AHumanMadeMOFO
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Chapter 173: The First Trader to Fall
🕑 Added 2025-01-20 15:46:46 +0000 UTCThe mummy in the screen spoke after receiving the information about the Dimensional Trading System in his mind. "Interdimensional trade? Interesting. So, mortal, what can you offer me?"
"...Imhotep?" Josh frowned, recognizing the familiar, terrifying figure on the screen-full of holes, with only two glowing eyeballs-and asked hesitantly.
"Hm? After sleeping for thousands of years, has my name already spread to other worlds?" Imhotep was surprised to hear Josh call his name directly.
Yes, this mummy was none other than Imhotep, the high priest famous in the movies from Josh's previous world.
"Fame or not, Imhotep, if I'm not mistaken, you've just been resurrected, haven't you?" Josh rubbed his forehead and sighed, Sealed away for centuries and then calling it sleep—are you afraid people won't know you're just a washed-up has-been? (TL/N: Washed up has-been" is an informal term used to describe someone who is no longer successful or relevant in their career)
"You seem to know a lot..." Josh's words intrigued Imhotep. This mortal from another world seemed very familiar to him.
"How unfortunate for me to run into a loser like you!" Josh sighed deeply.
“...Mortal, are you provoking me?” Imhotep was clearly angry at being called a loser. If it weren't for the barrier between worlds, he would have made Josh suffer his flesh-eating curse by now.
"Even if my words sound harsh, I'm afraid it's true, Imhotep. While you've been resurrected, your time is probably limited," Josh shrugged. "Frankly, I didn't want things to go this way, finding a good trading partner is rare."
"Stop being mysterious, mortal! Tell me what you know!" Imhotep, freshly resurrected and still figuring out his surroundings, felt lost and frustrated by Josh's vague warnings. His head was buzzing—although, strictly speaking, he didn't even have a head in the traditional sense.
"It's simple. Among those who awakened you is a man named Richard O'Connell. He's the reincarnation of the Pharaoh's Medjai—a natural enemy of yours. I suggest you find a way to eliminate him quickly. Otherwise, as long as he's alive, it won't be long before you're sent back to the underworld! And stop calling me mortal every other sentence, or you'll see Anubis sooner than you'd like!" Josh spoke bluntly, his tone dripping with disdain.
It was intentional.
Imhotep wasn't like any of the other trading partners Josh had met before. He wasn't an ordinary supernatural being, but a true ancient sorcerer.
Most of what Josh could offer would be useless to Imhotep. Besides, as seen in the movies, Imhotep was an extremely proud and stubborn character.
The only things he really cared about were his own survival and his beloved Anck-su-Namun.
Ruling the world? That was just a side hobby.
Soft words would not work with such a being. A mixture of mystery and thinly veiled threats was more effective—after all, priests like Imhotep were the first to believe in omens and prophecies.
If Imhotep took Josh's advice and defeated O'Connell, the destined protagonist, then its great. Josh could then take his time negotiating future deals.
If not, and Imhotep ignored the warning? Even better-he'd probably still lose to O'Connell, and the trade beacon would probably change the trader.
Wait... Normally, the beacon would transfer ownership when its host died.
But in Imhotep's state, did he count as alive or dead?
And if his soul fell to the underworld, what would that make him?
With these thoughts racing through his mind, Josh looked at Imhotep with an increasingly peculiar expression.
“…Alright, mortal,” Imhotep finally softened his tone. "I may have spoken too hastily. But what else do you know?"
Seeing Josh's strange look and hearing his words, Imhotep believed that Josh might actually know more than he was letting on.
After all, a man from another world who could call out his name and speak of the Pharaohs, Medjai, and the Underworld could not be dismissed.
And with the existence of the trade beacon, Josh's warnings seemed even more convincing.
Could this be divine guidance?
"There's no point in telling you too much now. Just do as I say and everything will be fine. If not... well!" Josh didn't wait for Imhotep's reaction and immediately disconnected.
After all, the plot of The Mummy's first movie—from Imhotep's resurrection to his defeat—lasted only a few days. Whether this trading partner could be maintained would soon become clear.
Josh had the patience to wait.
But he wasn't entirely confident that Imhotep could defeat O'Connell.
