Moments before the fleet arrived, Lafitte called his officers in the fleet as well as his two hands.

  It was a disciplinary call for each high member of the crew as well as a strategic one for a plan for the upcoming business meeting.

  “Trey, Lafitte, as soon as we enter the shores. Never let your guard down.”

  “Yeah, no shit? Ain’t that what we’ve been doing from the start? What's the need for a call?”

  “Oi, what’s with that tone? This business is official, y'know?”

  “I agree with Trey. There is no need for a call if you just told us to guard ourselves when— or unless, you have something worse in mind.”

  The urgent roll call, which functions effectively as a meeting with this context in mind, prompted Glass and Trey to question the need for such a case.

  However, as they gazed into Lafitte’s eyes, they grew wary.

  ‘When the captain’s eyes look normal, who knows what will befall upon us.’

  Given the years he spent in the fleet, Glass became aware of the various habits and antics of those around him.

  Whether it was Trey’s gluttonous stomach or Lafitte’s reckless spending, he soon learned their actions, which he despised, yet had nothing else to say but accept those flaws.

  As Glass's ruminations pass, he soon hears Lafitte talk about their plan.

  “No matter what occurs, we would probably be at a disadvantage if we create a fight. Especially with how they function amicably, they are too organised for our mere ‘crew’ to just handle. So it is up to each one of you, whom I have designated a unit to manage those under you.”

  Lafitte opened his palms on the table as he pointed towards certain points on a board.

  “Our plan will not be as formal as one would prepare. But the moment animosity is thrown at us. We are to move in haste as we go for our ship.”

  Then, as he concluded his presentation. He glanced at his left and right-hand men, gesturing for them to stay as he soon let go of the majority of his officiants.

  As soon as they left, Trey moved forward as she put her hand on the table.

  “Are you sure this is going to work? What if they betray you? I'm sure some of them are probably doing that right behind you.”

  “Ain't that the protocol for a ‘pirate’? To be stabbed in the back by the members of your own deck is a common occurrence, isn't it?”

  “Then, why accept it as is?”

  “Because you can't change what has already been pre-established by this place. Whenever I try to rein them in or punish them. It'll just delay the inevitable… Besides—”

  Lafitte took a bizarre object from his pocket as he stared at Glass.

  Glass looked utterly confused as he realised he had been observed.

  Then Lafitte gave him the object and shifted his focus to the table.

  He then murmured about his regrets.

  “I had gone too far ahead of myself, I was too keen on my interest and survival. I had forgotten that I may have attracted the attention of those beyond my capability.”

  “I was but a fish in a mere pond who dared try to jump towards the vast open sea.”

  “Only to realise that the reason the pond exists was so that it could safely harbour within its depths without its presence being invoked towards its death.”

  “Hah… I've become too bright for my own good.”

  Lafitte's palm met his face as he recognised his mistake.

  “Still, Captain. We can still salvage this by sending a letter.”

  “I doubt sending one would work. As that thick-headed monster would never approve of it, and I do know that sometimes, it is much better to confront things head-on than suffer later.”

  “If that's your decision, I find no reason to oppose it. Right, Glass?”

  Trey nudged Glass to agree.

  “I'm the same way as a senior. As long as we can keep it in line. I have no other reason to oppose that plan of yours.”

  Then, Lafitte revealed a smile; A smile that seemed to be different from his ignorant laughter.

  One that unveils something prominent.

  …

  ‘Damn it, I've used it. I doubt this is something I should've done, but I believe this is the right choice.’

  Moments ago, I fired a unique ammo given to me by Lafitte that was crafted by a workshop that once ought to have used a singularity.

  It was bought on a whim due to Lafitte's spending it on a black market spree, but I had never discerned the effect of it.

  The only clue it held was,

  ‘I'll be leaving this to ya, kid. Don't shoot if I haven't said so.’

  With a foreboding warning, I was following that order, but…

  ‘Knowing how dangerous it was, I had no other choice but to do that!’

