The next day, we arrived at the center of Murcia City, located on the western edge of the Empire's territory. This city served as a major trade hub between the Empire and the Kingdom of Thrasia. The small sea separating the two lands was known as the Strait of Murcia, home to a total of forty islands.
"Come, buy! Quality clothing from Kuwalid lands!"
"Cheap magic potions! We've got enlargement potions, muscle enhancement potions—everything right here!"
I was at the harbor market of Murcia City. The academy students were going to spend a day here before sailing to one of the islands in the Murcia Strait. However, in the game, the students' group would be attacked by a band of pirates.
Some would be killed, and others kidnapped for ransom.
I had designed this event in the game as an introduction for players when beginning the Survival Trial.
At the moment, I was heading to the port, looking for a sailor to take me to a specific location.
"Greetings! Is there anything you need here?"
A man wearing a sailor's cap suddenly approached me.
"Do you offer sea transportation?" It didn't matter who; I just needed a boat to take me to the pirates' hideout.
"Of course, sir! How many ships will you need?" he asked.
"Just one." I didn't need a large crew to take down the pirates. "Does your ship have a lifeboat?"
"Yes, indeed, sir. It'll cost 20 silver for a day's hire," the sailor replied.
I handed him a Gulden coin. As he reached to give me the change, I stopped him.
"Keep the change."
"Th-thank you very much, noble sir! My ship will sail wherever you desire!" the sailor exclaimed, clearly excited.
Hearing this, I flashed a wicked smile. "We'll sail to Rocky Island tonight, Captain."
The sailor's face turned pale at my destination.
"B-but sir, that island is known to be a pirate hideout."
That's exactly why I was going—to stop the pirates from attacking the ship carrying the academy students.
"That's why I'm paying you extra, isn't it?" I said, gesturing to the gold coin in his hand.
The sailor hesitated for a moment before making up his mind. "Alright, I'll take you there," he finally agreed. "But I'll only go as close as two kilometers from the island."
I nodded in agreement. After all, it would be too conspicuous to approach the island with a large ship.
With the boat secured, I headed to the residence of Count Juan de Murcia to meet Elena, who had some business with him.
Earlier, I had informed Elena about Count Juan's illegal smuggling of a rare mineral called Bagermith stone to the Kingdom of Thrasia.
The Empire had banned the export of Bagermith because it was crucial in creating S-tier Mana Cores, the primary ingredient in crafting powerful artifacts for the Empire's military.
Yet, Count Juan secretly sold it abroad at ten times the price, making a fortune by selling it to the Kingdom of Thrasia, which lacked access to Bagermith mines.
In the game, this revelation was a side quest from a disgruntled miner fed up with the Count's refusal to pay them fairly.
I had asked Elena for permission to negotiate with Count Juan on her behalf. My plan was to blackmail him into supporting Princess Elena's bid for the imperial throne, or I'd expose his illegal dealings to the Minister of Commerce.
However, Elena insisted on handling it herself.
As far as I knew, she didn't have great diplomatic skills. She was honest and brave by nature, but also prone to losing her temper when faced with injustice or crime.
When I arrived at the Count's residence, I saw Elena emerging from his home. She spotted me and approached.
"How did the negotiation go?" I asked, noticing her downcast expression.
"Well... you know..." she trailed off.
Judging by her demeanor, I already knew the negotiation had failed.
"It didn't go well, did it?" I asked.
"Ah, no, the negotiation went fine. The Count agreed to support me in the upcoming imperial succession."
Huh? Then why was she acting so strange?
"It's just... you know, the Count offered me money from his smuggling operations to fund my campaign," Elena said, her voice heavy. "I must be the worst, right? Doesn't this mean I'm benefiting from crime?"
So that's what was bothering her. I suppose it made sense, given she was only seventeen. In my world, someone her age would never have to deal with national politics.
I had to admit, this was typical. When someone commits a crime in government, they tend to involve others to avoid getting caught too easily.
I didn't trust Count Juan's promises right away. He might have already made a deal with another candidate. Offering support and money to Elena could be his way of stalling, waiting to see how the succession race would unfold.
