Chapter 5: The Docks

Selena leaned against a wooden crate and murmured, "Lucien, the Nightshade family is back. You'd better be ready."

She turned to Veil, her voice cold and commanding. "Tell me the exact location and time of the deal. Speak clearly."

Veil swallowed hard, his voice trembling. "Tomorrow at dusk, the abandoned shipyard in the eastern docks. Sharktooth Jack will deliver smuggled firearms and gunpowder to Red Blade Catherine, who will then transfer them to Lucien's cavalry. The shipment is massive—worth at least five thousand gold coins."

"Five thousand…" Selena narrowed her eyes. Her modern mindset quickly calculated the potential—this arsenal could arm a small army or be liquidated into cash to recruit more forces. She sneered, "Sharktooth and Red Blade want to send gifts to Lucien? They'll have to get past me first."

She stood and swept her gaze over her four subordinates. "Finn, Lina—scout out the eastern shipyard. Bring back a map."

"Locke, Veil—prepare weapons and poison. This won't be a deal—it'll be their grave."

Finn smirked. "Miss, with that attitude, you're starting to sound like the old Duke." He grabbed Lina, and the two melted into the mist.

Locke nodded silently, picking up a rusted sword and sharpening it. Veil pulled out a few vials of poison, muttering formulas under his breath.

Selena closed her eyes and activated "Intel Perception". A mental map of Gray Mist City unfolded in her mind.

She knew that Sharktooth Jack and Red Blade Catherine were no ordinary thugs. One was a notorious gang lord, the other a mercenary lieutenant.

With Luck Values of 280 and 230, respectively, and a formidable number of subordinates, this had to be a perfect ambush—stealing the weapons, seizing their luck, and escaping without casualties.

"System, analyze Sharktooth Jack and Red Blade Catherine."

[Analysis Complete]

Sharktooth Jack (Luck Value: 280) – Gang leader of the port, skilled in close combat, an expert swimmer, highly cunning and suspicious. Weakness: Overly reliant on subordinates, weak in solo combat.Red Blade Catherine (Luck Value: 230) – Lieutenant of the mercenary corps, master of swordsmanship and battlefield command. Weakness: Arrogant, underestimates her opponents, easily provoked.

"One relies on numbers, the other on pride." Selena smirked. Modern strategy dictated one clear rule—divide and conquer.

She began orchestrating the battlefield.

Use terrain and poison to thin out Sharktooth's men.Psychological warfare to provoke Catherine into recklessness.Pick them off one by one.

Dusk, the next day.

The abandoned shipyard was shrouded in fog. The docks reeked of salt and rust, and the sound of distant waves muffled whispers of approaching death.

Finn and Lina had returned earlier, bringing a hand-drawn map—

North: A cliffside, ideal for cutting off retreat.South: Rocky shallows, perfect for Veil's poison traps.West: A graveyard of derelict ships, offering ambush points.East: The only entrance, where Selena would hold the line.

She studied the map, then grinned. "We'll set fire to the north, poison the south, ambush from the west, and control the east. Tonight, they'll kneel before me."

Finn grinned. "Miss, with this aura, even the old Duke would have to call you ruthless."

Lina's eyes gleamed with excitement, while Locke carried barrels of fire oil, and Veil cradled his poison vials. The five of them split up—moving like blades, precise and silent.

Locke placed three barrels of fire oil along the northern cliffside, grunting, "Burn these bastards alive."

Veil poured a purple toxin over the southern reefs, a green mist rising faintly as he chuckled darkly. "Sharktooth may be a great swimmer, but let's see him crawl now."

Finn and Lina slipped into the ship graveyard to the west, daggers flipping like butterflies. Meanwhile, Selena stood at the eastern entrance, disguised as a dockworker, gripping a long spear, her icy blue eyes hiding a deadly gleam.

The deal begins.

Sharktooth Jack strode in with twenty men, pushing a cart of wooden crates. His scarred face twisted in a smirk, his curved blade gleaming coldly under the fogged lanterns. His men carried muskets, exuding raw intimidation.

