Pirate: Crew of Desire and Bonds

Soon, the two of them began navigating carefully through the burning town.

Thick smoke billowed through the streets as they moved from alley to alley, avoiding the main roads where the loudest clashes of battle echoed.

The heat was oppressive, and the metallic scent of blood mixed with burning wood made the air heavy and nauseating.

As they paused briefly behind a half-collapsed wall to catch their breath, Jake surveyed the surroundings leading toward the port.

He was glad he had checked the map before they left the shelter.

It was the same port where he had gotten off Henry’s ship, so he was somewhat familiar with the layout.

Maybe it was because of his Luck stat, but the sound of fighting raged more intensely from the central square rather than the road leading toward the port.

The path ahead seemed relatively clearer, though still dangerous with the surrounding flames.

Jake wiped sweat from his brow and glanced at Grace.

”The eastern route toward the docks should be our best bet. The main fighting is concentrated in the square. If we’re quick and quiet, we might slip through without getting dragged into the noble’s war or getting caught by that Julian bastard.”

Grace nodded, her golden eyes focused as she scanned ahead with her Far Sight skill.

Even with her skill, the smoke made it difficult to scout clearly.

”I can see some movement near the warehouses... but no large groups. We should be able to make it.”

Jake gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. ”Stay close.”

With that, the two of them continued moving forward, slipping through smoke-filled alleys and ruined streets, heading steadily toward the port while the town burned behind them.

The distant clash of steel and cries of battle grew fainter as they moved further away from the center, but the tension in the air remained thick as the strange crimson-gold flames blazed everywhere, even this far out.

Seeing those flames and hearing the distant cries of the townspeople, Jake couldn’t help but think about the man behind all this chaos.

’Julian Vance Solaris... That sick, possessive bastard.’

Jake’s jaw tightened as he gripped his sword tighter.

Not only had this asshole tormented Grace for years, but he even went as far as to burn the entire town just to force her out?

This just showed how cruel and unhinged the guy truly was.

Jake glanced sideways at Grace, who was moving quietly beside him, her expression focused but no longer filled with the same fear as before.

’She’s mine now, not his. And I’ll make sure that bastard pays for every tear she shed because of him once I’m stronger.’

He felt a surge of protectiveness mixed with growing killing intent.

The three days of deep bonding had not only strengthened their bodies and stats... it had made Grace someone he refused to lose, no matter the cost.

But at that moment, Grace suddenly whispered, pulling him out of his thoughts.

”Jake... look,” she whispered, pointing ahead.

”The port is just past these warehouses. I can see masts in the distance.”

Jake nodded, forcing his focus back to the present.

”Good. Stay alert. We’re almost there.”

The two of them continued moving forward, eventually stepping onto a straighter street that should lead directly toward the port.

The flames here were still raging, but the immediate fighting had died down.

The distant sounds of battle from the central square felt far away now.

The scent of saltwater grew stronger in the air, mixing with the smoke.

However, Jake couldn’t shake off a strange feeling.

’It’s too quiet...’

This area should have had more people like dockworkers, guards, or at least fleeing civilians trying to reach the ships.

Yet the streets were eerily empty.

Grace, who saw the road open ahead, smiled happily and was about to pull Jake forward when he suddenly held her shoulder firmly.

”Wait, Grace. Something is wrong.”

Jake slowed his steps, his grip on his sword tightening.

”Something feels off. This area is way too quiet for what’s happening in the rest of the town.”

Grace’s smile faded instantly.

She looked around nervously, her golden eyes scanning the empty street and the port area ahead.

”You’re right... There should be chaos here too, but it’s like everyone vanished. Should we take another route?”

Jake contemplated their options, his mind racing.

He was about to suggest they circle around through the warehouses when suddenly—

WHOOOOSH!

The flames around them roared to life with unnatural intensity.

The fire blazed violently, as if given a will of its own.

Then streams of crimson-gold flames surged upward and outward, rapidly forming towering walls of fire that surrounded the entire area.

The heat became suffocating in an instant, and the road leading directly to the port was completely blocked by a massive, roaring wall of solar flames.

Grace’s eyes widened in horror.

”Jake—!”

Jake immediately pulled her closer, shielding her with his body as the temperature spiked.

”Stay behind me!”

He glanced around and frowned.

The fire walls have now formed a perfect enclosure, trapping them in a wide open square.

The flames didn’t spread randomly... as they clearly moved with clear purpose and control.

At that moment...

From the other side of the massive fire wall blocking the road toward the port, a calm, charismatic voice echoed through the flames.

”I’ve been waiting for you, Grace.”

The voice was smooth, and filled with longing.

Jake’s eyes sharpened as he stared at the wall of flames.

Then, the flames parted.

As a tall, handsome young man with striking crimson hair and piercing crimson eyes slowly walked out from the blazing wall.

The fire seemed to obey him, gently licking at his luxurious red-and-gold robes without burning them.

He had a refined, aristocratic face that could be called beautiful.

His smile was gentle, but his eyes were filled with obsessiveness as his gaze immediately locked onto Grace.

An overwhelming aura of power radiated from him... and Jake could instinctively tell it was the unmistakable pressure of a high-level Class Holder.

And Jake instantly knew that this guy must be...

... Julian Vance Solaris.