God Ash: Remnants of the fallen.

Steamed on a wooden chair, Cain stared out a small window on the side of the ship.

Gwendolyn was a rather magnificent sailing vessel.

It was created, probably by a long lost civilization from another world. It's interior was created using some strange spatial technology, and much that Cain had encountered couldn't damage it significantly.

"Boss, now that you've come back, what next?"

Cain turned to stare at Haru.

A complicated smile appeared on his face,

'This guy sure is loyal.'

Cain sighed, "I plan on moving you all into the City. It's a bit more complicated than that, honestly, but that is the gist of it."

He tapped on his chin, "We also need to get to work. How has crafting been going recently?"

As they conversed, Cain activated the {Eye of General Observation}.

***

Name: Haru Tsubasa (Human)

Strength: 2,000.

Agility: 900.

Stamina: 651/1,500.

Perception: 15.3.

Control: 11.7.

HP: 30,000/30,000.

Ki: 15,970.

Skills: Stainless Razor Ki Plundering Technique, Garment of Chains Ki Plundering Technique, Thousand-Miles Ki Plundering Technique, Novice Craftsmanship Lvl 4, Novice Blacksmith Lvl 5, True Shot, Sword Arm.

Affiliations: Divinity Shackled of Pluto, The Beast God, Cain's Number One Assistant.

***

Cain was more than impressed. He was astonished.

'How did he improve so drastically? What have they been up to since I left?!'

Haru chuckled smugly,

"Boss, I have leveled up my Craftsmanship and Blacksmithing skills multiple times since you left. Now, I ccan easily make special grade weapons and items. If I try hard enough, I believe i might be able to make Epic grade equipment too!"

Cain chuckled, "You really are gifted, huh..."

Haru smiled wryly, "I don't think I am. If not for you, I'd probably be dead in a ditch on some foreign world by now."

His expression hardened, "You might know this already, boss. But I just want to let you know that I... We all appreciate you. You saved us when we thought hope no longer existed."

Cain was silent. A small smile appeared on his lips,

"Is that so. I see. I will keep that in mind."

Cain turned around to hide his expression,

'Damn.'

He let out a sigh,

"What about the others?"

Haru beat his chest, "They have seen some improvement, but nowhere near as illustrious as mine!"

Cain chuckled, "That might be true, but you still have a long way to go."

Cain's smile gradually dissolved,

"So, how's the situation onboard?"

Haru's smile also faded away,

"This... It is a bit complicated."

Cain frowned, "Explain."

Haru sighed, "Well, as you know already, the Mutant Creatures in these waters are not forgiving. We get attacked almost everyday. Everyone on board has to participate in defending it, so we've lost a lot of brothers and sisters this way."

"I see. Is that all?"

Haru shook his head,

"There are also certain troublesome Mutant Creatures that come from the coastline. Some of them are relatively easy to deal with, while others are simple catastrophic level threats. Steve and Blake have organized more than a few teams to handle the more dangerous of them, but these creatures seem to be very difficult to deal with."

Cain's frown deepened,

'Looks like I need to get more information on this.'

He had also expected this much. There was no way the sweet smell of the souls of so many humans would be left alone once the Mutant Creatures of the depths and apparently, the land as well, would be able to resist.

Haru continued, "So far, things on board have been peaceful. Fights don't break out anymore. Perhaps because of the regula threat of annihilation by the frequent attacks, it would seem."

Cain had half expected the different factions to be at one another's throats the moment he left.

But the everlasting fear of death they all shared seemed to be a rather strong basis to create comaradie on. For what it was worth, it was working positively at the very least.

Cain sighed, "There is much to be done. Let's start from here. Call the rest of our crafters. Tell them to empty out the stores. Bring all the ores and materials we have at hand. I want everything!"

Haru shot up and saluted,

"Yes, boss!"

His eyes gleamed with excitement,

"Your wish is my command!"

Cain had a wry smile on his face, "This... Do you have to be this intense?"

Haru guffawed, "Of course I do!"

With that, he exited the room, ready to carry out Cain's request.

Cain breathed in a sigh of relief. The over enthusiasm of Haru weighed down on his face too heavy for comfort. It was almost too overbearing.

"Besides that..." He muttered to himself.

There were two people he was rather eager to meet. Well, calling them people was a bit of a stretch.

Ruby and Ignis were already aware of his arrival. The giant Mutant bear didn't seem to be onboard. Rather, she, as well as Ignis was far away, somewhere along the coastline, it seemed.

Despite sensing him, she wasn't returning, which made him a bit suspicious and uneasy. However, she was still alive, so he wasn't going to bother for now.

