《The ScatterSeas》


 The Boy and the Stranger

    "Cabin boy!"


    "CABIN BOY!"


    Voices boomed across the deck.


    Mk scrambled toward the latest shout, only to be greeted with a splash of water to the face. He gasped, the salty sting burning his eyes.


    "I told you I wanted salted water, boy! Huh? Huh!?"


    "No¡­ no, no," Mk stammered, shivering from the wetness.


    "Then don''t you bring me this garbage," the pirate spat, throwing the rest of the water at him before chucking the cup at Mk''s feet.


    "Now go fetch me an apple. And it better not be a tomato, you stupid brat."


    Laughter erupted around him.


    "Oi! Make sure it''s fresh!"


    "And don''t you dare drop it, boy!"


    "Maybe if you were born with a brain, you wouldn''t be so damn useless!"


    Mk turned away quickly, biting the inside of his cheek to keep himself from breaking. His vision blurred, but he forced himself forward.


    He wouldn''t cry.


    Not here. Not in front of them.


    He hurried to the kitchen, searching the crates for apples. Nothing. His stomach sank. That meant he had to go to the storage, where the more protected food was kept.


    His throat burned hotter with every step toward the storage door. When he reached it, he plunged the door open and shut it quickly behind him.


    But instead of searching for apples, his legs gave out.


    He slid down against the door, curled up his knees, and let the tears come.


    "Ewk."


    Mk stiffened at the familiar sound.


    It was Gego.


    His monkey companion¡ªno, his brother¡ªwas perched atop a barrel, looking down at him.


    "Yes¡­ another session of mock the cabin boy, Gego," Mk muttered, voice shaking from his tears.


    Gego hopped down and handed him a scrap of cloth.


    Mk took it without looking up, sniffing hard to keep his face hidden.


    The monkey tilted his head, watching him closely.


    "Lucky for you, they don''t care much about you," Mk continued bitterly. His hands curled into fists against his head. "Every day. Every stupid day is the same. It''s all my fault. Maybe that''s why I was born alone¡­ maybe I shouldn''t have looked for a family¡­"


    His fingers dug into his scalp, scratching again and again in frustration.


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    "OI! My APPLE!"


    The pirate''s voice snapped Mk out of his thoughts.


    He shot to his feet, wiping his face. Gego leaped back up to the ceiling rafters just in time.


    "You better bring it quick, boy!"


    Mk rushed to the barrels, pried one open¡ªonly to find it empty.


    His breath hitched.


    Slowly, he looked up at Gego.


    The monkey met his gaze, then raised his hands in innocence.


    "Ewk," he chirped. Not me.


    Then who¡ª?


    Before Mk could think further, Gego suddenly jumped higher, perching himself in the shadows.


    Then, Mk heard it.


    The doorknob squeaked.


    His blood ran cold.


    He swallowed hard, bracing for the beating of a lifetime.


    But when the door cracked open, the figure standing there was not the pirate he expected.


    Mk and the stranger both froze.


    The door hung halfway open, and they simply stared at each other. Neither speaking.


    Then¡ª


    "This boy! You better not be eating my apple, boy!"


    The voice outside was growing louder.


    The stranger swiftly stepped in and shut the door behind him.


    Mk took a step back. He could see him more clearly now¡ªyoung, tall, dressed in a loose tank top and baggy leather pants. A metal staff was strapped to his back. And on his face¡ª


    Crumbs.


    Realization hit Mk like a wave.


    He''s the thief!


    Before Mk could open his mouth, the stranger held up a finger, signaling him to stay quiet. Then, he pointed toward the door.


    The pirate''s footsteps were closing in.


    The storage door shook as a fist pounded against it.


    "Show yourself at once, boy! I''m not like the captain! If you don''t show, you best believe you''ll never be shown again!"


    Mk felt his knees tremble.


    The stranger glanced at him again, saw his fear, and sighed.


    Then, to Mk''s absolute horror, he shouted¡ª


    "I''m here!"


    Mk''s soul left his body.


    His breath caught in his throat so fast he nearly choked on it.


    "What!? No! I''m not here!" he blurted out in a panic.


    Then immediately regretted it.


    Stupid!


    Gego let out a quiet chattering sound from above, the monkey equivalent of laughter.


    Silence fell outside the door.


    Then, the pirate exhaled deeply, sounding absolutely done with the situation.


    "Boy¡­ are you mocking me?" His voice was low, dangerous. "Do you want to die today?"


    The door flung open.


    The pirate stomped in, fists clenched, ready to thrash Mk¡ª


    But he wasn''t expecting the stranger standing before him.


    For a split second, the pirate hesitated. His bloodshot eyes narrowed.


    "You¡­" he muttered, as if trying to place the face.


    He never got the chance.


    The stranger reached forward, his hand meeting the pirate''s chest.


    A sharp crackle split the air.


    Lightning surged through the pirate''s body.


    His limbs convulsed violently, his mouth opening in a silent scream as electricity danced over his skin. His pale flesh turned dark and ashen in seconds.


    His body convulsed¡ªthen the stranger let go.


    The pirate collapsed, twitching as smoke rose from his scorched skin.


    Mk stood frozen.


    His mind refused to process what had just happened.


    Gego dropped from the ceiling and landed on Mk''s shoulder. He studied the fallen pirate, then flicked his tail in amusement.


    "Ewk," the monkey chirped.


    The stranger sighed, brushing off his hand.


    "Yeah, yeah. Overkill."


    Mk finally found his voice.


    "Who¡­ who the hell are you?"


    Mk''s hands were still shaking. His mind still spinning.


    This man had just fried a pirate like it was nothing. He had watched electricity course through the pirate''s body, had smelled the faintest scent of burning flesh, and now¡­ now this stranger was standing there like it was just another day.


    The man glanced at him, then chuckled.


    "Huh. Right. You''re not used to this, are you?"


    Mk''s voice was dry when he spoke.


    "Stranger frying a pirate? Never in my life."


    The stranger grinned. "Well, there''s a first time for everything."


    With that, he grabbed the still-twitching pirate by the collar and dragged him fully inside the storage room. He peeked outside, checking both ways, then shut the door with a quiet click.


    Then, to Mk''s disbelief, he sat down on the unconscious pirate''s back, crossing his legs like he was settling in for a casual chat.


    Mk just¡­ stared.


    Gego, from his spot on Mk''s shoulder, let out a small ewk, tilting his head in curiosity.


    The man turned to Mk again and reached out a hand.


    Mk flinched.


    The man laughed.


    "Oh, I love those reactions," he said, retracting his hand. "Don''t worry¡ªI only shock threats."


    Mk bit his lip, glancing down at the unconscious body. "He''s not¡­ dead, is he?"


    The man waved a hand dismissively. "Nah. Just a little crispy."


    Mk exhaled, but that didn''t exactly make him feel better.


