"Hey, I must be seeing things. That guy..."
"That man is..."
The members of the Divine Knight Order, watching the young man approaching, instantly turned pale.
A chill surged straight to their heads, and that intense fear spread throughout their bodies in just an instant like a tide.
One of the knights had his legs go soft, subconsciously taking a step back, and the long sword in his hand clanged as it fell to the ground.
"—It's Godslayer Shano!!!"
No mistake about it!
Anyone could be mistaken, but that man, that ruthless executioner, that Demon who killed the Five Elders!
They, as Heavenly Celestial Dragons, how could they not recognize him!
"Damn! How could it be him!"
"Where are the rest of the Endgame members, those top-ranking officers, could they have been brought here by him as well!"
"Dangerous! Retreat! Get away from him!"
Suddenly, screams erupted.
The Divine Knights who were imposing and aggressive initially now looked terrified, as if they had seen a ghost, retreating one after another, turning their originally well-formed encircling and killing formation into a complete mess in an instant.
"This..."
Shanks, who had just shown a look of delight, suddenly froze, staring incredulously at the scene.
Though they're both Sea Emperors, both ultimate wanted fugitives with bounties of tens of billions...
These Divine Knights, his so-called "comrades," dared to fearlessly surround him, but against Shano, why do they—
Fear him to such an extent!
Why???
"..."
And standing in the center, Saint Garling at this moment was also extremely grim.
"Sha... no!"
He gritted his teeth as he pronounced this name, his muscles unconsciously tense, and his gaze locked onto the figure approaching steadily.
Yet Shano didn't even glance at him, directly coming to stand before Jack, looking down at this miserable state and sighing lightly.
"Boss...?"
Jack heard the commotion, suddenly opened his eyes, his previously blurry pupils struggled to focus on the face in front of him.
Huh?
Am I already dead?
Even if I'm not dead, I probably almost am, seeing a dying hallucination of the boss here...
In the next moment, his ear was pulled hard.
"Ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch! Boss, lighten up, lighten up!"
Jack first let out an anguished scream, then his eyes widened, unable to suppress a burst of ecstatic expression:
"Huh, it's really you, Boss, not a hallucination!"
"I thought you had finally improved your reckless nature, but it turns out, humph, that you end up investigating a missing caravan case all the way to the heads of the Five Elders and the Red Hair?"
"I..."
Jack opened his mouth, blushed with shame, just as he was about to say something, the strong hand tugging at his ear loosened, and patted his shoulder.
"Still, you fought well, awakened the Supreme King, and single-handedly gave the old man a solid punch, at least you didn't disgrace my teachings."
A gentle laugh sounded.
Huh?
Jack was stunned, his mouth agape.
Did he hear it wrong, not only did the boss not blame him for humiliating the Endgame, but actually praised him!
He was filled with joy, looking at Shano who slowly stood up, and at that moment, all the fatigue and pain in his body seemed to be swept away completely.
"Shano!"
Garling, ignored for a long while, fury and dread intertwined in his eyes, couldn't help but roar again:
"Hey! You, how can you appear here? Just how did you do that!!!"
He didn't receive a reply.
Only an emotionless voice was heard.
"I initially intended to ask you to make an exception, but it seems we've met for the first time and there's no connection."
"So let's forget it, and say it in a way that's easier for you to understand."
Shano looked at Garling, grinning:
"Either get lost, or die."