasionally even demonstrating his abilities. When the conversation shifted to other worlds, the mood in the room lightened significantly.

From Alex’s words, the girls learned that countless universes existed — some similar to their own, others completely surreal. To ease their doubts, Alex told them that any world they could imagine — no matter how absurd — could very well exist. This included worlds from movies, manga, and comics.

Some of the girls’ theories were downright insane, but Alex only smirked and confirmed, “Yes, those worlds exist too.”

“Is there a world where we can fight and get stronger?” asked Chun-Li, Cammy, Miu, Renka, Saeko, Rei, and Beatrix — nearly in unison.

“I wanna go to a fantasy world and become a real demon king!”Koko said cheerfully, with Ada immediately backing her up.

But when Alex casually mentioned that the world of Harry Potter existed, Saya’s eyes practically lit up.

“Are you saying… a school for magic is real?” Shizuka said dreamily.

“That’s so cool! But how do you even get in? You need a letter, right?” Rika pointed out, nodding thoughtfully.

“Didn’t think you were that obsessed. You wanna become a witch, Rika?” Koko teased with a smirk.

“Hate to break it to you, girls… but to attend that school, you need to be a kid,” Kiriko said softly, with a small smile.

A brief but very telling silence followed. The girls exchanged looks and let out a collective sigh. Their grand plan had crumbled before it even began. Alex sighed quietly as he watched them shift from panic to arguing about magic schools in record time. Perhaps that was for the best.

Meanwhile, Ada was already thinking about what she could steal from Hogwarts, while Koko pondered how to start an arms trade in a magic world. Alex listened to their ideas and struggled to keep a straight face. But deep down, he knew most of them wouldn’t last long in a magic academy. Saya, Yuriko, and Koko maybe could manage.

Shizuka would probably survive on sheer luck alone. If Rebecca were here, she would’ve already pulled something so outrageous that Hogwarts would be blasted into space. And Brunhilde? She’d make a far better professor — especially for Defense Against the Dark Arts — than a student.

He even gave her a squinty look, as if mentally assigning her the position. Brunhilde caught his gaze and seemed to be considering it.

“Well, I can solve that problem,” Alex said with a smirk, cutting through the girls’ debate.

“That’s right! We’ve got a super-powerful husband now!” Rika cheered. “So how exactly are you gonna fix our enrollment problem?”

Alex didn’t say a word. His body was enveloped in a soft light, and when it faded, a ten-year-old boy with the same familiar features sat on the couch. The girls’ mouths dropped open in shock, and in their eyes, very suspicious thoughts began to form.

Alex noticed it right away. He knew too well where this was going. In his child form, the girls usually became overly affectionate—not in a bad way, but sometimes a little too intense. He still didn’t understand what exactly about this form awakened their maternal instincts so strongly.

“This is how it works—through an age-altering spell,” he said in a childlike voice.

“You’re so cute! Can I hug you?!” Shizuka exclaimed and immediately wrapped him in a tight, almost suffocating embrace.

Alex didn’t even have time to blink before his face was pressed against Shizuka’s soft, ample chest. Trapped in this luxurious hug, he could only think that any other guy in his place would’ve passed out already—either from happiness or lack of oxygen. But there was no chance to relax: the other girls quickly joined in the fun, and just as he feared, he was once again turned into a cuddle toy.

With unrestrained enthusiasm, the girls passed Alex around from one pair of arms to the next, each eager to hold him for at least a moment. Even the normally reserved Brunhilde and Göndul couldn’t resist joining the playful chaos. Rory and Rebecca couldn’t stop laughing as a silent battle broke out among the girls for the right to hug “little Alex.”

Alex thought about calling for help from Red and White, but to his horror, he saw them armed with a camera, recording everything with dead-serious faces like reporters covering a live event. G.I.R., MIMI, and Stitch weren’t far behind—dressed in director and film crew costumes, they were commentating on the situation with the air of seasoned professionals.

