fter Karsa got onto the boat with Bolcan and his two friends, the sea they were passing through was like the clear sky; you couldn't see anything in front of you except complete blueness.
Bolcan said, "After realizing it, I don't think we introduced ourselves correctly. My name is Bolcan Ronen, and I am an A-rank Hunter. My annoying friend here is Meson, a B-rank Hunter, and lastly, my calm friend there is Roval, also a B-rank Hunter."
(Hunters are people who provide protection or fight for money. Their rights are protected by the Hunters Guild, and they are ranked by power from F to S).
Karsa replied, "My name is Karsa Novan, and I am a soldier."
Bolcan: "Oh? A soldier? From what nation exactly?"
Karsa: "The Great Sun Empire."
Everyone froze in shock, their faces filled with expressions of fear and confusion.
Bolcan thought to himself: "Great Sun?! What is a soldier from the Great Sun Empire doing near the Central Continent?"
Meson and Roval were confused but tried to remain calm. Meson said, "Ah, the Great Sun... it's rare to see someone from there, especially a soldier."
Karsa: "I'm on a long vacation, I guess."
Suddenly, a big ship appeared with a flag bearing a red star, heading toward their boat.
Karsa: "Do you know those guys?"
Bolcan stood up, holding his sword with a serious face. "Yes. Those are the Red Star Pirates, and they are not very friendly."
After the pirate ship got close enough, a short man in a vest that showed his chest, with a scar over his eyes and a red hat, shouted: "Hellooo my very good friends! Where are you heading? Are you not aware that this path belongs to the Red Star Pirates? You have to pay 500 silver to me, Konson the Bad Boy!"
Konson stood there with his crew laughing. Bolcan took a step forward into a fighter's pose; the air around him began to vibrate, and a green light surged from his sword. "I'm sorry, my friend Karsa, to let you see these pathetic evils."
Konson and his crew were in shock. "Light is coming out of his sword... that means he's a Sword Master!"
(Warriors are ranked by five grades: 1. Novice, 2. Warrior, 3. Sword Master, 4. Grand Master, 5. Old Master).
Konson got angry and yelled at his crew, "Shut up, you stupid monkeys! What does it matter if he's a Sword Master? We have one too!"
A woman with purple hair, wearing black and white clothes and carrying a short white sword, stepped forward. "Long time no see, Bolcan. How is your wife doing? Oh, I'm sorry..." She smiled maliciously. "I forgot that she is dead..."
Bolcan's anger exploded. The boat and the water around him began to shake as a powerful green aura covered him. "Malisa! You... how dare you mention my wife!"
As Bolcan prepared to strike, a white aura erupted from Malisa while she kept smiling. Suddenly, Meson stopped Bolcan, saying: "Stop! Bolcan, she is one of the Seven Masters of the Black Fingers organization. We can't start a fight with them yet!"
Bolcan roared, "Don't you dare stop me! I'm going to rip her mouth open!"
Meson replied, "You have to stop! We can't win against a whole organization. Don't you want your revenge for your wife?"
Bolcan stopped and sat down, defeated. Meson then looked at the pirates and said, "You need to go, Malisa. We don't want any trouble here."
Malisa smiled. "Hehe, you made the right choice. Let's get out of here, Konson the Bad Boy."
Konson ran back like a child. "Yes, ma'am!"
Karsa watched the whole scene, then spoke calmly: "I think you have a story to tell, Bolcan..."
to be continued ...
"If you enjoyed the story so far, please add it to your collection! It helps me a lot to keep writing. What do you think of Karsa's identity? Let me know in the comments!"