Precious ◈ | Seongjoong/Yungi ✓

Episode 9: Halazia ◈ Part 2

At Busan Port, The Circus and a Japanese ship called XGALX are vigorously helping the Dark Moon crew defend their ship. With Captain Jungwon dead, the crew is panicking in grief. Soldiers are blocking their escape.

When The Wonderland arrives, the first thing Hongjoong does is devise a quick plan. Standing on the deck, he coordinates moves.

"Team A, your priority is to get the Dark Moon pirates back to their ship. Team B will fight off the soldiers with everyone else. Don't bother exerting too much energy. When the time is right, I'll call on Kwi-eomi."

Jongho nods along, checking his gun for bullets and reloads. He's obviously on Team B while Yeosang, less adept at fighting, is on Team A. To the side, Mingi activates his gauntlets and shows them off to Baram. His swordsman is also on Team B, while San and Wooyoung are on Team A with the recordkeeper. Dozens of other crewmates have also been separated accordingly, including the recruits coming out of training.

The first mate wishes everyone luck as they disembark. He stands next to Baram and pats her head. "Don't worry. They'll be fine."

She smiles at him. "I'm not worried. You should've seen Mingi when he beat the crap out of that man in the alley."

Seonghwa laughs in acknowledgment. "I know a little girl you'd get along with. Her name is Somin. The next time the ship visits Gyeongnam, I'll introduce you."

"Okay!"

Catching the captain before he leaves with Team B, Ahn Dayeol makes a surprising request. "Can I go, too? I want to fight alongside you guys."

Hongjoong cocks his brow dubiously. "Is this a trick to run away?"

"No. I mean it. I want to help with your 'Halazia' or whatever it's called."

Dayeol stares directly into his eyes, solemn and determined. That ability Hongjoong has to see into people's hearts, it's been triggered. The ex-officer means what he says. Despite being kept against his will initially, he's now choosing to stay of his own volition.

And Hongjoong can see it all.

"Run down to the general armory and grab a weapon. You're on Team B," the captain says before hopping down to the dock.

Dayeol does as he's told, and soon he's out in the field with the pirates. It comes as a shock to The Wonderland pirates, but once they're sure he's on their side, they have no problem with it. On the deck, Seonghwa keeps Baram occupied so she doesn't witness the gore. The only reason he doesn't take her inside is because she begged to see the sea beast.

She looked like a puppy wagging her tail, and he just couldn't tell her no.

Quickly picking out the members of the XGALX ship, The Wonderland works well with them and The Circus to provide their struggling allies with the rescue they requested. The battle goes on for about two hours before the remaining Dark Moon crew is safely on their damaged vessel.

After patching it up the best they can with so little time amid bloody chaos, the support team hops off and urges them to sail away. Wooyoung presses onto the Bluetooth earpiece and shouts, "Captain, they're good to go!"

Just barely hearing it over the screech of his sword clashing with a soldier's gun, knocking it out of the foe's hands, Hongjoong nods to himself. Ducking through the crowd, he bounds back to his ship and releases a sharp whistle into the air.

Not long after, Kwi-eomi rises from the water with an agonizing roar. Seonghwa and Baram watch her, the teenager thunderstruck by the sheer size. The sea beast's appearance puts a stop to the battle at the port. Chan and his crew scoff in amazement. He had heard in secret from Hongjoong about the tamed sea monster, but seeing the evidence was surreal.