Chapter 618: Rock Fortress (1/2)
The shortest path to the next trouble location was to cut through a very dangerous rocky area that wasn't recorded on the map.
”When was this a thing?” Ottley asked and frowned. Even Pepper could not understand what was happening.
Just yesterday, they looked at the stars, surveyed the area and planned the route. Everything looked like it was smooth sailing, and not even the Weatherman's ability could predict the birth of a dangerous rocky zone.
The Marrissa had to resurface temporarily with the rock infested waters in their vision. It was simply too late to turn the ship around without damaging the hull. How did nobody see this before it appeared?
”I'm sorry, captain!” The scout on duty wanted to cry. This rock formation wasn't here in the morning. At the speed that the Marrissa was travelling, he looked away for two hours and thought they would still be in the clear when this happened.
Everyone stood on the deck and observed the rocky coast that appeared from nowhere. Zero checked the mini-map and frowned. This was weird. Many things indicated that this wasn't a mere rock formation. It was a trap by the enemies.
”Be careful, he warned the crew. ”From the moment we tried to chase the strange phenomenon in this route, we were already in the enemy's territory.”
His words put everyone on high alert, and Truen asked in the party call if he should use Sureshot to sniff the enemies out.
”No need,” Zero replied to his best friend.”We're already surrounded.”
The mini-map that Mii pulled up showed countless red dots in the area after they resurfaced. The rock formation looked perfectly normal, but the mini-map told otherwise. The enemy was hiding in plain sight.
”What should we do, captain?”
Ottley didn't reply at once. To move forward, the Marrissa would be torn by the rocks and violent waters. To retreat, the hull that they repaired less than a month ago would suffer heavy damage. They did not have enough materials to repair it completely a second time, and the structure would become further compromised.
”How deep is this rock formation?” Ottley asked. Maybe they could still dive around it.
Two sea otters volunteered to dive, but Zero stopped them. ”I think I should go. After all, I have dark vision and underwater breathing abilities.”
They thought Truen would follow Zero, but the wood elf simply nodded and wished Zero luck. Ottley noticed that their reactions were bizarre, but he refused to comment on it. There was no use in stressing his crew out when the situation was already this dire. At this point, he could only rely on the three powerful individuals travelling with them.
Bob hopped onto Truen's shoulder in his lizard form and flicked his tongue, wishing Zero luck. There will be a huge fight once Zero goes underwater, and Truen should prepare to counter the traps when they are left vulnerable.
”Everyone else back to inside,” Ottley gave out orders after Zero jumped into the water. ”Truen, you stay on guard and let us know if anything strange happens.”