《Fallen off the Cliff by My Lover After Becoming a Hero》


 Prologue: If This Were the Tale of a Hero

    "Do you see it... Grandpa?"


    Tap. Tap.


    The sound of blood dripping was almost as faint as the weak, faltering footsteps. The heavy snowfall had stopped, and the blood mist that filled the air had settled into a suffocating silence. It was so quiet that he could hardly believe the struggles, the roars, and the battle cries he had just made. Even the wind seemed to have died here. He was sure it wasn¡¯t because his eardrums were filled with blood, but rather that the winds passing through this place had been slain by the bloodshed that had just taken place.


    There were no living beings left here.


    ¡°Grandpa¡­ do you see it?¡± Rhett¡¯s voice was hoarse, blood flowing from his nose into his airways. His voice was clogged, rasping, and it sounded as if his lungs were struggling to push through the blood bubbles, the faint popping sound filling the air.


    Thud.


    Finally, his thigh gave out first. Then, every part of his body collapsed like a row of dominoes, his movements ceasing entirely. His body fell to the ground like a broken puppet.


    Through the blurry vision of mixed tears and blood, Rhett¡¯s eyes caught sight of the rising sun. Its light was different from the color of blood; it was warm and gentle, slowly caressing the sky. Where its fingertips touched, the sky turned a soft, pure blue¡ªsuch a serene and beautiful color, untainted and simple.


    It was like the gentle flow of a childhood stream, or the quiet, slumbering frost in the depths of winter. It was like this victory.


    ¡°I finally¡ª¡±


    Rhett weakly lifted his hand. His heart, drained of strength, could no longer pump enough blood to his fingers. In an instant, he felt his fingers lose control, locking in place like a spear, his hand still frozen in the same position it had been when he fell to the ground.


    "Your grandson, Rhett."


    His outstretched hand pointed straight to the sky.


    "I''ve finally¡­ become a hero¡­"


    The dam inside him broke, and hot tears¡ªlike the burning obsession of his heart¡ªrushed down his blood- and dust-covered face. Unable to endure any longer, the boy let out a loud, anguished cry.


    The morning sunlight shimmered like gold.


    "I! Rhett Toras!"


    The wind once again surged through this isolated land, where death had separated them from the world, and hope surged with it¡­


    "I have not dishonored the honor of the Toras family!!"


    With that, hope rushed toward the dawn.


    The roar collided with the sunlight¡¯s radiance in a single moment, the roar so powerful and forceful that the shattered light burst into a rainbow, illuminating the world in vibrant colors.


    Twenty years later, in response to the call of the Six Great Archangels, the Hero¡¯s Ceremony began once again.


    The one hundred chosen candidates gathered in the Border Dead City, each fighting fiercely for one of the few six thrones.


    Greed, desire, conspiracy, death. In the name of the supreme deity, they exhausted the ways of the evil spirits and indulged in the deeds of the wicked. This tragic, inhuman war lasted a month.


    At last, it came to the end that was destined for him.


    After a prolonged period of medical care, when Rhett awoke again, he found himself in a special carriage. Despite having rested for a long time, an overwhelming wave of exhaustion and pain hit him.


    There were only ten survivors, but only six had become heroes.


    "You¡¯ve been unconscious for nearly a week. Your body is recovering well. If you need any assistance, please feel free to ask," a service person beside him said, slightly bowing his head.


    "Okay, thank you."


    Rhett Toras, the boy with no strength left, was one of them.


    "If possible, could you help me to the side of the carriage?"


    "..."


    The servant hesitated, clearly refusing, as he glanced at the doctor with a stern expression.


    "Your condition is not suitable for the cold wind."


    "It¡¯s fine," Rhett smiled. "My body is more suited to the wind. Trust me."


    The servant hesitated again, exchanging a long look with the doctor who now appeared more stern. After a moment¡¯s hesitation, he relented.


    "¡­Alright. Please."


    Rhett leaned his head out the window.


    It seemed he had been unconscious for a long time. The view outside was almost unrecognizable, and many unfamiliar plants had appeared. Only the familiar wind accompanied him, gently soothing the pain in his face and allowing him to smile naturally.


    Not a dream...


    The late autumn and early winter winds brushed against his waist-length braid. His very feminine face still seemed to hold the traces of hot tears. He blinked, trying to imprint the dazzling sunrise into his dark pupils.


    From afar... no, even up close, people might mistakenly take him for a girl. With his delicate, fair body, fine features, and long face, along with skin so pale from years of imprisonment, no one would think he was a boy at first glance.


    In a way, this was intentional. He had no combat abilities, so it wasn¡¯t wise to pretend to have them. However, the fact that he ended up looking like a girl wasn¡¯t part of his plan¡ªit just happened. He had never paid much attention to women, yet ironically, he ended up looking more and more like one.


    Of course, not everything was of his own making.


    He had spent three years in a black prison cell for the false charge of killing his grandfather. The lightless, harsh conditions of the dungeon had left him with a near-transparent pale complexion. The brutal environment had drained away all the fat from his body. He then played along with the situation, growing his hair long, raising his Adam''s apple, and doing only the most basic exercises, maintaining his slender figure as if he had completely reshaped his appearance.


    He had once been passionate about books and had read countless volumes. Drawing on everything he had learned, he didn¡¯t hesitate to discard his pride as a man, donning women¡¯s clothes, disguising his voice, and even seducing men if necessary.


    Regardless of the means, he would wager even his own life without hesitation.


    All for one purpose¡ªto become a hero and restore his fallen family.


    And now, all the sacrifices, all the pain he endured, and even the sins he had committed, seemed to have vanished.


    He had never felt as if he was so firmly holding onto something.


    Without realizing that a contented smile had appeared on his face, he gently brushed his braid behind him and stepped into the carriage.


    After becoming a true hero, he still had to journey to the altar for the final hero granting ceremony. It was a journey neither long nor short. The destination was said to be across the sea, but since the carriage couldn¡¯t cross water, they had to follow the winding coastline. The journey was used to help the victors recover from the physical tolls of battle.


    What a boring yet cruelly humane design, Rhett thought casually as he sat in the carriage.


    The bumps of the journey slowly seeped into his consciousness, like a cradle rocking him to sleep, the wind its lullaby, and the sea¡¯s rhythmic waves its lyrics. Exhausted, he could no longer resist the pull of sleep and drifted into a haze once more.


    This journey lasted half a month, but it felt as if it passed in the blink of an eye. A person who hasn¡¯t slept for five days will sleep for a long time once they do. And Light¡¯s revenge had been ongoing for almost all the days of his life up until now¡ªhis rest, too, would last a long time. So long, in fact, that his keen senses¡ªsharp as a rabbit¡¯s¡ªdidn¡¯t even notice the medical staff angrily pushing past the helpless attendants, gently lifting him back into the velvet bed.


    Sometimes, when he opened his eyes, Rhett would wonder if that war had ever really happened. But the glowing runes on his hand silently told him the truth.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.


    It had happened, undeniably.


    Ninety people, died in that city.


    Anytime he closed his eyes, he could still hear their desperate cries¡­


    "Please, Rhett ... Please, don¡¯t... Cough...!"


    Especially those who had died by his own hand.


    "Ha... Hah..."


    Taking a deep breath, Light tried to wipe away the bloodstains that still lingered in his mind.


    Unpleasant memories.


    Creak¡­


    "Um, is that Mr. Toras?"


    The sound that interrupted the fragments of his memories was the voice of a servant.


    "It''ll be mealtime soon."


    "Alright, got it."


    Rhett understood the respect shown to the candidates for the title of hero, but¡­


    After all, I''m just a thirdteen-year-old kid.


    As Rhett got out of the carriage, he was suddenly reminded of his age.


    ¡°How much further to the altar?¡±


    ¡°We should arrive by the afternoon.¡±


    After exchanging a few words with the guards, Rhett walked straight to a nearby campfire. A few of the other hero candidates, who had already sat down on the ground, were beginning to eat. Cast iron pots, wooden bowls, and hot soup¡ªthough this meal looked relatively simple, it was the best they could find in the area. The soup contained some of the nutritional supplements they had brought along, and the hunters had accompanied them as well.


    After all, they were at the border, still too far from the royal city, and large-scale resupply wasn¡¯t feasible. The food they were given was the best they could manage under the circumstances.


    Rhett sighed inwardly, his gaze drifting toward the other side.


    Over by the other campfire, near the carriage, the remaining survivors were eating their meal as well.


    For some reason, as he looked at them from a distance, a faint sense of unease lingered in his heart. If they were still in the middle of battle, his mind would probably be filled with warning signs. The former enemies now gathered together, in their eyes, there was a mix of confusion, and Rhett couldn''t help but feel an odd discomfort in his chest.


    Never mind¡­ The war is over, there''s no need to think too much about it.


