What rank did I want? It didn't really matter. The Special Exorcist system was outdated, still in place only because the first generation of special exorcists were friends of the current Saint. We were all participating in this because the Saint wanted to indulge in melancholy and the people who wanted such a system gone were too weak to do anything about it.

"What do you think I would be best suited for?" I asked the Saint.

The highest rank she could grant me was number nine, The Hermit. However, I doubted she would give me that considering the old headmaster was her former student.

"Well, you remind me of someone I knew in the past. The Hanged Man. His ability worked by him committing suicide in a specific way," she smiled. "He died a horrible death, but with a smile on his face."

Okay, that was gruesome. But knowing Xylia, she might just be lying about the whole story.

"Uh, Lady Saint, the 12th-ranked Hanged Man Special Exorcist position is already taken," one of the clan heads interjected.

Xylia frowned. "Well, I don't care. Move him to 13th or something."

"I am the 13th place, The Death Exorcist," said the Shi Clan Head. Previously, he had been presumptuous when speaking about the Raion Clan. But even he knew that provoking an emotionally immature granny who looked like a teenager would be a bad move.

"Ugh, you guys are so annoying! Just move some people around, I don't care!" The Sage huffed. "He is really suited for the Hanged Man, I can feel it in my gut!"

Despite their usual disagreements, no one said anything in front of the Sage, she had likely done something truly nasty in the past to get these greedy bastards in line.

"Anyway, I heard what happened. That's cool and all, and I just wanted to let you know that I want one of my own people on this mysterious expedition. Don't worry, it won't be me," she reassured them. But by the looks on their faces, it seemed like they wanted her to go and die in a ditch somewhere.

She really had these guys by the balls; she had held power over them for almost a hundred years now.

After that, there wasn't much discussion as the Sage walked out, without even saying who was the person she was planning to send. Everyone settled into a somewhat more somber mood, and as we returned, Wis looked at me and I asked, "What? Do I have something on my face?"

"Can I convince you to stay?"

"Maybe if you stopped watching anime."

"Go and die in a ditch then."

...

Days passed, and things began to come together. Eventually, I found myself in a remote port with only a small village nearby. Apart from the village, there wasn't much else around, except for a giant ship that was painted like a shark. Unlike ordinary vessels, this ship emitted a palpable Ord, which could be sensed by those who focused on it.

It was remarkable, this magic item would be under my control, along with two other leaders of the expedition.

However, the challenge was that no one trusted a sixteen-year-old kid like me to manage something of this magnitude. That was why the Kuro Clan Head and the Strength Exorcist would be my two co-leaders. They stood by my side as we watched over a hundred exorcists enter the vessel. Among the newcomers were some familiar faces.

Agon kept waving at me like a buffoon, while Gem gave me a two-finger salute. Sei and Anika, on the other hand, nodded at me in a more composed manner.

The decision to include Agon in the expedition had been a crucial one, as his strange luck could either make or break our mission.

"It seems like you've brought some friends along," remarked the Strength Exorcist. Unlike the Kuro Clan Head, he didn't even look human. Towering over me, he was twice my height and wore dark thick metal armor that covered his entire body. Even a blind man could sense his immense physical strength.

Thankfully, our vessel was specially designed to bear his weight; otherwise, we would have sunk. The Strength Exorcist emanated a distinct scent of oil and iron. If I had a choice, he would be one of the last people I'd want accompanying me.

Although, to be fair, any Special Exorcist below the rank of 17 tended to be difficult. At least this guy was somewhat better than the Kuro Clan Head since I knew what he wanted definitively.

"Hopefully, we'll encounter some danger," the Strength Exorcist clasped his hands in prayer. "May the Gods challenge our journey with perils and demons strong enough to kill us!"

"Don't pray for our demise," the Kuro Clan Head interjected.

Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

The Strength Exorcist halted his prayer, and his narrowed gaze locked onto the Kuro Clan Head. "Did you just order me around?"

Shadows swirled beneath the Kuro Clan Head's feet, fluid-like. It appeared as though a confrontation was imminent, but I let out a sigh and intervened.

"Please, let's not fight. If you do, I'll kill whichever one of you survives," I clarified.

These guys only understood the language of pure, unadulterated violence. I wasn't bluffing either—if they started fighting here, we were close enough to the sea that I could easily kill the survivor.

When it came to overall potential, the Strength Exorcist would likely come out on top. However, in a battle, my money was on the Kuro Clan Head. Even if I had to face the exhausted winner of a fight against the Strength Exorcist, I believed I could still defeat him.

