Chapter 16 – Arrival at Loguetown & A Drunken Savior
Ding Li's eyes blazed with excitement as he stared at the faint silhouette of the island ahead. It was hope. He turned to Koya, still lying weakly on the splintered plank, and shouted, "Koya! You're saved! There's an island ahead—hold on!"
Koya cracked her eyes open. Seeing the fire in his expression, a tiny, exhausted smile curved her cracked lips. She gave the faintest nod.
Ding Li didn't hesitate. He slid into the water and pushed the plank forward with powerful strokes. His legs churned like propellers, sending white foam spraying in every direction.
By the time they reached the shore, the sun had already set. Ding Li didn't care. He scooped Koya into his arms and sprinted inland, passing beneath a large sign he didn't bother to read: Loguetown
The town was alive even at night—streets packed, lanterns glowing, laughter and music spilling from bars. Ding Li wove through the crowd, cradling Koya against his chest, shouting, "Move! Please—make way!"
People stumbled aside, some falling, some cursing. He ignored them. His only thought: hospital. Now.
Ding! "+30 [Scolding] … +300 [Curiosity] … +3 [Pity] …"
He didn't hear the system. He ran every street, every alley. Every clinic, every doctor's office—closed. Night had shut them all down.
Eventually he collapsed in a dark alley, Koya limp in his arms, tears burning his eyes. He roared in frustration—"AHHH!"—then forced himself calm. He couldn't give up. Not now.
A lazy, drunken drawl came from the shadows. "Hey, kid. What're you yelling about?"
A man staggered out—disheveled hair, empty sake bottle dangling from his fingers, reeking of alcohol.
Ding Li looked up, voice hoarse. "I found a hospital… but they're all closed."
The drunk barked a laugh. "That's it? Hah! Follow me. I know an old quack who's better than any of those greedy bastards."
Ding Li had no choice. He followed the man through twisting alleys until they reached a noisy tavern.
Inside was chaos—drunken laughter, clinking glasses, thick smoke. The drunk bellowed toward a corner booth: "Old Man Kalle! Get over here—emergency!"
An older man—red-nosed, half-drunk—lifted his head irritably. "Roger, you brat! Every time you see someone sick you drag 'em here. This ain't a charity! One hundred thousand Berries."
Ding Li didn't catch all the banter, but he understood: this grumpy old drunk was a doctor.
Kalle shuffled over, glanced at Koya, and snorted. "She's not dying. Just severe dehydration, malnutrition, and a touch of chill. Give her water, food, rest—she'll be fine. Lucky you didn't go to a real clinic. Those crooks would've bled you for ten times that and still not fixed her."
Ding Li exhaled in relief. He grabbed a cup of water from the bar and carefully fed it to Koya. Color slowly returned to her cheeks. Her breathing steadied.
He turned to the two men, voice thick with gratitude. "I'm Ding Li. Thank you. I owe you both my life."
The drunk—Roger—shrugged. "Don't get sappy. Just pay the bill—twenty thousand Berries."
Ding Li's face fell. "I… don't have any money right now. But I swear—when I get some, I'll pay you back tenfold."
Roger's expression soured. "Yeah, sure. I've heard that one before."
Ding Li hesitated, then swallowed his pride. "Can you… lend me some? Just a hundred thousand Berries. I'll repay it. I promise."
Roger stared at him for a long moment—assessing, calculating. Then he sighed, reached into his coat, and tossed a heavy pouch of coins.
"Fine. You look pathetic enough. But remember—this is a loan, not charity. If you don't pay me back… well, you don't want to know what happens to people who cross me."
Ding Li caught the pouch, bowed deeply. "Thank you. I won't forget this."
Roger waved him off and stumbled back toward the bar.
Ding Li looked down at Koya—breathing easier, cheeks flushed with returning life—and felt a surge of determination.
He would repay every Beri. And he would keep her safe—no matter what it took.
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