[Note:
" * " : Indicates abilities that can be upgraded with practice, experience, or unique opportunities.]
> System inner voice ["speaking"] <
> Ash inner speech "speaking" <
{}
Space rippled at the base of Mt. Colubo behind Foosha Village as a dark portal cracked open in the air. One by one, Ash, Lucy, Uta, Selena, Nami, Ace, and Nojiko stepped out.
Ash stretched his arms wide and laughed..... "Ahh, nothing feels like home....."
The evening sun cast a warm glow as they made their way toward the village. Immediately, Lucy sprinted ahead, quickly followed by Uta and Ace, while the rest walked leisurely behind, enjoying the calm return.
By the time they reached Makino's bar, Lucy and Ace were already sitting inside, happily eating as Uta chatted with Makino—carefully avoiding any mention of the island or their recent discoveries.
Makino greeted the rest with a warm smile as they entered and quickly served them their usual meals—dishes she knew by heart from their frequent visits.
"So," Makino asked as they settled in, "how did this new adventure of yours go?"
Ash's lips curved, with a sly spark in his eyes, taking a bite, "It went well. We fought some strong people, had some good battles… and picked up a few good things."
He kept his answer light—half-truths. Makino seemed to understand, knowing Ash well enough to realize that if it was dangerous for her to know, he wouldn't tell her. She didn't press further, simply smiling in return, satisfied they were all safe.
With her mouth still full, Lucy blurted, "Yes, Makino! We became way stronger! Ace has become a slowpoke though."
Ace, mid-bite, bonked Lucy's head. "Idiot, she didn't ask you about that."
Everyone burst out laughing, and the evening passed in light-hearted chatter and familiar comfort.
Later, they returned to their rooms for the night. The girls all stayed in the same room as usual, while Ash went to his separate room—just like always.
Ash let out a long, satisfied sigh as he dropped onto his bed, arms spread wide across the mattress.
"Finally," he murmured under his breath, staring at the ceiling. "Celeste, show me the quest completion."
Celeste's voice chimed in, bright and genuinely proud. ["Congratulations, Ash! I knew you could do it."]
Ash grinned. "Heh, don't give me all the credit. If you hadn't helped us at the start, we wouldn't have even found the island."
["Still,"] Celeste teased, ["you guys are the one who carried it through. Now, would you like to see your rewards?"]
Ash lazily waved his hand. "Yeah, yeah. Bring up the notification."
Ding!
✅ Quest Completed:Legacy of the Forgotten Kingdom
Objective 1: Find and reach the Lost Island of the Ancient Kingdom. ✅
Objective 2: Uncover the island's hidden secrets and its lost history. ✅
Rewards:
• 10,000 S.C
• Title Upgraded: Chaos of Fates ➔ Weaver of Fates
• New Title: Heir of Forgotten Echoes
• Rainbow Lottery Ticket ×1
• Exclusive Limited Store Voucher
Ash's eyes widened, his heart skipping as he scanned the list. "Whoa… two titles? A rainbow lottery ticket? And what's this voucher? Looks like some rare stuff."
He quickly sat up. "Celeste, let's start with the first title. Show me the upgraded one."
Weaver of Fates
No longer simply a chosen piece on the board of destiny, a weaver of fate gambles with fate, embraces chaos, and leaves ripples that alter the destinies of those around them. Wherever they walk, the threads of fortune twist, leading to unforeseen outcomes. The Coin of Fate and Chaos remains bound, symbolizing a reckless dance between fortune and calamity. As their name or legend spreads, unseen forces bend, and those closest to them begin to grow as if guided by fate itself.
✔️ Increases Luck by +10 with every level-up.
✔️ Occasionally grants intuitive insight during pivotal moments.
✔️ Temporarily boosts crew Luck and Intuition, improving their success in tasks, combat, and decisions.
✔️ Occasionally grants Destiny's Favor, preventing negative outcomes or softening exceptionally challenging situations.
✔️ Presence passively alters the fate of those around them.
✔️ Triggers Fated Interventions – random lucky breaks, sudden survivals, or shifts in outcomes for allies.
✔️ Occasionally causes minor misfortune or setbacks for enemies.
✔️ Grants ownership of the Coin of Fate and Chaos (Legendary Artifact).
✔️ Slightly increases luck factor when using random-based system features (drops, lottery tickets, loot boxes).
