Creak... creak... creak... The cargo hold door crept open.
"You better not be wasting my time with some half-baked lead."
"Come on, it's solid. If this pans out, you'll get your share."
"And if it doesn't?"
"I already said—next time we dock, drinks are on me."
The gatekeeper siren clicked his tongue but finally pulled his arm away from the doorway.
"Heh, thanks, big brother." Grinning apologetically, the shifty siren bent low and slithered into the hold.
"Hold on."
"Huh... What is it now, big brother?"
"I'm coming with you."
"Ah..." The sneaky siren hesitated for a beat, then quickly recovered. "Of course, of course! We'd be lost without your guidance."
Today was a docking day. After months at sea, the crew had been itching for this moment, eagerly awaiting their turn to go ashore.
While sirens were creatures of the sea by nature, this particular band of pirates defied such conventions. They had long since traded the open ocean for a life of raiding and revelry.
The captain, as usual, had picked a few unlucky souls to stay aboard while the rest indulged themselves in town.
This port was a familiar stop, and under the protection of a certain count, they had little to fear—no interference, no attacks.
It didn't take long for those left behind to start grumbling at their posts.
Neglect of duty? No, there was plenty of neglect—but no duty.
"Hey, what do you think you're doing?"
"Huh?"
In the cargo hold, the gatekeeper siren barked at another crew member who had started fiddling with a lantern.
"Do you even know what's in here? And you're thinking about lighting that thing?"
The gatekeeper scowled, his voice dropping into an urgent whisper.
"I just thought a little light might make things easier to see..."
"What, is your sensory organ just for show?"
"Hahaha... My bad, my bad. First time down here, you know? Cut me some slack, big brother."
The gatekeeper was known for his short temper, especially since he'd be the one held responsible if anything went wrong.
"Just get it done, and don't try anything stupid."
"Got it, got it..."
Even though it had been his idea to come here, the sneaky siren knew better than to push his luck with the gatekeeper. After all, whether they succeeded or not hinged entirely on the gatekeeper's cooperation.
His thoughts were already racing ahead: grab the goods, hand the inventory list over to the goblin contact, and...
Even before they had secured the treasure, his mind was consumed with fantasies of the riches to come.
A fortune—a massive fortune beyond anything he'd ever seen in his life!
Heh heh...
He couldn't suppress a giddy grin as he imagined how he'd spend it all.
So much money! Where should I even—
Thud!
His daydreaming was abruptly cut short when he walked straight into the gatekeeper, who had suddenly stopped.
"Big brother? What's going on?"
"...Something's off."
The gatekeeper's expression had darkened, his sharp gaze darting around as if tracking something invisible.
"Light your lantern!"
"Huh?"
"Do it! Now!"
"Y-yes, sir!"
The gatekeeper's voice rose sharply. Before the other siren could even get the lantern lit, the gatekeeper had already charged toward something lurking in the shadows.