    Then something clicked. His empty hands.


    "The apples!" he blurted out. "I was supposed to bring him an apple¡ªoh no, he''s gonna kill me when he wakes up¡ª"


    The man scratched his cheek. "Oh. Yeah, about that¡­"


    He turned his head and wiped some crumbs off his face.


    Mk froze.


    His stomach dropped.


    "¡­ You ate them."


    The stranger grinned sheepishly. "I was starving, to be fair."


    Mk''s eye twitched. "I''m done for...."


    "I hadn''t eaten in days, kid. You don''t understand how good those apples tasted."


    Gego made a loud ewk, looking personally offended at the idea of stealing food.


    The man pointed at the monkey. "See? He gets it."


    "No, I think he''s mad at you."


    "Oh."


    Mk groaned, dragging his hands down his face. "I''m dead. They''re gonna throw me overboard for this."


    The man rested his chin in his palm. "Nah, I doubt it."


    "You doubt it?" Mk said, voice cracking. "I don''t think you get it¡ªthese guys don''t need a reason to beat me! This is just giving them one gift-wrapped!"


    The man tapped his fingers against his knee.


    "¡­ So you''re the ship''s punching bag, huh?"


    Mk frowned. "yes....."


    The man smirked, standing up and dusting off his pants. "Then why not leave?"


    Mk blinked.


    "¡­ What?"


    The man stretched, cracking his neck. "I said, why not leave? This ain''t your crew, right?"


    Mk looked at him like he''d grown a second head. "I can''t just leave."


    "Why not?"


    "This is a pirate ship! We''re in the middle of the ocean!"


    The man hummed, rubbing his chin. "Yeah¡­ that is a little inconvenient."


    Mk threw his hands up. "A little!?"


    The man grinned again. "Well, I Guess we''ll have to figure something out, huh?"

 Intruder

    Outside, the ship creaked and groaned as it swayed with the ocean waves. Heavy boots thumped against the wooden planks above them, muffled voices calling out orders. Somewhere on deck, a drunken pirate burst into laughter, followed by the clinking of bottles. The sea whispered against the hull, its endless expanse stretching in every direction.


    Yet, inside the dimly lit storage room, all of that felt distant.


    Mk stood rigid, his breath shallow, his mind still reeling. His fingers clenched and unclenched at his sides as he stared at the stranger¡ªthis reckless, grinning lunatic who had just fried a pirate without a second thought.


    And now he was talking about¡­ we?


    Mk blinked rapidly, unable to process. "We!?" he repeated, voice cracking.


    The stranger¡ªJack¡ªstretched his arms lazily and nodded. "Yeah. You, me. The monkey, too, if he''s up for it." He casually pointed between the three of them, as if this was the most natural suggestion in the world.


    Mk gawked. "Wait¡ªno. You can''t just¡ªjust decide something like that!"


    Jack raised a brow. "Why not?"


    "Because¡ªbecause I never agreed to any of this! I don''t even know what you mean! I don''t even know who you¡ª"


    "I''m Jack," the man interrupted smoothly.


    Mk faltered. "Huh?"


    Jack leaned back against a stack of crates, hands behind his head, perfectly at ease. "Jack Storm," he repeated. "Now you know me. What about you?"


    Mk opened his mouth, then hesitated. His throat felt tight. His mind screamed at him that this was a trap, that trusting strangers never ended well. But at the same time, something about Jack''s relaxed posture, his unbothered grin, made it hard to think straight.


    Before Mk could decide how to answer, there was a sudden rustle.


    Gego, who had been watching from Mk''s shoulder, let out a soft ewk before hopping onto Jack instead. The monkey perched himself comfortably on the man''s shoulders, flicking his tail as if he had already made up his mind.


    Jack laughed. "Aha, nice to meet you," he said, lightly patting Gego on the head.


    Mk''s eye twitched. "That''s it? He just¡ªchooses?"


    Jack smirked. "Guess he likes me."


    Before Mk could retort, the atmosphere outside shifted.


    The shouts of pirates grew more agitated.


    "Oi! Where the hell did Grim go?"


    "Wasn''t he down here looking for the cabin boy?"


    "Damn bastard better not be slacking off¡ªCAPTAIN''LL HAVE HIS HEAD!"


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    Mk''s stomach clenched.


    The pirates were looking for the man Jack had fried.


    His skin went clammy.


    Jack, on the other hand, barely reacted. He simply rolled his shoulders, tilting his head toward the door as if mildly curious. "Huh. They''re getting antsy," he mused. "Wanna bet how long before they come knocking?"


    Mk''s heart pounded. "This isn''t a joke!" he hissed.


    Jack shrugged, utterly unfazed. "Relax, kid. You panic too much."


    "That''s because I am the one they''ll kill when they find him!" Mk snapped, pointing to the still-smoking pirate at their feet.


    Jack chuckled. "Then I guess we better get moving, huh?"


    Mk''s breath caught. He hadn''t actually agreed to any of this. But as the shouts outside grew closer, the reality of his situation became suffocating.


    Mk swallowed hard, his pulse thrumming in his ears.


    Jack met his eyes, still smirking, but this time there was something else beneath it.


    A challenge.


    An invitation.


    Mk exhaled shakily. His legs felt locked in place, not just from fear¡ªbut from something deeper, something that clenched around his ribs like an iron grip. The last time he trusted someone¡­


    His fingers curled into fists. His body still remembered the bruises. The dull ache in his ribs never quite left.


    He glanced toward the door. The shouting was getting closer.


    If he stayed, he was dead.


    If he left¡­


    His breath hitched.


    Jack tilted his head. "Well?"


    The choice lingered, heavy in the air.


    And Mk hesitated, but eventually sighed


    "Fine.."


    The voices outside the storage room grew louder. Boots thumped across the wooden deck, and the gruff voices of pirates filled the air, cursing as they scoured the kitchen.


    Jack, unfazed, leaned back against a stack of crates. His staff rested lazily against his shoulder while he absentmindedly toyed with Gego, the small monkey perched on him. Gego chattered, occasionally swatting at Jack''s fingers as he flicked the little creature''s ears, grinning at its annoyed squeaks.


    Mk, on the other hand, sat stiff and tense, hands gripping his knees as his ears tuned into every sound beyond the door. Every thud of boots, every chair scraped across the floor made his stomach twist.


    Jack glanced at him, then spoke as if they weren''t being hunted down. "Alright then, since we''re a team now¡ªtell me, what are we dealing with?"


    Mk blinked. "Huh?"


    Jack smirked. "The ship, the crew¡ªhow many?"


    Mk hesitated, but at this point, what was the harm? He sighed. "Twenty-four," he muttered. "That includes¡­ y''know, your ''victim.''"


    Jack let out a low whistle. "Small crew."


    Mk shrugged.


    Jack twirled a finger through Gego''s fur, making the monkey huff. "And the captain?"


