The Terror of the Pirates

One minute earlier.

After fully adapting to the rhythm of Abbey's relentless attacks, Alex gradually found himself with some breathing room.

At the same time, he couldn't help but marvel at the ferocity of Abbey's crazed assault and felt grateful that his physical condition could keep up.

Otherwise, the consequences would have been unimaginable.

With the pressure on his defense easing, Alex finally had the energy to assess the situation.

He noticed that Wolf Rat was locked in a fierce struggle with Kazit.

Thinking about what might have happened if Wolf Rat hadn't intervened, Alex felt a pang of fear, followed by silent praise for Wolf Rat's loyalty.

But soon, he saw that Wolf Rat couldn't hold out for more than a few seconds. After a few exchanges, he was on the verge of being crushed by Kazit.

Realizing the danger, Alex knew it was time to leave.

"I need to get out of here before Wolf Rat collapses."

Having made his decision, Alex stopped paying attention to Wolf Rat's fight.

Noticing that Alex still had the energy to focus elsewhere, Abbey's blood boiled, and veins popped out near her temples.

Her earlier charm had completely vanished.

In her rage, Abbey's sword strikes became even faster, but her rhythm began to falter.

"Huh?"

The sudden increase in speed put pressure on Alex again, but the threat level dropped significantly.

"Is she losing control…?"

As Alex dodged strike after strike, he considered the feasibility of counterattacking—perhaps by drawing his pistol or the dagger he carried.

Abbey's disorganized pattern suggested she might expose a vulnerability if she switched from offense to defense too hastily.

That could be his opportunity.

But Alex also weighed the risks.

Drawing his gun or dagger would require extra movements, and while Abbey's rhythm was faltering, her speed had increased.

Any misstep could lead to disaster.

If the reward was worth it, Alex was willing to take the risk.

But his primary focus was on retreat.

"Then I'll have to… use my hands."

Deciding against drawing his gun, Alex formulated a new plan.

Abbey's disorganized sword strikes had lost their edge.

After defending for several more seconds, Alex spotted an opening.

Instead of retreating, he stepped forward, brushing past Abbey as he raised his arm and slapped her across the face.

Slap!

The sharp sound was instantly drowned out by the chaos of the battle.

Abbey staggered slightly, her relentless assault faltering for a moment.

Seizing the opportunity, Alex broke free from her attack range and bolted toward the hole in the wall.

Abbey's mind reeled as she stared blankly at Alex's retreating figure.

This scene was also witnessed by Wolf Rat.

However, Wolf Rat's focus wasn't on Abbey but on Alex, who was running away faster than a rabbit.

At this point, Wolf Rat understood everything.

He didn't even have the energy to curse Alex.

Exhausted, Wolf Rat turned to Kazit, attempting to explain.

"Believe me, this is all a misunderstanding!"

He was met with a powerful hoof strike from Kazit.

Boom!

Wolf Rat was sent flying, crashing into the wall.

"Huh?"

Kazit was momentarily puzzled by the strange sensation of the blow.

Had Wolf Rat's body hardened?

Before he could think further, he noticed Alex was about to escape through the hole in the wall.

"Stop!" Kazit roared, his voice filled with rage.

Hearing Kazit's furious shout, Alex didn't even bother to look back.

Had Wolf Rat fallen?

Alex wondered.

As the hole in the wall drew closer, Alex picked up his pace.

Suddenly, he noticed a white skunk scurrying ahead, its short legs struggling to keep up.

Recognizing it as Abbey's pet, Alex scooped it up before leaping through the hole.

The skunk trembled in Alex's grasp, its black eyes filled with panic.

It didn't dare struggle too much, fearing this unpredictable human might suddenly stab it.

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In the skunk's eyes, humans were treacherous creatures.

But as Alex carried it through the hole and into the open air, the skunk realized it was being rescued.

The fear in its eyes melted away like spring snow.

Its perception of humans shifted slightly.

"Finally, a different kind of human."

The skunk was touched.

Alex, oblivious to the skunk's rich inner monologue, was surprised by the strange fragrance it emitted.

A fragrant skunk?

He felt like he'd read about something similar before.

Meanwhile, inside the tavern.

Watching Alex escape, Kazit's eyes burned with anger, and he gave chase.

However, someone was faster—Wolf Rat, still in his beast form, sprinted toward the hole in the wall.

Seeing Wolf Rat unharmed, Kazit was momentarily surprised.

At that moment, a sword blade stabbed toward Kazit.

Kazit dodged sharply, avoiding the sudden attack.

"Crazy woman, what are you doing?!" Kazit shouted, glaring at Abbey, who now stood between him and the exit.

Abbey's eyes were bloodshot, her face twisted with rage.

Without a word, she lunged at Kazit, her sword weaving a deadly pattern.

Kazit, in his human-beast form, had increased strength but slightly reduced speed.

Abbey's relentless strikes left him with several wounds.

For a moment, Kazit was even angrier.

As Abbey easily landed hits on Kazit, a satisfied smile crept onto her face.

Her gaze toward Kazit was filled with a strange, intense desire.

Seeing Abbey's complex expression, Kazit's cheek twitched.

Everything was a mess—a damn mess!

"Crazy woman!" Kazit roared.

Abbey responded with another flurry of sword strikes.

Unable to do anything else, Kazit retreated and barked an order to his cadre, Wells.

"Wells, take some men and go after that brat! Dead or alive!"

Without hesitation, Wells led a group of gunmen out of the tavern, chasing after Alex.

Outside, Alex ran down the street, the skunk still in his arms.

Wolf Rat, taking advantage of his beast form's enhanced speed, caught up to Alex.

"Usopp, wait for me!" Wolf Rat shouted.

Hearing the shout, Alex instinctively threw the skunk toward Wolf Rat.

The skunk, who had just been marveling at meeting a "good human," was stunned.

Wolf Rat, focused solely on Alex, was equally confused.

The skunk flew through the air in a graceful arc before smacking into Wolf Rat's face.

Thud!

Wolf Rat hit the ground.

Wells and his men, who had just emerged from the tavern, skidded to a halt, staring at Wolf Rat and the skunk.

The air was thick with awkward silence.

Alex, realizing his overreaction, glanced back and shouted, "Big Brother Wolf Rat, I…"

Then, seeing Wells and the others with their guns drawn, Alex's words trailed off.

"If you get the chance, let me explain!"

With that, Alex ran off without looking back.

Wolf Rat took a deep breath, his lungs burning.

The skunk, lying dazed on the ground, was utterly bewildered.

Human hearts… so dangerous!

Wells frowned, hesitating to waste a bullet on Wolf Rat.

In the crowd on the street, a short figure slipped by unnoticed.

"That brat…"