Chapter 7 - The Fishing Trip(1)

[A big milestone achieved. A suitable skill will be generated.]

Raiden blinked at the notification in confusion. He hadn't expected to unlock another skill so soon after mastering Force Palm and learning Shigan. The possibilities raced through his mind as he waited for the system to reveal the new skill.

[Ding!]

[Skill: "Adaptive Reflexes' is generated.]

Raiden quickly accessed the skill description, clearly excited by the idea of having a new skill.

[Adaptive Reflexes(G) - 0/10 --> Enhances the user's reflexes and adaptability in combat situations. Allows the user to react quickly to changing circumstances and anticipate the opponent's moves more effectively. Increases the speed and accuracy of defensive maneuvers.]

"Not bad. But, hey system. Why now? What kinda achievement was it?" He called out in a confused tone.

[Host has been rewarded for reaching E rank in all his stats.]

"...then why didn't you give me a skill when all my stats reached F rank?"

[Because some of Host's stats were already above F rank.]

"...does that make sense to you?"

[...]

[Ding!]

[The system cannot provide you a skill. 1000 AP received as compensation from the system.]

"Hah! That's better." Raiden shook his head in amusement. He didn't really mind not getting the skill, but haggling with the system turned out  to be a pretty good move.

With the unexpected surprise out of the way, Raiden quickly rushed to Rock's home to freshen up and change his clothes. The old man had promised him that he would take him out for a fishing trip the next day, something he was really excited for.

The hot water felt refreshing as it washed away the sweat and grime from his intense training session. Raiden scrubbed thoroughly, letting the warmth relax his muscles. Once clean, he dressed in fresh clothes and made his way back to Mary's home.

"I'm home," he announced as he stepped into the house.

Mary greeted him with a warm smile as he entered the cozy house. The aroma of a hearty stew filled the air, making Raiden's stomach rumble in anticipation.

"Just in time, Raiden. Dinner's ready," Mary called from the kitchen.

He walked over to the dining table, where a steaming pot of stew, freshly baked bread, and a bowl of vibrant greens were laid out. Mary joined him, setting down a couple of glasses of water and taking a seat across from him.

"Smells amazing, grandma," Raiden said, grabbing a piece of bread.

"Thank you, Raiden. It's nice to have someone to cook for," she replied with a gentle smile.

They ate in comfortable silence for a while, enjoying the meal and each other's company. The stew was rich and flavorful, something that had become his favourite ever since he came to this world. Raiden savored each bite, feeling a sense of contentment washing over him.

"So how was day?" Mary asked, breaking the silence.

"Nothing much. I was with grandpa, helping him." Raiden lied smoothly.

Mary nodded, "Is that so? But you never spend time with me." She said in a mock sad tone.

"Wha...it's nothing like that, grandma! I..I um." Raiden panicked.

"Hahaha. It's fine sweetie. I know a kid like you would never sit back at home. Don't worry, I'm not mad at you." She said teasingly.

"Grandma..."

They continued their meal, talking about the day's events and sharing stories. Mary told him about her day at the village market, the gossip she had heard, and the funny interactions she had with the other villagers. Raiden listened, laughing along with her and appreciating the normalcy of the moment.

As dinner came to an end, Raiden stood up to clear the table. "I'll take care of the dishes. You should get some rest, grandma."

"Are you sure?" She asked, raising and eyebrow.

Raiden nodded with a smile."Yup. I got this." Mary was doing a lot all the time. He genuinely wanted to help her around too.

Raiden playfully shoved Mary towards her room. "Off you go, grandma. You've done enough for today," he said with a grin.

Mary chuckled, trying to put up a mock resistance. "Alright, alright, I'm going. But don't think you're off the hook for tomorrow's chores," she teased.

"Deal," Raiden laughed, giving her a gentle nudge.

Mary finally relented, walking towards her room with a smile. "Goodnight, Raiden. Sleep well."

"Goodnight, grandma," he replied, watching her disappear into her room before turning back to the kitchen.

Raiden quickly cleared the table, putting the leftovers away and washing the dishes, all with practiced ease. He used to live alone so was pretty used to doing these things at home.

Once the kitchen was spotless, Raiden moved to tidy up the rest of the house. He straightened the living room, arranging the cushions on the sofa and picking up stray items. The peaceful quiet of the evening was a comforting backdrop as he moved through the house, ensuring everything was in its place.

Finally, with the house in order, Raiden made his way to his room. He changed into his nightclothes and stretched out on his bed, feeling the fatigue of the day settling in. Raiden closed his eyes, a content smile on his face.

____

Raiden woke up early, the excitement for the fishing trip with Rock making it hard for him to sleep. He quickly dressed and made his way to the old man's home, greeting the villagers along the way. Everyone seemed to be in high spirits, the prospect of a peaceful day at sea lifting the village's mood.

As Raiden approached Rock's house, he noticed the old man packing hurriedly. A sense of unease settled over him. "Grandpa, what's going on?"

