Chapter 2: Reality and Hunger

Two years ago.

Still in the East Blue.

On an unknown island, 18-year-old Vivian stood in front of a glass door in a small town, drenched in the drizzle, with mixed emotions.

"I've transmigrated?!"

And I've transmigrated into the world of One Piece?

Looking at the reflection in the door, he still had black hair and black eyes, with skin that was somewhat sickly pale. However, unlike his previous life, he was now 2.1 meters tall, and his features were ten times more handsome than before.

"Is this what they call immersion…" He muttered softly, and in the next second, a flood of unfamiliar memories surged into his mind.

It turned out that his full name was Alfred Vivian.

A few months ago, the village he lived in was unfortunately attacked by pirates. His parents and relatives were all killed, and he only survived because he was out fishing. Since then, he had been living a life of wandering alone.

However, fate did not give him a second chance.

Just five minutes ago, his previous self, who hadn't eaten anything for five days, finally starved to death.

Because of this, the current Vivian was able to transmigrate and take over this body.

Memories flashed through his mind.

Don't worry, once I gain a foothold in this world, I will definitely avenge you!

He secretly made up his mind.

But…

The immediate priority seemed to be solving his hunger problem.

So, quickly accepting the fact that he had transmigrated, Vivian, full of fighting spirit, turned and walked towards the commercial street in the town.

…

"Get lost, get lost, don't block the door." In front of a blacksmith shop, a middle-aged man with a bare chest chased Vivian out of the shop like a dog.

"Boss, believe me, I can not only move goods, but I can also forge. I have strength!"

"You have strength? You can't even lift a hammer! You're so skinny, I'm afraid you'll fall apart if I let you forge."

"Boss, that was because I was too hungry. Just give me some food, and I'll have the strength to work."

"Go eat shit." A kick landed on Vivian's butt, sending him flying far away. Vivian stood up, clutching his aching waist, and looked at the scratches on his arm, a hint of resentment flashing in his eyes.

Although he was just a high school student before transmigrating, he didn't believe that with his knowledge from five years of high school exams and three years of simulations, he couldn't make it in an anime world.

"Boss, does your restaurant need a waiter? I eat very little, and I only need a small salary…"

"Get lost, you're scaring away my customers. Are you going to compensate for my losses?"

…

"Boss, are you hiring? I'm good at selling things, and I don't need a salary, just some food…"

"I'm just a fruit vendor, do I look like I can afford to hire someone?" The apple vendor smiled bitterly, then handed an apple to Vivian. "Kid, take this and go far away. Don't bring me bad luck."

…

Three days later.

Still hungry, Vivian staggered down the street, dirty and smelly like a zombie, causing passersby to avoid him.

Why?

Who can tell me why?

The expected tropes of a protagonist who has transmigrated did not appear—no system, no League of Legends hero abilities, no data panels, no old man. None of it.

And setting aside these unrealistic fantasies, he discovered that, apart from doing complex math problems, speaking English that no one seem to understand, talking about fake history, he couldn't seem do anything else.

He couldn't cook in a restaurant.

He couldn't go fishing or hunting; since the monsters in sea are too dangerous.

He couldn't do hard labor; his body was too weak, and people found him useless.

Was the only path left for him to become a pirate?

But with his current physique, who could he possibly rob as a pirate?

A lollipop from a three-year-old's mouth?

"Gurgle~~" His stomach growled again, unbearably.

Feeling like he was about to faint, Vivian glanced at a nearby barbecue shop, smelling the tantalizing aroma. Unable to resist any longer, Vivian made up his mind, rushed into the shop, grabbed a plate of grilled meat from a customer's table, and ran out.

"Catch him!!" The barbecue shop owner was the first to react, shouting loudly. The next moment, all the shop employees and the customer whose food was stolen rushed out of the shop, chasing after Vivian.

"Quick, help catch that damned beggar!" The shop employees, wielding spatulas and ladles, shouted to the passersby.

"Damn it, don't let me catch you, I swear I'll beat you to death!" The customer whose food was stolen had a fierce look in his eyes, clutching a fork tightly, eager to give Vivian's butt a good stab.

Vivian's thin legs moved frantically, occasionally looking back, running while hurriedly stuffing the grilled meat from the plate into his mouth. {Job 'Thief' Acquired!}

He couldn't help it; he was too hungry.

The aroma of the food quickly overwhelmed his brain, and the delicious sauce mixed with the tender taste of the meat exploded on his taste buds, giving Vivian, who hadn't eaten for many days, a feeling of floating in the air.

"Gulp!"

Without time to chew properly, he swallowed the meat in his mouth, and at the same time, the shop employees caught up from behind, kicking him to the ground and starting to beat him.

"Stealing food!"

"You stole our food!"

"Daring to eat for free in our shop?"

"I'll beat you to death, you little bastard."

The punches and kicks rained down heavily, and Vivian curled up, protecting his head with both hands, clenching his teeth tightly, refusing to open his mouth no matter how uncomfortable he felt.

After all, if he spat it out, this beating would have been for nothing!

About five minutes later, the shop owner, who was getting tired from the beating, wiped the sweat from his face and looked at the customer who was still hitting Vivian. He couldn't help but say, "Alright, alright."

"You've beaten him enough, your anger should be gone by now. When we get back, I'll make you another free meal."

"Consider this as feeding the dogs." After saying that, he gave Vivian's back another hard kick, and the customer finally turned around, cursing as he left.

Left lying on the ground, bruised all over, Vivian's mouth twitched slightly, and his nose started to feel sore.

…

The cold wind blew on his wounds, and he didn't know how long he had been lying there. Perhaps he was starting to feel numb, as the pain in his body gradually eased. Vivian was about to try to get up from the ground when an old lady with a kind face, holding a porcelain bowl, walked towards him with difficulty.

"Young man, don't go hungry, eat quickly."

Vivian was stunned and instinctively reached out to take the bowl. Seeing that it was full of fried rice, he immediately bowed his head and started thanking her.

"Thank you... thank you."

"Wah wah wah wah.."

After one mouthful of fried rice, Vivian, who had only felt a slight soreness in his nose earlier, finally burst into tears at this moment.

But his mouth, of course, did not stop.

Vivian ate and cried at the same time. For some reason, he suddenly thought of his grandmother who had passed away in his previous life.

But just as he was wolfing down the food,

[Ding!]

[Data loading complete]

[Option 1: Tell her "You remind me of my late grandmother." (Reward upon completion: Random Devil Fruit)]

[Option 2: Kneel before her and say: "Grandma, I have no family left in this world. Could you please take me in? I will definitely repay you." (Reward upon completion: Swordsmanship Experience +100)]

[Option 3: Turn around and run. (Reward upon completion: Random Basic Attribute +1)]