Hal’s mind was a complete mess.
He couldn’t fathom why this monster—who could sprint across the ocean surface and summon a water dragon with a wave of his hand—would ask about common knowledge that even the town drunks in a tavern would know.
But he didn’t dare hesitate, let alone ask any questions.
Trembling, he spilled everything he knew.
“A-Answering my lord!
The current year is Sea Circle Calendar 1538!
“The biggest recent news happened a month ago.
A crew member named Teach from the Whitebeard Pirates, one of the Four Emperors, ambushed and killed his own division commander before defecting!
Now he’s formed his own crew called the Blackbeard Pirates!” He hastily added with a miserable expression, terrified that knowing too little would anger the other party.
“As for anything else…
I really don’t know anything else!
“I’m just a small fry with an eight million Berries bounty.
When it comes to big shots like the Four Emperors, I only dare to listen to rumors in the taverns.
I really don’t know anything more!
Please spare my life, my lord!
Have mercy!” Having asked everything he needed to know, Kain glanced at the devastated merchant ship, then at the pirate ship tethered alongside it.
Tapping his fingertips lightly against the hilt of his sword, he issued an order.
“Have your men set sail.
Head in that direction.” Hal froze for a moment.
Following the direction Kain pointed with his chin, he saw the very stretch of sea the monster had come from.
A trace of hesitation instantly flashed across his face.
There was nothing in those waters except a deserted island.
Going there meant absolutely zero profit, and they might even lose their lives in the process.
But the moment that hesitation surfaced, Kain raised his foot.
With a crisp crack, he cleanly stomped and broke one of Hal’s intact fingers.
Agonizing pain instantly shot through his entire body.
Hal shuddered violently, his mind snapping back to reality as he hastily screamed, “Yes!
Yes!
My lord!
I’ll do it right away!
Right away!” He turned his head toward the pirates still standing in a daze and roared like a madman, “What are you standing around for?!
Didn’t you hear the lord?!
Get moving!
Set sail!
Head in the direction the lord pointed!
Hurry!” The remaining pirates were already scared out of their wits.
Hearing this, they instantly scrambled in a panic.
Some rushed to the merchant ship’s helm, while others jumped back to the adjacent pirate ship to weigh anchor and adjust the sails.
They stumbled and crawled, not daring to delay for even a second.
Kain cast his eyes down, sweeping his gaze over a few pirates on the deck who were still groaning and not quite dead.
His hands flew rapidly in front of him, completing a sequence of hand seals in an instant.
“Lightning Release: Lightning Fang.” The moment his cold shout fell, a fierce, straight pillar of lightning erupted from his mouth.
The azure lightning tore through the air, instantly piercing the dying pirates on the deck.
Before they could even let out a scream, their bodies were scorched black by the high-voltage electricity, perishing on the spot.
Pinned to the deck, Hal watched this scene with his blood running cold.
He even forgot the excruciating pain in his severed finger and eye socket.
He only dared to keep his head firmly bowed, not even daring to glance at Kain from the corner of his eye, terrified that the slightest offense would lead to the same fate as his subordinates.
Kain didn’t spare him another glance.
He casually brushed off a few stray drops of blood from his clothes, found a clean spot on the ship’s rail untainted by gore, and sat down.
Sinking his focus inward, he quietly opened the system panel.
The sea breeze, carrying a salty and metallic scent, brushed past his cheeks.
Leaning against the clean railing, Kain half-closed his eyes.
As his mind delved deep into his consciousness, a pale blue system screen quietly unfolded.
[Clan System] Host: Uchiha Kain Affiliated Clan: Uchiha Clan Current Clan Influence Points: 2000 Available System Points: 2000 Activated Clan Traits: None Host Exclusive Skill: Eyes of Indra Held Rewards: Clan Trait Draw x1 Looking at the brand-new information on the screen, Kain silently asked in his heart, ‘System, what are Clan Traits?
And what exactly are these Influence Points used for?’ The cold system notification chimed clearly in his mind.
“Clan Traits, once activated, provide corresponding attribute bonuses to all clan members.
The higher the trait’s tier, the broader its coverage and the stronger its bonus effects.” “Influence Points are comprehensively evaluated based on the clan’s population size, territorial control, overall combat power, and clan prosperity.
A fixed settlement is conducted at the end of every month.” “Upon settlement completion, the system will issue a corresponding amount of System Points based on a fixed ratio of Influence Points.
Points can be used for Clan Trait draws to obtain clan-wide buff traits of varying tiers.” Kain’s fingertips unconsciously tapped against the cold railing.
Frowning slightly, he continued to ask internally, ‘What are the different tiers for the traits?
How exactly do I get them?’ “Traits are divided into six tiers from lowest to highest: White, Green, Blue, Gold, Orange, and Red.” The system’s voice remained steady, devoid of any fluctuation.
“A White trait can be drawn for one thousand System Points, Green for five thousand, Blue for ten thousand, Gold for fifty thousand, and Orange for one hundred thousand.
As for the highest-tier Red traits, they cannot be drawn using points and can only be obtained by the host unlocking corresponding achievements.” Kain raised an eyebrow, scoffing internally.
‘Oh?
So it’s a simulation game after all?
Then as the host, shouldn’t I get some special privileges?’ “Every time the host successfully draws a Blue-tier trait or higher, you will receive an additional opportunity to draw from the system’s exclusive prize pool.” ‘Then what tier is the trait draw I currently have?’ Kain immediately pressed.
“This draw opportunity is an exclusive reward for the host completing the novice mission and simultaneously achieving the ‘Biding Time’ novice achievement.
The drawn trait is guaranteed to be at least Blue-tier, with a maximum potential of Red-tier.” ‘What the hell?
So it’s not a guaranteed Red?’ Kain almost lost his composure, cursing internally.
‘After all that, it’s still a gacha pool?’ “What kind of game gives away endgame gear right at the start?” the system retorted righteously.
Kain choked on his breath, nearly suffocating.
‘I…
Were you fucking made by Tencent?!’ ‘Fine, fine.
I’ll draw.
Let’s just gamble on my dumb luck.’ Left speechless by the system, Kain waved his hand dismissively.
Taking a deep breath, he suppressed his wry helplessness and sighed softly, issuing the command to draw in his mind.
The next second, the system panel in his mind suddenly lit up with a pale blue glow, and a massive roulette wheel unfolded.
With a hum, the pointer activated, spinning rapidly across the White, Green, Blue, Gold, Orange, and Red trait slots.
It moved so fast it became a blur, continuously flashing through his consciousness.
A moment later, the rapidly spinning pointer abruptly came to a halt.
A blinding orange light instantly swept across the entire system panel, enveloping even Kain’s consciousness in its warm, golden radiance.