Chapter 35: Entering the World of War
"How are you going to help me get home?"
Returning to his own world, Cobb felt a surge of excitement, a feeling he'd long awaited.
"If it were before, I might have used a conventional method to help you, but now..." Jake didn't speak, but snapped his fingers, and Cobb understood his intention.
A day later...
Jake and Cobb appeared in front of a stately home.
"This has been quite a journey," Cobb took a deep breath and patted Jake on the shoulder.
"Sure you won't come with me to explore various interesting worlds?" Jake was still trying to persuade him. "You could bring your kids, and you can return anytime."
"I've already done everything I needed to do. Now I just want to go home and watch my daughter and son grow up," he said, his tone somewhat wistful, then turning into mild complaint. "Besides, I can't handle the disorientation from your world-jumping."
Since Cobb wouldn't agree, Jake didn't push.
"Alright then, but before we part, let's take a picture together." He took out his phone and started setting up a selfie.
"A photo?" Cobb shrugged, not refusing.
After traversing numerous realities, Jake captured his first souvenir of world travel. "Can I make one request?"
"What?"
"Please don't throw up a peace sign."
In a flash, Jake returned to his estate bedroom in the real world.
Although exhausted, he hadn't forgotten one thing... using his totem to verify he wasn't still dreaming.
A die carved with sad and smiley faces was tossed into the air and then hit the floor hard.
The die bounced and spun before finally stopping—smiley face on top.
He breathed a sigh of relief, ate something, and received a phone call from Madison, who wanted to give a business update. Jake gave her his address directly.
Soaking in the large jacuzzi, he organized his thoughts.
Controlling dreams was useful, but it was still just a dream, an illusion. Once you woke up, it was all gone, and no matter how much you dream, you eventually have to wake up.
Being a god in your own imaginary world—what was the point when you could travel countless real worlds? He firmly believed that as long as he kept progressing, he would eventually become truly extraordinary.
Dreams were merely a tool, not a limitation.
He was also reviewing his experiences.
During this period, through constant world travel, he'd acquired wealth.
There were still seven or eight hundred million US dollars in the armored truck casually parked in his garage.
Romance, too, he'd found.
However, Mia was currently in Genovia undergoing her summer princess training and had no time to see him.
He was thinking of going to Genovia to finally solidify their relationship.
Combat skills... the training he'd received from Léon was sufficient, but the biggest problem at the moment was ammunition.
In other words, he possessed ability but lacked proper equipment.
He got out of the tub, dried off, and changed into casual clothes. After a long period of world travel, he'd almost made suits his standard outfit.
Madison was still as unassuming as ever, with a simple ponytail and jeans. Having seen many striking women in various worlds, he found himself appreciating a more understated beauty.
Shaking his head to dismiss the thought, Jake, who could traverse numerous worlds, naturally didn't believe he'd forever be devoted only to Mia. However, women in the real world weren't on his radar.
"Wow, Jake, I didn't expect your place to be so amazing!" Madison didn't hide her genuine reaction. She sat on the sofa in wonder, constantly looking around.
At first glance, she seemed rather reserved, but after spending time with her, one would realize she wasn't introverted at all. Instead, she had a spirited, genuine quality.
"Sorry, I'm home alone. I don't have any refreshments prepared," Jake said, sitting down across from Madison. "You came here today to...?"
"Oh, right," she touched her forehead, "I almost forgot—I came to show you the financial reports for this period."
She carried a backpack with a small keychain hanging from the zipper.
"Although we've been running promotions and discounts lately, the store's sales haven't been great..." She then provided detailed analysis.
Jake didn't interrupt. Having traversed worlds countless times, such calm, normal conversations were becoming increasingly rare.
Making money had never been his primary concern, but he still appreciated Madison's dedication. "I'm planning to expand and buy some neighboring storefronts near campus. Interested in continuing as assistant manager?"
"Boss, you're not trying to make me a kept woman, are you?!" She feigned a horrified expression, but the smile in her eyes betrayed her amusement.
"Why, would that be so bad?" He suddenly abandoned his relaxed demeanor, leaning forward until they sat facing each other on the sofa, their faces only eight inches apart!
Testing the waters, seeing Madison's instant surprise and flushed cheeks, clearly showed his charm was still effective.
After the moment passed, Madison found her face growing increasingly warm, feeling quite uncomfortable in the same space as this attractive, young, and wealthy boss, so she made an excuse to leave.
"Should I pursue someone in the real world?" He finally chuckled and shook his head. "Let things happen naturally."
His initial pursuit of Mia had been due to the overwhelming excitement of gaining world-travel abilities, and he didn't regret it.
He wouldn't actively pursue relationships unless there was genuine connection; those days were behind him.
He took out his phone and checked the progress bar. In Level 2, after visiting Léon: The Professional, Invisible Sister, Inception, and Now You See Me, he'd reached about 50%. This was mainly because he hadn't intervened extensively in the plots, obtaining what he needed before stories fully unfolded.
He'd only participated minimally in Now You See Me; otherwise, the progress bar would likely be even lower.
He had a feeling that the next tier would be the real challenge.
He needed to fully participate in a movie's storyline; this would significantly help advance the progress bar.
His current problem was that "he was running low on ammunition."
His Level 2 folder contained countless action movies with abundant weaponry, but unless absolutely necessary, Jake didn't want to enter a world where gunfire was more common than conversation.
Some things could be solved with money.
He grabbed a duffel bag, loaded several bundles of cash from the armored truck in the garage, and vanished in a flash.
His destination was Lord of War, where he'd find Yuri Orlov and purchase some proper equipment.
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