Over the past few days, Ethan Chen had racked up an impressive haul.
The millions of Berries earned from capturing pirates and winning cooking competitions were already a windfall, but when paired with the system's additional rewards, it all felt like icing on the cake.
First came Tifa, a native of the 3D zone known as "Jerusalem," now officially part of his crew. That alone had earned him an extra mastery point for exceptional performance. Another two mastery points followed one from recruiting Tifa aboard the ship, the other for securing control over the Jerusalem zone.
Aside from the point he had spent last night to enhance his stamina recovery after a particularly "vigorous" session he still had two mastery points remaining.
After some quick deliberation, Ethan decided to invest one point into martial arts, raising it to Level 5 and further solidifying his personal combat power.
Once it hit Level 5, the system interface displayed "LV1.MAX," indicating it couldn't be upgraded further for now. Apparently, to unlock Level 2, he would first need to max out both Weapon Mastery and Recovery Boost. Specialization in a single path wasn't enough.
So, the remaining point went into Recovery Boost, bumping it up to Level 3.
According to what Hina had told him, his enhanced digestion a side effect of the Recovery Boost was similar to the "Life Return" technique. He had noticed the effects himself lately: energy from food was accumulating within him, strengthening his body even when not consciously invoked. Still, this energy remained passive, mostly speeding up recovery after strenuous activities, especially post-battle.
Maybe once Recovery reached Level 5, he'd finally be able to access and wield that energy directly, amplifying his attacks and physical power.
The prospect was exciting.
After experiencing the subtle shifts in his body, Ethan left the gym in the lower deck and headed to the dining room.
Tifa had already prepared breakfast: spaghetti with meat sauce, crispy pork cutlets, and a fresh vegetable salad.
Once everyone was seated, Ethan dove straight into the day's plan.
"After breakfast, let's head into town and stock up on fresh ingredients. We'll be setting sail soon. Anyone have anything they want to buy besides astrological gear?"
2B and Tifa both shook their heads. They had already bought everything they needed the last time they went ashore.
Under the table, Mona kicked Ethan's leg lightly, her message clear: You're not allowed to shop but still ask what we want to buy? You're the worst.
"Actually, now that I think about it," Tifa said after breakfast, "our ship still doesn't have a flag, does it? I've noticed all the merchant and cargo ships have one. Without ours, don't we seem... incomplete?"
"A flag, huh?" Ethan paused, realizing what had been bothering him. "So that's what's missing."
Flags symbolized identity and allegiance. It wasn't just pirates and the Navy who had them merchants, kingdoms, trading fleets, all flew their own banners.
As bounty hunters, they too needed a flag and a proper name. Without it, how could they make a name for themselves across the seas? How would they strike fear into pirates at a glance?
"Alright, let's make a flag. And while we're at it, we need a team name too."
"How about... Seventh Heaven?" Tifa suggested, raising her hand. "I like the sound of that."
"What are we, a bar?" Mona rolled her eyes. "We should be called The Guest Star Guild instead."
"In astrology," she explained, "guest stars are celestial anomalies new stars, supernovas, comets, meteors that appear suddenly and vanish just as fast. We're the same: strangers from other worlds, unexpected arrivals in this one. I think Guest Star Guild fits perfectly."
Ethan frowned. "But guest stars disappear without a trace. I don't plan on being forgotten."
"Fair point," Mona conceded, not insisting further. "So what name do you have in mind?"
"How about The Fourth Calamity?" Ethan replied. "Where I come from, that phrase refers to outsiders who shake the world. I think it fits."
The term originated from the game Stellaris, referring to players whose unpredictable actions disrupted the balance more than even the ancient AIs, alien swarms, or demonic invasions the so-called three great calamities. Thus, players were dubbed the Fourth Calamity.
In web novels, the term had evolved to represent invaders from other worlds treating the current world like a game a genre unto itself.
And in many ways, Ethan was no different from such a "player." With knowledge of this world's plot and future, he had the power to upend its course.
That name? Perfect.
He didn't want to be a fleeting guest star. He wanted to be a force of nature.
"The Fourth Calamity? That sounds badass," 2B said approvingly. "I'm all for it."
"Right? Tifa, what about you?"
"Then let's go with that," she nodded. "We're not exactly running a tavern, after all."
"Three votes to one," Ethan grinned. "By overwhelming majority, our team shall be known as The Fourth Calamity."
Mona wrinkled her nose. "Well, you are the captain. Guess you get the final say no matter what."
"What about the flag?" Tifa asked. "What kind of design should we go with?"
"Something simple," Ethan said after thinking for a moment. "Let's just write the character '災' on it."
Most pirate flags in this world were elaborate skull motifs with personal flair. But Ethan didn't think he had any signature symbol worth showing off.
Why not just keep it direct? Like the "Happo Navy," which used literal text on their flag. Clarity trumped style.
"That's it?" Mona complained. "No design at all?"
"Simple is best. No need to overthink it," Ethan stood up. "It's settled. We'll stock up on ingredients and grab a flag while we're at it."
After Mona finished washing the dishes, they all set out with carts in tow, ready to shop.
Tifa took charge of selecting ingredients and haggling with vendors, while the others each pushed carts filled to the brim with fresh produce, meats, and liquor.
After circling the market, they stopped by a stall to buy a blank flag and some paint. With everything in hand, they prepared to head back.
Then, as they passed a bookstore, Tifa suddenly remembered she wanted to buy a few cookbooks to improve her culinary skills.
So she and Ethan stepped inside.
As they passed the counter, a heated argument between the shopkeeper and a customer caught Ethan's ear.
"One thousand Berries? What am I, a beggar? This is a rare Devil Fruit compendium, only circulated internally among the Navy! I risked my life to steal er, find this thing!"
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