The Rusty Clam stood as a testament to Galahad's less reputable side, its weathered sign creaking in the evening breeze. The bar's name had been a source of local controversy for years, though its owner, a retired pirate named Sally, claimed complete innocence about any double meaning. The fact that the sign featured a pearl necklace did little to support her case.

  "This is a good a time as any, system, do your best Jack Sparrow until we leave the sight of the water." Said Zaro.

  "Ah," the system drawled, "a fine establishment of ill repute. Much like Tortuga, savvy? Though significantly less shooting. For now."

  [System Alert]

  "Location detected - The Rusty Clam

  Reputation: Questionable, but then again, who isn't these days?

  Alcohol Quality: Strong enough to make a mermaid sing

  Warning: Me thinks there's a 73% chance of someone getting intimately acquainted with that lovely floor before midnight"

  Zaro and Ezra pushed through the heavy wooden doors, void sense immediately mapping the room's darker corners. The usual evening crowd filled the tables - miners drowning the day's fatigue, merchants closing deals away from guild oversight, and the occasional adventurer trading stories over tankards of Sally's infamous Dragon's Breath ale.

  "Now that's what I call a properly crowded den of scoundrels," the system mused. " Though I've seen worse. Did I ever tell you about the time I drank with the East India Trading Company? No? Another time perhaps."

  Behind the bar, Sally herself held court. Her weathered face and eye patch suggested decades of adventures, while the crossbow mounted within easy reach hinted at how she maintained order. She caught sight of them and raised her good eyebrow.

  "A fine specimen of piratical authority, if I do say so myself," the system observed. "Though one might question the strategic placement of that crossbow. In my experience, it's better to shoot first and negotiate while they're bleeding out."

  Void sense highlighted three separate smuggling tunnels behind the bar, their entrances cleverly hidden beneath wine racks and behind false walls. Perfect for a criminal organization to move product - or people.

  "Ah! Secret passages!" the system exclaimed. "Always a sign of quality establishment. Though between you and me, mate, they're not very secret if everyone knows about them."

  " Well look what the kraken dragged in," Sally called out, her voice carrying the gravel of someone who'd spent too many years shouting orders over storm winds. " Don't often see gold ranks slumming it here. Unless you're looking for something specific?"

  "Information," Zaro said, approaching the bar. "About a merchant who went missing. Knows her crystals. Might have caught some unwanted attention."

  "The plot thickens!" the system declared. "Like a good stew. Or that unfortunate incident with the kraken. Never did get that smell out of me coat."

  Sally's remaining eye narrowed slightly as she wiped down a glass with practiced efficiency. "Lots of merchants in Galahad. Lots of crystals too." She set the glass down with deliberate care.

  Zaro noticed she didn't have to look where she set the glass, she's been doing this a long time.

  "Though I did hear something about some new players trying to muscle in on the crystal trade. Real snake-like bunch, if you catch my meaning."

  "Snakes! Why'd it have to be snakes?" the system lamented. " Though I suppose it's better than undead monkeys. Nasty little buggers, those."

  Ezra slipped onto a barstool, making the nearest patron jump and spill his drink. She moved, making almost no noise, and he was drunk. "Cobra Collective," she said quietly. "Left their mark at Maya's shop."

  "Ooh, dramatic reveal!" the system commented. "Very nice entrance too. Could've used more swagger, but then again, I'm particularly good at swagger."

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

  Sally's hand paused ever so slightly in its methodical glass polishing. "Nasty bunch, that lot. Been making trouble up and down the coast." She leaned forward, voice dropping. " Word is they've got a hideout in the old warehouse district. Abandoned soap factory. The kind of place nobody pays attention to." Her eye gleamed. Unless they're looking for it.

  Two drinks appeared on the bar - the infamous Dragon's Breath, its surface shimming with an unnatural purple flame. "On the house," Sally said with a wink. "For making my night more interesting."

  [System Alert]

  Dragon's Breath Ale detected

  Effects: May cause temporary fire breathing, enhanced courage, and the inexplicable urge to steal a ship

  Note: Better than the Mysterious Blue Ale. That one turns people into smurfs. Dreadful color, blue. Unless you're a pirate king, of course.

  Zaro lifted the tankard, studying the dancing flames through void sense. The drink's energy signature was... interesting. Like someone had tried to ferment lightning.

  "Careful with that one, mate," the system warned. "I've seen drinks like that turn perfectly respectable pirates into governors. Tragic, really."

  "Any other rumors about our scaly friends?" He asked, taking a careful sip. The ale burned like liquid starlight, a lesson to his tongue.

  Sally glanced around before answering. "They've been recruiting. Local talent mostly. Anyone who knows their way around crystals or has a talent for forgery." She gestured to a dark corner where a hooded figure sat alone. "Like our friend over there. Been coming in every night this week. Always watching, never talking much."

