“Surrender your goods, and we’ll spare your lives!”

Nikolai heard the pirates make their standard declaration as he took hold of Alias’s core. He knew that with Sergio’s and Yuxi’s timid appearance, they would let their guards down.

He waited as he listened to the conversations above. After he heard the captain’s order to tie the two up, Nikolai prepared himself. His perception picked up the phrases above him.

“Where is your money, couple?”

‘Now.’ Nikolai navigated the ship to rise and rotate 180 degrees. Alias obeyed, and he was soon felt the vessel begin to spin. Nikolai let go of the control once it was upside down and landed on the ceiling.

He opened the door to the room and went ahead to open the windows. When he got his head out of the window, he saw the pirate’s ship beneath them.

He heard the pirates scream as they tried to grab the railings. Looking back, Nikolai took out his Darkmoon Longbow and infused an effect into the bow.

[You infused the Lethal Gas Effect, consuming 3 Points.]

If one weren’t aware of this trap, then this poison would be enough to, at least, make them unable to move. The best-case scenario was to kill them, but Nikolai had no expectations of that.

He jumped out of the window grabbed into the sails of the ship. After a rough landing, Nikolai tried to find out the location of the rest. He closed his eyes and felt the presence of everyone on the ship. There were only three people here to protect the ship.

[You infused the Stealth Effect, consuming 5 Points.]

Nikolai used his bow to infuse another effect. He didn’t know the limits of this stealth, but he hoped it could be enough for him to kill the three.

He took out the arrow and slashed his abdomen. It was a shallow wound that healed instantly with his Blood Energy, but it was enough to make his body blend into the surrounding.

‘But first, we need a smokescreen.’

Nikolai grinned and took out his gun. He loaded his enchanted bullets before rushing toward the core room of the ship.

These ships were standard, so it wasn’t hard to locate the most critical room. Unless someone had them made so that they hide this place, anyone could find their way.

Nikolai followed the traces of mana and ran toward the room. It was below the deck as well, and Nikolai found someone guarding the door. Since fighting them would produce noise, Nikolai opted to sneak in from the window.

He grabbed the railing and jumped to the other side. After he let go and allowed himself to fall, Nikolai held the edge of the window.

‘How do I break the window?’ Nikolai thought about creating a diversion, but he didn’t need to.

“What’s happening to the ship above?” The guards screamed as they rushed forward. Without hesitation, Nikolai pushed the window and broke it. He slipped in and landed on the wooden floor right beside the core.

“Should we help them?” He heard the three guards talk above as he took out his bow. Taking out a Darkmoon arrow from his quiver, Nikolai decided to test it.

[You infused Delayed Explosion Effect, consuming 5 Points.]

[A Darkmoon Arrow amplified the effect: Delayed Grand Explosion.]

[The explosion will occur in one minute.]

Nikolai grinned as he nocked the arrow to his bow. He released the string and watched as the arrow struck the core that started to grow violent.

Without delay, Nikolai turned and ran outside. He used the hatchway and was lucky enough for the three guards to miss him because of the events on Alias.

Nikolai passed by them as he ran up the mast and climbed like his life depended on it. He felt the ominous mana gather like a parasite crawling on his back as it began to compress.

“Huh?” One of the pirates looked up the mast. “There’s someone over there!” He pointed at Nikolai and took out his crossbow. “After him!”

However, their hopes were in vain as the explosion arrived. Flames erupted from the core room with a heaven shaken explosion, and the deck’s floor began to unpeel themselves and rise like lava erupting from the ground.

Nikolai felt his ears buzz as the explosion pushed him upward while smoke clouded everyone’s visions. Using the momentum from the explosion, Nikolai kicked the mast and flew in the direction of Alias.

He soared through the sky and managed to grab the edge of the captain’s cabinet. His fingers dug into the wood to avoid losing grip and falling.

“Captain!” The other pirates called for their captain, which was probably poisoned by now. Nikolai took out his gun and aimed it at the nearest pirate.

Bang!

The gunshot rang loudly, and the bullet struck the railway that the pirate grabbed, making him fall toward the ground. However, he managed to grab the fallen mast of their ship in time.

‘Tsk.’ Nikolai aimed again but heard the distinct click of a crossbow being loaded. He jumped to the side without hesitation and dodged the arrow that lodged itself into the cabinet’s wall.

Nikolai aimed his gun and fired at the crossbow woman behind the smoke. There was grunt proceeded by the sound of flesh tearing as another arrow was loaded.

However, the arrow never arrived. Nikolai frowned as he heard the sound of flapping wings and a feminine scream. He saw a figure fell from the ship in the corner of his eye, and it cut through the smoke.

It was the crossbow woman. Her body was torn and bloodied as she fell to her demise. Nikolai’s heart turned cold as he tried to think of an explanation, but he didn’t need to.

A figure flew from his right, and Nikolai managed to see the outline of it. It was a giant flying monster with a person riding it. The shape of the beast made Nikolai dreadful.

‘A Vulture.’ Nikolai’s heart felt heavy. ‘Can it be that clan?’ He had hoped that they would pass undetected by them, but it seems the explosion caught their interest. ‘This got a lot more complicated.’

It has been nothing but a few days since they set out, but it seems their trip wasn’t fated to be an easy one. That legendary skill would have to wait for a bit until they leave this place.

‘It’s time to land.’