After freshening up, Ethan Chen went to retrieve the clothes that had been hung out on the balcony.
The assistant drone had washed them while he and 2B were "exploring the essence of life" the night before. Just like a dutiful housekeeper, it had cleaned and neatly hung them out to dry in the salty night breeze.
By now, the clothes were completely dry, thanks to the sea wind.
Still, they would need to buy more clothes soon. Wearing the same outfit every day wasn't sustainable. He just wasn't sure if today's bounty would come through. After all, he'd given away the pirate ship and freeloaded food and shelter. He didn't have the heart to ask the villagers for clothing on top of all that. They had their own needs, their own lives to support.
Once dressed, he and 2B headed to the tavern to find something to eat.
After their intense night, followed by two more rounds that morning, Ethan was absolutely starving.
Of course, it hadn't just been about indulgence. He'd reaped some real benefits too. During his intimacy with 2B, he triggered a hidden system quest "My Humble Abode Now Opens to You" and earned another Mastery Point.
Last night and this morning had proved that his stamina and recovery were more than sufficient. Without hesitation, he dumped the newly earned point into Hand-to-Hand Combat.
As the saying goes, it's better to master one than dabble in many. Specializing brought the most tangible gains.
Unlike the first time he allocated a point, this time he felt a tangible surge of strength from the inside out as though his bones, muscles, and skin were being reforged. His entire body brimmed with power.
It gave him an almost primal urge to smash something.
2B, still wearing her blindfold, instinctively turned to look at Ethan. She could sense something had changed, but couldn't put her finger on it.
Just her imagination?
The tavern also served breakfast. After a quick greeting with the owner, Ethan ordered two portions.
Milk, eggs, lettuce, and grilled eel along with an endless basket of bread on the table. It was a European-style breakfast adapted to the needs of a coastal fishing village.
As the owner placed their meals down, he said, "This afternoon, we're holding a funeral in the church for those who died in the pirate raid yesterday. Will you be attending?"
"Yes," Ethan replied without hesitation. "We'll be there."
"Good."
They left the tavern only half full, Ethan still a bit hungry. He planned to run a few laps around the island to warm up. But just as they stepped outside, they ran into the village chief heading toward the coast.
"Good morning," the old man greeted them with a smile. "How did you sleep?"
"Great. Slept straight through to sunrise."
"Glad to hear it. I was just heading to the docks. The shipwrights should be starting on your new vessel today. Want to come take a look?"
"Definitely." Ethan beamed. At this stage, a ship was more important to him than any workout.
Under the chief's guidance, they arrived at the village's harbor.
A number of fishing boats bobbed in the gentle waves, but the most eye-catching vessel by far was the massive naval warship docked there. A flagship, unmistakable.
It dwarfed even the massive destroyers Ethan had once seen during a Navy Day exhibition yet unlike those sleek modern warships, this one, entirely built from timber, radiated an oppressive, ancient might.
There was no warmth in it. No sense of protection.
Perhaps because it wasn't meant to protect people like him.
That thought lingered in Ethan's mind.
On the sunlit pier, squads of marines were running through simple punch drills, working up a sweat.
Watching them train, Ethan couldn't help but feel a flicker of desire he wanted to test himself against them. To gauge his own strength.
Following the chief further, they soon arrived at a small shipyard near the docks.
Normally used to build and repair fishing vessels, today it buzzed with unusual activity. Several burly shipwrights, each easily over two meters tall, were clustered together around some blueprints.
For a village like this to have its own shipyard and multiple professional shipwrights was no small feat.
Apparently, eel was quite the lucrative commodity in this world.
"Chief," one of the shipwrights called out as he noticed them, then turned to Ethan. "Hey kid, come here! We were just discussing which ship design might suit you best. We were about to go find you."
Ethan stepped over and looked at the stack of blueprints on the table. To his untrained eye, they were just incomprehensible scribbles intersecting lines and strange markings that meant nothing.
Scratching his head, he glanced at the assistant drone. "Can you take a look and recommend one?"
"Certainly. Scanning now," the drone responded, projecting a soft beam of light across the documents. After a moment, it locked onto one set of blueprints.
"Based on structural data, I recommend this model. It may not be the fastest, but it's the most stable and durable in rough seas."
"Hey, that's impressive!" one of the shipwrights said in surprise. "Your little gadget can identify ship specs like that? Where'd you get it?"
Ethan just smiled, then tapped the recommended blueprint. "Let's go with this one."
With the ship design confirmed, there was no reason to linger and distract the craftsmen. He and 2B jogged off, ready to circle the island for their morning workout.
As they passed the area where marines were training, Ethan instinctively slowed his pace, eyes lingering once more.
"Interested in joining?" came a voice.
Turning around, he saw Hina leaning against a palm tree, a slim cigarette perched between her lips.
She was dressed exactly as she had been the day before justice-emblazoned marine cloak, crimson tailored suit, and a crisp white shirt that strained against her generous curves.
Ethan stopped and gave her a polite smile, shaking his head. "I was just curious about your training methods... I want to get stronger."
"Stronger?" Hina gave him a long, appraising look. His pale complexion and handsome features made him seem like someone who'd never truly suffered, and she looked skeptical.
But deep down, she admired him.
An unknown civilian, facing down vicious pirates with nothing but guts and a weapon that already earned respect. And not only had he succeeded in taking them down, he'd refused their offer to join them even in a life-or-death situation.
Courage and conviction like that were rare.
He had the makings of an outstanding marine. His mental fortitude and sense of justice far surpassed that of most recruits under her command.
With the right training, he could easily become her right-hand man.
"If you're serious about getting stronger, I'd recommend enlisting. Marine training is systematic and thorough."
Hina was beautiful, confident, commanding a model superior officer.
If this had been the past, Ethan might've eagerly accepted her offer. It would've given him stability, perhaps even a chance to grow closer to her.
But not now.
He had the system, and a clear path he had to follow. Enlisting would only shackle him to someone else's rules.
Besides, he wasn't particularly fond of the Navy in this world.
Especially after Akainu took power. To him, the Navy had begun to look less like guardians of justice and more like glorified thugs serving the World Nobles under the pretense of order.