The lively feast had finally come to an end. The scent of alcohol still lingered in the air, mixed with the fading aroma of tobacco. A few crew members staggered about, trying to find their way back to their cabins, leaving behind tables cluttered with dirty cups and spilled drinks.
Amidst the chaos, Nadja stood with her arms crossed, staring at the mess with clear dissatisfaction.
"Useless captain… making me clean up at this hour," she muttered, exhaling sharply.
Her lips pursed as Élodie's voice echoed freshly in her mind.
"Cleaning is necessary to ensure our cycle remains pure before we reach the port."
Nadja rolled her eyes. Why am I the one stuck doing all this?
With a huff, she grabbed a tray full of dirty cups and started making her way toward the ship's kitchen. But before she could take another step, a voice called out from behind her.
"Is there anything we can help with?"
Her blood ran cold.
Nadja turned around so fast that she almost dropped the tray. The dim lantern light cast shadows over several figures standing motionless.
The Kagegumi Organization.
Their faces were expressionless, but the aura they carried—silent, heavy, suffocating—made Nadja instinctively tighten her grip on the tray.
"What do you want?" she asked, her tone sharp but slightly unsteady.
In unison, they bowed deeply.
"Give us a task. We wish to repay our debt to you."
Manabu Shintaro stepped forward. His eyes were sharp, void of emotion, but his voice was firm.
Nadja held her breath for a moment.
She wasn't the type to be easily intimidated, but the fact that a group of armed men were volunteering to be her servants… Something about this situation sent a shiver down her spine.
Yet, slowly, a smirk curled on her lips.
"Alright… if you really want to help, take all of these and clean them up…" She handed them the tray of dirty cups. "...and make sure the tables are spotless."
They accepted the order without hesitation.
"As you command."
Their voices were in sync, as if Nadja were their leader.
A strange feeling stirred inside her. She liked this.
However, before she could get lost in the fantasy of being the 'big boss,' Nadja let out a long sigh and walked toward the edge of the ship. Her hands rested on the cold wooden railing as her eyes gazed out at the vast, dark ocean before her.
The sea breeze brushed against her face, carrying the soothing scent of salt.
"The moon is so bright and beautiful…" she whispered, her eyes reflecting the silver glow dancing on the water's surface.
Tonight was perfect.
Absolutely perfect.
BOOM!!!!
The ship suddenly lurched violently.
Nadja slammed into the railing before collapsing onto the deck. Her hands clenched the iron bar as tightly as possible, her heart pounding against her chest.
"What—?!"
A massive wave crashed against the ship's hull, but the sea remained strangely calm. No storm. No prior warning signs.
"Why is the ship shaking like this…?"
She struggled to her feet, but once again, the vessel trembled.
Nadja was thrown to the side, her knee slamming hard against the wooden floor. Pain shot through her leg, but that wasn't her biggest concern right now.
Something was wrong.
Gripping the wooden railing tightly, her eyes darted around, searching for the source of the disturbance.
And then, she saw it.
In the distance, a dark silhouette emerged on the ocean's surface, moving at an impossible speed.
Nadja's eyes widened.
That wasn't a wave.
It was something far worse.
Something alive.
===
Elsewhere on the deck, the Kagegumi members who had been helping clean up also struggled to maintain their footing.
"Tch—!" Manabu Shintaro tightened his grip on his sword's hilt, his sharp eyes scanning the surroundings.
One of his men stumbled backward, nearly falling off the deck, but he managed to save himself by grabbing onto the hanging sail ropes.
"What's happening?!" Manabu shouted, his breath heavy.
Another member swiftly drew a shuriken from his belt, preparing for an unseen threat.
"Prepare for battle!" Manabu commanded, and instantly, the Kagegumi members formed a defensive stance on the deck.
However, before they could act—
BOOM!
Another impact struck the ship, this time even stronger.
Manabu lost his footing, forced to grab the railing to steady himself.
"Damn it! Something is hitting the ship from below!" one of the men yelled.
"We need to identify the threat before making any rash moves!" Manabu ordered, his voice calm but filled with tension.
He turned toward Nadja, who was still sitting on the deck, her eyes fixed on something in the ocean with a pale expression.
Following her gaze, Manabu looked out at the sea… and his eyes widened.
He saw it too.
Something that shouldn't exist in these waters.
Something lurking in the shadows.
Something that might be far stronger than all of them combined.
===
Elsewhere, atop the ship's watchtower, Élodie scanned the area through her scope, ensuring the ship's safety. Her sharp eyes examined every corner.
However, at the far end of the ship, she spotted someone standing in a restricted area.
Nadja.
Her jaw clenched.
"So she didn't listen to me…"
Élodie sighed, but before she could climb down from the tower—
BOOM!
The violent tremor knocked her backward. Her eyes widened.
An enemy attack!
Wasting no time, she pushed herself up and rushed down the tower.
===
Meanwhile, below the deck…
I was sleeping peacefully…
BAM!
I fell off my bed.
"Shit!" I groaned, rubbing the back of my head.
Why the hell is the ship so noisy?!
Yawning, I climbed back onto my bed, ready to lay my head on the pillow—
BAM!
This time, I smacked my forehead against the cabin wall.
"Ouch! What the hell?!"
I massaged my temple, trying to make sense of the situation.
And before I could even think—
BAM!
I was thrown off the bed again.
I swear, if someone is messing with the ship on purpose, I will personally make sure they regret it for the rest of their lives!
With pure determination, I steadied myself and yanked open my cabin door, my mood now absolutely ruined.
I needed to find out who dared to disturb my sleep.
And I would make damn sure they paid for it.