✔️ Allows one reroll of buff options when using Fate's Choice (Coin of Fate and Chaos).
✔️ Luck and Charisma increase by 5% after each level-up, calculated from total stats after all manual gains. This effect also applies to those the user considers crew, family, or true companions, reflecting their shared bond and the growing influence of fate.
✔️ As the name of the user (or their alias) spreads, Luck and Charisma gradually increase passively over time — both for the user and for those they hold close reflecting their growing reputation and presence in the world.
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Ash gave a small smile as he leaned back against the bed frame. "A weaver of fate, huh? I've gone from 'just lucky' to 'walking disaster' with this title, Celeste."
["Well, you've already changed the fate of the girls with these recent discoveries, haven't you? And there will be many"] Celeste chimed playfully. ["This will surely bring even more chaos in the future."]
When she put it like that, Ash could only sigh. "Tch… yeah, you're probably right."
His gaze narrowed when he spotted something. "Wait… what's this Coin of Fate and Chaos—I didn't see it in the quest rewards."
["That's because it's a title-bound artifact,"] Celeste explained smoothly. ["You've earned it as part of becoming a Weaver of Fate."]
Suddenly, a soft metallic cling echoed above his head. Ash instinctively looked up, catching the glint of something spinning in the air. Without thinking, he reached out and caught it as it dropped.
Flipping his hand over, Ash found a coin resting neatly in his palm—slightly larger than a regular coin, perfectly sized to flick with his thumb.
The coin's surface was cleanly divided down the middle into two distinct halves.
One side shimmered with brilliant gold, etched with a detailed engraving of three interwoven threads spiraling outward—a symbol of fate's weaving paths.
The other side gleamed in deep obsidian black, carved with a chaotic emblem of three fragmented triangles spinning around a tiny roulette wheel—the jagged shapes misaligned, representing unpredictability and disorder.
The rim of the coin was a seamless blend of both colors—gold and black swirling together, their edges rough and intentionally imperfect, as if shaped by countless tosses and impossible choices.
Ash's thumb brushed over the smooth gold side and the rougher black edge, "Looks pretty sweet. Alright, Celeste—show me what's this thing actually do?"
Celeste happily popped the system screen. ["Here you go!"]
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Name: Coin of Fate and Chaos
Grade: Legendary
Type: Artifact
Description:
A mystical coin infused with the forces of fate and randomness, capable of temporarily bending reality based on the outcome of a flip. Whether bringing fortune or chaos, its effects are unavoidable—destiny will run its course. No effect lasts longer than 30 minutes.
Effects:
🔹 Fate's Choice (Heads) – Presents three random buff options. To activate the chosen buff, a specific action, phrase, or interaction must be performed. Buffs can apply to you, your crew, or even your enemies.
🔸 Chaos Roulette (Tails) – A roulette wheel appears, selecting three random tasks. These may be strange, challenging, or outright absurd. Completing the task applies a random buff or debuff. Some tasks auto-trigger and force you to act. Buffs and debuffs can affect anyone—including enemies.
Limitations:
⏳ Cooldown: Once every five days (120 hours).
⚖ Effect Duration: Maximum 30 minutes.
⚠ No Reversals: Once the coin is flipped, you must follow through—no cancellations or rerolls.
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Ash stared at the details, processing, "So… if I flip heads, I get to choose one from three buffs. But I need to complete a task to activate it."
["Exactly!"] Celeste chirped. ["Could be anything—like doing a move, saying a phrase, pulling off something silly. Sometimes it'll target you, sometimes your crew, sometimes even your enemies. Example—say you pick an attack debuff for an enemy, but the task is… 'do a ballerina spin.' You spin, the debuff lands. Simple."]
Ash deadpanned. "I gotta spin like a ballerina… to nerf my enemy."
["Yup!"] Celeste giggled.
"And tails?" Ash asked, already not liking where this was going.
["Oh, that's pure chaos."] Celeste sang. ["Tails forces you to do the tasks it gives. Anything goes. Sometimes it'll just… take over your body in case you're not willing."]
Ash's brow twitched. "Wait, wait—hold up. Does that mean if it tells me to 'run around naked yelling I'm a golden chicken,' I have to do it?! Or it will force me!?"
Celeste hummed, way too pleased. ["Mmm… yeah, basically."]
Ash stared at the coin. "This is ridiculous."
["Oh, and don't worry! No one can take it from you—it's soul-bound."]
