Star Illusion | ATEEZ Pirate AU

Chapter 29 - Gossip group

Wooyoung whispers to Mingi, "Really?" And Mingi responded, "Dunno."

I secretly laugh at Mingi's explanation and see the crew nod even though they are still confused.

My eyes lit up when I think of how to ask them about Hongjoong's past love life in the most subtle way.

"Sorry that I can't predict your future but since you all are the crew of Pirate King that I'm destined to be your guide. Why don't you help me understand your ship more? It'd give me an insight and enable me to provide accurate prophecies." I finish speaking and low murmurs erupt among them.

"What did she say?"

"I dunno."

They seem confused so I add, "Something like your background." But they turn their left and right, murmuring to each other.

"Perhaps we start from your captain" I suggest. Wooyoung crane his neck and raise his brow, giving me what-are-you-getting-at looks. But I smile innocently at him.

However, they haven't answered me yet as they, one by one, excuse themselves to leave, including Wooyoung and Mingi.

I sit perplexingly at their sudden departure, until I left alone with San.

"What the heck," Is my question too straightforward? Or are they being so loyal toward Hongjoong?

I turn to look at the combatant who is sitting still in the dark corner. "Err...San," I call him. But silence only returned to me. Is he sleeping?

Deciding between leaving or waking him up, I lose to the fangirl side and choose to wake him.

I slowly creep toward him, making sure to stay at a safe distance in case he plans to throw me another dagger. When I lift up the lamp toward his face, I froze in my motion. San is actually awake, his cold dark eyes already fixated on me.

"Uh, y- you, I, leave... " I stutter badly, spitting incoherent words.

In my turmoil state, he ignores me and averts his gaze behind my back. I feel a dark energy from behind me.

Gulping nervously, I turn around and see a dark silhouette at the door. I squeak, trying to get up but fall flat on the ground. The figure scoffs. I remember his voice as he always scoff at me. "Seonghwa?"

I see why people were leaving.

I instantly stand up and intend to leave. But Seonghwa blocks my way.

"This is my last warning to you. Don't poke around our business. Whatever you try to get, I'll make sure you'll never get it." He says.

I huff at his words but I can't retaliate as I'm alone with the devil twin. I grit my teeth thinking of the traitors; Wooyoung and Mingi, who dare leave me. If I don't make it out alive, I'm going to haunt them.

I fail to retrieve information tonight, but I can dig it another time. Right now, it's best to save my life from the grasp of the devil.

"Ok, I'm leaving. Goodnight to you too, quartermaster." I push past Seonghwa and earn him another scoff. 

The room now left with 2 most feared individuals of the ship.
"Why are you here?" Seonghwa asks San. He never saw San joining a group ever.

San slowly rises from the ground and walks past Seonghwa. "To tell a horror story."

Seongwha tries to register what San meant but gives up. Feeling bitter that his best man also acts strange. Seonghwa begins to ponder again. That Star girl, what does she really want?

---

As we traveled to find the crescent dagger, we've been to several locations but didn't find the wrecked ship. Ateez began to stress out even though they didn't say it out loud. I could detect from the heavy atmosphere.

They ask me to join them in another meeting where the navigator asks me more questions. "Could you meditate to see your premonition more clearly?" But I shake my head at Yunho. It was all I can remember from the scene.

Yunho sighs. His brows furrow, staring at a giant map on the table.

The quartermaster doesn't let this opportunity to slip as he attacks me with his mean remark. "Are you sure you received the dream premonition, not your own delusion?"

I shoot a dagger at Seonghwa and he gladly shoots me back.

Yunho, being a nice guy he is, interferes in the ongoing glaring battle. "There's another island that we haven't visited yet. At this pace, we'll reach tonight."

"What if we find nothing there? Are we going to keep doing this?" Seonghwa questions his crew. And some of them nod in agreement.

Uneasiness present on everyone's face. Seonghwa's words are right. They can't keep guessing the location. It only wastes their time.

Hongjoong, who has been quiet since the beginning of the meeting, silently observes his crew. He claps his hand, gathering everyone's attention, "Alright, if we still don't find the dagger tonight, we'll think of another plan." He looks at me and smiles. "I believe our seeress can give us another solution."

I stiffly smile back at Hongjoong. I can sense the tension underlying in his expression.

Whatever his another plan is, I hope it won't involve me ending up in the bottom of the sea.

// Will Star end up in the bottom of the sea? See ya next chapter!

BTW I read all of your comment and feel conflict in my heart. There're some members in my mind but there can only be one male lead ㅠㅠ  (I'm also tempt to write ot8 lol)

Ooohhhhh and Ateez is coming back. I gotta change my back account to their name haha