Farewell #11

Feeling the icy touch of seawater, I slowly pried my eyes open, my head throbbing with pain and disorientation. With a groan, I attempted to rise, only to collapse back onto the cold, damp surface beneath me. 

Peering down at my body, a chorus of agony erupted from within as I beheld the countless wooden splinters protruding from my skin, each one a cruel reminder of the chaos that had unfolded.

As the fog of confusion lifted, the memories flooded back, crashing over me like a relentless tide. I had followed the emergency quest's directive, seeking refuge in the nearest barrel I could find within the lower deck. 

The deafening roar of cannons and the desperate screams of the pirates echoed around me, punctuated by the grim notifications of their demise.

Then, a jarring impact had shattered the relative safety of my makeshift shelter, sending wooden shrapnel tearing through my flesh. The sensation of cold weightlessness enveloped me as I held on to a piece of wood, and then nothing.

"Damn it... how did it come to this?" I muttered through gritted teeth, grappling with the harsh reality of my situation. The splinters, though not severe individually, were sapping away my strength with each passing moment.

With a grim determination, I turned my attention to the notifications flickering in the corner of my vision, seeking solace in the completion of the first quest. But hope was swiftly extinguished as I beheld the final message:

"[Number of Cutthroat Pirates remaining: 1/20]"

Despair threatened to engulf me as I came to terms with my failure to complete the mission. "Ah... looks like I'll have to die of blood loss here," I muttered, straining to shift my body and gaze upward. I

f death was inevitable, I reasoned, I'd prefer to meet it with a view of the heavens rather than die with my head buried in the mud.

Surveying the expansive night sky, adorned with a myriad of twinkling stars, I couldn't help but marvel at its beauty. "This world... it really is beautiful... it's a shame I've only experienced such a small, ugly portion of it," I mused, my thoughts drifting back to my time among the Cutthroat pirates. 

Every moment had been a struggle, from the disdainful glances to the meager rations and foul-tasting water mixed with cheap alcohol to keep it from spoiling.

"At least... I get to end it on a high note... The stars are beautiful, and the sea breeze... it's oddly soothing," I remarked, a faint smile gracing my lips as I embraced my impending fate. There was a sense of peace settling over me, a resignation to the inevitable.

There was no need to struggle anymore, or so I thought until I heard a stifled chuckle that shattered the silence. Startled, I turned to find none other than Old Barn, seated against a nearby tree with a pool of blood at his side. His amused expression incited a surge of embarrassment and frustration within me.

"You goddamned old geezer! Can't you let a man die in peace?" I exclaimed, my teeth clenched with irritation.

Old Barn chuckled at my words, though it was cut short by a fit of coughing, blood spilling from his lips. "So what if you're on your way out, lad? It's not like I'm here for a beach vacation... we'll both be boarding the same boat to the afterlife," he remarked, his hand stained crimson as he gestured towards his side.

Gritting my teeth, I steeled myself. "Is that right? Well, I'm not one for overcrowded boats!" I retorted, frantically patting down my clothes in search of my pistol. "Let me help you be on your way first!" I declared, aiming the weapon at Old Barn and pulling the trigger, only to be met with an empty click—the sea water had dampened the flintstone and gunpowder.

Old Barn's amusement only seemed to grow at my failed attempt. "Enough of the theatrics, lad," he admonished, shaking his head. "We're both on borrowed time... let's spend what's left in peace," he implored, casting me a weary glance.

Gritting my teeth, I retrieved my dagger—the same one Old Barn had given me. "Quiet! I can't move forward until every last one of you wretched pirates is dead!" I snapped, my muscles straining as I crawled toward him. "So just hurry up and die, you old coot! Haven't you lived long enough already?!" I urged, my fingers clawing into the sand as I dragged my weary body closer to Old Barn.

"Such hatred... but is it truly justified, lad?" Old Barn's voice held a bitter edge, his smile strained. "Think about it, if we hadn't picked you up, someone else would have... you might have even fallen into the clutches of a Celestial Dragon by now," he reasoned, shaking his head. "And among all the crew, I can't recall ever harming you in any way..." he concluded.

I scoffed at his words. "I'm not speaking in metaphors, old man!" I retorted. "Unless you, the last of the Cutthroat pirates, meet your end here and now, I'm condemned to die like a stray dog!" I continued, pushing through the pain and resistance of my body as I edged closer.

"And let's not forget... If you weren't on death's doorstep, the first thing you'd do is slit my throat, wouldn't you?" I questioned, my gaze piercing his.

Old Barn appeared momentarily taken aback, but his expression soon morphed into a wry smile. "And what makes you think that...?" he asked, neither confirming nor denying my words.

"You've been a pirate for who knows how long... do you expect me to believe you want to spend your remaining days on the run?" I challenged, steadily closing the gap between us. "I bet you want nothing more than to retire and use all the treasure you've gathered to bask in luxury" I reasoned, my tone filled with certainty. 

Old Barn attempted to laugh, but it turned into a fit of coughs, blood staining his lips. "Seems like you've been digging up quite a bit of dirt on me... But even with all that, what's an old timer like me, looking for some peace in his final days, got to do with slitting your throat?" he challenged, his voice strained.

"It's got everything to do with it!" I shot back, my tone unwavering. "You can't sail off into retirement while there are people out there who know your past, know how you built your fortune!" I exclaimed, increasing my pace as I closed in on him.

"Don't think I missed your little scheme! I saw those cloaked fellows scattering like rats when the Marines rolled in at the docks!" I accused, my voice rising. "You were planning to tie up loose ends and have everyone killed once the captain and the first mate tired each other out, weren't you?" I pressed, finally reaching him and settling down with a grunt.

Hearing my accusation, Old Barn finally let out a laugh, though it was interrupted by coughs that spoke of his failing strength. "And you were the one... to call the... Marines, weren't you?" he managed to say, his grin widening despite his weakening voice. 

His laughter echoed faintly across the desolate shore, mingling with the distant sound of crashing waves.

"All that time teaching you wasn't in vain, lad... I've taught you... well... perhaps... too well," he continued, his hand reaching out toward my face, stained with blood. His fingers trembled with the effort, and his once steady gaze now flickered with a mixture of amusement and fatigue.

I stared at him, my expression blank, raising my dagger, ready to end this twisted relationship once and for all. But before his hand could touch me, it lost all strength, falling to the ground with a soft thud. 

His eyes closed, and his body went limp, as he breathed his last.

Seeing the peaceful expression on his face, I felt a wave of exhaustion wash over me, the strain of dragging my battered body taking its toll. The salty breeze whispered through the air, carrying with it the scent of the sea and the taste of impending change.

"Damn it... I was so close..." I muttered, collapsing onto my back as darkness crept into my vision once more, like the closing curtain of a tragic play.

[You have completed the quest: Desperate Situation] 

[The Starborn Body Strengthening technique will be engraved into the user's mind]

 [The elixir will be automatically injected into the user's body] 

[A new quest has been generated: Combat Tutorial]

...

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