Chapter 9: Coral Cove Island and the Masked Mayhem
The Waifu Maru glided across the turquoise sea, approaching a massive port city carved into a coral cliffside. Towers of pinkish rock twisted toward the sky, with winding stairways and rope bridges connecting buildings clinging to the cliffs. Ships of all sizes packed the harbor, and the air was thick with the scent of grilled seafood, salt, and smoke.
Ayman stood at the helm, his eyes wide with wonder.
"This place is beautiful… and smells like deep-fried octopus."
Yoruichi stood beside him, sniffing the air. "Mmm, smells like fun and thievery."
Esdeath smirked. "I sense bloodlust. I like it here."
Tsunade stumbled out of the cabin, groaning. "Where's the bar? Mama needs breakfast."
[Mission: Unmask the Mystery – Find and Retrieve the Laughing Mask]
[Location: Coral Cove Island]
[Reward: 500,000 Beli + Gacha Token]
[Warning: The Mask is protected by a local gang – The Coral Fangs]
[Side Bonus: Prevent property damage while completing the mission – Bonus 100,000 Beli]
Ayman blinked. "Wait… prevent damage? With this crew?!"
Tsunade belched. "No promises."
[Note: All future main mission rewards will increase by 100% to 200% depending on difficulty and performance.]
He grinned. "Now *that's* what I'm talking about."
They docked the ship, and within minutes, Ayman and his three summons stepped onto the stone pier, immediately drawing attention.
A group of sailors nearby froze at the sight of Esdeath's sword, Tsunade's impressive presence, and Yoruichi's feline grace. One guy even walked into a crate and knocked himself out.
Yoruichi giggled. "Too easy."
Tsunade pointed at a bar sign. "Alright, I'm going in. Summon me if something explodes."
She wandered off before Ayman could stop her.
"Let her go," Esdeath said calmly. "We'll cover more ground split up."
They spent the morning asking around, with Yoruichi pickpocketing useful maps while pretending to flirt, and Esdeath intimidating a bartender into revealing some details.
By noon, Ayman had gathered everything they needed: The Laughing Mask was hidden in an underground vault owned by the Coral Fangs — a gang that ran the lower district of the city.
The vault was said to be protected by illusions, traps, and a beast called "Koba the Kraken Pup."
"How do we get in?" Ayman asked, staring at the map.
"By not being subtle," Esdeath replied.
"We could use stealth," Yoruichi offered.
"Or explosives," Tsunade added, returning with a bottle in each hand.
Ayman rubbed his temples. "Let's… do stealth first. For the bonus."
They waited until nightfall.
The Coral Fangs' hideout was a crumbling coliseum built into the cliffside. Yoruichi and Ayman slipped through a side tunnel while Tsunade distracted the front guards by pretending to start a bar fight and Esdeath casually froze the sewer rats clearing their path.
Inside, the vault glowed with blue runes, and at its center floated the eerie Laughing Mask — a grinning porcelain mask with silver edges and hollow eyes.
Yoruichi whispered, "I sense a trap."
"No kidding."
As they approached, a low growl echoed through the chamber.
From the shadows, Koba emerged — a giant squid-like creature with glowing eyes and… a mustache?
"Is that thing… wearing a monocle?" Ayman whispered.
Koba roared, then slipped across the floor toward them, flailing its tentacles.
Yoruichi flashed in, dodging with ease, and kicked it in the eye. It squealed and launched ink everywhere.
"Gross!" Ayman coughed.
Koba lashed out, and a tentacle nearly crushed him — but a sudden green glow engulfed him.
[Medical Boost Activated – Tsunade's Passive Skill]
"Looks like you needed that," Yoruichi said, grabbing the mask mid-fight.
"RUN!"
They bolted, barely dodging tentacles and collapsing pillars. The tunnels shook as they escaped the collapsing vault with the mask in hand.
They emerged onto the street, victorious… until a Coral Fang lookout saw them.
"INTRUDERS! THE MASK!"
Tsunade punched him through a wall.
Esdeath sighed. "There goes the no-damage bonus."
[Mission Complete: Laughing Mask Recovered]
[Main Reward: 500,000 Beli + Gacha Token]
[Side Bonus Failed – Minor Property Damage Detected]
[Updated Wallet: 530,000 Beli]
[Gacha Token Acquired – Use now?]
Ayman grinned. "You know what? Let's do it."
He tapped the system. A golden wheel spun.
[Gacha Summon: Processing...]
[Summon Acquired – Android 18 (Dragon Ball)]
[Category: Power Type – Passive Ki Boost Shared With Captain]
[Bond Level: Locked – Must Interact to Unlock Skills]
Light shimmered beside him — and a blonde woman in a blue vest and black leggings appeared with a cool stare.
"Where am I?" she asked flatly.
"Uh… hi. I'm your new captain?"
She crossed her arms. "Tch. Weird. But fine. Got food?"
Tsunade blinked. "She looks like trouble."
Yoruichi chuckled. "He's gonna die from estrogen poisoning."
Esdeath nodded. "Let's see how she handles battle."
Ayman looked up at the starry sky, mask in hand, and smiled.
"This is only the beginning."