The message still hovered in Rael's vision, flickering with arcane blue light.
[System Alert]
Unknown Entity Watching… Origin: Not from This World… Signature: Multiversal.
WARNING: Targeting System Core.
Initiating emergency defense—LOCKDOWN IMMINENT…
Status Update: Hostility Level – NEUTRAL.
System Shield Active. Entity No Longer Interfering.Rael narrowed his golden eyes as the presence slowly faded. A pressure had loomed just behind the veil of reality—something ancient… aware… and curious.
"Something from the multiverse," Rael muttered.
He stared up at the sky, his jaw tense.
"Did it come because of you?" he asked, glancing at the hovering System window. "Or me?"[System Notice]
Unknown. However, entity did not attempt interference or aggression.
Observation only. Shield will remain active.Rael exhaled slowly. "Then it's not a priority… yet."
He shoved the alert away with a flick of his hand. There were too many unknowns already—and he had a new world to explore.
By midmorning, The Abyss Fang docked at the rugged harbor of Dawnshore Island.
A fishing village came into view, nestled along the edge of jagged cliffs. Colorful cloth banners swayed from rooftops. The scent of grilled seafood wafted through the air. But not all was peaceful—Marines patrolled the streets in full gear, and several bounty boards were plastered with wanted posters.
Rael stepped onto the wooden pier, his cloak fluttering behind him. His presence alone drew attention—his physique, his strange aura, his golden eyes. Whispers followed.
"Who's that?"
"He doesn't look like a pirate… or a Marine…"
"That guy looks like he could snap a sea king in half…"
Rael ignored them all.
He wandered through the market square, boots thudding softly against cobblestone streets. Merchants offered fruit, fish, and trinkets. Kids played with wooden swords, mimicking pirate battles. Somewhere, a musician played a gentle tune on a shamisen.
Rael glanced around, his expression unreadable.
Peaceful… but fragile.[System Notice]
Island Info Updated: Dawnshore is a neutral island under Marine supervision. Common pirate hideout. Bounty hunters frequent the local tavern.
Potential Quests Available: 3
1. Investigate Rumors of Devil Fruit in Nearby Jungle
2. Help Local Fishermen Deal with Sea Beast
3. Deal with Corrupt Marine Officer Extorting MerchantsRael scoffed. "Devil Fruit? Sea beasts? Corrupt Marines? Typical."
He chose none for now.
Instead, he walked to a cliffside view overlooking the ocean. The village stretched behind him, quiet and vibrant. He sat at the edge of the cliff and folded his arms over his knees, eyes fixed on the distant horizon.
"Even after a hundred years… I'm still chained," he whispered.
His sealed strength simmered beneath his skin—still far greater than anything this world had seen, but nowhere near what he was before. The gods' divine chains still clung to his soul, adapting to every breakthrough, every new power he gained.
And yet…
Something stirred within him. The system—this new system—was slowly cracking the chains. Every victory. Every interaction. Every quest. It was grinding against the lock that bound him.
The people of this world had no idea who he was. No idea what he'd endured.
He was fine with that.
He wasn't here to be a hero this time.
He was here to reclaim his freedom.
Later that evening, Rael stepped into a lively tavern near the harbor. The air was thick with music, laughter, and ale. Bounty hunters lined the tables, boasting of captured pirates. Marine officers drank in corners, keeping a loose watch.
He sat alone in the far corner, silently sipping a drink.
Then he heard it.
A whisper.
"The Straw Hats… they were seen near Loguetown again."
"I heard the swordsman beat down three bounty hunters without breaking a sweat."
Rael raised an eyebrow.
"…Straw Hats again," he muttered.[System Notice]
World Track Updated: Proximity to Key Characters increasing. Probability of encounter: 32%.
Caution: Narrative Currents may begin to shift.Rael smirked. "Let it shift."
He rose to leave when the tavern doors slammed open.
A familiar sight—scrappy pirates, rough-looking, arrogant. But this group was different. Their leader wore an iron pauldron, had a bounty of 3 million berries, and a cruel smile.
"Well, well. Looks like we found our next big score, boys."
They pointed at Rael.
He blinked slowly.
"…Again?" he muttered, annoyed.[System Notification]
Enemies Detected: Hostile Pirate Group – "The Steelbacks"
Threat Level: Low.
Combat Authorization: Approved.Rael's fist tightened.
The tavern went dead silent.
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