  As I ran across the island, I inevitably saw ‘La Diligente’, anchored down.

  I sprinted across and shouted,

  “Activate the ship, hurry, the negotiation broke down!”

  Whether they heard it or not, the ship's light soon opened as the roars of its engine rumbled.

  As I went on the shores with my feet, I hurriedly climbed aboard upon the steel ropes that were brought down.

  And then, as I came aboard. Dozens of recruits greeted me as I laid my hand forward.

  “Hah– Hah–, All of you prepare to go backwards!”

  “But sir, the captain hasn't gotten aboard yet—”

  “Listen here, our captain is doing his best to stall the monster out. It is time that we move out. He'll catch up later.”

  “Ah, roger that!”

  I exhaled rapidly as I breathed in naturally.

  I took the time to think of a plan as I hurried my way to the main navigational section of our ship.

  —Thunk!

  “...!?”

  I dodged towards my right as an unexpected sword drew close.

  Then my sight landed on the perpetrator of the lethal action as I saw someone with the same attire as me.

  And so, my eyes narrowed.

  “...Fiores, huh? So you were one of those rats that snuck aboard.”

  “Haha, now you finally locked eyes with me, Glass.”

  The author's content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

  A man with stark black hair and green eyes mockingly stared at me.

  It was none other than my fellow crewmate; No, it would be unwise to fit this guy in my category.

  A ‘traitor’ to be disposed of.

  Yeah, let's go with that narrative.

  “So you teamed up with the middle, huh?”

  “Teamed up? Ha, you jest bet it wasn't! I was already a part of the family before y'all took me. I just joined you guys, thinking I could finally go back to the family, but… the captain, No, that bastard Lafitte kept refusing Big sister's suggestions.”

  “Big sister? I heard of your ranking system, but what does it mean?”

  “Eh, really, you don't know that much about our hierarchy?"

  “Nope, like none at all.”

  As I spoke. Fiores looked demented and sullen as he scratched his head.

  “Hah… Then think of it as a great bonding for us who are nothing more than dregs and outcasts by our nests. Our family revolves around the respect and caring nature we impose upon one another. We fight to protect our creed and wants. That's why, we shall punish those that oppose—Huh?”

  As that stupid guy talked about his goals or whatever.

  I spent that time running away as I went to my cabin, collected some ammunition and grabbed an axe too small to be fit for battle but enough to be wielded for throwing against opponents.

  Then, as I exit towards the corridor. Fiores, running out of breath, came lunging at me.

  —Ting!

  Of course, due to his state. I easily swept his attack like it was nothing.

  As I watch over him, staring at me with a growl.

  “You bastard, Glass! How dare you run away! Your name won't be written in my book of vengeance. I'll just butcher you off!”

  “Book of vengeance… huh.”

  Book of Vengeance.

  Just like what it has been titled, it is a book that lists all the derogatory actions an individual has done against a member of The Middle.

  Think of it as some sort of a book of grudges that saves everything and anything that displeases these syndicates.

  Though, not like it is something that matters.

  The fact that any outlier's action that opposes them is publicly announced to their affiliates.

  It makes deceiving them quite the hassle.

  ‘It's similar to a casino's black book… this brought some awful memories.’

  —Thang!

  Fiores’ sword met my axe as I opened up space and prepared myself for close combat.

  “You…!? You actually fight well?”

  “What? Just because I use a rifle doesn't mean I haven't learned the basics of combat.”

  There have been dozens of rumours about people who rely on ranged weapon users, calling them as double-edge calibers, whether it is the syndicates or the fixers.

  They tend to view them as life takers whenever the weapon is pointed against them.

  However, this also spreads another contradictory message that misinforms the ignorant majority.

  ‘Those who wield long-range weaponry are weak at close-combat.’

  It is a blatant misconception, but some people of the backstreets are foolish enough to believe anything that gets to their ears.

  For me, though, it helped mask my overall perception as I gracefully used my axe against Fiores.

  —Twak!

  “Urgh!?”

