n

n

n782 Clamor

n782 Clamor

nBanamo Port, Carnival Bar.

nAdventurer Mason had donned the loose pants and thick jacket favored by pirates. He looked toward the unknown adventurer drinking strong liquor with his back to him, feeling a constant tension.

nHe wasn’t worried about being hurt but was anxious about when this kind of life would end.

nPirates were never reasonable; they would always vent their anger on others. After no one stepped up to respond to the arrogant unknown adventurer, many pirates tried to take their anger out on other adventurers in Banamo Port.

nFrequent adventurers in Banamo Port were used to a life of hiding. They would never openly identify as adventurers, disguising themselves as other professions instead. Otherwise, bodies would be found in alleys or floating near the docks.

nIn this pirate-dominated port, being an adventurer was clearly a dangerous and elusive profession. People like Mason had regular identities to disguise themselves, sometimes even joining pirate crews to help gather supplies while stationed in Banamo Port.

nTaking on commissions wouldn’t expose an adventurer’s identity because many pirates also took jobs for rewards. For example, if they killed a rival pirate, they could collect a bounty through connections.

nWho wouldn’t want that?

nPirates approached tasks differently from adventurers. They would first identify the mission issuer and decide if they could kill the client directly. Some adventurers would naturally turn into bandits in lawless areas.

nMason had recently lost his job at a trading company. With his distinct, non-native features, he had to dress as a pirate to avoid trouble.

nHis thoughts drifted to a corner of the Carnival Bar near the window.

nThe walls were charred, the glass cracked, and overturned tables and chairs lay amidst two charred bodies that had been burning for a long time.

nThese were two pirates.

nEarlier that afternoon, they had recognized an adventurer they had encountered before and decided to vent their malice on him. The unknown adventurer at the bar counter didn’t even turn his head, summoning one fiery raven after another, blasting the pirates apart and burning them.

nThis convinced the watching pirates that the unknown adventurer was a man of his word.

nIf he said he would kill, he would kill. If he promised punishment for crossing the line, there would be punishment, even in a pirate port watched by thousands of pirates and many Beyonders.

nAnd the pirates’ captain didn’t dare retaliate.

nMason had witnessed the entire scene. He noticed that the two pirates were familiar with the Pyromaniac’s abilities and were quite skilled, with one being a Low-Sequence Beyonder. Despite their precautions, they couldn’t escape the ravens. They were covered in flames by the window before they could escape from the center of the bar.

nThis filled Mason with admiration and longing.

nWhen will I have such power?

nWhen can I become an adventurer who can intimidate so many pirates?

nMason had intended to “kindly” help the pirates deal with the bodies, but to his regret, their captain and first mate quickly arrived and collected their “inheritance.”

nI should stick close to this adventurer. If I’m recognized, I’m done for…

nMason muttered, gulping down his dark beer. How did my life change so drastically?

nThough he hadn’t been harmed, he felt implicated.

nThis heightened his fear that he might have brought disaster to Banamo Port, though it didn’t seem like a disaster yet. He hoped it would end when the unknown adventurer left or a Pirate Admiral or King arrived.

nNever perform rituals you don’t fully understand… Mason warned himself.

nHe then raised his glass to his reflection on the wall, toasting to his resolution.

n…

nIn the shadow, Franca was intently observing the Carnival Bar inside and out.

nThis was her task.

nEven though Lumian was vigilant and prepared, he could still be ambushed. The Beyonder world had many strange, unpredictable, and hard-to-defend abilities, rituals, and spells. Thus, Franca stayed hidden, monitoring the surroundings from another angle, ready to intervene or provide a Mirror Substitution.

nIn the past few days of wandering around Banamo Port with Lumian, Franca had seen pirates drinking, chatting, joking, eating, gambling, venting, and sleeping, making them seem no different from ordinary people. She felt a bit guilty about the possible plague plan. But after witnessing pirate battles and hearing about killings, kidnappings, bullying, robbery, and rape, she genuinely felt that letting these scum die from the plague would purify the world and be a good deed.

