Nehjaya was out on the order of the owner right now. He was supposed to sink all boats the new product contracted. There was only this one left. Yet, his attack was blocked by someone? It enraged him. He had better things to do than waste his time fighting out in the ocean and killing random mortal sailors...like sex...or sex...

He hated it when he had to do things that were not enjoyable. But he had no choice. The owner's orders were absolute. He would vent out his anger on whoever dared to make him lose even more precious time.

He roared for the new party to show up and after waiting for a few moments, the water began to part and a snake's head the size of the boat itself began to emerge. Blue scales and yellow eyes, it was clearly a member of the Sea Python Clan.

Nehjaya recognized him. Their true form's sizes were relative to their strength and there were very few with such gigantic builds.

He roared at the newcomer who interrupted him: "Grunleden! You motherfucker! Get the fuck out of my way while I'm still being nice!"

The snake's jaw opened slightly and words came out in a very deep tone: "Your temper is still the same Nehjaya...Did you not see the colors flying on that boat? Get lost"

Both of them remained where they were.

Captain Redan recognized the name of the gigantic snake. It was the man who kidnapped his wife. His feelings were complicated as he had just been saved by the being that he loathed the most in the world.

Grunleden turned his gaze to Redan for a moment before he stated: "Jyanne is still missing you, Redan. You have her to thank for me coming today too. It'll be the first and last time though. Go home and give up sailing after this ends"

Redan roared: "Then give me Jyanne back!"

Grunleden snorted before he turned his gaze back to Nehjaya. That man was just like him, someone at the 69th stage. However, that man had lived much longer. Nehjaya was one of those high sinners who gave up pursuing higher realms to enjoy eternity at the top of this world. And out of all the guys from the cartel at this level, this one was the worst. His temper deteriorated to the point that he was no more than a waste.

Asides from when he was following the owner's orders.

And that was likely the case right now.

Which means that there would likely not be any point in trying to negotiate.

Grunleden sighed. He spoke: "Nehjaya, if you retreat now, I will forget what happened"

Nehjaya snorted and stated: "If you die here, the truth will be forgotten as well"

Grunleden grunted, enraged by how he was being underestimated. He spoke much more coldly: "Would you like for me to spread the information on who the man that was supposed to ride this boat was? Even if I can't kill you, you would likely not be able to kill me either!"

Nehjaya frowned. It was true that he was stronger than Grunleden but it was a fact that experts like them did not die easily. What's more, it was quite likely that he was aware of who was supposed to board this boat. There weren't that many men worth the cartel's attention... And even less who would take this boat. If he dug even just a little, Grunleden would have been able to guess things out.

Nehjaya stated: "Let me ask the owner first"

He took out a parchment from his storage ring and had it float in front of him. Then, he slashed his palm open and pushed the bleeding hand over the parchment. It lit up and a voice was heard: "What is it, Nehjaya?"

Nehjaya began to explain the situation. After a short silence, the voice spoke once more, but to Grunleden instead: "Grunleden, do you swear to keep this information to yourself?"

Grunleden pondered for a moment. The package that would have boarded this boat was likely the most wanted man throughout the land dweller's world. A famous weak being that was named 'Jin' and who supposedly held incredible worth. He looked back at the unsightly mortal on top of this boat. The man that remained in his wife's mind even up to this day... He was getting old though. Only a few dozen years and he would be dead...

He stated: "My wife's love comes first. I'll swear to keep it a secret as long as this man is alive and your cartel does not mess with any of my clan's interests"

Redan would die soon. Then, his wife, Jyanne, would only be his. She would truly be free to love him like he loved her. It would not be too late at that time to share the information on this 'Jin' with his clan.

The parchment lit up as the voice was again heard: "I'll agree to this deal. Nehjaya, you may come back"

Nehjaya bowed at the parchment as it began to burn upon itself. A few last words escaped it: "Don't you dare break my trust, Grunleden"

It made the gigantic snake shiver as he recalled the frightening abilities of the man behind that voice. He certainly did not want to fight that one nor did he want his clan to oppose the cartel. He would keep his end of the deal.

Nehjaya spat down before he made his ark fly away.

Grunleden turned his gaze to Redan and told him: "Go home, Redan. And stay there forever. May we never cross paths again in this life"

Then, he disappeared within the waters under the curse of a bawling sailor who only wished to be reunited with his wife.

The sailors on that boat needed a long time before they got to work again and steered their boat back home. Most of them would never again sail after this experience.

...

Unknown to Jin, a new force was now aware of his position. It truly was going to be a race against time.