    His overly cautious thoughts were interrupted, and his awareness returned to the present. However, through the gap between the carriages, his eyes were drawn to a familiar figure sitting by the fire¡ªthe back of a girl with a ponytail, inexplicably occupying all of his focus.


    Rista¡­


    "Rhett! What''s wrong with you?" "Over here, lunch time!"


    Before he could finish muttering her name, a somewhat sharp voice called out to him.


    Shifting his gaze forward, he saw the other five members of the group, now his companions, but his peripheral vision still caught the glimmer on the back of his right hand.


    I''ve already become a hero.


    "Sorry, I''m coming.¡±


    He no longer had to worry about her.


    Deceiving his own heart, Rehtt took a step forward and forced a smile that appeared natural.


    Huff, huff, huff!


    The sea breeze carried a sharp, damp sensation.


    Standing at the edge of the cliff, gazing out at the distant sea view, Rehtt couldn''t help but fall into deep thought.


    The mist, swirling endlessly, was like a nightmare that often appeared in his dreams, blocking even the faintest light.


    He recalled the teachings from the Great Angel''s doctrine ¡ª "The Sacred Decree of the Heavenly Teachings."


    The world we live in, New Voss, was a new world guided for humanity by the seven great angels.


    In the distant, ancient past, the gods waged a war over the ownership of the world.


    At that time, humans were enslaved by one of the celestial races, but under the guidance of the seven great angels, they came to this new world.


    However, one of the angels, also lusting for the world''s dominion, betrayed the other six angels along the way.


    In order to protect humanity from the gods'' grasp, the remaining six angels summoned the mist that shrouded this new world.


    Yet, the power of the angels was always limited.


    Every hundred years, the descendants of the gods ¡ª the Dark Lords, would tear a hole in the mist, leading countless demons across the sea to invade the human realm.


    Endless wails and unceasing slaughter followed.


    To save the human world, the six angels would descend to the mortal realm, each bestowing their gathered divine energy over the hundred years as a blessing upon one chosen individual.


    The Hero.


    With weapon raised and mission in hand, these six heroes would ultimately cross countless dangers and obstacles to reach the Demon Lord''s castle, slay the Dark Lord, restore the mist, and return in triumph.


    ...This was the legend.


    Although he had long harbored doubts about the story, especially since its logic could never fully make sense, he had believed it simply because the adults said so.


    "Seeing it with my own eyes... I have even more doubts now."


    He folded his arms, murmuring softly to himself. His gaze shifted to the distant horizon, as if trying to see through the mist¡­ No, perhaps he truly wanted to know.


    Is the Dark Lord really over there?


    Will countless monsters truly emerge from that side, as the prophecy claims?


    The rune in his hand glowed faintly, as if affirming something, or perhaps denying it.


    But no matter what, I have already become a Hero.


    Being a Hero isn''t the end goal, and even if the prophecy comes true, killing the Demon Lord isn''t the objective.


    The "Hero" is merely a tool; "glory" is nothing more than a stepping stone in the process of restoring my family.


    Yes, I¡ª


    "Rhett."


    The voice.


    Familiar, calling.


    I turned around, and in the sea breeze and the setting sun, the figure of a cloaked girl with a ponytail came into view.


    "Why did you call me here?"


    I kept my face as expressionless as possible, softly uttering her name.


    "Rista."


    In the warm golden light of the sunset, tears were welling up at the corners of her eyes.


    It was easy to notice, but I chose to ignore it.


    Because we were enemies.


    Even though we were once friends, once shared joyful childhood memories.


    We were childhood sweethearts.


    Her father was a comrade of my grandfather, and we had always been together since we were little.


    The weak me was often bullied, and she was always there, standing in front of me, protecting me.


    ¡ª Rhett, I''ll protect you!


    Since that moment, I secretly fell in love with her.


    But all of that shattered when we both reached the age of awakening our abilities.


    She, with her excellent magical circuits, and I, unable to use any magic, the result at that magic academy was predictable.


    She, with her excellent grades, ended up with the prince who was lurking in the school at the time, and both of them later became candidates to be heroes.


    And then, in this war, we became enemies.


    The brutal war pushed us to the forefront, and our duel became inevitable.


    But even if I won in the end, taking the prince''s candidacy from her¡­ she still didn¡¯t choose me.


    But she was my first love. I still had feelings for her, and that was undeniable, and it wouldn¡¯t change.


    Even in the midst of war, this feeling had repeatedly become my weakness, but I...


    "I''m sorry..."


    Something slid down her cheek.


    "I''m sorry, Rhett... I''m sorry..."


    It was tears.


    Big drops of tears, falling continuously.


    "Wha-what happened? What''s wrong?"


    "I-I..."


    She faltered.


    Her crying echoed in my ears, and the poker face that I had been holding up began to crack.


    Did I do something wrong? Or was it about the war?


    "If it''s about what happened during the war, I''ve already told you there''s no need to apologize again."


    After all... I saved you just out of selfishness.


    Unconsciously, my feet moved, pulling my body toward her.


    "N-no, it''s not that... I..."


    Her shoulders trembled slightly, and she raised her head, her brown eyes shimmering with tears at such a close distance, causing me to unconsciously hold my breath.


    "Rhett was my partner... but I... I just..."


    This is not the time to be nervous! I forced my inexplicable nervousness to calm down, steadied my breath, and tried to comfort her with a gentle tone.


    "It¡¯s not your fault. At that time, we were both enemies. It¡¯s only natural that enemies fight each other in this game."


    "I know... I know, but I still can''t forgive myself... even though you, Rite, did that for me..."


    "I''ve told you, there''s no need to apologize again."


    Seeing that she was about to cry again, I involuntarily grabbed her shoulders, raising my voice slightly.


    "R-Rhett..."


    A faint red hue instantly appeared on her face, especially noticeable under the golden sunset light.


    "S-sorry!"


    I immediately distanced myself from her and apologized, feeling as though my face was burning.


    "Ha... Heh, even though you¡¯re cold-hearted on the battlefield, you''re still the same as before, Rhett."


    She wiped away the tears at the corner of her eyes and finally smiled.


    "You''re so annoying..."


    I scratched the back of my head, feeling embarrassed, my gaze wandering elsewhere.


    "But... I still can''t understand."


    Rista, who had moved forward on her own, tilted her head slightly as she stared directly at me.


    "Why, even though we were enemies, did you choose to save me?"


    Because I love you.


    That''s something I could never say so nonchalantly.


    "Because a true hero wouldn''t let someone die in front of them, right?"


    This line felt just as shameful as my true feelings.


    I spoke with an awkward smile, thinking that Rista would probably smile at my foolish behavior.


    "wouldn''t... let someone die in front of you..."


    "Rista?"


    I didn¡¯t understand her murmuring, so I tilted my head and looked at her.


    "Emm... Rhett."


    Her small hands clenched tightly on her chest, and her head was lowered, hiding her expression.


    "If it was a former partner in danger, would you save them?"


    "...I would, I guess."


    I couldn''t bring myself to say something like "because I¡¯m a hero."


    Perhaps, the ''partner'' Rista mentioned means herself.


    Understanding it that way, I felt no regret in my answer. Standing tall, facing the sea breeze, I gazed once more at the thick mist across the sea.


    "Even if... it meant sacrificing your own life?"


    Rista''s voice, after the sea breeze had carried it, became much softer.


    "If it''s for a partner, "


    If it''s for you.


    My words were vastly different from my inner voice, but I still said it without hesitation.


    "I would not hesitate."


    "...!"


    Whether it was the cold or because of my words, Rista''s shoulders trembled slightly.


    "It''s about time. If we delay any further, it will be too late..."


    "For Prince Lestor..."


    "Rista?"


    I couldn''t hear what Rista had muttered as she lowered her head, and I had already taken a step forward before I stopped.


    "It''s getting late. We should..."


    "I''m sorry, Rhett."


    When she lifted her head, her gaze still flickering, but her eyes were no longer confused.


    What did she mean by this?


    Boom!


    "If Prince Lestor can''t become a hero, he will die."


    Her hands suddenly pushed me, and before my body could react to the force that disrupted my balance...


    Wha-what''s happening?


    My feet lost support, and my wide eyes were filled with deep confusion.


    Why did you push me, Rista? What''s behind me... behind me...


    The cliff.


    "So, for Prince Leicester... I''m sorry, Rhett."


    That voice felt like a bolt from the blue.


    ¡ª Why were the hero candidates already chosen, and yet they had to take the survivors too?


    No, no, I!


    I!


    "Rista!"


    I stretched out my hand with all my might, hoping she would reach out to me.


    But what awaited me...


    "You must die here."


    Only Rista''s cold, indifferent eyes.


    I finally understood.


    Those eyes awakened the brain that had been dormant since the war ended, and the gears began to turn. Countless formulas were recalculating at an incredible speed.


