Chapter 2: The Spark of Trust - Bonds in the Wild - II

[Note:

" * " : Indicates abilities that can be upgraded with practice, experience, or unique opportunities.]

> System inner voice ["speaking"] <

> Ash inner speech "speaking" <

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After a moment, he closed his eyes and called out in his mind, "Celeste, let's deal with those mystery boxes now."

["Finally,"] Celeste teased with a playful lilt. ["Took you long enough."]

Ash rolled his eyes but grinned inwardly. "Just show me the boxes."

In his mind's eye, the five mystery boxes appeared, each shimmering with a faint golden glow and a bold question mark etched on the front. Ash studied them for a moment before pointing to one. "Let's go with this one," he decided selecting one of them.

The selected box began to glow brighter, its radiance intensifying as if unlocking its secret…

(1) Soul bind Bracelets

Grade: Rare (Upgradable)

Color: Silver with a faint blue glow

Type: Equipment

Effects:

1) Indestructible: Immune to rust, dust, water, and any form of physical damage.

2) Bound to Owner: Returns to the wearer within a minute if lost or stolen, no matter the distance.

3) Locator: Allows the wearer to sense the direction and location of other bracelet holders just by thinking who they want to find.

4) Danger Alert: If one wearer is in danger, all others receive an alert and guidance to their location.

5) Selective Manifestation: The bracelet can manifest an additional copy for someone the wearer truly considers part of their crew. It automatically bonds to the new wearer by taking a drop of their blood and linking to their soul.

6) Integrity Check: If the person has malicious intent or pretends to be a friend, the bracelet shocks them and disappears instantly.

Ash's mind raced as he read through the effects of the Soul bind Bracelets. The fact that the bracelet could alert the wearer if someone else was in danger was an unexpected bonus, and Ash immediately thought of Lucy. The connection it could create between them—allowing them to sense each other's whereabouts or danger—felt like an unspoken promise of trust.

The bracelet's upgradable feature caught his eye next. Maybe, in the future, I'll be able to upgrade it to provide protection as well, he mused, already envisioning the possibilities. If he could enhance it, perhaps it could serve as a safeguard for Lucy or anyone else he chose to protect. But for now, the ability to warn of danger would be more than enough.

"This is perfect for her," Ash thought, tucking the bracelet away carefully. He couldn't wait for the right moment to gift it to Lucy, knowing it would mean more than just a symbol of friendship—it was a token of trust and protection, something far more significant.

Ash carefully picked the second box, his curiosity piqued by the possibilities inside.

(2) Sea King's Blood Tonic

Grade: Uncommon

Color: A small, ornate vial with a dark crimson liquid that occasionally pulses with energy.

Type: Consumable

Effects:

Stamina Surge: Restores a significant amount of stamina and energy, perfect for recovering after long fights or voyages.

Minor Healing: Heals small to medium injuries (scrapes, cuts, bruises) when applied directly to wounds.

Toughness Boost: Temporarily enhances the user's resilience and strength, improving their resistance to damage for 30 minutes.

Replenishable: After use, the tonic can be refilled once the crew finds rare Sea King blood or special ingredients from the ocean, making it a renewable resource.

Ash couldn't help but smile at the thought of how useful this would be for the crew. "This could definitely come in handy for long voyages... or intense battles," he murmured to himself. "I wonder if it could even help Lucy with her training." He carefully stored the vial away, knowing this would be a valuable asset when the time came.

Now Ash selects the third box.

(3) Ship Enhancement Core: Time Dilation Room

Grade: Legendary

Color: A shimmering golden and deep blue aura, pulsating with a faint glow, resembling an ancient artifact.

Type: Ship Enhancement

Integration: Must be integrated into an already-built ship.

Requirement: Blood must be freely given to the core before installation. This ensures that only the crew members can board the ship.

Effects:

1) Access Control:

-> Once the core is integrated, the ship becomes bound to its crew.

-> Anyone outside the crew who attempts to board the ship without permission will freeze in place, unable to move, and an alert will notify the crew.

-> Only the Captain, Co-Captain, or Vice Captain has the authority to decide if an intruder can temporarily stay. This decision is temporary, with the intruder unable to permanently board the ship unless they meet the crew's requirements.

2) Crew Room Customization:

-> Each crew member can customize their personal room within the ship by simply thinking about what they need.

-> The customization can include anything the crew member desires, except clothes, books, or accessories, as these items are not generated by the core.

-> The core adjusts the environment inside the room based on the user's thoughts, but non-physical items require external input.

3) Adding a New Member:

-> When adding a new crew member, the Captain or Co-Captain must think about the core materializing. Once the core materializes, the new member must give blood freely to the core, which grants them access to the ship and bonds them to it.

-> Only the Captain or Co-Captain can initiate this process, ensuring that only those accepted into the crew can board.

4) Time Dilation Room:

-> The Time Dilation Room is automatically integrated into the ship once the core is activated.

