Chapter 103 Other World Adventure (6) Encounter (1)

Author's Note:

Character Map:

"X" = Loid Orcus (protagonist)

"(X)" = Loid Orcus (strong inner thought)

°X° = Makina

•X• = Soul Goddess Aksa

^X^ = Sebastian (AI Assistant)

X>X = Chat Window/Panel in the Livestream

*X* = God and Goddess

#X# = Deities

?X?=Unknown Person

Others:

[X] = Status Board/What is written on it/ Status Window (New)

--- = POV Change

|||| = Time Skip

(X) = Explanation/author/ A.U.T.H.O.R.

([X]) = Sound effect

{X} = Buttons, or something that may cause a certain action

---

We were setting sail for the mainland.

And I would ensure that everything was in perfect order.

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(Loid's POV)

"Let's see... I have that already. As for that, it's hard to use, but it's helpful. And this one... should be usable when I'm cornered... Then—"

Preparing what I had in the bags—not literally a bag, but more of a metaphor to describe my capabilities. In short, tricks and skills that I had up my sleeve.

Anyway, although I couldn't tell if I was really prepared for what might happen, at the very least, I was well-prepared for what I knew could happen—like a typhoon, tsunami, ambush, or attacks from both natural and man-made disasters that I could imagine. Anything beyond that? Hopeless.

Although lame to say, I left the rest up to Makina.

I trusted that whatever happened, at the very least, Makina would be there to help me.

"Now then, let's go."

At that, I composed my body into the battle-ready knight form that I had developed. And of course, I carried a literal bag full of tricks—and mass too. If not for this new body of mine, this would be quite a heavy burden to carry.

With careful steps, I left my temporary quarters, making my way out of our base—situated just outside the dungeon and not far from the shore.

As I stepped outside, nature greeted me.

Towering trees stretched high into the sky—so unlike the ones from my old world, where cities had consumed the land, leaving only small "preserved forests" for research.

But here? Nature thrived.

Fauna and flora unknown to Earth flourished before my eyes. Plants that existed only in this world. Animals that could never be found anywhere else.

A single leaf drifted down toward me—no, shot toward me.

With the slightest movement, I dodged it, and the leaf burrowed itself deep into the ground.

Immediately after, a claw burst from the earth, aiming for my leg.

I leaped. Avoiding the attack with minimal effort.

Without stopping, I continued my journey toward the shore.

A few more close calls later, I arrived without any major incidents—just attempts that never became real dangers.

At the shoreline, a ship floated idly.

I advanced, carefully masking my presence.

Beneath the sand, large crabs slumbered—massive creatures that could easily crush a person if disturbed. I stepped lightly, ensuring the sand itself would not betray my movement.

Upon reaching the ship, it reacted.

A hatch quivered before sliding open, revealing a room inside—filled with strange apparatus and machinery. The sight was familiar yet odd…

A ship meant for the sea, yet the interior resembled the cockpit of a pilot's aircraft rather than a maritime vessel.

Something about it felt off, but I left those thoughts for later.

I entered the hatch.

Somewhere inside, Makina was waiting.

Inside the Ship

Before I could wander aimlessly, a notification pinged.

An information feed popped up in my vision—an overview of the ship's layout, modules, and protocols. I skimmed past most of it, choosing to check the map instead.

"Let's see… I'm here at the entrance, which means… the operating room should be…"

I traced my finger across the display.

"That way."

After a few minutes of navigation, I arrived.

In front of me stood a solid door, reinforced with sophisticated locks and entry systems.

A glance told me I was supposed to input a password, scan my eye, and even fingerprint verification.

But before I could do any of that—

The door slid open on its own, parting like an elevator.

Inside, a humanoid android—a female form—stood, gazing at me.

Then, she bowed.

°Welcome, Loid.°

Before I could respond, another voice chimed in.

•Where have you been? Well, as a goddess, I already know what happened. It's just that I'm annoyed that you took so long. Are you not… straight, perhaps?•

I twitched.

