Chapter 217
Chapter 217
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>Translator: Ryuma
>Chapter: 217
>Chapter Title: Bait on the Slave Ship
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When Kang Seol spilled the details about Santos, the viewers who had been steadily watching him plunged into confusion.
- What? Who's Santos again?
- No idea; feels like he's never come up before?
- Then how does Snowman know Santos?
- No way… delusion!?
- Julia knew too.
- So… Julia's delusional too!?
- If intelligence is at that level, hang in there.
Since there had never been even a single mention of someone named Santos until now, only for him to suddenly appear, the viewers began speculating on the circumstances.
- Seriously, what is it? Some kind of closed beta tester?
- Explain! Explain! Ab·so·lute·ly·ex·plain!
- He can't see our messages… no explanation lololol
- So who is Santos anyway?
- Julia's ex-boyfriend, apparently.
- Egg money… my bad then.
- This has gotta be staged, right? -_-
- Never pegged Snowman for an abuser.
- But there wasn't any real cheating or anything, isn't this overinterpreting?
- This is that thing… you know… right! Claim! We gotta file a claim!
- We don't have the devs' phone number…
- Arguing like this won't tell us anything anyway!
- Teacher, if you wanna know something, open a book and study.
- Hing, that's Sirun… I'll clear my desk first.
Amid all this, someone dropped an answer they could accept.
- Isn't this related to that calling?
- Calling? That quest?
- Yeah, probably got separate info from that quest?
- 22222222 I was thinking the same lololol
- 3333333333 Yes, that's it.
- Ah, anyway, the fuss is hilarious lololol but isn't it overkill that only he got that calling quest?
- Plenty of people have done special quests so far.
- Ah whatever -_- So it's no big deal.
- I've got receipts on everyone slandering him so far, gonna sue for whatever crimes.
'Your Honorable Judge' sponsored 1,500 Madness!
[I've been exploited until now.]
I am a mundane brain. Someone ran current through me and ordered me to badmouth that human. Please earnestly understand this was not my will.
- I'm a brain living in the adjacent jar too.
- I'm from the lower jar.
- I'm the delivery jar.
- I'm pickled brain.
Time was not plentiful.
If they were to start something, they needed to get far from this port city of Rabenu.
- You're not thinking of causing trouble inside the city, are you? Not that I care.
'What happens if we do something inside the city?'
Ur responded to the question with a laugh-tinged reply.
- Everyone dies.
Whether joke or earnest, it was equally chilling.
Every now and then… no, quite often, Ur treated humans with hostility.
'Maybe because he's a transcendent.'
Perhaps due to a different mindset, Ur viewed humans as bugs, thinking he could kill them anytime.
If Kang Seol hadn't kept him in check, he might have gone around committing massacres like it was daily routine.
Anyway, Kang Seol conveyed his thoughts.
'I told you, we're planning to get out of here.'
Then he unfurled the sea chart acquired here with a rustle and pointed to one spot.
'The enemy has to pass through this sector here if they want to chase Princess Leona.'
- Hmm… why?
'Beyond here, the currents get unstable, sucking ships into the open sea. Getting back to normal routes then would take extra ship effort. That basically means letting Princess Leona escape. No way they'd do that unless they're insane.'
Kang Seol pointed to another spot.
'Here, Princess Leona will soon enter a bottleneck section. It's a narrow reef zone where ships can't pick up speed, so for the Immortality Church, snatching her around here is their last chance.'
- What if they don't chase the princess?
'No way. It'd be idiotic to abandon the Fallen One's Ecstasy. At least if they know its value.'
- Hoo… is that statue such an amazing item?
'More than a statue… well, roughly.'
- Then they'll keep tracking the princess. Aiming for her group held up at sea by that bottleneck.
'That's why I'm sticking around.'
After pondering a moment, Ur spoke to Kang Seol.
- Using you as bait?
'Yeah, that's the plan.'
Kang Seol glanced around as he explained the next step.
'I scouted ahead; a large slave trader ship is set to depart soon. We'll board that and head out to sea.'
- So that's why you're here now.
Swoosh…
Kang Seol looked up to see an old man laden with documents fuming.
"Hurry up and load it, you rice-wasting idiots!"
"Um… Guildmaster, we've got one with bedsores. What should we do?"
"What're you pondering? Dump him in the sea. It's cheaper than treating him. If some plague spreads on the ship, we're the ones in trouble."
