The ship rocked gently with the tide, but inside his room, Saishi slept peacefully, the steady rhythm of the sea blending into his dream.
In his vision, he stood in his old village — chopping wood by the fireplace just like he used to. His axe swung in fluid, practiced arcs, logs splitting in half with each heavy blow. It was peaceful.
Then... a familiar voice.
"Are you okay, son?"It was his father, smiling faintly from behind him.
Saishi turned, answering instinctively, "Yeah, Dad, I'm—"
But the words died in his throat.His father was already gone.Vanished like a shadow in the wind.
"Was that... real?" he muttered.
Thunder began to roll across the dreamscape. The village sky darkened into a swirling mass of storm clouds. Saishi's rhythm slowed, his axe now slamming into the logs with heavy, angry force.
BANG.BANG.BANG.
One more swing—A final crack of thunder—And the log he was about to split... wasn't wood anymore.
It was Paron's head, staring at him with hollow, lifeless eyes.
The axe came down— CRACK!
--------------------------------------------Scene Snap – Reality-----------------------------------------
Saishi jolted awake, his chest heaving.His hand flew to his side, reaching for his axe— but someone else was there.
A masked figure in black was already trying to snatch it.
Without hesitation, Saishi grabbed the stranger's wrist by reflex. His aura reacted instantly. His eyes glowed a deep crimson and power pulsed from his body, causing the very walls to tremble.
"WHO ARE YOU?!" he shouted.
Before the assailant could land a blow, Saishi punched him straight through the wooden cabin door. The splinters exploded outwards as the masked man hit the far wall, dazed.
From the corridor below, Hürs and Mo rushed to the scene.They looked up—eyes wide.
Saishi stood in the hallway, shirtless, eyes burning red, and aura flaring so violently it was cracking the walls of the ship around him.
"SAISHI!" they shouted together.
He raised his hand to signal:"I got this."
The masked attacker shook off the hit and ran toward the upper deck.
Saishi charged after him, ignoring the pain in his shoulder, his axe in hand.
As he reached the upper deck, the sea wind hit his face. He scanned the deck.Left.Right.
Empty.
Then—
"Above you, Saishi!"— Hürs' voice rang out from the hatch.
The masked man dropped from the mast like a phantom and stabbed Saishi's left shoulder with a small, venom-laced blade.
Saishi didn't flinch. He ripped the blade out and threw it aside."Poison?" he growled, his voice low and steady.
With gritted teeth, Saishi planted his foot and activated:
-----------------------------------------Skill Activated: Assault------------------------------------------- Rushes the target with high speed and power. Effective for surprise attacks and overpowering single foes.- Requirement: Warrior Class – 20 STR- Effect: Instant burst movement + Power Strike
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With a surge of energy, Saishi charged full-speed, slamming his opponent into the ship's railing with a thunderous impact. The wood cracked. Splinters flew. The masked figure crumpled for a second...
But Saishi dropped to his knees—His left side going numb.
The poison was taking hold.
"I can't… move this leg..." he muttered, sweat pouring down his brow.
The attacker stood up, clutching his side, limping—but still moving. He rushed toward Saishi.
Mo and Hürs ran onto the deck.
"SAISHI!"
But Saishi wasn't done yet.
He baited the attacker—Let himself fall sideways—
The attacker lunged.
Too late.
Saishi twisted, grabbed the man's wrist mid-swing, and crushed it with all the force his numb body could still muster.CRACK!Bones snapped. The man howled in pain as his wrist bent backwards unnaturally.
Hürs and Mo reached him just in time to support his weight.
"You okay, brother?" Mo asked, eyes darting to the injured limb.
"Yeah... fine… just… again?" Saishi exhaled.
"ENOUGH!"
A loud voice boomed across the deck.
Out of the darkness stepped the captain—his coat flaring in the wind.The masked attacker turned, bowing with one hand behind his back, clearly his subordinate.
"That's enough, boys," the captain said."We saw what we needed."
Jibo and Burk arrived at the top deck, eyes wide in shock.
"Are you kidding me? THIS was a test?!" Jibo shouted.
The captain nodded and reached into his coat, pulling out a phiole of glowing green liquid.
"This is the antidote to the poison," he said calmly."No need to be afraid."
One crew member handed it toward Saishi.
Jibo intercepted it, sipping the liquid carefully.(Assassin's instincts.)
"It's clean. Really is an antidote."He pushed it to Saishi's lips."Drink it, you sturdy little shit."
Saishi chuckled."Hehe… Sorry… couldn't help myself."
------------------------------------🧪 Skill Explained: Basic Poison----------------------------------
➤ Common among assassin tools. Causes numbness and temporary paralysis over time.➤ Can be resisted with high Constitution or cured with Antidote-grade potion.
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"Do you have any more surprises? What kind of quest is this?" Hürs shouted.
The captain gave them a serious look.
"This was the last test. The rest is on you now. You've proven you're fit for what awaits in the caves of Larsa. Don't fail our master."
Then he turned and walked away, leaving them stunned.
Back in the room, Mo and Hürs helped Saishi into bed. Burk raised his staff.
----------------------------------------Spell Cast: Basic Healing---------------------------------------➤ Requires 30 INT➤ Restores minor wounds over time. Available via scroll or learned from Mage Master (1000G).
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"Back up, guys," Burk said.
He placed the staff over Saishi and cast the spell.A soft glow enveloped his friend.
A few moments later, Saishi stirred.
"Man… how many times have I gotten knocked out this week?" he mumbled.
"Without my training, brother, you'd be whipped cream by now," Mo joked.
The group chuckled—but the air turned serious.
"We need to stop being so reckless," Hürs said."From now on, I'm leading. If that's okay with everyone."
They all looked at Saishi.
"I know what you're thinking, brother," Saishi said."But don't worry about me. I'm with you."
They nodded.
Hürs was now the official leader.
"Then tomorrow morning… we're getting off this damn ship."
------------------------☀️ Scene Cut – Morning in Larsa: Dock of Lukor---------------------------------
The ship docked with the rising sun. The group stepped off the deck with heavy feet.
A man in a neat outfit awaited them.
"Welcome to Lukor. I'm Taurus. You must be the group my master sent."
He eyed them all, then chuckled.
"Congratulations… you're the first ones who actually made it here alive. Oh—forget I said that."
The group didn't react.They were done being surprised.
"We know what he is. Just give us the instructions." Hürs answered bluntly.
Taurus nodded.
"Head to the northern quarter of town. There's a tavern called Magda's Rest. You'll be staying there. Everything's paid for."
"Thanks," Hürs said, already turning away.
"Don't melt in the heat!" Taurus added with a wink.
The air in Larsa was dry, thick with heat. The further they walked from the ocean, the hotter it got.
"I hate this damn heat," Hürs muttered.
"You always did, brother," Mo laughed."Even when we were kids."
The volcanic terrain of Larsa stretched before them like an open furnace.
They finally arrived at the tavern. Hürs burst inside.
"ONE COLD—ANYTHING COLD—PLEASE!"
A strong-looking tavern woman chuckled behind the counter.
"Easy, big guy. I've got something cold for ya."
Saishi stepped in behind him."Sorry, ma'am. He really can't take the heat."
"Totally normal around here," she replied."Name's Magda. You the ones that shady guy sent?"
"Yeah… that's us," Saishi said politely.
"Figures. Your rooms are upstairs—right side. Real fancy. Paid a lot."
"He's... generous," Hürs muttered, chugging a pear juice like it was liquid gold.
"The less I know, the better," Magda laughed as she walked away.