novelraw Chapter 54: Night of Monsters
Chapter 54: Night of Monsters
"This..."
Chen Qi pinched the object in his hand.
So soft!
He abruptly sat up in bed and looked around the boat cabin.
He couldn't help but take a deep breath.
There were actually seven of these incredibly soft creatures!
Currently, seven round, squishy Deepsea Water Spirits were blinking their large blue eyes at him, awaiting commands.
At the same time, a new notification appeared before his eyes.
[Deepsea Water Spirits cultivated by Deep Sea Hunters:
Description: Compared to ordinary water spirits, Deepsea Water Spirits have absorbed the power of the deep sea, possessing higher intelligence along with brief levitation abilities, stronger recovery capabilities, and enhanced combat prowess!Additionally, Deepsea Water Spirits can accelerate your vessel!
Each Deepsea Water Spirit masters the 'Water Explosive Bomb' skill!
Note: Your ideal maritime companion creatures! Seven Deepsea Water Spirits await your command!]
"Hmm..."
Chen Qi observed these seven slimes—no, these seven Deepsea Water Spirits.
They seem quite intelligent...
"Come to my hand."
As soon as Chen Qi spoke, the nearest Deepsea Water Spirit paused momentarily before bouncing with a plop onto his palm.
Quite clever indeed... Chen Qi thought to himself.
The Deepsea Water Spirits possessed a Water Explosive Bomb skill that could instantly generate a powerful water explosion around their bodies.
As a former pet trainer in his main account, Chen Qi preferred manually-operated water bombs—essentially throwing the water spirits like grenades!
"Go, Deepsea Water Spirits! Water Explosive Bomb!"
Chen Qi exited the cabin and forcefully hurled the water spirit in his hand toward the sea surface.
BOOM!
A massive explosive splash erupted across the water's surface, resembling a torpedo detonation! The blast's power could easily capsize a small boat.
After the explosion, the water spirit rapidly absorbed seawater to replenish its energy. Deepsea Water Spirits could move swiftly through water while quickly restoring their power.
"Not bad at all..."
Chen Qi was startled—the destructive force rivaled that of actual grenades. As an experienced pet trainer, he recognized this skill's potential. Such regenerative companion creatures were extremely rare even in the Goldenfinch Kingdom.
Composed primarily of water, they possessed strong physical resistance and terrifying recovery capabilities in seawater. Moreover, as living bombs, Deepsea Water Spirits could track targets—effectively giving his small houseboat seven infinitely replenishable homing torpedoes!
Owning even one such powerful creature at the second tier would be considered lucky—yet he had seven. Chen Qi imagined the scene of seven missile-capable water spirits surrounding him. With these, he might even stand a chance against the third-tier mage, Teacher An!
Undoubtedly, the Deepsea Water Spirits dramatically enhanced his maritime combat capabilities.
"Excellent, excellent!"
Next, Chen Qi tested their secondary function—boat acceleration. At his command, the seven spirits swiftly gathered beneath the houseboat's stern and propelled it forward with tremendous force. WHOOSH—the small vessel achieved unprecedented speed under their power.
"Good, very good!" With a snap of his fingers, the obedient spirits returned to the boat's deck. Unlike regular pets, they only needed seawater to restore energy. At least now his little houseboat had proper companions. Maybe he could even train them to clean the cabin and give massages... Chen Qi mused.
After just brief contact, he could confirm their incredibly pleasant texture—they'd make excellent bathtub toys too. Stepping out of the cabin, Chen Qi spread his arms to feel the sea breeze when suddenly—a bird's cry!
Wait, in the sky...
Chen Qi looked up to see an enormous white pigeon soaring overhead. A white pigeon? Then it hit him—could this be Moonstone City's miracle reporter, Pelu?
At that moment, something terrifying occurred. A figure suddenly plummeted from the pigeon's back. A crash landing? Chen Qi's eyes widened.
"Finally found you, boss!"
Accompanied by this terrifying greeting, the dark figure accelerated downward like a human missile aimed straight at his houseboat! It was indeed the Miracle Walker Pelu—or more accurately, a human-shaped torpedo! A direct hit would flip his newly purchased boat instantly.
This maniac!
Chen Qi's pupils contracted as he immediately commanded the water spirits to emergency-boost the boat forward. KABOOM! Reporter Pelu struck the water, creating a massive wave.
Whew... Chen Qi patted his chest to calm his startled heart—and his little boat. Indeed, humans proved far more dangerous than sea monsters on the open ocean, especially crashing humans!
Approaching the boat's edge, he extended a hand: "Miss Reporter, are you alright?" Even water landings from height could cause severe injuries. Did she fall accidentally or jump deliberately?
Pelu reached up from the seawater, grasping Chen Qi's hand to climb aboard: "No problem! I took four years of PE at Beiguo Royal University—basically a semi-athlete. Just some diving practice, I'll recover in two days."
