"Crime? What kind of crime?" Levy asked, his voice carrying a sharp edge of worry. His brows furrowed, his tone skeptical, and his lips pressed into a thin line. He wasn't sure if Razeal was insane or if he had just decided to drag him down into madness along with him.

"You do realize, right?" Levy continued, his voice lowering, his eyes narrowing behind his glasses. "No one ends up in that kind of prison for small crimes. Only the worst of the worst get the 'honor' of being thrown there. I've heard there's barely a difference between the death penalty and Eternal Hold. In fact…" He leaned in slightly as though the shadows themselves might overhear him, "…Eternal Hold is worse. People would rather take a clean death than rot in that place forever."

Razeal, however, remained utterly calm, his cold eyes betraying no ripple of doubt or hesitation. He simply shook his head and said, "Don't worry. I've already prepared everything for that. All I need to know from you is one thing" His gaze locked directly onto Levy's. "...are you coming or not?"

The jungle air around them seemed to still. For a moment, even the rustling of leaves quieted, as if the trees themselves were waiting for Levy's answer.

Levy looked back at him, his throat tightening. His thoughts ran wild. He wasn't a fighter, not some brave warrior who laughed in the face of danger. He was just a businessman, a merchant who tried to survive by keeping his head low, by playing clever, by navigating dangerous waters with words and numbers not swords and blood And definitely not a lunatic who will go to death for fun.

Finally, he let out a long sigh and muttered, "I don't know. I mean…" He rubbed the back of his neck nervously, his voice uneven. "Here, at worst, I'll die. And there, at best, I'll die. Honestly, is there even a difference? What's the point?"

"I won't let you die," Razeal cut him off sharply. His voice carried a weight of certainty that made Levy pause. The words weren't shouted; they were spoken quietly, firmly, as if he were stating a fact rather than making a promise.

Levy blinked at him. Something in the way Razeal spoke made it hard to dismiss his words as nonsense, though every logical part of him screamed to run.

"…What is the job then?" Levy asked, lips twitching. He himself didn't know why he was entertaining this. Any smart man would've walked away, told Razeal he was crazy, and never looked back. And yet, here he was, waiting for the answer.

"Job?" Razeal repeated calmly, as though the word was foreign to him. His expression didn't shift; his tone stayed steady, detached. "Yeah, you'll know when the time comes. For now… just come with me."

Levy's lips twitched harder. His eyes went wide in disbelief. "So, let me get this straight.. you want me to come with you, risk my life, walk straight into the jaws of death itself… without even knowing what the actual job is?"

Razeal nodded once, without hesitation.

Levy's shoulders slumped. For a moment, he had no words, only silence. Even Maria, who had been leaning against a tree nearby, watching the two of them in silence, let her face twist into a judgmental expression. Her sharp blue eyes narrowed at Razeal, her brows furrowed in disbelief.

Now he seems like he's not that smart, Maria thought. She couldn't hold back the small shake of her head. Honestly, she had expected more from Razeal. She'd seen how ruthless, cunning, and unpredictable he could be. But now, looking at him calmly demand this ridiculous thing from Levy, she couldn't help but wonder if he was just bluffing through life with luck and recklessness.

Levy, meanwhile, exhaled and pushed his glasses up with one finger. "…Umm well," he said slowly. "But tell me this at least.. what's my payment for this suicidal job of yours?"

It was a test. He didn't expect anything real. In fact, Levy had already braced himself for Razeal's typical cold, vague non-answer. He was even ready to curse him out for it.

And just as he expected, Razeal wasn't straightforward.

"Well… that depends," Razeal began.

Levy's eyebrows jumped high. "Depends? Depends on what?" His voice raised, exasperated, as though he was talking to a child who couldn't grasp the basics of a deal. He wanted to give Razeal a piece of his mind, maybe even throw a few lecture, but when his eyes met Razeal's, he stopped cold.

Because the expression on Razeal's face wasn't mocking. It wasn't careless. It was serious. Dead serious.

He's definitely not joking… Levy thought, his heartbeat skipping. His mouth went dry. For the first time, he realized this wasn't some game Razeal was playing as what he was thinking he was just fucking around with him.

Finally, Razeal continued, his tone steady, unwavering. "Look. There are two choices. First… I'll give you whatever you want. Anything." He let the words hang in the air, his gaze unwavering, as if daring Levy to test him.

Levy froze. His frown deepened, his thoughts spinning. Whatever I want? He searched Razeal's eyes for some sign of a lie, joking or anything but found none.

