章 12: Chapter 12: Threads of the Spider’s Web

The sounds of machinery echoed through the streets of Spider Miles, mixing with the shouts and laughter of its unruly inhabitants. Kaden and Geralt stood side by side, their swords drawn, facing off against the gang of thugs that had blocked their path. The leader, a scarred brute with a twisted grin, watched them with eyes full of arrogance, but beneath it all, Kaden could sense the malice in his gaze.

"You should've walked the other way," the thug sneered, brandishing a rusty knife.

Kaden shifted his stance, keeping his sword ready but not making the first move. He wasn't here to cause trouble—just to get what they needed and leave. But Spider Miles wasn't the kind of place where you could avoid trouble for long.

Geralt's voice was low and steady. "We don't have time for this."

The thug's grin widened. "Make time."

Kaden's eyes darted around. They were outnumbered, but the thugs weren't trained fighters—just desperate men trying to intimidate whoever passed through their turf. Kaden locked eyes with Geralt, who gave a small nod.

Without a word, Kaden moved. His blade flashed in the dim light, cutting through the air with precision. The thug's rusty knife clanged to the ground as Kaden knocked it aside, delivering a sharp kick to the man's chest and sending him stumbling back.

Geralt was already in motion. His sword cut through the gang with practiced ease, disarming one and sending another crashing to the ground. The thugs, realizing they were outmatched, hesitated. A few of them scrambled backward, their bravado quickly fading.

"You want to keep going?" Geralt asked, his voice calm but deadly.

The leader, gasping for breath, scrambled to his feet, clutching his chest where Kaden had struck him. He glared at the two of them, but it was clear he had no intention of continuing the fight.

"You... you'll regret this," the thug spat, backing away. "You don't know what you're getting into."

Kaden lowered his sword, watching as the thugs retreated into the shadows. "Let's hope we don't have to."

With the path cleared, Kaden and Geralt continued through the winding streets of Spider Miles, their pace quickening. The fight had been brief, but it left them on edge. This place was crawling with criminals, and word of any altercation spread fast. They needed to get what they came for and leave before things escalated.

"You think they'll come after us again?" Kaden asked, sheathing his sword.

Geralt shrugged. "Wouldn't be the first time."

They made their way toward the edge of the city, where the merchant had told them they could find Barto, the map dealer. The streets here were narrower, with towering factories casting long shadows over the buildings. The air smelled of smoke and oil, and the distant hum of machinery was ever-present, like a low, constant drone that filled the city with life.

Kaden kept his eyes peeled as they walked. The deeper they went, the more shady figures lurked in the alleys, watching them with suspicious eyes. Spider Miles wasn't just a city—it was a hive of secrets and deals made in the dark. It wasn't the kind of place Kaden had ever imagined himself being, but they needed what it offered.

"We're close," Geralt said, his hand resting on his sword, always ready.

They reached a small, rundown shack at the end of the street. The sign above the door was faded and cracked, but Kaden could just make out the word Barto scrawled in messy letters. The windows were dark, and the door looked like it hadn't been opened in years.

"This is the place?" Kaden asked, raising an eyebrow.

Geralt gave a small grunt. "Looks like it."

With a deep breath, Kaden pushed open the door.

The inside of the shop was even more decrepit than the outside. Shelves lined the walls, filled with tattered maps, old scrolls, and compasses that looked like they hadn't been used in decades. Dust hung in the air, and the faint smell of mildew filled Kaden's nostrils.

Behind the counter sat a thin, hunched man with greasy hair and a crooked smile. His eyes darted to Kaden and Geralt as they entered, sizing them up quickly. "Customers?" he said, his voice thin and raspy, as though he hadn't spoken in days.

Kaden stepped forward. "We were told you deal in maps and navigation tools."

Barto's smile widened, showing a few missing teeth. "Ah, yes... maps, compasses, log poses... I've got it all. But it's going to cost you."

"Money's not a problem," Kaden replied, though he knew their funds were running low. "We're looking for a map of the seas ahead—and a reliable log pose."

Barto's eyes gleamed with greed. "A map of the seas, huh? The seas are dangerous these days... lots of folks out there, looking for trouble. You sure you're ready for what's ahead?"

"We're not here for advice," Geralt said bluntly. "Just the maps."

Barto chuckled, leaning back in his chair. "Suit yourselves." He rummaged through a stack of old papers before pulling out a worn map and an old log pose. "This here will get you where you need to go—if you can handle the journey."

Kaden took the map, studying it carefully. It was rough, the ink faded in places, but it was clear enough to show the routes through the North Blue and into the Grand Line. It wasn't much, but it was better than sailing blind.

"And the log pose?" Kaden asked, eyeing the small device.

