The sun had not yet appeared on the horizon over Appleseed Town. But the workshop inside the Silent Mermaid, currently disguised as the mundane Ocean Wanderer, was already thick with the smell of sulfur, grease, and hot metal. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

They had Chloe, an inheritor of fortune. But, Jack didn't want to rely purely in luck. He believed in preparation. He believed in superior firepower... and the cold hard data of his information panel.

As one who didn't need much rest, Jack didn't want to waste time. If they were heading into a phenomenon known for eating ships, they weren't going in under-geared.

In the sound-proofed belly of the Ocean Wanderer, Jack's workshop was a hive of activity. Jack had started to work long before dawn. Crafting the various types of ammunitions for their steamrune rifles and grenade launchers.

Some time later, in the morning, Moby, Ned, and Bell, the Baroness's loyal retainers, joined him and acted as his assistants. They weren't smiths or engineers. But they were disciplined.

Jack taught them the procedures. Then, he had them strip down the standard lead rounds and prepare the brass casings.

"Careful with that etching, Ned!" Jack said in flat but firm voice.

He was in his craftsman mode. His sleeves were rolled up to reveal muscular forearms. He wasn't purely working with muscles though. He did use his mystic power and [Mysterious Anomaly] telekinesis. Not for the sake of flair. But for efficiency.

He held a bullet afloat with telekinesis and enlarged it with his [Steamrune Expansion] power. Then, his [Eyes of Judgement] pinpointed the molecular patterns in the metal. With rune-carver knives in both of his steady hands, he inscribed a practical rune of 'Piercing' and 'Disruption' into the slug. And then, he turned it back into its original size.

He repeated his actions again and again. These weren't just bullets. They were steamrune-reinforced projectiles designed to shatter armors and thick hides of sea monsters.

"Moby, keep the pressure at exactly forty degree on the steam-press." Jack reminded Moby. "Don't forget that. If it drops, the seal on the grenades won't hold when the volatile essence is injected."

Moby nodded. His face slick with sweat. "Aye, Captain!"

While the workshop hummed with the sounds of industrial creation, the rest of the crew was equally busy.

Above deck, Argust Osprey and Don Donson were checking the ships and the supply. They weren't just stocking food. They were checking every barrel for rot and every sack of grain for any problem. In many types of mystical fog, supplies could turn bad faster than a man's luck.

The healer sisters, Serene and Autumn, and Mirella could be seen moving back and forth from the town’s apothecary. They weren't just buying bandages. They were gathering catalysts for their restorative spells. Materials that would work best when they were mixed with the magical fruits and herbs harvested from Jack's Mirror Mansion's orchard.

Leon Drake and Barnaby were the eyes and ears on the ground. They spent their afternoon in the seediest corners of the Salty Rind Tavern and the docks.

Leon, a veteran treasure hunter, knew how to hold a conversation and smell a lie. Barnaby, on the other hand, was a bard. He knew how to be friendly and loosen a tongue with a song and a drink.

By the evening, the crew gathered for a final briefing in the mess hall.

"So, how is it?" Jack asked. Leaning against the back of his chair.

Rune, his fairy guide, fluttered near his shoulder. Her body pulsing with a soft, steady purple light. A sign of curiosity.

Leon Drake drank the water in his glass. "Wellcrow's the real deal. He has quite a mixture of reputation. Not exactly a degenerate, but he was no saint either. The problem is... he's desperate."

He looked at Jack directly. "That 'brother' story? Surprisingly, it might actually be true. That makes him even more dangerous. It makes him unpredictable. He's recruited four other ships. A motley crew of cutthroats... and one idiot."

Barnaby chimed in, "The idiot is a lad named Arthur Vance. Claims he's an 'Explorer of the Unknown'. He's got a shiny new ship and a crew of youngsters that looks like they’ve never seen a day of combat."

"As for the others..." Barnaby continued. "Well, they don't have good reputation. Very likely... smugglers, or even pirates. They seem to recognize Wellcrow's strength, so they're following his lead for now. But I bet they'll turn the moment they see gold or blood."

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Jack nodded. Digesting the information. Then, he looked at Baroness Artheim, Reina, and Chloe. They were supposed to research the Hungry Mist phenomenon.

Reina looked up from a stack of old journals. Her long black hair was tied back. And her eyes were sharp.

"The information about the Hungry Mist is inconsistent, Dear." She said. "Some say it shows the characteristics of a living organism. Others say it has similar characteristics of a localized spatial rift."

Baroness Artheim added. "None of the observers and theorists dare to come to close to the mist. So, it makes sense for their information to be so different. But one thing is consistent though... the compasses fail the moment they are close enough to the mist."

"Which is why we aren't relying on compass needles." Jack said. "Rune doesn't depend on magnetic field for her guidance. She should be fine."

He then looked at Argust, Don, and the healer sisters. "Are we ready?"

"The supplies are secured. We are all ready. We can sail anytime." Argust Osprey replied confidently. His voice carried the weight of his navigator's responsibility.

"Alright!" Jack decisively said. "Raise the anchor then. Let's set out right now."

...

As the sun dipped below the horizon, the Ocean Wanderer quietly slipped its moorings. It looked like any other sloop leaving port early to beat the morning traffic.

