Chapter 2: The Loudest Voice Masks the Weakest Heart

"Ah! So that's how it is!"

"The Mountain Bandit King’s aura is unmatched! Only our boss could pull this off!"

The bandits erupted in狂热 cheers, completely misreading the situation. Meanwhile, Sige stood frozen, sweat trickling down his spine.

"They drew their swords..."

Behind him, Shanks—who had been calmly sweeping glass shards off the floor—rose to his feet. A faint smirk ghosted across his lips as he adjusted his straw hat, shadowing his eyes. His voice, though quiet, cut through the tension like a blade:

"Since blades are drawn... let’s stake our lives on this."

"After all," he added, tone chillingly neutral, "weapons aren’t toys for posturing."

The tavern plunged into silence. Even the Red-Haired Pirates, who had been lounging with amused detachment, snapped to attention. Some rose from their seats, hands drifting toward weapons. The air crackled with lethal intent.

"Wait!"

Sige’s sudden shout froze the room. To everyone’s shock, a grin split his face—wide, manic, and utterly out of place.

First Mate Benn Beckman narrowed his eyes. Odd. This nobody actually seems… excited?

A man who smiles before battle? Beckman reassessed the scraggly bandit leader. Perhaps he’s more than a joke.

But Sige’s glee had nothing to do with courage.

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A translucent panel materialized before him, its text glowing:

[Thespian System Activated!]

[Newbie Reward: S-Tier Character Card Draw—Use Now?]

My cheat finally arrived!

Relief flooded Sige—until he read “Thespian System.”

An acting system? In a battle shonen world?! Despair threatened until he skimmed the rules:

[Embody a character fully→Gain their power!]

[100% Sync = Full Abilities Unlocked.]

Even Vegeta from DBZ?! Visions of vaporizing admirals danced in his head.

"Use the S-Card!"

His consciousness hurtled through cosmic void, stars blazing around a single golden card.

Gacha mechanics? Seriously?

The card flipped. Golden radiance erupted.

"...Wait. Him?!"

The card revealed a man with scarred left eye, spikes of blonde hair, and bone-chilling aura.

[Character: KING]

[Rank: S]

[Source: One-Punch Man]

[Ability: Emperor Engine—Terrifying heartbeat resonance triggers opponents’ psychological崩溃.]

Sige’s soul died a little.

An S-Rank… with ZERO combat skills?!

Where’s the “Summon Bald Cape” passive?! He screamed internally at the absent system.

Reality snapped back. Barely a second had passed.

All eyes locked on Sige. Under King’s influence, his rough features now carried an inexplicable sharpness—jawline hardened, brows steeled into permanent scowl. Even his nervous smile twisted into a predator’s sneer.

Thud-thud-THUD!

A deep, rhythmic pounding filled the room.

Beckman tensed. What’s that noise? Tracking the sound, he realized—

It’s his heartbeat.

Sige gulped, forced words past King’s gravelled baritone: "Maybe... we should avoid fighting? I mean—"

Dammit, sound confident!

"—how could someone like me possibly challenge a Yonko?"

But King’s vocal cords transformed the plea into a bone-chilling taunt. Every syllable dripped disdain.

The Red-Hair Pirates集体 stiffened.

Then it clicked.

This scraggly mountain bandit knew they were Yonko-tier—and still mocked them?!

Benn Beckman’s cigar dropped. Shanks’ smirk vanished.

Behind Sige, his bandits wet themselves with pride:

"Boss is threatening a Yonko!!!"

The Emperor Engine roared louder.

THUD-THUD-THUD!

With every beat, the pirates’ imaginations ran wild:

Is his Conqueror’s Haki condensing into soundwaves?!

What devil fruit creates heartbeats like war drums?!

Unseen to all, Sige’s real thoughts screamed:

I just wanted to apologize!!!