A Lingering Side Effect

"Pirate System!"

After quietly testing several of the pirates who had stayed behind, Orlando finally confirmed two things.

First, only he could see this sudden light screen.

And with a little practice, he could open or dismiss it at will.

"But... how did it appear in the first place? Why did it choose me?"

Orlando stared at the black pendant in his hand.

There was no doubt about it: the Pirate System's appearance was entirely due to the pendant.

He summoned the light screen and examined it again and again. "It seems to display my status very clearly... Mage. Do I have a talent for becoming a mage? But what's with this overwhelming sense of wrongness?"

He was clearly baffled by the descriptive text in parentheses, unaware that it was merely Fang Yuan indulging in a moment of mischief.

"And... what do Experience Points and levels mean?"

Without the knowledge of a transmigrator, Orlando was deeply confused by the light screen, and more than a little afraid. He felt he might have been cursed.

"Ding! This system is dedicated to helping its host become the Pirate King who conquers every sea. A permanent quest is now available, with no time limit!"

"Permanent Quest—Pirate King!"

"Description: You, the Third Mate of the Octopus Pirate Group, are still nothing but a minnow in the ocean. Young man, all my treasure lies in the sea. Strive to become the Pirate King! Conquer every pirate, defeat every lurking sea monster, dwarf, merfolk, elf, and even the evil gods from the Old Days. Become the undisputed ruler of the pirates!"

"Quest Reward: Ten million Experience Points!"

"I'm the infamous Third Mate of the Octopus Pirate Group, and I'm still a minnow?"

"Become the Pirate King?"

Orlando wanted to complain, but when he read the