NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 8: Getting Started
After the four women leave to explore the village, the other three men wander off on their own, leaving Alex alone with Thato. As they chat, Alex is surprised to learn that Thato actually knows about One Piece. He mentions that he'd seen a few episodes with his younger brothers a decade ago but can't remember many details. He only recalls wishing back then that he could leave everything behind and embark on an adventure like Luffy.
Hearing this, Alex has a realization: maybe every player in the Fantasy Realm is looking for an escape. A fresh start to their old lives. A way out of the bullshit they have to deal with. Sure, Alex's problems are nothing compared to someone like Thato, who has spent his life working in dangerous conditions, but their emotions are probably not all that different. They all want to escape.
Over the next half hour, Alex shares what he knows about the Fantasy Realm, stats, and, most importantly, the One Piece world. Alex, being the type of person who's spent most of his life in front of a computer, knows a lot about One Piece. He gives Thato a quick rundown, focusing on Baroque Works:
"Baroque Works was a criminal syndicate created by the Warlord Crocodile to destabilize and conquer the Arabasta Kingdom—and to acquire the ancient superweapon Pluton. To achieve this, they carry out countless acts of espionage, sabotage, and murder over the years, eventually manipulating Arabasta into civil war. But that won't happen until the Straw Hats reach Arabasta. For now, Baroque Works is still gathering resources and personnel.
They mostly employ bounty hunters and mercenaries under the half-truth that they're building a new, 'ideal' nation. Their ranks are made up of the lower-tier Millions—around 1,800 of them—and the Billions, who are higher-ranking and candidates to become agents. In Arabasta, there are around 200 Billions."
Alex explains that while Baroque Works has powerful Officer Agents with devil fruit powers, they won't encounter them in this mission. "No use worrying about that. We're just normal humans, man. People like Mr. 1 could kill thousands of fighters like us. He tanked every one of Zoro's attacks with the Supa Supa no Mi until Zoro finally cut through iron and defeated him. Even then, it was more about Mr. 1's arrogance. So, don't bother thinking about those types of enemies. At worst, we might run into a Frontier Agent. Probably only one, not a team."
Alex recalls that Zoro had killed Mr. 7 before canon even begins, so the Frontier Agents aren't nearly as dangerous. "They're mostly weak, and none of them have devil fruit powers. They rely on numbers or equipment to get the job done. With the help of the villagers, and if we hold a solid defensive position, we might be able to beat Baroque Works if their numbers are small. This island seems unimportant, so I doubt they'll throw too many fighters at it."
Thato, grateful for Alex's detailed knowledge, begins to trust him. Though he can't understand why Alex knows so much about a "childish anime," he appreciates the honesty. Thato has worked hard his entire life to provide for his family, and while he doesn't judge Alex, he finds the contrast between their lives somewhat amusing. Still, he likes Alex's straightforwardness and is glad they've met. They seem like a good team for this mission.
They spend some time discussing their stats, and Alex shares his as well.
Thato Khumalo: Lvl 0
HP: 70/70, MP: 30/30
STR: 7, AGI: 9, PHY: 7, SNS: 5, CHA: 6, MNA: 3, INT: 4 SPR: 6, LUK: 1
Available Stat Points: 0
Innate Skills: Dream Runner lvl 0,
Free Skill Slots: 5/5
Innate Skill: Dream Runner
Type: Boon
Level: 0 (Base level, can be leveled up)
Effect at Level 0:
Running Speed: +10%
Stamina Efficiency: Running consumes 20% less stamina.
Regeneration Boost: HP and MP regeneration are increased by 20% while running.
Overall Rating: C-
Potential: The skill offers significant boosts to running speed and efficiency, but it's fairly basic and lacks versatility in combat or other scenarios. It's useful but limited in scope.
Alex is stunned. If Thato wanted to, and if the Fantasy Realm allowed it, he could kill Alex in seconds. His PHY is slightly lower than expected, likely due to years of dangerous factory work wearing him down, but it's still leagues ahead of Alex's. Even with his stats reset to an average of 5, Alex can't compare. Thato's only "weakness" is his slightly lower INT, but Alex doesn't judge that, his own INT has fallen to 5, and he doesn't feel any dumber for it.
INT isn't just about raw intelligence or IQ. It's more about mental processing speed and the ability to grasp complex concepts. Thato has spent his life focusing on physical activities, while Alex has been able to read, study, and use his mind in a leisurely way. That probably explains the difference.
Thato's [Dream Runner] skill is impressive too, but Alex is puzzled by its C- rating. The boosts it gives—speed, stamina efficiency, and regeneration, seem universally useful in almost every type of world. Why is it ranked so low?
Alex realizes he needs more information about the Fantasy Realm to properly judge these things. Still, one thing is clear: innate skills seem to be deeply personal. Alex has always gone for balanced characters in games, trying to do everything in a single playthrough, which probably explains his bane skill. Thato, on the other hand, has used running as an escape from his harsh reality, and it manifests in his unique skill. Their powers are reflections of their inner selves.
Alex admires Thato but can't stop thinking about his own skill. If something like [Dream Runner] is rated C-, then how powerful would his [Genius Conjurer] be once he unlocks a spell?
As they explore the village, they come across a man directing a group of workers who are still putting up the palisade. The wooden stakes, though sturdy, seem hastily constructed, with many gaps still visible between the logs.
The man calls them over. "You, big guy," he says, pointing at Thato, "you look like a strong worker. And you…" He glances at Alex with a dismissive look. "You look... average. But it doesn't matter. We need hands. If you're willing, help us gather wood for the palisade."
[Side Quest Offered – You can only take one side quest in the village at a time.]
Mission: Deliver wood to complete and enhance the village palisade.
Reward: Contribution points based on the amount and quality of the wood.
Remaining time until main mission begins: 0 days, 1 hour, and 15 minutes.
Thato immediately accepts and turns to Alex. "What do you think?"
Alex hesitates. He can only take one quest at a time, but since there's still some time before the main mission, he figures he might as well start with this one. "I'll help," he says, reasoning that with his average stats, he won't excel at anything anyway, so it doesn't really matter what task he takes.
Player Alex Kerber has accepted the side quest.
The man hands them each an axe.
[Inferior Woodcutting Axe]
Quality: Gray (Inferior)
Required Stats: STR - 5, PHY - 4
Durability: 12/20
Damage: 7–11
Note: Cannot be taken out of the scenario or back to the Fantasy Realm.
Alex studies the item. Its quality seems to be the lowest tier, and the available information is minimal. "I probably need a skill to get more detailed info on items," he thinks. At least it's something, a tool that could double as a weapon, if needed. Still, the whole situation makes him realize just how ill-prepared they are.
"No armor, no skills, no proper weapons, and somehow we're supposed to be mercenaries worth 500,000 Berry each?" He cringes, imagining how ridiculous they must look.
After receiving their axes, Alex and Thato head into a nearby forest. The trees tower above them, casting long shadows across the dirt path.
Thato, having some experience with logging, quickly takes charge. "Don't bother trying to chop down these huge trees. With these dull axes, it'd take us hours, maybe even days. Look for smaller, younger trees. They'll be easier to cut, and they're more than enough for the palisade."
Alex nods, impressed by Thato's practical thinking. It reminds him that INT has little to do with common sense or practical knowledge. It isn't about raw intelligence or problem-solving—it's more about processing power and learning magical concepts.
As they scout the forest for the right trees, Alex feels a small flicker of hope. Maybe, just maybe, they have a chance after all.