Thankfully, an unexpected savior appeared. As if guided by fate, Zhang Ya intervened—her long hair wrapped deftly around Alex, pulled him free from the girls’ embrace, and gently placed him on her lap, cocooned in her strands.

“Ugh… girls, you almost smothered me with love. I mean, I’m not against it, but that was a bit much,” Alex grumbled in his child voice, still wrapped in Zhang Ya’s hair.

“Sorry, Alex, but you’re just too adorable in this form!” Chiquita said, gently stroking his cheeks.

“I actually feel like adopting you,” Chun-Li admitted, playfully pinching his other cheek.

“And once again, you’re taking advantage of my helplessness… while I’m still tangled in Zhang Ya’s hair,” said Alex, attempting to bite Chun-Li’s finger.

“Sweet,” Shigure whispered, still softly stroking his hair.

Alex sighed and glanced up at Zhang Ya. He was starting to suspect she hadn’t saved him at all—she’d only helped the girls enjoy the moment even more. She stared at him with her usual empty, mysterious gaze, saying nothing. He was no longer sure whose side she was on. But just as he started to calm down, the girls launched a new wave of attack—now they were taking turns pinching his cheeks and patting his head like he was their pet.

“You know, if you think about it…” Yuriko suddenly said as she gently pulled Alex from the cocoon and set him on her lap.

Alex felt the back of his head rest against her chest—soft and warm like a pillow. He couldn’t resist leaning back a little, inhaling her scent. Yuriko smiled tenderly and ran her hand through his hair, while the others turned toward her with curiosity.

“And what did we forget to talk about? After Alex turned into a kid, I completely forgot what I wanted to ask,” Koko said, glancing at him.

“Children,” Yuriko said calmly, continuing to stroke his head.

Alex flinched. That was definitely a topic he would’ve preferred to postpone indefinitely. He didn’t deny that he wanted children… even his father once told him it was possible.

But the phrase “you just have to try hard enough” had sounded far too vague at the time.

For the others, however, this topic struck like a bolt of lightning. Silence fell over the room. Every gaze turned to Alex, who tried to maintain his composure, though panic was already starting to gnaw at him from the inside.

If someone had asked him right now whether he’d want a boy or a girl, he wouldn’t have hesitated — a girl, of course. A sweet, cheerful little daddy’s princess. He even chuckled softly, imagining himself playing with his daughters. And then… his expression darkened slightly as he realized that, sooner or later, he’d have to protect them from admirers — or throw the most persistent ones into black holes.

The girls exchanged glances. They couldn’t deny it — the idea of having a child with Alex had crossed their minds more than once. He was handsome, strong, kind… and extraordinarily powerful. Their child would be perfect. And certainly never in danger — with a father like him, they’d be well-protected. But how would the child look? What powers would they inherit? There were too many questions.

“I’m not against the idea itself,” Valmet was the first to speak, furrowing her brow. “But… can we even get pregnant by him? I mean, he’s a demon. And, just a reminder, the son of the actual Creator. Are we even capable of carrying his child?”

“Wouldn’t it be easier to ask the one person without whom we definitely won’t be getting pregnant?” Chiquita smirked, nodding toward Alex, who was still quietly giggling to himself, completely unaware of the storm about to hit him.

All eyes turned to Alex, who sat there with a goofy, dreamy smile on his face. His expression said it all — he clearly wasn’t opposed to the idea of having children. In fact, it looked like he was already drowning in his fantasies. To confirm their suspicions, they all turned in unison toward Brunhilde. Everyone knew — if anyone could peek into his mind, it was her. The bond between the Valkyrie and Alex was something special.

When Brunhilde glanced into his thoughts for a second, her lips twitched. She tried to stay calm, but a flicker of confusion passed through her eyes. In his imagination, Alex already had a whole army of little girls, all calling him “Daddy.” One absurd scenario followed another. The most vivid one — Alex, grinning from ear to ear, launching one unfortunate suitor of his daughter straight into the core of a supernova, announcing that his princesses were far too young for marriage.

