On the edge of an island within the great lake's backstreets, the Campeche Pirates arrived with their fleet.

  They popped their anchor as they boarded the strange isle.

  Within an artificial island near a ‘Nest’. It would've been proper for a corporation or company to prepare surveillance on the island.

  However, there is a reason why it wasn't recommended.

  [Fog of Liminality]

  An abnormal phenomenon that sometimes occurs in the backstreets of U Corp's district.

  Occurring almost with certainty in the great lake's vision.

  It is one of the bizarre methods some syndicates within these parts use to hide their insidious deals.

  Obscuring their hideous business away from the associations.

  The fog held a remarkable amount of opportunity, as well as the possibility for a skirmish.

  A high-risk, high-reward phenomenon.

  Eventually, the Campeche Pirates, who surveyed the land, arrived at their destination.

  As they stepped foot, there were dozens of glances looming past them, peering through each corner of their arsenal and weaponry.

  From the meadows of the rubble, upon the summit of a building.

  Every gaze hides a veiled intent.

  “Not bad for a spot. Hey, green-horn, where is she?”

  As Lafitte led the crew, he blatantly asked someone about the location of the person who called for the meeting.

  In turn, the green-haired woman with dark tattoos that resemble a snake steps forward.

  “I'll ignore your disdainful remarks, but you ought to address big sister with her name, not such a measly designation.”

  “Ho? Is that so? I feel my legs shiver at your provocation.”

  “You bastard…”

  “Calm down, Ardith.”

  —Woom…

  Suddenly, the pressure in the air shifted.

  Lafitte, Glass, and the rest all felt a chill run down their spine.

  The amalgamation that scatters upon the atmosphere like a leader of a pack declaring their presence.

  Glass felt nauseous as he held his rifle firmly.

  “Yo, it's been a while, Lafitte. After loitering around these areas without paying me any attention? You're making this poor sister feel ignored, y'know.”

  From the shadows, her eyes winked at Lafitte as she gave a wide smirk.

  “I'll be real with ya, but if you continue playing these dangerous games. You must either join our family, or I'll have no other choice but to exterminate you.”

  With a direct speech, the figure that made the air tremble revealed herself.

  Clad in a verbose attire that showed the contours and tattoos embedded in her body. Her skin was shimmering in a pale purple hue, and her eyes were radiating a blue yet distorted light.

  She exudes the aura of someone not to be taken lightly.

  She is none other than one who claims the title of the ‘Big sister’ of the middle's south branch.

  Alexandria.

  To where she stands, she will commit to all.

  No one can stand on equal footing with her; if they tried to do so, punishment is inevitable.

  Her power is akin to a top-tier fixer, but of course.

  She still has limitations.

  With dozens of chains signifying her ranking and valiant augmented tattoos, she was unknowingly unmatched in this district.

  Though there was an unheard rumour that she was supposed to be designated somewhere else.

  If there is one thing reasonably clear.

  For her to stay in this district, there must be probable cause.

  “Alexandria… Clearly, I presumed you have received our ‘gifts’ of earned labor, didn't we? I wonder what caused you to wander around these parts despite receiving our gifts?”

  Lafitte initiated the conversation as he let out a kind gesture.

  “Gifts? Oh, that… Well, let’s say your gifts no longer amuse me. It was satisfying at first, but over time, my fondness for those ‘luxuries’ is unfortunately no longer in line with my taste anymore.”

  “I see, then can't we find another sustenance to provide amusement for your benefit?”

  “Hmm, quite surprising.”

  However, his demeanor only made Alexandria frown.

  “Mhm…?”

  —Tremble!

  Suddenly, the land shook as an ominous tone reverberated in the field.

  Each soldier, member, and officer raised their weapons instinctively.

  However, in one sudden move, all actions were rendered to nothingness.

  —Grab!

  “Uguok!? You…”

  Alexandria took hold of Lafitte's neck as she prepared to pulverize him upon the ground.

  Without hesitation, Glass aimed his barrel but soon stopped as chains wrapped around his hand and body.

  “...!?

  “You don't aim at Big Sister with such crude mimicry from The Thumb's weaponry.”

