Episode 96
“Peter Pan.”
The captain of the Neverland and the one who was the Pirate King in Zeke’s past life.
Hook gritted his teeth as he spoke.
“Brother, just you wait. I’ll find Kidd’s Treasure Island before that arrogant merman and become the Pirate King. Captain Hook! Doesn’t that have a nice ring to it?”
Zeke nodded along to Captain Hook’s words, all the while pondering about Peter Pan.
“The Pirate King will emerge two years from now. That’s around the time Sister Carly goes to hunt him down.”
In this life, Zeke was determined to protect Carly Drake at all costs.
Only then could he maintain a force within the Drakes to counter Abel.
Just then, a slightly tipsy Hook chuckled and pulled something out.
“Brother, take a look at this. This is proof that I’ll claim Captain Kidd’s treasure and become the Pirate King before that Peter Pan.”
What Hook revealed was an old piece of parchment.
He unfurled it with a flourish.
“This is the map to Captain Kidd’s Treasure Island.”
Zeke, intrigued, glanced at the parchment Hook had spread out.
But most of it was faded, and the writing was in a script he had never seen before, making it impossible to decipher.
“A treasure map written in code, perhaps.”
Since Zeke couldn’t make heads or tails of it, Hook must have felt confident showing it off.
Then, unexpectedly, the system kicked in on its own.
[Detecting an ancient map.]
[Scanning and analyzing the map.]
[Analyzing and reconstructing the faded sections of the map. Marking the location on the map.]
“Huh?”
The system had analyzed the map the moment Zeke laid eyes on it.
Unaware of this, Captain Hook continued to chatter excitedly.
“No one can read this map right now. We know it’s somewhere in the Sea of Death, but the exact location is still a mystery. That’s why we’re searching the entire area.”
While Hook rambled on, the system completed its analysis of the map.
And before Zeke’s eyes, a map appeared, pinpointing the exact coordinates of the treasure island.
“Once again, I’m reminded of the system’s limitless capabilities.”
Zeke had inadvertently stumbled upon the opportunity to become the Pirate King.
At that moment, a quest window appeared.
―Achievement Quest (Advanced Mission)―
[Find the Forgotten Sea God’s Island. (No time limit)]
[Quest Mission Reward: Title - Sea God’s Blessing / Sea God’s Treasure]
“The Sea God’s Island?”
The map didn’t point to Captain Kidd’s treasure island but rather an ancient ruin.
Given the rewards of the Sea God’s Blessing and Treasure, it seemed the claim that finding the island would make one the Pirate King wasn’t entirely false.
“If Peter Pan found this island and gained the Sea God’s power, it makes sense why Sister Carly struggled.”
Judging by the system’s activation, it seemed the path to the island couldn’t be opened by ordinary means.
Zeke closed the quest window and continued to humor Hook while contemplating the Sea God’s Island.
“I need to claim the Sea God’s power before Peter Pan does.”
Realizing it would be difficult to take Karus to the island, Zeke decided to ensure his safety first before returning.
Captain Hook only returned to his ship after finishing off a crate of whiskey hidden by smugglers.
For Zeke, who had learned about the Sea God’s Island, the meeting had been nothing but beneficial.
The next day, Zeke and his companions set sail again, heading towards the southern continent with their supplies.
True to its name, the Sea of Death was treacherous, with rough waters and numerous reefs.
Fortunately, the smuggler captain was skilled enough to navigate through the perilous waters without incident.
They encountered a few pirate ships, but Zeke and Boris managed to quietly persuade them to flee, avoiding any major trouble.
After a week, Zeke and his group finally reached the southern continent. However, just before docking, the captain hesitantly asked if they could anchor elsewhere.
“Sir, do we have to dock directly at Golpa Harbor? Smugglers like us are as good as dead the moment we enter Golpa.”
Zeke reassured the captain.
“I’ll ensure your safety, so don’t worry.”
With Zeke’s assurance, the smuggler ship reached Golpa Harbor.
But the harbor was in chaos.
Rough-looking men were scattered all over the place.
Seeing this, the smugglers were visibly frightened.
“Sir, it’s the McCain Cartel.”
Though Don Juan was dead, the McCain Cartel, though reduced in size, still boasted formidable organizational strength.
Without a word, Zeke leaped off the smuggler ship, wearing his iron helmet.
The cartel members, upon seeing Zeke, assumed a defensive stance.
Then, from a distance, Simon and his subordinates came running.
With Simon’s arrival, the cartel members were taken aback, quickly lowering their weapons and standing at attention.
Simon knelt before Zeke.
“Welcome, Boss. We’ve been expecting you.”
The smugglers gaped in disbelief.
Simon Zapatero, the new boss of the McCain Cartel and the patron of the Cusco royal family, who had taken control of the northern region of the southern continent, was kneeling before Zeke.
Simultaneously, the other cartel members also knelt before Zeke.
He approached Simon.
“It’s been a while, Simon. How have you been?”
“Thanks to you, Boss. Was your journey comfortable?”
“It was a smooth voyage. Please see to it that the captain and crew are well compensated.”
“I’ll ensure they are rewarded in the name of Simon Zapatero.”
Meanwhile, Boris and Karus, their faces concealed, disembarked and boarded the carriage Simon had prepared.
Zeke also boarded the carriage, and once Simon joined them, Zeke removed his helmet and spoke.
“Can we use the portal immediately?”
Simon shook his head.
“Boss, I’m afraid the portal in Tahuan is currently inaccessible.”
“What do you mean by inaccessible?”
“The terminal is swarming with imperial soldiers.”
