Axel aimed to cut the captain’s thigh, but as soon as the tip touched the skin, it was like poking a wall of meat with a blunt stick; The blade failed to harm the captain.

“Eh?” he gasped. “What in the world—?!”

Axel dashed back a step, trying to comprehend what just happened. But the captain saw this as an opportunity to attack as he dashed forward, catching Axel off-guard, and quickly swung his cutlass vertically. In response, Axel blocked it with his suspiciously light cutlass, but, because of their sheer difference in strength, the captain overpowered Axel in no time, pushing him back.

Axel moved back, staggered, causing him to lose his grip on the cutlass for a second, dropping it down. The captain used his right fist holding cutlass' hilt to punch Axel's chest, but Axel crossed both of his arms first to cover his chest, reducing the blow from the incoming sure-hit.

His arms received the powerful hit and got launched back. Even though he blocked it, he could feel the pain passing through his arms to his chest and his back as if he blocked an iron mallet. Axel tried to keep his balance, but he slipped and fell on his back.

The crew took a breath of relief as they knew their trick wasn't in vain, while the captain sighed in relief as everything was going as planned. But when Axel caught him off guard once, Axel proved that his words were true.

“That was close!” the captain thought. “If I didn't rig this battle or happened in actual combat, I would have been fed to the fish!”

The captain looked down on Axel as he swung his cutlass wildly.

“Stand up, ye son of a biscuit eater!” he taunted. “Ye could sleep forev’r in Davy Jones’ Locker!”

“Damn… What's with this sword? I thought it was just my imagination!” Axel thought as he clenched his teeth in pain.

The throbbing pain faded bit by bit as Axel regained his strength to sit. Before even standing up and reaching for his dropped cutlass, the captain kicked the cutlass away and bashed Axel's right cheek with the cutlass hilt.

Axel fell again, and the captain kicked Axel repeatedly at his chest, but Axel used both of his hands to protect his chest and face. His kicks weren't too strong compared to his hands. Axel gathered more power and pushed the captain's foot away.

Axel stood and hurried to reach his cutlass, but the captain regained his balance and grabbed Axel by his collar. He pulled Axel over and bashed his forehead with the hilt of the cutlass hard enough to blur his vision. He shoved Axel, and Axel walked back like a drunk person as his head felt spinning. Axel failed to regain his balance and fell.

“Ye don't have any slightest chance to survive in the sea!” the captain said. “Admit it and give up!”

Axel's body was in pain and he felt blood flowing from his face and body. His heart was racing, and adrenaline stormed into his body. The pain was dissipating like flowing boiling water. Axel was losing hope as negative thoughts of losing engulfed his mind with anxiety.

“I can't win…” he thought. “If I can't even make him bleed with this, how can I—?!”

Axel calmed his mind by breathing slowly and took a glance at the cutlass; positive thoughts flowed, removing all negativeness in his mind.

“No! I can win... I definitely can! No, I win!”

Axel stood and looked at the blade of his cutlass.

“Something is wrong,” he thought. “I thought this sword was made of steel, but I was mistaken! This sword is blunt and rusted, but they painted it to make it look new. If I can't make him bleed with this, then…”

Axel thought for a second and an idea flowed into his mind.

"Aha! I found it!"

The captain was standing casually, waiting for Axel. But since Axel was just standing like a fool, the captain wanted to end this faster.

“Not goin'? Then don't object if I attack!”

The captain rushed to Axel with his cutlass, ready to strike Axel down in one hit. The captain expected Axel to dodge, but much to his surprise, Axel prepared a blocking stance for the upcoming attack. It changed nothing since the goal was to get close to Axel.

Their cutlasses clashed, but Axel's cutlass shattered into pieces. The captain's cutlass hilt then bashed through Axel's broken cutlass and hit Axel on his face hard enough to send him flying. Axel's body collided against a round table, breaking past it and hitting his back of a wall.

Axel fell, sitting with his head facing down. The captain moved and stood in front of him, pointing his cutlass. Everything happened so fast that the spectators couldn't understand what just happened.