Razeal continued before Levy could speak. "Or… the second choice. Be my partner."

Maria fell silent, Her gaze flicked between the two men listening to there bullshit.. suddenly stopped scratching at the bark of the tree and went still

She looked at Levy more closely now, scanning him from head to toe. She didn't see anything remarkable. His aura was weak, his mana barely noticeable. Nothing about him screamed 'special.' And yet, here Razeal was giving him options, giving him so much importance.

She chewed the inside of her cheek. He could've just forced him too like he forced me. But with this weak man… he's trying to persuade. Why?

Levy, too, stood frozen almost dazed. He stared into Razeal's serious face, trying to understand the logic, the hidden reason, the angle behind this offer.

"…And what do I get by being your partner?" Levy finally asked, his voice quieter this time, almost cautious. He didn't even know why he was bothering. Maybe he just wanted to hear what kind of absurd answer Razeal would give.

"Nothing," Razeal replied instantly, without hesitation.

Levy blinked. "…Nothing?"

"Yes."

And for the first time, a small, sharp grin tugged at the corner of Razeal's lips.

Maria just threw her hands up into her hair and groaned quietly, scratching at her scalp in frustration. What the fuck is going on here? she thought. This makes no sense at all.

The silence that followed was heavy, filled with unspoken thoughts. The three of them stood there, the jungle wind whispering through the trees, carrying the weight of Razeal's offer.

Levy stared at him for what felt like hours, his thoughts circling endlessly. Was this lunatic serious? Was there really no hidden reward? No benefit? Only danger and madness?

Levy was stunned. He didn't know whether to laugh, shout, or walk away.

Silence stretched.

"You're very bad at doing business, you know that?" Levy spat, rolling his eyes so hard they almost disappeared into his skull. His tone dripped with sarcasm, but underneath it there was a tremor, the kind that came when a man realized he had already stepped too far into dangerous waters.

Razeal didn't flinch. His face remained calm, his eyes cold and steady as always. He ignored the jab entirely and asked in his usual direct manner, "So which one do you choose?"

Levy hesitated. His lips parted, closed, then parted again. His heart pounded against his chest as though warning him not to make a mistake he couldn't undo. His head screamed at him to walk away, to reject this madness. And yet… something else tugged at him, like a voice screaming, fuck it. Both options were worse than the other. And why the fuck was he even choosing it anyways? It was like being asked, Do you want to die crushed under an orc's ass, or eaten alive by goblins? What difference did it make? Why pretend there was a choice?

"I… will…" Levy dragged out the words, his hand covering his face in disbelief at what he was about to say. "…I'll go with being a partner."

He facepalmed immediately, groaning internally. I must be out of my mind. Maybe I've finally gone crazy. Why the hell did I choose this? This isn't logical. This isn't smart. This… just feels… He exhaled shakily. It feels like the only option.

Razeal didn't show much reaction. No smile, no widened eyes, no visible satisfaction. But for just a brief second, his lips curved upward in the faintest smirk.. before returning to their usual straight line.

"Welcome to the team," he said plainly, extending his left hand toward Levy.

The gesture alone shocked Levy to his core. He blinked at it, dumbfounded as his eyes darted from the hand to Razeal's face and back. Wait. Really? his expression screamed.

Last time, when he had tried to extend a hand.. during their first deal Razeal hadn't even acknowledged it. He had brushed him off completely, leaving Levy feeling like he was shaking hands with air. And now, suddenly, this crazy, unreadable man was offering his hand first?

Levy's thoughts scrambled to make sense of it, but he didn't let hesitation rob him of the moment. Without a word, he clasped Razeal's hand firmly, shaking it hard, perhaps harder than necessary, as though trying to cement the reality of it.

For the first time, it didn't feel like he was being ignored or taken as an slave.

Razeal's grip was cold, steady, unwavering. He didn't speak, didn't soften, but he didn't pull away either. The handshake lasted just long enough to mean something, and then he let go.

From the side, Maria's voice broke the silence. "Will I get this treatment too?" she asked, her tone sharp, tinged with jealousy she didn't even try to hide. Her arms crossed under her chest, her blue eyes narrowing slightly. To her, the scene was infuriating. She genuinely thought this weakling whoever he is, was getting too much consideration from Razeal even more than she shoulve deserved.

Of course she would feel bitter. Razeal had bound her under some secret technique, forcing her compliance, treating her like a prisoner. But this man? He was being handed offers, choices, handshakes. Why him?

