AUTHOR ON

As Nero and Fujiwara sailed, Nero decided to ask a question that had been bothering him since he saw Fujiwara transform.

Nero: Look, Fujiwara. There's been something bothering me for a while.

Fujiwara: What happened?

Nero: You ate a Devil Fruit, didn't you?

Fujiwara: *Sigh* More or less.

Nero: *Confused* What do you mean?

Fujiwara: *Sigh* I was used as a guinea pig in an experiment when I was very little.

He said, catching Nero's attention.

Fujiwara: This experiment was part of a series of experiments, aimed at cloning Devil Fruits. Thus creating Artificial Devil Fruits.

Nero: {Is he talking about SMILE? I don't think so, because SMILE transformations are permanent, and always grotesque and/or ridiculous.}

He thinks.

Fujiwara: The one I ate was a LORE.

Nero: LORE?

Fujiwara: They received different nomenclatures, depending on the Type of Devil Fruit. As far as I remember there were 4, each with a corresponding Type of Devil Fruit. SMILE: Zoan. ACE: Logia. JOKER: Paramecia. And LORE: Mythical Zoan. But SMILE are very defective. Having several side effects. The others are more stable and controlled.

Nero: {So the SMILEs are still the same. Good to know.}

Fujiwara: From what I know, my LORE was based on Uo Uo no Mi, Model: Seiryu.

Nero: Yeah. That's why I was surprised when I saw you in Hybrid Form. Because it reminded me of Kaidou's fruit. One of the Yonko.

Fujiwara: It's true. I even have access to the same powers he has. But I avoid using them often.

Nero: Why?

Fujiwara: My Complete Form consumes a lot of my energy. Although my Hybrid Form consumes less energy, it is still a considerable consumption.

Nero: I understand.

Fujiwara: But this ability of yours is very strange. But I can't help but admit that it is also very useful.

He said, referring to the RPG System, which he shared with Fujiwara. And he still remembers Fujiwara's Statuses. Along with his, who also went up. With the Status tab undergoing an important update.

[Status]

[Name: Nero D. Sparda]

[Race: Demon]

[Title: The Most Beautiful Man in the World/New Shadow Monarch]

[Class: Shadow Monarch]

[Position: Captain]

[Epithet: None]

[Fighting Style: Dark Slayer/Hiten Mitsurugi-Ryu/Trickster/Quicksilver]

[Level: 100]

[Exp: 0/5,000,000]

[LP:2,200,000/2,200,000]

[MP:2,200,000/2,200,000]

[SP:2,200,000/2,200,000]

[HP:2,200,000/2,200,000]

[DT:22,000,000/22,000,000]

[DP:220,000,000/220,000,000]

[RP:220,000,000/220,000,000]

[LR:220,000/min.]

[MR:220,000/min.]

[SR:220,000/min.]

[HR:220,000/min.]

[DTR:2,200,000/min.]

[DR:22,000,000/min.]

[RR:22,000,000/min.]

[STR: 1,000 + 1,000%] {+ 1,000}

[DEX: 1,000 + 1,000%] {+ 1,000}

[RES: 1,000 + 1,000%] {+ 1,000}

[VIT: 1,000 + 1,000%] {+ 1,000}

[STA: 1,000 + 1,000%] {+ 1,000}

[WIL: 1,000 + 1,000%] {+ 1,000}

[INT: 1,000 + 1,000%] {+ 1,000}

[WIS: 1,000 + 1,000%] {+ 1,000}

[LUK: 1,000 + 1,000%] {+ 1,000}

[CHA: 1,000 + 1,000%] {+ 1,000}

[Status Points: 0]

[Skill Points: 300,000,000]

[Upgrade Points: 300,000,000]

[Evolution Points: 300,000,000]

[Power Level: 22,000 (Lieutenant Commander)]

{Berries: 300,000,000}

[Status]

[Name: Kagetaka Fujiwara]

[Race: Human]

[Class: Swordsman]

[Position: Vice Captain]

[Epithet: None]

[Fighting Style: Ittoryu/Nitoryu]

[Level: 100]

[Exp: 0/5,000,000]

[LP:1,700,000/1,700,000]

[MP:1,700,000/1,700,000]

[SP:1,700,000/1,700,000]

[HP:1,700,000/1,700,000]

[LR:170,000/min.]

