Chapter 21
“Nuna, Nuna. Are you really going to go?”
Pushing through the gaps between the dense tropical foliage and the towering palm trees unique to these islands, Lucas asked.
Outside the tourist district of Muia Island was an undeveloped jungle. Perfect for escape and hiding, yes—but hardly a place meant for people to travel through.
I brushed aside the thick vines that tangled around my feet and replied.
“We’re already on our way, aren’t we?”
“You know that’s not what I meant.”
“Why should I tell you what you’re curious about?”
“You’re so cold, Nuna. Well, I guess you’d have to be to earn that kind of reputation.”
Lucas grinned brightly and nodded. The boy who had introduced himself as a pirate seemed to be finding this situation rather amusing.
So, why was I using a secret pirate path together with this pirate boy all of a sudden?
“That person said this. Told me to say this to you if I ever found you.”
When I told him to spill everything he knew, Lucas narrowed his eyes like a sly fox.
“‘Your family who misses you the most is always waiting in the same place.’ That’s what he said.”
I couldn’t even laugh at that.
It felt like a ship that had been sailing smoothly on the wind had suddenly struck a reef and shattered into pieces. The freedom and future I had longed for now felt like a noose tightening around my neck.
I instinctively knew. If I kept going like this, I would never be able to move forward. Running away and turning my back was no different from being trapped in that prison again.
That’s why I thought—I have to meet the client at least once.
Should I just punch them in the face and come back?
Maybe then, this suffocating feeling would ease a little.
Feeling the emptiness left by Jelly, I fiddled with my pocket. I smiled faintly, recalling how that creature—who usually never reacted—had once nuzzled my cheek.
“Normally we don’t really use this path either, you know? We’re pirates. Living on the sea is more our style.”
Lucas, who was leading the way and pushing aside vines, looked around.
“So what’s the point of making a big speech? You’re just saying you don’t know the way well.”
“Who said I don’t know? I’m just telling you to be patient even if we take a little detour. The client said to bring you back without a single scratch.”
“Right.”
I replied in a tone that said I didn’t care, but Lucas didn’t mind at all. Once he realized I was being cooperative, he grew more relaxed.
“I’m really curious though. What exactly are you, Nuna? Why is everyone so desperate to catch you?”
“Who knows.”
“Don’t tell me you even stole the client’s heart, like that nickname of yours suggests?”
At least he didn’t say the word aloud this time. Maybe his brain had learned a little from experience. I just shrugged.
“Wow, this is driving me crazy. No wonder you make people lose their minds.”
Looking at him complain like that, he almost seemed like an ordinary boy his age.
I found the whole thing so amusing I couldn’t help but chuckle, and Lucas seized the opportunity to make a proposal.
“How about this—we take turns asking questions. I’ll tell you everything I want to know about you.”
“And what if I don’t have anything I want to ask?”
“Then I’ll spill some of our pirate crew’s secrets!”
“Wouldn’t that put your life in danger?”
“Maybe…?”
Lucas rubbed his chin and muttered seriously, like he had no sense of danger whatsoever.
“Hmm, what should I do.”
I pretended to give in, my tone softening considerably.
I couldn’t help it. I’ve always had a soft spot for kids.
“Alright, let’s do this. I’ll answer first whatever you ask. Sound good?”
“Hm.”
“Come on, that’s a huge deal! And whether you answer or not is totally up to you.”
Honestly, it wasn’t a bad deal. At least it broke the unpleasant silence, and playing along seemed better than getting lost in useless thoughts.
“Fine, so I ask first?”
“Anything you want!”
Lucas nodded confidently.
As I walked down the sloping path, I lifted my gaze. The salty breeze drifted along the mountain trail.
Between the thick trees, glimpses of the sea began to appear. The deep blue shimmered more vividly with each step. And above it loomed a massive pirate ship.
“How many people in your crew have abilities?”
Lucas widened his eyes as if surprised by my question. Still, he answered without complaint.
“Three in total. Me, the captain, and his right-hand man. Just the three of us.”
Since Lucas’s ability was transformation, the other two were probably combat-type Awakened.
“Okay, now it’s my turn, right?”
