Chapter 7: The Demon Blade "BloodThirst"

The treasure should be hidden here. Searching nearby will likely yield something.

The wine cellar stood in an isolated corner of the estate, far from any other structures. Its solitary placement made it unique among the buildings scattered around the village. After circling the area and finding nothing useful outside, Ryu's thoughts turned inward.

If it's not out here, could it be inside the wine cellar?

Aside from the two-horned silhouette of the wine cellar, there were no other structures in the vicinity that resembled a horned demon. Still, this particular building belonged to the Ikano family—it was part of their domain. The location seemed correct.

To avoid drawing attention, Ryu slipped into the wine cellar unnoticed. A frail-looking old man stood guard at the entrance, but his senses failed to detect the young vampire's presence. Once inside, Ryu began a meticulous search, moving barrels and inspecting every inch of the space.

Luck finally smiled upon him when he shifted one particularly heavy barrel of wine. Beneath it, the wooden floor felt hollow. With little effort, he pried open the planks to reveal a pitch-black passageway.

Thanks to his enhanced night vision, Ryu could see clearly despite the darkness. The passage appeared ominous, yet it contained nothing unusual—just ordinary stone steps descending deeper underground.

Step by step, he descended until a massive red door carved with the image of a grotesque bat greeted him at the bottom. Without hesitation, Ryu placed his hand on the door, ready to push it open. But as soon as his palm touched the surface, sharp fang-like spikes shot out, piercing his skin. Instantly, the bat carving came alive, its eyes glowing crimson.

Ryu instinctively stepped back.

Squeak... squeak...

An eerie wail echoed through the confined corridor, sending shivers down even Ryu's spine. Yet, after the unsettling noise subsided, the bat carving slowly returned to its dormant state. The door cracked open slightly, revealing a pitch-black room beyond.

Now, I can enter.

Pushing the door further, Ryu stepped inside. Not far ahead, he spotted a blade sheathed in black and crimson resting atop a pedestal, alongside a dull, unassuming chest. As his fingers brushed against the hilt of the sword, the system chimed:

[Treasure Hunt Mission Complete.]

"So, this is the family treasure?" Ryu murmured aloud.

Inscribed on the stone beneath the blade was its history:

"Demon Blade BloodThirst: Forged personally by the first patriarch of the Ikano clan. Though obscure to the outside world, its rank rivals that of the Great Grade Swords among the 21 O Wazamono. This blade was crafted using a unique method and can only be wielded by members of the Ikano bloodline. Others who attempt to use it will suffer a terrifying curse."

"Demon Blade BloodThirst… It seems fitting for me," Ryu said thoughtfully.

He unsheathed the blade, and it let out a soft hum, almost as if responding to his touch. "Excellent. From now on, you are my weapon."

After securing the blade, Ryu turned his attention to the mysterious chest. Whatever lay within had been stored alongside the legendary sword—it couldn't possibly be ordinary. Opening the lid, he found a peculiar fruit resembling a durian, covered in strange patterns.

A Devil Fruit!

Though he'd expected something extraordinary, discovering a Devil Fruit among his family's treasures still surprised him. Inside the chest was also a description of the fruit:

Bat Fruit – Zoan-type Animal Devil Fruit

"Do I, a vampire, really need to transform into a bat?" Ryu mused with a smirk. "Still, it does seem oddly appropriate. Maybe I'll consider eating it someday if I ever feel like flying."

In the past, Ryu had often fantasized about which Devil Fruit he would choose if given the opportunity in the One Piece world. His preference leaned toward Paramecia-type abilities over Logia-types, believing them to hold more potential for ultimate power. Legendary figures like Whitebeard and Kizaru wielded Paramecia fruits, cementing his belief that they represented the pinnacle of strength.

With the treasure secured, Ryu saw no reason to linger. After carefully restoring everything to its original state, he returned to the villa.

Days turned into weeks, and life in Boro Village remained peaceful. Each day, Ryu grew stronger, though the absence of fresh human blood slowed his progress significantly. Even so, in just six months, he reached Level 17, with his Power Level soaring to an impressive 270—a remarkable feat for someone so young.

On the 183rd day since arriving in the One Piece world, the villagers of Boro continued their daily routines, blissfully unaware of the impending danger looming on the horizon. Unfortunately, the world of pirates was rife with chaos, and peace rarely lasted long.

A pirate ship bearing a skull-and-crossbones flag slowly approached the shores of Boro Village. By sheer coincidence, a Marine patrol vessel happened to pass nearby. However, the Marines stationed in the East Blue were notoriously corrupt. While patrols were supposed to occur daily, many bases neglected their duties, sometimes conducting inspections only once or twice a month.

The naval branch near Boro Village was no exception. Unless fate intervened, no Marines would arrive in time to save the village from the approaching pirates.

Onboard the pirate ship:

"Captain! We've spotted a small village ahead!"

"Oh? Let me take a look."

The lookout handed over his telescope to the towering captain—a monstrous figure standing three meters tall, with a wild beard that made him resemble a primitive warrior. In his massive hands, the bulky telescope looked as small as a water bottle.

By nightfall, the villagers had fallen into deep slumber, oblivious to the disaster creeping closer. A ragtag group of pirates, desperate for supplies after a month at sea, stealthily approached the prosperous village. Their hunger and greed burned fiercely, but discipline kept them in check—they waited for their captain's command before making a move.

Fifteen minutes later, the pirates infiltrated the town.

"Charge, men!" the captain bellowed.

His roar shattered the silence of the night, jolting awake many sleeping villagers. Before anyone could react, the pirates burst through doors, slaughtering indiscriminately.

Chaos erupted as screams filled the air, signaling the beginning of a brutal raid.