After studying the notifications carefully, Arelon realized the information fell into two categories.
The first pertained to the achievement he had just unlocked: [Badge Collector].
This achievement granted his body a stat increase that corresponded to the type of badge he acquired.
Arelon had already felt this in the game world.
His body was clearly harder and sturdier than before entering.
Previously, some mysterious restriction prevented him from developing real offensive power.
But now…
"I feel like I could punch a cow to death."
Arelon clenched his fist, admiring it under the cool moonlight.
He said it without the slightest concern for the cow's feelings—
or the wrath of the Cattle Protection Association.
If such an association existed in the One Piece world, that is…
Of course, not only his fists—
his entire body had become tougher.
"So the Rock-type badge made my body as hard as stone, huh?"
"Great… does that make me a smarter version of Malphite?"
Arelon chuckled to himself.
In any case, he had finally escaped the "Level 0 Weakling" label.
With both his offense and defense buffed, he figured he now had at least 15 combat power.
No—
20 at minimum!
More surprisingly…
The device was recharging faster.
Using his body's energy as fuel, it now charged enough to give him an extra ten minutes of gameplay per day.
Not much in theory—
but more than enough to delight Arelon.
"The more time I have in-game, the faster Luffy grows!"
"The stronger Luffy becomes, the more badges I get!"
"The more badges I get, the more game time I have!"
"So more time means… even more time!"
"…wait, something feels wrong with that logic."
"Ah well—who cares!"
Drunk on happiness, Arelon laughed skyward, then quickly shifted his focus to the second type of reward.
The first reward came from the achievement.
The second came from clearing Pewter Gym.
Like the achievement reward, this too was Rock-type related—
but instead of strengthening his body, this one granted him a Pokémon move.
Arelon tapped [Draw].
Instantly, a crude spinning wheel appeared on the device screen—
like the cheap gacha interface in low-budget mobile games.
It was filled with Rock-type moves, each occupying equal space.
Before Arelon could touch anything, the wheel began spinning rapidly.
"Come on! Give me something strong!"
"This is my one-in-a-billion request as Arelon!!"
He clasped his hands in prayer, solemn as a monk.
With no control over the outcome, praying was all he could do.
After several seconds, the wheel slowed… then stopped.
A surge of ancient, primal energy suddenly filled Arelon's body.
At the same time, instructions for controlling this mysterious force appeared in his mind.
"This is…"
Arelon blinked, first confused—
"Ancient Power!?"
Then his lips curled into a massive grin.
"I can't believe I drew this rare move!"
He wasn't familiar with most Rock-type moves—
since he rarely used Rock-types in the games.
But Ancient Power was different.
He'd heard of it.
Arelon immediately focused on the device.
The display had changed:
[Congratulations! You obtained the move – Ancient Power!]
An asterisk appeared in the corner, indicating detailed info.
Arelon tapped without hesitation.
The description popped up, identical to a Pokémon game interface:
[Move: Ancient Power]
[Type: Rock]
[Category: Special]
[Power: 60]
[Description: A force originating from the ancient era of the Pokémon world. It can be used to attack and can also raise the user's stats. In addition, long-term cultivation of Ancient Power can permanently enhance the user's body.]
"Just what I thought!"
Arelon's eyes lit with satisfaction.
Ancient Power was technically a Rock-type move—
—but it was far more mysterious than typical Rock moves.
Few Rock-type Pokémon could learn it naturally.
Instead…
Many legendary Pokémon—
even ones unrelated to Rock—
used Ancient Power instinctively.
It was less like a move, more like Aura, a special power awakened by certain Pokémon.
Some Pokémon even triggered evolution by mastering Ancient Power.
It was practically a cultivation technique.
And the final line of the description confirmed it.
"A move that can permanently enhance my body? Probably the best Rock-type reward I could've gotten!"
"Looks like Lady Luck is on my side today."
Arelon inhaled deeply, then aimed toward the open sea and shouted:
"Ancient Power!"
—Boom rumble—
A wave of primordial force surged from within his body, gathering rapidly around him—
—and condensing into floating chunks of stone.
Under Arelon's control, the stones shot outward like bullets.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
Though the move's listed power was only 60— the projectiles were fast as cannon fire.
Each stone smashed into the sea, raising waves several meters high.
"This power…!"
Arelon's eyes gleamed.
While still far from the level of true powerhouses—
Combined with his strengthened physique, he felt he could easily defeat a 10 million berry bounty pirate right now.
"Maybe the Badge Collector buff enhances Rock-type moves too… that must be why Ancient Power feels so strong."
"Either way… I finally have real combat power!"
Arelon exhaled deeply.
His gaze drifted to Luffy— still snoring peacefully beside him.
Even with such explosive tests happening meters away, Luffy slept like someone overdosed on sleeping pills.
"I envy that sleep quality…"
Arelon sighed, sat back down, and began circulating Ancient Power within his body, nurturing it.
Morning came.
Sunlight banished the darkness, warming the sea.
Seagulls screamed above, waking both Arelon and Luffy.
"Eh? It's morning already?"
Luffy rubbed his eyes, half-asleep.
Arelon, however—
—who hadn't slept all night—
looked more refreshed than yesterday.
As he opened his eyes, a faint golden glint flashed within them.
His lips curled upward.
"As expected of a move mastered by most legendary Pokémon."
"This effect… is insane."
Perhaps because he was still weak compared to real monsters—
one night of nurturing Ancient Power had made him clearly stronger.
Not in one area—
—but everywhere.
Strength, physique, reaction speed, stamina, even mental clarity—
Everything had improved.
The question he'd been unable to solve for two and a half years—
Had been solved
on the first day of leaving Foosha Village.
"I remember the game had a TM for Ancient Power too…"
"Maybe… I should give Luffy this move as well."
"With it, he could grow even while resting."
"Sleep? Sleep my ass!"
"Once we get the Going Merry, Luffy's going straight into extra training!"
"If it doesn't kill him, it'll make him stronger!"
"Maybe with enough sit-ups, he can even accelerate awakening the Nika Fruit!"
The Nika Fruit user was the World Government's greatest enemy.
Who knew what butterfly effect Arelon's transmigration might cause?
The Gorosei might even hunt them early.
He had to stay vigilant!
Arelon's imagination spiraled further and further—
Until Luffy finally stood up and grinned at him.
"Hey, Arelon! Thanks for keeping watch!"
"I'll take over now! You go rest!"
He smiled like an innocent idiot—
Utterly unaware Arelon had already scheduled months of torture training for him.
~~--------------------------
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