Navigator: I Have a Legendary Exploration Log

Chalice didn't have time to check on Eddie's condition.

In fact.

He only glanced at the man casually while rescuing him, and once he saw that the unfortunate fellow's upper body was still intact, he looked away.

The sudden tilting of the ship caused everyone to lurch forward and backward, screaming and grabbing onto whatever was beside them to avoid falling.

But Charys stood firmly on the deck as if rooted to the ground, as if walking on flat ground.

This is not due to differences in seafaring experience.

It's simply a difference in physical constitution.

The extraordinary individuals are stronger than ordinary people not only in terms of their superhuman abilities.

The thrill of being hooked by an unknown underwater behemoth.

Cheryl instinctively reached for the revolver at his waist.

But soon.

He realized he had come to fish.

Although the Black Iron missions are not particularly demanding, they do not require bringing back any living creatures.

However, the mission description is a complete Bigmouth Fish.

Unless absolutely necessary.

Chalice didn't want to bring back a big-mouthed fish that was "riddled with holes".

If the association refuses to accept it, then the trip will have been in vain.

In a flash, he came up with a plan.

Chalice suddenly kicked the winch.

click-

It seemed that a rusty part was kicked, and the winch started spinning rapidly again, immediately relieving the tension on the rope!

Amidst the whooshing sound of wind breaking through.

Chalice stared at the direction the rope extended, nervously estimating the depth.

"Pretty much...it really could be a bigmouthed fish!"

After comparing the data with that provided by the association, Cherlis couldn't help but feel somewhat encouraged.

I caught the target on my first try! Maybe I can even get some afternoon tea when I get back!

"Captain! What do you mean!?"

Wirtz gripped the gunwale, his hair flying wildly.

"This guy doesn't look small, should we increase its strength?"

The sea breeze carried Wirtz's excited request to Cherries' ears.

But the latter just shook his head.

"No rush! Let's play with it!"

Chalice promptly poured cold water on everyone's enthusiasm.

"The Bigmouth Fish is a truly extraordinary creature; its individual strength surpasses even the grotesque worms we've encountered. We absolutely cannot underestimate it!"

"So what do you mean?"

Cherris gestured to Wirtz.

"First Mate! Go back to the bridge now and start the boat according to my instructions! Let's give it a good spin!"

"Okay!"

Wirtz turned and jogged up the gangway, and soon his signature bulbous nose appeared behind the cockpit windshield.

He saw the first mate give him a thumbs-up.

Chalice went to the ship's side and, based on the angle and direction of the cable's tilt and the remaining cable on the winch, roughly estimated the real-time location of the underwater object.

While waiting patiently can certainly deplete the opponent's stamina, it can also be depleted.

But Chalice hadn't forgotten that this was a mysterious sea.

An accident could happen at any time.

Even if you are near an island or travel along a safe route, it only reduces the risk as much as possible. The possibility of encountering danger is never zero.

He can't sit still and relax.

Therefore, we must find a way to actively wear down the other party's physical strength.

A tug-of-war...

This is a very good approach.

As Cherries gave the signal, Wirtz skillfully took the helm, and the Homecoming began to slowly turn.

Underwater creatures, aided by seawater, can often unleash terrifying power when they move.

But Chalice isn't stupid either.

Ships can also benefit from buoyancy.

Use the power of the sea to fight against marine life.

That was his plan.

In fact.

This trick is also very effective.

Whenever something underwater tries to change direction by pulling on the cable, Cherris, who is constantly watching from the side of the boat, will make timely adjustments.

Wirtz reacted very quickly.

In addition, Max, who recently joined the ship, has excellent professional skills.

The Homecoming Ship maintained a persistent, albeit distant, engagement with the underwater object, remaining "never leaving" it.

The creature struggled and tried to escape, so Cherries directed the Homecoming to follow it.

Don't confront them head-on.

Anyway, the hook is in that thing's mouth, and the faster it swims, the deeper the hook will pierce.

