"Mr. Shin, this is our VIP gold card. Thank you for exposing the black sheep here."
Oodera Masato respectfully handed a gold card to Shin, who numbly accepted it. Only after the group left did the expression on his face slowly 'collapse'.
Wait? How much trouble had he actually stirred up?!
That Saki... not to mention, he didn't know what he had changed, but in any case, his evaluation points had now gone from 55 to 76!
Who was this Hayato Inugane? What did he give him? How did giving something earn him 20 evaluation points—was that useless scum worth two Four Emperors?
No, no, calm down. First of all, the abnormal ratio of his novice evaluation world cannot be used as a normal judgment standard. The one-in-ten-thousand exchange ratio was said to be extremely rare even by the system.
Secondly, the impact he caused was probably not on Hayato, but on the young man called 'Mr. Hiragami'.
So who exactly was this person?! The young master of the Yamaguchi-gumi? The future successor of the Triads? Or was he really the next Emperor?
Damn it, how much trouble did he provoke!!!
With a wildly disturbed mind, Shin maintained his outwardly calm demeanor, returning to Kotonoha's side.
Incidentally, Saki had also been called over. This beautiful long-haired girl stared at Shin in terror, as if he were a super serial killer.
Utaha's expression was utterly solemn, and even Eriri's was. Except for Aki Tomoya, whose mind had completely gone offline, no one else apart from Kotonoha had a flippant expression anymore. Instead, they tacitly moved a little further away from Shin.
This guy... was connected to the yakuza!!!
"Shin-kun... what did you say to those people?" Kotonoha asked worriedly.
Shin shook off the jumbled thoughts in his mind. Looking at the others, who clearly showed much more reverence towards him, he said blandly, "Nothing much, just informed them that someone was selling illegal drugs on their turf."
"Illegal drugs?" Utaha exclaimed.
"Methylamphetamine, desoxyephedrine, commonly known as meth," Shin said, glancing at the timid Saki, who was cowering like a rabbit. "That scumbag named Hayato planned to put some tranquilizers and this stuff in your drink.
First, he'd rape you, then get you addicted to drugs, and finally make you do compensated dating or film some biology documentaries to earn money to buy drugs from him. Your end would definitely be tragic."
Saki's eyes widened, and she was so flustered that she couldn't even speak. She stammered for a long time before managing to say, "Hayato-san... why would he do that?"
"To scam your body and earn your money, idiot!" Shin said mercilessly. "Grow a brain, use what little gray matter you have left, or go sumo wrestling with gorillas in the Ugandan jungle and let their slaps violently hit your head to give you some intelligence!"
"Would a normal girl go drinking alone with a guy who clearly has 'I'm a thug' written all over his face? Even if you did drink, you dared to leave your seat alone and go back. If we weren't here, you'd be turned into a disposable sex object today, then prostitute yourself for money to buy drugs, get pregnant, have an abortion, and finally die in a deserted toilet!"
Shin's words were probably too harsh. Saki burst into tears. Utaha comforted her for a long time, but Shin no longer had the mind to think about it.
Should I just run away? Going back to Native would be great. No matter how powerful those guys were, they couldn't possibly chase him back home or blow up his plane. After all, they were just a bunch of yakuza.
What's more, he hadn't really provoked them. Shin felt that he should have acted a little more cowardly just now. What was he showing off for? Now, that man, who was clearly some yakuza boss, had his eyes on him.
With his mind in a tangled mess, there was naturally no need to continue the conversation. After getting Utaha's phone number, Shin and Kotonoha left in a hurry.
Leaving the nightclub, the outside was already shrouded in darkness. Shin exhaled a long breath. In the cool air, his mind became a little clearer.
He said softly, "Hey, Kotonoha, do you think I was a bit harsh today?"
Kotonoha shook her head, grasping Shin's sleeve, her fair and lovely face showing a bright smile. "No, Shin-kun, didn't you save Yoshida-san? Such courage isn't something everyone possesses."
She paused, then softly said, "And I don't think your words to Aki-kun and Yoshida-kun were too harsh. To be honest, I also feel there are some areas where they need serious... correction!"
Shin smiled slightly, then gently pressed Kotonoha's small head, chuckling, "You too! Although I'm not that harsh on you, there are many things you need to change! When dealing with people and affairs, you can't be too soft!"
"Alright, I'll take you home tonight, lest some strange uncle stare at you on the train again."
Kotonoha, with flushed cheeks, followed Shin towards the station. Shortly after they left, a black SUV slowly drove up. The window rolled down, revealing the familiar face of Mr. Hiragami.
"Young Master, here is the boy's information."
The deputy beside him handed over the collected information. In just twenty minutes, they had already investigated all the intelligence on this boy since he set foot in this country.
Shin, a Foreign Student, arrived in Japan seven days ago, currently enrolled at Mineoka High School.
The brief resume was less than a single sheet of paper. Hiragami raised an eyebrow, put down the document, and said, "Can't you find any information on him in from his country?"
"Can't investigate. Unless we use Kaguya-hime, it's impossible to briefly break into the countries citizen data database," the bespectacled deputy shrugged. "But he doesn't look like an operative or spy sent by headquarters. What kind of operative likes to do such outrageous things?"
