Dimensional Hoppers

Chapter 4

It didn't take all too long for us to reach outside the walls, thankfully when we crossed the checkpoint that guard we met earlier seemed to be off shift. I say that since I really didn't want Derek to cause a commotion again. I know that it's still going to happen, but I want to delay the inevitable for as long as possible.

Other than impending doom known as Derek, there wasn't much said while we moved to the checkpoint itself, IF seemed too busy with her phone and Derek, well he was stretching. I took that as a cue to think to myself.

While we were travelling on the transportation tubes, my eyes wandered to the countless buildings and skyscrapers around me. For all that it's worth I thought it would be a good idea after getting the money we need and hopefully satisfying our stomachs, to get a hotel.

Hopefully, IF would be willing to stay with us after helping us with Virtua Forest. For one, she seems to know a lot about this world, which is just a wealth of knowledge. Plus, if we still don't have the money for what we need today, maybe she'll show pity, who knows.

Though there's the whole can of worms of, can we trust her? I mean Derek probably already does, and I might too if she somehow ends up paying for our food. But then again, she seems way too willing to help us. Either she does this daily, or she's trying to catch a lucky break.

Lucky break as in, trying to be a saint in our trying times, or just wanting to see our potential. I mean, we're new to this world and all but bulldozing a horde of monsters probably counts as some sort of achievement.

Though I won't know for sure if I don't ask huh? Good thing we just got out of the city, a good time as any to ask now.

"Hey IF?" IF lowered her phone before turning towards me.

"What's up?" She asked calmly.

"Why are you so willing to help us?" I asked while tilting my head.

We didn't stop walking towards the forest when Derek joined in, still looking on ahead. "Yea, I agree with Chester here, I mean don't get me wrong, really fucking appreciate it."

IF turned towards Derek before he continued. "But, I don't think it's common to help people out of the blue like this."

IF put her hands on her chin before answering. "Well, I guess you could say I was bored. Haven't had anything exciting for a while." She answered in a thoughtful tone before giving a smile. "You guys seem to be fun to be around anyway, plus, wouldn't want you two to up and die from slimes anyway."

Derek seemed to take that well, "Bored huh? Honestly, the best reason I've heard in a while." He chuckled a little before turning his head. "And don't you worry about us, we can take care of ourselves."

"Well don't blame me for being skeptical." She sighed adding on. "Doesn't seem like you guys have weapons, no special armour and if I'm being honest you guys don't seem like powerhouses." IF said with a skeptical tone.

She turned to look at me questioningly. "And with those lab coats… sorry for assuming here, but have you guys ever fought anything?" She said with a questioning tone.

I returned the look. "Why do you want to know so badly?"

She was taken aback by my sudden question. "Well… I just want to know if you guys can handle yourselves, and won't die out here." She seemed to get embarrassed answering. "Plus, I can't have a death on my conscience, alright?!" She screamed out while giving me a slight glare. "And how can I trust you guys left to your own devices anyway?"

Taking that as a good enough reason I calmed her down. "Alright, alright, fine. I'll tell you why we're so confident in the first place alright? That's if Derek's okay with it?" Said person put a thumbs up in my direction. "Good." I sighed before continuing.

"Before I continue though, I just want to know something. Are all otherworlders human?" I asked while crossing my arms.

IF slowed down to match my pace before perking a brow. "Well, as far as I know, all of them have been human." IF looked troubled before her eyes widened like saucers. "Wait, you're not saying what I think you're suggesting right?"

I nodded my head, "Yea, we're not human, I don't even think we have a single bit of human DNA." Before she could question such insanity, I unwrapped my tail slowly before letting it hang beside me. "For now the only thing really proving this is our tails, which yes, they are real."

IF was shocked at her short suspicions being confirmed. "W-wait, y-your telling m-me you guys a-are a-aliens?" She stuttered after every word, with slight fear in between her words.

I sighed at this. "I guess you could say that, yea, aliens through and though." Instead of looking at me, IF's eyes were fixated on my tail waving about. "And don't worry, we don't mean any harm, we didn't choose to come here anyway, we got stranded here."

IF seemed to calm down a little. "So it's not like those generic alien movies where you guys destroy all of Gameindustri?"

