Orange Town was broken. Stalls were smashed, walls cracked. Colorful red and blue flags fluttered like torn clown makeup. The streets were eerily empty, not abandoned by chance but by fear.
Kim Woo Jin stepped off the small boat with practiced stillness. Zoro followed with one hand on his sword. Luffy bounced ahead, full of energy, smiling like they had arrived at a festival.
Woo Jin's system sounded softly in his mind.
Location Reached: Orange Town
Threat Level: Moderate
Recommended Action: Shadow Soldier Deployment Optional
Shadow Count: 2
Active Units:
- [Shadow: Alvida – "The Iron Hag"]
- [Shadow: Morgan – "Iron Jaw"]
Both in Shadow Storage – Status: Stable
He walked with his hands in his coat pockets, a sense of controlled danger following his every step. His eyes scanned the shadowy corners of the ruined town.
No threat was in sight, but tension bit at the edges of his awareness.
Luffy halted suddenly. "Did you hear that?"
A crash. A scream.
Someone was running fast.
She rounded the corner, orange hair flying behind her like a whip, clutching a handbag stuffed with paper. Her staff turned in one hand while behind her, four pirates with clown makeup and cannon gauntlets chased her.
Woo Jin's eyes narrowed.
Target Identified: Nami
Class: Civilian – Navigator (Potential)
Affiliation: None
Relationship Quest Available: "Win Her Trust"
Status: Cautious Hostility
One of the pirates aimed his cannon arm and fired.
Woo Jin vanished.
Skill Activated: Dash
Distance Closed: 6 meters
Mana Consumed: 10
He appeared beside the pirate mid-blast, palm striking upward. The cannon lifted at the last second. The shot fired wildly, detonating harmlessly into a nearby wall.
Then he moved again, ducking low, fingers touching the pirate's shadow.
Skill Activated: Shadow Extraction
Target: Pirate – Lifeless
Extraction Attempt: 56%... Success
New Shadow Gained: [Unnamed Pirate – Lv. 1]
Shadow Count: 3
The new shadow stood, wobbling, awaiting command. Woo Jin didn't look at it. His gaze was on Nami, now backed against a wall.
"You alright?"
She blinked. "...What the hell are you?"
Before he could answer, Zoro and Luffy crashed into the scene from opposite ends. Zoro cut down two of the attackers without breaking the pace. Luffy stretched his arm wide and punched the last pirate through a cart.
Nami looked between them, breathing hard. "You're not Marines…"
Luffy laughed. "Nope! We're pirates! Wanna join my crew?"
She stared like he had just proposed marriage. "Are you insane?"
Woo Jin didn't interrupt. He simply walked past her, his shadows melting into the earth.
Quest Progress Updated: Win Nami's Trust – 1/3 Milestones Complete
(Defended her successfully)
They followed the trail of destruction deeper into the town center. At its heart, Buggy the Clown sat on a throne made of broken barrels, his massive red nose flashing like a twisted beacon. His crew laughed and shouted, cannons aimed and sabers drawn. His banner hung overhead, a blood-red skull with blue clown hair.
"Who dares ruin my fun?" Buggy shouted.
Zoro cracked his neck. "Guess that's us."
Woo Jin's system flared.
Boss Identified: Buggy the Clown – Level 12
Traits: Fragmented Body (Devil Fruit), Moderate Leadership, High Arrogance
Extraction Eligibility: Fragmented Soul – High Failure Risk
Danger Level: Elevated (Deploy Soldier Recommended)
Luffy stepped forward without hesitation. "You hurt this town. That's not okay."
Buggy stood, throwing his hands into the air. "I'll do whatever I want! You think you can stop me?! I'm Buggy the—"
Woo Jin cut the monologue short.
Command: Deploy Shadow – Morgan
Location: Behind enemy formation
Status: Ambush Mode
A scream erupted as Morgan's massive axe-arm cleaved through a pirate from behind, his iron jaw shines as he emerged from the shadows.
The battlefield turned into chaos.
Buggy launched his detachable limbs like missiles. Luffy blocked a flying hand with a stretch-kick. Zoro danced through cannon blasts. Morgan rampaged like a silent executioner.
Woo Jin stood still, watching and waiting.
Then he saw it: Buggy's torso separated to avoid a punch, hovering midair.
He moved.
Skill Activated: Shadow Strike (Lv. 1)
Target: Shadow – Upper Torso
Status Inflicted: Disorientation (2.5 sec)
Buggy rushed mid-air, his floating body slamming into one of his own crewmates. The delay was short but enough.
Luffy grinned. "Thanks!"
He launched a full-force punch.
"Gomu Gomu no… PISTOL!"
Buggy's head was knocked clean off. It hit the ground hard.
Boss Defeated: Buggy the Clown
Reward: +1200 EXP
Extraction Attempt: Failed – Soul Fragmented
Bonus: Shadow Armor (Unlocked – Lv. 1)
Shadow Count: 3
Woo Jin felt the upgrade like a cold burn crawling up his spine. Armor woven of darkness coiled just beneath his skin, waiting to be summoned.
He exhaled slowly. The battle was over.
Behind him, Nami approached. "You… fought differently. Not just strong. You… planned."
Woo Jin glanced at her. "Clowns are loud. Shadows are quiet."
She didn't smile, but her voice softened. "I don't trust pirates."
He nodded. "Good. You shouldn't. Especially me."
Relationship Progress: Nami – +10
Trust Level: Neutral
She walked away, sat on a crate, and began searching through Buggy's stolen treasure. Luffy joined her, laughing and already calling her a crewmate. Zoro cleaned his blade.
Woo Jin stood alone again, his own shadow rising like a silent army at his feet.
He wasn't part of their light.
But he would walk beside it until the world turned dark enough to need him.