One piece: Without a system, I have to survive!

The moon hung high above the dense jungle, casting long shadows over the trees. My body ached from hours of relentless training, but I wasn't stopping. Not yet.

The wolf lay nearby, watching me with sharp eyes, its breathing steady. It wasn't tired. Unlike me, it was a true predator.

I clenched my fists. That's what I need to become.

Stronger. Faster. Sharper.

And then—

A twig snapped.

I froze.

The wolf's ears twitched, its gaze snapping toward the trees. A low growl rumbled in its throat.

Something was watching us.

The Hidden Presence

I scanned the darkness, gripping my club tightly. The jungle was thick, but I could feel it—a presence, just beyond my sight.

Not a beast.

Something smarter.

For a long moment, nothing happened.

Then—leaves rustled. A shadow flickered between the trees.

Someone was there.

And they were waiting for me to make a move.

A Dangerous Gamble

I took a slow breath, forcing my heartbeat to steady.

Rushing in blindly would be stupid. I had no idea who—or what—I was dealing with.

Was it a pirate? A bounty hunter? A native of this island?

Or something worse?

I turned to the wolf. It was standing now, muscles tensed, ears pinned back.

Whatever was out there, even it was wary.

That wasn't a good sign.

I had two choices.

Run. Disappear into the jungle before they made a move.Confront them. Force them out of hiding.

I exhaled slowly.

"Come out," I called into the darkness. My voice was steady, even though my hands trembled slightly. "I know you're there."

Silence.

For a moment, I thought they might just leave.

But then—

A voice.

Low. Amused.

"Not bad, kid."

A figure stepped out from the shadows.

The Mysterious Stranger

He was tall and lean, his body wrapped in dark, tattered clothing that blended seamlessly with the jungle. His face was partially hidden beneath a hood, but his eyes—sharp, calculating—gleamed under the moonlight.

He carried no weapon that I could see, but the way he moved—smooth, controlled, like a predator that didn't need one—sent a chill down my spine.

This guy was dangerous.

I tightened my grip on my club. "Who are you?"

The man tilted his head, smirking.

"I should be asking you that," he said. "You don't belong here."

His eyes flicked to my club, then to the wolf beside me.

"Yet, somehow, you're still alive. Impressive."

I didn't lower my guard. "Are you from this island?"

The man chuckled. "Something like that."

That wasn't an answer.

And something told me he wasn't going to give me one.

A Test of Strength

The stranger took a step forward.

Instantly, the wolf growled, stepping between us.

But the man only smiled. "Relax. If I wanted you dead, you wouldn't have seen me coming."

I swallowed hard. He's confident.

Too confident.

That meant one thing—

He was strong.

"Tell me," the man continued, folding his arms. "Why are you out here, training like a madman?"

I didn't answer immediately.

Would he even believe me if I told him the truth?

That I was just some random guy thrown into this world with nothing?

No powers. No system. No advantages.

Nothing but sheer will to survive.

"I want to get stronger," I finally said.

The man raised an eyebrow. "And what do you plan to do once you're strong?"

I hesitated.

That was a question I hadn't truly answered myself.

Survival was my first priority.

But after that?

What was my goal?

Did I want to leave this island? Join a crew? Become a pirate? A marine? Something else entirely?

I didn't know.

All I knew was—weakness wasn't an option.

A Challenge

The man studied me for a moment, then smirked.

"Alright then," he said. "Let's see how strong you really are."

Before I could react—

He moved.

Fast.

One second, he was standing a few meters away.

The next—he was right in front of me.

I barely had time to lift my club before—BAM!

A kick slammed into my side, launching me backward.

I crashed against the ground, pain exploding through my ribs.

I coughed, struggling to breathe. Shit—he's fast!

I forced myself to my feet, gripping my club with both hands.

The man chuckled. "Come on, kid. Show me what you've got."

I gritted my teeth. Fine.

If this was a test, then I was going to pass.

I charged.