Pirate: Crew of Desire and Bonds

Jake’s expression immediately turned serious as he asked,

”...Hunt it? Do we already have a plan? Or any new information about what it actually is?”

Garrick’s face remained grim as he crossed his arms.

”Not much. But leaving it alone isn’t an option anymore. One man already vanished. If we keep waiting, there will be a second... and a third.”

He glanced down the corridor briefly before continuing in a lower voice.

”We’ll set up a controlled trap tonight using the lower decks. A few reliable people will act as bait while the rest stay hidden and ready to strike the moment it shows itself.”

Jake frowned slightly at the simple nature of the trap, but still nodded.

Since they still didn’t know what kind of creature they were dealing with, this was probably the best option for now.

Still, one point left him a bit confused.

”And you’re certain it will appear again?”

Garrick gave a short nod.

”I’m not entirely sure. But it already targeted your room once. Creatures like this usually don’t stop after a single failure... especially if they’ve already succeeded in taking someone.”

Grace’s hand tightened on Jake’s sleeve at those words, her earlier playful mood completely gone.

Jake remained silent for a moment, processing the information.

”...Alright. What’s the exact plan?”

Garrick’s expression remained serious as he lowered his voice further.

”The plan is simple, but risky. Tonight, we’ll deliberately leave a few rooms on the lower decks empty and poorly guarded. One or two volunteers will stay inside as bait, with the doors locked and the lights dimmed. The rest of us will hide nearby in the surrounding corridors and storage rooms.”

He glanced at Jake.

”The moment that thing knocks and someone responds... or the moment it tries to take the bait, we move in together. We force it into the open and kill it before it can escape.”

Jake listened carefully, frowning slightly.

”Using people as bait is dangerous. What if it doesn’t need the door to be opened this time? Or if it can take someone silently again?”

Garrick exhaled through his nose.

”That’s the risk. We don’t know its full abilities yet. But if we keep waiting passively, it’ll just keep picking us off one by one.”

Grace’s grip on Jake’s sleeve tightened a little more.

Her golden eyes were filled with quiet worry, though she didn’t speak.

Jake thought for a moment, then looked at Garrick.

”...What about me? Where do you need me?”

Garrick answered without hesitation.

”You can just stay in your room as usual. Our operation will be focused around your corridor. Of course, if you want to hide with us and strike when the time comes, you’re welcome to join as well. But if you stay inside the room, I hope you’ll still come out to assist us when the moment arrives.”

Jake fell silent for a short while, weighing the options.

After a moment, he spoke calmly.

”...I’ll stay in my room.”

Garrick gave a small nod, not questioning the decision.

”Alright. If you have any doubts or want to change your mind, let me know before the sun sets.”

_

_

_

As the Garrick turned to leave and continue organizing the crew, Jake remained standing in the corridor with Grace, his expression thoughtful.

’Staying in the room is better.’

If that creature was truly targeting him or Grace, then leaving the room empty might make it change targets or grow more cautious.

By remaining inside as usual, he could act as a natural lure while still keeping Grace close and under his protection.

More importantly, if something unexpected happened, being inside the room would give him a clearer reaction window than hiding somewhere further away in the dark corridors... or out in the open with the dark sea.

’...And if it really comes again... it shouldn’t be a problem since Garrick is nearby.’

Jake’s eyes narrowed slightly.

He would also be ready.

Grace looked up at him, still holding his sleeve, her voice soft but worried.

”...Jake. Are you sure?”

Jake nodded and gave her a confident smile.

”I’m sure.”

He reached out and gently placed his hand over hers, giving it a light, reassuring squeeze.

”Staying in the room is the better choice. If that thing is really after us, then being there will draw it in more naturally.”

His tone was calm, but there was a quiet firmness beneath it.

Grace stared at him for a moment longer.

The worry in her golden eyes didn’t completely disappear, yet seeing his confident expression slowly eased some of the tension in her shoulders.

”...Alright. Then I’ll stay with you.”