When Brunhilde calmly shared what she had seen, the room erupted in laughter. They didn’t even have kids yet, and Alex had already crafted an entire future storyline.

“So, Alex,” Yuriko began with a chuckle, pulling on his cheek and snapping him out of his daydream, “how about you tell us: can we actually have children with you?”

“Um… well, how should I put this…” Alex scratched his cheek awkwardly.

“Just say it. We’re genuinely curious if it’s possible,” Saeko added with a soft smile.

“At first, I thought no. Or, to be more accurate, I thought I’d have to somehow bypass the limitations of my power. But…” Alex sighed. “My father told me that I can have children. In fact, he made it pretty clear he wants grandchildren.”

“Never thought the Creator himself was eager to try out being a grandpa,” Cammy smirked. “And what exactly did he tell you about all this?”

“He said… I just have to try harder. Whatever that means,” Alex looked away.

“Well, that explains a lot!” Rika exclaimed, clapping her hands with glee. “More nighttime fun, then? Looks like it’s time to seriously start working on giving your dear daddy some grandkids. I have a feeling we’re in for many sleepless nights. Often. And a lot of them.”

Alex opened his mouth to object but froze. He realized that Rika wasn’t entirely wrong. Without… well… certain activities, there would be no children. But the expressions on the girls’ faces, the energy and enthusiasm in their gazes, made him feel like he had become prey in the den of predators. He couldn’t understand why they had suddenly developed this desire, but one thing was clear: returning to Orario could turn into a catastrophe for him.

Especially if some of these girls ended up pregnant… And Freya, knowing about this, would probably tie him to the bed and not let him go until she got the same result. The other goddesses would likely be no different.

Fortunately, salvation came in the form of a knock on the door. Alex immediately jumped off Yuriko’s lap and returned to his adult form. Göndul said her goodbyes to the girls, and Zhang Ya, as usual, gave everyone a vacant look before disappearing into the shadow of Alex.

Approaching the door, he could still feel the piercing gazes from behind. He opened it and saw Shino Kuribayashi standing there, her expression tense as she impatiently tapped her foot.

“Something happened, Shino? Need something?” Alex asked, tilting his head to the side. “Usually, you send Itami if I’m needed somewhere.”

“Don’t mention that lazy guy. As soon as we got back to the aircraft carrier, he and his ex-wife got lost in anime and haven’t come out since,” she grumbled. “How about you? You’re fine now? After everything you caused — the destroyed city, the disaster — I thought you’d need more time to recover.”

“Ha-ha. Thanks for your concern. I’ve rested enough to feel normal,” he replied, gently patting her on the head.

“How many times do I have to tell you — I’m not a kid!” Shino huffed, pushing his hand away.

Alex laughed, stepping back. He shot a quick glance at the girls and gestured that he’d be back soon. He understood that Shino wasn’t here just for small talk. Despite her grumbling, concern was clearly in her eyes. But it was obvious that this wasn’t the only reason for her visit.

Lighting a cigarette, Alex asked,

“So, what brought you here?”

“Major Li wants to talk to you. He wanted to know if we can exchange supplies,” Shino answered, finally stating the main reason for her visit.

Alex thoughtfully scratched his chin, lost in thought. On one hand, they had more than enough supplies — especially considering the massive amount of Kraken meat, which they simply had nowhere to store. Even with all the people on the aircraft carrier, that meat would last for years.

He was considering using the Kraken meat as a trade item — exchanging it for useful resources: wiring, generators, maybe even fuel. And fuel would only be needed for the short term.

Alex wasn’t opposed to building a full-fledged arc reactor for the settlement, but until then, they’d have to make do with regular gasoline or diesel generators. While the settlers were getting settled, they still needed food, and his team needed resources for construction and fortifying the base.

“Alright, let’s go talk to him,” Alex said, walking alongside Shino. “By the way, how are you feeling? Not worn out? After all, it’s not every day you have to fight off a multimillion-strong horde of undead.”

