Chapter 78

As if they had been waiting for this command for ten thousand years, the moment Caesar’s voice fell, dozens of blazing torches were hurled high into the air from both sides of the reef area behind him—each torch traced a perfect arc through the sky like a falling meteor before plunging into the sea. Though the flames were extinguished by the water, an even greater wall of fire erupted!

Following the trail of kerosene left by the first mate of the Hornet, the flames soared into the sky, cutting off the enchanting song. The inferno illuminated half of Mermaid Harbor, turning the night into day. Amid the roaring flames, the pitiful and piercing wails of the mermaids echoed!

The sailors, too, seemed awakened by the spectacle of fire on the sea. It was unclear who first shouted in the crowd, but soon more and more men raised their arms, thrusting their torches into the sandy ground. They drew daggers, pistols, and anything that could serve as a weapon, raising them high. Their eyes gleamed with bloodlust once more—they had transformed back into the invincible pirates of the Mediterranean!

The beautiful faces of the mermaids twisted in panic. They bared their teeth, emitting a buzzing sound from their vocal cords, similar to the vibration of fish fins. Some mermaids began to retreat, the first group scrambling to return the way they had come. But as they touched the burning flames on the water’s surface, their snow-white skin immediately withered and blackened, and they writhed in agony amidst the fire.

Behind them, the older, more experienced mermaids learned quickly. They barely glanced at their severely burned companions, looking back only once at the pirates charging from the shore with knives and nets in hand. Without hesitation, they dove deep into the water, their massive tails creating huge splashes on the surface. Their gold and silver scales shimmered brilliantly under the firelight.

Yet, more mermaids refused to leave.

They leapt high from the water, from the reefs, from the wooden boats—from anywhere they could reach—and with their delicate arms, they swiftly snatched unsuspecting men, dragging them into the sea with ferocity. They whipped their massive tails, knocking the struggling men unconscious, and like the most beautiful thieves in the world, they pulled them into the dark, icy depths of the abyss!

Amid the chaos of roars and turmoil on the sea, some mermaids retreated while others hunted, creating a strange yet orderly scene. Miguel stood at the edge of the reef area, drawing Ghost Slayer from his waist. Without hesitation, he stabbed it into the golden tail of a mermaid, pinning it to the reef.

The black reef shattered as the mermaid let out a piercing scream, green blood splattering all over Miguel’s face and hair.

Unfazed, he wiped his face and called for the men with nets to drag the half-dead mermaid into the shallow waters of the reef. Only after ensuring the pirates had secured the mermaid, which was heavier than expected, did he pull Ghost Slayer from the reef. Amid the flurry of fighting companions, the black-haired young man crouched nearby, his sharp black eyes scanning the sea with intense focus.

He was searching!

Searching for the leader of these mermaids!

On the surface, massive tails slapped the water, creating splashes. Countless mermaids dove back into the depths, while more emerged, their faces filled with fear and rage! More and more mermaids, charred and gutted, washed up on the reef’s shore. The stench of blood and fish scales filled the air, turning the once-clear water murky and viscous. The mermaids still retained their beautiful maiden-like appearances, but their faces were frozen in expressions of fear and anger, their long, soft hair matted against their pale skin…

This was an unprecedented massacre and hunt!

As the kerosene lamps burned out or were washed away by the sea, the flames on the water gradually diminished. Just as time seemed to be running out, Miguel’s gaze suddenly sharpened, a cold light flashing in his onyx-like eyes.

Ignoring the chaotic shouts of those behind him, Miguel swiftly placed Ghost Slayer between his teeth and dove into the sea, swimming rapidly toward a point near the fading line of fire.

Following the direction of the navigator’s swift movement, the crew soon saw their captain, Caesar.

At that moment, the captain of the Wind Fury was entangled with a mermaid—a dark-skinned, emerald-eyed creature. She was strong and beautifully built, her hair as long and black as seaweed. Even with her bared, razor-sharp teeth, her beauty was undeniable. Her body thrashed in the water, her golden, powerful tail creating unmatched splashes. Her hands clung fiercely to the man’s arms, every second an attempt to drown him in the sea.

