Malik attempted to manipulate his crew against Zuriel, using his brainwashing skill on them and their contracted tamed beasts. But his plans failed. Despite being utterly defeated, Zuriel continued to visit his cell daily, taunting, insulting, and rage-baiting him, desperately trying to reassert his shattered sense of superiority.
If anything, this version of Zuriel was even more irritating than the last.
Malik, however, remained patient. He knew his stepfather was on the way, leading their forces to rescue him. Three days later, a battle erupted. The sounds of war raged outside his cell. It was too fierce and chaotic to ignore. However, as quickly as the battle began, it ended, leaving him confused.
He was still imprisoned, and his stepfather had not come for him.
Zuriel's ship was still afloat, standing as if nothing had happened.
This troubled him. How had Zuriel and his crew managed to survive against their overwhelming force?
Even more unsettling was that a crewman had been stationed to guard him.
Malik tried to speak with them, to demand answers, but they dismissed his words. He realized that something was wrong; something was terribly wrong. For the first time since his capture, Malik found himself eagerly waiting for Zuriel to appear.
He needed answers. He needed to understand what had happened. Fortunately, he didn't have to wait long.
Malik noticed two familiar figures stepping in front of his cell.
….......
Zuriel and Finn arrived at Malik's cell and saw a bald man with a burly build dressed in a loose grey linen shirt that exposed his toned chest, a pair of black trousers held up by a wide belt, and a pair of black boots on his feet.
Beside him was a magical beast resembling an armadillo, standing at 1.07 meters (3.51ft). Its back was covered with white bony spikes that almost resembled those of a hedgehog.
This was the crewman Finn had entrusted with guarding Malik's cell.
Upon their arrival, the man immediately greeted them respectfully, subtly glancing at Zuriel with an expression tinged with reverence and respect.
"You can wait outside. I will inform you once we are finished," Finn commanded.
The man nodded, unsummoned his magical beast, and swiftly exited the brig.
After ensuring they were alone, Zuriel met Malik's gaze and grinned.
"How are you still alive? I thought you were killed by the bandits you encountered. How do you plan to have the strength to face the Salt Rock Shelter Leader and his crew when they arrive? Why don't you just give up and accept that this situation is beyond you?" Malik said, clenching his teeth tightly as he looked at Zuriel.
"Or do you want to lose all your crewmen before you realize the truth? Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised. After all, your father failed to realize what he was getting into when he plotted the destruction of the Salt Rock Shelter."
Despite not receiving an answer from the crewman ordered to guard him, Malik had heard the battle that raged the previous night. Initially, he thought his stepfather had located them and was coming to rescue him. But after waiting for an extended period and no one showing up, Malik began to doubt the identity of the ship that had attacked Zuriel and his crew the night before.
Malik was sure they could not escape the Salt Rock Shelter Leader's grasp. He suspected they had encountered another ship and a group of wild, magical beasts that had attacked them, leading to a brutal confrontation.
If Zuriel had encountered the Salt Rock Shelter Leader, he would have been freed by now. Instead, Zuriel would be in his place, alongside his crew, enduring an even worse punishment.
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[ System's notification ]
Action: You have successfully made the main character doubt himself.
Reward: +1,600EP
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Hearing Malik's words, Zuriel frowned, glancing at the system's notification. "What are you talking about? We didn't face any bandits. We encountered the Salt Rock Shelter Leader and managed to force him to retreat before making our way out," he responded, grinning wildly.
"You should have seen his face when he was forced to retreat, realizing he couldn't rescue you today." He glanced at his system's notification and smiled inwardly.
Malik's expression fell, and he immediately shook his head. "You're lying. You or anyone on this ship could not escape the Salt Rock Shelter Ship! It's impossible!" His voice was filled with anger.
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[ System's notification ]
Action: ( Combo x2 ) You have successfully made the main character doubt himself.
