"Run! Get out of here!"
"Leave this place!"
"Monster! Jack the Drought is on a rampage!"
"You'll die if you get caught in it!"
The sheer scale of the battle terrified the pirates on the island. They scrambled in every direction, desperate to avoid the devastating aftershocks of the clash.
"I hope he doesn't die too quickly. I wanted to play with him a bit longer," Jack muttered, pulling back his hand and gazing coldly toward the dust-shrouded ruins in the distance.
"Oh! Long live Jack-sama!"
"Haha! A mere nobody dared to oppose us!"
"Crush him, Jack-sama!"
Jack's subordinates cheered wildly. In their eyes, their boss was a world-renowned Great Pirate of the New World; dealing with a nameless pirate was as easy as breathing.
"Bastard... Soru!"
Sriya wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, his eyes burning with predatory rage.
In the next instant, Sriya vanished. Like a ghost, he flickered into existence directly in front of Jack's face. His left leg, the metallic prosthetic, swung like a heavy cleaver, aimed straight for Jack's skull.
BAM!
A dull thud echoed.
"Nani?"
Sriya's eyes widened in shock. Jack hadn't moved an inch; the strike hadn't even budged him.
"Is that all the power you have? I suppose that metal leg is somewhat interesting." Jack's face remained expressionless as he reached out with blinding speed. "Let's see if your Chris Pirates can fix you once I rip your arms off!"
Jack seized Sriya mid-air with his right hand. He grabbed Sriya's right shoulder with his left and pulled outward with agonizing force.
RIIIP—!
"ARGHHH—!"
Sriya screamed as his right arm was torn clean from his body. A spray of crimson soaked the ground.
Thud.
Jack tossed Sriya to the dirt like trash. "Go get another arm attached. Let's see if your crew's technology is actually worth a damn."
"Captain Aeridar... will never let you get away with this!" Sriya hissed, his face deathly pale. He glared at Jack, clutching the stump of his shoulder as blood leaked through his fingers.
Thump... Thump... Thump...
Just as Jack was about to speak, the sound of heavy, rhythmic footsteps drew his attention.
The black-armored knight he had sent flying was running back toward the fray, longsword in hand. His black plate armor was now covered in a web of cracks. The helmet and faceplate had shattered, revealing the handsome face of a middle-aged man. His emerald-green, lifeless eyes were enough to make anyone's blood run cold.
"That guy... is he the former Grand Knight of the Clifford Kingdom, Horst Chad?!" Vatis watched in utter disbelief.
During his time in his previous organization, Vatis had studied the Chris Pirates' conquest of the Clifford Kingdom. He had analyzed every key player and recognized the man instantly.
"How is this possible? Chad was reported dead!" Vatis muttered, his mind racing. "And even if he survived, a man of his rigid character would rather die than surrender!"
"You underestimate the Chris Pirates. Our cards are beyond your imagination," Sriya said from the ground. Despite the pool of blood surrounding him, a mocking smirk touched his lips.
Years ago, Chad had been left in a comatose state by a single punch from Aeridar. He was "saved," only to be delivered to Dr. Switch Dalt.
Chad had been subjected to dozens of experiments. He had nearly died multiple times, but eventually, he was successfully grafted with Calamodus genes and a "Specialized Chip" developed by Dr. Vade.
His body had been reconstructed to be incredibly resilient, granting him steel-like defense, superhuman stamina, and a regenerative factor.
Taking inspiration from the "Winter Soldier" of the Marvel movies from his past life, Aeridar had ordered Chad to undergo constant hypnosis and brainwashing. He had lost all memory of his former life, becoming a perfect killing machine for the Chris Pirates.
However, the cost of creating such an obedient weapon was high, leading the researchers to focus on mass-produced models later on.
"Hm? Still standing?" Jack frowned. He knew how much power he had put into that blow. He had nearly pulverized the armor, yet the man inside seemed fine. It was unnatural.
Clink.
Jack reached for the two ivory-like ornaments on his head and shoulders. He drew them, revealing two strange weapons—straight near the hilt but curved like a scythe at the end. These were Shotel blades.
Whoosh—! CLANG!
The longsword and Shotel collided. The screech of metal on metal sent out ripples of intense wind. The stone tiles beneath their feet shattered instantly, sending long, jagged cracks snaking through the street.
"Haaaah!" Chad let out a low grunt, his expressionless face flushing red with effort.
CRACK!
Suddenly, the already damaged plate armor on Chad's body was shattered by a surge of invisible force. Dozens of metal fragments exploded outward like shrapnel, riddling the surrounding buildings and kicking up a curtain of dust.
"Berserk Mode!"
After the initial clash, Chad leapt back. His two-meter frame suddenly ballooned, his muscles swelling until he stood nearly three meters tall. The cold, assassin-like aura vanished, replaced by a savage, predatory energy.
Chad snatched his battle-axe from the ground. Armed with sword and axe, he charged forward like a fearless warrior.
CLANG!
Both weapons slammed into Jack's Shotels, erupting in a violent shockwave.
"Oh? His strength increased!" Jack was genuinely surprised. Originally, the man was easily blown away; now, he could actually hold his ground.
Jack didn't let it bother him for long. He held Chad's weapons in place with his right Shotel and swung his left blade down in a brutal arc.
BOOM!
Chad dodged just in time as the blade carved a deep trench into the earth. Chad stomped off the ground, vaulting high into the air, and brought his steel axe down toward Jack's head.
"Get lost!" Jack roared, swinging his weapon upward.
CLANG—!
There was a deafening explosion. The head of the axe was sheared off, spinning into the sky. Simultaneously, a spray of hot blood hit the pavement.
Chad crashed to the ground, his axe now nothing but a steel rod. A deep, bone-chilling gash ran across his chest.
In the next moment, Jack stomped down. His right leg transformed into a massive, thick elephant foot, slamming directly onto Chad's body.
BOOM!!!
The ground collapsed. The entire island seemed to shudder as a visible shockwave swept through the ruins.