  "Ah, the mysterious figure in the corner," the system drawled. " Classic really. Though in my experience, they're usually much drunker. And occasionally on fire."

  Ezra's void sense pinged on something hanging from the figure's belt. "He's got a crystal pouch, I sense the radiating familiar energy. Maybe the same signature as the fake crystal we found in Maya's shop?"

  Zaro took another sip of the Dragon's Breath, feeling its warmth spread through his system. The alcohol content was impressive, but his enhanced vitality processed it quickly. "Time to make a new friend."

  "Now this," the system announced with anticipation, " is where things get interesting. Savvy?"

  The hooded figure tensed as they approached, one hand dropping below the table. Void sense detected the subtle crystalline gleam of an enchanted weapon. It was slim, like a large needle.

  "Savvy," the system drawled. " Seems we've found ourselves a rather skittish friend. Armed too, but that's to be expected in an establishment of such... flexible morality. Rather like Singapore during the monsoon season. Minus the angry monkeys, of course."

  The blade's crystal core pulsed with familiar energy. Analyze activated automatically.

  Poison Pen - Uncommon Quality

  Effects: unrivaled Poison Penetration. Shaped like a pen or stiletto, slim and sharp and inflicts poison damage that can penetrate armor.

  "That's a nice blade," Zaro said casually, pulling out a chair. "Custom work. Interesting crystal core. The kind Maya would stock, before she went missing."

  "Ooh, very good," the system approved. "Start with the subtle approach. Though personally, I would have led with a dramatic accusation. Maybe knocked over a table for effect."

  The figure's hood shifted slightly. "Don't know any Maya."

  "Ah, the old 'I know nothing' routine," the system sighed. "Next they'll be claiming they're not even here. Classic pirate negotiation tactic, really."

  Ezra circled to the figure's blind spot, her movement silent as shadow. Through their void link, Zaro felt her preparing to intercept any sudden moves.

  "The thing about crystal energy," Zaro continued, " is it leaves traces. Like fingerprints, but harder to fake." He gestured to the crystal pouch. " Those have the same signature as the forgery left in Maya's shop. The one with the cobra mark."

  "Why, this is the day you will always remember as the day you almost..." the system started, before Zaro mentally shushed it.

  The hood turned toward the bar's entrance, calculating escape routes. Sally's crossbow clicked quietly as she casually adjusted its aim.

  "We can do this two ways," Zaro said, voice dropping lower. "Tell us where Maya is, help us deal with your snake problem, and walk away clean. Or..." His void sense pulsed, highlighting the figure's nervous system. "Make me test how well that poison effect works."

  The figure's hand tightened on the blade. " You don't understand. Nobody crosses the Collective. They have ways of making examples."

  A crystal on their belt pulsed with warning energy. Void sense caught the activation signal a heartbeat before chaos erupted.

  Zaro activated temporal dilation on the man, slowing him 90%. He grabbed the knife out of his hand and stored it in the void.

  Then he hooked the chair leg with his foot and pushed the man's chest, sending the chair toppling over in slow motion as he released the ability.

  Three smoke bombs detonated simultaneously, filling the bar with thick purple vapor. The hooded figure was on the ground. The back of his head slammed the wood and bounced off of it. He was disoriented but got to his feet.

  He reached for his blade and realized it was gone.

  It was time for a strategic retreat. He began doing his best to escape.

  "Really?" Zaro sighed. "I hate running."

  The figure was fast, but Ezra was faster. Her void dash carried her through the smoke, cutting off the escape route. Ezra reached for the man and was left holding an empty cloak.

  He tripped over a broom stick that had fallen and was tumbling to the ground.

  Zaro caught the falling figure before he hit the ground. The hood fell back, revealing a young face marked with crystal burns - the kind that came from working with unstable crystal energy.

  "Just a kid," Sally commented from behind her bar, as she put her crossbow away. "They're recruiting younger every day."

  The smoke began to clear as Zaro removed the crystal pouch and any remaining weapons. "Start talking. Where's Maya?"

  The kid's eyes darted between them, fear warring with resignation. "The soap factory, they're using her to authenticate crystals. Forced her to help identify which ones can hold certain energies. But she's refusing to cooperate. They're getting impatient."

  "How many guards?" Ezra asked.

  "Ten... maybe fifteen. Plus whatever they have in the basement.

  "Well that's definitely not good," the system drawled. " Reminds me of the time I had to rescue a governor's daughter from cursed Aztec gold. Wait, wrong story."

  Sally approached, lifting the kid by his collar. "I've got a nice quiet room where our friend can wait while you handle this." She smiled, though it didn't reach her eyes. "I think it's time someone taught these snakes about proper business etiquette."

  Zaro nodded, already reaching through void whisper to contact Ramrod and Chad. "Time to go rescue a crystal merchant. And kick some ass."

  The system chimed in one last time.

  "This is either madness... or brilliance. I'm leaning toward both, savvy?"