Rather, his other contracted beast was his main focus for now.

He had ordered the creature into the depths of the earth to source for materials all this time. Now, it was time to reap the benefits.

'Hopefully, Pudding has a lot of good materials.'

With the destruction of his long time main weapon, the {Scale of the Abyssal Flame}, he wanted to personally craft a new one for himself. {Platinum Genesis} had also been destroyed as well, so the only weapon he could make use of for close combat, was the {Angel of Fallen Grief, Gihenai}.

While it was very powerful, it didn't suit his usual style. He felt much for comfortable wielding a sword. The giant worm was already on its way, eating its way through the earth to reach him.

'I truly am quite the lucky man.'

He let out a sigh. He had left his ship in reliable hands, he hoped to believe. Now, it was time to take control of his fleet once more.

***

Staring at the edge of the world, Vincent let out a sigh. The horizon was rather far away, and what was beyond it was hidden from his sights by a rather large blanket of clouds that signaled the beginning and end of the Dead Zone around the entire continent.

Standing on the lookout attached to the main mast high above the deck, he was able to see all these things fairly easily without activating any perception boosting skills or spells.

"This shit is so ugly."

He never truly understood those that found beauty in the world around them. He would rather appreciate the material things he could get his hands on, and of course, women.

A smile spread across his chubby face and he let out a laugh. Recently, there was a girl on the ship he had taken fancy to.

He chuckled to himself,

"She's just playing hard to get for now. The greatest sharpshooter will get into her pants one day! Hehehe."

He let out a sigh and reached out into his inventory, pulling out two magic pistols.

They had been personally made for him by Cain. The exquisite craftsmanship was indeed reminiscent of Cain's handiwork.

Both guns were a pale white with body was covered in turquoise runes, and while they didn't seem like much, they were very deadly weapons.

Each weapon could be fired without bullets, only mana, but there were custom bullets he could request to be made for the guns. What made them special was the rapid fire mode and full charged shot.

They were also easier to carry around compared to his other weapon.

"Hehe. It certainly wasn't a bad trade. Not at all."

He had given up a whole ship for these guns and a few mana shards. But to him, it was worth it. In the end, he was not eager to acquire the problems that came with having the ship.

Not only that, but it was no longer his responsibility. Having responsibilities was too much of a hassle.

A lewd smile appeared on his face as he thought out loud,

"I wonder what that idiot Cain is up to right now. Perhaps he's getting down and dirty with-"

"That's enough."

Vincent blacked out for a moment. His face paled.

He turned around.

Cain stood behind him menacingly, his face enshrouded in darkness.

"W–wait! I can explain!"

Cain put his hand up,

"You don't have to say anything. Receive your punishment silently.

A sharp screech pierced the sky, shocking everyone on the deck below. Silence reigned for a while after, leaving most people confused and a bit shaken.

Tears appeared at the corners of Vincent's eyes as he nurses his swollen, reddened cheek,

"So.... When did you get back?"

Cain shrugged, "A few minutes ago."

Vincent raised a brow,

"Then how did you– Nevermind. Don't even tell me."

The chubby sharpshooter sighed,

"So... How is the City?"

Cain shrugged, "It's destroyed, for the most part."

Vincent shook his head,

"Well, I figured as much. Well, onto the next, I guess. So where are we going to next? The next best option will be–"

Cain cut him off, "Who said anything about leaving?"

Vincent gave him a confused stare,

"But you said the City has been destroyed, didn't you?"

His face paled slightly,

"Don't tell me you plan to live in rubble, dk you?"

Cain rolled his eyes, "The City has been destroyed, yes. But three new different cities have taken its place."

Vincent's eyes narrowed and he scratched his head,

"Now that doesn't make a lot of sense, does it..."

Cain nodded, "Indeed it doesn't. But it will soon enough. Where is Steve?"

Vincent shrugged, "He led a party to the shore. There's been a rather horrid Tier 1 monster that has attacked several of our garrisons along the coastline as of late."

Cain nodded, "Then let's go. We shouldn't waste any more time."

Vincent shook his head frantically,

"No no no! My job is to stay here and eat h the ocean for incoming threats. I don't –"

Cain growled at him, "Can it!"

Grabbing onto the fat sharpshooter's collar, he activated the {Nexus Tether}, spatially shifting from one {Fallen Stae of Orion} to another.

He figured Ignis and Ruby were probably part of the party Steve had put together to fight this Tier 1 beast Vincent had mentioned.

He knew where Ignis and Ruby were, so reaching there was only a matter of time.

A few minutes later, he dropped a projectile vomiting Vincent to the floor.

In front of him was a devastated battlefield...