A perfectly smooth plan

- What do you think, Pietra?

- It’s trash.

- I believe it’s called a gun.

- It’s trash.

The original trio rests in one of the rooms provided by Gadreas. After taking a bath and cleaning their clothes, Kai is showing them the gun he found earlier.

- What do you mean?

- It is supposed to be a variant of the MP5, a classic submachine gun manufactured around 1960 by H&K. However, it’s so poorly made that it's insulting. The chamber surface is rough and uneven, the welds on the stamped receiver lack structural integrity, the bolt assembly shows signs of-

- A summary, please.

- This thing has the potential to explode in your hands.

- How do you know so much about guns again?

- I play a mobile game about anime girls with guns.

- That one where their clothes get ripped when they are low health?

- The plot is excellent.

- So the design is from our world? - Nicholas tries to go back to the main topic.

- Maybe, can’t be sure yet. What did our new companion say about it, Kai?

- Lirika said she never saw a weapon like this. It’s a possibility that others besides us were teleported here as well.

- The owner was a subordinate of a corrupter, as far as we know. What if… - Pietra wonders.

- I know. We need to speak to him. Unfortunately, our best lead now is Gadreas’ deal.

- I don’t trust him.

- Even if he deceives us somehow, if that takes us to the corrupter, it’s worth it, Pia.

- Okay, it’s decided then.

With this matter settled, Nicholas changes the subject.

- I vaguely told Pia earlier, but it seems I can heal people!

- Oh…

- What is it, Kai?

- Nothing. Just thought about a tragicomic coincidence of someone needing that power a few hours ago before forcing a brutal cauterization on herself. Anyway, can you heal scars?

- To be precise, I can transfer the wounds from one person to another by touching both at the same time. I don’t know if it works on scars. I didn’t have the time to test it properly.

- Technically, isn’t a scar a wound that has already healed? Also, you could test it on Blobfish and Mosquito - Pietra suggests.

- No! I’m not using them as guinea pigs.

- They are criminals. Why do you care?

- They are my buddies.

Pietra sighs.

- If you say so. Well, I also discovered something new about my powers. The threads connecting us symbolize our bonds with each other. I saw green threads forming between Nicholas and the two pirates. Also, there is a yellow one connecting Kai and Lirika.

- What about the colors?

- I suspect it's related to the kind of bond you have or how good that bond is. Asai’s connection with Nicholas has a darker tone of green compared to mine and Kai's. Maybe that means she likes him a bit more?

- Is yellow good?

- Doesn’t seem like it.

- Aww… Talking about Asai, do you guys think it was a good idea to leave her with Lirika in the other room? - Kai asks.

- You think that blue-haired girl will do something bad to Asai?! - Nicholas shows worry.

- Quite the opposite.

In the room next door:

- So, daughter of the woods. Tell me your real plan. Why does a creature of your magnitude walk alongside a group of nobodies?

She looks at Lirika for a few seconds before offering her a small black fruit.

- Asai?

- Fascinating.

Back to the room of nobodies:

- I can see a connection being made right now between them. It’s fine… I think.

- You can see the threads even through the walls? - Kai questions, surprised.

- Yeah. It’s tiresome, though, since I can’t “unsee” them. Not even when I close my eyes.

- That sounds more like a curse now. Are you okay? - Nicholas expresses his sympathy.

- Don’t worry about me. I’m getting used to it.

- With this, we are getting a clear view of what we are capable of. Pietra can see how our relations are going, Nicholas can heal us, and I can get beaten physically and emotionally. A perfect combo.

- You don’t know what ability the goddess gave you yet, Kai?

- Kinda.

Suddenly, Lirika opens the door.

- I don’t mean to disturb, but it is getting late. I suggest we go to sleep now.

- You are right - Pietra stands up, preparing to leave.

- Lirika, I’ve been meaning to ask. Kai mentioned you can use magic. Is that true? - she asks, following her to the other room.

- Precisely. Why?

- If you are a mage, where is your pointy hat? - Pietra inquires, pointing at her own hat.

- Why would I wear something so ridiculous?

- Hah?! How dare you mock the greatest wizards of all time?!

- I don’t have time for this. Good night.

