Chapter 29: A Force to Shatter Armies
In Kaizen Reiya's previous life, the Japanese swordsman had later revealed the process of killing the Level 100 King of the Near Shore. He had found the note in the bottle, which contained a detailed record.
Before the fleet formed by the major Japanese consortium was wiped out, they had discovered the wound on the Sea King—the so-called Life Gate—and concentrated all their firepower, desperately attacking it.
However, as a Level 100 mega-monster in the early stages of the new One Piece world, its offensive power was absurdly strong, its defensive power monstrously high, and its recovery speed terrifyingly fast. Despite their strength, they possessed only a few Silver-grade items. In the end, even after locating the Life Gate, they couldn't deal effective damage to the colossal beast and were ultimately annihilated.
A low-level player on one of the ships had recorded this discovery on a note before the total wipeout. On it, he also summarized the reason for their failure: even if this Life Gate was found, Silver-grade equipment couldn't breach it. Only Gold-grade items could kill it.
Just after writing it, before he could even seal the bottle, the entire fleet was attacked by the King of the Near Shore and utterly destroyed.
In his past life, that Japanese player had been overjoyed upon discovering this invaluable experience. He immediately returned, sought investors, and finally, with the backing of another Japanese consortium, went to the Heavenly Blade Forge to purchase a Gold-grade spear gun and a three-pronged harpoon. Armed with the life-costing experience of his predecessor, he set out to sea and slew the Sea King.
After killing the King of the Near Shore, that player's level soared, and he received a trove of excellent rewards from the World Will. It was precisely this massive windfall that allowed that Japanese swordsman to eventually rise head and shoulders above all other players in the East Blue, becoming its undisputed king.
"Heh. Little Japan. With me, Kaizen Reiya, here in this life, don't even dream of such an opportunity."
Kaizen's eyes were locked onto the huge, hideous form of the King of the Near Shore concealed within the massive waves.
His fingers tightened on the spear gun's grip. He was currently one kilometer away from the Sea King.
Any closer, and he would easily enter its attack range. Any farther, and aiming would become difficult.
Fortunately, his Lightness Skill: Water Treading had reached the Third Level. Upon the waves, he was as stable as on land. Locking onto the Sea King's Life Gate was far easier for him than it had been for the Japanese swordsman in his rickety boat.
Although the Level 100 King of the Near Shore was covered in thick scales, its defenses superhuman, making it difficult for even a Gold-grade weapon to breach...
The scar on its body, where the scales had fallen away, was about one meter long. A strike from a Gold-grade spear gun there could pierce its defenses. By slowly whittling down its health, he could make it bleed to death.
It was similar to whaling.
Furthermore, with Kaizen's current level and techniques, he was far superior to the Japanese swordsman of that time.
If the spear gun struck true, his slashes, Fire Serpent, Glue Cannonballs, and other skills could accelerate the Sea King's demise.
Fwoosh! After aiming for a moment, Kaizen finally pulled the trigger and launched the spear. Unfortunately, the Sea King was too fast. The shot went wide, striking a scale beside the scar. A loud clang echoed as the spear was deflected, sending a shower of sparks flying.
Fortunately, Kaizen reacted swiftly. With a sharp tug, the spear flew back into his hand.
The King of the Near Shore, provoked, let out a screech that grew harsh and sharp, increasing in volume. It carved a long, white wake across the sea, charging toward Kaizen in a furious rage.
Kaizen's expression changed. He immediately activated his Lightness Skill, skimming across the water's surface as he swiftly fled over the sea. A tremendous rumbling sound boomed behind him, incessant, as if the entire ocean were being churned upside down by a mighty force. It was utterly terrifying.
Clearly, the Level 100 King of the Near Shore had gone berserk and was giving chase.
Kaizen glanced back, and a chill ran down his spine. He saw the King of the Near Shore, its colossal body like a moving island, stirring up monstrous waves as it charged.
The sheer force of the impact was horrifying.
In that moment, Kaizen finally experienced the terrifying magnitude of a Level 100 monster's power.
He finally understood why the formidable forces of the Japanese players had been utterly crushed by this mega-monster's overwhelming might.
No matter how many ships you could afford, no matter how many players you brought, it was all futile in the face of such destructive force.
In this stretch of sea, it was the supreme ruler.
In the early stages, Level 100 monsters were nearly invincible.
This situation persisted until the middle and late stages of the new One Piece world. With the mutation of Devil Fruits, the introduction of human firearms, and the evolution of ordinary animals into Demon Kings, this level of terrifying combat power began to change.
For instance, a developed Whitebeard could single-handedly annihilate an army of a million players.
Some Demon Emperors could, with a single breath, obliterate a nation of a million people.
The new One Piece world, in its later stages, was hurtling toward ever more terrifying extremes.