Chapter Text
The pirate ship was a sleek, imposing vessel, its long and lean frame exuding menace. A flamboyant mural of a broken-winged angel stretched dramatically across its prow, and a black flag bearing a bold skull and crossbones fluttered defiantly at the top of the mast. Subtlety, it seemed, was not part of its design.
“I don’t like this,” Lee Hyunsung muttered for the fifth time that day, his tone heavy with unease. Standing at the port window of the High Priestess, he kept a wary eye on the audacious ship. The sun was sinking toward the horizon, casting fiery hues over the ocean. Darkness would fall within the hour. “We’re an easy target. All they have to do is follow us.”
“You worry too much, Captain Lee.”
The response was expected, almost routine by now. They had been circling this topic for hours, with no resolution in sight. Lee Hyunsung turned to face the woman behind him.
The High Priestess, Yoo Sangah.
Born into the blue-blooded lineage of the Sakyamuni Empire, she was the eldest and sole heir of the royal family, destined to rule the kingdom. Yet here she was, serving as a ‘hostage’ of the Arn Empire.
Six years ago, the Arn Empire was plunged into chaos when it lost both its Emperor and the Crown Prince, Kim Dokja, in a single devastating blow. According to rumor, the Resistance had reached the height of its rebellion by launching an attack on Arn’s Northern Palace. The assault culminated in the destruction of the palace and the deaths of the Empire’s two most prominent regals.
In the wake of the tragedy, power swiftly fell into the hands of the kingdom’s most influential figure, Prime Minister Sun Wukong. Under his rule, the Arn Empire experienced unprecedented growth—but at a terrible cost. A once-peaceful realm transformed almost overnight into a cruel and oppressive monarchy.
Sun Wukong’s dictatorship gripped the empire with an iron hand, yet he commanded the loyalty of both the ministers and the populace. Through a calculated narrative, he convinced the masses that the Resistance was solely responsible for the Emperor and Crown Prince’s brutal deaths, solidifying his grip on power while directing the kingdom’s ire toward the rebels.
Then the news spread like wildfire. The Arn Empire, consumed by grief and suspicion, hurled accusations at its neighbors, claiming they harbored the Resistance or were complicit in the attack on the Northern Palace. These allegations ignited a series of battles, dragging the neighboring kingdoms into the fray.
Sun Wukong seized upon the Empire’s mourning and despair, wielding it as a pretext for war. Unfortunately for his enemies, the Prime Minister was a masterful strategist. He emerged victorious in every conflict, expanding Arn’s borders and consolidating its power. But Sun Wukong's victories were marked by ruthlessness—no defeated royal was ever spared.
To him, sparing the lives of fallen monarchs was an unacceptable risk. He firmly believed that any surviving royal could one day rise to join or lead the Resistance. It was a gamble he refused to take. For those who opposed the Arn Empire, the outcome of war was binary: victory or death.
However, for all his power and success, there was one barrier Sun Wukong could not overcome. Despite his iron grip on the Empire, he could never claim the title of Emperor by law. Born to a commoner father, Sun Wukong lacked noble blood, disqualifying him from ascending to the throne.
To gain the coveted title, there were only two paths available to him: marrying into royalty or receiving the honor from someone with divine authority. These limitations, though frustrating, were an immutable obstacle even for a man as ambitious as Sun Wukong.
Regrettably, the High Priestess Yoo Sangah became Sun Wukong’s most viable option. Her divine authority was unmatched, and her beauty was renowned across the land, earning her the title of the most beautiful being since the death of Prince Kim Dokja, who had been equally celebrated for his appearance. In the eyes of the people, a figure like Yoo Sangah—graced with both power and elegance—was someone worth following, someone who could sway hearts and minds.
Initially, her people fiercely opposed the notion. They outright rejected Sun Wukong’s proposal, refusing to let their revered High Priestess be handed over to such a ruthless man, especially with no guarantee of her safe return. The rejection was harsh and absolute.