In worlds like this, the ultimate victor between protagonist and antagonist wasn't determined by strength, but by sheer plot.
If it were about raw power, the O'Connell family would be dead hundreds of times over.
After ending the communication, Josh left the room to spend time with his wife and children.
Mike and Carol were now over a year old, chubby and healthy.
They had been personally vaccinated with advanced vaccines given to them by Yuri from his Red Alert Universe, protecting them from many of the diseases of the time.
Of course, everyone in Josh's household—except Vito, a semi-super soldier, and Jiaying, their Inhuman housekeeper—had also been vaccinated. It was a staff benefit.
These vaccines, now being gradually released by Josh's biomedical company, were sold at premium prices.
After all, not every country offered free vaccines.
Thanks to these patented vaccines and the military's continued purchases of BrightLight Serum, Josh's biomedical company was rapidly becoming a titan in the pharmaceutical industry.
Unfortunately, due to the war-torn nature of Yuri's world, they didn't have a certain essential drug for time travelers, Viagra. Josh wasn't a biochemist and didn't know its composition, otherwise it would have been another lucrative source of income. (Tl/N: Viagra is essential? lol)
When Josh arrived in the yard, the two toddlers were playing under the watchful eyes of Margaret and the servants, tugging at Wednesday's fluffy tail. (TL/N: Author named the St. Bernard dogs after the days of the week, in case anyone forgot.)
Poor Wednesday was afraid to move for fear of hurting them, and his tail was almost bald from all the pulling.
Meanwhile, his three siblings lay next to Margaret and watched as he was bullied by the two little bullies.
It was as if they were silently saying, "Better you than us!"
The dogs' keen senses picked up Josh's presence before he even approached. Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday wagged their tails and ran to greet him.
"Finished working? You don't look too happy," Margaret asked with a smile.
"Yes, I just met a promising trade partner. But they're involved in a big mess that I can't intervene in, so I'm a little worried," Josh said as he patted the three dogs' heads.
"Honestly, you shouldn't let it bother you. You have more than enough already. If you ask me, you should resign from that CIA position,” Margaret said casually, unaware of the existence of the Dimensional Trading System. She assumed Josh was talking about a regular business or work matter.
In truth, she disapproved of Josh's role as CIA director.
With their family’s wealth, there was no need for him to take on a government job.
It was demanding, not very profitable, and came with only limited authority. If he wanted power, it would make more sense to run for a seat in the Senate or the House of Representatives.
Josh just smiled at Margaret's suggestion.
The dark and twisted of this world were his burden to bear; Margaret only needed to live a happy, carefree life.
...
"Ding! The fifth Trade World host has died. Searching for a new host!” Five days later, Josh was jolted awake by the notification in his mind.
Despite his prophecy-like warning, Imhotep had still died. What else could it be but plot armor?
Josh wondered who the new host would be. Could it be a member of the O'Connell family? If so, he was already thinking about sending one of Howard Stark's special inventions.
Like a golf ball-sized device capable of blowing up an entire Roxxon refinery.
Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case. After sneaking out of bed and into his study without waking Margaret, Josh accessed the system.
On the other side of the screen was an Asian woman in a military uniform.
"...Ma'am, you should already know what the Dimensional Trading System is. Please introduce yourself," Josh said, feeling a vague sense of familiarity with her, but unable to remember her name.
"You may call me Cai Lin. The Trading System is truly a remarkable thing. What can I gain and what can I offer you in return?" the woman asked.
"Cai Lin... a good name. Are you a soldier?" Josh asked curiously.
"Yes, I serve in the army of the Han Empire!" she replied proudly, holding her head high.
(TL/N: In The Mummy universe, the Dragon Emperor's kingdom name was not disclosed, but his name was Han, so I think that's why the author used the name Han Empire.)
"The Han Empire? Interesting. How much do you know about the legend of the Dragon Emperor?" Josh asked, remembering where he had seen her before.
She seemed to be a supporting character in The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor.
However, compared to the movie, this woman looked much younger and had no facial scars.
Not surprising, considering the time gap of over two decades between the first and third movies.
Comments
incognito viewer
Viagra is a miracle drug for when... one must keep a mans weapon active for duty.
