Hank walked into the office with a flattering smile and pushed the door open. "Boss, it's me, Hank."
Su Xiao followed closely behind.
"Is it Hank? At least you know not to disturb my mood. So, what’s up?"
In the office sat a muscular man with a bare chest and a shiny bald head. His fierce aura made it clear that he was not someone to mess with.
"This is the new guy, Su Xiao, recommended by 'that person.' Here’s the recommendation letter."
The muscular man glanced at Su Xiao, took the letter, and casually tore it to shreds.
"The price was 200,000 Berries, but something big is about to happen, and the situation is tense, so now it's at least 400,000 Berries."
Su Xiao kept a smile on his face. He was still quite weak, so he had to hide his true feelings, even though he really wanted to shoot the muscular man and demand to know how many Berries he wanted.
He silently took out 400,000 Berries and placed them in front of the muscular man.
Su Xiao's straightforwardness raised an eyebrow from the muscular man.
"You're really someone from 'that side.' Generous right from the start. From now on, you’re part of the guard team. Remember to call me Boss or Sir."
Su Xiao continued to smile, but there was something eerie about it.
"Sure, Boss~."
Joining the guard team was a big step forward for his mission to assassinate the king.
Hank stood to the side, looking down at the floor, as if it had something fascinating on it.
In reality, he was showing an attitude, meaning he didn’t see his boss taking a bribe.
This situation showed just how chaotic the pirate world was. Only money mattered, and perhaps a higher position could also buy you what you wanted. But for Su Xiao, this was undoubtedly good news.
Berries didn’t mean much to him; what he lacked most was time. Problems that Berries could solve were not really problems for him.
[Tip: The Hunter has joined the Guard Team faction, causing a slight change in the plot, gaining 2.1% of the World Source.]
After leaving the office, Su Xiao received the standard gear for the guard team: a uniform and a flintlock gun.
In the warehouse, Su Xiao looked at the shabby flintlock gun in his hand, feeling a bit speechless, and turned to Hank.
"Hank, can I swap this for a better weapon?"
Hank looked troubled.
"Well... these are the designated supplies, and I..."
His hesitant tone made Su Xiao realize that Hank was trying to ask for a favor.
Without making a fuss, he slipped 30,000 Berries into Hank's pocket. Hank's expression changed, and he smiled widely.
"We're colleagues, so if you have any difficulties, we can discuss it. You can choose your weapon, but only one. That’s a rule no one can change."
Su Xiao put down the flintlock gun and started searching the warehouse. There were all sorts of weapons, and soon his gaze landed on a long knife.
The knife was over a meter long, about three centimeters wide, with a slight curve. It wasn’t as good as Su Xiao’s usual knife, but it was still a decent weapon.
"This one will do."
Su Xiao picked up the knife and sheathed it. As soon as he touched the long knife, a notification appeared.
"Hey, hey, you can take other weapons, but not this knife."
Hank's expression turned cold, as if he had completely forgotten about the 30,000 Berries.
"What did you say?"
Holding the long knife, Su Xiao turned his head to Hank, his eyes flashing with coldness. Always yielding would only make others see him as weak.
Hank noticed Su Xiao's gaze and was taken aback, feeling a chill in his heart.
This guy has killed before, and not just one person.
Hank struggled internally, wanting to confront Su Xiao, but the sight of Su Xiao holding a sharp blade made him wary.
"Hank, don’t mind this. We’re 'friends,' right?"
Su Xiao pointed the handle of the knife at Hank's chest.
It was either pay up and shut up, or Su Xiao would kill Hank right there. There were only these two choices because this long knife was very helpful for completing his mission.
And he wouldn’t give up something he had already obtained just because of a little threat.
Su Xiao believed that even if he killed Hank, as long as he bribed the muscular man enough, the guy would turn a blind eye.
"This matter is just between us. Consider this knife a friendly gift."
Hank patted Su Xiao's shoulder warmly. He had backed down, and the tense atmosphere in the warehouse dissipated.
"I just arrived in the capital today and need to learn a few things, so I’m definitely keeping this friend."
Su Xiao sighed inwardly. If he found this ordinary guard hard to deal with, what kind of enemies would he face when he got closer to the king?
The thrill of challenges made Su Xiao's heart race, and he felt a surge of excitement within him. He was starting to enjoy this feeling.
His warrior instincts were being awakened.
Su Xiao's firmness came from a reason; when he touched the long knife earlier, the notification from the system had appeared.
[Acquired Dragon Slayer Flash]
Dragon Slayer Flash (White, Rare)
Origin: Pirate King, Steel Furnace Blacksmith Shop
Durability: 35/40-5 (This weapon has suffered severe damage, durability -5.)
Attack Power: 5~16 (Based on the strength of the slash.)
Equipment Requirement: Strength 2 points to use, strength over 5 points for flexible use.
Rating: 10 (Note: White equipment ratings range from 1 to 10. A rating of 10 indicates 'Rare' and adds special attributes.)
Additional Attribute: Dragon's Majesty, while holding this weapon, it will have a fear effect on enemies. (Fear effect reduces enemy momentum.)
Description: This was once the side knife of the Dragon Slayer swordsman, Longma, in his youth. However, it suffered severe damage, and its grade dropped after recovery. Later, due to Longma obtaining the Black Blade, Autumn Water, this weapon was left in Longma's bedroom. After Longma's death, this weapon was not worthy enough to accompany him in burial, and it ended up lost.
Master, I’m almost rusted. Where are you? Please wield me to slay that giant dragon!
Price: 1,100 Paradise Coins (This item is a rule item and can be taken out of the Pirate World).
...
Longma was a powerful figure in the pirate world, and perhaps even the current world's number one swordsman, Mihawk, might not be stronger than him.
How could a strong warrior's side knife be weak? Su Xiao even suspected that if this Dragon Slayer Flash had not been damaged, it might have been a green or even blue weapon.
This was why Su Xiao was willing to confront Hank to get this knife.
Fortunately, they didn’t end up fighting. This false 'friendship' could last a while longer.
"You're lucky, kid. This knife was seized from a group of pirates. Besides me, very few know it's a treasure. If it weren’t for the fact that I don’t use knives and the strict rules in the warehouse about not choosing a second weapon, I would have taken it long ago."
Su Xiao smiled but didn’t say anything, just sheathed the Dragon Slayer Flash at his waist.
With the knife on him, his combat power increased significantly, which made him feel a bit more secure.
"Let’s go. Something big is going to happen in two days, and we can't afford to be idle."
Hank sighed, as if worried about something.
"What’s going on? Give me a hint so I can prepare."
"In half a month, the world noble Celestial Dragons will come to the Goya Kingdom for an inspection. So the day after tomorrow, we need to 'clean up' the scrap station!"
(End of Chapter)