Chapter 94: Danger!

Ashe hid in a corner of the cafeteria. Watching the confident white-haired hunter in the crowd, his mind filled with unease. "Three-Winged Sacred Realm Swordmaster, Bloodrage Hunter Gerard..."

He was no longer the clueless newcomer who had just crossed into this world. He understood exactly what that name represented. This was the man who had given him a hellish welcome on his first day here, and one of the most influential figures in the city.

One-Winged Silver, Two-Winged Gold, Three-Winged Sacred Realm, and Four-Winged Legend.

At least within the circles Ashe could currently reach, Legendary sorcerers represented the absolute limit of individual combat power. They stood at the apex of every faction he knew, so far removed that Ashe could neither reach nor challenge them. Below them, Three-Winged Sacred Realm sorcerers formed the backbone of the system. When Four-Winged Legends buried themselves in research, technique refinement, or exploration of the Virtual World, it was up to the Three-Winged Sacred Realm to handle critical affairs, wield real secular authority, and represent the highest standard of frontline combat strength.

Seen in that light, it was clear that the Four Pillars Cult Heath had been running was far from the ramshackle operation Ashe had imagined. The fact that Caimon City had dispatched Gerard, the top hunter of the Heresy Court, meant Heath had already become a politically valuable target.

Gerard's influence was only part of the problem. His strength was far more terrifying.

Ashe and the others had accounted only for enemies at the Two-Winged Gold level. A Three-Winged Sacred Realm appearing without warning changed everything. Gerard alone could annihilate the entire team in moments.

If their plan had once carried a thirty percent chance of success, now it had dropped to zero. The transport ship could not return to Caimon City within ten minutes, and the prison would detect their escape in less time than that. Their strategy depended on hijacking the ship, yet there was no way to avoid a direct encounter with a Bloodrage Hunter.

Ashe let out a quiet sigh. "If it's him, then we have no choice but to abandon the plan. We were just unlucky."

Iger didn't respond immediately. Instead, he led Ashe toward Shattered Lake Harbor, then said, "No, it's not just bad luck. Look."

Ashe followed his gaze and saw a fully enclosed, bullet-shaped ship at the docks. It had a streamlined hull that gleamed under the lights, and its surface looked unnaturally smooth and sleek.

Ashe murmured, "That ship... Its design is extremely hydrodynamic."

Iger said grimly, "This isn't a standard transport. It's a mobile prison. And they've arrived to board it."

Ashe's eyes widened.

Death row inmates were lining up near the harbor. Under the hunters' watchful eyes, they crossed the yellow boundary line without hesitation and walked straight out of Shattered Lake Prison, boarding the ship one by one.

The infamous Black Beast Tusk laughed loudly as he raised his fist toward the prison before stepping aboard. "

Hahaha!

I'm finally out of this dung pit!"

The remaining inmates could only watch in envy. The yellow line on the ground was like a chasm. None dared to approach it.

Ashe finally remembered the recruitment notice from a few days ago. He said slowly, "These are the volunteers! This ship is here to transport them."

Iger gnawed on his finger in frustration. "This is the flaw in the plan. I never accounted for something this rare. That's why this isn't a normal transport ship. It's a pig cage."

Ashe frowned. He had never heard of such a term. "A pig cage?"

Iger explained bitterly, "The ship doesn't return to Caimon City. It goes straight down Shattered Lake to the Lakefront Battle Zone in eastern Caimon. I should have realized it sooner. Even if the mayor bribed the lawful organizations on the council, they would never risk letting death row inmates back into the city. It's far too dangerous.

"If word got out that condemned criminals escaped execution, public outrage would explode. The entire council would be voted out overnight.

"That's why the only destination for these volunteers is the Lakefront Battle Zone. They'll be thrown straight into suppressing the Abyss."

Ashe watched the final volunteer board the ship. "So if we got on as well, we'd be walking straight from prison into the Lakefront Battle Zone filled with superpowered individuals."

He still didn't fully understand the Blood Moon Kingdom, but phrases like "suppress the Abyss" and "battle zone" were enough for him to recognize that this was no recreational assignment.

Iger shook his head. "We wouldn't even get that far. This ship is equipped with a processor that automatically detects every living being on board. Anyone without authorization, like us, would trigger an alarm instantly, and our positions would be marked."

Ashe stiffened. "Wait. Then your original plan was impossible from the start? If every ship has that kind of system, escaping Shattered Lake Prison was never an option—"

Iger cut in, "No. Only specialized ships like the pig cage have processors like this. Most standard transport vessels don't."

Ashe asked, "Why? Is that kind of security system really so expensive?"

"For one, it's expensive. The processors are handcrafted by sorcerers. More importantly, using them without authorization is a serious legal violation."

Ashe blinked. He reached up and touched the back of his neck. "Checking chips outside prison... that's illegal?"

Iger gave him a strange look. "Of course it is. Violating someone's privacy like that is a major crime."

Ashe understood that the rules inside the prison were different from those outside. Still, hearing that the outside world placed such importance on privacy made it sound almost unreal, as if Iger were joking.

