Wizard: I Add Points and Hunt Monsters

”Who—who the hell did this!?”

”Boss, are you sure this isn’t you?”

Several men in black jackets, with exquisite flintlocks hanging from their waists, were gathered around Marco, all staring at the photo in the newspaper.

”That style of dress, the long red hair, and that handsome face... Boss, you don’t happen to have a twin, do you?”

”Why don’t you write a letter to Baron Trochi and ask?”

”Piss off...”

Marco waved his hand impatiently. His expression was grim as he stared at the photo in the newspaper and its absurdly shocking headline.

’What kind of bastard would dare to impersonate me?’

’And they even killed the crew of the Black Pearl...’

’This is a frame-up! They’re pinning it on me!’

For a moment, Marco’s thoughts turned to certain members of the Nascimento Clan. ’Are they after the inheritance?’

’Fuck that. I wouldn’t take that piece-of-shit clan even if they handed it to me on a platter!’

’Why even bother...’

’Hmm?’

’No, that’s not right. With the piddly amount of gold they have, could they really afford to hire an Extraordinary capable of killing Captain Henrik?’

The young men beside him, all about his age, exchanged a glance and lunged for the newspaper in unison. ”I’m keeping this one...”

”Give it to me! It’s not every day the *Tyrant* gets some publicity...”

”Stop fighting over it. They’re still selling them over there. Just go buy another copy.”

A vein throbbed on Marco’s forehead. He slammed his hand on the table. ”All of you, shut up!”

The commotion drew glances from the surrounding patrons, and the pirates among them shot particularly unfriendly glares.

But a moment later, their expressions suddenly turned to terror as they glanced back and forth between their newspapers and Marco to confirm what they were seeing.

”Hey, look. Is that him?”

”It really does look like him. The man who killed Captain Henrik?”

”No way. Why would a terrifying powerhouse like that come to a small island like ours?”

”I...”

Marco listened to the surrounding whispers, his face expressionless. His grip tightened unconsciously, and he shattered his glass.

CRUNCH.

WHOOSH!

The moment the sound echoed, the already panicked pirates and the other patrons—who sensed something was terribly wrong—bolted out the door without a second thought.

”Run! The Red-haired Captain is on Camilo Island!”

”He’s terrifying! So damn scary...”

Marco: ”...”

His companions stared blankly at the now-empty tavern. Besides them, the only person left was the owner, who was shakily pulling out a flintlock and cautiously peeking out from behind the counter.

”S-Sir... Customers... the drinks... c-consider them a gift. C-Could I please ask you to leave...”

”Hm?”

”No, no, no! I’m not trying to kick you out! It’s just...”

Before the owner could finish, Marco abruptly stood up and strode outside. ”Moskra, pay up!”

”Oh,” a young man in a black bowler hat pulled a few gold coins from the inner pocket of his red, high-collared coat and placed them on the counter. He looked at the panicked owner and chuckled. ”The extra is for damages.”

The men followed Marco out of the tavern, glancing at the crowd of onlookers peeking from a nearby corner.

”So, are we leaving now?”

”Do we have any other choice but to leave?”

Marco took a deep breath, his eyes turning cold. ”Where does the paper say that bastard is?”

”Who?” Moskra asked, then it dawned on him. ”Boss, don’t tell me you’re thinking of...?”

”Hmph. Anyone who dares impersonate me isn’t getting off easy!”

At his words, the men all fell silent.

”What?” Marco scanned their faces, annoyed. ”Don’t tell me you bastards are scared, are you?”

”Um, I’m suddenly remembering that life with my family was actually pretty nice...” a short, freckle-faced young man muttered, shrinking back.

”I’m also worried that if we go looking for him, he’ll just end up killing us...”

Moskra nodded in solemn agreement. ”Boss, I really think we shouldn’t go. With our level of strength, the only thing we’ll accomplish is becoming fish food in the Cordo Sea.”

”You’re giving up over a little danger?” Marco said, holding his head high. ”I’m not afraid! The worst that can happen is I die in... HEY?! You bastards, put me down!”

”Moskra, hold on tight! Let’s grab the boss and get out of here! Back to the ship, back to the ship!”

”I’m telling you, no way! We are not going back! I...”

”Then we’ll just keep moving forward,” Moskra said, grabbing Marco by the legs. The men worked together to drag Marco onto the ship. ”Weigh anchor! Set sail! Destination: Avad Island!”

”I’m the captain!!”

”Sorry, Boss. You’re the Tyrant, not the Red-Haired Captain...”

”Bastards!!”

...

...

「Meanwhile, inside the Clown Theater.」

Wei’en sat at a dining table, leafing through the *Cordo Gazette* while eating sashimi from a freshly caught Blue Marlin and savoring its sweet, delicious flavor.

”**Cordo Gazette:** The Dawn Church’s Heroic Saintess, Xizi Sepulda, has departed from Almeda City State in the southern Eastern Continent aboard the *Dawn*. She is bound for the Southern Continent and is expected to arrive in the vicinity of Avad Island in approximately one month.”

”**Western Continent News:** The *Alanjia* attacked the *Wind Chaser*—a vessel under the Black Pearl’s banner—yesterday, resulting in heavy casualties. According to a prophecy by the Great Sage Mitchell, the Cordo Sea is about to enter a period of chaos. All vessels are advised to exercise caution and avoid straying into conflict zones...”

”**Regional Report:** Archbishop Naike of the Storm Church, from the West Coast of the Eastern Continent, departed from Caster City State yesterday after concluding a meeting with the Dawn Church’s Judgment Knights. His current whereabouts are unknown.”

”**Northern Continent Bulletin:** Vian Imma Sayer, head of the Soyel Clan, has successfully led her fleet to Shetland Andrea City State. This event marks the Soyel Clan’s official recognition of Vian as its heir!”