Chapter 12: What Are You Playing At?

As the saying goes, "fire a shot and change your position."

In his previous life, Vivian's favorite position when playing League of Legends was ADC. Being cautious was his unwavering principle that took him from Bronze to Silver.

Because of this, even though Ashburn was already in a sorry state from being shot, Vivian still didn't draw his sword to approach. Instead, he pulled out more bullets from his pocket and continued to take potshots.

Bang!

Bang bang!

Bang bang bang—!

One shot after another.

He kept changing his shooting position, steady as an old dog.

The marines surrounding Ashburn were all stunned, their eyes starting to search around.

Who?

Who could it be?

Could there really be someone in the marines with such incredible marksmanship?

Unbelievable!

"Damn it! Which bastard is it? Get out here!!" Hiding behind a huge camphor tree, Ashburn roared in anger, a hint of helpless fury in his voice.

He was indeed scared by Vivian.

His body was riddled with bullet holes, and if it weren't for his quick reflexes and strong physique, he would have been lying on the ground, unable to move.

Even so, he was now at the end of his rope.

Suddenly spitting out a mouthful of blood, Ashburn struggled to stand up and staggered into the bushes.

He knew that if he stayed any longer, he would be dead. It was better to slip away while his crew was still buying time.

But just as Ashburn ran a short distance, a figure hanging upside down suddenly appeared on a branch above him, smiling down at him. "Where are you planning to go, leaving your comrades behind?"

Ashburn was startled, and when he saw the young man in a marine uniform hanging from the tree, his fear turned to ferocity.

"Kid, if you don't want to die, get lost…"

"Oh?" Vivian smiled at his words, then leaped down from the tree, stopping about ten meters away from Ashburn, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword.

Taking a deep breath, he leaned forward slightly.

"Breath of Thunder…"

"Vivian, step aside!" A voice suddenly interrupted, stopping Vivian from drawing his sword.

"Kuto?" Vivian turned his head, looking at the newcomer in surprise.

Silver-framed glasses, blond hair, a scholarly look that made him seem more like a bookworm than a fighter. If not for the marine uniform, you wouldn't associate him with combat.

"Vivian, this guy is strong. You can't handle him alone."

Kuto stepped forward, shielding Vivian behind him. "Sorry for misunderstanding you earlier. Also, you were the one shooting in the woods, right?"

"Uh…"

Vivian was stunned.

How did he know?

Did I expose myself?

As these thoughts flashed through his mind and he was about to deny it, Kuto continued, "Not only is your observational ability extraordinary, but your marksmanship is also outstanding. Why do you hide your talents?"

Is he indifferent to fame and fortune, or is there a hidden story?

But in any case, for someone like him to stay in this small East Blue and not shine in the headquarters would be a real waste.

Vivian: "..."

Is this what it was referring to?

Fortunately, it seemed that Kuto did not know that the lightning earlier was also caused by him, otherwise, he probably wouldn't have jumped out to stop him.

"Vivian, go notify the others quickly. I'll deal with this guy for now!"

Kuto said, holding his military sword horizontally in front of him, with a resolute expression.

Ashburn was too strong, and Kuto had felt it firsthand during their previous encounter. Vivian's shooting talent was indeed strong, but Kuto did not believe that he could also defeat Ashburn in swordsmanship.

"Prepare to die, pirate! Stay where you are and accept your fate!"

Without waiting for Vivian to say anything, Kuto rushed forward and swung his sword vertically towards Ashburn's head.

"Arrogant fool, don't underestimate my giant blade!"

Hearing Kuto's words, Ashburn was completely enraged. Ignoring his bleeding wounds, he swung his giant blade again, clashing with Kuto's military sword.

Clang—!

The deafening sound of metal clashing.

The next moment, Kuto was sent flying and crashed into a thick tree.

A sharp pain shot through his internal organs, and he tasted blood in his throat, but Kuto gritted his teeth against the pain, quickly got up from the ground, and rushed forward with his military sword again.

"For justice!"

Clang—!

"Ah!"

He fell and got up, again and again.

By the time Kuto's meticulously arranged marine uniform was stained with blood, Vivian, who had been watching the whole process, was stunned.

This guy...

Could he really be so reckless with his life?

"Wah!" Another mouthful of blood spurted from Kuto's mouth. As he struggled to get up again, Vivian, who couldn't bear to watch anymore, finally drew his military sword, stepped past Kuto, and charged towards Ashburn.

"Die, pirate!"

"Die, marine!"

Both of them let out a fierce shout.

But just as their blades were about to clash, Vivian's foot suddenly slipped, and his body lurched forward, falling to the ground.

Ashburn's giant blade grazed Vivian's scalp, cutting off a strand of hair, while Vivian's military sword, in the moment of falling, happened to stab into Ashburn's abdomen.

The tip of the blade instantly tore open the already bleeding wound, sinking into the flesh.

Ashburn's eyes widened, staring at Vivian with a look of disbelief.

"You.."

Vivian, seeing this, smirked and then immediately switched to a panicked expression, stepping back several steps. "Ah! I... I didn't mean to!"

"Well done, Vivian." Standing behind him, Kuto couldn't help but praise.

Then, as if relieved, he closed his eyes and passed out.

Vivian shook his head, walked over, and lifted Kuto from the ground.

"So..."

"You only make thirty thousand berries a month, why are you risking your life like this?"

…