    But even with the brain that had saved me countless times in the war, this time it was helpless.


    Why...


    Why did I stop thinking?


    Tears welled up in my eyes, and I desperately reached out to her.


    Why...


    "Ah... Ah... Ah..."


    I waved my hands with all my strength, but I could no longer grasp anything.


    What entered my vision, was only that figure of the girl, retreating quickly.


    My childhood sweetheart.


    My first love.


    Rista.


    "Ahhhhh..."


    Tears flew in the air, and I finally saw the truth, clenching my teeth. With bloodshot eyes, I glared at the girl¡¯s face.


    For Lestor... For that damn prince...


    Rista! For that damn prince, you can even abandon me, the one who saved you!


    "I won''t let you go..."


    The fierce wind, and my vision distorting with the force of gravity, I used every ounce of strength I had left.


    "I won''t forgive youuu...!"


    My furious roar.


    Thud!


    With the sea water crashing in, I was swallowed by the deep darkness, along with the hero¡¯s mark on the back of my hand, and my consciousness faded completely.


    <button style="padding: 0; margin: 0; border: 0; display: none"></button>

 Chapter 1 The Ship

    Sinking...


    My exhausted body swayed with the motion.


    Drifting...


    A disconnected consciousness, hazy and elusive.


    Blurred...


    My senses were numb, as if they were distant, beyond my grasp.


    ¡ª Splash!


    The sound of water.


    To be more precise... it was the sound of the sea.


    Submerged in the ocean, the first sensation that broke through the fog of my mind was hearing.


    ¡°Hisss¡­ hiss£¡¡±


    ¡°Urrraa¡­ urrraaa£¡¡±


    Unintelligible words, yet the tension in the air was unmistakable¡ªan argument.


    So close... it''s getting closer...


    Even though I knew that, my eyelids felt impossibly heavy under the weight of sleep, and no matter how hard I tried, they wouldn''t open.


    Splash, splash!


    The sound of the water''s surface being cut through.


    "Hmph¡ª!"


    A powerful force struck my back, and before I could react, my body was violently dragged forward.


    What... am I...


    Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!


    The sound of the wind howling in my ears.


    Splash, splash!


    The water split in half as my lower body sliced through the sea.


    The impact, the vibrations, the speed...Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work!


    Finally, the outside world''s stimuli broke through the slumber, invading my consciousness with force.


    Hack! Hack!


    I woke up.


    The seawater surged into my chest and lungs, and a violent cough tore through me, making my head throb with each breath.


    "Nolama!"


    Whoosh¡ª!


    Reality was anything but gentle.


    My eyes were still closed from the coughing fit, but before I could open them, I heard a voice calling someone in the distance, and then, the sensation of floating suddenly struck.


    I was thrown.


    The force hit me from behind, and I was thrown upwards.


    Whoosh!


    "Sa-ka-shi-lu-ban-ma."


    Just as a sharp tug on my collar lifted me off my feet., a woman''s voice rang out.


    Cough, cough! Hack... ha... ha...


    The seawater finally came out. I didn¡¯t care about the tears and snot that smeared across my face. I gasped for air, desperate to open my eyes¡ª


    "¡­!"


    Eyes.


    Beneath a large hat adorned with a skull, a woman dressed like a pirate, with cold, malevolent green eyes glaring at me like a snake...


    No.


    The lower half of her body was that of a thick, serpentine form, covered in crimson scales.


    As her piercing eyes locked onto mine, her mouth flicked, and a long, forked tongue slithered out.


    Half-human, half-snake!? Where am I?! What happened...? Why am I facing such a monster?


    Instinctively, I struggled, trying to break free from the monster''s grip.


    Snap!


    But, just like dealing with a child, the snake-woman effortlessly blocked my attack and then, in a single swift motion, grabbed my right hand.


    "Ma-ka-gan-qi?"


    The language was unintelligible, but I could see her face slowly leaning in with a wicked grin, pulling me closer.


    Then...


    Her eyes glowed with a terrifying purple light.


    "Ugh!"


    The purple light seemed to pierce through my gaze, swallowing all my nerves, as if my body was being filled with lead. Even moving a finger felt like I was exhausting every ounce of my strength.


    It¡¯s so hard... to move... I can barely... breathe...


    "Al-le, do-ke-do."


    Her gaze was still locked on me, but two more figures appeared behind her.


    More... snake people... What... is this...


    Thump, thump...


    My chest and lungs, restricted by the force, struggled for air as my heartbeat grew weaker and weaker.


    I''m... can''t...


    Thud!


    Suddenly, the snake woman tossed me aside, and my back slammed violently against the deck.


    At the same time, the other two snake people quickly bound me tightly with coarse ropes.


    Huff...


    The sound was soft, but the snake-woman quietly exhaled. As she adjusted her breath, her tongue flicked out, and her eyes, staring at me, revealed a hint of surprise. Had that last move taken more out of her than she expected?


    The ropes bound me tightly, making any movement impossible. At the same time, one of the snake people snatched the suitcase from my back. This was a rare moment to catch my breath after a series of threats, even though the danger hadn''t passed, gave my weary body the chance to rest. My heavy breathing was proof of the exhaustion I was feeling.


    Finally, I saw the vast blue sky and the wide deck. The pirate-snake woman looked over at me, a satisfied smile on her face.


    Reality had left behind a series of unsolved mysteries before dragging me back into the dark.


    <button style="padding: 0; margin: 0; border: 0; display: none"></button>

 Chapter 2 Self-abandonment

    <div>


    ¡ªYou selfish scum! YYou all deserve nothing but to burn in hell!


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


    ¡ªYou must die here.


    ¡ªBut I''ve become a hero, anyway.


    ¡ªIt''s over.


    ¡ªWhy did the candidate even come with me? Whatever. There''s no point in overthinking it.

 Chapter 3 The will to live

    Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.


    ¡ªDo you really want to die?


    ¡ªIf you really want to die, there are a hundred ways you could end it right now.


    ¡ªSilent, huh? You''ve given up, haven''t you?


    ¡ªThat''s right, they''d rather see you dead.


    ¡ªSo, why don''t you just die right now?


    ¡ªNo more pain, no more worries, just die, and you''ll escape all of it.


    ¡ªIn this way, you''d fulfill everyone else''s wishes, hahaha!


    ¡ªNo one expects you to live. Everyone hopes you''ll die. No magical circuits, no combat talent, what kind of life do you think you could have?


    ¡ªAnd then, you were pushed off the cliff, weren''t you?


    ¡ªYou thought you could relax, thinking things were over and you could excuse yourself, didn''t you?


    ¡ªSo, you stopped thinking. That''s your excuse, isn''t it?


    ¡ªDo you want to die now?


    ¡ªReally?


    ¡ªReady to use death to escape from everything, huh?


    ¡ªDeath is truly the best escape, isn''t it?


    ¡ªIt''s what everyone else wanted.


    ¡ªIt''s the perfect end for a coward like you.


    ¡ªBecause you never had the guts to fight reality, did you?


    ¡ªNo, from the very beginning, the war with reality has never stopped.


    ¡ªOr being driven out of the city by the guards.


    ¡ªOr enduring humiliation and years of suffering in prison.


    ¡ªDo you still want to die?


    ¡ªDeath could bring relief.


    ¡ªEveryone wants you dead.


    ¡ªThink about your pain right now.


    ¡ªNow think about those people, feasting happily, laughing.


    ¡ªHow did it end up like this?


    ¡ªSo, do you still want to die?


    ¡ªNo, you can''t.


    ¡ªYes, engrave all the humiliation and anger into your soul.

 Chapter 4 Second Day

    "Aw! Aw! Aw!"


    "Roar! Roar! Roar!"


    "Gi¡ªGivvveee haaahhh!"


    The noise was unbearable.


    Even as I silently cursed the racket, it did nothing to dampen the cacophony surrounding me. Leaning against the corner of the cage, close to its door, my gaze swept over the chaotic scene before me.


    The oil lamps swayed, their dim light casting flickering shadows. Various cries and roars filled the air, creating a deafening din. Every cage housing a living being was occupied by prisoners who clawed at the iron bars, howling wildly. Those capable of speech shouted words in incomprehensible tongues, their hands desperately reaching out through the gaps.


    This was always the loudest time of the day¡ªthe hours when the oil lamps were lit.


    Whether it was truly night or not, I couldn¡¯t say. It was just¡­ easier to assume so. In this disorderly warehouse, there was no light at all outside this specific period. Determining day from night was impossible; I had to rely on my internal clock to estimate the passage of time.


    Leaning against the cage¡¯s edge, I observed the chaotic scene once more. Even my fellow prisoners were gripping the bars and screaming at the top of their lungs. It seemed that unless the crew acknowledged their cries, no food would be distributed.