Derek turned to face us, letting out his tail, he walked backwards to keep up. "No, but now that you know Windwalker, we'll have no choice but to abduct you and experiment you at our spaceship!" Derek had a joking tone throughout all of that, complete with a menacing face.

IF seemed to see through the facade and chuckled a bit at Derek's antics. "Okay, I get it, I wasn't scared for my life anyway alright?"

Derek turned back around crossing his arms. "You could of at least played along. I had this whole skit in my head and everything." Derek said with a grumpy tone.

I poked her shoulder with my tail which made her bolt upwards a little. "I disagree, although I'm impressed you didn't scream like a little girl," I said with a smug tone. "Though I'd like to point out why us not being human makes us so confident anyway."

IF glared at me a little before hearing my last sentence. "Yea, kinda what had me curious this whole time, " She pointed out. "Being aliens and all that doesn't explain too much for me."

I nodded my head. "Your right, but our race is different from what you would assume of aliens." Flexing my arm a little I continued. "Our race is what you would call a warrior race, we might not look all that strong but our DNA says otherwise."

Derek joined in. "Yea, we're built for combat, crazy fucking physical capabilities plus great instincts for fighting."

IF turned her head towards Derek. "So I'm guessing your strength is actually impressive?" IF questioned.

Derek turned around again. "Yea, from what Chesters said, we're at least ten times stronger than any normal human could ever fucking become," Derek answered with a smile. "Plus, we have the potential to grow much stronger, if what Chesters said is true."

IF went wide-eyed. "Whoa, that sounds a little unbelievable, to be honest." She said in a surprised voice.

I chuckled a bit. "It would be surprising if you believed us a hundred percent anyway," I said in a cheery tone.

IF turned towards me in question before I continued. "But I've got a fix for that, since we're already coming up on the forest, we could just show you what makes us not human," I said in confidence.

Her face held a playful grin. "Well, you'd two better not hurt yourselves trying to impress me." She said in a playful voice. "Plus, even if you two are aliens, I'm still the Windwalker of Gameindustri, I'll blow you both out of the wind with my skills!"

Derek smiled at the challenge. "Is that so? We'll then you'd better live up to more than words, 'Windtalker'." Before IF could comment on the name Derek cut her off. "Anyways, let's get this show on the road, it seems like we're here."

Virtua Forest, the first place we saw in this strange new world. Taking a look at it for a second time I noticed a lot more since we were taking a much slower pace than before. A lot of hills were around a buddle of greenery around us, it felt much greener than any park I'd been to back in New York.

Though somehow with all this greenery around it still held a futuristic look with little bits of metal infrastructure scattered about. Hell, there was even a metal bridge with glowing lights on it up ahead.

While we were talking with IF back there, I feel like we earned a lot more of her trust, and vice versa. It was kinda dumb on my part to just go out and say we were aliens and all that. But Derek seemed to be okay with it so it couldn't have been that bad.

It's probably me just overreacting to the whole situation, I mean nothing bad could come out admitting that your literally an alien. Here's to hoping IF doesn't sell us out to the government so we can be tested on.

Although I really doubt she'd do that, still, I have my fears alright? If we ever do warrant enough fear to involve the government then that's our bad, there's a difference between being a bad alien and being a good alien.

If your a bad alien and the government wants to capture you, then you know they aren't the bad guys and probably won't experiment on you. If your a good alien and they capture you, well, let's just say if you're named after a vegetable you should run with your tails in between your legs.

Other than my very founded fears, we were currently hiding in a bush. I'd been in thought for some time so I didn't really pay attention to what was going on right now.

I turned towards IF and Derek talking amongst themselves before asking. "Hey, I've been kinda daydreaming here. Mind filling me in on what we're doing hiding like Solid Snake?" IF and Derek directed their attention towards me. "Should I bring a box just in case?"

Derek chuckled at my joke while IF deadpanned. "Wel Chester," Derek decided to speak up. "While you were in la-la land, me and Windwalker here were making a plan to fight that small pack of dogoos." He pointed towards said horde making me flinch a little at the size.

"You call that a small pack? It looks more like a horde of slime." I said with slight fear.

"Hey she said it, not me," Derek said while shrugging. "Plus, I don't think any amount of these fuckers can take us down, we bulldozed them the last time I remember." He said with a smirk.

