Grisha stared at the translucent screen before him.
The words glowed faintly, their meaning sinking into his mind like ink seeping into paper. This was real. He had died—slipping on a damn banana peel, of all things—and now he was here, in a world of monsters and hunters. A world where power dictated one's worth.
A slow grin stretched across his face.
"This is going to be interesting."
He exhaled, dismissing the screen with a thought. There was much to do. Strength to gain. A future to carve. And first on the list—securing his foundation.
---
Seoul – Hunter Association Headquarters
The Hunter Association building was a monolithic structure of steel and glass, towering over its surroundings. It pulsed with an invisible weight, the presence of countless awakened individuals saturating the air with mana. Each step Grisha took inside felt like entering a different world, one ruled by those who stood at the apex of human strength.
The grand lobby was bustling with activity. Hunters of all ranks moved with purpose—some exuding unshakable confidence, others carrying the haunted look of those who had seen death too many times. Large screens mounted on the walls displayed real-time gate rankings, news of recent conquests, and bounties on rogue hunters.
Grisha took it all in, his mind analyzing every detail.
"This world is built on strength, but more than that—it's built on perception. The strong dominate, the weak obey. Power dictates one's standing, but the illusion of power is just as valuable."
A woman at the registration counter glanced up as he approached. She was in her late twenties, her sharp eyes scanning him with the efficiency of someone who had seen thousands of hopefuls before.
"New applicant?" she asked, her tone professional but disinterested.
"Yes," Grisha replied evenly.
"Mana assessment is required before registration." She gestured to a crystalline orb embedded in a podium. "Place your hand on the device."
Grisha stepped forward. He had anticipated this. The machine was designed to measure raw mana capacity, an important factor in determining a hunter's potential. It wasn't a perfect metric—actual combat prowess depended on many variables—but in the eyes of the Association, numbers held weight.
Numbers dictated rank. Rank dictated opportunity.
He placed his palm against the orb.
Mana surged from him into the device.
At that moment, Perfect Magic Control activated. His mana didn't merely flow into the machine—it was sculpted, refined, carefully calibrated. He ensured it displayed an impressive but not excessive result. Something believable, something that would place him above the masses without drawing dangerous attention.
The orb flickered, then flared with golden light.
[A-Rank Mana Detected]
A murmur spread through the lobby. Nearby hunters turned to glance at him, some with mild curiosity, others with fleeting interest. A-rank mana was rare, but not unheard of. However, for an unknown individual to display such a grade during initial assessment—it was enough to warrant notice.
The woman at the counter raised an eyebrow.
"A-rank mana," she said, a hint of approval in her tone. "Impressive. What type of hunter are you?"
"Mage," Grisha answered without hesitation.
The response earned him another glance. Mages were a coveted class—powerful but difficult to master. Many lacked the talent or control to reach the higher echelons. For him to declare it so confidently meant he was either skilled or delusional.
She keyed in his information, then handed him a sleek A-rank hunter's license. The polished card gleamed under the artificial lighting.
"This grants you access to high-level gates and Association resources. Additionally, new hunters ranked B or higher receive an initial support fund."
She slid a black envelope across the counter.
Grisha picked it up, noting the weight.
He opened it briefly—inside were thick stacks of Seoul natural cash yen. A significant sum, enough to fund his immediate needs and establish a foothold.
"A necessary investment on their part. To raise elites, they must first give them the means to survive."
He concealed his satisfaction, nodding coolly. "Understood."
"One more thing." She handed him a map of active gates and eqipment centers for hunters. "Use this wisely. Even A-rank hunters fall when they overestimate themselves."
Grisha accepted the map, then turned and left.
As he exited the Association, he allowed himself a brief moment of reflection.
"Step one: Establish credibility. Completed."
But this was merely the beginning. Strength was a ladder, and he had only placed his foot on the first rung.
Seoul – Hotel Room
The room was quiet. The faint hum of the city outside provided a distant backdrop, but within these walls, there was only stillness.
Grisha sat on the edge of the bed, fingers tapping against his knee. His thoughts were sharp, precise, weaving together the next stage of his plan.
Now came the most crucial decision.
The six choices from One Piece.
The shop was still locked until Level 15. His inventory was empty. His adaptation ability had yet to be tested. But these were minor details. The real power lay in what he was about to claim.
He already knew his selections.
1. Lunarian Physiology – The body of a near-extinct race. Unparalleled durability, natural flame manipulation, and flight. A defense few could penetrate.
2. All Three Types of Haki – Observation, Armament, and Conqueror's Haki. Absolute awareness, supreme defense, and the ability to impose his will upon others. A foundation no warrior could ignore.
3. Soru Soru no Mi (Soul-Soul Fruit) – The ability to manipulate souls, instill fear, and extract lifespan from enemies. A power that blurred the line between life and death.
4. Ope Ope no Mi (Op-Op Fruit) – The ultimate surgical fruit. Spatial manipulation, instant teleportation, and the legendary immortality surgery. The power to control the battlefield itself.
5. Uo Uo no Mi, Model: Seiryuu (Fish-Fish Fruit, Azure Dragon Model) – A Mythical Zoan transformation granting him the form of a legendary dragon. Strength, regeneration, elemental destruction. A force of nature incarnate.
6. Gura Gura no Mi (Quake-Quake Fruit) – The ability to create earthquakes, shatter the very fabric of space, and unleash devastation. A power feared even by the strongest.
After doing this he focused his mind and found a book madr of dark light deep within his soul, he soon "grasped" the book and opened soon the sean around him chanced as he say a man who wore golden robes with white long hair and a handsome face swing a sword soon the book analyzed the man and copyed his sword skill before returning to the present.
[Younhave gained the skill advanced wepon arts level 1]
[Historical Void Diary will under go a 1 year Cooldown]
Each choice was precise.
Each choice was overwhelming.
Grisha was more than satisfied
With these abilities, he was no longer a mere participant in this world. He was an anomaly. An existence that should not be.
He closed his eyes, exhaling slowly.
"The foundation is set."
Outside, the city continued its restless dance, grisha continued his enjoyment of the moment as he took out map looking for a place to buy equipment.