“Ye lose lad, just give up and accept it!” The captain cleaned his clothes from the broken shards. “Yer weapon: br'ken; Yer condition: badly beaten. Let this day be yer lesson.”

He looked at Axel, but Axel showed neither response nor reply. The captain sheathed his cutlass, indicating his victory. He turned away with his back to Axel.

After a moment, Axel stood up in pain, having regained his strength. Axel's wounds were not fatal, but Axel felt an excruciating pain covering his body. Axel's body was trembling as he was struggling to keep his balance.

“H-H... Hold up…” Axel muttered as he reached his right hand to the captain. “D-Don't go—”

The captain grabbed his hand and pulled him close to his face. The captain had enough with Axel already. He stared at Axel's eyes with rage.

“What is it again?!” he asked as he barked. “Are ya goin' to ask for mercy? Ye lose! Just lay down in silence!”

“I-I... won…”

“What did ye just say?! Say it in front of my face, I dare ya!”

“I won—”

“Ye bein’ drunk right now?!” he barked as he lifted Axel by his collar in rage. “Did I hit yer tiny skull, got hit hard that ye become dumb?!”

The captain felt blood dripping from his face, from his right cheek. Blood started flowing down his chin and dropped on the ground. His limbs and spine went cold while sweats started leaking from his face. He didn't want to believe it until he saw it himself.

It was blood; not from Axel's body, but his face. The captain was devastated as he opened his mouth agape.

“Bloody son of a—!” the captain thought as he lost his grip, dropping Axel down.

His body was trembling as he stood in awe. The crew became both concerned and worried about him.

One crew approached and shook his shoulder, trying to return the captain to his senses.

“Captain!” one crew shouted, worried. “W-What's the matter?”

The captain remembered when their sword clashed.

Axel's cutlass blade shattered into small sharp pieces and actually scratched the captain's face without him knowing. The captain tried his best to deny the truth, but still, he had to accept he lost.

“This lad…” the captain thought. “I'll be damned!”

Axel stared at the captain while still writhing in pain.

“Maybe…” Axel stood, limping as he explained. “I am weaker than you... But I'm no fool! I know the quality of irons!”

Axel dropped on his knee as the pain froze his legs.

“I'm sure that cutlass... It was suspiciously light! And as I just thought…” Axel tried to stand again. “It was too dull. I can't make you bleed with that useless sword, but when... When the blade shattered into pieces, the shards were sharp enough to make you bleed!”

Everyone went silent until the hunter applauded, breaking the silence.

“Bravo!” he thought, pleased by the show. “Nice move! Oh well, we all know who won now!”

The hunter stood, leaving the silenced crowd.

Out of rage, one crew drew and aimed his flintlock to the weakened Axel right on his head.

“Damn it!” Axel thought as he closed his eyes, accepting his unfair end. “All for naught!”

Before the crew touched the trigger, the captain approached the man out of irritation.

“Stop it ya biscuit for a brain!” the captain shouted with irritation in his voice.

“But Captain—!” the crew said, trying to justify his action.

But the captain slapped him hard as he clenched his teeth.

“I am a man of my w'rd! If I promise something, I shall fulfill it! God damn those who don't keep their own promise!”

“Sorry captain,” the crew said as he held his slapped cheek.

‘This lad even uses his brain more than ye guys! Why can't ye all be like him?”

The captain helped Axel to stand and walk, much to Axel's surprise. They sat together facing each other awkwardly.

“What's yer name, lad?” he asked.

“A-Axel Skyfall.”

The captain closed his eyes for a second and shook his head.

“That's one long name!”

The captain removed his headband and wore it on Axel's forehead, signifying Axel's acceptance in the crew.

“That's yer reward for defeating me in my battle. From now on, ye are one of us! Welcome aboard, Lil Axey!”

Axel was speechless with his mouth agape, staring at the captain with a blank, surprised look. The captain felt displeased because of the silence and flicked Axel's forehead.