"...I'm not even sure if he's one of our 'kind',"
Hiragami narrowed his eyes. "His physical fitness is far beyond his peers, yet there are no traces of specific training. Those hands have never held a knife or a gun, only a pen, but if the symptoms on that scumbag were created flawlessly in such a short time, he should be an interrogation master."
"Young Master, do you need me to bring him over?" A woman's cool voice came from the backseat.
"No need. There are many strange people in this country, and we don't need to go looking for every single one of them," Hiragami shook his head, then took out the syringe and narrowed his eyes. "Compared to him, we have more important things to deal with..."
On the train, Shin stood by the strap in front of the seated Kotonoha. His tall figure resembled a giant statue guarding the girl, but his distracted gaze indicated that he was lost in thought.
"Hey! What kind of ghost is that Hiragami? Why did I get 20 evaluation points just for giving him a vial of medicine!"
Shin questioned the System in his mind, but received only a calm reply: "The standard for any evaluation point lies in its impact on the world. You don't need to know who he is, Mr. Shin, you just need to know that you can cause significant changes to the world by using our evaluation items to interfere with him."
"The single calculation of evaluation points is limited to the direct impact of your current action; subsequent butterfly effects are not included in the calculation. However, for the entire world, the more 'critical' a figure is, the greater the evaluation points you gain by using evaluation items to interfere."
Shin was silent for a moment, then sneered mockingly, "Significant changes? Could it be that this world will change according to certain directions? Or is there some pre-determined process?"
Shin never believed that significant changes made by humans relative to the world would cause much deviation. Frankly, the world changes every moment. If you save a girl killed by a monster and then kill the monster, does it truly have any significant meaning for the world?
This might lean towards historical nihilism, but what Shin feared more was whether such an evaluation standard by the System hid an even more chilling truth.
That is, this world... has a 'pattern.'
Like Westworld, like The Matrix, cycling within a predetermined framework and path. If the One Piece world is like this, who can guarantee that this Parallel World 0013 isn't the same?
This involved deep philosophical questions about the brain in a vat and the existence of thought, which couldn't be definitively answered. Shin sighed, pushed these groundless worries aside, and focused on his current affairs.
Undoubtedly, he now had to acquire some self-preservation strength.
The System's exchange list for E-rank Mysterious Items was extensive, seemingly countless, a preliminary estimate placing the minimum number in the tens of millions.
However, at a glance, most of them were useless items for entertainment...
For example, the following:
Product Name: dado's Banana Equivalent Dose (Banana Pill)
Product Level: E+
Product Description: A containment object from SCP Foundation World, numbered 3521, one of dado's great inventions, used for assassinating specific individuals. After taking this drug, a large number of unpeeled bananas will slowly appear in the person's stomach. The bananas cannot be removed from the stomach.
Bananas contain trace amounts of potassium. Each banana produced will leave that portion of potassium in the body. The radiation produced by digesting one banana is stronger than the radiation dose received living next to a normally operating nuclear power plant for a year. Under such a number of influences, potassium will accumulate in the target's body, producing a massive amount of ionizing radiation, and the consumer will eventually die from this lethal dose of ionizing radiation. This item is strongly not recommended for purchase among similar assassination drugs.
Product Price: 99 evaluation points
(Click to view detailed data)
Product Name: Schrödinger's Can Opener
Product Level: E+
Product Description: A containment object from SCP Foundation World, numbered 344. Attempt to open any can with this product. When the can is completely opened, there is a fifty percent chance that the food inside will turn into the living source of that food (beef can = live cow). The number of living objects ejected depends on how many types of food are in the can, and the ejected living objects will completely disappear after 34 hours—literally completely disappear, even if digested into nutrients, they will be completely erased from the root.
Recommended for purchase among similar household utility products.
Product Price: 140 evaluation points
(Click to view detailed data)
Product Name: 22nd Century Magic Hat
Product Level: E-
Product Description: A product from Doraemon's 22nd Century Dragon & Dungeon board game distribution company. This product makes the wearer look like a wizard, but only looks like it; you won't cast any magic. Highly recommended among similar COSPLAY props.
Product Price: 5 evaluation points
(Click to view detailed data)
Shin didn't understand what these items were for. Maybe for him to make videos or live streams? Perhaps they were very useful in certain situations, but the problem was he needed something for self-preservation now!
"These items are actually quite useful, useful in many ways," the System chuckled. "If you hadn't been so reckless today, you could have exchanged for these items and made videos or live streams, gaining evaluation points by changing the world on an entertainment level. Or you could have exchanged for those basic science knowledge and items, then established a technology company, changing the world on a living level."
"...It seems only three days have passed since you guys threw me into this world," Shin complained. "But I'll consider what you said. Can you help me filter out those E-rank items—limit the search to weapon and protection items."
The holographic screen in front of Shin instantly cleared up a lot. However, even then, it still listed a large number of strange items.
Things like disabled versions of electric light pills, or Naya alien COSPLAY Kamen Rider transformation belts. There were also legitimate firearms, but they were all just personal weapons like hidden-child standard rifles.
