Arcane: Winds of Change

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Chapter 39: Contact

After a while, the merchant ship reached the edge of the small island. The island wasn't very large; a glance from the shore could see its boundaries. 

"Something seems off; there's smoke coming from up ahead," Phil remarked with a hint of caution, eyeing the thick smoke rising in the distance. 

"But we're already here, let's check it out." Upon hearing Phil's comment, the group paused. However, Phil reconsidered and decided not to be overly cautious.

At the agreed-upon trading location, Phil saw a group of pirates who might as well have "I'm a thug" written on their faces. Of course, many people from Zaun had a similarly fierce look. 

"Hey, isn't that Balthe? Not hiding out in Zaun anymore?" A two-meter-tall man with a scar across his face was the first to address the newcomers. 

"Gangplank, do you let your dogs roam free when you're out doing business?" As he spoke, the armor in the original plan spread over Phil's body, encasing and protecting him. 

"Hahaha! Kid, don't speak so harshly," Gangplank laughed heartily, striding out from a burning building. A curved knife with bloodstains hung at his waist. Despite his jovial laughter, Phil would never associate him with those two words. At that moment, Gangplank didn't appear as disheveled as Phil remembered him—his arms were intact, and he looked only youthful. 

"If I remember correctly, this was Abigail Fortune's place. Are you here to forge something, destroying the master blacksmith's home in the process?" Phil's voice carried a tone of amusement, perhaps mocking or perhaps criticizing such behavior. 

"Don't forget what made our fortunes." Gangplank didn't respond, but his henchman knew how to read his expression, causing some tension among Phil's crew. Before coming, they had done some research on their trading partner. Gangplank's wealth came from plundering merchant ships. As for why they were doing business with someone with such a poor reputation, first, only they had the strength to take on large quantities of goods. Second, there weren't many honest folk in Bilgewater.

Jinx, though unable to understand Scarface's insinuation, could see his disrespect towards Phil. Instantly, she raised her gun and aimed it at him. On the other side, seeing Jinx's move, they naturally wouldn't back down, leading to a standoff. Gangplank waved his hand. "Peace brings prosperity, right? As for why this place is in ruins, it's naturally because the negotiating powers were unequal. We all understand that."

Phil also lowered Jinx's gun. "Shall we look at the goods first?" "Of course." Phil clapped his hands, and a few brawny men brought over crates filled with Shimmer vials. There's a small story here. Originally, Silco intended to sell Shimmer in iron drums, but Phil dissuaded him. Phil suggested that packaging Shimmer in vials as intricate and delicate could yield greater profits.

"Each vial is approximately a single dose, depending on one's physique. It can enhance potential and heal wounds. Just a small bottle has the ability to bring the dead back to life. These could change the tide of battle, and I wish you success in becoming the ruler of these seas." Phil almost sounded like he was pitching an advertisement, making Shimmer sound even more miraculous than the healing waters of the Blessed Isles.

"Words aren't proof; you need a demonstration," Gangplank said, aware of Shimmer's reputation for granting amazing power at the cost of tremendous bodily damage. Yet, all he'd heard were rumors. 

"Rham, you're up." Phil pointed to the weakest member of the group, then to someone beside Gangplank. "You, Scarface, get ready. You two have a fight." With that, Phil tossed a vial of Shimmer to Rham. Scarface wasn't afraid of a little runt; he had just joined Gangplank's crew and was eager to make a name for himself and earn trust and favor.

"Come on, little guy," Scarface taunted Rham, motioning with his finger. "Don't hold back. Defeat him, and I'll give you ten gold pieces. Kill him, and it's fifty," Phil said nonchalantly. He wasn't known for his good temper. Hearing this, the hesitant Rham downed the potion, eager to experience the power. As he poured the Shimmer directly into his mouth, his face twisted, veins bulged with a purple luminescence, and his muscles swelled. "Roar!" Rham let out a beast-like growl and charged forward. Scarface tried to defend himself, but his knife couldn't penetrate Rham's muscles, and he was slammed to the ground.

Gangplank watched his henchman in danger without intervening, instead displaying an amused expression. With another roar, Rham tore an arm off Scarface. Blood splattered, and soon Scarface was lifeless. Phil injected a sedative into Rham, calming his intensity and dimming the purple glow. "See? This potion can build you an unstoppable army." "The destructive power is clear, but how do you prove its healing ability?" "That's simple; we brought test animals." "Animals won't do. Fortunately, I have a test subject right here," Gangplank smirked and walked into the half-burned courtyard. A woman lay on the ground, surrounded by ruined guns, bleeding out and close to death. "Is that Abigail Fortune?" Phil was surprised, observing the woman whose auburn hair and features bore a resemblance to the infamous Miss Fortune. "Indeed, this woman was hard-headed. I got impulsive... regret it a bit. If your potion can revive her, I'm quite open to doing business."

Phil glanced at the fallen family, shaking his head slightly. Among those he'd met, no one, regardless of their cruelty, found enjoyment in mindless killing. "One thing at a time, Mr. Gangplank. What you do with the potion is up to you, but you must show some sincerity first. Like, let me see your payment," Phil stated carefully. Nobody dared to speak unnecessarily, and Gangplank's crew didn't want to end up like Scarface. Gangplank's expression darkened. "Do you not trust me?" Phil miscalculated. The Gangplank he remembered would have made the deal to rise again. But this Gangplank, successful and unchallenged, wouldn't take someone from Zaun seriously.