The rising sun cast a gentle light through the cabin window, illuminating Bruce's face as he slowly opened his eyes. He wished desperately that everything he had experienced was just a terrible dream, but the reality of his situation quickly set in - he was still aboard the ship. He let out a heavy sigh, struggling to come to terms with the bizarre events that had unfolded. Questions raced through his mind, and he was desperate for answers. Why was he still alive? How had he ended up in this strange place? What was wrong with this world? It was all too overwhelming and confusing, and for the first time in his life, Bruce felt genuine fear, uncertain of what lay ahead.

Bruce pushed himself out of the makeshift bed and gave himself a firm slap on the face. "Get a hold of yourself, Bruce," he muttered, his face reddening from the self-inflicted blow. It was a crude but effective way to shake off his confusion and fear.

Outside the cabin, a cloaked woman approached the old man, her gaze fixed on him as she inquired, "Captain, were you the one who untied him?" Her tone was serious, and her eyes held a hint of suspicion.

The old man, nodded in response. "Yes, there was no point in keeping him as a prisoner," he replied calmly.

The woman continued to scrutinize him. "It's unusual for you to show concern for someone," she remarked. "What did he do to earn your favor?"

The captain smiled enigmatically, a rare sight for those who knew him well. "He's a clever young man, yet ignorant at the same time," he replied cryptically.

The woman furrowed her brow. "What do you mean by that?" Her curiosity was piqued by the captain's unusual behavior.

"He doesn't know who I am," Captain Morgan explained with a knowing glint in his eyes.

"Wait, he doesn't recognize you? The great Captain Morgan?" The woman was taken aback. "He must be incredibly ignorant. Did he happen to mention how he ended up on this ship?"

"I found him in the water, seemingly drowning. I threw him a rope," the old man lied smoothly. "He doesn't remember much."

The woman pressed further. "Does he know who we are? Does he understand that this ship belongs to the resistance? Did he ask about why we're being pursued and attacked by the empire?"

"I don't believe so. He seems to be from a different place altogether. He knows nothing about me or the Sirenes Cove," Captain Morgan replied. "He hasn't inquired about our situation. All he wanted was to be untied and given food. After that, he fell asleep. He's certainly an interesting character."

As Captain Morgan busied himself catching a fish, he suddenly exclaimed, "Ah, this is a big one!"

The woman nodded in acknowledgment but continued to watch Bruce's behavior with a hint of suspicion. "I'll trust your judgment for now, Captain. But if I catch him doing anything suspicious, I won't hesitate to eliminate him," she warned before turning away and walking off.

Meanwhile, Bruce explored the captain's quarters, searching for some breakfast. He found only bread, a bottle of rum, and water. "No spread again, huh?" he mumbled to himself, grabbing a piece of bread and devouring it hungrily. He washed it down with a swig of water.

Opening a nearby closet, he rummaged through it in search of suitable clothing to blend in with the crew. He recalled his father's teachings on infiltrating enemy hideouts: to blend in, one must adopt the appearance of those around them. Bruce selected a pair of pants and noticed a black cloak hanging nearby. It reminded him of the green cloak the woman had worn, though hers bore a different emblem. This one displayed a golden trident piercing a crown. "This should do the trick," Bruce muttered to himself as he donned the cloak. He also retrieved his black bucket hat, completing his all-black ensemble. He surveyed his reflection and sighed, "I still don't think I'm blending in."

Upon emerging from the captain's quarters, Bruce was met with astonished looks from the crew. Captain Morgan, however, chuckled at the sight of him. Bruce couldn't understand their reactions; had he failed to blend in somehow?

The cloaked woman, her eyes fixed on Bruce's attire, swiftly drew her knives and lunged at him with malicious intent. Bruce's instincts kicked in, and he evaded her attack expertly, seizing her wrist and forcing her to the floor. She wore a look of shock and disbelief.

A man in a purple cloak rushed to the woman's aid, unsheathing his sword and charging at Bruce, aiming for his head. Bruce deftly ducked and grabbed the man's wrist, twisting it until the sword fell from his grip. He then delivered a swift kick to the man's chin, rendering him unconscious. The entire crew watched in awe, unable to comprehend how Bruce had defeated their two skilled fighters so effortlessly.

Bruce maintained a firm grip on the cloaked woman, her hood falling to reveal her beautiful face with flowing blonde hair. He brandished her own knife, pressing it against her neck. "Nobody move, or I'll cut her," he warned the crew.

"Why did you attack me?" Bruce demanded, his gaze locked onto the terrified woman.

She remained silent, her eyes wide with fear. Her body trembled, and it was as if she saw a beast poised to strike. She slowly closed her eyes, bracing herself for what seemed like an inevitable fate.

Bruce noticed the woman's fear and reluctantly released her, turning his attention to the crew. "Anyone else want to come at me? Step forward now!" he declared, making it clear he would not hesitate to defend himself.

