The sea was calm at first.
Kevin stood at the helm, adjusting the sails as the wind carried his small ship forward.
No islands in sight.
Only endless blue.
"…Too quiet."
He didn't like it.
Not because it was dangerous.
But because the sea rarely stayed like this for long.
A few hours passed.
The ship cut steadily through the water.
Kevin checked supplies.
Water barrels.
Food stock.
Rope condition.
"…Still enough for a few days."
He kept everything controlled.
No waste.
No unnecessary movement.
Survival meant discipline.
Then—
The wind shifted.
Not naturally.
Kevin felt it immediately.
"…Behind."
He turned slightly.
Far on the horizon—
A shape.
A ship.
Not merchant.
Not neutral.
Black sails.
Fast movement.
"…Pirates."
For the first time since getting his ship—
Someone was actively closing distance.
Kevin didn't panic.
He adjusted the sails instead.
"…Faster."
But his ship wasn't built for escape speed.
It was balanced.
Not specialized.
The distance began shrinking.
Slowly.
On the approaching ship—
Shouting could be faintly heard.
Cannons being prepared.
Kevin narrowed his eyes.
"…They're not trying to negotiate."
That was obvious.
He checked the sea conditions quickly.
Wind direction.
Wave flow.
Current pull.
"…Left drift current."
He shifted the wheel sharply.
The ship angled slightly off-course.
Using the current.
Speed increased a little.
Not enough.
But something.
The pirate ship responded immediately.
They adjusted too.
Experienced crew.
"…They know what they're doing."
Kevin clicked his tongue.
"…Annoying."
First cannon fired.
BOOM!
Water exploded beside the ship.
Kevin didn't flinch.
He didn't even look at the splash.
Instead—
He focused on distance.
Angle.
Timing.
"…Still too far for return fire."
So he kept moving.
Second cannon fired.
Closer this time.
The shockwave rocked his ship slightly.
Wood creaked.
But held.
Kevin adjusted balance immediately.
"…Hull integrity still stable."
The pirate ship was gaining.
Now clearly visible.
A mid-sized raider vessel.
Crew on deck.
Laughing.
Confident.
One shouted across the water.
"STOP RUNNING, KID!"
Kevin didn't respond.
"…Noise doesn't change outcome."
Third cannon fired.
This one landed closer to the rear.
A splash hit the back deck.
Water sprayed.
Kevin turned slightly.
"…They're adjusting aim."
That meant they were getting serious.
He made a decision.
Not to escape.
But to reposition.
He cut sails slightly.
Let the ship slow for a moment.
The pirate crew cheered.
"Caught him!"
They closed distance faster now.
Kevin stood at the edge of the deck.
Hand on his sword.
Not drawing yet.
Waiting.
"…Closer."
The pirate ship came within boarding range.
Hooks were prepared.
Ropes thrown.
Clank!
One hook latched onto Kevin's ship.
"BOARD HIM!"
Pirates began pulling ropes.
Jumping across.
Kevin exhaled slowly.
"…So this is your plan."
He stepped forward.
Finally drawing his sword.
Not rushing.
Not panicking.
Just ready.
The first pirate jumped across.
Weapon raised.
Kevin sidestepped.
One motion.
Clean strike.
The pirate dropped instantly.
Second came.
Third followed.
Kevin moved between them.
Controlled steps.
Efficient cuts.
No wasted movement.
On the pirate ship—
Their captain narrowed his eyes.
"…He's trained."
Not random fighting.
Not desperation.
Skill.
Kevin stood near the boarding point.
Three pirates down.
More still coming.
He looked at the ropes connecting the ships.
"…Too many entry points."
He cut one rope instantly.
Clang!
It snapped.
One section of attackers fell into the sea.
Pirate captain shouted.
"Don't let him isolate us!"
More jumped across.
Kevin exhaled slowly.
"…Then come all at once."
He stepped forward into them.
Fight continued.
Fast.
Controlled.
Not chaotic.
Kevin didn't overpower them instantly.
He simply out-timed them.
Out-positioned them.
Out-understood them.
One by one—
They fell.
On the pirate ship—
Their captain finally raised his hand.
"…Stop."
Silence.
Kevin paused.
Sword still raised.
The captain studied him carefully.
"…You're not normal."
Kevin replied calmly.
"…You started this."
The pirate captain smirked.
"…Yeah."
"…And we're ending it."
He raised his hand.
Not for attack.
But signal.
"…Back off."
His crew froze.
Confused.
Kevin narrowed his eyes slightly.
"…Retreat?"
The captain nodded.
"…Not worth it."
Then he looked at Kevin.
"…Not yet."
The pirate ship slowly pulled away.
Ropes detached.
Distance increased.
No victory celebration.
No loot.
Just withdrawal.
Kevin stood still on his ship.
Watching them leave.
"…They tested me."
Not a full fight.
Not a full war.
A probe.
He sheathed his sword slowly.
"…So this is how the sea works."
Not constant battles.
But encounters.
Judgments.
Withdrawals.
Kevin turned back to the helm.
Adjusted sails again.
"…Next time, I won't be the one reacting."
The ship continued forward.
Across the endless sea.
Alone.
But no longer unnoticed.