Is his reaction really necessary?
Dæmon regarded Shiki’s behavior with disdain.
He looked Shakky up and down.
She was undoubtedly a great beauty, but there was no need to react so dramatically.
What a simp.
The Rocks Pirates seemed to be full of simps.
Whitebeard was only slightly better because he hid it well, while the others displayed their infatuation openly.
“Hello.
I’m Dæmon.” Shakky wore a sweet smile that seemed somewhat different from the personality Dæmon remembered.
The Shakky in her sixties had been far more mature and composed, while her younger self appeared gentler.
“I’ve heard about you,” Shakky said.
“You’re Dæmon the Brewer, the newest member of the Rocks Pirates.
Your first bounty was already five hundred million Berries.” Dæmon had no interest in explaining the circumstances behind that ridiculous bounty.
“What brings you to my little tavern?” “I heard from Rocks and the others yesterday that you serve a special wine.
Supposedly, anyone who drinks it will become immortal.” Curiosity filled Shakky’s eyes.
She had not believed the story at first, but Kaido had demonstrated his regeneration in front of her.
After seeing that, she had no choice but to accept that the wine was real.
Dæmon immediately turned toward Shiki.
“…Let me explain, Dæmon!” Shiki gave him a guilty laugh.
“Everyone got drunk at Shakky’s tavern yesterday, and the information slipped out.
It really was an accident!” Dæmon did not believe him for a second.
He was a man too.
How could he not understand what had happened?
Shiki and the others had probably become drunk and started boasting in front of a beautiful woman.
Somewhere along the way, they had revealed the secret of the Elixir of Immortality.
“It doesn’t matter.
I never intended to keep it hidden.” Dæmon shook his head before turning back to Shakky.
“Miss Shakky, if you wish to drink the Elixir of Immortality, you must exchange a Devil Fruit for it.” Shakky blinked.
“If its effects are genuine, that is certainly a reasonable price.
But may I try it first?” “No.” Dæmon rejected her without the slightest hesitation.
Shakky pursed her lips helplessly.
“Can’t you make an exception for me?” Did her beauty truly have no effect on him?
“No.” “All right…” Shakky sighed.
Shiki immediately stepped forward like a self-appointed knight in shining armor.
“Dæmon, don’t be so stingy!
If Shakky wants a glass, just give her one.
I’ll find a Devil Fruit for you later!” Dæmon looked at him with disdain.
“That won’t do.
Rules are rules.
Besides, why don’t you give her your serving?” “Absolutely not!” Shiki refused immediately, his mind becoming clear in an instant.
Dæmon smiled faintly.
“The wine will be ready tonight.
Go tell Rocks that I’ll deliver it to everyone later.” “Really?” With immortality now within reach, beauty immediately took second place.
Shiki’s eyes lit up.
“Jihahaha!
I’ll inform Rocks!
We’ll be waiting for you at the Skull Hotel tonight!” He flew out of the tavern without another word.
The Skull Hotel was a massive building at the center of Hachinosu.
Its exterior resembled an enormous ocher-colored skull, while the hollowed interior had been converted into a hotel.
Most members of the Rocks Pirates lived there.
Dæmon disliked the place because it was far too noisy.
He preferred peace and quiet, so he usually stayed on the second floor of the Immortal Tavern.
After Shiki departed, Dæmon turned toward Shakky.
“Was there anything else?” “No.
And…
I’m sorry for making such an unreasonable request.
Please don’t hold it against me.” Shakky winked at him.
“My tavern is on the third street to the west.
You’re welcome to visit whenever you like.” With that, she left.
She exudes charm wherever she goes, and she has a pleasant personality.
No wonder she’s so popular.
Dæmon watched her disappear before returning behind the counter.
He took out a stack of wanted posters and began flipping through them.
They belonged to pirates currently living on Hachinosu.
Their bounties varied greatly.
Rocks possessed the highest, while the weakest pirates were worth only around ten million Berries.
Half an hour passed while Dæmon studied the posters.
Then Alfie arrived for work.
“Lord Dæmon, I’m sorry I’m late today.” “You don’t need to come here and clean every day.
We rarely have customers.” “Oh…” Alfie immediately resembled a dejected rabbit.