  “You…!”

  Ardith, who was expecting a collision between the parties, yanks the chains hanging in her arm as she restrains both Trey and Lafitte.

  The ‘golden chains’ binding them weren’t a normal weapon.

  It was one of the Middle’s precious armaments.

  The more one possesses those chains, the higher they are within their ranks.

  Trey tried to wield her spear, but quickly figured it was best not to.

  After all, the ‘monster’ that caught the attention of everyone was holding her leader's neck.

  “You'd best think that after your recent ploy, I would've had no consideration of your actions. However, my patience ran out of steam. To steal my ‘assets’ away from me not just once, twice, but thrice!? You've violated dozens of rules that my book's grudges can no longer offer any space because of you!”

  “Stolen…? I'd say they were peeking with their nose through my business, and I merely eliminated some of them, foolish enough to try.”

  Aside from The Middle, there were dozens of syndicates that tied themselves to their name despite not being a part of them.

  One of which was ‘The Cabron's’. To whom, Lafitte easily dismantled with the justification of stealing a part of their cargo and acted in measly ‘self-defense’.

  In which Alexandria despised.

  “You've absolutely wasted my time. ‘Self-defense,’ my ass, what a pathetic excuse. I know you did it to spare those captives, weren't you? To think all of these issues happen because of those stupid ‘morals’ you refuse to let go, eh?”

  Alexandria mockingly uttered.

  Lafitte's eyes sharpened despite being held in a chokehold.

  “...Hruk!? Peering into someone's past just like that? Don’t ya feel any shame?”

  “Of course, I don't. Besides, I wouldn't dare share your information.”

  Alexandria sneered.

  “If I did, your taste would absolutely become sublime, and that is not something I want.”

  She held a wide grin as her eyes held an admirable yet blasphemous ambition.

  She then let go of her hand, gripping Lafitte, and inquired.

  “I heard those Zwei mockers called you… Hmm~ what was it? Oh, right. ‘Terror of the Lake’ was it not? To attract the gaze of the associations. The Middle has examined your worth, more than a dime.”

  “Hah… hah… I suppose that… Hah… Exceeds your expectations?”

  Loosely threading for air, Lafitte mutters.

  “Close, but not enough. If you truly wish to assert your value. Go and make one measly request for me, can't you?”

  “And the price?”

  “Not even questioning the details, but the reward? You haven't even sown the seeds, yet you dare reap them already? Talk about such avarice, you know that would ultimately become your downfall one day.”

  “Who would I be? If money wasn't my creed?”

  Lafitte smiled; he understood the fanatical desire of the woman before him.

  It wasn't the one who would merely wish to conquer the backstreets or rise to the top of her syndicate's rankings.

  No, she aimed for somewhere else.

  ‘The City.’

  To rise above the glory of her family until she becomes a star.

  ‘How hypocritical, to say that my greed is unfathomable when hers is beyond me.’

  Besides, if anyone sees the epiphany of her delusion.

  Even she would never come out of a fight without any repercussions.

  “Laddies, go prepare the inside. We'll be having a lot to discuss. We can't have our guests on the stand by, can't we?”

  With her command created, Alexandria waved her hand as the others followed her words with certainty.

  She waited for a while, and then she soon gave us our turn to head inside.

  The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  “What're you looking for? Head in, there is nothing here that awaits you other than what I'm going to say, the least.”

  As she gestured, Lafitte had no other choice but to accept the invitation and stride forward.

  …

  Inside the rundown building, contrary to anyone on Lafitte's fleet.

  It was filled to the brim with luxuries that would make one ponder how much ahn was used to buy such a lofty appearance.

  “It looks larger than the exterior. Could it be P Corp's product?”

  “Not really their product, but just a cheap offshoot that displays the same properties. Although it wouldn't last as long compared to the original.”

  Besides, the item that Alexandria used doesn't display P Corp's motto.

  ‘To create the safest place in the world.’

  The infrastructure of the singularity is vulnerable and could be brought down by anyone with strengths that can pierce through a solid wall.

