CH-21:)

Let's fix that.

To 100 we go, plus one for good luck.

Points to spend (60) → (35) VIT (76) → (101) Max Health (760) → (1,010) Congratulations! You have reached 100 in VIT!

Please select one of the following [Perks]. 1. [Second Wind] There have always been warriors among the world who just refuse to stay down. Their spirit won't let their body quit until the day has been won. Once per week, if you would die and lose a life, instead you are restored to 40% max HP and the [Skill] [HP Regen] is multiplied by 3 in effectiveness for 1 hour.

2. [Resilience]

Many people in the world of 'One Piece' have physiologies that defy conventional wisdom or even laugh in the face of logic itself altogether. At the highest level of this phenomena there are those who can get stabbed, poisoned, or even shot in the face by a cannon and remain standing wholly unaffected. Selecting this [Perk] will add you to the bottom rung of this ladder of remarkable individuals. Each point in VIT will now add 20 health instead of 10.

Okay. Big decision time. I definitely like the sound of [Second Wind]. Now that I know I have four lives remaining I should probably get something to protect them like the precious resource that they are.

Then again, if I just straight up double my health with [Resilience] then it literally becomes twice as hard to kill me. If I had this [Perk] I may not have died to Blackjack in the first place. Hell, with this ability and my current stats I'd probably be able to beat him in a straight up fist fight. No running around/war of attrition required.

Though [Second Wind] does protect me from getting one hit KO-ed and that is an advantage that can't be ignored...hmm...decisions decisions.

Screw it. Better go with my gut. Double health is double health.

[Resilience] selected.

Max Health (1,010) → (2,020) Alright next item on the list.

Dexterity. Don't forget the one for good luck. Points to spend (35) → (19) DEX (85) → (101) Congratulations! You have reached 100 in DEX!

Please select one of the following [Perks]. 1. Bullet Time

What good is moving at high speeds if you can't keep up with the action? Selecting this [Perk] will unlock the [Skill] [Bullet Time] which allows you to perceive time itself at a reduced rate while in combat. At Lv. (1/30) of this [Skill], time is slowed by 3%.

2. Unnatural Flexibility

Your body can contort and shape itself in ways that makes some people grimace and makes others think you belong in a circus. Selecting this [Perk] will enable you to hide yourself in tight spaces, assist in slipping out of bindings and cages, and provides an additional 35% protection against blunt sources of damage.

Well for me this one is a no brainer... No contest, [Bullet Time] is the winner. At 3% per level that means it adds up to 90% at Lv. 30. I'd be unstoppable.

Unless diminishing returns is a thing.

Shit, diminishing returns is probably a thing.

Oh well. Even if it actually caps at 80%, 70%, hell even 50%, I'd argue it's still a better choice than the flexibility [Perk]. I'm not even sure what the phrase 'blunt sources of damage' fully encompasses.

I accepted [Bullet Time] and quickly closed the windows that followed the selection. I've got 19 points left and I'm not sure what the best use of them is. 'I guess I should shower some of the love on my mental traits. It's good to have a focus but It would bother me if I became too unbalanced.'

Points to spend (19) → (0) INT (36) → (45) WIS (33) → (43) I'm only waiting around for two more minutes before Chief Mori reappears alongside a plain looking man with clean black hair, a small scar on his cheek, and a chipper smile on his face. My eyes took notice of the golden epaulettes on his crisp white jacket and I involuntarily straightened my back in his presence.

Jorgen, Marine Lieutenant, Lv.31

'31. Not bad.'

Mori cleared his throat and spoke clearly. His personality shifting into 'Enlisted man in front of an Officer mode' "Jack. This is Lieutenant JG Jorgen. He's in charge of all organized crime investigations at this Marine branch and he'd like to speak to you about your recent capture."

"It's actually just Lieutenant now." The officer gently corrected with a smile. "Paperwork just finished filing the other day. None of that 'Junior Grade' nonsense anymore."

"Yes sir! Sorry sir!" Mori barked out as he saluted the man.

"No saluting indoors."

"Yes sir! Sorry sir!" Mori barked again and dropped his hand.

Jorgen rolled his eyes but smiled good-naturedly. "Well, no matter." The lieutenant turned his gaze to me and glanced me up and down.

"So you're the bounty hunter then? I was actually hoping you'd show up soon. The contact I have planted in Masserida's organization says the Don is fuming mad. Before you were a nuisance that needed addressing but now that he's down two more men he's out for blood. If he lets you live after this then it'll be viewed as weakness by his rivals. He won't stand for that."

"So what should I do?" I ask, a small frown on my face. "Keep dealing with the idiots he sends after me until he gets the picture? What would you suggest?"

The lieutenant smiles conspiratorially and leans in. "No suggestions, but how about a proposition?" His hand comes to my shoulder and pulls me in as the two of us start walking. "My contact says that there's an important meeting happening in five days time and that the Don is expected to attend. What Masserida doesn't know is I'm going to be waiting for him along with two dozen Marines behind my back. I could use a man of your talents there to help make sure no one slips away in the chaos."

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