[Defeating a Devil Fruit user has a chance to yield a Devil Fruit Fragment, which can be used to unlock the "Devil Fruit Index," granting exclusive traits and attribute bonuses.]
[Devil Fruit Slot successfully unlocked. Current: Empty.]
[Daily "Free" Challenge Attempts: 3/3]
[Purchase the Bronze VIP Challenge Privilege Card to increase daily challenge attempts to 10. Price: 88,888 Berries.]
[Purchase the Silver VIP Challenge Privilege Card to increase daily challenge attempts to 20. Price: 288,888 Berries.]
[Purchase the Gold VIP Challenge Privilege Card to increase daily challenge attempts to 50, and gain an additional Devil Fruit Slot. Price: 988,888 Berries.]
You thought that was it?
At first, Klein thought so too—until reality smacked him in the face.
[Super Value Promo – Act Fast!!!][Essential for Devil Fruit Star Upgrades!!!][Gear Four Devil Fruit Star-Up Promo Pack is here! Don't miss out!][…]
Same old familiar Gear Four promo pack. The materials were for leveling up Devil Fruits, enhancing their attributes.
"Good grief, these devs are mother-loving poets!!!" Klein knew that once you bought a privilege card, you didn't need to buy it again.
But these promo packs? Absolute money pits!
Nearly 10,000 Berries a day.
That's millions of Berries a year—all based on the slow-boil frog method of charging players.
And Klein? He was the frog.
Gritting his teeth, molars grinding audibly, he muttered, "Buy it. If I'm buying, I'm buying the best!"
After all, the Gold VIP privilege came with an extra Devil Fruit Slot.
Having the bonus attributes of two Devil Fruits would massively boost a character's power.
How could he not buy it??
The Gear Four promo pack? Absolutely essential!
[Top-up Successful!][Your current balance: 127,630 Berries.]
Such a painful realization!
Looking at his remaining balance, just over 100k Berries, Klein felt the crushing weight of financial pressure…
He was practically a beast of burden getting ground into dust.
He had just earned over 2 million Berries, barely had time to enjoy it, and it was already gone on this game.
He really couldn't afford to skimp.
Taking a deep breath, Klein consoled himself: "The more I spend, the stronger I get—this is a huge power-up!"
Out of sight, out of mind. After clearing his dailies and putting his character on auto-training, he logged off.
He planned to sleep soundly tonight. Tomorrow, he'd go right back to being a pack mule.
Massage service, swordsmanship classes, sparring sessions, part-time matchmaking…
All in one day. Not only did he have to train, he also had to juggle several jobs.
This life is way too hard!
What's worse, no one understood him. Everyone thought all he cared about was money. Sigh—
But Klein didn't dare slow down. If he stopped even for a moment, he couldn't afford the promo packs in-game anymore.
Every power-up would stall, and his progress would grind to a crawl.
He'd already tasted the thrill of game-based growth—there was no going back to those dull years of training with no visible gains.
It's easy to go from frugal to lavish. Going back? Near impossible. The source of thɪs content is 𝗇𝗈𝗏𝖾𝗅•𝖿𝗂𝗋𝖾•𝗇𝖾𝗍
In real life, he was a beast of burden—but in the game, he was a whale.
And once the game paid off enough…
He'd become a real-life big shot too!!
Everything he did... was for a better tomorrow.
When Klein arrived at the training grounds, all eyes were on him. News of yesterday's spar with Tsuru had already spread.
So had the news of his "sparring pass" service.
But the price tag? That scared a lot of people off.
After all, friendly sparring between students was common. If not Klein, they could just ask someone they knew. So...
Klein was deeply troubled. He had just burned through over two million Berries overnight, and now he was desperate for money.
If the Marines allowed loan sharks, he'd be knocking on every single door.
He cursed the "King of Loan Sharks" again in his head. Won't even do business at Marine HQ. What kind of king is that?
Go back to playing with mud!
…Wait, maybe the King of Loan Sharks hasn't been born yet?
Whew. Then it's fine.
No one really understood his situation.
Klein knew full well: "If I want to make money, I need to improve the quality of my sparring sessions. Stand out from the competition—and I'll earn way more!"
But it couldn't be rushed.
His Basic Swordsmanship was only in the 30s. He still had a long way to go before reaching All Things Breathe.
And that exclusive instructor skill?
No clue when he'd learn it.
When one door closes, another opens. The sparring service didn't make money, but today? His matchmaking gig scored a win.
He successfully helped one student get closer to the girl of his dreams.
He even got a reward of over 200,000 Berries for it—just enough to stay afloat.
With his first success in the books...
Klein was thrilled. "The first step is the hardest. Once word of that matchmaking spreads, more people will come looking for me. And when they do..."
That's right—he was already planning to charge membership fees. Even if the matches didn't work out, he'd still get paid.
Small profits add up.
A monthly fee could bring in a solid stream of Berries.
He was summoned to the instructor's office.
"Klein, I've heard you've been finding all kinds of ways to take money from other students. Care to explain?" The instructor stared him down sternly.
Previously, those little sparring scuffles were one thing. But now? Klein's business was blowing up.
A single sparring pass cost millions of Berries.
That was no small sum. Even as an instructor, dropping a million in cash would take serious thought.
Klein's expression changed. He suddenly slammed the desk and declared righteously, "Instructor! I do this all for the sake of the students! For justice!"
"These students came to Marine HQ School to get stronger. Sparring, massages, training—which of these doesn't help improve their strength!?"
"It was me—Klein—who ignited the competitive spirit between them!"
"I, Klein, have never shortchanged any student. I give 100% effort every time!"
"I sacrifice my own time, staying up late every day. Do you think I do this for myself!?"
"There's nowhere to even spend money on campus. Do you think I do this to indulge!?"
"No! I do it for the students! They are the future backbone of the Marines! The first line against the pirates!"
"You can't wrongly accuse a good person!!"
Klein's passionate display left the instructor completely speechless. He stared at him, dumbfounded.
A deep wave of guilt washed over the instructor. I had no idea Klein sacrificed so much to help the students grow…
Rising from his chair, the instructor was almost moved to tears. "Klein… I'm sorry. I misjudged you. You're a kind and righteous Marine—an example for all!"
"If you ever run into trouble, just come to me. I'll help you however I can!"
"I do have something!"
The instructor froze, his face stuck in stunned silence.
I was just being polite. You're taking this seriously??
Is this... even allowed?