Penny cried for a long time before finally calming down.
Only then did she realize she had somehow ended up inside Davy's room.
The room was bare—just a single bed, a desk, and nothing else. The only sign of activity was the collection of broken blades scattered across the clean floor.
As she glanced around, she accidentally met Davy's gaze.
Like a startled deer, she immediately lowered her head, her eyes flicking nervously toward the closed door.
She had mentally prepared herself before coming…
But facing the moment for real, fear and revulsion still crawled up her spine.
"Done crying? If you're done, let's get to business."
She flinched at his voice.
The moment she lifted her head, Davy was already approaching.
Penny instinctively trembled, shrinking back.
Davy frowned at her excessive reaction and deliberately slowed his pace, stopping two meters away.
"Your body is extremely weak. Even under normal circumstances, girls have a natural disadvantage when it comes to physical training."
Penny immediately understood what he was referring to—
and the tiny hope she'd just gained began to crumble again.
"Is… is there a way?"
She forced herself to ask. Even her voice trembled.
Davy smiled faintly—pleased.
Finally willing to fight for her own future.
If someone didn't try to save themselves, no amount of outside help would matter.
"There is."
And conveniently, his recent discovery needed testing.
Helping her and benefiting himself—
why not?
"Really?"
Her head snapped up, and for one moment, the light in her eyes was so bright that even Davy paused.
Only those who had walked through despair could show such pure hope.
But Davy still needed to make this clear.
"But it carries risks. It could even be life-threatening."
"I'm not afraid."
Penny lifted her chest slightly, leaning forward.
"I have nothing left to lose."
A breath later, she slumped again, whispering in shame:
"B-but… I have nothing to repay you with…"
"We'll talk about repayment later. If you're willing to cooperate, I'll begin now."
When she nodded firmly, Davy reached out and grabbed—
pulling a cluster of green soul-flame—one of the pirate souls—into his hand.
Penny's eyes widened in shock.
Before she had time to process it, Davy's fingers curved like claws, lowering the blazing soul-flame directly toward her head.
Terrified, she squeezed her eyes shut.
But the burning agony she expected never came—
only a warm palm on her crown.
She blinked—only for a piercing, skull-splitting pain to erupt through her mind.
"Ah—!"
Penny collapsed, curling like a boiled shrimp on the floor, rolling desperately.
It felt like someone was stuffing her tiny mind with things that didn't belong—jam-packing a small jar until it cracked.
"Bear with it. You'll get used to it."
Davy knew the sensation well.
Maybe because he was the master of the Ghost Ship…
or because he was a transmigrator with fused souls…
he had never suffered as she did.
Sweat drenched Penny.
Her hair came loose, sticking to her flushed face.
Her veins bulged with effort as she writhed.
Finally, her pained gasps began to subside.
Her trembling eased.
Only then did Davy allow himself to relax.
When Penny opened her eyes, green sparks flickered across her skin like fireflies.
But just as she lifted herself—
Her expression twisted.
Bloodshot veins spread across her eyes.
"I'll kill you!"
She lunged like a rabid beast—
then froze mid-pounce, her face shifting to confusion and terror.
Davy instantly understood.
"Stay conscious!" he barked. "Those impulses aren't you. Treat it like a scene in a play—watch it, don't become it!"
Penny squeezed her eyes shut again, shaking violently.
Though she no longer screamed, the furrow in her brow showed the agony she was enduring.
After a long moment, she exhaled shakily and opened her eyes, her expression returning to normal.
"What… what was that?"
She whispered, clenching her fists, staring at her own body as if it belonged to a stranger.
"Attack me."
"Huh?"
Seeing he wasn't joking, she hesitated before throwing a punch.
Wind whistled.
Her blows were clean, sharp—and several times faster than before.
Davy blocked casually, letting her throw a few more before catching her fist.
"That's enough."
Though drenched in sweat and panting hard, Penny felt an exhilarating lightness—like her body had finally awakened.
"From now on, eat properly, recover your strength, and train with me."
With that, Davy reached forward and pulled the soul-flame out of her body.
Penny's legs gave out, and she knelt on the floor, trembling.
"You can go."
No gentleness, no soft tone—just a blunt dismissal.
But Penny looked at him with gratitude all the same.
"Thank you. I'll repay you—I swear it."
She bowed and staggered out the door—
"Kyah!"
A startled squeak came from outside.
Clara stood frozen, eyes darting between Penny's messy clothes, sweaty appearance, and trembling legs.
Her thoughts spiraled instantly.
"I—uh—the others finished moving things, so I came to tell you—
and I heard something—no! I mean I didn't hear anything!
I didn't see anything! I'm leaving! Keep doing—no, not doing—
I mean I saw nothing!"
She fled in chaos.
Penny blinked at her retreating back before turning red and glancing at Davy.
"She… seems to have misunderstood."
"Close the door."
His tone remained as flat as ever.
He had sensed Clara eavesdropping long ago.
He simply didn't care enough to explain.
If he really wanted secrecy, he had the Silent-Silent Fruit—
nothing would leak.
"I'll clear it up later," Penny said quickly.
"Otherwise you might not even be able to sleep tonight."
"As you wish."
Hearing his indifferent voice, Penny's lips naturally curved into a smile.
She closed the door gently and leaned against it for a moment—
Before walking away with light, blooming steps.
Inside the room—
The moment Davy sensed her aura fade, his cold expression melted.
He summoned the same soul-flame, excitement blazing across his face.
It worked.
The soul-flame could possess people.
And even more—
After possessing Penny,
the soul-flame had become… stronger.
A slight increase, but undeniably real.
Train subordinates…
Recover a portion of their experience…
Nurture soul-servants to grow stronger…
It was a perfect, effortless win–win deal.
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