Yurna calmly began disposing of the bodies aboard the ship. Despite the battle, not even her maid uniform had gotten dirty, and every movement she made remained graceful and composed.
Before long, Luke's ship resumed its journey toward Bilgewater.
Roughly half an hour later, the vast island of Bilgewater came fully into view. Treacherous straits and towering cliffs surrounded it, crossing and overlapping like an enormous maze.
Countless buildings clung to the rock walls, forming sprawling clusters of structures.
In terms of sheer size, Bilgewater was even somewhat larger than Piltover.
The ship began approaching the docks, where vessels of every conceivable design were moored, as though they had arrived from every corner of the world.
Numerous people moved back and forth along the waterfront. Ships were constantly departing and arriving from every direction, together creating the image of a bustling island overflowing with life.
At least, that was how it appeared on the surface.
No one cared how many dark and terrible secrets were buried beneath the city.
"Over here! Bring her in over here!"
As the ship neared the docks, an overweight man on the pier began shouting and waving them toward him.
Once the vessel drew close, the man gave them a friendly smile.
"Based on the size of your ship, the docking fee will be five silver serpents."
"A docking fee?"
Luke frowned slightly.
"Don't misunderstand," the man hurriedly explained before Luke could form the wrong impression. "Every ship that wants to dock here has to pay, even if it only stays for a little while. Those are the rules."
He placed particular emphasis on the word rules.
Luke nodded slightly and casually asked, "What's the exchange rate for silver serpents?"
Realizing that Luke was clearly a newcomer, the man answered, "One golden kraken is worth ten silver serpents."
As soon as he finished speaking, a gold coin came flying toward him.
"Keep the change."
The man reacted quickly and caught it. After checking the coin, he recognized the Piltover markings stamped upon its surface.
That did not matter, however. As long as it was gold, it was acceptable.
Gold coins were the easiest currency to authenticate. Bite down hard enough and genuine gold would retain a tooth mark without breaking. Flick it with a finger, and instead of producing a sharp metallic ring, it would make a duller sound.
The coin in his hand was unquestionably genuine.
"No problem. You can remain docked here for approximately twenty-four hours. I'll come back tomorrow to collect the next payment. You can leave and return as many times as you want during that period, but once the twenty-four hours are over, you'll have to pay again."
The man smiled warmly and continued, "You could also spend a little extra and hire someone to maintain your ship. We guarantee that it will receive the finest possible care."
"That won't be necessary."
Luke shook his head indifferently and stepped ashore.
The ship would soon return to Piltover anyway. When Luke eventually wanted to leave, he could simply buy another one.
Money was the last thing he lacked, and ships were the last thing Bilgewater lacked.
"Very well. Have a pleasant visit."
The man sounded slightly disappointed.
Judging from Luke's clothes, his generous spending, and the beautiful personal maid traveling beside him, there was no doubt that he was extremely wealthy.
After watching Luke and his striking maid walk away, the man turned his attention toward their ship.
His gaze suddenly stopped, and a grin spread across his face.
"Isn't that Borika's ship token? I imagine he'll be very interested in hearing about this."
He stared at a wooden plaque hanging unnoticed from the rear of the ship. A particular symbol had been carved into it.
The object was simply an identification marker and possessed little value by itself.
However, the two newcomers were definitely not Borika's subordinates. They had not even known how silver serpents were valued.
Yet Borika's ship token was now hanging from their vessel.
Clearly, something had happened before they arrived.
The people of Bilgewater were frighteningly shrewd. They would never overlook a chance to make money.
Meanwhile, Luke and Yurna had already left Bilgewater's docks and entered the city.
The buildings rose from lower to higher levels, forming layer after layer along the cliffs. They possessed no unified architectural style whatsoever. Every imaginable design could be found there, making the city resemble a chaotic mixture of cultures gathered from across Runeterra.
At the lowest level lay Bilgewater Bay.
Its winding waterways extended toward the sea, serving almost like the city's foundation and supporting all the structures above.
The streets on the lowest level were narrow. Countless tightly packed homes and buildings squeezed away nearly every available inch of living space.
A low breeze moved through the streets, carrying the briny odor of the sea. It was not unbearable, but it certainly was not pleasant.
Fishfolk occasionally passed them in the street, but no one found their presence unusual. They had lived there for generations and were considered locals like anyone else.
Bilgewater resembled Zaun in that wealth generally increased with elevation. The higher someone lived, the richer they were likely to be.
Bilgewater took this disparity even further than Zaun, however, because nearly everyone desperately pursued money for the same purpose, pleasure and indulgence.
Anyone with a little money in their pocket frequently visited the taverns in the upper districts, drinking fine liquor and seeking entertainment.
Within a few days, however, they would return to the harbor and begin bargaining with sea-monster hunting crews, hoping to join another voyage from which they might never return.
Luke continuously examined his surroundings as he walked beside Yurna.
Because both of them wore cloaks, they did not attract too much attention along the way.
Before they realized it, evening was approaching. Bilgewater became bathed in the colors of the setting sun.