He barked out, "Catherine, hurry up! Lord Lucien wants the goods now—this is five thousand gold worth of cargo!"

From the east, Red Blade Catherine emerged, her red cloak billowing, her ponytail swaying as she walked with effortless arrogance. Her thin sword shimmered under the dim light, her voice laced with impatience.

"What's the rush, Sharktooth?" She scoffed, eyes narrowing. "If the goods aren't right, I'll gut you and feed you to the fish."

As the two argued, Selena murmured, "Now."

Locke lit the fire oil.

BOOM! The northern cliff erupted into flames, flames roaring into the night sky like a dragon.

The heatwave sent Sharktooth's men staggering back, eyes wide in horror.

Veil unleashed "Toxic Mist Manipulation."

A green haze crept over the southern reefs, ghostly and deadly. Three men gasped, clutching their throats as foam spilled from their lips before they collapsed, twitching.

Finn and Lina sprang from the wrecked ships, their daggers glinting.

Finn drove his blade through a gunman's shoulder, twisting it ruthlessly.

Lina somersaulted over another, slashing his hamstrings in one swift motion. Blood sprayed into the mist.

"Ambush! Kill the bastards!" Sharktooth roared, curved blade flashing as he hacked through an approaching shadow. His eyes darted around, calculating.

"Surround the cargo! Hold the line!"

His men formed a defensive ring, muskets raising. Gunfire rang out.

A bullet grazed Finn's shoulder, making him curse and duck behind cover.

Catherine clicked her tongue, lifting her sword. With a flick of her wrist, she sliced through an oncoming wooden spear, her red cloak swirling in the mist like a banner of war.

"A pack of rats… How pathetic." She sneered.

With a wave of her hand, ten mercenaries charged, blades glinting.

Lina's movements were swift—her dagger clashed against steel, but she rolled away into the shadows.

Selena stepped forward.

She dropped her disguise, long black hair cascading down as her icy blue eyes glowed in the dim light.

She smiled coldly.

"Rats?" She scoffed. "I think you're the ones wagging your tails for Lucien."

Catherine froze, her sword tip trembling slightly.

"Selena Nightshade?" Her eyes widened. "Lucien said you were dead—"

"He doesn't decide that."

Selena activated "Mind Terror."

Catherine's eyes glazed over for a second—her stance faltered.

Selena vanished in a blink—"Shadow Step" activated.

She reappeared behind Catherine, her spear thrusting toward the mercenary's exposed neck.

Catherine's instincts saved her—she twisted away, but not before the spear tore through her shoulder, blood bursting from the wound.

She screamed, staggering back. "Bitch!"

Her sword whipped forward in a counterattack. The air sizzled as steel slashed through it.

Selena's "Quick Reflexes" kicked in.

She sidestepped smoothly, the blade grazing past her ribs.

"Black Magic."

Selena whispered.

Dark tendrils surged from the ground, snaking around Catherine's legs, yanking her down.

The mercenaries gasped in horror.

Locke charged in, swinging his rusted greatsword like a storm, cleaving through two men in a single swing.

Blood splattered across the wooden docks.

He bellowed, "Miss said anyone who touches her—dies!"

Sharktooth panicked.

He turned, sprinting toward the docks, intending to dive into the sea.

Selena snapped her fingers.

"Toxic Mist Manipulation."

A green haze slithered over the water.

Sharktooth gagged, stumbling back onto shore, coughing violently.

Finn, despite his injured shoulder, lunged forward, driving his dagger into Sharktooth's thigh.

Lina followed up, stabbing both daggers into his shoulders.

Blood pooled beneath him.

"Help me!" Sharktooth gasped.

His remaining men rushed to save him—

But Veil tossed a vial.

The liquid splattered onto one soldier's face, his skin melting into charred flesh as he collapsed, shrieking.

Locke grabbed a fallen musket, cocked it, and fired a shot into another gunman's skull.

"Beautiful work, Miss!" He laughed.

Catherine broke free of the shadows, eyes blazing, launching herself at Selena.

