“How many are still alive, Senior?”

  “So far, most of the crew are still intact. The few that defected are nowhere to be found. Probably joined up with their former organization.”

  “Oh, right. How about the integrity of the ship?”

  “So far, the hull and the bow are fine. But the cargo hold and the rooftop… Well, you can see that for yourself.”

  As Trey and I exchanged information, she carried the unconscious Hans as I wrapped my left hand in bandages.

  “So, how are you going to fight?”

  Trey asked.

  “I’ll use my right hand for now, and use this… again.”

  “With a hatchet that short? I know you recently amped up your augments, but don’t you think that's insufficient?”

  “What else do you want me to do then?”

  “Oh, right.”

  Augmentations.

  One of the essentials available in the city. It could be a prosthetic, tattoo, or any sort of modification on the body. It is vital for survival as it gives your body far more resilience and defensive capability compared to mere inborn traits.

  Without one, you’re practically begging for death.

  The existence of various prohibitions also lies with augments and weaponry.

  In fact, one can even replace their entire being with pure machinery, and The City wouldn't bat an eye.

  But the moment a machine considered itself a “Human”…

  Needless to say, their bodies were never found.

  Whenever they were discarded or not, The City has its ways to get rid of something.

  “Oh, we're here.”

  Trey muttered as she held the door of the control room.

  —Pow!

  She pried her way in and shouted,

  “Woohoo~ Is anyone still alive?”

  Then, in front of me, various Campeche pirates were shivering and utterly frightened.

  It seems the chaos is causing them to act paranoid.

  Though I couldn't blame them otherwise.

  They weren't official ‘combatants’ our crew held, but merely captured sailors who knew how to navigate the lake.

  So, as much as they don our uniform, their capability is absolutely zero.

  “Luca, how is the navigation going?”

  “Um, Ms. Trey. We've directed our ship towards the destination. However, due to the ‘flare’ that erupted from the island. The fog covering our visibility has now been exposed. Which allowed the patrol boats to ambush us from behind.”

  ‘Flare?’

  Hold on a second—

  “Wait, did you mean the red flame that burst towards the sky was a ‘flare’?”

  “Ah… Yes, Mr. Lafitte took it from an unconscious Zwei officer we last encountered.”

  Don't tell me…?

  I coughed quite audibly as I figured out why there was a Zwei fixer up on our tail.

  I tried to hide my embarrassment, but Trey simply looked at me, detested.

  “...I know, I know.”

  “Hah… Captain trusts you so much that it hurts my mind as well.”

  “I don’t think I made that bad of a mistake.”

  “Um, excuse me. But was that flare a ‘Firework’ from H Corp?”

  ‘Firework?’

  Out of the blue, Hans, who had woken up, approached me from behind and questioned.

  “Oh? Y’know what it was?”

  “Ah, yes! A cosmetic item from the east that is loaded and filled with gunpowder! Every first day of the year, we order a bunch of those products from the eastern districts and watch them at midnight as they erupt in the sky!”

  Mesmerized, with stars in his eyes, Hans described the ‘flare’ I used with grandeur.

  “Wait, so that thing wasn’t an emergency ‘flare’?”

  Perplexed, I asked.

  “Well, I guess you learn something new every day, Junior.”

  “Weren’t you and Lafitte also unaware of it?”

  “Eh-he~, who knows~?”

  Trey put on an act as she acted cutesy.

  Unfortunately, a hag like her wouldn’t fool anyone.

  Without batting an eye, I just stared at her with pity.

  “Anyways, where are we headed to?”

  “As much as possible, somewhere far from here.”

  “Luca, have you calculated the coordinates?”

  “Yes, Ma'm!”

  “Good. Let's proceed.”

  Without the captain of the ship, it is appropriate for the right-hand man to take the helm.

  Trey didn't seem worried about Lafitte's current condition.

  But something at the back of my mind tells me otherwise.

  —Bang!

  And without a warning, a loud explosion occurred that shook the entirety of the ship.

  “Ms. Trey! A massive hole was created just now!”

  Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

  “Sh*t, all of you arm yourselves. Glass and I will go to the location and fix it.”

  Trey ordered the rest of the crew as she took something from her pocket and threw it at me.

  “Glass, take this and get yourself patched up. Remember, you owe me one for this.”

  From my right hand, a shimmering green liquid flew into a glass container.

  It was an ‘Ampule’ of a certain corporation.

  “Are you sure…? This looks pretty costly."

  “Just use it, I'll ask Lafitte to give me my pension. Because I swear, I'm going to retire after this.”

  “...”

  I stared at Trey, who was pretty disgruntled by the circumstance, but I dared not blame her.

  This could've been avoided if we had accepted The Middle's bargain.

  But, at the same time.

  ‘Lafitte's pride wouldn't dare take it.’

  It might’ve seemed like his personality is just one maniac flooding himself with greed.

  However, I knew that deep inside.

  He was a person who had peered through something else.

  As I injected the ampule I received from Trey into my left hand.

  My previous wounds disappeared as my bones reconstructed themselves, and my blood flowed like tears, shedding its loneliness away.

