Onboard the ship 4

A wave of tension ran through the crew as they looked at the sea surface dyed red.

"Prevent the shark monster from approaching the ship. Generate a downward current using the water magic stones installed on the vessel."

The captain issued the command. They intended to weaken the monster's momentum by creating a downward flow of water using the magic stones mounted on the ship.

"Can't we do something about that thing? If we can just stop its movement, we can cut it even underwater."

Alek asked.

A way to stop its movement, making marine life unable to move...

We could use a net to immobilize it, but we don't have such a large net, and even if we did, it would be strong enough to shake the ship violently—likely tearing apart.

Is there another way to paralyze it? Paralysis via electric shock...

Back in the old days, there was a TV program about catching large tuna. At the end, they used electric shocks to subdue the tuna's movements.

That's it—stop its movement using the same method. Then, let Alex deliver the final blow and we'll win!

With that decided, I immediately relay the plan to Alex.

"I'll aim the iron arrow I'm holding at the monster and deliver an electric shock through it."

"I understand. But how do you plan to hit that shark with the arrow?"

"For now, let's try using this crossbow."

It's agile, but its large size should make it easier to hit.

Aim carefully and fire the arrow.

As expected, the arrow hit perfectly. However, the shark merely twisted its body slightly, and the arrow was easily dislodged.

"We need more penetrating power."

"Use this."

The crew member said this, showing a large crossbow that had already been set up.

Something like a ballista or a crossbow.

Apparently, it's kept on hand for use against pirates.

The crew began pulling out cannons and firing them. The counterattack had begun.

I tied my usual hemp cloth to the borrowed ballista and aimed. Other crew members also fired ballista bolts at the shark-like monster from different positions.

Some shots missed, while others struck the shark's petrified parts, causing it to stagger. Fortunately, one of my arrows hit the shark monster directly.

"Take that, you beast!"

The shark's body is large and the distance is considerable. I activated a high-powered lightning spell from the start. Blue-white lightning surged across the monster's body, bathing the entire area in a pale blue glow from the electrical discharge.

The hemp cloth carrying the electricity scorched and burned through.

After convulsing violently, the monster shark froze in place, unable to move.

Immediately, I switched to another ballista to create a path of ropes.

"Alek!"

Alek ran along the rope connecting the monster shark to the ship, heading straight for the beast.

"This is the end."

Alek swung his battle axe down at the beast's neck. A deep gash opened in the creature's body.

Yet the monster surged violently, sending Alek flying. The wound Alek had inflicted seemed to make no difference at all.

Damage is certainly being inflicted, but it's not enough to be fatal. I need a way to attack the entire body at once continuously.

Alek clung to the ship by barely holding onto the rope. The rope connecting the monster to the ship had been completely severed, leaving him too far away.

"This place is still deep; we won't get far unless we move to shallower waters, or we'll scrape the hull again."

The captain shouted, and the crew hurriedly scrambled about, trying to move the ship.

Indeed, if we continue like this, as the captain said, we'll be attacked one-sidedly and eventually destroyed. Is there no way to avoid it?

Wait—what if I use the probe lamp? That could show me what's below. But my probe lamp is too small to detect the large echo from the shark monster.

Just then...

Another violent impact hits my body—no, the entire ship. The beast.

The monster shark has attacked the ship again. But this time, since I knew it was coming, I managed to endure it.

It seems to be diving deep and then charging head-on with full momentum. Since it’s built up such speed, it shouldn’t be able to change direction easily. If only I could predict roughly where it’s coming from, I’d have a much better chance of avoiding it.

I scan the surroundings, searching for any clue.

The sun was beginning to set, and on the opposite side, land was drawing near—so close that it was visible to the naked eye.

It was about time the ship’s crystal lanterns would start lighting up. Otherwise, the entire area would plunge into darkness, rendering nothing visible.

I turned my gaze toward the ship’s large crystal lanterns.

Suddenly, I realized—there it is! A large crystal lantern capable of handling even that massive shark monster!

"Alek! I need a favor. Can you help me out?"

"Sure thing. You usually know what you're doing when it matters."

I gathered the large crystal lanterns mounted on the ship and attached them to the mast. Good, this should do it.

I aligned my body with the ship's direction and activated a large-scale detection magic in a spherical shape centered on myself. As it continued to activate, the large crystal lantern mounted on the right side of the mast brightened intensely.

Coming from the right!

Hard to port! Don't let the ship hit us!

The captain listened to my instructions and relayed them to the entire ship.

The boat sharply alters its course using the power of the water crystal and long oars.

Moments later, a massive shark-like monster shot past right beside them.

It seems we barely managed to avoid it.

Masses of seawater pour down onto the boat. The cold winter water seeps into their bodies. The rainbow-colored seawater flows back into the sea.

The shark-like monster begins diving deeper once more. Yet again, the detection magic activates, allowing them to narrowly avoid it.

If we keep evading like this and approach the shore, our chances will improve.

But nature, after all, never works in a straightforward way.

The shark monster ceases its dive and rises to the surface. Everyone on board observes the shark monster's movements.

Someone said.

"That bastard gave up. This is our chance. Fire the buster!"

Could it really be? I feel something akin to a chill. Shells and large arrows keep flying toward the shark monster. The beast, too far away to hit, shows only its dorsal fin, its head submerged beneath the surface. The creature appears to have grown noticeably larger.

An instinctive warning sounds. That's it! I know what it is now!

"Everyone! Get down!"

At the same moment, a massive, high-speed water breath was unleashed from the shark-like monster.

The breath was about to strike the deck directly. If left unchecked, everyone here would be pierced through.

I instinctively cast my strongest lightning magic at the breath.

A loud crackling echoed sharply. A huge amount of seawater exploded violently in front of me.