"Yeah, great. What a relief," Ash muttered, voice dripping with sarcasm.
He sighed. "Okay, but… I don't have to use it, right? I can just toss it in my inventory and leave it there?"
Celeste went quiet. The system screen just displays:
....
Ash's eyes narrowed. "Right, Celeste?"
["Ehehe… about that,"] Celeste laughed nervously. ["If you don't use it, the fate and chaos energy build's up. Ignore it too long and, well… it explodes."]
Ash blinked. "Explodes?"
["Yup! Think… island-level explosion. Nothing too big."]
Ash's mouth flapped open and closed like a dying fish. "The… fuck?! That is literally too big for rest of us, Celeste! And why the heck is this not mentioned in the description or effects."
Celeste let out a guilty chuckle. ["Well for this I can only give minimal explanation until asked. You have to find about how the coin works yourself. And there are pros and cons! Amazing buffs and rewards! And once you use it, it just goes back to being a shiny coin until the cooldown resets!"]
Ash collapsed onto the bed, dragging his hands down his face. "I swear… you cheeky system and fate's out to mess with me."
["Welcome to being a Weaver of Fate!"] Celeste chimed sweetly.
Ash sighed. "Well… what can I do? Let's roll with it."
He shook his head and leaned forward. "Alright, what about the second title—Heir of Forgotten Echoes? Hit me."
Celeste displayed the next description.
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Heir of Forgotten Echoes:
The Lost Island of the Ancient Kingdom recognizes its rightful heir. The Key of the Forgotten is soul-bound to the heir, granting control over the island's secrets, gates, and legacies. Only the heir may unlock its hidden paths, open portals, and grant passage to others. The heir alone can authorize entry into the island's ancient trials, which hold the power to grant Mythical Zoan Devil Fruits or awaken their potential. Full dominion is held over the Nexus Laboratories and the ancient mechanisms scattered across the island once certain conditions are met.
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Ash read through the description, a small smirk tugging at his lips. "Yeah… pretty much what I figured. I kinda guessed from the title."
As if responding to his thoughts, the key rose from inside his body, glowing faintly. He could feel its pull—deep within his soul. Almost like it heard him speaking about it.
Ash set the coin aside and gently caught the floating key, "Who would've thought just touching this thing would make me the heir?"
Celeste chimed in playfully, ["Well, if someone else had touched it first, they would've become the heir instead. You got lucky. Besides, you can guide the others a lot easier this way."]
Ash nodded, still sprawled out on the bed, "Celeste, those trials we took—were they illusions, or were they real? And that… thing. Was that really Joyboy's remains? And why couldn't we enter the portal after clearing the trials, but Lucy could?"
As he spoke, Ash willed the key to sink back into his body, and it vanished inside his body like it belonged there.
Celeste's voice softened, ["Well… the trials are sort of both. They're real, but they're born from your will. Your will mixes with the real scenario and shapes the trial into something unique to you. That's what makes them 'real.' Some trials, like Nojiko's, already exist in pocket dimensions—waiting for the rightful person to appear and free them by finishing the trial."]
She continued, her tone thoughtful now, ["And about Joyboy… yes, that was really his remaining consciousness. He left it behind to train and guide the one worthy of inheriting Nika's power. Since Lucy now holds the fruit, she's the only one who can access that exclusive path."]
Ash's brows lifted slightly, processing, "Huh. Makes sense. But what about the fruits we got? Do you think there really were gods walking the world during the Void Century?
You know… back in my old life, I died before Oda even finished the manga. There are still so many things I don't know."
Celeste's voice softened, almost fond, ["I could tell you, but wouldn't that take the joy out of your journey? Some answers are meant to be found—not given. I believe you and the girls will uncover them when the time is right."]
Ash hummed thoughtfully, "Yeah, you're right. Also… after what you just said about the trials using our will, I've been thinking." He picked up the coin, idly twirling it between his fingers.
"What if, that the Devil Fruits aren't just 'fruits.' They're the physical manifestation of someone's will. That's why they taste rotten now—because they're leftovers from someone else's will."
His eyes narrowed slightly, "But maybe… if someone creates a Devil Fruit from their own will—like the people from the ancient era might have done, or like the ones we got from through the trials—it wouldn't taste bad at all. It would truly belong to them."
He paused, considering, "And since you said the trials involve our own will… maybe the Devil Fruits we got from the trials won't taste bad when we eat them either."