“I’m fine. A bit tired, but thanks to your training, I managed. I feel perfectly fine. Unlike you — the guy who destroyed an entire city and went for a joyride on a wooden dragon with a giant sword,” Shino replied with a smirk.

“Don’t be jealous,” Alex grinned in response. “If you want to ride the dragon, just say the word.”

Shino’s face immediately turned red, and she, unable to restrain herself, punched Alex in the stomach. But it felt like she hit a metal plate. Alex didn’t even realize what he had said wrong until the Valkyries reminded him that he had once again made an ambiguous statement. He quietly chuckled to himself — his tongue was betraying him again.

He allowed Shino to vent her emotions, stoically enduring a few punches. The girl was boiling with embarrassment and irritation, and not wanting to continue the conversation, she walked ahead with heavy steps. Anyone who saw her face tactfully stepped aside — they knew: an angry Shino was more dangerous than a grenade. Alex followed behind with a light smirk, humming to himself. Along the way, many asked about his well-being, and he briefly replied that he was fine.

They reached the place where Major Li and his assistant were. Alex nodded as a greeting, and Li looked at him with gratitude, sincerely appreciating the help Alex and his team had provided, which saved many lives — albeit at the cost of a destroyed city.

“Thank you again. Without your support, these people would hardly have made it out alive, let alone with an organized evacuation,” Li said, bowing his head in respect.

“Don’t mention it,” Alex replied with a smirk. “At least now, a beautiful tree is growing where the city used to be, with a Buddha statue.”

“Yeah, and don’t forget about the ruins around it,” Shino added with clear sarcasm.

Alex laughed and ruffled Shino’s hair, causing her to try to hit him again. Major Li, his assistant, and the surrounding soldiers just shook their heads, already knowing the nature of their relationship. Li couldn’t help but admire how much this young guy had accomplished and everything he had been through.

Alex stopped teasing Shino and refocused on the conversation.

“How are the evacuees? Everything alright? We’re still moving at a slow pace so we can quickly provide help if needed.”

“Everything’s fine. According to the soldiers accompanying the convoy, they’re almost to the safe city. I contacted a friend and explained the situation — there will be enough space for everyone,” Li replied with a relieved smile.

“Glad to hear it. If you need any extra help, just let me know,” Alex said with a light smile.

“Since you brought it up…” Li became serious. “I’ll get straight to the point. I’m not one for beating around the bush. Could you share some supplies with us? Of course, not for free — I’m talking about an equal exchange.”

“Of course. We actually need materials. We’re heading toward Alaska — I want to set up a secure shelter there. So we need a lot of construction resources and equipment. But I think we’ll discuss the specifics after we arrive,” Alex said, looking directly into Li’s eyes.

“Agreed,” Major Li nodded.

Alex bid farewell to Major Li and slowly made his way away, with Shino walking beside him. She wasn’t leaving, just walking alongside him, chatting about various things. What interested Alex the most was how Shino ended up in the army — what had pushed her to make that decision. She didn’t hold back on the details, openly sharing her story, while Alex just listened, smoking his cigarette and glancing ahead, his mind wandering far ahead along the route.

He was thinking about the next steps: he wasn’t planning on stopping until Vladivostok — even the stop in South Korea had been random. Maybe there would be something useful in Vladivostok… but he doubted it.

What interested him much more was Wesker’s island — a place he planned to go to immediately afterward. He needed to deal with one “snake” there before it could start weaving its schemes. Alex knew full well that leaving Wesker alive would bring him a ton of problems. That slippery guy would definitely switch sides if he hadn’t already.

While he was discussing random nonsense with Shino, a plan was already forming in his head: it was time to start rocking the game board, but it had to be done carefully so neither Davot nor the Minister of Monoliths suspected anything.

After the city’s destruction, these two had definitely started paying attention to him — and perhaps they’d finally realized that he was a threat. If Davot had seen him only as a self-proclaimed savior before, after the destruction of the million-strong horde, there was no doubt left — Alex could save, but he could destroy just as easily.

