"Did you hear? Some kid stormed the Dog-Dog Pirates' headquarters alone—killed a bunch of people and still walked out alive."
"I heard too. Even their captain, Joya, couldn't keep him there. What was that kid's name again?"
"Hermes Jormungandr. A pirate hunter."
"If it were our Octopus Pirates getting provoked like that, we'd have dealt with it already. Looks like the Dog-Dog Pirates are finished."
As soon as daylight broke, the entire town exploded with gossip.
All eyes were on the spectacle.
Hermes had made a name for himself—but the Dog-Dog Pirates had lost all face. Joya was so furious his injuries worsened from sheer rage.
By noon, the Dog-Dog Pirates released a message:
Anyone who spotted Hermes and reported it would receive 100,000 beli.
They were desperate.
At the same time, pirate crews hostile to the Dog-Dog Pirates quietly hoped Hermes would join them.
Under the surface, the town was seething.
One day passed.
Two days.
Ten days.
Hermes never appeared.
He was neither found nor seen.
Joya grew more and more unstable. In his mind, Hermes had probably already left Mayute Town.
And that made it worse.
How was he supposed to wash away this humiliation?
"Still nothing? Those bastards outside have been laughing at us for ten straight days!"
Inside the headquarters, the Dog-Dog Pirates were fully assembled. Joya sat at the head, barely restraining his fury.
"Captain… that kid may have already left Mayute Town."
"He must be afraid of us."
"He ran."
"Search the surrounding towns. I don't care how far. Kill that brat at all costs. And spread the word—anyone who provides his location gets one million beli."
Joya ground his teeth.
"One… one million beli?!"
Some pirates swallowed hard.
That amount was enough to return home and become a local tyrant—no more risking your life at sea.
Others thought even bigger.
With that money, they could recruit men and start their own crew.
As news spread, many pirate crews marveled at Joya's extravagance.
All this—just for the whereabouts of a single kid.
That was how it worked in the underworld.
When you're out here, reputation matters.
"Heh. One million beli?"
On the rooftop of a house, Hermes bit into a piece of bread, listening to the chatter below. He brushed his bangs aside, expression faintly displeased.
That was all he was worth?
Still, it didn't matter.
His real stage lay ahead. For now, he was just clearing the beginner zone.
"My injuries are healed… time to wipe out the Dog-Dog Pirates."
Pushing off the roof, Hermes leapt down. Midair, he shrank to five millimeters, bounding away through the streets—his destination clear.
The Dog-Dog Pirates' headquarters.
Joya had been on edge these past days, dispatching men to nearby towns.
If he didn't kill Hermes, that knot in his heart would never untie.
Even the widow next door had never occupied his thoughts like this.
"Damn that brat…"
He downed another mouthful of strong liquor.
Suddenly—
A familiar scent reached his nose.
That smell.
Joya looked up.
A figure stood boldly atop a roof beam, looking down like a king gazing upon a subject—eyes filled with contempt and indifference.
From the very beginning, Hermes had never intended to hide.
Joya's nose was too sharp for that.
Besides, Hermes had pride.
Against an opponent of equal strength, he disdained sneak attacks.
Unless the enemy outclassed him completely.
"Brat."
Strangely, Joya wasn't furious.
Hermes leapt down lightly, landing before him. White shirt, black trousers—simple, clean, composed.
"You've got guts."
"One million beli, plus your dog head—thirty-nine million in total. You don't mind if I take it, do you?"
"That depends on whether you're capable."
Hermes's arrogance chilled Joya's gaze.
His body expanded, shifting into his hybrid beast form. Sharp claws extended, glinting coldly.
An oppressive pressure filled the room.
Hermes tensed, breathing low, eyes locked on Joya.
When the killing intent peaked—
Both charged at once.
Slash!
A flash of claws aimed for Hermes's neck.
Hermes shrank instantly, dodging—then expanded to five meters, a prepared Finger Pistol driving straight for Joya's vitals.
But Joya had anticipated this. His initial attack already included a sidestep.
Hermes's strike missed.
At the same moment, Joya's tail whipped toward him with a shrill howl.
Danger.
Hermes shrank again.
As if expecting it, Joya spun midair, sweeping across the predicted landing point.
The hit connected—but not as expected.
At five millimeters, Hermes had latched onto Joya's pant leg, dispersing most of the force.
Before Joya could react, Hermes expanded to five meters, seized Joya's leg, and hurled him.
BOOM!
The ground within five meters cracked, fractures spiderwebbing outward. Joya spat blood, barely regaining balance—
Only to lose it again.
Hermes grabbed his foot and executed a brutal shoulder throw.
At the critical moment, Joya's tail coiled around Hermes's neck.
As Joya slammed into the ground, he flung Hermes away as well.
Furniture shattered. Hermes crashed into the wall, coughing up blood as he slid down.
"Captain!"
Pirates outside heard the commotion—but were stopped.
"No one enters without my order."
"Captain—is that kid here?!"
"I won't say it again."
Joya stared at Hermes, his voice low and vicious.
"Yes, sir!"
The pirates exchanged glances and backed off. A furious Joya was terrifying.
"Good," Joya said coldly. "Now we can be sure. Only one of us walks out alive today."
He didn't want interference. He wanted Hermes dead—by his own hands.
"Then let's enjoy it."
Hermes cracked his neck, joints popping.
Joya's choice earned respect.
A real man.
"Kill!"
The clash resumed.
Joya blurred forward. Hermes, still five meters tall, punched head-on against the claws—
and was forced backward, smashing into the wall again.
In raw power, he lost.
Crack.
A strand of hair drifted down. Hermes shrank at the last instant.
Three claw marks gouged the wall behind him. He'd nearly died.
Using the opening, Hermes planted one hand and swept his leg.
Joya leapt high, then stomped down toward Hermes's head.
Too fast.
Hermes rolled desperately, flipping twice to escape.
A massive footprint cratered the ground, cracks spreading outward.
One direct hit would've stripped him alive.
No words followed.
They collided again.
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