"Don't try to act familiar with me," Razeal cut her off instantly, turning his cold gaze toward her. His voice carried no warmth, no hesitation. "We are not."

Maria sneered, her lips curling as she turned her head away. Maybe he didn't put that suspicious liquid inside Levy because he's too weak to be a threat. Nothing to be cautious of. Of course a rabbit gets treated better than a lion. She convinced herself with that thought, but the bitterness in her chest only burned hotter.

"Alright, enough chatting. I don't have time." Razeal's voice snapped through the tension like a blade, shifting the atmosphere back to business in an instant. Whatever faint hint of camaraderie had appeared in his handshake with Levy vanished as quickly as it had come. His face reset to cold steel.

Levy sighed under his breath, rubbing his temple. He didn't comment; he already knew this was how Razeal worked.. detached, efficient, uncaring once the moment passed.

"Go buy a ship," Razeal ordered, his tone sharp and final. "Wait for me at the northern coast of the empire. We'll need a big one. Have it ready before tomorrow noon. I'll be there before afternoon."

Levy's eyes widened. His mouth opened. "…Wait, what? Ship?!" His voice cracked with disbelief. He stumbled back a step, blinking rapidly as though trying to process the absurdity. "You just drop something like that on me and walk away? What ship? Where the hell am I supposed to get a ship?"

Razeal turned his head back, his gaze locking onto Levy's. His expression was as cold as ever, but his words cut clean through the air. "Buy it."

Levy froze. His lips twitched uncontrollably. "Buy it? Buy it?! Do you think ships grow on trees? Do you think I just keep one in my back pocket?" His tone was half outrage, half despair, his mind racing.

"I don't have a ship. Where is a ship, huh?" He threw his arms wide, black lines practically etched onto his face as his frustration boiled over. He barely managed to keep from screaming at him.

"Buy it," Razeal repeated calmly, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. Then, without waiting for further protest, he turned his back again.

Levy nearly ripped his hair out. "But I don't have any money! How the hell am I supposed to.."

"You have," Razeal interrupted smoothly, his voice quiet but firm. He didn't look back this time. His shadowed figure simply kept walking, his robe billowing behind him as the faint shimmer of wings began to form at his back.

Levy blinked, stunned. "…What? I have?"

"The one you earned from me. Use that," Razeal replied, his voice echoing as his wings fully unfurled.. massive shadows stretching outwards, blotting pieces of light between the trees.

Before Levy could argue further, before Maria could comment, Razeal took one powerful leap, his wings beating once, twice, and his figure shot upward into the sky like a dart.

Within seconds, he was gone, vanishing into the clouds.

Levy stopped dead in his tracks, staring at the patch of sky where Razeal had disappeared moments ago. His hand slowly dragged across his face, rough and heavy, as though he could rub away the reality of what had just happened. His palm covered his eyes, then slid down his cheeks, leaving his glasses tilted.

"What the hell have I gotten myself into…" he muttered, his voice trembling between frustration and resignation. His chest rose and fell heavily as he tried to steady his breath.

Was this guy already behind my ass for money? The thought slipped in, sharp and unpleasant. For the first time, Levy wondered if he was being scammed. The worst kind of scam.. not one that robbs gold, but one that dragged his whole life into madness.

But then, after a long breath, he exhaled. "…Buy a ship, huh…" His lips twitched bitterly. Of course. Of course it had to be something like that.

On the surface, it sounded simple. But ships weren't something one just picked up at the corner market. They were treasures of wood, iron, enchantments, and manpower. Only criminals, pirates, or extremely connected merchants could buy them without a hundred layers of politics.

The irony stung. Buying a ship was legal.. technically, anyone could. But there was a catch: once someone sailed into the ocean that way, there was no coming back. It was an unspoken law of the empire. The empire didn't stop anyone from leaving. In fact, they welcomed it.

It was profitable for them.

After all, it was mostly criminals who chose that path.. criminals looking to flee punishment, running away from chains or nooses. Why bother chasing them down? Let them go. Let the ocean itself punish them. Out there, life was brutal. No guards, no empire law, no mercy. Just endless water and monsters the size of cities. No one ever came back.

No one… except one man ofc that one old lunatic, sixty years ago, who staggered back with his tales of Ocean Black.

Levy swallowed, his Adam's apple bobbing nervously. His hand slipped into his hair, scratching his scalp as he sighed again, heavier this time. What am I supposed to do with this? Where do I even start?

