Endless Ocean: Survival Begins with a Dugout Canoe-Chapter 120 - 118: The Hunt Begins

「The day of departure.」

"This is Fontainebleau’s subsidiary drifting ship, the Abyss Probe,"

Wright stood before a small drifting ship, introducing it to the six Awakened behind him.

"Its class might not be high, but it excels at deep-sea diving. For this journey, we will take it to our destination—the site of an ancient human ruin that has now become the lair of an A-rank sea beast."

This was the first time Wright had revealed their destination to the others.

No one objected.

Information on a sea beast’s location was extremely valuable, so revealing it just before departure was standard procedure.

"For this expedition, we have another powerful asset."

As he spoke, Wright took a jewel-like object from the honeycomb device hanging at his waist.

The jewel was crystal clear. It looked like a miniature, pure azure ocean, or perhaps a Merfolk’s pristine tear. An unknown energy pulsed within, making it look truly extraordinary.

The eyes of the other Awakened lit up, all except for Yize.

"This item is called the Calm Sea Pearl."

"It’s a treasure my Albert Clan obtained some time ago. We didn’t know its name originally, only managing to figure out its function. Thanks to the Xirang Research Institute translating the text on that stone tablet and compiling the Compendium of the Endless Ocean’s Marvels, I finally learned this jewel’s name and its exact rank. It’s actually the Calm Sea Pearl, ranked 109th."

Wright held the jewel, introducing it as casually as if it were an ordinary item.

"I’m sure all of you have exceptional underwater combat skills, but with this, we will be completely unrestricted. Fighting underwater will be just like fighting on land."

A hint of pride flickered in Wright’s eyes.

’This is a real treasure, absolutely priceless.’

’Humans are not on their home turf in the ocean, but this jewel makes up for all of that.’

’It’s precisely because of this item that the Albert Clan, despite having no S-rank Awakened, is considered top-tier among the leadership of the Twelve Stars. Now, if we can just get one S-rank Awakened, we’ll eliminate our final weakness!’

The other Awakened stared at the jewel in his hand.

"Amazing, Mr. Wright!"

"With a wondrous item like this, our underwater combat capabilities will be on a whole new level! Forget an A-rank sea beast—we could even take on an S-rank one!"

Reyno of the Twelve Stars was a natural hype man.

"Truly marvelous."

"But, Mr. Wright, if you have a treasure like this, why didn’t you bring it out earlier so we could get used to it?"

"You may not be aware, Mr. Iwami, but it’s not that I was unwilling to let everyone try it. The fact is, this wondrous item has its own limitations. It can only be activated once a month. Besides allowing Awakened to move underwater as if on land, it has no other special properties. For all intents and purposes, you can just treat our destination as an island."

"I see."

"A treasure like this is a godsend for underwater combat. I wonder, Mr. Wright, if my Black Gold Country might be able to rent this Calm Sea Pearl from you for a time in the future?"

"Of course. May the friendship between Black Gold and the Twelve Stars last forever."

With all matters settled, the Abyss Probe slowly powered up.

Though it was only a Silver-class ship, it had a very sci-fi feel. A silvery protective shield unfurled from within, and the seven Awakened boarded one by one.

"Our priority for this operation is caution. To avoid any unforeseen incidents, we’ll first take the Abyss Probe to the exact coordinates before diving. When we encounter the sea beast, I will use the Calm Sea Pearl and aim to finish it off as quickly as possible!"

"Alright!!"

...

...

...

Shi Ming piloted the Sun-Shooter, patrolling the waters near the Olympus Ruins Sea Area.

After a brief return to the Grand Fortune earlier that day, he had left it at its original coordinates as a fallback. He then set out to sea alone, hunting at his leisure while waiting for an opportunity to present itself.

’In the area where the S-rank sea beast roams, there aren’t even any moderately strong sea beasts. Only here... a single B-rank one!’

’This spot is also right on the main route between the Twelve Stars and the ruins.’

’Better than nothing. I’ll consider it a warm-up before the main event!’

