The journey across the sea was, as expected, dull and uneventful.
Thankfully, Mio wasn't alone. With Warwick by his side, it was far better than sailing in solitude—even if Warwick wasn't exactly a charming beauty to look at.
Onboard the ship, Mio had found a few fishing rods, so whenever boredom crept in, he would cast a line into the sea to kill time.
This particular morning, Mio was on the deck, sweating through his daily training routine—push-ups, sit-ups, and other simple exercises. They weren't fancy, but they helped improve his physique. In a world like this, physical fitness was vital.
Every kind of power, after all, demanded stamina.
"Huff… That's one thousand push-ups and one thousand sit-ups done!" Mio wiped the sweat off his brow, panting. He took a bottle of rum from Warwick, who had been quietly observing from nearby, and took a satisfying gulp. Then he walked over to the edge of the boat and squinted into the distance.
Something caught his eye.
A small island was slowly coming into view, and from the shape of the shoreline, he could already tell there was a town on it.
Eyes lighting up, Mio beamed with excitement. "Finally! A town!"
He quickly set sail toward the island, increasing the ship's speed.
"My strength isn't anything amazing yet, but I can definitely protect myself now. I should be on par with an elite soldier from the Navy Headquarters. Maybe even equal to the lowest-ranked non-commissioned officer in a pinch," Mio muttered as the island grew clearer. "In the North Blue, with Warwick backing me up, I should be among the top tier. Only a handful of people could actually pose a threat."
He clenched his fists.
"If I run into pirates—I'll kill them."
There were good reasons behind that decision.
First, bounty money. He wasn't a pirate, so if he killed any with a bounty, he could turn their heads in for cash at the nearest Navy branch. He still regretted not taking Kairi's head back when he had the chance.
Second, experience. He needed to sharpen his combat ability and build battle instinct. Right now, he was still a novice.
Third, and most importantly: gene extraction.
His system could enroll the genes of creatures and people killed by his own hands.
And Mio was more than ready to kill now.
By the time those thoughts passed, the ship had already drawn near the island.
He rummaged through the pirate ship's map, one he'd barely glanced at until now. After comparing a few details, he finally confirmed the island's name—Notis.
A rather unremarkable place, not known for anything in particular.
Mio tied the ship securely at the dock and looked toward Warwick. "Stay here and guard the ship. I'll be back soon."
Warwick nodded obediently while Mio grabbed a small stack of Baileys and made his way into town.
It had been a while since he came to this world, but this was the first time he stepped into an actual town. Every sight, sound, and smell stirred his curiosity. He walked around with wide-eyed interest, soaking in everything.
Still, he didn't forget his goals.
"Boss, give me that black cloak. How much is it?" Mio asked, pointing to a rugged-looking cloak hanging on a rack in a street shop.
"That one? Two thousand Baileys," the shopkeeper replied.
"Alright. I'll take it."
Mio handed over the money, grabbed the cloak, and left the store. He bought it specifically for Warwick. His appearance was too monstrous—it would be better to cover up when entering towns in the future to avoid unwanted trouble.
After that, Mio visited several stores, stocking up on food, alcohol, and various supplies. He still had plenty of money left, so he didn't hold back.
But just as he was about to return to the ship with bags full of purchases, a group of youths blocked his path at a street corner.
"Oi, kid. Hand over the money if you know what's good for you. You're looking at Uncle Bellamy now," the blonde-haired leader said with a cocky smirk. He had a wooden club resting on his shoulder, and several thuggish-looking companions behind him.
Mio put down the bags of supplies and gave a flat look. "Bellamy, huh? That name sounds familiar."
He cracked his neck, his expression sharpening.
"Too bad. I'm broke."
Bellamy's expression twisted in rage. "Don't play dumb. I've been watching you since you entered the first shop. You've got plenty of cash, so stop lying. If you don't hand it over—"
He raised his stick threateningly. "—we're gonna teach you a lesson!"
Mio's lips curved into a grin. "Go ahead. Try it."
Bellamy's eyes darkened. "You little punk! You've got a death wish!"
"Go get him!" one of the lackeys shouted.
Two of them rushed forward, yelling as they moved in for the beatdown.
"Idiots," Mio muttered and stepped in.
His punch crashed into one of the thugs' abdomen with a heavy boom. The man was sent flying like a cannonball, smashing into a nearby wall and falling unconscious.
The other thug's fist nearly reached Mio's face, but he tilted his head slightly and dodged. In the same motion, he landed a precise blow to the guy's chest, sending him hurtling backwards into the air.
"Pathetic," Mio muttered, brushing the dust from his knuckles. "There's not even any challenge in this."
Bellamy roared, lunging forward in fury. "Don't get cocky!"
He leapt into the air, gripping his club with both hands and bringing it down toward Mio's head.
Mio, unfazed, spoke in a low tone. "Now I remember who you are…"
He reached to his waist and unsheathed a cheap katana he'd bought earlier for 100,000 Baileys. A sharp gleam flashed through the air.
Clang!
The wooden club snapped in two.
Before Bellamy could land, Mio grabbed him mid-air by the collar, slammed him to the ground with brute strength, and pinned him down. His left hand gripped Bellamy's throat. His right hand held the katana—and the tip was aimed directly at Bellamy's forehead.
Bellamy's pupils widened in horror. He tried to scream, but no sound came.
Clang!
The blade pierced into the ground—right next to his face.
A chill ran down Bellamy's spine.
"Do you want to die?" Mio whispered coldly into his ear.
Bellamy opened his eyes and trembled. "N-No… I don't want to die…"
"What a shame," Mio replied with a grin. "Wrong answer."
His voice dropped another pitch. "Whether you live or die… depends on your luck."
Shing!
The blade flashed once more.
A deep wound tore across Bellamy's chest. Blood gushed out violently, soaking into the dirt.
Mio stood up, watching indifferently as Bellamy writhed in pain.
"Next time, choose your target more wisely."
He sheathed the katana, grabbed his bags, and turned back toward the harbor—leaving the groaning thugs behind.
The first blood spilled on land since he entered this world.
And Mio felt no guilt at all.