If the candidate he truly favored gained an advantage, he would surely withdraw his support from Elena, confident in the other's victory.
Was this what people called playing both sides?
"Elena, I don't think we should accept Count Juan's offer just yet."
"Huh? Why not? Wasn't it your idea to blackmail him into supporting us in the first place?" she asked, clearly confused.
It was probably wise to investigate who Count Juan truly intended to support.
Hmm... should I assign Karl to place his agents in the city to gather intel on Count Juan's connections?
"For now, I suggest you write a letter to the Minister of Commerce requesting an inspection of the city's mining activities. With your status as the Emperor's daughter, you can do that, can't you?"
That would force Count Juan to contact the candidate he truly supported for help.
"Yes, I can do that," Elena agreed, nodding.
If all went according to plan, we'd find out whether Count Juan was someone we could recruit to our faction. If he came to Elena for help, it would mean he had no strong ties to other candidates and could be persuaded to join us. But if he turned to another candidate, then we would know he was an enemy to be dealt with.
"By the way, Elena," I said, remembering why I had come to see her in the first place. "Do you have any Supreme-tier lightning spell scrolls?"
A spell scroll was a rune inscribed on magical parchment. Anyone with sufficient mana could use the spell contained within it. However, crafting spell scrolls was difficult unless the mage fully understood the spell's formula.
"I have three of those scrolls," Elena said, looking puzzled. "But what do you need a scroll worth a hundred Gulden for?"
I gave her a knowing smile. "I'm going fishing tonight."
.
.
.
Later that night, I was heading toward the harbor with one member of the disciplinary committee. I needed her skills for this mission.
"Captain, what are we doing out here at this hour? Shouldn't we be resting for the exam tomorrow?" asked Viera, an archer and member of the discipline committee.
"Don't worry about that. Let's see how much you've improved," I replied.
We spotted the karavel docked at the pier, with the sailor from earlier leaning against the ship's bow.
"Ah, noble sir, you're here!" the sailor called out.
Some of the crew were preparing the ship to set sail, pulling up the anchor.
"Are you ready to take us?" I asked.
"Of course, climb aboard!" the sailor replied enthusiastically.
Viera and I climbed up the ship's side, and the crew hoisted the sails to head toward Rocky Island—the pirates' hideout.
"How long will it take to get there, Captain?" I asked.
"About four hours, sir!" the sailor answered.
I remembered that a karavel could sail at speeds of up to 8 knots. That meant Rocky Island was roughly 60 kilometers from the harbor.
Once aboard, I explained my plan to Viera: we were going to destroy the pirate ships at Rocky Island. She seemed shocked when I told her we'd be facing hundreds of pirates.
"But Captain, how could you possibly fight so many pirates?" Viera asked, clearly doubting my plan.
"Well... Viera, who would win if a giant tiger fought 100 humans?" I asked, trying to teach her something.
"Of course, the humans would win!" she answered logically.
"But a month ago, a tiger attacked a village, killing twelve people. By the time the Patrol Guard arrived, the tiger had already escaped into the forest. What do you think that means?"
Viera paused for a moment, pondering. "Ah, panic! Panic makes people disorganized, turning them into easy prey for the tiger!"
"Exactly. Under the right conditions, one person can defeat a hundred," I said, pleased with Viera's quick understanding. "We'll get within 150 meters of their ships, and you'll shoot flaming arrows at them from the sea."
Hearing this, Viera's expression shifted. Shooting from a boat, with its constant motion from the waves, was far more difficult than shooting from solid ground.
"If they start chasing you, don't stop shooting. I'll be hiding, ready to strike them from the shadows. Understand?"
Viera simply nodded.
After four hours of sailing, we finally spotted the island in the distance, shrouded in darkness. The glow of campfires lit up the pirate's beachside camp.
"This is as close as we can get, sir. Any closer, and they'll spot our ship," the sailor said.
"Understood, Captain, but we'll need to borrow one of your rowboats."
The crew lowered a small boat into the water for us, and Viera and I climbed in, rowing toward the shore, where many pirate ships were anchored.