Luke and Yurna had also reached the city's upper district.
There were still many people here, but the streets were considerably wider, and the surrounding buildings appeared far more luxurious.
Taverns were everywhere in the upper district. They came in every size, and each one seemed exceptionally lively.
Luke's first objective in Bilgewater was to find Lucian. He would decide what to do next afterward.
When Luke and Lucian had parted ways, Lucian had given him a Sentinel of Light crystal.
The crystal would react whenever another Sentinel was nearby, but it currently showed no response whatsoever.
Clearly, Lucian was not in the area.
Luke did not know where he had gone, but he still needed to ask around for information.
Logically, Lucian should not have left Bilgewater so quickly.
Still, now that Luke had arrived, there was no reason to rush.
After seeing some of Bilgewater's scenery, it was time to sample the local food and alcohol.
Pirates could hardly live without liquor, and Bilgewater's brews were known for their quality.
Most of the food consisted of seafood. The people here depended upon the ocean for survival, and it would not be an exaggeration to say that the sea sustained all of Bilgewater.
After inspecting several establishments, Luke finally chose one that appeared relatively clean and was not especially crowded.
The moment he and Yurna sat down at a table, a server approached them.
"What can I bring you two? Food, drinks? We recently received several fresh sea prawns. They're excellent steamed or grilled. We also have two-headed eel, another local delicacy."
He enthusiastically recommended the dishes.
Luke nodded slightly.
"We'll take both. What do you have to drink?"
"Beer, rum, red wine, and fine liquor imported from Piltover and Noxus. They're all excellent. We also have several other options…"
"Two beers."
"Of course. They'll be ready shortly."
After taking their order, the server immediately departed.
It did not take long for several steaming sea prawns, each larger than a man's palm, and a two-headed eel to arrive.
The portions were exceptionally generous. Luke could smell the fragrant charcoal grilling before the dishes even reached the table.
The eel's skin was slightly charred and deliciously crisp, while the meat underneath remained extraordinarily tender.
The prawns were equally fresh. Each one possessed a hard outer shell, but peeling it away revealed firm white flesh. There was not even the slightest fishy taste when Luke bit into it.
The beer was also excellent, refreshing and satisfying with every mouthful.
Luke and Yurna ate at a leisurely pace.
Several people seated in one corner began watching them.
"That's them, right?"
"Should be. A man and woman like that are hard to mistake, and there are exactly two of them."
"The man doesn't matter, but it's a shame about the woman."
"They chose the wrong enemy the moment they arrived. Stop thinking about that now."
"The two of them are worth forty golden krakens. If we capture them alive, we can earn even more by selling them afterward."
"True. Both the pretty boy and the woman would fetch an excellent price."
"We'll wait until they leave, then find an opportunity to strike."
As they quietly discussed their plans, several malicious gazes swept across Luke and Yurna.
Luke calmly swallowed the last piece of prawn, gracefully wiped his mouth, and raised a hand to request the bill.
"Five silver serpents in total."
The meal was surprisingly affordable.
Five silver serpents were simply five ordinary silver coins.
Silver serpents were the primary currency circulating throughout Bilgewater. They were no different from silver coins elsewhere, aside from the local name.
Given Luke's wealth, he naturally did not carry silver coins.
He tossed the server another gold coin.
"Keep the rest as payment for your service."
With that, he stood and prepared to leave with Yurna.
The server was overwhelmed with gratitude and repeatedly thanked him.
Perhaps Luke had not yet reached Bilgewater's true upper district. The prices here were not particularly high and could hardly be described as extravagant.
After leaving the establishment, Luke deliberately headed toward an area with fewer people.
It did not take long for the suicidal fools following them to lose their patience.
"Now!"
At the command, everyone launched their ambush.
They knew Luke and Yurna had just eliminated one of Borika's crews, so they did not dare underestimate them. They immediately attacked with everything they had.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
A dense volley of bullets came first, carefully avoiding Luke and Yurna's vital areas.
In Bilgewater, a living captive was always worth more than a corpse.
They had come for money, not murder.
The instant the gunshots rang out, Luke moved.
He turned and swung his sword. A powerful wave of sword energy intercepted every bullet in midair.
The next second, he shot forward and vanished from his original position, instantly putting the attackers on high alert.
They were stronger than the pirates working under Borika, but ultimately they were still nothing more than slightly more capable small fry.
Blood sprayed through the air in an instant.
Terrified screams echoed from the alley, frightening the people farther away into fleeing.
The experienced locals immediately understood that several more lives were about to be lost.
After swiftly eliminating the fools who had come to throw away their lives, Luke left without looking back.
His gaze had remained completely unmoved from beginning to end.
Night had fallen.
Bilgewater was now ablaze with lights, and the atmosphere across the entire island had grown far livelier, as though nighttime marked the city's true awakening.
No one cared about the bodies left behind in the alley.
After rounding the next corner, Luke suddenly stopped.
His gaze settled on a slender figure leaning against a wall not far ahead.
