Siege of the Pirate Island
'Thud... thud...'
On the deck of the ship rocking amid the crashing waves, Namgung Seojun gazed at the pirate island. Captain Kang Inho approached him, lit a cigarette, and struck up a conversation.
"It's been quiet lately, huh?"
The captain spoke as he puffed on his smoke, and Seojun simply nodded.
For the past week, the party hadn't fought a single proper battle. The pirate ships weren't even venturing out from the island anymore. The pirates had concluded they couldn't beat the Prokho.
They were outmatched in long-range cannon fire, and in close-quarters boarding actions, the party's superior quality overwhelmed them even when outnumbered. It was a total rout.
"What do you think about this standoff, Party Leader? Got any plans?"
At the captain's question, Namgung Seojun decided it wasn't a bad situation.
"We'll turn it into a war of attrition."
"A war of attrition?"
When the captain asked what he meant, Seojun pointed at the pirate island.
"There've gotta be at least 500 on that island—maybe 700 or 800. But how much food do they have? How much water?"
The pirate island was a rocky outcrop; foraging for food there was nearly impossible. To stock up properly, they'd need to buy supplies from other islands or fish at sea—but both options were off the table now.
Time was firmly on Namgung Seojun's party's side.
From that point on, the party lingered off the pirate island. Supplies and water were replenished via delivery ships from Arhof, while the Prokho held position in the waters where the island's docks were visible.
Staying cooped up on the ship wasn't easy, but the group endured. After two weeks, the results started showing.
Two weeks later, on a dark night, small boats began slipping out from the pirate island. One fully cleared the island and entered open water, prompting Seojun's party to close in.
"Halt! Move and I'll blast you with magic."
Lee Guho shouted, mid-cast, and the boat stopped. Deckhands illuminated it with flares, revealing ten pirates holding a white flag.
The pirates were brought aboard the Prokho, bound, and questioned by Namgung Seojun.
"White flag surrender? Here to give up?"
"Yes. That's right."
The pirates had decided they couldn't survive on the island any longer. With food gone and fresh water running out, they'd slipped away under cover of night to surrender.
"There's not a scrap of food left in there—they're eating rats—and the water's almost gone. We're surrendering to live."
They'd stolen a small boat, knowing capture meant slavery, but it beat death.
"I see."
Seojun was about to hand them over to the brig when one pirate spoke up urgently.
"We've got a pouch of jewels and gold coins on our boat. Take it and sell us to the temple as slaves."
This was their second aim: being sold to the temple. Temple slaves got decent treatment for slaves, and after a set period of service, they could regain free status.
Seojun boarded their boat himself and checked the pouch.
'Hm... not bad.'
It held more jewels and coins than expected—roughly 150 gold. Selling them at the temple wouldn't be a loss at that price.
"Fine. I'll sell you to the temple."
He accepted their request. They were the first.
Soon, deserters began streaming out from the pirate island.
"We surrender! Surrender!"
"Just spare our lives!"
"Water... please, just a sip..."
Most came driven by hunger and thirst.
"Die!"
"I won't starve like this!"
Some made a final desperate charge, sailing out for battle. But the weakened pirates were easily subdued by Seojun's party.
A month later, most of the island's pirates were gone.
"Move in."
At Namgung Seojun's order, the Prokho landed to finish the job. The remaining pirates were too starved and dehydrated to fight, lacking even the will.
"We surrender... surrender..."
All simply surrendered to the party, ending the pirate island conquest with ease.
A month after departure, the Prokho—carrying Seojun's party—returned to Arhof harbor.
Once again, villagers greeted them with flower petals and music.
'♪~ ♩ ♪~ ♫~ ♪♩~ ♪'
A band of diverse instruments filled the air with music they'd practiced on their own, awaiting the party's return.
"Wow!!!"
Clap clap clap
"Savior! Savior! Savior!"
Hundreds of villagers cheered, chanted "Savior," and applauded wildly.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Fireworks burst overhead, creating a perfect festival welcome.
The high priestess emerged onto the docks to greet them.
"Impressive as always. We truly thank you for saving our village."
She bowed deeply, but Namgung Seojun waved it off. Still, she continued her gracious thanks.
"Today, with the pirates eradicated, is Arhof's official festival day!"
At her declaration, the villagers launched their prepared festivities. In the village square, massive roast pigs became barbecue, and huge beer kegs dotted the area for toasts with beer and pork.
Seojun's party's slaves and crew joined the villagers in the revelry.
Though the festival began, Seojun and the core party members couldn't partake yet. They had a month's worth of battle results to tally and plans to make, diving straight into a strategy meeting.
"We've captured 573 pirates alive."
This included about 50 who'd surrendered with valuables for temple sale, over 300 battle prisoners, and more than 200 who'd surrendered on the island.
"Captured twelve ships."
