The glance Ada Wong gave him, followed by a subtle flick of her tongue across her lips, reminded Ethan Chen of Hina's earlier teasing.
There was a familiar allure in both women.
But Ethan was no longer the powerless man he used to be. Naturally, he wasn't about to walk over, wrap an arm around Ada's waist, and plant a deep kiss on her lips.
Instead, he simply nodded and said calmly, "As long as it's something I have or something I can do, you can ask. Just don't push it too far."
"Then I'll bring you good news soon~"
With that, Ada raised her grappling gun and aimed it at the crow's nest atop the mast. With a press of the trigger, she shot upward in one smooth motion.
"So cool," Tifa murmured. "Like a real agent."
"Is she... also from another world?" Mona asked, brushing away the celestial map she had formed with her elemental power. "I can't see any trace of this world's fate on her."
"She's from another world too?" Tifa was surprised. "That's crazy. We're all gathering together like this?"
Ethan shrugged, feigning ignorance. "I wouldn't call it a coincidence. Maybe it's just fate bringing us together."
Mona nodded in agreement. "Yes, that's how fate works."
Up in the crow's nest, Ada opened her silver case. Inside was a sleek, black M24 sniper rifle.
It was chambered for 7.62mm rounds, with an effective range of 800 meters. Known as the "soul of the sniper" on the battlefield, the M24 was beloved by military and mercenary forces alike for its precision and reliability.
Ada moved with practiced efficiency, assembling the weapon, adjusting the scope, measuring distance and wind speed.
The target was still within range just over six hundred meters out. Fortunately, the ocean breeze was light, so it wouldn't interfere much with her shot.
The biggest challenge came from the undulating waves and the motion of both vessels, which constantly altered the target's position.
She held her breath, made the final adjustments by instinct, and pulled the trigger.
Krieg, who had just begun to feel triumphant again, sensed danger but too late.
The 7.62mm round slammed dead-center into his forehead. His skull burst open like a melon, and blood and brain matter sprayed violently across the boat.
He was dead before he hit the deck.
. . .
The explosion of his skull marked the fall of a tyrant.
Side Mission: Eliminate Admiral Krieg
Status: Completed
Reward: +1 Mastery Point
. . .
Not having long-range fire support was just plain stupid.
If you're adventuring at sea, your ship needs a sniper someone who can suppress and assist from afar.
New Mission: Recruit a Sniper
Status: In Progress
Reward: +1 Mastery Point
. . .
With the crack of the rifle and the system's prompt in his ears, Ethan knew it was over.
Krieg was done for.
No comeback. No second chance.
This bet on luck had ended with Krieg's complete defeat.
A total loss.
Then a few more shots rang out. Ada sniped down the remaining pirates on the small boat with precise, deadly efficiency.
Using her grappling gun, she descended smoothly back to the deck.
"Sorry," she said. "One of them jumped into the sea. I couldn't hit him."
"It's fine. The leader's dead that's enough."
"Then I suppose it's time for my payment?" Ada smiled and sauntered closer to Ethan.
Tifa moved as if to stop her, but Ethan raised a hand, silently telling her to let it be.
Ada pressed herself against him, breath warm and sweet as she parted her lips.
Before Ethan could react, she cupped his face and kissed him.
The kiss was light and a bit clumsy tentative.
"That was my first kiss," she whispered.
That sealed it. Ethan wrapped his arms around her slim waist and kissed her back.
This time, he showed her what a real kiss was.
He pried her lips open, caught her flickering tongue, and drew it into a tangled dance, deep and intense, until she was breathless and dazed.
"You two need to stop!" Tifa snapped, pulling them apart. "You just met! Can you not be so... casual about it?!"
"Sorry," Ethan said, looking at her flushed face, now fully exposed after removing her mask and hood. "Just paying what's owed."
"Is that how people ask for payment?" Tifa put her hands on her hips, glaring at Ada, who was now licking her lips with a dreamy look in her eyes. "And you aren't you supposed to be a lady? Have some restraint!"
"My apologies," Ada replied, her tone unapologetic. "He's just... exactly my type. Hard to resist."
She gave another slow lick of her lips, clearly savoring the moment.
"All right, let's get out of here," Ethan said, smoothly shifting the conversation. "This place reeks."
The deck was still littered with mangled corpses and severed limbs. Not exactly ideal for conversation.
As for the remaining pirates, they'd already jumped overboard during the chaos.
"No one's going to search the ship?" 2B asked. "With everyone gone, this vessel probably holds a substantial amount of treasure."
"Good point. Let's check the vault directly. No need to wander around and risk triggering something dangerous."
"Vault? I think I know where it is. Follow me."
Led by 2B, the group headed toward the treasure hold.
When they neared the captain's quarters, 2B halted them.
"I'll go in first."
Sounds of traps being sprung clattered from inside, followed by 2B's calm voice. "All clear. You can come in."
Inside, one wall opposite the vault had been shredded by hidden projectiles.
"2B, are you okay?" Ethan asked.
"I'm fine," she replied, sheathing her greatsword and stepping into the treasure vault.
The rest followed, only to be stunned speechless.
Mountains of gold, jewels, and stacks of Berries filled the room.
Mona's jaw slowly dropped. "All this treasure... how much do you think it's worth?"
"Berries?" Ada asked, confused. She picked up a green banknote from the pile. The design didn't match any currency she recognized.
Though still annoyed by what had just happened, Tifa explained, "You're not in your original world anymore."
"What?!"
"According to the stars," Mona added, "there's a shroud of mist around your fate. That means, like us, you don't belong under this sky."
"Wait," Ada said, pressing a hand to her forehead, struggling to take it in. "All I did was accept a mission. I got caught in a fog for a while... how did I end up in another world?"
"I just opened a door and ended up here too," Tifa replied. "That mission you mentioned was it to protect Ethan?"
"Yes," Ada answered, turning to look at Ethan. "It was the first mission my agency assigned me after I became a full agent."
Tifa and Mona exchanged a look both eyes filled with the same doubt.
Two different worlds. And yet, the same target?
It didn't add up.
There had to be a connection.
Or perhaps it was simply fate at work.
Some truths were beyond human understanding like the very existence of the System.
"2B, this box looks important," Ethan said, handing her a small treasure chest about the size of a lunchbox. "Is it trapped? Mind checking?"
2B took it, scanned it with her tactical visor, then pressed her thumb to the lock. With a faint click, the lock broke and the box popped open.
Inside was a strange green fruit, its surface patterned with leaf-like ridges and a texture resembling snake scales.
Ethan's pupils narrowed instantly.
A Devil Fruit.
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