The Player's POV

Time seemed to freeze.

Eden's entire attention was drawn on that ship.

The demon felt puzzled.

Puzzled about everything.

"Is that the legendary ghost ship?"

Why did a ship suddenly appear in this place?

And were there reinforcements on it?

"How strange."

While Eden was bewildered, not understanding what the hell was going on, Kaede was the opposite.

The moment that ship appeared, a ray of salvation flashed through her jet-black eyes.

The Guildmaster of the Shadow Viper Guild felt that she was very lucky.

That was not an ordinary ship.

That was the key that would lead her to victory.

Not allowing herself to waste any more time, Kaede accelerated towards that ship.

Then, under Eden's stunned gaze, she jumped straight onto that ship and completely disappeared.

"Oh…"

It wasn't until Eden witnessed what had just happened that she came back to her senses.

At the same time, the demon also got an answer for all her questions.

She finally understood about the appearance of that ship.

Its appearance was not a coincidence.

It was the plan of Kaede Shirayuki, Eden's opponent.

"So that's how it is?"

When fighting her, the demon realized that her fighting style was quite similar to that of an assassin.

Hiding in the shadows.

And then striking when the enemy was not paying attention.

Killing the enemy before they had a chance to react.

Killing the enemy before they had a chance to react.

And as an assassin, this battlefield was completely unsuitable for the guildmaster of the Shadow Viper guild.

"So she arranged a ship?"

Eden smiled.

"Smart."

The demon was looking forward to the outcome of this battle more and more.

"But human, do you think you can defeat me with just that?"

She couldn't help but snicker.

"We're about to fight in your ideal battlefield. Congratulations."

Clap! Clap! Clap!

Eden clapped her hands repeatedly.

It was a sincere clap.

At the same time, it was also the demon's way of condoling Kaede's death.

How arrogant.

"But, no matter what you do or what battlefield you're in…"

The demon jumped up, then successfully landed on the deck of the ship lightly.

Like a feather.

"I will still win."

With just a glance, Eden was able to confirm that this was a cargo ship.

Not a luxurious, splendid ship that catered to wealthy guests.

Like just now, she slowly closed her eyes, sensing Kaede's exact location.

Normally, this method was very effective.

But this time, since stepping onto this ship, everything had completely changed.

"Hm?"

Eden unconsciously frowned.

Then, she slowly opened her eyes.

Her expression also became more solemn.

"I can't sense that person's exact location."

It wasn't because the guildmaster of the Shadow Viper guild had disappeared from the battlefield.

"It is because there are many different animals under the hull."

It was possible that Kaede had used those animals to hide her presence.

"Pretty clever."

The demon's lips curled slightly.

"But it's fine."

***

Tap, tap, tap.

Eden slowly walked down the hull of the ship.

Everything was engulfed in darkness.

But, the demon could still sense the presence and hear the sounds of all the animals here.

Cock-a-doodle-doo!

There were chickens.

Moo!

There were cows.

Oink oink!

There were pigs.

Neighhhh!

There were horses.

…

And many other animals.

"What the hell is this?"

Eden couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"A cheap version of Noah's Ark?"

But then, her expression turned serious.

Yes, there were many different animals in this place.

But the person the demon had just fought with was not here.

Eden couldn't sense Kaede.

"Did she really disappear?"

That was impossible.

If that was the case, then why couldn't the demon sense the presence or aura of the guildmaster of the Shadow Viper guild?

"Wait. What's that?"

All of a sudden, Eden's gaze stopped on a wooden barrel.

Only now did the demon realize that there were many similar wooden barrels all over the ship.

"What's in there?"

She couldn't sense any life in them.

That meant that those wooden barrels were either empty or contained something.

The first case was definitely impossible.

Because if so, then why would humans put those wooden barrels on this ship?

"Then it's the second case?"

What's inside those wooden barrels?

Eden didn't know.

So, she opened them.

The demon's hand gently placed on the lid of the nearest wooden barrel.

Then, with a little force, she lifted it up.

Crrreeeakkk!

"…!"

And what was inside didn't disappoint Eden.

Indeed, there were things inside.

A lot, in fact.

But, they weren't food, nor were they goods.

They were bombs.

The entire wooden barrel contained a variety of bombs.

And there was a high chance that the other wooden barrels were similar.

"If that's the case, then… is this boat a mobile bomb?"

Eden's eyes widened in shock.

A flash of panic flashed within the demon's white eyes.

Her gaze then stopped on a piece of paper lying on top of all these bombs.

That piece of paper didn't contain a lengthy essay.

There was only a single word written on it.

— Idiot.

"…!"

This was nothing less than a blatant insult.

But, Eden didn't even have time to let her anger flare up.

The demon had just realized a terrible truth.

"It seems… I've fallen into that human's trap…"

— That's right.

That was what was written on the back of the paper.

Once Eden entered this ship, she would definitely not be able to get out again.

This was a trap made specifically for that demon.

Plan B.

Commander Eden thought that Kaede boarded this ship because it would be more convenient for her to fight.

That was true.

But in this situation, that was wrong.

All the guildmaster of the Shadow Viper guild did was to lure that demon onto this ship, without having to put in too much effort.

"Oh no…"

And once she set foot on the hull, everything would be over.

Probably.

The next moment, without giving Eden a chance to jump off the ship, all the bombs were activated.

At the same time.

A feast of sound and light was about to take place.

How exciting.