“Did you hear? A kid infiltrated the Dog-Dog Pirates’ base alone, killed many, and escaped unscathed.”
“I heard that too. Even their captain, Joya, couldn’t stop him. What was the kid’s name again?”
“Hermes Jörmungandr, a pirate hunter.”
“Being challenged like this by a kid, if it were us, the Octopus Pirates, we’d have taken care of it already. The Dog-Dog Pirates are losing their edge.”
By dawn, the entire town was buzzing with the news. Many factions were watching closely.
Hermes had made a name for himself, while the Dog-Dog Pirates had their reputation tarnished, infuriating Joya and worsening his injuries.
By noon, the Dog-Dog Pirates offered a reward of 100,000 Berries to anyone who could locate Hermes, desperate to capture him.
Conversely, rival pirate crews wanted to recruit Hermes.
The town was abuzz with activity.
One day.
Two days.
Ten days passed.
Hermes, the protagonist, had neither been seen nor found, making Joya increasingly irritable, suspecting that Hermes had already left Mayotte Town.
How would he wash away this humiliation?
“Still no sign of him? We’ve been the laughingstock for ten days.”
At the base.
The entire Dog-Dog Pirates crew gathered, Joya sat at the head, seething with anger.
“Captain, the kid might have already left Mayotte Town.”
“He’s definitely scared of us.”
“Ran away like a coward.”
“Search the surrounding towns. We won’t rest until that kid is dead. Announce that anyone who provides his whereabouts will receive a reward of 1,000,000 Berries.”
Joya gritted his teeth.
“One million Berries?”
“Captain, isn’t that too much?”
A pirate gulped, imagining the sum.
With that money, one could return home and live like a king, no longer needing to live with the constant threat of death as a pirate.
This was the thought of ordinary pirates.
Ambitious ones were already contemplating using that million to gather their own crew and become their own boss.
As the Dog-Dog Pirates announced the reward, many pirate crews marveled at Joya’s generosity.
A kid’s whereabouts worth a million Berries?
If it were them, the bounty would be even higher.
After all, in this world, it’s all about respect.
“Ha, a million Berries?”
On a rooftop, Hermes munched on bread, listening to the discussions below, flicking his hair aside.
Only a million? Honestly, he felt a bit insulted.
But it didn’t matter; his stage was in the future. For now, he was just passing through the novice village.
“My wounds are healed. Time to wipe out the Dog-Dog Pirates.”
Supporting himself on the rooftop, Hermes jumped down. Mid-air, he shrank to five millimeters, leaping swiftly down the street, heading straight for the Dog-Dog Pirates’ base.
During this time, Joya, in his rage, had sent subordinates to other towns to find Hermes, determined to capture him, otherwise, he’d be forever haunted.
He hadn’t been this fixated on anything, not even the widow next door.
“Damn kid.”
Swigging hard liquor, Joya seethed with hatred at the thought of Hermes.
Suddenly.
A familiar scent reached his nose.
This scent.
Following it, he looked up to see a figure standing nonchalantly on a beam, looking down like a king surveying his subjects, filled with contempt and indifference.
From the beginning, Hermes had no intention of hiding.
With Joya’s keen nose, it was pointless. Besides, Hermes had guts; in a fair fight, he wouldn’t resort to underhanded tactics.
Unless his opponent was significantly stronger.
“Kid.”
Joya, who should have been furious, was unusually calm.
Hermes leaped down, facing Joya. He wore the same simple white shirt and black pants, looking bright and neat.
“You’ve got guts.”
“One million Berries, plus your head, makes 39 million. I won’t mind taking it.”
“Let’s see if you’ve got the skills.”
Hermes’ arrogance made Joya’s eyes cold. His body began to grow, entering his hybrid form, claws gleaming dangerously.
Unconsciously.
A suppressive aura filled the room.
Hermes tensed, breathing deeply, eyes locked on Joya. As the killing intent peaked, they both charged, ready to fight to the death.
Swish!!!
Gleaming claws slashed at his neck. Hermes shrank immediately, dodging and growing to five meters, launching a Shigan at Joya’s vital spot.
But Joya anticipated this, already moving to dodge, causing Hermes’ strike to miss. Joya’s tail whipped towards Hermes.
Danger.
Hermes shrank again, but Joya, expecting this, spun mid-air, sweeping his claws where Hermes landed.
The hit connected but without the expected impact.
At five millimeters, Hermes clung to Joya’s pants, avoiding the full force. Before Joya could react, Hermes grew to five meters, grabbing Joya’s leg and swinging him.
Boom!!!
The ground cracked, fissures spreading out. Joya spat blood, losing balance as Hermes lifted him again, slamming him over his shoulder.
In the nick of time, Joya’s tail wrapped around Hermes’ neck, throwing him as Joya crashed to the ground.
Crashing through chairs, Hermes hit the wall, landing heavily and spitting blood.
“Captain.”
Pirates outside heard the noise, but Joya stopped them before they could enter.
“No one comes in without my order.”
“Captain, is it that kid?”
“I don’t want to repeat myself.”
Joya glared at Hermes, his tone growing harsher.
“Yes!”
The pirates exchanged glances, deciding not to enter. When the captain was angry, it was terrifying.
“Now you can rest easy. Today, only one of us will leave alive.”
Joya didn’t want his men interrupting and letting Hermes escape, which he couldn’t stand.
“Then let’s enjoy it.”
Hermes cracked his neck, appreciating Joya’s boldness. A true man.
“Kill!”
Wind roared.
In a blink, Joya was in front of Hermes. Maintaining his five-meter size, Hermes met Joya’s clawed attack with a punch but was driven back, slamming into the wall again.
In a contest of strength, he was outmatched.
Crack.
A lock of hair floated down, Hermes shrank to the ground, three claw marks on the wall behind him, narrowly avoiding a lethal strike with quick reflexes.
Taking the chance, he spun, sweeping his leg.
Joya jumped high, aiming a quick counter at Hermes’ head. Forced to roll aside, Hermes flipped back, creating distance.
On the ground, a deep footprint surrounded by cracks showed the power of Joya’s attack.
A direct hit would’ve been crippling.
Without further words, they clashed again.
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