"......"
Chen Qi pulled her aboard, noting only minor scratches. "This woman's durability is insane..." Despite only first-tier spiritual energy, Pelu's physical toughness reached terrifying levels—a key reason players suspected her of hiding true strength.
Now aboard, Pelu's eyes were reddened as she coughed up seawater and stood: "Boss... you've no idea... I've searched everywhere! I almost gave up finding you! See how excited I got—fell right off my pigeon!" Dripping wet, she somehow managed to look pitiful.
"Alright, calm down first." Crossing his arms, Chen Qi asked suspiciously: "What's this about? Dinner?"
Pelu naturally walked into his cabin: "Obviously it's about the Flower Witch! This is Moonstone City's hottest scoop! Every newspaper's mobilized for this story! But those damn competitors—including my junior—actually got hunting ground participants to sign NDAs!"
Wiping her eyes, she stared at Chen Qi: "Luckily, the old man at the newsstand mentioned you participated in the rift without being interviewed. He said you might be a key figure! Boss, without you, I'd miss this month's most explosive story in Moonstone City."
"You actually saw the Flower Witch!" Pelu's eyes shone with envy.
"So that's how it is..." Chen Qi felt some admiration—these reporters moved faster than expected. Pelu would stop at nothing for newspaper sales. Despite her fame, competitors like the risqué Witch Times often outsold her White Pigeon Times—even triggering faction wars during New Sun game events where players helped their chosen paper uncover or create sensational stories.
Currently, Chen Qi counted himself among White Pigeon Times' faction. He handed Pelu some peanuts: "So Miss Reporter, what exactly do you want to know?"
Tossing back her wet hair, Pelu produced notebook and pen: "Everything about the hunting grounds! The Flower Witch's appearance—flower colors on her head, clothing, and if possible, precise body measurements! The more details the better!"
This much? Are you compiling a criminal profile? Chen Qi frowned. After consideration, he shared a sanitized version—portraying himself as merely a participant who hunted red wolves with food, omitting his transactional relationship with the Flower Witch.
"That's what happened at the hunting grounds. As for the Flower Witch's appearance—flowers on her head, about 160cm tall, and... decent figure, I guess."
"Perfect! This is enough for a full article!" Pelu clenched her fists fiercely: "Just wait until I catch you, Flower Witch!" She vowed to conduct the most intensive interview ever if she captured the witch.
"Uh..." Chen Qi watched as Pelu made interviewing sound like a mafia threat—truly Moonstone City's most brazen reporter. As a chaotic-neutral journalist, she reportedly used interrogation tools during interviews. He could only pray for the Flower Witch's sake—hopefully she could pummel this chaotic reporter if caught.
Changing subjects, Chen Qi asked: "Miss Reporter, do you have any useful information for me?" As Beiguo Royal University's top graduate and Moonstone City's celebrated journalist, despite her eccentricities, Pelu was an invaluable information broker privy to nearly everything occurring across Witch Sea.
Pelu scribbled notes while thinking: "Useful for you..." Her eyes lit up: "Actually yes!"
"What is it?"
"A local angler discovered massive schools of rare Moonlight Fish near Moonstone City's coastal waters recently—exquisite seasonal delicacies! But night fishing's too dangerous, so chefs organizing a cooking competition have chartered fishing boats for a major catch two nights from now!"
"Fishing..." Chen Qi rubbed his hands—she really took him for a professional chef. Moonlight Fish, seasonal delicacies prized by merchants, offered minimal supernatural benefits—only temporarily boosting inspiration when consumed. Chen Qi shook his head—he sought supernatural ingredients that could grant steel-like physiques!
Pelu continued: "Unfortunately, Moonlight Fish only emerge at night alongside dangerous sea creatures—Ghostfire Fish, Devil Rays, Bullet Squids, even coastal apex predators and shadow-dwelling horrors. Truly, when Moonlight Fish appear, it becomes the Night of Monsters!"
"Wait, what did you just say?"
"Dangerous sea creature swarms make nighttime fishing extremely hazardous—Moonlight Fish prices have skyrocketed! They're hiring at least five second-tier hunters, maybe even expensive third-tiers for protection. If you want to join, given recent gang activity, you'd need substantial funds for hunter escorts."
First-tier superhumans represented the starting point with varying capabilities. Second-tiers had progressed further along their career paths, selecting unique aspects while mastering Breathing Techniques, Body Forging Methods, and Meditation Techniques—respectable figures in Moonstone City society. Requiring five such hunters indicated extreme danger.
At this, Chen Qi couldn't help but swallow hard. Dangerous sea creature swarms! Ghostfire Fish, Devil Rays, Bullet Squids... To him, this Night of Monsters represented an incredible opportunity!