Greyport Island was louder than Kevin expected.
Not dangerous.
Not peaceful.
Just alive in a way that never stopped moving.
The docks stretched across the coastline like a broken wall of wood and steel.
Ships of every size were anchored or being repaired.
Some were merchant vessels.
Some were pirate ships.
Some clearly stolen.
Kevin stood at the edge of the harbor.
Watching.
Silent.
"…This is where everything connects."
Not the sea itself.
But the things that moved across it.
Trade.
Pirates.
Information.
Power.
Everything started and ended here.
The captain of the small transport ship they arrived on sighed behind him.
"We're unloading supplies here, then leaving in two days."
Kevin nodded slightly.
"…Good."
He didn't plan to leave immediately.
Not yet.
First—
Preparation.
The captain raised an eyebrow.
"You're not staying with us?"
Kevin shook his head.
"…I don't stay anywhere."
That answer didn't surprise him anymore.
Kevin wasn't part of the crew.
Not a passenger.
Not a protector.
Just someone traveling in the same direction temporarily.
Kevin walked into the harbor district alone.
The smell of salt, oil, and metal filled the air.
Merchants shouted prices.
Pirates argued over docking space.
Workers carried crates twice their size.
This was the real economy of the sea.
Not gold.
Not kingdoms.
But survival.
Kevin stopped at a shipyard.
Massive wooden frames surrounded partially built vessels.
Sparks flew from metalwork.
Sailcloth was stretched across beams.
A ship here wasn't bought.
It was built.
"…I need one."
Not now.
But soon.
A ship that wasn't controlled by anyone else.
He continued walking through the market streets near the docks.
Supplies lined every stall.
Food.
Water barrels.
Weapon parts.
Navigation tools.
Kevin scanned everything carefully.
Not just price.
But durability.
Efficiency.
Weight.
"…Everything here is overpriced for travelers."
Because the sea didn't forgive poor preparation.
He stopped at a supply vendor.
The merchant looked him up and down.
"…You buying for a crew?"
Kevin replied simply.
"…No."
The merchant blinked.
"…Just you?"
Kevin nodded.
"…For now."
That answer made the merchant chuckle.
"…Kid like you won't survive long alone out there."
Kevin didn't react.
He just placed berries on the counter.
"…I'm not planning to stay alone."
The merchant paused slightly.
Then began packing supplies.
As Kevin collected his items—
He noticed something unusual nearby.
A group of pirates arguing loudly near a docked ship.
Not random chaos.
Organized frustration.
"…You think you can just take territory here?!"
"…This island belongs to no one!"
Kevin paused slightly.
Listening.
So control here wasn't unified.
It was contested.
Different pirate groups competing for influence.
"…Perfect."
Not stable.
Not fully controlled.
A place where strong individuals mattered.
Kevin adjusted the strap of his supply bag.
"…I'll need more than one trip."
Food.
Water.
Rope.
Repair tools.
Navigation basics.
Everything a solo traveler needed to survive long sea routes.
A loud crash came from the docks suddenly.
Kevin turned slightly.
A ship mast had snapped during loading.
Workers shouted in panic.
The ship tilted dangerously.
"…Move the cargo!"
"…It's falling!"
Kevin exhaled slowly.
Then walked over.
Not rushing.
Not panicking.
He grabbed a rope nearby and moved into position.
"…Hold it steady."
A worker snapped.
"Who are you to—?!"
Kevin didn't look at him.
"…If it sinks, you lose everything."
Silence.
Then reluctant cooperation.
Kevin used timing.
Angle.
Weight distribution.
Not strength.
Control.
The mast stabilized slowly.
Workers rushed to secure it properly.
The foreman stared at him.
"…You've done this before."
Kevin shook his head.
"…No."
"…I just understand how things fall."
That answer unsettled the man more than comforted him.
By evening—
Kevin had gathered enough supplies for extended sea travel.
Not luxury.
Not comfort.
Survival.
He stood at the harbor again.
Watching ships leave and arrive.
"…Next step is a ship."
Not just passage.
Ownership.
Control.
Freedom.
Behind him, the captain called out.
"We leave tomorrow morning!"
Kevin nodded.
"…I won't be on it."
The captain sighed.
"…Figured."
Kevin looked out at the sea beyond the harbor.
Endless.
Unmoving in its distance.
But full of direction.
"…I need something faster."
"…Something that doesn't depend on anyone."
He turned slightly toward the shipyard again.
Not as a traveler anymore.
But as someone preparing to enter the sea properly.
Alone.
At least for now.
Because before a crew could exist—
There had to be a captain worth following.