Second Reward

Rayne looked at the number representing "evil" on the light screen—[Crime Index: 270]—then at the section below that clearly represented "good"—[Last Wish List].

The system's judgment was utterly cold. It only calculated the crimes themselves.

This discovery inevitably made him think of someone else.

If even Buck, whom some civilians regarded as a "righteous thief," had a Crime Index as high as 270...

Then how many civilians had lost their homes and families because of the Great Pirate Era launched by that legendary, free-spirited Roger—the One Piece admired by countless people?

What kind of terrifying astronomical figure would his [Crime Index] be?

Thinking of this, Rayne shook his head with a self-mocking smile.

He did not continue pondering whether Buck deserved to die, nor did he lament the complexity of human nature.

Because he knew very well that neither Buck, the "righteous thief" before him, nor Roger, the legendary "One Piece," were people whose merits and sins he was qualified to judge.

In this world where the strong reigned supreme, the weak did not even have the right to discuss good and evil.

And Rayne was undoubtedly still weak.

For him, there was only one thing that mattered now—becoming stronger at any cost!

Rayne temporarily suppressed his curiosity about the last wish and focused on the [Available Benefits] before him.

At his command, three brand-new cards appeared before his eyes.

[Option One: Body Inheritance]

Description: Inherit the intermediate physique of Buck the "Lone Wanderer."

[Option Two: Skill Inheritance · Stealth]

Description: Inherit the stealth techniques Buck had honed while evading capture, already at the "intermediate" level.

[Option Three: Skill Inheritance · Shooting]

Description: Inherit the firearm shooting techniques Buck had refined over years of thievery, already at the "intermediate" level.

Rayne's eyes widened slightly.

"Intermediate"-level skills... They were an entire major level above the "beginner"-level skill he had drawn before. Whether stealth or shooting, both held fatal appeal for Rayne, who believed in keeping a low profile.

Rayne's gaze slowly swept across the three options.

There's no longer a "small amount" label after physique. He immediately noticed this detail.

That makes sense. Rayne recalled the contents of the file. He committed the crime last Wednesday and was executed today—less than a week in total. Since the system had judged his Overall Level as R5, his physical condition could not have declined much in that time.

His heart instantly grew hot.

The nearly complete [Body Inheritance] of an R5-level powerhouse would definitely bring him an enormous improvement!

But Rayne thought for less than three seconds.

Skills can be selected later, but a powerful physique is the foundation for surviving in this world!

[Body Inheritance]!

The instant he confirmed it with his mind, a stream of energy far purer than anything before surged violently into his body like floodwaters bursting through a dam!

"Ugh!"

Rayne let out a muffled groan. His entire body tensed at once as he lay on the bed, veins bulging across his forehead.

This time, it was no longer the tearing pain from before, but an extreme swelling soreness, as though his body were being forcibly stretched open!

He felt like a balloon being crazily filled by a fire hose. Every inch of muscle and every bone groaned under the impact of that immense energy, unable to bear the strain.

Cold sweat slid down from his temples. He gritted his teeth, pouring all his willpower into guiding and absorbing the power coursing through his body.

Several minutes later, when his body had finally completely "eaten" that energy, Rayne collapsed onto the bed, soaked through and gasping for breath as though he had just finished a marathon.

Yet beneath the exhaustion was an unprecedented feeling of strength! It was as though every cell in his body was filled with explosive power.

Along with that sense of power came a wave of hunger so intense that it nearly made him pass out again.

"Hungry... so hungry..."

He struggled out of bed, enduring the soreness and weakness in his body as he stared fixedly at the clock hanging on the wall.

There was still an hour until the mess hall opened.

It was still the same time in the evening, at the mess hall.

When Rayne returned to his corner carrying his eleventh tray of food, the entire mess hall had already fallen silent.

Every Marine soldier, including Old Hank, the head cook, stared at the slender-looking youth with the appetite of a giant as though he were a monster.

Rayne ignored every gaze and swept the last portion of food into his mouth.

Only then did that terrifying hunger slowly recede.

Rayne leaned back in his chair, savoring the reassuring feeling of having control over his body again.

He could not help but think, An R5-level physique enhancement alone required nearly eleven portions of food to make up for the energy deficit. What about SSR-level or even UR-level enhancements in the future? At that rate, I'd probably have to eat an entire Sea King...

Late at night, Rayne changed into plain clothes and silently blended into Loguetown's night like a black shadow.

Following the guidance of Buck's memories, he passed through several alleys and arrived at an abandoned brewery on the edge of town.

Beneath a loose stone slab in the underground wine cellar, he found the waterproof suitcase. Inside were neatly stacked Beli.

Then, following the address in Buck's memories, he found the small wooden house lit by a dim oil lamp. Instead of knocking directly, he retreated into the shadows and quietly observed it.

The house was small, and its soundproofing was poor. Through the window, he could see a capable-looking middle-aged woman with weathered temples mending something inside.

At the same time, a soft, slightly off-key lullaby drifted faintly from the house, filled with warmth.

After confirming that it was the right place, Rayne took out an unsigned letter he had prepared in advance. It briefly explained where the money had come from and Buck's last wish.

He quietly placed the suitcase and letter together at the door.

Imitating the secret knock from Buck's memories, he lightly tapped on the door three times. Then, without lingering for even a moment, he turned and vanished into the darkness.

He heard the woman inside open the door in confusion, followed by quiet sobs she could not suppress—joy and sorrow intertwined after she saw the letter and the suitcase of money.

On Rayne's way back to the base, the system's cold notification sounded in his mind.

[Buck's Last Wish: Entrustment] completed

[Calculating unknown reward...]

[Reward calculation complete!]

[Reward: You may select one more item from the remaining "Available Benefits" of Buck the "Lone Wanderer"!]