"Alright, Viera, I'll hide near their ships now. Wait for my signal to start shooting," I instructed.
"Understood, Captain."
After giving Viera her instructions, I began swimming toward the shore. The pirates were busy drinking and partying. I also noticed some women they had kidnapped. However, my mission wasn't to rescue them tonight.
Once I reached the shore, I moved carefully, trying not to make a sound. There were a total of five pirate ships on the island.
"Hey, is it true we're going after a big target tomorrow?"
"Yeah, I heard the boss has planned an attack. If we succeed, we'll be able to take plenty of noble children as hostages."
I overheard two pirates talking near the ship's bow about their upcoming raid.
I signaled to Viera, who was waiting in the rowboat, to start firing flaming arrows at the ships.
Viera lit a fire, dipped an arrow wrapped in straw into oil, and drew her bow. She aimed high, releasing the flaming arrow into the sky.
"Hey, isn't that a shooting star?" one of the pirates asked, pointing at the arrow flying overhead.
"Hmm… you mean a flaming arrow heading straight for us?"
They stared at each other in confusion, finally realizing they were under attack.
—Whoosh!
Viera's flaming arrow pierced through the ship's sail, setting it ablaze. Not long after, more arrows began landing on the ship's deck, igniting it further.
"We're under attack! We're under attack!"
"Quick, put out the fire, you fools!"
Some pirates rushed to extinguish the spreading flames, while others dove into the sea to attack Viera, who continued shooting at their ships from the water.
"There she is! Kill that woman!" one of the pirates shouted, swimming toward Viera, who wasn't far from the shore.
Seeing them enter the water, I pulled out the magic scroll I had received from Elena earlier today.
Twenty... twenty-one... twenty-two...
Thirty... thirty-one... thirty-two... This should be enough.
I channeled my mana into my palm and pressed it against the scroll. I could feel it drawing a significant amount of my Mana.
Not long after, a rune appeared on my right hand.
Pointing my right hand toward the pirates, I began chanting the magic incantation.
"The wind howls through the sky, the dragon roars like lightning in a storm…"
A flash of yellow lightning appeared in my hand.
"Lightning Burst!"
A bolt of lightning shot toward the pirates. With them standing in the seawater, the electricity coursed through their bodies with extra intensity.
Smoke billowed from their mouths and ears. There was no doubt—they were all dead.
Just like that, around 30 pirates had been killed instantly.
I jumped onto one of the pirate ships to deal with those trying to put out the fire.
"Huh? Who are you?!"
"He's one of the intruders! Kill him!"
Four pirates charged at me with swords.
One of them lunged at me, but I sidestepped and sliced off his hand.
"Aaaghh! My hand! Nooo!"
The three remaining pirates attacked in unison, not giving me a chance to counter.
I jumped back to create some distance and prepared to strike. The pirates rushed toward me.
With a hard stomp, I launched myself forward using the Charging technique, catching the three pirates off guard with my speed.
—Slash!
Three heads flew into the air. I had sliced through their necks all at once.
—Crack!
The sound of wood breaking came from the pirate ship, now engulfed in flames. I quickly jumped to another ship, where a few more pirates were trying to extinguish the burning mast.
I swiftly cut them down before they could react.
After killing the pirates, I spotted a huge man on the shore. Our eyes met, and he leaped onto the ship, landing on the deck.
"Who are you, stranger, to dare destroy my fleet?" he growled. He was the captain of this pirate group.
"I am your Creator," I answered, readying myself for battle. "I've come to annihilate you all."
"Enough of this nonsense!" The large man unsheathed his sword.
He was Captain Zack Swallow—the boss of the pirate assault event in Path of Destiny. In the game, he had two health bars and was level 20.
He was powerful, but his agility was lacking. His high stamina made him difficult to defeat with attrition strategies, frustrating many players.
The quickest way to beat him was to fight aggressively but not recklessly, or else you'd fall victim to his surprisingly fast combo attacks.
Fighting him one-on-one, on a burning pirate ship, felt like an intense boss battle straight out of the game—if only the boss music were playing in the background.
