Grand Line, Jaya Island, Mock Town.
Cumulus clouds suddenly appeared in the sky, enveloping the sky and hiding all the light.
The islanders have long been accustomed to this phenomenon.
The day became like night, regardless of the time of day.
The taverns here knew no peace either day or night.
"Murphy, you see, I took you because I needed hands, but you get hurt too often. You're just not cut out for this place, even this island. And I, Nelson, am not a benefactor.
The speaker was the tavern owner Nelson. He wore a sleeveless vest that showed off his muscular body covered in tattoos. On his belt hung weapons on either side - a flintlock pistol and a long sword.
With his powerful hand he patted the thin shoulder of the young man standing in front of him, with an expression of regret on his face.
Nelson didn't look like a tavern keeper, but rather like a pirate. But that's not the criterion for determining whether a person is a pirate. After all, in Mock Town there was no government, no Marines, no order at all. Murder was the melody, and chaos was the main tone of life. So, most people tried to look rougher and more dangerous, so that they wouldn't be picked on. However... there were always those who stood out from the general atmosphere. The young man standing in front of Nelson - Murphy - was exactly that.
As an ordinary person without any special powers, Murphy at least hoped that his appearance could be more menacing. But his naturally delicate features, simple round glasses, and his whole appearance radiated intelligence. Combined with his extremely frail physique, it made one doubt that even blurring his figure would hide his inherent weakness. Not to mention, he often wondered if the wind characteristic of the Grand Line would blow him away somewhere out to sea...
- You're right, boss. If I had a choice, I would never have ended up on this island. Anyway, thanks for sheltering me in my most difficult moment!
Murphy sighed. Although he was hurt, his face showed no surprise; he had obviously expected this. He understood Nelson's behavior perfectly well. If he were the boss himself, he wouldn't have waited a month to fire such an employee.
Before this job, he had tried several others, but was quickly fired from all of them. The reason was that the entire island was in an atmosphere of constant fighting, and innocent bystanders were always at risk of getting hit. And his physique, not strong enough even by 21st century standards, gave him no chance to defend himself here. Given this, would any employer want to keep an employee who constantly gets injured and spends time in bed trying to recover?
However, if it hadn't been for his desperate need for work, Murphy would never have come to the tavern, the place where fights were most common. However, to his surprise, the tavern owner was surprisingly kind to him, keeping him for a month before talking about quitting.
- Here is your monthly salary. If you have the opportunity, leave this island.
Nelson patted Murphy on the shoulder again, looked around to make sure no one was watching, and surreptitiously slipped the bag of belli into Murphy's hand before turning and walking away.
Murphy carefully weighed the bag and discreetly tucked it into his inside pocket.
It was indeed a full month's salary, despite the fact that his work was completely substandard. It was an act of kindness, especially valuable in such a lawless place.
As he watched Nelson leave, Murphy secretly vowed that he would repay him for this debt of gratitude at the first opportunity.
"I'll go right away, since I don't have much to gather. I won't cause Nelson any more trouble," Murphy muttered as he left the noisy tavern.
Although it was midday, it was pitch dark outside, and the air was no better than in the tavern - just as stale and oppressive.
Mock Town was conveniently located at the very beginning of the Grand Line. Those who had dreams had long ago set sail and moved on, while the disillusioned remained here, clutching bottles of rum to their chests, continuing to wander in uncertainty.
The darkness created by the imperial cumulus clouds enveloped not only the island, but also the hearts of the people.
Murphy couldn't help but look up, knowing that Sky Island was above them.
When the clouds clear, Jaya Island will return to its normal state and light will once again illuminate the land.
What about him?
When will it be his time to shine?
About two months ago, he was transported to this world that fascinated him so much. The process was completely ordinary: there were no stunning cataclysms or natural disasters - he simply turned off the lights, fell asleep, and woke up in an alley in Mock Town.
When he first came here, he immediately recognized this world, and his body returned to the state of a 15-year-old teenager.
After some questioning, he learned that Roger had become the Pirate King the previous year. Based on his knowledge, Murphy knew that Roger would surrender to the authorities this year due to an incurable disease, which would mark the beginning of the great Age of Pirates.
