"Wooooaaaah!!"
"Hold on tight!"
Work crew chief Rogadu's eyes turned toward the deck below.
He had no choice but to trust them for now, but honestly, he'd been half-doubting it.
Normally, this galley only moved when the force of fifty oars was applied.
And yet they said just the two of them would row? Who could easily accept that?
It was only natural not to believe it.
But now, he had no choice but to believe.
*Kwaaaaaaah!!*
The galley shot forward at an incredible speed.
Question marks kept forming on his face.
What in the world was this? This absurd speed.
Not even when equipped with the latest new power source had they reached this speed.
He barely managed to move his body and look down at the deck below.
"HEAVE-HO-HEAVE-HO-HEAVE-HO-HEAVE-HO-HEAVE-HO!!"
He thought he understood why the ship was flying.
Otongtong was shouting "heave-ho" at the maximum speed he could manage.
What was even more ridiculous were the two people keeping pace with this rhythm.
The two rowing fiercely as if they couldn't afford to fall even a little behind.
He couldn't fathom what kind of training they must have done to row like that.
"Something's coming!"
At the Yodel Ranger's shout, he turned his head toward the sea.
'Damn... they've come.'
He'd secretly hoped for it.
That the masters of the Black Sea wouldn't notice.
But it seemed that was too greedy.
The masters of the Black Sea didn't ignore the galley's noisy charge.
They simply appeared to punish those who broke the rules, just as they always did.
*Kwaaaaaaah...!*
Waves rose on the once-calm sea at the appearance of the massive creature.
How huge did something have to be to create waves of that size?
*Gwaak.*
Rogadu clenched his fist.
He knew well that it wasn't right to worry like this while doing nothing.
Even so, he couldn't help being concerned.
Would they really be able to escape safely?
From those masters of the Black Sea.
"Changing direction!"
"!?"
It was true.
The masters of the Black Sea turned toward the rear of the galley as if bewitched by something.
His gaze naturally followed that direction.
Only then did he notice the massive whirlpool that had formed behind the galley.
Rogadu drew in another breath.
What in the world was happening in there?
And beneath the sea at the rear of the galley.
Jinhyuk stretched out both hands.
The tens of thousands of scales began spinning faster as they received power.
Thanks to that, a more satisfying whirlpool than expected was created.
As intended, it also drew the aggro of the sea monsters.
Of course, aside from this—
'Scary!'
Although he couldn't see it with his eyes, the flow of water touching his skin was telling him in real-time.
That an incredibly huge creature was approaching right now.
After making the sign of the cross in his mind, he fixed his gaze straight ahead.
Soon, the first one would arrive.
One, two, three... *Kwa-gagagagak!!!*
*Splat-splat-splat!*
'Gweeeeeek!'
The blender's performance was too excessively excellent.
The body parts of the sea monster were shredded and scattered everywhere the moment they touched.
The scattering speed was also considerable, making it feel like being slapped across the face.
Even so, he didn't slow down.
The number swarming in was considerable, so if he didn't grind them up like this, he'd be overwhelmed.
He kept the sea blender spinning nonstop and checked his status window.
His mana was being drained like crazy.
It seemed he wouldn't be able to operate it for long.
*Kwa-gagak!!*
After grinding them up as much as possible, he squeezed out the last of his mana and retrieved the scales.
"Puhah!"
He rose above the surface and examined the scales he'd just retrieved.
"Ugh."
They had been so glossy they sparkled in the moonlight.
Now they were covered in unclean things, sticky and slimy and a mess.
He'd have to scrub them thoroughly when he got home.
And ask Momo to help too.
*Kwaaaaaaah...!*
As soon as the whirlpool disappeared, the monsters changed direction toward the galley.
After taking a deep breath, he dove again.
And went beneath the closest one.
*Jjeong!!*
He kicked with all his might with his aura-wrapped foot.
Thanks to the sticky sea and the disgustingly heavy weight, sending it up to the surface was the best he could do, but that was enough.
As soon as the monster revealed itself, a hail of bullets poured down.
In an instant, explosions erupted and the creature's body burst apart in all directions.
He continued swimming underwater, kicking up every one he touched.
The ones that went up would be handled by Kancho and Seira.
'It really is useful.'
His unique trait, 'In the Darkness.'
Normally, it would have been just simple ripples, but now he could read various information from within them—the enemy's position, form, size, and more.
*Jjeong! Jjeong! Kwang!!*
After sending up as many as his breath would allow, he lifted his head.
The area behind where the ship had passed was filled with monster corpses.
Even though he'd killed quite a few, the number swarming in was still considerable.
"Kancho! Buy me some time!"
"Roger that! Hey, Jamboree! Wake up!"
"Ung."
Nia got up groggily, rubbing her eyes.
Kancho didn't wait for Nia to fully wake up.
"If you go splash, then shoot boom! Let's go!"
He picked up the bamboo fishing rod and cast it with all his might.
Of course, since his strength was weak, Nia didn't fly very far.
*Splash.*
Nia entered the water right below the galley.
After waiting a moment, a crescent-shaped darkness appeared on the surface.
The darkness shot out in multiple directions, instantly sweeping away the left side of the galley.
The monsters there shattered into pieces and floated to the surface.
"Excellent!"
Kancho reeled in the fishing line with a satisfied face.
"Huh?!"
His nose wrinkled.
There was nothing.
It seemed this idiot Nia had bitten through his fishing line along with the monster.
*Gulp!*
Kancho, who had been sweating coldly, put on his Yodel goggles with a determined face.