-> Time flows differently inside: 1 month in real-time is equivalent to 1 year in the Time Dilation Room.

-> This room allows crew members to undergo intensive training or recovery at an accelerated pace while the outside world continues to move normally.

-> No Aging Change Inside: The person inside the time dilation room does not age any faster or slower than they would normally. Their age follows the exact same pace as the world outside.

-> Restriction: A person can enter the room for a maximum of 1 month at a time. After exiting, they must wait 60 days before they can enter again.

5) Remaining Time:

-> When a crew member exits the room early due to an emergency, they will retain the remaining time. For example, if a crew member has spent 18 days in the Time Dilation Room, they will have 12 days remaining that they can use next time they enter.

-> However, once their total accumulated time in the room is exhausted, they must wait 60 days before re-entering.

6) Training & Environment Customization:

-> The room's environment can be customized by the person inside based on their thoughts. Whether they want to simulate a battle scenario, a peaceful setting for rest, or a training environment, the room will conform.

-> If multiple people wish to enter the room together, they can either train together in a shared space or the room will create individual spaces based on their desires, allowing for separate training zones.

7) Auto-Repair Function:

-> The core has the ability to perform auto-repair for minor damages to the ship. This feature can automatically repair small scratches, dents, and other minor damages caused by environmental factors or small accidents.

-> The auto-repair can only handle minor damages, and major damage (such as extensive damage to the hull or core systems) will require manual repairs or upgrades.

Limitations:

-> No external items can be created (clothes, books, accessories, etc.), as the core only generates essential aspects like space, environment, and room configurations.

-> No permanent access for non-crew members.

-> Auto-repair can handle minor damages only; major damage still requires manual repairs.

-> Energy Dependent: The core requires constant energy input from the ship's systems to maintain all functions, including the Time Dilation Room and auto-repair. Heavy usage or prolonged downtime may require external power sources or ship core upgrades.

Upgrades:

The core can be upgraded to increase the capacity of the Time Dilation Room or allow multiple rooms of time dilation to exist on the ship, provided the ship becomes more powerful in the future or find way to upgrade/integrate any additional effects.

This Legendary Ship Enhancement Core now includes auto-repair for minor damage, ensuring that the ship is always in top condition during travel, while still offering the exceptional benefits of time manipulation and personal customization. It's a unique asset for the crew's development and survival.

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Ash couldn't believe his luck as he looked at the Ship Enhancement Core: Time Dilation Room. His heart raced with excitement; he had just unlocked a Legendary item! The description was nothing short of extraordinary. The core would grant their ship an entire Time Dilation Room—a place where time flowed differently, enabling the crew to train intensively, heal, or recover while the outside world moved on.

"This is beyond anything I could've hoped for," Ash thought as he read the details. The core allowed crew members to customize their rooms, added a unique ability to control who could board the ship, and even provided a Time Dilation Room where they could train for a year in just one month! It seemed like the ultimate advantage for any crew member who wanted to level up or gain a boost in power.

The restrictions on non-crew members and energy dependency were minor in Ash's mind. The true potential of the core was mind-boggling.

His hands trembled with excitement as he glanced over the upgrade possibilities, knowing this could make the crew even more powerful in the future. But, for now, he kept the core's true nature a secret. Ash didn't want to share everything with Lucy just yet. He wanted to savor the moment before revealing it to the others.

He couldn't hold back his joy any longer. The excitement bubbled over, and he jumped up from his seat, a wide grin on his face. Without thinking, Ash called out, "Lucy! Lucy! Wake up!"

Lucy, still half-asleep, blinked at Ash's sudden outburst. "What's going on, Ash?" she mumbled, rubbing her eyes.

Ash, still beaming, responded, "You're going to love this... just wait until you see what we've got!" He couldn't wait to tell her, but for now, he just wanted to enjoy the moment himself.

Ash, still young in appearance but with the mind of a 22-year-old, couldn't help but grin. Seeing Lucy's sleepy face, he couldn't hold back the word that slipped from his lips in a whisper: "Kawaii" (cute). Lucy, oblivious, simply rubbed her eyes, and Ash quickly shook his head, clearing his thoughts.

"The voice," Ash said, "it spoke to me. It gave me a gift to give to you, since you've become my friend."

Lucy's eyes widened with excitement. "A gift? What is it?"

With a small smile, Ash reached into his inventory and pulled out the Soul bind Bracelet. "This is special," he explained. "It's not just a regular bracelet—it has some powerful effects."

Ash decided to keep the Ship Enhancement Core a secret for now. He would only tell Lucy about the Soul bind Bracelets, thinking it would be a meaningful surprise when they eventually get their ship, the Merry.

Ash gently took her hand and tied the bracelet around her wrist. The moment it touched her skin, she felt a small prick, which made her flinch slightly.

"Don't worry," Ash reassured her quickly, noticing her reaction. "That's just it bonding with you by taking pinch of blood. It's linking to your soul."

