novelraw Chapter 84 : Sky Ocean Cruise (3)
Chapter 84 : Sky Ocean Cruise (3)
Chapter 84: Sky Ocean Cruise (3)
The place they arrived at, following Scarlett, was the main dining hall.
A massive space capable of accommodating 3,000 people at once.
With a bit of adjustment, the fixed tables and pillars could serve as excellent cover.
‘Not bad for holding out.’
Additionally, there was an abundance of spices and ingredients here.
Meaning countless scents could be combined to either lure in or drive away the Armored Crabs.
“Ahem. What do you think? I carefully checked this place when we first boarded.”
Scarlett puffed out her chest proudly.
Hmm. So when she disappeared earlier—
She had been stuffing herself in the dining hall.
No wonder someone who usually ate so much hadn’t complained about being hungry.
Still, it was better to praise her here.
“Excellent.”
That earned her three ‘Well Done’ stamps.
“Hehe. Thank you.”
Scarlett smiled shyly.
But just then—
“Huff…! Huff!”
“This way! Over here!”
“Aaaah!”
With screams, several men and women rushed in from the opposite side.
They immediately blocked the door behind them.
Almost at the same time—
KWAANG!
“KIIIEEEEK!”
“SKREEEE!”
The legs of an Armored Crab broke through the door.
“Block it! Don’t let it in!”
“P-Please help us!”
Everyone pushed against the door with all their strength and shouted toward Johan.
Johan nodded, and Scarlett moved instantly.
Shrrr!
Blood Threads spread in all directions.
Having seen where Johan attacked earlier, she precisely targeted the joints and beneath the eyes.
Slash! Slash!
Limbs were severed without mercy.
As expected of a noble of the House of Juliard.
This time, it ended before the creature could even release foam.
“Thank you.”
“Y-You saved us.”
There were four survivors.
Three men and one woman.
“Were you heading to the panic room?”
At Johan’s question, their faces turned pale.
As if the word ‘panic room’ itself was a trigger.
“…We’re running away from there.”
“It… it was hell.”
Their bodies trembled.
They looked far more terrified than when they were chased by the Armored Crabs.
“Can you explain the situation? We were considering heading there.”
“Absolutely not! You must never go there. That captain… he’s completely insane. We thought he was trying to save people, but when we got there… he was killing everyone and taking their accessories.”
“I heard something about needing goat bones or sheep bones for the auction. Anyway, it’s total chaos.”
Johan understood immediately.
‘Bones of the Burning Ram.’
He had thought something was off since the broadcast…
So even the Requiem Cult was involved.
A bad premonition never failed.
Whether the captain had been recruited by the Requiem Cult—
Or the cult had killed him and taken his place—
Either way, a force that had secured a large number of accessories had emerged.
The original plan had to be scrapped.
Time to move to Plan B.
“Scarlett. Park Yeri. Get ready. We’re heading straight to the panic room.”
Johan made his decision.
“What? Wait. Did you even hear what we said?”
“It’s hell down there!”
“Instead, come with us. There’s a temporary shelter on the 4th floor. Hunters from a major guild are there.”
The female survivor stepped in.
Come to think of it—
The major guilds had preserved their forces and moved separately from the start.
Going with just this group was possible.
But if they could persuade the Hunters, things would become much easier.
More importantly, they could obtain more accessories.
“Do you know the location?”
“I can guide you. But… if we hunt Armored Crabs along the way, we want a share of the drops. Of course, assuming we contribute properly.”
So they wanted a share.
This was a common arrangement when unfamiliar Hunters cooperated.
“By drops, you mean items or Magic Stones?”
“No. We want Bio Rubies.”
‘Bio Rubies,’ huh…
Interesting.
How did people who had only been running away know the exact name of something that only dropped from killing Armored Crabs?
And how did those who fled the panic room know the route to the 4th-floor shelter?
“Alright.”
It seemed an uncomfortable partnership was about to begin.
＊＊＊
The woman guiding them was named Riley.
The men were Max, Carter, and John.
They moved cautiously.
The inside of the ship was already filled with the stench of blood.
In less than an hour, an enormous number of casualties had occurred.
They avoided combat whenever possible.
A few Armored Crabs weren’t an issue—
But ambushes from Murim or the Requiem Cult during combat had to be avoided.
‘If only I knew what level of fighters they sent.’
He could deal with first-rate warriors who could use sword energy.
But if someone capable of Sword Aura appeared, it would be a completely different story.
[Aura] and [Sword Aura] were techniques used by those at least Fourth Moon rank.
The same applied to the Requiem Cult waiting ahead.
If Cain Belmaier—whom he had briefly met in O-World—was here, the difficulty would skyrocket.
“This way!”
“We’re almost there!”
The survivors guided them through the complex interior.
They encountered Armored Crabs along the way, but with precise coordination, handled them without issue.
Total Bio Rubies obtained: 21.
Of those, 8 were given to the group.
“Johan-nim. Those people are surprisingly useful.”
Scarlett widened her eyes.
Still as clueless as ever.
“They seem pretty skilled. Why were they only running earlier? They fight well enough.”
Park Yeri tilted her head.
Just as clueless.
Would people with that level of skill really run helplessly?
Why was everyone so naïve?
After about five more minutes, they reached their destination.
A converted casino?
