Were here, George whispered. He was crouched by a tree, his head barely peeking over the bush in front of himself. A vast yellow shore and blue ocean stretched as far as the eye could see. A dead leviathan lay on the sand, its body half-dismantled. A group of fishn were hacking away at its body, taking out the bones and organs.
Are you sure this is the place? the noble, Evan Lancefell, asked as he squinted ahead. Behind him, a group of adventurers were lying on their bellies, holding their breaths and staying as still as possible.
Theres no other beach, George said and frowned. This is the place.
But theres nothing here? What skeletons? What undead threat? Evan glanced at George before patting the bag on his waist. Would the fishman really exchange leviathan materials for a prank? Fishn werent like fairies.
But they were here George stood up and stared at the beach. There werent any traces of the combat and struggle that he knew had occurred. We repelled them? Impossible. He stepped over the bush and headed towards the fishn on the shore while shouting, Hey! Im back! What happened to the undead?
The fishn holding the leviathan materials stopped moving and stared at each other. Undead?
Hes onto us!
Dont worry, Ill diffuse the situation. Play along.
One of the fishn shouted back, What undead?
Oh, its crazy ol Joe. Hes escaped from his hut again. What did he do this ti?
We should catch him before he hurts himself like last ti.
Georges face paled as the fishn charged at him at a speed faster than most fishn could swim. He made it back to the bush before he was tackled to the ground. As the fishn proceeded to restrain his limbs, Evan stood up and said, Stop! What is the aning of this?
The fishn exchanged glances, ignoring the gagged and struggling George. You are?
My na is Evan Lancefell, son of Duke Lancefell, leader of the Shining Stars of Lancefell. Evan drew his lance from his back. Ill have to ask you to unhand my client.
A red fishman opened his mouth. He spoke with a gravelly voice, Crazy ol Joes your client?
Evans brow furrowed. Crazy ol Joe? His na is George.
The red fishman sighed and clacked his teeth together, making clicking noises. Poor ol Joe. Poor, poor ol Joe. He wiped at his eyes, but Evan didnt see any tears form on the fishmans face. His son was nad George, but he died in a terrible, terrible accident out at sea. Joe lost his wife to the sa beast a week later. He hasnt been right in the head ever since.
The other fishn nodded in agreent. Its true. A month ago, he was planting sea urchins on the beach, trying to grow urchin trees. The month before that, he thought he was the leader of our tribe and made nonsensical rules about wearing pink robes on Fridays. His bouts of insanity are very vivid and real to him. He may seem cohesive when he actually isnt.
I, I see, Evan said and scratched his head. Then theres no undead threat?
The red fishman blinked twice. Undead threat? The continent is partially ruled by holy dragons. Why would there ever be undead here? He sighed. Is that what Joe told you? Are you adventurers hired by him?
Evan frowned at the struggling George who was trying to escape the fishns grasp. Yes. He hired us in return for the leviathan materials. His gaze landed on the leviathan corpse in the distance. He turned around and said, You can show yourselves.
The group of adventurers who were hiding stood up and dusted themselves off. None of them had good expressions on their faces. Evan nodded and faced the group of fishn. Shall we have a discussion?
The red fishman frowned. Ol Joe isnt capable of thinking straight, but he did offer parts of the leviathan to you. Fishn are honorable, so well keep his word. Why dont you all rest here? It looks like youve had a long journey. Well prepare an unforgettable al with the leviathans flesh.
Are you capable of making such a large decision? Evan asked.
Yes, the red fishman said with a smile. One might call the leader of all the tribes. My na is, uh, Noteleks. He pointed at the fishn nearby. Hes Eno; shes Owt; hes Eerht. Why dont you take them to our guest lodgings, Owt?
The female fishman nodded. Follow , please. Your al will be ready soon.
Evan nodded and made to follow after the fishman, but the woman by his side tugged his sleeve. Her face was pale. Theres sothing fishy about this.
Evan frowned at the woman, his sister. Really? A fishman pun?
Im serious! the girl whispered, practically hissing. She tied her red hair up into a bun while clearing away the grass that had gathered on her dress. How strong is the average fishman?
E, no, D-ranked? Evan followed after the fishman while whispering to his sister. The other adventurers glanced around as the scenery shifted from grass to sand. The person at the back of the line let out a muffled grunt, causing his companions to turn around.
Hey, is everything alright?
The man didnt respond. A second later, he let out a gravelly laugh that sounded like rocks rubbing together. A fly flew into my throat, he said in a raspy voice. He waved his hands forward. Lets catch up before were left behind. No one noticed the slightly depressed surface on the beach where he had stood.
What level would you say they are? Evans sister asked.
Evan rubbed his chin. Fifteen? Thats average.
Right. That red fishman over there. I scanned him, Evans sister said as her voice lowered even further. Hes level 103.
Huh? Evan stopped walking.
Owt turned around and tilted her head. Is sothing the matter?
N-no, Evan said and lowered his head. His eyes widened at the footprints left behind by the fishman. They were skinny, thin. Unwebbed. I just had the feeling I forgot to lock the door before I left the house.
Oh, Owt said. She turned around and continued walking down the beach, leaving a trail of ominous footprints behind.
Eve. What level is she? Evan whispered to his sister.
Eve grimaced. 60. Thats almost on par with us. Once their party had reached an average level of 65, they were promoted to A-ranked adventurers. Now, they encountered a suspicious fishman who was as strong as their weakest mber. What do we do?
Nothing for now. Evans expression darkened. We cant act without more information or well be at a disadvantage. Maybe they sent their strongest warriors to dismber the leviathan? He wanted to believe his own words. He really did, but the footprints in the sand sent chills down his spine. Evan frowned as more adventurers behind him began to freeze and cough. His brow furrowed as he turned around and asked, Whats wrong with all of you?
Owt smiled as she stopped as well. Maybe theyre unused to the sea air.
Eve bit her lower lip before raising her staff into the air. Lord of the holy light, please, clear my cloudy eyes and allow to see your splendor. Disenchant! A ripple of mana expanded outwards from her body like the wave ford by a pebble dropping into a pond. The blue light touched the bodies of the adventurers and Owt, causing their images to distort.
Eh? a high-pitched voice asked as Evan and Eve stiffened. Our illusion was dispelled? A fairy fluttered over Eves staff with a frown.
The thirty or so skeletons that had replaced the adventurers glanced at each other. A brief mont of silence passed. Dogpile? one of them asked.
The other skeletons nodded. Dogpile.
Evan and Eve scread as they were buried underneath a pile of moving bones.
Reviews
All reviews (0)