With the swordsman Span following behind him, Captain Saren strode in like a man returning from victory.
The second transaction began shortly afterward. The representatives from the merchant guild respectfully requested the chest of gold coins and jewelry, opening it on the spot to inspect each piece.
At the same time, they politely told Ren to be patient—the funds for the purchase were already being transferred and would arrive momentarily.
Once the gold and jewelry were confirmed genuine, the payment was "coincidentally" delivered straight into Ren's hands.
Of course, both transactions were conducted entirely within the Gus. Everyone here was an adult; they all understood the rule—never flaunt your wealth.
"Mr. Ren, it's been a pleasure working with you," Captain Saren said with a humble bow, his manner impeccable from every angle.
He even added sincerely, "The guild will issue a confidentiality order. No one will leak a single word about this deal. We only hope that you, too, will keep this matter private."
After all, what they had purchased wasn't just treasure—it was also the fame of having defeated Alvida.
"I'm a man of my word," Ren replied with an easy smile, glancing toward the burly bodyguards stationed outside the room. "As long as your people don't get any ideas about reclaiming the money later for 'reuse,' there won't be any problems on my end."
"Mr. Ren, you jest. Who would dare target a bounty hunter like you? If we had that kind of nerve, we wouldn't have feared Alvida to begin with!"
Captain Saren gave a bitter laugh, then—perhaps eager to distance himself from any possible suspicion—took the opportunity to tell Ren about Cuckoo Island.
This was a bustling crossroads where multiple trade routes intersected.
But for that very reason, it was also a chaotic mix of elements—small and large gangs, bounty hunters, pirate informants, pirates themselves, merchant guilds, mercenary bands, and more.
The only thing it didn't have was a Marine base. Instead, there was a locally formed guard unit whose duties were limited to protecting guild properties and collecting local fees.
As a result, trouble broke out here almost daily. Violence and crime were simply part of life.
After all, this was a non–World Government member region!
"You make a good point," Ren said, nodding thoughtfully. Then he smiled, his tone suddenly sharp:
"But I'm a suspicious man by nature. So if anything unpleasant happens… I'll hold everyone here responsible!"
He deliberately emphasized the final sentence.
Perhaps it was a bit underhanded—but as someone new to this area, he had no intention of gambling his life on the goodwill of strangers. A little verbal insurance never hurt.
"…"
Captain Saren's expression shifted, and his gaze flicked toward the cold-eyed swordsman standing nearby.
Yes. That look said it all.
Definitely not someone to provoke.
Taking a deep breath, Saren forced a smile. "I understand. The guild will do everything possible to ensure your stay on Cuckoo Island is pleasant, Mr. Ren."
"That's all I ask."
Ren nodded and left the cabin, returning to his room. He instructed Koby to remain behind and keep the room occupied.
Compared to the lodgings outside, the Gus offered better comfort and safety—and since the ship needed to restock supplies after its route change, it wouldn't be setting sail for another day or two anyway.
Ren left behind one hundred thousand Beli for living expenses.
After all, food, lodging, and daily necessities cost money, and he wasn't the kind of man to freeload.
The rest of his fortune, however, he poured entirely into the Dimensional Roulette.
{Chip Balance: 18.3 million}
As the glowing panel refreshed, a satisfied Ren finally stepped off the Gus.
He didn't rush to spin the wheel—his Lucky Lighter had already been used earlier that afternoon.
"Where are we going?" Zoro asked.
"To check out the taverns," Ren said with interest, his tone bright. He was eager to experience what taverns were like in the Age of Exploration.
He wondered if they had those… unique atmospheres where one could pay to, well—ahem—enjoy the company of certain ladies.
By now, night had fully fallen.
"Oh."
Zoro's pace quickened. Compared to the luxurious Gus, a tavern was a far more familiar place to him.
Whenever he arrived in a new town, he always ate at the local tavern—and usually ended up cutting down someone with a high bounty, then handing the guy over to the owner to pay for his meal.
The two walked down the street and entered a tavern marked by a battered signboard depicting a broken wheel.
A roar of mingled laughter, chatter, and clinking glasses washed over them. Most tables were packed with rugged men talking loudly about women, adventures, or work. Others were discussing pirate bounties.
"Hahaha! I told you, why does this guy only have a bounty of one hundred Beli? Is he even a real pirate?"
"One hundred Beli? How much did your newspaper cost this morning?"
"One hundred Beli too—brought by the News Coo with the World Economic Journal!"
"Who'd bother chasing someone for a hundred Beli?"
"Hey hey, your drinks are here."
"Thanks, Miss Sander!"
Several waitresses bustled back and forth carrying trays of food and drink, playfully bantering with familiar patrons.
Ren even spotted one customer slipping a few Beli bills straight into the deep cleavage of a busty waitress.
Shameless—no, downright depraved!
But his attention soon shifted from moral outrage to the heavy stench hanging in the air.
This smell… like fermented fruit mixed with rotting wood, he thought, wrinkling his nose.
The tavern atmosphere wasn't quite what he'd imagined—but on second thought, that was probably normal.
It's only ten o'clock? I'll stay a bit longer. Maybe I can bait some troublemakers into taking the first swing, Ren mused.
He deliberately took out his gilded pocket watch, checking the time with an elegant motion.
That tiny gesture immediately caught the eyes of several drinkers in the corner.
They lowered their heads slightly, but cold, watchful gazes glinted from beneath their messy hair.
When the green-haired swordsman beside Ren suddenly turned his head their way, they quickly looked off, exchanging silent glances.
That green-haired guy's the bodyguard—he's got a killer's aura.
The young one looks out of place, like some rich kid out "experiencing life."
And that pocket watch… it's gilded. Definitely moneyed.
When they saw the pair heading toward the bar counter, they began whispering among themselves.
"Looks like an easy mark—but the bodyguard's trouble."
"So what? Our boss is the bounty hunter! If he hadn't decided to build an empire here on Cuckoo Island, we pirates would all be dead instead of working under him."
"Yeah, we have to prove ourselves!"
"Fine—but maybe we'll make some money too. Damn it, I still owe a pile to the Bloodhand Gang's casino."
"Then you'd better pay up fast—or you'll end up as 'food' for those cannibal freaks trying to prove their worth."
"Yeah… I'll go talk to the boss later. I'm sick of drinking this swill every night."
Meanwhile, back on the Gus—
After wrapping up the follow-up paperwork, Captain Saren approached Sir Becks and carefully relayed Ren's parting words.
When Becks heard "If anything unpleasant happens, I'll hold everyone here responsible!"
—his face went pale.
He still remembered that earlier threat aboard the Gus, and he had no desire to see it become reality.
(End of Chapter)