But the tone changed when Sun Wukong’s proposal came with a chilling ultimatum: refusal would mean war. The threat left the Sakyamuni Emperor and his court cornered, knowing full well the destruction Sun Wukong could unleash.
It was then that the High Priestess herself took a stand. Before her people and family could fall victim to such a merciless fate, she stepped forward and accepted the proposal in person. Yoo Sangah understood the devastating consequences her refusal would bring, and she refused to let her family and kingdom bear the brunt of Sun Wukong’s wrath. For the sake of her people, she sacrificed her own freedom.
And so, here they were—adrift in the vast expanse of the sea aboard the Hermes, a massive ship tasked with escorting the High Priestess Yoo Sangah to the Arn Empire. Captain Lee Hyunsung had been appointed her guardian, charged with ensuring her safety until the day of her coronation.
Lee Hyunsung sighed heavily, his heart weighed down by the burden of his duty. Truthfully, he hated this mission. He would have much preferred the chaos of the battlefield over surrendering their beloved High Priestess in the name of the kingdom’s survival.
How could he bring himself to do this?
He had served as Yoo Sangah’s personal guardian since their youth, growing up alongside her. Over the years, their bond had deepened into something far more profound than mere friendship. Yoo Sangah had always treated him with kindness and warmth, but perhaps she never realized just how much she meant to him. To Lee Hyunsung, she was more than a charge or a friend—she was an inspiration, someone he truly admired.
It was precisely because of these feelings that his heart ached. He couldn’t bear the thought of her enduring misery, powerless to stop it. Yet here he was, escorting her to a fate he wished he could shield her from, even at the cost of his own life.
"I still object to the idea of you serving that heartless Prime Minister," Lee Hyunsung said, his voice low but tense.
Yoo Sangah gave him a faint smile, one tinged with resignation. "You know I have no choice, Hyunsung-ssi. It’s my duty to protect our country in any way I can. I suppose... it won’t be that bad, anyway—"
"What makes you think that?" Lee Hyunsung cut her off, his frustration slipping through. "You have no idea what that man might do to you. He could even assassinate you the moment he becomes Emperor!"
Startled by his outburst, Yoo Sangah grabbed his arm, her fingers tightening as she glanced around anxiously. She knew Lee Hyunsung well—his impulsive words often bordered on dangerous territory. The last thing she wanted was for him to get into trouble because of her.
"Don’t say things like that," she whispered urgently. "You never know who might be listening." She sighed softly, her gaze drifting to the horizon. "Besides, I’m just a little priestess from a little kingdom. What could he possibly do to me? If anything, once he’s done with me, he’ll probably just cast me aside and send me back home."
Lee Hyunsung sighed heavily, his heart far from at ease. This was precisely why he had been so against the High Priestess taking this path. Yoo Sangah was the embodiment of kindness, her gentle nature unfit for the ruthless world she was being thrust into. To endanger someone like her felt almost unforgivable.
It was one thing for her to make the decision to bestow the title of Emperor upon Prime Minister Sun Wukong, but escorting her across a perilous sea to a foreign land thousands of miles away was another.
From the moment he accepted this responsibility, Lee Hyunsung had known the journey would be fraught with danger. Trouble had shadowed them since they first set sail. Rumors had already begun swirling—whispers of groups opposed to the coronation, individuals who would go to any lengths to stop it. Lee Hyunsung despised the uncertainty of it all.
And now, as he stood on the deck, staring at the pirate ship looming in the distance, his concerns only deepened. It was impossible to miss—the ship was blatantly obvious, its intentions clear. If he had failed to notice it, he might as well have been blind.
He had heard the stories after the tragedy that befell the Arn Empire. The Resistance had not disappeared, despite Sun Wukong’s relentless efforts to vilify and hunt them down. Though weakened, they still existed, biding their time. And deep down, Lee Hyunsung suspected they might see this coronation as their opportunity to strike.