Slot machines were stacked to form barricades.
There were also traps set by Hunters specialized in defensive positions.
It was definitely a temporary shelter.
But—
‘Now this is interesting.’
Johan narrowed his eyes.
The arrangement and patterns of the inscriptions on the walls were obvious.
‘Slaughterhouse of Living Souls.’
The same technique Vivian Astraia had used before.
These people weren’t just blocking external enemies—
They were turning this entire shelter into a giant hunting ground.
“Survivors?”
“Yes. We escaped from the panic room.”
At the guard’s question, Riley nodded.
“You’re lucky. We were about to stop accepting people. You’re the last ones.”
From the subtle smile—
To the way they exchanged knowing glances—
They were clearly in on it.
“We’re saved…”
“We just need to hold out until rescue comes…”
The ordinary passengers, having endured hell, saw this place as their final sanctuary.
A safe enclosure.
Reliable Hunters.
That alone gave them psychological comfort.
“Johan-nim! Over here! Look, they’re giving water and food. I’ll cook something delicious for you.”
“No. Please don’t cook. Just give it as it is.”
“Let’s see… If I mix ketchup and ssamjang… oh! And add some cilantro and sugar…”
Absolutely not.
He’d have to avoid her during meals.
“I’ll go to the morgue over there. I think I can get some fresh hearts.”
Scarlett and Park Yeri each busied themselves.
Meanwhile, Johan carefully observed the shelter.
Hmm.
They had put some thought into this.
But unfortunately—
‘You chose the wrong prey.’
Let’s see.
Johan reached toward the inscriptions on a pillar.
A technique combining [Dissolution] and [Extraction] to absorb flesh and bone.
Mixed with Five Elements formations and multi-layered calculations.
Quite interesting.
But—
‘Trying too hard to make it complex created openings.’
Someone at a certain level could break it easily.
That alone would be enough to ruin their plan.
But a veteran…
Wouldn’t stop there.
If he did, the past 999 cycles would be meaningless.
Johan slowly, carefully began altering the inscriptions.
And just as he was humming—
“Haha. No need to thank me. I only did what was natural. You don’t need to worry anymore.”
A familiar face appeared nearby.
How could he not recognize him?
The one who betrayed him in the O-World sewers—
Their former companion—
And the man with a single arm.
Go Hanil.
＊＊＊
Go Hanil.
He had traveled with Samuel, someone who had experienced the Forbidden Book.
‘He might know about this cruise.’
Johan needed to find out what he was targeting in the auction.
Only then could he plan ahead.
Johan erased his presence.
Closer.
Go Hanil separated from his group.
Closer still.
He headed alone toward a temporary restroom.
Step.
Turning the corner—
A perfect blind spot.
…Now!
[Bloodline Power ‘Blood Bind’ is activated!]
Hands made of blood shot up from the ground.
Grab!
They seized Go Hanil’s wrists and ankles.
“Tch!?”
Not bad reflexes.
The moment he was bound, he pulled out a hidden razor blade.
Slash!
The blood restraints were severed.
“So… it’s you…”
Go Hanil drew his sword and looked around.
But saw nothing.
“Too slow.”
Johan slipped beside him and placed a hand on his abdomen.
[Skill ‘Area Freeze’ is activated!]
Though it had a 3-second casting time and high mana cost—
At close range, it rivaled mid-tier skills.
Crack!
“AAAAARGH!”
His flesh froze instantly.
Of course it was painful.
“S-Someone help! I’m under attack! Anyone—!”
“Sorry. No matter how much you shout, it won’t help.”
[Skill ‘Silent Room’ is currently active in this area.]
He really had to thank Gluttony.
Those skill books had boosted him tremendously.
Now—
They had the perfect setting for a quiet little conversation.
Johan crouched in front of Go Hanil.
“Talk. What are you aiming for in the auction? Is Samuel here too?”
“……”
As expected, Go Hanil only glared.
Of course.
Too easy wouldn’t be fun.
Crack!
“AAAAARGH!”
His index finger bent at a 90-degree angle.
Come on.
That’s nothing.
Compared to the betrayal in the sewers.
“You’ve got ten fingers. Ten toes. Plenty to work with.”
“Huff… huff… you idiot… you have no idea… what you’ve just triggered…”
“What I triggered?”
“The Grand Witches’ Assembly… and Redmoon Corporation… are at war. Hah…! Now do you understand? This isn’t the time to worry about some auction!”
“I know.”
“What?”
“I started that war.”
“W-What…? You… manipulated both sides…?”
Impressive information network.
But bragging in front of the source?
Bad move.
Johan summoned his new companions.
The otter trio appeared.
“Do whatever you want until we get what we need.”
They’d suffered plenty under Sambok.
Now—
It was time to vent.
“Hooe! War prisoner Go Hanil! We shall make your name worthy! Note: There is no Geneva Convention here!”
The staff sergeant otter raised his shell high.
Crack!
“AAAAAAAH! You insane animal! Not there—!”
“Not done yet!”
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Crunch! Crack! Snap!
“Grr…gh…”
Wow.
This time, it was serious.
Foam was already forming at his mouth.
It wouldn’t take long now.
“Senior Staff Sergeant is amazing!”
“I’ll help too!”
The other two joined in, gripping their own ‘weapons.’