Chapter 332
Chapter 332
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 332
Chapter Title: Compass of Desire (3)
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“Stop.”
At the moment of imminent clash, it was a figure descending from the second floor who blocked the pirates.
[Black Cloud Pirates First Mate Loros][Lv 408]
The first mate of the Black Cloud Pirates. Fitting for an executive, his level exceeded 400, allowing him to instantly gauge the gap between them and Rokan.
“All of you, stand down. He’s not someone you can handle.”
They probably never imagined someone would cause a ruckus in Lawless Port using a Creation skill, but the outcome would have been the same regardless.
Moreover, for someone to show no fear toward the renowned Black Cloud Pirates in Lawless Port, Rokan had to be confident in his combat abilities with a fitting class.
That was why he stepped in to quell the disturbance.
“You want to see the captain? What’s your business?”
“Well, are you qualified to hear it?”
But Rokan showed no intimidation whatsoever. Grand Master? First Mate? So what?
Nominally on the same level, but in terms of combat prowess or anything else, Rokan was beyond what an average Grand Master could match, so he straightened his back and chest, responding arrogantly and haughtily.
“What?”
It was only natural for the first mate’s expression to twist.
Yet the man bit his lip tightly, showing no intent to escalate the commotion.
If it turned out the intruder lacked the qualifications, he’d pay dearly later.
“……Follow me.”
Loros spun on his heel and headed back up to the second floor.
Rokan followed him up expressionlessly.
His nape prickled from the malice of the Black Cloud Pirates, but if any dared to attack, it wouldn’t end with just a sting, so he ascended to the second floor with full confidence.
The captain wasn’t on the second floor.
Only after climbing to the second, third, and fourth floors did he finally face the Black Cloud Pirates’ executives.
[Black Cloud Pirates Captain, Hookton][Lv 433]
A powerhouse at level 433. And the ten executives seated around him were all Grand Master class without exception.
Creak.
But Rokan wasn’t one to flinch at such a sight.
As if greeting people he’d known all along, without waiting to be told to sit, he pulled out a chair, sat down, crossed his legs, and stared straight at the captain.
“You wanted to see me?”
Hookton’s face, baring yellowed teeth in a grin, somehow made Rokan want to smack it, but he kept an open mind.
He locked eyes with the purpose of his visit.
‘Use Bell of Truth.’
Before posing his question, he activated the Bell of Truth.
“Do you have the Compass of Desire?”
“Compass of Desire? Where’d you hear that nonsense…….”
“Do you have it or not? Just give me the conclusion.”
A mad aura clung to Rokan’s low, steady voice, instilling instinctive fear in all who heard it.
It should have had little effect on fellow Grand Masters, but Rokan possessed an authority that nullified fear immunity and resistance in those around him.
Just hearing his voice imprinted on them all that he was no one to take lightly.
“……I don’t have it. If I did, Lawless Port would already be in my grasp.”
[Truth]
Rokan’s expression soured slightly at the Bell of Truth’s verdict.
Had he misjudged, or had the bartender fed him false rumors?
As he thought it had become a hassle, Hookton spoke again.
“You’ve asked one, so you owe me one. Is that the only reason you sought me out? You dare interrupt the Black Cloud Pirates’ rest just to ask that?”
The nuance suggested a fight depending on the answer, but Rokan met his gaze squarely.
“That’s right. Now it’s my turn, right? Then, do you know the materials for the Compass of Desire?”
One question for one. The other had picked a fight, but Rokan countered with an answer. If they couldn’t hold back and lunged, he’d just fight.
He didn’t care about any unspoken rules in Lawless Port; he had no need to follow them. Worst case, he could slaughter them all, destroy the place, and escape.
“Kuhahaha! What a bold one. Fine, I’ll answer. Yes, I know.”
Rokan had braced for combat, but Hookton’s response was more jovial than expected. He laughed heartily, acknowledging Rokan’s audacity, and gave his reply.
With the Bell of Truth already used, there was no way to verify if it was true, but it was worth noting for later filtering.
“Good.”
“Then my turn? Which pirate crew are you with?”
“None. I’m not fond of playing only on the seas.”
“No affiliation? Then perhaps you’re under someone…….”
“One question only. It’s my turn now. Who has the Compass of Desire?”
“Oops, my mistake. Fine, I’ll answer. From what I know, those damn Black Pearl Pirates have it. Elusive bastards—even I’m having trouble tracking them. Ah, this info’s on the house.”
“Captain!”
The subordinates jumped in alarm to stop him, suggesting it wasn’t a lie. No time for a setup, and the acting was too convincing.
But Rokan didn’t believe Hookton gave this answer out of simple goodwill.
