Master of the Desert
“Oh? Who's this? Isn't it our precious little brother? You finally made it. Must've finished the mission Yong-a gave you.”
Thud—
A massive sea lion crashed onto the deck of the ship, its belly split open. The vessel rocked violently beneath the weight, dipping below the waves and rising again.
At the western edge of the Garam Archipelago, five ships lay anchored near some rocks. Unlike other pirate bases, this one was surprisingly well-equipped.
“Long time no see, sis.”
Adel, who had moored his ship by the rocks, gazed at the man who had hurled the sea lion aboard.
After ten days at sea, they had arrived at none other than the great white shark's stronghold.
“But what's with those guys? I didn't expect you'd bring familiar faces.”
Rania thrust her sword into the sea lion's flank where it lay on the deck, then began expertly skinning it.
“Yeah. They're the captains of the Yepel Pirates and the Dein Pirates. Made the trip here a lot easier, thanks to them. As you know, the archipelago's full of rocks.”
Adel pointed at the two men sprawled on the deck as he spoke to her.
“Picked them up on the way. Couldn't show up empty-handed to see you, sis.”
On the deck where Rito knelt with his arms raised, a burly man now crouched beside him in the exact same pose.
“Hahaha, catching two major pirate crews and saying it like it's nothing. Can't rein you in at all.”
“Just got lucky. One of our crew's from around here.”
“That woman. Strong. Adel.”
“Yeah, I know.”
As soon as Adel spoke, Gonu backed away, muttering.
“Haha, really? Hey, friend. Wanna spar with me?”
Rania eyed him with interest.
“No. You. Strong. Gonu. Lose.”
“Hahahaha. Thought you were a simpleton, but you've got an eye for talent. Better than the riffraff here. Adel, one of yours?”
Rania burst into hearty laughter at his response.
“Something like that.”
“Good. Having capable subordinates is the key to building a proper hunting band.”
After taking down the Yepel Pirates, Adel had followed Captain Rito's guidance to the Dein Pirates' hideout.
“Ugh……”
“Uuuugh……”
As the two conversed, Rito and Dein let out pained groans.
“Posture.”
“Eek!!”
At his word, they shot their hands up high again.
Rania watched in amazement as the notorious archipelago pirates cowered at Adel's command.
“Dealing with no-wind-zone pirates can't be that easy……”
She glanced at the two men prone on the deck. Their wrists were missing on one side each—clearly severed by Adel.
“Took out Yepel first, then asked them. Told 'em I'd let one live if they fought and the survivor came out on top. That's how they ended up like this.”
“I see.”
Rania nodded as if it was no surprise that Adel had wiped out two pirate crews.
“What's the occasion? Knowing you, you'd have cut down the survivor and brought me just the heads. But both are still alive?”
She had Adel's nature pegged perfectly.
“I'm a philanthropist.”
“……”
“……Uh, kidding.”
Seeing her stone-faced expression, Adel shrugged awkwardly.
“Though yeah, I was planning to kill them both, like you said.”
“Eek?!”
“S-spare us, milord!!”
“The route to the archipelago's rocky. Needed pilots to navigate.”
Rito and Dein flinched at Adel's words, scrambling forward on their knees to clutch at his pant leg.
“Posture.”
“S-sorry!!”
They scurried back to their spots and raised their hands again. Rania stared at them, utterly dumbfounded.
“Right before Dein's head was about to roll, he said something interesting.”
“What?”
“The Archipelago King is summoning the pirates of Garam Archipelago. Rito and Dein got the call too.”
“Hmph, knew that already. Nine out of ten, it's just a warning aimed at me.”
She snorted at Adel's words.
“You're new to the sea, so you wouldn't know, but no need to worry. Even the Archipelago King's orders aren't followed blindly. Pirates do whatever they want.”
“Spoken like someone with way more sea experience than me. Even the Archipelago King can't just rally scattered pirates without a reason.”
“Exactly.”
“But what if there's a clear reason? One that'd make pirates drool.”
“Got it. You mean me. The Archipelago King's gathering pirates to catch me?”
“Yes. With the high gods of the Light Sea and Dark Sea gone, the Kraken is the archipelago's sole guardian deity.”
Adel nodded.
“Declaring you'd hunt an ancient beast like that? The King can't sit idle. He's got its blessing, after all.”
“Yeah, fair point.”
Rania replied.
“Yong-a was worried you might be rushing things. Said hunting the Bucket Serpent was impressive enough—asked me to pass that on.”
