The sea was still slightly rough.
The two ships remained loosely connected by a snapped rope line, swaying with the waves.
Pirates were still boarding.
Still fighting.
Kevin stood on his ship's deck, sword already drawn.
His expression didn't change.
Not once.
"…Still more."
A pirate rushed him from the side.
Fast swing downward.
Kevin stepped in.
Not back.
In.
Clang!
Blade deflected cleanly.
A second movement followed immediately.
One strike.
The pirate dropped.
No hesitation.
No wasted motion.
More pirates came from the rope line.
Two at once.
Then three.
Kevin exhaled slowly.
"…Crowded entry points are predictable."
He shifted position slightly.
Letting them funnel in.
First attacker swung wide.
Kevin ducked.
Elbow strike.
The man stumbled into the next attacker.
Clang!
Their weapons collided.
Kevin stepped through the gap.
One clean slash.
Another down.
On the enemy ship—
The captain narrowed his eyes.
"…He's controlling space."
Not brute strength.
Not overwhelming force.
Positioning.
Timing.
Flow control.
Kevin glanced at the rope line again.
Still more coming.
"…This is inefficient."
He stepped forward and grabbed the rope connecting both ships.
For a second—
The pirates hesitated.
Then Kevin pulled.
Hard.
The rope snapped fully loose from his side.
The two ships drifted apart slightly.
Several pirates lost footing and fell into the sea.
Splash!
"Damn it!" one shouted from the water.
"Get back on the ship!"
Kevin didn't respond.
He simply turned back toward the remaining attackers.
"…Less now."
The pirate captain finally stepped forward.
Now visible clearly.
Scarred face.
Heavy blade.
Experienced fighter.
"…You're not a normal brat."
Kevin replied calmly.
"…You're not organized enough to win this."
The captain smirked.
"…Bold words."
He jumped across the gap.
Directly toward Kevin.
This time—
The attack was different.
Faster.
Heavier.
Clean intent.
Kevin blocked.
Clang!!
The impact pushed him back slightly.
"…Strong."
Not overwhelming.
But real combat skill.
The pirate captain pressed forward.
Second strike.
Third.
Kevin adjusted his stance.
He stopped reacting.
Started reading.
"…Pattern."
A slight pause between swings.
Right side favoring power.
Left side slightly slower.
Kevin stepped in at that gap.
Clang!
Their blades locked.
The captain grinned.
"…Got you."
Kevin looked at him calmly.
"…No."
Then he twisted his wrist slightly.
Redirected pressure.
The captain's balance broke.
Just slightly.
That was enough.
Kevin stepped forward and struck once.
Clean.
Direct.
No flourish.
The captain staggered back.
Not down yet.
But injured.
Silence fell between them.
Only waves and creaking ships remained.
The captain exhaled heavily.
"…You're learning fast."
Kevin replied.
"…You're predictable."
That hit harder than the blade.
The captain laughed once.
Then raised his hand.
"…Enough."
His remaining crew paused.
Confused.
"…We're done here."
Kevin didn't lower his sword.
"…Retreat?"
The captain nodded.
"…Not worth losing the ship over a drifting target."
The pirates began pulling back.
Cutting remaining ropes.
Retrieving fallen men from the water.
No victory celebration.
No final clash.
Just withdrawal.
As their ship drifted away, the captain looked at Kevin one last time.
"…Next time we meet, I won't underestimate you."
Kevin replied calmly.
"…There won't be a next time."
Silence.
Then the ships finally separated completely.
Only then did Kevin lower his sword.
"…It's over."
The sea returned to calm motion.
As if nothing had happened.
Kevin stood on deck alone for a moment.
Breathing steady.
No injuries beyond minor strain.
"…Not strong enough to threaten me yet."
But not weak either.
This was the level of the sea now.
Only after that—
Only after the battle truly ended—
Kevin turned toward the dockyard island in the distance.
"…Now repairs."