The sun was just starting to drop, turning the sky orange and gold over Shinni Island.
Funko walked down the dirt path like he always did. The island was small. Not much to do. A few houses, some shops, and a whole lot of empty land. The ocean stretched out forever on every side. Same view every day.
He didn't mind.
Funko was tall for his age. 18 years old, with long black hair that flowed halfway down his back. It moved a little every time the wind passed. His face looked calm, but there was something sharp in his eyes. Like he was always waiting for something more. He wore a simple white tank top and long black pants. Nothing fancy. Nothing special.
Just him.
"Another boring day…" he muttered.
Right on cue, the ground shook.
Then
BOOM.
The dirt path exploded as creatures burst out from all sides. Around fifty of them. None of them human. Some had horns, some had scales, others had claws longer than knives. They surrounded him instantly, growling and snapping.
Funko didn't even stop walking.
The first one jumped.
Tap.
It dropped.
Another rushed in from the side.
Tap.
Down.
Then five at once.
Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap.
Every single one fell like it got turned off. No struggle. No fight. Just one clean hit each.
Within seconds, all fifty creatures were laid out on the ground, groaning.
Funko finally stopped walking.
"…You guys done?" he asked, scratching his head.
One of the monsters, a big one with cracked horns, slowly pushed itself up.
"Damn, Funko… when are you gonna move off this island?" it growled. "You keep saying you want someone to challenge you, but you already know this island, Shinni Island, is the weakest island in the 1st Sea!"
"Yeah, just leave already!" another one yelled from the ground.
Funko let out a small laugh.
"Forget it. I like it here."
The creatures all started yelling at once.
"You're wasting your life!"
"There's nothing here for you anymore!"
"You're too strong for this place!"
Funko looked around at them. Same complaints. Same talk.
Every. Single. Time.
He sighed.
"…You guys are annoying."
"THEN LEAVE!" they all shouted.
Funko paused.
Then he clicked his tongue.
"…Fine, I'll go, dammit!"
The whole group froze.
"…Wait, seriously?" one of them asked.
Funko turned around, already walking back toward the village.
"Yeah, yeah. Before I change my mind."
Later that night, the island was louder than usual.
Everyone had gathered near the docks. Small boats rocked gently on the water. The waves were calm.
Funko stepped onto a simple wooden boat. Nothing special. Just enough to leave.
He looked back.
The same monsters he fought earlier were now waving at him like idiots. Some villagers too, but mostly the creatures.
"See ya, Funko! We'll miss you!" they all yelled.
Funko smirked.
"…Jackasses."
He laughed.
Then he pushed off.
The boat slowly drifted away from Shinni Island. The place he stayed his whole life.
Funko sat down, looking out at the endless ocean ahead.
For the first time in a long time…
He smiled a little wider.
"Alright… let's see if this sea's actually got something for me."
To Be Continued!