Chapter 35 – "Family, Firearms, and Forbidden Fruit"
Frank Castle wasn't the kind of man to get emotional about things. But standing on the edge of a floating city with his wife and kids safe beside him—watching a sky painted in hues of gold and magic?
He looked like he might accidentally smile. For a full second.
"Is this real?" Maria asked, clutching his hand tightly.
"Yeah," Frank said. "And I think the goat saluted me earlier."
Fromage le Vengeur did, in fact, salute. Then attempted to climb a spiritual mango tree.
🏰 Welcome to Castle Punisher
Adam hovered beside Frank in full sarcastic-guide mode.
"So, over there is the school of martial arts taught by a one-armed Shaolin ghost, and next to that is the bakery. Avoid the cinnamon rolls—they're sentient and unionizing."
Frank raised an eyebrow.
"...You're joking, right?"
"Honestly, at this point, I'm not sure."
They passed rows of magical houses—each one custom-built with mana and Adam's ring. Maria, who had once feared losing everything, now looked like she might cry.
Frank? He didn't say a word.
[EMOTIONAL SPIKE – Frank Castle: Grateful Joy + Deep Relief]
+4% Skill Fragment: Tactical Genius
+4% Skill Fragment: Weapon Proficiency
+$6,000 System Bonus
+2 Charisma, +1 Luck
Adam grinned. "Frank, your emotional spikes are better than Bitcoin."
🧪 Spiritual Mangoes Are... Complicated
Later, at the fruit orchard, Adam handed Frank a glowing mango.
"Try this. It's a spiritual fruit—grown from mana-infused soil, powered by emotional intent, and also... possibly hallucinogenic."
Frank took a bite. His eyes glowed for two seconds.
Then he stared at Adam.
"...Why are you wearing a clown wig?"
Adam blinked. "I'm not."
"Then why are you on a unicycle yelling about taxes?"
"I'm—oh. Yeah. Mango hit."
Frank calmly took another bite.
"Not bad."
👨👩👧👦 Family Time, With Mana Weapons
Later, Frank handed his new mana weapon to his son.
The Bloodforged Arsenal, recognizing family affinity, reshaped into a foam sword with glowing runes. His daughter got a shield that pulsed with mana and rainbow sparkles.
Adam stood to the side, genuinely impressed. "It adapts based on personality. Your daughter is now wielding the Power of Unicorn Justice."
"Good," Frank said. "She's the violent one."
🧬 System Gains
[EMOTIONAL SPIKE – Adam]
Gleeful manipulation of mana fruit + Watching Punisher's family smile = system jackpot.
+3% Skill Fragment: Illusion Mastery
+3% Skill Fragment: Spirit Farming
+$4,000 System Bonus
[SPIRITUAL MANGO HARVEST – EFFECTS]
12 new trees planted
Fruit grants temporary spiritual enhancement: +20% stamina recovery, +clarity of thought
Side effects: mild hallucinations, goat-based visions likely
📋 Chapter 35 Summary
Stat Gains:
Frank: +2 Charisma, +1 Luck
Adam: No direct stat gains this chapter
Skill Fragments Gained:
Tactical Genius +4%
Weapon Proficiency +4%
Illusion Mastery (Adam) +3%
Spirit Farming (Adam) +3%
Cash Gained:
Frank: +$6,000
Adam: +$4,000
Major Events:
Frank's family safely arrives
Emotional spike from family joy
Introduction of spiritual fruits (mangoes)
Bloodforged Arsenal bonds with his children
New orchard expansion begins
Next Chapter (36):
"The Frankening: Combat Training and Goats with Guns"
Frank trains the next generation of defenders. Adam gives him full command of the goat militia. Somewhere, a spiritual strawberry achieves enlightenment.