After pinpointing the sea beast’s coordinates, Shi Ming brought the Sun-Shooter to a stop on the water’s surface. He pulled some processed B-rank sea beast flesh from his system inventory, scattering it on the waves to act as chum, letting it sink slowly to lure his new prey.

’Patience. Focus.’

’He would need both.’

He didn’t have to wait long. In just over an hour, a terrifying, eighteen-meter-long, armor-plated giant crab burst from the surface, brandishing its massive pincers as it lunged toward Shi Ming’s canoe!

’Here it comes!’

HSSH...

A chill instantly filled Shi Ming’s eyes as the power of Ice Annihilation erupted from him. In a flash, the temperature in a hundred-meter-plus radius around the Sun-Shooter plummeted.

With a great CRACK, the seawater froze solid in the extreme cold!

A thick layer of ice enveloped the eighteen-meter crab, trapping it like an insect in amber and instantly immobilizing it.

’A pity.’

’I don’t have the means to cook right now.’

’Otherwise, I could really go for some claypot crab.’

Standing at the bow of his canoe, Shi Ming suddenly materialized an Ice-Forged Giant Sword in his hand.

He then launched himself from the deck, leaping more than twenty meters into the air. In mid-air, his Ice Sword instantly swelled into a ten-meter-long greatsword. With a mighty CRACK, it plunged downward like a meteorite, piercing straight into the eighteen-meter crab’s abdomen.

Yellowish ichor burst out, only to freeze instantly.

BOOM!

The Ice-Forged Giant Sword, still inside the crab’s body, exploded.

The immense energy shredded the sea beast’s innards, blasting its meat and legs into countless chunks from the inside out. Shi Ming made no move to dodge, letting the ichor and flesh rain down on him.

The Red Pattern on his right arm frantically absorbed the energy, bringing him an increase in points.

[Congratulations, you have hunted the B-rank sea beast: Stone-Clad Giant Crab! By bathing in its blood, you have acquired the B-rank skill: Unimpeded Rampage! Because its rank was too low, the skill "Unimpeded Rampage" has been consumed by the S-rank skill Black Tortoise Shield, granting you 8 Attack Power.]

[Attack Power: 85]

Hunt complete!

’Eight points of Attack Power.’

’A decent haul!’

The sheet of ice on the surface shattered, melting rapidly back into seawater and carrying the fragments of the crab’s body back into the depths of the ocean.

Several hundred meters away, a drifting ship emerged.

Shi Ming glanced into the distance. ’They’re here.’

’What a coincidence.’

...

...

...

"Truly, fine timber comes from young saplings! Brother Shi, your control over your skills has taken another leap forward. To slay a B-rank sea beast with such ease... even I would find it difficult to be so composed."

"Mr. Wright. We meet again."

Shi Ming replied, standing on the deck of the Sun-Shooter.

’Shi Ming had already altered the canoe’s appearance. Others might sense there was something special about it, but they would never guess it was actually a true General-class drifting ship!’

"It must be fate." Wright smiled. "Before the Wandering Era, I read one of Mr. Shakespeare’s masterpieces. As Elder Sha said, the world is a young man’s oyster. Those words are certainly true. Perhaps it’s long past time for us old-timers to leave the stage."

"You flatter me, Mr. Wright. But Elder Sha also said that age is but a number, and wisdom is a thing apart."

"Oh? Hahaha! Are you out here hunting all by yourself, my young friend?"

"Hunting sea beasts is a dangerous business. I left my main drifting ship moored near the Twelve Stars."

"Hunting sea beasts is indeed perilous, and there’s no need for the crew to share in the risk. Since you’re out here alone, my young friend, would you be willing to come aboard for a chat? You might even find it... rewarding."

’This was Wright’s third invitation, and he was only asking for a chat.’

’It would be a serious slight to refuse again.’

"It would be my honor."

Shi Ming gestured to a new, high-grade, large-capacity honeycomb device hanging at his waist.

With a tap of his finger, the canoe vanished.

Just before it vanished, he used it to launch himself into the air, and in the blink of an eye, landed steadily on the deck of the Abyss Probe.