Lister let out a long breath. He kicked the body off the chair, then swept his gaze around the captain's cabin. He opened Blood Hammer Henry's wardrobe, trying to find a set of clothes that fit. For a moment, the choices made his head spin. He searched the cabin for Henry's hidden stash and soon found a large amount of Beli and gold boxed up.
Without hesitating, Lister cashed in.
Physique: 1.1
Spirit: 1.2
Midas Index: 1.2
After all, three days ago they had just looted a wealthy‑looking merchant ship. Before that there might not have been much, but after that raid there certainly was.
"Just my luck."
"Golden Finger, convert all Midas Index into Physique."
Point allocation complete.
Account Holder: Lister
Physique: 2.3
Spirit: 1.2
Midas Index: 0
"My body's stronger again. This feeling is great." Lister closed his eyes, savoring the surge in strength. In high spirits, he lingered for a while, then glanced at the boxes of gold with a trace of regret.
"Shame my Golden Finger only devours Beli and not gold. Otherwise my Physique would probably have doubled again."
"Forget it, no need to force it. With a body twice the normal and the Swift‑Swift Fruit, I should be able to cut down everyone on this ship."
By now his speed easily exceeded a hundred meters per second. With his physique multiplied, he could sustain the fruit's power much longer. The Hammer Pirates numbered about forty‑odd men. In a straight brawl, it might still be a stretch.
As Lister was weighing things, he lifted a brow. He lowered his voice to a rasp. "Who is it?"
"Boss, it's me, Andrei!" The man outside sounded a bit drunk.
"Enter."
Andrei opened the door and stepped into the captain's cabin. In the next instant, Lister's dagger drove fast and true into the madman Andrei's chest, punching through his heart. He didn't die on the spot; he even lashed out with a reflexive punch. Lister didn't meet it head‑on. He flashed back several steps, opening distance.
Andrei's fist hit empty air. He turned and ran, shouting at the top of his lungs, "Men, the slave Lister has rebelled!"
In a clatter of feet, men converged from all sides. Lister didn't panic. Andrei, the likeliest troublemaker, was mortally wounded; even if he wasn't dead yet, he wouldn't last long.
Lister stepped out of the captain's cabin, grabbed the long katana resting nearby, and followed the trail of dripping blood. Two pirates rushed him almost at once.
"Damn slave, you dare betray the Hammer Pirates and wound Vice‑Captain Andrei—die!"
Snarling, both men hacked at him. Lister was faster and struck first despite moving second. As their blades rose high, two sprays of blood geysered out. The pair collapsed in confusion, full of disbelief, and died.
Stepping over the corpses, Lister faced another dozen pirates swelling into the corridor until it jammed with bodies.
"Brothers, kill him!"
"Kill!"
Whoosh—
Pft pft pft—
The Swift‑Swift Fruit didn't just speed up Lister's movement; his neural reflexes blazed as well. Every time, he dropped opponents before their blades could fall. Slash after slash. With speed and reaction a step ahead, he carved through the passage in under ten seconds.
The men behind seemed to grasp how terrifying he was, and that in a narrow corridor their numbers meant nothing. They fell back toward the deck. That suited Lister just fine. He didn't chase hard, strolling toward the open air.
Soon they had him ringed in, yet no one dared make the first move.
Lister smiled faintly. "Henry's been butchered by me. Andrei's heart is pierced and he's dying. Are you truly going to throw your lives away for them?"
"Simple. Submit to me," Lister said, voice low.
At that, quite a few were tempted, though worries remained.
"Lister, you used to be a slave. We all bullied you. If we submit, what if you settle old scores later?" one pirate asked.
"Don't take me for petty and vindictive. Aside from a few who must die, everyone else I can forgive," Lister said with a smile.
"A few who must die? Which ones?"