If it were Tomorrow-or-Today Grandma, he would have let it go since she'd die tomorrow anyway, but Honorary Yodel Ranger Nia was different.
Even if her fluffy fur got soaked in ink, he had to retrieve her.
That was the duty of a deputy commander.
*Splat!*
"Huh?"
Just as he was about to dive in spectacularly, Nia shot up from the water and flopped onto the deck.
The General Commander had picked her up and thrown her as she was sinking.
"As expected of the General Commander! Thumbs up!"
He quickly ran to the railing and gave a double thumbs-up.
Jinhyuk raised his thumb in return before disappearing beneath the surface again.
"Private Nia, are you okay? Are you unharmed... What are you eating at a time like this?"
"Eat too, Kancho."
Nia, lying on her back, held out something in one hand.
"Ewww!"
A piece of something black-soaked and mushy.
Instead of quickly taking it and throwing it into the sea, he put it into Nia's mouth.
"It tastes bad."
Yet she swallowed it all without leaving a single bit.
He made a resolution once again.
Never to put his foot or hand in Nia's mouth, even as a joke.
And so they continued performing their roles at their respective positions for a long while.
"I, I see land!!"
"It's an island!"
People's shouts could be heard.
"As expected of the expected!"
Kancho clenched both fists.
The Jodark Urenya, also known as the Darya Engine.
What an absurd performance.
"Hey, Piggy! Increase speed! Full speed ahead as we are!"
"Got it! HEAVE-HO-HEAVE-HO-HEAVE-HO-HEAVE-HO-HEAVE-HO-HEAVE-HO-HEAVE-HO-HEAVE-HO!!!!"
The pleasant wind brushing through his fur brought a smile to Yodel Ranger Kancho's lips.
When he retired from the Yodel Rangers later, he should become a captain.
---
On the island of Famiran, which had been peaceful as always.
*Kuuuuuung...!*
A heavy vibration spread out.
"What was that?"
"Where did it come from?"
People came out one by one at the shaking that resonated throughout the entire island.
Lights turned on here and there, and the sleeping island began to wake up.
And this was no exception for those living in the tallest building.
"What's going on!?"
Marundo, who had rushed out, shouted angrily.
At least since he was born, this had never happened even once.
A commotion like this coming to the island at night.
Marundo walked to the railing and took out a tool.
A tool that magnified the subject so he could see even the edge of the island.
He moved the tool toward where smoke was rising and magnified it.
"!!!"
His eyes couldn't help but widen.
A work ship slowly revealing itself through the smoke.
It was a work ship that should have been docked at the port, but for some reason, it had climbed far up onto the land.
'...No way.'
A certain possibility came to mind, but he soon shook his head to dismiss it.
It was impossible.
The work ship's power tool should have been broken for sure.
How could it have reached the island in that state?
By rowing? Absolutely impossible.
The masters of the Black Sea wouldn't have let them be.
Even if they conceded a hundred times that the masters hadn't reacted, reaching the island would have been possible only much later.
Only after everyone on the work ship had starved to death.
While he was stubbornly denying reality, the subordinate who had gone to check returned.
For some reason, the subordinate's face was pale.
"Lord Marundo!"
"Speak."
"It's, it's Rogadu's work ship!"
Marundo tilted his head.
Even though he'd heard correctly, the name was hard to believe.
"What about the people on board?"
"All safe."
His mind went dizzy, and he pressed his forehead.
This shouldn't be.
Even if the ship had returned, everything on board should have been swallowed by the Black Sea.
What variable had come into play?
He pondered the possibilities with insufficient information for a moment.
*Click.*
A cane sound came from behind.
Startled, Marundo and his subordinate hurriedly lowered themselves.
Marundo's body began to tremble like an aspen leaf.
He had confidently assured that there would be no problems, but things had not just gone wrong—they had been completely overturned.
*Click. Click. Click.*
An old man appeared with the slow sound of a cane and let out a low murmur.
"G, Guild Master..."
"Be quiet. Before I rip out your jaw."
Terrified, Marundo quickly bowed his head.
Cold sweat poured from his body without pause.
He had tried to make an excuse somehow, but he had nearly lost his life.
*Gulp.*
Marundo cautiously raised his eyes and stared at his father, Ragnar von Edilen.
The master of Famiran Island, a powerhouse who had once climbed the Tower of Myth and made a name for himself.
He never spoke carelessly.
Even if it was to his own child.
Ragnar stroked his beard and let out a low murmur.
"Who was on the work ship?"
"Work crew chief Rogadu and his team members!"
Ragnar turned his head and looked at the subordinate who had just answered.
His nearly closed eyes opened slightly, emitting a sharp gleam.
"The work ship sped up enough to climb onto the island. Yet it didn't break apart. Someone caught it in time. That massive galley. Does work crew chief Rogadu have that kind of power? Now then, I'll ask again. Who else was on board besides Rogadu's work crew?"
The wait didn't last long.
*Puseok!*
The subordinate's head was pierced through the eye.
Marundo's face turned ashen at the collapsing body.
But contrary to Marundo's worries, Ragnar wasn't paying him the slightest attention.
*Click.*
Ragnar moved forward a bit and stared at the place where the work ship had run aground.
'What has come in?'
It had been just a moment, but he had clearly felt it.
An absurdly enormous power.
----------
T/N:
Just for being a free member, you'll get 5 advanced chapters every week!
Access 35 chapters in advance on my Patreon:[email protected]//towerup