The rattling intensified as if something was trying to break free from the crates. The sound came from the largest container, which had basic supplies like tissues and water.

“Shoot it, Bossman!” Sergio hid behind the mast and peaked his eyes as he pointed. “Quick, before it devours us!”

“What kind of imagination is that? I’m not going to ruin our supplies just because you’re scared.” Nikolai aimed his gun at the crates nonetheless, prepared for anything.

‘How did I miss something sneaking in? I’m sure there was no sound or smell. I would have noticed anything unusual, but there was none. I should have checked the crates instead of trusting Sergio.’

The rattling suddenly stopped.

“Achoo!”

A sneeze broke the deathly silence of the deck. Nikolai frowned since this meant it was no rat but a person.

“Come out now, or I’ll riddle the crate with holes.” Nikolai threatened, but no answer came.

“Shoot them!” Sergio shouted, but a protesting banging arrived from within the crates. The startled Sergio took several steps back in fright. “Hurry!”

The banging grew stronger, and Nikolai simply sighed and lowered his gun. He walked to the crate under the fearful eyes of Sergio and used the lever to open the box. The crate opened, and a head jumped from it.

“AAA! It’s the headless monster!” Sergio ran into the cabinet and locked it up. “Bossman! Hurry up!”

“Headless? How is it headless if there’s a head?” Nikolai sighed as he looked at the person who appeared from within the crates. “I guess you had your reasons for not answering earlier.”

‘Hehe, thank you for not shooting.’ The archer gestured with a smile. Nikolai glared at her silently in resentment and turned toward the railings.

He opened the small wooden door and stood behind the large crate. Without hesitation, he began pushing the container to throw it off.

“AA!” The mute girl screamed and began gesturing for Nikolai to wait. Hearing the sounds, Sergio peaked from the window.

“Bossman! Are you killing someone?” Sergio’s eyes turned wide as he saw Nikolai push the crate to the edge of the ship.

‘Wait! Please!’ The mute archer gestured as if her life depended on it. Well, it did depend on it. Nikolai stopped pushing and simply rested his foot on the crate. With a single push, the archer would need to grow a pair of wings.

“Why did you follow me?” Nikolai glared at her angrily. “Unless you want to die, explain yourself.”

‘I saw you walking in the city and wanted to console you about what happened in the academy!’ The girl gestured for Nikolai. ‘I hid in the crate on an impulse, but I ended up here!’

“Great, then allow me to send you back.”

“Boss! Boss!” Sergio ran out of the cabinet and grabbed into Nikolai’s shoulders. “I don’t know what’s going on, but you can’t kill people!”

“What?” Nikolai’s face crumbled, frightening the alchemist into letting go of him. “If you don’t kill to protect yourself, others will kill you to protect theirs.” He said coldly.

“But…” Sergio scratched his head. “I don’t think she’s an enemy.” He glanced at the short mute girl who looked harmless.

‘It’s still weird.’ Nikolai furrowed his brows. ‘Why can’t I remember this person at all from my past life? Someone like her is bound to draw attention.’ That was the reason he couldn’t trust her despite how harmless she looked.

“Sergio,” Nikolai said calmly. “There are ropes in my bag. Bring them to me.”

“Ropes?” Sergio blinked. “What for?”

“Just do it.” Nikolai aimed his gun at the archer. “As for you, get out of the crate, now.”

Until he finds out why he can’t remember her, Nikolai would rather keep her alive than dead. It didn’t sit well with him, the fact that he didn’t know something he should.

Sergio ran to his bag and took out the ropes. They were special items created from the Unbreakable Vines. Nikolai wanted to train using them, but it seems they would serve another purpose.

“You,” He gestured toward the mute archer. “Turn around and put your hands behind your bag. Sergio, tie her up.”

“Bossman, is this necessary?” Sergio was hesitant.

“Listen well, Sergio,” Nikolai explained calmly. “I’m telling you this because I think of you as a friend. You’re still too naive. This girl sneaked into the ship without us knowing. She could do the same and slit our throats in our sleep.”

“That is… a bit extreme.” Sergio gulped and looked at the girl. “She looks trustworthy.”

“Can you explain how she got in without anyone noticing?” Nikolai asked instead. “If you could tell me, then I’ll rest easy.”

“Why don’t we ask her?”

“It wouldn’t matter. The answer wouldn’t change the fact that she can sneak upon us.” Nikolai aimed with his gun. “Now tie her up.”

At last, Sergio listened to Nikolai’s commands and tied the girl to the mast. She looked upset with Nikolai but couldn’t gesture anymore to communicate.

“I know that I owe you one from before.” Nikolai crouched beside her. “But that doesn’t mean I can trust you. Until I find out what I need about you, I’ll treat you as a suspect.”

Nikolai struck her dantian with his index finger. Air left her lungs as the girl’s body turned stiff. Unlike what Nikolai did to Luke before, he didn’t destroy this girl’s center of power. He simply injected enough mana into it to block it and paralyze her.

This way, he could rest easy without fearing her. Nikolai stood up and walked to the front of the deck. Sergio looked at the girl who couldn’t move anymore and at Nikolai.

“Bossman, I think you’re overdoing it.”

“Trust is earned, not gifted.” Nikolai shook his head at his friend. “I know that this is extreme, but I have my reasons.”

Nikolai would never fall for appearances again. He did once before, and it cost him his life and his trust in others. Trust was a trap. It was tempting to give, but once someone breaks it, something within you breaks as well.

Once that thing breaks, you’ll stop being human and turn into a creature who either tries to survive or seeks revenge. Nikolai was both of those.

He was a broken person.