System use Bronze Simulation, I muttered, a familiar anticipation bubbling within me. Maximum agility, that's the key this time. And at the elite training camp, I corrected myself, a thoughtful frown creasing my brow.
Not just attending, but truly focusing on learning about shooting the marine's gun. Every stance, every breath... No more fumbling with this weapon, I added, hefting an imaginary rifle. Precision and control, that's what I need.
Most importantly, I whispered, my gaze fixed on the shimmering screen, I need to live longer. Learn more.
Ding! Host use bronze level simulation opportunity, life simulation started.
The familiar Ding! echoed in my head.
Another one begins, I breathed, watching as the words materialized. Let's see what this new life can change.
In your first year, Captain Darius's ship arrived at Marine G-3 after three days, reporting the elimination of the Bloodsucker Pirate and Haimon's death by you. Vice Admiral Tokikake then met with you, awarding you 30% of Raimon's bounty for the kill. Recognizing your achievement and potential, you were also promoted to Lieutenant and assigned to Captain Darius's command.
In your second year, after a town near G-3 was destroyed, the Vice Admiral tasked Captain Darius's squad with investigating. You opposed this, believing highly dangerous pirates were responsible and insisted on reporting to the Admiral. Months passed, and Vice Admiral Tokikake revealed the Donquixote Pirates were behind the destruction. Impressed, the Vice Admiral offered you a promotion, which you declined. Instead, you requested a quota to join the prestigious Elite Camp under the command of Zephyr next year. You prioritized training and development over immediate rank advancement.
In your third year, the transition from outpost G-3 to Zephyr's elite camp proved humbling. Despite possessing raw strength exceeding that of ordinary humans, you found yourself among the weakest after several months within their rigorous ranks; your inherent power was surprisingly below average here. Recognizing your aptitude with firearms, Zephyr directed your focus towards pistol practice. He personally instructed you in proper shooting techniques and relentlessly pushed your physical limits, demanding you run, swim, and climb until exhaustion claimed you. Occasionally, Zephyr himself would oversee your training sessions, investing his time in your development.
In your fourth year, under Zephyr's training, despite an average physique, you excelled with firearms, proven by your success in pirate hunts. Unsatisfied with your current strength, you relentlessly train to surpass your limitations. Your dedication to pushing beyond your limits makes you a formidable force despite your average physical build.
In your fifth year, having participated in the Zephyr Elite Camp for three years and graduated above average, leading to your promotion to Marine Commander and transfer to G-2 Marine Base under Vice Admiral Comil, you encounter Zephyr on your last day. You ask him to be more careful during pirate hunts, but he merely laughs and hands you his flintlock pistol.
In your sixth year, while returning from a mission to monitor the nearby islands from the G-2 base, you received news that Zephyr's arm had been cut off by an unknown pirate with a Devil Fruit power, and his entire division and the elite camp who followed him were massacred, with only Ain and Binz surviving. You visit Zephyr, and you can see that he has changed.
War was raging on Kuraigana Island, and your monitoring post was not far from the island. You wanted to stop the war, but you had been detained by your marine captain.
In your seventh year, you focus on hunting pirate.....
In your eighth year, because of your outstanding performance and for having defeated a pirate with an 80 million Berry bounty, you have been promoted to Marine Captain.
In your ninth year, While performing your duty monitoring the sea, you noticed a fire breaking out north of the Sorbet Kingdom. You rushed there to stop the fire, but you were blocked by Sorbet's king. Out of anger, you killed him. While you and your squad were helping the victims there, you befriended a pastor and nominated him to become the new king. Several days later, while on your way back to base, your ship was attacked by the Donquixote Pirates, and you and your entire squad died.
Ding!, your Attribute before death: Endurance 45, Strength 35, Agility 36, Spirit 52.
Choose one attribute to retain.
The Donquixote Pirates… even a low-rank like me knows they're bad news. Quiet, sneaky, dealing in those black market guns.
The first time in the simulation, the scenario… it was because Captain Darius's squad was trying to dig up info on them, though we didn't know they were behind the town's destruction.
But the second time… that's what gnawed at me. One minute, clear horizon. The next, that twisted, grinning flag. Cannons booming, right at our little ship. What in the blazes had we done? Just a routine patrol. We weren't sniffing around their business. It felt… wrong. Like a switch flipped for no reason. They're supposed to be calculated, Doflamingo's crew. Not just randomly blasting marines. It didn't sit right. This whole thing… it just doesn't make any damn sense.
"Alright," I murmured, a sense of quiet satisfaction settling in. Thirty-six. It's not the peak I was aiming for, but it's a definite improvement from where I started. I've made progress in my agility, and that's something. My gaze then lifted to the clear leader. Fifty-two. Spirit.
Spirit, I mused, a knowing smile touching my lips. I understand its weight now. It's the unyielding core, the inner fortitude that underpins everything else. A good agility score is valuable, but without the will to push, to persevere, it can only take you so far.
My eyes traced the numbers once more. Endurance, the capacity to endure hardship. Strength, a familiar choice from the first simulation – one I wouldn't be repeating. Agility, the improved swiftness and dexterity. And Spirit… the wellspring that would fuel them all.
Fifty-two… The number resonated with a quiet strength. I've learned that true power isn't just about physical prowess. It's about the resilience of the mind, the unwavering determination that allows you to rise above challenges. While a higher agility would have been welcome, the progress I did make was a testament to my efforts. And now, this unexpectedly high Spirit… it felt like a hidden reserve, a powerful ally I hadn't fully tapped into.
The simulation shimmered, the choice clear. Retain one attribute. Agility was a solid step forward. Strength, a path already explored. Now, the decision lay between Endurance and the surprisingly dominant Spirit.
Endurance would keep me in the fight, a valuable asset. But Spirit… Spirit was the foundation upon which I could build further improvements in all areas. It was the unwavering will that would drive future simulations, future training, and wouldn't just dictate how long I could last, but how I would fight.
A sense of certainty washed over me. The initial plan might have shifted, but the underlying goal remained the same: to become stronger, more capable.
"Spirit," I stated, my voice firm and decisive.