    Although, to call that stuff "food" was an insult to the very concept.


    My peripheral vision flicked over my cellmates before trailing to the wall I was leaning against. There, etched clearly into the surface, were two distinct tally marks.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    The second day.


    It had only been two days since I was captured and thrown aboard this ship. My hands and feet remained bound with coarse ropes, and my cage was situated in the farthest, most isolated corner of the warehouse. For someone like me, who knew next to nothing about the current situation, this was the worst-case scenario.


    And yet, despite everything, my thoughts never ceased.


    Carefully studying the warehouse had been my daily routine over these two days. I watched those unfamiliar creatures brawling and roaring at each other from their cages. I observed the ragged, peculiar-looking individuals with strange ears whispering among themselves as they glanced in my direction. Above all, I scrutinized the fellow prisoners in my own cage.


    In short, I was beginning to piece things together.


    This place was undoubtedly "that side," beyond the fog.


    In other words¡ªthe Dark Land.


    As much as I hated to admit it, the inability to communicate with anyone here¡ªor perhaps the fact that some of them didn¡¯t even qualify as "people"¡ªmade it painfully clear: this was not the world I once inhabited.


    I had once doubted whether the Dark Land truly existed beyond the mist. But after spending two days here, there was no denying it anymore.


    I had drifted into the Dark Land.


    And judging by what I¡¯ve seen, this land was nothing like the barren wasteland described in the Heavenly Teachings¡¯ Oracles. This ship alone, with its sheer size and structure, was far beyond what an uncivilized, primitive land could produce. In other words¡­ the beings here possessed technology.


    I couldn¡¯t help but wonder: if I had become a hero, what kind of foes would I be up against? But such thoughts were pointless. Every time my eyes fell on the dull, lifeless mark on the back of my hand, I was reminded of the harsh truth¡ªI was no longer a hero.


    No allies.


    No power.


    ¡ªYou must die here.


    That voice echoed in my mind, and I clicked my tongue in frustration, lowering my head.


    I refused to stop thinking¡ªnot even for a moment.

 Chapter 5 Teams of Snakefolk

<div>


    "Wait and think. Hope always hides in the overlooked corners." Those were the most precious words my grandfather ever said to me.


    The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

 Chapter 6: The Long-Whiskered Beast

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

 Chapter 7: Food

<div>


    Stolen story; please report.

 Chapter 8: A Deal with Her

<div>


    The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

 Chapter 9: Worsening Health

<div>


    If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

 Chapter 10: An Exchange of Information

Stolen novel; please report.

 Chapter 11: Learning the Language

cough cough, let''s skip history. Teach me the language instead."


    Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

 Chapter 12: Serene Times Together

<div>


    Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.

 Chapter 13: Dreams beyond the cage

me something? Wow, that''s rare! It makes me so happy!"


    Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.

 Chapter 14: The Worst-Case Scenario

<div>


    This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

 Chapter 15: Day Sixteen

<div>


    This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

 Chapter 16: The Lock is Picked

Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.

 Chapter 17: The Docked Ship

Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.


    A man is trailing closely behind her.

 Chapter 18: Business

Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.

 Chapter 19: The Trade

Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

 Chapter 20: Those Monster

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

 Chapter 21: My Choice

Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.

 Chapter 22: The Time Has Come

<div>


    Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work!

 Chapter 23: The Beast in the Cage

Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work!

 Chapter 24: The Dilemma

<div>


    If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

 Chapter 25: The Uninvited Guest

<div>


    You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

 Chapter 26: The Unleashed Beast

<div>


    Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.

 Chapter 27: Chaos in the Cargo Hold

<div>


    Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

 Chapter 28: Life-and-death race

<div>


    The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

 Chapter 29: The Benefactor

    "Renee-nya... Renee-nya, wake up..."


    A familiar voice.


    "Renee-nya... Please, wake up..."


    So noisy. Stop bothering me... I need rest...


    "Renee-nya!"


    Suddenly, I opened my eyes.


    The same dark ceiling greeted me, accompanied by the stench of filth invading my nostrils.


    "You... you''re finally awake!"


    And there she was¡ªher familiar face. Tears welled up at the corners of her eyes as she saw me regain consciousness.


    "What...?"


    My voice was hoarse.


    Am I lying on her lap right now?


    "Renee-nya, how are you feeling? Are you okay?"


    Her face was filled with worry, her tone anxious.


    My body...


    "Pain!"


    As my senses returned, a searing pain surged through my limbs like wildfire.


    "Renee-nya!"


    Out of concern, she immediately stopped me from moving, her hands firmly pressing me back down.


    "Don''t move. Just rest for now."


    I...


    I stared at her as fragmented memories started to resurface.


    The bomb... it misfired.


    Though it spat a burst of scorching flames, they quickly dissipated.


    Even so, fire is fire.


    Because the explosion was so close, the massive beast caught fire, its fur igniting. Panicked, it rolled on the ground before bolting toward the exit.


    The other beasts, seeing this, scattered in fear as well.


    Beasts will always be beasts.


    But compared to the still-moving giant creature, my situation was far worse.


    Using all my strength, I barely managed to turn my body, shielding myself with a small suitcase against the flames.


    The suitcase was fireproof, but its size was limited. In the end, my limbs couldn''t escape unscathed.


    The fiery tongues wrapped around me greedily, consuming my skin with their searing heat.Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    After finally tumbling over a barrel and collapsing heavily to the ground, I used my last bit of strength to roll repeatedly, crushing every ember on my body.


    I didn''t stop until the burns no longer stung as fiercely.


    When I finally stopped, I was covered in wounds and burning with fever.


    But more than the physical pain, it was the overwhelming sense of survival¡ªthe intoxicating relief of escaping danger¡ªthat consumed me.


    So tired...


    Under the heavy pull of exhaustion and relief, my eyelids drooped and eventually closed.


    I passed out just like that.


    "Renee-nya!"


    However, before my consciousness faded completely, I heard a familiar voice calling out to me, accompanied by hurried footsteps rushing in my direction.


    "How much longer are you going to play house with that human?"


    A gruff voice yanked me back to the present.


    A burly man approached us. From his slave garments and cat-like ears, I recognized him instantly¡ªhe was one of my cellmates from the cage.


    However, during those long days in captivity, I hadn''t interacted with anyone other than her.


    There was no need to. The others'' eyes were always filled with hostility, as if I had wronged or betrayed them in some way.


    "Are you planning to stay here and die?"


    The man''s tone was sharp, leaving no room for pleasantries.


    "I won''t leave Renee-nya behind!"


    But she responded passionately, her expression brimming with unwavering determination.


    "Without her opening the gate for us, we wouldn''t have even gotten out!"


    "She did that of her own accord. For all we know, she might have been using us."


    "You!"


    She was trembling with rage, but before she could retort, the man stepped forward and roughly grabbed her wrist.


    "What are you doing? Let go of me!"


    "We agreed from the start¡ªwe need to survive."


    "That agreement is void! I made no pact with someone as ungrateful as you!"


    Slap!


    The sound of her hand striking his face echoed through the air.


    Her eyes burned with fury, and tears shimmered within them.


    But her resistance was futile.


    The man fell silent, his gaze falling on me.


    Hostility.


    A deep jealousy and hatred.


    Just then, another male Nako came running over from the distance, whispering urgently into the man''s ear.


    I glanced over and noticed that most of the Nako who had escaped from the cages had already freed themselves from their shackles.


    "We can''t afford to bring dead weight," the man said coldly, fixing his icy gaze on me.


    "Are you seriously planning to carry that human out of here?"


    "Yes!"


    Her response came without a moment''s hesitation.


    Thump. Thump.


    I could feel my heart pounding violently in my chest.


    "Renee-nya is my¡ªour benefactor. We have to take her with us!"

 Chapter 30: Never Again

    "Renee-nya is my¡ªour benefactor. We have to take her with us!"


    I blinked, startled by the passion in her voice. Her wide, earnest eyes locked onto mine, as though pleading with her kin to trust me.


    "But she''s human! Do you have any idea what that means?" the man roared. "This isn''t just dangerous¡ªit''s a death sentence! Do you want to doom us all?"


    "That''s a problem for later! Right now, we have to save Renee-nya!"


    "You¡ª!"


    I¡­ didn''t know how to respond.


    I watched them argue over me, my lips sealed in silence.


    I never intended to connect with them. Not truly.


    Trust is fragile, and in a world ruled by fear, it''s often a fatal mistake.


    Especially when they aren''t even human.


    Those who are not of my kind cannot be trusted.


    ¡­At least, that''s what I used to believe.


    "Renee-nya always shares her food with us. Even when she could barely stand, she forced herself to unlock our cages! She could''ve left us behind, but she didn''t¡ªshe chose to save us, every one of us!"


