Bab 4: chapter 4
Chapter 4
Yeutton Port, Caeba Kingdom, South Blue
After I collected the cash reward for both Poliver brothers and officially started my bounty hunting career the game decided to absolutely bombard me with a series of new quests.
Ding!
New Quest Alert!
Quest: Collect 5 bounties. Progress (2/5).
Reward: +2 in every stat but LUK and 1,200 Exp.
Ding!
New Quest Alert!
Quest: Collect 10 bounties. Progress (2/10)
Reward: +3 in every stat but LUK and 1,800 Exp.
Ding!
New Quest Alert!
Quest: Collect a bounty worth at least 500,000 Beri.
Reward: +3 STR, +3 VIT or DEX and 3,000 Exp.
Ding!
New Quest Alert!
Ding!
New Quest Alert!
Ding!
New Quest Alert!
Ding!
New Quest Alert!
Ding!
New Quest Alert!
Ding!
I was forced to shut my eyes to avoid getting overwhelmed. Each time one blue screen finished materializing another would pop into existence right next to it. There was one for collecting a bounty worth at least a million. One for 3 million. The one after that was for 10 million. Then of course came 20. 30. 40. Before it all finally ended when I received a quest to capture and turn in a pirate captain worth at least 50 million Beri.
'I think it's going to be a looooong time before I attempt to tackle that one. IF ever. And I think I saw one in there about capturing a Devil Fruit user? Screw THAT shit. No thank you. I rather enjoy being alive. I internally voiced as I went about dismissing the quest boxes one at a time.
"Umm...Mr. Parker are you alright?" Petty Officer Abrella asked in mild concern. "You kind of spaced out there for a minute."
"Ha! He's fine!" Chief Mori barked as he gave me a congratulatory slap on the back. "He's just thinking about what to do with all that money! Aren't you boy?"
I jostled a little from the hit and almost dropped the 185,000 Beri I was balancing in my hands. "Uh…yeah…that's it...just thinking about the money."
Mori nodded sagely. "I know the feeling. Why when I got my first reenlistment bonus I went on such a spending spree that I ended up...well you don't need to hear that story. Let's stay focused on you. Any big plans?"
I could do nothing but shrug. "Not really... Maybe get some new clothes...go eat some fancy meals. I'll probably end up saving most of it."
"Saving up for anything in particular?" he inquired.
"Not at the moment. I think I'd rather just have the money and not need it than need it and not have it."
Mori smiled and wagged his finger in approval. "Smart. So who's your next target then? Don't tell me you're quitting after just two payouts." he said, gesturing to the message board of smaller bounties. "You could even go after this new fellow. Poster just came in this morning. Bounty 32,000. It'll be easy."
I scanned the bounty board and hummed to myself as I took in all the info. There were so many options. Dozens of choices to choose from.
"Would you like me to make a copy of one of the posters for you?' Abrella asked.
I chuckled and sheepishly scratched my cheek with one finger. "Actually...can I get a copy of all of them?"
One Month Later
The past four and a half weeks have all in all been pretty productive for me. First of all, I have been shopping. I grabbed all the essentials for living in a sea faring world. Maps, compasses, rope, tarp, a decent spyglass, you name it. Living outside of the Grand Line means that navigation and the world as a whole still mostly makes sense so even a sailor as unskilled as me can get from place to place If I put in a little effort. Not that I'm planning on striking out on my own vessel anytime soon. It's just good to be prepared.
After I was satisfied that my [Inventory] contained enough emergency items/general supplies I decided that next on the to-do list was to revamp my whole wardrobe. If I'm going to be playing bounty hunter for the foreseeable future then I'm going to have to look the part aren't I? It just wouldn't be right to go around catching criminals in bland background character clothing. The ensemble I was currently sporting was a brown suit and vest combo that was reminiscent of a Mr. Tubalcain Alhambra, also known as 'The Dandyman'. Some might consider it bad luck to dress in the likeness of a character who dies painfully in the same episode in which he premiers. To them I say, I don't give a damn. I look fly as fuck.
By far the biggest drain on my pocketbook though has been food because let me tell ya, I have been eating good. Now I'd seen pictures of gourmet food in the One Piece universe before. Food that looks cartoonish and perfect. Food that seems so mouth-wateringly delectable it can't possibly be replicated in the real world. I had seen it. But now...I have tasted it. I do not have the words. My mastery of the English language is wholly insufficient to accurately describe the heavenly dishes that you can find at 5 star restaurants here. Just last night I had a prime cut of South Blue Elephant Tuna marinated in a sauce who's name I literally cannot pronounce. As I've said, I can't do justice to the description of its taste but it was nothing like tuna.