The conversation with Shino ended — she, citing work, said goodbye. Of course, she punched him in the stomach on her way out — for the umpteenth time, as if checking if he’d become any softer. But, as always, she felt like she’d hit a metal plate.

Blushing, she muttered that one day she’d break through his “armor,” and left. Alex watched her go with a smile, finding something endearing in the gesture — typical Shino, hiding her embarrassment behind aggression.

He sat on the edge of the deck, dangling his legs down, and stared thoughtfully at the shore.

“I see you’ve already had some rest, Alex,” came a voice from behind.

Alex turned his head and saw Hayato — and he wasn’t alone. Standing beside him was a short elderly man. Raising an eyebrow, Alex recognized him — it was Kwon Jae-gyu, the elder of the Sun-Woo clan. Alex knew that this old man was not only strong but also had an iron will — as long as you earned his respect.

If he’s here, then perhaps other characters from this world are nearby as well. Alex even wondered: is Lee Shi-Woon here? Have they already met? The timeline in this world was so tangled that one could never be sure. Had Shi-Woon become a disciple of Han Chun-Woo, also known as Gu-Mun-Yeong?

Alex knew that Han Chun-Woo had a controversial reputation, and given the current situation with Davot gathering “dogs” for dirty work, it was very possible that Gu-Mun-Yeong was among the fools who decided to come to him, sword in hand… and perish.

Deciding to put those thoughts aside, Alex stood up from the edge of the deck.

“What brings you to me, old man Hayato? And you’re not alone — you’ve brought Kwon Jae-gyu, the second-in-command of the Sun-Woo clan. Strict, unyielding… and loyal to his principles,” Alex said, looking at both of them.

Hayato merely smirked — he was no longer surprised by how much Alex knew.

“I think we’ve crossed paths somewhere before, young man,” Kwon said, studying Alex.

“Ah, here’s the thing…” Alex pulled out his phone. “We’ve never met in person. But… “

He lied without a second thought — opening the list of targets the “corporation” had been hunting and presenting it as his own attempt to find allies. This, he said, was how he learned about the Sun-Woo clan and its members.

Kwon nodded. He already knew quite a bit about Alex — Hayato had told him who he was and what he was capable of. It was hard to believe that someone so young could be so calculating and farsighted. It became clear: Alex was looking for allies for a reason.

“So, what, I’m curious, did my granddaughter find in you?” Hayato muttered under his breath.

“Old man, that’s called ‘love.’ Miu and I are serious about it. So, why don’t you take care of your love life with Mikumo Kushinada instead of giving me lectures? You won her over, then ran off, leaving the poor woman — and it’s no surprise she turned into a villain,” Alex said sarcastically, rolling his eyes.

Hayato choked on his saliva and immediately looked away — because Alex was right. But, of course, he wasn’t about to admit it. After all, he was older, so he didn’t intend to back down in an argument, especially not to such a cheeky guy as Alex. The latter, in turn, just smirked, enjoying watching the stubborn old man’s reaction — it felt nice to put him in his place.

Shifting his gaze away from Hayato, Alex turned it to Elder Kwon, clearly curious about what had brought him here.

“Young friend,” began the elder, his voice deep and calm. “The blonde woman from the hospital said that you are capable of healing our young lady. Is that true?”

“If you’re talking about Seol, I’ll need to see her first. But overall, I think I can help,” Alex replied after a short pause.

“In that case, would you mind if I take you to her?” Kwon asked with polite insistence.

“Old man, is that really you? Where’s your signature icy glare that you usually use to drill into people? Aren’t you used to commanding, not asking?” Hayato remarked with a smirk, studying his old friend.

“This situation is different,” Kwon sighed heavily, shaking his head. “Although the girl stabilized Lady Seol’s condition, she has not regained consciousness since her relapse.”

Alex nodded seriously, fully switching his focus to the task at hand.

“Show me where she is.”

The elder clasped his hands behind his back and silently led Alex. Hayato followed them. On their way to the medical section, Alex noticed a couple of familiar faces he hadn’t expected to see here. But he decided to stay focused on Seol for now — the rest could wait.

