Bloodhound’s Regression Instinct

Chapter 161

Three hours ago.

Yan and Cruel boarded the fifth fleet’s pirate ship, preparing to set sail in pursuit of the Kraken.

Ivan frowned upon their boarding but didn’t make any significant objections.

He was well aware of their shallow ploy to earn merits and seek an audience with the Pirate Empress.

Yan’s skills were quite exceptional, so if used wisely, they could ensure the crew’s safety to some extent.

“Stop lazing around and move the cargo quickly.”

At Ivan’s frosty command, Yan and Cruel helped with the work without complaint.

Soon after, the voyage began.

The sight of hundreds of ships slicing through the vast ocean, heading towards the Kraken’s habitat, was a spectacle unlikely to be seen again in a lifetime.

Cruel sat on the deck, quietly observing the scene.

He seemed overwhelmed by the magnificent view, scanning his surroundings in a daze.

“Hmph!”

Ivan scoffed at Cruel and entered the captain’s quarters.

Inside, he found an unwelcome guest and his expression hardened.

Yan had sneaked into the captain’s quarters, unbeknownst to the other sailors.

He didn’t seem to be pilfering maps or stealing anything.

He was just sitting in a chair, staring intently at Ivan.

Ivan glared at Yan with icy eyes.

“This place is only for the captain of this ship. Leave.”

His tone was as chilly as the north wind in midwinter.

Yet, Yan remained unmoved, prompting Ivan to twist his lips fiercely.

“Can’t you hear me? Do I need to throw you overboard to feed the fish before you listen?”

“I have a question for you.”

“…What?”

“Do you ever consider overthrowing the Pirate Empress and taking over this pirate fleet?”

Ivan’s eyes widened at Yan’s unexpected question.

But only for a moment.

Grrrrrr.

A formidable aura began to emanate from him.

Ivan drew his curved sword, revealing sharp fangs.

“What’s the reason for such insolence?”

“I’m making you an offer. With your capabilities, Ivan, you might not lead the entire pirate fleet, but surely you could command this fifth battalion? With such power, you could certainly make a name for yourself.”

Hearing this, Ivan’s face contorted with malice.

“Ha, haha. Such a dog.”

What?

No thoughts of dethroning the lady and becoming the master of the pirate fleet?

Anyone with a bit of sense would understand the implication behind that question.

It was a ludicrous suggestion to conspire against the lady together.

Boom!

Ivan kicked off the ground and charged at Yan, who remained seated.

Despite having the chance to dodge, Yan kept his eyes fixed on Ivan.

And so, Ivan, with the ferocity of a storm, grabbed Yan by the collar.

“What’s wrong with you? Overthrow the lady? Make a name for yourself?”

Ivan’s pupils were filled with rage.

“I’ve disliked you since the lady considered joining forces with you. There seemed to be no benefit in allying with such gloomy individuals!”

Yan listened quietly to his roar.

Ivan raised his fist, charged with energy.

“For the crime of attempting to use the lady, atone with your death.”

And with that.

Swoosh!

The energy-charged fist rushed towards Yan’s head.

That’s when it happened.

Thud.

Yan caught Ivan’s fist.

Despite the energy it contained, it was powerless.

Ivan’s eyes bulged.

Yan’s hand was also charged with energy, even more potent than his own.

Yan released Ivan’s fist with a smirk.

“You pass.”

“What are you talking about…”

“The Pirate Empress is in danger.”

“…What?”

“The leader of the revolutionaries never intended to ally with the lady.”

Ivan blinked at Yan’s rapid-fire words.

He let go of Yan’s collar.

“So… the lady is in danger because of the revolutionary leader?”

“Yes.”

Silence followed Yan’s response.

But it was short-lived.

“Uahahahat!”

Ivan burst into loud laughter, almost painfully loud.

He looked at Yan with a grin.

“Whatever that leader does, there’s no danger to the lady. She could even defeat a shipwright on the sea.”

The Pirate Empress’s skills were even stronger on the sea.

If she chose to fight, she could single-handedly crush the navy fleets boasted by the Sun Emperor.

But Yan shook his head.

“It’s not that simple. There’s a vile plot at play. My rudeness was to test if you were truly trustworthy.”

“A vile plot?”

“I haven’t encountered the revolutionary leader myself… but I know he’s someone to be cautious of.”

Ivan recalled Damian shuddering at the thought of the leader.

Even though he was a cold and calculating man, the expression he wore when describing the leader was one of ‘trouble.’

Such a person wouldn’t concoct a half-baked scheme against the Pirate Empress.

“Hmm.”

Ivan’s laughter faded a bit at Yan’s repeated words.

“Then we must turn the ship around and find the lady!”

“Not yet. Can you gather the other pirate fleet captains? I’ll bring evidence to them.”

Ivan nodded heavily.

“I’ll call a meeting. But if this turns out to be a false alarm… you’ll be held responsible.”

“I stake my life on it.”

Of course, he had no intention of doing so.

Ivan watched Yan’s determined expression and left the captain’s quarters without a word.

* * *

Yan moved swiftly towards the next phase of his plan.

He darted between ships, searching for someone.

Upon boarding the flagship of the first fleet, he encountered a familiar face.

“…Weren’t you supposed to not come?”

It was Karam, looking at Yan with a mix of surprise and disapproval.

“I had my reasons for coming. But what about you? Where’s your partner in crime?”

“Partner? If you’re talking about Darkin… Ah, there he is.”

Yan pointed to a hulking figure approaching on the deck.

At that moment, Yan’s eyes gleamed with intent.

Thud!

