Arc 2: The City of Chaos: Galleon
Silence ruled the gang's grand hall, tension thick enough to suffocate. Dozens of weary bodies stood trembling, eyes fixed upon the empty-looking throne where the gang leader sat.
From behind the throne emerged a group known as the Scouts—five figures draped in white robes concealing their faces. They were called the Ransom Unit.
They approached the elite members of the gang—about thirty men—forming a straight line before the unit.
"Step forward!"
One of the Ransom members barked sharply.
The first man stepped up, pulling a small pouch from beneath his cloak and handing it over. Inside were a handful of silver and copper coins. After counting, the total came to 200 silver and 143 copper.
"The amount is short by 157 copper coins. You'll make it up next time. Next!"
And so it continued—some were scolded, some left in silence.
The lower-ranked members watched quietly, each waiting anxiously for their turn—except for Koji, who remained calm. He was confident he had paid in full, especially after stealing from Scorpion.
'Even the talented and the veterans are punished for a few copper coins… what a fair system you have.'
"Next!"
"Next!"
"Next!"
Minutes dragged like hours until the collection from the elite group ended. Now it was the lower ranks' turn.
They formed a longer line—around seventy people—and the process began again.
"Step forward!"
An old man barely able to stand shuffled forward, lifting his head with effort. Still, he handed over a pouch filled with silver coins. The Ransom Unit counted 247 silvers—more than required—but said nothing, letting him leave.
Everyone feared the same things: reaching into their pocket only to find the pouch missing… or miscounting and being punished. Many overpaid just to be safe.
Koji, however, remained composed, breathing slowly as he awaited his turn.
"Next!"
A young woman stepped forward, her face showing clear signs of drug use. She trembled as she approached, eyes glossy, tears threatening to fall. Koji gave her a brief look of confusion.
'Who is she? Never seen her before—must be new.'
"Hurry up!"
She handed over her pouch. At first glance, it looked fine—silver and copper coins filled it. But when a handful was lifted, small stones were revealed at the bottom.
The woman collapsed to her knees, begging, tears streaming down her face.
"Please… forgive me! It was a mistake! This is my first time in the gang, and I tried to steal—please!"
The gang leader's eyes burned with disgust. He rose from the throne and said in a heavy, cold tone:
"If you'd saved the money you spent on drugs, perhaps you'd have survived today."
From behind the throne came heavy footsteps—accompanied by mocking laughter.
It was Yamikaji.
He wore his usual white robe, a worn sword hanging at his side. He gazed at the woman with twisted delight and said with a wide grin,
"If you were a little prettier, I might've spared you."
He pulled a black glove studded with crystals from his robe, slipped it on, and unsheathed his sword. The screech of steel echoed through the hall as the crystals glowed brightly.
"Wait—"
The woman tried to plead again, but her head was severed before another word left her lips. It hit the floor with a dull thud, blood spraying over the nearby members. No one dared to speak—fear sealed every mouth.
Yamikaji raised his gleaming sword high, smiling faintly.
"The fate of failures… will be decided by my blade!"
Koji couldn't even look at the sword's glow. His fists clenched, eyes bloodshot, thoughts tearing through his mind.
'Damn it… we all live in fear of this rotten fate. But joining this gang was a bet—for the sake of my family.'
That night of horror ended with just one death. Everyone else paid their ransom and lived to face another day—until the next collection, ten days later.
***
On the other side of Galleon, Sota and Takeshi arrived in a bustling commercial district. Despite the late hour, carriages lined the streets, surrounded by crowds of townsfolk.
Children begged for toys worth over 100 silver coins, women bartered for extravagant vintage dresses costing 20 gold, and men gorged on grilled beef priced at 300 silver coins—the city's prices were outrageous.
"Oh, Sota! You came fast!"
A loud voice called from behind. Both Sota and Takeshi turned to see Scorpion, his square face split by a wide grin.
Sota forced a fake smile.
"Oh! Hello, my great, mighty merchant lord!"
Scorpion's eyes fell on Takeshi as he rubbed his chin.
"And who's this?"
Sota answered in an overly theatrical tone,
"He's a friend who asked me for a ride to the city. We had quite the adventure before we got here!"
Scorpion extended his hand.
"The three gold coins you borrowed from me."
Sota froze. His face twisted with a hidden panic. He fumbled into his pocket, pulling out a pouch containing two gold coins and about 500 silvers. After splitting what he earned with Takeshi from saving Eldra Village, he had two gold and 800 silver coins left.
He offered the pouch hesitantly.
"It's short by two hundred silvers, please just—"
Scorpion didn't let him finish. He began shouting and cursing, his voice echoing through the street.
"You brainless fool! Do you even know this counts as theft?! But since I'm the great merchant Scorpion, I won't sue you—I'll just banish you from—"
He was cut off as a pouch smashed into his face, breaking his nose. It fell to the ground, followed by Takeshi's cold words:
"It contains three hundred silver coins. Take two hundred to settle Sota's debt—and a hundred for your broken nose."
Sota lifted his gaze, voice trembling,
"Takeshi—"
Takeshi smiled faintly, staring at the stars above.
"You've helped me a lot, Sota. This is nothing compared to what you've done for me."
Then he turned forward, his smile fading into a steely expression.
"You've made my path toward my goal… a little clearer."