God Ash: Remnants of the fallen.

Chapter 533: Weeding out the Scum.

Casting bait was one of the easiest things to do. The hard part came after. The patience to wait for the prey to bite was something many lacked.

Fortunately, Cain was not one of them. While he wasn't the most diabolical schemer, he didn't have to be to deal with a few rats hiding behind the crowd, only running around in the darkness.

He didn't have any reason to fear because the ball was on his court. He had all the dice, meaning the game could only be played on his terms.

A grin spread across his face as he gently rang his finger across the flat of his blade.

'This is going to be fun...'

***

Hunter sat on a chair, his bushy tail hanging out from the side.

Gritting his teeth, he but back the urge to bite the useless appendage off.

'What purpose does it serve? Why did this happen?'

He had cursed his fate that day. The day he had gotten these barbaric features. He wasn't someone that focused so much on the exterior, but even he had to admit that looking like a literal beast wasn't very good.

This unhappiness of his wasn't just limited to himself. Most of the Mutant Humans from the Central Island all wished they could go back to what they once were. But it was already too late for that.

It was unfortunate, but that was what their lives had become...

Hunter sighed, keeping a cold aloof expression on his face. He was currently in a wide resting area. Many Beastmen and women sat around, either chatting or training, with most of them doing the former.

They all gave him a large distance as none of them were keen on disturbing him. Running his blade across a whetstone, sharpening it his mind drifting away.

Once he was satisfied, he kept the blade back into his inventory. Rubbing the head of the beautiful white wolf resting at his feet, Hunter closed his eyes...

'So, that's all?'

Cain's voice reached his mind from another part of the ship. However, none of those were able to hear it.

'Yep. That's basically it. And we don't even need to do much. Rollo will handle the rest.'

Hunter hesitated for a moment before speaking,

'And you say your mind isn't sinister...'

Cain snorted, 'What about this plan is sinister? It is effective.'

Hunter shook his head, 'That doesn't matter. What matters is whether or not those fools will fall for it. They might be greedy, but I don't think they are fools.'

Cain chuckled, 'It is exactly why they would never see it coming. You'll have to trust me on this one.'

Hunter sighed, 'I still believe we should just get rid of all of them.'

Cain snickered, 'We will. All you have to do is be patient.'

Their main headache was the group of Lightslayers that wanted to gain some sort of power for themselves. While this didn't sound bad, the way they went about it could potentially spell problems for Cain.

Cain would rather avoid a bloodbath at all cost. So instead of simply resorting to deadly force, Cain decided to fish out the ones behind the problems which ranged from simply causing conflict, to stealing important commodities like food and mana shards.

And how was he going to do that?

It was rather simple. Since they wanted to cause trouble so badly, Cain figured he would let them. If they wanted to steal so badly, he would let them...

However, the moment the rats decide to show themselves, they would be strick down swiftly and secretly.

Om the ship with so many people, it was very easy for one to hide their face. However, if they were able to catch them in the act, they would have no means to defend themselves. Meaning the use of deadly force would be justified. It would also be difficult to pull off.

But Cain suspected that they would eventually wisen up. There was only so many times such a strategy would work.

And so, he was going to have to carry it out on a very large scale. By setting up the biggest Sting operation ever known...

Rather than wait for each and every one of them, Cain was going to place a target so enticing, they would have no choice but to try their luck at taking a bite.

Cain's grin turned a bit deranged,

'They absolutely won't know what hit them. You and the others don't have to be involved directly. Just get ready to pick off any strays. Rollo will handle the rest.'

Hunter frowned, 'That guy... are you sure we can trust him?'

Cain spoke without hesitation, 'No.'

Hunter sighed. Before he could ask why he would place such a crucial role on Rollo if he didn't trust him, Cain had already answered,

'He fits all the boxes. Not only that, but we will also be able to avoid any problems that may arise with him.'

Seeing through Cain's intentions, Hunter couldn't help but sigh. Staring at the wooden walls surrounding him, his thoughts were unknown.

Eventually, he had no choice but to speak up,

'Alright, I'll do what must be done.'

Cain nodded even though Hunter couldn't see it,

'Thank you. Truly...'

Hunter shrugged, 'You can thank me by giving me a large cut of the mana shards we get on the next hunt.'

Cain laughed, 'Whatever you say...'

Hunter snorted before cutting the mental connection between them. The White Wolf sleeping at his feet woke up suddenly and stared at him with its pretty eyes, her furry tail swinging excitedly.

Hunter fought the urge to smile back viciously,then stood to his feet.

"Alright, everybody listen up!"

The men and women here fell under one category; humans unfortunate enough to have been on the Central island on the the old world came to an end.

They had been affected by a strange mutation, turning them into beings that coild no longer be considered human. The plus side was that they had acquired superhuman abilities and a contract with a Celestial Being.

Due to their shared misfortune, whatever bad blood may had existed before had long since expired. This was because they were busy facing other problems.

Hunter turned to face them. Every single one of them looked prepared for war.

Hunter nodded, "Grab your weapons and follow me. We'll cut every last one of them apart."

Hunter knew they had held back for a long time. Now that it was finally time to let loose, Hunter wouldn't do anything to stop them.

Guns were cocked, swords were unsheathed, and spears were brandished. They were ready.

"Move out." His part was simple. Take out anyone that one that tried to escape. Hunter was more than happy to do so.

***

A rumor has begun flying around the ship...

How it would be possible to take ownership of the sailing vessel by getting one's hands on a specially enchanted bottle.

Confirming this to be true wasn't a difficult feat. Once the truth was revealed...

The worms chose to come out from their hiding spot.

Within an empty room deep under the ship, Rollo sat, his broadsword resting on his thighs. He was waiting...

Waiting for a horde to come to him. Recalling the details of the plan Cain had given to him, he was enveloped with the urge to laugh.

'Isn't this trap too obvious?' He had asked.

Cain had countered with the brilliant,

'Just because they know its a scam doesn't mean they won't take the risk.'

The bait was something that would really entice the scum. It was the truth. If they got their hands on the enchanted bottle, they would be able to control the ship. It seemed unbelievable, but the system wouldn't like, and it had even agreed.

And indeed, Cain had been right. Even though it was so easy to see the jab, they had still stuck their chin out.

However, the traps effectiveness was heavily dependent on how he would perform here today. If he did well, he would be able to get his freedom. If he managed to perform splendidly, perhaps his name might even go down in history.

"Hand it over, Rollo!"

A voice called out to him from the other side of the room, from the entrance. Standing there was a crowd of over fifty people. They were all armed dubiously, and they worse sinister expressions like masks.

Rollo stood to his teeth, "If you want it, it will be over my dead body."

The man in the lead, an old man with a mages staff and a long white priestly robe snorteed,

"If you want to take the ship as well, we won't fight you. However, don't even think of leaving this room alive if you don't give us the bottle.'

Rollo smirked, "Are you done talking?"

The old man shook his head, "What was I expecting from the followers of a vagrant? Everyone, attack him."

They all charged forward, their weapons drawn, killing intent and bloodlust oozing from them before they even arrived.

Rollo rolled his neck, eliciting more than a few crackles and pops,

"It's been a while since I last stretched my legs and arms."

Brandishing his large blade, Rollo didn't wait for them to come to him. Instead...

"Mass Infinity," He chanted as he plunged the tip of the blade into the ground.

An insane gravitational field was bornz pulling the charging humans towards the center of the room where Rollo was waiting patiently, his face cold and his eyes lightless like that of a seasoned killer.