"Get up!!"
Daren burst out laughing wildly. His muscles tensed, and both arms exploded with rocket-like force, blasting aside the weapons of the two giants.
Strength +0.07!
It moved!
His long-stagnant "Strength" attribute finally stirred again!
Amid the roaring winds, a crazed smile spread across Daren's face, his muscles swelling visibly.
His judgment had been right!
Attributes like strength and speed, much like "Physique," could steadily grow stronger—as long as he found the right "teachers."
And when it came to raw power, what better teachers were there across this vast sea than the Giants?
"Who wants your approval, little punk!"
Brogy roared, his bloodshot eyes glaring fiercely.
Gritting his teeth, he threw aside the giant round shield in his left hand and gripped his battle axe with both hands.
With a thunderous roar, the muscles in his arms twisted and bulged like coiled ropes, writhing like giant dragons.
His skin darkened to a deep red, and thick veins rose across his body, as he summoned every ounce of his strength!
He struck again!
"Hahahaha! Big guys, you've been stuck on this island for too long! You have no idea how much the world outside has changed!"
Daren charged forward, his face lit up with wild, unrestrained excitement.
"The day you finally step off this island, you'll understand! Out there, there are countless warriors who would fight, bleed, and even rip off their own arms just to earn my recognition!"
Boom!!
The massive and tiny figures clashed again, the impact echoing like a meteor slamming into the earth.
Ripples of shockwaves spread endlessly across the land, flattening forests and bending trees across kilometers.
Under the pressure of this terrifying aura, countless ancient beasts on the island howled in terror and fled in every direction.
"I don't believe it! You're just a little brat!"
"I could crush you with one foot!"
Brogy roared furiously, feeling Daren's strength—equal to or even greater than his own—before turning his head and shouting,
"Come help me!!"
Dorry finally snapped out of his shock. Abandoning his shield, he gripped his massive sword with both hands and charged at Daren!
And so, on this ancient island, a fierce battle unfolded.
Two towering giants, as colossal as mountains, attacked the "little guy" with overwhelming force, shaking the earth and forests like turbulent waves.
Yet that "tiny" figure showed no intention of dodging or evading. Instead, with a wild, crazed expression, he met their attacks head-on, clashing against them with pure strength.
Boom!
Strength +0.08!
Boom!
Strength +0.12!
Boom!
Strength +0.14!
With each impact, Daren could clearly feel his muscles, bones, and even his heart's contractions steadily growing stronger!
His heartbeat quickened, pounding with powerful, unstoppable force, like an engine running at full throttle.
He even felt a strange illusion—as if a mysterious, unprecedented power was being forged within him, slowly taking shape under the relentless hammering of the two giant captains.
It was as if a monstrous beast from ancient times was awakening deep within his body!
One minute, five minutes, ten minutes, half an hour,
…
"Hahahaha, that feels good!"
Amid the billowing clouds of dust, the figure of the Vice Admiral was flung backward, his entire body caked in mud and grime as his feet carved a deep trail dozens of meters long across the ground.
Gasping for breath, he lifted his head and looked toward the two giants in the distance, who were also panting heavily. Raising a hand, he wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth.
Although the two giants hadn't used Haki in their attacks, for fairness' sake, Daren had likewise refrained from using his devil form.
Relying solely on his "Indestructible Body," he had managed to endure the blows. While the giants hadn't completely broken through his defenses, the overwhelming, crushing force still left Daren dazed, a salty tang seeping into his mouth.
"Daren, you little brat, why don't you dodge or fight back!?"
Brogy stared at the tiny figure in the distance and suddenly shouted.
He was panting like a waterfall, and the heavy evaporation of sweat caused white steam to rise from his body.
Even someone as rough as Brogy could sense something was off.
This guy... wasn't even trying to attack!
His speed clearly far exceeded what the two of them could catch, yet he didn't dodge, didn't counterattack, didn't take advantage of their missed strikes.
Instead, he charged straight in like a fool, crashing head-on into their blows.
This reckless, straightforward feeling... If it weren't for the fact that the little guy was undeniably human, they would have thought they were fighting a fellow Elbaph warrior!
"Dodging is for cowards."
Daren spread his arms wide and grinned.
"Elbaph warriors never dodge!"
"Real men fight head-on!!"
"For the glory of Elbaph, I will not use Haki, I will not dodge, I will not retreat... I'll fight until the very end!!"
The moment the words left his mouth, Dorry and Brogy froze.
A brilliant, blazing light erupted in their eyes as they stared intently at Daren.
"Kabababa!"
"Good!"
"You truly possess the glory of a warrior!"
"I admire you!"
Daren's declaration struck them straight in the heart, making their bodies tremble uncontrollably.
He understood it completely!
He had voiced their innermost beliefs!
Yes! This was the great spirit of Elbaph warriors!
Dorry and Brogy's faces flushed with excitement, their hands clutching their weapons shaking with emotion.
If this guy weren't human, they would have dragged him off to swear brotherhood on the spot!
"In that case..."
The two exchanged a glance. The years of fighting side by side—and against each other—gave them perfect tacit understanding. In that moment, they made a shared decision.
"Daren, we acknowledge you too!"
"For the glory of Elbaph, we will now unleash our strongest move!"
"Get ready..."
They stared fiercely at Daren, their voices carrying a faint hint of concern and warning.
"Once we unleash this move, even we won't be able to control it."
"Its power... is beyond even our imagination!"
"Are you ready?"
Ready...
Daren glanced at his "Strength" stat.
Strength: 89.219!
Just a little more...
Just a little more to break through the 90-point mark!
"Then..."
He took a deep breath and stepped forward.
His spirit burned bright.
"Of course!!!"