Rock looked up, his expression apologetic and serious. "Raiden, I'm really sorry, but I've just received an urgent message from my former Marine colleagues. I have to leave immediately."

Raiden's excitement deflated, replaced by concern. "Is everything alright?"

Rock nodded, though his eyes were serious. "It's nothing for you to worry about. Just some old business I need to attend. But I won't be able to join you for fishing today. We'll go another time, I promise."

Raiden sighed but understood. "Okay. What should I do then?  I was really looking forward to our trip." He muttered the last part.

Rock smiled, clapping Raiden on the shoulder. "Why don't you join the other fishermen? They could use the extra hands, and you'll still get to enjoy the trip."

Raiden hesitated. "Are you sure they won't mind? I don't want to impose."

"Of course not," Rock said with a reassuring nod. "You're one of us now. Go and have fun. Just be safe out there."

Raiden watched as Rock finished packing his gear, his heart heavy with disappointment. He had been looking forward to spending time with Rock, learning from him, and enjoying a day at sea. But he understood that things can happen unexpectedly, and Rock had to attend one at the moment.

"Alright. I'll go find the other fishermen and see if they'll let me join them," Raiden said, trying to muster up some enthusiasm.

Rock patted him on the back. "That's the spirit. And remember, stay vigilant out there. The sea can be unpredictable."

Raiden nodded, forcing a smile. "I will, grandpa. Take care."

Rock gave him a final nod before heading off. Raiden stood there for a moment, watching him go, then turned to find the other boats preparing to set out.

He made his way to the docks, where a group of fishermen were busy loading their boats with supplies. They greeted him with a mix of curiosity and warmth. The boy was pretty well known among their community.

"Morning, Raiden. Where's Rock?" one of the fishermen, a burly man named Toma, asked.

Raiden scratched the back of his head. "He had to leave for some urgent Marine business. So, I was wondering if I could join you guys instead?"

The fishermen exchanged glances, and for a moment, Raiden felt a pang of anxiety. But then Toma broke into a grin. "Of course, you can join us! More hands make light work, right boys?"

The other fishermen nodded and smiled, welcoming him aboard. Raiden felt a wave of relief and gratitude washed over him. "Thanks, everyone. I'll do my best to help out."

The fishermen continued their preparations, and Raiden quickly fell into step, helping them load the last of the supplies.

"Man, look at him go. What kind of monster is he?" One of the guys said with a bewildered expression.

"Yeah. What else did you expect from Rock's grandson." The other one replied in awe.

The men were surprised by how powerful the little kid was. He could easily carry heavy things that even they could barely move.

'Man, this is fun.' Raiden thought to himself.

Despite the initial disappointment, Raiden began to feel a growing sense of excitement. The day promised adventure, and he was eager to experience it.

"Alright, boys! Everything's loaded right?" Toma shouted.

"Yes! Captain!" The crewmates shouted back, including Raiden.

"Set sail!" Toma ordered in a loud voice.

The fleet of three boats set out early in the morning, the peaceful sea and clear skies promising a good day ahead. Raiden found a spot on one of the boats, settling in as the fishermen guided the vessels out into the open water.

He loved how it felt. The fresh air hitting him, the smell of sea water, everything felt amazing. The sea was rather calm too. The atmosphere was light-hearted, with the fishermen sharing stories and teaching Raiden some fishing techniques. He enjoyed the camaraderie, feeling a sense of belonging despite the morning's disappointment.

"Come over here, boy. Let me show you how to fish properly." Toma called him over. Raiden quickly picked a fishing rod and made his way to Toma, who stood at the stern of the boat, holding a fishing rod in one hand.

"First, get familiar with the rod," Toma said. "Handle it gently but firmly." He said, making sure Raiden copied him perfectly.

"Now, let's bait the hook." Toma demonstrated how to thread a worm onto the hook, and Raiden mimicked him, managing to secure the bait.

"Nice work," Toma praised. "Now, casting your line is crucial. Flick your wrist smoothly and let the line fly out." Toma cast his line with a fluid motion, and Raiden tried to replicate it, managing a decent first attempt.

"Not bad, Raiden," Toma said. "Now, we wait."

They stood side by side, lines cast into the water. The gentle rocking of the boat and the sound of waves created a peaceful atmosphere. "Fishing is about more than catching fish," Toma said. "It teaches patience and respect for the sea."

Raiden nodded in understanding. Suddenly, he felt a tug on his line. "Toma, I think I've got one!"

"Steady, Raiden. Reel it in slowly," Toma instructed.

Raiden carefully reeled in the line, feeling the fish fight against him. With a final pull, he brought the fish out of the water, grinning with pride. "I did it!"

Toma laughed, clapping him on the shoulder. "Wahahaha. Well done! You're a natural."

Raiden stayed at the spot, chatting with the old man, listening to his stories. He was a nearly 70 year old man, sailing the sea for many decades. A lot of them with Rock himself.

