One piece: Without a system, I have to survive!

A strange silence filled the chamber.

The golden flames had vanished, absorbed into my body, leaving only a warm glow beneath my skin. My breathing was heavy, my muscles still tingling from the sheer power I had just inherited.

The Guardian had disappeared, its trial complete.

But something felt… different.

My fingers trembled slightly as I clenched them into fists. This power—it felt ancient, boundless, yet familiar. As if it had always been a part of me, waiting to be awakened.

I exhaled slowly.

The leader of the masked warriors stepped forward, his expression unreadable.

"You have received the Mark of the Sunfire," he said. "A power that has not been seen in centuries."

Shira's eyes widened. "Mark of the Sunfire?"

The leader nodded. "It is the flame that once burned at the dawn of the world… before it was buried in history."

Selene whistled. "So, he's walking around with the power of a lost era? No pressure, right?"

Smoker crossed his arms, exhaling a cloud of smoke. "Tch. I don't care what kind of power he has. What matters is whether he knows how to use it."

I stayed silent.

Because deep inside—

I knew this was only the beginning.

🔥🔥🔥

As we stepped out of the ancient ruins, the cold night air hit me like a wave.

The moon hung high in the sky, casting a silver glow over the dense jungle.

But something felt off.

Then—

A distant boom shattered the silence.

We turned toward the sound, just in time to see a pillar of smoke rising in the distance.

Selene's expression darkened. "That's near the village."

I didn't hesitate. "Let's move."

⚔🔥🔥🔥

We ran through the jungle, moving as fast as we could. The closer we got, the stronger the scent of smoke and burning wood became.

And then—

We saw it.

The village was under attack.

Buildings were in flames, screams filled the air, and dark figures moved through the chaos—pillaging, cutting down anyone who resisted.

A pirate crew.

One I recognized instantly.

Shira's breath caught. "No way… it's them."

Selene cursed under her breath. "Damn it. The Crimson Reapers."

A dangerous, ruthless crew known for leaving nothing but destruction in their wake.

And standing at the center of it all—

A massive man with a wicked grin, holding a bloodstained axe.

"So, this is the place you've been hiding, eh?" he boomed, his voice filled with amusement.

My blood ran cold.

I knew that voice.

I clenched my fists, golden flames flickering around me.

Because standing there, leading the attack—

Was the man who had once left me for dead.

Captain Darius "Bloodfang" Krieg.

And now, he had come to finish what he started.