The Situation

Walking along the deserted streets, Jin-Woo carefully sized up his surroundings as he stood on guard for any possible dangers that could be lurking.

'I can sense living people inside the houses, but I should probably not forcefully establish contact with them. I don't know what will happen…but at this rate, I can't gain any useful information. I don't even know which part of the world I am in, or maybe I am still in the dungeon. Like the dual dungeon that I encountered and the presences I feel are just monsters…'

As his line of thought reached that point, his grip on the Dagger tightened instinctively. Deciding to stick to caution for now and wait for any further developments, he kept moving.

Soon, three figures appeared in his vision.

One of them was a man wearing a police uniform with short sleeves and pants. His hair and eyes were black, and he had a mustache on his face. His face had several scars running across it, making him look like a zombie. He had a pinwheel attached to his standard police hat, that twirled with every gust of wind.

Opposite him stood a tall man and a short fat man. Their blue skin, strange protrusions on their bodies, and sharp-pointed teeth made Jin-Woo believe that they were not humans.

The two inhuman figures were beating the man with the pinwheel rather brutally. The man with the pinwheel was breathing harshly as blood flowed out from various places on his body.

Upon noticing the arrival of someone, the two inhuman figures stopped their assault temporarily as they cast their gazes over, but all that entered their vision was an empty desolate street.

[Skill "Sprint" has been activated]

[All movement speed will be increased by 30% and 1 mana will be consumed per 1 second.]

At that moment, Jin-Woo had already made his move and, using the 'Sprint' skill to increase his speed, arrived behind the two inhuman figures.

Without giving them any moment to collect themselves, Jin-Woo immediately lashed out with his left fist at the backside of the neck of the short fat person. A loud clutch sound resonated as the short fat figure's neck bent unusually and his body slumped down.

[You have gained experience.]

The tall person reacted instantly as he grasped the situation, but he was a second too late. Jin-Woo's fist was already only a few inches away from his face. With a cracking sound, his nose broke under the impact of Jin-Woo's blow.

The tall person staggered back in pain as he decided to retreat and turned around. He could clearly tell that the enemy was beyond his level. He needed to escape or only death awaited him!

Jin-woo instantly appeared in front of the tall person, stabbing his Dagger into his chest he slid the Dagger upwards, leaving a large cut. Blood spewed out like a fountain as the tall figure slowly fell, lifeless, without even being able to scream.

[You have gained experience.]

Everything took only a few seconds to transpire. As Jin-Woo was lamenting over the fact that he didn't level up, he heard the pinwheel man in front of him speak politely with a hint of surprise and caution is his voice.

"I am sheriff of the Cocoyashi village, Genzo. Might I know what business you have on this island?"

Genzo's body had various injuries all over his body but his voice remained firm and resolute. He kept his tone polite, to not provoke the other party just in case they weren't hostile and to not attract the ire.

Jin Woo, somewhat realizing Genzo's intentions, replied slowly. "Don't worry, I am just a passerby."

Hearing that, Genzo heaved a sigh of relief silently.

It was not that he just believed the words of a stranger completely but, his years of experience told him that the young man in front of him wasn't lying. He believed himself to be a good judge of character.

Besides, he could tell, the Young man in front of him didn't need to lie to them at all. Genzo could feel the powerful presence of the young man, accentuated by the Young man's bloody attire and cold gaze.

"I'm grateful to you for saving my life. If you'd not mind, I'd like to invite you to my house to show my gratitude. Your clothes must be quite uncomfortable, and I can answer any questions you might have along the way or after reaching there…uh?"

Only then Jin Woo realized that his clothes were almost rags, with a gaping hole in the front and many cut and tear and soaked in dried blood, most of which was his own. He needed a new set of clothes.

'Besides, this is a good chance to get information.' Jin Woo nodded his head. "Sung Jin Woo, a Hunter."

Genzo didn't bother to hide or get rid of the dead bodies of the fishmen. After all—they were already neck-deep into the water.

---

Now wearing a white shirt along with brown pants, he sat at the sofa in Genzo's house and silently listened.

'So, I'm currently in Cocoyashi village situated on an island on the East Blue which is currently being controlled by a group of pirates called 'Arlong Pirates'. They are composed of a race called 'Fishmen' and the leader, Arlong, is a terrifyingly strong individual. If even one person tries to go against them, the whole village will be massacred without any exception. This has already happened in the past…'

Realizing that there was no reason for the other party to lie to him, Jin-Woo started analyzing his current situation.

'East blue…I don't seem to recall this place in my memories…and there is the existence of 'Fishmen…No wonder I couldn't see their names on their heads…I didn't realize that at the moment due to being too sensitive to danger. I mistook them for monsters and ended up killing two of them…I could've resolved it peacefully…No, it doesn't matter whether they were monsters or not…They were going to kill a person and from what I have been told, it wouldn't have been the first time they did that…Besides, I am still weak, I cannot afford to take chances…But still, I was surprisingly calm back then...'

Jin Woo's fist clenched unintentionally.

'From what the Sheriff said, it can be confirmed that they don't know anything about dungeons and monsters, or at least, he don't know about them but how is that possible…even a kid knows about the existence of dungeons…I am not in a dungeon for sure…This…

Could it be that I am no longer on Earth...? It seems like it…'

Unaware of the internal conflict of Jin-Woo, Genzo continued to explain how the Arlong Pirates have been oppressing them for the last eight years, how the Marines sided up with the pirates to reap profits, how finally had had enough and decided to revolt against the pirates and picked up anything that could be substituted as a weapon.

Genzo himself was going with them but he had to return to his house to retrieve his double-barrel but was ambushed along the way by two fishmen who just wanted a toy to rid their boredom.

Then, at the end of the story, Genzo stood up and bowed to Jin Woo.

"I...I know it is a difficult request but please…please hunt Arlong. Arlong's bounty itself is very high and I am willing to give you everything I have so, please…save this village, this island!"

Genzo's fists were clenched and trembled as if all the frustration of eight years was being held back.

Jin Woo had already expected such a request so he wasn't surprised. Since he needed money and also needed to raise his level as fast as possible, he didn't have any qualms about the request.

"Okay, but on one condition." The corner of Jin Woo's lips curved upwards. "Prepare explosives, as many as you can."

[A random Quest has been generated!]