CHAPTER 481: 481. THE HUNTERS AND THE HUNTED

After leaving Azure’s cabin, Tyler chose not to accompany Zuzia and Myrtle, who eagerly headed down to the lower floors for shopping. Instead, he decided to rent a cultivation cabin. It wasn’t out of necessity— his own resources were more than sufficient— but rather out of simple curiosity.

The cabin, at first glance, appeared quite refined. The walls were inscribed with layered arrays, their faint glow forming an intricate web that ensured stability and flow of energy.

Tyler took a moment to study the craftsmanship, silently acknowledging the effort and cost that must have gone into constructing such a place.

Yet when he sat down to sense the surrounding atmosphere, his initial interest quickly faded. The density of Aura and Prana within the cabin was way better compared to ordinary places, but it hardly measured up to his standards.

Even the private residence within his ship’s pocket dimension possessed a far richer and more concentrated flow of energy.

But Tyler forgot that he burns 100 times or even Thousands times of resources for an Hour compared to this.

When he was about to leave, he got a Visitor.

He looked down at the pirate introducing himself. The man wore a patched coat with a garish emblem stitched across the chest —a skull pierced cleanly by an arrow. Even before the man opened his mouth, Tyler knew exactly who he was dealing with.

Hunter Pirates.

The emblem was unmistakable. They were notorious for their ruthless ambushes and their strange code of conduct. They hunted in groups, thrived on taking contracts others avoided, and were known to obey their own twisted sense of honor.

The man bowed stiffly, though his eyes betrayed unease. Standing before Phantom Blackwood made him sweat as though he were staring into an abyss. His name, as he shakily introduced himself, was Ragetti.

"Captain Phantom," Ragetti began, his voice catching, "I come with an invitation. Our Crew wish to ally with yours... for a raid."

Tyler tilted his head slightly, the shadow of his hood hiding the twitch of amusement tugging at his lips. "A raid?" His voice came out deep and hollow, carefully molded to fit the fearsome reputation of Phantom Blackwood. "On whom?"

Ragetti straightened, trying to show courage he did not feel. "The White Pearl. A ship of the White Merchant Group."

For the briefest second, Tyler almost broke character. The laugh that nearly escaped his throat would have ruined everything. So they want revenge? They want to take back their reputation.

He forced his features still, letting only a faint hum of interest escape. "The White Pearl..." He let the name hang in the air, heavy with false menace. "Heh... We even crossed paths with them in the south once. They are ok’ish."

Ragetti, mistaking Tyler was looking down on them, nodded eagerly. " We failed before, yes, but this time we seek to tip the scales."

Tyler leaned on the railing, his voice a low growl. "You speak of failure. Yet do you understand why you failed? You challenged a vessel far beyond your grasp. Even with the Law of Threefold Attack, you still crumbled."

Ragetti stiffened. His lips moved slowly, repeating the phrase as if savoring it. "The Law of Threefold Attack... Indeed, that is a perfectly fitting phrase."

It had slipped out reflexively, a relic of Tyler’s past studies from the Academy. The military theory was simple: an attacking force needed three times the strength of its enemy to guarantee success. Offense required absolute victory. Defense, however, thrived on options—repel, endure, or counter. That imbalance made defense infinitely stronger.

"The White Pearl," Tyler continued smoothly, "is no ordinary merchant ship. To strike it, your threefold force would need to be tenfold instead. And even then..." His words trailed, as if hinting at some terrible secret.

Ragetti’s shoulders slumped. "I can only say... we underestimated the enemy."

Tyler fought to keep his expression stern. Inside, he was howling with laughter. You didn’t just underestimate. You tried to bite the hand of the very man standing before you. He can literally finish them in instant if he just order that Fishing–Loving–Fox to eliminate them.

Tyler allowed the silence to stretch. The Hunter Pirate shifted uneasily, sweat dripping down his temple. The room’s atmosphere grew heavy, the flickering lantern light casting Phantom Blackwood’s shadow into something monstrous.

Finally, He straightened, the heavy cloak falling around him like a curtain. "Your failure interests me," he said, voice calm and deliberate. "Alright. First Find out where they are? Also give me a way to communicate."

