The battlefield was silent now.
Smoke wandered into the sky from the wreckage that was its aftermath. Walls were destroyed, shattered by the sheer force of combat. Streets were filled with the unconscious or dead bodies of pirates and hunters. The rain had finally slowed, but an acrid, thick haze remained in the atmosphere made of blood, sweat, and burning wood.
And looking over all stood Solian, victorious.
His knuckles ached against. His fur was ripped to rags. His body ached from the solid punches he had taken. But all of that didn't matter—
Because in his hand was the key to their future.
A small, round glass ball, held in a steel cuff.
The Log Pose.
The instrument that would carry them into the Grand Line. The one thing that they had fought for in all this chaos.
Vance, gasping for breath, whistled as he walked up. "Damn. All this death, all this craziness… for that little thing?"
Jorin mopped the sweat off his brow, his fist still curled around his sword. "That little thing is the only way we can survive on the Grand Line. Without it, we'd never survive."
Kael scanned around, always on guard. "We need to leave. The Marines are nearby. And I don't think Ragnor's crew is completely destroyed."
Solian took a deep breath and scanned the battlefield. He could still hear the sounds of the fight. Kordak's brute strength. Ragnor's incredible power. Silent Gale Elric, watching from the shadows.
Elric…
Solian still didn't understand him.
That guy could have killed them all. He had weakened Kordak, so the Solar Rift Pirates stood a chance. But instead of ending it, he had vanished into thin air.
As if he was waiting for something.
As if they were pieces in a game he was playing.
The system notification still resonated in Solian's mind.
Quest: Survive Silent Gale Elric.
Reward:???
What did Elric desire? Why was he awaiting them to become stronger?
Solian clenched his fist. He would know.
But first— they needed to leave.
Breakout from the Island
They hurried along.
The harbor was in shambles, ships charred or abandoned in the chaos of battle. What was left of Ragnor's pirate crew were scattered, tending injuries. No one was strong enough to stand against them now.
Solian's crew cut through the ruin, making for the only vessel they had prepared—a sturdy brig sloop, camouflaged at the end pier.
Vance grinned as he ran alongside Solian. "Can't believe we're actually doing this. We stole the damn Log Pose. We're actually sailing for the Grand Line."
Jorin stared at him incredulously. "You say that as if it were a good thing. You don't understand, that's where monsters live, don't you?"
Kael cinched the strap of his sword, his face somber. "Not monsters alone. The true movers and shakers of this world. The warlords, the emperors. When we get in deeper than our heads in those waters, we can't turn back."
Solian grinned. "Good. That's precisely where we need to be."
They reached the ship.
The Storm Chaser.
It was small but fast. A sleek design meant for cutting through the waves. Unlike the larger, heavier warships in the port, this vessel was built for maneuverability—a perfect match for the Solar Rift Pirates.
Vance leaped aboard first, rushing to the mast. "I'll get us moving!"
Jorin untied the ropes, kicking away the wooden planks connecting them to the pier. "We're not waiting around for anyone!"
Kael standing at the rail, hand on hilt, his gaze scanning behind them. "Something's amiss. Where are the Marines?"
Solian furrowed his brow. He'd expected to run into some resistance at least. There'd been the island swarming with bounty hunters and Marine soldiers before the battle.
So where was everyone so. silent?
Then—
BOOM!
An enormous explosion tore along the far edge of the port. A warship emerged from the fire, its Marine sails billowing with the wind.
Their escape hadn't been missed.
The Marines were already present.
Vance swore. "We've got visitors!"
Jorin's grip stiffened. "They're gonna blast us before we even clear the dock!"
Solian didn't hesitate. He anchored his feet at the bow of the ship, fire already crackling across his arms.
"Not if I incinerate them first."
The cannons of the Marine warship warmed up, ready to blast.
Solian threw up his hands, his flames hotter, brighter.
"Solar Rift: Blazing Arc!"
A crescent wave of golden flame erupted from his palm, cutting through the water like a burning blade. It struck the first cannon blast halfway across the air and detonated it before it could reach them.
The force of the blast sent waves crashing against the hull of the Storm Chaser, but the ship was moving—
They were getting away.
Kael steered. "Wind's at our back. We can outrun them!"
Solian exhaled. They were through.
For the moment.
The Calm Before the Storm
Hours passed. The island had been lost for hours, over the horizon.
There was quiet for the first time in days.
Just the crash of the waves. The wind on the sails. The sun drumming down upon us.
Vance leaned on a barrel, stretching his arms. "Finally… we get to rest."
Jorin leaned on the railing, sharpening his sword. "I wouldn't exactly say we're resting. So much as waiting between storms."
Kael stood at the mast, scanning the horizon with his eyes. "We have to stay watchful. Lost the Marines, but have no idea what'll happen next."
Solian lingered at the bow of the vessel, examining his wrist.
The Log Pose.
The needle didn't twitch, only its tip always indicating in the same direction. To the Grand Line.
This was it.
Everything that he had ever dreamed since entering this world. Since activating his Solar Rift Fruit. Since becoming the Solar Rift Pirates.
The Grand Line was where heroes were made.
And yet, his thoughts could not help but go back to Silent Gale Elric.
That man had been playing games with them. Restraining his strength.
Why?
Solian's system screen still displayed him his previous quest.
Quest: Survive Silent Gale Elric.
Reward:???
Elric had let them live. He had helped them.
Which meant only one thing—
He was waiting for them to get stronger.
Solian curled his fists into balls.
Fine. If Elric was going to try and see just how far they'd push it—
Then they would push it farther than everyone thought.
He spoke to his crew. "Get some rest. Tomorrow we train."
Vance complained. "Already?"
Solian grinned. "You think the Grand Line's gonna play nice with us?"
Jorin chuckled. "Point well made."
Kael nodded. "Then we get stronger."
The ship departed. The Grand Line stretched before it.
And the Solar Rift Pirates awaited.