The medical area was crowded — members of the Sun-Woo clan were gathered around a bed where a girl lay. Alex spotted Jinie, her older brother Kang Ha-Il, and several elders. He gave them a brief nod and approached the bed.

On the snow-white sheets lay Seol. Pale, fragile, with her eyes closed, she looked like a delicate porcelain figurine. Alex pulled a chair closer and sat next to her, examining her. He noted that she was short with a childlike physique — the result of a rare condition that weakened her body from birth. From what he remembered, she was about seventeen years old.

He frowned, trying to recall her condition accurately. It seemed that her body couldn’t properly circulate Ki due to its inherent weakness.

“Well, can you help our lady?” Jinie asked distrustfully, crossing her arms over her chest.

“I haven’t done anything yet, I don’t even know what’s wrong with her. You’re so impatient…” Alex replied with a smile, pulling a candy from his pocket and tossing it to the girl. “Better eat the candy and be quiet.”

Jinie stared at the candy in her hands, then at Alex. She wanted to protest but caught her grandfather’s gaze and obediently fell silent… though she still popped the candy into her mouth.

Alex, on the other hand, focused on the diagnosis. He placed his palm on Seol’s forehead and closed his eyes. A few seconds later, he confirmed his suspicions: the issue really was with her body — Ki couldn’t circulate properly due to her weakness.

He removed his hand and thought for a moment. The simplest way would be to strengthen her body directly — that would solve the problem on its own.

“So, what’s the verdict?” Elder Jeon asked, watching Alex closely. “Will you be able to help her?”

“Yes,” Alex nodded confidently. “The problem is her body’s weakness. It’s not hard to fix.”

When the members of the Sun-Woo clan heard that their young lady was subject to treatment, a collective sigh of relief swept through the hall. Hayato nodded, knowing how deeply the clan cared for Seol and how much she meant to them.

“And how do you plan to do this? Do you have something with you? Or will you need any tools or herbs?” Elder Jeong asked, voicing the common concern of those present.

“Like this,” Alex replied calmly, and his palm began to glow with a soft green light.

Without elaborating, he gently placed his hand on Seol’s forehead. The light from his hand slowly began to envelop her body, spreading from her head down to her feet, like a warm wave. A few moments later, when the strengthening process was complete, Alex withdrew his hand and gave a slight smile as he looked at the girl.

Everyone present held their breath, waiting for Seol to wake up. And within a second, her eyelids fluttered slightly, then slowly opened. At that very moment, some of the clan members teared up.

“Welcome back, young lady,” they all said in unison, kneeling on one knee and bowing their heads in respect.

Alex watched this scene with interest. He had never seen anything like it before. The elders merely gave a small bow, while the rest of the warriors knelt as if before royalty. He couldn’t help but compare it to a mafia clan — the structure, loyalty, respect… Everything felt eerily familiar. Essentially, combat clans weren’t much different from the mafia — just a different external appearance.

Seol, slightly weak, began to look around until her gaze settled on Alex, sitting beside her. She looked into his rainbow-colored eyes, and a hint of surprise appeared on her face. In his eyes, a warm, encouraging smile shone.

Before the girl could speak, Alex was already standing.

“Alright, you all talk here, and old man Hayato and I will go; we won’t be a bother. Let Seol recover a bit. She’ll adapt soon, and everything will be fine. If you need anything, ask the others; they know where to find me,” he said, heading toward the exit.

Alex didn’t want to hear waves of gratitude and preferred to leave quickly.

“Good call, Alex,” Hayato said, catching up to him.

“It wasn’t difficult. I just strengthened her body using chakra. The thing is, she was born weak by nature,” Alex replied, putting his hands behind his head.

“For you, it’s easy,” Hayato shook his head with a smirk. “For others, it would be impossible.”

Alex just shrugged, not giving much importance to the words, and continued walking with a satisfied smile. He wanted to return to the girls and tell them about his conversation with Major Lee, as well as the deal — food in exchange for materials.

To be continued…

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Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep