THUD!
The whip tore into Ashryn's back again.
Tears spilled freely now, pain ripping through flesh and bone. His back burned, muscles screaming as his body trembled—
but he didn't scream this time.
The world had already shown him its cruelty.
And it wasn't finished yet.
Another slave suddenly stood up, chains rattling as he roared,
"I'm not your slave, you damn scum!"
The Celestial Being's expression hardened.
He raised his gun.
BOOM!
The bullet pierced straight through the slave's heart.
The body collapsed lifelessly onto the deck.
"Any slaves who aren't useful," the Celestial Being said coldly,
"will die a miserable death."
Ashryn stared at the corpse, his entire body shaking to its core.
Those who are born lucky possess all the power…
Are our lives worthless?
Are these the kings unworthy of the throne—while the poor die for their sake?
His lips trembled as he murmured to himself,
"I hate the kings…
I hate royalties."
He forced himself to move, helping another man carry the heavy boxes.
Then—
A shadow loomed ahead.
V.D. agents froze, sweat dripping down their faces.
"It's the Ryuta Pirates…" one whispered.
"He's here—one of the most feared pirates… Ryuta Konan."
A loud, echoing laugh tore across the sea.
Ryuta Konan stood at the deck of his ship, coat fluttering wildly, his hat tilted as his hair danced with the ocean wind. His laughter alone felt like a challenge to the world itself.
The ship halted directly before them.
Rob Seius stepped forward, voice sharp.
"What do you want, Ryuta Konan?"
Ryuta grinned, teeth flashing like a beast.
"Free the slaves," he said calmly.
"Hand them over, you scum."
Rob Seius clenched his teeth.
A Celestial Being barked angrily,
"You damn pirate! Leave now, or we'll kill you!"
Ryuta's grin widened, his voice booming across the deck.
"Shut up—
before I kill everyone here."
Behind him—
Erik Traz tightened his grip on his sword.
Aphelander Moroso lit a cigarette, smoke curling lazily from his mouth as he sighed.
Shimura Toko laughed, tongue hanging out, eyes wild.
Ryuta laughed even louder.
Cold sweat ran down Rob Seius' spine.
"Darn you… Ryuta…"
He finally announced, voice stiff,
"We will hand over the slaves—right here and now. But you must return. By order of the Dominion, this is an exchange deal."
And so—
The chains were unlocked.
One by one, the slaves stepped aboard Ryuta Konan's ship.
Freedom, bought at gunpoint—
by the Devil King of the seas.