Chapter 5: Shadows in Shell Town
The breeze carried the scent of salt and smoke as Ayman's small ship finally reached Shell Town.
From a distance, the place looked peaceful—stone buildings, tall watchtowers, and the marine base standing like a proud guardian over the port. But the moment their ship docked, Ayman noticed something was off.
Too quiet.
The townspeople who normally bustled along the port weren't there. No children played near the market. Even the seagulls were strangely silent.
Yoruichi leaned over the railing, her sharp eyes scanning the coastline. "No movement. Not even a drunk stumbling out of a tavern."
"I don't like it," Hana said, her hand resting on her katana's hilt.
Elizabeth raised her staff and whispered a detection spell. Faint golden light drifted from her fingertips and vanished into the breeze.
"Something's wrong with the air itself," she murmured. "There's residue… blood and fear
[System Alert: Area scan complete]
[Warning: Marine Base hijacked – Former officer in command]
[Optional Quest Available: Investigate Shell Town – Reward: 3 System Points, Bonus Treasure Cache]
Android 18 cracked her knuckles. "Hijacked, huh? Finally, something fun."
Ayman read the quest message silently. No summons this time. He'd have to rely on teamwork, strategy, and his own instincts.
"Alright," he said. "We go in slow. Android 18 and I take the front. Hana, circle around through the alleyways. Elizabeth, stay mid-range for support spells. Yoruichi... disappear."
"Already gone," Yoruichi's voice echoed behind him. She vanished in a flash of speed, her signature technique leaving a faint blur in the air.
The streets of Shell Town were too quiet. The only noise came from the ship rocking gently behind them.
As they crept forward, Ayman saw the damage up close—burned doors, shattered windows, broken crates, and a banner torn down and stomped on. Bloodstains trailed down one alley, ending at a boarded-up inn.
"Looks like someone declared war on this town," he muttered.
The closer they got to the marine base, the worse the damage became. Smoke trailed from the broken windows. The main gate hung off its hinges. Two unconscious guards lay at the front—beaten, not killed.
Elizabeth crouched beside one. "Still breathing. Whatever happened, someone spared them."
Suddenly, a voice boomed from above.
"Well, well, what do we have here? Another bunch of bounty hunters thinking they can play hero?"
A massive man in a shredded marine coat stepped onto the upper balcony. His arms were like tree trunks, his face marked with jagged scars. A crooked cigar hung from his mouth.
"I'm Captain Helgor. And this base? Mine now."
[Target Identified: Former Marine Captain Helgor – Estimated Bounty: 18,000,000 Beri]
[Devil Fruit Detected: Iron-Iron Fruit – Body reinforced like steel]
Yoruichi appeared behind him for a split second, but he spun and swatted at her with a metal-plated backhand. She vanished again just in time.
"Fast little bug," Helgor growled.
Ayman stepped into view, arms crossed. "Why take over a marine base?"
Helgor grinned, showing stained teeth. "Because justice is weak. Marines follow rules. I don't. This place is mine now."
[System Message: Mini-Boss Fight Triggered – Caution Advised]
Ayman didn't flinch. "Then I guess we'll take it back."
Helgor slammed both fists down, and the balcony cracked under his weight as he leapt toward them like a cannonball. Android 18 moved to intercept, throwing a punch that met his fist midair. A shockwave blasted out, shattering nearby windows.
"Iron body," she muttered. "That's cute."
Elizabeth fired a binding spell—chains of light wrapping around Helgor's legs. He snarled and tore free, but it slowed him enough for Hana to dash in with a flurry of slashes to his side.
Sparks flew, her blade glancing off his iron skin.
"Tch. Tough hide."
Yoruichi reappeared behind him again and struck his neck with a precise jab—paralyzing his shoulder.
Ayman joined the fight, charging in and delivering a solid strike to Helgor's stomach. The blow didn't do much damage, but it knocked the air from the rogue captain's lungs.
"Iron outside, but you still breathe like anyone else," Ayman said.
[Combat Analysis Updated – Weakness: Breathing Control Disruption]
[Buff: Team Coordination Level 2 Activated]
Helgor roared and spun in a wide arc, forcing everyone back. "Enough! I'll crush you all!"
Before he could charge, Android 18 appeared again—this time behind him—and slammed her knee into his back with enough force to send him crashing into a broken wall.
He didn't get back up.
[Boss Defeated: Rogue Marine Captain Helgor]
[Quest Complete – Reward Claimed: +3 System Points, +1 Rare Chest]
[Marine Reputation +10 (Secret)]
Ayman stood over the unconscious brute. "Let the real marines clean this up."
They regrouped inside the damaged base. A storage room still intact became their temporary camp. Supplies were scarce, but the rare chest the system rewarded him with contained a handful of healing items, an old map, and a mysterious locked box.
[Item Acquired: Sealed Compass – Requires Key to Activate]
[Hint: Compass points to forgotten islands not marked on any map]
Elizabeth gently healed Yoruichi's bruised shoulder while Hana cleaned her blade silently. The mood was quiet, tired, but triumphant.
Android 18 leaned against the wall, her arms folded. "Not bad, team."
Yoruichi tossed a cloth over her neck and smirked. "I like it. Real fights. Real stakes."
Ayman sat down and looked at his teammates.
They weren't just summons anymore. They were people, individuals with loyalty, tempers, goals... and maybe even feelings.
[Bond Update: Android 18 (12%) | Elizabeth (31%) | Hana (22%) | Yoruichi (11%)]
[Harem Route Progression: Moderate]
[New Perk Unlocked – Group Tactics Bonus: Coordination Lv.2]
As night fell and the fires of battle cooled, Ayman looked up at the stars through a shattered window of the marine base.
There was more than just bounties ahead.
Secrets.
Lost islands.
And maybe... something bigger than he had ever imagined.