The night air was cool, a sharp contrast to the heat of the day. The moon hung low, casting a pale glow over the town. I stood at the edge of the rooftop, the shadows of the market barely visible below. The group that had threatened me earlier had returned to their hideout, a derelict building on the outskirts of town. The time for subtle warnings was over.
I moved silently, my dagger glinting faintly in the moonlight. Its blade was newly sharpened, a precaution I had taken earlier. The workshop had served its purpose, and my business had drawn enough attention to make it clear that staying would only lead to more confrontations. It was time to clean up loose ends.
The building loomed before me, cracked walls covered in ivy, windows dark with grime. I slipped in through a broken pane, landing on silent feet. Their voices carried from a room down the hall, laughter and taunts laced with bravado. They had no idea what was coming.
I stepped into the room swiftly, shadows swallowing my form until I was inches behind the first man. He was the smaller one from earlier, sunburned and reeking of ale. I covered his mouth, driving the dagger between his ribs with practiced precision. The room grew still as he slumped silently to the floor.
"Hey, what was that?" another voice said, the tall, scarred leader turning just in time to catch my blade across his throat. His eyes widened, a gurgle escaping as he fell, blood darkening the wooden floorboards.
Panic erupted as the remaining men scrambled for weapons, but I was already on them. The third man lunged, but I sidestepped, using his momentum against him and driving the blade into his side. He crumpled, eyes emptying of life as I withdrew the weapon. The last man's face twisted in fear, hands trembling as he backed toward the wall.
"Please, I'll leave. I swear," he choked out, voice cracking.
I met his eyes, the moon casting its cold light across the room. Mercy was not an option; weakness would invite retribution later. I lunged, ending him with a clean strike. Silence settled over the space, broken only by the soft drip of blood seeping into the cracks of the floor.
I stood still, chest heaving as I took in the carnage. The metallic scent of blood clung to me, my hands and clothes smeared in dark crimson. I stepped out onto the roof through a broken hatch, the cool night breeze meeting my face. The town below was quiet, the market now a memory of bustling crowds and whispered threats.
Sitting on the edge of the roof, I looked at my blood-stained hands. It wasn't regret that filled me, but realization. This town, with its small market and narrow ambitions, was a cage. I was wasting my potential here, tied down by petty rivalries and minor gains.
'I'm meant for more than this,' I thought, the weight of it settling over me like a shroud.
The decision was made before I even stood up. I needed to leave, to go where my intellect and skills could push me further. Technological advancement was sparse on this island; the workshops and forges were primitive compared to what I knew was possible. The stories I'd heard from travelers and old sailors about advanced islands, places where science and innovation thrived, called to me.
Wiping the blood from my face, I climbed down the side of the building and made my way back to my workshop for the last time. The streets were silent, the buildings casting dark, shifting shadows that swallowed my silhouette.
....
Inside, I moved quickly. I gathered the coins I'd earned, 40,000 berries in all, and packed them securely into a pouch tied at my waist. I left behind the half-finished projects, the tools, and the small comforts I had collected over the past few weeks. They were weights I couldn't afford to carry anymore.
I glanced at the bicycle leaning against the wall, its frame still gleaming from the last polish. A fleeting thought of taking it crossed my mind, but I dismissed it. It was better left here as an unspoken message to the town, a relic of the unknown merchant who vanished overnight.
I stepped outside, the chill of the early morning creeping into my bones. The port was a short walk, but every step felt like shedding a layer of the life I'd built. The dock workers were either asleep or too tired to notice me as I approached a modest boat tied to the pier. It wasn't much, just a small fishing vessel with sturdy sails, but it would get me to the next island.
I untied the rope and stepped aboard, the wood creaking beneath my weight. The wind picked up as I set the sails, and the boat lurched forward, slicing through the dark water with quiet determination. The town faded behind me, a cluster of lights shrinking into the distance.
....
Dawn broke as I reached open sea, the horizon painted in hues of orange and blue. I exhaled slowly, the tension in my muscles releasing as the first rays of sunlight touched my skin. The blood had dried, flaking away under the cool sea spray.
I stood at the helm, guiding the vessel toward the nearest island I knew had more advanced technology and resources. There were tales of islands with towering buildings, electric lights, and engineers who crafted things beyond the comprehension of most. Those places held the materials and minds I needed to expand beyond simple inventions.
My mind raced, already planning what I would need: blueprints for new tools, a way to integrate more complex mechanisms, perhaps even study the local techniques to incorporate them into my designs. The possibilities were as vast as the ocean around me.
The waves lapped against the boat, rhythmic and steady, as the island I left behind disappeared entirely from view. I turned my attention forward, eyes set on the horizon and what lay beyond.
A new chapter awaited, one where I would take every risk, harness every advantage, and rise beyond the shadows of anonymity. This sea had seen its share of legends, but I would carve my name into it, not as a king, not as a hero, but as something else entirely.
A storm was brewing, and I intended to be the force at its center.
....
The sun had barely crested the horizon when the outline of the new island came into view. Its shores were lined with buildings taller and more structured than those of the last town, chimneys puffing out trails of smoke and the distant hum of machinery reaching my ears.
This was a place of industry and innovation, a stark contrast to the simpler life I had just left behind. The dock was bustling even in the early light, with workers loading and unloading crates, merchants shouting deals, and seagulls circling overhead in their endless search for scraps.
I guided the boat into a free spot at the dock, tying it securely before stepping onto the busy planks. I adjusted the pouch of coins at my waist, its weight a comforting reminder of my recent earnings. The sound of gears grinding and steam hissing told me I was in the right place. This island was alive with the pulse of technology, and I intended to tap into it.