    "Smollet. Captain Smollet."


    Jack paused, then squinted. "Smollet¡­ Smollet¡­ Nope, doesn''t ring a bell."


    Mk shook his head. "Well, he''s pretty good. Uses a cutlass."


    Jack scoffed. "That''s it?"


    Mk shook his head quickly. "No¡ªuh, it''s got poison on it."


    Jack''s fingers stopped playing with Gego. "Poison?"


    "Yeah, Equ¡­ Equdors poison, I think."


    Jack tilted his head. "And what does Equdors poison do?"


    Mk frowned, thinking. "Uh, well¡­ it''s bad."


    Jack snorted. "I figured."


    "I mean¡ªit makes people, like¡­ really sick," Mk continued, rubbing his arm. "And, uh¡­ if it''s not treated fast, it kinda¡­ melts you from the inside."


    Jack''s brow shot up. "Melts?"


    "Yeah." Mk nodded, avoiding his gaze.


    Jack let out a low chuckle. "That''s nasty."


    Mk didn''t respond. His mind was elsewhere, fingers idly gripping his sleeves.


    The air inside the storage room was thick with tension. Outside, the voices of pirates grew louder¡ªcloser. The heavy thud of boots stomped against the wooden floor as they neared.


    Jack, still toying with Gego, smirked. "Alright, so. Twenty-four crew members, a poison-swinging captain¡­" He cracked his knuckles. "This will be good practice."


    Mk blinked. He tilted his head. This guy is nuts.


    Before he could voice that thought, the door to the storage room burst open with a violent slam. A flood of light washed over them as at least half a dozen pirates rushed in, their faces twisting in confusion.


    They looked at Jack. Then at their fried crewmate on the floor. Then at Mk.


    The moment dragged on in silence.


    Jack gave them a friendly wave. "Hi. How''s the weather?"


    The pirates snapped out of their stupor, immediately shouting in alarm¡ªthough the words were more panicked and garbled than anything coherent. A mix of "INTRUDER!" "WHAT THE HELL?!" and something about gutting them both.


    Mk instinctively stepped behind Jack as Gego scrambled onto his shoulders, clutching his hair.


    The pirates brandished their weapons¡ªcutlasses, pistols, even a rusty old harpoon.


    Jack whistled. "Wow. Cool toys." He lifted his right hand, fingers crackling with electricity. "Did you know metal is a great conductor?"


    A bolt of lightning shot from his fingertips. The air snapped with heat as it arced forward, striking one of the pirates square in the chest. The man barely had time to scream before he was flung backward like a ragdoll, colliding with two others and sending them sprawling across the floor.


    The remaining pirates froze, wide-eyed.


    Mk, less stunned but now definitely more reluctant to stay near Jack, inched further back.


    Jack stretched his arms lazily. "Alright. That was fun." He stepped out of the storage room, casually striding into the open deck where more pirates stood, now gaping at him with sweat beading down their brows.


    "D-Don''t just stand there!" one pirate barked. "Go warn the captain!"


    One of them hesitated before nodding and bolting toward the captain''s quarters.


    Jack raised a hand. "Oh! Tell him to bring a compass, would you?"


    The pirate paused for half a second before snarling, "SHUT UP!" and continued running.


    Jack chuckled. "Alright then." He reached behind his back, pulling out a sleek metal rod. He spun it once in his hand, the steel glinting under the lantern light. Then, planting his feet, he flashed a grin.


    "Let''s dance."

 The Storm Breaks

    Mk had heard stories. Whispered tales from the crew while he scrubbed the floors, carried barrels, and cleaned the bloodstains after another unlucky soul had fallen to Smollet''s cutlass. Stories of cursed men. Supernaturals. Beings who wielded unparalleled strength, enough to match an entire ship of fifty seasoned pirates.


    He had never believed them. Until now.


    Jack moved like he wasn''t normal. Watching him fight in the cramped kitchen¡ªdodging, striking, flipping off walls¡ªMk started to wonder if there was truth to those old sea legends.


    Jack exhaled, stretching his arms casually, his metal rod resting against his shoulder as he eyed the four pirates before him. Three held close-range weapons¡ªone with a cutlass, another with a cleaver, and the last with a broken bottle. The fourth, a pistol wielder, was already stepping back, trying to make space to line up a shot.


    Jack glanced back. "Stay put, kid."


    Mk and Gego had already pressed themselves into a corner between barrels and a shelf stacked with pots.


    Jack twirled his rod. "Alright, let''s dance."


    The three melee fighters lunged. The pistol wielder raised his gun.


    Jack moved first.


    With a sharp flick of his wrist, he hurled his metal rod straight at the gunman. The pirate barely had time to react before the weapon struck him square in the forehead, knocking him out cold. The rod ricocheted off his skull, bouncing into the air¡ª


    ¡ªand Jack was already moving.


    He vaulted over the kitchen counter, landing on the other side just in time to catch the rebounding rod. The two pirates who had lunged at him collided awkwardly into the counter, their swings cutting through empty air.


    The third, however, had adjusted. He twisted mid-step, swinging his cutlass just as Jack landed.


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    Jack blocked, rod meeting steel with a sharp clang. The impact rattled his arm, but he grinned. "Nice try."


    He twisted his weapon, using the momentum to jab the pirate in the stomach, making him double over. A quick downward swing to the back of his head sent him sprawling.


    The two remaining pirates recovered, turning toward Jack with gritted teeth. They moved in unison, one attacking from the left, the other from the right, forcing Jack back step by step.


    Mk held his breath. The kitchen was small, with counters, hanging utensils, and crates stacked against the walls. There wasn''t much room to move, and Jack was being pushed toward a dead end.


    Jack, however, didn''t seem concerned.


    As the pirates swung at him from both sides, he suddenly planted his foot against the back wall¡ª


    ¡ªand kicked off.


    He flipped over their heads, landing smoothly behind them. Before they could turn, he swung his rod in a wide arc, slamming both of them against the wall with a solid thunk. Their bodies slumped to the floor, unconscious.


    Jack landed lightly, did a small hop, and stretched. "Now that''s a warm-up."


    Mk stared at the bodies, then at Jack. Gego clutched his shoulder tightly, both of them now sharing the same thought: This guy is nuts.


    Jack turned, counting on his fingers. "Alright, that''s six down¡­ which means eighteen left."


    Mk blinked. "Huh?"


    Jack nodded toward the doorway. "We got rid of six already. That leaves eighteen, including the captain." He grinned. "Most likely, they''re all waiting for us on the deck by now."


    Mk exhaled. "Yeah¡­ makes sense."


    Jack crouched down and picked up the pistol from the unconscious pirate, turning it over in his hand before tossing it toward Mk.


    "You know how to use one of these?"