  “Where was your motivation to punish me? Is this all you can do?”

  “You, piece of sh*t! I swear I'll put that down for mockery!”

  Agitated, Fiores dashed in as he prepared to hack his way through my body.

  He aimed his sword horizontally as he twisted his body to create momentum.

  —Twirl

  However, I took this opportunity to close the gap by diving behind him, causing his cleaving strike to miss.

  “...What?”

  “Nice try, how about doing this instead?”

  Fiores quickly turned his head around, but it was too late.

  My axe, which I swung downward, already met his neck, as blood came spilling out like a wild mess.

  —Blurt!

  “I thought it was clean… But I think my cutting skills have dulled ever since I wielded a gun… I guess I should train my combat proficiency at the same time as my aim, huh.”

  It's been a while since I last talked this much. As I cleaned the mess I made, I headed down the hallway up into the balcony of this ship.

  …

  “Oh, it's you. Mr Glass!”

  “Kid…?”

  As I went upstairs and got onto the rooftop, I saw a familiar silhouette.

  It was the damn kid we just took since yesterday. I wonder how he ended up here. Shouldn't he be in the storage room?

  “How are you here? Don't you see we are in a fight here?”

  “Um, I was headed for the bathroom until suddenly I heard an explosion upstairs… so I went there and… Got lost.”

  “...Alright, I understand the situation, so why don't you go back downstairs and—”

  —Boom!

  “...!?”

  “Eh!?”

  A large explosion occurred below as the ship trembled.

  Realising the situation, I quickly dragged the kid as the fire reached the stairs.

  ‘Tch, did one of the hulls get breached? No, the severity of this damage… Could it be a compact explosive?’

  I dashed towards a safe spot on the rooftop as I dragged the kid with me.

  “Uh, Mister. What do we do now?”

  “Kid, what's your name?”

  “Um, is this really the time for an introduction—”

  “Just say the name.”

  I took the moment and glared at the kid as he jolted out of fear.

  “Eeek– Alright, alright…. It's, Hans…”

  “Then, Hans. At the count of three, go and dash right at the other side and enter the stairs that way.”

  “But, how about you—”

  “Don't think about that, I'll handle it my way.”

  “Ah… I see.”

  “Now stop quivering and do as I say.”

  “Ye–Yes!”

  We waited for several seconds until the ship started to move. Soon, I heard a roar coming from the bow.

  ‘It must've meant the anchor has been pulled up’

  As I readied the barrel of my rifle, I turned towards Hans and spoke.

  “Three, two, one… Go!”

  Hans nodded as he sprinted onwards to the other door to the balcony.

  Meanwhile, I kept my position as I scouted the area as silently as possible.

  ‘Who could've gone and done all the explosions? I suspected there were rats among us, but… that explosion isn't the kind of thing The Middle are fond of using.’

  Despite being one of the major syndicates, The Middle weren't the type to rely on explosives.

  In most cases, the thumb that rules marginally, using bayonets and other destructive weapons, is more akin to doing such a thing.

  But, of course, there are always some misunderstandings.

  Just like how there are a lot of baseless rumours.

  Believing certain things based on stereotypes could only lead to a foregone conclusion.

  Therefore, it is recommended to learn things up front.

  ‘Not like, I'm the type to do that sort of thing.’

  Needless to say, I was the type to never put too many expectations.

  After all, for someone such as I, survival is the only thing I can call a necessity.

  —Bam!

  The door to the rooftop opened, and several figures emerged.

  One of them wore familiar clothing, and another… which had a strange ambience.

  ‘Purple cowl, and a grandeur of aesthetics, definitely an attire befitting The Middle. But, that other one… A white and blue suit, yet built for naval combat…? Wait— It can't be!?’

  As the two went right against each other, my wits finally told me who the other party was.

  “Damn it, how did they get here? Wasn't there a fog?”

  As the woman in a white and blue suit fought with a sharp ball covered in blood.

  It reminded me of the day I first encountered them.

