UNLOCK: I CAN SEE MY STATS

chapter 40 : Dreambringer

203 Million Light Years Away – The Nowhere

In the heart of a pitch-black void of space, this area was known precisely as Nowhere. Legends spoke of a devastating war that once extinguished all light in this sector, making survival here nearly impossible.

The region became infamous for its spatial storms and massive radiation waves that wreaked havoc on spacefaring vessels, making navigation extremely difficult.

Yet, despite all this, a massive, unidentified ship floated silently through this forsaken quadrant, defying every terrifying tale told about this place.

Inside the Command Chamber

"Hmm... Sir, we’ve successfully tracked the capsule’s signal..."

"Hmm, finally! Tell me, where is it now!?"

"Its exact location is unavailable due to heavy interference within Nowhere..."

"I don’t care,just give me the coordinates!"

"It’s within an unknown solar system, about 200 million light-years away..."

"Excellent! Prepare for travel, we’ll use spatial jump to get there..."

"But sir, we don’t have enough energy to make a jump over that long a distance!"

"Tch! That’s a problem..."

"Hmm... Use that energy..."

"But... it’s unstable. It might destroy the engine if we use it now."

"Don’t worry. I’ll handle it myself..."

---

Inside a vast chamber resembling a laboratory, filled with strange machines, especially a row of capsules containing human-like figures. A closer look would reveal that they all shared some resemblance.

At the far end of the lab stood a peculiar being, human in form, but clearly different. It was the same figure who had given the order in the command room moments earlier.

He stood before a capsule, hands clasped behind his back, and said with a respectful tone

"We’ve successfully captured 26 versions from 26 different universes..."

"That means we now have 26 fragments out of 33..."

"You were right, sir. The fragment couldn’t escape while inside a host..."

"…"

"But it makes me wonder, why this person Marcus in particular? Why does the fragment choose him, not just in one world, but in every single one!?"

"Hmm..." A soft hum came from within a capsule filled with black, opaque liquid. Moments later, a coarse voice echoed from inside, reverberating through the lab

"Hmm… I don’t know! Even I, its creator, don’t understand why this thing chooses the same host in every universe! It’s as if there's an unnatural resonance between them..."

"If not for that man, the cursed device would never have exploded into 33 fragments and scattered across the space-time continuum!"

"Sir, if I may ask, why does each version of Marcus have a different power? Don’t they all possess the same device?"

"Hmm… That’s due to the nature of the device itself. Complex, yet simple at the same time..."

"You see, when the device fuses with a host, it grants an ability, not the best ability, but the one closest to what the host needs most..."

"That’s why I named it... the Dreambringer."

"And because of this, every version of Marcus ends up with a completely different power."

"Right now, we have 26 fragments out of 33. Once they’re all gathered, we’ll be able to extract them from every version .... and this time, they won’t escape like before..."

"This time, make sure the target doesn’t slip through your fingers. You’re not authorized to make any more mistakes."

"As you command. I’ll make sure this version is captured alive..."

"..."

"Very well. I’m leaving now..."

---

Earth – 17 Days After Marcus Destroyed the Merman Base

Deep sea, near the territorial waters of the Bahamuti Islands.

A large ship without any flag drifted slowly toward a distant island now visible on the horizon.

"997… 998… 999… 1000

....Boom!"

Marcus dropped a bundle of tightly tied barrels from his back and paused his gravity training.

"Woah...!" He took a deep breath, exhausted from the intense hours-long workout.

He collapsed onto his back, wiped the sweat from his face with a towel, and muttered

"The navy’s probably on high alert to eliminate me… I need to resupply quickly and get out of here..."

His concern about the naval forces stemmed from his actions over the past 17 days.

After destroying the First Marine Division and killing the lieutenant stationed there, the navy had mobilized in response.

Unable to find the culprit, they began arresting pirates and criminals in the area as scapegoats,ironically making the seas safer.

When Marcus heard about this, a clever idea struck him: let the navy do its job while also helping him secure the waters. In a way, he was also getting back at them for the naval blockade they’d placed on him for the past seven months.

Without hesitation,and with his identity hidden behind the black mask,he targeted another marine branch, destroyed it, killed every soldier, and looted it. He didn’t stop there,branch after branch fell. That very morning, he had just finished wiping out Marine Branch #4 and had gathered total loot worth 123 million. Naturally, not a single civilian was harmed.

"Hmm, time to go..." he muttered as he sat up.

He picked up the black mask and placed it on his face.

"This mask stinks..." he grumbled, annoyed by the pungent smell of the wooden disguise.

"Hmm, alright then..." He stood and stretched. "Since I’ll be visiting Rod 12 Island, I’d better get a new mask,preferably metal this time."

He threw on his jacket, a black leather armor with streaks of red. He’d acquired it from one of the islands he visited. And no, he didn’t steal it,he hired a skilled tailor and gave him a design he’d created with the help of one of his transformations that granted genius-level intelligence.

Marcus strapped the sword lying on the deck into the sheath on his back, then dropped anchor to stop the ship in place. He preferred to keep the vessel far from the port to avoid drawing attention. As for him...

[Fish-Man Form]

His thoughts shifted, and a link formed with one of the DNA sequences stored in the bracelet’s genetic library.

His body grew slightly taller. His teeth sharpened, turning as hard as steel.

Without hesitation, Marcus leapt from the ship and plunged into the water, swimming like a torpedo toward the island.

In no time, he reached the port. He pulled up his hood to cover his head. He was in a dilemma,removing the mask would expose him, but walking around with it would draw unwanted attention, especially now that it was also famous among pirates. Why not wear a different mask? Well... he forgot to buy one.

He climbed ashore discreetly. No one paid him much attention. There were plenty of people wearing hoods and masks in this place.

"Hmm, just as I thought. They’re looking for me..." Marcus thought grimly as he peeked from behind a building at the marines showing his poster to random passersby.

He slipped away and headed into a store to buy food, thinking:

"Better avoid fighting the navy captain stationed here..."

While buying from the vendor, he recalled the intel he’d purchased on the local naval captain,from the black market.

The Bahamuti Islands, and especially Rod 12 Island, were considered a graveyard for outlaws,because of one man. The naval captain stationed here.

A voice broke his train of thought.

"Sir, your goods are ready..."

Marcus glanced at the full bag and asked while pulling out some cash:

"How much do I owe you?"

"That’ll be 203,000..."

"Hmm, 203 thousand... Alright, here." He placed the bundle of cash on the counter and asked, while picking up the bag:

"Do you know where I can find..." He stopped mid-sentence as uninvited guests entered the store. He adjusted his hood tightly.

"Never mind. Thanks for the purchase."

"Mm, thank you, sir! You’re always welcome in my store. I’ll even give you a discount next time!" the vendor replied with a smile, glancing toward the five marines who had just entered.

Three men and two women.

"What can I help you with, officers?" he asked politely.

"We’re currently searching for a wanted criminal..." One of the marines stepped forward from behind the woman and handed him two wanted posters.

"Have you seen either of them? Especially the one on the first poster..."

Marcus’s eyes narrowed behind the mask when he saw the second poster.