"I'll kill you!" She roared.

Selena smirked.

Modern psychological warfare activated.

"Oh? The mighty mercenary lieutenant can't even handle a 'rat'?"

Catherine's rage blinded her.

She slashed wildly—leaving herself wide open.

Selena's "Sword Mastery" activated.

She switched grip, twirled her spear, and drove the tip into Catherine's right arm.

Blood spurted.

Catherine screamed, her sword dropping from numb fingers.

Selena kicked her hard in the chest, sending her crashing to the ground.

Her voice was icy and commanding—

"Kneel, or die."

Catherine gasped for breath, her defiance dimming.

Her mercenaries, seeing their leader fall, fled in terror.

Sharktooth lay kneeling, bound in chains.

Panting, he pleaded, "D-Don't kill me! I have gold, five thousand coins—it's yours!"

Selena laughed coldly, pressing her spear tip against his throat.

"I'll take the gold," she said. "But your life? That depends."

She turned to the captured cargo.

"Locke, move the weapons."

"Finn, tie them up."

"Veil, keep the poison ready. I might need to put these two to use."

Blood soaked the docks.

Firelight painted the water red.

Selena exhaled, surveying the carnage.

Sharktooth and Catherine knelt before her, bound and defeated.

She smiled. "Lucien's supplies now belong to Nightshade."

She crouched in front of them, whispering—

"Live well—you still have a role to play in my game."

Selena's gaze remained cold. "Take them back to the warehouse. Lucien, I want you to watch—watch how I destroy you."

The morning mist thinned, and the fire from the docks reflected off the pools of blood. Locke and Finn pushed the gunpowder-laden cart, the spoils of war dragged behind them—Sharktooth Jack and Red Blade Catherine, bound in thick rope.

Sharktooth, his face caked with blood, muttered curses under his breath but dared not resist. Catherine gritted her teeth, her right arm still bleeding profusely, her eyes filled with resentment.

Selena led the march. A spear rested on her shoulder, her ice-blue eyes as deep as an abyss. Her four subordinates trailed closely behind her, silent as shadows.

At Warehouse Three

Locke kicked open the warehouse doors.

Finn tossed the two captives onto the ground, Lina began counting the weapons, and Veil scattered a thin layer of poison powder at the entrance to prevent unwelcome visitors.

Selena scanned the wooden crates. "Open them."

Locke pried one open—inside lay rows of pristine flintlock muskets, stacked barrels of gunpowder, and finely crafted steel daggers. All worth five thousand gold coins.

Finn whistled. "Miss, this haul… We could wage a damn war with it."

Lina, eyes gleaming, dug out a bag of gold coins. "This could fund more recruits."

Selena remained silent, her modern mind calculating the next move.

Weapons were hard power.

Gold was soft power.

Captives were chess pieces.

She needed more than just control over Gray Mist City—she needed the name 'Nightshade' to become a whispered terror once again.

Her gaze locked onto Sharktooth and Catherine.

"Your lives aren't being spared for free."

Sharktooth panted, forcing a grimy smile.

"Miss Nightshade… My men, my ships, my docks, they're all yours! Just don't kill me—"

CRACK.

His words cut off in a scream as Selena drove her heel into his wounded leg, grinding it mercilessly.

"Connections?" She sneered. "The docks belong to Nightshade now. I don't need your life—I need your obedience."

She turned to Catherine. "And you? Mercenary lieutenant—will you keep that sharp tongue, or will you learn some manners?"

Catherine clenched her jaw, voice hoarse. "Lucien will kill you… I am only submitting temporarily."

Selena smirked.

"Mind Terror" activated.

Catherine's breath hitched, sweat beading down her temples. She choked on her own words.

"I… I will obey…" she rasped.

Selena withdrew her influence.

"Good." She glanced at Finn and Locke. "Keep them under tight watch. Veil—keep the poison ready. If either of them resists, feed it to them."

She moved toward the weapons, picking up a flintlock musket.

Her modern knowledge kicked in immediately—recognizing it as a primitive firearm, but still deadly.