The bitter truth was that a part of him wished they would. But his worry overshadowed that fleeting desire—what if the Resistance believed killing Yoo Sangah was the only way to stop the coronation?
That thought made his blood run cold. No matter his doubts about the mission, one thing was certain: he would never allow harm to come to Yoo Sangah. If the Resistance dared to lay a hand on her, they would find themselves facing Lee Hyunsung’s unwavering resolve. He would fight them with everything he had, even if it meant laying down his own life.
"Go inside and lock your door," Lee Hyunsung said firmly, his gaze steady and intense as he looked at Yoo Sangah. "I can't take any chances with your safety. I have a strong feeling they know you're on board, and they'll attack when the time is right."
Yoo Sangah met his eyes, her voice calm but resolute. "If what you say is true, then the longer we stay here, the more likely they are to find us. If they come, we’ll have to fight. And if we fight, I’ll stand with you."
Lee Hyunsung shook his head, his expression hardening. "I’ll fight them, but you’re not getting involved. Like I said, I won’t risk your safety."
This was exactly what Lee Hyunsung had feared. The pirate ship looming in the distance was larger and more imposing than their own. Their ship might have a few weapons, but nothing that could match the sheer force of what the enemy carried. Every instinct in him screamed to stay close to Yoo Sangah, to shield her from whatever danger approached.
“Hyunsung-ssi,” Yoo Sangah said, “if you’re worried about me, then don’t be. If there’s a chance for you and the men to escape, take it. Leave me behind. We both know what the pirates are after—it has nothing to do with you or anyone else. Spare yourselves the bloodshed. There’s no need to defend a useless priestess like me—”
Lee Hyunsung’s jaw tightened, and his voice rose, “you know very well that I won’t leave you. I’ll fight for you, even if it costs me my life—”
“Hyunsung-ssi, please.” Yoo Sangah looked at him. She had seen this side of him countless times—his unyielding loyalty, his stubbornness. There was no arguing with him once his mind was set.
Lee Hyunsung held her gaze for a moment before sighing, his tone softening just slightly. “Enough. This isn’t up for discussion. Do as I say. Go to your cabin and stay there. I’ll come to you when it’s safe.”
“But—”
“Please,” he cut her off gently, but firmly. “Pray for us. Pray that we get through this. Remember your promise to the King and Queen, to our people. You promised them you’d stay safe.”
Yoo Sangah’s shoulders slumped in reluctant defeat. She knew he wouldn’t budge, and there was no sense in pushing further. “Fine,” she said quietly. “But promise me you’ll stay safe, too.”
Lee Hyunsung gave a curt nod. He turned and walked away without another word, his heavy boots echoing down the corridor. The weight of responsibility bore down on him as he climbed up to the deck. There was no time to waste.
On the deck, he barked orders, rallying the crew to prepare for the worst. Every instinct told him the pirates wouldn’t wait much longer to strike. The air was tense, the ocean unnervingly still, as though holding its breath for the storm to come.
And the storm was coming.
Of that, Lee Hyunsung had no doubt.
Yes, the worst was about to come.
* * *
“Whoever leads that ship is certainly no fool,” Han Sooyoung sneered, lowering the telescope from her eye. Her sharp gaze flickered with a mixture of irritation and respect. “He won’t go down easily, I’m afraid.”
Yoo Joonghyeon nodded grimly. He had been watching the same ship with the same restless anticipation since dawn. Every fiber of his being urged him to charge forward and attack, to end this waiting game and finally seize their objective. Yet he held back, tethered by the strategy they had agreed upon.
The plan was sound, but patience had never been his strength. Nature was on their side, or so they hoped, and their timing would need to align perfectly with the tides and the storm clouds rolling in from the east. Even with their superior firepower and carefully laid traps, there was always the possibility that something could go wrong—a misstep, a miscalculation. And that was a risk Yoo Joonghyeon was unwilling to take.
They couldn’t afford failure. Not now.
