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[Ding! Host's emotional fluctuation detected. Mood value +6.]
"Reality and the anime are completely different."
Lucas clung to Zoro's back as they ventured deeper into the island. Nami led the way, while Usopp somehow even more terrified than Lucas—hovered behind him like a shadow.
He'd assumed knowing the plot would make this place less frightening. But the towering trees with gnarled branches, the flowers that snapped their petals like hungry mouths, the eerie whispers in the wind—every detail gnawed at his nerves.
'This is way scarier than I remembered.'
"Usopp, stop grabbing my shirt!" Lucas snapped without turning around.
Usopp's voice came from in front of him. "Huh? I'm right here!"
[Ding! Host's emotional fluctuation detected. Mood value +10.]
[Ding! Host's emotional fluctuation detected. Mood value +10.]
Lucas froze. "W-When did you get ahead of me?!"
Nami paused, rubbing her temples. "There's nothing behind you."
'The guy who seemed so composed on the ship…'
But Lucas felt it, something slithering against his back. Claws? Tentacles? His imagination ran wild.
'No. Stay calm. The wildlife here is supposed to be harmless.'
He forced a laugh. "Zoro. What's on my back?"
Zoro yawned, reached behind Lucas, and yanked out a squirming creature.
Bat wings. Panda body. Beady eyes blinking innocently.
Lucas exhaled. "What is that thing?"
The crew crowded around as Zoro tossed the animal at Lucas. "I'm sleeping." He collapsed onto the grass, snoring instantly.
"Hey...!" Lucas dodged, but Luffy's rubber arm shot out, catching the creature mid-air.
"Whoa! A flying panda-bat?" Luffy grinned, poking its nose.
Nami gasped. "Look around, there are dozens of them!"
Usopp and Lucas latched onto each other, trembling.
"W-We should go back to the Going Merry!" Usopp wailed.
"Y-Yeah!" Lucas nodded violently.
Nami massaged her forehead. "Are you two even men?"
Usopp shoved Lucas away. "O-Of course! I'm Usopp, bravest warrior of the seas!"
Lucas, meanwhile, clung to Nami's arm. "You have to admit this is creepy!"
Nami stared at him.
'Is he… genuinely terrified?'
He wasn't even noticing how close his face was to her shoulder. Just pure, unfiltered fear.
A voice boomed from the sky:
"LEAVE."
Luffy cocked his head. "Who's there?!"
"LEAVE."
Nami's grip tightened on her staff. Lucas's breathing hitched.
"I am this island's guardian. To survive, FLEE NOW."
"Guardian?" Luffy scratched his nose.
"You are pirates?"
"Yeah!"
Nami's eyes narrowed. "God needs to ask if we're pirates?"
The voice ignored her. "By setting foot here, you invite divine punishment—ANNIHILATION!"
Lucas wheezed, finally pulling away from Nami. "This 'god' sounds… fake."
The crew nodded.
"Silence, foolish child!"
Lucas blinked. "Child? Me?!"
"All of you will become like these creatures punished for seeking treasure!"
Usopp and Nami paled. But Lucas's fear had burned away, replaced by suspicion.
'There.'
A shiver in the leaves. A glint of metal.
"Luffy," Lucas whispered, pointing. "That's our god.'"
Luffy followed his finger and grinned.
The "god" shrieked as Luffy's arm stretched toward the bushes. "M-MONSTER!"
A treasure chest with legs burst from the foliage and sprinted away.
"IT'S ALIVE?!" Usopp screamed.
Nami's pupils turned to Beri signs. "Treasure chest… TREASURE! LUFFY, CATCH IT!"
"Got it!" Luffy's arms elongated like whips, snagging the chest just as it reached a cliff's edge. The recoil yanked him airborne but he whooped with joy.
"WOOOOO! THIS IS AWESOME!"
....