Shrouded Seascape

The moment Charles entered the Explorers Association, he was startled by the sight before him. The usually deserted hall was filled with people.

Couches and coffee tables were placed randomly. Men and women donned in various maritime attire were huddled in groups and their spirited chatter filled the hall.

Among the crowd, there were some who were clearly not sailors. They hovered around the captains and were whispering to each other.

Making his way through the crowd, Charles headed to the counter to report the findings of his mission. The chatter he overheard revealed that those particular individuals were here to request the Association to post missions on their behalf.

"Hey! Charles! Over here!" An unusually excited William waved a liquor bottle in the air. He was surrounded by a few captains whom Charles recognized.

The moment Charles' gaze landed in their direction, Elizabeth let out a snort and turned her head the other way.

As soon as Charles approached the group, William enthusiastically slung an arm around the former's shoulders.

"My friend, that knife of yours is awesome!" William exclaimed.

The stale stench on William caused an uneasiness in Charles' stomach. He pushed William's arm away and asked, "Is it a powerful relic?"

The last time they met, he had sold two unappraised relics to William. Judging by William's expression, it seemed like he had won the gamble.

"Mhmm. So, so powerful! It can't get any better! I accidentally gave that knife to my enemy, and guess what? He somehow ended up killing everyone on his ship. Hahahaha!!!" William erupted into a manic laughter and a chill traveled down Charles' spine.

Relics can be used in such a way?

A chubby man sided up to Charles and nudged him with an elbow. "I heard that you went out to the sea again. Did you encounter anything interesting? Do share."

Charles subconsciously recalled that giant hand emerging from the deep waters. With a forced smile, he replied, "Nothing worth mentioning. I lost a few sailors, and failed the mission."

"Come on! Share with us. What's the point of coming here if you won't exchange information? You might as well spend the time at the casino and try to win a big one."

Charles couldn't fight their logical argument and recounted everything that transpired—the giant butterfly, the huge hand, and Dark Crystal Island.

Hearing Charles' narrative, the other captains couldn't help but marvel at his luck. Having encountered such harrowing circumstances and still being alive to talk about it was nothing short of a miracle.

"Sigh… Stark isn't as lucky," the chubby man mentioned as a passing remark.

"Who's Stark?" Charles asked.

"If that boy knows that you can't even remember his name, he will probably resurrect from the frustration. He was the one who dragged you here with Elizabeth previously. Does it ring a bell now?"

Charles was instantly reminded of the burly man with a jovial personality. His pupils contracted as he questioned, "He's dead?"

The chubby man nodded as he grabbed a blue fruit. He took a bite out of it before he continued, "Isn't dying a usual occurrence? In fact, it's not too bad this month. We've only lost seven."

Charles scanned the expression on everyone's faces but couldn't detect any trace of sorrow. They were chatting as though nothing had happened.

The understanding that every death could dispel the fog over a part of the sea sunk deeper into Charles.

After a moment of silence, he then brought up the question that had been burning in his mind. "Guys, how much do you know about Sottom City?"

This was why he had come to the Association today. He had heard of Sottom in name but he needed more information on that city.

The moment his words fell, everyone's gazes turned onto a middle-age man seated at the corner. He had a gloomy expression and a hooked nose.

"Charlie used to be a pirate. You can ask him," William explained and took a swig from his bottle.

"I can only tell you that it's a really chaotic and unlawful place. Don't venture there without a good reason. Anyone that's not fully confident in their strength is just courting death if they wander there." Charlie's voice was low and gruff.

"Then have you ever heard of sunlight being sold there?"

Hearing Charles' question, Charlie shook his head.

"You haven't?" Charles' voice quivered as anxiety started pooling in his heart.

"I'm not sure. Maybe there is, maybe there isn't. At Sottom, as long as the price is right, they can get you anything. When you're in Sottom, go to Anchor Pub and ask for the bartender. Tell her that Seadog sent you. She's my friend."

"Thank you." Charles looked upon Charlie with gratitude in his eyes. The average person would not know of such information and it was a gesture of goodwill for Charlie to be willing to share it to him.

The chubby man next to Charles nudged him with an elbow. He leaned in and whispered, "He sees potential in you. Someone who encountered a divinity and returned alive, right? Your future is bright."

Charles let out a dry chuckle. No one could predict one's fate, especially in a wretched place like this. No one could even ensure their own survival, much less that of others. He was just an ordinary man risking his life just to survive.

The lively atmosphere returned. Charles continued mingling with the party as they drank alcohol and shared snacks. Their bond strengthed as time passed.

Charles picked up a round cake from the table and took a bite. The soft cake coupled with the sweet, milky cream tasted surprisingly delicious. Ever since his arrival into this world, it was his first time he had tasted an exquisite delicacy like this.

As he finished his cake and was thinking of returning for the day, an ordinary-looking young man approached him.

"Captain Charles?"

Charles turned around and inspected the newcomer. He was dressed in a long red robe and his forehead bore a bright, white triangle. His attire was a stark contrast from the other captains present.

"You are?"

"My name's Sonny. I'm also an Explorer, like you."

Having ignored Charles all the while, Elizabeth suddenly feigned a cough as she dipped her index finger into her drink and drew a few horizontal strokes on the table.

Charles recognized that Elizabeth had used the nautical signs to spell "Danger, keep away," and his guard was up instantly.

"I heard that Mr. Charles is seeking the Land of Light. Why haven't I seen you at the church's services?"

The Divine Light Order?

Charles couldn't be bothered to fake a front anymore and immediately stood up, hoping to leave.

With swift movement, Sonny moved to block Charles' path of retreat.

"Mr. Charles, are you one of the extremists that believe in the new doctrine? Actually that's wrong. You guys have misconstrued the Sun God's words. The only truth lies in the old doctrine. The Land of Light is nothing but a fallacy, and cannot be found. We must pray faithfully and hold frequent rituals in order for the Sun God to return."

Hearing Sonny's ludicrous speech, Charles didn't know how to communicate with him. He had no idea where these believers got their religious text from but he was very certain that it definitely wouldn't be from that burning ball of gas in the sky.

"Excuse me, I don't belong to your church. Please move away."

A look of surprise appeared on Sonny's visage. "If you are not a believer of the Divine Light Order, why do you seek the Land of Light?"

"I'm no longer seeking it. Bye." Dropping his last words, Charles then bypassed Sonny and headed for the exit.

The white triangle on Sonny's forehead glowed and a semi-transparent gel substance emerged from under his robe to swiftly envelope Charles.

"How about we take this discussion somewhere else?" Sonny asked.

Charles' face hardened and in an instant, he had his revolver pointing at Sonny's head.