[MR:170,000/min.]

[SR:170,000/min.]

[HR:170,000/min.]

[STR: 1,000 + 750%] {+ 1,000}

[DEX: 1,000 + 750%] {+ 1,000}

[RES: 1,000 + 750%] {+ 1,000}

[VIT: 1,000 + 750%] {+ 1,000}

[STA: 1,000 + 750%] {+ 1,000}

[WIL: 1,000 + 750%] {+ 1,000}

[INT: 1,000 + 750%] {+ 1,000}

[WIS: 1,000 + 750%] {+ 1,000}

[LUK: 1,000 + 750%] {+ 1,000}

[CHA: 1,000 + 750%] {+ 1,000}

[Status Points: 0]

[Skill Points: 25,000,000]

[Upgrade Points: 25,000,000]

[Evolution Points: 25,000,000]

[Power Level: 17,000 (Lieutenant)]

{Berries: 25,000,000}

Both might not be that far from each other in terms of Power Level, but both were already very strong in their own right. Even more so with his transformations, which increase his powers considerably.

Fujiwara: But tell me. What's on that huge ship?

Nero: Well. It has: The Captain's Cabin, the Kitchen, the Supply Store, the Ammunition Store, the Cannon Room, the Dormitories, the Bathroom, which is quite large, an Onsen, a Bar, a Greenhouse, the Infirmary, an Indoor Swimming Pool and the Training Room.

Fujiwara: *Shocked* Wait a minute! Is there an onsen, a greenhouse and a swimming pool on this ship? Damn. This ship has it all.

Nero: True. But that's not all this ship can do.

Fujiwara: *Confused* What do you mean?

Nero then explained the origin of the ship, and what it could do. Leaving Fujiwara quite surprised.

Time Break – A Few Hours Later

After a few hours of aimless sailing, the two went to their dormitories to resume their journey in the morning. But before sleeping, Nero was remembering when he did his Class Quest, before arriving at Taki Island.

Flashback On

He had accepted the Class Quest, and soon a purple portal appeared in front of him.

Nero: {Very well. Here we go.}

As soon as Nero passed through the portal, he found himself in a corridor that closely resembled a castle. There were even torches on the walls to light up the space.

Nero: *Whistle* This place is really beautiful.

Soon two System messages appeared in front of him.

[NOTICE]

[The "Player" cannot leave the Dungeon until it is finished.]

[NOTICE]

[Until the Boss is killed, all rewards will be accumulated.]

Nero: {Then I won't be able to leave until I kill the Boss. I didn't intend to leave so soon, anyway. The problem will be that I won't level up until I defeat the Boss.}

He thinks. When he asks the System a question.

Nero: {System. Does this Dungeon have a time distortion?}

[Yes. While the "Player" is inside the Dungeon, time outside of it will be frozen.]

Nero: *Sigh of relief* {That's a relief. So I don't have to worry about my ship being attacked while I'm here.} I think I'll take a look at the Yamato, just to make sure I'm prepared.

He thinks/said. Then go to the Yamato information tab. With it having some extra things since the last time you opened it to improve the Yamato.

[Item]

[Name: Yamato]

[Type: Demon Katana]

[Rank: SSS]

[Grade: Saijo O Wazamono]

[Level: 100/1,000]

[Upgrade Points: 0/1,000,000]

[Damage/Cut: 1,000,000 + 5,000%]

[Description: A very powerful legendary sword, whose blade was forged using one of the most powerful metallic alloys imaginable, called Demon Steel, a metallic alloy created in the underworld from the perfect combination of the 10 strongest metals from around the world, through magic , in just a completely indestructible metal alloy. The blade of this sword is capable of cutting through virtually anything. But only if its wielder has the skill and power to do so.]

