Chapter 203 — Bram and the Dusk Hammer's Expedition
S.C. 1512 — Same Day, Late Morning
Hidden Island — West Ridge Training Ground
While Kiro led New Dawn across East Blue
And Mira commanded Silver Moon on wide trade routes…
Bram stood barefoot on the hard training stone, looking down at a group of fifteen, each one broader, heavier, and louder than the average refugee.
This was Bram's division:
The Dusk Hammer
Heavy labor team.
Island guardians.
Frontline defenders.
Builders of impossible things.
If Kiro's men were precise blades,
And Mira's team was the silent tide…
Bram's unit was the sound of thunder shaking the ground.
He clapped his hands once.
"Alright, you sorry piles of driftwood! Today is our first outside assignment. And we're doing it MY way!"
The group straightened immediately.
Even Zemo, lying lazily nearby, lifted his head at the volume.
1. The Mission
Bram walked to the large chalkboard Ren had prepared earlier.
He slapped it so hard the board shook.
"Objective: Retrieve heavy mineral ore from West Granite Isle."
He circled the island symbol.
"This rock is packed with rare metal deposits we need for Ren's new factory.
No ore, no steel.
No steel, no machines.
No machines—Ren gets annoyed. And trust me…"
Bram crossed his arms dramatically.
"We do NOT want Ren annoyed."
The team swallowed.
He pointed at the hand-drawn sketch of a cave entrance.
"Inside this isle is a big vein of ore. Heavy ore. Stubborn ore. Ore that only we can pull out."
A young man raised his hand timidly.
"U-Um… why us specifically?"
Bram cracked his neck, muscles flexing.
"Because you're all strong, dumb, and stubborn. Perfect for mining."
Leo, overhearing from the side, shouted:
"That's half-insult!"
Bram yelled back:
"Then work hard and make it a compliment!"
Zemo barked supportively.
2. Setting Sail — "Heavy Team, Move!"
The heavy team boarded the two sturdy longboats waiting at the dock.
Unlike New Dawn's sleek transport ship or Silver Moon's large slow merchant vessel…
Dusk Hammer's boats were reinforced transports, built to carry boulders, tools, ore, and big men.
The crew rowed in heavy rhythm.
The sea splashed.
Arms burned.
Bram sat at the front, humming loudly.
"Granite Isle ahead!
Prepare to sweat, curse, and sweat again!"
One of the new recruits whispered:
"Is he… excited about mining?"
"Of course," another said. "He's Bram."
They all silently nodded.
That explained everything.
3. Reaching Granite Isle
The boats thudded against the rock shoreline.
Granite Isle was a harsh place—gray cliffs, jagged stone, and almost no vegetation.
Bram hopped off first.
"Welcome to the land of broken ankles! Watch your step!"
He marched toward the cave entrance, iron hammer slung across his shoulder.
The workers followed, carrying:
pickaxes
sledgehammers
mining spikes
rope
safety lanterns
4. Entering the Cave
Inside, the air was cool and heavy with metal scent.
Bram sniffed once.
"Mmm. Smells like ore. Good ore."
One recruit whispered to another:
"...Does ore have a smell?"
"Don't ask. Just accept."
Bram slammed his hammer onto the wall.
THOOM—!
The cave echoed.
He placed a gloved hand on the rock.
"There. The vein starts right behind this layer."
They set up tools.
Lanterns.
Safety ropes.
Support stakes for the ceiling.
Bram walked among them, correcting grip and posture.
"No bent wrists.
No dropping tools.
And don't hit your own feet. That is MY job."
They blinked in confusion.
"Just focus!"
5. Heavy Extraction — Bram Style
The workers struck the rock together.
CLANG-CLANG-CLANG—!
Dust rose.
Stone cracked.
Metallic ore gleamed through the rubble.
Bram smiled wildly.
"Good! Again!"
They struck harder.
Sweat dripped.
Muscles swelled.
The sound of hammers echoed like rolling thunder.
A chunk of ore finally broke free—heavy, dark, dense.
One man tried lifting it and nearly toppled.
Bram stepped in, grabbed it with one hand, and hoisted it onto his shoulder.
The team stared.
"Boss… how strong ARE you?"
Bram grinned.
"Stronger than yesterday.
We all are.
That's the point of training."
The men felt pride swell in their chests.
6. A Cave-In
Hours passed.
They had collected eight large ore blocks when the ceiling gave a long, ominous…
CRKKK…
Someone yelled:
"IT'S FALLING!"
Pebbles dropped.
Dust burst.
Lanterns flickered.
The recruits panicked—
But Bram didn't.
He planted his feet, raised both arms, and caught a falling slab of stone—
BOOM—!
His legs shook.
Dust smothered him.
But he held it.
"MOVE—YOU IDIOTS!"
The team scrambled out of the danger zone, dragging tools and ore behind them.
Bram gritted his teeth.
"Don't make me regret training you!"
Once they were clear, Bram shoved the slab sideways and rolled with it before jumping away as it smashed down.
He panted, chest heaving.
One recruit stared with wide eyes.
"You… saved all of us."
Bram rubbed his shoulder casually.
"Of course. You're mine."
"Yours?"
"My workers!"
They all sighed in relief.
"We thought you meant something else."
Bram blinked.
"…What else could I mean?"
7. Victory & Return
By sunset, the boats were filled with ore.
The men sat, tired but proud.
Back toward the hidden island they rowed, watching the horizon glow orange.
One recruit said softly:
"This is the first time… I felt useful."
Another nodded.
"And the first time someone saved me without expecting money or anything."
A third wiped tears discreetly.
Bram stretched casually at the front of the boat.
"Get used to it!
We're Meridian.
We lift heavy things and don't die.
That's our job!"
The men laughed.
Not because he was joking…
But because that strange sentence somehow made sense.
8. Ren's Welcome
When they returned, Ren was already at the dock, waiting.
He saw the ore, the dust-covered faces, the exhausted smiles.
And he nodded.
"Well done."
Bram puffed his chest.
"Told you my boys could do it."
Ren looked at the team.
"You all did good work.
Go eat, wash up, and rest.
Tomorrow we refine the ore."
They cheered and headed to the mess hall.
Zemo circled Bram, sniffing him.
Bram patted his head proudly.
"What? Smell ore on me? Good."
Zemo barked.
Ren folded his arms.
"You handled them well."
Bram smirked.
"You made them strong. I made them loud."
Ren chuckled softly.
"That works."
The day ended with the heavy team earning their first true achievement.
And Bram proving he was more than just muscle—
He was a leader.
End of Chapter 203