novelraw Chapter 19
Chapter 19
Chapter 19. Preparing to Set Sail
“Black Scorpion still hasn’t returned?”
“No, Boss!”
Kuli narrowed his large eyes, and an ominous premonition slowly rose in his heart.
Having carved out his territory in Coral Thorn City, Kuli naturally had no shortage of enemies. He had always trusted his instincts.
“Interesting…” He licked his dry lips irritably.
It seemed this Zack had truly stumbled into outrageous luck and latched onto some formidable backer. Black Scorpion was, after all, an Elite rogue. Anyone who could take him down so easily had to be at least Master level.
He needed to report this to higher-ups immediately—and find a way to extricate himself. He had no intention of becoming a sacrificial pawn.
“Damn it! No!”
Kuli slammed his fist onto the table, his knuckles cracking loudly.
Given the grudge between him and Zack, if the latter had truly found a powerful patron, there would be no escaping it. He couldn’t gamble on that.
If that was the case, then he might as well make a big move—earn a ruthless fortune and run! This foundation could be abandoned if necessary.
Having clawed his way up from the bottom, he understood one truth above all: staying alive was the top priority.
“Send word to the Blood Hand Brotherhood and the Noose Gang. Tell them Boss Kuli has a big deal to discuss!”
“Yes!”
After his subordinate scrambled out, Kuli retrieved a vial glowing with an eerie purple light from a hidden compartment. As he turned the bottle in his hand, he imagined himself fleeing into the distance with a treasury in tow.
This interference potion was one of his treasured trump cards. It allowed the user, for a short time, to interfere with others’ judgment. Though the stronger the opponent, the weaker its effect, it was more than sufficient against fellow Elite gang members.
Combined with information that was nine parts true and one part false, it would be enough to lure those two hungry wolves into the fray.
————
Early the next morning, Dean—after soaking in medicinal baths all night and now carrying a faint herbal fragrance—walked spiritedly behind O’Brien.
It was his first time seeing the sea, and he was about to embark on a maritime adventure with his teacher. His heart surged with excitement; he nearly wanted to shout aloud. But seeing his teacher’s stern expression, he restrained himself.
Taking a deep breath to steady his emotions, he gazed at the sea dyed golden-red by the rising sun. The cries of distant seagulls and the sailboats rising and falling with the waves formed a uniquely tranquil scene before his eyes.
Entering the docks, the area was already bustling. Muscular laborers carried enormous cargo bundles past them. The salty sea breeze mixed with fishy odors and the damp scent of goods, hitting him in the face and snapping him abruptly back to reality.
The pungent smell made him gag. Only after they stepped onto the pier where ships were moored did the fresher sea breeze disperse the murky air and allow him to recover.
“What? Can’t handle even this little smell?” O’Brien asked without turning around, a hint of teasing in his voice.
“Uh…” Dean released his grip, scratching his head while suppressing nausea. “It’s my first time smelling something this strong. I’m not used to it.”
“Ever been on a ship?”
“I rowed small fishing boats a few times back home.” Dean’s eyes suddenly lit up as he looked at the shimmering sea. “But I’ve never seen a sea vessel this big!”
O’Brien glanced sideways at the brightness in the boy’s eyes. “Seems you yearn for the sea?”
“Not really…” Dean rubbed his hands sheepishly. “It just feels fresh. Oh, Teacher!” He suddenly lowered his voice and leaned in mysteriously. “I heard there are monsters in the sea bigger than houses. Have you seen them?”
“I have. And I’ve killed them.”
“Really?” Dean nearly jumped in excitement. “How big was the biggest? What kind of monster?”
“Many kinds. The largest was probably the Zalgar Sea Serpent—fifty meters long.” O’Brien recalled calmly. “There was also the Sacto Kelp Aberration. When it spread out, it could cover an entire ship.”
Dean sucked in a cold breath, then thought of something else. “Then… ghost ships? Have you encountered any?”
“I once saw one in the mist from afar.” O’Brien’s expression suddenly grew serious. “But I never engaged it. That kind of thing… best never to encounter.”
“Why, Teacher?”
“Because they drift along the boundary between life and death, carrying the curses of the deceased… They are among the existences closest to the Netherworld.”
“Hiss—” The hairs on Dean’s neck stood on end. The once comfortable sea breeze now felt bone-chilling.
“My lord! Over here!” Zack’s rough shout came from the end of the pier, interrupting their conversation.
Seeing the forty-meter-long, eight-meter-wide twin-masted sailing vessel, O’Brien nodded in satisfaction. It was a fine long-distance ship.
They stepped onto the deck of the vessel named Wavecrest. Zack, Old Owen, and four others were already waiting respectfully. These were four of Zack’s remaining six able-bodied teammates; the other two had stayed behind at the base to care for the injured.
Old Owen hurried forward, rubbing his hands with a smile plastered across his face. “My lord, hot water and breakfast are prepared in the cabin. You two rest first. Once the tide rises fully, we’ll set sail!”
“Mm.”
O’Brien nodded slightly and led Dean toward the cabin. Old Owen bent at the waist to guide them, his polished boots creaking on the deck.
The sailors securing freshwater barrels nearby cast curious glances at the two newcomers. So these were the important figures the captain mentioned? Their clothes looked ordinary—even worn—but the steady aura about them inspired confidence.
Zack’s four teammates remained on deck, continuing preparations for departure.
“Grek, what level do you think that lord is?” the slender Vivian whispered, leaning against Grek’s broad arm. Her slender fingers absently traced the muscles of his arm.
“At least Grandmaster, I’d say. Didn’t the captain mention he was introduced by that ‘intelligence merchant’? And we’re going up against a Ghost-Eyed Shark pack this time.”
Sitting on a barrel, Grek frowned as he repeatedly polished a large shield. The previous battle had badly damaged it, and it had only just been repaired.
“I think you’re all underestimating things.” The blonde girl Hailey sat on the railing, swinging her legs as her gaze drifted between the affectionate pair and the distant horizon. “Do you remember the battle two nights ago that shook the entire city?”
“Wait… you don’t mean—?!”
“That’s right. It was very likely a battle between this lord and the intelligence merchant!” Hailey declared confidently.
“I asked Captain Zack about the time he met the intelligence merchant. Comparing that to the timing of the battle, it lines up—he met the merchant shortly after the fight ended.”
“Strong experts clash often in Coral Thorn City, but such a coincidence in timing, combined with the captain’s speculation that this lord and the intelligence merchant aren’t on good terms… It’s probably correct.”
“Think about it. Someone who can battle that intelligence merchant—who maneuvers among all the major forces—and shake the heavens… Their strength must be at least Intent level!”
“Hiss… After fighting, the merchant turns around and introduces a mission to his opponent—and the opponent accepts? What kind of devilish relationship is that?”
Vivian widened her eyes, her expression a mix of disbelief and gossip-fueled excitement.