157 Sea Fishing

Cast the line.

Catch.

Cast the line.

Catch.

What is this sea doing?

Not a single catch of normal fish.

All caught are Water Dragons.

Variety in level, but every fake fish carries a Water Dragon skill.

Do all sea monsters in this world come equipped with Water Dragon skills by default?

Incredible sea.

A dragon paradise.

No.

Not that kind of paradise.

This kind of sea, swarming with dragons—fishing from a boat must be dangerous.

Even in the previous world, crab fishing was said to be life-threatening.

Is fishing in this world just that much harder?

Could it be that fishermen are an elite group chosen by fate?

Men of the sea, surpassing even the knight class, fighting for their lives against dragons.

Muscular, half-naked men leapt boldly into the sea, spears in one hand.

Damn, that’s actually impressive.

After finishing the fishing, consider searching the fishing village.

A possibly naked, yet decent older man may be present.

To cast a thread.

The constant overuse had likely raised suspicion—effort to catch was diminishing.

She's not a fish, no matter how you look at it.

It is a genuine monster, after all.

She has that much sense, at least.

Lazing about while letting thread hang down.

The bountiful catch is interesting, but this kind of relaxed pace isn't bad either.

Thinking idly about the future while letting the thread hang down.

The fishing village is confirmed.

The issue comes after that.

What do you plan to do with the fishing village you've found?

Watching the men of the sea is certain. What then, shall be done next?

No intention to hasten human extinction at this time, no.

It is acceptable to thin the ranks to some extent, but killing ordinary villagers feels wrong.

Perhaps the cleanest approach would be to face warriors or soldiers who are prepared to die in battle.

Such individuals would have trained specifically for combat, and their defeat should yield higher experience gain.

Thus, the best option might be to confront the execution squad I expected to be dispatched someday.

Ah… but how would that work?

I’ve already left the fortress, destroyed it, and now the execution squad’s movements are unclear.

Previously, I could have waited where the labyrinth knights attacked, but now that the fortress is destroyed, word of my presence outside will surely spread.

In that case, a search party would likely be formed before the execution squad.

But that kind of delay isn’t feasible.

Alternatively, should I head to a major city and provoke chaos myself?

A large city would likely have a properly organized armed group or two.

Ah— but what if that group is stronger than expected?

Hmm.

Well, whatever.

I won’t be taken down in a single strike, not with my current state. If the opponent is too strong, I’ll just teleport away.

For now, drifting through the world seems like the best option.

Rather than worrying about massacres and such, that’s more in line with who I am.

I do know I’m acting out of character.

Pushing aside clear warnings just to get involved in this world— that’s not how I operate.

But still— it’s annoying.

Yes.

It’s annoying.

If I do nothing, this world will reach its own conclusion, regardless.

Depending on that conclusion, the world could end. And I wouldn’t be unaffected.

Still, that’s a distant concern.

The way he acts, that one does not accept the world’s end.

I think it’d be fine to abandon such a world. But he’s too kind-hearted, isn’t he?

Well, not that he refuses to abandon it. More that he can’t.

Troublesome, isn’t it?

No matter how it turns out, Guryuguryu will only face misfortune.

Of the two choices, either path leads to hell.

In other words, Guryuguryu is already trapped.

Die alongside the woman he loves, or betray her to save her.

For now, Guryuguryu intends to die with her.

But that does not suit me.

So I will interfere.

Do as you wish, for your own sake.

I act because it displeases me.

This feeling is utterly genuine. It is my own will, unaltered by any other force.

D should desire to proceed by my own will.

Then, I shall do it.

Mid-thought, a tug on the thread.

Here it comes!

Huh!?

T-this power… beyond anything I’ve felt before!?

This is the biggest catch of the day.

But I can’t handle it!

Pulling.

The prey caught on the line far away jerked violently.

A water dragon.

Release!

What the hell!?

Fishing for a water dragon? Not happening.

I mean, I’ve been fishing for water dragons plenty of times, but…

Wait—wasn’t that dragon supposed to have some dignity as a dragon?

What kind of prey is this?

Ah—got startled.

I released it without thinking.

Still, maybe it’s better not to kill the dragon now.

No need to provoke it further.

Besides, what’s going on with this sea, really?

Better take a look.

— Searching for the skill: Dominion Authority.

Target skill is Water Dragon. Search initiated.

The Dominance Authority skill search function allows detection of the location of any individual currently holding the targeted skill.

Accessing the system requires no MP, no expenditure of divine domains.

It becomes unusable for a period after a single use, though.

Moreover, the findings were vague—suggesting roughly that direction—making them poorly suited for practical use.

I’ve integrated the map function with the results system, so it’s become significantly more efficient to use.

So, the search results... what is this?

Water dragons swarm only within view of the sea.

Seriously, it was a dragon paradise.

Not at all.