Brewing trouble

In a different direction, a group of mendicants gathered in a formation around a cave. The entrance to the grotto was huge and impressive. About twenty people could enter at the same time, so it indeed was spacious.

The group seemed to be waiting for the arrival of an important person. We could feel the nervousness on the faces of these people. Some nibbled their nails, while others went around in circles, pacing.

They were all dressed modestly and rather rudely, like ruffians.

The person in front seemed to be key and showed less nervousness than the others. The guy's name was Argos and he was one of the leading scouts for the Brent’s Pirates. He had attended the duel between the two children and came here to request reinforcement. His flimsy strength was not up to par. Recruiting Raoh was going to prove too difficult for him, and if things went south he might lose his life.

He took out a kind of perverse looking snail from his pocket. The animal was oddly behaved and vibrated while moaning curious noises.

"Purupuru ...!" Was the sound emanating from its mouth. If you watched it carefully, you would see that the slowpoke appeared to be a conscious animal. Its eyes clearly showed wisdom no matter how weird they looked.

Argos picked up the device and put it to his ear. “Where are you?” A manly but peasant voice came out from the tool and asked. There was a mature charm to the sound, and if this person was a singer he would definitely be be a country music star.

“At the entrance of the dungeon, sir. I’m sorry I have to bother you with such a meaningless task, but I hoped I could ask for reinforcement for this operation.” Argos apologized. He knew how volatile the guy at the other end was; unfortunately, he could not afford to be in his bad books.

“From your report, this upcoming kid beat Hao. Are you sure there is no mistake?” The mysterious voice asked.

“Yes. As incredible as it seems, it is true sir.” Argos asserted submissively.

“Where is that kid coming from?” The voice inquired curiously. Freakish kids were emerging one after the next. This was East blue goddammit!

“No clue yet. We’re working on his background. He just appeared today in Gray Terminal.” Argos replied.

“...Hmm.” The guy remained silent for a few seconds.

“Sir?” Argos was dancing on the tip of his toes.

“I’m in the middle of something here, so I won’t be able to come in person. I’ll send you Lena as a replacement. She’ll act in my stead so listen to anything she says. I’m counting on you, don’t disappoint me.” He ordered without leaving leeway for any argument.

“Lena-san?!...” Argos was not feeling well all of a sudden. He was trying to wipe the sweat off his back.

People who heard him behind also gasped at the mention of that name. She was one of the Brent’s pirates top officials, and as such she was extremely competent; her reputation  only inferior to the Captain. However, her fearfulness matched Brent's. There was one essentially significant reason for this, besides her cruelty and whimsical nature...Her special status!

Lena was Captain Brent’s wife!...As such, it did not matter if you were right or wrong when confronting her. Once she was offended, you could only end up as dead meat.

Ever since Brent disembarked on Dawn Island and established his influence, the number of people who died was countless. He did this to show his authority and repress rebellions. But the number of deaths that were caused by this woman were more numerous.

She did not kill people personally...She just needed to leave a few words to her loyal dogs and they would brutally murder the offenders to ensure she was respected. Because of Lena people were having nightmares. She was this Island’s biggest calamity…

“Any problem?” The man asked mischievously.

“No problem at all sir,” Argos remembered he was not even an official member of the crew. He’d been poached when Brent arrived on Dawn Island and some of his crewmates took an unhealthy liking to his daughters...If he wanted to fight back he would have done so before. He sighed, exceeded by the events that ruined his poor but honorable life.

He would have to endure. That’s what he told himself every day he woke up; except he did not really know what he lived for anymore. His daughters had long since been defiled and enslaved by the barbaric folks. He could not even bear to look at their face. He was only glad that his wife was too old and ugly for those beasts’ liking.

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Argos was a professional tracker and hunter. He knew Dawn Island like the back of his hand and that’s why he’s been chosen as a scout. He would have never guessed that the many years he spent studying the place’s fauna and geography would serve this purpose.

“Good! Wait here for a few minutes. She’s on her way to the entrance.” The man said, satisfied with Argos’s lack of resistance.

Twelve minutes later, a cold beauty appeared at the entrance of the cave. She looked no less old than thirty; exuding an intoxicatingly mature charm. She wore a purple attire and wore black leggings with the sexy robes. It was difficult to look away as she shook her feminine but deadly curves. They knew better than this so they mustered their will and suppressed their urges. They’d personally witnessed their comrades’ demises.

“Let’s go!” Lena did not even take a glance at the men and ordered Argos. She gracefully but aggressively walked in the lead, heading for the trees conglomerate.

“...God help me.” Argos mumbled and followed. He did not like to take orders from women but he had already his man card revoked for a long time now. The men looked sympathetically as they dispersed and left the area.

***********************

Inside the cave, a group of people was fighting a weird creature. The monster was a small mountain of muscles and veins. He was oddly green and his disturbing red eyes were reflecting the horrors of the depths of hell. It was incomprehensible how he could still appear cute despite all these horrifying traits.

It had a ferocious air about it and long, pointy elf-like shaped ears, that were adorned with earrings that he got god knows where. Since when monsters tried to be fancy? Its grin was that of a cowardly but perverse predator and it had a row of teeth that could make a wolf back up in defeat.

The creature was half naked from its top and wore pelt like pants that covered his genitals. In its right hand was a heavy mace, ready for another assault on the party up front.In the midst of its intermittent and hungry drools, it issued growls that were somehow comprehensible.