The firelight illuminated the handsome features of the man as he wielded a gleaming dagger. His brows were tightly furrowed, the water’s resistance severely limiting his movements. Each time he managed to kick the overly strong mermaid away, she would immediately lunge back at him, as if determined to claim him.

Throughout the struggle, the mermaid never ceased emitting a sound akin to an animal’s cry. With each signal she sent, the mermaids behind her would act—either retreating, attacking, or diving into the sea to wait for an opportunity. Caesar’s gaze remained steady, and within moments, he realized this mermaid was giving orders.

Unbeknownst to him, only one other person in the reef area had come to the same conclusion.

And now, that person was swimming toward him—Miguel moved swiftly through the water, faster than he had ever swum before, almost like an Olympic champion. Along the way, he encountered mermaids trying to stop him, but this time, he killed every single one that came at him. By the time he reached Caesar, he had lost count of how many times he had plunged Ghost Slayer into the slender necks of these beautiful creatures, or how many times he had severed their delicate fingers, just as Caesar had done.

The two men exchanged a quick glance in the water, and without a word, they launched into a coordinated attack.

Miguel spat out the fish scales he had accidentally swallowed while surfacing for air, the foul taste of seawater making him swear off seafood for a month. He kicked through the water, lunging forward to grab the arm of the mermaid leader as she groped at Caesar’s chest muscles. With a fierce yank, he pulled her back—

The mermaid leader let out a wail, her massive tail thrashing in the water. The powerful tail slapped Miguel across the face with such force that he saw stars, his vision blurring as he experienced firsthand what it meant to be struck by a mermaid’s strength.

But it wasn’t over yet. The damned mermaid turned back to Caesar, as if determined to claim him before the sun rose. She bared her teeth, letting out an enraged howl as she reached for him with her one good arm. Caesar, expressionless, grabbed her wrist and twisted it, effortlessly flipping the two to three hundred-pound mermaid in the water.

This unwavering refusal to be swayed by beauty, this resolute rejection…

For some reason, Miguel found it hilarious. Despite his dizziness, he burst into laughter, shouting for Caesar to “hold on tight.” The captain gave him a reassuring look, and Miguel grinned before diving back into the water. They were the closest to the line of fire, and even in the murky depths, the navigator could clearly see the twisting body of the mermaid leader, temporarily restrained by Caesar.

Her figure was like that of a giant serpent, her perfect form and alluring skin glowing faintly in the water. But as a rough-and-tumble man, Miguel had no appreciation for such beauty. He gripped Ghost Slayer firmly in his hand, and just as the mermaid was about to break free from Caesar’s hold, he drove the dagger deep into the center of her chest.

The mermaid’s final howl could be heard even through the waves and foam. Her massive tail thrashed in a final struggle, creating countless bubbles and splashes. Dark green blood gushed from her chest, spreading through the water and flowing toward the surface. As Miguel surfaced for air, he saw the half-human, half-fish creature reaching for Caesar’s throat with her claws.

“Touch my man, and you die!”

Protective fury surged through the navigator. He dove back into the water, grabbing Ghost Slayer where it was still embedded in the mermaid’s chest. With a sharp twist of his wrist, his veins bulging from the effort, he yanked the blade downward—the cold dagger glinted in the water, the vibration of cutting through bone making his hand ache. But Miguel didn’t let go. With a cold expression, he gutted the mermaid leader.

Foul organs and blood clouded the water as Ghost Slayer sliced downward until the mermaid lay motionless. With a final tug, Miguel pulled the dagger free. The once-beautiful mermaid leader now had a massive gash running from her chest down to the middle of her tail.

The wound revealed white bone and red, exposed muscle.

Blowing out a bubble, Miguel sheathed Ghost Slayer at his waist.

He surfaced just as the kerosene fire finally died out. Around him, he heard shouts about the mermaids retreating, and someone laughing as they reported to Caesar that “we’ve caught quite a few live ones.” Wiping the foul, sticky seawater from his face, Miguel met a pair of amber eyes.

And then?

Before he could even hear the words “well done,” the navigator passed out in the captain’s strong arms.

Mermaid tails? Disgusting.

From that day on, Miguel became a sworn enemy of Andersen’s fairy tales.