I'm at the top of One Piece

Soul Crystals: [E*1, F*18]

Looking at the attribute panel, Messer fell into thought. One E-grade Soul Crystal could only improve one E-grade attribute.

Each attribute plays an indispensable role, so we can only choose the one that is most suitable for the current situation.

Look at these six attributes.

[Physical Fitness]: Strength: E- Endurance: E- Agility: E-

[Soul]: Willpower: E- Perception: E Spirit: E-

Finally, through mental manipulation, the rice-grain-sized E-grade soul crystal transformed into an invisible mist that merged into Mercer's limbs and bones.

Slight adjustments occur inside the body.

A slight pain came over me.

A few minutes later.

Mercer jumped up and felt that her body had become much more flexible, and even her chubby figure had become a little slimmer.

Agility: E-→E

A high level of Observation Haki will boost the growth of Agility, Perception, and Mystic attributes.

Now, apart from the mysterious attribute, the remaining two related attributes are at the same level.

In this way.

Mercer clearly felt that his coordination had become more natural.

That's the allure of becoming stronger.

I took quick steps through the small bar, carefully noticing the subtle changes my body was experiencing.

Agility is not just physical speed, but also encompasses all aspects of the human body, such as nerve reflexes, dexterity, coordination, and so on.

The upgrade within the same level didn't bring about much change, but it allowed Messer to adapt properly for a while.

When it was almost time, Mercer sat on a bar stool and sipped water.

Time passed slowly.

A faint aroma wafted out, and before long, Makino came out carrying two plates of seafood fried rice.

The two standard plates were piled high with food.

A plate of fried rice was placed in front of Moses.

"Eat up, try my cooking. If you like it, give me feedback so I can see if there's anything I can improve."

Makino smiled and handed over a spoon.

"Thank you, I will." Mercer didn't stand on ceremony, took the spoon, scooped up a full spoonful, and put it in her mouth.

Chew carefully.

One bite, two bites, three bites.

The flavor is just right, neither too salty nor too bland, with the aroma of rice and the freshness of shrimp.

"It tastes good, but it's a bit burnt. However, the burnt flavor can also be appetizing. I don't know if you did it unintentionally or if it's supposed to have a burnt flavor."

Immediately, Makino laughed, her face slightly flushed, and said:

"Not bad, you can actually taste it. I was a little slow when I was scooping the rice, so the seafood was a bit burnt."

"Also, I'm very pleased with your praise. This makes me even more confident in opening my bar in the future."

While eating the fried rice in large bites, Moses said:

"The future? I see your house is quite big, and there's no one else around."

"Makino, you're not alone too, are you?"

Mercer clearly saw Makino pause for a moment while eating, but it was only for a second before she resumed eating.

"Sorry. I asked something I shouldn't have."

Moses apologized.

Makino swallowed the food in her mouth and smiled slightly:

"It's not that I can't ask. I live alone. My family used to run a bar. My parents died in a shipwreck a few years ago when I went out to sea to buy goods."

However, with some savings and the help of the village chief, life is not too bad.

I plan to wait a few years, until I'm a bit older, and then reopen the bar.

And what about you, Moses? What about your family?

Mercer swallowed his food and said calmly, "Mostly the same as you."

Just as we were waiting for the next part, we saw Messer continue eating. Makino blinked, puffed out her cheeks, and complained:

"Mercy, you're really wicked. You only say half of what you mean, you know? If this were the storyteller who comes to the village sometimes, you'd get beaten up if you said that."

She glanced at Makino.

"You can't beat me. If I punch you, you'll cry for a long time."

"And I will cry."

"Why?" Makino was skeptical at first, but became curious after the second question.

"I'll cry, but don't die."

"Cough cough!" Makino coughed violently, choking quite badly on Mercer's words.

She rolled her eyes at Messer in annoyance, then burst into laughter.

"As expected, Mercer, you're so funny. I wish you could be my younger brother."

"That way I can laugh non-stop every day."

They finished the rest of the fried rice in a few bites, leaving not a single grain.

He drank the water in the glass at the bar in one gulp.

"It's not dark yet."

"?" Makino asked, puzzled. "What do you mean?"

"..." Makino thought and thought, finally understood, and laughed angrily:

"You're the one daydreaming."

She glanced at Moses's plate, blinked, and asked, "Moses, are you full?"

"Are you giving us more to eat?"

Makino scratched her head. "If you don't mind, I'll give you the half of my bowl that hasn't been touched yet. I made it according to my appetite."

I'm sorry, I didn't know you had such a big appetite.

"No need to apologize. I came here to eat and drink for free, and I didn't pay, so you don't need to apologize."

"How about I make you something else?" Makino nodded her chin. "Fried small sea fish? Is that alright?"

"Roast suckling pig?" Mercer politely declined. "Can you make that?"

"I'm afraid that won't work. I don't have the money to buy one; a whole one is too expensive."

"Oh!"

"Then no need."

“Oh.” Makino sighed. “Then I’m sorry.”

"I'll be going now, but I'll come visit you sometime," Mercer said. "The fried rice was delicious, I really liked it."

"Eh?"

Before she could even speak, Mercer had already picked up her fishing rod and gone to the back door.

Makino put down her spoon and hurriedly chased after him, but when she reached the yard, Mercer had already disappeared.

He couldn't help but pout.

"How could you do this? You ate and then ran away. I'm really not a human trafficker."

Makino sighed helplessly.

……

walk down the street.

With a fishing rod slung over his shoulder.

Moses glanced at his stomach, then walked toward the warships on the dock.

A short while later, he boarded the warship, casually placed his fishing rod in a corner, and headed straight for the restaurant.

It's lunchtime.

As soon as I entered, I saw Bogart waving at me.

"Messer, here, here."

Mercer first went to the chef's window and got a full plate of pork bones and meat and a bowl of meat sauce with an unnamed egg noodle dish.

Upon arriving at Bogart, Messer immediately began to eat.

A bite of meat, a bite of noodles—it tasted so delicious!

Bogart asked curiously, "Why didn't you come with your grandfather?"

"I went fishing just now, but I didn't catch anything. I also went to a stranger's place and got a free meal."

"So you're not full," Bogart laughed. "Pfft, that's true, how could an ordinary family afford to feed you?"

"Uncle, if you can talk, then don't."

They ate heartily, finishing the meat and noodles in no time.

Return the bowls and chopsticks to the kitchen.

Mercer said to Bogart, "I have to go out now. If my grandfather comes back, just tell him I went to Mount Colbo."