Inside the room, there were several chests. When I opened them, they contained a large amount of gold and jewels. I quickly grabbed them and deposited them into my 'Inventory.' As I was about to leave, I noticed that the floor had a false bottom. Upon searching, I found a small handle, which I pulled, and it opened a door to what seemed like a basement.
There, there were several large white bags, probably around 1 ton each. Upon closer inspection, I noticed a peculiar smell. Almost instantly, I felt a slight dizziness... but also a sense of joy.
Johan/Marcus: "This is probably the cargo they're taking to the island, most likely for distribution among the island's upper class."
System: (Bellys collected: $46,000,000)
Johan/Marcus: "Well..., I thought there would be more." "System, add 2 points to the 'Strength' attribute along with 1 to 'Stamina.' Also, add 1 point to the 'Tekkai' talent."
I could add a point to Armament Haki, but at the moment, I need a purely defensive ability. While Armament Haki can provide hardening to defend myself, it won't work unless it's advanced, or at least at level 5.
The next moment, a wave of warmth and satisfaction ran through my body from head to toe.
This should be enough for a while; I'll need a few million to survive.
Johan/Marcus: "This feels incredible! System, show me my current status."
System: (Name: Johan Hannibal)
(Age: 21 years)
(Status: Anxious and Happy)
(Current location: Somewhere on Grand Line "Paradise")
(Special Abilities: Virtual map, Three-dimensional space for storing objects - Current limit 150kg)
(Strength: 3/100 - Attack power or destructive power)
(Stamina: 2/100 - Endurance to blows or physical exertion)
(Vitality: 1/100 - Healing of injuries or lifespan)
(Agility: 1/100)
(Devil Fruit: -)
(Melee Combat: 0/10)
(Fencing: 0/10)
(Rokushiki Techniques, Shigan: 0/10)
(Rokushiki Techniques, Soru: 0/10)
(Rokushiki Techniques, Tekkai: 1/10)
(Rokushiki Techniques, Rankyaku: 0/10)
(Rokushiki Techniques, Geppo: 0/10)
(Rokushiki Techniques, Seimen Kikan: 0/10)
(Armament Haki: 0/10)
(Observation Haki: 0/10)
(Bellys: $7,000,000)
Robert: "Marcus!, I know you're in there. Before the others kill you, better come out-"
Upon opening the door, Robert was met with a strong punch that instantly broke his neck and sent him crashing into a wall.
Johan: "Oops, sorry, Robert, I'm still getting used to my new strength. Hehahaha."
As I had imagined, a slight increase of only 2 points in strength actually amounted to a significant boost!
It's time to get out of here.
Climbing the stairs to the deck, I heard shouts from the sailors.
Tom: "Pirates! Damn it, just now! On the way here and all this time, nothing happened..."
Richard: "Tsk, don't get worked up yet; it's just a ship. Maybe we can handle them or escape. We're not far from our destination."
Tom: "Could be, and I don't recognize the flag; they're probably just novices or beginners."
-On the pirate ship
¿?: "Captain, we've received Rocky's order to assault and annihilate all the men."
¿?: "Excellent, all ahead! Intercept them and we'll keep the reward Rocky promised us. Hiahahaha."
-On the merchant ship
Mike: "Damn it, those are not ordinary pirates; Rocky probably sent them to eliminate us and take the cargo." "Prepare to die and man the cannons!"
*Boom*
*Boom*
*Boom*
When both ships were close enough, a crossfire of cannon shots began.
Johan: "Well, this is great. Not only can I eliminate them all to test my new power, but the pirates showed up at just the right time to eliminate any suspicion."
As they came within meters, pirates jumped onto the ship using ropes. About 20 landed on the deck and started fighting the sailors.
A pirate approached me, trying to strike, but I easily dodged and delivered a fatal hook, killing him instantly. Three more pirates surrounded me.
The first one kicked me in the stomach, but I grabbed his foot and threw him into the second pirate, causing them to collide with a wall and become unconscious. The third one stood trembling in front of me.
Pirate: "I-I'm sorry, I didn't me-" Before he could finish speaking, I broke his neck with a kick.
My next targets were two sailors, Tom and Richard, who teamed up to attack me.
Johan: "Tekkai!" When they struck me with their swords, both swords shattered.
Tom/Richard: "What the hell! How did you do that..."
After a brief exchange of blows, both lay dead on the deck with unrecognizable faces.
In the cabin, Mike was observing everything.
Mike: "YOU DAMN BASTARD! You've been hiding your strength all this time... although it pains me to admit it, maybe I can persuade him to help me defeat Andrew if I offer him a share of the treasure..."
Captain Andrew: "Hiahahaha, what's wrong, Mike, cat got your tongue? Hihahaha."
Jumping from his ship, the Pirate Captain taunted Mike. But upon seeing more than 10 corpses of his men, he was somewhat surprised...
Captain Andrew: "Oh..., it seems there's someone capable here."
Looking in my direction, he saw me splattered with blood all over my clothes, along with a slight smile, sending a chill down his spine.
Andrew: "Hey kid, how about you join me? I'll make you my right-hand man..."
Mike, upon hearing this, didn't hesitate to make his offer as well. If either of them could get my help, they would be the winner without a doubt.
Mike: "Marcus! Don't listen to him; he's just Rocky's lapdog. If you help me kill him, I'll give you $20,000,000 Belly!"
When I heard this, I couldn't help but burst into laughter.
Johan: "Hehahaha, too late, Mike, your little treasure is gone... and my name is Johan, not Marcus... Although both of you will die here, no harm in revealing it. Thanks for your invitations, gentlemen, but I'm not interested in either."
Andrew: "...". "Hmm, well, it's a shame; I'll finish both of you." Upon learning that his reward might no longer exist, Andrew became somewhat enraged.
Mike: "...". "Tsk, so be it then."
Not a second later, Mike pulled out a rather long sword from under a plank on the deck, followed by Andrew rapidly increasing in size and covering himself with scales.
At the end of the transformation, he was in a hybrid form resembling a crocodile, now measuring almost 4 meters, leaving the other pirates and sailors in shock.
Johan: 'This will be a bit more complicated than I thought. System, add 1 point to the 'Agility' attribute and another one to 'Strength.'
System: (Name: Johan Hannibal)
(Age: 21 years)
(Status: Anxious and Happy)
(Current location: Somewhere on Grand Line "Paradise")
(Special Abilities: Virtual map, Three-dimensional space for storing objects - Current limit 150kg)
(Strength: 4/100 - Attack power or destructive power)
(Stamina: 2/100 - Endurance to blows or physical exertion)
(Vitality: 1/100 - Healing of injuries or lifespan)
(Agility: 2/100)
(Devil Fruit: -)
(Melee Combat: 0/10)
(Fencing: 0/10)
(Rokushiki Techniques, Shigan: 0/10)
(Rokushiki Techniques, Soru: 0/10)
(Rokushiki Techniques, Tekkai: 1/10)
(Rokushiki Techniques, Rankyaku: 0/10)
(Rokushiki Techniques, Geppo: 0/10)
(Rokushiki Techniques, Seimen Kikan: 0/10)
(Armament Haki: 0/10)
(Observation Haki: 0/10)
(Bellys: $1,000,000)