I nodded. "You aren't wrong there, but I feel like actually fighting them and running through them is vastly different."

IF didn't share my opinion. "To be honest here Chester, the fact that you guys could do that makes me feel like actually fighting them would be simple." She said with a smirk of her own. "Though I'll still outshine you both."

"Oh is that right Windwalker?" Derek said with a questioning tone. "How about we make a bet then if you're so sure of yourself?"

IF turned to face Derek. "Alright, I'll bite, what's the bet?" She rose a brow.

"The person with the highest kill count wins," Derek said with a smirk.

Derek's smirk then turned into a smile. "If I win, you have to buy food for us."

I paled a little at his suggestion. I pray for IF if she ever loses, may god seek mercy on her wallet. Or is it goddess in this sense?

IF didn't seem to take the gravity of what Derek suggested. "Alright, but if I win you'll have to treat me to something nice." She thought a bit before adding on. "Yea, you're going to have to buy a new phone for me."

Derek's grin somehow stretched further as he slammed his fists together. "Oh, it's on, like donkey kong!"

I guess I'm not included in this bet of theirs. Although I guess if Derek wins I still benefit, not that I won't feel bad about it though.

While I was still confused on what our game plan was for fighting the horde of dogoo's, IF and Derek got into position. "Hey, wait. Did I miss a plan that we made or something? We do have a plan to fight these dogoo's right?" I said with confusion laced in my voice.

Derek in his hunched position looked towards me, before giving the thumbs up and dashing forward into the horde. IF followed soon after with what looked like Assassin Creed-style blades coming from her jacket. "Hey! We didn't even say go! Cheater!" I could hear Derek's laughs as he came onto a surprised dogoo.

I stood there dumbfounded for a second before reluctantly dashing into the horde also. Well great, Derek was never really a guy to plan stuff ahead was he?

Coming up on a dogoo I came in with a flying kick to its face. It seemed too surprised to dodge and so it connected. Before I could admire the dogoo exploding into one's and zero's 3 others jumped me. By sheer reflex, I managed to roll out of the way. One down, several dozens to go.

Now that I think about it, why didn't IF have a plan? She seemed to be the type to make one before going in, guess Derek really riled her up huh?

Taking my thoughts back to the fight I rushed into the three dogoo's reading up and launching a slashing kick. Because of my sheer speed and strength, I managed to pull it off hitting all three of them. Already I'd taken 4 more than I thought I would take down, boosting my confidence in my abilities.

The dogoo's exploded into data before I put my hand on the floor to balance myself. Taking a small breather I looked around me seeing Derek pummeling through dogoo's like they were paper. IF seemed to lag a little behind but I was still beyond impressed with her combat skills.

She seemed to be ruthless and quick, slicing through the dogoo's like butter. Although I still question the jacket, I feel like she'd be a lot quicker without it. I'm one to talk though, still have my lab coat on.

Directing my attention to the roars of the dogoo's in front of me, I was forced to punch a dogoo away as it was coming down on me. I shouldn't take my attention away from the fight, who knows what kind of damage these little guys could do?

Taking in a breath I dashed towards the horde, it was effective before so why not try it now? Reaching them in seconds flat I jumped up as high as I could before landing with a stomp. Add on the fall and strength and speed on contact, I not only shook the ground underneath me but also cracked it.

A lot of the dogoo's instantly exploded into data at the force of the impact. Only about a dozen survived and taking a second look these must of been the dogoo-mans.

Feeling adrenaline crawl around my body I felt pumped. "Hell Yea! Now that's what I call flattening the curve!"

IF got up from the floor rubbing her head. "Ow, that was one hell of a move you did there." IF winced.

Derek still seemed to be on his feet but looked a little pissed. "Hey! Watch it, Chester! Friendly fucking fire!"

I rubbed the back of my head in embarrassment as I turned around towards them. "Yea, sorry about that one, my bad," I said while smiling.

Derek took it upon himself to run over to IF punching a dogoo that would have hit her. "And you, don't let your guard down just yet," Derek said while smirking.

IF frowned before reluctantly nodding. "Alright, just don't go stealing my kills, you got that?" IF said with a playful tone.