She lowered her head, picked up a broom, and began sweeping away dust that probably did not even exist.
After thinking for a moment, Dæmon spoke again.
“You can bring me lunch and dinner occasionally.” He did not need breakfast because he rarely ate it.
“Yes, Lord Dæmon!” Alfie instantly regained her energy and nodded enthusiastically.
“Oh, right.
I have a task for you.” Dæmon selected one wanted poster from the stack and handed it to her.
“Give this to Cocke.
Tell him to capture this man and imprison him in the basement.” “Grandpa Cocke?” Alfie accepted the poster and examined it carefully.
[WANTED] [DEAD OR ALIVE] [“DISMEMBERER” MUNRO] [OFFICER OF THE HELL PIRATES] [BOUNTY: 55,000,000 BERRIES] “Did this pirate offend you?” Alfie asked curiously.
After spending so much time with Dæmon, she had discovered that he was usually easy to speak with.
As a result, she had gradually become less timid around him.
Dæmon lightly tapped her on the head.
“Don’t ask questions.
Just deliver the message.” “Yes~” Once the young princess left, Dæmon was alone in the tavern again.
He had not spent all his time sitting around and doing nothing.
During the past few weeks, he had collected the wanted posters of most notable pirates on Hachinosu.
His objective was naturally to devour them.
Cocke and the other survivors were not particularly strong, and there were only twelve of them.
Therefore, Dæmon could not choose an initial target who was too powerful.
A pirate worth fifty-five million Berries was a suitable test.
“I’ll use him to test the demon’s devouring ability and determine exactly how much it can strengthen me.” …
It was past seven in the evening.
In the same basement where Dæmon had first been summoned, “Dismemberer” Munro lay in the center of the pentagram.
His hands and feet had been tightly bound, and a rag had been stuffed into his mouth, preventing him from making a sound.
Cocke knelt respectfully before Dæmon.
“Lord Dæmon, we have captured the man you requested!” “Did anyone see you?” “No.
We were extremely careful.
Hachinosu is full of pirates, and people die or disappear every day.
His disappearance won’t attract any attention.” “Good.
All of you may leave.” Dæmon waved his hand.
Cocke and the others bowed before leaving the basement.
Once they were gone, Dæmon approached Munro and removed the rag from his mouth.
“You’re…
You’re the new member of the Rocks Pirates!” Munro stared at him in terror.
“Dæmon the Brewer—the notorious pirate with a bounty of five hundred million Berries!
Why did you capture me?
I’ve never offended you!” “We’re pirates.
What does it matter whether you offended me?” Dæmon raised one hand.
Black lightning crackled around his palm as a bottle of the Elixir of Immortality appeared.
He poured a glass of crimson wine and held it in front of Munro.
“Drink it.
Most people will never receive such an opportunity.
A single glass is worth one Devil Fruit.” “What?” Munro shook his head frantically.
He had no idea what the wine contained, but he knew Dæmon could not have brought him here for anything good.
Dæmon grabbed Munro by the jaw and forcibly poured the wine down his throat.
Before the pirate had any chance to react, Dæmon placed his right palm against his forehead.
Devour.
The moment Dæmon silently uttered the command, Munro’s entire body began to distort.
His flesh gradually crumbled into countless particles, resembling dust caught in a powerful current.
The particles streamed toward Dæmon and disappeared into his palm.
Munro’s eyes widened in terror.
He struggled desperately, but his bound limbs left him powerless to stop what was happening.
Eventually, his entire body vanished.
Even his clothes were devoured, leaving no trace behind.
It was as though Munro had never existed.
“Haa…” Dæmon closed his eyes and silently absorbed the experience and knowledge flowing into his mind.
Munro’s combat experience, memories, and navigational knowledge—all accumulated during his journey from the West Blue to Hachinosu—now belonged to Dæmon.
“I understand now.” Dæmon slowly opened his eyes.
His heart remained completely calm.
“So this is the devouring power of a demon.” A pirate had been erased without leaving behind a single trace.
Everything Munro had possessed had become nourishment for Dæmon’s growth.
Dæmon clenched his fist and felt the strength flowing through his body.
“The improvement is significant, and there don’t seem to be any side effects.” He loosened his hand again.
“However, I’ll need some time to fully digest everything I absorbed.”