Infinity, The Arcade Age

The Lost Boys' camp was abuzz with activity as the sound of footsteps echoed through the clearing. After being away for half a day, Qin Ming had finally returned. Sitting atop his head was Tinker Bell, who still wore an utterly dazed expression.

The hours-long spectacle she had witnessed earlier had delivered an irreversible shock to her innocent heart and utterly overturned her worldview.

So… that's what love is supposed to look like?

She looked down at herself, her tiny 10-centimeter body floating mid-air. And with this size… I can't possibly do… that!

Around them, the Lost Boys quickly noticed their leader's return. Some curiously glanced at Tinker Bell, their faces filled with concern.

But Tinker Bell didn't respond to their questions. She remained frozen in her stupor, while Qin Ming casually brushed off their concerns with a few nonchalant words before swiftly shifting to business.

Everything was ready. He planned to lead the boys in a decisive clash against Captain Hook and his pirate crew.

However, with their limited numbers, a head-on fight wasn't a smart choice. Qin Ming decided to rely on the camp's defensive fortifications and prepare for a defensive stand.

The children quickly scattered, reinforcing barricades and setting up traps, while Qin Ming stood in the center of the camp, clutching his silver rapier and gazing into the distance thoughtfully.

After a brief moment of contemplation, he reached up and grabbed Tinker Bell, holding her in front of him.

Before he could speak, Qin Ming froze. He had just noticed something peculiar about Tinker Bell's favorability score.

Her previously locked "Passionate Love" status, which required 800 favorability points, had inexplicably been lowered to 600 points!

Favorability scores can change like this?

Before Qin Ming could process this revelation, Tinker Bell snapped back to reality. Seeing Qin Ming's face so close to hers, she began flailing her tiny arms and legs in panic.

"W-Wait! What are you trying to do?! Stop! I… I can't! I'll die if you do that! STOP!"

Qin Ming frowned. "What nonsense are you babbling about? Hey, I need you to help me with something later."

Tinker Bell froze mid-panic. "Help? Just… help?"

"Obviously! What else would I need you for?" Qin Ming replied with a deadpan expression.

"Oh… Oh! Of course, no problem!" Tinker Bell sighed in relief, her tiny wings fluttering. "We're friends, after all!"

After a brief pause, her eyes flickered with hesitation. "But are you sure you don't need me for anything else? I mean, I can use magic, you know! I can even make myself bigger!"

As if to prove her point, she waved her wand, and with a flash of light, Tinker Bell grew… to a 30-centimeter-tall version of herself.

Qin Ming stared at her for a long moment, his face expressionless. He reached out, patted her tiny head, and said dryly, "Nice magic. Don't do it again."

With that, he turned around and walked away, leaving Tinker Bell hovering indignantly behind him.

"I-I can grow bigger if I have enough energy! My last incarnation could grow up to half a meter tall! You'll see! Are you even listening to me?!"

An hour later, the pirate assault began.

Under Captain Hook's command, hundreds of pirates swarmed toward the Lost Boys' camp, their chaotic war cries echoing through the forest.

Leading the charge was the Southern Giant Chieftain, flanked by cutlass-wielding pirate captains. Both sides clashed violently around the camp's walls and defensive barricades, turning the battlefield into a chaotic melee.

At the rear, Captain Hook stood on a high vantage point, flanked by his First Mate, overseeing the battle with a smug expression.

The battle raged on, deadlocked as neither side could gain the upper hand.

Meanwhile, unnoticed by anyone, Qin Ming had already made his way onto the pirate ship.

Having discovered that the Captain Hook leading the charge was an imposter, he decided to bypass the battlefield and go straight for the true final boss hiding aboard the ship.

The moment his boots hit the deck, an arrow whistled through the air, narrowly missing his head and embedding itself in the wooden wall behind him.

Qin Ming turned to face the shooter.

Standing on the opposite side of the deck, Wind calmly lowered his longbow, his cold eyes fixed on Qin Ming.

"Of course," Qin Ming said with a sigh, shaking his head. "You two always seem to know exactly where I am. You must have some sort of tracking ability."

Wind smirked faintly. "Enough chatter, Adventurer 441985. Today, this place will be your grave."

"Oh, really?" Qin Ming's lips curled into a grin. He raised his hand, summoning Dreamfire—a swirling mass of white flames that crackled ominously in his palm. "Funny… I was just about to say the same thing to you, you persistent leech!"

With a flick of his wrist, Qin Ming launched an Sonic Hand Slash!

The spinning white blade of wind and fire tore through the air, but Wind dodged effortlessly, flickering out of sight with an Ice River Flash Step.

But Qin Ming wasn't done. Three more Sonic Hand Slashes followed in quick succession, leaving Wind scrambling to dodge them all.

Meanwhile, Rage charged forward, roaring furiously. He chugged a special consumable potion, temporarily boosting his strength attribute by 10 points, and activated his ultimate move: Rider Machine Gun Punch!

This time, Rage was determined to overpower Qin Ming.

But when he collided with Qin Ming, the impact sent Rage flying backward instead!

The sheer force cracked the wooden deck beneath them.

Eyes blazing with intensity, Qin Ming stood firm, his entire body radiating an overpowering aura.

Fairy Blessing: Strength (+15 Strength)

With his Strength attribute now boosted to a terrifying 60 points, Qin Ming reached out, grabbed a nearby cannon, and effortlessly lifted the heavy iron monster over his head.

With a grunt, he hurled the cannon across the deck like a projectile.

The cannon smashed into Rage, sending him crashing through the deck and into the lower levels of the ship.

But Qin Ming wasn't done. He felt the wind shift behind him.

Wind had reappeared, preparing another attack.

But Qin Ming had anticipated it.

He spun around, his fist wreathed in swirling white flames, and delivered a devastating punch square to Wind's face.

The impact was deafening. Wind's body bent backward in an unnatural arc before he crashed onto the deck, leaving a splintered crater in his wake.

Fairy Blessing: Speed (+15 Agility)

Qin Ming's piercing eyes locked onto his fallen opponents.

"Didn't expect me to keep up with your speed this time, did you?"

The deck was silent except for the crackling of white flames around Qin Ming's clenched fists.

(End of Chapter)