As she got up to face her side of dogoo's, Derek faced his. "Yeah sure, no promises though."

Shaking my head while chuckling a bit I turned around to face the now battle-ready dogoo-mans. Crouching low I brought up my hands, If I read correctly these guys are a little tougher than the normal dogoo's.

Them surviving my slam proves that. With that in mind, I kept my guard up as I ran towards them ready to kick low. One of the dogoo-mans jumped towards my face, it was surprising, to say the least since these looked like fat otaku's.

With my superior speed, I punched it out of the sky sending it rocketing to a tree before it exploded into data. Quickly changing gears I slammed down on a dogoo-man in front of me, data came under my feet before ducking a wild body slam from another.

After it landed I grabbed and slammed it onto another of its brethren exploding all three in five seconds flat, eight more to go.

Turning to face the rest of the dogoo-mans they seemed to back away a little. I guess they haven't seen that kind of action before huh? I smirked a bit before bolting towards the closest one, slamming my foot into it.

It launched towards another slamming into it exploding the both of them into data. Deciding they had enough of my bullshit one was actually able to slam into my back staggering me into a second slam from another in front of me.

Quickly switching plans I slammed on the floor to gain some breathing room, this launched the two nearest to me in the air. With the opportunity presented to me, I grabbed one and slammed it into the other behind me resulting in another two down. A third one tried to slam into my back before my instincts kicked in and dodged the blow.

What seemingly looked like slow motion I slammed my fists into its head making it bounce off the ground and explode into data, three left.

Without any rest two of them launched towards me with increased speed, they must be mad. Although, one of them stayed back and looked to be still in fear. Directing my attention towards the two bolting towards me, I noticed that they seemed slower than before. Was I just seeing things or does this feel like I'm watching a slow-mo video?

Shaking my head I put my mind on the fight, right before they would hit my face I crouched, then launched my fists upwards in a thrust impaling both dogoo-mans before they exploded into data. The last one looked onto me in terror.

I honestly didn't know a slime could sweat until now. But anyways, it was currently running away. Upholding my terrifying image I slammed my foot in the ground once more, directing the force towards the lone dogoo-man.

Grabbing a rock from the floor, I quickly threw it at the still airborne dogoo-man. Suffice to say my rock hit home and the dogoo-man exploded on impact.

I pumped my fists in the air with excitement. "Bullseye! Take that you, weird-looking slime!"

Derek finished up with his side of dogoo's before putting a hand on my shoulder. "That's the best insult you could come up with? I'm frankly disappointed, Chester." He chuckled a little at my lacklustre insult.

I smirked back at him taking his hand off my shoulder. "Well, it might have been bad, but if I'm being honest here. I think I won the bet." I said with an air of confidence.

IF finished up with her batch of dogoo's and joined in. "Oh really? I didn't think you were even a part of the bet." She said while placing her hands on her hips.

My smirk grew. "Well I was, and I think I'll be taking Derek's side. Don't worry though I won't count his dogoo's as my score. Won't need to anyway." I said as I crossed my arms.

Derek wore a confused smirk. "Oh? We'll I'll have you know I took out at least forty-two of those slimy fuckers." He ended with a grin.

IF was next. "Wait, really? That's odd, I got the same amount." IF said with confusion in her voice.

Derek was surprised at that. "Whoa, now that's a coincidence, plus kinda amazing. You actually kept up with us with what I saw." Derek said with surprise in his voice.

IF pumped out her chest. "You betcha, they don't call me the Windwalker of Gameindustri for nothing." She said with a grin. "Although with your performance, I can safely say that you two aren't human. Especially considering what Chester pulled off." She turned towards me with slight praise in her voice.

Derek joined in. "Yea, that was seriously crazy you know that Chester? How many did you get anyway?" Derek questioned with arms crossed.

I grinned ear to ear, remembering exactly how many were in the horde in front of me. "If my math is correct, I took out seventy-two with the slam I did and twelve shortly afterwards. All in all, I dominated with a score of eighty-four." I keep the shit-eating grin on my face the whole time.

Derek grinned as well. "I would call bullshit if I hadn't seen that shit myself but, I'll give it to you."

IF nodded. "Yea I agree, that was some crazy stuff, right out of an anime."