[Skills]

{Unbreakable: Due to the material that makes up its blade, it cannot be broken by anything in the world.}

{Spiritual Link: If Yamato is lost, its bearer simply stretches his hand in any direction. That the sword will go as quickly as possible to the wielder's current location.}

{Spectral Copy: If the Yamato's bearer wishes, it can create a spectral copy of itself, as strong as the original Yamato. The Spectral Copy adapts to each form Yamato takes.}

{Portal: If the user wishes, Yamato can cut through spacetime, and open a portal to any place the wielder has ever been or has a clear image of in their mind. It can also be used to open a portal to where someone he knows is.}

[Unique Techniques]

{Rapid Slash: Dash forward, relentlessly slashing everything in your path.}

{Judgment Cut: Draw your sword with blinding speed and unleash a whirlwind of blows.}

{Judgment Blade: Unleash the full power of Judgment Cut in a single blade of blue energy.}

{Final Judgment Cut: Cut your enemies with such speed that you appear in multiple places at once.}

{Final Judgment Blade: Unleash the full power of Final Judgment Cut in a single blade of blue energy.}

{Dimensional Blade: A technique capable of cutting through dimensions, and with it through any defense.}

[Enchantments]

{Spiritual Resonance}

{Elemental Resonance}

{Magic Resonance}

[Requirements for Evolution]

{Yamato Level 1.000/1.000 (Incomplete)}

{Player Level 250 (Incomplete)}

{Skill Devil Trigger Unlocked (Incomplete)}

{??? Acquired (Incomplete)}

{??? Acquired (Incomplete)}

{??? Acquired (Incomplete)}

Nero: {If this Dungeon is like it was with Sung Jin-Woo, then I will have to face several Knights and Summoners. And in the throne room, the Igris.}

He thinks, then dodging the attack of a Knight that came from the rear. He then takes a few steps away and unsheathes the Yamato.

Nero: {Unfortunately, I'm not yet skilled enough to cut steel. Luckily, I can use one of these guys' weaknesses.}

He thinks, soon creating several Lightning Arrows around him, and snapping his fingers he fires them at the Knight. Electrocuting him and killing him.

[NOTICE]

[You killed a Knight]

Nero: Just as I thought. An empty armor. A dummy monster, if you will. I wonder how many of these I will have to face before I reach the end.

He said to himself.

Nero: The difficulty of this Dungeon is unknown, and I can't retreat either. I must be careful in here.

It was then that he heard several heavy, metallic footsteps behind him.

Nero: Let's get rid of these old cans quickly.

He then coated Yamato's blade with his Lightning Magic, and then said:

Nero: Lightning Blade!

And soon a blade of pure electricity was fired at the Knights, electrocuting everyone and killing most of them. Those who were not killed were paralyzed by the electricity. Nero then took advantage of this loophole and using his Devil Bringers decapitated them with a cut to the neck, killing them quickly.

Nero: That should do the trick...

He then runs through something that tried to sneak up behind him with Yamato's blade. Revealing himself as an Assassin. Who had been pierced in the chest by the blade.

Nero: Good thing I have sharp senses and a good Observation Haki. Otherwise I would have been stabbed by this guy.

He said, removing the blade from the Assassin's corpse. But he soon dodged a series of arrows and then some fireballs. He turned in the direction both attacks came from, and saw Archers and Mages. Just as he saw a few more Knights approaching. And he knew that there were also Assassins lurking.

Nero: It just got more complicated.

He said, then using the Godspeed technique to kill everyone with precise and deadly blows to each of them.

Time Break – A Few Minutes Later

Nero: I finally killed them all.

He speaks, being a little breathless due to the effort. He was now facing a large ornate door.

Nero: {The Boss chamber. I finally arrived.}

He thinks, soon opening the door, and feeling a chill run down his spine.

Nero: {This guy is really strong.}

He then went through the door, which closed shortly afterwards. Soon torches on pillars around the room lit up. Revealing a huge throne room.

