The relic was heavy in Karl's pack.
It didn't weigh much in terms of mass, but it pressed on him with a gravity of its own, like it was meant to be carried, but not yet opened. Even when he wasn't looking at it, Karl could feel it pulsing faintly, synchronised with something in him.
Robin hadn't mentioned it since they left the facility. She kept stealing glances, though. Silent ones.
They'd found an old rowboat tucked in a sea cave beneath the cliffs. Karl had repaired the sail and rigging enough to catch the wind. Now they drifted west, the open sea before them.
Robin sat at the front, legs crossed, her oversized book in her lap. "You're not curious what's inside that thing?"
Karl shrugged. "Doesn't matter. Not yet."
"I think it does."
He didn't answer.
She watched him for a long moment, then turned her eyes to the horizon. "You're a strange man."
Karl smirked faintly. "You're not the first to say that."
By afternoon, they saw smoke in the distance.
Not thick enough for a fire.
It was the steady curl of a ship's engine—a signal that civilisation, or something close to it, was near.
Karl adjusted the sail. "We'll shadow it from a distance."
Robin squinted at the silhouette. "It's too sleek for a marine vessel. Maybe a merchant ship?"
Karl nodded. "But even merchant ships have eyes."
They gave the distant ship a wide berth, trailing the smoke trail toward land.
By nightfall, a shoreline came into view—a bustling coastal town carved into the edge of a rocky cove. Lanterns burned along the docks, casting golden reflections across the water.
"Looks like they have supplies," Robin said.
"And information," Karl added.
They docked the boat just past midnight in a shadowed inlet, away from the main harbour. Karl slung a dark cloak over his shoulders and motioned for Robin to stay close.
The town wasn't large, but it was lively. Sailors and travellers moved from taverns to inns, and children darted through alleyways with sparklers in hand.
Karl kept to the edges of the crowd, his eyes scanning for anyone in uniform—marines, bounty hunters, or anything worse.
The two slipped into a modest tavern called The Weeping Lamp. Dim lights, strong drinks, and talkative patrons.
Robin leaned toward Karl at the bar. "We could try asking about the relic. Quietly."
"Too risky," he said, eyes never stopping. "Let the world come to us."
He didn't have to wait long.
A group of men entered the tavern—rough, sunburned, their movements too sharp for casual sailors. Mercenaries, maybe bounty hunters. One of them wore a crimson scarf tied around his arm.
Karl recognised the mark immediately: Redhand Pirates.
He tensed. He knew the name.
A small-time crew with a bad reputation for digging up ancient weapons and selling them to the highest bidder.
One of them, a wiry man with a long nose, spoke loud enough for the whole tavern to hear. "Swear it! The signal came from west of the Grand Line. Big haul's waitin'—maybe even pre-World Government."
Karl's eyes narrowed.
Robin whispered, "They're tracking the Vault signal."
Karl stood and pulled his hood lower. "Time to leave."
But they were too late.
The long-nosed pirate locked eyes with Karl and smiled.
Outside, the streets had thinned. Robin stuck close to him as they weaved through alleys.
Then—footsteps.
They were being followed.
Karl pulled Robin behind a crate. He peeked out and counted four men moving toward them.
He took a breath. "Stay behind me."
The pirates rounded the corner.
"Hey!" one shouted. "That your boat in the cove? Pretty thing you got there."
Karl didn't speak.
The pirate sneered. "We're in the market for strange relics. Heard there's a black box floatin' 'round that's worth a fortune."
Another chimed in. "You wouldn't happen to know anything about that, would ya?"
Still, Karl said nothing.
They reached for weapons.
Mission Triggered: Street Skirmish
Defeat the Redhand Scouts
Bonus Objective: No Civilian Casualties
Rewards: 2 Uncommon Tickets
| Bonus: +1 Rare Ticket
Karl surged forward like a cannonball.
His fist struck the first man in the ribs, sending him flying into a wall. The second swung a baton—Karl ducked low, swept his legs, then followed with an elbow to the temple.
The third fired a flintlock pistol. Karl's foot kicked a trash bin into the air, deflecting the shot. In the same motion, he launched himself up and smashed the man's face with his knee.
The last tried to run.
Robin picked up a broken crate slat and smashed it across his back.
He dropped instantly.
Karl blinked at her.
Robin shrugged. "I have good aim."
Mission Complete
Reward: +2 Uncommon
TicketsBonus: +1 Rare Ticket
Skill Progress: Shadow Combat – 78% to Tier II
Gacha Balance Updated:
• 2 Common Tickets
• 4 Uncommon Tickets
• 4 Rare Tickets
• 1 Legendary Ticket
They disappeared into the shadows before any town guards arrived.
Back at the hidden cove, Karl pushed the boat back into the water. Robin huddled inside, frowning.
"They're going to keep coming."
Karl nodded. "They think I have something powerful."
Robin looked at him. "Do you?"
Karl didn't answer.
But the black relic pulsed again, stronger this time.
Somewhere Far Away...
A small den filled with maps and wanted posters.
A man sat at a desk, polishing his sword. He wore a red coat, and his long hair was tied into a braid that hung over one shoulder. His boots rested on a table covered in newspaper clippings about ancient weapons and forbidden projects.
A Den Den Mushi buzzed. He picked it up.
"They found something?" he asked.
A voice on the other end: "A relic. From the Whisper Era. Coordinates match the Vault ruins."
The red-coated man smiled, eyes sharp.
"Then it's time I introduced myself."
He stood.
His name was Shuzo, a bounty hunter turned relic hunter… and Karl was now on his radar.
Narrative Progression:
• Redhand Pirates introduced
• Shuzo, a powerful relic-seeker, takes interest