"Alas, it was not to last. The old man's fire whip couldn't pierce through the tyrant's glowing blue forcefield, and the ice devil has always been a coward. He hid behind the tyrant while throwing ice harpoons. The old man's whip spluttered out in a puff of smoke. That's when the tyrant took his head. It was a tragic end." Avery let out a deep sigh with a dejected look.

"Mister Kim's dead too?! What about Su? What about Josh? What about the others" Noah rushed to drunkard as he gripped his shirt by the collar.

"Relax, they're all still alive. Ronan only killed the giant and the old man after he tossed you overboard. The little girl did lose an eye though. The ice devil was a bit unprofessional when he used the pointed end of the ice spear to knock her out. It's a shame, of course. But please unhand my shirt," it was apparent that Avery was more distressed by his ruffled shirt.

"How is this possible? Ronan should've left them alone after I was gone. He had what he wanted when he got both of my System-items. Why would he go to that extreme? They're all ability-users," Noah rambled to himself as everything around him seemed to disappear as the shock set in.

"Hey, are you alright?..." Avery placed a hand on Noah's hunched shoulder, but he ignored it.

"Tell me. Why did Ronan kill them?" Noah had become hysterical as he placed a hand on Avery's arm.

"I couldn't tell you. Ronan's Username is 'the tyrant' after all. Mercy isn't in the job title." Avery replied as he tried to soothe Noah.

Noah turned his back to the gathered crowd as Roger stopped Louis as he attempted to comfort him. He held the back of his palm against Louis's chest as he spoke.

"This pain is good for him. Struggle makes him powerful. Watch." Roger said as he watched intently while his mouse's eyes glowed purple as they twitched in Noah's direction.

The gathered onlookers watched in respectful silence as they stood witness to Noah's mental breakdown. Purple lifeforce was beginning to appear under his withered skin as he paced in circles slapping his head. He would occasionally stop to scream towards the fiery sky in defiance. At other times he would hunch over and cry hysterically. All the while, Noah was muttering to himself. The purple light was gaining in intensity. Until finally, Noah suddenly snapped out of it. Noah turned to face Roger, who was watching his actions solemnly.

"We'll repair the boat. Then we'll attack that monstrosity. I'll have Ronan's head for this," Noah coldly declared.

Noah was currently glowing brighter than he ever had with purple light as his withered skin repaired itself at a rate evident to the naked eye. Roger didn't reply as he silently turned to face the boss. They discussed in that unknown language as Noah waited patiently. As the conversation came to a close, the pair went silent to turn and stare at Noah. The boss gave a single firm nod wordlessly as Roger addressed him.

"The boss says that a man's honour requires an eye for an eye and blood for blood. We will help you. But first, we must plan." Roger stated.

***

The ability-users went below deck to discuss a plan of how to attack the cruise ship as the oarsmen continued to bail out the ankle-deep water. They had a rough outline of how to get on board the ship. Roger will act as the part of captain while the boss will appear to be his first mate. Avery and the white guard Zane were not a part of the discussion, but both were present.

Avery was more interested in examining his nails for dirt. Whereas the boss had cut Zane's tongue out after learning what he had attempted to do to Louis again in consideration of his regeneration ability.

"It sounds like a good plan. We can iron out the details when we make it on board. I'll need to hide or disguise myself, though. If Avery can, then other people can." Noah gave his input.

"Actually, no," Avery interjected.

"What do you mean?" Noah asked.

"Other people won't recognize you. I wouldn't have been able to if I hadn't awakened an ability the moment I saw you." Avery dismissed his concern.

"Wait. You awoke an ability the moment you saw me?" Noah interrupted him.

"Yes. If you'd just let me finish. I gained an ability known as 'Intuition' the description in the [System Interface] says 'the User collects subconscious information from the surrounding environment to arrive at otherwise impossible to know conclusions.'"

Avery placed his feet down from where he had drawn them to his chest to stay out of the water as he stood to join the conversation now that he had everyone's attention. As he drew in a breath to begin a long-winded speech, Roger cut him off.

"Sit down. I know how abilities are awakened. This buffoon's story confirmed it for me. Tell them what happened when you underwent your [Rite of Awakening] for your intuition ability." Roger instructed him.

"Well, I..." Avery began.

"Make it short, or I will bury you up to your neck on the first beach I see to wait until the tide comes in." Roger threatened him.

"I will tell you in a moment. This fool will confirm my words." Roger spoke after seeing all of the questioning looks.

"It was in the lifeboat. After the swordfish came in like a torpedo, it burst through the wall to pin poor Cynthea to that wind-bag Rupert. Ironic how he was killed choking on his own words after regaling us with a never-ending story of how he tied his shoes that morning. I don't exactly remember what his long-winded speech was about, but I guarantee that it was something mundane like…" Roger smacked Avery with his open palm on the side of his head.

"Ouch! No need to get violent."

"As I was saying, I got the notification from the SYSTEM telling me that I was undergoing the [Rite of Awakening] as the flapping fish knocked my wine out of my hand all over my pristine white shirt..."

Roger was silent as he appeared to be at a loss. Avery's answer was not what he expected. Avery continued his narration.

"...the shirt was utterly mutilated. I looked like some third-world pig farmer. My image was completely ruined." As Avery finished talking, an expression of understanding appeared on Roger's face.

"A User will undergo a [Rite of Awakening] when they become extremely agitated." Roger began to instruct the ability-users gathered.

"That makes no sense. Then why isn't everyone an ability-user?!" Louis demanded.

"They are too weak. Men must have the courage of a lion to be able to face their demons." Roger kicked the foot of Avery's decorative lion walking cane.

"This fool became upset that his shirt was ruined then began his trial. Basil can show me who is undergoing a [Rite of Awakening], but he cannot say when or what ability will awaken." Roger gestured towards Louis and Zane.

"What about Noah? I've never seen anyone become more upset, but he seems like the same old Noah," Louis asked.

Noah noticed there had been something tugging at the edge of his awareness, demanding his attention. He entered the [System Interface] to see that another hazy symbol had formed beside his [Six Spirit Arms] and [Battle Instinct] abilities. He realized what he had just done a moment later.