The value of the items scattered along the Crimson Ocean’s shore didn’t escape anyone. Kids, teens, and adults all knew those treasures might keep them alive in this hellhole. No one wanted to end up a desiccated corpse.
Now that hope lay at their feet, the crowd rushed the nearest piles.
They remembered which monsters they had killed alone or with partners.
But when someone noticed his own loot looked worse than another’s, greed took over.
People began to snatch items earned by others. Fists flew and screams pierced the air. Mayhem broke out.
Amidst the chaos, one spot drew the most eyes. Ace had stacked an impressive mound of gear there. Thieves swarmed toward it.
"B‑Big bro! They’re going for your stuff!" Mercer yelled as Ace knelt by his backpack.
"Grab anything useful," Ace told his crew. "Weapons, clothes, potions first. I’ll handle the thieves."
He snapped together a few carbon‑composite parts and built a modern bow. He clipped a quiver to his hip, rose, and set an arrow. He drew, felt the wind, and fired.
The first arrow hissed past a thief and buried itself halfway into the sand. The man jerked back.
Before he could locate the shooter, a volley tore over the beach, freezing every would‑be robber.
[Archery Proficiency V
• Node – Nocking Efficiency: Speeds up arrow nocking, reducing reload time.
• Node – Draw Strength: Increases draw power for greater arrow velocity and penetration.
• Node – Keen Sight: Grants heightened awareness of surroundings, spotting distant targets and hidden threats.
• Node – Weather Sense: Allows sensing of weather shifts, letting you adjust arrow trajectory and power.
• Node – Steady First Draw: Improves stability on initial draws, boosting accuracy on first shots.]
Mercer and the others knew Ace’s skills, yet they still gasped, then cheered.
Ace strode forward, scooped up his spear, and advanced on the thieves. His presence felt heavier than any Rook’s taunt. No one dared to twitch.
"Everything here is mine," he said, stopping before the nearest thief.
He slammed a fist into the man’s solar plexus. The thief folded and staggered back. He vomited his small breakfast before collapsing.
Ace plucked his arrow from the sand. "Next time, I won’t go easy."
Thieves at the edge of his aura bolted. Those nearer found their escape blocked; the Don Capo Gang had already bagged their own loot and now fanned out to seal every exit.
Ace punched a few more offenders. One finally spoke up.
"It’s my item! It dropped here! The monster was mine!" the man shouted.
Ace chuckled. "Yeah? Can you prove it?"
"Can you?" the man shot back.
"No need." Ace smirked. He could prove it—every corpse on the beach carried his deep, precise cuts—but he wasn’t about to waste time arguing.
Haha! He can’t prove it. If I trick him into rock paper scissors, that shield is mine, the thief thought.
"Let’s be fair," the thief said. "Rock, paper, scissors."
"Fine. I’ll throw rock, so you’ll throw scissors."
"If you don’t, you’ll eat rock anyway." Ace raised his fist.
"Rock, paper, scissors!"
Ace opened his hand. "Looks like I won." He lifted the half‑burned shield and tossed it to Alex, who caught it with a grin.
The thief clenched his fists, eyes wet with angry tears.
A new system window flashed in front of every player.
[Gravehaven Isle’s Rankers Ranking has been updated and adequate ranking rewards have been distributed.
Rank One: Ace Avalanche.
Rank Two: Veis Einwisdam.
Rank Three: Seraphina Griffin.
Rank Four: Hunter Hatcher.
Rank Five: Chaewon Smith.
Rank Six: Edward Sawyer.
Rank Seven: Alex Belvaro.]
Each name glowed above its owner for a few seconds—long enough for other rankers to spot the island’s top ranker.
"You’ll always win rock paper scissors, Mr. Ace," the defeated thief said, forcing a grin as he rubbed his hands together.
Ace laughed. "I still owe you a punch."
"Ha‑ha... right— BLERGH!"
This thief took a punch twice as hard as the others.
While other rankers brawled over loot, Ace slipped into Gravehaven Isle’s forest to scout a safe zone for his crew.
There’s a spot I never reached in my first life, but now that I’m Rank One, I can crack it open easy.
He glanced at his Rank One reward and grinned.