Celeste's voice lilted, playful but careful, ["Well… I can neither confirm nor deny that. You'll just have to find out for yourself."]
Ash let out a slow sigh gave a snort, a crooked grin forming, "Yeah. Figured you'd say that."
Ash slipped the coin into his inventory for the, shaking his head in amused defeat. "Alright, that's tucked away. Now—System Coins, I know those. But this…" he tapped one of the remaining rewards, curiosity sparking, "what's the deal with this Rainbow Lottery Ticket? Usually, the lottery tickets I get don't have fancy names like that."
Celeste chimed in, bright and playful, ["You're right. Your usual lottery tickets are completely random—you can pull anything from Common to Mythic. But this one?"] Her tone lifted, like she was letting him in on a secret. ["This ticket is on a whole other level."]
Ash raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
["With this, you get a guaranteed Mythic reward. Every single roll is locked at the Mythic tier. You only have one ticket, so you'll get exactly one item—but whatever it is, it's guaranteed to be Mythic grade. Could be a consumable, weapon, artifact… anything."]
Ash's grin widened. "Okay, that's actually pretty damn cool. But I think I'll wait. No time limit on it, right?"
["Nope,"] Celeste confirmed. ["You can use it anytime."]
Ash nodded, satisfied. "Good. I'll save it for the right moment."
His gaze drifted to the final reward. "And this last one… Exclusive Store Voucher. Never seen this before. The system store already has daily refreshes—but let's be honest, I rarely buy anything. It usually shows me junk. Mostly commons."
Celeste's voice stretched with long-suffering patience. ["Oh, don't I know. Every time you open the store, you complain. 'Why is this all garbage every time, Celeste? Why are these even in store, Celeste? Why is this shop rigged against me, Celeste?' Honestly, you're worse than a grumpy old man."]
Ash sat up, mock offended. "Hey, I do not whine."
Celeste's voice went flat, like she was rolling her imaginary eyes. ["Riiight."]
Ash grunted, deciding to let that go for now. "So, what's special about this voucher?"
["It unlocks a limited-time store within the system, but you'll only have access to it for seven days. And only five items will be available—not like your regular ten-item store and again all five are only Mythic grade."]
Ash asks her as if he heard it wrong in shock. "Five Mythic items? Again?"
["Yup. All five are guaranteed Mythic grade,"]Celeste confirmed.
"Oh?" Ash's eyes lit up.
["And the first time you open the store; the timer doesn't start. You can browse all five items without pressure. But the second time you open it—the seven-day countdown kicks in. After that, you've got one week to buy what you can before it locks you out."]
Ash's jaw dropped. "Wait… You've been hiding this kind of feature from me, Celeste. How do I get more of these vouchers?"
Celeste's voice shifted to a smug lilt. ["Special quests—fate-changing ones, like the one you just finished. And even then, whether you get a voucher depends on your performance."]
Ash raised a brow. "That wasn't a special one?"
Celeste giggled. ["Nope. That was a standard version. You and the girls did well, but if you clear a perfect high-tier quest, you might find even better rewards waiting."]
Ash hummed, thinking. "Sounds like a challenge."
["Sooo…"] Celeste prompted, ["do you want to see the Exclusive Store now and have a sneak peak, or save it for later?"]
Ash rubbed his palms together, a grin stretching across his face. "Well, if the first peek doesn't start the timer, no harm in looking, right? Yeah, let's take a look."
With a soft hum, the system screen materialized in front of him, revealing the five items one by one.
Ash leaned forward, eyes scanning the list. He froze.
His breath caught.
"HOLY…. SHIT."
The glowing screen shimmered in front of him as Ash's wide eyes stayed locked on the lineup.
To be continued...
Thanks for reading this chapter!
I'd love to hear your thoughts — not just on the plot, but the journey itself. Is the pacing feeling right to you so far? Too fast, too slow, or just, right? Are there any moments, themes, or dynamics you feel are missing or could be explored more — like deeper character bonds, world-building, emotional scenes, or even new twists? Anything.
Also, is there anything you'd love to see added that could make the story even more exciting or satisfying? Whether it's a kind of power, a dramatic reveal, or just a character moment — your feedback really helps shape this story into something better.
Let me know in the comments! I read every one. 💬
And as always, if you're enjoying the ride, feel free to drop a Power Stone — it means a lot. 😊