    Her voice cracked, her emotions pouring out like a dam breaking. She wasn¡¯t just pleading for them to save me¡ªshe was begging for her kin¡¯s understanding and approval.


    "Why? Why are you all so cold, when Renee-nya¡ªwhen she¡ª"


    I reached out, my trembling fingers gently catching her hand.


    It was strange.If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.


    This was her sentimentality, not mine. All this time, I had been using her goodwill.


    So why¡­ why did her words cut so deeply?


    My body, weak and battered, protested every move. But even so, I forced myself to rise.


    An ache twisted in my chest, sharp and unfamiliar, driving me to speak words I didn''t fully understand myself.


    "...Thank you."


    My voice was hoarse, barely audible. I forced a smile through the pain.


    "Renee-nya?"


    She froze, confusion flashing across her tear-streaked face. Then her gaze followed mine, landing on the man. Her eyes widened as she realized what I intended to do.


    "As you said," I began, my voice steady despite the ache in my chest, "I''m a burden."


    I turned to the man, meeting his glare without flinching.


    "Take her and go."


    "Smart choice."


    The man sneered, motioning to his lackeys. Two figures stepped forward, seizing her arms and pulling her away from my side.


    "What are you doing? Let go of me! Let go!"


    She thrashed against their grip, but they held firm.


    "Renee-nya¡­ Why? Why!?"


    A rough hand shoved me back, and my body collided with the cold, unforgiving bars of the cage.


    I didn''t move. Didn''t speak.


    I only watched as she was dragged away, her cries echoing like shards of glass against my ears.


    "Live," I whispered, though I knew she couldn''t hear me.


    "No¡­ No! Renee-nya! Renee-nya!"


    Her outstretched hands clawed desperately at the air, her voice breaking into sobs.


    "Why won''t you let me save you!?"


    And just like that, the Nako girl who had stayed by my side was gone.


    The silence that followed was deafening. Slowly, I leaned back against the bars, closing my eyes against the weight in my chest.


    She would''ve risked everything for you, a voice echoed in my mind.


    And you let her go. A fool like that, ready to be used, and you just let her walk away. Are you trying to get yourself killed?


    I knew the voice was right.


    My body was failing. My chances of escape dwindled with every passing second. If I wanted to survive, I needed to use every resource, every ounce of leverage.


    My own life should have been the priority.


    Survival demands ruthlessness.


    And yet, when the perfect tool had placed itself in my hands, I had let it go.


    "What''s wrong with me?"


    I whispered the question into the emptiness, my hand clutching my head.


    No answer came.

 Chapter 31: Chaos in the Cargo Hold

<div>


    This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

 Chapter 32: On the Deck

    At this moment, on the deck.


    "W-what''s happening..."


    A Nako male, clutching a crude spear, stood frozen, his eyes wide as he took in the scene before him.


    It was a rare occasion to dock. Shouldn''t the remaining crew, left behind while their comrades partied at the tavern, be lounging around, grumbling about their bad luck?


    "Why... why is this happening..."


    As he hesitated, indecision rooting him in place, another scream rang out from one of his companions.


    "No, no, please! Aaaah!"


    "I was wrong! Spare me... I''ll behave, I''ll go back to the cage, I swear!"


    Armed with tridents and clad in formidable armor, the siren crew members were methodically suppressing the rebellion, as effortlessly as sweeping dust off a deck.


    "ROOOAR!"


    The only real challenge was the massive beast rampaging across the deck, its tendrils lashing out as it charged wildly.


    "Move the slaves to the sides, clear the center! Don''t let that creature damage the merchandise!"


    A muscular siren in armor stood at the center of the chaos, commanding with an air of unyielding authority.


    "Yes, Commander!"


    "Understood, Commander!"


    The crew snapped to attention, executing orders with practiced precision.


    Yes, everything had been a facade.


    There was no negligence¡ªnone at all. The captain hadn''t taken the commander away today.


    Aside from a few regular sailors, most of the crew left on the ship were elites.


    And the reason was all too clear.


    "Because I''m on this ship."


    I murmured under my breath.


    "Big bro, I''ll go call the commander! Hold on!"


    The entire plan had shifted¡ªall because of that one panicked shout from a fleeing siren.This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.


    The commander.


    I didn''t know much about him, but one detail stood out in my memory¡ªhis absurd strength, enough to wrestle a beast into submission.


    This wasn''t an ordinary figure.


    He was either the captain''s trusted confidant or his right-hand man.


    And now, with such an important figure left aboard, what did it mean?


    I forced myself to think quickly.


    The first possibility that came to mind was what had happened earlier that day.


    Was it those aristocratic bigwigs?


    I rewound the sequence of events in my mind.


    They had been discussing a deal centered around me, and the price they offered... it had even caught the marquis off guard.


    "Damn it."


    The words slipped out before I could stop them.


    If the commander had been left behind because of me, then during this rebellion, what would he prioritize protecting above all else?


    How much time had passed?


    Since the last group of slaves had been escorted out, it had been about five minutes.


    No matter how prepared they were, the chaos of a sudden rebellion should have left them scrambling, right?


    I lifted my head, staring in the direction of the deck I couldn''t see.


    A sense of foreboding crept into my chest.


    If the commander was stationed here, along with a squad of well-equipped crew members...


    I always braced for the worst. A chill ran down my spine.


    Don''t tell me... most of the rebellion''s already been crushed?


    I worked so hard to release all of you¡ªeven sent out wild birds and beasts to stir up chaos. I even let that monster loose!


    I was counting on you to draw their attention so I could wait for the right moment in the cargo hold.


    "I can''t wait any longer."


    Grabbing my belongings, I quickly downed a vial of stimulant from my suitcase. My gaze locked on the cargo hold''s door.


    Originally, I planned to act once most of the crew had been lured to the deck.


    But now, I feared the suppression on the deck would end before that moment came.


    There''s no way I can face the commander head-on!


    With that thought, I didn''t dare delay, immediately getting to my feet and preparing to move.


    The deck was no longer an option. I needed to find another way out.


    Gulp...


    I tilted back the last vial of stimulant and gulped it down.


    This was my final dose, but since I''d have to rely entirely on myself moving forward, I couldn''t afford to hold back.


    Damn it. This is spiraling out of control. There''s no way I''m getting out like this¡ª


    "..."


    "..."


    Our eyes met.


    The cargo hold was chaotic, but thanks to the rampaging beast, a clear path stretched from the beast enclosure to the hold''s door¡ªcompletely unobstructed.


    Because of this, as I hurried toward the exit, I looked up and saw a figure standing in the doorway.


    A siren.


    A siren in armor, gripping a trident.


    My heart nearly stopped.

 Chapter 33: The Sirens Gamble

    Why does he rise so effortlessly, while I''m stuck as a mere combatant?


    Lying back in his personal quarters with arms behind his head, the siren simmered with resentment.


    We joined at the same time. The only thing he has over me is strength.


    This raid on the merchant convoy should have been my shining moment. I was the one who suggested we return immediately, yet the captain listened to him instead and took a detour to the Sea of Mists.


    The Sea of Mists¡ªan ocean at the edge of the world.


    Its waters are shrouded in perpetual fog, where every compass fails to point true. No matter the direction you sail, you''ll eventually leave the foggy expanse, never reaching whatever lies beyond.


    Legends claim that the mists are remnants of an ancient spell, cast to imprison humanity.


    But such tales don''t matter. What matters is the sea''s value.


    Occasionally, treasures from another world drift into its waters. Or, more specifically, from the human world.


    It''s said humans have a unique mastery over magical techniques, embedding them even into their everyday objects. Sometimes, the right find can fetch an unimaginable price.


    Yet salvaging the Sea of Mists is a gamble. Most of the time, you come up empty-handed¡ªor worse, you haul in worthless junk. And in the worst-case scenario, you face the cursed Kern tribe, risking your ship and crew.


    But this time¡­ someone hit the jackpot.If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.


    Yes, that bastard managed to pull a human out of the Sea of Mists.


    This wasn''t just a triumph¡ªit was a goldmine. If they could sell this human, the profit would be astronomical. Enough to never raid another ship again, enough to live a life of unfathomable luxury.


    After all, with the vampires starving for blood, a healthy human was already worth a fortune. A human from beyond the mist? Unimaginable.


    "Damn it, why is it always him?"


    The siren clenched his teeth in frustration.


    I can live without money, but watching him rake it in? That, I can''t stomach.


    His brooding was interrupted.


    "Trouble! There''s chaos in the cargo hold!"


    The first order from the deck was immediate: all hands were to assemble topside and suppress the revolt.


    He stayed in his quarters, lounging lazily. It wasn''t his problem.


    After all, the captain had explicitly left the first mate¡ªhis rival¡ªto guard the ship. From the moment the captain made that choice, he knew chaos was inevitable.


    A human was worth more than the rest of the cargo combined. With that kind of fortune aboard, no crew of cutthroats could resist.


