Cozy Warrior-Chapter 9: The Weight Beneath the Waves

The morning sun began to rise over Kalimar, bathing the stone city in golden light. A gentle breeze pushed against the curtains as Saishi opened his eyes. He blinked for a second, then shot up, full of unusual energy.

He ran to the window, catching a perfect view of the city rooftops and the towers reaching into the sky.

"Yes!" he smiled. "We got this."

He glanced toward the biggest structure in the skyline—the Town Tower, used by merchants and citizens to tell the time.

"7:50. Perfect. Time to get ready and eat."

Breakfast. His favorite part of the day.Until recently, he'd always prepared it himself—so eating out still felt odd. But today was different. Today was a departure.

As he soaked in the view, Saishi stretched, then stepped back to change. His clothes were simple—a well-worn leather combo with a villager's style. As he pulled his sweater over his head, a sudden knock hit his door.

"Who could that be...?" he muttered as he yanked the shirt down.

He opened the door.A maid stood there. Gracefully dressed, face emotionless, posture perfect. With one look, Saishi could tell exactly whose maid this was.

"Good morning, Sir," she said, holding out a neatly folded bundle. "A gift from my master. He noticed your garments last night and wishes for you to be prepared for the journey ahead."

Saishi stared, blinking. "Thanks...?"

The maid then handed him a second item—a black steel pickaxe with a blue shimmer running along its edges.

"This is a Magnil Pickaxe, forged for the minerals Master Alexandrus has requested."She paused only briefly. "Please be at the docks at nine. Do not be late."

And with that, she left to knock on the next room.

Saishi closed the door, frowning. "Why the hell is he doing so much for this quest?" he whispered to himself. "Something ain't right..."

Still, he stared down at the new armor in his hands—leather harness with steel accents at the chest, arms, and legs. Not expensive, but reliable. A gift was a gift, and he wasn't going to be ungrateful.

He tossed the old clothes aside, pulled the new gear on, and fastened his new pickaxe across his back.

Then his eyes turned toward the scrolls.

Three of them. Lying side by side on the table.

Mining I, II, and III. He picked them up and pressed them against his chest one by one, activating them in silence.

---------------------------------📜 Skill Acquired: Mining I, II, III--------------------------------

🪓 Class: WarriorType: Skill ScrollRequirements: 20 / 40 / 60 StrengthEffect: Allows the user to extract minerals from ore veins of increasing difficulty. Mining III enables high-purity obsidian and rare metals with minimal damage loss.Note: Stacks with Mining Tools and Strength buffs.

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"Alright," he smiled. "Let's go."

He strapped on his gear, threw a few essentials into his bag, and stepped into the hallway.

Downstairs, the smell of food drifted through the air. Mo, Hürs, and Burk were already at a table in the corner, devouring their breakfast.

"Morning, guys!" Saishi waved as he approached.

Mo's eyes lit up. "HAHAHA! Brother, look at you! You're glowing like a fresh recruit. Is that new armor?"

"Yeah," Saishi said, sitting down. "Got it this morning from one of Alexandrus' maids. She brought the armor, the pickaxe... everything."

Hürs raised an eyebrow. "Again? That guy is really laying it on thick..."

"He's making it hard not to be suspicious," Burk mumbled through a mouthful of bread.

"Where's Jibo?" Saishi asked, glancing around.

"Probably still sleeping. That guy..." Hürs muttered.

A voice came from behind them. "Yeah yeah, I'm here, Mr. 7 o'Clock."

Jibo stretched and yawned as he walked in, rubbing his eyes.

"Alright," Hürs said, clapping his hands together. "Eat up. We're setting sail today."

--------------------------------⚓ Scene Cut – Heading to the Docks------------------------

The docks of Kalimar were bustling with early activity, crates being hauled, sails being lifted, and gulls circling overhead. Their ship wasn't fancy, but it was solid. Black wood, wide deck, big sails—designed for trade more than comfort.

As they approached, the captain greeted them with a wave.

"Welcome aboard! Please, no fire magic or smoking while we're at sea. Safety orders."

Mo stopped dead. "No... smoking...?"

"You'll be fine, Brother," Hürs said, trying to keep him calm. "It's just one day."

"ONE DAY is too long!" Mo whined as the crew tried to usher him up the ramp.

The others laughed and dragged him aboard.

------------------------------🌊 Scene Cut – Sailing to Lukor

Hours later, the ship glided through the ocean, pushed along by steady winds.

Mo sat in the corner of the deck, sulking with his arms crossed. "I can't believe this..."

At the front of the ship, Saishi stood tall, letting the breeze hit his face, watching the seagulls glide just overhead. For once, he felt free.

In the center, Hürs sat with Jibo and Burk, arms crossed, eyes scanning everything. Something had been gnawing at his gut all morning.

"This ship doesn't sit right..." he murmured.

He stood up and made his way to the helm, where the grey-bearded captain was humming to himself.

"Morning, Captain."

"Morning, son. What can I do for you?"

"Just curious," Hürs said. "Are we the only passengers this trip?"

"Yep. Usually, we haul cargo between Kalimar and Lukor, but the boss insisted we take you. Special trip."

"Ten-man crew, right?"

"Yep. Ten of us total."

"Got it. Thanks."

Hürs nodded, then turned back and walked to the center of the deck. Something itched at the back of his mind.

He started counting.

"One, two, three, four..."

He kept repeating it. Always ten.

But something didn't feel right.

Then Burk leaned over the railing, pointing to the sky. "Look at those seagulls, Hürs. Must be nice to ride the wind like that. Maybe I'll climb the lookout later..."

Hürs' eyes widened. "The lookout tower."

He stared up.

There was one more.

One shadow.

A figure up in the crow's nest.

"Eleven," Hürs whispered.

Night came. The stars blinked into the sky, and the air turned sharp and cold.

The captain found them again and bowed his head politely.

"We'll be arriving near Lukor by morning," he said. "Please sleep below deck tonight. The wind is cruel after dark. We've arranged rooms for you. The crew will rest in the storage deck."

"Understood," Hürs replied, giving a quick nod. "Thanks, Captain."

They descended into the lower chambers of the ship, each of them heading to a small room lined with hammocks.

Everyone went to sleep.

Except Hürs.

He sat in a wooden chair by his door, arms crossed, one eye open. Waiting.

Then—floorboards creaked. Faint steps. Just outside.

He slipped quietly to the door and flung it open.

With one hand, he grabbed the figure in the hallway by the throat and slammed them into the wall.

"Who are you?" he snarled. "What are you doing down here?"

This content is taken from fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm.

"Bro—Brother?! I just wanted to smoke!"

It was Mo.

Hürs released him instantly, stepping back. "Shit! I thought..."

Mo coughed and held his neck. "Damn, Brother. You've got a grip like a warhorse. I only came out to get some air."

"You saw anything out there?" Hürs asked, tone shifting instantly back to alert.

Mo rubbed his neck, thoughtful. "Now that you mention it... yeah. There was someone still up on deck. Didn't move. I didn't think much of it, but... now I don't know."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, Brother."

Hürs nodded, jaw tightening.

"Then maybe the others are in danger."