— Adel —
The fight with Erik had been more interesting than I expected. Of course, I wasn't talking about the fight itself, but about the analysis I had made.
From what I'd seen, my body had grown even stronger and, although my stats were equal to the beginning of Grade 2, my overall power was much higher. Combined with my experience, it would allow me to fight even against mid-Grade 2 opponents.
As for my evaluation of Erik, he was... average. He had good basics and a decent fighting rhythm, but that was it; he didn't really excel in any particular way.
Maybe on the archipelago, where good teachers were missing and the standard was quite low, he could seem talented, but compared to the various monsters on the continent, he was nothing.
In any case, I could still see his dedication and good potential, so if he pushed himself to train, he would achieve solid results, enough that once he came to power, he wouldn't be easily deposed.
****
When I arrived at Vera Island's port, I expected the usual bustle, but the nightlife seemed halved and the whole place felt wrapped in a dome of unease.
Obviously, it was something I'd imagined would happen, given the various deaths I'd caused on the islands, but considering the kind of economy on the island, I didn't expect Jasmine to do nothing to force others to work.
She seems much more scared than I thought.
As Alfred and Erik had said, the plan seemed to be working great, and I just had to keep up the tempo before this apparent peace ended.
As I moved on, I saw many more guards than usual patrolling around. They were definitely looking for the symbols we had ordered to be drawn, and anyone who looked suspicious.
I won't deny that this alert atmosphere would make my work more complicated, but by now I was Grade 2, and only maybe Paul could be considered a troublesome opponent.
Keeping out of the guards' line of sight, I soon reached the place where I was to meet Violet. Once inside the building, I was surprised, but also a little pleased, to see everyone there... except that, apart from Lyra, who watched me curiously, the rest were hiding behind Violet.
"Seriously, guys?" I couldn't help but say.
"Sorry, it's just that... you've become a sort of scary story adults tell kids who misbehave." Little Timmy said, embarrassed.
"Too bad the only victims are adults, so it has little effect... more or less," Beth said.
"Anyway, it's a pleasure to see you again. After last time, I've been a bit busy, and so I could only communicate with Violet." I said.
"I think she's happier that way—Gouh!"
Ruth was not allowed to finish, thanks to Violet's punch.
"You really should learn to shut up," Beth said, amused, while Tod nodded beside her.
"Alright." Violet cleared her throat. "Tonight you'll continue with your... work, I guess."
"Exactly. Did you also analyze the second kind of targets I needed?" I asked.
"Yes, but..." I noticed her expression change. "You aren't planning to kill them, are you?"
"I know it might be a surprise, but you're not the only one who asked me that," I said jokingly, but seeing their faces, they didn't find it strange, which made me sigh heavily. "No, I won't. I'll just kidnap them."
"Am I the only one starting to find it strange how certain topics are becoming normal?" Ruth asked, deflated, and I didn't know why, but I had the feeling he and Erik could get along.
The others also nodded resignedly when Violet handed me the file with the people I needed.
"Good. How is your work going?"
"I'd say well," Violet replied. "Although with the increased guards around, it's becoming harder to investigate and to have the symbols drawn."
"For now, Vera and Viltrix islands are practically done. The problem is Velter Island, which tends to be much more closed off, so we managed little there. As for the smaller islands, we've done a lot there too."
I nodded at Lyra's explanation.
"Great work."
I stroked her head, but she stayed expressionless, though I knew she had a soft spot for compliments.
"Alright, then today we'll work together."
"Really?" Violet said, surprised, and even her tail lifted the same way.
"Exactly. If you have so much trouble moving there, I might as well create a diversion."
"Are you sure you can handle it? The situation there is quite complicated."
I just smiled, then grabbed her swaying tail.
"NYAAA! I'LL KILL YOU!"
****
I swam slowly, the ocean water surrounding me. I rose slowly to the surface with only my eyes exposed, observing Velter Island's situation. Several pirate boats floated in the bay.
They looked deserted, but the small waves made by their hulls suggested people were on board.
I slipped back into the water and kept swimming toward the shore. Thanks to Water Affinity, I didn't even have to worry about breathing and soon reached a shady spot in the port.
Peering over, I got a better idea of the island. Compared to the other islands, it was much more rudimentary, with shabby roads and scattered houses.
Since the Pirates spent most of their time at sea, they didn't pay much attention to the island, which served only as a base and home for some families. It might seem like a familiar place, if it weren't that many of those people had been kidnapped or taken as slaves.
In fact, the Pirates handled slave exports and imports to the continent.
Activating Shadow Veil, I moved without anyone noticing and reached a merchant's house. He was much respected among the inhabitants, since he helped those in need... a pity he would be gone for a while.
If I had a conscience, I'd feel slightly guilty, too bad I don't.
Entering the house, I moved silently into the main bedroom. The man seemed to be sleeping heavily, but even so, I pulled out a cloth and covered his face.
"HFFPPF!"
The sudden act must have terrified him; he began to struggle, but then slowly lost consciousness from the dust on the cloth.
Using a couple of ropes, I tied him well and slung him over my shoulder. From what Erik had explained, that dust would put an adult out for at least a day, so I didn't have to worry about him waking up.
I put the man in a secluded barrel in the port area and went to get the second victim, who turned out to be slightly more complicated.
The victim was a middle-aged woman and a good healer. When I reached the hill where she lived, it was patrolled by several pirate members.
To increase the scare effect, I spared them, so that if they checked the next day, they would find the woman missing without having heard anything.
When I passed them, I found the woman bent in prayer. I did want to complain that even at that hour, someone wanted to pray, and although I didn't want to be rude toward the gods, I had a task to finish.
As with the previous person, I made the woman inhale the dust, and in the same invisible way I had entered, I left.
Since I was faster than expected, I took another person too. Now it was time to create the diversion to ease my escape and let the others work more easily.
I dived into the sea again and swam toward one of the larger boats, belonging to one of Anthony's top men, the hundredth piece of scum that wasn't worth keeping alive.
Arriving at the ship, I climbed up silently and peered through a crack to check the situation. I could see several men on deck; most were ordinary people, but there were also Grade 0s. The two most problematic, however, were the two up on the main mast.
Memorizing the crew's movements, I moved when no one was looking and leapt to the mast, scaling it in an instant.
"What the—"
Before the two could say anything, I activated Razor Claws, slitting their throats.
"Now, the others."
Jumping down, I landed on a man, killing him, and the noise seemed to attract a few more, but I wouldn't give them time to react.
Where a group formed, I activated Water Wall, not as a defensive move, but to drown the people inside it. Then, I used Quick Step to move among the remaining men, cutting them down one by one.
All this took only a couple of seconds, confirming once again the difference between each grade.
I then moved through the cabins, taking out everyone I encountered, finally reaching the captain's cabin.
This time, I didn't bother to be quiet and simply smashed the door in. I expected at least some action, anything, but all I saw was a man with his head on the table, surrounded by white powder and blood running from his nose.
"Look at your karma."
It seemed someone had mixed a powerful poison into the drug, since it had killed a Grade 1. In any case, it wasn't my problem, and after mutilating the body like the others, I put him on a lifeboat, letting the current carry him ashore the next morning.
Afterwards, I scattered gunpowder all over the ship, set it on fire, and threw myself into the water.
BOOOOM!
The next moment, there was a huge blast that I was sure would be heard across the entire island.
That will keep them busy and start the real terror that will devour them all.