Wizard: I Add Points and Hunt Monsters

"The Black Pearl..."

Wei’en stared at the three-masted sailing ship cutting through the waves in the distance, its grayish-white sails hoisted high.

The ship’s figurehead looked just like the Deep Sea Giant Beast Rashim—a massive head like an octopus’s, four pairs of black-painted eyes, its face covered in layer upon layer of folds, with countless tiny spikes in the crevices.

Its scaly torso had two sharp claws and a pair of fleshy wings, and below were countless slender tentacles.

Dozens of tentacles extended backward to connect to the hull, forming a bulwark of countless sharp scales in front of the deck. The rest of the tentacles pointed downward, seemingly forming the ship’s bottom.

On the deck, hundreds of pirates gripped their weapons, staring this way excitedly. Some even cheered loudly, as if they had spotted their prey.

"It seems we’re their target... What usually happens in a situation like this?"

"That’s the Storm Hunter," Ronan said, his face grave. "They’re the main warmongers under the Black Pearl’s banner, always roaming the Cordo Sea. Their rule is—they take half of everything on board."

"Everything?"

"Including the crew’s lives!"

Wei’en frowned. "So, we have to fight them?"

"At their speed, even if we turn and flee, we’d last two hours at most..."

A hint of despair appeared on Ronan’s face. If he hadn’t been hijacked... or rather, conscripted... by the Red-haired Captain, he wouldn’t have run into the Storm Hunter here.

"Two hours?" Wei’en glanced at the time. The red moon would rise in less than half an hour. "What about their strength?"

"Captain Henrik is Director Level. The two Deputy Captains are of comparable strength, not far from Director Level. There are also a few others at the Minister Level..."

’Just one Director?’

Wei’en glanced at the pirates on his own deck. They all looked tense, and the weaker ones were even trembling, their eyes filled with terror.

"If we fight back, will it affect the rest of our voyage? For example, will the Black Pearl hunt us down, or will they issue a wanted poster for us?"

"F-fight back?" Ronan’s triangular eyes shot wide open. "R-Red... Captain, you’re not planning to m-make a move on them, are you?"

Wei’en shot him a look. "Or would you rather be in the half that dies?"

Ronan shuddered. His expression changed, and he said gravely, "If you kill them fair and square, not only will the Black Pearl not retaliate, they’ll even send people to recruit you."

"Recruit me?"

"Yes," Ronan said, a flicker of respect in his eyes. "That Captain Isabella fears no challenge, and she demands the same of everyone under her."

Wei’en said thoughtfully, "Survival of the fittest?"

’It seems that Sea Emperor is quite broad-minded. Aside from the people on her own ship, any ships that split off or are merely affiliated are forced to compete.’

’Is this to maintain the Black Pearl’s competitive edge?’

"That’s about the long and short of it. Plenty of people have taken down ships under the Black Pearl’s banner over the years, but," Ronan hesitated before adding, "it would also be very troublesome if Captain Henrik of the Storm Hunter dies."

"Oh?"

"He was with the Black Pearl for nearly ten years before going independent. So, we can’t rule out the possibility that some people might take private action..."

Ronan was being tactful, but he had made his meaning clear.

’I can kill them, but it’s best to leave some alive to avoid bigger trouble later.’

Wei’en watched the Storm Hunter draw closer and closer. "I have one last question. What are the consequences of refusing their recruitment offer?"

"Refusing?"

Ronan froze for a moment, then realized this Red-haired Captain was from the Eternal Life Association. He’d never spent time at sea and probably didn’t plan to in the future either.

"Refusing the offer... would be very troublesome."

"Hm?"

Ronan gave a wry smile. "If you choose not to join, you’ll be seen as a challenger. And the Black Pearl goes all out against challengers, just like with the Alanjia from the Western Continent..."

"So, if I lose to them, I die, and if I win, I have to join?" Wei’en nodded in understanding. "Stop the ship."

"Yes, huh?"

"Stop the ship!"

"Yes, Captain!" Ronan scrambled over to the instrument panel, shut down the steam engine, and pulled a lever to slow the ship.

"Wait here. I’m going to go take a look."

With that, Wei’en turned and left the cockpit.

"Wei’en—I mean, Captain Marco?" Clelia asked excitedly when she saw him come out. "Can we make a move on them?"

"Perhaps," Wei’en said, walking to the bow to wait for the Storm Hunter to approach.

"Great! I knew life at sea couldn’t just be sailing every day. That would be too boring."

Hearing their conversation, the surrounding pirates exchanged glances, then simultaneously drew their weapons and shouted through gritted teeth, "Let’s fight them to the death!"

"Yeah, dying in battle is better than being chosen for the half that gets killed!"

"Kill!"

"..." Wei’en glanced at the bloodthirsty pirates and waved a hand in exasperation. "All of you, get back in the cabins and wait!"

"Uh..."

"What are you gaping at? Didn’t you hear the captain? Get back!" Ronan scolded, having just stopped the ship and come out.

"This... Yes, sir!"

Seeing that the Captain, First Officer, and Second Officer had all said so, the pirates could only run into the cabins confused, peering out through the windows.

"He’s not planning to surrender, is he?"

"No way! Didn’t you see the First Officer? She was so flushed, she might as well have taken a pen to write two words on her forehead: ’I want to kill!’"

"That’s four words..."

"Anyway, just wait and see. The Captain is going to show the Storm Hunter a taste of his marksmanship..."