The stakes were far too high. The Resistance had struggled against insurmountable odds to bring down Sun Wukong, the tyrant who had clawed his way to power by blood and deceit. They had tried every avenue to destabilize his reign, but each attempt had been met with ruthless efficiency. Sun Wukong didn’t just crush his enemies; he turned their defeats into propaganda, twisting public opinion against them.
The world might see the Resistance as villains, but Yoo Joonghyeon didn’t care. Sun Wukong had to pay for the death of his brother, the late Emperor, and countless other atrocities. Since Sun Wukong had taken power, the nation had spiraled into despair. The poor became destitute, while the rich grew fat on the spoils of corruption. Taxes soared, lands were seized, and families were torn apart—sold into slavery to feed Sun Wukong’s insatiable greed.
It was a nightmare that Yoo Joonghyeon intended to end.
“Sooyoung-ssi, are you suggesting we abandon the plan?” Yoo Joonghyeon, known as the infamous Secretive Plotter, challenged the Captain of the Lost Myth, his voice sharp.
Han Sooyoung burst into a laugh, loud and unapologetic. “I’ll be damned if I do,” she retorted, her gaze locking on the imperial ship in the distance. “Whatever happens, that ship must be stopped. If those fools try to fight us, we’ll outfight them.”
“That’s exactly what I had in mind,” Yoo Joonghyeon replied, his expression unreadable.
“Don’t worry,” she said, her voice filled with determination. “We’ll win this.”
“I know,” he answered, his eyes narrowing as he watched the sun dip closer to the horizon. “But we need to prepare. Before the light is completely gone.”
Captain Han Sooyoung gave a resolute nod, acknowledging his words.
* * *
“Set the archers on the deck!” Lee Hyunsung shouted orders, pacing back and forth as he scanned his crew. His resolve was unshakable—whatever it took, he would defend this ship. He would not allow those filthy pirates to lay a finger on the High Priestess.
Having served as a captain for nearly five years, none of those years had been easy. Lee Hyunsung knew better than most the risks they faced. The pirates’ ship was not only larger but their crew likely more seasoned in combat. The Sakyamuni Empire, a nation rooted in peace, had rarely prioritized military strength. Their soldiers were well-meaning but not battle-hardened, a glaring disadvantage when faced with skilled enemies.
But there was no time for regret now. The fight was inevitable, and the odds were stacked against them. If it came to battle, they would likely be at the mercy of the pirates. Lee Hyunsung’s mind raced, searching for a way to protect Yoo Sangah, to keep her out of their hands. But as his gaze swept over the endless expanse of dark water, it became painfully clear that escape was impossible. They were trapped in the heart of the ocean, with no land in sight—nothing but darkness surrounding them.
These pirates were more cunning than he had anticipated. They had clearly planned to attack once darkness fell, ensuring that no one could escape. Lee Hyunsung despised himself for underestimating them. Even if they didn’t strike immediately, they would wait. Once food and supplies began to dwindle, his crew would be forced to surrender. And then, the pirates would ransom Yoo Sangah—or worse, he dared not imagine what fate they might have in store for her—and sell the rest of the crew into slavery. The pirates would do as they pleased with the ship, leaving nothing behind.
Whichever route they chose, it would not—
A sudden series of shouts jolted him from his spiraling thoughts. The pirate ship had unfurled its sails, charging straight for them at full speed. Lee Hyunsung’s stomach clenched as he realized what the pirates intended. They were trying to ram their ship, to crash into them with enough force to shatter the masts and scatter the crew. If they succeeded, it would be a devastating blow, and the pirates would seize control, possibly even selling the ship for salvage. His worst fears were rapidly becoming a terrifying reality.
“Power up!! Archers!!! AIM!!!” Lee Hyunsung shouted, his voice cutting through the chaos as he stood firmly on the captain’s deck. No. He would not surrender without a fight. This was his chance to show the pirates the strength of his crew, to prove they were not easy prey. With any luck, the pirates would hesitate, intimidated by their defense, and retreat.
It was the only plan he had left.