A voice broke his spiraling thoughts.

"Buying ships? And you?"

Maria had stepped forward, her arms crossed beneath her chest, her posture screaming nobility and disdain. The arrogance in her tone was sharp enough to cut. Her blue eyes narrowed on him, suspicion gleaming in every corner.

"Do you even know how many connections one needs to buy a ship?" she pressed, her voice dripping judgment. "Merchants don't just smile and hand them out. Only wealty criminals do… and you? You don't even look the part."

Levy turned his head toward her. His hand froze mid-scratch. His mouth opened, then closed. His eyes flicked up at her, meeting the sharpness of her gaze, before darting away again. He swallowed hard.

This wasn't just anyone standing before him. She was Maria, heiress of the Grave family.. one of the ten Pillar Houses, an existence far above his own. And here she was, looking him over as though he were dirt clinging to her shoes. Levy felt awkward, small, like a man caught in a spotlight.

"…What's your name?" she asked finally, her tone dismissive, eyes still judging.

Levy hesitated, then adjusted his glasses. "Joy."

She blinked. "What?"

"My name," he clarified again . " Its Joy."

Maria tilted her head slightly, her lips curling in faint distaste. "Joy? Hm. Strange. Never heard of it. Doesn't sound noble. Doesn't sound… like anything." She gave a faint, mocking smile. "But since that arrogant boy asked you to do something, I presume you can actually do it? So which means you have someone special or hidden?…" Her eyes narrowed dangerously. "…is this a fake name? A false identity?"

Her suspicion was clear, her tone laced with accusation. She had seen too many people hide behind false names and masks. In her mind, it made sense.. why else would Razeal treat this weak-looking man so seriously? There had to be something hidden, something she couldn't see.

Levy smiled faintly, adjusting his frames again. "Fake identity? I don't know about that. But people do call me… God."

----

Meanwhile, High above, slicing through the clouds like a beam of black light, Razeal cut across the sky.

Razeal soared through the sky, a streak of black cutting across blue. His shadowy wings beat steadily, propelling him forward with lethal grace. The cold wind tore at his clothes, but his expression remained the same sharp, unreadable, cold.

[So… was he really that important?] The system's voice broke into his thoughts, curious as ever. [What job are you even planning with him? I thought you'd just use him to buy a ship and then leave him here, running off to the sea yourself.]

Razeal didn't answer. His dark eyes stayed locked on the horizon, unblinking.

[Not telling? Now that's rare. Must be something really important. Hehe…] The system's chuckle was sly, needling, like it was poking at a truth it already knew.

"Shut your mouth." Razeal's voice was cold, blunt, dismissive.

But the system wasn't done. [Oh, one thing I've been wondering… back there, if Levy rea) the hadn't said anything or slapped that kids face would you really have left him to die? Like really would you have walked away?]

Razeal's silence stretched through the wind. His wings cut the air with rhythmic beats, his cloak fluttering violently behind him. Finally, his lips parted.

"What do you think?" he asked back, voice calm but heavy.

The system didn't hesitate. [You wouldn't.]

There was another long pause. The only sound was the rushing wind as Razeal soared higher, faster.

"Maybe," he whispered at last..

The system, for once, stayed quiet.

Minutes passed in silence before it finally spoke again, softer this time. [So… what crime are we doing? Going to prison the same day you did crime… doesn't sound possible.]

Razeal's eyes lowered to the empire sprawled beneath him, vast and glittering like a jewel. His gaze was calm, his expression as cold as the sky around him.

"You'll know," he replied simply, his voice disappearing into the rushing wind.

The system muttered after a pause, almost a whisper.

[Just… don't get in deep shit.]

But Razeal didn't answer. He only flew faster, a black shadow vanishing across the horizon.

----

Sorry for the delay, everyone. The 4th chapter is done! I know it's taking some time, but I'm doing my best to move faster. Yesterday I literally sat for 8-10 hours straight and still only managed to finish 3 chapters. It's tough, but I'm pushing through.

Please let me know if the writing style feels better now. I really want to perfect it, so any constructive feedback is welcome. And also don't worry, the author knows what he's doing I just want to keep improving not that making this into fanfic ofcourse or me consurned about anything... just honestly trying to improve my skills..

So don't worry, the author knows what he's doing. Still, thanks for the concern.

And of course, thank you for reading! Don't forget to drop those Golden Tickets and Power Stones this month.. we're aiming for Top 20 in Golden Tickets. Let's make it happen!

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