But enough about that. Let's talk about bounties shall we?
While none of them were quite as simple to hunt down as the elder Poliver brother I'd managed to locate six more men with prices on their heads, bringing my total tally up to eight.
One of them I wasn't even looking for! I literally bumped into him on accident in the street, an encounter which raised my LUK by a single point.
The smallest of the prizes I'd snared was a serial pickpocket worth a meager 17,500 whereas the largest was a seven foot tall gangster worth 330,000 who was apparently connected to some larger mafia group that operated all across this corner of South Blue. That catch in particular was hard to locate but it's amazing what you can accomplish with some hard work, a little elbow grease, and slipping your favorite bartender a few thousand more Beri's.
Overall the rewards for a very proactive month was enough to advance me three levels, all the way up to 19, almost to 20.
"[Status]" I chirp happily, ignoring the raised eyebrows of those around me as I drag yet another unconscious man towards the marine station.
Jack Parker, The Gamer, Lv. 19
Health: 650/650
Exp: 1550/1900
Money: 729,630 Beri
STR: 100
VIT: 65
DEX: 50
INT: 33
WIS: 30
LUK: 15
Points to spend: 5
Click here to see list of [Skills]
-Current number of [Skills]: 36
Click here to see list of [Perks]
-Current number of [Perks]: 1
Booyah! That's right! After so long without any [Perks] to speak of I had finally discovered the way of unlocking them. A method I had long suspected would produce results.
When I reached Lv.18 I finally allocated enough points into STR to raise it to 100 and was immediately granted my choice of two passive abilities.
1. Adrenalin Rush
In moments of critical need or dire consequence your STR is temporarily boosted by an incredible 70%! This bonus never lasts longer than a few seconds and dissipates instantly once the immediate danger has passed. This ability is limited to three times a day.
2. Stunning Blows
Your attacks have a little extra oomph put into them that others lack. Punches, kicks and jabs now have a 25% chance to briefly stun an enemy leaving them wide open for additional attacks. This ability only triggers on direct hits and does not affect enemies who are higher than [Your Current Level + 50%]. This stun cannot be reapplied until the initial stun has expired.
It actually took me the better part of a whole afternoon to decide. I mean think about it. This was a passive ability I was going to have for literally the rest of my life. Initially I wanted to just snatch up the second choice and be done with it. Can you imagine it? All the chains, combos, and beatdowns I could unleash with an ability like that? Even without the stun being stackable it was a seriously good ability.
But then the doubt entered my mind. What if I get on the bad side of someone I really should have left alone? There are some seriously big fish wandering this ocean and I'm not strictly talking about just sea life. If I ever came face to face with such a person then the first ability would undoubtedly be the better one to have. It could literally make the difference between life and death. Once that thought had truly taken root in my brain it was no contest. I selected [Adrenalin Rush] and have been happier for it.
"Hellooooo. Petty Officer Abrellaaaa." I shout playfully as I enter the main hub of the marine station. "I've got another one for youuuuu."
"You're joking! You're actually screwing with me right? You were just in here yesterday!" came the response from down the hall at the Bounty Office.
"Would you believe that this one actually came to me?" I replied lightheartedly as the familiar 'BOUNTY' sign came into view. "Honest! He walked up to me, asked 'Hey, you Jack Parker?' to which I naturally replied 'Not right now, I'm having lunch.' and then he mentioned some nonsense about teaching me a lesson and just attacked me!"
"Geez." Abrella sighed dramatically. "Who is it this time?"
I dropped the mans ankle and pulled a stack of wanted posters from the inside of my coat. "Uh…let's see here..." I whisper, ruffling through the sheets. "Ah. Here he is. Makken 'double-down' Hayward. Bounty: 260,000 Beri. Has known connections to the same mafia group that employed the guy I captured about two weeks ago. I'm guessing their organization didn't appreciate me capturing their associate. Though why they sent someone worth even less than the first guy is beyond me."
Abrella offered a small smile as she began constructing a small stack of money on the counter. "You sure you're gonna be okay Jack? The people these men worked for aren't those you should easily cross. They'll send someone much more capable next time."
