One piece with a system.

By midday, Reed finds himself lounging under the shade of a tree near the ship, munching on a few of the berries he'd gathered earlier. A nagging feeling starts to creep into his mind, like he's forgotten something important.

"Did I miss something?" he mutters to himself, opening his system interface to double-check.

As he scans through the menus, his eyes widen. "Oh, come on! I forgot to claim the daily mission!" With a quick tap, the system processes the reward, adding [1500] Beli to his total balance.

(Reed) [1000 » 2500]

Reed lets out a relieved sigh, leaning back against the tree. "At least I didn't miss it entirely... that would've been embarrassing." He shakes his head, making a mental note to check his system more often.

Jack approaches from the side, his steps slow and his expression still distant, as if his mind is elsewhere. "We forgot yesterday too," he mutters, his voice flat. Without much thought, he opens his system and claims his own daily reward.

(Jack) [1500 » 3000]

Reed glances over at him, noticing the lingering emptiness in Jack's demeanor. "Well, at least you're claiming it now," Reed says lightly, trying to lift the mood a little.

Jack lets out a low hum, barely acknowledging Reed's words, as his gaze shifts to his system interface. His eyes land on a completed mission labeled [First Kill].

Jack hesitates, his finger hovering over the claim button as he wrestles with himself. After a long moment, he exhales deeply and finally claims the reward.

(Jack) [3000 » 8000]

(Jack) +3 stat points

Jack stares at the updated numbers for a moment, his expression unreadable. The reward felt hollow, a stark contrast to what it represented.

Jack sighs deeply, his thoughts heavy as he wonders, How do others shake off this experience so easily? His gaze drifts to the horizon, but the lingering weight of his actions pulls him back.

Opening his system menu, he tries to push those thoughts aside and focus on practicality. With a deep breath, he allocates his newly earned stat points, his movements slow and deliberate, as if every decision carries an immense weight.

Jack:

Melee - 3 » 4

Defense - 3

Sword - 0

Gun - 0

Devil Fruit - 6 » 8

Jack's expression remains blank as he stares into the endless ocean horizon, lost in his thoughts. The gentle waves lap against the shore, but the sound does little to soothe the turmoil within. 

Reed, observing Jack's detached demeanor, lets out a resigned sigh. "Guess he needs some space," he mutters under his breath. Turning away, he heads toward the forest, deciding to keep himself busy. "I'll gather something useful… maybe berries or wood," he thinks, hoping that doing something productive will help lighten the heavy atmosphere. 

The silence between them stretches, broken only by the rustling of leaves as Reed disappears into the trees.

Reed's POV:

I walk through the forest, the weight of my decision settling in. Goa Kingdom... I don't know much about it, but I do know it's risky. There's no telling what kind of people or dangers might be lurking there. But I need more information, and I could use the resources. I can't keep depending on Jack all the time, especially when he's in this state.

The deeper I go into the forest, the more my instincts tell me to turn back, but I push forward. I need to make this work. There's no other choice. Besides, Jack and I don't know how long we'll be able to stay hidden here. I might as well start scouting. Hopefully, I'll find something useful, or at least figure out what's going on in this world. 

I try to ignore the tension in my chest as I pick up my pace, making my way towards the kingdom.

I reach the top of the mountain, my gaze settling on the vast, imposing walls of the Goa Kingdom. The walls stretch high, making it impossible to enter through the front. Beyond them, I can see the kingdom itself, bustling with life. But what's most striking is the area outside the walls—the slums. It's a grim sight, with rundown houses and makeshift shelters, a stark contrast to the kingdom's more orderly structures. The slums surround the base of the wall like a border, full of people living in poverty.

I take a deep breath, observing the scene carefully. This is a place where survival is key, and the kingdom's wealth is separated from the harsh reality outside. I might have a chance to find something useful here, maybe even blend in. But it's clear—I'll need to be cautious if I'm going to navigate this area without drawing attention.

As I enter the slums, I approach a few of the locals who seem to be going about their daily routines. I take a deep breath before asking, "What is this place?"

One of the locals, a scruffy-looking man with a weary face, looks me over before replying. "This? This is Grey Terminal. It's where those not lucky enough to be inside the kingdom's walls live. The Goa Kingdom's elites never give us a second thought, so we make do with what we have here." His voice is rough, like someone who's seen too many hard days.

I nod in acknowledgment and after a bit more talking, I leave the man and start heading towards the imposing walls of the Goa Kingdom. As I approach, the sheer size of the wall towers over me, making me realize just how high the stakes are.

I wonder if there's a way inside, a weak point in the wall or perhaps an opening in the gate, but for now, I know I need to stay cautious. The last thing I want is to draw attention to myself.