His foot kicked off the deck, propelling him towards Darkin.

“…!”

Caught off guard by the sudden assault, Darkin hastily summoned his mana.

Smack!

But Yan reached him in an instant, delivering a swift kick to Darkin’s abdomen.

The blow disrupted the mana gathered at Darkin’s core, scattering it uselessly.

Crunch.

Yan then pressed his foot down on the sprawled Darkin’s chest.

That’s when it happened.

“What the hell are you doing!”

Karam couldn’t stand by and watch; he charged, throwing a punch at Yan.

Whoosh!

Yet, with a slight tilt of his head, Yan dodged the punch.

And in a flash, he aimed his drawn sword, Ascalon, at Karam’s throat.

Karam’s eyes widened in shock as he yelled.

“Have you forgotten what Commander Werner said?”

“No, I remember.”

“Then why the hell…!”

Yan smirked and pressed down harder with his foot.

Darkin let out a pained groan.

As Karam’s face turned red with anger, about to shout again, Yan cut him off.

“You know why I’m doing this, don’t you?”

Yan asked coldly, looking down at Darkin.

Karam’s face twisted in confusion at the inexplicable scene.

“What in the world is this…”

Before Karam could finish, Yan interrupted.

“This guy is a spy.”

* * *

At first, suspicion fell on Mel and Don.

Their abilities were shrouded in secrecy, and there were too many questionable aspects about them at first glance.

But there was a moment when it became clear they were not the chief’s spies.

“Once we return… I’ll verify this information… with the chief of staff…”

“Heh, you’re going to travel that great distance again?”

“What other choice do we have… if we just sit here… will another way… present itself?”

These were their words when they were chased away by the Pirate Empress.

If they had been spies, they would have tried to stay and send a message to the Pirate Empress.

But at that time, they intended to return to the revolutionary headquarters.

That left Karam, Darkin, Henry, and Loen.

Four people.

Yet, the disciples of the Lightblade seemed more concerned with their own necks than the mission, showing no signs of trying to trap the Pirate Empress.

That left Karam and Darkin.

But they, too, showed no signs of being spies.

So at first, I thought I had misjudged.

But my thoughts soon changed.

It was when they explained the information about the ‘Kraken hunt.’

“You may not be my favorite person, but I owe you my life. Consider this as repaying a favor.”

“I plan to share this information with Mel and Don as well. I owe them my life from the past, right, Karam?”

“Are you considering it?”

At first, I thought Darkin was someone who valued repaying favors.

But upon reflection.

I couldn’t understand why the captain of the first fleet would share such information only with him.

And then.

‘When I said I would consider it, his expression twisted.’

Even if he couldn’t manage his expression because he thought I wouldn’t accept his goodwill, it’s possible.

But if they were spies.

They would want to keep potential candidates by their side, not the Pirate Empress’s.

And so, Yan quietly followed Darkin after the confrontation with the Pirate Empress.

He saw him meet with the captain of the first fleet late at night and head towards the fortress.

Yes.

As expected, the spy was Darkin.

* * *

“…What, a spy?”

“To be precise, he was acting under the chief’s secret orders.”

At those words, Darkin gnawed on his lip before abruptly turning his head away.

“Ha, haha, stop joking. That guy has been with me since we were kids.”

Karam looked at Darkin and asked,

“Hey, Darkin. Say something, will you!”

But Darkin, with his eyes closed, said nothing.

Seeing him like that, Karam seemed to lose his words, his mouth agape.

Yan watched Darkin and then drew a black dagger from his cloak.

“You might as well hear the reason from the man himself.”

It was a dagger that could slice through anything as if it were mere paper, so cutting through human skin would be all too easy.

The dagger, gleaming ominously in the sunlight, was reflected in Darkin’s pupils.

Yan smirked.

“Shall we uncover the truth then?”

* * *

Thirty minutes had passed.

At Ivan’s summons, the other captains gathered in the command room of the 5th Division pirate ship.

“Hey, Ivan! What’s the fuss about calling us here?”

“I need my beauty sleep before flexing my muscles, you know that!”

“If you spout nonsense, I’ll shave your head clean today.”

The captains, who had participated in the Kraken hunt, entered the command room with twisted faces.

They exchanged light banter as they walked in, but upon seeing Ivan’s stern face, they tilted their heads in confusion.

“What’s up, anything wrong?”

The captain of the 4th Division asked Ivan.

Ivan clenched his eyes shut and opened his mouth.

“Our sister is in danger.”

At Ivan’s words, the captains’ eyes widened, then they burst into laughter.

“Who would dare harm our sister!”

“Don’t you know our sister’s reputation on the seas? You should know best.”

Ivan shook his head in denial.

It was the same thing he had said earlier.

He pointed his finger to one side.

There, almost reduced to rags, Darkin was gasping for breath.

Half of it was due to Yan’s torture, and the other half was Ivan’s beating.

“After beating this guy up, the intel suggests that even the captain of the 1st Division has betrayed us.”

At first, they didn’t believe it, thinking Ivan was playing a trick on them.

But Ivan relayed the information he had extracted from Darkin.

Soon, the atmosphere in the command room heated up as if it was about to explode.

“Damn it! So, Drakan, that bastard, is planning to stab our sister in the back and take the pirate fleet’s captaincy for himself?!”

“Huh, if it weren’t for our sister, that guy would’ve been sold off to some backwater farm to toil until death blinded by greed.”

“Turn the ship around, now!”

* * *

After finishing the flashback from a few hours ago, Yan looked at the dumbfounded Drakan and Admiral Leang and smirked.

“Now, who’s the rat?”