"Bah. I'll be okay." I dismissed with a wave of my hand and then scooped up the cash. "I've told you. I'm stronger than I look."
Abrella giggled lightly. "So you've said. Have a good day Jack. And Good luck."
"Same to you. I'll see you around Petty Officer."
I exited the marine base and stepped into a nearby alleyway before safely dumping the cash into my [Inventory] and bringing my total amount to just shy of a million. Holy shit. It just hit me. One Million. I'm about to become a millionaire after just one month of work. Granted a Beri has way waaaay less buying power than the dollar did but this is still a big moment for me.
And it's not the only prize sitting just around the corner.
Quest: Collect 10 bounties. Progress (9/10)
Reward: +3 in every stat but LUK and 1,800 Exp.
I am close. So close I can taste it. All I need is one more payday and I can knock out this quest and have enough cash to just straight up buy a small house. Why would I buy a house? I don't know! The point is that I could!
Actually, if this next hunt is going to be a big one then let's go BIG! Three birds with one stone!
Quest: Collect a bounty of at least 500,000.
Reward: +3 STR, +3 VIT or DEX and 3,000 Exp.
The Exp alone is tempting. I'm currently sitting at (1550/1900) and each level up has consistently only cost 100 more than the previous one. If I manage to complete both quests at the same time it'll be enough to catapult me straight through levels 20 and 21 and get all the way to 22! If I manage to pickup enough Exp while hunting the bounty itself I may even reach 23 by the end of it!
I sifted through my stack of bounty posters like a kid in a toy store. Searching for that perfect someone. Maybe this time it'll even be someone who could put up a little bit of a fight! As much as the logical half of my brain enjoys the idea of playing it safe and continuing to steamroll over low-level criminals, it's already starting to get stale.
'Ooooo. This one might work.' I thought excitedly.
WANTED
DEAD OR ALIVE
WULFRIC L. BUCHANAN
B: 740,000
I skimmed over the small barely discernible print written below the bounty number. It seems Wulfric here has been very naughty. He's wanted for extortion, arson, connections to organized crime and he's suspected of several murders to boot. 'I can certainly see how this guy's earned his DEAD OR ALIVE designation'.
One of the notable details that I've recently learned about the bounty system is that the majority of those under a million were listed as 'ALIVE ONLY' since their transgressions didn't warrant anything more than a few years behind bars. I think most of us would agree that a serial pickpocket doesn't exactly deserve the death penalty.
'Well. Let's go see what my good buddy Bill knows about Mr. Buchanan shall we?'
The Cracked Pearl
Bill raised a skeptical eyebrow at the wanted poster that was slapped down on his bar. "Isn't this a bit larger than your usual fare? You know once you enter the big leagues you can't just undue that decision."
"Three quarters of a million hardly counts as 'the big leagues'. It doesn't even qualify as the 'middle leagues' if such a term exists." I retort with a sarcastic roll of my eyes. "Going after street punks and petty thieves is getting boring. This is just the next logical step."
Bill tapped his finger on the bar for a moment as he hummed in thought. "Before I tell you what I know, which honestly, even by my standards isn't very much, I feel I should clarify something about our working relationship."
"And that is?"
"I don't pick sides." Bill stated adamantly. "So long as they can pay, my services are open to everyone. Now I like ya Jack. You've got spunk. But I am not your friend. If someone comes in and has questions about you then I'm telling them what I know. I just want to make sure you understand that."
I nod. "I understand perfectly. I never expected anything otherwise. Now, how much for what you know on Buchanan?"
"Five." The broker replies without missing a beat.
I count out five 1,000 Beri notes and slide them across to his side of the counter.
"He's not here." Bill says in a hushed tone. "He skipped town two months ago on a boat set course for Halnola. It's an island about four days sail to the northeast. Small little isle. Not got a lot going on. Maybe he's laying low there, maybe it was just the first stop of his escape. Either way, that's all I know."
Six Days Later, Halnola
The past week hasn't been too bad. The only vessel actually departing for Halnola wasn't leaving for another day so I spent my final evening in Yeutton Port doing a small errand quest that awarded me 50 Exp. The boat ride itself was mostly uneventful but I found small ways to keep myself busy. I chatted with merchants, drank with a few travelers, and even did a minor side quest involving some drama between the ships chef and it's doctor.