But as soon as the lights of Appleseed Town became mere pinpricks in the distance, Jack gave instruction. "Rune! Drop the disguise!"

Rune glowed an intense purple color. A thick, illusory wave began to roll out from her body. Coating the wood of the ship.

A subtle tremor ran through the whole ship. Then, the Ocean Wanderer's regular sails, mast, figurehead, and hull began to distort, shimmer... and then unravel.

The plain white canvas of the sails turned black and shredded. Becoming gloomy and slightly translucent. The deep brown color of the wooden hull faded. Replaced by old, rotten timber, encrusted by barnacles.

The beautiful mermaid figurehead opened her mouth and was frozen in silent, sorrowful wail. The name 'Ocean Wanderer' on the stern shifted into the 'Silent Mermaid'. Carved in bone-white script.

And then, parts of the hull, the deck, and the mast burst out. Cold, silent purple flames appeared like ghastly sources of light. Soft white mist began to spill from the gunwales. Pooling around the water line.

The Ocean Wanderer was no more. It was now the Silent Mermaid. A ghost ship. A spooky, mysterious vessel born of supernatural energy. Silent and swift.

"Argust! Full stealth mode." Jack ordered the navigator through his internal communication system.

The Silent Mermaid suddenly vanished from sight. Becoming a ghost in the literal sense.

...

They reached the meeting point south of Orchard Island long before dawn. They were waiting there until dawn. Like an invisible hunter waiting for its preys.

Just before dawn, the ones they were waiting for appeared. In the distance, five silhouettes moved on the water. Slowly approaching while waiting for the first light.

The ocean was still dark and choppy. But Jack's eyes saw everything clearly. He stood by the railing. His steamrune binoculars were pressed to his eyes.

"Let's see what we're dealing with." Jack muttered. He activated [Eyes of Judgement] and focused on the flagship first.

[Object Name: White Crow]

[Vessel Type: Modified Battle Frigate]

[Affiliation: -]

[Threat Level: Moderate]

[Karma Signature: Negative]

[Cargo: Stolen Weapons, Ceremonial Rums, Treasure Level Artifact]

[Task: Leading an expedition to explore the Hungry Mist.]

That was Captain Wellcrow's ship. It surprisingly carried a powerful enough artifact. This Wellcrow was indeed pretty capable.

Next, he turned the lenses toward a sleek, dark-painted vessel that sat low in the water. It looked like a shark waiting to strike.

[Object Name: Black Adder]

[Vessel Type: Iron-Reinforced Corvette]

[Affiliation: Black Market Syndicate]

[Threat Level: Low]

[Karma Signature: Negative]

[Cargo: Illicit Narcotics, Experimental Potions, Explosives]

[Task: Joining the expedition to explore the Hungry Mist.]

A smuggler affiliated to the Black Market, huh? Just like what Barnaby had suspected. Definitely a suspicious group.

Then, Jack focused the target to the largest of the group. A bulky galleon. It was not in a good shape. It looked like it had seen a hundred battles and lost half of them.

[Object Name: Blood Butcher]

[Vessel Type: Armed Merchant Galleon]

[Affiliation: Glorious Pirates]

[Threat Level: Moderate]

[Karma Signature: Extremely Negative]

[Cargo: Sealed Demon Beasts, Cursed Coins]

[Task: Joining the expedition to explore the Hungry Mist. Stealing the Mist Core of the Hungry Mist.]

Jack immediately swore when he saw the information. It was another ship affiliated to the Glorious Pirates. Just like Khezam Gillbuster and his ship, the Dragon Queen that he previously annihilated. Would the captain of this Blood Butcher also turn into an otherworld demon upon death?

Jack clicked his tongue in exasperation. These glorious things were too troublesome.

He ignored it for now and looked at the fourth ship. It was another small ship. A schooner. Fast and nimble.

[Object Name: Sea Wraith]

[Vessel Type: Light Schooner]

[Affiliation: Black Market Syndicate]

[Threat Level: Low]

[Karma Signature: Negative]

[Cargo: Contraband Silk, High-Grade Gunpowder]

[Task: Joining the expedition to explore the Hungry Mist.]

Another smuggler affiliated to the Black Market. Another suspicious group.

Finally, Jack looked at the last ship. It was a beautiful vessel. Freshly created it seemed. Its wood was polished. Its brass fittings were gleaming even in the faint moonlight.

[Object Name: Morning Light]

[Vessel Type: Luxurious Steamrune Frigate]

[Affiliation: -]

[Threat Level: Moderate]

[Karma Signature: Neutral]

[Cargo: Steamrune Gadgets, Mystic Research Equipment, 3 Treasure Level Artifacts]

[Task: Joining the expedition to explore the Hungry Mist. Seeking fame and 'adventure' in the Hungry Mist.]

It was the ship of the one Leon and Barnaby had mentioned. The 'green' newcomer. But this newbie's ship wasn't weak at all. It even carried three strong artifacts. Interesting.

Jack lowered the binoculars. "One shark looking for either his brother or gold, three ships full of vultures, and one powerful lamb walking into a slaughterhouse." He summarized.

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