As the boats drifted further from the shore, the fishermen cast their nets and lines, the rhythmic motions almost meditative. Raiden watched and learned, trying his hand at casting a line and feeling a thrill of excitement each time he felt a tug.

Hours passed, and the boats began to fill with the day's catch. The sun climbed higher, casting a golden glow over the water. Raiden felt a deep sense of peace and satisfaction, enjoying the simple pleasure of a successful day of fishing

"Wrap things up boys. We're heading back." Toma shouted. The sun was setting, and he didn't want to be on the sea in those conditions. The crewmates quickly reeled the net in, and prepared to get back.

Raiden was ordered to just sit back. They wanted to wrap things up quickly. They didn't have the time to teach Raiden things. Raiden was sitting at the now of the boat, when something on the horizon caught Raiden's eye. A fleet of ships appeared, growing larger as they approached.

Toma noticed Raiden's concern and followed his gaze. His expression immediately darkened as he recognized the distinctive Jolly Roger. A skull with a necklace made of red teeth. "Damnit! Blood Fang Pirates. Everyone, look sharp! We've got company," he called out, his voice tense.

"Oh God! Why today?" A fisherman exclaimed in a panicked tone.

Panic spread among the fishermen. "Without Rock, we're doomed," one of them whispered, and the fear quickly took hold.

The Blood Fang Pirates' ships loomed closer, their dark sails and menacing flag casting a shadow over the fishing boats. The pirates, sensing an easy target, quickly surrounded the fishermen, cutting off any escape. The fishermen, though accustomed to the dangers of the sea, felt a cold dread settle over them as the pirates' ships closed in.

On the lead pirate ship, a grizzled man with a scar running down his face and a sneer on his lips surveyed the scene. "No sign of Rock," he muttered to his crew. "Looks like it's just a bunch of helpless fishermen today. This'll be easy."

The pirates, emboldened by the absence of Rock, began to shout taunts and jeers as they prepared to board the fishing boats. The fishermen tried to ready themselves, but without their strongest protector, fear was palpable.

Toma, seeing the inevitable, shouted to his crew, "Stay calm! Don't provoke them. We'll concede and hope they take what they want and leave."

The pirates laughed as they swung onto the fishing boats, brandishing weapons and shoving the fishermen aside. The leader of the pirates, known as Cutter, strutted across the deck, grinning maliciously. "Well, well, well. Looks like we caught ourselves a bunch of scared little fish," he mocked, drawing laughter from his crew.

The fishermen stood huddled together, their eyes wide with fear. They were normal civilians and had no way of beating these pirates. Toma stepped forward, trying to reason with Cutter. "Please, take what you want and leave us be. We don't want any trouble."

Cutter's eyes narrowed. "Trouble? Oh, I think you're already in trouble." With that, he struck Toma hard across the face, sending him sprawling to the deck. The pirates cheered, and the beating began in earnest. The fishermen tried to defend themselves, but they were quickly overpowered.

Amidst the chaos, Raiden watched from a shadowed corner, his heart pounding with a mix of fear and anger. He couldn't stand to see these men, who had welcomed him so warmly, being brutalized. As Cutter moved closer, laughing cruelly, Raiden knew he had to act.

He slipped through the chaos, stealthily approaching one of the pirates who was separated from the main group.The said pirate was a hulking brute, with a jagged scar on face and was busy tormenting one of the younger fishermen.

"Agh! P..please stop! It hurts!" The young boy cried out in pain.

The pirate grinned wickedly, and kept on kicking the boy repeatedly, each blow eliciting pained grunts from the boy. The fisherman, clutching his sides, tried to shield himself from the relentless assault.

"You call this a catch?" the pirate sneered, grabbing a handful of the fisherman's hair and yanking his head back. "Pathetic! Your little fish aren't worth the trouble it took to get here."

As the pirate continued his cruel taunts, Raiden moved silently, his eyes locked on his target. The pirate was so engrossed in his sadistic game that he didn't notice Raiden's approach.

'Just look at this fucker.' Raiden's face scrunched up in disgust. He quickly pulled out his dagger from his inventory and sneaked up behind him.

The pirate laughed, lifting his boot to deliver another brutal kick.

"Huh?"

Right before the kick landed, though, Raiden struck. He stepped up behind the pirate, his movements quick and fluid, and plunged the dagger deep into the pirate's neck

The pirate's body tensed, his eyes widening in shock as he dropped the fisherman and reached up, fingers scrabbling at the blade lodged in his throat.

A gurgling sound filled the air as the pirate tried to speak, blood bubbling from his mouth. His strength ebbed rapidly, and he crumpled to the deck, life draining from his eyes. The last thing he saw was the visage of a small kid, covered in blood staring down at him.

Raiden withdrew the blade and wiped it on the pirate's shirt with a cold gaze. The others hadn't noticed him yet, but the time for hiding was over. This was what he was preparing for and Raiden knew he had to fight.

[Ding!]

[Pirate Kai killed. 20 AP received.]

"Now then, let's put down some rabid dogs."

_____