  It was morbid yet, the results speak for themselves.

  I grabbed a few ammunition from my pockets, as I sharpened the edges of my hatchet, preparing for an assault.

  …

  “Is that… All you got, Lafitte?”

  Exhausted and driven into the compartment of his own ship, Lafitte stood with blood drenched in his coat.

  He was utterly tired yet composed, as if breaking his demeanor here would pronounce his death.

  He looked up front as he faced Alexandria, who held some scars, yet not a single dent on her arrogant posture was found.

  Like adding salt to an injury, Lafitte was pissed.

  “You really… are… one hell of a monster, Alexandria. How much are you willing to chase me off simply for banter?”

  “Mere banter, Y'say? I'd say I just realized my leniency toward you. Because I showed mercy to your group, thinking it would just be a regular ragtag of boonies here. I didn't expect you to grow into such ferocious syndicates.”

  “In other words, you underestimated… me?”

  “That's right.”

  Alexandria acknowledges the capability Lafitte has possessed.

  The fact that the man whom she recalled was an ordinary rat who skewered themselves to this region was nothing more than a fading memory.

  Yet, each time that ‘rat’ survives the hurdling chaos and even manages to tame the ‘waves’ and peculiarity of this place.

  Only fed Alexandria with wonder.

  With notable feats and impeccable leadership, she was delighted to see the rat that she saw turn out to be a wolf ordained in gold.

  A ferocious pirate that became an urban plague.

  She waited for years as she ordered him to be her subordinate.

  But each time, she was rejected.

  It didn't bother her at first, but the longer that refusal lasted.

  The more her frustration grew.

  Like a child who couldn't control their temper, she waited one last time.

  But then, she realized that the ‘rat’ she was toying with. No longer offered her what she wanted.

  It was then that she had resolved her conclusion.

  To make sure that ‘rat’ wouldn't escape any longer.

  A trap that binds a colony and tears them apart.

  A poison prevalent on ‘rats’.

  An army of infested rats that joined his crew.

  One that she had hand-picked to monitor his every movement.

  She held all the sins the man did to her ‘implanted’ rats as she tasked them to pile up the grudges in the book of vengeance, which will prompt her family to do something about him.

  And then, the opportunity came.

  She ‘invited’ him to this meeting, and the seeds of the infestation she planted are now flourishing right before her eyes.

  “I was surprised that you are still able to move, given the fact that I broke your ribs and some of your bones apart. It does look like pain is just a suggestion to you, isn't it~.”

  Alexandria amusely remark.

  “Haha~ What kind of captain could I be if I weren't as sturdy as my ship?”

  “This is my final warning, Lafitte. Join me and become one of The Middle. I'll personally make you my right-hand man. You, who wants fortune and stature, isn't this the grand opportunity you've waited for?”

  Alexandria offered her hand as Lafitte glared at it for a while.

  He walks slowly as he accepts the hand that is reaching out for him.

  Alexandria smiles in surprise as she begins to hug him, welcoming him to the family.

  “But, you were wrong on one thing.”

  “Huh?”

  “I didn't care for money or grandstanding to anyone. The one that I always wanted was…”

  Lafitte grabbed Alexandria tightly as she began to realize what was happening.

  “I wanted to be free.”

  “YOU—LAFITTE, YOU BASTARD—”

  Lafitte held a wide grin as he ignited a small hidden explosive he placed in his arm.

  —Ka-Boom!

  The detonation caused sparks to fly everywhere as the ship rumbled.

  Eventually, two figures dashed in as they saw the silhouette of a monstrous woman grabbing the neck of a man from a distance.

  Trey and Glass saw Alexandria's face riddled with anger as Lafitte laughed maniacally.

  “Puah~! HA~, would you look at that! How did you like my magic trick?”

  “YOU FILTHY RAT, HOW DARE YOU STAB ME IN THE BACK LIKE THIS… AFTER ALL I GAVE YOU!”

  “Give me? Bullsh*t, I survived my struggles and hardships because I did so. I was considering pledging my allegiance to you. But have you ever helped our crew in any way? No! Not once did I get any support from you. Just because you roam these parts, doesn't mean you are entitled to own it!”

  Lafitte, burning in joy and agony, smiled as blood flowed from his forehead.

  “You mere syndicates think you house the backstreets just because it is a free territory. But in reality, all of you bastards from the five fingers are blinded by nothing but your foolish misunderstandings and devotion. Especially you middle fucks who only care for blind-sided glory! Puahahahaha~!”

  —Tighten!

  “Urghk…!”

  “...So that's how it is, I was waiting for this day with anticipation. But if that's how you perceive my kindness all along. Then, you no longer deserve any of my respect. Remember this, Lafitte. I'll ensure that you and your crew will disappear. Not a single rumour or witness will be able to tell you and your tales in this district.”

  “Hah… Goodluck with that!”

  As Alexandria prepares to crush Lafitte's neck, a single projectile heads towards her.

  —Boom!

  “...!? What?”

  “...Hah, there you guys are…”

  Whenever it was due to her guard being down or not.

  The bullet from Glass’s rifle pierced through her stomach, creating a small hole.

