The air crackled with tension, thick as the salty spray perpetually coating the ship's deck. A glint of steel, a blur of motion—and a sharp knife whistled past Safal's ear, embedding itself in the wooden mast behind him. He hadn't even seen it coming. A primal urge surged through him, a burning desire for a weapon. Before he could comprehend the absurd twist of fate, a dagger, its hilt wrapped in dark, worn leather, materialized in his hand. It felt like an extension of his own arm. With an instinctive flick of his wrist, Safal deflected the second knife that followed, sending it clattering harmlessly to the floor.
Captain Andrew, a man whose reputation for brutality preceded him like a storm cloud, appeared as if from nowhere, his cutlass aimed directly for Safal's throat. The cold steel glinted under the dim light of the dining hall. Safal, adrenaline coursing through his veins, met the captain's assault with his newly acquired dagger, locking the two weapons together in a shower of sparks.
A savage dance of steel and desperation ensued—dagger against sword, a battle of speed and agility against brute strength. Safal's movements were quick and precise, but Captain Andrew's experience kept him on the defensive. It was a maelstrom of flashing metal, each clang a heartbeat in the mounting frenzy. In the heat of combat, Safal felt a searing pain.
Andrew's blade had found its mark, slicing through his shirt and grazing his flesh just above his stomach. The world seemed to warp and twist, every sensation intensifying. The metallic tang of blood filled his senses, igniting a fire within him. The bloodlust was overwhelming.
With a guttural roar, Safal disengaged, throwing his now-bloodied dagger to the floor in a violent act. "You wouldn't be scared if we fought with fists, would you?" he challenged, his voice dangerously low, laced with a dark promise.
Andrew smirked, the arrogance in his eyes unwavering. "I wouldn't. But if I were in your place, I'd sure be afraid for your friends."
As if on cue, the heavy wooden door to the dining hall swung open, revealing the rest of Andrew's pirate crew—a mob of weathered faces and gleaming blades. They surged into the room, cutting off any escape. But instead of fear, a determined glint settled in Safal's eyes.
"Liza! Alisa!" he roared, his voice carrying above the din.
From the back of the room, the duo sisters emerged, their movements a mesmerizing dance, each carrying a cluster of vials filled with a strange, clear liquid—the antidote. These were the vials they had worked so hard to gather, the precious antidote needed for their poisoned crewmates. A wave of relief and defiant exhilaration washed over Safal's crew. They rallied, regaining their strength and ready for a fight.
"Don't underestimate us, asshole," Liza snarled, her eyes glinting with a predatory light, her voice a stark contrast to her elegant movements.
The battle was on. Chaos erupted—a brutal whirlwind of fists, swords, and pure, unadulterated rage. The clash between the pirate crew and Safal's Hollow Den crew was a spectacle of violence and skill. Arjun, with his mountainous physique, became an unstoppable force, his body a battering ram against the pirate onslaught.
Liza and Alisa moved like a mesmerizing storm—a tornado of spinning limbs and lightning-fast strikes, sending pirate after pirate crashing to the floor. "I, obviously, never wanna flirt with them," Arjun panted, watching them with a mix of awe and fear. "Look how strong their legs are!"
Vinay and Dev, their movements perfectly synchronized, formed their own deadly duo. Dev, with his silent, almost ethereal movements, used his shadowy power to ensnare their enemies, while Vinay, bursting with manic energy, moved with a speed that was almost a blur, delivering devastating blows. "Dev was the silent type, but Vinay, sure, was the mad type," thought Meera, her eyes darting across the battlefield.
Everyone fought with everything they had, driven by loyalty and the need to survive. Yet amidst the fray, one sight seemed so out of place—Safal, lying on the ground, his own blood staining the floor beneath him. The sight of their fallen leader momentarily stunned his crew.
With a groan, Safal struggled to sit upright, his eyes burning with a fierce intensity. He yearned to unleash his transformative power, but the chaos around him made it too dangerous. He might accidentally hurt his own people. Observing Andrew's movements, Safal noticed the unnatural force behind each punch. Realization dawned on him.
"You have Body-type power, don't you?" he shouted, his voice raspy with pain.
Andrew's face contorted with surprise and amusement. "You sure do realize things fast for a kid. Yes, I am an AUGMENTER. Let me give you the details since you'll figure it out soon enough. I have the power to increase or decrease the size of any part of my body."
A low chuckle rumbled in his chest. "That's why I found it rare for me to be this messed up after just two or three punches," Safal retorted. "Some of my punches can take down a C-Rank monster, yet you're still standing."
"It wouldn't be fun if I gave up now, would it? I have so many questions for you, but let's save them for when your leader comes," Andrew replied.
Safal grinned, his eyes gleaming with chilling anticipation. "Wow, you're a genius," Andrew said, a note of respect creeping into his voice.
Safal, taking a moment, focused his mind, his thoughts reaching out to the screen that had appeared during his battle with the Viper Dog. "Can you talk?" he asked, surprised when the screen responded with a clear voice. "Yes, I am your slave. You can ask me anything."
"I have no need for slaves. I need a strong one to make me strong," Safal replied. "Can I defeat this monster?"
"If you use your experience and skill from Umbrothys: Shadow Realm, you have a 69% chance," the screen stated.
"What skill do I have?"
"You defeated the Viper Dog, so you have its skin-made dagger, increased smelling power, and a weak point locator."
"Then tell me his weak point," Safal commanded. The screen scanned Andrew, its data output cold and precise. "There is a fracture in his left leg which he avoids using."
Safal burst into action, aiming for Andrew's weak point. But Andrew's body surged in size, his muscles bulging monstrously as he transformed into an enormous giant, tearing holes in the ship's structure. The pirates and crew alike were paralyzed with shock—all except Safal.
"Big body means more places to hit!" Safal yelled, dark laughter in his voice. Andrew roared, his fist slamming into the deck, shaking the entire ship. Then, a flicker of fear crossed his face as he realized the extent of the damage he was causing. His thoughts turned to his son, Liam—the one he loved most.
Safal saw the hesitation and moved with ferocity. He attacked the weak leg, his mind focused solely on destroying Andrew.
Suddenly, a slow clap echoed through the ship. Everyone turned to see their leader, Nishan, standing calmly. "Bravo, Safal. Bravo," Nishan said. "Not only did you defeat Andrew, but you also figured out I was behind all this."
"I suspected Varun was up to something. Our looted gold kept disappearing. So, I used Captain Andrew, a devoted follower, and staged the venom act to expose Varun's treachery."
Andrew stood, turning toward Varun. "How did you know only my food was poisoned?"
Safal couldn't reveal the system's help. "Instinct. When none of your crew aimed to kill me when I stole the antidote, I grew suspicious. But seeing Nishan's picture in your office confirmed it."
Varun tried to flee, but Nishan's punch cracked his skull. Andrew followed Nishan's command, stabbing Varun's neck and heart to ensure his death. Fear settled deep in every heart as they witnessed the cold precision.
Nishan's tone turned light. "Don't be afraid unless you betray me." He hugged Safal. "Do you know why I told Andrew to stab the neck first? I leave no chance of survival."
Meera found her voice. "You killed him."
"He killed my trust," Nishan snapped. "Betrayal is unforgivable." Tears glistened in his eyes. "I stab enemies twice. But those I love…three times…to ensure they live."
The crew grew tense. "First Andrew, second Varun, and the third…" A terrified crewmate burst in. "The Peacekeeper's ship is approaching!"