# 143
143. Hunting (3)
If it was a normal water cannon, it would have just passed the boat.
However, what the water dragon vomited was flames. Even lightly touching the surface is dangerous.
‘shit.’
A fire broke out from the side of the ship.
Soon, smoke began to cover the sky.
blind spot.
The method of activating the water pressure cannon was not considered.
Could it be that he could blow out the flames inside his body through his mouth?
[Ke ha ha ha! Cool!]
The water dragon looked at me with blood dripping from its mouth.
It was a face full of laughter.
‘If only I had thought a little deeper.’
I bit my lip.
With her head out of the water, Jenna’s gaze turned to the burning boat.
“Huh? Why is my stomach suddenly like that?!”
I narrowed my eyes.
The fire is spreading to the deck.
On the deck, heroes and monsters are fighting bloody battles.
The merman under the sea were riding the side of the ship and climbing to the deck.
The water dragon let out a rough breath and went back into the water.
At the same time, other members came out of the water. Belquist, who noticed the change first, narrowed his eyes.
“What is this?”
“He spit Iolka’s fire out of his mouth.”
“What? Does that make sense?”
If his water pressure cannon fires water and air in his lungs, nothing is impossible.
It’s just that I hadn’t thought of this.
[Han!]
An urgent voice came from my ear.
A voice mixed with youthful tea. It was Kishasha’s.
[I haven’t heard of boats catching fire! We can’t swim! How do I do this…]
“Wait.”
I looked around.
He was deep in the water.
‘Did he go to heal his wounds?’
As usual, I would have to chase and end it, but I couldn’t afford to do that right away.
If you don’t do it from the probation.
“Katio!”
The airship that was swaying from the other side approached.
Katio jumped out of the cockpit.
“Here it is!”
“Go to the Goddess Statue. Help me there.”
“Are you?”
“We remain.”
I looked back.
“Belquist, Nerissa. Follow me too.”
“Are you saying you want to fight with three people?”
“…okay.”
If the statue of Goddess is occupied, there will be no porridge or food.
It is natural that the attack becomes difficult when underwater breathing is interrupted. That much had to be stopped.
I asked Edith to practice swimming and underwater combat, but according to reports, her proficiency is not high. If they lost their boat and were dragged into the water, they were instantly annihilated.
“I-I…”
“Be quiet. It’s not your fault.”
Iolka bowed her head.
“It’s just a little twisted. Just straighten it out.”
Booung.
The airship carrying Belquist and Nerissa departed.
Subsequently, an abnormal status message appeared on the right side of the field of vision, informing the hero of fear and bleeding.
The message soon changed.
[‘Zeril (★★★)’ has returned to the arms of the goddess! His fighting spirit will be remembered forever.]
[‘Shurgan (★★★)’ has returned to the arms of the goddess! His fighting spirit will be remembered forever.]
Two deaths.
‘It was dirty and twisted.’
Of course, heroes were gathered near the fire.
They had to prepare for the fire behind them while fighting the monsters in front. Edith was struggling desperately to cope, but it was clear that she was being pushed back.
[This is…!]
“I’m sorry. It was my mistake.”
[A mistake?]
“The airship will go there soon. Throw away the ship. Take Freea and transfer to the airship. If you can’t stand it, you can throw away the statue of the goddess. Don’t die.”
[Wait, I don’t understand!]
Pick.
I cut off communication.
Katio will take care of the rest.
“This… is that right?”
“what is that.”
Iolka’s complexion was pale.
“That’s what he spit out my fire magic.”
“okay.”
“My magic set the ship on fire…”
[‘Aryl(★★)’ returned to the arms of the goddess. Her fighting spirit will be remembered forever.]
[‘Lilini (★★★)’ panics. All stats are reduced by 50%.]
‘The weak ones go first.’
The fresh recruits are dying out.
Monsters were constantly flocking to the ship and attacking them. I don’t even pay attention to the goddess statue behind the ship. It seemed that he was planning to annihilate the heroes first before occupying objects.
“Because of me…”
“Sister.”
Jenna lowered her voice.