Jake’s smile softened a little.

”Of course.”

The two of them stood there in the quiet corridor for a few more seconds before turning and heading back toward their room.

Outside, the ship continued sailing across the Dead Sea Line, while preparations for the night’s hunt quietly began to unfold.

_

_

_

Night arrived quickly.

Inside their cabin, the atmosphere was quiet but tense.

Jake sat on the edge of the bed, fully equipped.

His sword rested within easy reach, and the light gear he had prepared earlier was already strapped on.

Even while sitting still, his posture remained alert, ready to move at the first sign of trouble.

Across from him, Grace sat on a small chair near the wall, carefully maintaining her gun.

Her slender fingers moved with practiced focus as she checked the mechanism, cleaned the barrel, and inspected each part under the dim lantern light.

The soft metallic clicks of her work were the only sounds filling the room for a while.

Outside their door, the corridor was unusually quiet.

Most of the crew had either been reassigned or were already in position for the night’s operation.

The lower decks felt heavier than usual, as if the entire ship was holding its breath.

Jake glanced toward the door once, then looked back at Grace.

”How’s the gun?” he asked in a low voice.

Grace didn’t look up immediately.

After finishing one last check, she gave a small nod.

”...It’s fine. I am ready.”

She finally raised her head, golden eyes meeting his in the dim light.

The cabin remained silent after that.

Both of them were waiting.

Waiting for the knock that might come again tonight.

Jake leaned back slightly against the wall, resting one hand near the hilt of his sword as his gaze drifted toward the dimly lit ceiling.

’...What a waste.’

At this hour, under normal circumstances, he would already be spending quality time with Grace... deepening their bond.

Ever since his stats had reached the Superhuman level, the amount of Upgrade Points needed had only increased.

Not to mention, there were still skills to raise.

Jake let out a quiet breath through his nose as a complex look appeared on his face.

’The conditions to upgrade from Elite Class to the next rank are... quite strange.’

With that thought, he tried to upgrade his class again.

[Ding!]

[Upgrading Aura Knight (Elite) failed!]

[Requirement: 10,000 Upgrade Points, 2000 Gold Coins, At least three [Superhuman] stats, One Grade A Ship, At least two Crewmates.]

Jake’s expression stiffened slightly as he stared at the floating window.

’...Ten thousand Upgrade Points and two thousand gold coins?’

The numbers were ridiculous.

Even after everything he had gained so far, those requirements felt far beyond his current reach.

The Upgrade Points alone would take a long time to accumulate, and two thousand gold coins was the same amount he had received from selling the cube idea.

On top of that, he still needed three Superhuman-level stats, a Grade A ship, and at least two crewmates.

He wasn’t sure what a Grade A Ship was, but he understood what it meant by needing at least two crew members.

Jake rubbed his temple lightly, a headache rising in his chest.

’So the jump from Elite to the next rank isn’t just about personal strength... It also forces you to build a real foundation... a proper ship, and an actual crew.’

To be honest, he had thought about maybe enjoying his life slowly with Grace on an island.

There had never been a real need for him to become a pirate just because of his special class name, right? But it seemed that wasn’t the case...

It made a certain kind of sense for a class like [Bonds Captain], but that didn’t make the requirements any less demanding.

He closed the system window with a quiet sigh.

For now, there was no point thinking too deeply about something so far out of reach.

The more immediate problem was the unknown creature that might come knocking tonight.

Jake’s eyes narrowed slightly as he looked toward the door again.

Whatever that thing was... the sooner they dealt with it, the sooner things could return to normal.

And the sooner he could get back to growing stronger.

_

_

_

As time passed, the ship grew quieter.

The distant sounds of the crew gradually faded, until only the low creaking of the hull and the soft rhythm of the waves remained.

Deep night had settled over the vessel, wrapping the lower decks in heavy silence.

Jake sat with his eyes closed, resting his body while keeping his senses sharp.

Then—

His eyes suddenly opened.

Step.

Step.

Step.