“Hey!” he said aloud. “At least give me a response, will ya?!”

“Ouch!”

The adrenaline in Axel's body faded out, and he felt his body was in sharp, throbbing pain.

“At least…” he writhed in pain. “Heal my wounds first! I'm dying!”

“Just forget about the pain! It is only a mental wound!”

“Mental wounds your nose!”

The bar owner brought Axel into a resting room. There, he and the waitress who was his daughter treated Axel's injuries from the fight earlier. They left Axel to recover for an hour and a half.

Axel sat on the bed and moved his limbs.

“How are you feeling?” the owner asked.

“I'm fine.”

“You were really brave and out of your mind.” The bar owner sat on a chair, facing Axel. “But God spared your life for today. Why were you so hellbent on joining them?”

“Ah! It's the only affordable way for me to reach Western Land.”

The bar owner opened his pocket and handed Axel some silver coins, enough for Axel to pay for a trip.

“Here, take these coins. Please accept and use it to pay for your transportation. It's dangerous to live such a life with them.”

Axel reached for the coins, but he clenched and pulled back his hand.

“I'm sorry, but I can't.”

“Why?” he asked with visible confusion.

“Because... I'm the one who started this. I challenged him and won. I did it and I won by myself.”

“You are one insane lad,” he commented as he shook his head. “I hope God gives you a long life.”

“Thank you.”

Axel left the resting room, and the crew gave him the seat next to the captain. The captain patted Axel's shoulder where Axel the injuries were.

“Ouch, it's painful!” Axel thought as he sealed his lip shut.

The captain continued to pat Axel's shoulder, not knowing that Axel could feel the pain.

‘How's yer wound?’ he asked innocently.

“I'm—Ugh! F-Fine,” he replied with a barely audible reply as he held the pain.

“What?!” The captain asked aloud as he slapped his back hard, startling Axel as he jumped from his seat. “I could bar'ly hear ye—!”

“Ouch! I’m fine—!!!”

“Hey, I'm not deaf!” the captain huffed as he flicked Axel's nose. “No need to raise yer voice!”

“Well… Sorry.”

The waitress then came and gave them all a mug of rum.

“Oh, boy, oh, boy!” the captain said, thrilled as he saw the drinks coming. “H're comes the holy water!”

The captain and the crew drank their rum and asked for more while Axel just sat staring at his full mug.

“Hey! What's the matt'r?” the captain asked. “Go on, drink!” He lifted Axel’s mug in front of Axel’s face.

Axel held the mug, but he didn’t drink it as he just looked at the mug. The smell of the alcohol pierced into his nose, nauseating him. Axel never liked alcohol and preferred not to drink alcoholic beverages.

“Pardon me, I-I don't drink—”

“Bah! Come on, boy! It's healthy for yer body! I also paid fo' this ye know! Bett'r not disrespect yer own captain.”

Axel had no choice; he closed his eyes and pinched his nose as he drank the rum.

“That's my crew!” the captain said aloud with a big smile as his face turned red from drinking. “Ah! I'll order more for all of us!”

Axel felt his stomach and face burning while he felt a sharp pain in his skull. His eyes were teary with his face red. He stood and dashed to the restroom, unable to hold the urge to vomit.

“Hey! Where are ye goin' Lil Axey?!” he questioned aloud. “We have more! Get yer nose here! We're drinkin' like real men!”

“I-I need to pass water!”

“Fine, fine! Take yer sweet ponderin’ time there. Be careful of the bathroom ghost!”

Axel went inside a stall. His body was weak and his limbs were trembling. He puked everything there. He felt better, but his body was still sweating.

“I shouldn't have accepted the drink!” thought Axel as he puked once more. “Ugh! But if I don't drink, he will get angry at me.”

Axel puked again as he emptied his stomach. A moment later, he returned with a pale face. He was shambling to his seat like a living corpse.

“What's the matt'r?” the captain asked. “Ye've seen the bathroom ghost?”

Axel put his entire face on the table. He was motionless.

