Before Charles, seven or eight men of various appearances lazed on the hard stone slabs of the dock, each minding their own business.
Some were drinking, while others played cards. Each man's face wore a faint, relaxed smile. Their clothes suggested they made their living at sea, yet there wasn't a single boat nearby.
A Vampire sailor stepped forward and sniffed the air. "Captain, they're human, all right. I can smell them. But their mental state seems off. There might be something strange about this island."
Charles had noticed their odd behavior himself. Ordinarily, people living in a port district hustled every day just to survive. If they truly sat around doing nothing, they would have starved long ago.
"Stay alert. Don't let your guard down, regardless of what's going on with the islanders. We'll proceed as if we're exploring an unknown island."
The crew nodded and loaded their weapons. Seasoned by countless battles, they were unpanicked by the bizarre sight.
