"System, in this kind of situation… can I get Phoenix Blood?"
Inside the hotel room, Malverick couldn't help asking hopefully.
[Ding! No.]
[Only after an actual intimate relationship between man and woman will the system grant Phoenix Blood. Any lesser acts do not qualify.]
"…Fine," Malverick sighed, a little disappointed.
If he could get a portion of Phoenix Blood right now, Hancock wouldn't just fully recover—her strength would skyrocket too.
At that point, what was he waiting for? He'd definitely claim her for real.
But for now, that thought could only stay a fantasy.
"Guess it's still not the right time," he muttered, gently brushing his fingers through Hancock's hair with a hint of regret.
Then an idea struck him.
"System, exchange for a storage ring."
[Confirmed. One spatial ring, internal capacity: 100 cubic meters. Cost: 1,000 Supreme Points. Proceed?]
"Exchange!"
He still had 3,200 points left, and he didn't hesitate.
These days, Supreme Points could only be earned by defeating opponents above the Star Glory level—and people like that weren't exactly easy to find.
So, spending points on something practical—especially for someone close to him—was absolutely worth it.
A second later, a ring appeared in his hand.
It was inlaid with a ruby, its band engraved with strange runic markings that shimmered faintly.
"Here, Hancock. This is for you."
He handed the ring to her.
Hancock's eyes widened as she covered her mouth with both hands.
This… this looked just like… a proposal!
Was she about to become Malverick's wife?!
Was she dreaming?
For a moment, an overwhelming sense of happiness washed over her.
"Take it," Malverick said softly, "from now on, you're my woman. I promise—you'll be the happiest woman in the world."
"Mm…"
Hancock's cheeks turned crimson as she slipped the ring onto her finger.
–––
Later that evening.
Yes, you read that right—it was already evening.
The two of them had stayed in that hotel room for most of the day before finally coming out.
Hancock was clinging to Malverick's arm, her face glowing with joy.
When they returned to Shakky's Bamboo Bar, Rayleigh, Shakky, and Hancock's two sisters were already sitting at the table, ready to eat.
"Buying clothes took that long?" Rayleigh raised an eyebrow. "What were you two doing?"
He'd just seen the latest bounty posters—and was already worried about Malverick's safety.
"Nothing much," Malverick replied casually. "We bought some clothes, Hancock tried on a few things, then I treated her to dinner."
At that, Hancock buried her face against Malverick's shoulder, blushing furiously.
Both Rayleigh and Shakky froze for a moment.
Wait—what was going on here?
They'd only been gone for a day, yet their relationship seemed to have… escalated fast.
"Hold on!"
Shakky suddenly noticed something. She stepped over and grabbed Hancock's hand—her gaze landing squarely on the ruby ring.
"Well, well," she said with a teasing smirk. "Didn't expect our little Malverick to be so decisive!"
"Barely a day, and you've already managed to steal Hancock's heart!"
Rayleigh leaned forward too, eyes widening in surprise.
"Shakky, I—uh—"
"Ahh!" Hancock squeaked, her face turning bright red as she covered it with both hands.
Shakky laughed heartily. "Oh? Feeling shy now?"
"Come on, tell Aunt Shakky—did you two stay in that hotel room the whole time? How far did you go?"
She wasn't just teasing—there was a trace of envy in her tone too.
She and Rayleigh had taken nearly ten years to get together… and Hancock had managed it in less than a day.
Anyone would feel a little bitter about that!
"Alright, Aunt Shakky, that's enough teasing," Malverick cut in, pulling Hancock gently to his side.
He sat down—and without hesitation, had Hancock sit on his lap.
"There's really nothing to hide," he said calmly. "From today, Hancock is my woman. That's all everyone needs to know."
Shakky glanced at Rayleigh, her expression full of disapproval—
as if to say, see how bold your son is? Why weren't you ever like that?
If Rayleigh had been this direct back in the day, she wouldn't have had to wait so many years for him!
Feeling that burning gaze, Rayleigh shivered involuntarily.
He avoided Shakky's eyes and turned back to Malverick.
"As long as you've made up your mind. Hancock's a good girl—don't you dare hurt her."
Rayleigh spoke seriously.
He knew all too well how deeply Amazon Lily women loved.
Once they chose someone, that bond lasted a lifetime.
"Relax," Malverick said with a smirk. "I'm not like you, old man—hiding behind your wine cup."
"You brat! Who are you calling a coward?"
Rayleigh's eyebrows twitched.
But Malverick just gave him a sidelong glance—half amused, half condescending.
The meaning was clear enough.
"Alright, enough about that," Malverick said, his tone turning serious.
"I saw the paper earlier. Didn't expect the Navy to be so generous—five hundred million right off the bat. Not bad."
A five-hundred-million bounty—
for someone under eighteen, that was absurdly high.
Even Rayleigh had never seen a kid reach that kind of notoriety so fast.
"You'd better be careful from now on," Rayleigh warned. "And whoever remembered you were my son… that's trouble."
The paper clearly stated that the instigators of the slave uprising were Fisher Tiger—the Fishman adventurer—and the son of the Dark King Rayleigh.
After some thought, there was only one possible person who could've leaked that.
"It must've been Aokiji," Malverick said. "He's the only one who's seen my ability firsthand."
"Probably," Rayleigh agreed.
Aokiji, now a candidate admiral, was no small threat—his power already at the King level.
Malverick, at Star Glory, still wasn't ready for a one-on-one fight with him.
"Oh, right—Aunt Shakky," Malverick said suddenly, "can you still contact anyone from Amazon Lily?"
"I've got something to take care of soon. Bringing Hancock along would be too risky."
Hancock's current strength wasn't enough to handle the dangers ahead.
The World Government's pursuit would only intensify. Malverick could protect himself—but adding Hancock to the mix would slow him down.
And after years of suffering as a slave, what Hancock truly needed now was rest and recovery.
They had already talked about it at the hotel.
Though reluctant, Hancock had agreed to follow his decision without question.
"Amazon Lily, huh…" Shakky sighed softly.
It had been a long time since she'd last gone home.
"Alright, leave it to me," she said finally. "Besides me, there's another Amazon Lily elder living nearby. She mentioned not long ago that she wanted to return home and retire."
"She can escort Hancock and her sisters back safely."
~~--------------------------
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