3 Chapter 1: New Journey

King made the decision to leave the safety of the mountain and ventured into the dense forest. As he entered the forest, his eyes widened in fear as he came face to face with enormous, terrifying monsters lurking among the trees.

A wave of fear washed over King, causing his heart to race and his body to tremble uncontrollably. The intensity of his fear was palpable, and with each encounter, the fear points in his mind increased.

[Ding! +15 Fear Points]

[Ding! +25 Fear Points]

...

King continued to explore the forest, desperately seeking a safe haven amidst the menacing creatures. However, his encounters with various horrifying monsters only added to his growing terror. Each sight sent shivers down his spine, and he couldn't help but express his fear aloud.

"I'm scared! I'm scared!" King exclaimed, his voice quivering, as he clutched his chest tightly in an attempt to calm his racing heart.

To his surprise, the monsters around him seemed to be affected by an overwhelming aura emanating from King. They recoiled in fear, as if they were facing a deity walking among them. The monsters, drenched in perspiration, cowered in the presence of King's intimidating aura.

Just as King was on the verge of complete panic, a reassuring voice echoed in his mind, breaking through the chaos.

[Host, do not be afraid. You possess nine rescue tickets, each akin to an extra life. You need not fear for now.]

Relieved by this unexpected revelation, King's trembling gradually subsided. However, a lingering doubt persisted in his mind. He couldn't help but question the system's motives, dismissing the notion of being saved by the bird as mere coincidence.

"It's probably just a coincidence that I was saved by the bird," King thought, still harboring a sense of distrust towards the enigmatic system.

While King continued to explore, he finally emerged from the dense forest. As he stepped out, his eyes caught sight of a tranquil village in the distance. The sight brought a sense of relief, and he found a momentary respite from the constant fear that had consumed him.

"Finally, I'm safe," King whispered to himself, a glimmer of hope returning to his weary heart.

However, as he surveyed his surroundings, he noticed that the villagers were staring at him intently. This caught him off guard, and he couldn't help but wonder why they were fixated on him. With his characteristic demeanor of looking down and maintaining a serious expression, he struggled to comprehend the reason behind their unwavering gaze.

'Why are they looking at me like that?' King pondered, his mind filled with curiosity and a tinge of unease. The villagers' collective attention made him feel somewhat uncomfortable, as if he was the center of their attention for some unknown cause.

Amidst this puzzling scenario, a delightful aroma wafted through the air, capturing King's attention. His stomach rumbled, reminding him that he hadn't eaten or had anything to drink for hours. The weariness from his journey settled upon him, and he yearned for a place to rest and replenish his energy.

Drawn to the inviting atmosphere, King spotted a cozy bar nearby. Determined to satisfy his hunger and find respite, he made the decision to enter. However, as he stepped inside, an inexplicable chill filled the air, causing all the patrons to shudder involuntarily.

"Guys, I'm shaking. I don't know why," one of the customers voiced, holding up his trembling hand as proof of the eerie phenomenon.

"Me too."

"Me too," echoed others, their voices trembling with a mixture of confusion and fear.

The group of customers nervously showcased their trembling hands as they discussed the presence of the newcomer.

"Guys, look! When that guy entered the bar, we started shaking. He looks scary and strong," one of the men exclaimed, his voice laced with unease.

"Guys, let's leave for now," another suggested, the fear palpable in his tone.

In an instant, the majority of the customers joined them in their hasty retreat, their fear of the intimidating stranger overpowering any desire to remain in the bar.

Unaware of the commotion he had caused, King approached the bar counter with a polite and friendly tone. "Hello, can I get something to eat?" he asked, trying his best to project a non-threatening demeanor.

However, what sounded pleasant to him came across as a deep and commanding voice to the others, reminiscent of a battle-hardened warrior.

"Sure," Makino, the bar's attendant, replied without a hint of fear in her eyes. She appeared unfazed by King's presence, demonstrating a resilience that set her apart from the rest.

"Wait here," Makino said as she disappeared into the kitchen, leaving King to his own thoughts.

