SWNOVELXO Chapter 515: Chapter 29. Willing to Change
[V3] - Chapter 29. Willing to Change
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My name is Koby.
I'm a short, timid guy.
Not long ago, I almost got captured by pirates while out fishing.
They were about to take me away as a slave.
But—
Just when I had completely lost hope...
Suddenly—
A man came, charging across the sea upside down on his hands... and saved me!
To this day, I can't forget that afternoon...
That figure.
He leaped onto the terrifying pirate ship, wearing a strange green bodysuit, standing on one leg, with his left hand behind his back and his right hand extended.
Facing those ferocious pirates, he still wore a bright, cheerful smile.
That was—
A smile that brought peace to the heart!
I don't know why, but the moment I saw him standing before me, all my fear began to fade away. My eyes were locked on that figure.
And in the end—
After defeating all the pirates, he said nothing... I didn't even get the chance to ask my savior's name or express my gratitude. He just calmly said, "Oh no, I'm going to be late for the delivery," and then flipped backward off the ship.
I just stood there, dumbfounded, watching his figure—still upside down—racing across the dangerous sea.
Until he disappeared from view, I was still speechless.
But that back—
That figure glowing under the sunlight!
Yuto Group.
Those words have been etched into my mind ever since.
Later—
I returned to Shells Town. When I heard that Yuto Group had cooperated with the Marines and helped capture the corrupt and bribe-taking Captain Morgan, I was truly overjoyed.
But… I still didn't know the name of my savior.
It was such a regret.
Until—
I heard that Yuto Group was hiring in Shells Town. Thinking I might get a job to support myself, I went to apply.
And I never imagined...
That I would meet my savior again at the Yuto Delivery Branch!
And that's when I finally learned his name—
Might Guy.
The Chief Manager of Yuto Group's East Blue Delivery Branch!
A man hailed as a legend in East Blue's delivery world!
He—
Has never delivered a single order late!
Even long-distance deliveries across islands don't faze him. He crosses the sea on his hands, and even the Sea Kings can't stand in his way!
That day—
I vowed in my heart: I must become a man like Guy-san!
So—
I joined Yuto Delivery and trained hard under Guy-san. Eventually, I passed and became an intern delivery man for Yuto Group.
…
"Hello! This is your delivery!" Koby bowed, holding the package with both hands and shouted to the customer in front of him, "Please enjoy your meal! If you're satisfied, please leave a five-star rating!"
"Satisfied? Not even close! I'm extremely dissatisfied! You little runt—do you know you're ten minutes late?! I'm starving to death here! Don't even dream of getting a good review!"
Bang!
The door slammed shut with a loud crash.
It was completely closed.
But Koby still kept smiling and called out, "Please enjoy your meal!"
Only after he turned away did his face show disappointment.
He was still just an intern delivery man and only allowed to deliver within Shells Town. He wasn't like Guy-san, who could cross the sea alone to make deliveries.
He had to get officially promoted and become a regular employee to become a real delivery man.
But...
Today—
He was late once again... No, two late deliveries, and one was so late it got canceled. And with all that, he was probably ranked dead last again. Who knew when he'd finally get promoted?
But—
"I'll work harder! I absolutely won't let Guy-san down!" Koby looked at the signature Guy-san had written on his delivery vest and felt fired up again. He raised both fists, as if cheering himself on, and shouted, "Even if youth faces failure, I will never give up easily!"
That was Guy-san's teaching!
So he absolutely wouldn't give up!
Then he looked down at the undelivered food in his hands. He sighed and gave a wry smile. "Well, I guess I'll just eat it myself."
Damn it.
Next time, I will not be late! I'll meet my quota and get promoted to become a regular employee!
However—
At that moment—
Suddenly—
It felt like someone was watching him.
He couldn't help but sharply turn his head and shout, "Who's there?!"
Just as he said it—
"Rustle rustle—bang bang~"
A chaotic noise came from nearby. Like someone had tripped, fallen, or bumped into something.
Someone's really following me?!
Who is it?!
Could it be… a pirate?!
Koby's heart suddenly skipped a beat, and fear surged inside him. But then, the image of Guy-san's back suddenly appeared in his mind, and the fear seemed to ease slightly.
He was going to become a man like Guy-san—how could he be afraid of pirates?!
Clenching his fists, he quickly looked toward the source of the sound, took a deep breath, and shouted loudly, "Who's there?! I-I… I'm not afraid of you!"
As soon as the words left his mouth—
"Ouch! Damn it, that hurts!"
A cry of pain rang out.
Hearing that somewhat familiar voice, Koby was briefly stunned. And when he saw the figure stuck behind the tree, he was even more surprised.
Blond hair, a chin shaped like a butt…
Helmeppo?!