    Once the other crew members had cleared out, the siren finally stirred. He donned his armor, grabbed his trident, and began a slow, deliberate stroll toward the hold.


    The clamor from the deck above was a distraction, a classic misdirection. Any moment now, someone would attempt to smuggle the human off the ship.


    Not that it mattered. With the captain gone and the first mate occupied, there were few on this vessel who could stand against him.


    Grunts will always be grunts. No matter how many of them there are, they''re just cannon fodder.


    What interested him, though, was who dared to stage this heist.


    "¡­''


    But when he reached the cargo hold, it wasn''t what he expected.


    There was no mob, no band of conspirators.


    Just chaos¡ªand her.


    A small figure stood amidst the disarray. Cloaked, her long braid cascading down her back.


    Even through the grime, her beauty shone¡ªa flawless complexion, eyes like onyx, sparkling like polished gemstones.


    For a fleeting moment, she reminded him of a certain courtesan among their past cargo. But this one? She was something else.


    Premium stock.


    His pupils dilated as he took her in.


    A human.


    If he could capture her, his fortune would be made.


    Forget rivalries. Forget promotions. This one sale could buy him the life of his dreams.


    And so, gripping his trident tightly, he stepped forward, his mind consumed with greed.

 Chapter 34: The Sirens Dilemma

    The siren''s heart leapt with excitement as his grip tightened on the trident.


    Once he took care of the guards escorting the human, everything would belong to him.


    All of it.


    Or so he thought.


    However, there was no one there.


    The siren''s eyes darted nervously, his sensory organs on high alert. But try as he might, he couldn''t sense anything.


    The realization crept slowly into his mind.


    There was only the human.


    What was going on?


    His eyes narrowed, and his movements became more cautious. He lowered the point of his trident, shifting into a stance that would allow him to strike at a moment''s notice, his body coiling like a spring.


    "Quite a ruckus," he muttered under his breath, trying to gather information before launching an attack. He didn''t want to strike too soon and scare off whatever was happening.


    "Making such a fuss... even if you''re worth a lot, it''s not going to end well for you," he continued, his words carrying a mixture of contempt and curiosity.


    But the real trouble was the captain.


    The siren had no stake in this mess.


    He moved carefully, scanning the cargo hold while running through possible scenarios in his mind.Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.


    Could the human be the one who caused the disturbance? No, that didn''t make sense. He should still be locked up, his hands and feet bound.


    But then, if someone else had started the ruckus, where were they? The cargo hold was supposed to be guarded. Had even the guards been taken out?


    "..."


    There was no answer.


    The human simply stared at him with cold, unwavering eyes, not saying a word.


    Didn''t understand? Oh.


    The siren finally recalled the one crucial fact: humans didn''t speak their language.


    Looks like he''d have to figure this out the hard way.


    Shaking his trident, he was about to charge forward when¡ª


    "Just one?"


    The siren froze, his entire body stiffening, as if frozen in ice.


    "Is that really all you''ve got?," came the voice again, cutting through the silence.


    It wasn''t common speech.


    But somehow, the words clearly reached the siren''s ears, sending shockwaves through his mind.


    The human... could speak our language?


    The siren''s heart raced. This was impossible. It shouldn''t be possible.


    His mind scrambled, searching for an explanation.


    For centuries, chaos had raged across the Kaos world. Conflicts never ceased, and the wars were endless.


    And of all the creatures, humans were the most terrifying.


    Their strength was one reason, but it was their cruelty that truly set them apart. Their methods, brutal and unforgiving.


    The human standing before him was no ordinary one. They had come from the Mist Sea.


    The siren''s grip on his trident tightened further as he swallowed nervously.


    There was no way a human could learn their language in such a short time. It was simply impossible.


    That thought quickly crumbled, and another theory surfaced in his mind:


    What if this human could... absorb the powers of those they killed?


    The siren recalled the painful battle where, if not for the captain and the squad leader, he would have been consumed himself.


    No, no, no!


    Shaking his head violently to clear the thought, he gripped the trident tightly and pointed it directly at the human.


    "Don''t try to scare me with cheap tricks!"


    His words were meant as a warning, but they rang more like a desperate attempt to reassure himself.


    The human in front of him was worth a fortune. If he missed this chance, he might never get another like it.


    He couldn''t afford to let this slip away. He had to capture the human, alive, no matter what.


    His desire for wealth outweighed his fear of death.


    With a furious roar, the siren shouted, "I''m in a bad mood today. Come here on your own, or I''ll rip your arms and legs off!"

 Chapter 35: The Sirens Breaking Point

<div>


    If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

 Chapter 36: A Dangerous Gamble

    The siren had survived countless battles, from petty skirmishes to deadly wars.


    Once you joined the pirate life, dignity became a luxury far outweighed by survival. But this human? He wasn¡¯t even trying to escape¡ªhe was heading for the maintenance room, a place occupied by little more than hired craftsmen. What could he possibly hope to find there?


    Well, no matter.


    The siren assured himself, silently affirming his decision.


    Still, compliance was far from blind submission. While his head hung low in a show of deference, his instincts screamed that mere obedience wouldn¡¯t ensure his survival. Any competent captor would extract information first¡ªthen eliminate the witness.


    What kind of power could leave a scene this gruesome?


    Holding back the overwhelming stench of blood, the siren¡¯s sharp eyes studied the carnage around him. Shattered bones, torn flesh, and mutilated remains all pointed to one grim conclusion:


    A beast¡ªa massive, feral monstrosity¡ªwas responsible.


    There were only two plausible explanations: either this human could transform into such a creature, or he could summon it.


    This realization sent a cold chill racing down the siren¡¯s spine. Careful not to draw attention, he lifted his head just enough to sneak a glance at the human through the bars. If the man so much as made a move to cast a spell, the siren would strike without hesitation.


    But what he saw froze him.


    The human, who had sat so casually moments earlier, now clutched his head in visible agony.  You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.


    Is he¡­ transforming?


    Yes. It had to be. Only a beast of unimaginable power could create such devastation. Now was not the time to grovel.


    Moving with practiced speed, the siren grabbed his trident and rose to his full height. He glanced toward the human, who was already looking back at him.


    No time to think.


    With a swift spin, the siren¡¯s trident sent a heavy padlock flying toward the human.


    Clang!


    The lock soared through the air, tracing a sharp arc as it hurtled toward its target.


    It would hit.


    The siren didn¡¯t wait to see the result. He turned and sprinted without hesitation, using every ounce of his strength to put distance between himself and the potential threat.


    Damn it, damn it, damn it! I just wanted some easy gold! Now I¡¯m running for my life!


    As he ran, regret gnawed at his mind. Leaving behind his treasures felt like tearing a piece of his soul. Torn between his survival instincts and his greed, he couldn¡¯t resist glancing over his shoulder one last time.


    What he saw was both a relief and a shock.


    The lock had struck the human squarely on the back, sending him sprawling to the floor in an awkward tumble.


    For a brief moment, triumph surged through the siren¡¯s veins.


    Ha! Got him! That should slow him down long enough for me to¡ª


    But then he noticed something strange.


    If this human were truly as powerful as he appeared, shouldn¡¯t he have deflected the attack with ease and retaliated by now?


    And that wasn¡¯t all.


    Something about the nearby cargo hold tugged at his memory.


    Wait¡­ wasn¡¯t one of those cages unusually large?


    A chilling realization struck him like a tidal wave. On the day they had intercepted the merchant ship, he and the crew had spent hours speculating about the long-bearded beast locked in that very cage.


    Could it be?


    Was this human using the beast¡¯s presence to bluff?


    The thought hit him like a thunderclap. If the human really had been lying, then the true value of this situation¡ªand the man¡ªwas far greater than he had imagined.


    Abandoning his retreat, the siren spun back around. His gaze met the human¡¯s.


    Their eyes locked, and in that fleeting moment, both understood the other¡¯s realization.


    Shit. He knows.


    The human moved first, scrambling to his feet and bolting for the cargo hold.


    "You bastard!" the siren roared, fury and humiliation twisting his voice.


    Brandishing his trident, he charged after the fleeing man, his mind boiling with rage.


    No one tricks me and lives to tell the tale!

 Chapter 37: The Gamble and the Chase

    From the siren''s reaction, it seemed I had gambled correctly.


    "Ha! Ha! Ha!"


    Panting heavily, I sprinted through the cargo hold.


    But why did that bastard suddenly attack at the end? Wasn''t he terrified just moments ago?


    While I cursed him inwardly, I couldn''t deny that I knew the reason.


    Suppressing the overwhelming pressure of fear, I''d felt a tidal wave of relief the instant I saw the siren fall to his knees, utterly duped, even groveling.


    Under normal circumstances, I would never have made such a critical mistake.


    But my body was betraying me.


