Once Sadi-chan's silhouette vanished into the dim corridor, Hannibal finally crept out from behind Ian, wiping cold sweat from his forehead.
"What a dangerous woman…"
Dangerous?
Ian glanced toward the darkness where Sadi disappeared, the Blugori troop trailing after her.
He wasn't remotely interested in Sadi's "playtime invitation."
But her System Chest value?
Oh, he was very interested.
From their brief exchange just now, Ian had already estimated her combat strength.
Round up a little…
She should also be a Silver Chest.
System chests… who in their right mind would think they have too many?
"Hey—hey! Adrian!"
Hannibal waved his hand in front of Ian's eyes.
"Don't stare anymore!
You'll see her again at tonight's welcome party!"
Impel Down didn't get newcomers often.
Even if Ian was from the Navy, everyone still planned to host him a small welcome gathering.
Hannibal continued, scratching his head.
"Actually, uh… you were supposed to complete a small test."
Ian raised a brow.
"A test?"
"The Navy seems very confident in your strength.
A Marine Admiral personally recommended you to become the Chief Guard of the Crimson Hell."
Hannibal explained:
"The guards of Crimson Hell are primarily the Blugori.
So your test was simple — defeat one Blugori.
That way they'll obey your commands later.
"But now… that test has become pointless."
After all, Ian's massive white clay gorilla flattened a Blugori — one that was practically invincible in Crimson Hell.
What was left to "test"?
Ian didn't care about the test at all.
What he cared about was something else.
"Sadi-chan said earlier I was here to 'replace her.'
So she was the previous Chief Guard of Crimson Hell?
"And now that I'm here, what job is she switching to?"
"Oh, Sadi was promoted.
She'll be managing the Jailer Beasts."
Hannibal pointed downward.
"That job is far more dangerous than handling the Blugori."
Jailer Beasts…
Ian immediately pictured those eerie half-human, half-beast figures.
According to rumor—
The Jailer Beasts of Impel Down were all Zoan Devil Fruit awakeners.
Or more accurately—
Failed awakeners.
Despite their harmless, almost cartoonish appearance,
they were nothing but merciless predators now, stripped of all human sanity.
In the entire prison hierarchy:
If Magellan stood alone at the apex of the pyramid,
the Jailer Beasts unquestionably occupied the tier directly below him.
Ian's interest intensified.
Even the Blugori were worth ★★★ Silver Chests.
What about the Jailer Beasts?
Four stars?
Five?
Maybe… six?
"Chief Hannibal!"
Ian's eyes lit with excitement.
"I don't mind danger!
Can I take over Sadi-chan's position and manage the Jailer Beasts instead?"
"You're interested in my Jailer Beasts?"
Hannibal patted his forehead.
"Well, I suppose it makes sense.
You're a Devil Fruit user too…
"But internal job transfers in Impel Down require Magellan himself to approve.
You've only just arrived.
Get familiar with the place first!"
Ian nodded in mild disappointment.
After the little chaos involving Sadi-chan and the Blugori,
he followed Hannibal to continue touring Impel Down.
But their tour only covered Level 1: Crimson Hell's surface layer.
Ian couldn't go any deeper — not to Crimson Hell below, nor to the other hells.
Which also meant:
He didn't get to see a single pirate today.
A pity.
He had wanted to "test the feel" of pirates…
Near the end of the tour, Hannibal suddenly called out to Ian.
"Adrian, the job here is actually very relaxed."
Hannibal clasped his hands behind his back, speaking like a senior imparting wisdom.
"Ninety percent of problems can be solved by your subordinates.
The remaining ten percent is handled by Magellan.
"As Chief Guard of Crimson Hell, your subordinates are the Blugori.
With them assisting you, no prisoner will dare provoke you.
"But there are several rules you must remember."
His usually goofy demeanor briefly vanished.
He grew solemn.
"First — never provoke the Jailer Beasts.
Even if you're curious, they aren't human anymore.
"Second — never wander into lower levels without permission.
Prisoners on each floor are completely different in power level.
"Third — under no circumstances approach Shiryu of the Rain.
That man… is more vicious than the monsters of Infinite Hell.
"And last—
the most important rule of all!"
Hannibal inhaled deeply, face grave with dramatic importance.
"Ian Adrian—
I acknowledge you as a man!
So you must—
you absolutely must not let that poison-soaked bastard Magellan recruit you to his side!"
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