Nero: The throne room.

It was then heavy armored footsteps appeared. And from the shadows beside the throne, a Knight emerged. But unlike the others, who had gray or brown armor, this one had completely black armor, like the purest darkness, resembling Spartan armor. With his name appearing above his head.

[Shadow Warrior Balrog]

Nero: *Nervous; Smiling* {He might not be Igris. But I can feel that he is very powerful. And I don't even need my Haki to feel that. It must be because of my Demonic Instincts, provided by my bloodline.}

He thinks, as he watches the black knight slowly descend the steps, with his sword sheathed on his back, his footsteps causing a sound that makes the hairs on the back of Nero's neck stand up. Nero soon goes on guard with Yamato, activating his Devil Bringers to increase his physical attributes.

Nero: {I don't know if I can surpass him like this. But at least I'll have a better chance this way.}

The black knight then reached the end of the steps. Soon starting to slowly approach Nero.

Nero: {It's coming!}

He thinks about guarding, when Balrog takes off and appears in front of Nero, ready to cut off his head with his sword. But Nero ducks just in time, avoiding the attack. But the blow cuts through the pillars that were behind him.

Nero: {Better not let your guard down. Otherwise I will lose my life.}

He then slashes the Yamato against Balrog's chest, but the blade is unable to pierce his armor. Creating only sparks.

Nero: {Damn. I'm not skilled enough yet to cut steel.}

Balrog then tried to strike a blow from above with his sword, but Nero managed to dodge it. However, the blow raises a lot of dust, with Nero emerging from the curtain of dust. Balrog then takes advantage of the opportunity and tries a thrust attack, with Nero barely dodging it, having some strands of his hair cut.

Nero then retreats further, to think of some strategy.

Nero: {His power is very great. Not forgetting to mention that with this armor I won't be able to harm him normally with the Yamato.}

He thinks, then imbuing Yamato's blade with his Armament Haki, leaving his blade with a dark color.

Nero: {I'll have to use Haki.}

He then activates his Devil Trigger (Incomplete), with his eyes glowing neon red, and the top half of a spectral being appeared right behind him.

They then began to move frantically around the throne room, delivering powerful and fast blows against each other. Destroying some of the columns in the meantime.

But Nero found an opening, and took advantage of it to deliver a lunging blow, aiming for Balrog's chest. And he did it, the two were now on a wall, with the Yamato's blade through the Balrog's chest. His "eyes", now lifeless. Soon two messages appeared for Nero.

[NOTICE]

[The "Player" killed "Shadow Warrior Balrog".]

[NOTICE]

[With the Boss killed, all rewards will be transferred to the "Player".]

Nero: *Exhausted* That was close. I only won thanks to my Haki. Otherwise... I wouldn't stand a chance against him.

It was then that he felt a surge of energy course through his body. Curious to know what changed, he went to his Status tab, and was quite surprised by what he saw.

[Status]

[Name: Nero D. Sparda]

[Race: Demon]

[Title: The Most Beautiful Man in the World]

[Class: None]

[Epithet: None]

[Fighting Style: Dark Slayer/Hiten Mitsurugi-Ryu]

[Level: 55]

[Exp: 0/2,750,000]

[LP:1,155,000/1,155,000]

[MP:1,155,000/1,155,000]

[SP:1,155,000/1,155,000]

[HP:1,155,000/1,155,000]

[DT:11,550,000/11,550,000]

[DP:115,500,000/115,500,000]

[RP:115,500,000/115,500,000]

[LR:115.500/min.]

[LR:115.500/min.]

[SR:115.500/min.]

[HR:115.500/min.]

[DTR:1.155.000/min.]

[DR:11.550.000/min.]

[RR:11.550.000/min.]

