Ancient weapons!

Why does the same Pokémon react differently depending on who their trainer is? How do emotions influence a Pokémon's combat abilities, and do these effects vary between trainers? This level of detail makes it difficult to distinguish between players and NPCs in "One Piece," adding a realistic depth to the game that captivates many. In other games, where characters follow rigid instructions, players often lose interest quickly. But here, things feel alive.

"Yes! There must be a super-skilled development team behind this game!" someone exclaimed.

"I thought so! How could John, a recent college graduate, make such a complex game all on his own?!"

As Matthew Hudson finished speaking, the tables in the room shook from excited reactions. Richard Burns, a bald, seasoned executive, had been feeling something was off about the game for a while, though he hadn't quite put his finger on it.

That's it!

How could John, a young, recently graduated developer, create something so elaborate? Programming a game of this scale is a colossal project, not to mention all the unique materials and innovative settings. Could he have done it solo?

Seeing the amazement on the others' faces, Matthew felt a surge of satisfaction. As one of the five major players in this game's ecosystem, he had forced his way into the group through his formidable strategy skills. Naturally, this left him on tense terms with the others, who often sought to undermine him.

"Everyone, don't get too excited. This game's development team is well-hidden."

"As far as I know, John rarely leaves his home," he continued. "Do any of you even know how to find them? Would you dare take on his family?"

Seeing their enthusiasm, Matthew poured cold water on their plans. John was, after all, the son of Michael, the influential leader of Seaside City, and the likely future governor of Eastflower Province.

Who would dare make a move?

"Before we go further, let's pool our information," Matthew suggested.

"Agreed," Richard said. "Since John hasn't revealed the development team, finding them will take time. Let's share what we know and discuss things slowly. I'll start."

With a wave of his arm, Richard changed the display in the room, showing a new scene.

"This is what our team has discovered so far. We've embedded players across various factions in the "One Piece" world and found something intriguing. Mochizuki Group, a major conglomerate, has deep roots in many industries, especially gaming. Even though Mochizuki Games took a hit when virtual games became popular, they managed to stay at the top."

Richard Burns, the largest shareholder of Mochizuki Group, had initially been the third-largest. But by capitalizing on the rise of virtual gaming, he had gained control of the entire company. Now, their main focus was on gaming.

Richard habitually touched his forehead and continued, gesturing to a document he projected onto the screen. It was a book filled with all the information they'd gathered about the "One Piece" world. He paused on a specific page, where it read:

"There are three ancient weapons hidden in the world of pirates!"

"Three ancient weapons?!"

The others were stunned. These ancient weapons were a well-kept secret in the pirate world. Both the Navy and the World Government were aware of their existence, but few dared to mention them openly.

"What exactly are these ancient weapons?"

"No clue," Richard replied with a shrug.

Then why mention it?

The others stifled their irritation but maintained neutral expressions.

"All I know," Richard continued, "is that these weapons have been around since ancient times. They hold the power to destroy entire worlds. People here are extremely cautious about these weapons, and we lost a lot of players just to get this information."

"World-ending power?!"

Everyone's eyes lit up. This was exactly what they had been hoping for.

Richard went on with a confident smile, "If we can get our hands on even one of these weapons, we'll have a solid foundation in the world of 'One Piece.'"

Matthew Hudson frowned, though not out of jealousy. Something about the ancient weapons sounded unreliable.

A solid foundation?

He recalled a glitchy video presentation that had gone viral, shocking viewers everywhere. The "One Piece" world didn't seem simple at all.

Even if they found an ancient weapon, would it really be that easy to control?

But as he looked around at the others' excited faces, he knew no one would listen to his doubts. So, he stayed quiet and played along with a smirk.

"Alright, I'll go next," he said, keeping up the momentum.

Richard's revelation had everyone buzzing, and next, Luke Dillon stepped forward.

This time, the scene didn't change.

Clearing his throat, Luke began, "The information we collected from Dillon Entertainment isn't as groundbreaking, mainly news about Devil Fruit auctions. I'll send a copy to everyone directly."

No one reacted much. Not every report had to be sensational.

The last two updates were similarly mild, without much impact.

A few days after John posted his update on WebNet, his supporters rallied on the forums, quickly shifting the momentum back in his favor.

"If you don't want to pay for extra features or deal with challenges, then why are you even playing the game?"

"Right?! These players are top-notch!"

As usual, John toured the world of "One Piece" to check on plot progress, then browsed the forums to see player reactions. But the tone there had taken an odd shift.

"Picture posted~ [Image.jpg]. Found my soulmate in the game! How about you?"

"Heh, who hasn't? Look at this! [Image.jpg]. I'll be living my best life in a few more weeks!"

"Haha, I'm holding hands with a handsome swordsman!"

John was dumbfounded.

What?! This is how they're playing the game?

I didn't even know my own game could be played like this!

What happened to the thrilling pirate adventure I designed? How did it turn into a dating sim?

When this thread migrated from WebNet to the game forums, players' imaginations exploded.

What? You can find wealthy partners in-game? Then why can't I earn money with physical labor here too?

It's all within the game world, right… so why not?

A/N: Thanks for reading, donate some power stones for extra chapters.

Also check out my Patreon if you want extra chapters up to chapter 95: Patreon.com/AncestorX

Enjoy ✌️.