Far from Gangplank’s warship, Levi was racing across the surface of the sea at astonishing speed, his entire body glowing blue.
Yes, he was actually running on water like some kind of superhero.
Levi had noticed that as time passed, his Summoner Spells seemed to be growing stronger and stronger.
Ghost, for example, was practically a completely different spell compared to when he’d first arrived in this world.
Graves sat at the bar, constantly puffing on a cigar while staring out the window.
Twisted Fate had eaten a little, and some color had returned to his face, but his condition was still far from good.
“Twisted Fate, you don’t think Levi might’ve…” Graves trailed off, clearly frustrated with himself.
If it hadn’t been for Levi today, there was no way Graves could have rescued Twisted Fate by himself.
In fact, if Levi hadn’t found him and brought him the information, Graves might never even have guessed that Gangplank had captured Twisted Fate.
“Nah. That kid doesn’t strike me as the type to gamble with his own life.” Twisted Fate waved dismissively while idly playing with a pair of loaded dice.
Despite what he said, the anxiety on Twisted Fate’s face was every bit as obvious as Graves’.
“By the way, Twisted Fate, what are we going to do about that poison?”
“Actually, one small glass would be enough. The problem is that Gangplank’s Black Pearl Rum isn’t exactly easy to get. Going back for it would be walking straight into the lion’s den.”
Twisted Fate knew perfectly well how difficult that would be.
He had only just escaped from that hellhole and had absolutely no desire to go back.
“Talking about someone, gentlemen?”
Levi walked in through the door with a grin and looked at Graves and Twisted Fate.
“Levi, you bastard! I thought you weren’t coming back!”
Graves burst out laughing and hurried over, punching Levi lightly in the chest.
Levi wasn’t offended.
He already understood what Graves was like, so he grinned and punched him back.
Graves immediately threw an arm around Levi’s shoulders and dragged him over to sit at the bar.
Twisted Fate wasn’t nearly as boisterous as Graves, so he didn’t say much.
He and Levi simply exchanged a nod.
Even so, the worry on Twisted Fate’s face finally disappeared.
He might not wear his emotions on his sleeve like Graves, but even he couldn’t stop the corners of his mouth from lifting into a slight smile.
“I told you I had a way out. I wasn’t lying.”
Levi smiled.
“Oh, right, Twisted Fate. I brought you something.”
Levi pulled out the half-full bottle he’d taken from Gangplank and set it on the table.
“Is that Black Pearl Rum? That’s…”
The moment Twisted Fate saw the color of the liquor, undisguised excitement filled his eyes.
His hands trembled slightly as he picked up the bottle.
Graves took it from him, gave it a sniff, then stared at Levi in shock.
“Holy hell, Levi. This is Black Pearl Rum. How did you get your hands on it?”
“Took it from Gangplank.”
Levi grinned.
“Badass.”
Graves and Twisted Fate gave him a thumbs-up at the exact same time.
“Ol’ Lars, bring us some glasses! Drinks are on me tonight!” Graves shouted toward the old man behind the bar.
Ol’ Lars glanced at him without a word before quietly bringing over several glasses.
Graves poured a glass each for Levi, Ol’ Lars, and himself, then shoved the rest of the bottle into Twisted Fate’s hands.
“Try this. This aged rum is stored in oak barrels and brewed from some of the finest ingredients in all of Valoran.”
Graves stared eagerly at the liquor in his glass.
Levi picked up his own glass and held it toward the light.
The liquor inside was pitch-black, and a powerful aroma of rum immediately filled his nose.
“Levi, it might only be a little glass, but don’t say I didn’t warn you. This stuff is seriously strong.”
Ol’ Lars sniffed his drink, then stared at the group in disbelief.
“You actually went looking for him?”
“Of course we did. Who the hell else would have this stuff?”
Graves laughed and clinked his glass against Levi’s.
“Levi, I won’t cheapen what you did with empty thanks. I’ll remember this favor. If you ever need anything from me, just ask.”
Twisted Fate solemnly raised his glass and clinked it against Levi’s.
Then he drained it in one gulp.
The unhealthy paleness in Twisted Fate’s face gradually faded, replaced by a healthier flush.
“Same goes for me. Levi, from today on, you’re a friend of mine,” Graves said, leaning over.
“All right, all right. We’re all friends from now on.”
Levi raised his glass as well and emptied it.
“By the way, Twisted Fate, I need to know what exactly happened with that cargo you stole. I still have to go back and explain this.”
“That cargo was actually a short-tempered Yordle. I think his name was Ziggs,” Twisted Fate said after thinking for a moment.
“That little guy is an explosives expert. Gangplank wanted him to make high explosives for him.”
“So where’s Ziggs now?” Graves immediately asked.
Levi looked at Twisted Fate as well.
“That Yordle’s halfway crazy. He set off an explosion right on Gangplank’s ship and used the chaos to escape.”
“Yeah.”
Levi nodded.
Considering Ziggs’ personality, that sounded exactly like something he would do.
The group drank and laughed together until late into the night.
Levi eventually tried to say goodbye to Graves and the others, only for them to drag him back and insist that he keep drinking.
Levi really couldn’t handle that kind of atmosphere for much longer, so he waited for an opportunity and slipped away.
The villa atop the hill was still glowing with lamplight.
Sarah sat inside Levi’s room, gazing into the distance through the window.
She was dressed casually, her fiery red hair falling loosely behind her as she leaned against the window.
Without her usual bold, fiery presence, there was instead something relaxed and almost lazy about her appearance.
It was already late, yet Sarah was still waiting for Levi.
She knew what Levi was capable of and understood that ordinary people wouldn’t be able to keep him trapped, but even so, she couldn’t stop herself from worrying.
The door creaked open.
Levi walked inside and immediately noticed Sarah waiting for him.
Seeing the sleepiness on her face warmed something inside him, but he still grinned mischievously.
“Sarah, it’s this late and you’re still awake. Were you waiting for me?”
“Please. Who was waiting for you? Don’t flatter yourself. I just couldn’t sleep.”
As she spoke, Sarah couldn’t help yawning.
Her face immediately reddened.
When she noticed the amused look in Levi’s eyes, she quickly changed the subject.
“So? Did you find Twisted Fate?”
“Yeah. Twisted Fate and his partner Graves. They’re both pretty interesting guys.”
“So you went drinking with them?”
Sarah caught the strong smell of alcohol coming from Levi and rolled her eyes.
“Not exactly. But your cargo isn’t coming back. It ran away.”
Levi said it with a completely serious expression.
“Ran away? Are you kidding me?”
Sarah’s voice immediately rose.
The only response she received was Levi’s steady breathing.
“This guy…”
Sarah’s expression softened.
She looked gently at Levi, who had already collapsed onto the bed, carefully pulled the blanket over him, then quietly slipped out of the room.