“Nobody knew it would turn out like this. Didn’t it, brother? Iolka’s fault, right? There’s nothing wrong with doing your best.”
“If it’s my fault, it’s on me.”
“Oh, I didn’t expect that kind of answer.”
Jenna sighed and continued.
“Now what? The monster seems to have gone into the water. It looks dangerous there too.”
A fire broke out at the back of the deck.
It was impossible to put out the fire while dealing with the monsters in front, and the aspect of the battle became an unknown melee. If it was a melee, it was inevitable that there would be many casualties.
‘…’
A painful calculation mistake.
I clenched my teeth hard. I could feel the bitter taste of blood.
I swallowed the blood down my throat. It’s not over yet. If it collapsed to this extent, it would only become a laughing stock.
‘He also suffered a blow.’
The reason they didn’t attack us on the water was because they weren’t in a good condition.
Even if he vomits fire down his throat, there is no way he will be safe. The insides would have been completely burned. I was constantly running simulations in my head. We calculated the situation between the enemy and ours and devised a countermeasure.
‘…’
Finally, I checked the situation on the ship.
Most of the deck was occupied by monsters and the ship was slowly sinking.
I sighed and put my hand to my ear.
“Edith.”
[…]
“Abandon the statue of Goddess. Transfer to the airship.”
[Then you guys…]
“We’ll finish it. We can’t be obstinate and annihilate.”
Edith didn’t answer.
I spoke.
“Your members, didn’t you tell me you wouldn’t kill me? Do you want me to kill you?”
[…Okay,]
Edith replied reluctantly.
I cut off communication.
“hey.”
“If you’re going to lament your bad situation, fuck it.”
“but…!”
I pulled Iolka by the neck.
faces came closer.
“It was I who decided to put you on the mission. I take the responsibility.”
“I was forced to come in!”
“I don’t force anyone in.”
Iolka’s eyes twitched.
I grinned and let go of Iolka’s hand.
Iolka sagged on the water as if she had lost her strength.
“…the atmosphere is nice.”
muttered Jenna.
“What are you talking about?”
Iolka huffed and withdrew.
I laughed and said
“I think you have enough energy.”
“It’s noisy.”
“Okay. The three of us finish the mission.”
“how?”
“Look at the mission window.”
I looked to the right of my sight.
The goal window of the mission was displayed.
[Floor 35.]
[Mission Type – Steal]
[Objective – ???]
[Special Objective – Survival of NPC ‘Priasis All Ragna’]
Steal.
It’s not subjugation.
It meant that there was no need to beat the water dragon unconditionally.
Probably the water dragon is the mid-boss.
It would be a similar concept to a guardian where the key is.
then.
‘Ignore it, take the key, and hand it to Freea.’
The standard would have been to hunt a water dragon and enter the key storage, but that was no longer possible.
[The altar has been occupied!]
[Goddess’ protection has been lifted!]
The airship loaded with survivors left the sea area.
Monsters were swarming around the statue. Reoccupation is difficult. In principle, in order to recapture an area once lost, several times the force was required. Furthermore, monsters were also flocking to the airship.
[Tears of a mermaid]
[Oxygen concentration – 100%]
‘There’s a time limit.’
You must return to the water by stealing the infiltration key within the specified time.
I explained my plan to them both. I knew the approximate location of the key. Because I heard the story from Freea many times.
“Can you?”
“You have no choice but to do it.”
“It is.”
“Then we must!”
Jenna rolled up her arms.
Iolka also hardened her expression.
Both of them seemed to have made up their mind.
I nodded and took a deep breath.
And dived deep into the water.
‘He’s been hit.’
Although the statue of the goddess was lost, odds remained.
Moving my arms and legs, I brushed through the blue waves.
Behind them, Jenna and Iolka followed.
‘Bottom of the sea. A temple where blue light shines.’
I remembered Freya’s remarks.
[Oxygen concentration – 93%]
‘Oxygen consumption is fast.’
A huge shadow appeared in the water.
water dragon. Again, it appeared. The wound on his tattered chest was half-healed.
Wedge!
Immediately, Jenna pulled the protest.
