One piece: Without a system, I have to survive!

The roar of fire and the screams of the villagers filled the night air. Shadows danced across the burning buildings as pirates rampaged through the streets, cutting down anyone who resisted.

And at the center of the destruction—

Stood Captain Darius "Bloodfang" Krieg.

His massive frame towered over the terrified villagers. His battle-worn axe dripped with fresh blood, a wicked grin plastered across his scarred face.

He had barely changed since the last time I saw him.

The last time he betrayed me.

The last time he left me to die.

And now, he was here—destroying everything in his path, like he always did.

⚔🔥🔥🔥

My body tensed, golden flames flickering around my fists.

Selene unsheathed her daggers. "So… that's the bastard?"

Shira gritted her teeth. "I can't believe it… he's the one who—"

Smoker cracked his knuckles, smoke curling from his lips. "Tch. We gonna talk or fight?"

I didn't answer.

I was already moving.

🔥🔥🔥

I charged forward, flames bursting to life around me. My feet barely touched the ground as I closed the distance between us, the heat of my own power burning the air around me.

Krieg turned at the last second, his eyes widening slightly—

Before his grin widened.

CLANG!

My flaming fist met his massive axe, sending out a shockwave that rippled through the entire battlefield. The ground beneath us cracked from the sheer force of the impact.

The pirates around us stumbled back, eyes widening in shock.

I pushed harder, flames exploding outward, forcing Krieg to take a step back.

And then—

He laughed.

A deep, rumbling laugh that echoed through the burning village.

"Well, well," he growled. "I thought I killed you, brat."

I clenched my jaw. "Not even close."

He grinned, raising his axe. "Then let's fix that mistake."

⚔🔥🔥🔥

He swung.

I dodged at the last second, feeling the wind from his strike rush past my face. His axe slammed into the ground, splitting the earth apart.

Before he could recover, I countered—

My fist, wreathed in golden fire, crashed into his ribs.

The force sent him flying backward, smashing through a burning cart.

The villagers and pirates alike froze, eyes locked on the scene in disbelief.

Krieg groaned, pushing himself up from the wreckage. He wiped a trickle of blood from his mouth and grinned.

"Not bad," he admitted. "Looks like you actually got stronger."

I exhaled slowly, feeling the power of the Sunfire pulsing within me.

This time, I wasn't the weakling he had betrayed.

This time, I was stronger.

And I wasn't going to stop—

Until he was nothing but ashes.