The figure had no clue what his subordinate was really thinking. Shaking his head, he pressed on:
"This time we're not just passing messages around,
We're getting them to put on a little show for us!"
Todd scratched his head. A show?
Those Black Sinners could act?
What the hell was his boss cooking up now?
"A show that'll wipe out every last threat for good!"
The figure's mouth twisted into a wicked grin, pure malice gleaming in his eyes.
Todd couldn't help but shudder.
After years of working under this guy, he knew damn well someone was about to get royally screwed.
"Boss, what's this show gonna be about?"
Rock Sand City, Noble District, Residence No. 33,
You snagged another one!"
The three companions crowded around Carlos, cheering like he'd just slayed a dragon.
Carlos's fishing bucket was practically overflowing with sand fish flopping around—he'd just hooked another beauty.
"Pure luck, nothing more."
Even though this was his first time dropping a line, the haul was beyond anything he'd expected.
Either these fish were dumber than rocks or Lady Luck was smiling down on him—no matter how he cast, something always took the bait.
It was almost too easy, leaving Carlos feeling restless.
"But what's the deal with these three?
Not one damn fish between them?"
Red Spirit soared overhead, casting here and there—looked more like it was having a love affair with rod-swinging than actually fishing. No wonder it came up empty.
Purple Vortex... well...
It was playing that whole 'only willing fish will bite' game—hook bare as a newborn. Who knew when some suicidal fish would volunteer.
What really threw Carlos for a loop was Ginya.
She should've been pulling them in left and right.
That casting form, that careful bait selection, that perfect positioning—clearly a seasoned angling pro.
But... aside from that initial chaos caused by Purple Vortex and Red Spirit, not a single fish had even sniffed her hook.
Ginya crept over like a guilty child:
"Master, what bait are you using?"
"Today's hotter than a dragon's breath—the fish are too scorched to fancy my setup."
Ginya grasped for any excuse to explain her fishless streak.
Carlos didn't give a damn, waving for her to help herself.
I'll definitely nail one this time!"
Ginya switched out the bait with the care of a master craftsman, cast her line, and settled in to wait...
Then... the water stayed dead calm, nothing...
Damn it all to the Nine Hells!
It had to be the rod's fault!
Ginya sidled up again, eyeing the plain fishing rod in Carlos's grip like it held the secrets of the universe.
"Master, what kind of rod is that!"
Carlos flicked his wrist, tossing the rod over and grabbing a fresh one without missing a beat.
Ginya clutched it like a holy relic, eyes blazing with determination:
'This time... no way in hell I'm going home empty-handed!!!'
The fishing line painted a perfect arc through the air...
Then... even though several sand fish circled the hook like vultures, the stubborn things refused to bite.
Ginya's midnight-black pupils started glowing crimson with pure rage.
Bite, you sons of bitches!
Maybe the gods took pity on her fury, because those sand fish immediately dove deep and vanished like they'd seen a sea monster.
Red Spirit and Purple Vortex, who'd been watching Ginya's fishing disaster unfold, made sounds that were pure mockery wrapped in fake sympathy.
What a joke... thought she was some kind of fishing goddess.
Ginya felt her blood boiling, wanting nothing more than to dive into that pond and massacre every last blind fish!!!
Why can't I catch even one miserable fish!"
Ginya was losing her mind—she'd be damned if she'd accept that with her superior angling skills she couldn't land a single catch!
It had to be the spot!
She'd baited this area, but master swooped in and stole all her fish!
Once again she swallowed her pride
And approached Carlos,
Words stuck in her throat.
But she didn't dare ask master to move his ass.
If master wouldn't mind, could she camp nearby and mooch off his golden spot?
"Knock yourself out."
Carlos was getting a real kick out of this.
His companion still wouldn't admit the problem was her—seemed dead certain about her fishing prowess.
Ginya went through her checklist like a battle-hardened veteran:
Same bait, same rod, same spot—
She'd be damned if she was walking away empty-handed!
Cast away—smooth as silk!
A breeze stirred the water, sand fish darted around like golden coins.
Holy shit, it's actually biting!!!"
Ginya's eyes went wide as saucers, every fiber of her being focused. A sand fish opened wide, ready to chomp down on the bait!
Urgent pounding echoed out, spooking the fish into immediate retreat!!!
"No! It bolted again!!!"
Ginya nearly collapsed from sheer fury.
Who the hell was it!!!
Her first instinct was to snap the fishing rod in half to vent her rage,
But she caught herself—it belonged to master and she wouldn't dare wreck it.
So she grabbed a nearby boulder
And crushed it to dust!
Purple Vortex and Red Spirit nearby made sounds of mock concern and regret.
If you ignored them sneakily setting down their fishing rods, Ginya might've actually bought their act.
"You... you two bastards!"
Ginya was too pissed to form words, the sharp withered leaves covering her body trembling with rage.
But two against one—the odds sucked.
Carlos called out to the shield guards at the gate. He picked up a familiar presence.
It's Security Officer Willie—what's he doing here?"
Flanked by two shield guards,
A portly middle-aged man walked in.
Spotting Carlos, he immediately dropped into a bow:
"Greetings, Young Master Carlos."
"Hey there, Security Officer Willie.
What brings you to my doorstep?"
Carlos didn't miss a beat—
Security Officer Willie was keeping his distance and staying alert.
Willie spoke slowly and carefully:
"Young Master Carlos,
We bagged several Black Sinners today."
Carlos kept his mouth shut.
Probably just Black Sinner goons.
Willie's expression turned grim as he continued:
Spilled some seriously damning intel.
Someone inside Rock Sand City has been secretly feeding our leadership's classified orders to these scumbags."
His tone carried weight.
While he spoke, Willie watched Carlos's reaction like a hawk.
Carlos's brow furrowed.
The mole situation was blown wide open?
To keep from tipping off the enemy, Carlos hadn't clued in Rock Sand City's leadership, choosing to dig around quietly first.
He never figured some Black Sinner would sing like a canary.
But on the surface, he was clueless.
"Security Officer Willie,
Cut to the chase if you've got something to say."
Carlos's tone turned sharp—Willie's fishing expedition was getting on his nerves.
Willie's face went stone serious:
"According to that Black Sinner,
The mole feeding them classified intel
Always wore a mask, never showed their real face. Only thing visible was pointed ears.
Looks like we're dealing with a half-elf."
Carlos's eyes went wide.
This was a curveball he never saw coming.