[STR: 550 + 1,000%] {+ 500}

[DEX: 550 + 1,000%] {+ 500}

[RES: 550 + 1,000%] {+ 500}

[VIT: 550 + 1,000%] {+ 500}

[STA: 550 + 1,000%] {+ 500}

[WIL: 550 + 1,000%] {+ 500}

[INT: 550 + 1,000%] {+ 500}

[WIS: 550 + 1,000%] {+ 500}

[LUK: 550 + 1,000%] {+ 500}

[CHA: 550 + 1,000%] {+ 500}

[Status Points: 500]

[Skill Points: 55,000,000]

[Upgrade Points: 55,000,000]

[Evolution Points: 55,000,000]

[Power Level: 11,550 (Lieutenant)]

{Berries: 50,000,000}

Nero: {That one was close. But I can't rely on my Devil Trigger to save my ass all the time.}

He thinks, when he receives a message with the loot he received.

[NOTICE]

[You have received: (Skill Book: Bloodthirst), (Skill Book: Elemental Resistance), (Bag of Berries), and (Return Stone).]

He soon absorbed the Skill Books he received, with both of them evolving, then he opened the Bag of Berries and was surprised by the amount he received.

[You have received: 25,000,000 Berries.]

But he soon noticed something important.

Nero: If this Return Stone dropped... then the Quest isn't over yet.

Then some strange portals appeared around the room. With a new message emerging.

[The Class Quest will begin.]

Nero: {I knew it!}

Soon another message appeared.

[The longer you hold out, the more Points you can collect that will put you in a High Class.]

Nero: {Just like in Solo Leveling.}

[Good luck.]

[00:00:01]

As soon as the timer started counting, several Knights appeared through the portals. Nero then takes Yamato out of its sheath and creates the Spectral Copy. With the two soon becoming enveloped in electricity.

Nero: {I'll fight as long as my patience will last. Because I want a Secret Class.}

He thinks, then advancing with Godspeed against the Knights, killing them very quickly. But they appeared faster than he could kill them.

Time Break – 5 Hours, 11 Minutes and 18 Seconds Later

He spent more than 5 hours straight killing Knights, but because he focused so much on killing the Knights, he almost didn't notice that he wasn't gaining EXP from these deaths. He only realized this a short time ago, when he noticed one of the Mages summoning more Knights. It took him a while to find all the Mages due to the Knights, but he managed to find and kill them all in the end. The last 5 were more complicated as they created 5 Iron Golems using the Knights they had summoned.

[NOTICE]

[All the monsters in the hall have been killed. The Quest will end now.]

Nero: *Relieved* Finally.

He said, sheathing the Yamato again.

[NOTICE]

[You will be assigned a Class based on the amount of Points you have collected.]

Nero: Since I used a sword, I should get the Swordsman Class, I think.

[NOTICE]

[A Class will be given after the Player's actions are analyzed.]

Nero: Let's see what I got.

[Wherever the Player goes, the blade of death follows him.]

[The Player's path is full of bodies and smells of death.]

Nero: {Is it possible?}

[As the Player possesses strength, he leaves nothing to his teammates and overcomes everything with his own strength.]

Nero: {That sounds like it to me...}

[Your desire for strength burns strong enough to call out to those who wander through the valley of death, and the army of death that follows your commands must create a path where your word will be law and you will never need the help of others again.]

Nero: {I was right.}

He thinks, as he looked at the message in front of him.

[Your Class is "Necromancer".]

Nero: {Magic Sub-Class, Necromancer: A dark wizard who controls an army of undead. In classic RPG games and stories, they are the type of Class that leaves most of the fighting to the minions. But with this Class, I will be able to create an army that will fight for me. Something well suited to the one who will become King of the Underworld.}

He thinks, smiling at the end.

[NOTICE]

[Will you accept your Class?]

[YES/NO]

Nero: I'm not crazy to turn down something like that. YES.

[Your Class has been chosen.]

[Based on the amount of Points you obtained, you will be given a chance to be promoted to a higher Class.]

[You have exceeded the expected game time.]

[Points will be added.]

[You did not use a Return Stone.]

[Points will be added.]

[Final LP is above 90%.]

[Points will be added.]

[All enemies have been killed.]

[Points will be added.]

[The total Points added has exceeded the current limit.]

