Ingrid turned around and looked at Hannah. "You have to write a compliment for that 100,000 Berries reward! Can't we just reduce it by 100 Berries?"
Hannah shook her head firmly. "No way! The other viewers will laugh at me. Just write a few sentences."
Ingrid sighed. "Fine, fine… Alright, let's see how the hero rescues the damsel in distress."
Hannah leaned closer, eyebrows raised. "Ingrid, don't you think this compliment sounds a bit… off?"
As they bantered, the live-stream chat was lighting up with comments from their viewers:
"Ren, in a world full of pirates, do you really expect any peace?"
"Where there's chaos, there's excitement! Does Ren plan on charming ladies every day?"
"My heart hurts seeing that little girl cry!"
"My kidneys ache seeing that young woman cry!"
Ren shook his head, muttering under his breath, "This world is chaotic enough. It seems every time I step out, there's trouble waiting for me." Talking to his viewers in the live broadcast as he walked toward the tavern, he added, "And this time, it's something serious."
At that moment, Ren noticed a young girl, Rika, being held roughly under the arm of a young man in a justice jacket. She was crying, struggling helplessly, while nearby, the tavern's young proprietress was being held at gunpoint by two navy men in standard uniforms, tears brimming in her eyes. The sight struck Ren as particularly tragic; it was as if young women were especially vulnerable in this world of pirates.
Without pausing, Ren muttered, "This world is too chaotic." He couldn't help but feel a pang of frustration and resolve in equal measure. In the live-stream chat, viewers were reacting, too:
"Anchor, step up and help them out!"
"Save them, Ren! You can't leave those ladies like that."
"Host, don't you want to be the hero here?"
Ren had just taken a few steps closer when one of the soldiers pointed a pistol at him and called out, "Hold it right there, kid! Look at me!"
Just then, a colorful, rainbow-colored message slid across the screen in the live stream:
"The host is a man of great virtue, wise and brave! Princess Snow rewards him with 100,000 Berries!"
"Oh my god, a rich viewer!"
"This rainbow message is so fancy. Rich people sure know how to make an entrance!"
The viewers went wild, comments flying up the screen, some admiring the reward while others egged Ren on.
Another notification popped up on Ren's interface:
Task 2 Complete: You've unlocked the skill "Finger Gun"!
Almost instantly, Ren felt a new surge of knowledge rush through him. His fingers tingled with an unfamiliar energy. Just as he was processing this, a new mission appeared:
Task 3: Gain Rika's favor. Reward: Devil Fruit.
Ren blinked, feeling a bit uneasy at the task, Rika? The little girl? She's just a kid! Although I might like the idea of being a hero, this seems... strange.
As he stood there, lost in thought, the soldier's patience ran out. The man waved his pistol in Ren's face, nudging his head roughly. "What's wrong, little brother? Are you scared?" he sneered, his tone mocking.
Shaken from his thoughts, Ren focused on Rika. Despite her tears, her innocent, bright eyes looked directly at him, full of desperation and fear. Something in that gaze tugged at his heart.
He clenched his fists. "This is a crime," he muttered to himself.
Ren quickly raised his right hand, turning it with lightning speed, and snatched the pistol from the soldier's grip. In a smooth, swift movement, he aimed and fired directly at the man's hand, causing him to howl in pain.
"Bang!"
The soldier's screams filled the air as he clutched his wounded hand, dropping the gun. Ren casually tossed the pistol away, striding forward with a calm smile.
The live-stream chat was exploding.
"Ren, that was amazing! Total 10 out of 10!"
"Damn, Ren's move was flawless! He deserves an award!"
"I'm tearing up! Ren's actions are making me emotional."
"A hero! Ren, you're a true hero!"
Meanwhile, Ren's action didn't go unnoticed by the rest of the soldiers. Within seconds, he found himself surrounded by a dozen navy men, their weapons trained on him.
"Ren, show them some moves! Use the nunchaku or something!"
"He's just showing off!"
"The way Ren handles this situation makes me want to stay away from my girlfriend's screen!"
Ren chuckled at the comments but kept his focus on the unfolding situation. The young man holding Rika hostage walked closer, entering the circle of soldiers with a smug smile on his face. He had a shifty look but spoke in a calm, almost sincere tone.
"I'm a Lieutenant from the 16th Division," he said. "You've got some talent, kid. Join me, and I'll make sure you're well-fed, well-paid, and surrounded by the finest women and the strongest pirates."
Ren stared at him, unimpressed. "You want me to work for you? Why should I trust you?"
The lieutenant's smile widened. "You think you're tough, but strength without a place is wasted. Join me, and you'll have a real purpose."
Ren's live-stream viewers erupted again:
"He really thinks he's something big, doesn't he?"
"Ren, he's offering you a spot in his crew! Think about it!"
"Nah, he's not worthy!"
Ren narrowed his eyes. He remembered hearing about this division, where corrupt soldiers colluded with pirates and fishmen. "16th Division, huh? Aren't they the ones working with a shady Marine Captain?"
He looked back at the lieutenant. "There's just one problem with your offer."
"Oh?" The lieutenant's smile didn't falter. "Everyone has their issues, but I'm sure we can work around yours."
Ren's expression remained calm. "Yeah, I don't like working with ugly people."
The lieutenant's face twisted, but he forced a laugh. "People with strength and big mouths usually don't live long, kid." His tone dropped to a chilling growl as he pulled out a pistol, spinning it before pointing it directly at Ren's forehead. "So, one last time – do you join me, or do you want to die here?"
Ren looked at the gun, then back at the lieutenant, unflinching. "How about this – you hand over the girl, and then you walk away."
The lietenant's eyes blazed with anger. "You really think you're something, don't you? My own captain doesn't talk to me like that, but you think you can?"
Ren's live-stream viewers watched breathlessly as the tense moment unfolded:
"Ren, are you really going to challenge him? This guy means business!"
"He thinks he's the big shot here – show him what's what, Ren!"
As the standoff continued, Ren's eyes flicked from the lieutenant to the soldiers surrounding him. He knew that with his newly acquired skill, he could handle himself. He'd trained for moments like these. All he needed now was the will to act.