Reward: + 3,200EP
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"It seems that you don't believe me. Very well, I don't care if you do. I just came here to inform you that your stepfather came looking for you. Unfortunately, I'm not ready to return you yet, as you haven't completed your punishment for sneaking onto my ship and attacking me, the Captain. He was able to successfully retreat, so you should be grateful for my benevolence," Zuriel responded, his tone firm and clear, leaving no room for doubt.
Standing beside him, Finn nodded firmly, agreeing with Zuriel's words. Although Zuriel hadn't directly faced off against the Salt Rock Shelter Leader, it was thanks to his plan and unique beast skills that they had managed to draw out a formidable beast from the sea, which directly challenged the Salt Rock Shelter's beast, forcing him to retreat and granting them the opportunity to escape.
So, in a way, Zuriel had indeed forced the Salt Rock Shelter Leader to retreat.
"...How did you find out about that information?" Malik's eyes widened as he realized that Zuriel knew the Salt Rock Shelter Leader was his stepfather.
However, as he thought about it, Malik realized it was possible that the Zahara Household had gotten this information a long time ago and decided to keep it secret, hoping to use it against him.
As the third child of the Zahara Household, Zuriel could have easily learned this secret. If that was the case, it made sense why Zuriel hadn't retaliated by torturing him but had instead kept him alive up until now. Knowing their deep bond, he likely planned to use him against the Salt Rock Shelter Leader.
Still, Malik found it hard to believe that Zuriel had encountered the Salt Rock Shelter Leader and his crew yesterday and had forced them to retreat. It seemed impossible for someone like Zuriel to accomplish such a feat!
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[System's notification ]
Action: You have successfully become the focus of the main character's suspicion.
Reward: +1,000EP
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"Impossible! You're lying! You could not have done that by yourself without external help. That's right!... The Head of the Zahara Household would never send his youngest child out on the dangerous seas alone. There's a formidable beastmaster protecting you in secret," Malik said, his eyes scanning the cell as if trying to spot the beastmaster protecting Zuriel. He gritted his teeth in anger and frustration.
How could such a weak man have forced his stepfather to retreat? He couldn't believe anything they said.
"REVEAL YOURSELF! I AM GOING TO PAY TEN TIMES MORE THAN THE ZAHARA HOUSEHOLD HAD PAID FOR YOU TO PROTECT HIM!" Zuriel raised his head and shouted, his voice reverberating across the cell.
However, there was no response.
"I CAN AID YOU IN BECOMING A POWERFUL BEASTMASTER, SURPASSING EVEN YOUR OWN POTENTIAL! REVEAL YOURSELF, AND I WILL DO WHATEVER IT TAKES TO FULFILL MY PROMISE!" he shouted again. But, as before, there was no answer. Only his voice echoed within the confines of the cell.
Witnessing the scene, Finn shook his head in pity. He had once thought that Zuriel had a formidable beastmaster ordered by the Head of the Zahara Household to protect him in secret. Fortunately, he had learned early on that no one was protecting Zuriel; he was competent enough to protect himself.
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[ System's notification ]
Action: You have successfully made the main character doubt himself.
Reward: +1,600EP
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[ .... (Combo x2) You have successfully made the main characters doubt themselves.... ]
Observing his Editor Points increase steadily, Zuriel smiled inwardly as he watched Malik's pitiful display.
Malik's eyes darted around the cell before he stopped and nibbled on his lip. "TCHH!!" he hissed angrily. He was anxious but did his best to hide his emotions. He focused on Zuriel and said, "It doesn't matter what beastmaster the Zahara Household sent to protect you. It won't be enough to protect you from the Salt Rock Shelter. He will chase you to the ends of the world until you surrender."
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[ System's notification ]
Action: You have successfully provoked the main character's anger through your reckless actions.
Reward: +1,500EP
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"I know, and I'm expecting that. My plan is to eliminate the Salt Rock Shelter Leader. That won't work if he suddenly gives up," Zuriel nodded, his grin widening.
Sure enough, collecting Editor points this way was lucrative. But he made sure not to push too hard, as his plan was to get Malik to keep interacting with him, not to make him fear and remain silent.
Malik's eyes widened.