    Mk barely caught it, fumbling slightly before steadying his grip. "Well¡­ I did watch the pirates use them on glasses and¡ª" he hesitated, voice dropping, "sometimes¡­ glasses on my head¡­"


    Jack didn''t react to that last part. "Good enough. Keep it with you. Just in case."


    Mk swallowed, staring at the weapon.


    Jack turned to Gego, grabbing a small knife from the counter and handing it to the monkey. "You too, little fella. Keep each other safe."


    Gego gave an excited ewk and twirled the knife in his tiny hands.


    Mk, however, wasn''t as enthusiastic.


    With this gun in his hand¡­ there was no way out now. If Jack failed, there would be no mercy. The pirates wouldn''t let him off easy.


    The only path left was forward.


    The ship creaked under the weight of the waves as they made their way toward the deck. The distant voices of pirates could be heard above, waiting, preparing.


    Jack walked ahead with an easy, relaxed stride, rolling his shoulders. "So, this Smellet guy¡ª"


    "Smollet," Mk corrected.


    "Yeah, yeah, that''s what I said." Jack waved dismissively. "You think he''d be the type to accept a duel?"


    Mk hesitated. "I don''t know¡­ but he does pride himself on his swift kills. Thanks to his poisoned cutlass.Most of his duels end the moment he lands one hit. Even a scratch is enough." Mk shifted the pistol in his grip. "So he fights fast. All offense, no playing around. He''ll rush in and try to finish things immediately."


    Jack rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Huh. Sounds pretty basic."


    Mk shot him a look. "Basic? He''s undefeated."


    Jack only shrugged. "And?"


    Mk exhaled sharply. This guy¡­


    Jack stretched his arms, rolling his shoulders. "Alright, what''s his bounty?"


    "Fifteen thousand rubies. And counting."


    Jack stopped for a second. Blinked.


    "¡­Fifteen?" He smirked. "Pff. Might have to lower that once I''m done with him."


    Mk stared at him.


    This guy is absolutely insane.


    The stairs to the deck were just ahead. The voices of the crew were louder now.


    Jack exhaled, cracking his neck. "Welp. Show time."

 CURSED

    The door creaked open.


    Blinding sunlight spilled into the stairway, making Mk squint. As his eyes adjusted, the scene before him sent a chill down his spine.


    The entire crew stood in formation, a tight circle enclosing the deck, weapons drawn. A wall of men, cutting off any possible escape. And standing at the front, directly ahead, was the man himself¡ªCaptain Smollet.


    The sun gleamed off the edge of his cutlass, reflecting a faint, sickly green sheen¡ªthe poison.


    Smollet''s presence alone was enough to send a weight into Mk''s stomach. He wasn''t particularly large, but the way he carried himself demanded attention. His clothing was a patchwork of stolen riches: a royal navy coat draped over one shoulder, torn at the sleeves; a sash from an Eastern merchant wrapped loosely around his waist; rings from different lands, some too big for his fingers. Everything about him screamed this was taken, not earned.


    His hat, tilted slightly to the side, cast a shadow over his sharp eyes. Eyes that now locked onto Jack with cold amusement.


    Mk gulped.


    Gego, clinging to Mk''s shoulder, let out a nervous ewk.


    Jack, however, simply cracked his neck and rolled his shoulders. "Huh. Expected a bigger audience."


    Smollet took a step forward. His boots barely made a sound, his presence pressing down like an unshakable force.


    "The most insulting thing you can do to a captain," he began, voice smooth yet cutting, "is embarrass his men. In his very ship. In his very presence."


    He stopped a few paces away from Jack, just out of striking distance, though the cutlass in his hand suggested it wouldn''t matter much.


    "And you, my friend¡­ You might as well have spat in my face, walking so freely on my ship." He tilted his head slightly. "So it''s only reasonable¡­"


    In one fluid motion, he unsheathed his cutlass. The blade was thin, curved just slightly, and coated in a dull green poison that shimmered under the sun.


    "¡­That I don''t let you off easy, no?"


    Jack barely looked at the weapon. Instead, he scratched the back of his head.


    "Hey, quick question. You got a compass?"


    Smollet blinked. "What?"


    "A compass," Jack repeated. "A real nice one? Or even a map? You got one of those?"


    Smollet''s expression darkened. "What does that have to do with¡ª"


    Jack sighed. "Well, I was thinking of taking your ship after this, but, y''know¡­ gotta make sure it''s stocked properly. Wouldn''t want to get lost."


    A few pirates exchanged glances. A couple even stifled laughs. Smollet''s grip on his cutlass tightened.


    "You''re awfully relaxed for a man about to die."


    "I''m just trying to make sure you don''t get too nervous," Jack said with a grin. "Wouldn''t want your hands shaking before we even start."


    Smollet exhaled sharply through his nose. His jaw tensed. "You think this is a joke?"


    Jack shrugged. "I mean, kinda? You''re standing there, real serious, with your poison stick¡ª"


    "Cutlass."


    "Sure, whatever. And you''re going on about respect, honor, all that captain-y stuff." He shook his head. "Honestly, I''m just here to leave. You''re the one making it dramatic."


    Smollet closed his eyes for a brief moment. When he opened them, all amusement was gone.


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    "You assume you have the right to leave."


    Jack whistled. "Wow. That almost sounded cool."


    The captain ignored him. His gaze shifted to Mk.


    "And you."


    Mk felt his stomach drop.


    "I gave you a family," Smollet said, voice smooth but laced with something sharper. "Shelter. A place among us. And this is how you repay me?"


    Mk clenched his fists. He knew this was coming. The guilt trip. The attempt to shake him.


    Smollet''s expression didn''t change, but his words cut deeper.


    "No matter. Once this is over¡­" His gaze was cold, his meaning clear. "I''ll make sure you reach your real family."


    Mk''s blood ran cold.


    Smollet turned back to Jack. "I assume you''re here to challenge me?"


    Jack tapped his chin. "Challenge is a strong word. More like¡­ replace."


    That earned a full reaction from the crew¡ªangry murmurs, a few outright curses. Smollet, to his credit, only sighed.


    Jack spun his rod once before resting it against his shoulder. "So, how do you wanna do this? We could stand here and chat all day, but I''d rather skip to the part where I knock you off your own ship."


    Smollet closed his eyes for a brief moment. When he opened them, all the amusement was gone.


    "Fine."


    He pointed his cutlass at Jack, stance shifting, muscles coiled.


    "A duel, then."


    Jack grinned. "Now that''s more like it."


    The tension on the deck reached its peak. The crew stepped back, forming a tighter ring. Mk swallowed hard. Gego clutched his shoulder.


    Jack spun his rod once, taking a relaxed stance. Smollet raised his poisoned cutlass.


    The wind blew. The waves crashed.


    Then¡ª


    They moved.


    The moment the duel began, Smollet wasted no time.