"It's indestructible, so it's immune to any kind of damage—rust, water, even dust won't affect it." He paused, letting Lucy admire its faint blue glow before continuing. "And if you lose it, it'll return to you within a minute, no matter how far away it is."

Lucy's eyes widened in surprise. "S-Sugoi!"

"Yeah," Ash chuckled. "But there's more. This bracelet also has a locator feature. You'll be able to sense the direction and location of anyone else wearing the bracelet, just by thinking about them. It's pretty handy when we're separated."

Lucy nodded eagerly; her curiosity piqued.

"The best part," Ash said with a grin, "is the Danger Alert. If any of us is in danger, everyone else who has the bracelet will get an alert and directions to help them. It's like we're always connected."

Lucy's face lit up. "So, it's like we'll always know where each other is?"

"Exactly," Ash said. "And if you consider me part of your crew/friend, the bracelet can manifest a copy on my hand. When it does, it bonds with me, taking a drop of my blood and linking to my soul." He paused, then added, "But there's a twist. If anyone tries to take the bracelet or use it with bad intentions, it'll shock them and disappear instantly. That way, only the people we trust can wear it."

Lucy glanced at Ash, confused but trusting, and then followed his next instruction. "Now, imagine the same bracelet on my hand," he suggested.

Lucy then focused, Ash instructing her to imagine the same bracelet now appearing on his hand. As she did, another bracelet materialized, and a slight prick of blood connected it to him. "This works because we share a bond as friends now," Ash explained. "The bracelet will link us in a way that strengthens our connection."

Ash paused, allowing her to process the information, and then added, "Now, we can always find each other no matter where we are, just by thinking about it."

Lucy watched as the bracelet glowed on her wrist, amazed by all the abilities it had. "This is incredible, Ash. Thank you!"

Ash smiled; his expression thoughtful. "It's my pleasure. And now we're connected, no matter where we go."

Lucy thought about it for a moment, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Wow, it sounds like the voice who gave it to us is a really good person. I should thank them in my own way!"

Ash chuckled at Lucy's usual enthusiasm. "Yeah, I'm sure they'd appreciate that." He smiled as Lucy beamed at him, clearly excited by the bracelet's power and the connection it represented.

"Thank you, Voice! You're the best!" she shouted joyfully, her energy infectious.

As Ash and Lucy shared the moment, a soft voice echoed in Ash's mind, ["Aww, how cute,"] followed by a warm, welcoming sentiment. The voice was filled with affection as it acknowledged Lucy's gratitude.

Ash, still smiling, conveyed the message to Lucy. "The voice says you're welcome, and it thinks you're cute too."

Lucy's face lit up as she heard that, and before Ash could even react, she burst into her signature laugh—a bright, bubbly sound that was pure Lucy. "Shishishi! Haha, I like it already!" she exclaimed, playfully punching his shoulder.

Ash laughed along, feeling a warmth spreading inside. This was just another reminder of how much closer they all were becoming.

As the day faded into a soft twilight, Ash looked up at the vast sky above, feeling the quiet serenity of the moment. They had spent the entire day talking, laughing, and sharing small promises, and as he reflected on everything that had transpired, a warm sense of anticipation settled over him.

"I promise, Lucy. Even if Shanks doesn't teach you, I'll train with you whenever I get time. We'll both get stronger together," Ash said, his voice sincere.

Lucy's eyes widened in surprise, and her face lit up with excitement. "Really?" she asked, her voice full of hope.

Ash smiled, nodding. Before he could say more, Lucy wrapped her arms around him in a tight hug, her joy palpable. "Thank you, Ash!" she exclaimed.

They stayed there for a while, talking about everything and nothing, basking in the comfort of each other's company. Eventually, they both agreed it was time to part ways for the night, promising to see each other tomorrow.

"Goodnight, Ash," Lucy said, waving as she walked away, her steps light with excitement.

"Goodnight, Lucy," Ash replied, watching her retreating figure before turning toward his own path.

As Ash walked alone, the events of the day replayed in his mind like a vivid flashback. Like the moments Lucy had received the bracelet to the laughter they shared, it had been a day full of promises and new beginnings. But something in the back of his mind stirred—a quiet, uncertain feeling about what was to come.

"What's next?" Ash thought to himself, his gaze shifting to the horizon. The future felt both thrilling and uncertain, as if a new chapter was just beginning. He couldn't wait to see what awaited them, but something told him the path ahead wouldn't be as simple as it seemed.

A thrill of suspense filled his chest. Whatever it was, he was ready for it.

To be continued...

Hey everyone! I'm always looking for ways to make this story even better, and I'd love to hear your ideas. What powers do you think should be available in Ash's store? Maybe you have some cool concepts for abilities, weapons, or items that could make the adventure even more exciting!

Feel free to drop your suggestions in the comments, and if there's anything specific, you'd love to see in future chapters, let me know! I might even integrate your ideas into the story.

Also, don't forget to give some Power Stones if you're enjoying the journey! Your support means the world. 😊

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