A couple of days had passed since I handed in my list. During that time, I had focused on training as much as possible. My curse had also activated during those days, but strangely, even after some time, it hadn't been that bad.
Just two armored rhinos chasing me at full speed across a completely flat, shelterless area... Anyway, it seemed like purifying even a small bit of karma had helped.
It must be said that the difference was minimal, but perhaps, with more purified karma, the effects would be greater.
Besides that, the Merchants had made contact and were planning to move that night. Erik hadn't given many details, but it was clear they expected absolute punctuality.
The problem was something else.
"Are you going out?"
My sister's gaze, as she sat at the table with her spoon of porridge still mid-air, was sharper than usual. She was starting to get suspicious about my absences, especially since I kept being vague about my work, never saying exactly where I worked.
Well... maybe I could be a little honest about my strength. I could lie and say I received a stigma while sleeping, absurd, even for me, but at least it might ease her worries a bit. That's what I hoped, but knowing her, she'd probably stop me from going out.
I can already imagine the look on his face if I told him I was going into a dungeon full of undead, an underwater cave, and one protected by a Rank 4 monster.
Yeah... better shut up.
"A pretty important ship is arriving, and they want everyone at the docks."
I gave her a fake tired smile and waved an empty bag. "Crap shift."
She pressed her lips together, visibly annoyed, but then looked back down at her plate. "Don't stress yourself too much. It hasn't been long since you were sick."
"For the record, I've never felt better, and I'm earning quite a lot too."
"Maybe too much," she said, suspiciously.
Oops. That's my cue to leave, before she starts asking more questions.
"Anyway, I gotta go. Get some rest and sweet dreams. Bye."
I closed the door behind me, her stare still burning into my back, but I pretended not to notice.
Let's try to come back in one piece.
I carefully looked around, then, with a quick move, I jumped softly onto the roof of the hut. From beneath a pole, I pulled out the halberd I had hidden.
Time to head out.
****
Valren Island was lit, as usual, by dim lanterns, with boats still arriving even at that hour.
As soon as I stepped onto the dock, I saw Alfred waiting for me. Judging by his furrowed brow, he wasn't happy.
"Keep frowning like that, and you'll get wrinkles."
"Tch, you're late."
Ignoring my sarcasm, he snapped back. I just shrugged innocently.
"Sorry, my sister didn't want me to go play with my friends."
"...Let's go."
I followed him silently through side alleys, leaving the residential area and heading into a rocky zone, where we reached a recess in the land that served as a hidden dock.
"Cute."
"Let me be clear. If you do something stupid, you'll pay for it."
He rested a hand on his sword hilt and released some pressure. Far from being intimidated, I found it pretty ridiculous.
"Aren't you tired of trying to scare me? Honestly, with all your dedication, I'd love to give you that satisfaction... but when I see your face, it's really hard not to laugh."
"..."
I saw a vein pop on his forehead and stepped past him. "Let's go, oh master of the thousand and one bad intimidation techniques."
"I swear I'll kill him."
I ignored his mutterings and approached the group.
Erik was there, wearing his usual strategist expression, with ten of his men behind him—and… the bait.
A sturdy man in his forties, eyes filled with fear.
"You're late," Erik scolded.
"His fault. He wasted time trying to intimidate me."
"Please tell me I can kill him," Alfred said to Erik, who shook his head.
"As much as I'd like to, you know we can't."
I pretended not to hear their comments and pointed at the bait.
"What did this guy do?"
"He killed five people—and it wouldn't be a problem if they hadn't been little girls."
I could see the disgust in Erik's eyes as he looked at the man, who shrank away in fear.
As for me, I had nothing to say. That man would die today anyway.
"So, are we ready?" I asked, crossing my arms.
Erik nodded. "We've got everything. Potions, torches, even the honey you asked for. But you still haven't told me what that scum is for."
The poor guy looked down as I approached the dock's edge.
Before us, the black ocean stretched out, calm on the surface, but very different below.
The spot where I had discovered the sea cave wasn't far. Just about a mile to the northeast.
"I'll explain soon. For now, get on the boat."
****
The ride was quiet and dark, to avoid being spotted by Pirates. Some of the group peeked over the edge to look into the black water, only to quickly pull back, fearing something might be staring back.
"Stop here. We've arrived."
I pointed to a seemingly harmless stretch of water. There was nothing visible, no cave, just marine shadows shifting with the current.
"You sure?" Alfred murmured.
"There's a natural tunnel underneath that leads straight to the dungeon."
I turned to the bait, still trembling like a wet puppy.
"You scared?"
He nodded shakily.
"Why? You think we'll hurt you?"
He was about to nod again, but quickly shook his head.
"Exactly. In fact, all you need to do is simple. Cover yourself with honey, take the barrel with you, and spread it nicely at the entrance. Then you can swim to that island over there and you're free."
"R-Really?"
I crouched down to his level and placed a hand on his shoulder, smiling reassuringly. "I never break a promise. But if you try anything smart, running away, or doing a bad job, we'll find you and use your bones as the keel of our next ship."
I suddenly tightened my grip, making him buckle in pain.
"We don't want that, do we? So, what's your answer?"
"Y-YES!"
"Great. Then get ready."
I let go. The man, almost in tears, began smearing honey all over himself.
I noticed some stares and turned around, only to see them quickly look away.
"Were you in a gang or something?" Erik asked stupidly.
I ignored him and turned back to the bait, who had just finished.
"Good. Now jump in."
"..."
As I thought, sometimes manners just weren't enough...
"Ghug!"
I grabbed him by the throat and tossed him into the water.
"You're evil."
"Don't care," I replied bluntly.
When the man resurfaced, panicking, I threw him the barrel.
"Now go down, spread it well, and don't do anything stupid if you want to live."
The man nodded, panicked, and dove underwater.
I could assume he wouldn't do his job, but that's where fear comes in.
He was so terrified of what I might do that he couldn't even think of anything else.
"See, Alfred? That's how you intimidate someone."
Seeing Alfred's reaction, Erik stepped between us.
"Adel, can you please explain what's going on? We're wasting a lot of time."
"Trust me, you'll know soon enough."
Several minutes later, the man came back up, breathing heavily.
"D-Done!"
"Good. Then you're free."
"...Y-You're not joking, right?"
"What do you take me for? I'm not Alfred."
"Will you stop that?!"
I just couldn't help myself. It was so fun annoying him.
The bait hesitated for a moment longer.
"Shoo, go away," I waved him off.
Without needing to be told twice, the man swam with all his strength toward the distant island.
"A word of advice: stay still and don't make a sound. I doubt you want to die."
Though confused, no one said a word.
Meanwhile, I closed my eyes and began counting in my head, until I suddenly snapped them open at the chill running down my spine.
Erik and Alfred also widened their eyes, sensing something. With a gesture, I told them to stay still.
Something rocked the boat, then darted toward the man swimming away.
Then it happened.
A black mass suddenly burst from the water with a dull splash. It was huge.
Serpentine tentacles, iridescent eyes, and gaping jaws rose toward the sky.
The man screamed.
A single tentacle struck him, wrapped around him like a snake, and yanked him upward, snapping his ribs like dry twigs.
His screams turned to gargles as he was dragged below.
Then, just a cloud of blood.
"By the gods…" someone whispered.
"Good. Now the entrance is clear," I said with a smile that probably stood out quite a bit among the pale faces around me.
"What the hell was that thing…" Erik muttered, still shaken.
"Just a Bafael."
Everyone looked confused, except Alfred, who exploded:
"You brainless psychopath!"