I slowly make my way toward the giant gate, keeping a safe distance so I don't attract any attention. From here, I carefully observe the area. The gate is massive, with thick, sturdy stone that would make breaking through nearly impossible.

I take a moment to think, scanning for any potential weaknesses. Maybe there's a time when the guards are distracted or a side entrance that's less guarded. Or perhaps I could find someone who's leaving and slip in unnoticed. 

For now, I remain still, continuing to observe and strategize, trying not to rush my decision. I need to make sure I'm ready before I attempt anything risky.

I wait for the last rays of light to vanish completely, ensuring the cover of night is thick enough. With a deep breath, I focus and activate my first move, [Bamboo Impale]. The familiar surge of energy flows through me, and bamboo shoots up from the ground, the tall, sturdy stalks rising to help me climb.

I take a moment to steady myself, making sure my next move is calculated and firm. With the bamboo no longer shooting up, I focus on creating sharp, sturdy spikes. I channel my energy into my Basic Attack, this time shaping the bamboo into razor-sharp points. I stab them into the stone wall, carefully placing each foothold along the surface. The bamboo sinks in firmly, creating enough stability to support my weight.

One by one, I test each foothold, making sure they are secure before proceeding further. The sharp bamboo holds steady, allowing me to ascend more easily without worrying about losing my grip. I climb higher, each movement more fluid and controlled than the last. The night air grows colder as I rise, but the determination to reach the other side keeps me focused.

After a brief pause, I thank the 4 stat points I already have in melee, as they make it easier to maintain my grip and stability. Using my enhanced physical strength, I craft a foothold in the bamboo, securing myself even higher on the wall.

As I settle into my makeshift resting spot, high above the ground, I can't help but appreciate my past experiences. The rock climbing skills I once thought were nothing more than a hobby are now proving to be incredibly useful in this moment.

After a few minutes of rest, I continue my climb, focusing on each step, each foothold. The wall is massive, but my grip remains steady, and the bamboo helps guide me. At times, I need to pause and catch my breath, but I push forward, determined to reach the top.

As I make my way up, the sun finally sets, casting the area into darkness. This makes it easier to stay hidden. A few more rest stops allow me to regain my strength and prepare for the final stretch.

Eventually, after what feels like an eternity, I reach the top. The vast kingdom stretches out before me, the walls surrounding it a constant reminder of the challenge I've just overcome. With a final glance at the heights I've climbed, I step onto the wall and pull myself over the edge.

...

Jack's POV:

It's night, and Reed's still not back. I stand on the ship's deck, my gaze drifting over the horizon. As I look around, my eyes catch a green diamond shape, elevated in the distance. I know that it's Reed, and that he's probably just fine. Still, a part of me feels a little unsettled. I can tell he's out there pushing himself, but I can't help feeling disappointed that he didn't listen when I told him to take it easy today.

Sighing, I decide to take a look at the system again. We haven't really explored it much, and I figure now's as good a time as any. As I dig through the menus, something feels off. I check my level... and realize I haven't leveled up yet. That's strange. Considering how easy it's been to gain experience from the small tasks we've done, I thought I'd have leveled up by now. Maybe the system works differently here.

I frown as I notice that the missions don't give any experience points. It's no wonder I haven't leveled up yet. I had assumed that completing missions would reward us with some exp, but apparently, that's not the case. It looks like we're going to have to focus on other ways to gain experience if we want to level up and get stronger.

I stare at my level, [lv. 1] (55/100), and the realization hits me hard. Killing NPCs in the game grants 50-55 exp, and yesterday, I did kill someone. My stomach churns, remembering what I did, but I can't ignore the fact that I might have gained experience from it. I shudder at the thought.

A heavy sigh escapes my lips. "Haaa..." My thoughts spiral as I stare at my system, wondering how deep this rabbit hole really goes. 'I'm going to have to kill someone again to test my theory, huh?' The idea gnaws at me, but the rational part of my brain knows it's the only way to confirm whether my experience gain was tied to the death of that woman yesterday.

I shake my head, trying to push the unease away, but I can't ignore the fact that I might have to cross that line again. This whole situation, the stakes, the choices—it's all becoming too much to process. But I can't just sit back and do nothing. The questions need answers, and I'm the one who's going to figure them out, no matter what it takes.

Shaking those dangerous thoughts from my mind, I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself. I step off the ship, the cool night air brushing against my skin as I make my way into the dense forest. The sounds of the night surround me, but I keep my focus forward, the dark trees barely visible in the dim light of the stars.

I move quietly through the forest, keeping my eyes sharp for any signs of wildlife. My thoughts are focused, but there's a part of me that can't shake the unease. After a bit of searching, I set up a few [Sticky Grain Trap] around a clearing, hoping to catch something.

