Shadow Dragon: The Fallen Angel Is My Teacher

"I want to be a passenger," I said.

The crewmate standing in front of me tilted his head.

A small crab peeked out from his shoulder, then crawled back inside.

"The voyage'll end in a lil' over seventy days," he said, his voice rough like waves crashing against old wood. "Ye gotta pay with seventy days o' yer memories, mate."

He lifted a damp, webbed hand toward my head, intending to draw out my memories.

"Wait," I said. "I'll pay with this instead."

I reached into my pocket and used the second special mana pattern.

The rune on my palm was linked to my pocket's spatial inventory.

A golden slab appeared in my hand, heavy and warm.

"This works, right?" I asked.

The crewmate's single good eye gleamed, and his lips curled into a grin.

"Aye, it works fine. But it be nine golds, not one."

"Nine? It's seven gold bars. Who are you trying to scam?" I frowned.

I had only 899 left.

And this slimy sea Cursed Spirit wanted to rob me blind?

Still, I knew how things worked here.

If I called him out too much, he would have a grudge against me.

Then he'd make things harder for me later.

Fighting wasn't an option either.

The Captain of this city-ship valued his crew more than the voyagers.

If I caused trouble, I would be thrown off before I could blink.

So I didn't argue to win.

I argued to show that I knew his game. That way, I could earn a small favor in return.

"Ah, it be nine, mate. Maybe ye ain't up to date with the prices," the crewmate said with a nervous chuckle.

I narrowed my eyes.

The slime on his skin glistened as sweat began to form.

He realized I knew he was lying.

Then I smiled.

"Alright, fine."

I handed him ten gold bars.

Inside, I was crying.

That gold came from blood, sweat, and hours of hard work.

Watching it leave my hand hurt like hell.

He stared at the bars, blinking. "Ma–mate, I think ye gave extra."

I chuckled lightly. "It's fine. Take it. Think of it as a friendship sign."

The crewmate grinned wide, his crooked teeth showing.

He stuffed the gold into a pouch tied to his waist.

"Good man, ye are. If ye be lookin' for a place to rest, try the Driftin' Whale Inn, down near the third dock. They serve warm grub and the rum's not half bad."

"Thanks," I said.

He nodded, still grinning. "Pleasure doin' business, friend."

I turned around and started walking.

The air ahead shimmered faintly.

The mist began there, thick and white.

It wasn't natural fog, it was something else.

Something alive.

Everyone in Nautilus knew not to step into it carelessly.

If you enter it, you would be trapped here forever.

Only other Exorcists could save you, and even then, chances of being saved were low.

As for what exactly happened upon entering the mist, let's just say, some things were better not known.

My steps slowed as I neared the mist.

'Did I not give him enough?' I thought.

I only gave him 1 extra gold bar, but it should've been enough since I showed I knew he was scamming me and still gave him extra to be friendly with him.

'Should I go back and give him more?'

Before I could decide, the crewmate shouted behind me, "Wai–wait, mate! Take this with ye!"

I turned around.

He picked up a thick piece of driftwood and held it under a bright blue flame burning in a nearby lantern.

The fire licked up the wood, like it was meant to burn forever.

He handed it to me.

"Here, lad. This'll help ye through the mist."

"The mist?" I asked, pretending I didn't already know.

"Aye," he said, his voice lowering. "It be a ward, ye see.

"Keeps enemies away from the ship. That cursed fog blocks all kinds o' trickery—spatial travel, time magic, detection spells, ye name it.

"Many pirates tried crossin' it without protection. Some are still walkin' in there, lost forever. Others…"

He paused, glancing at the fog.

"Others met worse fates. Ye best not go wanderin' in there without that torch, mate."

I looked down at the burning wood.

The flame flickered gently, but it didn't hurt to touch.

"Thank you for this, friend."

He laughed, a rough sound that echoed off the damp walls. "Think nothin' of it, lad.

"Just don't be doin' stupid things. Keep that torch close, and ye'll be fine.

"Now off with ye! Enjoy the voyage, and remember to leave the ship when it ends, eh? Or else, hehe…"

I nodded. "Got it."

With the torch in hand, I walked toward the mist again.

The air grew colder.

My breath came out as thin white puffs.

As I stepped closer, the blue fog curled around my boots, but the torch's light pushed it back.

A small space—half a meter wide—cleared around me, like the mist itself feared the flame.

I glanced back once.

The crewmate had already turned away, counting his gold with a pleased grin.

"Onwards, I guess," I muttered, then stepped forward.

The mist opened slightly, swirling like a doorway welcoming me in.

I took a deep breath and entered.

The torchlight flickered in my hand as the world behind me disappeared into the thick haze.

When I glanced to my side, Yuna was staring at me with an exasperated look.

"What?" I asked.

"You almost didn't get that navigation flame because you didn't give him enough money!" she said, throwing her hands in the air.

"Why are you such a money grubber, Lord of Shadows? You have so much gold, just use it!

"You do the same with weapons too. You hoard them even though you don't need half of them. Sell them if you like money that much!"

"I don't like money," I said.

Then I paused. "Well, I do like money, but that's not the point. I just like seeing my things grow. I don't like watching them disappear."

Yuna looked at me like I had said something insane.

But I was serious.

This habit had saved my life more than once.

You never knew when you'd have to hide, get captured, or end up trapped somewhere.

Could you make infinite food or weapons in a place like that? No.

That's why you prepare beforehand.

Better to have too much than to have nothing when you need it most.

I lifted the navigation flame and kept walking.

The blue light shimmered softly, keeping a small circle around me clear of mist.

Shapes moved in the fog.

The dark silhouettes looked human, but not quite.

Some whispered faintly, voices stretching like echoes underwater.

"Help us…"

"Stay with us…"

I ignored them and kept walking.

The torch hummed faintly, guiding me forward.

Not once did the mist, or building, or an object block my path.

That was the special effect of this flame.

It created a safe passage through the cursed fog.

I kept walking for what felt like an hour.

Then, finally, the mist began to thin.

A warm glow appeared ahead.

Soon, I could see it clearly, a large building that looked like a mix between a motel and a pub.

Drifting Whale Inn.

The same name the crewmate had told me was carved into a huge wooden board above the entrance.

Around it was drawings of strange sea creatures, half-fish, half-monster, staring with white eyes.

Blue flames — Navigation Flames — burned at all four corners of the building.