"That was badass. You have balls, like a true man," the Strength Exorcist said, and even under his helmet, I could tell he was smiling. He was one of those battle freaks, like the Demonic Exorcist.

Noticing that he was cornered and that I had already built a better relationship with the Strength Exorcist, the Kuro Clan Head backed off.

Once everyone was inside, it was our turn to enter the ship. As soon as we stepped inside, it became evident that the ship was much bigger inside than its exterior appearance would suggest.

There were rooms and places where one could set up shop. Some of the exorcists had already claimed their spots, while others aboard the ship possessed non-combat abilities, ready to address specific situations requiring their unique skills.

For instance, we had a guy who could make a ship sail on land. His ability turned obstacles into malleable water-like substances, allowing us to also navigate without colliding with rough ledges.

"We will need someone to assume the role of leadership and make announcements," said the Kuro Clan Head.

"You take that job, as you have seniority over the rest of us," I suggested, giving him some leeway.

I didn't want to be on a ship heading into enemy territory with the Kuro Clan Head feeling cornered like a mouse. Panic could lead to rash actions, and none of us would be able to do much in such a situation.

He nodded and proceeded to make the announcements. Holding a piece of paper, it was clear he had already prepared his speeches. We were positioned on a high platform, ensuring those below couldn't see the paper.

Heh, sometimes I was so preoccupied with countering these individuals that it was easy to forget they were human too.

Either that or the Kuro Clan Head was deliberately trying to put me at ease by appearing prepared. These were the worst kinds of situations, where I couldn't even discern the motives of someone I disliked.

Perhaps the Demonic Exorcist, the murder hobo, was right. Fighting an enemy in front of me was much easier than dealing with someone who schemed.

After he concluded his speech, I returned to my luxurious captain's room. It boasted multiple king-sized beds and a TV displaying various camera views. However, I didn't stay long, only leaving a briefcase filled with expensive talismans under my bed.

Now that I was rich, I could afford to fight like the wealthy—by using paper to outwit my opponents.

Leaving the room, I made my way to the lobby where most of the other exorcists were gathered. I waved at Agon, his team, and Gem, who was with them.

Gem extended his hand for a high-five, but I left him hanging and put an arm around his shoulder.

"Where have you been, you little bastard? I told you where I live, and you didn't even come to visit," I reprimanded him, jokingly.

"I was training. Just wait until you see how strong I've gotten," he smiled.

"Hell yeah! How have you guys been?" Agon put his arms around both of our shoulders, proudly displaying a sword that reeked of Ord, even though it was sheathed and covered in seals.

That sword was Kusanagi, the strongest cursed sword. I couldn't help feeling a twinge of jealousy, but I knew the higher-ups wouldn't allow someone like Agon to possess such a precious weapon. Except, no one else but Agon could use it, as it would poison the user to such a degree that a human body couldn't handle it.

"Sup," Sei greeted us casually, his appearance unchanged except for a few white strands of hair, which was worrisome.

Immediately, I sent Carpy a mental image. He was following us from beneath the sea, so he should be able to sense everyone here.

He signaled back that Sei's lifespan was unaffected, and I breathed a sigh of relief. Thankfully, my meddling hadn't caused any harm.

Still, the white hair troubled me. It was something new, unfamiliar. Sei's strands of white hair resembled Agon's purple ones, which he obtained from having Yamata No Orochi sealed inside him.

Also, it seemed like Sei had finally overcome his insecurity and was no longer looking at me as someone he could never reach.

"By the way, who trained you?" I asked.

"The old granny who looks young," Agon's smile turned crooked, and his face paled as if he were having a PTSD flashback. "She looks weak... but she is too scary."

So, he had been trained by the Sage? That was surprising, considering she never liked Agon's father. Maybe she was feeling guilty, because if she had been with the Magician when he had gone to confront Shuten Doji, then maybe he wouldn’t have died and left behind an orphan. Or it could also have something to do with Agon’s mysterious grandfather.

"Anyway, wanna play some card games?" Gem asked, juggling a sack of coins in his hand. "I've got some money."

"You mean my soon-to-be money?" I smiled.

"If you cheat, you're getting banned for life!" Gem pointed an accusing finger at me.

"Whaaat? I would never!" In the presence of friends, people with no ulterior motives to worry about, I laughed and smiled without worrying about how they could use these things against me.

Though it felt like something was missing without Bets here. Still, I was going to live an amazing life, so his sacrifice wouldn't be in vain.

For the first time in a while, relief washed over me, and I let loose, acting like a fool with the boys, not needing to use my brain as we indulged in some shitty antics.