“Hey there, you’ve got some serious injuries!”
After waking up, Hermes found a small clinic. As the doctor unwrapped the bandages, he frowned at the gaping wounds. It was clear Hermes wasn’t an ordinary person to be still moving around with such severe injuries.
“Use the best medicine you’ve got. I need to recover as quickly as possible.”
Hermes wasn’t short on money. Although he hadn’t converted his loot into Berries yet, the bounties from the pirates he had already dealt with were enough to keep him afloat for a while.
Money brings peace of mind, no worries!
“No problem.”
Upon hearing he’d be paid well, the elderly doctor confidently assured him. For the right price, he could work miracles.
“Do you need anesthetic?”
“No.”
Hermes refused without hesitation. If something went wrong while he was under, he’d be as vulnerable as a fish on a chopping board. He survived on his alertness and a bit of luck.
The doctor didn’t mind; he was merely surprised. Given the money involved, Hermes was his top priority. This young man seemed unusually tough for his age, enduring what most couldn’t.
Disinfecting, stitching—the doctor’s experienced hands moved deftly. As the needle pierced his skin, Hermes gripped the chair, his face pale and drenched in sweat.
It hurt.
A lot.
He suppressed his groans, the pain making him tremble. His sweat-soaked, weak appearance could easily be misunderstood.
Two people alone in a room, one young, one old—it might give the wrong impression.
“Where did you get these injuries? It’s a good thing you had them bandaged, though the job was crude. Otherwise, the wounds could have gotten much worse.”
The doctor admired Hermes’ toughness and tried to distract him from the pain—a kind gesture, though he wouldn’t have gone out of his way if it weren’t for the money.
“I fought a pirate for some spending money.”
Hermes played along. He might need to come here again in the future.
After all, besides Captain Joya, there were still many pirates with million-Berry bounties in town. These were his targets before moving on to the capital.
Fighting was his path to strength and wealth.
“No wonder you’re so injured. But it’s dangerous. You’re dancing on a knife’s edge. Why not find a steady job?”
The doctor wasn’t surprised. He assumed Hermes had taken down pirates with low bounties, considering his youth.
Nowadays, many paths lead to quick riches—becoming a pirate, human trafficking, hunting pirates. Fast money but high risk, with death always looming.
“Working isn’t for me.”
“Working?”
The doctor looked puzzled, thinking Hermes might be a bit eccentric.
He pretended to understand, changing the subject again.
“Did you hear? Captain Joya of the Dog-Dog Pirates was killed by a kid. A 38-million-Berry bounty pirate, gone just like that.”
The doctor sighed. The entire town was buzzing with the news.
Most people found this hard to believe. In their eyes, the Dog-Dog Pirates, alongside the Chain Pirates and the Twin Wheel Pirates, were an unstoppable force.
That kid must have had a screw loose, but the outcome was unexpectedly shocking.
“Surprised?”
Hermes smirked. It felt good to be famous. No wonder powerful figures craved notoriety.
“Surprised? It’s incredible. The Dog-Dog Pirates! I heard that kid is a pirate hunter, just like you.”
The doctor admired him.
“All done. Rest for a few days, avoid water, and come back to get the stitches out. You’ll heal quickly.”
Unbeknownst to Hermes, the doctor had finished stitching him up.
This doctor was skilled.
“Great, I’ll be back.”
Standing up, Hermes moved cautiously. He handed over a handful of Berries and left, leaving the doctor a bit bewildered.
Such a strange young man.
Day and night blurred.
A week passed in the blink of an eye.
In that week, Hermes’ wounds healed faster than expected, nearly complete. If it were his past life, it would take over a hundred days to recover fully.
Despite his injuries, Hermes didn’t neglect his basic training, though it was less intense than usual.
He also converted his loot into Berries, as expected, losing half in the process. But nearly 20 million Berries was a significant fortune.
“Chain Pirates, Twin Wheel Pirates.”
On a tavern balcony, Hermes studied two wanted posters of Mayotte Town’s other major pirate factions.
Captain Chainman, with a bounty of 43 million, wielded chains with flashy skill. He had curly hair and a somewhat frail appearance.
Captain Kokos, of the Twin Wheel Pirates, had a 44-million-Berry bounty. A sharpshooter known for his twin pistols.
Hermes saw them as walking treasure chests.
Night.
Clouds loomed, threatening rain.
At the Chain Pirates’ base, many pirates busied themselves. They had recently returned from a raid, rich with spoils but also nursing wounds.
The bad news was that Captain Chainman was injured. The ship’s doctor was treating him, and his pale face showed the severity of his wounds.
“Looks like I’ve got an opportunity.”
In the quiet room, a scent of blood lingered.
The sudden voice startled Chainman and the doctor. On a nearby chair sat a figure, legs crossed, watching them lazily.
“The kid who killed Joya.”
“Hermes Jörmungandr.”
Chainman felt a chill, grabbing his weapon—a long chain. The doctor drew his pistol, ready.
Hermes didn’t waste words. He threw a table and charged like a cannonball.
Bang!!!
The doctor fired first, and Chainman called for help. His injuries made him unfit for combat.
If this kid could kill Joya, it wasn’t by luck.
The table shattered under bullets, hitting the ground. The doctor barely had time to react before Hermes’ Shigan pierced his throat.
Clang.
Chainman’s chain moved like a snake, aiming for Hermes. But Hermes shrank, jumped, and returned to normal size, landing a powerful kick.
“Help me.”
The doctor clutched his bleeding throat, collapsing as life faded from his eyes.
Boom!
Chainman blocked Hermes’ kick, but the force sent him crashing into the wall. His barely treated wounds reopened, blood quickly soaking through.
Hermes wasted no time, pressing his advantage as Chainman struggled to recover.
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