  “You… bastards!”

  Alexandria threw Lafitte against a wall as she started to rampage, pummeling everything surrounding her.

  And then, her eyes blinded in rage, turned towards Glass, who was reloading his rifle with a calm atmosphere.

  Alexandria rushed forward as she formed a fist, ready to hurl it at Glass’ face.

  —Tang!

  Suddenly, Trey interjected as she casually fended off the attack with her spear.

  “Get out of my way!”

  “Ugh… I don't think I can hold this as much as I could, Glass!”

  An overwhelming pressure swept over Trey as Alexandria tackled her to the ground.

  Then, she grabbed her body and threw her into the corridor, launching her as far as possible.

  Then, Alexandria's fierce glare swept over Glass, who aimed at her with one goal in mind.

  “Come! Take your best shot!”

  Alexandria is still indulging in her beast-like trance. Arrogantly waited for Glass to shoot, but nothing came.

  Not a single bullet nor explosion was ever heard.

  Alexandria stood confused.

  “You… are you underestimating me, you bastard?”

  “No? I just don't think it is necessary. Right now, you are bleeding profusely. If I waited and bided my time, wouldn't I hypothetically win?”

  “Hah… are you one of those snickering cowards who hide using tactics and manuals?”

  “Where's the cowardness in that? I'd say it is more efficient to use strategies to win against an opponent than to use brute force.”

  “Hah… How boorish. I can't believe I wanted people like you on board my crew.”

  Alexandria regained her composure as she took a while tending her wounds by flexing her muscles, causing the bleeding to stop.

  “Wow, that's cheating, isn't it?”

  Glass muttered his thoughts loudly.

  “If you trained your body rather than your mind, you could do something like this. But, what can a mere brat like you do anyway?”

  Back from getting swallowed by her rage, Alexandria looked at Glass with pity as she began walking towards him.

  Glass remained composed, striking only the stance of someone ready to pull the trigger.

  As both remained dorsal to their approach, each second became vital as Alexandria and Glass waited for a single ‘flaw’ to occur between the two.

  —Swoosh!

  However, a glowing tint of a blade pierced through Alexandria's heart from the back as her eyes widened.

  “You…?”

  “Good job, Glass. Although I owe Trey a favor. I wouldn't dare put this one on my tab.”

  Green fluid flowed through Lafitte's wound as it regenerated his body quickly without leaving a mark.

  The ampule that was made from K-corp's singularity.

  The healing ampule.

  A regenerative drug substance, when administered, causes one to heal back to their prime form.

  Even in the state of near death, as long as one's body remained. Even they would be reconstructed as if nothing happened.

  Of course, too much consumption of the product may lead to other issues that K Corp. does not consent to and will not be issuing any refunds.

  “How did… You get those?”

  “Some shipments that ‘fell’ out to the sea possess quite interesting products here and there, y'know?”

  “Bastard… you lied about your hauls. To dare deceive me… Ah—!?”

  —Boom!

  Without any warning, Glass fired another shot right at Alexandria's head. However, due to her instinct, she was able to use her hand to disengage the damage.

  But through the gap, it still inflicted a graze on her neck.

  “Both you and him, I swear I'll pulverize all of you!”

  “Calm down, your life was practically over the moment I stabbed you directly in your heart. In fact, I'm surprised you are still able to speak and hear.”

  “My… My heart can still function because I had it medically transplanted right in the middle of my chest.”

  “...!? You're one crazy dolt.”

  “Haha, I always believed the heart should've been there in the first place. That's why you will die here.”

  “Ho? In what way? You are practically dead, so how do you think you can—”

  —Bang!

  The loud sound erupted from the broken gap of the ship as a chain of harpoons struck the other compact side of it.

  Then, from a distance, the blaring of dozens of ships, akin to a fleet with a skull-and-purple-chains emblem on their banner, showed grandly.

  Knowing the insignia those ships bore made Lafite and Glass swallow up their throats.

  “Heh… Ha, Ha, HAHAHA! It's over for you now, fuck heads.”

  With a daunting laugh, Alexandria was thrilled to the bone.

  Soon, members of The Middle came on board the ship as Glass was chased off and chained to the ground.

  Lafitte was surrounded as Alexandria gave one last sneer.

  “Don't worry, Lafitte. Your actions and futile endeavors of rebellion. The Middle never forgets. I shall pulverize everything you worked for until none remains at this part of the district.”

  She turned her staggering body as she raised her fist, preparing to land one last blow.

  As Lafitte stood and closed his eyes.

  He accepted his fate as he let the course of the outcome follow their intended path.

  Although he had some regrets here and there, he finally understood that this was the price of his unbridled pleonexia.

  But even then, was this truly the only path?

  ‘Big brother, when will you stop hoarding everything for yourself?’

  A whisper came from a voice he had known all too well.

  The tone was soft and warm, one you wouldn't expect from someone in the gutters.

  Yet, her voice kept reverberating through his mind.

  It was something he hadn't let go of from his past.

  —Splat!

  Lafitte braced himself for the astounding pain.

  However, as soon as he opened his eyes.

  Something unexpected occurred.