“Yeah.”
“Nuna, did you fight with your boyfriend?”
“What?”
The answer slipped out before I could stop it. That wasn’t even on my radar.
Do I… look like I did?
I exhaled deeply, then shut my mouth again, clearing my throat like it was nothing.
Well, kids his age are curious about all sorts of things.
“But think about it, doesn’t it seem weird?”
Lucas’s jade-green eyes sparkled like gemstones as he stared at me, his voice full of excitement.
“Someone who ran away with the person they love—why are they wandering around alone? You do realize you’re in pretty serious danger right now, right?”
From a stranger’s perspective, I guess it could look that way.
I hesitated. Should I keep up the fake-lover act for Ian’s sake?
Or just ignore this pirate kid’s curiosity?
“But the fact that he’s nowhere to be seen means there’s only one conclusion.”
Lucas mimed adjusting invisible glasses, then pointed a finger straight at me.
“Nuna. You fought with him and now you’re playing hard to get, aren’t you?”
“Uh…”
Lies only breed more lies. And words—whether new excuses or vague answers—always end up going in directions you didn’t expect.
So maybe it’s better to steer it in a predictable direction.
After a long pause, I finally nodded.
“That’s right…”
Lucas looked at me with oddly sympathetic eyes.
“I knew it.”
He patted my shoulder gently.
“Cheer up. They say lovers’ quarrels never last long.”
Lucas was actually comforting me…
I didn’t even have the energy to correct him that we weren’t a couple. I just nodded weakly. Sensing it was time to change the subject, he spoke up again.
“Alright, your turn! Ask me anything you want.”
Perfect timing. I immediately opened my mouth.
“Your ability—can you turn into anyone?”
Again, Lucas seemed surprised. His lips twitched like he wanted to ask something else, but he answered right away.
“I can’t turn into just anyone. I can’t become a girl at all. My ability is based on me, so I can only change age, build, and appearance within that limit.”
“I see.”
That eased some of my discomfort. The thought of someone showing up looking exactly like me—or someone I knew—was seriously unpleasant.
By now, the path had leveled out. The dense vines and trees were thinning, and the clear blue sky filled my vision.
This was probably the last question. Lucas stared at me with those pure eyes and asked:
“Nuna, are you strong?”
No explanation, nothing else—just that.
It was a question I’d never asked myself. This power was something I used only to survive.
Searching for the right answer, I let my eyes sweep over the vast ocean spreading before me.
“I guess…”
The skull-marked flag, bleached by the sea wind, fluttered high.
A ship patched with iron plates here and there, its prow marked with a grinning skull. A pirate ship that radiated menace like a fortress at sea.
“Welcome, Nuna. To the Gale Wave Pirates.”
Lucas’s voice was stripped of its earlier cheer.
The crew on deck all turned their eyes toward me.
Wrinkled pirate shirts, half-worn boots, blades jutting from belts, curses spilling freely from their mouths.
My heart skipped a beat.
…Did I just walk straight into the enemy’s den?
I drew a slow breath.
Only now did it feel real—that in this strange and hostile place, I was completely alone.
Clenching and unclenching my fists, I stepped inside. The reek of oil and stale liquor hit me all at once.
“Ha! Who’re we gonna rob today?”
“Damn it, another round of this piss-water rum?”
Deep laughter and heavy footsteps echoed through the cabin. A few pirates turned their heads, sensing my gaze.
Sunburned faces, sleeves ripped to shreds, someone picking his teeth with a blade.
“Well, well, better looking than I thought.”
“No wonder she seduced a man!”
“Look at those eyes—sharp, not a hint of fear.”
Whispers spread like waves. Their stares weren’t just curious—they were sharp, dangerous, like unsheathed knives.
Something stirred in my pocket.
Even Jelly must have sensed the murderous intent. I patted the pocket lightly to reassure it.
Enemy territory or not, I couldn’t forget this was still the sea.
“Are you strong, Nuna?”
Lucas’s earlier question replayed in my mind.
“Probably.”
I curled and uncurled my fingers slowly as I spoke.
“At least… out here on the ocean.”
Because out here, it would be hard to find anyone stronger than me.