  Yet, even with that in mind, to be able to buy something akin to a ‘safehouse’ is a display of wealth no one would just scoff at.

  “So, what is this ‘offer’ you're willing to share with us?”

  “Calm down, we haven't even had our toast and drink yet. Could it be, you want to hurry and leave my side once again~?”

  Alexandria carefully caresses Lafitte's neck before taking a seat.

  It made Lafitte shudder and feel his insides squish.

  ‘She's… not really going to do that… Right?’

  A fear different from death blossomed in his mind as he put a firm hold on his weapons.

  “Don't worry, lad. I know some boundaries can't be hastily built like bridges, but do keep in mind that even now. I'm still waiting for that reply…”

  “You…”

  “Anyways, let's get back to our topic.”

  As Alexandria sat on a large couch with her attendants standing by her side. Laffite did the same as he took a seat opposed to her.

  Glass and Trey each took their respective spots as the other members held worry in their eyes.

  “Now, then. It's time for me to reveal the details. But, the thing is… Are you prepared to risk your life?”

  “Absolutely.”

  “As expected, then, I assume you won't be opposed to exploring an undiscovered ‘ruins’ on the outskirts?”

  “...!?”

  With such valuable information, our crew jolted in shock.

  ‘A ruin?’

  Glass definitely heard it a long time ago, even before he turned into a pirate.

  Ruins.

  Abandoned architectures with rumours stating that they exist under the city.

  It was a place where singularities, relics, and other schematics could be salvaged.

  Similar to the outskirts.

  To go underneath, ‘The City’.

  One must be prepared to offer one's life to the unknown.

  In the first place,

  The ‘Whales' that linger in the lake's rest are visitors from the outskirts.

  To make them the basis of their insight into the world outside.

  Glass understood the looming danger imposed in this request was nothing to joke about.

  “...How valid do you think the request deadline stands?”

  “Around, maybe a year or so? But I can't wait that long, so I'll give you half to explore it. In exchange, I'll let you keep some of the stuff you'll probably ‘write’ off of me.”

  “Do you put that much little trust in me?”

  “Of course, you damn scallywag. You fooled me dozens of times that your face starts to resemble a fox.”

  “Appreciate the thought.”

  Lafitte gave a lofty grin, which was once welcomed with benign air but now resides a deceptive, poisonous mist.

  Alexandria was used to not trusting, but the man before him truly marked the description of ‘deception’ in her dreams.

  “I'll have some of my fools to escort you. I'll count your expedition as of today. I'll even fund your movements as long as the scale does not exceed a predetermined amount.”

  “Such precaution, truly amazing.”

  “Dumbass, I know what you're thinking of doing anyway.”

  Glass understood Alexandria's words far more than Lafitte.

  Contrary to the rumours surrounding their fleet, Lafitte’s treasury wasn’t something to dismiss.

  The expenses that he accumulates from his scavenges is enough for a family of four to obtain security and housing inside a Nest.

  Unfortunately, with his gambling and reckless shopping spree.

  The Campeche Pirates never rose into a formidable syndicate.

  Fortunately, this offer right beneath their eyes might make them into a powerhouse.

  But that bequeaths the real problem to something else.

  “If you guys have nothing else to say, just sign the Non-disclosure agreement, and we'll get into details on how to transport y'all.”

  Alexandria took a sip of her drink as she tried to move the conversation to another topic.

  “Hey, you're forgetting something.”

  But Lafitte held his finger and fabricated a smile.

  “Hmm~ what is it?

  “How many factions have already dealt with these ‘ruins’?”

  “...”

  “Not gonna utter anything?”

  Lafitte took off his grin as he sharpened his gaze.

  “Look, Alexandria. I presume that you'd know that I can't offer my fleet to follow me solely because of a ‘mere’ treasure.”

  “Yeah, I do. But there are rumours that an ‘artifact’ or ‘relic’ might exist somewhere over there… and with the amount of disgrace you've put me through. Do you think I give a shit about the survival of your group?”

  “...”

  “Not just that, the power you possess is already a looming threat upon the hierarchy that the five fingers impose upon the backwaters of these parts of the city. If I let you scoff without having an alliance with us, do you know how frantic people would be in judging the power of the ‘fingers’?”

