The wind felt strange.
Zak stood quietly on the deck of his small ship, looking ahead at the mysterious land in front of him. He took a slow breath and crossed his arms.
"Today the wind is really cold…," he said softly. "So the stories about the City of Iceheat were true. That's impressive."
In front of him, the city looked unreal. One side of it glowed like fire, burning under extreme heat, while the other side looked frozen, covered in ice and cold mist. It was a place of two extremes—burning days and freezing nights.
Zak smiled slightly.
"This is going to be fun."
The sun was slowly setting, and the temperature around him began to drop even more. The sea moved restlessly, as if something big was about to happen.
Then suddenly—
Zak's eyes narrowed.
Far across the ocean, something appeared.
A ship.
Not just any ship.
A large, dark ship with heavy cannons and a symbol Zak recognized instantly.
"That's… not possible," he whispered.
He leaned forward, focusing harder.
"That's the Monster Crew's ship… right? What is it doing here?"
The ship was not just passing by. It was moving fast—straight toward him.
Most people would panic in this situation.
Zak didn't.
Instead, he smiled.
"Perfect timing."
He grabbed the wheel and turned his small ship toward the incoming enemy.
"Let's see what you've got."
The distance between the two ships quickly became smaller. The wind grew stronger, and the waves rose higher, crashing against both ships as if the ocean itself was preparing for a battle.
Then—
BOOM!
A loud explosion echoed across the sea.
The Monster Crew fired a cannon.
A massive cannonball shot through the air, heading directly toward Zak's ship.
Zak didn't move back.
He stepped forward.
"Is that all?"
He raised his hand.
"Beast Laser Punch!"
A powerful blast of energy shot from his fist and collided with the cannonball. But instead of destroying it, Zak redirected it.
The cannonball changed direction—
—and flew back toward the Monster Crew's ship.
The pirates on the enemy ship panicked.
"What?!"
But just before the cannonball could hit—
A man stepped forward.
He drew his sword in one smooth motion…
—and cut the cannonball in half.
Clean. Perfect. Effortless.
The two halves fell into the sea.
Zak watched this carefully.
His smile grew wider.
"Who is that…?" he murmured.
Then he chuckled.
"This fight might actually be interesting."
The ships were now very close. Close enough for both sides to clearly see each other.
The swordsman stepped forward.
His face became visible.
Zak's expression changed for a moment—
then he laughed.
"It's been a long time…"
The swordsman spoke in a cold voice.
Zak looked straight at him.
"You…," he said. "You're still alive."
There was a short pause.
"Querry."
The air grew tense.
Two former friends stood face to face.
Now enemies.
In the next moment—
Both of them jumped.
They moved at the same time and attacked without hesitation.
Zak's fist glowed with energy.
"Beast Laser Punch!"
Querry's sword crackled with power.
"Thunder Slash!"
Their attacks collided.
A powerful explosion shook the air. The sea beneath them reacted violently, waves rising high as the energy spread in every direction.
The crew members on both ships were forced to step back.
This was no ordinary fight.
But one thing became clear very quickly—
Querry was stronger.
Zak was pushed back, his feet sliding across the deck as he struggled to hold his ground.
Before he could recover—
Querry appeared in front of him.
Fast.
Precise.
His sword stopped at Zak's neck.
Everything went silent.
"Now…" Querry said calmly, "I'll take your bounty… and your life."
Zak didn't move.
Querry looked directly into his eyes.
"Any last wish?"
Zak slowly closed his eyes.
And then—
A memory appeared.
They were younger.
Standing at a small port by the sea.
Zak and Querry.
Laughing.
Dreaming.
"One day, we'll become the strongest pirates!" Querry said excitedly.
Zak smiled.
"Yeah… but we'll do it the right way."
Querry didn't answer.
A few days later—
Zak checked his money.
Some of it was gone.
He turned to Querry.
"Did you take it?"
Querry looked at him.
"Yes."
Zak was shocked.
"Why?"
"Because I need power," Querry said without hesitation. "And I'll do whatever it takes to get it."
"That's wrong," Zak replied.
"Right or wrong doesn't matter," Querry said coldly.
They fought.
Anger replaced friendship.
But in the end, Zak lowered his hand.
"Fine," he said quietly. "I'll forgive you… just say sorry. And don't steal again."
Querry's answer was immediate.
"I won't say sorry."
A pause.
"And I won't stop stealing."
Zak stared at him.
"Because I want to become a powerful sea pirate."
That day—
Their friendship ended.
Zak opened his eyes.
The sword was still at his neck.
He spoke slowly.
"I want you… to say sorry."
Querry's expression didn't change.
"Still thinking about that?" he asked.
"Yes."
Silence.
Then—
Querry raised his sword.
Without hesitation—
He attacked.
A powerful slash cut through the air, creating a blinding flash of light.
For a moment—
No one could see anything.
The smoke cleared slowly.
The ships were quiet.
The crew stood frozen.
No one knew what happened.
Was Zak alive?
Was he dead?
Was he injured?
No one could tell.
But one thing was certain—
This battle was not over.
And the real war…
had just begun.
To be continued…