Evolution: Start AS A Raft

"Argh!" After killing the Dragon King God, the immense backlash caused Raine's face to contort in agony, and he roared toward the sky.

His bloodshot eyes were filled with anger and madness, and the muscles in his limbs swelled as if they were about to explode.

The crew had never seen Raine in such a state. It was only now that they seemed to understand the meaning of soul transfer.

The captain gained his terrifying power through a soul contract, sacrificing control of his soul!

Even the inevitable unconsciousness after the Dragon Slaying attack couldn't stop Raine from falling into a rampage!

"Naga New God, you mere New God, you want to control me? Dream on! God of Life, God of Nature, it's been millions of years... I'm back! Ah!"

Raine's fists slammed into the Apocalypse beneath his feet, creating massive waves that shook the entire sea surface. Half of the Apocalypse was instantly wrecked.

The three powerful beings were pale at this moment, as the terrifying creature was walking towards them.

"My slaughter... will start with you three."

Trajan, such an experienced fighter, was at a loss at this moment. Had the captain already lost control of himself?

Raine approached Irene, a cruel smile on his face. "A nine-tailed fox, huh? Hahaha, I'll tear your tails off one by one! Let's see if you can still be called 'Nine-Tails' then!"

With that, Raine swiped his claw toward her.

At that moment, a figure suddenly stepped in front of Irene.

A person with a fighting strength of only 1!

As they saw the person shielding Irene, Trajan and the others paled in fear. Boone and his group were similarly speechless with astonishment.

Avril looked at this hideous being, neither human nor ghost, cruel and irascible. At this moment, everyone should have been terrified of him. But she was unafraid.

Raine's enormous claw was only twenty centimeters from Avril, yet he couldn't bring himself to strike.

"Do you not fear I'll kill you?" Raine rasped.

In the face of such a creature brimming with murderous intent, Avril merely smiled.

The sea breeze tousled her long hair, her soft smile blossoming on her not exceedingly beautiful face. She might not have been the most attractive woman in their crew, but amidst the sky and sea at this moment, there was nothing more beautiful than her.

Her eyes held a clarity surpassing the Azure Era.

"If you wish to take my life, feel free," Avril said gently. "As long as you remain safe."

A single sentence was enough to bring tears to many eyes.

A single sentence rendered the frenzied Raine frozen in place.

Throughout their journey, someone had always stood behind him, behind their crew.

From the first crew member to the tens of thousands, she was always there.

From Raine's infancy to his current frenzied state, she had always embraced him.

In this moment, Raine in his monstrous form, his eyes blurry, the blood-red in his gaze gradually fading,

"Avril...you're such a fool...thank you," Raine's voice returned to normal. With a Herculean effort, he thrust a sword into his own outstretched right arm.

"You dare touch my crew?"

Raine words barely faded before he fell forward...

Half a month later, Raine finally awakened. As soon as he opened his eyes, a girl immediately threw herself onto him, sobbing uncontrollably.

"You're finally awake!" Fancy cried, unable to hold back her tears.

Raine slightly furrowed his brow, trying to recall the circumstances of the past, his mind filled with confusion.

"Stop crying, I'm not dead! Where is everyone else?"

Fancy managed to halt her tears, "Sister Avril has been treating your wounds non-stop. She only took a break when your condition improved. She hasn't slept for days."

Raine nodded slightly; that was just like Avril.

"And the others?"

"Oh, Trajan and the others are salvaging treasure chests. The warships are sinking quickly, we won't find anything if we don't salvage them now."

"Arsan and Windbell took Blacky to the deep sea to find the body of the Dragon King God. Magnus said that the Dragon King God might have swallowed that magical stone."

"Hmm? Magnus? Why... why are they sharing this information with us?" Raine was slightly confused about what had happened.

Just then, several figures walked in from outside the door.

Trajan, Tik, Shobe, Trueking, and Charge King, seeing Raine awake, rushed over.

"Boss, you're finally awake! Is your arm okay?"

"Boss, do you remember me? I'm Shobe!"

Raine looked stern, "I know..."

"Boss, that ability of yours is too dangerous, you really scared us back then!"

Raine shook his head, "The Dragon King God was too powerful. It had to be killed in one strike."

They all understood this reasoning, but they were still worried for Raine.

Raine climbed off the bed, Fancy and Olivia helping him to stand. After a brief adjustment, he could move freely.

"By the way, Captain. Magnus and the others are still waiting on the ship. They want to see you. Should I call them in?"

"Call them in," Raine said, sitting on the edge of the bed waiting.

In no time, Magnus, Bodhid, Irene, Boone, and Zark cautiously entered the captain's quarters.

The three formidable figures glanced at Raine, a hint of embarrassment creeping in, perhaps attributing Raine's apparent state to themselves.

"Please, sit," Raine broke the silence, "Why haven't you left?"

"Captain Raine," Magnus began earnestly, "we owe our lives to you, and particularly to Deputy Captain Avril. Your blade was meant for the Dragon King God, had it been swung at us, we wouldn't be here conversing."

Raine let out a sigh. "You compromised with the Dragon King God and exploited the inhabitants beyond the safety zones. Though it was bullying the weak and fearing the strong, from your perspective, perhaps it was the best you could do."

The three couldn't defeat the Dragon King God. Maintaining 30% of the safe marine areas was a commendable feat.

As for exploiting others, the resources on their island were finite. After years of propagation, the island couldn't support its population, leaving them any choice but to act as such.

Their exploitation of the peripheral residents wasn't downright inhumane. They may have dropped prices by 50%, but they paid nonetheless.

In sum, these people had their detestable qualities, but their sins weren't fatal. This was partly why Raine hadn't killed the Golden Crow fleet's captain.

"Captain Raine," Buddha Sovereign ventured, "if we may, what are your next steps?"

"I plan to consolidate the Dragon class sea area."

"And after that?"

"After, I'll venture to the Sky class sea area." Raine saw no reason to conceal his plans.

Upon hearing this, the members of the Dad seemed unsurprised. In stark contrast, the members of the three major fleets were visibly taken aback.

"The Sky class sea area... it's been over a century since anyone's reached there!"

"So, you do intend to head to the Sky class sea area!" Boone's eyes mirrored his mixed emotions.

These individuals, once high-spirited and ambitious, had all initially set out for the Sky class sea area. However, for over a century, the Dragon King God's existence served as an insurmountable mountain, confining their dreams to the Dragon class sea area.

People who are wealthy often want to become wealthier, those who are strong yearn to become stronger!

Now, that insurmountable mountain had been cleaved in half by a single sword. The once-extinguished dreams were rekindled at this moment.

"Captain Raine..." Magnus stuttered, completely lacking his usual dignity as the strongest of humanity.

"Hmm? If you have something to say, just say it. Since I didn't kill you then, I don't regard you as real enemies." Raine said, sipping the tea Fancy had handed him.

Gathering his courage, Bodhid completed Magnus's sentence, "Can... can we join your bounty group?"

With a 'pfft', Raine spat out his tea.

Hold on! The three strongest wanted to join his bounty hunter group? What on earth was going on?