The crew members, paralyzed by fear, felt an icy chill run down their spines as they met Bruce's unwavering gaze. They understood that attempting to attack him would likely result in their deaths.

Captain Morgan finally intervened, his voice calm and authoritative. "That's enough," he said.

Bruce immediately began to calm down, relinquishing the knife. "What's wrong with these people, Old Man?" he asked, frustrated. "I thought you explained that I'm not from the empire or an assassin; I'm just a regular guy."

"I did explain your situation to them," Captain Morgan replied, picking up the unconscious man in the purple cloak and placing him beside the woman. "Take care of her, Princess."

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

As the princess lowered her hood, revealing her long green hair, Bruce realized that he had mistakenly assumed her gender, thinking she was a man due to her armor. Her hand began to glow with a soft light, and she used her magic to heal the wounded woman, who had clearly felt the force of Bruce's attack.

Bruce watched in astonishment as the woman's hand emitted a radiant glow, witnessing magic for the first time. He couldn't believe his eyes and was once again thrown into confusion. This world was unlike anything he had ever known, where magic was real.

"Why did you attack me?" Bruce asked the woman, his curiosity overriding his initial anger.

The woman remained silent, unable to find her voice. She continued to look into Bruce's eyes, her fear unabated. To her, he still resembled a formidable beast, ready to consume her at any moment.

Bruce's stern expression softened as he saw the sheer terror in the woman's eyes. He slowly released her, keeping the knife lowered, and turned his attention back to the crew. "If anyone else has a problem with me, speak up now," he declared, his eyes piercing through the uneasy onlookers.

No one dared to move or challenge him. The chill that Bruce had sent through their spines remained, and the crew understood the consequences of testing this enigmatic newcomer.

Captain Morgan stepped forward, a calming presence in the tense atmosphere. "Princess, calm yourself," he said gently to the woman. "You were the one who attacked first, and he merely defended himself."

The princess, still shaken but slowly regaining her composure, was momentarily rendered speechless. She realized that her rash actions had led to this situation.

"We mustn't act hastily," Captain Morgan continued, addressing the entire crew. "You saw his abilities. He easily overpowered both the princess and our skilled fighter. If he intended harm, he could have executed it at any moment. Let us be patient and observe."

Reluctantly, the crew members nodded in agreement. Captain Morgan's words carried weight, and they understood the wisdom in showing restraint.

Meanwhile, Bruce took the opportunity to gather himself and make sense of his surroundings. He now understood why they were being pursued by the empire and why the crew had reacted with suspicion when they first encountered him.

The realization hit him like a ton of bricks. "These people are all wanted people, and it's incredibly dangerous to be associated with them. I need to find a way off this ship."

Bruce had no intention of putting his newfound lease on life at risk by continuing to travel with this group. In a world where he knew nothing about the balance of power, it was best to remain uninvolved. He didn't know who could be trusted or who the real enemies were.

"I need to talk to the old man," Bruce thought to himself, referring to Captain Morgan.

"Captain, you saved a demon!" the princess exclaimed angrily, her voice still filled with unease. "He's not human; his eyes! He's dangerous. We must leave this ship immediately. He's wearing the cloak as if it means nothing!"

Captain Morgan maintained his composed demeanor. "Princess, calm down," he said soothingly. "I was amazed too on how he can wear that cloak without dying but you shouldn't initiated the attack."

Frustration welled up in the princess as she grappled with her emotions. "We have to get rid of him," she insisted. "We don't know what he might do to us. I should have killed him when he was tied up."

"Do you truly believe that would have been the right course of action?" Captain Morgan asked, his tone gentle but firm. "You saw what he's capable of. Even you, one of our most skilled fighters, were swiftly defeated. We need to exercise caution and not act impulsively. If he truly wanted to harm us, he could have done so earlier."

The princess fell silent, accepting Captain Morgan's reasoning. She was beginning to see the logic in his words.

"Just refrain from any further actions for now," Captain Morgan advised her.

Turning away from the conversation, Captain Morgan decided it was time to speak with Bruce. He made his way to the cabin door and knocked politely, receiving no response. He opened the door and was surprised to find the cabin empty. He searched every nook and cranny but found no sign of Bruce.

Growing increasingly concerned, Captain Morgan called out, "Bruce?"

There was still no answer. Wondering how Bruce could have disappeared from the cabin, Captain Morgan was about to leave and inform the crew when a voice suddenly whispered in his ear, "Boo..."

Startled beyond belief, Captain Morgan let out a high-pitched scream like a young girl. He couldn't contain his shock and fear.

"You rascal! You nearly scared me to death!" Captain Morgan exclaimed, his heart pounding in his chest.

Bruce couldn't help but laugh heartily at the captain's reaction. "I'm sorry, old man," he chuckled. "I thought someone was sneaking up on me, so I hid in the corner of the ceiling. And then, well, I found it quite funny."

Captain Morgan grumbled in annoyance, "You're a strange one, you know that? You were intimidating earlier, but now you're just a nuisance. In my younger days, I could have stabbed you while you were sneaking around."

