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[Basic prayer order obtained]
[Order Description: Mage Cana wants to have a good drink, but she's short on money.]
[Order Requirement: A large quantity of fine wine]
[Basic Order Reward: Magic Card — The Fool's Temperance, 150 Trade Points]
[Order Time Remaining: 59 minutes 59 seconds]
"…The mage Cana? Could it be that woman?"
Abel vaguely remembered the name, though he wasn't entirely certain.
It didn't matter. What mattered was that he needed a large supply of good wine, and he needed it fast.
This time, quality and quantity would determine whether he earned a good rating. He understood that clearly.
But understanding was one thing — actually pulling it off was another.
He didn't even have 100 Berries to his name.
Which meant there was only one option: steal it.
Better a troublemaker who lives a thousand years than a good person who dies young.
Abel immediately tried to recall where he'd seen large amounts of alcohol.
His first thought was the local taverns — they definitely had what he needed.
The problem was that there were too many people around, making a clean theft difficult.
"This might be a problem…"
Just as he was planning his approach, a sudden burst of gunfire and explosions erupted ahead, followed by a crowd rushing toward him in panic.
"Pirates—pirates are fighting!"
"Run!"
Abel's eyes narrowed. "That direction is… the port?"
His instincts told him something major was happening.
After a moment of hesitation, he decided to investigate.
The best taverns were always located near ports, where sailors gathered. Amidst the chaos, he might find an opportunity.
He slipped around the edge of the fleeing crowd and headed toward the noise.
…
Half an hour earlier, the Giant Bear Pirates and the Hundred Swords Pirates had launched a surprise attack on the Donquixote Family's smuggling ship docked at the harbor.
The Donquixote crew was caught off guard, unprepared for such audacity. Before they could react, the attackers cut down many of them and forced the rest to retreat.
"Hahahaha! I told you — what Donquixote Family? They're just trash banded together like cowards!"
Black Bear Miles charged through the crowd wielding two massive hammers. No one could withstand a single blow, and his booming laughter echoed above the battlefield.
Lawrence the Silver Sword didn't believe this truly reflected the Donquixote Family's strength, but he wasn't about to ruin morale. He simply stayed alert.
So far, no real Donquixote officer had shown up. The fallen were merely low-ranked henchmen.
"They came here specifically targeting us. Hasn't Mr. Pink returned yet?"
"We already sent the signal. Just hold on — Mr. Pink will be back soon!"
"How dare they attack our family's ship! They're dead men!"
"Bring out all the remaining weapons and fight!"
"But… some of those haven't been delivered yet—"
"What time do you think it is? Forget the deal! Mr. Pink won't blame us when he hears about this!"
Bang!
Boom!
Boom!!
Although the two pirate crews had overwhelming numbers and initially held the advantage, the Donquixote crew was better armed.
Guns and artillery thundered continuously, stalling the attackers' advance.
Seeing the Donquixote line holding, Miles let out a deafening roar: "Follow me!"
He transformed again into a giant black bear, relying on that enormous size and thick fur to charge fearlessly through gunfire.
With their captain leading the assault, the Giant Bear Pirates surged forward.
The Donquixote crew, moments away from stabilizing, was thrown back into chaos.
Just when it looked like they would collapse entirely, a figure leapt out and planted himself in front of the charging Miles.
A man in a black suit, sunglasses, and slightly wavy hair hanging over his right forehead stood there, cigarette dangling casually from his mouth. Even as the giant bear barreled toward him, he remained utterly calm.
"Mr. Pink is back!"
"Be careful, Mr. Pink!"
To the shock of everyone present, the man braced himself — and stopped Black Bear Miles head-on.
"Impossible?!"
"Captain Miles's Black Bear Charge can break city walls, and that guy stopped it by himself!?"
The sight stunned both pirate crews.
"!!"
Even Miles stared in disbelief.
How was a man this small resisting him?
"To attack one of our family's ships while I was resting… truly despicable."
"What despicable—!? Go to hell!"
Enraged and humiliated, Miles swung both bear paws down in a double-handed smash, intending to turn this insolent man into pulp.
But Señor Pink's expression remained cool and detached.
A thunderous impact shook the ground, cracking it like a spiderweb.
Yet Señor Pink had vanished.
"Where—"
"I'm behind you."
Before anyone could react, Señor Pink appeared behind Miles and wrapped his arms around the bear's enormous torso.
Suplex—
Boom!!
Miles's massive body was lifted and slammed into the ground. His skull hit first.
The force made his vision go black — he nearly passed out.
His famed defense had been useless.
"Silver Light — Fall!"
Lawrence the Silver Sword, unable to hold himself back any longer, thrust forward.
Miles was too valuable to lose. If they had chosen to attack the Donquixote Family, there was no longer any turning back.
A streak of silver sword light dropped from above like lightning, aimed perfectly — right after Señor Pink had completed his attack.
The perfect timing. Nowhere to dodge.
"We got him!"
Just as Lawrence's blade was about to skewer Señor Pink's skull—
The man sank into the ground, disappearing before their eyes.