“He always says the nice stuff. Be honest. You think taking down a serpent's no big deal too, right?”
Shing—
She drew one of the three swords strapped to her waist and back.
“While you were on your mission, Hul hunted a drake. Sirin bro's recovered now, so he'll head out soon.”
Thud—thud—thud—
“Heard he's going to Saha Tomb with Yoran bro to take down an armored bug lord.”
“Not an easy foe.”
Adel nodded.
“And Merka bro's never mobilized his vanguard before. But now he's heading to Heavyweight Gorge for a mantis core.”
She stood before Rito and Dein, fiddling with the sword's tip.
“Ah, so big bro's starting dungeon raids.”
“Yeah, everyone's fired up. Thanks to their amazing little bro who bagged a dragon-class beast. Can't just sit around.”
“Like I said before, drake-class. Not quite dragon level.”
Adel waved it off, but Rania's face hardened slightly at his nonchalance.
“Yet folks think I'm the reckless one for challenging the Kraken.”
Swish—
Her sword flashed. A clear sound cut the air as red blood dripped onto the deck along its path.
“……Guhk.”
“You think the same?”
Thud.
Dein's head hit the deck. The clean-cut neck didn't even spurt blood—just a few drops.
“H-heek?!!”
Rito recoiled in horror at the headless body beside him.
“You think I haven't cleaned up archipelago pirates because I'm scared of scum like them?”
“S-spare me!!!”
Rito cried out to Adel in a trembling voice.
“Of course not. Hold steady, sis. When I heard you'd cut off Redfin's hand, I knew you weren't afraid of them.”
“Then?”
“H-heeek?!!”
As Rania's sword touched Rito's neck, he shuddered and looked up at her.
“Father told you to help me hunt the Kraken, right? So you think I can't do it alone?”
“No way. Like I said, the issue's the Archipelago King. He's gathering pirate crews right now.”
“Hmph, what those bastards say doesn't matter. Father's orders mean I'll take you along. Just ride my ship and watch.”
“Yeah, figured you'd say that.”
Adel replied.
“That's why I won't board your ship. Don't wanna die.”
“Meaning I'll fail the Kraken hunt?”
Sharp killing intent radiated from her entire body.
Impressive. True to the great white shark. Unleashing that aura in the no-wind zone where blessings don't work.
She truly was the hunter Hien rated highest for pure skill.
“And I don't want you dying either, sis.”
“……What do you mean?”
Despite the intent aimed at him, Adel's voice remained calm.
“Hunt the Kraken, sis.”
Slash—
In that instant, Adel's sword moved.
“……?!”
So fast and flawless that even Rania instinctively shivered, unable to tell when it had been drawn.
Clang—
Rania's sword, aimed at Rito's neck, was deflected by the impact.
“Hahk, haahk……!!”
To her shock, Adel's blade had parried hers.
She stared at him, eyes questioning his intent, assuming he'd meant to behead Rito.
“Meanwhile, I'll……”
Adel gave her a faint smile.
“……hunt the Archipelago King.”
Flinch.
Her shoulders twitched at his words.
“Hunt the Archipelago King? Cocky, but let's say. That means claiming the Garam Archipelago for yourself, right?”
Rumble……
The sword Adel had deflected now slowly pointed at his face.
“And challenging me. Right?”
“No way. I know why you set up base here—you're after the archipelago too.”
Adel lightly pressed down the sword tip aimed at him.
“So? What's with hunting the King?”
“Exactly that. The King's targeting you now. Dein confirmed…… well, no need, everyone knows.”
He glanced at the headless corpse, smacked his lips, and shrugged.
He turned his head.
“I'm just helping you hunt the Kraken. Father wants that too.”
“You following Father's words to the letter feels off.”
Adel chuckled at her remark.
“I'll keep the Archipelago King out of this hunt. Ancient beast entrails strengthen the body, right?”
He continued.
“For Ulan, the prey belongs solely to the hunter who claims it.”
“Even if I devour the Kraken?”
“Of course.”
Rania's lips twitched as she eyed him.
“Sounds like a good little brother. Be straight. Say I accept your help—what do you get out of this?”
“Nothing.”
“……Really nothing? Just helping out of pure brotherly duty on Father's say-so?”
Adel chuckled then.
“Just that I get nothing here.”
Thud—thud—
“I don't want the archipelago. What I'll claim is on the mainland.”
Adel stepped closer to her.
“Sis, become the master of the archipelago.”
Her shoulders trembled faintly under his gaze.
“I'll become the master of the desert.”
He said in a low voice.