"Yes, then… Oh, and what about those goods? Load them after the food?"
"What was that again?"
"Crew winter clothing fabric and fresh water. And some produce…"
"Load it however."
"Yes."
A choice appeared before Kang Seol.
[You plan to infiltrate the large slave ship. What will you do?]
1. Declare to the guildmaster your intent to buy slaves.
2. Bribe a crewman to sneak you aboard.
3. Disguise as a slave and get imprisoned.
4. Threaten the guildmaster.
……
Kang Seol swiftly hid behind the crate the man had called winter clothing fabric.
While the guildmaster and crewman's attention was elsewhere, he spotted the oak barrel loaded with fresh water.
Next to it was a wooden barrel similarly packed with fruit.
'That's it.'
Kang Seol quickly absorbed the fruits into his inventory and slipped inside.
Creak…
Soon after, crewmen appeared and began rolling all the round barrels.
"Ugh, damn… heavy as hell."
"It's gone soon anyway, so it'll be lighter on unload."
Creak…
Thud.
Kang Seol was loaded somewhere.
Swoosh…
Once the crewmen left, he slipped out and searched the ship.
'Captain's quarters.'
Kang Seol recalled the cranky guildmaster's face from earlier.
'With his personality, he's probably not holed up in his room.'
Slither…
Creeeak…
Nothing special in the captain's quarters.
'So that's why he doesn't lock the door?'
Not because he trusted others, but because he didn't, carrying valuables everywhere.
'Just wait here for departure.'
Kang Seol waited impatiently for the ship to move.
* * *
Quite a while later, darkness fell over the port city of Rabenu.
The slave ship Kang Seol had snuck onto had long since departed.
Shuro gazed in the direction Kang Seol had gone and said,
"You think you can escape?"
Heh heh…
He couldn't hold back the laughter bubbling up.
Halt…
Then, sensing something, he turned. There stood a woman with an alluring aura, dressed in flowing garments, gazing at him.
"Shuro, looks like you've had quite the experiences since we last met."
"Oh, my aspiration, Lady Bria!"
"Yes, come here. I've missed you."
"I've missed you too… so much…"
Like a child reuniting with his mother, the two met.
"Kekekeke… Shuro, I knew you wouldn't die."
A man resembling a fat toad waddled over.
"Kejin!"
Next, a gaunt-faced man placed a hand on Shuro's shoulder.
"Well, well, I was wrong after all. Lady Bria, seeing Shuro so intact, my worries were unfounded."
The gaunt man's name was Zakun.
The one who had sworn a grand magician had joined the princess's group.
Bria looked at Shuro with worried eyes and said,
"Shuro, I was so worried. Can you explain what happened?"
"I'll tell you everything! First…"
Shuro carefully recounted the recent events. From the plan to grab the princess's group at the smuggling route, to the night ambush.
"The princess's group was nothing special. Shuro could've handled them easily, but… an unexpected issue arose."
"I know, about the grand magician who joined the princess?"
"…Grand magician?"
Shuro tilted his head, seemingly pondering what that meant.
Bria calmly explained to Shuro.
"There was a grand magician with the princess's group, right?"
"Ah… no, I didn't see any grand magician?"
"…Then?"
"I saw a summoner instead."
"A summoner…"
"Yes! A really strong one. That's why Shuro lost."
"Hmm…"
Bria and Zakun exchanged glances.
They couldn't comprehend since Shuro was unaware of the grand magician's existence.
"Go on, and?"
"We ambushed them again, but got spotted. He… burst my head."
At those words, Zakun, Kejin, and Bria's eyes widened.
If his head burst there, who was this conversing now?
Shuro grinned broadly and elaborated.
"Shuro survives even with his head burst. Practically immortal now."
"No way…"
"All thanks to the grace of eternal life."
"Zakun, check him."
"Yes, Lady Bria."
Zakul placed a hand on Shuro's head, as if verifying something.
Whoooosh…
A moment later.
"No way… there are traces of his body having collapsed."
"…What's the situation?"
"A talent has awakened! This is… astonishing."
"Then…"
Kejin flicked his tongue and chimed in.
"Good omen. A blessing upon the Immortality Church."
"Indeed. With steady training ahead, Shuro could become a great being in the future."
They spent a long time spinning hopeful futures around him, overly optimistic that the current situation could be resolved anytime.
