Max overlooked the ship from the poop deck and watched the hungover crew mates scurrying about as they struggled to do their work. It was like watching ants. This ant was struggling to carry food to their nest. Another ant was trying to walk in a straight line to the other side of the ship but was constantly stumbling from side to side. This caused several other ants behind him to also lose their balance. The most pitiable of ants were the ones trying to clean up the mess from the night before while the rising sun threatened to bring back the last of the summer’s heat. The only human with him was the helmsman, who was also watching the ants below with a sober eye. “Is it always like this?”
“The captain wanted to celebrate having guests on board. She usually keeps stricter control over them.”
“You make me seem like a bitch of a boss.” BB’s voice was still slightly slurred as she struggled to clamber up to the poop deck. “At least I pay you well.” The helmsman didn’t dispute this as he answered with a smile. “Where’s your friend?”
“Still down and out.” Max thought about helping her out, but she appeared capable as she resumed the position behind the wheel and shooed the helmsman away. It seemed there was more she wanted to talk about. His gaze returned to the ants. “Do drink-driving laws apply to the sea? Or even this world?”
“Yes to the first, no to the second,” BB answered quickly. “I mean, I don’t know about your original world, but it did in mine. Besides, I’m supposed to be a pirate. This is one of the very few perks.”
“I hope nothing exciting happens while your crew is incapacitated.” There was a harsh and knowing tone in his voice. “The air and sea seem… very calm today.”
“Just because I’m in the middle of my story doesn’t mean kraken is going to pop out of the sea and attack us. For the most part, my story has been solely focused on making money and avoiding authorities. Unless, of course, the system is trying to rope you into a story. Because if you are receiving prompts for it, then you should-”
BB didn’t realise that while she was talking, her words were going in one ear and out the other. Max’s gaze was fixated on a particular ant, who had rolled up his sleeves while he checked the sloppy knots of the various ropes that were tied by his crewmates. He didn’t fit. His black hair, olive skin, and clothes made him blend in at first with the other ants, but his frame was smaller and there was almost no ink on his arms compared to the others around him. What was tattooed there sent an instant message meant for Max. It was a clear display in front of the poop deck. Max didn’t need Cy to be there to confirm. There was a little mouse amongst the ants. A mouse with a navy-blue fate. The system popped up to verify.
Story Name:
Behind the Curtains
Genre:
Battle Royal
Description:
A person sent by the system has been interfering with the calm life of the MC. Can the MC confront them?
Goal:
Get them to stop.
Difficulty:
★★☆☆☆
How to Start:
Investigate the navy-blue soul!
“Come back,” Max called out to the helmsman just as he reached the bottom of the stairs.
“You need him for something?” BB said with a raised eyebrow.
“Don’t tell me anything. The system is forcing my hand,” Max warned, causing BB to relax her stance again. “I’ve got a small issue with one of your new crewmates.” A confused BB complied with his request and kept her mouth shut even though she was alarmed that he knew about their newest addition.
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“You need something?”
“Could you pass a message for me?” The helmsman didn’t seem game until he got a stern nod from BB. Max pointed out the owner of the navy-blue soul. “Tell him: Roeki.”
Both BB and the helmsman looked puzzled at the term. “Row-eh-key?” The helmsman repeated while scratching his head.
“Roeki,” Max repeated. “You got it. Now, off you go.”
BB waited for the helmsman to descend the stairs. “Can I ask what roeki means or does the system forbid it?”
Max didn’t say anything as he calmly watched the helmsman relay the message. Upon hearing the term, the navy-blue fate immediately let go of the rope he was holding causing a flurry of scolding to explode from the helmsman and nearby crewmates. His hands were trembling slightly. Clearly, it was not the response he had hoped for. In the midst of the scolding, the young man looked up at Max only to tremble more once he received a cold glare.
Feeling satisfied, Max was about to return his attention to BB when something hit the port side of the ship. Luckily, he managed to grab the railing fast enough to avoid falling over, but almost all the ants below couldn’t keep their balance. “What the fuck was that?” BB shouted as she clung to the ship’s wheel for dear life. After a few frantic blinks, BB declared, “Whatever it was, it’s not one of mine. None of my other sub-goals or requirements have been activated.”
Story Name:
The Leviathan
Genre:
Epic
Description:
After barely surviving an encounter with a leviathan, the MC begins a quest for vengeance against the beast.
Goal:
Slay the leviathan.
Difficulty:
★★★☆☆
How to Start:
Survive the encounter.
Story Name:
???
Genre:
???
Description:
After an entire ship turns against a hidden magician, the world falls into chaos as a power struggle takes root.
Goal:
???
Difficulty:
★★★★★
How to Start:
Cy dies.
“It’s one of mine,” Max muttered as he ran to the port side to look at the leviathan. For a moment, he spotted the scaley skin of the snake beast before it plunged deeper into the water. It was big. Far bigger than BB’s ship.
“All men to your posts!” BB barked out the order as she watched the pathetic ants attempt to move while battling their hangovers and fear. Max glanced down at the navy-blue fate. He was panicking but following the orders given to him.
“Stay within its sight,” Max warned.
BB gave him a questioning look. “And? Then what? Have you or your friend got something to kill that beast?” He didn’t answer. “Do you want to get us all killed so you can avoid a story prompt? Sorry, Max. End of the line. You can have another shot at avoiding the system in your next life, but my crew don’t have the luxury of knowing what happens after their death.” She ignored the scowl as she continued to give orders. He was about to descend the stairs when she yelled out. “If you want to do something about this… whatever it is, then make it fast because I’m going to get us out of its range as soon as possible.” This was the trouble with being around people like them. A conflict of interest was inevitable.
There was another large knock, which threatened to capsize the ship. This time it was on the starboard side. The second the swaying was tolerable, Max rushed down the stairs to the main deck. Screams, cries, and wails for ‘mommy’ erupted from the crew men. The head of the leviathan had emerged from the water and was bearing a full mouth of razor-sharp teeth as it stared down at Max.
Max looked back at the beast glaring down at him. There wasn’t a trace of fear on his face as he stared up at the leviathan’s serpentine head. It opened its mouth to hiss, but the terrifying sound didn’t cause a reaction from him. The system prompt had made it clear he could easily survive the attack and start a story if he wanted too. Finding another way was going to be slightly more challenging. Just before the beast threatened to lunge at the ship, a cry from BB challenged the leviathan for acoustic dominance. “FIRE!”
A series of canons ignited. They were moderately successful in deterring the beast, but there was no significant damage being done as far as he could tell. The scurrying crewmen around him worked diligently and under command of their queen ant, who was struggling to control the ship against the high waves.
There was at least one obvious solution to avoid the three starting methods set by the system. Max grabbed the tattooed arm of the little mouse amongst the ants. “Iko.” The navy-blue fate understood and dropped the ropes that had been forced upon him by the helmsman.
“Kasumarekai ni rachido?”
"Isaruu."
Max ignored the question and the navy-blue fate complied with the order as they went below deck and out of the way.