“I don't want to talk.”

The drinks arrived again and everyone drank their rum, much to Axel's ignorance. The captain put one mug for Axel.

“H're's another one, lad,” the captain said as he ruffled Axel’s hair. “Let's drink!”

Axel turned his head and stared at the mug with a pale and sleepy face.

“N-No.”

“Fine, two fo' me then!”

The captain then patted Axel's shoulder, and Axel felt the pain.

“Ouch! My injury!” Axel thought as he held the pain.

After the drink, the captain looked outside at the docked ships with his face concerned about something. He shook his head and patted Axel’s back.

“Hey, come with me for a moment, son. There’s somethin’ I want to show ye.”

Axel raised his head; he had recovered from nausea.

“What is it?” he asked.

“Don’t ask questions. Follow me.”

Both of them went outside. The sky was turning yellow; it was late afternoon. They were walking along the coast seeing lots of docked ships until the captain stopped near an enormous wooden ship isolated among the others.

“Ah! Here it is!” the captain shouted as he smiled, pointing at the wooden ship. “My belov'd and treasur'd one! Za Terminus!” He hurried and caressed the ship wholeheartedly. “I loved this ship like my wife! Come on, Lil Axey! Don't you want to touch her?”

“O-Okay.” Axel got closer and touched the ship.

They both touched the ship’s body for a moment.

“This ship, the textures of the wood…” Axel thought as he felt the wood textures. “It’s old.”

Axel looked at the captain. His face was sad, as if he was remembering something painful.

“Beautiful, isn't she?” the captain asked with a soft and sad voice as he looked at the water below the ship.

“Who?” Axel asked, clueless as he pointed at a young, beautiful woman in her mid-20s walking past them. “A girl over there or—?”

The captain slapped Axel's back hard with a death stare.

“This ship!” he shouted aloud, irritated. “I was talkin' 'bout the ship, damn it! Ye can't be my crew without lovin' the ship, Za Terminus!”

“Ah! S-Sorry!” Axel slightly bent, bowed

“Sigh… Raise yer head and list'n here.”

Axel raised his head and listened.

“This is our ship,” the captain explained. “The ship of Abyss Walker, they who vow to sail until the very end of the world. We, Abyss Walker, try to live as happily as we can. We are free to live and to die. It's a fun gamble, but as dangerous as visiting Davy Jones' Locker if you ever lost the bet.”

The captain stared at the sea for a while. He looked like he lost something important to him.

“You reminded me of him,” he muttered inaudibly.

“Pardon?”

“Ahem! N-Nothin’!”

The captain closed his eyes for a second and turned back, facing the bar.

“Let's return,” he said as he walked.

They walked back to the bar from the same path they took. On their way back, The captain saw a sailor returning to his wife and kids. He looked at them and felt envious, but he brushed that feeling off.

“Why would I be jealous?” the captain thought as he looked away. “My family is waiting for me in the bar.”

The captain then remembered something important as he stopped for a second.

“What's wrong?” Axel asked.

“Have I told ye my name?”

“N-Not yet. If I remember correctly.”

“Ahem! I'm Captain Goldteeth, lad. I’m the captain of the Abyss Walker.”

“Goldteeth?” Axel looked up, concerned. “Is it because of your golden teeth?”

“How should I know?!” The captain wheezed and smiled from hearing Axel’s deduction.

They reached the bar, and all the crew stood.

“We’re leavin’!” the captain shouted to his men. The crew hurried to leave for the ship, but Axel told them to stop.

“Wait,” Axel said. “I’m taking my bags first.”

“Be quick,” the captain replied.

Axel took his bags and left the bar running to cope with them. The crew looked at Axel's large backpack.

“How could he run with that enormous thing on his back?” they thought.

They entered the ship, and the ship sailed to the horizon. Axel was at the main deck, looking at the port.

“Gramps,” Axel thought. “This is it. My journey begins now. I'll make you proud!”

The port disappeared from the view as the ship got farther and farther to the horizon.