Bruce continued to laugh, tapping the old man's shoulder playfully. "Yeah, right. After hearing you scream, I doubt you could have managed it."

Captain Morgan, while still annoyed, managed a small smile. Bruce's laughter was infectious, and it seemed to ease the tension that had gripped the ship.

"I need to speak with you, Old Man," Bruce said, his tone serious. "I believe it's time for me to leave this ship. Can you help me with that?"

The old man remained silent, his gaze fixed on Bruce.

"You're the only one I trust here, Old Man," Bruce continued. "I know you're a kind-hearted person. First, you saved me. Second, you untied me. Third, you gave me food. Those actions spoke volumes, and I believe you're the one the crew listens to."

The old man finally spoke, posing his question, "Where are you from, and how did you end up falling from the sky?"

Bruce hesitated. He knew that sharing the full truth of his situation would likely be met with disbelief. So, he decided to provide a slightly altered version of events.

"You know, Old Man, I don't really remember how I ended up falling from the sky," Bruce admitted. "But as you've probably noticed, I'm not from around here. I come from a distant land, much more advanced than this one, judging by the technology and people I've seen on this ship. You all wield knives and swords here. I found a sword in the closet, which I assume is yours, along with a dress with an 'M' initial. You were also wearing a necklace." Bruce gestured to his own necklace. "I've put two and two together and figured out who you are. You've been hiding your identity quite well. But that's not the point. Where I came from weapons like guns are the norm, not blades."

"Guns?" The old man was perplexed, having never heard of such a weapon.

Bruce smirked, realizing that his explanation might be a bit challenging for the old man to grasp. "You see, guns are like powerful magic wands in my world," he elaborated. "And, interestingly, magic doesn't exist there."

Captain Morgan was taken aback by Bruce's words. He couldn't fathom a world without magic, considering his own proficiency in it.

"But HOW?" Captain Morgan asked, trying to wrap his head around the concept. "Doesn't mana exist?"

Bruce chuckled at the word "mana." "Mana does exist, but only in games," he clarified.

The old man took a moment to absorb this information, imagining a world where magic was a mere fictional concept. He couldn't help but wonder how people survived in such a place, how they defended themselves without magic, and what their lives were like.

But Captain Morgan's questions were interrupted as he felt compelled to investigate further. He stepped behind Bruce, extending his hand as if trying to sense something. Bruce felt an unusual warmth on his back, but it wasn't painful. The old man's hand began to emit a soft, radiant glow, casting shadows on the cabin walls.

"For the first time in my life, I don't sense a Mana Core in you," Captain Morgan said in amazement, his voice tinged with disbelief. "You truly don't possess one. Everything you've told me must be the truth."

Bruce nodded, realizing that Captain Morgan was finally coming to terms with his extraordinary situation. "Yes, Old Man, I'm not like the people of this place. Everything I've said is genuine."

Captain Morgan's mind raced with thoughts about a place devoid of magic. He couldn't fathom how people in such a place managed their lives without the magic he had always taken for granted.

Bruce decided to continue the conversation. "I need your help, Old Man," he stated with determination. "I must find a way off this ship. Can you help me?"

The old man remained silent for a moment, his eyes studying Bruce carefully. Finally, he spoke, "I can provide you with one of our smaller boats and drop you off near city. However, you must tell me the truth."

Bruce looked at Captain Morgan, his curiosity piqued. "Thank you, Old Man. Ask your question, and I'll answer as best I can."

The captain took a deep breath and inquired, "Where are you really from!"

"You know, Old Man, I truly don't remember how I ended up falling from the sky," Bruce replied, his tone thoughtful. "But as I've mentioned, I come from a distant land that's much more technologically advanced than this one. I've observed the ship and its crew, and it's clear to me that you all are very different from the people I know."

Captain Morgan furrowed his brow, clearly struggling to comprehend Bruce's explanation. "You said about, what is that, 'Guns' is that a magic weapon? "

Bruce couldn't help but smile at the misunderstanding. "You could say that, Old Man. In my world, guns are simply tools made of metal, not magic. And, as I mentioned earlier, magic doesn't exist there."

The old man's eyes widened as he tried to wrap his head around this new concept. He had lived his entire life in a world where magic was an integral part of existence, and the idea of a world without it was unfathomable.

Bruce decided to delve deeper into the topic. "But how is that possible? Mana is everything." Captain Morgan inquired, still attempting to grasp the concept.

Bruce chuckled at the mention of mana again. "Mana does exist, but it's only a concept in games," he explained again. "In reality, it's not something we use. People in my world rely on technology and science to achieve what people accomplishes here."

Captain Morgan's mind was racing with questions and disbelief, but he couldn't deny the earnestness in Bruce's eyes. The idea of a place without magic fascinated and puzzled him simultaneously.

As they continued their conversation, the two men were faced with the vast differences in their respective worlds, leading Captain Morgan to ponder the incredible diversity that existed beyond the boundaries of his own reality.