"Miss, couldn't you pick someone else? How can a brute like Maluk test a new recruit? One wrong move, and they could end up gravely injured or dead!" Before Zhang Yao could speak, Luo De jumped forward, objecting to Maluk being the one to test him.
As a fellow crewmate, Luo De knew Maluk all too well. He was not only powerful, but bloodthirsty and battle-hungry! Once a fight got underway and his temper flared, the madman would beat even his own father half to death.
Although Luo De had always had great confidence in Zhang Yao's strength, when Amelia announced that Zhang Yao would face Maluk, that confidence inevitably wavered. Maluk's everyday displays of madness had sunk too deeply into Luo De's heart.
"Luo De, what are you getting so worked up for? Zhang Yao hasn't even said anything yet!" Amelia curled her lip and ignored Luo De, then looked expectantly at Zhang Yao. "You'll let Maluk test you, won't you, Zhang Yao? Don't disappoint me!"
Of course, Amelia was not going to let Zhang Yao off so easily, so she gave no consideration whatsoever to Luo De's request to choose someone else. She even deliberately put on an expectant look. From past experience, she knew that whenever she turned those pitiful eyes on other men-even Wells-they would agree to whatever she asked.
One glance at Amelia's pleading eyes and endearingly pitiful expression made Zhang Yao's heart tremble, and he nearly agreed on the spot. Fortunately, his last shred of reason forced him to swallow the words already on his tongue.
"I specialize in assassination, not head-on combat." Zhang Yao steadied his emotions a little and spoke flatly.
Between Luo De's objections and Maluk's ferocious bearing, Zhang Yao would have had to be a fool not to guess what awaited him if they fought. It would be one of the two outcomes Luo De had mentioned: grave injury or death.
As for victory, Zhang Yao had never even considered it. Since entering Rodos, a series of lucky coincidences had let him rise several levels, and he had acquired some decent equipment and useful skills. His strength had steadily improved! That improved strength was enough to deal with ordinary people, but against Maluk, disaster was far more likely than good fortune.
Everyone in the room froze and looked at Zhang Yao in surprise, some with disdain, others with appreciation.
"Ah! Zhang Yao, you've really disappointed me! If you're going to be so useless and cowardly, I'll take it that you've given up on the test and your chance to join the Freedom!" Amelia gave a soft cry and gazed at Zhang Yao with an even more expressive face, trying to sway his emotions and make him take back his words.
"It's not for you to judge whether I'm useless or cowardly! As for joining the Freedom, I think I'll pass. Your rules are too strict! They don't suit someone like me, who's already used to taking things easy!" Zhang Yao swept his gaze over everyone in the room and spoke coldly.
Without waiting for anyone to react, he turned to leave.
When Luo De had first told Zhang Yao how powerful their pirate crew was and then invited him to join, Zhang Yao had indeed entertained the idea of clinging to a powerful backer. After all, everyone knew how pleasant it was to enjoy the shade beneath a great tree.
But after the difficulties Amelia and Guleiya had put him through, Zhang Yao had now completely regained his composure.
He remembered that his original reason for joining the Freedom had merely been to gain experience more easily and grow stronger, so he could survive better. Yet now, instead of gaining experience, he risked losing his life. That ran directly counter to why he had come here in the first place! Those two aggressive women, in particular, reminded him of the Guide he loathed so deeply. The disgust in his heart made him unwilling to stay here a moment longer.
And so Zhang Yao flung all thoughts of clinging to a powerful backer and sheltering beneath a great tree beyond the ninth heaven!
"Luo De, thank you for your kindness, but I'm sorry!" Seeing that Luo De seemed about to say something else, Zhang Yao waved a hand to stop him. Then he walked out of the room and headed away without looking back.
Luo De watched Zhang Yao disappear into the night, then turned to glance at the people in the room. Without a word, he slumped into a chair.
Yaliansi sighed softly, then joined Kemuier in closing his eyes to rest again. Maluk scratched his head, looking from one person to another, unsure what to do.
Amelia stared blankly at the doorway. She had never imagined that Zhang Yao would simply walk away like that.
"Guleiya, Amelia, you went too far!" Captain Wells glanced at his sister and the ship's doctor, spoke in a low voice, then rose and left the room.
After the captain left, the others departed one after another. Luo De, who was closest to the door, went first, walking around Amelia, who stood in front of him. Next came Yaliansi and Kemuier, dragging the somewhat slow-witted Maluk along. In an instant, the room that had been packed with people held only Amelia and Guleiya.
"Guleiya, did I do something wrong? Everyone seems to hate me!" Amelia looked at Guleiya, her voice catching slightly.
"It's all right, Amelia! Everyone's just in a bad mood for the moment..." Guleiya hurried over, pulled Amelia into her arms, and comforted her softly. Though her words sounded light, her heart was unusually heavy. She knew that she and Amelia had gone a little too far this time.
A side room in the courtyard where the Freedom's crew was staying.
"Luo De, what are you doing?" Maluk shouted at Luo De.
When he had returned to the room just now, he had seen Luo De hunched over the table, writing away. Since Luo De often wrote things, Maluk had paid no attention at first. But after Luo De finished writing and started packing his belongings, even someone as slow as Maluk knew something was wrong! He immediately ran over, grabbed Luo De's arm, and began yelling.
"Nothing. I just find this place pretty dull!" Luo De shrugged and spoke indifferently. "I'm weak, anyway, and timid enough to shy away from trouble. Staying with the Freedom only makes me a laughingstock! Before, I couldn't bear to leave, so I shamelessly stayed on. Now there's nothing I can't bear to part with! I've left a letter for the captain on the table, and here's the loot I've received since joining the Freedom. I've spent quite a bit, but most of it is still here! If I get the chance, I'll make up the difference later!"
With that, Luo De shouldered his bundle and tried to leave. But the difference in strength between him and Maluk was like heaven and earth. With Maluk gripping his arm, how could Luo De possibly break free?
"Yaliansi, Kemuier! Get over here! Luo De's leaving!" Knowing he was no good with words, Maluk shouted toward the room next door.
"Ah, Maluk, there's no need to call them. Even if they come, it won't help! I've already made my decision, and no one can change it!" Luo De sighed, raised his head, and stared unblinkingly at Maluk.
Faced with Luo De's resolute gaze, Maluk's grip suddenly loosened, and he let him go.
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