Soon a dark mist began to surround Nero's body.

[You will be promoted from "Necromancer" to "Shadow Monarch".]

Nero: *Smiling* {Looks like I got promoted. Cool.}

[You have learned a Class-exclusive Skill.]

[You have obtained the Title of "New Shadow Monarch".]

Nero: *Smiling* {I liked that Title. It's likely that if I hadn't gotten all those points, I would have had to start as a Necromancer, and then I would have had to spend Evolution Points to evolve.}

[You have learned Class-Exclusive Skills.]

[You have obtained a Status Bonus.]

He then began to hear a sort of scream. A cry of suffering. Soon looking at some of the bodies present in the room. With a message appearing above each of them.

[Shadow Extraction can be used on this target.]

Nero: {Interesting.}

[Please select your command phrase for Shadow Extraction.]

Nero: {I don't even need to think much about this.} *Seriously* Arise.

Soon shadows rose from the bodies of the Knights and Mages. With everyone facing Nero.

Nero: That's really cool.

Soon information about two of the Class Skills appears in front of you.

[Skill]

[Name: Shadow Extraction]

[Type: Class Skill – Active]

[LV: 1]

[PM: 0]

[Description: A Shadow Soldier is created from a lifeless body. The chance of failure increases with how high the target's Status is, and the longer it has been since the target's death.]

[Shadows possible to extract: 110/1,500]

[Skill]

[Name: Shadow Rescue]

[Type: Class Skill – Active]

[LV: 1]

[PM: 0]

[Description: You absorb the created Shadow Soldiers and save them, saved soldiers can be summoned and reabsorbed wherever and whenever the innovator desires.]

[Shadows possible to save: 0/1,500]

Nero: {So I can create Shadow Soldiers from any corpse? This is very useful. And it's also different from Sung Jin-Woo and Ashborn's version.}

He thinks, soon seeing the names of his Shadow Soldiers.

[Shadow Infantry (Level 1)]

[Rank: Normal]

[Shadow Mage (Level 1)]

[Rank: Elite]

Nero: 100 Infantry and 10 Mages. I can create 1,500 Shadow Soldiers, and I can save them all. Unlike Sung Jin-Woo when he received this power.

It was then that he went to the corpse of the Dark Warrior Balrog. Facing the same. Soon he saw the message he expected.

[Shadow Extraction can be used on this target.]

Nero: Dark Warrior Balrog. If I have this guy as my servant...

He said to himself. Then saying:

Nero: Arise.

His body was enveloped in black smoke, but soon a shock wave appeared.

[You failed to extract the Shadow.]

[You still have two chances left.]

Nero: *Nervous* {Damn. Extraction rate is based on stats and time after death. This guy is a Boss, and it's been over 5 hours since he died. So obviously it wouldn't be easy. I still have two chances.} *Seriously* Arise.

But again the extraction failed.

[You failed to extract the Shadow.]

[You still have one chance left.]

It was then that he looks at the throne. Soon after turning to the corpse, saying:

Nero: Stop protecting the seat of someone who has already left... and try to protect me, who is in front of you.

He said, extending his hand towards it. Then saying:

Nero: Arise.

This time Shadow Extraction works. Revealing Balrog's Shadow. With new System messages appearing.

[You have improved the Shadow.]

[Shadow Level will be 10.]

[Shadows of Knight Rank or higher can be named.]

Nero: I believe you need a more suitable name. From now on, your name will be... Ares.

[Ares (Level 10)]

[Rank: Knight]

Soon Ares and the other Shadow Soldiers bow before Nero.

Nero: *Smiling* Take care of me.

Then a purple portal appears in front of the throne. But before passing by, he decides to explore the Dungeon one last time, to make sure he didn't leave anything useful behind.

Flashback Off

Nero: {It took me a while to complete the Class Quest. But from what Fujiwara told me, he didn't have that many problems. Maybe it's because his was easier for him. But it does not matter. Now I'm going to sleep. I feel like I'm going to have a busy day tomorrow.}