Chapter 3 Frostmoon Village

Opening his eyes once more, the familiar scene unfolded around him, clearer and more breathtaking than ever, as if he were truly standing within it. This was the world of the holographic online game—a figure transformed into living fire, its searing heat palpable, a sweep of the hand bringing down a thousand bolts of lightning to shatter an island in an instant...

“Isn’t this just the promotional video?” he mused. “Only, it’s a bit more detailed. Though their faces remain unclear, the fiery figure must be Ace, and the lightning storm can only be the handiwork of Enel after eating the Rumble-Rumble Fruit... But right now, what matters most is entering the game.”

Though the spectacle felt as real as life itself, Tang Shen maintained his composure, scanning his surroundings and swiftly locating a tiny exit button in the lower right corner of the void ahead. Without hesitation, he reached out and tapped it, indifferent to the dramatic scenes before him. Instantly, all images vanished, darkness fell, and then white light surged back into his vision.

This time, at last, the sound of the game’s entry procedures reached his ears.

“Ding! Welcome to the holographic game ‘Pirate King.’ The system will randomly assign you a beginner village. As the first user to enter Pirate King, you are granted the unique right to choose your own starting village. Please now name yourself; note that sensitive words are prohibited, otherwise the system will generate a random name for you. Once chosen, your name cannot be changed.”

Tang Shen had just landed, slowly opening his eyes. Hearing he was the first player brought a surge of joy to his heart, but the latter part left him bewildered. Since when did games forbid the use of sensitive words in naming? What nonsense was this—did they think this was titling a novel?

Still, the voice was pleasant, though tinged with a certain haughty air.

With a heart full of complaints, he opened his eyes fully and caught sight of a graceful silhouette. Even Tang Shen, who prided himself on his unflappable calm, found himself mesmerized by her stunning beauty—he could swear, as a virgin, that this was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.

Though his mind was momentarily blank, his body was honest, and he blurted out her name: “Pirate Empress, Boa Hancock.”

Boa Hancock—the only female among the Seven Warlords of the Sea, leader of the warrior tribe Kuja who dwell on Amazon Lily, captain of the Kuja Pirates, and recognized as the world’s greatest beauty. She possessed the rare “Conqueror’s Haki,” found only in one among millions. Proud and narcissistic, she loved to say, “No matter what I do, I will be forgiven, for I am simply too beautiful!”

Tang Shen studied her curiously: long, silky black hair styled in a classic cut, deep blue eyes, golden snake-shaped earrings, a tall and voluptuous figure clad in a high-slit, form-fitting Chinese-style qipao. Every inch of her radiated allure, far more vivid and real than in the anime.

Hancock, usually aloof and icy, was momentarily stunned. She had never expected that, for certain reasons assigned as the early guide, the first person she met would call her by name. The chosen one, entering this unique space for the first time, could not possibly know her. Even Tang Shen’s bold gaze, lingering on her most notable features—a glance that would usually earn a swift kick—was, for now, ignored.

“How do you know my name? Pirate Empress? That’s a fine title. From now on, I shall call myself Pirate Empress,” Boa Hancock’s voice was melodious and pleasant, though her question brooked no refusal.

“Um… What exactly counts as a sensitive word for naming? Please explain,” Tang Shen frowned as he asked. Though the Pirate Empress was a vision of beauty, entering the game was his priority—there would be plenty of time for admiration later. As for her question, he chose to ignore it.

A flicker of anger crossed Hancock’s eyes—someone actually dared disregard her words? Unforgivable. Ordinarily, she’d have kicked him across the room, but for certain reasons, and since Tang Shen hadn’t broken any rules, she couldn’t make a move.

She lifted her swan-like neck with arrogant hauteur and said, pouting, “I don’t know.” Though she spoke, her sparkling eyes betrayed the obvious lie.

Tang Shen: “……”

“If you kneel and beg, I may tell you,” Hancock suddenly said, as if bestowing a favor upon her subject. She often behaved this way.

Tang Shen’s mouth twitched, a cascade of dark lines forming in his mind. He realized the Pirate Empress was even more over-the-top than her anime counterpart—her personality downright rotten. If he didn’t know her strength, he’d have rolled up his sleeves and made her kneel and call him father.

“I’ll think of a name myself,” Tang Shen said, lowering his head to ponder.

Hancock’s delicate brows furrowed; she felt an uncontrollable urge to kick the annoying man before her.

Just then, Tang Shen’s eyes lit up—he’d thought of the perfect name. Since this was a Pirate King game, he looked up and declared, “I’ll be called Monkey D. Roger.”

Anyone familiar with Pirate King knows the Monkey family’s power in the world is immense. In this game, since he could choose his name, and no one else would likely pick it, he combined the Pirate King Roger’s name with the Monkey family surname—just imagining the possibilities was exciting, and who knew, it might come in handy later.

Even before Hancock could speak, a system prompt sounded in Tang Shen’s mind: “Name creation successful!”

Boa Hancock wrinkled her nose, her anger rising as she looked at the man before her.

A man who could truly resist her charm—and she could do nothing about it.

Tang Shen paid her no mind, for his vision now displayed the selection of beginner villages. Each glowing spot represented a starting village, all within the East Sea region. It seemed the game’s initial area wasn’t fully open. Another prompt appeared: the system could randomly select, and since Tang Shen was the first to log in, he had a high chance of picking an excellent village.

Tang Shen scanned the options, dismissing the prompt. As if he’d rely on luck alone!

He instinctively searched for Windmill Village—the birthplace of the protagonist, with the chance to meet Ace, Sabo, and other key characters, perhaps even Monkey D. Garp if fortune favored him. While he still didn’t know how the game worked, being near main characters from the original story was surely the best choice.

But after searching, he couldn’t find it anywhere.

Damn—

Tang Shen felt the urge to curse. Just then, a name caught his eye.

Shimotsuki Village.

“That’s where Roronoa Zoro grew up and trained in swordsmanship! The dojo master, Koshiro, is a formidable swordsman.”

Information about the village surged into his mind. Without hesitation, Tang Shen clicked on it.