    His movements were swift¡ªgraceful yet lethal. His footwork light, almost dancing across the deck as his poisoned cutlass struck with relentless speed. Each swing came fast, slicing through the air with an audible whoosh, forcing Jack onto the defensive.


    Jack, for his part, moved just as quickly. His staff spun and shifted, blocking, parrying, weaving through Smollet''s strikes. He didn''t counter¡ªonly evaded, meeting the captain''s aggression with calculated patience.


    The fight took them across the deck, their movements blurring as they weaved between barrels, over coils of rope, even up onto the ship''s railing for brief moments. Every step, every dodge was deliberate. Jack matched Smollet''s speed with a relaxed ease, though his grin remained ever-present.


    Mk watched, gripping the pistol Jack had tossed him earlier.


    He had never seen a duel like this before.


    The fights he''d witnessed in the past¡ªscuffles between crew members, brawls in the mess hall¡ªwere nothing compared to this. Those were wild, sloppy, driven by drunken rage or desperation.


    This was different.


    This was like a dance.


    Smollet was sharp, every movement refined. His blade cut through the air with terrifying precision. Every step, every shift in weight¡ªit was practiced, perfected over years of experience.


    And yet¡ªJack kept up.


    Effortlessly.


    Mk had assumed Jack was just some eccentric drifter with quick feet and a sharp tongue. Someone who got by on luck and sheer audacity.


    But now?


    Jack wasn''t just keeping up. He was playing with Smollet.


    The longer Mk watched, the more he realized¡ªJack hadn''t even attacked yet.


    He was toying with the captain.


    "Not bad," Jack mused, narrowly ducking a diagonal slash. "I was half-expecting you to be all talk."


    Smollet didn''t answer, merely pressing forward, his blade a silver blur.


    Jack hopped back, spinning his rod to deflect a thrust. "So tell me, do you sharpen that thing, or do you just let the poison do the work?"


    Smollet''s jaw tightened. He pivoted, swinging a rapid trio of strikes¡ªone, two, three.


    Jack parried all of them.


    "The latter, huh?"


    Mk swallowed. He had never seen Smollet struggle like this.


    And he wasn''t the only one who noticed.


    One of the pirates standing in the circle shifted.


    The pirate''s thoughts swirled as he gripped his sword tighter.


    This was wrong.


    Captain Smollet was the fastest, the deadliest. That''s what they all believed.


    And yet¡ªthis stranger was matching him.


    That wasn''t supposed to happen.


    If the captain struggled, then what did that mean for the rest of them?


    The thought sent a cold shiver down his spine.


    He glanced at the boy¡ªthe stowaway traitor¡ªand the damn monkey beside him.


    His mind made up.


    If he couldn''t help his captain directly, he''d make it easier for him.


    With a sudden step, he lunged toward them.


    Mk''s breath caught. He fumbled with the pistol in his hands, shaking. The pirate was fast, faster than Mk could react. He tried to lift the gun, but¡ª


    The pirate was already there.


    Before Mk could even think to pull the trigger, Gego leaped.


    The monkey, small but fierce, latched onto the pirate''s face with a screech. A blur of brown fur and flashing steel. Gego''s small knife struck again and again, slicing at the pirate''s arms, shoulders¡ªwild but effective. The man screamed, stumbling back as he tried to yank the furious monkey off.


    Mk stood frozen, heart hammering. But then¡ª


    Another pirate moved.


    From behind.


    Mk didn''t see him. Didn''t hear the footsteps. The second pirate raised his blade, about to strike¡ª


    And then¡ª


    A sound.


    A thunderclap.


    Lightning.


    For a split second, the entire ship was illuminated by a brilliant white flash. The air itself cracked.


    And then¡ªsilence.


    Everyone turned.


    The second pirate¡ªthe one who had been about to cut Mk down¡ªwas gone.


    No¡ªhe wasn''t gone. He was there.


    But his head¡ª


    His head was buried into the wooden deck, his body stiff, unmoving.


    A crater formed around the impact, splinters of wood jutting out from where his skull had been driven in. It was as if a force beyond comprehension had struck him down in an instant.


    No one spoke.


    No one breathed.


    All eyes slowly turned to Jack.


    Jack stood where the pirate had once been, arm extended. His rod crackled with residual energy, faint sparks dancing along the metal. His body was relaxed, but his eyes¡ª


    For the first time¡ª


    Were deadly serious.


    Mk''s breath hitched.


    Jack¡­ moved too fast to see.


    One second, he was fighting Smollet. The next¡ª


    He was here.


    And now, a man was dead at his feet.


    That wasn''t normal.


    That wasn''t human.


    Jack turned his gaze to the rest of the crew.


    "Sit down." His voice carried across the ship, smooth but laced with something undeniable. A weight.


    A warning.


    "Stay where you are," he continued. "And watch. Because if any of you move again¡­" He tapped his rod against the deck, and a faint zap echoed. "You will die."


    No one doubted him.


    The pirates, once eager and bloodthirsty, now looked at him with something else. Fear.


    Even Smollet, who had watched the entire thing unfold, was still. His fingers tightened around his cutlass, but for the first time, doubt flickered in his eyes.


    Jack exhaled sharply, rolling his neck. Then, with a light slap to his own face, his usual grin returned.


    "Sorry about that," he said, almost casually. "Had to¡­ adjust my tone for a second."


    Then¡ª


    SWOOSH.


    In the blink of an eye, he was back where he had been, standing before Smollet, as if he had never moved.


    The captain''s grip on his weapon remained firm, but inwardly, something had changed.


    Jack wasn''t just fast. He wasn''t just strong.


    This man¡ª


    No.


    This thing.


    Might just be cursed.

 Surrender

    I am Smollet Equdors.


    Captain of the Equdor Pirates.


    For years, I have sailed the Fleet Lands and the Driftwaters, commanding my crew, plundering what I could, and leaving my mark on these familiar seas. My bounty? Fifteen thousand rubies. A decent sum, a respectable price on my head.


    But in the grand scale of piracy, it was nothing.


    I was stuck. My name, my infamy¡ªit had stopped growing. Two years, and not a single bounty increase. I had reached my limit.


    And so I asked myself¡ªwhat was I missing? What did the true legends of the sea have that I did not?


    And then, the answer hit me.


    Curses.


    All the greatest pirates¡ªthe ones whose names shook the seas, whose bounties soared beyond belief¡ªthey had curses.


    Mythical shortcuts to unfathomable power.


    I had searched for them, hunted for them, obsessed over them. Yet all I found were stories, half-truths, drunken ramblings in the back of seedy taverns.


    I was beginning to lose hope.


    But now¡­ standing before me, in the flesh, was living proof that curses were real.


    This guy


    the way he moved, the sheer force behind his strike¡ª


    That was not human.


    This was the answer. If curses truly existed, then I could find one.


    And so¡ª


    I sheathed my blade.