All in all I had managed to scrounge up another 300 Exp over the four day trip which coincidentally was exactly how much I needed to reach Lv.20 and receive a surprising -though very pleasant- pop-up.
Congratulations! You have reached Lv. 20!
Stat points awarded per Lv up increased! (5) → (10)
This might seem innocuous at first glance but it is life changing, game changing, pun intended. The only way I can increase my stats is through leveling up and distributing points into them or by earning points as quest prizes -LUK not included-. This one single notification meant that my rate of growth just basically doubled. Not only that, it opened the door to the possibility of increasing again in the future.
I haven't allocated the 10 points yet, nor have I spent the five I earned back at reaching level 19. I'm having a bit of an inner debate on whether to focus on VIT or DEX next. Now that I know [Perks] are earned at 100 I need to think hard on which is more likely to be the better investment. At 65 VIT is obviously closer but DEX seems to be what dictates my speed and ever since getting shot by Thomas I've been feeling that stat needs some more attention.
But anyway...back to Halnola.
I like to think that each place in this world has it's own merits...but this place is a shithole.
I've been here a grand total of 24 hours and I'm already prepared to head back to Caeba. There's only a single settlement on the small crescent moon shaped isle and it's a dilapidated shantytown, the rest is just untamed jungle. There's no Marine outpost here to protect from pirates because no pirate would ever stop to raid here. There's literally nothing to take.
I kneel in front of yet another vagrant and try not to crinkle my nose as the full power of his unwashed stench hits me. "Have you seen this man?" I ask, holding up Buchanan's wanted poster.
"Fuck off." the filthy man spits at me.
My nostrils flare slightly and I breathe audibly out my nose in frustration. That is the ninth time I've received that answer today. I respond to it in the same way I've handled the last four. By subtly accessing my [Inventory] and then setting three slices of bread and 200 Beri down in front of the squalid creature. "Have you seen this man?" I repeat.
The man quickly changes his tune as he greedily snatches the offering. "Yeah I seen 'im. 'bout a week ago. He's always comin' and goin' from the jungle."
Finally. Some intel I can actually use.
"Any spot he stays in town when he comes back? A house, a shack, anything like that?"
The beggar opens his mouth again to speak but then closes it silently. He holds out an unkempt dirt stained hand as his eyes glisten with rapacity.
I roll my eyes and sigh before slapping another 500 Beri into his waiting palm.
"Six shacks down, take a left, follow that road till you see the place with the pale green roof. He holes himself up in there."
"Much appreciated." I murmur without really meaning it.
Finding the building with the green roof was not a hard task, the directions I'd received were more than clear enough. Staking the place out however was exceptionally boring. It was roughly 10 in the morning when I had arrived at the place and for the past 13 hours I have been waiting silently in the shadows inside of this shabby little hut waiting for him to come home.
In regards to food and bathroom needs...lets just say thank god for my [Inventory] and leave it at that.
Finally, at around 11 at night my target creeps through the front door, smiling and giggling like an excited school boy. He's clutching a solid black briefcase to his chest with such devotion that one would think he might die if he were separated from it.
'I'm not sure what's got him so giddy but I'm about to ruin his night. I almost feel bad.' I stand up from my spot in the dark and Buchanan's eyes catch sight of me. At first he panics as any normal person would but then visibly relaxes a few seconds later.
"You must be from the boat. That was quick. The Don's new enforcer said I probably wouldn't get picked up until the morning." he says, still with a stupid wide smile on his face.
'Umm...what.' "Picked up?" I question.
"Yes yes. After the new guy took the product and handed me my reward," Buchanan briefly paused to nuzzle his cheek against the suitcase. "he said someone would be by in the morning to help me sail back to Philridge. That's why you're here right?"
'Philridge? That was the capital of Caeba Kingdom right? I never really ventured outside of Yeutton. You know what, I'm clearly missing something important here. [Observe].'
Wulfric L. Buchanan, Mafia Goon, Lv. 13
Wulfric is mid-level grunt employed by the 'Masserida Crime Family' based inside Philridge, the capital city of Caeba Kingdom. Wulfric deals with blackmail, extortion, arson, and even some poisonings. After his identity was ousted from botching a job irreparably, Don Masserida sent Wulfric on a wild goose chase to hunt for Devil Fruit in the jungles of South Blue. The Don promised to pay Wulfric handsomely if he succeeded and to welcome him back into the family with open arms.
