THE ABSOLUTE HAKI IS COMPLETED

Carl's mind was in turmoil.

"So, how long have you been inactive, system?"

He inwardly roared in frustration.

You should have activated earlier! Do you know how I've spent the last ten years?!

[This binding time: January 2, 18, three hours, four minutes, and five seconds.]

Carl pursed his lips, at a complete loss for words.

"So, what exactly do you do? Can you make me instantly invincible? If not, you're completely useless!"

Don't let his mastery of Busoshoku Haki (Armament Haki) fool you—he still felt an ever-present sense of crisis.

This world was filled with monsters!

If he encountered a true powerhouse, he'd either be left half-dead or obliterated on the spot.

[This system is a sign-in system and does not possess the functions Host has described.]

"Tch! Then what use are you?!"

Carl twitched the corners of his mouth, almost raising his middle finger.

[However, the Host may obtain such abilities through sign-in rewards.]

Carl's expression shifted slightly. "Oh? So, I might get something like that?"

Then he thought about his own luck and immediately calmed down.

Forget it. Just being sent to such a dangerous world already proved that he wasn't born under a lucky star.

[Ding! Congratulations to Host for successfully signing in at East Blue's Marine Branch 148!]

[Reward: Gold Experience Requiem!]

[The reward has been issued. Host, please check your status.]

Carl blinked in shock. "Gold Experience Requiem?"

He rubbed his ears. "Wait, you mean that stand from JoJo's Bizarre Adventure?"

He touched his chin and frowned.

It wasn't that the ability was weak.

No—it was far too strong!

But he had never used anything like a Stand before.

And in JoJo, if a Stand was fatally injured, its user suffered the damage as well. That was an issue.

[Ding! Clarification: This reward is an ability, not a Stand.]

Carl's eyes widened. "Wait… so you're saying I can control it myself?"

Clenching his fist, he closed his eyes and focused.

An instinctive feeling surged through him.

He could activate the ability at will, just like Devil Fruit users could naturally wield their powers.

But he wasn't sure if, like a Devil Fruit, it needed further development.

Just then, Roy—the Marine from earlier—returned, carrying a neatly folded Marine uniform.

"Carl, right? Here's your uniform."

"Oh, thanks." Carl accepted the uniform. "By the way, what's your name?"

"Just call me Roy." The young Marine scratched his head. "Come on, I'll take you to your dorm."

Carl didn't move. Instead, he asked, "Roy, can you do me a favor?"

Roy hesitated. "Uh… if it's not too much trouble?"

"It's simple. Just punch me."

"Huh?" Roy blinked. "Did I hear that right?"

"You heard me," Carl beckoned him forward. "Just punch me."

"…What are you playing at?" Roy looked skeptical.

"Don't worry, I won't fight back."

Roy's eyebrows twitched. He was certain he hadn't misheard this time—Carl was actually requesting to be hit.

"…Cough. Then, uh… I guess I'll do it?"

"Go ahead."

Roy swallowed, clenched his fist, and carefully threw a punch.

In an instant, Carl's eyes gleamed with a golden radiance.

"Gold Experience Requiem."

Shh—

Roy's fist reached Carl's chest.

But nothing happened.

The entire sequence of events was erased.

Roy found himself standing in the exact same position as before he punched, completely confused.

"…Huh?"

He swallowed nervously and stared at his fist.

He knew he had thrown a punch! He felt it connect with Carl's chest!

So why… why was he still standing in place as if he hadn't moved?!

Carl smirked.

"This is the reality you will never reach."

He had confirmed it.

Gold Experience Requiem: Return all of the opponent's actions and will to "nothing."

The nature of this ability was terrifying.

It could nullify the enemy's will. Any result that was unfavorable to Carl would be completely erased.

For example, if someone attacked him, and the attack would cause him harm…

Gold Experience Requiem would simply eliminate the result of him being harmed.

It was somewhat reminiscent of Izanami from Naruto—but far more absolute.

Meanwhile, Roy was utterly dumbfounded. "Wait… are you a Devil Fruit user?!"

In his understanding, only Devil Fruit abilities were this bizarre.

He'd heard rumors of them before, but this was the first time he'd ever seen such an ability firsthand.

After all, East Blue was considered the weakest sea.

The existence of Devil Fruits had even become something of a legend here.

Carl chuckled. "A Devil Fruit user?" He thought for a moment. "You could say that."

His ability certainly resembled a Devil Fruit power.

At the very least, it was supernatural.

The biggest difference was that he didn't have to "develop" it like most Devil Fruits required.

"I didn't expect… that you'd actually be a Devil Fruit user."

Roy's eyes were full of awe.

This was the first real Akuma no Mi user he had encountered.

He had only ever heard about them before.