Chapter 458: Careless Pit!
Feng Yue finally sighed and sat down, folding his arms.
"Captain Ryuunosuke, what exactly did you want to ask?"
Ryuunosuke, however, seemed entirely uninterested in talking. His golden eyes were fixed on the fierce battle raging outside the barrier between Jin and Keshia.
He had never seen either of them fight before, and watching now only confirmed how right his instincts had been.
Keshia isn't weak at all.
Before this, his judgment of her strength had been uncertain—especially after hearing about the time Krulu Busulud ambushed her, leaving her immobile. But now, seeing her hold her ground against Jin's relentless offense, he threw away every preconception he'd had.
She wasn't just strong. She was terrifyingly strong—someone who hid her full power far deeper than she let on. Underestimating her would've been a grave mistake.
"Captain Ryuunosuke…" Feng Yue spoke again, but Ryuunosuke didn't respond.
"Oh, right," Ryuunosuke said finally, flashing a grin. "Sorry, I forgot you were still here."
Before Feng Yue could retort, Ryuunosuke clapped his hands together. "Do you want sunflower seeds or peanuts? I've got juice, soda, and—well, there's wine, but it's a bit early for that. How about watermelon?"
Without waiting for a reply, Ryuunosuke waved his hand. In an instant, a small table appeared beside them, loaded with snacks and drinks.
For a fight of Jin's level, this wasn't going to end quickly—and with his barrier, the Twilight Veil, shrouding them, no one outside could see what they were really doing.
Which meant… it was the perfect time for a snack.
Ryuunosuke leaned back in his chair, cracking open some melon seeds like a spectator at a coliseum.
"Want some?" he asked casually, sliding the bowl toward Feng Yue.
Feng Yue hesitated, completely thrown off. He had expected this barrier to serve as a cover for exchanging information—so the two could talk in secret without being detected.
But instead, Ryuunosuke had trapped them inside… just to watch the fight more comfortably.
"This guy…" Feng Yue muttered under his breath, reluctantly taking a handful of seeds.
Meanwhile, Jin and Keshia clashed violently outside. The air trembled under the force of their blows, waves crashing upward in sheets of spray.
Feng Yue frowned slightly, guilt stirring in his chest. Jin's out there fighting his heart out, and I'm in here eating snacks with the enemy. What am I doing?
"How are those five-spice seeds?" Ryuunosuke asked suddenly, interrupting his thoughts.
"They're… fine," Feng Yue said slowly, still chewing. "Though I'm not much of a snacker."
"Then have some fruit," Ryuunosuke said, sliding a plate toward him. "Also, that hammer of Keshia's—it's pretty unique. Looks ancient. Any idea what it is?"
"That's the Golth's Hammer," Feng Yue replied, the name rolling off his tongue with reverence. "A weapon exclusive to the Guardians. It can manipulate gravity and absorb impact."
"Absorb and intensify, huh?" Ryuunosuke tapped his chin. "A solid ability. But weapons like that shouldn't even exist with the current level of craftsmanship. Not unless they came from something far older."
Feng Yue nodded. "You're right. It's not forged—it's awakened. Each Guardian has their own sacred tool, attuned to their soul. The hammer Keshia wields is one of them."
Ryuunosuke nodded slowly, intrigued.
"And the guy you mentioned before—Sevian, right?"
"Yeah," Feng Yue said with a sigh. "He died before he ever got to use his tool. Arrogance got him killed."
Despite the grim topic, both men soon found themselves back to snacking and watching the duel like spectators at a festival. Ryuunosuke even poured drinks, humming softly while commenting on Keshia's technique.
Feng Yue just stared at him, dumbfounded.
Here was the so-called captain of the Dragon Hunter Pirates—relaxed, grinning, and seemingly without a care in the world—as if he wasn't watching two monsters tear apart the sea outside.
The man was impossible to read.
"Mr. Feng Yue," Ryuunosuke said suddenly, "who do you think wins this one?"
Feng Yue raised a brow. "You're asking me?"
"Let's make a bet," Ryuunosuke said, grinning. "If Keshia wins, you answer one of my questions. If she loses, you can tell me whatever you planned to say before—and I'll believe it, no questions asked."
Feng Yue blinked. "That's… not how betting works. You're deciding what counts as winning either way."
He sighed. "You really are shameless."
"Come on, humor me," Ryuunosuke said, resting his chin on his hand.
Feng Yue chuckled softly despite himself. "Fine. But you're underestimating Jin if you think she can win. He's stronger than Keshia in pure power. Once he starts fighting, he doesn't stop until one of them drops."
Ryuunosuke smirked. "We'll see. I think she'll surprise you."
Behind his relaxed expression, his mind was already several steps ahead. He'd read both of them during the clash—Keshia's power was deep and methodical, while Jin fought like a tempest, relying on instinct and momentum.
And if there was one thing Ryuunosuke had learned in battle—it was that pure strength often lost to discipline.
Meanwhile, Feng Yue had completely fallen into Ryuunosuke's pace.
The snacks, the calm conversation, the playful bet—it all chipped away at his vigilance.
He didn't even realize that Ryuunosuke had never intended to discuss serious topics in the first place.
This wasn't diplomacy. It was distraction.
Ryuunosuke had pulled him into an illusion of comfort, making him drop his guard completely.
At this point, Feng Yue wasn't even thinking about Ryuunosuke's true goal anymore—he was watching the fight with full attention, waiting to see if Keshia could really pull off an upset.
And that was exactly where Ryuunosuke wanted him.
He smirked to himself, sipping from his drink. Hook, line, and sinker.
Outside, the sea erupted again with a thunderous crash.
Jin's golden aura flared, his fists pounding against Keshia's shimmering barrier. Despite her immense strength, her defenses were starting to crack—her knuckles split open, blood dripping down the haft of her hammer.
Even her breathing grew heavier, each swing of her weapon sending shockwaves across the waves.
"Looks like she's done for," Feng Yue murmured, crunching on a melon seed.
Ryuunosuke didn't respond. He simply smiled faintly.
Jin drew back his arm, energy rippling through the air. "Keshia, step back! I don't want to crush you!"
Keshia glared at him coldly, raising her weapon.
"Golth," she whispered, her voice like steel. "Counterattack."
A blinding flash erupted.
In the next instant, an overwhelming surge of power exploded from her body. The sea itself recoiled as if struck by a divine blow, leaving behind a massive vacuum where water once was.
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