Starting a Business with a Loan, Instantly Killing Bellamy

"Boom..."

Sparks ignited the flammable materials on the ground. The fire spread rapidly, triggering even more violent explosions.

The surrounding walls and the ground above were torn apart by the shockwaves, and the entire auction building came crashing down.

Although the bearded brute had turned and fled at the first opportunity, the aftershock still left his chest tight and made him feel like coughing up blood.

His face was frosty as he prepared to leave, only to see a finely dressed man running over from across the street, holding a Den Den Mushi in his hands.

"His Grace the Duke is calling. General, please answer immediately!"

"I'm not his subordinate."

Though he said that, the bearded brute still picked up the Den Den Mushi and replied gruffly, "That guy named Van infiltrated through the underground passage. He's already escaped, and he blew up the auction building too."

"Guweit! I paid you. Is this how you handle things?" An angry voice came from the Den Den Mushi. "Now that you've botched it, you have to compensate me for my losses!"

"Bullshit! Do I care about that little bit of money from you? If it weren't for His Majesty the King asking me, who would bother with your lousy business?"

"You wasted my time, and I haven't even held you accountable yet..."

Guweit cursed nonstop, placing all the casualties among his men on the duke's head.

The duke had no one else to use and wanted Guweit to pursue the culprit, so he could only swallow his anger.

While the two were negotiating terms, something happened at the warehouse.

Someone had broken in to steal the mermaid and happened to run into Van, who had returned.

Even after being exposed, he showed no fear. Instead, he revealed an excited grin as though he had spotted prey.

"It's you? My luck is incredible! Not only can I catch a mermaid today, but I can also claim a hundred million bounty."

"No, no! If I offer you to Lord Doflamingo, I'll definitely be able to join the Donquixote Family! Hahahaha!"

"That's right! I'm going to strike it rich!"

He had a youthful face and looked quite young, but his physique was exceptionally sturdy, and his presence was genuinely intimidating.

Seeing his blond hair, Van found him somewhat familiar and asked, "Who are you?"

"My name is Bellamy. I'm a spring man who ate a Devil Fruit." The blond-haired man pounded his chest and shouted arrogantly, "If you're scared, surrender now!"

The moment he heard that name, Van understood. An intrigued smile appeared on his face.

He knew Bellamy was from the North Blue. He also knew Bellamy had worshipped Doflamingo since childhood and later became an outer member of the Donquixote Family.

He just hadn't expected to encounter this guy today, in addition to Sugar and Monet.

What was this called?

Searching everywhere in worn-out shoes, only to find it without any effort? There was a road to heaven, yet you refused to take it; hell had no gate, yet you barged right in?

"System! I want to create a Fate Event!"

Van shouted inwardly, You have to lend me points right now. I'll pay interest if I have to!

Drake and Baby-5 had failed to trigger a Fate Event, or rather, they had failed to become Fate Anchors in the Op-Op Fruit transaction event. Van had always found that regrettable.

Now that three more characters from the original story had appeared, with Bellamy even having eaten a Devil Fruit, he truly did not want to miss another chance.

"Hey! Are you ignoring me because you look down on me?"

Before the system could respond, Bellamy had already grown impatient.

His legs instantly turned into springs. His body sank low and compressed to the limit before violently rebounding toward Van like a cannonball.

"Watch out!"

A hurried cry rang out. It was the mermaid.

She clung to the edge of the fish tank, watching Van nervously, terrified that the only person who could save her from this misery would be harmed.

"Who gave you the courage to attack me?"

Van neither dodged nor retreated. He twisted around and sent a sweeping kick straight into Bellamy's forehead.

"Bang!"

Bellamy was knocked flying and crashed into a nearby iron cage, pain twisting his features.

Unconvinced, he climbed to his feet, spat out blood, and lowered his body again to build up force.

But Van gave him no chance. Raising his hand, he spread Operation Room and directly tore him apart limb by limb.

Seeing this, all the slaves breathed a sigh of relief.

They were waiting for Van to fulfill his promise and save them, but Van was busy haggling with the system.

"Is it really too much to ask for a little convenience when you didn't even give me a beginner's gift pack?"

[Congratulations, Host, for discovering this system's hidden function. The points loan authority has now been activated.]

[The first use is interest-free. Beginning with the second loan, interest will follow market rates: nine out, thirteen back.]

For some reason, the system did not play dead this time and actually responded.

The conditions were simply too harsh, leaving Van speechless.

Nine out, thirteen back... It was practically bone-scraping usury. Even illegal online lenders would not dare be this outrageous.

Van immediately asked for an absurd amount. "I want to borrow one million points!"

[...Given the Host's current strength, each loan may not exceed 5,000 points. Furthermore, points obtained through future event rewards must be used to repay the loan first.]

All the loopholes had been blocked, but it was still better than nothing.

Van knew when to stop and said in a low voice, "Loan me 5,000 points. I want to create a Fate Event."

[Points have been issued! Please designate the Fate Anchors and event duration. The system will calculate the cost.]

"How exactly is it calculated?"

Van intended to figure it out first so he would know what to expect in the future and would not waste points for nothing.

After all, some characters from the original story were not particularly important, and their fates were not so easily changed. The final reward might not be much.

If it did not seem worthwhile, he could avoid the risk and refrain from making a losing deal.

[The base cost of creating a Fate Event is 1,000 points, with the duration limited to within one year. Each additional year requires 1,000 extra points. Early settlement is permitted, but no fees will be refunded.]

[Each Fate Anchor requires 1,000 points. There is no upper limit to the number, but the system will assess whether they qualify.]

"A little expensive. And it probably has to be a well-known character from the original story who will become involved with the Straw Hat crew to qualify as a Fate Anchor..."

After thinking for a moment, Van decided to take a gamble.

"Designate Bellamy, Sugar, and Monet as Fate Anchors. Use the minimum duration."

[System evaluation in progress...]

[Evaluation passed! Congratulations, Host. You have spent 4,000 points to create the Fate Event: Redemption]

[Fate Anchors: Bellamy, Sugar, Monet]

[Hint: Fate has yet to reveal itself; the affairs of the world are difficult to predict.]

"Playing mysterious games!"

Even if there was a trap, Van had decided to step into it, if only to verify the thought he had when the previous event ended.

He looked at Bellamy, who had lost the ability to resist, and a glint of coldness flashed through his eyes.

"You had to show up at a time like this, and you even dared to become my enemy. You can only blame your own bad luck!"

The instant he finished speaking, a submachine gun appeared in Van's hand, its muzzle aimed at Bellamy's head.

"Bang..."

Bellamy's eyes widened in fury. Instinctively, he tried to dodge, but he could not move.

Bullets fired into his brain one after another, causing him to die miserably from heavy metal poisoning.

"Now I'll remove your shackles. Everyone will follow orders, and I guarantee I'll get you out of here."

Van swept his gaze over them and demanded, "Any problems?"

The demand was not excessive. Even if anyone had other ideas, no one was foolish enough to stand up and object at a time like this.

Everyone nodded in agreement. Van did not waste any time and directly used the Op-Op Fruit's power to cut open all the shackles.