    Relief had triggered collapse.


    My limbs turned sluggish, and a dizzying wave of exhaustion struck my mind like a sledgehammer.


    I couldn''t hold on any longer. As the siren knelt, I barely managed to keep my head upright¡ªit felt as heavy as stone.  Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.


    Faced with such a rare opening in a powerful enemy''s defense, anyone would instinctively think of escape¡ªor striking back.


    And to strike back was the most primal choice.


    Damn it!


    My body''s state was the one thing I couldn''t control.


    The stimulant I took earlier had tricked me into believing I was invincible, but it was only borrowing from tomorrow''s strength, leaving me with nothing but a hollow shell.


    I''m so tired.


    The crushing exhaustion, paired with the relentless fever, left me stumbling forward like a puppet with its strings cut.


    "You dare trick me!?"


    The siren''s enraged roar reverberated through the cargo hold.


    "I''ll make you pay for this¡ª!"


    The sound of his voice brought back the image of that flying lock slamming into me. My back prickled with cold sweat.


    If I hadn''t turned just in time to stand, or if my suitcase hadn''t been there to block it...


    The thought of what could have happened sent a renewed surge of adrenaline coursing through me.


    I have to survive.


    My revenge is unfinished... I can''t die here!


    "Ha... ha!"


    Gritting my teeth, I fixed my eyes on the goal just a few paces ahead. My hand slipped beneath my cloak, fingers brushing against the hidden mechanism I''d prepared.


    The siren was consumed by rage, blinded by fury. He''d been humiliated, and now his only thought was catching me to exact his revenge.


    That was fine.


    As long as the enemy lost their reason, I still held the upper hand.


    Click.


    A sharp sound echoed faintly as I pressed the button.


    While I could still move...


    I clenched my jaw, every fiber of my being focused on one thing.


    This attack¡ªthis one would decide everything.

 Chapter 38: A Desperate Chase in the Cargo hold

    The path through the cargo hold, carved open by the rampaging beast, abruptly ended as it reached the slave quarters.


    Fortunately for the pursuer, this made the siren''s chase much smoother once he turned around. The gap between him and the fleeing human was shrinking fast.


    All because I got scared out of my wits earlier and ran so far. Now I''ve got to double back. Otherwise, would it really have taken me this long to catch up with that little brat?


    Hissing through his tongue, the sea siren cursed himself internally while twisting his sirenine body with ferocious determination. The human was now just within striking distance.


    "When I catch you, I''ll skin you alive and tear out your guts, you little runt!"


    Though cursing out loud felt satisfying, the siren was in fact too cautious to act rashly.


    The earlier ambush had been a knee-jerk reaction, born out of a misplaced fear that the human was stronger than he actually was. At the time, survival had left him no room for second thoughts.


    Now that the human was retreating, it only confirmed his weakness. Killing him outright might destroy the valuable treasure the human was carrying.


    Revenge could wait¡ªgetting rich was clearly the smarter choice.


    Splash!


    Liquor spilled across the ground, splattering the siren''s body. With a sharp twist, he propelled himself forward once more, closing the gap further. The prey was now just within reach.


    "Let me cripple you first. Then I''ll take my time savoring the rest!"


    Scattered barrels formed an impassable corner ahead, trapping the human with nowhere left to run. With the path to escape sealed, the siren raised his trident high, preparing to strike.  Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.


    "...!"


    But in that moment, the human suddenly turned to face him, an unexpected move that sent a jolt of unease through the siren.


    What''s going on¡­ Wait, is this a trap? Damn it!


    His battle instincts flared. The siren immediately tried to halt his forward momentum, but it was already too late.


    A small, spherical object soared through the air and exploded mid-flight.


    Before the siren could react, a dense cloud of smoke erupted, enveloping everything around him in an instant.


    A smoke bomb?!


    As his vision was obscured, the siren instinctively activated his heat-sensing organs.


    A high-temperature object was racing toward him at alarming speed.


    A suicidal attack!


    The siren recoiled in shock. Using the smoke as cover for a close-range ambush was a classic move¡ªone that could often catch enemies off guard and turn the tide of battle.


    Half of the anger in his chest evaporated, replaced by cold calculation. With a quick twist of his sirenine body, the siren narrowly evaded the incoming attack.


    "Nice try, but that won''t work against me!"


    Locking onto the source of the heat, he saw the human overshooting from the force of his own momentum. Without hesitation, the siren lunged forward, hot on his heels.


    "It''s over. Now I''ll finish you!"


    With a powerful swing of his trident, the siren generated a fierce gust of wind that tore through the smoke cloud. As visibility returned, the siren retracted his weapon and thrust it forward with deadly precision¡ª


    Clang!


    Instead of the satisfying feel of his target being pierced, a violent rebound jolted through the trident. The siren stumbled backward, colliding hard against a sturdy surface.


    A wall? No¡­ a cage.


    "What the hell just happened?"


    He stared in disbelief, his earlier confidence now wavering. Wasn''t the human right there? How had the strike been deflected?


    And then, he noticed the small device lying on the ground not far away¡ªthe one emitting heat. It perfectly overlapped with the location of his earlier target.


    "Oh no¡­"


    A sinking realization dawned on him, chilling him to the core.


    Bang!


    The sound of a heavy door slamming shut behind him sealed his fate.


    He didn''t need to look back to know¡ªthe human had just slammed the iron cage shut, trapping him inside.

 Chapter 39: Clash of Weakness and Fury

    "Hah¡­ hah¡­ hah¡­"


    Each breath tore out of me in ragged gasps, my chest heaving uncontrollably.


    Buzz¡­


    A relentless ringing filled my ears, drowning out the world and smothering my senses.


    I¡­ I actually did it¡­


    My head lolled upward, impossibly heavy, and the scene before me wavered like a distant mirage. Everything felt out of focus, warped. But through the haze, I could just make out the thrashing figure inside the cage. The siren was in a frenzy, bellowing in rage as he pounded against the iron bars. His fists sent sharp, metallic echoes reverberating through the air, each clash biting into my skull.


    Oddly enough, the sound almost lulled me.


    I''m so¡­ tired¡­


    My arms hung useless at my sides. I was barely standing, held upright only by sheer determination.  Stolen novel; please report.


    I need to kill him¡­


    If I don''t¡­ I''m dead¡­


    Clang! Clang! Clang!


    "You slimy little bastard! You think you can get away with this lowlife trick? Let me out, damn you!"


    Damn it¡­ Why won''t my body listen to me?


    I bit down hard, willing my strength to return, forcing my trembling fingers to curl into fists. But it was no use. My limbs refused to obey, dead weight on a body that was barely hanging on.


    And in battle, hesitation is fatal.


    The pause lasted no more than a heartbeat, but for a seasoned killer like him, it was all the opportunity he needed.


    Fire¡­ I have to light the fire¡­


    My focus was locked on my own trembling hands when I caught a glint of silver out of the corner of my eye.


    Too late.


    The cage may have held the siren, but it couldn''t contain the deadly reach of his weapon.


    With practiced precision, he launched the trident, its jagged prongs cutting through the air like a vengeful specter.


    By the time I realized what was happening and forced my head up, the weapon was already upon me, streaking toward me with a shrill whistle.


    And in my state¡ªweak, slow, barely holding myself together¡ªdodging was out of the question.


    Thud!


    A violent impact slammed into my chest with the force of a battering ram.

 Chapter 40: A Desperate Gamble

    Boom!


    A violent shock hit my chest, sending a sharp pain coursing through me.


    "Ugh!?"


    With a dull thud in my chest, the world spun wildly around me.


    What¡­ what just happened?


    I rolled twice on the ground, barely catching my breath as I tried to push myself up.


    Clang!


    The trident collided with the iron bars of the cage, the harsh metal sound reverberating through the air.


    The force was so powerful that the pole continued to vibrate slightly.


    I gasped, my heart still racing from the terrifying impact. But more than the shock of that blow, what stunned me was who was now in my arms¡ª


    "Renee-nya!"


    It was the girl who should''ve been with the rest of the Nako tribe, fleeing to safety.


    She seemed to be trying to say something, but the sudden turn of events had left her mind in disarray, leaving her speechless.


    Wait, I¡­ was saved?


    I blinked, first stunned, then confused.


    But¡­ why? You were supposed to be with the others, escaping. Why did you come back, and even more¡­


    If I hadn''t moved in time, that trident would''ve pierced through her body.


    But she threw herself at me, without hesitation, her actions swift and determined.


    Why¡­ why would you do this?


    Our gazes locked. Her face was full of worry for me, while I was overwhelmed with a thousand questions.


    But those thoughts weren''t important right now.


    "Can you light a fire?"


    All the words I had for her disappeared in an instant. My face hardened as I asked and shoved something into her hands.


    This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it."¡­?"


