Limitless Seas

Ethan sat on a wooden crate near the docks, rolling his shoulder. His body ached like hell from the fight, but the pain was nothing new. If anything, it reminded him that he was still too damn weak.

His stats had improved, but not by much.

[Status]

Name: Ethan

Level: 7

EXP: 50/700

Stats:

Strength: 10

Speed: 8

Endurance: 9

Sword Mastery: 5

Better, but not good enough.

The crowd had mostly gone back to their usual bullshit—gambling, drinking, talking about the latest big-name bounty hunters. A few still threw glances at him, but no one said anything.

Then, a shadow loomed over him.

"That was some fight," a deep voice said.

Ethan looked up. A man stood in front of him, arms crossed. He was big—bigger than anyone Ethan had fought before. Dark coat, heavy boots, and a massive axe strapped to his back.

Above his head, the glowing Level 32 stood out like a damn warning sign.

"Who the hell are you?" Ethan asked.

"Name's Darius," the man said. "And you just made a mistake."

Ethan narrowed his eyes. "That so?"

Darius cracked his knuckles. "You embarrassed Kane. His crew doesn't like that. And me? I just like putting cocky little shits in their place."

Ethan sighed. "You picking a fight with someone twenty-five levels below you? That's a little pathetic, don't you think?"

Darius smirked. "No. It's a lesson."

The docks went silent. People backed up fast, knowing what was coming.

Ethan stood. His body was still sore, but he didn't have a choice. If he ran now, no one would take him seriously ever again.

Darius didn't wait. He lunged forward, swinging his fist. Ethan barely dodged, feeling the wind from the punch.

"Fast," Ethan muttered.

Darius swung again. Ethan blocked, but the impact sent pain shooting through his arm. He stumbled back, and before he could recover, Darius kicked him in the chest.

Ethan hit the ground hard.

[HP: 62/120]

Damn it. He pushed himself up, but Darius was already moving. The axe came off his back in one smooth motion.

[Heavy Cleave]

Ethan's eyes widened. He rolled to the side just as the axe slammed into the ground, splitting the wooden planks beneath it.

Too slow. He was too fucking slow.

He needed a plan—fast.

Darius yanked his axe free, grinning. "Come on, you were talkin' big a minute ago."

Ethan spit blood to the side. "I'm just getting started."

Darius laughed. "That's the spirit."

He charged again, swinging the axe. Ethan didn't dodge this time—he stepped in close. Before Darius could react, he threw a punch straight into his gut.

The hit landed, but it felt like punching a damn wall.

Darius grunted, but his health barely dropped.

[Darius HP: 92%]

Not enough.

Darius slammed his elbow into Ethan's face. Pain exploded through his skull as he hit the ground again.

[HP: 41/120]

Shit. One more good hit, and he was done.

Darius raised his axe. "Try not to die too fast."

Ethan gritted his teeth. He couldn't overpower him, but maybe—

Darius swung. Ethan threw himself forward at the last second, dodging by inches. The axe cut through empty air.

That was his opening.

He grabbed a broken wooden plank from the ground and swung it as hard as he could. The wood shattered against Darius's face.

The big man staggered.

Ethan didn't waste time. He rushed in, slamming his knee into Darius's jaw.

[Critical Hit!]

Darius grunted, stumbling back. Ethan followed up with a rapid series of punches, hitting every weak spot he could find.

His health was dropping—slowly, but it was working.

[Darius HP: 68%]

Darius growled. "You little shit."

He raised his axe again, but Ethan was already moving. He ducked under the swing and drove his fist into Darius's ribs.

The impact knocked the air out of him.

[Opponent Stunned!]

Ethan took the chance. He slammed his elbow into Darius's temple, then kicked his leg out from under him.

Darius crashed to one knee.

The crowd was dead silent.

Ethan stepped back, breathing hard. "Still think I need a lesson?"

Darius wiped blood from his lip. Then—to Ethan's surprise—he laughed.

"Not bad," Darius said, standing up. "You've got some fight in you."

Ethan stayed ready, but Darius just slung his axe over his shoulder. "You might actually survive out here."

Then he walked away, just like that.

Ethan exhaled. His whole body ached, but he didn't care.

The system chimed.

[EXP Gained: 620]

[Level Up!]

[Level: 7 → 9]

Ethan clenched his fists.

One step closer.