The Naturally Evil Brat

Grand Line, Drum Island.

The frigid wind carried shards of ice, scraping across the snowbound coastline like a dull blade. Massive pine forests stood silently beneath heavy blankets of snow, guarding the island's most striking landmark—the dome-shaped peak that pierced the gray sky like a gigantic chimney.

The king's castle sat atop that mountain, overlooking this kingdom ruled by bitter cold.

A three-masted passenger ship slowly cut through the thin ice floating on the sea, cautiously approaching the shore lined with snow-covered cedars.

The ship had clearly been designed for comfort and long-distance travel rather than combat, so the guards conducting their routine patrol along the coast merely gave it a cursory glance and did not raise their guard too high.

In this kingdom renowned for medicine, ships seeking treatment were far more common than pirate vessels harboring ill intent.

The cabin door opened, and Dawn stepped out, crushing the frozen snow beneath his feet.

The other passengers aboard looked at him with a mixture of awe, envy, and even a trace of fear.

During his month-long voyage, this silent attention had become routine.

Dawn paid it no mind. He adjusted the straps of his backpack, his sturdy boots sinking deeply into the snow with a crunch as he headed inland.

"Wait."

A voice called out to him. It was the guard captain, approaching with two subordinates. Though his tone remained polite, one hand stayed pressed against the hilt of the sword at his waist.

No one could completely relax upon seeing such an imposing giant come ashore.

"May I ask what brings you to Drum Island?"

Dawn stopped and answered,

"I'm seeking treatment."

At those words, the captain visibly relaxed and removed his hand from his sword hilt. Wearing an expression of as expected, he nodded.

"I see. Please come in. I hope the doctors of our country can solve your troubles."

Dawn nodded. After taking two steps, he seemed to remember something and turned back.

"Before coming here, I heard that your country has a... witch over a hundred years old. Her medical skills are said to be extraordinary, almost miraculous. Do you know where she lives?"

The captain was briefly stunned before realization dawned on him.

"Oh! You mean Dr. Kureha! It seems you really did your research. She lives in Kokowit Village. Follow this main road southeast, and it should take about fifteen minutes."

He pointed toward a road buried beneath snow but still faintly visible.

"Thank you."

Having gotten the answer he wanted, Dawn said nothing more and turned to leave.

However, he did not immediately head for the village to the southeast. Raising his head, his gaze pierced through the swirling snow and settled on the towering castle at the center of the island.

A thought circled in his mind.

That idiot Wapol should still be a child right now, but the potential of that fruit... whether for combat, logistics, or... making money, it was top-tier.

Since he had arrived at this point in time, perhaps he had a chance to take that power for himself.

Entering a dense, deserted cedar forest, Dawn stopped as only the mournful howl of wind and snow passing through the treetops remained around him. He closed his eyes slightly.

The next instant, strange, viscous darkness surged from his body like a living thing, forming a vortex that covered him entirely.

After doing this, he swaggered out of the forest and stepped onto the mountain road leading toward the castle.

Pedestrians still went about their business in the streets, while sled dogs occasionally pulled carts past. Yet no one noticed the dark presence steadily making its way up the mountain road.

This was one application of Dawn's abilities that he had developed in his cabin during the voyage here.

He formed an extremely thin layer of miniature dark vortices over his body's surface, continuously generating a weak gravitational field directed toward himself. This layer absorbed everything that came close to him, turning him into an "invisible man."

(PS: The inspiration came from how black holes cannot be directly seen by the human eye, and the Dark-Dark Fruit really can absorb everything.)

He proceeded without obstruction. Whether patrolling guards, working civilians, or even the sharp-sensed Lapahns, none reacted to his passing.

Like a ghost, he silently crossed layer after layer of guards and obstacles, reaching the castle at the summit.

The castle gates were not tightly shut, and he slipped inside without a sound. The warmth within stood in stark contrast to the bitter cold outside, yet a more unpleasant chill permeated the air.

In the middle of the grand hall, a short, fat boy with exceptionally thick lips, dressed in extravagant princely attire, was arrogantly roaring at several trembling servants.

"Useless trash! You can't even handle such a trivial task! Why are my afternoon tea pastries cold?! Are you trying to freeze me to death?!"

The servants knelt on the floor and repeatedly begged for forgiveness.

"Please forgive us, Prince Wapol! It's because the kitchen fire..."

"Shut up! I don't want to hear such excuses!"

Wapol impatiently cut them off, a cruel excitement appearing on his face.

"Looks like unless I teach you a lesson, you'll never learn how to serve a noble prince properly!"

He suddenly opened his mouth, and his jaw enlarged enormously in a manner that defied human anatomy, instantly becoming as large as a cave.

The kneeling servants screamed in terror, but they could not resist at all. Like tiny insects, they were swallowed into that enormous mouth.

The giant mouth closed. Chewing sounds and muffled wails came from Wapol's mouth, while his face twisted with satisfaction.

A moment later, the wailing stopped. He spat out the servants, chewed beyond recognition, then deactivated his power. Smacking his lips with lingering dissatisfaction, he headed outside the castle, seemingly looking for his next toy.

Hidden in the shadows, Dawn silently watched it all. Deep in his eyes, the cold sea seemed to begin freezing over.

Outside the castle, Wapol seemed to have completely let himself go. He activated his power again, madly devouring everything in sight: snow, rocks, decorative statues in the courtyard...

Intoxicated by the sense of control that came from swallowing everything into his belly, he gradually moved beyond the guards' sight and headed toward the more secluded rear mountain.

The shadow Dawn had become followed silently behind him like the most patient hunter.

When Wapol arrived at an utterly secluded depression surrounded only by jagged rocks and deep snow, Dawn knew the time had come.

The darkness covering his body receded like the tide and flowed back into him, revealing his tall figure as though he had appeared out of thin air.

"Who?!"

Wapol was startled by the sudden appearance. Once he saw that the other man was not a familiar face from the castle, he immediately resumed his arrogant, foolish demeanor.

"Are you some commoner from the foot of the mountain? Why aren't you bowing when you see me, the prince?! Do you want to be executed?!"

Dawn stared at Wapol with an indifferent gaze, as though looking at a corpse.

"You naturally evil brat. I'll personally help your foolish father clean house, so you don't ruin even more lives in the future."

TO BE CONTINUED