nIgnoring her hunger, Franca grumbled about Lumian, This guy, doesn’t he know it’s been an hour past lunch? You get to eat, but I don’t! Based on our previous understanding, shouldn’t we shake off potential trackers, hide back at the inn, and let me rest and eat something?

nDespite her complaints, Franca continued to dutifully monitor the surroundings.

nAt that moment, a few pirates entered, bringing a lively, joyful, and excited atmosphere to different tables.

nHmm… Franca melded into the shadows, sticking to the wall, and stealthily approached a group of pirates to listen in.

n“Admiral Deep Sea is really here?”

n“The Newins has already docked!”

n“Do they know about the adventurer?”

n“…”

nOh, Admiral Deep Sea is finally here… Franca silently confirmed with a guess.

nSince Jenna hadn’t issued a warning, it meant no Pirate King had arrived in Banamo Port. Franca began to anticipate Admiral Deep Sea’s reaction and actions.

nShe was sure Admiral Deep Sea and his key subordinates were aware of the unknown adventurer’s provocation.

nIt was a simple deduction.

nSince Admiral Deep Sea was avoiding the King of Dusk, he would first confirm the situation in Banamo Port before coming to resupply.

nThe common practice was to send lesser-known pirates from the fleet on other ships to scout Banamo Port. If Banamo Port was a regular stop, trusted subordinates might be stationed there long-term, reporting back promptly.

nOf course, local forces could also provide warnings. In any case, Admiral Deep Sea would be well aware of recent events in Banamo Port; otherwise, he wouldn’t surface the Newins.

nFranca calmed herself, no longer distracted by hunger.

nBut like the pirates, she waited half an hour without seeing Admiral Deep Sea or his key subordinates, growing puzzled.

nWhy haven’t they shown up?

nCould it be that Admiral Deep Sea is also a cautious person? But Lumian is only showing the strength of a strong Sequence 6. This crafty guy is using crimson-white flames, not the Reaper’s white flames…

nFranca thought carefully and understood the reason.

nIf she were in his shoes, targeted by the King of Dusk, she wouldn’t cause trouble right after arriving at a port. She would complete the resupply first and prepare for another dive. That way, even if something unexpected happened, they could leave Banamo Port immediately and not complete their primary objective here.

nAlso, Lumian, the unknown adventurer, had been in Banamo Port for two or three days. He didn’t seem to be hunting bounties of lesser known pirates, as if he were waiting for something.

nThis could make people suspicious of his true intentions. Admiral Deep Sea would naturally be cautious.

nPhew… Franca sighed silently.

nHer gaze continued to sweep across the Carnival Bar, wary of any surprises.

nIn the process, her eyes inevitably swept over Lumian, noticing her companion’s slight smile and good mood, holding a cup of amber-colored Lanti Proof mixed with something unknown.

n…

nLumian played with his glass, using his Hunter’s exceptional hearing to roughly understand why the pirates were suddenly excited and anxious.

nHis target had arrived!

nLumian wasn’t surprised since he already knew-Jenna had come by earlier and left a note under his hand, concealed by shadows.

nKnowing Admiral Deep Sea wouldn’t come looking for him immediately, Lumian remained calm, acting unaware of the commotion behind him.

nHe glanced at the bartender trying to control his expression and smiled.

n“The wind is quite noisy today,” Lumian said.

nThe bartender didn’t know how to respond, forcing a stiff smile. “True.”

nLumian said nothing more, feeling his emotions and state change.

nTo be honest, he felt a bit nervous about facing a Pirate Admiral with his fleet. But it also made his blood boil slightly.

nHe had never been one to shy away from challenges. Since becoming a Hunter, he had tasted the allure of challenges even more.

nWith that thought, Lumian raised his cup of Lumian to his lips, tilted his head back, and drank it all in one go.

n