- Asai. You agree with me, right? Tell her!

- Pitaya!

Finally having a good night of rest, the group is ready for the upcoming day. Even with a fair share of doubt, they accept Gadreas’ deal.

- I’m glad you made the right choice, my friends! - he exclaims, happy.

- When you betray us, at least make it surprising - Kai partially jokes.

- Your lack of trust breaks my pure and honest heart! Let’s not waste more time, I’ll explain what I need you to do for me~

- Wait, let me call Blobfish and Mosquito. - Nicholas speaks.

- Let’s not. Those two like to make some noise, and their faces are known. I prefer to do this quietly.

Gadreas opens a map of Vatogus in front of everyone.

- A little birdie told me about a ship with some quite interesting cargo that will dock at this location here. They will leave the goods there and take them late at night to remain discreet.

- Are you asking us to steal for you?

- Absolutely not! There is a rule in the city that states: What comes to Vatogus belongs to Vatogus. In other words, I only want my fair share.

- We are stealing what exactly? - Pietra demands clarification.

- Nothing more than crates with supplies for my tavern. I could pay for them, but in that case, I wouldn’t be able to keep my humble prices for the poor folks around here. Aren’t I a noble soul?

- And where does the corrupter fit into this?

- M’lady, please. As I said before, I’ll take you directly to him right after our mission.

- Our mission? You are coming with us?

- Indeed! You haven’t been in Vatogus before, right? I’ll guide you there.

- Do you think he is the kind of guy who likes to see someone in the eyes when he stabs them in the back? - Kai mumbles.

- Pia, can you see our bond with him?

- It's gray, whatever that means.

- We will discover soon enough…

At nightfall, all those involved hide inside a boat as they peek at a small harbor far away from the crowded places. A big ship just docked, and sailors can be seen quickly taking crates and chests to a building. Soon after, they set sail, making sure not to drag any unnecessary attention, leaving only a few guards behind.

- Do you remember the plan, friends?

- Are you sure about this?

- Positive! I see no other way to take out the guards without making a fuss.

- I can kill them - Lirika suggests.

- No, no. We are not spilling blood today. Those gentlemen are simply doing their job.

- If you say so - Lirika breaks a glass bottle on Gadreas' head, knocking him down.

- This guy is nuts… - Kai looks at him in disapprovance.

- Let’s go before he wakes up.

They quietly guide their boat toward the harbor, concealed by the darkness of the night sea. As soon as the first guard is spotted, Nicholas touches Gadreas with his right hand and the pirate with his left. Without having time to understand what is happening, the guard falls unconscious while Gadreas awakens, smiling.

- Perfect~

- I’m pretty sure there were easier ways to do this…

They repeat this process several more times until they reach their objective, using the sound of a bottle shattering against Gadreas' head to draw a guard's attention, then having Nicholas peacefully knock him out with his ability to "transfer wounds". Asai obliterates the door of the building where the goods are stored, allowing them to enter and take the crates that Gadreas wants.

- Damn, this is heavy. Are you sure these things have stuff you can use in your tavern? - Kai complains.

- I assure you all this loot will be put to good use! - he says, sitting on top of a crate already inside the boat.

- Help us carry some!

- Look what we have here - they are surprised by a female voice.

She leads a group of corsairs, mostly women. Using high-quality cloth visibly designed by someone who understands fashion, they are so stylish you could easily mistake them for models instead of people who will stab you for money. Their coats and trousers were predominantly red, indicating their affiliation with a particular faction.

- Gadreas! You told us no one was coming until late at night! - Pietra turns to him.

- Sorry, I’m not good with time~ - he waves at her.

He already sailed, leaving everyone else behind.

- Predictable - Kai signs.

- Don’t hold a grudge against me, friends. They will take you to the corrupter, as I promised! Hahaha! Eh? - his boat slowly sinks.

- Since you all were so wary of him, I took the liberty of sabotaging the boat just in case - Lirika grins.

- You are stealing the property of Roberto Ignacio, owner of Vatogus. That’s a huge offense. Prepare to be punished accordingly.

Kai takes a step forward.

- Ladies, there is no need for violence. You have my word, we will surrender peacefully so-

They were beaten again.