Chapter 14 Shadow Sailor

"This is no place to talk. Come with me!"

After a brief exchange, Arsen Howell could sense that this young and exceptionally powerful超凡者 was indeed sent by Old Oak.

"Wait."

As Gune spoke, he took out a bottle of初级幽蓝灭魂水 and quickly poured it over the old drunkard's corpse.

Sizzle...

A blue-green flame rose swiftly, soon engulfing the entire corpse.

At the entrance of the alley, Arsen Howell narrowed his eyes as he watched.

"Destroying evidence—this young man is meticulous and leaves no loose ends."

"And... he's rich. That bottle alone could cover a sailor's daily food and drink."

"At the same time, his strength... is formidable, unfathomably so."

"Done." Having finished, Gune turned to look at the real Arsen Howell.

"Follow me." Arsen Howell led the way.

...

A dozen minutes later.

Gune followed Arsen Howell into a quiet, secluded street.

In an inconspicuous alley.

Arsen Howell opened an ordinary iron door.

The two entered one after the other.

Inside, Gune found a modest single-room dwelling, somewhat cramped.

"Those who sail the seas have more or less enemies. Everyone has multiple hideouts."

As if sensing Gune's youth, Arsen Howell casually imparted this information.

"After all, you never know when you might need one."

"Mm." Gune nodded lightly.

"Though I can evade many mystical means of detection, I still need to prepare corresponding hiding places."

The two sat down on the wooden sofa by the tea table.

Arsen Howell's somber eyes fixed on Gune.

"Old Oak saved my life. I said I'd repay him. Since he sent you to me, I'll do my utmost to help."

"Tell me, what do you need?"

"I want to buy a sea demon ship and recruit a reliable crew."

A reliable crew was crucial to Gune.

Not that he feared mutiny or being strung up on the mast.

Rather, if the crew rebelled at sea and he killed them all, he alone would struggle to sail the massive ship, let alone navigate.

His sea adventure would become 'Gune Lawrence's Drifting Chronicle,' with no telling where the ship might drift.

"A sea demon ship?超凡 sailors?"

Arsen Howell narrowed his eyes in thought.

"Are you going into maritime trade?"

"Partially." Gune replied.

"And the other part?"

"Exploring dangerous treasure sites at sea."

As Gune spoke these words,

the impression of meticulousness, foresight, and composure Gune had given Arsen Howell nearly crumbled.

Countless had sought dangerous sea treasures.

He himself had joined at least three expeditions to mysterious seas and islands.

Sadly, all three ended with most dead.

He survived by luck but abandoned such unrealistic notions.

Survivorship bias made tales of treasure successes common, but death was the norm in exploring mysterious regions.

Moreover, at sea, pirates were cunning, greedy, evil, and brutal.

If treasure islands and mysterious seas could be plundered,

then...

pirates would swarm and strip them clean.

They wouldn't wait for naive nobles from the land, dreaming of overnight riches, to claim them.

"Heh heh..." Arsen Howell gave a dry laugh.

"Do you think this idea is unrealistic, even stupidly baffling?" Gune looked at Arsen Howell with his usual calm.

"I... didn't say that." Arsen Howell replied seriously.

But inwardly he thought, 'At least he's self-aware, not hopelessly foolish.'

"But your laugh says as much." Gune's voice came flatly.

Arsen Howell's mouth twitched. "..."

"Are you deliberately saying this to mock me?"

"Clearly not." Gune shook his head gently.

"Senior Arsen Howell."

Gune began to explain calmly.

Through the brief exchange, he had formed a rough impression of Arsen Howell.

At least the man bore him no ill will.

Ever since Gune consumed the Soul's Dawn, greatly enhancing his perception and further severing fate's shackles,

his awareness of others had become exceptionally clear.

Slight killing intent,

greed for wealth,

schemes to lure him into traps,

requests with ulterior motives—

anything related to him, he could keenly sense the malice.

This Arsen Howell, at least, showed no malice toward him.

If the man could conceal such malice under these circumstances, he would be too terrifying—a highly unlikely scenario.

Thus, it was safe to assume Arsen Howell meant him no harm.

So when it was time to win him over, Gune naturally revealed some cards; otherwise, why would Arsen Howell follow him?

"To be honest, I possess a very powerful magical item."

"In dangerous environments, this item always guides me to safer paths, allowing me to leave or enter safely."

"That's one of my reasons for daring to explore treasure islands and mysterious seas."

"Without it, I wouldn't go to those dangerous places seeking death."

"So, exploring those mysterious islands and seas isn't out of ignorance or foolishness, but because I'm prepared."

"A magical item that senses danger and safe directions?"

Arsen Howell's expression shifted slightly.

Magical items were diverse, with many incredible functions.

Such an item for finding safe paths was unique, a treasure for exploration.

"If this Jack Sparrow truly has such an item, he might indeed explore some mysterious places for treasures."

"And we could start with less dangerous areas—say, Mist Island."

"With that item's guidance, he might penetrate the mist layer and enter the island's interior."

"Even if he takes a wrong path, with enough strength, he can escape."

"Perhaps it's worth a try."

As he pondered, Arsen Howell looked back at Gune, his face turning serious.

"Such a valuable treasure—you just told me. Aren't you afraid I'll attack you like that old drunkard, kill you, and take it?"

Gune took a light breath and said slowly,

"Senior Arsen Howell, though you are a three-star Shadow Sailor at the fourth tier of the超凡 rank,"

At this, Arsen Howell's face twitched.

He was no ordinary sailor unable to control source power.

He was a powerful fourth-tier, three-star Shadow Sailor, quite formidable.

Yet the other had easily discerned his超凡 profession and rank.

"But, to be blunt, before me, you don't even have the right to resist."

Gune's words made Arsen Howell's face stiffen; before he could react,

Gune's fingers moved slightly.

Instantly, Arsen Howell's face turned rigid, his body frozen like a statue.

He felt indescribable threads of terrifying power coil around his limbs, torso, and even within his skull.

He struggled with all his might, but the threads, like vast mountains, held him immobile.

And all this while he had been on guard—yet the other had controlled him without his notice.

The opponent's strength and mysterious methods sent a chill down his spine.

"This guy isn't even twenty yet, is he?"

Arsen Howell thought with a hint of shock.