After much coaxing, pestering, and emotional blackmail from the so-called "system," Luffy finally gave in.
Since night had already fallen, he decided not to bother returning to his dingy rental apartment. Instead, he spent some time clearing out a relatively clean corner inside the derelict train and lay down.
The musty smell of dust and old fabric filled his nose, but after the exhausting day, he barely cared. He simply dropped onto the half-clean floor, folding his arms beneath his head like a pillow.
"Hey, System," Luffy muttered into the air. "You got anything that can actually make me stronger?"
Luffy knew his own limits well. His current body was painfully ordinary. If he really set foot into the wide expanse of the galaxy like this, he would probably be weaker than cannon fodder barely worthy of warming up a proper warrior. If he was going to sail the stars, he needed strength.
The system's cheerful voice chimed in his mind.
[Of course, brother, of course!]
It sounded almost offended that he had to ask.
[You've read system novels before, right? Same principle here. Complete missions, earn "Stellar Jades," and then you can use them in my grand interstellar marketplace to exchange for all kinds of treasures!]
Luffy's interest perked up. "Really? Alright then, show me. Let's see what good stuff you've got."
[Coming right up!]
With a flourish, a transparent blue panel unfolded in his mind's eye, filled with rows of items. Luffy's expression quickly shifted from curiosity to skepticism, and then finally to grim disbelief.
"Wait… System, why does your store only have One Piece stuff?"
The marketplace was crammed with familiar names: Devil Fruits of every variety, named blades like Shusui and Enma, techniques such as the Navy's Six Styles, and even Conqueror's Haki packages.
Luffy rubbed his temples. If this were the One Piece world, those would be game-breaking treasures. But here? This was the Honkai Star Rail universe, where gods walked among mortals and soldiers of the Xianzhou fired laser-tipped arrows. In a place where battleships could crack planets, a "Supreme Grade Blade" was nothing more than a fancy butter knife.
Honestly, the only things that seemed remotely worthwhile were the Devil Fruits and Haki. The rest? Toys at best.
[Well, why do you think I'm called the Pirate King Cultivation System?]
The system's tone was smug, as though the branding explained everything.
Luffy's eyelid twitched. "So let me guess, I can't buy Sharingan or Tailed Beast powers, right?"
[Uh… not exactly.]
The system hesitated.
Luffy's eyes narrowed. "This is still a miHoYo universe, right? Don't tell me you don't have Herrscher Cores, Eidolon fragments, or hell even a fraction of a Star God's blessing?"
The system went silent. For a long moment, nothing but static hummed in Luffy's head. Finally, it whispered nervously:
[So… there's something you should know. Please, don't get mad.]
Luffy's stomach dropped. "What did you do?"
[Technically, you were supposed to transmigrate into the One Piece world. But, um, due to a little clerical error in the Department of Transmigration, you got sent to the Astral Express universe instead.]
[So all my inventory is still… One Piece–themed.]
"…?"
Luffy inhaled deeply, counting backward to calm himself. His voice came out eerily calm. "System. Where is the complaint hotline?"
[No, no, no, please don't complain! This is my first assignment as a system! If you report me, my salary for the whole month is gone!]
It sounded on the verge of tears.
[I swear, my family depends on me! I've got a gambling-addicted dad, a sickly mom, and a younger brother still in school. If you report me, they'll starve!]
Luffy's eye twitched harder. "You're a program. How do you even have a family?"
[Details! Anyway, I promise I'll fix this. If you want Herrscher Cores or Star God relics, no problem! I'll add a Honkai DLC to the store next month!]
"Next month? Why not now?"
[Because, uh… just like you, I'm broke. Can't even feed myself, let alone buy a DLC for you.]
"…That 'just like you' part was unnecessary."
[Don't worry! My boss said any system that performs exceptionally will get a bonus. Help me complete my mission, and I'll definitely use my bonus to unlock that DLC!]
Luffy snorted. "And you actually believed that?"
But he didn't say it aloud. The system's pathetic eagerness almost made him pity it. He decided to play along for now. Once he had his so-called DLC in hand, then he would break the bad news.
He closed the store with a sigh. Not that it mattered anyway; he had zero Stellar Jades. Even if he wanted something, he couldn't afford it.
"Alright, System. How do I actually earn Stellar Jades?"
[Simple. Two main methods: daily sign-ins and completing missions!]
"Fine. Sign me in. And open the mission panel."
[Ding! Daily sign-in complete. You've received 29 Stellar Jades. Now opening the mission panel!]
"…Twenty-nine?"
Luffy's mouth twitched. The cheapest Devil Fruit in the store cost over a thousand. At this rate, he'd have to sign in every day for more than a month just to buy something halfway decent.
His eyes shifted to the task list. At the moment, there was only one quest:
[First Voyage (0/1)]
The reward: a full 1,000 Stellar Jades. Enough to buy at least a baseline Devil Fruit like Chopper's Human-Human Fruit.
Luffy leaned back. That was something to look forward to.
"Hey, System. You've got a newbie gift pack, right?"
[Well… originally, yes.]
"Originally?"
[I, uh, pawned it to buy an Intro to Mechanical Repair manual.]
"…?"
[Otherwise, how do you think I repaired this Astral Express? I'm a system, not a mechanic.]
Luffy's face darkened. His patience was rapidly fraying. "So you wasted my newbie gift just to… study automotive repair?"
[Exactly!]
"…Complaint hotline. Now."
[No! Please! Don't! If you report me, I'll be demoted to a toaster system!]
The panic in its voice almost sounded genuine.
[Look, I'll make it up to you! I'll give you a free Devil Fruit of your choice. Completely self-selected. And best of all no side effects!]
Luffy blinked. "No side effects? You mean… I could swim after eating it?"
[Exactly!]
The system sounded like it was ripping off its own flesh.
[Do we have a deal?]
Luffy rubbed his chin thoughtfully. At last, a worthwhile bargaining chip.
Now the real question was if he could pick any Devil Fruit in existence, which one would give him the best chance of surviving in a galaxy filled with starships, immortals, and gods?