As the waves of blue ocean water gently beat along the hull of the ship below, and the sound of ocean gulls and pelicans hollering populated the sky above, an urgent shout could be heard somewhere in the middle— breaking the relatively calm atmosphere...

"Cap'n! I-I can't believe it! But... Laaaaaaaand Ahooooy!!" Instantly, upbeat cheers and loud hurrahs followed the announcement, filling the ship with a rare enthusiasm saved only for the most special occasions.

While the rest of the crew were in the midst of celebration, a special few swam against the current, so to speak; one example of this was— of course, the trio of 'generic mysterious NPC' looking folks quietly whispering in one corner.

"Well, they're certainly a merry bunch," On spoke in amusement, her feminine tone a clear denotation of her gender.

"Can you blame them? They'd be hailed as the pioneers and champions of 'a new way of travel across the regions', and house after house of nobles would be practically begging to sponsor them. At the very least, they'd all make a pretty penny from this excursion," Another voice piped up, this time more masculine in nature...

"I guess... What do you think, Connor?"

"I don't know nor do I care," The third voice responded, disinterest oozing out from his tone. Naturally, these three were Mariya, Malkov and Connor. Like always, it was Mariya and Malkov who fueled conversation, with Connor just listening and brooding by himself.

Malkov smiled ruefully at the dismissive attitude his friend was taking, "You really should; you're the one who ensured their success, after all," He pointed at the small bag used for holding the Book of Fate.

"And, if it weren't for you and your snazzy little book, we'd be all six feet under from one giant insect and an angry child! So yeah, maybe a bit of care is warranted?" Mariya supplemented the man's argument before playfully slapping both of them in the back.

"Tch! Whatever. I didn't wanna die yet, okay? Them being alive is merely collateral," Although he sounded hostile, Connor couldn't hide the soft blush forming on his cheeks, "Argh! jeez, we've reached the pier, so let's just focus on getting off here, 'kay?"

"Mn," With that, the three stopped clowning around and began to disembark. However, right as Connor was about to get off, he was interrupted by Adammus.

"What do you want?" He looked curiously at the man standing across from him.

After a deep breath, Adammus began, "I sincerely thank you and your friends for saving us," He then bowed deeply, almost at a ninety-degree angle.

This took Connor by surprise, though he took it in his stride and just said, "Your welcome," before jumping off, leaving with his companions.

"..." Adammus silently stared at the fleeting backs of the three until they were almost undetectable in the crowds of people going about their day, which finally elicited a response from the still bowing man, "I don't know why wanted to come here, but I wish you all the best of luck,"

***

The bazaar was crowded, almost like Waterfront City, only... a bit more of a fixer-upper. Instead of the neatly aligned row of shops with their offerings on display, shady tents made of similarly shady materials were placed haphazardly around the road, selling who knows what; instead of the nice and even road made of stone and gravel, dirt and mud were largely the best they could do. Finally, instead of the light hustle and bustle of the coastal city, the bazaar was straight. Up. Wild.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

"Oi! Why'd ya step on me shoe ya bastard!"

"Da fuck? I didn't step on nuffin!"

"Oh yeah? Then why in the flyin-fuck is my shoe smeared with mud, eh?!"

"Dunno, maybe look where you step, shithead!"

"Oh, that's it fucker, I ain't walking out of this till you lose all your teeth!"

"Bring it!"

This was just one of the conversations Malkov overheard as they were walking, and those were some of the more tame ones...

As they were walking, they were suddenly accosted by a rough-looking man. The guy was in his mid-twenties, but you'd never know it from his mannerisms.

"Yo! You guys are you knew 'round here eh? I'd be willing to help you, ya know." The man smiled, the strange white tattoos on his cheeks stretching along with his lips, "For a small price, of course,"

Malkov closely observed the man: he was cheerful, in stark contrast to the general attitude of the place. That can only mean two things: either he was really good at hiding his emotions, or he was a really savvy businessman. And although there wasn't any evidence for the second one, he had a hunch it would be the second one...

But apart from his strange demeanour, the man looked like everyone else around him: white cotton clothes covered by sparse leather armour, a shemagh that covered the head and neck and a pair of leather gauntlets reaching up to his elbow. All in all, Malkov couldn't discern anything suspicious from his clothing... apart from how strangely ornate it was...

"Hm?" Abruptly, the man turned to him, as if aware of the weird stares he was giving him.

He grinned, "I look strange, don't I?" Saying this, he pointed at the intricate jewellery lined row after row on his clothes seams.

"Ah- well... yes... I think it'd be far better to be more discreet in this place," He looked back at the ruffians still fighting before refocusing on him.

"Aye! It's understandable you don't know me 'round these parts!" He proudly slapped his chest, exclaiming, "I am the legendary pathfinder, Sima! I know the desert like the back of my hand, and I've gotten rich because of it!"

'So a savvy businessman after all,' Malkov sighed tiredly. Sadly, the 'pathfinder' didn't seem to notice, "Yes, if I tell everyone I'm the second-best navigator here, nobody would dare claim to be the first!"

"Is that why you're not afraid of getting robbed in broad daylight?"

He sneered, "They won't even think of it! Ya see: one of my regulars is a member of the nobility! She's a lovely duchess who bought me these clothes in the first place!"

It was painfully obvious to the three that certain 'duchess' was probably only paying him so she could get into his pants. Mariya and Malkov were just polite enough not to say anything...

'Rich types and their kinks,' But Connor didn't have such inhibitions, and was quick to lay it on him straight.

"Sorry to tell you this, but she's probably only paying you for your face and dick,"

"Wah-?! How dare you say that to Anissa! She's a chaste woman!"

"Okay then, have you fucked her?" He seemed surprised at the crass language, though it quickly made way for a deep blush.

"U-Um... I may have..."

He continued to press on after hearing this, "And following the fact, did she tell you she was going to sponsor you?"

"..." The silence was telling.

"Yeah, you got a sugar mommy... congrats, I guess," He put a consoling hand on the depressed pathfinder's shoulder. In a few seconds, Connor let go and began walking away. But it didn't take long for the man to recover.

"W-Well, I'm still a damn good pathfinder, and if you wanna get anywhere without dyin of thirst, I'm still the best shot ya got!" At this, Connor paused. After a short bit of thought, he turned around.

"Sima, was it?" Seeing the man nod, he continued, "Well, we don't have a clue where our goal is supposed to be, so It'd be useless to bring you along even if you're as good as you say,"

He waited for a rebuttal, and when he got none, he nodded before returning to his companions.

"Don't you think that was a bit mean?" Mariya voiced her thoughts the moment they were out of earshot, with Malkov echoing the same sentiment.

"No, I was merely being logical,"

"How so?"

"His delusions will bite him in the ass someday, and when that day comes, relationships will be irreparably ruined," Silence reigned over the group after his reply, but it didn't last very long...

Malkov was the one who spoke, "So, where to?"

And it was Mariya who answered, "Afternoon tea, then a check-in at the nearest inn,"

"..." Connor... Well, Connor was being extra Connor-y today.

With their plans made clear, the group began to put them into motion...