The sky above was unnaturally still.
The Calm Belt, named for its eerily tranquil seas and absence of wind, stretched endlessly in every direction. Not a ripple broke the ocean's surface—except for the solitary figure floating atop a thick plank of driftwood, eyes closed, face pale, and body still.
Asher Nyx.
He looked barely alive, clothes tattered, soaked in salt, and clinging to his lean but wiry frame. The black shirt he wore was torn across the right shoulder, exposing a shallow wound that had stopped bleeding long ago. His jet-black hair stuck to his forehead in unruly clumps, framing sharp, angular features—cold and calculating even in unconsciousness.
Then he stirred.
His fingers twitched first. Then his eyes snapped open, grey irises scanning the sky above. He didn't panic or flail. Instead, he let out a slow, controlled breath, like a man who had expected to wake up somewhere else—somewhere far worse.
"…I see," he muttered, voice hoarse. "So I made it. But where…?"
A low chime echoed in his ears, followed by a glowing panel of light that hovered above his vision like a transparent screen.
> [Fairy System] Initialization Complete. Welcome, Host: Asher Nyx.
Dimension Anchor: One Piece World – 5 Years Pre-Monkey D. Luffy Era
Mission Integration in Progress…
Power Tree: Fairy Tail Universe
Point Accumulation System: Activated
Asher stared at the screen, unfazed.
"…So it wasn't a dream."
Memories came rushing in—not of this world, but of another life. A life of solitude, mastery, and pain.
A world much like Earth, but one locked behind steel doors and concrete walls. Born into an orphanage that doubled as a lab for underground experiments, Asher had spent his early years being broken and rebuilt—physically, mentally, emotionally. The government's black project had wanted supersoldiers. All it got was a single survivor.
Asher.
He had escaped, killed, and carved his way out of that past, living as a shadow for years—an information broker, assassin, and survivalist. The world he knew rewarded intellect, precision, and ruthlessness. Emotions were liabilities. Relationships were cracks. Compassion was suicide.
That life ended the day his plane exploded mid-flight. Cause: sabotage. Another hit. He had smiled as the fire swallowed him.
"At least I died knowing no one could use me again."
And then… darkness. Until now.
The screen changed again.
> Main Quest Unlocked: Establish Presence in the One Piece World
Objective: Survive 30 days
Bonus: Gain recognition from any pirate crew, navy officer, or underworld faction
Reward: 200 FP (Fairy Points)
"Survive, huh," Asher whispered, eyes glinting. "This world's a bit more colorful than mine was. Pirates. Haki. Devil Fruits…"
His mouth curled into a small, amused smirk.
"…It might even be entertaining."
He sat up, straining against his body's stiffness. His muscles ached, but the pain was welcome. Proof he was alive.
A second screen popped up.
> Current Stats:
Strength: 11
Endurance: 10
Intelligence: 17
Observation: 14
Haki Potential: Locked
Magic Affinity: Initialized
FP: 0
> Summon Option: Locked (requires 100 FP minimum)
Training Module: Accessible
System Assistance: Minimal (realism protocol active)
"No freebies then," he muttered, unimpressed. "Fair enough."
He scanned the horizon. Nothing. Just the same glassy sea. But he wasn't helpless.
Asher reached under his belt, pulling free a sleek, obsidian dagger still sheathed in waterproof leather. A parting gift from the only man he'd ever respected—his trainer from the facility, codenamed "Ashborne." Engraved on the hilt was a motto:
"Win, or disappear."
Suddenly, his ears caught something. A subtle vibration on the water. He turned his head. A large shadow loomed in the distance.
A ship.
As it drew closer, Asher narrowed his eyes. It flew a black flag, but not one of the famous Yonko. Small-scale. Probably a local crew.
He weighed his odds.
Option A: Try to negotiate. Risk being captured.
Option B: Hide. Lose the opportunity for contact.
Option C: Kill the first man who gets close and seize leverage.
Asher's eyes glinted again.
"…Let's see how friendly they are."
The ship slowed as it neared. A rope ladder was thrown overboard.
A voice called down. "Oi! You alive, kid?!"
Asher coughed, made his voice weaker than he felt. "Help…"
The pirates hauled him aboard, laying him on the deck like a half-drowned rat. Asher kept his expression blank, letting his body go limp.
One of them—tall, bald, with a jagged scar over his eye—knelt beside him.
"Poor bastard. Lucky we found ya."
Asher's dagger pierced the man's throat before the next heartbeat.
Gasps erupted around him.
He stood calmly, blood dripping down his arm, dagger reversed in his grip.
"Now," he said coldly, facing the rest of the crew. "Let's talk business."