Limitless Seas

Ethan sat on the docks, staring at the open sea. His body still ached from the fight with Darius, but that wasn't what bothered him.

He had leveled up. He was stronger. But it still didn't feel like enough.

The docks were quieter than usual. Most of the bounty hunters and pirates had gone back to their usual business, but a few still eyed him from a distance. His fight had made an impression. That wasn't always a good thing.

"Still breathing, huh?"

He turned his head. A woman stood a few feet away, arms crossed. Short black hair, sharp eyes, and a dagger strapped to her hip.

Level 18.

Ethan sighed. "You here to fight too?"

She smirked. "Not unless you do something stupid."

Ethan leaned back. "Then what do you want?"

She sat down on a crate, resting her elbows on her knees. "I saw your fight with Darius."

"Yeah? And?"

"You're reckless," she said. "But you don't give up. That's rare."

Ethan scoffed. "You here to give me advice or what?"

She shrugged. "Depends. You got a plan, or are you just throwing punches and hoping for the best?"

Ethan didn't answer. Because honestly? He wasn't sure.

Jade chuckled. "Figured."

There was a long silence before Ethan finally spoke. "Who are you?"

"Jade."

"Pirate or bounty hunter?"

She smirked. "Neither. Yet."

Ethan raised a brow. "Yet?"

She leaned back. "I want to get stronger. Same as you."

Ethan watched her for a moment. "Then why talk to me? I'm not that strong."

"Not yet," she said. "But you're climbing. And I like to keep an eye on people who might be worth knowing later."

Ethan huffed. "So I'm just a future investment to you?"

Jade grinned. "Something like that."

Ethan looked back at the ocean. The waves moved slowly, endless and unforgiving. Just like the path ahead of him.

"What's your plan?" Jade asked.

Ethan didn't answer right away. He had been fighting, leveling, surviving. But was that really a plan?

Finally, he spoke. "I need to find a way off this island."

Jade nodded. "Good. You're thinking ahead."

Ethan frowned. "You got a ship?"

She laughed. "If I did, do you think I'd still be stuck here?"

Ethan sighed. "Fair point."

Jade stood up. "If you figure something out, let me know. I wouldn't mind getting off this rock."

Ethan glanced at her. "You asking to team up?"

She smirked. "I'm saying I don't like being stuck in one place. And right now, you seem like the best shot at leaving."

Ethan wasn't sure if he trusted her. But he also knew he couldn't do this alone.

"I'll think about it," he said.

Jade nodded. "You do that."

She walked off, leaving Ethan alone with his thoughts.

He had leveled up. He had fought stronger opponents. But he wasn't any closer to his real goal.

He needed a crew. He needed a ship.

And he needed to get the hell off this island.

He pulled up his status screen again, scrolling through his stats. Strength, speed, endurance—all of it had improved, but he was still far from where he needed to be.

[EXP: 220/900]

He sighed. Grinding levels would take too long. He needed something bigger.

Then an idea hit him.

There were always new ships docking at this island. Merchant ships, pirate crews, bounty hunters looking for supplies.

If he couldn't buy a ship, he'd steal one.

A voice interrupted his thoughts.

"You look like you're planning something dangerous."

Ethan turned. An older man sat on a nearby barrel, watching him with a knowing smirk. His beard was gray, his coat tattered, but his Level 46 glowed bright.

Ethan narrowed his eyes. "And who the hell are you?"

The man chuckled. "Just someone who's been around long enough to recognize when a fool's about to do something stupid."

Ethan didn't say anything.

The man stretched. "If you're thinking about stealing a ship, you better know what you're doing. Otherwise, you'll be fish food before you even leave the dock."

Ethan crossed his arms. "You got a better idea?"

The man shrugged. "Maybe. Depends on what you're willing to risk."

Ethan stared at him. He didn't like this. But if there was a faster way off this island, he needed to hear it.

"Talk," Ethan said.

The man grinned. "Now we're getting somewhere."