"Well done, Shuro. So, where are they now?"
"The princess sailed off early evening. She'll hit the bottleneck soon, so we can catch up!"
"Just as Zakun said."
"But… that summoner boarded another ship heading the same way. Why?"
Kejin sneered.
"Kekekeke… All talk, but scared of Lady Bria."
"Then why the same direction…"
"Probably no other ships available?"
"Hmm… anyway, they took the western route out. The tracking scent's fading, but I can pinpoint the ship."
Bria asked Zakun beside her.
"Zakun, how's tonight's sky?"
"Didn't you say my astrology was bunk?"
"Still, you never know. Expert advice on-site isn't bad. What do you think?"
"Uhmm…"
Zakun observed the night sky.
"Not… good."
"Why?"
"The red ominous star's influence is surging. On such nights, ill fortune strikes…"
"Told you, bunk. Let's set sail. Ships ready?"
"Four medium warships refitted as gunboats and one large flagship prepared."
"Good. Prepare. Even if we chase to Jonia, grab that princess by the hair. No, even if we miss the princess, we must reclaim the statue!"
Over a hundred believers followed them. A red star shone upon them.
* * *
Whiiiish…
Unfavorable winds blew.
"Kuhhh… phooo… kuhhh… phooo…"
The slave trader ship's captain and guildmaster, an old man, slumbered deeply.
His blissful look seemed to mock the notion that old folks without sleep were just making excuses for idleness.
Bang bang bang!
Amid this peaceful sleep, someone roughly pounded the door handle.
"Phu… ku, kuhhk!"
"Guildmaster! Guildmaster!"
"Wh-what is it?"
"You… need to come see this."
"Sheesh… if it's nothing, you'll be punished. At my age, falling back asleep is no easy feat…"
"Won't be nothing…"
"That serious? Mast broken or something?"
Swoosh…
Draping on his outer coat, the guildmaster stepped out, inhaling cool air deep into his lungs as he scanned around.
He raised a lantern to peer into the dark.
"Wha-what?"
"Guildmaster…"
"What is that? Why so close…"
At night, all ships had to show red lights for safety. Ships ignoring that were usually shady.
Like pirate ships, for instance.
"Sh-ships are tailing us."
"Pirates?"
"Not sure… but…"
A voice pierced down onto the deck.
"Just checking the ship for a bit."
"Who are y—"
Thwack-!
A dagger flew, embedding in the guildmaster's chest.
"G-Guildmaster!"
"You vile bastards!"
Thwak-!
Thwack-thwack-!
Planks were laid over the slave ship's side.
Clatterclatterclatter-!
Shuro and the Immortality Church followers swarmed aboard via the planks.
"Make a sound, and I'll chop you all to chum for the sharks."
"What nonse—"
Shing-
Slaaaash-!
Spluuuurt!
The one who opened his mouth under Shuro's blade was diced.
"Mmph… mmph…"
"Good kids. I'll check the ship."
Overwhelmed by the fleet-like scale, the trader ship's crew couldn't resist. Especially since their leader, the guildmaster, was dead before issuing orders.
"Something smells…"
Shuro headed to the food storage.
Slice-!
Crash…
The oak barrel split, spilling fruit.
"Hmm… not here…"
Sniff sniff…
Shuro flared his nostrils as he moved.
His next destination was where the tracking scent clung strongest.
Creeeak…
Captain's quarters.
"By chance, in here~?"
No reply, so Shuro checked inside.
"Hmm… where could he be. No clue…"
Muttering as he slowly approached the bed.
"Gotta tell Lady Bria it was a mistake…"
Kwachiiik-!
A sword pierced the bed's center.
Shuro aimed for Kang Seol hiding underneath.
"Hm?"
No reaction to the strike, so Shuro checked under the bed.
"Gone? Huh?"
Shuro exited the quarters, saying,
"Lady Bria, something's off."
"What's off?"
"He's gone. The scent was definitely… hm?"
A salty sea breeze brushed his nose, mingled with another's scent.
"Damn… he left the ship."
"Yes, Zakun predicted as much."
Bria checked the cargo hold and said,
"Crew said a small boat vanished."
"Then hurry…"
"Shuro, I get you're eager, but don't forget what must be done."
"Ah! Right. Sorry."
Shing…
"I'll kill every human on this ship. Just wait a bit."
Only then did Bria smile.