"If he truly distinguishes himself in this battle," Magellan said, his tone low and commanding, "I'll report it directly to the World Government—and request a royal pardon."
"Warden… is that prisoner really that dangerous?" Domino asked.
"I'm not sure," Magellan admitted, his eyes fixed on the surveillance feed. "But we have no choice. Do everything you can to stop him."
Domino's expression hardened. She knew what that meant. The prison wasn't just under attack—this was a full-scale disaster.She saluted, turned on her heel, and strode out of the control room toward the sixth underground floor.
Meanwhile, on Shin Kawa's side—
The thunderous cheers of freed prisoners still echoed through the cavernous halls as he and his ragtag army of escapees stormed downward toward the Third Level: Hunger Hell.
This was the domain of monsters—criminals with bounties exceeding fifty million ryō. The air shimmered with unbearable heat rising from the inferno below, baking the walls and floor. The prisoners here were half-dead from heatstroke and starvation, their skin pale and eyes sunken.
But the moment they heard the chaos above—the sound of their captors being defeated—hope flickered.
By the time Shin Kawa arrived, their voices rose in wild, guttural cheers. To them, he wasn't just another inmate.He was salvation made flesh.
At the end of the blazing corridor stood Deputy Warden Hannibal, trident in hand, sweat gleaming on his round, painted face.
"Ah, our deputy warden himself?" Shin drawled, smirking. "What, Magellan too scared to face me, so he sent you to die in his place?"
"Watch your mouth, boy!" Hannibal roared, slamming his trident into the ground. The floor cracked beneath him, heat and dust erupting upward. "I came here personally to deal with you!"
Shin's grin widened. "Funny. The jailers behind you don't look nearly as confident."
He swept his gaze across the guards—men clutching spears with trembling hands, their faces pale under the wavering light.
The difference in morale was staggering.
Shin's side—men who'd already accepted death—were fearless. They had nothing left to lose.But the jailers? They wanted to live. And that hesitation was fatal.
Even Hannibal could feel the pressure shifting. If he didn't act now, his troops would break.
"Enough talk!" he barked, charging forward with surprising speed for his size. The trident gleamed in the dim light as it swung toward Shin's ribs.
But Shin was already gone.
A blur—then a crack of displaced air.
Suddenly he was beside Hannibal, fist drawn back.
Hannibal's instincts screamed. He turned, raising his trident just in time to meet the blow.
CLANG!
The sound echoed through the chamber like steel shattering. The impact forced both men back, dust swirling around their feet.
Shin's arms tingled from the shockwave. He's tougher than the others…
He was about to strike again—
Ding!The "Might Guy" Character Card has expired.Returning Host to original state.
"—What?!"
In an instant, Shin's power vanished. His chakra-like energy flickered out, his body suddenly heavy—as though his very soul had been yanked from him.
Hannibal blinked, momentarily confused. Then a slow, wicked grin crept across his face.
He lunged.
BOOM!
His steel-toed boot slammed into Shin's stomach, sending him flying backward like a cannonball.
The prisoners gasped. "Boss!"
They rushed forward, catching Shin before he could hit the ground. Blood spattered across his lips as he coughed violently, his body trembling.
Damn… lost my buff mid-fight. What timing.
From across the hall, Hannibal stood tall, twirling his trident like a victor savoring the crowd's awe.
"Well, well," he taunted. "So that's the great Shin Kawa? The so-called savior of the prison? Hah! Pathetic."
He turned slightly toward the surveillance camera on the wall and gave it a smug wink—knowing full well that Magellan was watching.
This was his moment.If he defeated Shin Kawa here, not only would he crush the rebellion, but he'd also claim the glory—and maybe even Magellan's job.
His smile twisted into something serpentine.
The morale shifted again. The jailers, moments ago terrified, erupted in cheers."The deputy warden's winning!""Kill the intruder!"
Meanwhile, the prisoners' hope began to falter.
If even Shin Kawa—the man who'd crushed Saludes and Satie—could fall, then what chance did they have?
"Looks like you're all bark, boy," Hannibal sneered. "Did you really think you could escape from my prison with those second-rate tricks? Once I've tied you up, I'll show you what real pain feels like!"
But Shin Kawa only smiled faintly, blood still glistening at the corner of his mouth.
"You talk too much."
His mind pulsed.
Ding!Character Card: "Might Guy" Activated.Remaining Uses: 1.
A torrent of energy exploded from his body. The heat of Hunger Hell seemed to bend around him, his aura flaring emerald and gold.
Shin wiped the blood from his lips and whispered, "Round two."
Then—he vanished.
The next instant, the world blurred as he launched forward, a green afterimage streaking through the air, straight toward Hannibal's stunned face.