"This is… a Devil Fruit?"
Even after spending two years in the pirate world, this was the first time Is had ever seen one.
"The Paper-Paper Fruit?"
He muttered to himself. Although he craved power, he couldn't help but hesitate.
After all, he was worried about how practical this ability would be. But then again, since he could obtain more from the system in the future, his mind gradually eased.
Is picked it up and took a bite.
Perhaps because it had been enhanced by the system, the fruit didn't taste as awful as described in the original story.
On the contrary, he actually found the taste and texture quite enjoyable.
In no time at all, the entire fruit was gone.
Standing still for a few minutes, Is didn't feel any immediate discomfort or abnormality.
But soon, he noticed the change—his body felt much lighter, and his strength had increased.
"Hoo…"
As he activated the power, his body suddenly broke apart into countless sheets of paper, fluttering through the air.
Moments later, the sheets gathered again, reforming into his original shape.
"So this is the ability of this Devil Fruit? Not bad… it didn't disappoint."
A hint of excitement flashed through Is's heart. The fruit's utility was clearly impressive.
"Whoosh!"
With a flick of his hand, several sheets separated and shot forward like arrows.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
They embedded themselves into the wall.
With another wave, the sheets stuck in the wall visibly dissolved and vanished.
Is didn't continue testing further—this wasn't the right place for it.
Instead, he opened his status panel.
Host: Aurelius D. Virel Is
Excavation Level: 1 (0/200)
Excavation Attempts: 1 (7/7) — increases with level
Characters: None
Abilities: Paper-Paper Fruit (1/1000) — increasing proficiency improves quality
Excavation Location: [Positioning Mode Available]
Storage: None
The panel was straightforward and easy to understand.
"As expected… not only can I dig up items, I can even obtain characters from different worlds. Tsk… this system is amazing."
Of course, there was one downside—he couldn't just dig anywhere. He had to reach locations designated by the system to obtain rewards.
Pouring himself a cup of hot tea, Is stepped out of his bedroom, intending to check on Roz Minian.
But as he walked downstairs, he spotted her sneaking toward a window, climbing up and glancing around cautiously.
In the next instant, their eyes met.
Startled, she lost her balance and fell.
The noise drew the attention of the servants nearby, but none of them reacted. It was as if they were already used to such scenes.
Meanwhile, Is calmly walked over, sipping his tea without any urgency.
"I… I…"
"I was just trying to clean the window!"
Is didn't respond. He simply walked past her, heading straight to the main door, and pushed it open.
"If you want to run, use the door. No need to climb windows. If you break one, you'll have to pay for it."
With that, he returned to the sofa, picked up a newspaper from the table, and began reading quietly.
He had no interest in saying anything more to her.
There was simply no need.
In the past, he might have tried to tame or manage her.
But now, he didn't even bother.
Even if she left, it wouldn't cost him anything.
The hall fell silent.
Roz Minian stood there, stunned, her thoughts in disarray.
Is's reaction completely confused her.
"A trap…?"
She murmured softly.
But after thinking it over, she dismissed the idea. As a Celestial Dragon, Is had no need to set traps.
If he wanted something, he could take it anytime, anywhere.
And the indifference he showed—it was genuine, not an act.
"This man… is he really a Celestial Dragon?"
"He feels completely different from what I imagined…"
After standing there for several minutes, she gathered her courage and walked up to him.
"If I walk out of here… what will happen?"
Hearing her, Is glanced at her briefly, then returned his gaze to the newspaper.
To him, she was far less interesting than what he was reading.
Seeing that he didn't answer, Roz Minian didn't dare to press further.
Instead, one of the maids spoke gently:
"If you leave, you might gain your freedom… or you might be captured and become someone else's slave."
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