    The sound of metal sliding into its scabbard echoed across the silent deck.


    Every pirate, every crew member, every soul on board froze.


    Even Mk and Gego, who had been watching in tense anticipation, looked stunned.


    Jack, on the other hand, clicked his tongue.


    "Damn it."


    He smacked himself lightly on the forehead, shaking his head in frustration. "I should''ve held back a little longer..."


    Smollet ignored his complaints.


    Instead, he stepped forward, meeting Jack''s gaze, his expression unreadable. "Where did you find it?"


    Jack raised an eyebrow. "Find what?"


    "Your curse," Smollet said. "Was it in the Fleet Lands?"


    Jack hesitated. Then, after a pause, he sighed and nodded. "Yeah."


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    Smollet exhaled, as if confirming something to himself. "I see."


    With that, he turned to his men.


    "Gather what you can. We''re leaving."


    The pirates blinked.


    Some shifted uncomfortably, glancing at one another in disbelief. But no one dared question their captain. One by one, they began moving, retrieving their belongings, some even taking what little loot they could carry.


    Mk finally snapped out of his shock.


    "Wait, what?! That''s it?"


    Gego chattered in agreement, equally confused.


    Smollet walked past them, ignoring their outbursts. "We''ll be taking two of the lifeboats. Consider it a parting gift."


    Jack crossed his arms, watching Smollet''s composed retreat with an expression of utter boredom. "Huh. That''s it? Thought you''d put up more of a fight."


    Smollet didn''t look back. "Pointless battles are for fools."


    Jack rolled his eyes. "Right, right. Hey¡ªbefore you go," he called out, "you got an isle map?"


    Smollet chuckled. "Isle maps? Those are old school."


    He smirked, stepping onto one of the lifeboats. "Two easts and a west."


    Jack frowned. "That''s it?"


    "That''s it."


    Without another word, Smollet and his crew set off, rowing away from the ship.


    Mk stood there, still trying to process everything. "Did that really just happen?"


    Gego simply scratched his head, muttering something in his own little language.


    Jack just watched the boats drift further away, his expression still filled with disappointment.


    "Tch." He turned on his heel and stretched. "That was boring."


    Jack let out a deep sigh, rubbing his temples as he turned away from the retreating boats.


    "Welp." He rolled his shoulders and cracked his neck. "No point in dwelling on it."


    With that, he shifted his attention to Mk, a small smirk creeping onto his face. "C''mon, kid, let''s go find ourselves a compass or somethin''."


    Mk, still processing everything, blinked. "Huh?"


    Gego chirped and hopped onto Jack''s shoulder as the pirate stretched his arms. "The captain''s quarters. Gotta be something useful in there, right?"


    Mk hesitated for a second before finally snapping out of it. "Oh¡ªuh, yeah. Right."


    With that, the two made their way across the deck, stepping over fallen barrels and scattered weapons from the previous fight. The wooden planks creaked under their feet as they approached the captain''s cabin.


    The door swung open with a loud creak, revealing a room cluttered with stolen treasures, old documents, and scattered trinkets. A large desk sat in the middle, with a window overlooking the vast ocean.


    Jack and Mk immediately began rummaging through drawers and cabinets. Gego, in the meantime, was busy inspecting a rusted telescope, rolling it back and forth on the desk.


    As they searched, Jack casually tossed things aside¡ªa pile of gold coins, a bottle of aged rum, a very suspicious-looking shrunken head.


    Mk, on the other hand, was a bit more careful. He lifted a few maps, unrolled them, then sighed when he realized they were just old, torn sea charts.


    Jack, still rummaging, muttered, "Man, Smollet really cleared this place out before leavin''."


    Mk hesitated for a moment before glancing at Jack.


    "...Mk."


    Jack raised an eyebrow. "Huh?"


    "My name," Mk clarified. "It''s Mk."


    Mk shrugged. "Figured I should tell you since¡­ well, I guess I''m sticking around."


    Jack smirked at that. "Heh. Guess you are."


    Gego chirped in agreement, hopping onto Mk''s head as if sealing the deal.


    But before the moment could settle, Jack groaned, slamming a drawer shut. "Alright, that''s it. No compass, no map¡ªSmollet took everything useful."


    Mk frowned. "Then¡­ how are we supposed to navigate?"


    Jack turned to him with a confident grin. "Easy. We use the directions Smollet gave us."


    Mk blinked. "You mean ''two easts and a west''?"


    "Yep." Jack dusted off his hands and stretched. "That''s all we need."


    Mk''s face scrunched up. "But¡­ how do we know which way is east?"


    There was a brief silence.


    Jack''s grin faltered slightly.


    Mk''s eyes widened. "You don''t know?"


    Jack scoffed, waving a hand dismissively. "Course I know! It''s¡ªuh¡ª" He looked around, then pointed randomly toward the horizon. "That way!"


    Mk stared at him. "That''s south."


    Jack lowered his arm. "...Right."


    Gego, still perched on Mk''s head, raised a tiny hand and pointed in a different direction.


    Mk looked at him, then at Jack. "I think Gego''s right."


    Jack narrowed his eyes at the tiny creature. "You know how to navigate?"


    Gego puffed out his chest proudly.


    Mk sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Okay. So we go two easts and one west. But how do we do that with the ship''s wheel?"


    Jack crossed his arms, deep in thought. "Well, obviously, you turn it two times to the right¡­"


    Mk nodded. "Right."


    Jack nodded back. "Right."


    Mk frowned. "...Wait. Right as in right or right as in ''I agree''?"


    Jack blinked. "...Yes."


    Mk groaned. "Jack!"


    "Look, look," Jack waved his hands. "We''ll figure it out! It''s just turning a wheel. How hard can it be?"

 Pirate isles

    The Pirate Isles¡ªscattered remnants of land, drifting at the boundary between the Fleetlands and the Driftwaters. A haven for outlaws, merchants of the underground, and those who had abandoned the laws of the sea. These isles, shrouded in near-perpetual mist, were protected by more than just secrecy. Rocky rings, unpredictable currents, and the ever-shifting nature of rising waters made them near impossible to navigate without prior knowledge.


    The naval fleet, though with its power, never made these isles their highest of targets. Much of a hassle, with not the greatest promise of success. And so, the Isles remained, thriving in their lawless existence.


    To safeguard these havens, pirates developed their own systems¡ªcoded directions, isle compasses, and the once-revered Isle Maps, though the latter had become outdated due to increasing navy interference. In their place, codes like "two easts and a west" had taken over, guiding those who understood their meaning through the treacherous waters.


    And through those very waters, battered and barely holding, a ship emerged from the thick fog.


    ---


    The vessel limped into the harbor, its tattered sails barely holding, its hull scraped and weathered from the voyage. It was a miracle it had made it at all.