Eight pirate vessels sunk, some escaped, but they'd seized twelve mid-to-large ones. Battle-damaged, but most were seaworthy after repairs.
Seojun planned to use this manpower and ships to build a village on the pirate island for the remaining quest.
"High Priestess, we'll use the pirates as slaves to pioneer a settlement."
"A brilliant idea."
Next came the money talk.
"Excluding the 53 promised to the temple, that's about 520 pirates left. Will you buy them?"
"..."
The high priestess pondered, then replied worriedly.
"The issue is the cost. Our village isn't that wealthy."
Checking her ledgers, she offered 30 gold per pirate—totaling 15,600 for 520. A normal adult male first-class slave went for 20 gold; second-class for 30. But many pirates were decent fighters; outside, they'd fetch more—up to 80+ gold for skilled second-class ones. Captains or deck bosses? 60-80 gold.
It was a loss, but for quick quest completion, Seojun conceded.
"Fine. 16,000 gold for all of them. In exchange, ask Li Zhangwei for massive merit points."
As fellow apostles of the Nameless God, she could grant Li Zhangwei merits. That's what he demanded.
"Agreed! We can give plenty."
"Leader, thank you. In return, I waive profit shares until floor 40."
Li Zhangwei expressed gratitude, trading merits for free labor via waived shares.
The other party members felt it balanced out. The pirate prisoner deal closed successfully.
"Now, report them to enslave. Nearest major god's village or city..."
Pharos interjected as Seojun spoke.
"Seojun, I can enslave them too."
As a major god's priest, Pharos could do it. Having witnessed the battles, he could directly enslave the pirates.
"Then, starting tomorrow, please enslave the 520 not for temple sale."
With prisoners handled, they moved to ships.
Seojun proposed first to the high priestess.
"Of the twelve ships, we'll donate the four most damaged. In return, cover all past refit costs and repair the other eight for free."
Despite the damaged donation, she was grateful.
"Thank you. Repairs are the least we can do."
He left four for a reason: Captain said max towable was four at once; two round trips to the nearest city meant taking eight total.
Plus, the village's shipwright was a level 50 veteran; free repairs from him beat pricey yards.
With ships sorted, Seojun issued orders.
"Lee Guho!"
"Yes, hyungnim."
"Take the crew, sell those 53 pirates at the nearest temple, and sell the four best pirate ships too."
Ship disposal to Lee Guho.
"Li Zhangwei and Leto, assist the slaves with repairs."
Even a master shipwright needed help; Seojun planned them and slaves aiding.
"Pharos, handle pirate enslavement. Pinara, help him."
Those two got prisoner conversion duty.
Next day, Lee Guho took Yuki, the Prokho, four captured pirate ships, the captain, and crew to the nearest village.
Pharos and Pinara began enslaving 530 pirate prisoners.
Li Zhangwei and Leto joined slaves helping the shipwright repair four pirate ships.
Namgung Seojun gathered his slaves and made an offer.
"Anyone want to stay here in the village?"
The slaves hesitated, unsure, so he explained.
"Live as villagers for ten years, and you're freed right now."
Tiny village of just 200; combat manpower was sorely lacking. Li Zhangwei had asked to fund contracts for willing fighters to stay.
The slaves fell silent, then one raised his hand boldly.
"I'll stay."
It was Iban Sergeyei. He liked the village—or rather, one woman there. In their short time, they'd fallen deeply in love. Knowing the Tower's separations and his slave status, she'd been genuine anyway.
Awesome chance: freedom and staying. He took it.
"Good. Iban stays. I'll have Pharos free you now."
Iban stayed.
Ten days later, Lee Guho returned after temple handover and ship sales.
Pharos enslaved all 530 pirates.
Li Zhangwei and Leto finished repairs with the shipwright.
Prepared, Namgung Seojun's party boarded the flagship Prokho and three others, slaves aboard, and sailed to the pirate island. They immediately began settlement.
Converted the pirates' fortress into temporary housing, set rainwater collectors in good spots for water.
Once groundwork was done, messages appeared.
Quest completed.
The quest completion message popped up. Additional rewards followed.
The Nameless God gifts an achievement to all quest participants.
"Whoa!"
The achievement came first again. Stat-boosting ones lit up everyone's faces.
Rewards granted to quest completers.
- Merit Points 2000 Coupon issued.
2,000 merit points each—not bad, but modest for the quest's scale.
Additional rewards for top 5 contributors.
Namgung Seojun was naturally in the top 5.
"Random skillbook? Unlimited grade? Jackpot!"
"Normal to unique, right? Wow!"
"Sell it... at least 500 gold!"
Recipients besides Seojun: Lee Guho, Pinara, Li Zhangwei, Captain Kang Inho.
Two months' investment paid off. Everyone was satisfied as the Nameless God's mission concluded.