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—dodging, striking, flipping off walls—Mk 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—one 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—

—and 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—

—and 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—" 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—"

"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."