Then, just as I'm about to reposition, I spot movement in the distance. My heart quickens as I see a large boar emerge from the trees, sniffing the air. It's huge—perfect for what I need. I take a deep breath and steady myself, carefully moving into position.

With my heart racing, I focus on the boar as it moves closer, unaware of the traps I've set. After taking a deep breath, I shoot a [Rice Fist] towards the boar, aiming to make contact and send it straight into one of the traps. The force of the impact sends the boar stumbling forward, right into the sticky hold of the trap.

The boar struggles, but it's stuck fast, thrashing around in an attempt to escape. I take a moment to watch it, making sure the trap holds. The moment feels surreal, but I'm determined to see this through.

I shoot more [Rice Fist] towards the boar, but to my surprise, it's already lifeless, lying still in the trap. I pause for a moment, processing the outcome. It didn't take as much as I thought it would. After a few seconds of reflection, I realize that with my Fruit stats being at 8, it makes sense the boar wouldn't last long against my attacks.

Sighing, I turn my attention to the system, hoping this will give me the confirmation I need. If I get experience from this, it'll confirm my suspicions, but if not... then I'll have to rethink my approach.

I check my level, and my eyes light up as I see [lv. 1] (65/100). "Good, we don't have to kill humans to level up," I mutter to myself, relieved that I don't need to resort to that again. 

I then quickly glance at my beli amount, only to find it hasn't changed. It makes sense—killing a boar doesn't bring in any money. 

With a sense of satisfaction, I prepare to move on, knowing I've confirmed a useful piece of information for the future.

I keep hunting throughout the night, setting traps and searching the forest for more wild animals. The quiet rustling of the leaves is the only sound that accompanies me. Hours pass, but my determination doesn't waver. Each time I kill an animal, I feel a bit more accomplished, my stats improving, my skills sharpening.

Eventually, I reach [lv. 2] (5/150), and a sense of satisfaction washes over me. It's slow progress, but progress nonetheless. I take a moment to breathe, knowing I've gained something valuable tonight—experience, in more ways than one.

As I check my stat points, I see that leveling up granted me 3 stat points, and excitement wells up inside me. It's a good feeling—progress, real progress. My mind races with possibilities for improving my abilities, and for a moment, I forget the weight of the decision I made yesterday. 

The thought of taking another life doesn't even cross my mind as I focus on the thrill of growth, the power that comes with leveling up. But deep down, I can still feel that lingering unease, though it's buried under my newfound sense of accomplishment.

By daybreak, I've reached [lv. 6] (200/400). As I stretch and yawn, exhaustion starting to catch up with me, I mutter, "I don't understand how they set the exp requirements per level, but I'm not complaining."

The entire night has passed in a blur of traps and hunting. I can barely keep my eyes open, but at least I've made significant progress. The game mechanics don't really make sense, but who am I to question the results? Despite the overwhelming fatigue, a small part of me is satisfied with the gains.

Exhausted from the long night, I make my way back to the ship. As soon as I step aboard, I collapse onto the deck, not even bothering to set my stat points despite reaching a total of 15. My body screams for rest, and I immediately drift off into a deep, much-needed sleep, letting everything else fade into the background for now.

...

Reed stood on top of the wall, his body tense as he surveyed the area below. The pale moonlight illuminated the surroundings, and he knew time was running out. He had successfully scaled the towering wall, but now he needed to descend.

Reed sighed as he created two more sharp bamboo spears, carefully impaling them into the wall and slowly descending. Each time he grew tired, he would craft additional footholds to make the process more manageable. The descent felt like it was taking longer than expected, but he remained focused, ensuring every move was precise. The last thing he needed was to fall or make any noise that might alert the guards.

As the ground finally neared, Reed's muscles ached from the strain, but the sight of solid earth beneath him gave him a sense of relief. He carefully retracted the bamboo, making sure everything was left undisturbed. With one final glance back up at the towering wall, Reed touched the ground, feeling the soft dirt beneath his boots.

He took a deep breath, surveying the area before him. The kingdom was now within reach, but he knew the real challenge was just beginning. He steeled himself for what lay ahead, determined to accomplish his mission without attracting too much attention.

Arriving at the ground, Reed let out a quiet sigh of relief. The decision to descend at night had been the right one—if it were daytime, he knew he would have been spotted long before reaching the bottom. The cover of darkness had allowed him to move with greater ease, blending into the shadows. 

He quickly scanned his surroundings, making sure no one was near. The area was quiet, the only sound being the faint rustling of leaves in the night breeze. 

With a cautious but confident step, Reed moved away from the base of the wall, staying low and keeping an eye out for any potential threats. He couldn't afford to be careless now—getting this far was only the beginning. The real challenge lay ahead.

End of chapter.