“Hu-maan...Dea-th! The monster said before brandishing its mace and swiping at the party.

“Boorish fellow! I’m your opponent.” A stylish young girl used a giant claymore to parry the attack.

“Bang!”

“Ugh…!” She was pushed ten meters back before a colossal and bulky black man stopped her from falling further away. He wore heavy armor but was strangely agile in it.

“Haha! Bilika, put more spirit into it, will you? You’re miles away from reaching my level at this rate. Who was the one that insisted to handle that guy alone before? Nevermind. Look how it’s done.” The man unsheathed a cumbersome blade from his back, and after closing his eyes in focus for a second…

“Viuu!” Slash*!! A red streak of light flashed out and formed a bright cross in the darkness. When it dissipated the creature appeared to be stuck for a moment. “Shlickk!” It suddenly was cut in half, and decomposed itself before hitting the ground very gently, laying dead for eternity. The creature did not even have time to  shriek and wail before its death. It was murdered neatly and fell silently but ominously. This was the work of a butcher…

“Nice job, Desmond!” A man came from behind and patted his back.

“Captain...Thanks, hehe. This has become routine by now, a real cinch.” He laughed off the praise.

The man was Brent. He was a thirty-something looking guy with a very handsome appearance. He wore red shoulder armor and a bandana that fit well with his masculine brown mane. He did not have any weapon on himself but for some reason, he seemed more dangerous than the other two. He had some sort of boxing champion belt that crossed his torso diagonally, with miniature spikes on it. It was unclear if the item had a specific use or if it was just put on for show. But it looked damn cool on the fellow.

“This was the last one on this floor today.” Brent looked around and noticed.

Desmond and Bilika nodded in approval. “Should we go for more?” The teenage girl was impatient. She needed to hone her abilities.

No one seemed to listen to her and she was treated as air. Brent was thinking about something before he opened his mouth again. “I can’t believe such a mysterious place would appear out of the Grand Line.” Brent marveled and continued. “ Desmond, do you remember? Six years ago when we were making our debut, we came across such a place near Whiskey Peak. I’d never heard anything similar before…”

“Yes, too bad we were not strong enough to monopolize the place...I wonder if those guys are still there.” He had a lingering trace of regret as he said this.

“Is it such a rare place?” Bilika asked in wonder. She’d only joined the crew recently after she begged her master to let her integrate it. She was a native of East Blue so she did not really know this world that well.

“Um…” Desmond muttered. “I’ve been a mercenary for seven years and a pirate for eleven. However I don’t remember stories or events relating of such places. According to the Shard we discovered, this mysterious place is called a dungeon. You’ve seen how stronger we’ve gotten ever since coming here right? You would think the government would put ban on such places if they got wind of it. But somehow the captain has been able to bind it to himself and no one beside us can actually enter the barrier from outside. Chances are we’re the first ones to discover it. I don’t know about that place on Grand Line though...We had to exit as soon as we entered, those monsters inside were too darn strong for us.” He marked a small pause here...

Then he said, “Well, we’ll go back there once we get stronger. Don’t let it get to your head though little girl. The Grand Line is not a place for brats like you. Haha!” Desmond said in a derisive manner to mock the teenage girl.

“Master!” She screamed and blushed. “If you keep embarrassing me like this I won’t talk to you anymore.” She sulked in frustration.

“Hahaha!...I’ve told you a hundred times already. The captain is a happily married man.” He did not relent in his attacks and went for the kill. “Those two twins would be perfect for you in a few years, haven’t I told you? Give up on old men and look at the future. They’re such fine young men, hmm, they’d be perfect in-laws. Especially that Hao guy, I like his fiery temper, isn’t he a perfect match for you? Don’t come crying in a few years because you did not heed my advice; regret is a bitter medicine, lil girl.Haha!” He was laughing after his nonsensical ramble

“....!!!” She was mad with anger and became as red as a tomato. “Blehhh…!!” Bilika stuck out her tongue and went forward, leaving the two men behind.

Desmond shook his head in utter despair while Brent smiled bitterly in discomfort.

“Captain, do you really think Lena can handle that little monster?” He turned serious and asked. “He beat Hao after all…”

“When was the last time you and Lena fought?” Brent smiled and replied with another answer. As if to hint for something.

************************

Inside the jungle, Lena and Argos were looking for tracks when a young man looking like Brent appeared out of nowhere. He was very similar to the handsome guy except he had blonde hair. He had a bottle of Rum in his hands and was exceptionally sober…

As soon as Argos saw that frivolous guy he gripped his fists and bit his lips.

“Sister in law, if you would accept my company; I’m curious about that new kid. Hiccup!” He staggered a bit while asking this.

“Lewis?...” She frowned and acted as if she’d not seen him. Not denying him although.

He shrugged and joined the party while whistling some pirate tune. Not forgetting to take a few sips while leaning on a tree.

“Any leads?” Lena asked the hunter, doing her best to bear with Lewis. She had a very bad temper but he was like a little brother to her. She hated his guts but he was her husband’s cousin...If not she would have thrown him to the sharks a long time ago.

“If we head this way…” Argos started to explain tracks and proposed a direction. “...In an hour or so…”

“Just lead the way.” She lost patience and ordered.

“!!...Dear lord, show mercy on this poor soul and strike this crazy vixen dead before the worst happens.” Argos jumped in fright and thought as they followed the tracks.