* * *
“It’s starting.” Han Sooyoung announced.
“I know.” Yoo Joonghyeon nodded.
The inevitable had arrived.
* * *
As the pirate ship loomed closer, Lee Hyunsung couldn't help but be taken aback by the sight of the pirates. They were nothing like he had imagined. In his mind, he had conjured images of ragged, grotesque figures—shaved heads, tattoos sprawled across their skulls or exposed skin, the typical stereotypical image of pirates. But what he saw before him shattered that image completely.
The pirate leaders stood tall on the highest deck, their sharp eyes locked onto his ship. They were dressed in fine white silk shirts beneath their rugged leather jackets, the kind of clothing Lee Hyunsung knew had to be stolen, but it didn't matter. They looked... normal. Good looking, even. The same could be said for their well-crafted leather boots. These weren't the savage, disorganized pirates he had expected. They were sleek, calculated, and far more dangerous than he had anticipated.
But it was their eyes that unsettled him. There was no hesitation in them. No mercy. Just a cold determination. They would do whatever it took to get what they wanted.
"Get ready for an IMPACT!" Lee Hyunsung shouted, his voice cutting through the tension.
The moment of collision was almost upon them.
* * *
“We’re going to CRASH!!” Han Sooyoung screamed, “everyone, take your positions!!”
A chorus of yells rang out across the ship as the crew scrambled into action, the atmosphere thick with tension and chaos. Everyone knew what was coming. The pirate ship was closing in fast, and they had little time to prepare.
War — began.
* * *
The first blast of impact shook the ship violently, sending masts crashing and pieces of wood flying in every direction. Dust filled the air, and in the dimming light of dusk, the crew could see the hatred blazing in the eyes of the pirates. Lee Hyunsung stood at the front, sword gripped tightly in one hand, a gun in the other, determined to face whatever came at him.
Pirates leaped aboard, their movements swift and precise. Lee Hyunsung could see they were well-trained. Despite the barrage of arrows fired from his archers, the pirates pushed forward relentlessly, bloodied but unyielding. The arrows slowed them but didn't stop them. They kept coming, like an unstoppable tide.
Chaos erupted across the deck. The once-quiet night was now alive with the sounds of battle—sword clashes, gunfire, and the screams of the wounded. Lee Hyunsung didn't have time to check on his men. His focus was on the fight in front of him, and though the pirates were formidable, he was a force of nature himself. Swift and lethal, he took down four or five men without hesitation.
“He’s good,” Han Sooyoung said, eyes fixed on Lee Hyunsung as he fought fiercely. “I’ve been watching him. He must be the Captain of this ship.”
Yoo Joonghyeon said nothing but nodded in agreement. The Captain was indeed dangerous. His skill and determination were undeniable.
“We have to help,” Han Sooyoung continued, “that man alone can pose a serious threat to us.”
Yoo Joonghyeon was already in motion. His robes fluttered as he moved with purpose, shedding them as he climbed the nearest mast. He made his way swiftly to a vantage point, steadying himself as he surveyed the battlefield below.
Lee Hyunsung immediately sensed the presence of someone watching him. He lifted his eyes, catching a fleeting glimpse of a man observing him intently. His gaze was piercing, and there was a presence about him that stood apart from the others. It didn’t take long for Lee Hyunsung to realize this man must be the Pirate Captain. His eyes were sharp, filled with charisma and calculated intent.
As expected, Yoo Joonghyeon made his move, leaping down from the mast and landing with precision in front of Lee Hyunsung. Without hesitation, Lee Hyunsung lunged at him, hoping to strike before his opponent could regain his footing. But Yoo Joonghyeon was faster than he anticipated. With a fluid roll, the Pirate Captain avoided the sword's deadly swing, narrowly escaping the blow. However, Lee Hyunsung wasn't done yet—he pressed the attack, and soon, they were locked in a fierce clash, neither giving an inch.
