Treasure Hunting System： The Ocean Conquerer

Alka spoke smoothly, and two cards appeared in his hand. The backs of these cards were still white, but the black border on the front featured a symbol resembling a cloak.

Alka's cards generally fell into three categories. The first type had a solid-colored back and a front displaying symbols representing its abilities. Originating from Jack's manual, Alka's craftsmanship had progressed to the point where he could perfectly craft these cards and even improve upon them. However, he was currently attempting to create more powerful cards based on this concept.

The second type consisted of cards engraved with Mirror Runes. These cards had a pure white back, and their front displayed different graphics that changed according to the Spell variations. These cards were mostly functional, offering various features beneficial for combat, daily life, or other purposes. However, relying on them for direct offensive or defensive capabilities in combat was clearly unfeasible. The Spells that could be fused were typically weak, functional ones, and there was no guarantee they would produce useful effects.

The third type was metal cards. Alka often used these for unexpected attacks, essentially treating them as throwing knives. In most situations, they were less convenient than guns.

Alka handed one of these new cards to Chadite beside him and then pressed the remaining one to his own chest. The card transformed into a mirror, which promptly shattered. The broken shards didn't disappear as usual; instead, they floated around Alka. Chadite used his card similarly, and the effect was identical to Alka's.

The two of them then concealed themselves in the darkness. Unless someone with exceptionally sharp senses persistently searched the exact area they occupied, it would be very difficult to find any trace of them. This was the result of fusing the Mirror Spell with Stealth. However, the effect was time-limited, lasting only about a minute. This was because Alka's mastery of Stealth was still insufficient.

The pair quickly darted through the darkness toward the ship. The vigilant personnel patrolling aboard walked back and forth, completely unaware that the two had already reached the vessel's side. As for Pororo, he possessed natural stealth far superior to Alka and Chadite's. He lay in ambush underwater, waiting for the pirates. If any became desperate enough to jump overboard and flee by sea, they would face an even bloodier scene.

Circle after circle of fluorescent ripples surged directly into the ground, then were conducted to the ship. The ripples' concealment had improved, and the personnel aboard the ship failed to detect Chadite's probing.

Chadite silently nodded, then signaled with his fingers, first showing a one, then changing it to a six. Alka indicated his understanding. This meant there was one Touched and six ordinary people.

Subsequently, the two quietly leaped onto the ship. Aided by Stealth, they quickly melted into the vessel's shadows. The illumination from the Lighting Stone was limited.

They split up.

Alka held a metal card in one hand and gripped a dagger in the other. He silently hid in the shadows, waiting for a patrolling crewman to pass. The patrolman, oblivious to the danger, vanished without a sound as he walked by the ship's edge. Only a faint, muffled groan could be heard in the darkness.

Alka then moved to the foredeck, stealthily approached a dozing pirate, and knocked him unconscious with a single palm strike. He dragged the pirate into the darkness and continued his sweep.

The sole Explorer was up in the lookout tower.

Soon, Alka reconvened with Chadite. They both gave an "all clear" signal and began climbing the ropes toward the lookout tower.

The Touched lay leisurely in the lookout tower's hanging chair, rocking back and forth, completely unaware of the looming danger. He held a bottle of liquor, taking occasional sips. An unfamiliar tune, softly hummed, drifted to their ears.

With Alka in the lead and Chadite behind him, they moved swiftly. Alka lunged forward, clamping his hand over the enemy's mouth and head. Chadite immediately rushed in. With several crisp snapping sounds, a few punches were enough to break the enemy's limbs. Only then did Alka release him.

"Ah, ah! Who are you? Spare me..." His pained words trailed off as, in the light from the lookout tower, he saw Alka's face. It was the very target they had been hunting for the past six months, the main culprit who had plunged them into their current predicament.

The pirate's mouth fell open, his eyes widening as he tried to speak. Suddenly, he let out a muffled grunt, and blood began to flow from his eyes, nose, and mouth. He died before them in an instant.

Alka and Chadite showed no surprise at the death of this Explorer. The Touched aboard the Prayer for the Dead's vessel clearly possessed no true freedom; their lives were controlled by his father. It was uncertain how that father made his judgments. Regardless, whenever Alka and Chadite managed to capture these important pirate officers and attempted to interrogate them for information, these pirates, having become Touched, would die instantly, regardless of their strength. Furthermore, judging by the reactions of these pirates, it was clear they did not wish to die; rather, they were forced to.

This also meant the intelligence Alka could gather was limited, mostly obtained from ordinary pirates. And the information these ordinary pirates possessed was even more restricted. Most of it was hearsay picked up on the ship or half-formed conjectures based on things they had witnessed.