novelraw Chapter 196: The Mad Shark of the Sea
Chapter 196: The Mad Shark of the Sea
Boom! Boom!
"Tentacles... Sea God Pirates..."
Out of sheer terror, the one-eyed gunner loaded armor-piercing rounds with greater penetration power and aimed his weapon at Chen Qi's head, pulling the trigger once more.
"Stand down."
A deep roar echoed across the warship like an unbreakable command.
The instant the one-eyed gunner squeezed the trigger, an invisible force twisted his arm, spiraling it violently before it abruptly snapped off and fell to the deck.
"Big Brother Fenrir..."
The one-eyed gunner turned back, staring in disbelief at his leader.
"Fall back."
Fenrir rose from his chair and strode to the ship's bow.The other members of the Blood Blade Pirates exchanged glances before obediently retreating behind Fenrir.
Mad Wolf Fenrir... To encounter him here of all places... Chen Qi observed the wolfskin-clad figure on the ship.
This was a significant figure on the high seas, a key character in the Blood Blade Pirates' storyline.
Though only a third-tier Transcendent, Fenrir held considerable fame within the Blood Blade Pirates. Not only was he childhood friends with their current leader, but he was also the adopted son of their former captain.
Thus, Fenrir was a battle maniac born for combat.
As a third-tier Transcendent specialized in warfare, Fenrir possessed the terrifying record of defeating five third-tier Transcendents single-handedly—even when ambushed.
Chen Qi had previously encountered Fenrir while searching for the Flower Witch at Sea Flower Island.
Fenrir and the Blade Witch, Little Red Riding Hood, were a common duo on the seas.
However, Little Red Riding Hood seemed absent from this ship.
Moreover, the young Blood Blade officer currently looked haggard—eyes bloodshot, face heavily bearded, clothes stained with patches of dried blood, bearing far more weariness than before.
With the Blood Blade Pirates leaderless and the Blood Lady drowning in tears daily, the entire crew suffered devastating blows.
The lives and families of thousands affiliated with the Blood Blade Pirates would soon become corpses adrift at sea... Chen Qi stroked his chin.
His own reputation on the ocean was far from stellar.
If this third-tier Transcendent decided to attack, even with his Deepsea Water Spirits, escaping Fenrir's wolf claws would prove extremely difficult.
This was a monster who lived for battle and hunting!
Chen Qi sensed impending trouble.
Should Fenrir's combat lust trigger a fight between them, the situation would turn disastrous.
Fenrir's voice carried unusual gravity:
"How fortunate. Never imagined we'd encounter the infamous Black Hunter from the newspapers. This is truly our lucky day."
Black Hunter? Who? The captain next to me?
Levin was baffled. As someone who preferred the Witch Times' pin-up girls, he never paid attention to the White Pigeon Times.
Chen Qi spoke slowly:
"How fortunate indeed, to meet the Blood Blade Pirates' Mad Wolf. So, what's the matter?"
Fortunate? We're anything but... Fenrir took a subtle step forward:
"This was a misunderstanding. Recently, the Blackfin Crew has been excavating treasures at the abandoned naval base nearby.
Naturally, we assumed you were with them—only the Blackfin Crew's black whale blood could make the flying fish behave so strangely.
Our apologies. Clearly, this was our mistake."
Apologies? A misunderstanding? No intention to keep fighting... Chen Qi raised his head slightly, puzzled.
The notoriously bloodthirsty Fenrir was actually apologizing?
And to a monster like him with such terrible reputation.
Even if the Blood Blade Pirates were in dire straits, they wouldn't recruit someone like him.
His infamy wasn't the respectable kind.
Normally, Fenrir would draw his bloodied blade against any monster he encountered.
Fenrir continued:
"Mr. Black Hunter, we're willing to help you through your difficulties. But first, I have a crucial question."
Help? Crucial... Chen Qi temporarily suppressed his doubts:
"Ask."
Fenrir spoke deliberately:
"What's your relationship with the Flower Witch?"
This question... Chen Qi vaguely understood something:
"Close friends."
Friends... Fenrir's exhausted face strained to form a faint smile:
"The Blood Blade Pirates always repay debts. Recently, when we clashed with the Blackfin Crew, a gluttonous witch passing by aided us. Though we couldn't see her clearly, her spells unmistakably identified her as the legendary Flower Witch."
"The Flower Witch?"
Chen Qi asked in surprise.
Fenrir nodded:
"Yes. She helped repel the Black Pig Shark, then asked us about good food ships near Blackore City—over a dozen times in one breath."
I see... Chen Qi smiled slightly.
Though his own reputation remained terrible, thanks to combined efforts from the Ice Demon Pirates and the Flower Witch herself, her standing had improved significantly.
As her partner in major endeavors, even his wretched reputation garnered momentary respect.
"Do you know where she went?"
Chen Qi inquired.
Fenrir spread his hands:
"Apologies, we don't know. Though severely injured, the Witch refused our help and vanished across the waves.
The Blood Blade Pirates always repay kindness. Mr. Black Hunter, should you meet her again, please convey our gratitude and our hope to see her once more."
So the Blood Blade Pirates are also searching for the Flower Witch... Chen Qi mentally shook his head.
Fenrir now gazed at the distant sea, raising his hand:
"Now then, Mr. Black Hunter. As assistance, please follow our ship. We'll escort you from these waters."
Hearing this, Levin exhaled deeply in relief.
The legendary Mad Wolf Fenrir wasn't killing them—he was offering protection!
Though utterly confused about Chen Qi's background, Levin felt profoundly grateful.
"Escort us?"
Chen Qi eyed Fenrir suspiciously.
Fenrir wearily extended his hand:
"Can't you sense that killing intent, Black Hunter? Right now, we're all prey to a colossal beast."
Fenrir chuckled darkly—apparently this Black Hunter shared his poor perception.
Killing intent? Where? I don't feel anything...
Chen Qi followed Fenrir's gaze toward the horizon.
In the distance floated a solitary small boat.
Beneath its tiny frame, a massive silhouette loomed faintly in the dim sunlight—like a lonely black monolith.
Within these tranquil waters, dark currents swirled—the domain of the Black Pig Shark.
The Black Pig Shark, sovereign of these seas, lurked in the shadows beneath the vessels. Its enormous, muscular body, covered in light-devouring black hide, represented the Blackfin Crew's masterpiece—the apex predator of these waters.
Even kilometers away, the bloodthirsty behemoth's murderous aura pressed heavily upon them all.
Fenrir signaled his crew to start the engines:
"Black Hunter, your tiny boat can't withstand the Blackfin Crew's hunt. My advice? Abandon ship immediately."
ROAR! ROAR!
The Blood Blade warship belched steam as drummers pounded out a battle hymn!
Fenrir raised his mangled arm:
"Black Hunter! With us—if you want to live—RUN FOR YOUR LIFE!"