In the heat of the battle, Lee Hyunsung aimed his gun at Yoo Joonghyeon, determined to end it quickly, but Yoo Joonghyeon reacted with startling speed. With a swift motion, he deflected the gun with his sword, sending it skittering across the deck, far out of reach.
From the sidelines, Han Sooyoung watched the fight with surprise. She had never seen anyone who could match Yoo Joonghyeon in skill. There were very few who could, but this man—this Captain—was different. She had seen Yoo Joonghyeon fight countless times, and no one had ever come close to beating him. Except for—
Lee Hyunsung barely had time to process the realization before he felt a sharp blow to his face. Blood welled in his lip as Yoo Joonghyeon struck him with precision. He cursed himself silently, berating the lapse in concentration. He had underestimated his opponent, and that had been a mistake. The Pirate Captain was no novice.
Shaking off the pain, Lee Hyunsung squared up again, determined not to be outmatched. With quick reflexes, he caught Yoo Joonghyeon’s arm mid-strike, forcing a brief pause in their fierce exchange. For a few moments, they traded blows, each trying to outpace the other. Lee Hyunsung’s speed was his advantage, but Yoo Joonghyeon matched him every step of the way.
Then, in a sudden burst of momentum, Lee Hyunsung pushed Yoo Joonghyeon with all his strength, sending the Pirate Captain stumbling backward, rolling to the deck. Lee Hyunsung stood tall, his breath heavy, but his resolve unshaken. The fight was far from over.
Sensing a possible victory, Lee Hyunsung raised his sword high, ready to deliver the final blow to Yoo Joonghyeon. But before he could strike, a single gunshot rang out, jolting him to a halt. The bullet hit the handle of his sword, causing him to lose his grip. The sword clattered to the deck, now out of his reach. Lee Hyunsung's eyes darted across the ship, searching for the shooter.
He hadn’t seen or heard anyone approach, but now, a figure stood on the deck ahead of him. The man had a commanding presence, his tall figure outlined against the dimming horizon. For a brief moment, Lee Hyunsung stiffened, meeting the man's gaze as he lowered his gun. The figure walked forward confidently, his every step deliberate.
The man was dressed entirely in white—white coat, shirt, pants, and boots. But it wasn’t just the pristine attire that caught Lee Hyunsung's attention. What was truly strange was the white turtleneck tee the man wore, which half-masked his face, obscuring his mouth beneath. It was an odd choice, but what truly amazed Lee Hyunsung was the precision with which the man had shot. There was no way that shot had been an accident. The man had aimed with purpose, deliberately disarming Lee Hyunsung without a moment's hesitation.
“Stop fighting,” the man in white murmured, his voice calm yet commanding. “There’s no use in you continuing this.”
It was a gracious offer of peace, but Lee Hyunsung wouldn’t yield. He would never surrender, no matter the odds. Even if he was the last man standing, he would fight until his very last breath. His resolve steeled, he moved forward, throwing wild punches at the man.
But the man was quicker. With fluid ease, he sidestepped Lee Hyunsung’s strikes, dropped low, and swept his feet out from under him. Lee Hyunsung crashed to the deck with a forceful thud, the breath knocked from his lungs as he hit the floor hard on his back.
Before Lee Hyunsung could recover, the man spun and dropped, driving his knee into Lee Hyunsung’s abdomen. The sharp pain tore a guttural bark of agony from him. The man stood, breathing heavily, clearly unphased by the brutal impact he had just delivered.
Lee Hyunsung lay there, struggling for breath, his mouth open in a silent scream, hands clutching his stomach in desperation. How was it possible for this man to subdue him so effortlessly? One swift movement, and Lee Hyunsung felt paralyzed, his strength utterly drained.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Lee Hyunsung managed to draw in a shaky breath. The man crouched down, bringing his face close to Lee Hyunsung’s, and spoke again.
“I told you to stop fighting. We’ve got what we wanted.”
It was then, through the haze of pain and confusion, that Lee Hyunsung finally understood what he had missed all along.
“Hyunsung-ssi!!”