He imagined the turbulent events of the new era, and ambition flared up in his chest - would it not be in vain to be here and not leave his mark on the history of the seas?
Unfortunately, less than half an hour later, reality cruelly shattered his dreams.
Hunger - nothing to eat.
Thirst - nothing to drink.
This chaotic city did not tolerate any peace, even walking down the street could lead to trouble. For a defenseless person like him, living in a place filled with violence was not only difficult, but also dangerous.
Besides, when he can't even eat his fill, can there be any talk of becoming stronger?
Murphy reflected that he was probably the most unfortunate of all the time travelers. And after thinking it over, he decided to leave Mock Town to try his luck elsewhere.
Now he was walking towards the pier, intending to find temporary shelter there.
The Jaya Island wharf was mostly used by pirate ships, with some fairly well-protected merchant ships occasionally calling. These merchant ships usually had an Eternal Log Pose to their destination and only stopped briefly at Jaya to resupply.
The only way for him to leave the island was by trading ship. The best strategy was to set up near the docks and constantly watch for incoming trading ships.
- This money should be enough to leave this island!
Of course, merchant ships didn't carry passengers for free, so during his two months on this world, Murphy saved on everything and desperately tried to make money.
In order to earn money faster, he even took risks, working as a guide for newly arrived pirates, but unsuccessfully - he did not earn any money, but he got injured. In addition, during the forced treatment, he even took up the long-forgotten pen and sent several articles to the World Economic Newspaper, but never received a response.
"Luckily, Nelson's help came at the right time, otherwise who knows how long it would have taken to raise the required amount.
As he fingered the hidden bellies, Murphy thanked his lucky stars again that he had managed to save up for the fare so quickly. In this damned place, every extra second could lead to danger. For example...
- Hey, kid, do you have anything valuable? Buy your uncle a drink!
Murphy stared in shock at the big drunk who blocked his path. Although he tried to look neat, his clothes were very modest, even with patches. If this man simply wanted to make fun of an ordinary passerby, it would be understandable. However, the stranger immediately demanded money, although Murphy did not at all look like a person from whom you could take something.
- Stop pretending! You can't hide anything from me! I saw everything - Nelson gave you a lot of belli, hehe!
The big guy reeked of alcohol and had a creepy smile on his face. Despite his unsteady gait, he walked purposefully toward Murphy.
"You're wrong! I really don't have anything..." Murphy objected, stepping back. This money was his hope of escaping this lawless place and the starting point for future plans.
But the big guy didn't listen to him at all. He lunged forward, grabbed him by the throat with his right hand and lifted him up like a chicken. Then with his left hand he tore Murphy's already tattered clothes, causing the bellies inside to fall to the ground with a clanking sound...
- Not much, but enough for my beer campaign. Thank me for not killing you! Hehehaha! However... first I'll take this money, and then I'll deal with you. Don't even think about running away, or I'll break your legs, got it?!
The big guy growled this in the face of an indignant Murphy, then threw him aside like trash and began collecting the coins.
This incident attracted the attention of the people around them. They were looked at with different looks: sympathetic, mocking, curious and contemptuous. Many, hearing the jingle of coins, came closer and also began to pick up money from the ground. The situation quickly became chaotic.
- Damn it!
Suddenly on the ground, Murphy felt dizzy, his whole body felt like it was being torn apart. But what hurt more than the physical pain was his soul. This was just a drunk, and he couldn't even defend himself. And even with all his strength, he couldn't even partially break free from his grip.
His body was too weak!
Although he had always dreamed of becoming stronger and changing his situation since arriving in this world, that dream had never been as desirable as it was now.
He wanted to become strong, stronger than everyone else.
I wanted to throw this man to the ground!
So that no one dares to stand over him!
Lying on the ground, Murphy clenched his fists and punched the air several times, as if trying to destroy the surrounding reality. His gaze was directed at the sky, gradually becoming detached.
The sunlight broke through the darkness, and its rays began to conquer the island again.
The cumulus clouds were moving away. But at that moment, Murphy noticed something... A virtual screen appeared before his eyes.