> The sea was calm.
Too calm.
Kael stood at the center of the deck.
Eyes on him.
Pirates.
Slaves.
All waiting.
---
He said nothing.
But his silence…
Was heavier than any command.
---
One of the freed slaves stepped forward.
Chains still hanging from his wrists.
> "What now?"
His voice trembled.
Not from weakness.
From uncertainty.
---
Others followed.
Slowly.
Carefully.
---
> "Are we free… or just under a new master?"
---
That question—
Cut deep.
---
Kael looked at them.
Long.
Calm.
---
> "You're alive."
A pause.
---
> "That's already more than what this world gives."
---
Silence.
---
Some lowered their heads.
Others… clenched their fists.
---
Good.
---
Kael turned away.
> "If you want to leave, leave."
> "If you want to stay…"
A slight pause.
---
> "Don't slow me down."
---
No speech.
No promises.
---
Only truth.
---
Behind him—
Something shifted.
---
A few slaves broke their chains completely.
Stepping forward.
---
Others… walked away.
Jumping into the unknown.
---
Kael didn't stop them.
Didn't care.
---
Weak ones die.
Strong ones survive.
---
That was enough.
---
But then—
---
> "So this is your answer."
---
The voice came from below.
---
Cold.
Amused.
---
Kael didn't turn.
---
Footsteps echoed.
Heavy chains dragging.
---
CLANG… CLANG…
---
The Prisoner…
Was standing at the entrance of the lower deck.
---
Still chained.
---
Still smiling.
---
But something changed.
---
The air… tightened.
---
Everyone felt it.
---
Pressure.
---
Even Kael's eyes narrowed slightly.
---
> "You came out on your own?"
---
The man shrugged.
Chains rattling.
---
> "You left the door unlocked."
---
Lie.
---
Kael knew it.
---
But he said nothing.
---
The Prisoner stepped forward.
Slow.
Confident.
---
> "So…"
He tilted his head.
---
> "Have you decided?"
---
Silence.
---
All eyes… on Kael.
---
Seconds passed.
---
Heavy.
---
Then—
---
Kael spoke.
---
> "Talk."
---
A grin spread across the Prisoner's face.
---
> "Simple."
He raised a finger.
---
> "You free me…"
---
A second finger.
---
> "I give you power."
---
A pause.
---
Then—
---
> "And information."
---
That…
Was new.
---
Kael's gaze sharpened.
---
> "What kind?"
---
The man smiled wider.
---
> "About you."
---
Silence.
---
The wind stopped.
---
Even the sea…
Felt distant.
---
> "You think you're special?"
---
A step forward.
---
Chains tightening.
---
> "You're not the only one who came from another world."
---
💀
---
The deck froze.
---
Kael's eyes—
Didn't move.
---
But inside—
Something shifted.
---
> "Proof."
---
The Prisoner laughed softly.
---
> "Good."
> "You're not stupid."
---
He leaned forward slightly.
---
> "Then let me ask you…"
---
A pause.
---
> "Why do you think you got that 'system'?"
---
Silence.
---
That word—
Hit.
---
Hard.
---
Kael didn't react.
---
But the Prisoner saw it.
---
Of course he did.
---
> "Yeah…"
He whispered.
---
> "I can see it."
---
A smile.
Dark.
Knowing.
---
> "Now tell me…"
---
> "Do you still want to fight this world blind?"
---
Or—
---
> "Do you want to understand it?"
---
Silence.
---
Everyone…
Watching.
---
Waiting.
---
Kael stepped forward.
---
Closer.
---
Face to face.
---
Danger…
Meeting danger.
---
> "If you're lying…"
---
His voice dropped.
---
Cold.
---
> "You die."
---
The Prisoner smiled.
---
> "If I am…"
---
A pause.
---
> "You won't get the chance."
---
Silence.
---
Then—
---
Kael raised his hand.
---
Toward the chains.
---
The entire deck…
Held its breath.
---
> The next chapter… something will be unleashed.
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