Chapter 10: The Horns of Dilemma and the Pheromone Pirate part-2
"That is what the government wants you to think," Rick whispered conspiratorially. "But I have a medical degree from... uh... Sniper Island. I can help you. But we need privacy. My ship is docked just down the coast. It has a heated therapy room."
Elara felt dizzy. The pink mist was subtle, smelling like lavender and expensive cologne. Her instincts told her this man was strange, but her mind felt fuzzy, like she had drunk too much warm sake. "Well... if it is for my health... maybe I should..."
Rick grinned. His teeth were whitened to an unnatural degree. (Too easy,) he thought. (This Devil Fruit is the best cheat ever. Who needs to fight Yonkos when you can build a harem in the Blues? Once I get her on the ship, the 'implication' will do the rest.)
He reached out to take her hand. "Come on, doll. Let us go save your life."
BOOM!
The tavern door did not just open; it exploded inward. Splinters of wood flew across the room, embedding themselves in the far wall. The patrons screamed and dove under their tables.
Standing in the doorway, framed by the swirling snowstorm outside, was Dalton. He had reverted to his human form—a towering, muscular man with a square jaw and a face that looked like it was carved from granite. He was breathing heavily, his breath visible in the cold air.
"Elara!" Dalton shouted.
Rick jumped, his sunglasses sliding down his nose. "Whoa! What is this? The Yeti calling for his mate?"
Elara blinked, the sudden noise cutting through the fog in her brain for a moment. "Dalton? Why did you break the door? We have a handle."
Dalton marched into the room. He did not look at the other patrons. His eyes were locked on Rick.
(Okay, Dalton,) Ethan coached. (Don't just punch him yet. He hasn't technically attacked you. We need to expose him. Ask him about his medical credentials. Make him look stupid.)
"Who is this man, Elara?" Dalton demanded, stopping at their table. He loomed over Rick, casting a shadow that swallowed the pirate whole.
"This is Doctor Rick," Elara explained, though she sounded unsure. "He says I have Frozen Heart Syndrome."
Dalton raised a thick eyebrow. "Frozen Heart Syndrome? I have lived on this island my entire life. I have never heard of such a thing. And I have read the Royal Medical Archives."
Rick stood up. He was tall, but Dalton was huge. Rick tried to maintain his cool. He pumped more pink mist into the air. "It is a rare disease from the West Blue, big guy. You wouldn't understand. It is very scientific. Quantum biology, actually."
The pink mist drifted toward Dalton.
(Hold your breath! Actually, don't worry, the 'Stubborn Ox' perk is active. Just breathe it in and look unimpressed. It will freak him out.)
Dalton inhaled deeply. He smelled the lavender. He smelled the cologne. He looked at Rick with zero change in expression.
"You smell like a brothel in a flower shop," Dalton stated flatly.
Rick's eyes widened behind his shades. (What? My Pheromone Mist isn't working? Is his Willpower that high? Or is he just too stupid to be seduced?)
"Hey, watch your mouth, pal," Rick sneered, stepping out of the booth. "I am trying to save your lady friend here. You should be thanking me. In fact..."
Rick activated his System skill: [Voice of Command].
"You should leave," Rick said, his voice laced with a supernatural echo. "You are tired. You want to go sleep in a snowbank. Go."
The patrons in the tavern glazed over. "Yeah... sleep in snow..." one drunk muttered.
Dalton stared at him. He blinked once.
"I am not tired," Dalton said. "And I sleep in a bed. Like a person."
(Hahaha!) Ethan laughed in the background. (His mind control is bouncing off your dense skull like pebbles off a tank. This is beautiful. Now, grab his shoulder. Apply pressure. The 'Friendly Squeeze'.)
Dalton reached out a massive hand and clamped it onto Rick's shoulder.
"You are hurting my fiancée's ears with your nonsense," Dalton said.
Rick winced. His shoulder felt like it was in a hydraulic press. "Ow! Hey! Unhand me! I am a Captain! I have a bounty of five million berries!"
"Only five million?" Dalton asked, genuinely unimpressed. "The bandits in the mountains are worth eight."
The tavern went silent. That was a burn colder than the blizzard outside.
Rick's face turned red. His ego, fragile as it was, shattered. "You mocking me, you oversized cow? I was going to be nice, but now I'm going to turn you into a rug!"
Rick reached into his jacket and pulled out a flintlock pistol. But this wasn't a normal pistol; it was a "System Item"—a [Love-Love Blaster]. It shot pink energy beams that made targets fall in love with the first thing they saw.
"Eat love, you beast!" Rick screamed, pulling the trigger.
ZAP!
A beam of pink heart-shaped energy shot toward Dalton's chest.
(Dodge! Wait, no—deflect! Use the serving tray on the table!) Ethan commanded.
Dalton didn't question it. He grabbed a metal tray that had held a roasted turkey leg just a second ago and held it up like a shield.
PING!
The pink beam reflected off the shiny metal tray. It bounced at a forty-five-degree angle and hit the tavern owner, a large, bearded man named Olaf, right in the chest.
Olaf blinked. His pupils turned into hearts. He looked at the first thing in his line of sight.
It was Rick.
"Oh, you beautiful angel," Olaf boomed, his voice thick with sudden, unnatural affection. He climbed over the bar, knocking over bottles. "Come here and let Olaf hold you!"
Rick's jaw dropped. "What? No! Stay back!"
Olaf, who was six feet five and built like a barrel, charged at Rick with open arms. "Give me a kiss, you shiny man!"
Rick shrieked. "Get away from me! System! Cancel effect! Cancel effect!"
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