    She froze for a moment, but after meeting my serious gaze, her fuzzy ears trembled, and she nodded furiously.


    "I''ll light it and throw it in the cage."


    I gave the order, pushing the matchbox firmly into her hand.


    "Good!"


    Without hesitation, she quickly got to her feet and ran toward the cage.


    "Hey¡­ hey! What are you doing!? What do you think you''re doing, you filthy beast!?"


    The siren''s voice shifted from confusion to shock, and then to fear as he realized what was happening.


    Scrape!


    Before he could react, the sound of friction rang out, followed by a flicker of flame, and then a projectile arced through the dark.


    The girl didn''t look back, running with her head down. She might not have fully understood what was going on, but she seemed to have guessed what was about to happen.


    "Well done¡­ come here!"


    I praised her, but the power of the explosion was likely not what she had imagined.


    "Renee-nya!?"


    Before the surprised girl could react, I grabbed her and pinned her tightly to me.


    Boom¡ª!


    In an instant, flames shot up into the sky.


    The deafening explosion shook everything around us, the heatwave devouring the space in its wake.


    This was no dud, like the earlier misfire¡ªthis was a real blast, the true power of the explosive device.


    After all, it had been made to kill those monstrous competitors from the hero wars. Even with this level of force, those bastards would still get up and strike deadly blows with sheer willpower.


    But I never imagined that the blast would end up catching me instead.

 Chapter 41: Unlikely Alliances

    "...!?!"


    So fast!


    I was stunned by the girl''s speed, but then it clicked. She''s not human, after all.


    With strength far beyond anything a human could manage, it made sense.


    Ha! Ha! Ha!


    Her breaths came fast, yet controlled, each one steadying my racing heart. I let my head fall onto her shoulder, feeling the momentary relief as she carried me through the chaos.


    She shivered slightly, her ears and tail twitching before they relaxed once more.


    We''d made it past the worst of it¡ªdodging wave after wave of heat, the searing pain from every near miss with the flames. Soon, we were well beyond the danger zone, away from the explosion site.


    The fire, probably due to the dampness, hadn''t yet spread to the doorway. Within moments, we had exited the cargo hold just before the flames could catch up with us.


    We made it out.


    But that only meant the real danger was still to come.


    Panting, I glanced around the darkened area outside the hold, my chest tight with more than just the physical strain. There was an unease that gripped me.


    "... Strange."


    The girl''s voice cut through the silence, her ears flicking up. She muttered, "There''s no one here."


    It was odd, indeed. After such a massive explosion, people would usually come running to check on things.


    I had been worried that the siren might have reinforcements, but it seemed more likely it was just one overconfident fool who had come alone.


    After all, most of the crew would be occupied with handling the chaos elsewhere, and compared to the beast''s roar, the explosion would seem like nothing.


    "You... just said something?"


    If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.It took me a moment to process. "You... knew no one was around?"


    "Because there was no sound," she replied casually, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "Not even a hiss."


    I blinked, astonished. The Nako tribe''s abilities were beyond what I''d expected.


    "Don''t worry, Renee-nya. My hearing is sharp¡ªI can hear from miles away. We''ll avoid the sirens and catch up with the others."


    She steadied her breathing and, without waiting for my reply, took a step toward the stairs. "Once we find the others, we can escape."


    "No."


    I grabbed her arm, halting her.


    "We can''t go." I said firmly, my voice low but urgent. "If we want to get out of here, meeting up with anyone isn''t the plan right now."


    "Renee...nya?"


    Her expression froze, confusion quickly spreading across her face.


    It clicked then. Before the crew had cornered us, she had decided to return alone to rescue me. She had no idea what was happening now. What her comrades were up against.


    Otherwise, after saving me, she would''ve immediately taken me to the others.


    If her tribe was under attack¡ªand if she had gone this far to save me¡ªthere was no way she would leave them behind.


    "Do you trust me?"


    I asked the question softly, but with purpose.


    She hesitated, clearly trying to process my words.


    It must''ve been hard to comprehend¡ªwhy wouldn''t we go to the others? Alone, how could she possibly escape?


    But what she didn''t know was that it was already too late to reunite. The commander had likely already mobilized the crew, and going back was useless.


    But I couldn''t tell her that. Not yet.


    I needed to survive. I needed her to play along, for both our sakes.


    If she refused...


    My gaze shifted, colder than before. I focused on the pulse at her throat.


    I had been soft once before, but now, I had no choice.


    The battle for our lives had already begun¡ªand we couldn''t afford to hesitate.


    So, what will you do?


    "I trust you, Renee-nya."


    Her answer came without hesitation, her voice steady.


    So quick?


    "Good."


    I exhaled quietly, feeling a small sense of relief, though I hid it well.


    Her response was immediate, almost too quick, but that only worked in my favor. Her trust in me was clear, and that was all I needed for the next part of the plan.


    "Now... listen closely."


    I fought through the pain, leaning in close enough for her to hear, my voice barely above a whisper.

 Chapter 42: The Price of Loyalty

    Boom¡ª!


    The explosion rocked the ship so violently that even the deck seemed to shudder in response. The sudden eruption shattered the fragile calm, and the subdued slaves and beasts, once under control, now seized the opportunity to break free and thrash wildly.


    Roar! Roar! Roar!


    Hiss!


    The long-whiskered leopard that had been subdued with such effort before lunged forward, seizing the chaos as its chance. The siren''s Commander, momentarily distracted, snapped out of his thoughts and swiftly swung the trident, striking the beast with the blunt end to subdue it without causing harm.


    Thud!


    A muffled thud rang out, followed by the painful whine of the giant creature. It faltered, crumpling to the ground, its massive form going still.


    That should do it. It''s under control now.


    "Commander!"


    A subordinate''s voice called out from behind, urgently snapping the Commander from his brief pause.


    "We found the man."


    At the mention of the prisoner, the Commander tensed his colossal frame, casually flicking the blood off his trident. His movements were precise, efficient, and in the same moment, he turned sharply. Despite just moments ago battling the beast, there was no hint of exhaustion on his face. Instead, there was a distinct aura of dominance about him.


    "Bring him here."


    At the Commander''s command, his underling forcefully shoved the unfortunate guard forward. The poor siren stumbled and nearly collapsed, unable to lift his gaze. His body was drenched in sweat, and his tongue flicked out in frantic desperation. The fear radiating from him was palpable.  This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    "C-Commander..."


    The poor siren''s voice quivered, unable to meet the Commander''s cold, unflinching gaze. Before he could even get a full word out, he dropped to his knees in terror.


    "You''d better explain to me what the hell just happened."


    The Commander''s voice was low, his eyes narrowing into sharp slits. The mere pressure of his gaze was enough to send a shudder through the poor siren, who flinched and almost knelt outright, scrambling to comply.


    "It''s... It''s like this, Commander."


    The words spilled out in a rush, and the poo siren barely hesitated as he divulged everything.


    He was just one of the many stationed at the hold, one of the more cautious ones. That day, however, the guards had been switched earlier than expected, and with them came an unfamiliar face¡ªsomeone he''d shared a passing conversation with. He''d known what they were up to, but he hadn''t cared.


    He''d turned a blind eye to it.


    After all, he reasoned, as long as he didn''t get caught, what harm was there in letting a few things go? He''d get a small payout for being flexible. If anything went wrong, the blame wouldn''t fall on him.


    Who could have predicted that things would fall apart so disastrously?


    He''d been resting in his room when suddenly, the entire hold erupted into chaos. Before he could even rearm himself, the Commander''s men had burst in, apprehending him.


    And before he could even explain himself, the entire cargo hold had blown up.


    There was no room for excuses now. His words tumbled out in a frantic stream, desperate to give a full account of the events, hoping that if he said everything, he could avoid the wrath that was sure to come. With the situation so dire, one wrong word could mean his life.


    "..."


    The Commander remained silent for a moment, processing the guard''s explanation. His gaze shifted, narrowing as he turned toward his subordinate.


    "What''s the situation below deck?"


    "Commander, below deck... the situation is..."


    The subordinate was quick to respond, giving a detailed report. The Commander listened, his expression impassive. Despite the explosion''s chaos, he had trained his men well, and they were already regaining control, efficiently suppressing the uprising on deck.


    "We''ve managed to keep the fire contained for now, but..."


    The subordinate''s voice faltered when he saw the Commander''s eyes narrow in displeasure.


    And the kneeling siren, even more attuned to the Commander''s shifting mood, sensed the tension rising. He froze, realizing that the Commander''s patience was wearing thin.


    "Commander, please! I... I made a mistake! I''ll do anything¡ªanything you ask! Please... give me a chance to atone!"


    The poor siren''s voice trembled, his body trembling with genuine fear, his plea growing more desperate by the second. The enormity of his mistake hit him fully now, and he knew that the consequences could be fatal.