Likely, he aimed to use Rokan to catch the Black Pearls or reclaim the Compass of Desire from them.
Now it was Hookton’s turn to question.
Grinning, he waved off his men and made an unexpected offer.
“You, how about joining under me? Accept, and I’ll make you an executive.”
“Obviously not. How about you join under me? I’ll let you keep your captain spot.”
“You insolent punk!”
The answer was predetermined. Who dared recruit whom?
The subordinates shot to their feet at Rokan’s retort, but he remained utterly relaxed. Even if they attacked, he was confident in countering.
Hookton, meanwhile, just chuckled unpleasantly.
“Kuhuhuhu, what a big-picture guy. Not satisfied with just a pirate crew, eh? Fine, I’ll watch and see how far you go. No more questions?”
“You said you’re looking for the Compass of Desire—what do you plan to find with it?”
Whether due to his captain’s instincts or fear, Hookton kept laughing as he replied.
“Power, obviously. Treasure? Piles of coins? Those come rolling in once you have power.”
“If you’re at it, tell me about the Black Pearl Pirates too.”
“Not a problem.”
Sound advice. It built a bit more trust, but as a pirate, Rokan decided to believe only half of what he’d said so far.
The info Hookton provided on the Black Pearl Pirates was more detailed than expected: their composition, activity range, estimated current position.
There might be omissions or deceptions, but it seemed sufficient to track them down.
“Hmm, since I’m here, maybe I should make one too?”
But Rokan didn’t leave Lawless Port immediately. Upon reflection, establishing a pirate crew couldn’t hurt.
Registering as pirates increased infamy, but the gains were substantial too.
For instance, raiding other pirates or merchant ships allowed capturing their vessels or extra treasure.
Reputation drop? It meant nothing to Rokan, whose rep was already maxed—unless he aimed to rule Lawless Port.
Thus, Rokan headed straight to Lawless Port’s pirate registry.
[The Lord Pirates has been established.]
[Current crew: 10]
Registration was simple: secure one ship and minimum crew, pay coins, and register.
The minimum crew was no issue. Buy a ship from the shipyard—no need for player crew.
After paying and hiring nine bottom-tier D-grade sailors, the crew was set. He bought one small galley.
Money overflowed, but why buy a fancy ship for something he wouldn’t properly sail? Plus, there was the sweet ‘capture’ system.
With the crew established and registered, Rokan left the sailors in Lawless Port and set out to sea alone.
“That way, right?”
With Hookton’s info, direction was easy.
The Black Pearls’ vast, elusive range was tricky, but fresh intel gave a rough bearing.
The target was estimable too.
Land of Grudge.
An island where a great pirate was said to have left everything behind—a pirates’ graveyard.
Countless pirates sought his power and treasure, only to return as bones from the forbidden land.
That was the Black Pearls’ destination.
“They set sail a while ago, so I need to speed up too. Kai! Rider of Legends!”
Kyut!
Rokan mounted Kai, now in great peng form.
Unstable mana and razor winds over the sea felled most flying monsters, but in great peng state, flight was feasible.
Thus, Rokan crossed the sea at max speed while Kai maintained the form.
When duration ended, he dove into the sea for underwater speed bursts, then remounted Kai once cooldown reset.
Five full days of this.
Finally, he found traces of the Black Pearls.
“Signs of battle.”
More precisely, wreckage of shattered ships. From the thorough destruction of at least ten vessels, Rokan identified the Black Pearls’ handiwork.
He discerned it wasn’t fleet-vs-fleet, but one fast ship’s doing.
“On the right track? Kai, let’s go!”
Turning suspicion to certainty, he flew at full speed again.
[You have entered the Sea of Grudge.]
Much later, the system confirmed his judgment.
It notified entry into the Sea of Grudge field.
Land of Grudge, Sea of Grudge.
Names screaming connection, he accelerated toward anything island-like.
‘There it is.’
The Sea of Grudge was shrouded in thick fog.
He sensed multiple ships within, but ignored them.
[Ghost Ship of Grudge]
They were ghost ships.
Pirate vessels forever drifting as skeletons or ghosts.
Normally, Grudge Fog would obscure whether ghost or normal, but Rokan’s eyes pierced all creation.
The fog was unusually potent, blurring vision, but distinguishing ghost from normal ships was doable.
Kyut!
Kai fared similarly.
The fog, which corroded stationary targets, burdened him, so he flapped vigorously to dispel it. Attribute power let him endure.
“Just a bit more!”
Whoosh!
As if eager to end the pain, Kai’s massive wings whipped up a vortex, propelling surroundings backward.
After some ten minutes, Rokan finally spotted his target.