After a quick glance at his system interface, Kael Draven finally understood his current level of strength. The years of relentless training he had endured since arriving in the One Piece world had not been in vain.
Compared to the average adult, Kael was already far above normal human limits. Though such power meant little in a world dominated by monsters and legends, it was at least a foundation a starting point for something greater.
"How do I absorb attributes, exactly?" he muttered to himself, frowning slightly. "Seems I'll need to find an island with people first."
The thought of power real, tangible power set his blood on fire. The strength he had dreamed of for years was now within his grasp, no longer a distant fantasy. He wasn't about to waste another second.
Gripping the oars of his small fishing boat, Kael began rowing furiously toward the nearest island, his determination as fierce as the crashing waves.
The rhythmic slap of the oars against the water created splashes that rippled across the calm sea. But that commotion did more than disturb the silence it startled a school of flying fish resting near the surface.
Startled, hundreds of them burst from the water, their silvery scales glittering in the sunlight like a rain of diamonds.
Kael barely paid them any mind at first. Flying fish were rare and sold for good money, but he had more pressing matters now. Yet as his eyes followed their movements, he suddenly froze.
Something strange was happening.
As the fish leapt through the air, their bodies shimmered and tiny, glowing spheres of rainbow light began to drop from them, one after another.
The orbs didn't fall into the water. Instead, they drifted toward Kael as if pulled by an invisible force, merging directly into his body.
A warm rush of energy coursed through his limbs.
Kael's eyes widened in realization. "So this is… the absorption ability the system mentioned!"
He didn't understand why mere fish could drop attribute energy, but he certainly wasn't complaining.
[Ding! Congratulations, Host +1 Strength!]
[Ding! Congratulations, Host +1 Strength!]
[Ding! Congratulations, Host +1 Agility!]
[Ding! Congratulations, Host +1 Agility!]
[Ding! Congratulations, Host +1 Endurance!]
[Ding! Congratulations, Host +1 Endurance!]
The chimes echoed briefly before fading into silence.
It wasn't much. The school of flying fish only granted a handful of points before dispersing. But even so, Kael couldn't help but grin.
This unexpected gain, small as it was, proved one thing the system worked.
Now, all he needed to do was find stronger targets.
If he could continuously absorb the attributes of powerful beings, he'd grow stronger at an exponential rate. And if fate allowed him to cross paths with the Rocks Pirates if he could somehow stand near monsters like Whitebeard, Shiki the Golden Lion, or Charlotte Linlin then his power would skyrocket beyond imagination.
Not only could he absorb raw attributes, but also skills, Haki, and even Devil Fruit abilities.
In this world, strength wasn't built on muscle alone. Swordsmanship, Haki, and Devil Fruits were pillars of power, each capable of deciding life or death in an instant.
And yet, all of them no matter how mystical relied on the same foundation: the body.
A strong physique amplified swordsmanship and martial arts. Even Devil Fruits required immense stamina and durability to control their power.
And as for Haki it was the manifestation of a person's spirit, born from strength and will combined.
The mightiest warriors were those whose bodies, wills, and spirits were honed into a single weapon.
Kael's own awakening of Conqueror's Haki had come from the purest form of hatred a killing intent so intense it triggered the system itself.
He glanced back at his system panel:
[Host: Kael Draven]
[Age: 18]
[Strength: 20 (average adult male: 10)]
[Agility: 20 (average adult male: 10)]
[Endurance: 32 (average adult male: 10)]
[Haki: Advanced Conqueror's Haki]
[Skills: None]
[Devil Fruit: None]
Even a brief look at his stats filled him with renewed purpose. His power had already increased noticeably from just a handful of fish.
"If only I could find a Sea King right now," Kael muttered wistfully. "The amount of energy I'd gain would be massive…"
But the waters remained calm, with no signs of the colossal creatures. Shaking his head, he adjusted course, focusing on the distant speck of green ahead.
Hours passed. Waves crashed against the boat as Kael continued his journey, the horizon slowly revealing a lush, vibrant island.
From afar, he could already make out rooftops houses built close together, smoke rising from chimneys. The island looked prosperous, bustling with life.
"Perfect," he murmured, excitement glinting in his eyes.
After determining the location of the harbor, Kael poured every ounce of his strength into rowing faster. His plan was simple: find the most populated area possible and absorb everything he could.
The boat bumped softly against the docks as Kael arrived. Stepping ashore, he adjusted the bag slung over his shoulder and started toward the heart of the town.
People filled the streets vendors shouting prices, children running between stalls, fishermen hauling nets. The scene was lively, almost peaceful.
And then… the orbs appeared.
As soon as Kael stepped into the crowd, faint glimmers began to rise from the townsfolk colorful attribute spheres drifting toward him, one after another, vanishing into his body like streams of light.
[Ding! +30 Strength!]
[Ding! +25 Strength!]
[Ding! +10 Agility!]
[Ding! +12 Agility!]
[Ding! +30 Endurance!]
[Ding! +20 Endurance!]
A powerful rush of energy flooded his veins.
The effect was immediate his muscles tensed, his breathing deepened, and his senses sharpened. Every fiber of his being pulsed with raw power.
Though the villagers were ordinary people, there were so many of them that the sheer volume of attributes he absorbed became overwhelming.
He walked the streets for what felt like hours, quietly absorbing the light from every passerby. When no more orbs appeared, Kael stopped and opened his system panel again.
The numbers had skyrocketed. His body had changed too his once lean frame now towering close to two meters, muscles coiled like tempered steel beneath his skin.
He clenched his fists, feeling the dense weight of his strength.
From a simple fisherman to something far greater Kael Draven had taken his first true step toward becoming a monster worthy of the New World.
And this was only the beginning.
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