NOVEL NEXT Chapter 5: Shirohime
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As Hector awoke, panic set in, while Leo remained asleep. Discovering a chance to flee the nightmare, Hector impulsively uttered the fateful word.
"Arise!"
A chilling wave of magic spread for meters, causing goosebumps in its wake. Although it alarmed every creature on the island, Leo merely opened an eye and returned to sleep.
UUUUUHHHHHHHH!
A deep groan echoed, and shadowy figures—critters, wolves, bears, and people—began to rise from their graves. Hector observed his shadow army; all were stirring. From the shadows, a black hand reached out, knelt, and the rest followed suit in homage.
"Fuck yeah!"
The shadow soldiers, donned in dark armor and wielding weapons, emerged one by one. Thirteen human shadow soldiers stood before him, alongside dozens of critters and packs of wolves and bears.
Success in Shadow Extraction.
[Shadow Infantry LV1-6] x10
Rank: Normal
[Shadow Warrior LV2]
Rank: Elite
[Shadow Ranger LV4]
Rank: Elite
[Shadow Rogue LV4]
Rank: Elite
[Shadow Critters LV1-8] x21
Rank: Basic
[Shadow Wolves LV1-5] x15
Rank: Normal
[Shadow Bears LV1-4] x4
Rank: Elite
The shadows varied in level, with critters at the lower end. Hector chose to sacrifice them to enhance the three elite shadow infantry to level 6. Their armor was not mere decoration; they were true warriors in pitch-black armor, armed for battle.
Maximum Shadows: 32/ 404
[First Shadow Soldier Summon Activates "Dark Heart," granting 100 Attunement points and regenerating 5 Mana points per second]
At last, Hector examined his reflection with a mirror from his pocket space and found himself the spitting image of Gilgamesh from Fate, save for his black hair and fierce violet eyes. Preparing to leave he was alerted to a system alert.
Upon seeing the Quest, a smile spread across his face as he thought of the one-punch-man training regimen.
[DAILY QUEST]
PUSH UPS- 100[INCOMPLETE]
CURL UPS- 100[INCOMPLETE]
SQUATS- 100[INCOMPLETE]
RUNNING- 10KM [INCOMPLETE]
WARNING- FAILURE TO COMPLETE THE QUEST A PENALTY WILL BE GIVEN.
"It was going to be difficult to complete the quest due to my previously weak body, but with Perfect Condition, I could complete them without enduring the pain and hard work."
While consuming his daily portion of sea king meat, Leo watched his human pet train. He disliked being referred to as 'the pet.' Thankfully, the Whitebeard Pirates had learned their lesson after he nearly mangled one of them. However, he did hold respect for Whitebeard, who was now a king of his pride, raising his cubs. Time to check on his pet again.
Hector was running through the forest effortlessly. Having completed his push-ups, sit-ups, and curl-ups, he had moved on to running. Eventually, he sat down beside Leo, resting with sweat covering his body.
[DAILY QUEST COMPLETE]
[+5 STAT POINTS TO DISTRIBUTE]
[REWARDS]
1. STATUS RECOVERY
2. SKILL POINT
3. RANDOM GACHA
He allocated all five points to Dexterity and chose a skill point, advancing his Armament Haki.
Dexterity: 130 + 5 = 135
Armament Haki: F Rank > E Rank
With three months left before the story's onset, he embarked on a journey to Shimotsuki Village, which lasted a few days. That night, as a party was underway, he used Sprint to reach his destination promptly—the graves of Shimotsuki Kuina.
[It's a potential target for Shadow Extraction]
Laying his hand on the grave, he uttered the command.
"Arise!"
A shadow atop the grave began to tremble and stir as though it had life. It mirrored the phenomenon he had witnessed while extracting shadows from other soldiers.
"It's working! I hoped to summon her on my first attempt."
He clenched his fists, feeling good about what was to come.
[Extracting...]
Black smoke billowed from the grave, extending a hand towards him, as if pleading for rescue. Hector's eyes sharpened, mirroring the gesture of salvation, he too reached out with his right hand.
[Extraction Failure]
"Arise!"
He commanded once more...
This time, as the shadow ascended, his words resonated with a vibrating power. A profound scream emerged, followed by a bone-chilling wind.
Aaaaaah!
As anticipated, following the scream, a hand emerged from Shimotsuki Kuina's grave.
Upon touching the ground, a message materialized.
[Extraction Successful]
[Shadow Warrior LV7]
Rank: Elite
Kuina's silhouette morphed into a lifelike form. After contemplation, he forfeited all 10 of his shadow infantry to elevate her rank.