Struggling will only worsen the injury.

Once a slack was detected in the cable, Cherries would immediately seize the opportunity to order the sailors to turn the winch to pull the cable back in, or to have the Homecoming tow in the opposite direction.

This was the moment when the large underwater cargo was exhausted and gasping for breath.

It can often tighten considerably.

This continued for more than half an hour.

Chalice was somewhat amazed by the creature's vitality.

"Captain, how about we do a couple more laps this time? Maybe we can just haul that thing up!"

"This is nothing!"

Chalice was extremely patient.

"Keep exhausting it, so it won't have the energy to tear things apart when you pull it aboard! We're here to make money, I'm not in a hurry, why are you? Do you want to go back missing limbs?"

"No, no..."

The sailor who had spoken immediately retreated, his face flushed with embarrassment.

However, Chalice also felt that it was about time.

Because the frequency and intensity of confrontations are decreasing.

This indicates that the thing's physical strength is already running out.

The outcome will be decided soon...

That thing only has two options.

Either fight to the death with your last ounce of strength...

Either they were completely outmaneuvered by Chalice, who essentially "flew them like kites" and left them utterly helpless...

Chalice gazed at the increasingly turbulent sea.

Obviously.

That thing has quite a temper...

"Be prepared for the impact!"

He called out a warning: "That thing..."

"The ship... Captain!"

Eddie covered his face and interrupted Cherries.

He pointed at the winch with a look of astonishment, "Look! The cable is retracting automatically!"

Chalice quickly turned his head to look.

The winch was turning automatically, rewinding the wet hemp rope.

What's going on?!

Has the decoupling occurred?

Unless there is no prey left on the hook, the line should not retract automatically so quickly.

No... there's another possibility!

The winch retraction indicates that there is no counteracting force at the end.

This effect can be achieved naturally when the prey is unhooked.

But what if the prey doesn't escape the hook, but instead swims towards the surface with the hook still attached?

Chalice was suddenly startled.

"Get away from the ship's side!"

He shouted as he grabbed a harpoon, "That thing tried to pounce!"

Before he could finish speaking...

A jet of murky water exploded on the sea surface right next to the starboard side of the Homecoming!

The roar of the water was accompanied by splashing water!

Amidst the billowing white foam.

A massive creature, nearly three meters long, leaped out of the sea and over the ship's side using the momentum of its rapid swimming!

Chalice's enhanced senses after his transformation allowed him to accurately capture the true form of the monster amidst the white foam and splashes of water.

Its entire body was covered with a thick, bluish-black skin that gleamed with a cold metallic luster in the dim light.

What's most terrifying is that monstrous maw that takes up almost two-thirds of the head!

Its flat beak structure allows it to open its mouth wide to the maximum extent.

Countless rows of intersecting serrated teeth and fangs, with faint traces of remaining bits of meat.

The fishhook, forged from fine iron, was firmly embedded in the terrifying jungle of sharp teeth, but now, with the sudden attack of the Bigmouth Fish, it has returned in an unexpected way.

boom--

A dull thud.

The bigmouthed fish jumped onto the boat.

This unexpected turn of events left the closest sailors stunned and speechless.

However, as that gaping maw instinctively snapped shut, the shredding sound instantly shattered their defenses.

"Good heavens! A monster has boarded the ship!"

"What should we do? Should we kick it off the ship?"

"Are you kidding me? This is our mission objective! Quickly, think of a way to take it down!"

"Huh? Me?"

……

"Shut up!"

Chalice's stern rebuke stopped the spreading panic in time.

"Use harpoons! Don't come any closer, throw them!"

He swept his fierce gaze across the crowd, "What's so scary!? Don't forget how much this fish is worth!"

"Even the scariest fish is still in the sea. Now that this damn thing is on the ship, we can decide what to do with it!"

"Everyone! Grab your harpoons! Aim at that thing's body and fire!"

"I refuse to believe... that the prey we've hauled onto the boat can escape!?"