"System, open exchange menu."

[Current Fate Points: 1280]

Available Upgrades:

Intermediate Black Magic – Control shadow entities in battle. (Cost: 300 Fate Points)Enhanced Shadow Step – Double teleportation distance. (Cost: 100 Fate Points)Firearm Mastery – Master gunpowder weapons. (Cost: 250 Fate Points)

Selena made her choice immediately.

"Firearm Mastery."

[Upgrade Successful.** Firearm Mastery unlocked.** 250 Fate Points deducted. Current Fate Points: 1030.]

Her hands moved instinctively—loading gunpowder, priming the flint, and fitting the lead bullet in a smooth, effortless motion.

Finn stared, dumbfounded.

"…Miss, you know how to use that?"

Selena smirked, spinning the gun expertly in her grip.

"Ever heard of FPS games?" She chuckled. "You primitives don't stand a chance."

Selena turned to her team.

"Finn, take Sharktooth's dock connections and seize the smuggling routes. Split the weapons and gold among his old crew—turn them into our men."

"Lina, go to the mercenary market. Hire ten skilled fighters—we need more numbers."

"Locke, escort Catherine back to the mercenary guild. Spread the word—she now fights for Nightshade. If anyone resists—kill them."

"Veil, store the weapons and prepare poison. Distribute it among our trusted recruits."

Her team nodded in unison and dispersed to their tasks.

Selena leaned back against a crate, resting her spear beside her.

She closed her eyes—expanding "Tactical Perception" across Gray Mist City.

She felt the movement of dockworkers, the hush of black-market deals, the cautious whispers in mercenary bars.

Her voice was quiet, yet sharp.

"…Sharktooth and Catherine are liabilities. I need contingencies."

Three days later.

Gray Mist City's underground power structure had shifted.

Finn, now acting as "Sharktooth's successor," controlled the dock smuggling routes, commanding three smuggling ships and raking in hundreds of gold coins daily.

Lina returned with ten skilled mercenaries. Among them, a one-eyed veteran who specialized in artillery, earning Selena's approval.

Locke dragged Catherine back to the mercenary guild. A single gunshot silenced two defiant leaders. The rest of the mercenaries bowed their heads in reluctant submission.

Half of the mercenary guild was now under Nightshade's control.

Veil brewed three flasks of concentrated poison, handing them out to the most loyal recruits.

Selena personally demonstrated "Toxic Mist Manipulation."

The moment she released the gas, rats in the warehouse dropped dead instantly.

The recruits flinched, their faces pale.

Selena's voice was like frost.

"Follow me, and you'll have gold and power."

Betray me… and you'll die worse than a rat."

The Nightshade name spread.

Dockworkers whispered in hushed voices—

"Sharktooth is kneeling now… The new boss? A woman—one cruel as hell."

In mercenary bars, drunken rumors swirled.

"Red Blade's a dog for Nightshade now. Even Lucien's supplies got hijacked."

The city was listening.

Selena stood on the warehouse's second floor, overlooking the docks.

A freshly polished musket rested in her hands.

"System, scan for new targets in Gray Mist City."

[New Targets Identified:**

"Iron Bear" Gray – Leader of Gray Mist Mercenary Guild. (Fate Points: 320)"Gold Eye" Lys – President of Gray Mist Trade Association. (Fate Points: 290)

Recommended action: Expand power base.

Selena's lips curled into a smirk.

"Iron Bear and Gold Eye…" she mused.

"Gray Mist City is mine."

Her gaze flickered toward Sharktooth and Catherine, still tied up in the corner.

Sharktooth, now pale, whispered in desperation,

"Miss Nightshade… The docks are yours. Just… let me go."

Catherine, her pride eroded, gritted her teeth.

"I'll serve you. Just… stop this torture."

Selena crouched before them, her voice velvet and venom.

"Let you go?" Her smile was sharp. "Of course… but only if you deliver a message to Lucien for me."

She leaned in, whispering:

"Tell him… Nightshade has returned.

And his Iron Riders?

I'll be waiting."