Conqueror’s Desire

MC lay on the ground, his breathing heavy. His body felt like it had been hit by a warship. Nami sat beside him, equally out of breath. The faint glow from the cave crevice they had just escaped through was still visible behind them.

They had survived.

At least, for now.

Nami was the first to speak. "That was… pretty impressive."

MC didn't answer right away. He could still feel the lingering tension from the battle. But one thought burned itself into his mind:

I'm too weak.

Yes, he had managed to wound the monster. But that was just luck. If he hadn't found its weakness in time, he would have died like the other pirates.

And that meant…

Next time, I might not be so lucky.

I have to get stronger.

MC turned his gaze to Nami, who was calmly wiping some blood off her arm. She looked as composed as ever, as if what had just happened was nothing more than a minor inconvenience.

MC clenched his teeth.

She knows something I don't.

She knew about this place. She knew about the escape route.

Taking a deep breath, MC asked, "You knew this was a trap from the start, didn't you?"

Nami glanced at him and gave a small smile. "Maybe."

MC tightened his fists. "Then why did you still bring us here?"

"Because I needed to be sure of something."

MC narrowed his eyes. "And what was that?"

Nami smirked and stood up. "That you're not ordinary."

MC fell silent. What did she mean by that?

Nami continued, "Ordinary people would have died back there. But you? You're still alive."

MC swallowed hard. That didn't answer his question, but he could sense there was more to her words than she was letting on.

Nami turned and started walking. "Come on. This place is still dangerous. We need to get out of this cave before something else shows up."

MC looked around at the dark cavern. There were still so many mysteries left unanswered. But one thing he knew for sure…

This was just the beginning.

And if he wanted to survive in this world, he had to change.

He had to get stronger.