Zeke was taken aback by Simon’s words.
“The Empire’s forces have reached this far?”
“They might have anticipated your arrival in the south, Boss.”
Behind Abel Drake was Siemens.
They weren’t called the strategists of Siemens for nothing.
Zeke was deep in thought.
“We can’t leave the prince in the south. It’s too unstable, and anything could happen…”
The southern continent was rife with assassins and outlaws.
Zeke couldn’t stay by his side indefinitely. While he could prepare to some extent, it was impossible to fend off all the assassins coming at them from every angle.
Somehow, they needed to reach the central continent and ensure Carly Drake’s protection.
Simon spoke cautiously.
“Boss, there is one way.”
“What is it? Tell me.”
“We can cross the border and traverse the desert to reach the Holy Kingdom. The Empire’s influence doesn’t extend there.”
Hearing Simon’s suggestion, Zeke pondered.
If the portal was inaccessible, traveling by land was their only option.
Once they reached the Holy Kingdom, there were numerous ways to get to Midland, whether by land or sea.
Zeke looked at Simon.
“It seems that’s our only option. But can we get through the lawless border area? The imperial knights will be guarding it.”
“Precisely because it’s a lawless area, we can find a way through. Once we reach the upper border area, there’s a tunnel leading to the desert. It’s operated illegally, so even if the imperial forces pursue us, it will slow them down.”
Simon, having once been an outlaw himself, was able to propose such a plan.
After a moment’s thought, Zeke nodded.
“Alright. Let’s do as you suggest.”
“Understood, Boss. Rest at the safe house today, and we’ll set off tomorrow.”
The following day, Zeke and his companions donned southern attire and rode towards Tahuan.
With Simon and his subordinates escorting them, they were spared any minor nuisances.
The real challenge lay beyond Tahuan, at the border area.
Commonly referred to as the lawless zone, this area was a jurisdiction-free region comprised of several towns built on barren land.
The reason this place became a lawless zone was none other than the formation of a massive black market city.
Goods that couldn’t reach the Dorta Republic, or items and money linked to crimes, all flowed into this area, where criminals hid their identities to find work or commit further crimes to earn money.
Naturally, this place became a city where common sense and law held no sway.
If Dorta was a city of dazzling pleasure, this was a city of desire and indulgence built at the lowest point.
Given its dangerous nature, as they crossed the wasteland and entered the lawless zone, Simon warned Zeke and his group.
“From here on, be extremely cautious. Consider everyone except our group as enemies.”
Zeke nodded at Simon’s warning.
Karus, though slightly tense, seemed quite excited at the prospect of visiting the infamous black market city of the lawless zone.
Zeke and his group slowly approached a fenced area made of barbed wire in the wasteland.
There was a checkpoint there, one of the entrances to the lawless zone.
Simon approached and showed something to the guards at the checkpoint.
They whispered among themselves after seeing the token Simon presented, then went inside the checkpoint to make a call.
A moment later, he reemerged and handed Simon the pass.
“Things are tense these days. Stay sharp.”
Simon took back the pass and entered the barbed-wire enclosure with his companions.
As they walked further in, a small village came into view.
Simon turned to Zeke. “Boss, I think we should stay here for the night. Tomorrow, we’ll head to Black Market City, meet the tunnel broker, and move out immediately.”
Zeke nodded in agreement.
This village was at the edge of the lawless zone, making it somewhat less dangerous. Once they entered Black Market City, they would be risking their lives, so taking some time to regroup wasn’t a bad idea.
The group settled into the lodgings Simon had arranged, and Zeke decided to share a room with Karus to keep an eye on him.
As Zeke was unpacking, Karus approached him with something to show.
“Zeke, take a look at this. What do you think?”
Having spent so much time on the run together, Karus now spoke to Zeke with ease, and Zeke reciprocated.
“A drawing, huh? Did you make this, Karus?”
“I told you, I’m an artist. Once the drawing’s done, I’ll add a poem to match it. Then it’ll be complete.”
“A bard, is that your dream, Karus?”
Karus tucked the drawing back into his belongings. “If I were just an ordinary prince, maybe. But given the circumstances, who knows if I can ever be a simple bard. I’ll either be on the run forever or live as an exiled royal.”
Zeke gave a wry smile at Karus’s self-deprecating words.
Then Karus asked, “What about you, Zeke? Do you have a dream?”
Zeke was momentarily at a loss for words. In front of Arthur Draker, he had declared his goal to become the strongest on the continent. To seize control of the Draker family and become an absolute ruler—that was his ambition.
“A dream, huh. Is that what it is?”
Having died and come back to life, Zeke was determined to achieve what he couldn’t in the past. He looked at Karus and said, “To become the strongest on the continent. That’s what I dream of.”
Karus nodded. “The strongest on the continent. That’s no easy feat.”
Just then, Zeke sensed something suspicious.
“What is it?”
He motioned for Karus to be quiet and to hide under the bed. Karus complied without question.
Zeke pressed himself against the wall, scanning the surroundings with a keen eye.
He detected movement behind the building across from them.
“These aren’t just any outlaws. They’re trained.”
They could be assassins from a cartel, but their intentions were clearly not friendly.
Zeke tapped on the wall to signal the next room.
Soon, Boris entered.
Zeke instructed him, “Boris, tell Simon to get ready to leave immediately.”
“Understood, boss.”
Once Boris left, Zeke quickly gathered their belongings and prepared to leave the room with Karus.
Just as they were about to exit, an arrow shot through the window.
“Get down!”
The arrow exploded the moment it landed.