[Battle rewards obtained: Strength +0.005, Speed +0.004, Stamina +0.005]
[After 100x cultivation effect amplification…]
[Host receives: Strength +0.5, Speed +0.4, Stamina +0.5]
Suddenly—
a crisp system notification echoed in Kai's mind.
Before he could react, a warm current surged through his body.
It coursed through his veins, bones, organs, and meridians, refining every part of him.
His body strengthened again.
Even if it was only a small increment, Kai could clearly feel the difference.
He clenched his fists.
The power flowing inside him was even more violent, even more overwhelming.
The sweetness of becoming stronger…
once again washed over him.
When the transformation ended, he opened his eyes sharply. A dazzling glint flashed across his pupils like a blade.
"What's wrong? Shocked silly?"
Lifting his head, Kai saw Ace standing frozen, wide-eyed, as if lost in a trance. Kai couldn't help but chuckle, teasing.
"Snap out of it, idiot."
Ace blinked rapidly, like he had woken from a dream.
He reflexively touched his neck.
"Don't bother looking. He's unconscious," Kai said lightly, knocking Ace on the forehead with a finger.
"Phew…"
Ace let out a long breath, wiping the sweat from his brow. His face, pale with fear, slowly regained color.
Just moments ago, he was certain he was dead.
He had braced himself for the end, wondering how Kai could possibly save him.
But he hadn't expected…
Kai would simply crush the threat with an invisible wave of power.
No effort.
No hesitation.
Just absolute dominance.
"That… that was Conqueror's Haki, wasn't it?" Ace whispered, his voice trembling with awe and yearning.
Kai's eyes flickered. Then he smiled and nodded.
"Correct. The power said to belong to only one in a million—the qualification of a king."
Ace's eyes widened.
"As I thought… you really are a monster, Kai."
"Don't be discouraged. You've got the same potential," Kai said calmly, walking to his side.
"The difference is… I awakened it earlier than you. Yours is still dormant. One day, when the time comes, it'll awaken naturally."
"Me too… I also have the potential of a king?"
Ace's fists clenched tight, his heart pounding.
His mind filled with the image of himself—standing like Kai had, knocking down an entire army with nothing but his will.
Just the thought made his blood boil.
"Don't get ahead of yourself." Kai smacked him lightly on the head again.
"You're just a kid. Think you can awaken Conqueror's at three years old? Keep dreaming."
Ace wanted to retort—You did!
But looking at Kai, he swallowed his words.
Because this guy wasn't normal.
He wasn't human.
He was a monster.
Kai laughed heartily. "I'm different from you. On this sea… only I am truly special."
Their banter eased Ace's lingering fear.
Still shirtless, Kai shook off the blood on his body. His Ghost Back, all muscle and might, gleamed under the sun. The faint stench of blood that clung to him only made him more intimidating, like a beast reeking of slaughter.
Kai's gaze sharpened.
"How did it feel, Ace? Having a knife pressed against your throat? Must have been fun."
Ace lowered his head.
His voice was heavy.
"…At that moment, my mind went blank. I couldn't think, couldn't resist. My life was completely in someone else's hands."
"The helplessness… made me realize just how weak I am."
Kai studied him quietly.
It was a harsh lesson—but a good one.
Now Ace had a goal, a back to chase.
"That moment… I understood just how far apart you and I really are," Ace admitted bitterly.
Later, Kai handed him a dagger and pointed at one of the unconscious bandits.
"This one almost killed you. The question is… do you have the guts to finish it?"
Ace trembled.
His face went pale.
But in the end—
he stabbed the blade into the bandit's heart.
Blood spurted.
The man's body went limp, lifeless.
Ace staggered back, shaking, his face ashen.
Kai placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Not bad. For your first time, you did well."
Unlike himself, who had felt a savage thrill when he first killed, Ace's body trembled with shock.
But that was fine.
Ace wasn't him.
"Rest a bit. I'll clean up the rest."
Half an hour later—
with both fists dripping fresh blood, Kai stood tall.
The last bandit's skull had been crushed in his grip.
The 300-man bandit clan… was completely annihilated.
Not a single survivor.
Kai dragged the corpses together, piling them high.
Then he set them ablaze.
The flames roared.
Black smoke rose into the sky.
Bones crackled as they shattered in the fire.
When it was done, he returned to Ace's side.
"Let's go."
Together, the two walked away, leaving the inferno behind them.
The blaze roared like a funeral pyre, consuming three hundred lives.
After walking for a while, the two stopped and turned back.
Behind them, the flames painted the sky red.
Kai's eyes narrowed.
"Ace… get stronger. Strive to chase my back."
"Don't let me leave you too far behind."
He patted Ace's shoulder, speaking with rare gravity.
That day—
the monstrous power Kai displayed carved itself deep into Ace's heart.
"This… this is what it means to be strong," Ace whispered.
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