Survival on the Internet: A Bizarre Start at Sea

"Look, a letter from Her Majesty the Queen of Hydeland. That fellow Kyle Crane raved about you when he got back."

Su Zhisu took the scroll and unrolled it.

The letter was written with an ink that had a silvery sheen, and the handwriting was elegant and powerful.

"Your Excellency Su Zhisu:"

The crisis at Atlantis has been averted, and Your Excellency's contribution is immense. Kyle Crane has already informed me of the details. Your courage and wisdom are admirable. I am greatly pleased to hear of Your Excellency's intention to visit Hydeland. The friendship between Atlantis and Hydeland endures forever, and Hydeland's gates are always open to Your Excellency. We eagerly await Your arrival.

—Written by Empress Sephiria Hedran

"Seferia Hydeland..." Su Zhisu looked at the signature and understood.

"It's time to set off for Hydeland. After all, it's the last spark of human civilization in this world, and we should go there eventually."

Looking at the pocket watch on his wrist, he suddenly remembered someone—Liliana Thea!

"Oh right, I think I still have a hidden quest to complete..."

Liliana Thea, the target of the hidden mission, and the sweetheart of First Mate Edgar Thorne.

"The sweetheart of a first mate who is still a first-rank officer is actually the holder of an alchemy inheritance... There must be a story behind this."

"Sister, I plan to..."

Su Zhisu put away the letter and looked at Cthulhu.

"Should I farm 'Shallow-2' again today, and then head to Hydeland?"

Behemoth Krasin immediately picked up where he left off, a knowing glint in his green eyes.

"I knew you couldn't let go of that little music box."

Su Zhisu did not deny it: "Yes. Before leaving, I want to confirm the changes in the instance again and try out some new ideas."

"Go ahead, go ahead."

Behemoth Krasin waved his hand and turned to walk away.

She stopped at the door, turned back, and gave a mysterious smile: "Before you leave, I'll prepare a 'surprise' for you~"

"I guarantee you'll...remember it."

After saying that, she skipped and disappeared at the end of the corridor.

"A surprise? That's so typical of my sister... I hope it's not a shock."

Su Zhisu shook her head, deciding not to think about it for the time being.

He left the laboratory and found Lilia practicing with the [Binding Staff].

The girl waved her staff, and pink and blue energy chains appeared and disappeared. Although she was still a bit clumsy, she had already gained some basic control over them.

"Lilia".

Su Zhisu called out.

Lilia stopped her movements, turned around, her face flushed from practice: "My lord! I... I did quite well in my practice!"

"I can already control the dream dust to merge into the energy chain."

"very good."

Su Zhisu nodded and stated her purpose directly, "I plan to go to 'Shallow Layer-2' again, and then..."

"Then we'll set off for Hedland."

Lilia's smile froze instantly, and her fingers gripping the staff tightened involuntarily.

A hint of disappointment and reluctance flashed in her eyes: "My lord... are you leaving Atlantis?"

"It's just a temporary departure. My White Mist Seeds are planted in Atlantis, so I can return at any time."

Su Zhisu looked at her.

"I always have to go to Hydeland, for a mission, and also for... the situation of humanity."

"Besides, there might be clues there that can help your father recover."

He paused for a moment, then said, "Would you be willing to go to the dungeon with me again? This time, perhaps we can test some of my ideas."

Lilia lowered her head and remained silent for a few seconds.

When she raised her head again, her eyes had regained their resolve: "I'm willing! Wherever the Envoy goes, I'll go! I'll strive to become stronger and not hold anyone back!"

"it is good."

A hint of approval appeared in Su Zhixu's eyes as he ruffled the girl's hair.

"Get ready, let's go."

The two stood once again beside the moon well at the bottom of the temple.

With previous experience, Su Zhisu skillfully immersed her consciousness into the network and locked onto the dungeon "Abyss-Shallow-2".

[Network Notification]: Loading the dungeon "Abyss - Shallow Layer - 2"...

[Loading complete.]

The two figures disappeared, and the scene of the pale beach unfolded once more.

The smell of rust, the stench of blood, the viscous, dark red "seawater"...

Everything seemed exactly the same as when I last entered.

"The erosion level has indeed been reset... but something seems... off."

Su Zhisu keenly noticed that the emotional pressure in the air seemed to have lessened considerably.

In the distance, the aura of the [Twisted Fragments] writhing in the shadows was far less powerful than before.

[Instance: Abyss - Shallow Layer - 2]

[Current Dungeon Erosion Level]: 55%

"55%? I remember last time it was 85%, this time it's only 55%..."

"Is it because we killed the dungeon boss last time?"

This conjecture gave Su Zhisu a jolt of energy.

A decrease in erosion level means a decrease in monster strength.

As expected, the [Twisted Fragment - Shadow of Greed and Gluttony] that crawled out from behind the shipwreck was only Lv.4, its movements were slow, and its strength and suction power were much weaker than before.

Without even needing much prompting from Su Zhisu, Lilia swung her [Binding Staff], and a dark red chain wrapped around it.

Because it was of a higher rank, the chains completely restricted its movement.

Su Zhisu stepped forward, slashing with his curved blade. Three layers of "Purification" mark were stacked, increasing damage by 9%.

He was easily dealt with in just a few cuts.

The subsequent encounters with [Shadow of Despair and Fury] and [Shadow of Slowing Sorrow] were only level 4-5.

With the two working together, the job was done cleanly with almost no trouble.

Soon, they arrived again at the area entangled by huge anchors and chains.

The dark red, viscous "seawater" surged once more, and the massive figure of the Abyss Anchor Binder slowly rose.

However, this time, its oppressive feeling was much weaker.

[Abyssal Anchor Binder (Weakened)]

[Category]: Contaminated (Aggregate of Obsessions)

[Level]: Lv.7

[Status]: Due to the reduced erosion level of the instance and the destruction of the core, its power has been greatly reduced.

[Information]: The chains are dim, the size has shrunk, and the light from the core anchor point is also weak.

"Lv.7... Your level is one level lower than mine."

"Lilia, provide support and control the battlefield. I'll take the lead in the attack."

Su Zhisu said calmly, gripping the curved sword at his waist with one hand, and slowly walked forward.

The Abyss Anchor Binder let out a deep roar, and several energy chains shot out, far less fast and powerful than before.

Su Zhisu moved slightly and easily dodged.

He strolled leisurely, weaving through the gaps in the intertwined chains, occasionally wielding his sword to parry, producing a crisp clanging sound.

Lilia's [Binding Staff] worked.

A dark red chain precisely wrapped around one of the Abyss Anchor Binder's main arms. Although it could not completely imprison it, it did cause it to pause in its movements.

Su Zhixu seized the opportunity, lunged forward, and slashed fiercely at one of its chains with his curved blade, which was imbued with the ghostly blue flames of the Night Watcher!

"clang!"

The chains snapped! The Abyss Anchor Binder roared in pain, its breath growing weaker.

The battle turned into a one-sided crushing defeat.

Having lost its level advantage and core power, the Abyss Anchor Binder was utterly powerless against Su Zhisu.

With Lilia's Dream Dust and Binding Chains constantly interfering, it couldn't even muster a decent counterattack.