Barto held it up with a grin. "This will keep you on course, as long as you don't lose it. The seas are tricky, you know. One wrong turn, and you could end up somewhere you don't want to be."

"How much?" Kaden asked, already reaching for his coin pouch.

Barto's smile faded slightly as he named his price, and Kaden winced internally. It was more than they could afford, but they didn't have a choice. They needed these tools to navigate the dangerous waters ahead.

"Deal," Kaden said, handing over the money.

Barto's grin returned as he pocketed the coins. "Good luck out there, boys. You're gonna need it."

With the map and log pose in hand, Kaden and Geralt left the shop, the heavy weight of their next steps settling over them. The world was bigger and more dangerous than they had ever imagined, and they were only just starting to see the edges of it.

Kaden unrolled the map as they walked, scanning the seas that lay ahead. There were familiar names—Lvneel Kingdom, Swallow Island—but much of it was unknown territory to him. He could feel the weight of the journey ahead bearing down on him, the uncertainty of what awaited them out there.

"Looks like we've got a lot of ground to cover," Kaden said, folding the map carefully.

Geralt nodded, his expression unreadable. "We'll need more than just a map if we're going to survive what's coming."

Kaden glanced at him, sensing the seriousness in his tone. "You think we're in over our heads?"

Geralt didn't answer right away. He stared out at the distant skyline of Spider Miles, where the smoke and machinery filled the sky. "We're on our own. No allies. No real crew. And we've got a bounty on our heads. The world's going to come for us eventually."

Kaden's hand instinctively went to the hilt of his sword, the weight of the 50 million Berries bounty feeling heavier than before. "Then we'd better get stronger."

Geralt gave a small, approving nod. "We will. But we need more than strength. We need information. We need to know who's out there, what they're capable of, and how to beat them before they beat us."

Kaden glanced around the dark streets of Spider Miles. This place, with its secrets and hidden deals, might just be the key to unlocking that information. But it was dangerous—more dangerous than anywhere they had been before.

"We've got the map. Now we find the information," Kaden said firmly. "And then we figure out our next move."

As they made their way back toward the docks, the atmosphere in the city seemed to change. The streets were quieter now, but the tension remained. Kaden could feel the weight of the island pressing down on them—the sense that they were being watched, followed.

"We need to get off this island soon," Geralt muttered, his eyes scanning the shadows. "Something's not right here."

Kaden nodded in agreement. Spider Miles wasn't the kind of place where you stayed longer than you had to. But they weren't finished here yet. There was still more they needed to learn—about the world, the bounty on Kaden's head, and the enemies they were sure to face.

As they approached the docks, a familiar voice cut through the cold, industrial air, stopping them in their tracks.

"Well, look who it is," the voice drawled, dripping with smug satisfaction.

Kaden turned, his hand instinctively moving to his sword. Stepping out from the shadows was the scarred thug they had encountered earlier, now with a larger group of armed men flanking him. His sneer was wider, his confidence bolstered by the numbers at his side.

"Thought you could just stroll through Spider Miles, rough up a few of my boys, and walk away, huh?" the thug said, crossing his arms. "You made a big mistake."

Geralt sighed, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. "I thought we made it clear we don't want any trouble."

The thug chuckled darkly. "You don't get to decide that. You made trouble when you stepped foot on our turf. Now, you're going to pay for it."

Kaden's eyes flicked to the dozen or so men surrounding the thug. They were better armed this time—knives, clubs, and a few guns. It was clear they weren't going to back down without a fight. Kaden knew that a confrontation was inevitable.

"We don't have time for this," Kaden muttered.

Geralt stepped forward, his voice calm but cold. "You want to do this again? You didn't fare too well last time."

The thug's face twisted in anger. "This time's different. You're not walking away. You've got a big price on your head, and we're here to collect."

Kaden's grip on his sword tightened. The thug knew about the bounty—word must have spread quickly through Spider Miles. They couldn't afford to waste any more time here. They needed to end this quickly and move on before more trouble found them.

Without another word, the thug lunged forward, his knife flashing in the dim light. Kaden moved to intercept, his blade meeting the thug's in a shower of sparks. Geralt was already on the others, cutting through the gang with swift, efficient strikes. The thugs, despite their numbers, were no match for Geralt's skill.

Kaden's focus remained on the leader. The thug's attacks were wild and uncoordinated, driven more by rage than skill. Kaden dodged a sloppy swing, stepping to the side and delivering a quick strike that disarmed the thug, sending his knife clattering to the ground.

The thug stumbled back, clutching his arm, his face contorted in pain. "You... you're making a big mistake," he gasped.

Kaden didn't respond. With one swift movement, he knocked the thug to the ground, his sword aimed at the man's throat. The rest of the gang lay defeated around them, either unconscious or fleeing into the shadows.