"I'll carve you to pieces!" Zack Swallow roared, charging at me.
His massive sword was truly intimidating.
I rolled to the left, dodging his strike, and slashed at his leg. However, the wound wasn't deep. It seemed he had activated Steel Body
He is Captain Zack Swallow—a Boss in the pirate raid event in the game Path of Destiny. In the game, he has two Health Bars and is at level 20.
He has strong Power with weak Agility. I set his Stamina status quite high, making it difficult for Players who choose the Attrition strategy to defeat him.
The fastest way to defeat him is to play aggressively but not too greedily if you don't want to get killed by his quick special combo.
This Boss Combo will surprise players who think that Zack Swallow doesn't have a quick attack.A one-on-one situation with a battle arena on a burning pirate ship, this would be an interesting Boss Fight if only the Boss Music from the game could be heard.
"I will chop you into pieces until there's nothing left!" shouted Zack Swallow as he ran towards me.
His big sword is very intimidating.I rolled to the left to avoid his attack and then swung my sword towards his legs.
However, the wound produced is not too deep.
I think he has activated the Steel Body magic, making his body as hard as iron.With this, a regular attack will not be enough to penetrate his body.
But, I created this magic, I know the weaknesses of using Steel Body magic.
"Ora, ora, ora, oraaa!"Zack Swallow attacked recklessly, I kept rolling and jumping to avoid his strikes, looking for an opportunity to counterattack.
"Die, you!"Zack swung his sword horizontally.
I ducked to avoid it, his powerful slash split the mast in two.
I then rolled forward and swung my sword towards the joint of his right leg.
"Aghhhhh!" Zack screamed in pain.
He then tried to attack me again.I rushed to avoid him, it seemed Zack Swallow was now struggling to stand on both feet.
"Damn you!"
Well... Steel Body is a magic to harden the body. However, if the user wants to be able to move while the magic is active, they must not coat their joints with that magic.
That's why a Knight's Armor is divided into several parts so they can move freely while wearing their Armor.
"Come here, you filthy kid!"
Zack tried to attack me again, but it was all in vain. I can easily read his attacks and then strike his joints with a counterattack.
"You're quite nimble too, Kid!"
Zack's breath looked labored, there were cuts all over the joints of Zack's body. Blood began to soak his body, making his appearance quite terrifying.
"But this isn't over yet, Uwahhhhh!" Zack tore his shirt and started beating his chest.
Berserk, huh? He entered the second stage of the Boss Fight.
At this stage, he can ignore all pain and also enhance his Power and Agility status.His skin turned red, and all his hair started to stand on end. Zack lifted the torn sail mast.Is he planning to use it as a weapon?
"Grahhhhh!"
He swung the large pole quickly.I tried to avoid his attack. A loud crash was heard caused by the attack. The wood splintered, showcasing the power of Zack's swing.
Not stopping there, Zack attacked me again. I had quite a hard time avoiding it this time.
Zack then swung the pole low. I reflexively jumped to avoid it. However, Zack quickly reversed the pole and swung it again.
"Damn, Repel!"
-Bam!
My body was thrown back by his attack. My hand felt numb from holding back its strong swing.
I landed on the beach. I saw Zack jump high into the air and then land right in front of me.
"I won't let you escape, Kid!"
My mana is almost depleted after using that magic scroll...
I have to kill him in this one attack now.
"Die ..."
My sword began to emit a light. I infused my sword with as much mana as possible and held it there.
- Wossshh.
Again, Zack swung the large pole vertically to attack me. The tip of the pole appeared to be engulfed in flames, making his attack somewhat terrifying.
I dodged to the left and then jumped onto that pole. Using the Charging technique, I could easily be in front of Zack's surprised face.
"Ughhhh! My eyes, my eyes...!"
I stabbed his eye with my sword. It made him thrash uncontrollably.
"Release... "
The moment I recited the incantation, Zack's head exploded. My clothes and face are dirty with his disgusting blood.His large body then collapsed.
"It-it's impossible... The boss has been defeated..."
Seeing their Captain killed, the pirates dropped their weapons and fled deep into the forest.