  ‘Zwei Association’

  Comparable to a nest's patrol officer, they are fixers who embody the prominence of their motto of ‘Justice’.

  A set of individuals that govern under their prescribed ‘Laws’.

  Their targets aren't limited to just thugs, but anything that poses harm to the citizens, as well as against the outlaws.

  Primarily, one of their objectives is to chase after the Five Fingers as they regard them as an impure organisation that corrupts the city.

  However, in reality, they are just protecting the ‘civil’ rights of their clients.

  ‘A task force only for the wealthy.’

  Outside of Nests, they treat anyone as garbage.

  That's why looking at them makes me puke.

  —Strike!

  As a member of the Middle, the Zwei fought.

  I waited for the opportunity where the two intertwined under my sight, as I waited.

  Waited,

  Waited,

  Patiently, like a pebble in a lake.

  Then—

  As I saw them clashing right before my eyes, I took my shot.

  —Pfoom!

  A single bullet ran across the rooftop, and the two who were busy in combat took notice, but it was already too late.

  My shot pierced through both of them, inflicting bleeding to both their shoulders; however, their gaze soon latched onto me.

  “...Campeche? That gun… must've been one of that guy's hands.”

  “Another syndicate!?”

  Aw, my life.

  They noticed me.

  Soon, the Zwei woman carrying some sort of mace jumped towards me as I took the time to get away and reload my gun.

  As she crept in, I pushed another round into the barrel as I aimed.

  —Pfoom!

  —Clang!

  As expected, even though I wasn't the type to miss.

  The woman who held ferocious eyes deflected it with ease.

  “You damn pesky snot!”

  She closed in and swung her mace as I dodged sideways while kicking her.

  —Thack!

  “Urgh? You!”

  She shot me another glare, but I didn't care.

  I ran across the rooftop as I went for the other side that had another way down.

  But, as soon as I reached the door,

  Something came barging out.

  “Uwaah~!”

  A scream?

  Then a familiar guy came tumbling down as he hit one of the pipes for the ventilation.

  ‘Hans?’

  The moment I hesitated, I realised I wasn't out of the fight yet—

  —Whoosh!

  I held my rifle behind me as I was launched far, dropping down onto the floor.

  My back ached as I felt some of my bones in my left arm shattered.

  An indescribable pain rang in my left hand as I forced myself to sit up straight.

  There, the subtle, disgusting gaze was put upon me by the Zwei officer.

  “...Ah, damn it.”

  “Mere scum of the backstreets, how dare you show yourselves in these waters!”

  She raised her mace high as she swept it once more.

  —Wham!

  Unbeknownst to her, someone pummeled her from behind. Looking at her eyepatch, I instantly figured out who it was.

  “What!? Who are you?”

  “If you dare hurt my junior like that. Who'll be the one I put my order to?”

  It was Trey who had dismantled her spear into two short swords.

  The Zwei officer didn't take kindly to her attire.

  The hatred in her eyes towards syndicates seems to have blinded her animosity as she swayed her mace once more.

  But, Trey knew of her intent as she pivoted right below her mace and delivered two fatal blows towards the woman.

  The woman cried in agony as she bit her tongue in anger, and she urged for one more strike.

  However, it was meaningless.

  As Trey held her weapons, she lunged once more and used her blades to aim for the heart and the brain.

  —Swoosh!

  In one fell swoop, she punctured and slashed her way in. Slicing the woman's mind into two.

  Trey let out a sigh as she turned towards me.

  “Hoo~, she almost got you, kiddo. Don't worry, we got the traitors and the infiltrators done in… The only thing we have to do now is to get some pests off our trail and wait for the captain at the designated drop off.”

  “What… about… the other guy?”

  “Oh, him?”

  Trey had a question mark on her face until she remembered something and pointed her hand at the rooftop.

  There, I saw something that turned out to be a corpse, but due to the dismemberment. I mistakenly thought of it as a mess.

  ‘How… disgusting.’

  Despite my efforts to try to be accustomed to it. I always forget that…

  Trey has always been like that.