Lee Hyunsung’s heart sank at the familiar voice. His eyes darted to where the Pirate stood, a cruel grin on her face as she held Yoo Sangah by the arms, her hands tied tightly behind her back. She looked terrified, but Lee Hyunsung could see the defiance in her eyes.
“No!! LET HER GO!!” Lee Hyunsung growled through clenched teeth.
Summoning every ounce of strength left in his battered body, Lee Hyunsung forced himself to his feet. His body screamed in protest, but he ignored the pain. His focus was now on her. The man in white stepped back, a slight flicker of caution in his eyes as he noticed Lee Hyunsung’s sudden movement.
Without wasting any time, Lee Hyunsung lashed out at the two pirates who were still nearby. He pushed one back with a forceful shove and quickly turned to deal with the other. But his focus was still locked on the Pirate, who was retreating toward the edge of the deck, dragging Yoo Sangah along.
Before Lee Hyunsung could close the distance, more pirates swarmed in to block his path. He cursed under his breath as he realized their strategy—two at a time. It was a tactic meant to wear him down, but he was too determined to let it stop him.
He grabbed the first pirate by the collar, lifting him off the ground and throwing him at another pirate. The pair collided with a wooden bucket, which shattered upon impact, sending splinters flying. Lee Hyunsung didn’t hesitate. As another pirate came charging toward him, he landed a solid kick to the man’s face. He felt the satisfying crunch of bone under his boot as the pirate stumbled backward, clutching his broken nose.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw yet another pirate closing in. He didn’t wait for the man to get any closer, instead spinning around and landing a powerful kick to his chest, knocking the pirate off balance. But the moment his attention shifted, a new threat grabbed him from behind.
Without a second thought, Lee Hyunsung twisted, using his momentum to flip the pirate over his shoulder. The man landed hard on the deck, and before he could recover, Lee Hyunsung drove a punch into his temple. The pirate cursed, dazed, but Lee Hyunsung didn’t stop to savor the victory. He could see the Pirate Captain getting further away with Yoo Sangah.
Every muscle screamed at him, every wound throbbed, but he couldn’t let her fall into their hands.
Not when he was this close.
The pirates began to realize that Lee Hyunsung was not as easily subdued as they had hoped. As he prepared to make another attempt to free Yoo Sangah from Han Sooyoung's grasp, a sudden force grabbed his shoulder, spinning him around. Before he could react, he felt the sharp pressure of the man's fingers digging beneath his rib cage.
In an instant, Lee Hyunsung stumbled backward, gasping for air, his mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water. The man in white had done this to him. Without warning, the man pivoted gracefully on one foot and drove a vicious kick into Lee Hyunsung’s throat.
The force of the blow sent him crashing to the floor, his hands instinctively clutching his neck as he rolled on the deck, gasping for breath. It was then that Lee Hyunsung realized his fight was over, and it was all because of this one man.
As he lay trembling on the floor, the pirates saw his weakened state and swiftly moved in, pinning him down. They wrenched his arms behind his back, binding his wrists tightly before yanking him roughly to his feet.
“Finished fighting?” the man in white asked, a hint of amusement in his voice.
Lee Hyunsung knew when to concede. “Yes,” he replied, his voice taut with grudging acceptance—at least for now.
“Good,” the man in white said as another pirate stepped forward, taking hold of Lee Hyunsung’s arm and pulling him away. “I never expected one man to cause so much trouble.”
Lee Hyunsung gritted his teeth, the pain in his ribs searing through him. How had that man done that? The agony felt as if his ribs had been broken, but the man hadn’t even used any force—like crushing something fragile, something as helpless as a newborn.
“A good lesson for us, though,” the Pirate Captain said, her grip tightening on Yoo Sangah as she looked at him. “I suppose this will teach our men not to underestimate anyone.”
“I wasn’t trained to quit,” Lee Hyunsung muttered, surprising even the pirates with his defiance.