Health: 180/180
[ELATED]: Wulfric is so happy right now that he is not thinking clearly. He is receiving -3 to all mental traits.
STR: 20
VIT: 18
DEX: 39
INT: 15 (-3) =12
WIS: 4 (-3) =1
LUK: 25
Ok wow. Learning a lot right now...though lets just focus on what's immediately important. Capturing this guy. His STR and VIT are even lower than Reggie's were so Wulfric is clearly not a fighter despite the much higher price on his head. He is fast though. His DEX is easily the highest of any of the marks I've gone after. Quick as he is though, I'm even faster, so it shouldn't be too much of an issue. 'Although what the hell is up with this guys LUK score?'
"Sorry. I don't really know anything about that. The reason I'm here," I chuckle darkly as I unfurl the mans wanted poster. "Is for a different reason."
Buchanan's whole stance shifts and I tense myself in preparation for the fight. 'His speed is his best skill so I need to be on the lookout for jabs to the throat, hidden knives, or -DID HE JUST RUN AWAY?!'
"Oh fucking hell!" I cursed as I bolted out the door after him. I feel like an idiot. Every other guy, EVERY other guy I had gone after had tried to fight their way out of getting captured. I had grown so use to that being the norm that I had forgotten that some would just rather pull a runner.
Buchanan sprinted through the streets like a fire was lit under his ass. I was slowly gaining ground on him but I think his ridiculous LUK stat was influencing things. He'd slide perfectly around corners, piles of trash would fall in my way tripping me up, and every time I'd almost catch him some little thing would would go wrong and he'd slip through my fingers.
"Help! I need some help!" I heard Wulfric wail into a baby den-den mushi attachment on his wrist. "We're by the old fishers market! Hurry!"
For 10 minutes straight I chased this cowardly loud-mouthed asshole through rows, lanes, and abandoned stalls of the broken down long-dead marketplace. Always just barely unable to catch him as he awaited backup.
'I feel like I'm in a goddamn Benny Hill chase scene!'
"Got ya you son of a bitch!" I shout triumphantly as my hand snatches the back of his shirt. I tackle him from behind and slam him painfully face first into the ground. The briefcase he was so desperately clutching to finally loosens from his grip and goes sliding away.
"MY MONEY!" Buchanan cries out, one of his hands reaching out pitifully for the black case.
"SHUT IT!" I screech as my fist clocks him in the back of his head.
Critical Hit! Your opponent has been knocked out!
+200 Exp!
I let loose a long tired sigh and pull some rope from my [Inventory] to tie up the unconscious mobster. Honestly I am so done with tonight. I'm going to toss this prick into my [Inventory] and then get the hell off this-
Skill Lv up x3! Detect Bloodlust Lv. (1/50) →(4/50)
-You can detect when someone wishes to do you harm. Works within 16 meters.
'OH WHAT NOW?'
I turned around and beheld an absolute mountain of a man approaching. Well...not a literal mountain, such things are possible in this world, but the point is this guy was large.
He stood roughly eight feet high and looked like he had a hundred pounds of muscle just in his arms. Seriously. The dude looked like he could out arm wrestle 'The Terminator'.
He was dressed in a fine silken black suit and his eyes were obscured behind a dark pair of sunglasses. In all honestly the man could've passed for a 'Men in Black' style agent were it not for the ripped away sleeves that had clearly been removed to showcase his muscles.
'[Observe].'
Blackjack, Mafia Enforcer, Lv. 28
Although he now acts as the newest hired muscle for the 'Masserida Crime Family', Blackjack was once the third-mate officer of the now defunct 'Goldtooth Pirates' who terrorized and pillaged the waters of South Blue. His pirate career ended abruptly however when a battle with Marine forces sank his ship and most of his crewmates were either killed or captured. Blackjack survived the battle by hiding beneath a capsized rowboat and fooling the Marines into believing his body was lost at sea. His impressive strength and ferocious brutality earned him a bounty of 8,200,000 Beri.
Health: 2,010/2,010
STR: 168
VIT: 201
DEX: 45
INT: 12
WIS: 4
LUK: 6
"I feel like I've seen a picture of you before boy. Aren't you the one who captured two of the Don's men down in Yeutton?" he spoke out slow, his voice a deep baritone. "Don't worry" he drawled, popped the knuckles in his massive hand. "I'll make your death quick."
Ha.
Hahaha.
8.2 million.
Oh boy.
'I am so fucked.'
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone