The sea had been calm for two days.
Too calm.
Carina leaned against the railing.
"…I don't trust quiet sea. Quiet sea means something is coming."
Kuina stood at the bow, scanning ahead.
"…Ship."
Kevin opened his eyes slowly.
"…Yes."
In the distance—
A small pirate ship was moving toward them.
Fast.
Unstable sailing pattern.
Carina straightened immediately.
"…Of course. Why did I even say anything."
Kuina's grip tightened on her sword.
"…Pirates."
Kevin watched silently.
Not surprised.
Not alarmed.
Just aware.
The pirate ship closed distance quickly.
A rough-looking crew visible on deck.
Loud voices.
Weapons raised.
Carina sighed.
"…They always show up when I'm tired."
Kuina stepped forward slightly.
"…We fight."
Kevin replied calmly.
"…Yes."
The ships came alongside each other.
Wood creaked.
Ropes shifted.
A pirate shouted from the other ship.
"…Hand over your supplies!"
"…And the girls!"
Carina blinked.
"…Excuse me?"
Kuina didn't react emotionally.
She simply stepped forward.
"…No."
The pirates laughed.
Then jumped across.
Three of them landed on the deck.
Weapons drawn.
Carina backed slightly.
"…Okay, this is officially annoying."
Kuina moved first.
Fast.
Clean.
One strike.
A pirate fell immediately.
Second pirate swung—
Kuina rotated and disarmed him.
A clean hit to the shoulder knocked him down.
Carina blinked.
"…Okay… she's actually scary now…"
The third pirate rushed Kevin.
Kevin didn't move at first.
Waited.
Then stepped aside slightly.
The attack missed completely.
One motion.
The pirate was pushed back onto the deck.
Unconscious.
Carina stared.
"…You didn't even properly hit him…"
Kevin replied.
"…Unnecessary."
On the pirate ship—
Shouts of panic began.
"…They're not normal!"
"…Retreat!"
Their ship quickly began to pull away.
Poor coordination.
Fear spreading fast.
Kuina watched them leave.
"…Weak."
Carina sighed.
"…I prefer weak pirates honestly."
After the brief encounter—
Silence returned to the sea.
Kevin looked toward the direction the pirate ship fled.
"…Information."
Kuina turned slightly.
"…What information."
Kevin replied.
"…They are moving through this route."
Carina frowned.
"…So more will come?"
Kevin nodded once.
"…Yes."
A short pause.
Kuina spoke.
"…Then we get stronger."
Carina groaned.
"…That's always the answer with you…"
Kevin looked ahead.
The sea stretched endlessly again.
But now—
It was no longer empty.
And somewhere ahead—
Stronger encounters were already forming.
Including one—
Still not far away.