"Is he insane?!"
Murmurs quickly spread among the pirates, their faces filled with surprise.
Adam raised an eyebrow at the bold statement. He hadn't expected this meeting to touch such a sensitive subject.
John continued speaking, unconcerned by the whispers.
"As you all know, those high‑ranking Magus have already divided the outer circle world into several sections, each governed by an academy. Any dungeon that appears in those sections automatically becomes academy property."
As far as Adam had learned, this world had five continents at the center, while countless islands scattered around them formed a ring.
Most Magus stayed on the continents, only occasionally patrolling the outer seas in search of new dungeons.
"We are all pirate captains and wild Magi, as they call us, suffering under their monopolization," John declared.
"Indeed! They wouldn't even allow us to join, damn it!" Frank growled, resentment twisting his scarred face—he looked like someone who had been rejected before.
The old man Fisk sighed.
"We can't really do anything about it. The academies would never trust someone they didn't nurture themselves."
"Enough of that!" snapped Ann, the predatory woman. "We've known these basics for a long time. John, why don't you tell us what this is really about?"
John and Jude exchanged a glance. Finally, Jude took a deep breath.
"As you've guessed, during one of our raids we stumbled upon an artifact… one that allows us to locate dungeons."
A gleam of greed flashed in every eye present.
Life was incredibly hard for wild Magi. Without systematic training, they had to scour the seas for dungeons, risking conflict with academy Magus who claimed those territories. But with such an artifact, they could find dungeons before anyone else—their efficiency and resources would multiply.
Adam was surprised they admitted this so openly. "Foolish," he thought. Revealing such a secret invites disaster.
"You're not that generous, John. Why tell us this?" asked a hooded figure, his face hidden in shadow.
John drained another cup and slammed it down.
"Because of that damned Magus."
Fisk's eyes narrowed. "You mean the one who wiped out half your crew?"
"Yeah… if it wasn't for that bastard, we'd—" John's tone dripped with hatred.
"Let me guess," Ann cut in, her lips curling. "He was an academy Magus, wasn't he?"
"Indeed," Jude admitted bitterly. "We destroyed the island he guarded but never reached the dungeon. The price wasn't worth it."
"So that's how it is."
No one present was a fool. They immediately understood the twins' scheme.
The artifact was a fortune, but it carried risk. Conflict with the academies guarding the dungeons was inevitable. Yet abandoning it was impossible, as it was too valuable.
So the twins had chosen another path: invite the wild Magi to share in the spoils, spreading the blame across many instead of bearing it alone.
'I don't think this was the only reason they came clean,' Adam thought.
'After their fight with Mike, they returned here to lick their wounds. But rumors spread, and the other wild Magi surrounded them. Outnumbered, the twins were likely forced to compromise and share the cake. That seems the most likely reason. Otherwise, why reveal their secret? Unless… '
"I know you think this is some kind of trap, but it's not," John said with a bitter smile. "How about I take you tomorrow to a special dungeon I found, as a gesture of faith."
Fisk's gaze sharpened. "How special exactly?"
"A B‑rank dungeon," Jude replied. "And the best part… no academy has claimed it yet."
The room fell silent.
Everyone present was stunned. A B‑rank dungeon was coveted even by academies, its monsters equivalent to two‑star Magus.
"A B‑rank? You're not joking, are you?" An Adept muttered, skeptical.
"We'll depart at dawn." John merely smiled. "We've said our piece. Whether you believe us or not is up to you."
And with that, John and Jude stood up and headed for the door.
'He's right there. Do it.'
Adam did his absolute best to restrain himself as his mother's killers strode past him.
"Now isn't the time," he thought. "Ambushing them will be much easier while they're fighting monsters."
Adam had already decided to go with them tomorrow. Trap or not, he didn't care.
With his Gift [visionary] and the essence in his inventory, he had no fear of small tricks.
'Just enjoy your last day alive, bastards.'
By the time Adam collected his thoughts, everyone had already left, leaving the tavern empty.
Adam walked out and found Jack waiting nervously by the door.
"Take me to a place to stay for the night," Adam ordered.
Jack nodded quickly and led the way.
The streets of Behave Island were filthy and chaotic. Garbage piled against the walls, the stench of rot mixing with smoke from nearby taverns. Pirates staggered drunkenly through the alleys, shouting curses and laughter.
But what caught Adam's eye were the chained women and children being dragged along the street. Their faces were filled with despair, tears streaming as they screamed for help—only to be silenced by slaps and kicks from their captors.
Jack lowered his voice. "They were probably captured in a raid and brought in."
Adam fell silent. He didn't ask what would happen to them. That would be naïve. Women captured by pirates never had a good fate.
The sight of their despair reminded him of his own island.
'Would my people have suffered the same fate if Mark hadn't interfered? Would my mother…'
The thought sent a chill down his spine.
Adam was conflicted. As much as he wanted to help, he couldn't afford to jeopardize his goal. He didn't know if these pirates had ties to Magus, and risking conflict for strangers was reckless.
Still…
'Pirates… be damned!'
Killing intent flashed through his eyes, his hatred extending from the twins to every pirate on the island.
He wasn't a saint, but any normal person with power would be furious at such vile acts.
"This island… doesn't need to exist anymore."
With hardened resolve, Adam strode forward.
If everything went smoothly tomorrow, he would make sure to wipe this island clean.
"Killing everyone here is quite easy… Just a simple plague would do."
****
"Do you think it was the wise move to tell them about that particular dungeon?"
On the way toward their ship, Jude couldn't resist questioning her brother decision.
"Of course." John smirked. "Even though I could handle those undead with my flames, those wraiths and ghost are different story. We need Arthur soul magic to deal with them."
"But the ruin..." Jude wasn't convinced. That dungeon had a ruin guarded by multiple B rank monsters. It must contain a precious treasure. But now, they must share it with the others.
"Patience sis." John said. "For how long do you think those greedy bastards could restrain themselves from snatching our artifact."
"You mean..." Jude eyes lit up in understanding.
"Exactly." John smirked. " If we're lucky, one or two would meet their end in the dungeon, which would create a balance between our forces, and prevent anyone of being reckless."
Jude smiled before frowning. " But for how long such situation could last. Those academies wouldn't sit still if we kept hijacking their dungeons."
"We'll keep up until I reach two star magus." John clenched his fist. " By then, I could sign up as mercenary for any force in their planets invasions."