However, it was limited to this. The most reliable weapons and protective gear were only single-soldier combat weapons, and there was a high probability that they wouldn't come with corresponding ammunition or energy supplies after exchange.
Shin closed the holographic screen, rubbing his throbbing head.
His current problem was that his evaluation points were too meager. With only 76 points, it wasn't enough to exchange for anything decent among E-rank items, and what's worse, they wouldn't be very useful even if he got them.
He was just an Adjuster physique; ultimately, he hadn't surpassed the realm of ordinary people. A sci-fi gauss rifle and a small handgun made no real difference to him.
Perhaps they were even less useful than the Lord of Dawn's suit he had rented.
Oh, right, he had also forgotten about the interest-free loan for the Lord of Dawn's fantasy suit he was wearing, which cost 500 evaluation points. Twenty days later, when he returned from the One Piece world, he would not only have to pay the company's 100 evaluation point commission but also 50 points for the suit's loan.
Excessive weapons couldn't be used or were useless, and messing around might even get him arrested. Ultimately, he should have endured and accumulated strength during this initial stage of his career.
Worrying about self-defense was already being overly cautious.
"You don't need to worry so much," the System chuckled. "Even if the yakuza are after you, you're not in any real danger. You're just anxious because things are getting out of your control. Didn't you already consider the outcome and confirm that the yakuza wouldn't pursue you before you acted?"
Shin's expression shifted slightly, and he finally let out a soft sigh.
The System was right. His current anxiety was merely overthinking because things were spiraling out of his control. The appearance of the mysterious and clearly important Mr. Hiragami had suddenly left Shin at a loss.
If it were a normal yakuza, he wouldn't be afraid. This sudden anxiety stemmed from his natural wariness of uncontrollable things, and the trouble of entering the One Piece world in twenty days.
Compared to that world, where superhumans flew everywhere, the matters of Parallel World 0013 were mere trifles.
"Mr. Shin, from the System's perspective, I think you should take care of your own affairs first. Daily necessities are still very important to you right now. As for the evaluation points, these twenty days are both a buffer period for you to adapt and a time for you to find a suitable development path for yourself."
The System said with a smile, "Although you don't trust me or the company in the slightest, please believe that on major matters and issues concerning your precious life and property, we will never be against you."
Shin didn't respond. His internal guard would never disappear, but... perhaps he really should let go of some unnecessary caution.
The train had arrived at the station, and Shin had snapped out of his daze. Kotonoha, who was sitting in front of him, had fallen asleep at some point.
"Hehe, Kotonoha, we're here!"
Shin woke up the sleeping Kotonoha. She opened her drowsy eyes and mumbled, "We're here, we're here..."
Shin smiled helplessly, helping the confused beautiful girl lean on him. She was probably indeed tired today, not physically exhausted, but mentally drained.
Stepping off the train, the cool breeze woke Kotonoha from her daze. Realizing she was leaning on Shin, she let out a gasp and immediately darted away like a rabbit.
"If you didn't wake up, I would have carried you out," Shin teased. "Should I take you here, or take you home? By the way, your place seems quite close to where I'm renting."
Shin's rented apartment was near the affluent Chiyoda Ward, but not actually inside it, so the rent was high but not outrageous.
However, Kotonoha's home must be inside Chiyoda Ward. It seemed this girl's family was not just wealthy—but extremely, extremely wealthy.
"Shin-kun, please take me to my doorstep..." Kotonoha said shyly, looking down.
"Next time, it'll be my turn to take Shin-kun to his doorstep. If we have time in the future, we can..."
"Hoho!" Shin nodded. Although he didn't expect a two-dimensional scene like a beautiful girl waking him up in the morning, it was normal for good friends to visit each other.
Shin escorted Kotonoha all the way to her home, a villa in a super high-end residential area. He watched her enter the house amidst the boisterous shouts of a small, hopping little girl.
"This girl is actually quite good," the System suddenly spoke. "She's good in every sense, an excellent match for Mr. Shin."
"Don't talk nonsense, Kotonoha and I are just friends," Shin turned and left, saying easily, "Just friends who hit it off. But you're right, she might make a good girlfriend."
The System didn't continue. It seemed to be hiding something, or rather, it hadn't fully articulated a sentence.
It was about a twenty-minute walk from Kotonoha's residential area to Shin's rented apartment. After passing through the community gate and entering the empty, silent complex—
A strange chill suddenly crept up his spine. In an instant, Shin felt a gaze scrutinizing him! Shin shivered for no reason, turning to look at the nearby shadow. Something seemed to be in there. He didn't hesitate to put on the Lord of Dawn's suit, not caring if anyone saw him in this place with no surveillance and no people.
"Who?" A cold thought instantly filled his mind, and calm rationality overcame all fear. However, nothing happened. Only a cat darted out from the shadows. Shin relaxed his tensed body slightly, but still cautiously walked into his floor wearing the Lord of Dawn's suit. For these twenty days, besides showering, he didn't plan to take off this suit even when sleeping.
-----
Support me with Powerstones, Reviews and comments
250 Powerstones = 1 Chapter
(Maximum Bonus 7 Chapters)