    High above, Gego dangled from the mast, his tiny body swaying like a lifeless flag, dizzy spirals in his eyes. On the deck, Mk was curled up, face a sickly shade of green as he groaned in misery.


    Jack, on the other hand, stood at the helm with his arms crossed, a satisfied grin stretching across his face.


    "Ha. Skipping navigation lessons didn''t backfire after all, Geo." He muttered to himself.


    With a stretch, he turned on his heel and strode toward the captain''s cabin. Inside, the damage wasn''t as bad as the deck, but things were certainly out of place. He dug through scattered belongings until his hands found what he was looking for¡ªtwo weighty bags of rubies.


    Stepping back onto the deck, he held them up with a satisfied nod. "Alright, up on your feet, boys. We got a lot of work to do."


    Mk let out a weak groan, slowly pushing himself up, though his legs wobbled like a newborn fawn. "I think my stomach is still on the last wave¡­"


    Jack ignored him and turned his gaze upward at Gego, who remained frozen in his daze. With a smirk, Jack wobbled toward a nearby bucket, hefting it weakly before lobbing it up toward the mast.


    It landed perfectly upside-down on Gego''s head with a dull thunk.


    The monkey yelped, flailed, then tumbled down, landing squarely on Mk''s already suffering head.


    "Ow¡ª!"


    Gego, now fully awake, blinked and chirped, seemingly unbothered by his earlier predicament.


    Jack grinned, slinging the ruby bags over his shoulder. "Now that''s more like it. Let''s get moving."


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    Mk inhaled deeply, rubbing his temples and slapping his cheeks lightly to shake off the lingering dizziness. As his ears cleared, the world around him came to life.


    The low hum of conversation, the clatter of boots against wooden planks, the distant echoes of laughter and heated arguments¡ªit all blended into a symphony of life.


    Then, as he stepped off the battered ship and onto the harbor, he saw it.


    Green lanterns bathed the docks in an eerie glow, swaying gently from posts and buildings like spectral beacons. Above, a patchwork of pirate Jolly Rogers flapped against the wind, each bearing different symbols¡ªsome simple, some intricate, but all carrying the weight of names and reputations known only in these parts.


    The people, though, were what struck him the most. Men, women, even children, of every shape, size, and background. Some dressed in fine coats with gold trimmings, others in tattered rags. A towering man with a beard like a ship''s rope walked past, chatting with a woman no taller than Mk''s shoulder, her mechanical leg clicking with each step. A group of children ran through the streets, laughing as they weaved between the legs of hardened pirates, unfazed by the cutlasses at their waists.


    "I''ve never seen this much diversity¡­" Mk muttered


    Before he could take it all in, a man in ragged clothing stepped in front of them. His beard was unkempt, his coat little more than loose threads held together by sheer will. He gave Jack a knowing look before jerking his thumb toward the ship.


    "Need someone to watch your vessel, captain? Me and my lads can keep an eye on it ''til your return¡ªfor a few rubies, of course."


    Jack didn''t hesitate. "Fine by me." He flicked a ruby toward the man, who caught it with the grace of someone who had spent years catching thrown coins.


    With a nod, the man reached into his tattered coat, pulled out a piece of old cardboard, and placed it in front of the ship. It simply read: Claimed.


    With a sharp whistle, three men emerged from the shadows, taking their positions like statues around the ship.


    Jack smirked, turning back toward the harbor. "That''s taken care of."


    As they walked down the wooden docks, the scene before them was one of both routine and chaos. Ships of all sizes lined the harbor, their crews either preparing for departure or celebrating their arrival. Merchants shouted out their wares, ranging from exotic spices to stolen treasures. A tattooed man leaned against a barrel, flipping a knife between his fingers, while another pirate haggled with a blacksmith over the price of a repaired saber.


    Mk tilted his head, watching the structured movement of the people. "Huh¡­ this is oddly civil for a ''pirate isle.''"


    Just as the words left his mouth, a sudden crack echoed through the air.


    A man went flying across the dock, landing face-first on the planks with an unceremonious thud. Before Mk could react, two rough-looking figures grabbed the unconscious man by his boots and, without a word, dragged him toward the water¡ªthen promptly dumped him overboard.


    No one so much as batted an eye.


    Mk stared. "¡­Never mind."


    Jack let out a laugh, slapping Mk on the back. "It''s not as bad as it looks. These isles run on a simple truce¡ªhandle your own business and only your own." He gestured around. "See? No one''s bothering with anyone else''s problems. Keeps things running smooth."


    Mk exhaled, shaking his head. "Yeah¡­ fits about right with me."


    As they walked through the harbor, the sounds of the isle grew louder¡ªthe clang of metal from blacksmith shops, the calls of merchants advertising their wares, and the occasional burst of drunken laughter spilling from a tavern. Mk''s eyes wandered across the bustling streets, drawn to the sheer variety of shops that lined the way.


    Antique stores with odd trinkets, dusty books, and rusted weapons stood beside herb vendors selling pungent spices and dried medicinal plants. A jeweler displayed golden rings and gemstones behind reinforced glass, while a butcher shouted about the quality of his freshly carved sea beast meat, the thick scent of salt and iron filling the air.


    "A place like this¡­" Mk mused aloud, his eyes shifting back to the countless pirates around them. "With this many criminals in one spot, wouldn''t it be a field day for the navy?"


    Jack gave a short nod, his gaze scanning the crowd ahead. "You''d think so. The navy pays well for anyone who can expose these isles. But¡­" He glanced at Mk with a knowing smirk. "They''re not as obsessed with justice as they pretend to be."


    "What do you mean?" Mk frowned.


    Jack gestured around them. "The navy doesn''t waste resources unless they''re guaranteed results. They don''t cast their nets unless they know the catch is worth it." He kicked a loose rock off the cobblestone road. "And these isles? Always shifting, always hidden. Never a hundred percent certain¡ªunless there''s a traitor among the pirates."*


    Mk let that thought settle for a moment, then gave a short nod. "So, it''s not just about finding the isles. It''s about making sure they stay found."*


    Jack chuckled. "Bingo"


    Just then, something caught Jack''s eye¡ªa small shop on the side of the road with a wooden sign hanging above the entrance. A simple drawing of a compass was painted onto it, slightly faded from time.


    "Aha!" Jack grinned. "Compass means maps. That''s exactly what we need."*


    "You sure?" Mk raised a brow. "What if it''s just a shop that sells actual compasses?"


    "Then we buy a compass," Jack said without hesitation, stepping toward the store.


    As Mk followed, he barely had time to react before bumping into a passerby¡ªa burly man with a scarred face and a tattered red coat. The impact sent Mk stumbling back a step.


    "Oi, watch it!" The man growled, glaring down at him.


    "Uh¡ªsorry?" Mk offered, though the man had already turned and walked off.


    Gego, perched on Mk''s shoulder, gave an exaggerated shudder, mimicking the man''s scowl. "Gehhh! Watch it!"