I quirked my brow. "Anime exists here? Isn't that something, ain't that right Derek?"

He nodded in agreement. "Yep, guess we can binge watch some of it later?"

"No, we're not," I said in a steeled tone. Derek seemed to get the hint and shut himself up.

"Alright, shit, don't go being a party pooper." Well, mostly shut himself up.

"Remember what I said before about ki and all that? It's gonna be more fun learning that than watching anime, don't ya agree?" Derek nodded at that and left it there.

IF though looked onto us in confusion. "What are you two talking about? I can't understand your language you know." IF said in an annoyed voice.

I looked at IF apologetically. "Sorry, we were messing around, nothing too important," I said while scratching my cheek.

IF sighed. "It's alright, just don't leave me out of it next time alright?"

""Roger roger."" Both I and Derek answered, always wanted to do that.

If her laugh was anything to go by, she got the reference. "Really guys? How did you even pull that off?"

I grinned. "Practice and a lot of juice."

"What's juice got to do with it?" IF rose a brow.

Derek answered for me. "Everything, it's got to do everything with it."

Sighing IF decided to change topics. "Alright, now that we've dealt with your quest, we can head back to redeem the reward."

"Wait how did you know what we had to do for our quest?" I asked IF with a tilt of my head.

She pointed her thumb towards Derek. "He told me while you were in 'la-la land' as he describes it."

Derek waved at me with a shit-eating grin, well that explains that. Though there's still a problem.

"How are we meant to redeem it anyway? All the dogoo's exploded into data, so we can't show proof of completion." I said with some worry in my voice.

IF pulled out her phone before answering. "Well I would use my phone, it's special in a way that it sucks up leftover essence left by monsters and compiles it into numerical data."

Derek whistled. "Well then, looks like we aren't the only smartasses."

IF turned towards Derek. "Oh come on, it's like elementary for us guild members." She said with a bashful face.

I ignored the teasing from Derek and asked the question on my mind. "So wait, we don't have a special phone like yours, so how are we meant to know our data?"

IF pointed to my wrist answering my question. "That bracelet you got there should have the same function, just let the guild scan it and it'll work out."

"Ah, that works out wonderfully," I said while looking down at said bracelet. "I guess we should head back to the guild then, I'm feeling a bit hungry."

IF frowned. "Don't tell me I have to pay for food…"

Turning around and walking towards the direction of the city I waved back. "Don't worry, if it's any consolation we'll split Derek's food in half, the other half can be for me."

IF started sweating a little. "W-wait, how much food are you even planning to buy anyway?"

Derek smirked replying for me. "Enough."

After that, they followed behind me towards our destination, though not before Derek pointed something out.

"Hey, Chester? You've got a hole in the back of your coat."

I took off my coat looking at it while cursing a little. "Your right, it seems like there's a burn mark around the edges." Taking a look at the front I sighed. "And there are burn marks in the front too. Man, you weren't joking when you said these dogoo's were acidic IF." I frowned at my predicament.

IF's eyes widened a bit before answering. "I'm surprised you didn't take any damage. Guess that alien biology of yours really is a cut above the rest."

I sighed. "Saiyan biology, that's what we are. Though right now I'm mourning, this was my favourite lab coat." I rubbed my head against my beloved lab coat. "Oh, the tragedy, how will I ever be able to move on?"

Derek walked up and patted me on the back. "It's okay, we'll pull through, somehow."

IF stood there with an annoyed expression. "Why are you guys talking like your dog just got put down?" She sighed for the millionth time this day. "Jeez, what am I going to do with you two?"

Suffice to say we had a great laugh after that. Though the loss of my lab coat was a heavy price to pay for free food. With that, lab coat in hand, we ventured off back towards the city.

Let's just hope that we don't have to lose anything else during our stay here, in Gameindustri.

With that folks, this chapter comes to an end. I thank all of you who have supported me thus far with my story, really means a lot to me. I can't stress it enough but if you've enjoyed this so far, please consider leaving a favourite and or a follow. Plus if you'd like to give some criticism that doesn't include blatant hate towards me, you can do so with reviews.

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Enough out of that though, I hope you all enjoyed this chapter, and I'll see you all next Wednesday.