Ever since birth, people here had control chips implanted in their bodies. These chips could retrieve memories, had effectively abolished the family system, and allowed children to be raised entirely under social care. Death sentences were even turned into variety shows. And yet...

This world supposedly values privacy... more than a prison that shackles me while I am... pooping?

Ashe gave up arguing the point and asked, "Then why can this so-called pig cage ship detect the chip of anyone who boards?"

Iger explained, "The pig cage is a punishment device designed for warriors. The Lakefront Battle Zone suppresses the Abyss in the waterways, and periodically, someone must venture deep inside to investigate the conditions. The deeper a person goes, the higher the risk of mental breakdowns, like losing reason, self-harming, attempting escape, or even harming others.

"Since almost no one volunteers for such missions, the Battle Zone sends punished warriors aboard the pig cage. Its chip processor enforces strict rules, preventing self-harm, escape, or attacks on fellow warriors. At the same time, it monitors all life onboard. If any monsters appear in the cabins, the warriors are alerted to deal with them. Once the mission is complete, the warriors atone for past mistakes and can have their records cleared entirely.

"When it comes to the death row inmates, even if the Battle Zone thinks it's making a fuss over nothing, Mayor Fernandez will still insist on using the pig cage."

Iger ground his teeth. "I know Fernandez. He personally intervenes in anything that might jeopardize his future... and he expects every detail handled to the highest standard."

Ashe was impressed. "You even fooled the mayor?"

Iger whispered, "I planned the investigation, but the risks were too high and the chance of success too low. In the end, I gave up. If I had known I'd end up in prison, I would've tried. After all, the most powerful person I ever swindled was just a councilman."

Humans swindle for money... and you? You swindle for achievements.

Ashe didn't fully understand the mayor, the Battle Zone, or the Abyss, but Iger's words made the stakes clear. "So you're saying there's an unsolvable problem at every step of our plan now?"

Iger nodded. "Just this once, it won't work. The next Blood Moon Tribunal is on the first of next month. If we try the plan again, it can only happen on the 11th. But judging by Professor Syrin's eagerness... I doubt he won't pick you for next month's tribunal."

At that moment, a screen suddenly flashed before Ashe's eyes.

[Good afternoon, everyone. This is the administration office of Shattered Lake Prison. I am Warden Nagu Machmillan. Two announcements are being broadcast. First, an additional Blood Moon Tribunal will be held on the 27th of this month. The list of those to be judged will be released that morning. Second, to prepare for the tribunal, Bloodrage Hunters will remain in the prison overnight. We ask all inmates to cooperate fully. Anyone assisting the hunters will receive varying amounts of Contribution Points as a reward.]

When the screen shut off automatically, Ashe was still stunned.

An extra tribunal? Hunters staying overnight?

Iger explained, "Generally, this extra tribunal is for political prisoners who just entered the prison. But don't be surprised if your name shows up on the list."

Ashe's face darkened. "It can't be that harsh, can it?"

Iger smirked. "Whenever you think things might go badly... they always go worse. That's the only lesson I've learned in all my years as a swindler, and it's the one my clients never forget."

Ashe scowled. "I know you act as society's enforcer against the rich. No need to remind me. The worst that could happen is ending up on the 27th Tribunal list. How much worse could it get?"

Suddenly, the light around him dimmed, as if a tall figure had stepped in and blocked it.

"Ashe Heath, you've been staring at the ship to the outside world. Could it be... that you're planning an escape?"

Iger quietly stepped aside.

Ashe turned and forced a smile at the figure behind him. "Of course. Which young man in prison wouldn't want to escape?"

The person was Gerard. He responded, "That's hard to say. Even villains repent, and even trash corrects itself. The Blood Moon Tribunal exists to grant proper despair."

He glanced at Iger, then looked down at Ashe from above. "Found new friends? I expect no less from the favorite of the Four Pillars Deities. It makes me wonder... if you stay here long enough, will you turn the entire prison into a breeding ground for your god?"

"I'm going to take a nap now. Captain Gerard, if you want someone to chat with, talk to Iger Perskin. He's skilled in investment and finance. You'd benefit from it."

Gerard blocked him. "Wait, Ashe Heath. Didn't the prison just instruct you to assist the hunters? Right now, I need your help."

Ashe shivered. "Help? I can't lift my arms or shoulders. I'm just a walking titanium shell. Usually, I either eat or sleep. I doubt I can meet your needs—"

Gerard snapped his fingers. "Perfect. You can meet my needs exactly. Here's the deal. There are too many inmates, which means no spare rooms for us hunters. As captain, I'm willing to give single rooms to my team and squeeze in with the inmates myself."

Ashe gasped. "Sorry, I don't know any of the female inmates. I can't introduce anyone. Why not ask Iger—"

"No need," Gerard said, pressing a hand to Ashe's shoulder. His crimson eyes glinted with teasing intent. "Ashe Heath, I hope you don't mind sharing a room with me tonight."