The air changed before they saw them.
—
Heavier.
—
Like the island itself was holding its breath.
—
The trees thinned.
The path widened.
—
And then—
—
they saw it.
—
Structures.
—
Not a village.
—
Not natural.
—
Built.
—
Crude.
—
Dominant.
—
Wood and stone shaped without care—
but with force.
—
Carina slowed.
"…Yeah. That's not subtle."
—
Kuina stepped forward.
"…Be ready."
—
Tashigi adjusted her glasses.
"…Multiple presences."
—
Kevin didn't speak.
—
He was already watching.
—
Then—
movement.
—
From above.
—
A figure dropped down in front of them.
—
Tall.
Broad.
—
Blue skin.
—
Sharp teeth.
—
A fishman.
—
Carina froze for half a second.
"…Okay… that's new."
—
The fishman grinned.
"…Humans."
—
His voice was thick.
Confident.
—
"…You walked pretty far to die."
—
Behind him—
more landed.
—
Different shapes.
Different sizes.
—
One with long arms.
Another with a wide jaw.
—
And one—
taller than the rest—
six arms—
calm.
Watching.
—
Kuina's hand moved to her sword.
—
Tashigi shifted her stance.
—
Kevin remained still.
—
"…You control this island," he said.
—
The first fishman laughed.
"…Control?"
—
A pause.
—
"…We own it."
—
Carina muttered:
"…Yeah, I liked it better when it was just quiet."
—
The six-armed fishman stepped forward.
—
"…You're not from here," he said calmly.
—
His tone was different.
—
Measured.
—
"…Which means you don't understand your position."
—
Kuina's eyes sharpened.
"…Explain it."
—
A grin spread across his face.
—
"…Simple."
—
A pause.
—
"…Fishmen are born superior."
—
Silence.
—
Tashigi's expression tightened.
—
The fishman continued:
"…Ten times the strength of a human."
—
Carina blinked.
"…That sounds exaggerated."
—
One of the others stepped forward—
cracking his knuckles.
—
"…You want to test it?"
—
Kuina stepped forward instead.
—
No hesitation.
—
"…We don't need to."
—
Tashigi followed.
Same timing.
—
"…We'll confirm it ourselves."
—
The fishmen laughed.
—
Not amused.
—
Confident.
—
Kevin's eyes shifted slightly.
—
Behind them—
—
Nami hadn't moved.
—
At all.
—
Her gaze stayed forward.
—
Locked.
—
Not on the enemies—
—
On the structure behind them.
—
Recognition.
—
Fear.
—
Buried.
—
"…Nami."
—
Kevin's voice was quiet.
—
She flinched.
—
Just slightly.
—
"…What?" she replied quickly.
—
Too quickly.
—
Kevin didn't look at her.
—
"…Stay back."
—
A pause.
—
She didn't argue.
—
That alone said enough.
—
The six-armed fishman sighed.
—
"…This is boring."
—
He raised one hand.
—
The others stepped forward.
—
At the same time.
—
Fast.
—
Much faster than before.
—
Carina's eyes widened.
"…Okay—they're actually fast—!"
—
Kuina moved.
—
Blade drawn—
—
Clash.
—
The impact was heavier.
—
Different.
—
Her stance shifted slightly.
—
Tashigi intercepted another—
—
Blocked—
—
Her arm tensed.
—
"…Their strength…" she muttered.
—
Kevin vanished.
Soru.
—
Reappeared—
—
Strike—
—
The fishman caught it.
—
Bare hand.
—
Grinning.
—
"…Too light."
—
Kevin's eyes narrowed.
—
He pulled back.
—
Adjusted.
—
Carina stepped back further.
"…Okay, I officially don't like this anymore."
—
More fishmen surrounded them.
—
Not rushing.
—
Confident.
—
Like this was already over.
—
Kuina stepped back half a step.
—
Tashigi matched her.
—
Same timing.
—
Same realization.
—
"…They're stronger," Kuina said quietly.
—
Tashigi nodded.
"…Physically."
—
Kevin spoke:
"…But not absolute."
—
The six-armed fishman smiled.
"…Still talking?"
—
A pause.
—
"…Good."
—
He stepped forward.
—
Slow.
—
Heavy.
—
"…That means you haven't understood yet."
—
His eyes sharpened.
—
"…Humans don't win here."
—
Silence.
—
The wind didn't move.
—
Tension locked in place.
—
Behind them—
—
Nami took a step back.
—
Then another.
—
Unnoticed.
—
Almost.
—
Kevin saw it.
—
But he didn't stop her.
—
Not yet.
—
Kuina tightened her grip.
—
Tashigi adjusted her stance.
—
Carina swallowed.
"…So… plan?"
—
Kevin answered calmly:
"…We adapt."
—
The six-armed fishman laughed.
—
"…Try."
—
And this time—
—
they all moved at once.
—
The real fight began.
—
And for the first time—
—
they weren't clearly stronger.
—
They had to prove it.
—
Or fall behind.
—
And somewhere behind that clash—
—
Nami's steps grew quieter.
—
Faster.
—
Pulling her—
—
toward something she couldn't avoid anymore.
—
Even if she wanted to.