Limitless Seas

Ethan leaned against the bounty board, scanning the names. His wasn't there. Not yet.

Pirates and bounty hunters crowded the docks, their levels glowing above their heads. Some laughed, some argued, others just drank and waited for their next fight. Strength was everything in this world. If you were weak, you were nothing.

"You still hanging around here?"

Ethan didn't need to turn. He knew that voice—Kane. Cocky bastard, always running his mouth.

He exhaled through his nose. "Yeah. So what?"

Kane stepped closer, the glow of Level 22 floating above his head. "So, it's embarrassing. You're still at Level 5."

Ethan ignored him. No point in arguing with someone who thought levels were everything.

"You're never gonna make it past these docks," Kane said. "You don't even have a weapon. What, you planning to punch your way to the top?"

Ethan finally looked at him. "Maybe."

Kane smirked. "Then let's see it."

The crowd around them went quiet. Fights happened all the time, but this one had a different energy. Kane was stronger, but Ethan wasn't backing down. That meant something.

Ethan rolled his shoulders. "You sure? I'd hate to embarrass you."

Kane laughed. "Alright, tough guy. Show me what you got."

The moment the words left his mouth, Ethan moved.

He closed the distance fast, throwing a punch straight at Kane's jaw. Kane leaned back, dodging by inches. His hand went to his cutlass, drawing it in one smooth motion.

Ethan cursed and jumped back just as Kane slashed. The blade cut through the air, missing his chest by a hair.

"Not bad," Kane said. "But not good enough."

He swung again. Ethan ducked, then drove his fist into Kane's ribs. The impact made Kane grunt, but he didn't step back. Instead, he grabbed Ethan's arm and yanked him forward, kneeing him in the stomach.

Ethan coughed, stumbling.

[HP: 72/100]

Kane didn't let up. He slashed again, the blade cutting into Ethan's shoulder.

[HP: 58/100]

"You're slow," Kane said.

Ethan wiped the blood off his arm. "And you talk too much."

He rushed forward again. Kane raised his sword, ready to slash, but Ethan feinted left—then stepped right, driving his elbow into Kane's face.

Kane staggered.

Ethan followed up with a right hook, then a knee to the gut.

[Critical Hit!]

Kane grunted, eyes widening as his health dropped.

[Kane HP: 68%]

"Motherf—" Kane growled, shaking his head. He activated his skill. [Rapid Slash]. His sword blurred as he attacked.

Ethan barely dodged the first strike. The second cut across his chest.

[HP: 42/100]

Pain flared, but he didn't stop. He stepped in close before Kane could finish his combo, grabbing his wrist. Then, with a sharp twist, he forced Kane's sword arm down and slammed his fist into his jaw.

[Opponent Stunned!]

Kane staggered, eyes unfocused. Ethan didn't waste the opening. He grabbed Kane's collar and drove his knee into his ribs, then slammed his fist into his face.

The impact sent Kane crashing to the ground.

Silence.

Then—

[Victory!]

[EXP Gained: 320]

Ethan stood over him, breathing hard. He pulled up his status screen.

[Level Up!]

[Level: 6 → 7]

The crowd murmured. Some looked impressed. Others pissed.

Ethan turned and walked away. He didn't care what they thought.

This was just the beginning.