Faithless_reader

Henry Garagam, an expert player of Sea of Conquest, dies in a tragic and bizarre incident—burned alive by acid at the hands of a secret organization. When he awakens, he finds himself reincarnated in the very game he mastered. Armed with his deep knowledge of the world, Henry sets out to achieve his ultimate dream: becoming a legendary pirate feared and admired across the seas.

However, there's a slight problem. While Henry believes he is simply playing the role of a mysterious and cool pirate lord, the world around him takes his every word and action far too seriously. His exaggerated declarations, strategic "coincidences," and sheer dumb luck make him seem like a mastermind of the seas—one prophesized to shake the world itself.

As he rebuilds his ship, gathers an eccentric crew, and unintentionally sparks war between pirate factions and imperial forces, Henry’s legend grows beyond anything he ever imagined. But will he rule through fear, forge a pirate republic, or harness the lost power of an ancient civilization? One thing is certain: the saga of Henry Garagam is only just beginning.

- This is based on the mobile game Sea of Conquest. Although the main character name is the same by coincidence. I just found out recently.

Sea of Conquest: The saga of Henry Garagam

The Black Fang sliced through the waves, heading straight for Dead Man's Cove—the most definitely cursed, totally not dangerous place Henry had ever decided to visit.

Scarlet leaned against the railing, arms crossed. "So, let's summarize. We're sailing into a haunted cove where ships disappear, to retrieve a probably cursed treasure, based on the word of a thief we just met."

Henry nodded proudly. "That about sums it up."

Scarlet exhaled. "Okay. Just checking."

Lily, sitting on a barrel, grinned. "Oh, come on. Where's your sense of adventure?"

Boggart groaned. "This is the adventure. It's the 'surviving' part I'm worried about."

Marrow was already arranging explosives. "I love this plan."

Shade, who had been silent for a while, finally spoke. "There's something off about this place."

Shade nodded toward the horizon. "The mist. It wasn't there a moment ago."

The crew looked ahead—sure enough, a thick, unnatural fog was rolling in, swallowing the sea ahead of them.

Lily frowned. "Okay… that's new."

Boggart paled. "Oh no. No, no, no. That's the Whispering Fog."

Henry leaned in. "Cool name. What does it do?"

Boggart's voice dropped. "Legend says it whispers the voices of dead sailors. They lure you in, make you lose your way. Some say they even make you—"

A soft whisper drifted across the deck.

"Turn back… turn back…"

Henry blinked. "Okay. Kinda creepy."

Scarlet pulled out her sword. "Oh, great. Now the ocean is telling us what to do."

Lily rubbed her arms. "This is fine. Totally fine."

Then the fog thickened—and the Black Fang sailed right into Dead Man's Cove.

The moment they entered, the temperature dropped. The ocean stilled. The air became too quiet.

Scarlet gripped her sword tighter. "I hate this place."

Henry, ever the optimist, cupped his hands. "HELLO?! ANYONE HERE?"

An eerie echo answered.

Henry shrugged. "What? If ghosts are here, they should at least know we're friendly."

A faint shape moved in the fog.

Shade tensed. "Captain. We're not alone."

A low, guttural laugh echoed from the mist.

Then—out of nowhere—shadowy figures appeared, standing on the rocks.

Lily's eyes widened. "Uh… those are not ghosts."

Henry squinted. "They look like ghosts."

Scarlet groaned. "They have swords, Henry."

Indeed, the figures stepped forward, revealing themselves—pirates, draped in ragged coats, painted like skeletons. Their eyes gleamed with something… wrong.

One of them stepped forward, grinning wide. "Turn back now, or join the rest of the lost souls."

Henry adjusted his coat. "Hah! Good one! But we're here for the Azure Pearl."

The pirates stilled.

Then, their leader smirked. "Oh. That treasure? Go ahead… if you dare."

The mist shifted, revealing a wrecked fortress built into the cove's cliffs.

Henry grinned. "Awesome. That doesn't look dangerous at all."

Scarlet sighed. "We are going to die."

Henry clapped his hands. "Alright, team! Time for another completely safe treasure hunt!"

To be continued…

Chapter 12: Sailing Straight Into Certain Doom (Again)