  So it's all the same thing, huh?

  Whether it was the syndicates or the associations.

  Lafitte understood one thing.

  The structure of The City must remain absolute.

  To change its way is to rebel against the city itself.

  If they do not align themselves with anyone, they will be regarded as a threat to its ecosystem.

  “Anyways, back to the main point. I'll answer your actions despite confidentiality issues…”

  Alexandria touched her chin as she poured another drink.

  “And, yes, you were right. Some companies and corporations had already sent expeditions to the ruins. But the results came with a devastating outcome.”

  “So, they failed.”

  “Pretty much.”

  Yet they had the guts to send them out of there.

  Lafitte was not delighted. But regardless, this wasn't something he could decline easily.

  He was determined that this wasn’t just a request ‘offered’ to them.

  It was an execution disguised as one.

  “Hah… Can I talk with my crew before we embark on this?”

  “Sure, but only in this establishment. Go any further, and we’ll mark you as a runaway.”

  “Sure~ sure, go ahead.”

  “This is just the standard treatment in case of betrayals. The moment you docked here, your fate has already been written in my book.”

  “Bullshit.”

  Laffite smirked; he had always confronted things head-on with a wide smile.

  Yet, now he has no other choice but to wake up from the illusion of his prowess as he pondered once more.

  …

  “Captain, are you sure about this? You don't even know what might happen!”

  Trey shouted with concern. Even though her skills can afford her to fight the denizens of U Corp’s Backstreets.

  She knew that her prowess wouldn’t be able to match that of the outskirts.

  “Besides that, I am here to deliver a terrible rumour, Captain.”

  From the corner of his eye, Glass emerged clutching the holster of his rifle.

  “...What is it?”

  “The ‘ruins’ we might go into are located far from the north-side of the city’s outskirts. I had some conversation with some of the Middle members, implying that the place we might find ourselves would take… months to just enter…”

  Lafitte’s face turned sour as Glass delivered the news.

  “Well, I have no other choice but to accept.”

  “But, Captain—”

  “What? If we do not, we’ll immediately be put down or worse become a lapdog of that damn woman.”

  “Isn’t that much preferable?”

  “That’s right.”

  “Being part of the middle ain’t that half bad.”

  The majority of the crew blurted their thoughts in favor of joining, but Glass and Trey immediately knew one thing.

  “You buffoons, you’d expect me to join those guys? Just because their appearance might entice you due to their augments. The way they function is way shittier than our fleet!”

  Lafitte discreetly muttered at a tone one wouldn’t want to hear. Silent enough not to be heard by the entourage of the middle, yet loud enough to be heard by the crew.

  “But do we really have no other choice?”

  As the complaint reached the crowd, each of the crew began having their own side as every single one gave their opinion.

  Soon enough, conflict became inevitable.

  Lafitte was aware of the turmoil that was boiling up, and he knew that the situation was something Alexandria had long since written about.

  ‘I've been played by her, huh.’

  Rather than being dismissive, Lafitte found the situation entertaining.

  He realizes a part of him has awoken once again.

  As he ruled a part of The Great Lake, he never once encountered anything terrifying other than the calamities that lurked nearby.

  He never felt challenged by the hurdles presented by the wave and only sought it out as a way of living.

  Yet, now that his life is being threatened.

  His ‘survival instinct’ became relentless as his heart pounded faster than he could take a breath.

  “Ah, I get it now.”

  “...?”

  “...!? What are you thinking, Captain?”

  With a sullen gaze, Lafitte finalized his decision.

  “We’ll rebel.”

  With two words.

  The noise that once encapsulated the room became utterly silent.

  No one said anything.

  Some were confused, some were shocked, but what they were all agreeing on was…

  Lafitte made an insane choice.

  As the lingering wave of commotion finally drew its last call.

  Suddenly fom a distance, a giant pillar soon headed towards the Campeche.

  —!?

  —?

  —!?!

  Glass and the others noticed too late, but Lafitte, whose sense sharpened by his experience, moved quickly before the others.

  —Ting!

