Night fell at the inn.
Gurd sat by the window, flipping through the list of participants sent by the organizers. Many names on it were familiar to him.
One in particular caught his interest.
The giant—Hajrudin!
In recent years, Hajrudin had been quite active, leading a few companions as mercenaries across various battlefields, earning quite a reputation.
"This is the one!"
Gurd made up his mind.
Not just Big Mom—every faction coveted the power of the giants, even the World Government. The Marines had no shortage of giant vice admirals.
If he could recruit a giant into the Beasts, Big Brother Kaido would surely be pleased. And with the racial advantage alone, Hajrudin would be more than qualified to join the Flying Six.
Gurd set down the list and turned his gaze to the thin, timid girl standing in the center of the room, dressed in rough burlap.
The girl was about two meters tall, with pink hair and a rather pretty face—though she was far too skinny, her chest practically nonexistent, like two screws twisted into a steel plate.
Severely malnourished.
Yet within such a frail frame lay astonishing strength. With proper training, she could become a decent fighter.
But what interested Gurd wasn't her combat potential—it was her identity as a former Celestial Dragon slave. He remembered that slaves were usually skilled at household chores.
He happened to need a maid. He wondered if this girl could handle it.
Gurd studied her.
"What's your name?"
"Chikara."
Chikara forced a stiff smile, her small hands fidgeting nervously, clearly overwhelmed with fear.
She already knew this man had bought her. He was her new master now. Her life belonged to him.
Don't cry. Smile.
If she cried, she'd be killed.
Gurd gave a slight nod.
"Take off your clothes."
"..."
Chikara shuddered, her trembling hands gripping the hem of her clothes—not out of shyness, but sheer terror of death.
If her master saw that mark, she'd surely be sent back.
Or worse, killed.
"Master, my body is... unsightly."
"Take. It. Off."
Gurd's tone left no room for negotiation.
Trembling, Chikara closed her eyes in fear and stripped off her filthy clothes, revealing a body covered in scars.
Not a single inch of her was unharmed.
Gurd examined the wounds, imagining the suffering the girl had endured. Stussy had also shared some details about her.
To maximize profits, the Arena would let Chikara fight until she was half-dead before allowing her to counterattack.
Such was the life of a slave.
Worse than a pet.
Gurd stepped behind Chikara and lifted her pink hair, confirming what he expected to find.
The Celestial Dragon's Hoof!
For anyone else, the sight of this mark would be enough to scare them to death. Possessing a Celestial Dragon's slave was a grave crime.
Gurd pointed toward the bathroom and a fresh set of clothes on the table.
"Wash yourself and change."
"Yes, Master."
Chikara snatched the clothes and fled into the bathroom like a startled animal. In the warm water, she curled into a ball, fighting back tears.
He'd seen it.
She knew all too well what that meant.
Before long, Chikara returned to Gurd in her new clothes, nervously tugging at her skirt to keep it from riding up.
Her butt was about to show.
"So fragrant~~"
The girl sniffled, her gaze drawn to the steaming chunks of meat on the table as she swallowed hard.
"Grrrrr~~~"
Her belly protested loudly.
Gurd sat at the table writing something without looking up as he commanded.
"Eat all of this."
"Yes, Master!"
A resolute response!
Chikara pounced onto the table, grabbed a large bone-in meat chunk and took a huge bite, then lifted the ale to chug it down.
She would eat her fill before dying!
In less than thirty seconds, the girl had licked the plate clean until it shone, wearing a genuinely satisfied smile.
She had no regrets left in life.
Seeing the girl finish her meal, Gurd handed her the sorted bill and asked, "Can you read?"
"Mhm."
Chikara nodded vigorously.
Gurd nodded and pointed at the bill.
"Good, let's settle accounts. I spent 20 million Berries to buy you, meaning you now owe me 20 million Berries . But since I bought you to make money, the price must be doubled."
"Huh?"
Chikara's mouth formed an 'O' shape.
Gurd continued calculating.
"20 million doubled is 40 million. Let's round it up—you owe me 100 million Berries , with an annual interest rate of 30%."
"From now on, any prize money you win from fights or treasures you plunder will be split 30-70 as per tradition—30 for you, 70 for me."
"If you can work, I can also pay you a monthly wage, the amount depending on the job you do."
"Once you've repaid this debt, I'll grant you freedom. Understood?"
Freedom after repaying the money?
Chikara nodded blankly.
Gurd smiled. "Good, then sign here. The contract is in duplicate—you'll keep one copy."
"..."
Chikara's mind went blank as she signed mechanically like a puppet, clutching her copy of the contract to her chest.
Large teardrops gathered in her eyes.
Don't cry. Smile.
Gurd was pleased with the girl's reaction.
For a slave, freedom was an irresistible temptation.
If he didn't dangle this carrot, how could he motivate his employees to work hard for him? He couldn't have them slacking off.
A positive mindset was crucial.
With this newfound motivation, the girl might grow rapidly into a rare combat asset—and earn him even more money.
Heh heh heh~~~
"By the way, show me your combat form from the Arena."
"Master—"
"Call me Lord Gurd."
"Lord Gurd, I..."
Chikara fidgeted nervously.
"I don't know how to fight! I-I only know how to clean! I'm amazing at mopping floors! I can scrub toilets too! I'm great at all kinds of housework!"
"..."
Gurd's eyes turned icy, murderous intent radiating.
"Do I need to beat you up first?"
"Eh?!"
Chikara felt the bone-chilling killing intent, as if plunged into an abyss. This sensation of imminent death was her first experience of it.
Only terror remained in her heart!
Under the fear of death, the girl's eyes glowed red as her rationality faded.
"GRRRROOOOAAARR!!!"
A beast-like roar!
Chikara had completely transformed—red eyes blazing, muscles tensed, limbs nearly twice as thick.
Chikara (Power) Form!
That savage, beast-like aura, those predatory maddened eyes, coupled with her sharply defined, heavily-muscled physique.
She might as well have "INVINCIBLE" written across her face.
Gurd remained silent for a few seconds before withdrawing his killing intent. He reached out and pressed his hand against the girl's head, applying slight pressure with his fingers. Instantly, the girl reverted to her original timid, helpless, and pitiful state.
Release killing intent!
"Ooooh!!!"
Head pat!
"Eeep~~"
Release killing intent, then head pat.
"Ooooh!!!"
"Eeep~~"
After repeating this several times, Gurd finally confirmed that Chikara wasn't lying to him. This girl really did have an inner personality like the Hulk.
But it required danger as a trigger.
"Tomorrow, you're going to fight in the ring to pay off your debt!"
(End of chapter)