“None of your men fought like you,” the man in white observed. Now that the battle had subsided, Lee Hyunsung sighed, noticing his surviving crew members were already bound and kneeling in a line, awaiting their grim fate. The pirates stood idle before them, weapons in hand, and Lee Hyunsung knew they wouldn’t hesitate to execute anyone who dared to resist again.
“Stop talking and release us immediately!” Lee Hyunsung demanded, his voice sharp with urgency. “You must know we’re on our way to meet Prime Minister Sun Wukong of the Arn Empire. The person you’re holding is the Supreme Priestess, the one who will crown him Emperor of Arn. If he ever finds out about this, you’ll all lose your heads!”
For a brief moment, the pirates fell into stunned silence.
Finally, the Pirate Captain spoke, her tone unbothered. “Indeed. That’s exactly why we’re stopping you. To postpone the coronation.”
Lee Hyunsung fell silent, his mind racing.
“You’re Captain Lee Hyunsung, aren’t you?” the Pirate Captain asked, her gaze unwavering.
“Let him go!!” Yoo Sangah’s desperate scream cut through the tension, shocking everyone. “It’s ME that you want. Let him and the rest of our men go! Just take ME!”
One of the pirates, the one with the cape, spoke up with a hint of amusement. “I thought so. You’re quite the priestess.” And then, he looked Lee Hyunsung up and down, a smirk playing on his lips. “Rather young to be a captain, though, aren’t you?”
Lee Hyunsung’s jaw tightened. People often mistook him for younger than he was, perhaps because of his face. “I’ve learned that age is just a number.”
There, Lee Hyunsung felt it again. As he spoke, his gaze remained fixed on the man in white. Though the darkness and mask obscured his face, Lee Hyunsung could sense the frown tugging at the man’s features. Yet, he couldn’t comprehend why. The expression didn’t last long; the man quickly shifted his gaze away, as if trying to conceal it.
“You can obviously fight,” the Pirate Captain remarked, her tone curious. “Is that why they promoted you so young?”
“Because he’s the only one I can trust,” Yoo Sangah interjected, answering for Lee Hyunsung.
“Leadership can be a burden,” the Pirate Captain continued. “Especially at such a young age.”
“What would you know about it?” Lee Hyunsung snapped, his irritation clear.
“Quite a bit, actually,” the Pirate Captain replied smoothly, her voice laced with amusement. “How rude of me. I haven’t introduced any of us to you, considering you’re going to spend some time with us. As our captives.”
Yoo Sangah gasped, her eyes widening in shock.
“My name is Han Sooyoung,” the Pirate Captain announced, her tone both assertive and smooth. “As you can see, I’m the captain of this beautiful ship, the Lost Myth, and I own it as well.” She nudged Yoo Sangah to Lee Hyunsung’s side with a firm push. “And this is my comrade,” she continued, gesturing toward the man standing next to her. “Yoo Joonghyeon, famously known as the great Secretive Plotter, our leader, and the leader of the entire Resistance.”
Lee Hyunsung’s eyes narrowed in realization. So, Han Sooyoung was the original captain of this pirate ship, and the man beside her, Yoo Joonghyeon, was the infamous Secretive Plotter—the mastermind behind the Resistance. But the man in white—who was he? He certainly carried an air of significance, judging by his appearance and the way he carried himself.
“This is,” Han Sooyoung said, reaching toward the man in white, who was watching her closely, “why don’t you tell him who you are yourself?”
The man in white hesitated for a moment before stepping forward, his gaze briefly meeting Han Sooyoung’s before he slowly removed his mask. Lee Hyunsung and Yoo Sangah both gasped in surprise. The man’s face was unexpectedly beautiful—almost as stunning as Yoo Sangah’s. It was hard to reconcile his delicate features with the image of a ruthless rebel leader.
He inhaled deeply before speaking, his voice low and measured. “I’m the Ugliest King,” he declared, a slight smirk tugging at his lips.
“Or you can call me, the Dead Prince.”
TO BE CONTINUED~