She wore a striking black hat. Beneath it flowed a waterfall of red hair. Her face remained hidden beneath the shadow of the brim, but her smooth, pale neck was clearly visible.
Her figure was even more remarkable, possessing nearly perfect proportions.
A black leather jacket covered her upper body, while hints of white lace showed at her chest and around the sleeves embracing her slender arms.
Even beneath her clothing, the full curves of her chest remained prominently outlined.
Below that was a narrow waist like a water serpent's, seemingly slim enough to encircle with one hand.
Her long legs were wrapped in sleek leather pants, creating elegant and flawless curves.
A pair of tall boots rose almost to her knees.
Her entire figure was breathtakingly alluring.
There was no telling how many men in Bilgewater dreamed about her.
"You attacked Borika's men immediately after arriving. It seems you really do have some skill."
The woman spoke in a soft, seductive voice that was exceedingly pleasant to hear.
She raised one hand and used the barrel of an ornate pistol to lift the brim of her hat, revealing a stunning face beneath her red hair.
Her skin was as pale as snow, her brows gracefully arched above beautiful eyes, and her red lips curved slightly upward. Her brilliant gaze shimmered like flowing water, radiant and captivating.
"Allow me to introduce myself. People call me Fortune. I'm a bounty hunter."
Miss Fortune spoke with a soft laugh.
Her mesmerizing eyes settled upon Luke, and even she felt a trace of amazement.
The bounty notice had described him as exceptionally handsome, but seeing him in person still far exceeded her expectations.
Based on appearance alone, there was probably no one in all Bilgewater who could compare to him.
When she imagined what might happen to such a handsome man in a merciless place like Bilgewater, she almost felt sorry for him.
Luke's expression remained unchanged.
"A bounty hunter? Does that mean you came here for the same reason as those people?"
"Yes and no."
Miss Fortune walked toward him, swaying her shapely waist as she blinked playfully.
"I did come looking for you, but my objective is different from theirs."
Luke ignored her expressive eyes and answered calmly.
"I suggest you get to the point. Otherwise, don't blame me if I draw my sword sooner than you expected."
"You should be able to tell that I mean you no harm."
Miss Fortune could not determine whether his warning was genuine.
There was not even the slightest hint of humor on his handsome face.
What an inconsiderate man.
After grumbling inwardly, she stopped approaching.
"To put it simply, I have two reasons."
"The first was simple curiosity. I wanted to see what kind of people could wipe out one of Borika's crews."
Miss Fortune chuckled softly.
"Your most notable feature on the bounty board is your exceptional appearance. To be honest, I happen to appreciate beautiful faces. Now that I've seen you, I know I would regret allowing those unpleasant men to ruin you."
As she spoke, her beautiful eyes remained locked directly upon Luke's, displaying a captivating allure without the slightest intention of looking away.
Luke frowned slightly.
"The bounty board?"
"You're new, so you probably haven't heard about it yet. The people who attacked you learned about you from the bounty board. Everyone listed there has a certain reward placed upon them."
Miss Fortune thoughtfully explained the situation.
"The bounty on the two of you is forty golden krakens. For newcomers, that's already a considerable amount. Anyone who fulfills the bounty's requirements can claim the payment."
Luke nodded slightly.
"Was the bounty posted by Borika?"
"Of course."
Miss Fortune nodded, amusement shining in her eyes.
"You destroyed one of his crews. Naturally, he wants revenge."
"I see."
Luke nodded again.
He had not expected the news to spread so quickly. In the blink of an eye, he had already been added to Bilgewater's local bounty board.
Luke was not particularly interested in how the information had spread.
He only knew that since someone had placed a bounty on him, it was only proper to return the favor.
After considering it for a moment, he asked, "How much would it cost to have someone kill Borika?"
Miss Fortune froze briefly at the unexpected question.
Seeing the seriousness on his handsome face, she chuckled.
"Some people won't die merely because you place a bounty on them. Someone must also be willing to accept the job."
"Borika commands five or six crews, and he's one of the lapdogs serving the man who declared himself the Reaver King. Very few people are willing to provoke him."
"Besides, there's no need for you to go through the trouble of posting another bounty. Borika is already listed on the board for four hundred golden krakens. His master is worth five thousand."
Luke thought for a moment before muttering, "It seems I'll have to handle it personally."
He had only considered using a bounty because killing Borika himself sounded troublesome.
Apparently, the bounty board was not capable of solving every problem.
Luke already knew the identity of the so-called Reaver King mentioned by Miss Fortune. He had arrived only that day and had already heard several stories about him.
He was Bilgewater's current brutal ruler, Gangplank, the Saltwater Scourge.
Gangplank's name was infamous throughout Bilgewater, but he was also a dominant force whom countless people feared to provoke.
Merely mentioning Gangplank was enough to strike terror into many hearts.
His power towered above every rival faction. After declaring himself the Reaver King, he ruled Bilgewater through intimidation, violence, and political cunning.
The man's reputation was utterly vile, and countless people living beneath his rule despised him but did not dare speak out.
Even veteran captains who had sailed the seas long before him were forced to avoid crossing his path.
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