    "Oh, shut up." Mk sighed, adjusting his footing before catching up with Jack.


    Jack, however, had barely noticed, already pushing open the compass shop''s door with a confident stride.

 Compass and maps

    The air inside the shop was thick with the scent of old parchment, salt, and brass. Shelves lined the walls, stacked high with aged scrolls, maps rolled into tight cylinders, and compasses of various designs¡ªsome rusted and worn, others polished to a fine gleam. Hanging from the ceiling were ship wheels, barometers, and strange nautical tools whose purpose Mk couldn''t even begin to guess.


    "Whoa¡­" Mk murmured, eyes darting across the countless artifacts.


    Gego, perched on his shoulder, let out an excited chitter before leaping off. The small monkey scurried up a shelf, poking at different objects. He grabbed hold of a brass sextant, inspecting his reflection in the polished surface. Then, losing interest, he moved on, snatching up an old telescope and peering through it.


    "Gego, don''t touch¡ª" Mk started, but the monkey had already swung onto another shelf, knocking over a pile of compasses with a loud clatter.


    "I¡ªuh, sorry!"* Mk winced as he rushed to fix the mess, hastily placing the scattered compasses back in their spots.


    Meanwhile, at the front counter, Jack stood impatiently, slamming his palm against the small brass bell over and over again.


    "Oi! Anyone home? Service? Hello? Someone steal the shopkeeper or what?"


    The bell rang incessantly until finally, from the shadows of the back room, a figure emerged.


    A hunched woman shuffled forward, the floor creaking beneath her steps. She wore a thick, ragged coat that draped over her frame, and her face was mostly obscured by wild, graying hair. A single round glass lens sat over her right eye, magnifying it unnaturally large, while her left socket was empty, covered only by a scarred patch of skin.


    Jack, mid-ring, froze. For a brief second, he took a step back. "Well¡­ that''s a sight."*


    The woman''s enlarged eye squinted at him. "You callin'' me ugly, boy?"


    "No, no!" Jack quickly grinned. "You look good, sir."*


    A heavy silence.


    The woman''s brow twitched. "Ma''am."*


    Jack coughed into his fist. "Er¡ªlooking so strong, you might as well be a sir. Haha!"* He leaned casually against the counter. "Say, got a good map and compass I can use?"


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    The woman didn''t seem amused but reached under the counter and pulled out a worn wooden box. She flipped it open, revealing an assortment of compasses, some gold-rimmed, others scratched and dented from years at sea. Rolled maps were stacked beside them, their parchment edges curled with age.


    Jack let out an appreciative whistle. "Now that''s a treasure chest."* He leaned in, scanning the options. "I need a drift compass and a drift map. Most updated one you got."*


    The woman didn''t hesitate. She reached into the box, pulling out a dark-wood compass with faint carvings on its lid. Then, she grabbed a map from a side drawer, unraveling it slightly to reveal fresh inked markings of islands, currents, and dangerous reefs.


    "500 rubies," she stated flatly.


    Jack pulled out a small bag of rubies, weighing it in his palm. But before handing it over, he leaned on the counter, smirking. "Now hold on a minute, ma''am. Five hundred''s a bit steep, don''t you think?"


    She raised a brow. "Not for a map that won''t get you killed."*


    "Fair point," Jack nodded. "But let''s say, I don''t need the freshest ink¡ªmaybe I like a bit of an adventure, figuring things out for myself. That oughta shave off a hundred, yeah?"


    "And maybe I like charging extra for mouthy customers," she shot back.


    Jack chuckled. "A sharp businesswoman, I respect that."* He drummed his fingers on the counter, pretending to consider. "Alright, alright. Let''s say I buy two compasses, would you cut me a deal?"


    "No."*


    "What if I¡ª"


    "Price just went up. 600."*


    "Now, now, let''s not be hasty¡ª"


    "750."*


    Jack blinked. "¡­Wait, hold on, that''s more than before."*


    The woman crossed her arms. "Didn''t say I was lowering it."*


    A beat of silence. Mk, from the background, peeked over at the counter, watching in mild amusement.


    Jack exhaled, rubbing his temples. "You''re good at this."*


    "I know."*


    With a defeated sigh, Jack tossed the entire bag of rubies onto the counter. "Fine. Take your winnings."*


    The woman smirked slightly before taking the bag and handing over the map and compass.


    Jack took them, examining his new purchases before shaking his head. "Got robbed and I paid extra for it."*


    Mk walked up, arms crossed. "So¡­ how much did you actually need to pay?"


    "Five hundred," Jack admitted. "Somehow, I ended up at seven-fifty."*


    Mk burst out laughing. "You tried haggling and paid more?"


    "Shut up," Jack grumbled, rolling up the map. "Let''s go before she decides to charge me for breathing."*


    With a chuckle, Mk followed as they made their way out, Gego scampering after them, clutching a stolen brass trinket he had swiped from the shelves.


    As they stepped out of the shop and into the lively streets of the Pirate Isle, Mk stretched his arms and exhaled, assuming they would head back to the ship. But after a few steps, he noticed Jack veering off in a different direction.


    Mk furrowed his brows. "Uh, Jack? The ship''s that way."*


    Jack, without breaking stride, simply waved a hand. "Aye, I know."*


    "Then where are we going? We got the map, we got the compass¡ªwhat else is there?"


    Jack glanced over his shoulder with a grin. "Oh, that? That was just an errand. The real reason I came here? I''m looking to find myself a formidable crew. At least a good navigator and a swordsman."*


    Mk raised an eyebrow. "Ahh, I see. And this place¡ªfull of pirates¡ªshould have just that."* He looked around at the bustling marketplace, where pirates of all sizes and shapes bartered, drank, and haggled over stolen goods. "But¡­ won''t the good ones already be taken by the bigger crews?"


    Jack shrugged. "Probably."*


    "Then what does that leave you with?" Mk asked, skeptical. "I mean, no offense, but you don''t exactly have a name out here. What''s your bounty, anyway?"


    Jack blinked. "Huh. Good question."* He scratched his chin as if it had only just occurred to him. "I still haven''t been properly listed as a pirate by the Meridian Fleet, so¡­ basically, I''m a fresh pirate. No bounty yet."*


    Mk stopped walking. "Wait. So you''re telling me¡ª"


    "Aye."* Jack smirked, puffing out his chest. "Untouched by the law, an unmarked rogue of the seas. A free man!"*


    Mk pinched the bridge of his nose. "You''re a nobody."*


    "*A pirate in the making,**" Jack corrected. "Big difference."


    Mk exhaled, shaking his head. "So, our plan is to pick up whoever isn''t wanted by someone bigger and hope they''re actually good?"


    "Exactly!"* Jack grinned, striding confidently down the road. "Now let''s go find ourselves a crew."*