Chapter 1 Talent Copy System, Bandit King Higuma!

Sea Circle Calendar 1510, March.

In the vast expanse of East Blue, a rugged mountain road winds its way through the landscape.

"Boss Higuma, here we go!"

With a determined spirit, the words escaped Leno's lips, ready to face the challenges ahead.

Choke!

"Prepare yourselves, lads! We won't leave a soul breathing," Higuma proclaimed with a menacing grin, unsheathing his knife.

Higuma, a seasoned bandit in his thirties, sported an oversized orange coat, adorned with a black sash and a distinctive ponytail.

"Oh!"

The bandits eagerly brandished their weapons, their eyes fixed on the horizon where three carriages laden with goods approached slowly.

"Leno, watch your step! If you get yourself killed, we'll need a new chef," one bandit warned, attempting to lighten the tense atmosphere with a touch of humor.

Leno forced a smile that resembled a grimace.

This expression served as a feeble attempt to alleviate the tension gripping the bandits just before the imminent clash.

Higuma's voice echoed, "Leno, for the sake of your culinary talents, I'll allow you to make a dash for the prize."

"Little ones, let's spill some blood!"

With knife raised high, Higuma led the charge, rushing towards the oncoming caravan.

"Attack!"

Forty or fifty bandits roared in unison, closely tailing Higuma's lead.

Leno, armed with a battered knife, purposely lagged behind, idly chewing on a grass stem. The faintly bitter juice mirrored his inner turmoil.

As a traveler, he had unintentionally fallen from a building, finding himself in the world of pirates. Fate had led him to be discovered unconscious by a boy named Leno, and since then, his life had taken a drastic turn.

Before he could comprehend his situation fully, the Higuma bandits raided the village, pillaging its valuables. Driven by a desire to fight back, Leno confronted Higuma , only to be cut down by the bandit leader. Acting on instinct, he adopted the name "Leno" and used his culinary skills to secure a place among the bandits. It was a precautionary measure to avoid drawing attention with his original name, which was too distinctive to elude suspicion.

"Do as the Romans do!"

"Bandits ahead!"

"Don't falter! Fight back!"

The guards protecting the caravan swiftly unsheathed their swords, forming a defensive perimeter around the precious cargo.

Engaging in close combat, the two groups clashed with ferocity, cries of pain echoing through the air.

One guard fell victim to Higuma's vicious strike, his head brutally cleaved open, blood staining the surroundings in a gruesome display.

True to his reputation as a notorious outlaw with a bounty of six million, Higuma outmatched the guards with his superior strength.

Empowered by their leader's presence, the bandits pressed forward, disrupting the guards' formation.

They dispersed, engaging in skirmishes of varying scales.

Leno, who had fallen behind, scanned the scene and noticed three bandits closing in on a wounded guard.

"Allow me!"

Leno shouted, rushing towards the scene, clutching his damaged knife.

Regrettably, before he could intervene, the trio swiftly ended the guard's life, denying Leno any chance to prevent the fatal blow.

Leno stood there, momentarily speechless, his gaze shifting to his panel.

[Host Name: Leno](after change)

[Real age: 17 years old]

[Existing Talent: Silver Tongue]

[Strength evaluation: Inexperienced novice, destined for an early demise at sea.

Furthermore, a Talent Duplication System was acquired.

The system's mechanics are as follows:

Firstly, talent duplication requires the host to engage in combat with the talented individual for a minimum of ten seconds.

Not everyone possesses natural talent.

Secondly, a person's talent can only be copied once. In the event of multiple talents, the system will randomly select one if the host loses, and the host can choose independently if they emerge victorious.

Thirdly, the host can acquire talents that are the same or similar, and their effects can be stacked or integrated into higher-level talents.

Fourthly, talent levels are classified as follows: SSS, SS, S, A, B, C, D, E.

In addition to the detailed instructions, the system also kindly provided a novice gift package, including a guide to the language of the Pirate World.

Thanks to this gift package, Leno managed to avoid being stabbed to death by bandits due to a language barrier. Along with it came the "Silver Tongue" talent, which granted Leno the ability to convince others and saved him from the bandits' wrath.

However, this talent alone couldn't improve Leno's direct combat power. In the world of pirates, the strong preyed on the weak, and strength commanded respect. It was clear that Leno needed to enhance his combat abilities.

Deep in thought, Leno pondered how to gain an advantage in this battle. Suddenly, he sensed a warning sign and caught sight of a figure charging toward him. It was a tall, robust middle-aged man wielding a two-handed sword, his eyes filled with fiery determination.

"Bandit, meet your doom!"

Just as Leno contemplated retreating, he noticed that all the other bandits were watching. These guys!

Leno understood that if he wanted to survive in the bandit group, he needed to prove his worth, even as a cook. Weakness would only invite bullying. Determined, he gritted his teeth and prepared to fight.

Before his journey through time, Leno had trained in martial arts for three years. Moreover, the recent chaotic events had instilled a certain awareness within him. He remained calm in the face of danger, realizing that his opponent was not invincible.

With a composed demeanor, Leno observed the two-handed sword descending, generating a cutting gust of wind. In the crucial moment, he deftly dodged, narrowly evading the blade. Seizing the opportunity when the opponent's attack reached its limit and shattered the ground, Leno swiftly leaned forward, identifying an opening, and unleashed a powerful, cunning kick.

Boom!

It seemed that something had cracked.

The tall, middle-aged man was completely caught off guard by this unconventional move. His face turned red, contorted with pain, and his eyes bulged out of their sockets.

He was too incapacitated to utter a sound. Discarding his sword, he doubled over and clutched his injured region.

The onlooking bandits instinctively protected their groins and took a sharp intake of breath.

Leno, unforgiving, advanced towards him, the razor-sharp blade piercing the opponent's heart without hesitation.

The screams pierced the air.

"Hoo hoo!"

Leno withdrew the knife, relishing in the sensation of hot blood splattering across his face.

The formidable man unwillingly collapsed to the ground.

"What!"

Rather than feeling discomfort, Leno experienced an exhilarating rush, his blood pumping with a primal roar, purging the hesitations of the past two days.

This spectacle altered the perception of the surrounding bandits, eroding their contempt and replacing it with acknowledgment.

Even the Bandit King Higuma regarded him differently.

Status is earned.

[Ding! You have defeated your opponent and scanned for talent: Voracious Eater (Class C)]

[Talent successfully copied]

[Talent description: You possess an appetite, digestive ability, and nutrient absorption capacity far surpassing that of ordinary individuals]

A new talent materialized on Leno's panel.

Leno felt a tinge of disappointment.

Another non-combat talent.

However...

He quickly discovered the advantages of this talent.

The enhanced appetite provided by the talent significantly improved his fundamental attributes such as physical recovery and wound healing.

This talent held remarkable utility.

His youthful body began to undergo renewed development and growth.

Height, weight, strength, agility, and more—all experienced comprehensive enhancements.