'Wow, she's really nice and cute,' King thought to himself, momentarily captivated by her charm.

[Host, you see that girl? A really strong man has a crush on her, so you have to build your strength to win her over.]

'You, shut up! I just think she's cute. She reminded me of a character from a game I played before,' King retorted silently, dismissing the system's intrusive comments.

As King was lost in his thoughts, a boy burst into the bar with exuberance, his voice ringing out loudly. However, upon laying eyes on the solitary customer in the bar, he abruptly stopped in his tracks, his gaze fixed upon King.

King and the boy, Luffy, locked eyes for a moment, their gazes filled with curiosity and intrigue. Suddenly, Luffy's face broke into a peculiar smile, and he exclaimed, "I'm Luffy, and I'm gonna be the King of the Pirates! Join my crew!"

King stood there, dumbfounded by Luffy's unexpected declaration, unable to comprehend the situation unfolding before him.

Just as the confusion settled in, Makino emerged from the kitchen, carrying a tray laden with food and beer. She approached King and offered him the meal, saying, "Here you go."

"Thanks," King replied gratefully, appreciating the gesture.

"Luffy, you can't just ask anyone to join your crew," Makino admonished, her voice filled with concern.

"Sister Makino, I'm starting my journey today. I want to say goodbye to everyone," Luffy declared, determination evident in his tone.

"You're already leaving? Wait up, I'll cook you something to eat for your journey," Makino responded, her words tinged with a motherly affection.

"Hehe, thanks, sister," Luffy chuckled, his infectious laughter filling the air.

Unexpectedly, Luffy took a seat next to King, seemingly unfazed by the earlier reactions of the villagers.

"Hello, what's your name?" Luffy inquired, his eyes gleaming with curiosity.

"King," he replied simply, his attention now divided between his meal and the enigmatic young man seated beside him.

"Join my crew! We will start our journey today," Luffy exclaimed, paying little attention to King's opinion.

King chose to ignore Luffy's insistence, his focus completely absorbed by the delectable flavors of the food before him. Each bite was a delight, and he savored every morsel.

[Minutes later]

Makino emerged from the kitchen, carrying a large bento box. As she stepped out, she noticed Luffy and King engaged in conversation, despite King's usual serious expression.

Luffy caught a whiff of the enticing aroma emanating from the bento box, causing him to pause mid-conversation. His mouth watered uncontrollably, a clear sign of his hunger.

"Luffy, you can't eat this. You'll starve at sea without it," Makino admonished, putting a halt to Luffy's drooling anticipation.

An hour later, they exited the bar together, with Luffy and King embarking on a small boat. Luffy waved goodbye to his friends and family, excitement evident on his face.

As they sailed away from Foosha Village, a sense of apprehension crept into King's mind.

'System, are you sure I can be safe with this guy?' King pondered silently, his doubts resurfacing.

[Of course, trust me,] the system reassured him.

As they ventured further, a sudden and colossal figure emerged from the depths of the ocean, capturing their attention and signaling the start of an unexpected encounter

King, who had been attentively observing the front, couldn't help but express his concern to the system. "System, I think I'm in trouble," he muttered, realizing the magnitude of the sea beast before them.

As the villagers and Luffy's friends and family pointed towards the massive creature, their intention was for Luffy to take notice and face the looming threat. Finally, Luffy's gaze shifted towards the sea beast, his determination shining through.

Luffy interpreted a sound emanating from King as a sign that he was preparing to engage in battle.

"Gomu Gomu no Pistol!" Luffy bellowed as he stretched his arm back, gathering strength before delivering a powerful punch towards the sea beast.

"King, you don't need to fight this anymore. I can handle it," Luffy declared confidently, his resolve unwavering.

In that moment, a wave of relief washed over King. He realized that he had almost utilized one of his precious rescue tickets, emphasizing the urgency to strengthen his physical capabilities as the system had suggested.

With renewed determination, they continued their journey, setting sail once again, ready to face the challenges that lay ahead.