Wasn't that Captain Morgan's son?
But now he looked completely down and out—
Covered in dirt, messy hair, a dirty face, and the terrifying pet dog of his was nowhere to be seen.
You had to know—
This guy used to be an infamous bully in Shells Town, always taking his dogs to scare and harass people.
Totally arrogant and tyrannical!
Even Koby had been severely bullied by him in the past.
Who would've thought… he'd end up like this?!
Koby looked at the figure covering his face, planning to mock this jerk good and proper. But then he suddenly remembered Guy-san's teaching—True strength lies not in the body, but in the heart!
Helmeppo had already been punished. His father had paid the price for his wrongdoings. So why would he bully a man when he's down?
That's not strength!
After hesitating for a moment, Koby walked over. "Helmeppo, you—"
Before he could finish—
"I'm not Helmeppo! I'm not Helmeppo!" Helmeppo frantically covered his face, trembling in fear. "You've got the wrong person! I'm not Helmeppo!"
"How could I mistake you, Helmeppo?" Koby looked at the obviously terrified Helmeppo and sighed softly. "I'm Koby. Don't you remember? You used to bully me with your dogs."
"I-I… I'm not Helmeppo! Please don't hit me!"
"I'm not going to hit you, Helmeppo." Koby seemed to understand something and smiled as he gently pulled the guy with his head buried in the dirt up. Seeing the fear in his eyes, he smiled and said, "Don't be afraid. I really won't hit you. Long time no see, Helmeppo."
After that—
Perhaps comforted by Koby's tone, Helmeppo gradually calmed down. He stared blankly at Koby, eyes reddening at Koby's words of forgiveness. Biting his lower lip, he said, "I'm sorry, Koby… Thank you for forgiving my past mistakes."
"It's all in the past now." Koby patted Helmeppo on the shoulder. "As long as you don't repeat your mistakes, I'm sure people will forgive you." Then, glancing at the sky and guessing the time, "I've got something to do, so I'll just—"
Before he could finish—
Growwwl~
That familiar sound rang out.
The sound of a hungry stomach—he'd experienced it himself before.
Koby looked down in surprise at Helmeppo's stomach, then back up at his awkward face turned aside, wearing a sheepish smile. "Helmeppo, you…"
"Sorry, I'm just hungry! Hahaha!" Helmeppo scratched his head and smiled foolishly. "It's okay! You go take care of your stuff. Don't worry about me—I'll find something to eat!"
After he spoke—
"…"
Koby fell silent. Thinking of Captain Morgan's fate, and knowing how hated Helmeppo must be in Shells Town now…
He sighed, looked at the undelivered food in his hand, suddenly thought of something, then lifted the bag and smiled. "Since you're hungry, let me treat you to a meal."
"?!"
Helmeppo was stunned, blinking as he stared at the takeout bag. He had heard about Yuto Delivery recently. Swallowing hard, he asked hesitantly, "Really? Don't you have to deliver it?"
"It's fine! It was returned, so technically I paid for it myself. If you don't mind—"
"I don't mind! I don't mind at all!"
Helmeppo quickly took the bag, eyes red with emotion as he looked at Koby. "Thank you! Thank you so much!"
"No need to thank me! I'm not hungry anyway. My job provides food and accommodation!" Koby smiled carefreely and, seeing that Helmeppo was eager to eat, added, "Go ahead and enjoy. It's getting late, so I have to get back to work!"
After that, with Helmeppo's thanks behind him, Koby turned around and prepared to resume his training.
However—
After walking just a few steps, he turned back again, looking at Helmeppo, hesitated a moment, and called out, "Helmeppo!"
"???"
Helmeppo looked up, puzzled. "Is there something else, Koby?"
"You don't need to act like this." Koby shook his head with a smile and said, "Guy-san once said: As long as you face your mistakes like a real man and do everything you can to change, you'll definitely earn people's recognition. So… I believe if you sincerely apologize, everyone will forgive you!"
Saying that, he grinned, "I may not be as amazing as Guy-san, but I believe… if you're willing to change, you'll definitely be recognized!"
With that—
He seemed to notice the time and panicked a bit, quickly turning around and running off. "Oh no! I'm going to be late again!"
Leaving behind—
Helmeppo, standing there dazed.
Just like that—holding the takeout box with both hands, quietly staring… staring at that silhouette glowing under the sunlight.
The once timid and cowardly boy… had truly changed!
The green vest with "Yuto Group" written on it… was seared into his mind.
Koby—
It seems he had become radiant.
Who knows how long he stood there.
Only after Koby disappeared from sight did Helmeppo finally lose control.
Just as his tears were about to fall, he lifted the takeout box with one hand and covered his eyes with the other. Biting his lip, he shouted toward the distance, "I will change! Thank you, Koby!!"