"Boom, boom, boom..."
A series of explosions rang out from beyond the city.
The Krieg Pirates had set Terminal Station ablaze, and only a few hours remained before his Main Quest expired.
After three days of preparations, the time to reap the rewards had finally arrived.
Su Xiao moved through the gradually descending night, beginning to approach the city gates.
--
Outside the city, Terminal Station.
By now, the explosions had merged into one continuous roar. Flames soared into the sky, blasting huge piles of burning trash high into the air.
The refugees who had already fallen asleep in Terminal Station were jolted awake by the sudden explosions. The flames began spreading across the mountains of garbage.
Before the refugees could react and try to escape their shelters, the fire had already spread completely.
The shrill screams intertwined with the explosions, presenting a scene straight from Hell.
If Hell truly existed, then Terminal Station was Hell itself at that moment.
As the fire gradually spread through Terminal Station, the members of the Krieg Pirates began quickly moving toward the city gates.
They had discussed this with Su Xiao beforehand. Once Terminal Station was set ablaze, they would immediately head to the city gates, where Su Xiao would send someone to open them.
Krieg naturally refused to entrust his life to someone else.
Therefore, after their meeting, Su Xiao sent his trusted subordinate, Hank, to act alongside the Krieg Pirates.
Hank had disguised himself as a pirate and was following behind Krieg.
"Quickly! The fire is about to spread. We'll be in danger when it does!"
Krieg roared, and his subordinates quickened their pace.
Three minutes later, the Krieg Pirates arrived outside the city gates.
When they reached the gates, smiles appeared on the pirates' faces. They had completed their task. Next, all they had to do was enter the city and enjoy a wonderful life.
Krieg in particular was already imagining what life would be like after becoming a noble.
A luxurious residence, exquisite food, and the bodies of countless tender young women.
At that moment, Krieg even wanted to abandon his identity as a pirate completely.
"Bang, bang, bang~" Krieg pounded on the city gates.
"Open up! We're the Krieg Pirates. We set Terminal Station ablaze!"
After Krieg knocked on the gates, there was only deathly silence. Aside from the night wind stirring the flames, the city was utterly quiet.
"Hey, open up! The fire is about to spread here!"
Still, there was no response. Panic began to rise in Krieg's heart.
Behind them was a fire that devoured everything. Before them stood the sturdy city gates. They were trapped.
Before long, they would all be burned to death.
"What's going on? Why haven't the city gates opened?"
Blood vessels bulged across Krieg's eyes. Like an enraged beast, he turned and glared at Hank.
Hank's lips had gone pale. Su Xiao had sent him outside the city, but Hank was only an ordinary guard and knew nothing about the King's decision not to honor his promise.
"No, that can't be. Wait, give me a moment. I'll try."
Hank could barely get the words out. He had vaguely guessed what was happening.
"Bang, bang, bang~ Open up! I'm Hank of the Guard Corps! Byakuya, get out here! Come out!"
Hank began screaming. He had already dropped the respectful title that should have followed the name.
"Byakuya, I'm going to kill you!"
Krieg understood now. Su Xiao had deceived him. They were nothing more than pawns—sacrificial pieces.
His bloodshot eyes turned toward Hank.
"Burn... him... to death!"
After Krieg spat out the words one by one, his subordinates immediately bound Hank. Several of them worked together to throw him into the sea of flames nearby.
"Ah~! It's not my fault! Byakuya, may you die a horrible death!"
The flames began to "kiss" Hank's skin. His shrill screams continued for more than ten seconds before vanishing.
Just as the Krieg Pirates were nearing despair, a deep male voice came from atop the city wall.
"Hey, people below. Do you want to live?"
Everyone before the city gates shuddered.
"Who are you? Show yourself!"
Krieg was beginning to lose his mind. Using the firelight, he looked toward the top of the wall, where a thin, middle-aged man stood.
Just as Krieg was about to speak, one barrel of explosives after another was thrown down from the wall.
Seeing the barrels of explosives land, Krieg felt a chill run down his spine. Behind them was a sea of flames. Did this man intend to blow them all to pieces?
"Blow open the city gates, and you'll still have a chance."
After saying that, the middle-aged man withdrew into the darkness and disappeared.
After hesitating for less than two seconds, Gin was the first to rush toward the explosive barrels and arrange them at the city gates.
Anxious voices came from inside the gates. It seemed the people within had discovered what was happening outside.
Krieg tore off his black robe, revealing yellow armor beneath. He raised his arm, and a bullet shot toward the explosive barrels.
"Boom!"
The force of the explosion sent the members of the Krieg Pirates stumbling backward. Some unlucky pirates were pierced by flying debris and collapsed dead.
The pirate crew, numbering several hundred, lost at least a dozen men in the explosion.
But it was well worth it, because the city gates had been blasted open.
Behind the shattered gates lay several broken corpses. They were guards from the Gate Guard Corps.
The Krieg Pirates stepped over the ruined gates and entered the Royal Capital.
They were an enraged band of pirates, so they intended to burn, kill, and loot throughout the royal city.
"Hey, you! Stop right there!"
Krieg looked toward a dark corner, leveled his arm, and aimed the gun muzzle mounted on his shoulder ahead.
"Don't shoot! I'm the one who saved you!"
The middle-aged man from atop the wall emerged from the darkness, fear flickering in his eyes.
"Why did you save me? I don't think I know you."
Krieg did not lower his weapon.
"I have a grudge against Byakuya. The enemy of my enemy is my friend."
A cruel smile appeared at the corner of Krieg's mouth.
"Where is Byakuya?"
"At the royal palace. He's receiving the King's reward. I hear he's being granted noble status."
Those words—"reward" and "noble status"—stimulated Krieg, because they should have belonged to him.
"Bang." A gunshot rang out. The middle-aged man's chest was blown through, leaving a bloodied hole the size of a fist. Krieg had actually shot his own savior.
"You bastard! How dare you throw explosives at me? Were you trying to get me killed?"
After saying that, Krieg led his men toward the royal palace. He intended to kill Byakuya, kill the King, and loot the palace to make up for today's losses.
The middle-aged man lay on the ground, blood spilling from the corner of his mouth as his body continued to twitch.
As he watched the Krieg Pirates leave, the middle-aged man's eyes began to dim.
Just then, a young man with a cigarette between his lips stepped out of a dark corner.
"G-give the money to my wife and daughter. I did as you asked."
Su Xiao crouched before the middle-aged man and exhaled a plume of smoke.
"You did well. The money has already been given to them."
"That's wonderful. Thank you, thank you~"
After saying that, the middle-aged man's eyes completely dimmed. He died beneath Krieg's gunshot.
The middle-aged man was a condemned prisoner Su Xiao had rescued from prison. What happened earlier had merely been a transaction.
Su Xiao paid money, while the middle-aged man paid with his life. It was a transaction that was both fair and unfair.
Watching the departing Krieg Pirates, Su Xiao tossed away the cigarette in his hand and crushed it beneath his foot.
"Krieg Pirates, don't disappoint me."
Su Xiao vanished into the night and hurried toward the royal palace.
Damn, what does this have to do with martial arts~~~~.
Before you continue