Chapter 23: The Uninvited Guest

Option 1: Politely refuse and return the sword to Tashigi. (Reward: Random special item from another dimension x1)

Option 2: Accept the sword and say thank you. (Reward: Random skill experience +1)

Sometimes, the options given by the system would leave Vivian somewhat puzzled.

Like now.

He really couldn't understand why refusing to use Tashigi's sword would result in a certain level of danger, causing him to take on another chain task.

Could it be that if I don't take the sword, Tashigi will get angry and suddenly kill me with it?

But, thinking is one thing, he still had to choose the option.

Vivian directly reached out and took the sword Tashigi handed him, smiling as he said, "Thank you."

The next second.

[You chose Option 2, received reward: Craftsman experience +1]

Hearing the prompt in his mind, Vivian looked down at the long sword in his hand.

The sword Tashigi gave him was certainly not an ordinary military sword.

With a green hilt, a pure white scabbard, and ten gold decorations like buttons on the scabbard, if he remembered correctly, this thing should be called "Shigure."

"She lent me her most cherished sword, this woman…"

Could it be that she likes me?

Vivian glanced at Tashigi's evasive eyes, which didn't dare to meet his, and felt puzzled.

Strange…

If that's the case, how did she come to like me?

Although he knew he was quite handsome, according to the original setting, Tashigi didn't seem like someone who would fall for someone so easily.

"Or maybe it's just my illusion?"

Shaking his head, Vivian took the sword and returned to the cabin.

…

Clang—!

Clang—clang—clang—!

In the bedroom, Vivian carefully polished the bullets for his flintlock gun. Under the oil lamp, the bullets, which looked like lead bullets but weren't, rolled on the floor, reflecting faint glimmers of light.

With the added experience of a craftsman, Vivian could not only modify and build ships but also had high proficiency in firearms and other equipment. Especially recently, his craftsman level had accidentally risen to intermediate, making it extremely easy for him to create an improved gun that could load "armor-piercing bullets."

Vivian called it the "Alfred Sniper Rifle," named after his surname.

Of course, the so-called armor-piercing bullets were actually only about 20-30% more powerful than regular lead bullets. But even so, without these bullets, Vivian wouldn't have been able to penetrate Ashburn's body on the deserted island.

"Hopefully, this thing won't be needed much."

It's not very useful against strong opponents, but one shot is enough for the weak.

The feeling of killing was really uncomfortable.

After disassembling the gun he carried, he placed it in his uniform jacket and lay down on the bed, closing his eyes for a nap.

The process of escorting the prisoners was vastly different from Vivian's expectations.

Peaceful.

Unprecedented peace.

Nothing happened along the way.

He had thought there would be many unexpected situations, or at least a few Sea Kings attacking the warship. However, until Vivian had Buggy and the others locked up in Impel Down, no danger appeared.

This made Vivian feel a bit uneasy.

"Could this be the calm before the storm?" he thought.

That night, on the return journey.

[Task: Escort Buggy to Impel Down (Completed)]

[New Task: Have the warship stay in the Calm Belt for one night (Current Task: Part 3)]

Vivian:???

Take the ship to the Calm Belt and stay there for a night?

What kind of operation is this?

Seeing this new task pop up, Vivian frowned and hesitated.

His intuition told him that if he followed the task's instructions, he probably wouldn't get any sleep that night.

But if he disobeyed, it would mean giving up the task's reward, making all his previous efforts in vain.

Naturally, Vivian didn't want to give up. Despite his cautious nature, he couldn't let Dragon's beating go to waste.

So, Vivian said, "Tonight, we'll rest in the Calm Belt."

"Yes, Officer Vivian."

In the Calm Belt, despite the abundance of Sea Kings, the warship, reinforced with Seastone at the bottom, didn't need to worry about attacks thanks to advanced technology.

Because of this, compared to the Grand Line and the Four Seas, anchoring the warship in the Calm Belt was actually safer.

Soon, the helmsman anchored the ship near a reef island. With the sky completely dark except for the starry night, visibility was almost zero.

Two sailors were left on deck to patrol, while the rest returned to their cabins to sleep.

Around 2 AM, unable to sleep, Vivian walked to the bow, lit a cigar, and started smoking.

After a while.

"Hmm?" Vivian extinguished his cigar and threw it into the sea, focusing on a massive ship with many lanterns approaching on the horizon.

"Officer Vivian, a ship is approaching!" one of the patrolling sailors, holding binoculars, urgently reported.

"I'm not blind, I can see it." Vivian frowned.

At the same time.

[Task: Have the warship stay in the Calm Belt for one night (Completed)]

[Option 1: Sail the warship towards the approaching ship. (Reward: Conqueror's Haki)]

[Option 2: Lower a lifeboat and approach the unknown ship alone. (Next Task: Part 4)]

[Option 3: Stay put and wait for the ship to leave. (Reward: Random attribute +1)]

[Note: Choosing the third option will result in the task chain failing.]

"Uh…"

So, choosing the first option would increase the difficulty and start two new tasks.

Choosing the second option would continue to the fourth part of the current task chain.

Vivian rubbed his chin.

"Ignore that ship for now. If anything else happens, notify me."

With that, he yawned and, under the watchful eyes of the three sailors, turned and walked back into the cabin.