Takeshi and Orfin sat back in their places once again to discuss the alliance they had just formed.
"So, how exactly will you help me?"
Takeshi asked, resting his hand on his chin, waiting for a straightforward answer. Orfin quickly responded with that same smile of his, saying,
"Unfortunately, I can't come with you to crush that gang you're after, but I do have ways to assist you."
Takeshi tilted his head in confusion and asked directly,
"How?"
The old man Orfin chuckled lightly, then stared sharply into Takeshi's serious eyes and said,
"First, you need to know where your next destination is."
He stood up, gazing to his right, then pointed his finger toward the south and said,
"You want to go after the King Skull Gang, right? Then head south—toward a faraway city."
He raised his hands toward the sun, absorbing its golden rays that filled him with energy, and shouted loudly, releasing that energy,
"To Galeon City!"
In the southern region of the Autumn Country, Orival, there lay a city split by a massive river called the Cloud River. Its surface reflected golden threads of light streaming down from the heavens, revealing the river's pure and mesmerizing flow.
Along its banks stretched ancient, hand-crafted stone pavements, famous for the nation's cultural artistry. The sound of hurried footsteps echoed atop them, mixed with the heavy rolling of wagon wheels, in front of grand houses painted chalk-white with pinkish-red tiled roofs that gave the city its charm.
Dozens of wagons lined up there, each carrying new goods and products: some brought the warmest winter clothing from the north, others the finest fruits from the east, the rarest artifacts from the west, and the most exquisite meats and animal hides from the south.
Before them was a crowded mass of townsfolk, each purchasing what they needed to prepare for the coming winter. This was the city known as Galeon.
Despite its peaceful and comforting atmosphere, Galeon was one of the most dangerous cities—home to more gangs and criminals than anywhere else.
Merchants were actively selling their goods in front of their wagons, except for one cart parked by the roadside, unusually quiet.
Inside it, a bald, short man in his forties entered. His clothes were of fine quality—typical of wealthy merchants. His face bore a look of anger and frustration. This man was known as The Scorpion.
The moment he stepped inside, he heard loud snoring. He looked ahead to see a young man sleeping in the middle of the cart, about the same age as Takeshi. His dark brown hair was messy, and his clothes were old and worn. This boy's name was Souta.
The Scorpion took a deep breath, then shouted loudly, his voice overpowering the snoring,
"Wake up, you lazy fool!!"
The snoring stopped. Souta woke up in shock, looking around in confusion before locking his sleepy green eyes on the angry man.
"You scared me, sir—"
He couldn't finish his words before a hard slap from The Scorpion struck his head, sending him crashing toward the back of the cart.
"Damn it!! That hurts!! Why'd you do that?!"
The Scorpion turned toward the cart's exit, his face still frowning.
"Because you're an idiot. If you keep slacking off like this, you'll lose your job as my merchant assistant—and with it, your only chance of finding your father."
The drowsiness instantly vanished from Souta's eyes, replaced by a deep, painful expression that reached his heart. He quickly replied,
"I'm sorry… I'll work harder."
The Scorpion left without saying another word. He stood beside the cart and pulled a small bag from his pocket—one filled with coins. Opening it carefully, a wide smile spread across his face as he admired the gleaming gold and silver pieces inside.
Just as he closed it and returned it to his pocket, a young man wearing a black cloak bumped into him. Both of them fell to the ground, and the cloaked youth quickly stood up and ran, saying,
"Sorry, mister!"
The Scorpion stood up, brushing the dust off his clothes, glaring at the boy with disdain as he muttered,
"Damn kids these days! Do they have any idea how much it costs to clean—"
He froze. His hand reached into his pocket again and again, searching for the familiar feel of the bag—the clinking of coins.
The bag was gone.
He didn't stay still for a second. The Scorpion sprinted with all his might after the boy, shouting for help,
"Catch that brat! Stop that thief! Damn it, where are the guards?!"
No one from the crowd responded. Some had simply grown used to such scenes, while others felt a twinge of jealousy toward the Scorpion's wealthy appearance—and so, no one lifted a hand to help.
The Scorpion couldn't keep running. He had lost sight of the thief and become the laughingstock of the people. He fell to his knees, panting and trembling with rage as he cursed under his breath,
"Damn you… damn this city! That was all the money I had left!"
Compared to the other crimes that took place in the dark alleys of Galeon, this was nothing—mere theft compared to murders and brutal acts of torture. In this city, criminals would gladly spill blood for a few coins.
Minutes later, atop one of the city's high rooftops, the wind brushed softly across the tiles.
"187, 188, 189, 190… 194!!"
A voice counted quietly, each number followed by the faint clink of metal. It was the same thief—the young man. His features were plain, giving him a simple rural look. His hair and eyes were a dull shade of brown, but his face carried a certain likable charm despite what he'd just done. His name was Kouji.
"One hundred and ninety-four gold coins in a single bag?! Man, that's enough to make me a king!"
Kouji realized he was exaggerating, even joking. The king of the Autumn Country's wealth couldn't be measured in mere numbers—especially since Orival was the second-strongest nation economically among the Four, not far behind the spring country Serene, the richest of them all.
"Still, I can't even enjoy it freely…"
His face darkened, the spark in his eyes fading as he clenched the bag tightly shut. A drop of water fell from the sky, landing right on the bag. He looked up to see thick clouds gathering above the city, forming a massive storm front.
"It's going to rain—I need to find shelter!"
Kouji rushed to hide. The moment people saw the darkened sky, they all hurried to their homes, while merchants covered their goods to protect them from damage.
And sure enough, heavy rain poured down that day. The city's people sheltered under sturdy roofs—except for the homeless, who shivered in the dark alleys, helpless against the cold.
Yet, one man stood at the city's main gate, unmoved by the storm.
He was a tall man in his twenties, with sharp, long blue hair and captivating amber eyes. He wore winter clothing and looked as though he were waiting for someone.
Within minutes, that someone arrived. A thick mist cloaked the figure as he stepped into the gate with heavy footsteps cutting through the sound of rain. Slowly, he approached until his features became visible.
A muscular man dressed in a pure white cloak marked with a symbol resembling a bare skull. A solid white mask stained with dried blood covered his face, with two hollow sockets through which his piercing eyes glared.
"Welcome back, Boss."
The blue-haired man spoke in a calm, teasing tone. The masked man replied in a rough, deep voice,
"Has Yamikaiji returned from his mission, Graid?"
Graid smiled faintly, meeting his leader's gaze with a deep look.
"No, but he should arrive within the week—if he succeeded, that is."
The leader said nothing and began walking—walking toward the rain-soaked city with steps heavier than before. Graid followed soon after.
If Takeshi truly wished to bring down the King Skull Gang and destroy it piece by piece,
then the key to it all… was defeating that mysterious man.