I WAS The Rank–1 Hero-Chapter 143: Departure [1]

"It's just a precaution."

Right now, my appearance was heavily altered. I had used a potion that temporarily extended my hair for thirty minutes and created artificial scars across my face. It was a simple yet effective disguise.

The reason I did that was simple, the noble houses had planted stalkers to tail me after the incident at the Auction House.

Ever since I switched to my 'Nox' persona, I had been sensing their presence quite a lot lately.

So, to throw them off my trail, I disguised myself again with longer hair and facial scars, making it difficult for even a trained eye to recognize me.

"I almost didn't recognize you... almost," Amy grinned, crossing her legs casually and pulling out a cigar. She lit it with a smooth flick, taking a relaxed puff.

—Puff.

Leaning back against the chair, I got straight to the point.

"My items."

Amy sighed dramatically. "Haaah... always straight to business. I hope your girlfriend ditches you someday."

Her words didn't even faze me. I wasn't surprised she knew about me visiting with Ruby at the auction house last night, the information like that traveled faster, especially through Amy's agency.

"Anyway," she said, letting the cigar dangle loosely between her fingers. She pushed the three boxes across the table toward me. "Here's your items."

Without wasting time, I opened each box, checking every item carefully. Their condition and authenticity were just as I had requested.

Satisfied, I nodded. "Good work."

As I finished storing the items into my inventory, Amy pulled out a folded piece of paper from her pocket and tossed it toward me.

Catching it mid-air, I raised an eyebrow. "A bill?"

"No," she smirked. "It's the thing you wanted the most."

The thing I wanted the most?

My eyes narrowed slightly as I stared at the paper.

"Ancient Temple?" I guessed.

"Precisely," Amy said, tapping on the tablet she had placed on the table. A detailed map appeared on the screen.

"How much do you know about the 'Black Bullets'?" she asked, glancing up at me.

I leaned forward, gathering my thoughts before answering, "Only that they were an infamous pirate group that controlled the southern district of Aquadore's Great Ocean."

Amy nodded approvingly. "Mhm."

Two years ago, I had crossed paths with them during a mission. I had been tasked with gathering intel on their operations.

From that experience, I learned more than I cared to.

The Black Bullets weren't just your average pirates. They were cruel, ruthless, and highly connected. High-ranking nobles and government officials covered for them, ensuring they evaded justice time and time again.

Despite the countless crimes they committed, not a single member had ever been punished.

It was surprising, even for me, to suddenly hear the name Black Bullets from Amy's mouth.

I wondered what had happened.

After a short pause, Amy spoke.

"Here's the thing... all the members of the Black Bullets died."

"Huh?" I blinked. "What do you mean, they died?"

I stared at her intently, waiting for an explanation.

Amy leaned back slightly, tapping the map on her tablet.

"Two days ago, two warships belonging to the Black Bullets stumbled into a small hurricane in the southeastern region of Aquadore's Great Ocean. Their ships got caught up in it and were sucked beneath the waves..."

She traced her finger along the map, stopping at a marked location.

"The pirates who survived the descent found they could breathe underwater. But that was just the beginning..."

My eyes narrowed to that information.

Amy continued.

"When they reached the seabed, they discovered a massive metal door, about 120 feet thick, buried into the ocean floor. Naturally, they got curious and reported it to their captain."

Given how widespread the Black Bullets were, it was no surprise their captain would immediately respond.

Amy went on,

"Once the captain arrived, he tried everything he could to open the door. When he failed, he arrogantly summoned every nearby warship for backup. But what happened next... left everyone speechless."

I kept silent, listening carefully.

"The next morning, the ships were still there... but completely empty. After three hours of searching, the locals discovered more than two hundred pirate corpses washed up near the shore."

The room fell quiet.

After a moment, I asked, "What about the captain?"

Amy shook her head grimly.

"No one knows. His body was missing."

I leaned back in my chair, resting my fingers against my chin in thought.

Piecing together the details, a theory began forming in my mind.

"So you're saying... you believe that metal door was possibly the entrance to an ancient temple that was behind this?"

Amy raised her hands.

"Not just me. That's what the official investigation concluded."

Strange...

I couldn't help but find the timing suspicious.

First, Karton, the God of Time, called me to meet him in Aquadore.

Now this.

And to top it off, the entire first-year batch was already scheduled to visit Aquadore for special practical training.

Was it a coincidence?

"Did this happen near Windstorm Island?" I asked.

Something about the connections felt too convenient.

But Amy shook her head.

"No. The incident occurred in the southern district of the Great Ocean. Windstorm Island is farther east."

I nodded slightly.

"I see…"

Still, this was something I couldn't ignore.

Once my meeting with Karton was over, I would definitely have to investigate that door.

Clutching the folded piece of paper in my hand, I rose from my seat.

There were preparations I needed to make, and a few things to purchase.

Specifically, a list of items Ruby had handed me.

Before leaving, I turned to Amy.

"Regarding the payment," I said, taking out my old communication device.

I wired one million credits to her account in seconds.

"Check on your end."

"Got it," Amy replied, glancing at her tablet.

Raising my hand in a casual farewell, I made my way toward the exit.

There was still time before the trip to Aquadore.

It was best to finish all necessary errands before I started moving forward.