Chapter 20: The Conflict on the Prehistoric Island (Part 4)
Eric lay groaning on the ground, having just been slammed down during a sparring session meant to test how much his swordsmanship had improved. Unfortunately, his test partner had flattened him.
"Eric 's sword is sharper now," Akame observed calmly from the side.
"Sharper? But I haven't changed weapons…" Eric asked, puzzled.
"You've cut through some of the confusion in your heart. You're closer to the realm of cutting steel. Flying slashes are within reach. But 90% of swordsmen can't cross that threshold—they never become swordmasters," Chiron explained.
Eric , who knew full well he had just upgraded his stats via the system, didn't really understand all this talk. He could only nod like he got it.
'I only boosted my stats with a few clicks. Sure, I dream of strength and train hard, but I also fear death and pain. When faced with strong enemies, I hesitate, thinking "I'll challenge them once I'm stronger," which is really just an excuse. I don't have the courage or resolve to fight stronger opponents head-on. I'm the kind of guy who attacks the weak to feel strong. Only the mentally strong can become truly powerful. Maybe that's why Mihawk saw potential in Zoro…'
'But what's wrong with that? Isn't it normal to fear pain and death? This world's injuries hurt like hell, just like reality. Why should I suffer for nothing?'
Even after living here for 12 years and killing people in this world, Eric still treated it like a game—a unique game. His mindset hadn't truly shifted yet.
"But just now, I felt like I could use more of my strength," Chiron added, surprising Eric .
On the invisible system panel, Eric checked Chiron's stats:
[Constitution: 5.5 Stars]
[Martial Arts: 6 Stars]
[Archery: 7 Stars]
[Swordsmanship: 6 Stars]
[Armament Haki: 4 Stars]
[Observation Haki: 5 Stars]
[Devil Fruit: 4 Stars]
[Overall Combat Power: 6.5 Stars]
(Now unlocked to a 5-star cap due to player's stat increase)
'I only raised my Swordsmanship to 3 stars so both Constitution and Swordsmanship hit that level. Turns out just maxing one stat doesn't raise my companion's cap—two maxed stats are required to unlock higher potential. Got it.'
The pain from earlier was already forgotten.
"Master Chiron, could you defeat one of those giants now?"
Words had failed to stop the duel. Now it was time for physical intervention.
"Well… if I prepare ahead of time, I'd say I have an 80% chance of winning one-on-one. If we duel honorably, it's more like 60–40. I'm the 60."
'Guess their power level doesn't match their old bounty. After all, it's from 100 years ago. Especially when they used Sovereign Nation—back when Luffy had a 300 million bounty, he couldn't manage that kind of destructive power.'
"We'll challenge them directly, then. Warriors like them value honor and duels more than life. If they lose, they'll have no complaints."
"Understood, Captain," Chiron replied with a calm smile.
"Ahahaha, still training?" said "Red Ogre" Brogy, approaching with fresh game in hand.
"That's right. Brogy, I challenge you to a duel. The last one standing wins. Whoever is down for ten seconds loses. The victor may request one thing from the loser," Chiron declared.
Why ten seconds? Chiron had observed that even after collapsing, the giants could recover in minutes. As long as they weren't dead, their massive bodies could regenerate quickly. This rule gave him a clear win condition without having to kill.
"Ahahaha! You dare challenge the strongest warrior of Elbaf? I like your courage! I accept!"
Brogy grinned from ear to ear, then raised his axe and shield, ready to charge.
Chiron took the Heartlock Bow from his back. "Then let's begin."
"RAAAGH!"
Brogy leapt, his axe crashing down. Boom! The ground split open, dust flew, and a huge crater formed.
Chiron, without assuming his centaur form, still possessed incredible agility as a natural centaur. He evaded the blow completely, not even brushing the shockwave.
The forest gave Chiron perfect cover. With trees over ten meters tall, Brogy quickly lost sight of him. He wasn't used to opponents smaller than himself—his usual rival, Dorry, was equally massive.
"Direct hit!" Chiron called out, much like a medieval general shouting "Fire!" A flash of golden light zipped through the trees, piercing Brogy's side. Only a bit of the arrow's tail stuck out. It hadn't hit a vital spot—just a warning shot.
"Good shot!" Brogy praised. "But that won't stop me!"
As a warrior, he understood when his opponent was going easy—and he didn't like it.
Chiron emerged in the clearing by Brogy's hut, drawing his bow again.
"Fire. Ha!" he cried. Like a storm, dozens of arrows flew in rapid succession. Each one trailed Haki-infused energy. Some hit Brogy's shield, but others landed squarely on his body, and several exploded on impact.
Unlike Eric , Chiron had mastered Armament Haki. Enchanting his arrows was second nature.
"Ungh…"
Though the shield absorbed many shots, Brogy couldn't block everything. Haki-infused arrows pierced his stomach and legs, staining his skin with blood. He looked ragged—but far from defeated.
"Looks like I can't get close, archer," Brogy admitted. "Then try this! RAAAGH…"
He raised his axe, red energy crawling up the blade.
Eric 's eyes widened. 'Wait—isn't Sovereign Nation a combo move? How can one person use it alone?!'
He shouted, "Chiron! Watch out! That move's insanely strong! Dodge it!"
Chiron stood firm. Opposite him, Brogy's energy built to its peak. Eric was frustrated. 'Why don't characters attack during enemy charge-ups?! It's like they're stalling for drama! But fine—I trust my crew.'
As the red aura engulfed Brogy, he shouted and swung his axe downward.
The energy spiraled forward like a drill.
"Sovereign Nation!"
The slash carved a clean hole in the white Sea King skeleton behind Chiron. A trail of destruction followed—flattened trees, scorched grass, a straight line etched into the earth.
As the dust settled, Chiron's silhouette reappeared—battered, but standing. His Armament Haki had shielded him.
"You withstood it? Impressive!" Brogy acknowledged. Even as a warrior, he respected strength.
"My turn now."
Chiron's body shifted—his centaur form returned. His agility surged.
Boom!
His hooves smashed the ground, launching him at sonic speed, rings of air trailing behind him. "Ha!" he called out, circling Brogy and firing dozens of arrows, some without Haki—waiting for the perfect opening.
When Brogy turned his head just enough to expose his chin, Chiron narrowed his eyes.
'Aim for one point. Ha!'
He concentrated all his Haki into a single arrow and loosed it.
BOOM!
The arrow struck Brogy's jaw. His body froze, then slowly toppled to the ground.
(END CHAPTER)
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