Chapter 291: An Astonishing Turn of Events on Fishmen Island (1/2)

It had been some time since Croakatoa last returned to the frogmen’s village at the Warty Tidal Flats.

Since its mistress Lady Eleena was taking part in the Twin City Cup and the frogmen were not usually seen by the average person, Eleena decided not to summon it for the time being so as to prevent any incidents, and allowed it to go on a long leave of absence.

Although the frogmen’s village had been destroyed by a flood, the Players had since helped them rebuild it, even improving it far better than its dilapidated state before.

Each of the snow-white houses were tidy and clean, even having a huge pool connected to the sea built into it in consideration of the frogmen’s habits, as well as for keeping their skins moisturized.

Moreover, the beach and the residential area which were linked to the two dungeons of the Gray Fjord Port and the Fishmen Island were also partitioned with coconut trees reminiscent of the tropics.

The beach no longer looked like it was a mess like before, with rows of beach umbrellas and wooden reclining chairs placed on the sand. There was also a storehouse built at the corner, where little shovels, buckets, picnic mats, beach balls, and the like were kept.

And beside the storehouse was a branch of the Iron Cauldron, although it was closed temporarily since the tavern owner was away at Lancaster for the duration of the Twin City Cup as well.

Still, even if Earthlings were to transmigrate to the frogmen’s village right now, they probably wouldn’t take notice that this was a dwelling of sticky, slippery amphibious lifeforms, but that they had arrived upon a holiday resort like the Maldives.

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On the fifth day of his long leave, Croakatoa was wearing its special-made shades and leisurely lying down on a reclining chair, allowing the warm sun to shine upon the tiny chrysanthemum marking over its back.

Ever since the frogmen’s village came to strategic partnership with the believers of the God of Games, their living conditions were apparently improving day after day.

Compared to before when they were full one day, starved the other and had nothing more than dried fish to gnaw at, the frogmen now didn’t have to worry about food at all—their previously withered bodies were now growing stronger by the day with sufficient protein and fats.

Over the last few days, Croakatoa had also found frogfolk eggs which were as large as ostrich eggs in the pools within some of the houses. It seems that there would be a group of tadpoles coming to the village soon, a burst in frogmen population that hadn’t been observed for some time.

As their lives improved, even their elder’s perpetual frown had improved, its dried skin now appearing damp and seemingly having a dozen more years to it.

It wasn’t just the tribe either—Croakatoa was satisfied with its life now too.

Though Edward often summoned it as a bait to divert a Boss’s attention, after Croakatoa had gotten used to it and started to effectively seize even the sights of the largest of Bosses and tease monsters infinitely more powerful than itself, nothing else compared to the delight of providing an opening for its allies to maximize their damage.

Moreover, Eleena didn’t always use it as cannon fodder.

Most of the time, the young lady would summon Croakatoa whenever she encountered something interesting, happened upon grand scenery, or was about to go for a feast, so that it could share such wonderful moments of her adventures.

That naturally included the towering emerald foliages of the Trinia Forests, the elven capital hidden deep within the woods, the sinister corpse of the Dead Red Dragon, the fishmen island that descended from the skies and the Mountain Tigers’ stronghold that stood staunchly upon the Vierlin Plains…

It had just been a few months, but Croakatoa was able to see the greatest of sights that it never would have seen even across several lifetimes, witness grandness that should have nothing to do with it.

Even as it basked under all those things, Croakatoa also felt its own strengthening.

If its current self would return to the moment when it contracted with Eleena, it would probably have the right to brag that it could take down five of the alleged greatest frogmen warriors single-handedly.

It therefore earnestly felt that it was utterly wonderful that it could become a part of the Players.

“Sigh. What a pity, the Twin City Cup is garnering too much attention… or I could have joined as well and fought by Lady Eleena’s side.” Croakatoa sighed as it turned so that its white stomach was now baked by the sun.

That was when dark clouds suddenly appeared in the skies.

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