Ragetti then gave something and explained it. Tyler was clearly impressed by this method of communication.

Finally, Tyler spoke, his voice laced with mock consideration. "Perhaps I will hear you out. Perhaps. But understand this—" His eyes gleamed faintly beneath the mask, "Make sure the Payment is good. I will bring the Head of that Guy who has summon Rain."

He released his Divine Sense.

Ragetti trembled, but managed a respectful bow. "Yes."

Tyler turned away, his lips hidden once more. He could hardly wait to share this with his crew later. The irony of the situation was too delicious. The Hunter Pirates had unknowingly handed themselves to him on a silver platter.

They want Phantom Blackwood to sink Tyler White? He almost chuckled at the thought. Then let’s see how deep this rabbit hole goes. If I play this right, I won’t just stop them. I might drag them down entirely.

With that thought, Tyler left the cabin, shutting the door behind him.

"I already paid it for a day. If you want it, then just use it," came a faint voice from within.

Ragetti paused only for a moment, then slipped out without hesitation. Then he met someone.

If Lily had been present, she would have instantly recognized the man —dark-skinned, sharp-eyed, unmistakably one of the Pirate Hunter group.

Just as Pirate Hunters had slipped spies among their enemies, it seemed the hunter Pirates had done the same with them. The man informed the Alliance between White Merchant Group and the Hunter Pirates.

"Oh... so they’re also joining hands," he muttered under his breath, voice laced with irritation.

"I hope these so-called Phantom Pirates are enough to handle them."

┉┈ ◈ ◉ ◈ ┈┉

After two days of wandering the bustling decks of the Dragon Boat, the girls finally decided it was time to return. Their shopping spree had left them satisfied, weighed down with bags, Even though they have storage device they love to carry it.

There were also curious eyes followed them. Several figures attempted to follow them, thinking they might catch the crew off-guard once they stepped off the Dragon Boat.

But the moment they set foot outside, all traces of the group vanished like mist under the morning sun. The pursuers were left bewildered, searching the waters with no sign of their prey.

Far from prying eyes, Tyler, Zuzia, and Myrtle appeared openly aboard the Shadow Pearl, their ship’s familiar aura washing over them.

Zuzia let out a small sigh, dropping her bags with a dramatic flop onto the floor. "Finally! The Dragon Boat was fun, but they don’t have anything to fight."

Myrtle chuckled, adjusting the delicate necklace she had picked up during their shopping. "Princess, Thanks for the Gift."

"That’s not gift. That’s a Leash from your mate." Su Fei who turned back into Lady Reaper said.

Myrtle froze and glared at Tyler.

Tyler only smiled faintly, leaning against the railing as his gaze swept over the calm ocean beyond.

The Dark Mist in the Shadow Pearl turned denser. Now everyone could see only a floating darkness. Even the outline of the ship is impossible to see.

A splash of seawater announced the arrival of the last group. Darla climbed aboard with Taka by her side, his eight tentacles carrying bundles of supplies as if they weighed nothing.

Thankfully, due to dense mist, Myrtle didn’t notice Darla and Taka.

They arrived at the Ship’s Kitchen.

The octopus fishman looked particularly looked happy with all these ingredients, though his muttered complaints about "being mistaken for a delivery service" still slipped out now and then.

"Don’t grumble, Taka," Darla teased, patting one of his tentacles as she carefully set down a crate. "I heard many Females like Tentacles. So You should be proud."

"I o-only like O-Octopus Lady " Taka responded.

She turned to the others with a triumphant grin. "I got everything we need! Fresh ingredients, spices you won’t find outside the Dragon Boat, and—look at this— advanced storage capsules. They’ll keep food fresher than ordinary preservation arrays. Perfect for long voyages."

The other assistant chefs gathered around to help Taka and Darla.

The Shadow Pearl began to depart. The ship drifted gracefully across the waters, unaware of the malevolent eyes tracking it from afar.

A crimson skull floated silently upon the waves, half-submerged yet eerily buoyant. Its hollow sockets suddenly gleamed with a sinister red light, as if awakening from a long slumber. Slowly, the skull turned, its gaze locking onto the departing Shadow Pearl.