"If he truly proves himself in this battle, I'll report it to the World Government. With enough merit, they might grant him amnesty," Magellan said with a heavy tone.
"That prisoner... is he really that terrifying?" Domino asked, eyes narrowing.
"I don't know, but I'll give everything to stop him."
Realizing the gravity of the situation, Domino nodded firmly and turned to head for Level Six.
Meanwhile, Qin Chuan, now hailed as a hero, descended to Level Three—Hunger Hell—with the prisoners freed from Level Two in tow. The sweltering heat and starvation here had long broken the spirits of the inmates. Many were notorious criminals with bounties exceeding 500 million Berries. The heat from Blazing Hell below scorched the air, and starvation left them half-alive.
But now, excitement surged through the prison. The clamor from above had already reached their ears, and when Qin Chuan and his crew stormed in, the entire level erupted in chaos. To them, Qin Chuan was more than a liberator—he was a force of nature.
There, standing like a gatekeeper, was Deputy Warden Hannibal.
Qin Chuan, calm and amused, stepped forward. "Well, well, Deputy Warden himself. Magellan didn't come? Sent you to die instead?"
"Hmph, don't talk nonsense!" Hannibal snapped, slamming his trident into the floor. Cracks split beneath his feet. "It's my duty to handle this personally!"
Qin Chuan glanced at the guards behind him, then smirked. "Funny. Your men look more terrified than fierce."
The contrast in morale was sharp. Qin Chuan's side fought like men with nothing left to lose—death didn't scare them anymore. But the jailers still clung to life. Fear was in their eyes. And after watching Saludes and Little Sadi fall, their will to fight was already shaken.
Even Hannibal knew the odds were against them. But time was not on his side. Roaring with fury, he charged at Qin Chuan with his trident.
Qin Chuan vanished in a flash.
The next instant, he was beside Hannibal.
But unlike Little Sadi, Hannibal's instincts kicked in. He raised his trident just in time.
Clang!
Fist met steel. The impact echoed. Despite his hardened body and reinforced combat skill, Qin Chuan's arm throbbed from the strike.
But just as he prepared to follow up—
Ding. The Mite Guy Character Card has expired. Host will return to original state. Please be advised.
The voice in his mind struck like thunder. His strength evaporated, and his body went limp.
Sensing an opening, Hannibal didn't hesitate. Without a second thought, he swung a brutal kick into Qin Chuan's stomach.
Boom!
Caught off guard, Qin Chuan flew backward and crashed into the prisoners behind him.
Shocked, they scrambled to catch him. Blood spurted from his mouth as they pulled him up. His body twisted in agony. That kick had done real damage.
Even Hannibal looked surprised. He hadn't expected to land such a clean hit. His eyes gleamed as he smiled and shot a glance at the surveillance Den Den Mushi—meant directly for Magellan watching from Level Four.
Hannibal's confidence soared. Initially, he hoped this riot would destroy Magellan's reputation so he could step in as Warden. But now, if he personally crushed Qin Chuan and put down the rebellion, he could prove his worth to the World Government and claim the title legitimately.
His lips curled into a wicked grin.
The tides shifted. The morale that once buoyed the prisoners plummeted. Qin Chuan had fallen. If he couldn't beat Hannibal, what hope did they have?
The jailers, once trembling, erupted in cheers. Their fear turned to ferocity.
"Looks like you're just a weakling after all. Thought you could break out of here with this level of strength? Once I beat you down and string you up, you'll beg for death!" Hannibal sneered, standing tall.
But Qin Chuan grinned through the blood on his lips.
In his mind, he issued a silent command.
Ding. Mite Guy Character Card reactivated. Remaining uses: 1.
As the system message rang out, strength surged back into his veins.
Energy flared.
Wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth, Qin Chuan launched himself forward, eyes locked on Hannibal.
The next round had begun.