Infinity, The Arcade Age

With a loud thud, Qin Ming landed gracefully on the deck of the pirate ship, one hand gripping the silver rapier symbolizing Peter Pan's identity, his expression calm yet sharp.

At the other end, Captain Hook, who had been overseeing the battle, turned to face Qin Ming.

With a flick of his iron hook, Hook adjusted his lavish pirate coat and drew his slender rapier from his waist. His piercing gaze locked onto Qin Ming.

"This man... he dares to face me alone? Brave—or foolish."

"So, you've come alone to challenge me, Peter Pan? How arrogant!"

Hook pointed his iron hook directly at Qin Ming, his smile turning menacing.

"But did you think I'd fight fair? I'm a pirate, boy. We don't do fair fights. Besides… there are three old friends of yours who've been eager to meet you again. Why don't you all have a nice little chat first?"

With that, Captain Hook stepped aside, gesturing towards the ship's cabin door.

From within the shadows of the dimly lit entrance, three figures emerged, their footsteps echoing ominously against the wooden planks.

Leading the trio was none other than Adventurer Wind.

The moment their eyes met, a chilling silence settled over the deck.

Wind stopped in his tracks, a cruel smile spreading across his face.

"Long time no see, old friend."

Qin Ming tilted his head slightly, raising an eyebrow as if he were genuinely puzzled.

"Huh? Who are you again? Have we met?"

The smile on Wind's face froze instantly. His jaw clenched, and the veins on his forehead began to throb with fury.

"Heh… trying to make me angry, are you? No need for that—I'm already furious."

Qin Ming smirked, his eyes twinkling with mockery.

"Whoa there, buddy. Careful with that temper. You're too young to be dealing with high blood pressure."

The sarcastic jab struck home. Wind's face twisted in rage, his eyes glowing with cold fury.

"Enough talk!"

In an instant, Wind vanished from his spot with a whoosh, appearing directly behind Qin Ming with blinding speed.

Skill Activated: Frozen Step!

His hands glowed with icy blue light as he unleashed his devastating B-Rank Skill: Dark Lament!

A vortex of razor-sharp winds erupted around Qin Ming, tearing at his clothes and slicing through the air with ear-piercing shrieks.

Fabric shredded, and Qin Ming's black coat was ripped apart, revealing the bright red undershirt beneath.

However… that was the extent of it.

Qin Ming stood still amid the storm of slicing winds, completely unmoved.

His golden armguards gleamed menacingly, his skin barely scratched by the deadly attack.

-0 -0 -0 -0 -0!

Not a single point of damage…

Wind's eyes went wide with disbelief. He staggered back, his face pale.

"Impossible! I upgraded this skill specifically to break your defenses! I even spent a golden plot attribute point to enhance it to B-Rank!"

The Dark Lament skill had once been his trump card, capable of slicing through any opponent's defenses. Wind had even gambled his rare golden plot attribute point to evolve it.

But… it still wasn't enough.

Qin Ming dusted off his ruined jacket and adjusted his red undershirt.

His piercing gaze locked onto Wind.

"Oh? You thought you were the only one who's been improving? What did you expect? That I'd just sit around waiting for you to catch up?"

Wind gritted his teeth, his fists trembling.

"You…!"

Qin Ming cracked his neck, his muscles flexing under his shirt.

"What's the matter? Did you think your upgraded manicure would intimidate me? Come on now, don't disappoint me."

Before Wind could respond, Qin Ming's body ignited with roaring flames.

"Let me show you MY progress."

His left hand shot forward, and a giant flaming Sonic Hand Knife tore through the air, roaring like a blazing comet.

The fiery projectile slashed across the deck, splitting wooden planks and sending debris flying.

Wind barely managed to dodge with another Frozen Step, but as soon as he landed, another Sonic Hand Knife was already barreling toward him.

Qin Ming stood his ground, both arms extended, hurling one fiery Sonic Hand Knife after another.

The relentless barrage carved deep gouges into the ship's deck, and wooden splinters filled the air like shrapnel.

Wind darted and weaved between the incoming attacks, his face slick with sweat.

I can't get close!

He was caught in a vicious cycle: unable to approach Qin Ming without risking immediate death, yet utterly helpless in a long-range fight.

He's… suppressing me completely!

Qin Ming kept up the relentless assault, his fiery projectiles setting parts of the ship ablaze.

The balance of power had shifted.

Where once Wind had dominated with his superior stats and aggressive tactics, the tables had turned.

Qin Ming was now the predator, and Wind was the one being hunted.

The very same opponent who had once forced Qin Ming into desperate measures was now struggling just to stay alive.

"What's the matter, Wind?" Qin Ming's voice cut through the smoke and chaos. "You wanted a rematch, didn't you? Come on—stop running!"

Wind's face twisted in anger and frustration, but deep in his heart, one overwhelming thought clawed its way to the surface:

I can't win this fight… not like this.

Qin Ming's fiery silhouette loomed larger than ever, his golden bracers gleaming, and his Sonic Hand Knife ready to strike again.

The predator had cornered his prey.

The tide had shifted.

Attack and defense had reversed—and now, Qin Ming was on the hunt.

(End of Chapter)