CHAPTER 30

Don't Bother with Women

"Asshole, Beta, you're crazy!"

Barrett roared, his voice echoing through the training ground.

But no matter how much Barrett shouted, Beta ignored him, pushing his body beyond its limits in relentless training. He was reckless, almost fanatical in his pursuit of strength.

Although they often bickered, their bond was undeniable. Barrett could feel the sincerity in Beta's madness.

Watching Beta push himself into exhaustion, Barrett opened his mouth to speak—but ultimately said nothing.

Not until Beta collapsed to the ground, his body completely drained of energy.

Barrett simply sat beside him, silent, without any unnecessary gestures.

After a long silence, Beta suddenly spoke.

"Did you know? I used to be a slave."

Barrett, caught off guard, turned to look at him. But instead of showing pity, he responded with confidence.

"I know."

Beta let out a dry laugh. "Because I had a big appetite, I was always starving. Getting beaten by my master was just part of life..."

Barrett remained quiet, listening. He had lived through his own tragedies—different in detail, but the pain was the same. How many people truly understood that?

"But... after I met Boss Charlotte, my life changed. He always acts like he dislikes me, but I know he never looks down on me. I can feel it..."

"He treats me like real family."

Barrett's chest tightened. Family? That word felt distant—something he had lost long ago.

"No one knows how hard Boss Charlotte trains," Beta continued, his voice carrying admiration. "He's already a monster, but he never stops pushing himself. I used to wonder why..."

Barrett understood. The answer was simple—because of the Golden Lion. Because there were always stronger enemies out there.

"So, I won't let the boss face those monsters alone," Beta declared. "I want to be the sharpest spear in his hands. I'll protect this island—this home."

Beta grinned and turned to Barrett.

"Barrett, are you with me?"

Barrett was silent.

He had spent his whole life wandering, lost, abandoned. This place... it felt different. There was no backstabbing, no endless betrayal. Just a strange, unfamiliar sense of peace.

For the first time in a long time, he felt like he didn't want to lose something.

Before he even realized it, the words left his mouth.

"Okay."

Beta laughed, clearly delighted by Barrett's answer. But then, his usual obnoxious tone returned.

"Hey, your strength isn't good enough. You still can't beat me, don't let me kill you."

"Asshole, you wanna fight?!" Barrett snapped.

"Haha, you're getting worked up~ You're mad, you're mad~"

Beta's smug face infuriated Barrett.

"I really don't get why Boss Charlotte says you have the appearance of a king," Beta muttered.

Barrett puffed out his chest. "You just don't understand! Boss Charlotte has an eye for talent!"

Beta clicked his tongue. "Tsk, whatever."

And just like that, their conversation ended in another argument.

But somehow, something between them had changed.

Training Under the Monster

The Heberfil Pirates had entered a state of frenzy. Seeing this, Charlotte was very satisfied.

Good... This level of awareness is excellent.

So, from then on, he dedicated a fixed time every day to personally instructing and training them.

In training, Charlotte was ruthless. Serious, rigorous, merciless.

Beta, ever ambitious, insisted on training with him—and dragged Barrett along as well.

With such burning determination, how could Charlotte refuse?

From dawn to dusk, until they were barely standing.

Today was no different.

By the end of it, Beta and Barrett were completely battered. Their bodies were covered in bruises.

They limped toward the medical bay.

Inside, Gillian took one look at them, snorted, and burst into laughter.

"Pfft! Hahaha! You guys look like pigs!"

"Hey, hey, Gillian! Can you not?!" Beta shouted, clearly irritated.

"I swear, I tried to hold it in! I really did!" Gillian chuckled, even as she got to work patching them up.

The injuries weren't too serious—just surface wounds. They were used to this by now.

Beta sighed. He had heard that same excuse way too many times.

Meanwhile, Barrett sat in silence, his face expressionless.

But with his face swollen and bruised, he looked absolutely ridiculous.

It was safe to say Barrett held some resentment toward Beta.

Why did this bastard drag me into a fight with that demon, Charlotte?!

The thought alone made his eye twitch, causing a fresh jolt of pain.

"...Tch."

"Boss Charlotte is really cruel!" Beta muttered. Though not life-threatening, the numb ache in his body was unbearable.

"You do know that. So why do you keep provoking him?!" Barrett finally snapped.

His sudden movement sent another wave of pain through his body.

Gillian smirked. These two had become regulars here ever since training under Charlotte. She was used to their ridiculous arguments by now.

They were always like this.

Their wounds were treated quickly.

Beta flexed his arm, impressed. "Jillian, your medical skills keep getting better."

Barrett didn't say much, but he nodded in agreement.

"Of course," Gillian said proudly. "I'm going to be a world-famous doctor. That's my dream."

Then, she glanced at the two of them and smiled.

"You guys need a proper ship doctor to keep patching you up, don't you?"

Beta and Barrett froze.

She was right. Without a skilled doctor, they'd be in serious trouble.

"And honestly..." Gillian crossed her arms. "I don't trust Captain Charlotte's safety to you two meatheads."

"Reckless."

Beta and Barrett snapped their heads toward her.

"WE ARE NOT RECKLESS!" they shouted in unison.

But faced with Gillian's unwavering expression, they had no choice but to shut up.

Whatever. Not worth arguing over.

Besides, they absolutely refused to admit that they were just a pair of brawlers who only knew how to fight.

That was ridiculous.

...Right?

But when Beta and Barrett made eye contact, they both scoffed.

"Reckless idiot."

"You're the reckless one!"

"No, you are!"

And just like that, they limped out, bickering the entire way.

From a distance, Charlotte watched them go and muttered to himself.

"...Still so full of energy."

A slow smirk crept onto his face.

"Looks like I need to increase their training intensity."

His eyes glinted with amusement.

Beta and Barrett, somewhere down the hall, shuddered.