The air on the deck felt frozen. The Marine Ensign stared at Kai with wide, trembling eyes, his throat inches away from the glowing blue dagger. The other soldiers on the patrol ship didn't dare to fire their muskets, fearing they might hit their own officer.
"Release him, boy," a calm, deep voice echoed from the Marine ship.
A tall man wearing a white Marine captain's coat stepped to the edge of the railing. Unlike the nervous soldiers, he looked bored. He had a thick beard and eyes as sharp as a hawk.
[System Scan Initiated...]
[Target: Captain Harlen | Soul Quality: Solid (Steel Blue) | Danger Level: Very High.]
Kai felt a sudden weight on his shoulders. It wasn't the King's Will, but it was a pressure born from years of combat experience. Silas, still sitting in the back of the boat, narrowed his eyes. This was the first real predator Kai had faced.
"He boarded my ship first," Kai said, his voice steady despite the pressure. "I'm just defending my property."
Captain Harlen chuckled, but there was no warmth in it. "Defending? You've incapacitated three of my men with a power I've never seen. You aren't a normal traveler."
In a flash, Harlen moved. He didn't use a boat; he simply jumped across the gap, landing on Kai's boat with such force that the wood groaned. He drew a heavy broadsword that looked far too heavy for a normal man to swing.
"Let's see how long that 'will' of yours lasts against a real Marine," Harlen growled.
[Ding! New Mission: Survive the Captain.]
[Objective: Hold out for 3 minutes or force a retreat.]
[Reward: 30 Soul Coins + Skill Upgrade: 'Soul Blade V.2'.]
Kai pushed the Ensign away and activated [Shadow Step]. He reappeared behind Harlen, slashing with his glowing dagger. But Harlen didn't even turn around. He swung his broadsword backward blindly, the sheer wind from the swing forcing Kai to jump back.
He's too strong, Kai thought, sweating. My physical stats are still too low.
[System Query: Do you want to burn 10 Soul Coins for a 'Temporary Adrenaline Overload'?]
"Do it!" Kai shouted in his mind.
A searing heat flooded his muscles. His 53-year-old joints felt like they were 20 again. He lunged forward, his dagger clashing against Harlen's massive sword. Sparks flew, but this time, the blue soul energy didn't just crack the steel—it began to seep into it.
"Interesting," Harlen whispered, his eyes widening. "You're attacking my sword's spirit?"
Kai didn't answer. He focused everything on his blade. This wasn't just a fight for survival anymore; it was his first step into the true dangers of the Grand Line.