"You're the one making mistakes," Kaden said, his voice cold. "You should have left us alone."

The thug's bravado crumbled as he stared up at Kaden, fear creeping into his eyes. "Please... don't kill me."

Kaden hesitated for a moment, then lowered his sword. "Get out of here. And tell anyone else thinking about coming after us that it's not worth their lives."

The thug scrambled to his feet, nodding frantically before disappearing into the alley, his remaining men limping after him. The threat was gone, at least for now.

Geralt sheathed his sword, glancing at Kaden. "We're making too much noise here. This place isn't going to stay quiet for long. Word's out about your bounty."

Kaden nodded, his mind racing. They had known that the bounty would attract attention, but he hadn't expected it to happen so soon. The longer they stayed in Spider Miles, the more dangerous it would become. Bounty hunters, mercenaries, and criminals—all would be gunning for them now.

"We need to get what we came for and get out," Kaden said firmly. "The maps, the information... everything."

Geralt agreed. "The sooner we leave this place, the better."

Back at the docks, Kaden and Geralt made their way toward a darkened tavern near the harbor. The place was quiet, the kind of spot where deals happened behind closed doors. If they were going to get the information they needed about the World Government, pirate crews, and the Grand Line, this was where they would find it.

As they stepped inside, the low murmur of conversation greeted them. The air was thick with smoke, and the dimly lit room was filled with shady figures hunched over their drinks, avoiding eye contact with anyone they didn't know. It was a gathering place for those who lived on the fringes of society—pirates, smugglers, and black market traders.

Kaden moved to the bar, catching the attention of the bartender, a gruff man with a scar running down his cheek.

"We're looking for information," Kaden said quietly, leaning in.

The bartender gave him a long, hard look before nodding toward a table in the far corner of the room. "Talk to him."

Kaden followed the bartender's gaze to a man sitting alone at the back of the tavern, shrouded in shadow. His hood was pulled low over his face, but Kaden could see the glint of sharp eyes watching him from beneath it.

Geralt remained by Kaden's side as they approached the table. The man didn't move, but Kaden could feel his attention locked on them as they neared.

"You're looking for something," the man said, his voice low and gravelly.

"We're looking for information," Kaden replied. "About the seas, the World Government... and the bounty hunters that are out there."

The man's eyes gleamed with interest. "Information like that doesn't come cheap."

Kaden expected that. He pulled a small pouch of coins from his coat and set it on the table. The man eyed the pouch, then reached out and took it, weighing it in his hand before nodding.

"You're new to these waters, aren't you?" the man asked, his voice quiet. "You don't know who's out there, watching, waiting."

"We're learning," Kaden said carefully. "That's why we're here."

The man leaned back in his chair, his hood shifting slightly to reveal a weathered, scarred face. "There are four pirate crews you should know about—the ones who control the Grand Line and the New World. They're called the Four Emperors. If you're planning to make it through the Grand Line, you're going to have to deal with them one way or another."

Kaden frowned. He had heard the term before, but the significance of it hadn't fully registered. "The Four Emperors?"

The man nodded. "Kaido, Big Mom, Shanks, and Whitebeard. Each one controls a massive territory in the New World, and they've got armies of pirates under their command. You cross them, and you'll be lucky if you make it out alive."

Kaden glanced at Geralt, the weight of the information settling over him. These weren't just any pirate crews—these were the ones who dominated the seas. If they wanted to survive, they needed to stay far away from them.

"Then there's the Seven Warlords of the Sea," the man continued. "They're pirates who work for the World Government. They're powerful—dangerous. You don't want to mess with them either."

"And what about the World Government?" Geralt asked, his voice cold. "How do they fit into all of this?"

The man's expression darkened. "The World Government controls everything. The Marines are their enforcers, and the Celestial Dragons—those so-called 'gods'—they run the whole show. If they want you dead, they'll send everything they have to make it happen."

Kaden clenched his fists under the table. He had already felt the weight of the World Government's influence with the bounty on his head, but hearing it laid out like this made it all the more real. They weren't just facing pirates—they were facing a system of power that spanned the entire world.

"You've got a bounty on you, don't you?" the man asked, his eyes narrowing.

Kaden met his gaze. "Yes."

The man leaned in closer, his voice barely above a whisper. "Then you're already dead if you don't get stronger. This world doesn't wait for anyone. You either survive... or you don't."

Kaden didn't flinch. He had known the moment he started this journey that it wasn't going to be easy. But hearing it put so bluntly, in the heart of this dark, lawless city, made it clear how dangerous things were about to get.

"I don't plan on dying anytime soon," Kaden said, his voice steady.

The man smirked, sitting back in his chair. "Good. Then maybe you'll survive long enough to make a name for yourself."