  His blade collided with a giant pillar made of stone.

  Piercing it deep within as it inevitably breaks.

  Then, a follow-up attack came as Alexandria attacked Lafitte with a giant rock picked up from a rubble nearby.

  —Clang!

  Lafitte immediately switched priorities as he moved fluidly and clashed with her.

  “Ho, no wonder you can pierce through a whale's thick hide. What workshop made that blade of yours?”

  “How about minding your own business?”

  “Eh!? Not interested.”

  Alexandria's tattoo began to glisten as excitement ran in her veins.

  —Pang!

  Without even blinking, Lafitte was suddenly thrown against a wall, shattering it in the process.

  Glass and the others were momentarily shocked, but they quickly assessed the situation as they prepared their weapons.

  “Come at me, you damn bundle of trash!”

  Alexandria gestured provocatively as she invited the rest of the Campeche crew to fight her all at once.

  But no one in the crew dared to move.

  In fact, there was only ‘one’ who did.

  —-Ptoom!

  With a devastating echo that resounded on the battlefield.

  Glass fired right at Alexandria, who was caught lacking.

  But, using her keen battle instinct.

  She caught and bit the bullet so perfectly that it left a dent in her front teeth.

  “Puah~! Now that's a shot, what's your name, Bucko?”

  She spat the bullet as she became keen at Glass.

  “A mere nobody, that's all.”

  “The silent type, eh? How about I ignite that fire in yours?”

  —Zoom!

  Something was off as Glass took a step back and reloaded his rifle.

  However—

  In a mere second, the distance between him and Alexandria became non-existent.

  “...!?”

  “Staying away from me? Don't you think that weapon of yours can stand a chance against me?”

  —Ka-Pow!

  Glass eyes widened as a shrieking blow hit him right in the gut, sending him toppling to the ground.

  “Glass!”

  From afar, Trey shouted as she was then approached from the back by Ardith.

  Ardith swung her chain like a whip as Trey parried the attack and launched a counter using her spear.

  Meanwhile, Alexandria paid attention to Trey's words as she turned her gaze to Glass, who was sitting right beside a fractured wall.

  He stuttered as his head bled out, and his eyes sharpened with a discerning irritation.

  One of the reasons why ‘guns’ and long range weaponry are seldom used and found in the city is due to its strict regulations.

  From having a license to fire one,

  To having various necessary procedures in order to make or buy one,

  Having to replenish ammunition every mission,

  And the worst of all was…

  ‘Against a competent fixer, they are undoubtedly useless.’

  Whenever it was because The Head of the city had a lot of contingency against such a weapon or its destructive capability was hard to ignore.

  In essence, they were practically stating that violence must be ‘earned’ naturally with commitment rather than being done so easily through the barrel of a gun.

  With a weapon that grants even an infant the ability to bear arms.

  There was no way of concluding it, other than ‘guns’ makes killing a light responsibility.

  Glass gnashed his teeth as scorn was raised in his eyes.

  To which Alexandria proudly acknowledged.

  “Ho! Your name is Glass, right? I've heard it from that lady… But, oh well…”

  Alexandria opened her arms as if welcoming a hug.

  “Glass, how about you join The Middle, too? Although your weapon packed a punch. Without a valuable supply of ammunition, you know what happens to your kind, don't you?”

  “...I don't know what you're talking about, and I'm not planning to do so.”

  “Pft– haha, even you took that same line as your persistent captain, and speaking of—”

  Distracted as she may be.

  Alexandria turned her back as he saw Lafitte lunging at her while swinging his rapier in a bizarre style.

  “Ho, what a technique with lousiness made only to slaughter a beast. This takes me back… though it reminds me of something?”

  Lafitte moved swiftly and fluidly.

  As if his style mimics the instability of the motion maintaining the waves of the lake, he propels his attacks in a manner of delivering a finishing blow with each stab. While also maintaining distance using his revolver, whose ammunition was perishing slowly.

  Alexandria, on the other hand, utilizes her surroundings. Each pavement on the ground, the crumbling terrain nearby, all the scattered weapons waiting to be picked up. Every single one of those is a ‘potential’ weapon she can use to amplify her attacks.