[Shadow Warrior LV4]
Rank: Knight
[Shadow Warrior can be given a title name]
"Let's name her Shirohime."
Shirohime's armor contracted, enhancing her agility, hiding her face underneath a hood her sword akin to Wado Ichimonji, yet black. Approaching him, she knelt down.
"What is your command, my lord?"
"We shall head to Orange Town, to confront some clowns."
He gestured, flinging his finger into the air.
"..."
Shirohime stood there in silence, creating an awkward atmosphere. After some time, she chose to retreat into his shadow. As he set out to sea, he was notified of a new quest.
[Quest: Steal Zoro's Fated Swords]
[Reward: Haki Awakening Skill Path Scroll]
Prevent Zoro from acquiring Sandai Kitetsu or Yubashiri.
The quest was too alluring, so he decided to bypass the events in Orange Town and proceed to Loguetown. With a gleam of determination sparked in his eyes. He decided not to be bound by the original storyline. If altering it brought benefits, he would do so, and the same applied if it did not. To fulfill his goals, he was willing to confront or even become enemies with characters he once cherished.
"This is reality, not an anime world."
Days later, his vessel docked at Loguetown. Hector stepped off and ventured into the lively city. The harbor was teeming with merchant ships, bustling with people coming and going. His presence went unnoticed since he had not raised a Jolly Roger, allowing for a smooth and unhindered entrance.
After exploring the city, Hector reached the execution square where the pirate king Gol D. Roger was executed. This historic site drew many visitors to the city. Finding no opportunity for Shadow Extraction, he abandoned the attempt and proceeded to the Loguetown graveyard.
Contrary to expectations, high-level pirates were usually transferred from Loguetown to the marine headquarters. Hoping to amass a few hundred Shadow Soldiers, he managed to gather only 24, with eight of Elite Rank and the rest of Normal Rank.
Among the Elite Shadow Soldiers, there were four warriors, two Rangers, and two Rogues. He chose not to be hasty with the Normal Rank Shadow Soldiers, opting to reserve them for future battles.
Perusing through every single store he'd tried so far, all had stupidly expensive swords. None of which he could even dream of paying for, so after purchasing mediocre swords, he left leaving a Shadow Soldier behind. He informed them what he wanted in the shop when he was sightseeing, so that at mid night he would have everything he wanted.
Arriving in front of the Arms Shop, a family business owned by Ipponmatsu. The shop has been in business for over 200 years. The shop sells antique swords and other rare weapons. This was the same place where Zoro had taken two legendary swords Sandai Kitetsu or Yubashiri, after astonishing the old shop owner with a brave display.
He walked into the store, and the owner greeted him with the standard salesmen's pitch and smile
"Welcome, welcome! Have a look at anything you'd like, we have an extremely large variety to choose from. We have them all, and over two hundred years of sterling reputation! Please come in and look around!"
Hector just waved at the store owner and went to the back grabbing a few weapons including the Sandai Kitetsu, and quickly got a response from Ipponmatsu.
"No! I can't sell that sword!"
He roared, a cold sweat dripping down his back.
"That sword… it's…"
Ipponmatsu started, but Hector interrupted him.
"It's cursed."
He said, not giving away how he was feeling, one way or the other.
"You've heard of it?"
Ipponmatsu asked him in surprise.
"No…I can tell."
He shook his head rapidly
"Either way, the Kitetsu trio are all excellent blades, but all three are cursed! Famous swordsmen all over have lost their lives because they wielded those blades! These days, no sane swordsman would use one, and if they did they wouldn't be around for too much longer!"
He sighed and looked down.
"I'd like to get rid of it myself, but I'm afraid I'll be cursed for it."
Hector was eyeing the sword with a faint grin. It was a katana with a very a pattern on it that looked vaguely flame-like.
"This sword… I like it."
He broke into a full grin.
"I'll take it."
"What!"
RACE: Human■■■■■■
NAME: Hector Barbossa■■■■■■
Level: 1
Health Points: 5,200
Mana Points: 2,020
Stamina Points: 2,600
Attunement: 201
Vitality: 130
Endurance: 130
Strength: 130
Dexterity: 135
Perception: 130
Skill: 130
Safe Rewards From Daily Quest:
+Stat Points: 35
+Skill Points: 7
Skill Tree:
+Haki:
-Observation Haki: F Rank
-Armament Haki: E Rank
+Rokushiki
-Moon Step: F Rank
-Iron Body: F Rank
-Tempest Kick: F Rank
-Shave: F Rank
-Finger Pistol: F Rank
-Kami-e: F Rank