Infinity, The Arcade Age

With a loud crash, the Evil Fat Chef was sent flying back into the kitchen, crashing through counters and shattering shelves.

Struggling to his feet, he raised his cleaver and frying pan and lunged at Qin Ming once more. However, his strike was effortlessly blocked by Qin Ming's golden bracers.

Clang! Sparks flew as the cleaver's edge chipped against the impenetrable armor.

These golden bracers… 50 extra points of localized defense? That's just ridiculous.

With a swift motion, Qin Ming knocked the blade aside and slugged the chef across the jaw, sending the rotund villain sprawling once again.

Without giving him a chance to recover, Qin Ming grabbed a boiling hot cauldron, heaved it with all his might, and hurled it at the chef's chest.

Crash! The cauldron struck home, scalding hot broth spilling over the chef's body, causing him to shriek in agony.

Desperate, the chef unleashed a rapid flurry of attacks—four frenzied swings with his weapons.

But Qin Ming merely raised his golden bracers, effortlessly blocking each strike with surgical precision.

These weak attacks can't even scratch me.

Stepping forward, Qin Ming delivered a devastating kick to the chef's gut, launching him backward into the rubble.

The Evil Fat Chef was, by all accounts, a formidable first-stage boss.

His Strength and Constitution were both 40 points, and he possessed four C-ranked abilities.

In most worlds, he would have been a nightmare to handle.

But against Qin Ming, who had surpassed typical player limits, the chef was little more than a punching bag.

Is it because I've grown too strong… or is this world just too easy?

As Qin Ming advanced once again, a golden light enveloped his body, and a new buff notification appeared in his vision.

Fairy Magic - Strength (Strength Limit +15)

Before he could react, Tinkerbell, clinging tightly to his hair, screamed excitedly:

"Get him, Peter Pan! Get him!"

Rolling his eyes, Qin Ming lowered his stance and charged forward like an unstoppable freight train.

His shoulder slammed into the chef, pinning him against a stone wall and shattering it on impact.

The two tumbled outside, and Qin Ming landed on top of the chef, straddling him.

With both fists blazing with fire and energy, he delivered a barrage of crushing punches.

His stats were now outrageous.

Base Strength: 41 points

Fairy Magic Boost: +15 points

Total Strength: 56 points!

If I activate Essence Drain… I could hit 60 points, the peak of Stage One limits.

Each punch felt like a sledgehammer blow, reducing the chef's resistance with every impact.

Finally, Qin Ming grabbed the chef by the collar, lifted him off the ground, and brought his knee crashing into the chef's spine with a sickening crack.

The chef's body folded into a grotesque V-shape before he fell limp, blood streaming from his mouth and nose.

Without hesitation, Qin Ming wrapped an iron-like arm around the chef's neck and twisted sharply.

Snap!

The chef's lifeless body slumped to the ground.

As the dust settled, Qin Ming bent down and picked up a Silver Key from the chef's corpse.

Scanning the battlefield, he saw pirates scattering in terror while the Lost Boys cheered triumphantly.

That… was easier than I thought. Compared to the chaos of the last world, this almost feels like cheating.

Before he could finish his thoughts, a warm glow enveloped his ear.

Tinkerbell had swooped in, clinging to his ear, and planted two tiny kisses on him.

"That was amazing! You're so much cooler than the previous Peter Pans! The way you fight—it's so wild and ferocious! I love it!"

Ding! Tinkerbell's favorability increased by +80 points!

Qin Ming's eye twitched.

Of course it's different. The previous Peter Pans were literal kids! Even if they were tough, they still had the physique of children.

But me? I'm a full-grown adult who's fought tooth and nail in a dozen death matches.

As he brushed Tinkerbell away from his ear, Qin Ming began sorting through the battlefield debris, his mind racing.

Should I use this opportunity to deal with those three trackers?

I've completed the main mission. I could leave now if I wanted to, and they'd waste their tracking item for nothing. That'd sting.

But… you can't spend your whole life running.

His brow furrowed as he weighed his options.

No. I'll stay two more days. I have 48 hours left to leave this world.

That should be enough time to hunt them down.

Before he could solidify his plan, a deafening rumble shook the ground.

Qin Ming turned toward the coastline, his eyes widening at the sight before him.

A massive pirate ship—its black sails billowing in the wind—had anchored offshore.

The skull and crossbones flag fluttered ominously above the deck.

From the ship, cannons fired in rapid succession, sending explosions tearing through the shore.

Debris rained down as the Lost Boys scattered for cover, the ground erupting in plumes of smoke and dirt.

As the cannon fire ceased, a path cleared on the deck.

Through the gap stepped a towering figure, clad in an ornate captain's coat and a feathered tricorn hat.

His left hand gripped a thin rapier, while his right arm ended in a gleaming iron hook.

His gaze was cold, piercing, and filled with cruelty as he looked down at the battered camp.

"Well, well… It seems we meet again, Lost Boys. But where… is your beloved Peter Pan?"

The Final Boss of Hook's World, Captain Hook, had arrived.

(End of Chapter)