Streamlined arrowheads lodged in the scales.
oh oh oh oh!
The water dragon approached with a roar.
“…”
I winked at the two of them.
meant to ignore.
The two nodded and shook their feet diligently.
‘I can get away with it.’
not as fast as before
Because the tail and fins were torn.
I braced my arms and legs and went inside.
[Oxygen concentration – 73%]
The bottom of the sea.
A blue light flashed.
It could be clearly seen from a distance.
bubbling.
Jenna grabbed my collar and pointed behind me.
I looked away.
[Merman Lv.38] X 32
A group of mermen were approaching.
I turned to my side. A harpoon passed by.
‘Ignore it.’
The two nodded.
We dodged the harpoons and made our way to the bottom of the sea.
[Oxygen concentration – 43%]
A huge submerged temple appeared.
‘Why is it in a place like this?’
The depth is already close to five hundred meters.
It was not a place to dive carelessly.
I landed on the roof of the temple.
‘The entrance…’
is not visible.
If so, just break it.
I winked at Iolka.
Iolka started casting right away.
‘Keep it until the end.’
Jenna’s shooting made the Mermen fall apart.
I deflected the harpoon flying in front of Jenna.
[Oxygen concentration – 35%]
The more vigorously you move, the faster oxygen is consumed.
I pulled the power out of my body. processed with minimal action.
[…!]
Wow!
One side of the roof of the temple was smashed.
At my signal, Iolka took turns entering the hole in the roof of the temple.
After Iolka, I’m the last one, Jenna.
[‘Jenna (★★★)’ is in a bleeding state. Physical strength decreases for a certain period of time.]
Together with the water, we landed inside the temple.
【Move!】
As soon as I stepped on it, Iolka immediately waved her hand.
A stone from the floor rose and plugged the hole through which the water poured.
Iolka caught her breath.
“It will buy time. It won’t last long.”
I looked around.
The place we landed was a large hollow the size of a playground, but the inside of the temple didn’t seem to be submerged in water.
[Oxygen concentration – 28%]
‘Can I go back?’
It consumed more oxygen than expected.
Anyway, think about that later.
“hey.”
“yes?”
I looked back
Jenna’s legs were shaking.
“How hurt are you?”
“I’m not very hurt.”
“Honestly blow. Before you get scolded.”
“A little…?”
Jenna smiled awkwardly.
It wasn’t a look I saw once or twice.
This guy makes a face like this when he has a corner where he gets stabbed.
I strode behind Jenna.
There was a deep cut in the left calf.
‘…ha.’
Did you get hit by a harpoon?
It didn’t get stuck, but it seems to have stolen a handful of flesh as it passed.
“If you use the potion, you’ll get well soon.”
“It gets better, it gets better. If you don’t move and stay still.”
“It’s okay to fight, what?”
thud!
The joint shook greatly.
[Where are you going in carelessly!]
It was the voice of the water dragon.
“ouch!”
I sat Jenna down and took out the potion and bandages.
I opened the cap of the potion, sprayed it on the affected area, and tied it with a bandage.
“I’m waiting for you.”
“I can fight too.”
“Don’t bullshit.”
“I’ve never seen my brother so kind.”
After wrapping the bandage all the way, I took out the white potion.
Tears of Mermaids. I put it next to Jenna.
“Why are you giving me this?”
“Use it for emergencies.”
I spoke.
“Iolka, you too…”
“I’m not going!
“I guess so.”
“It is.”
Iolka put her hand on her chest.
“If I did it, I’ll take responsibility. It’s a noble’s duty. You too! Because you called me! Escort like a gentleman!”
Iolka shook her head and laughed.
Although my hands were shaking.
‘This is true.’
I smiled bitterly.
“Then let’s go.”
“Me!”
“I’ll come pick you up soon. Wait patiently.”
[Caution!]
[The dungeon above is for 5 players.]
I moved on, putting aside the message that popped into my view.
[The battle shop is open.]
[You have selected a high-quality fluorescent stick (100 gems for single use). Do you want to buy it?]
[Yes (optional) / No]
Can’t this guy even read the atmosphere?