  Then, as their fight ensued, Alexandria smiled and asked.

  “The way you fight… really reminds me of… Ah, duelist bastards of the thumb.”

  Laffite's eyes shortly wavered as Alexandria's grin widened and closed in, given his indecision.

  —Swoosh!

  —Swish!

  Despite the lacerating and aggressive stance of Lafitte. Alexandria kept eating his attacks as if they were mere scratches of a child.

  Knowing the fight would develop nowhere, Lafitte dashed backwards as he took some space.

  “Oh? Trying to maneuver around after your parlor trick? Hahahaha! Go entertain me more!”

  Alexandria licked her lips at the anticipation.

  “Tch, are you some perverted bastard who gets off on this shit? Just leave me alone for damn sake!”

  Lafitte shouted in frustration.

  —Ting

  “Then join me! As we conquer this lake and soon the vast ‘sea’ that stretches beyond.”

  —Clang

  “No thanks! I don't wanna die that way. I wanna live a longer life in a nest!”

  —Pang

  “That's just how mere plebeians think. Discard those thoughts and just join me!”

  —Clank!

  Their clash resounded throughout the entire compound as the Campeche pirates and The Middle fought with one another.

  With their brawl ensuing.

  Glass, who stood in the middle, felt pressure running across his mind.

  ‘This useless fighting will get us nowhere…’

  Knowing this would only incur losses,

  He took something out of his coat as he unloaded his barrel and swapped the ordinary bullet he was using with another bizarre bullet that had a unique casing.

  It held a symbol of warning, which Glass forgot to check.

  ‘Glass… Do not fire this thing without my consent.’

  He slightly reminisced about Lafitte's caution, but…

  “Ho… Unfortunately, I'll ignore that choice, captain.”

  Holding his barrel dearly,

  He pressed the trigger of his rifle as something came bursting out into the sky.

  —Whish!

  A single bullet ran across the heavens.

  Its piercing sound echoes as it stretches across the field, causing Lafitte’s eyes to shake.

  Momentarily, all fighting ceased for a while.

  “Glass, you damn bastard!”

  “Mhm~ oh? Another gimmick of that gun fella?”

  “Bullshit, cease this fighting right now, Alexandria. If we keep this up—”

  —Bam!

  “Whoops, didn’t hear ya.”

  Without hearing a single banter, Lafitte was thrown across the ground as Alexandria landed a hit right on his face.

  But Lafitte took the damage without batting an eye as he was more anxious about what Glass had done.

  “Shit… I told him to use it when I say so, that damn little shit can’t even do his job properly.”

  “So, it wasn’t a secret weapon?”

  “After your outrageous demands, did y’all really think we have the budget to buy decent weaponry from a workshop? Even augments were a hassle enough to buy.”

  He recalled his time when he had to give Glass his spare ammo during a skirmish with some mere pirates.

  It was a hellish memory for Lafitte’s budget as he felt his earnings plummet back then.

  Though none of that matters, as his “plan” was detoured all along due to Glass.

  “Alexandria! Get your crew and mine to stop. We have to get out of here soon!”

  “...!? Eh, why do I have to—”

  Alexandria cared less about what Lafitte wanted as she had always wished for a fight.

  But, amidst all of that, what she really wanted was…

  To make ‘Lafitte’ and his lackeys her subordinates.

  With her standing in her family not keeping up with what she ached for.

  Her greed blossoms into a daunting territory that could propel her into a perilous situation.

  However, the situation that ensued soon broke that greed of hers.

  —Boom!

  With ear-shattering explosions that came from the sky.

  Alexandria loses her focus for a second as she stares at the beautiful and majestic sparks above her head.

  Glistening with an immaculate shine.

  She was momentarily stunned.

  Lafitte noticed it as he declared to everyone within the proximity.

  “Campeche! Run towards the shores, evacuate the area!”

  Lafitte screamed as his lungs reached the top of his mouth.

  As the sparks in the sky dwindled, Alexandria had her senses brought back to her.

  Though before all of that elapsed.

  There was one hidden thing left unspoken.