"Shut up, Goddess."

°Loid°

•Nah, it's just fine, but just sit there. The fridge is near that seat, so I could ask you to fetch some delicacies when I desire to.•

"Do it on your ow—wait, that's not really a bad deal when I think about it."

Looking at the seat, I reviewed the conditions and the situation around it. The view was good—I could see the front. The fridge was nearby. Even though I didn't need to eat since there was mana, delicacies were still delicacies.

Although the goddess wasn't too far from me, there was enough distance between us to be comfortable. Considering all that, overall—not a bad proposition.

At that, I took my seat and positioned myself.

"Not that I'm following you, goddess, but this seat is quite nice."

•...For some reason, I feel irritated, but I'm in the boss round of this game, so I'll let it go.•

The goddess shot me a stiff glance but soon returned her attention to the console she was playing, fully focused on it.

°Please take your seat as we are about to set off and depart offshore.°

As Makina spoke from the driving deck, I hurriedly stretched my hand toward the fridge using Shapeshift, opened it, and grabbed a cola to drink for the start of the trip.

Retracting my hand, I opened a small gap in my helmet—which, being part of my body, moved like any of my limbs—and drank the cola.

And as for the reason why their a cola here, let just say that Makina and our company have some rights and stakes in most industries

Just then, I felt the ship move.

Looking through the driving deck's front window, I saw the ship begin to sail across the sea.

Then—

The ship started to detach from the water.

It hovered, not on the sea's surface, but levitated in mid-air.

"..."

"(...Is this a spaceship?)"

Given what I was seeing, drinking my cola in the side, I decided it would be best to read the manual and protocol that had been prepared.

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Time passed.

And no—I didn't bother counting how many hours had gone by.

Do you guys ever bother checking how many hours have passed during a trip?

Regardless of your answer, I'm on Team 'No, I don't, and I never will.'

At least, that's what I told the viewers watching the stream.

X> Just for the record, it's only been an hour. And that hour just passed exactly seven seconds ago—right after you finished rambling.

X> Yes, indeed. But I forgive you. Now then, a small request—could you stop for a minute and look beneath the sea? I just spotted a fascinating coral formation—maybe even a new marine species.

"We're not taking a detour."

X> Tch! There's a treasure trove of discoveries just beneath the water! Imagine the countless possibilities—centuries' worth of discoveries waiting just below your deck! And yet, you refuse to take the chance! For the sake of humanity I—

"Alright, alright. I'll make sure the mimic drones collect some specimens to be studied. So, hold onto your great ambitions for a moment—we're about to arrive at the mainland."

As I spoke, I adjusted the camera for the stream, pointing it at the large landmass appearing on the horizon.

Even from this distance, I could make out ships along the shore.

But before I could strike up another conversation, Makina herself reported something unusual, atleast in the ground back in our world

°Loid, radar has detected two native ships in confrontation.°

"Hmm? Makina, can you examine the situation further?"

°Aye. Upon closer analysis, based on hypothetical assumptions, it is likely that one of the ships is a pirate ship, currently attacking a cargo vessel—according to the observed data.°

°As of now, their confrontation has escalated into direct combat. The pirates have hacked and boarded the ship, forcing the guards in the cargo into battle to protect the cargo vessel.°

°Based on the current state of the fight, the pirates have the upper hand—the guards are being pushed back.°

"Pirates, really?"

Looking at the revealed monitor on the deck, I saw the two ships—side by side, locked together. People wielding cold weapons clashed, striking at each other. Some were injured, while others had just died before my eyes.

The stream automatically censored the fight happening on the two ships, but even that couldn't hide the sheer violence unfolding.

X> What do we do? Should we help them?

X> It may be the right thing to do, but decisions like this are difficult—especially when lives are on the line. It's cruel, but ultimately, the choice lies with the host.

X> As a military officer myself, I recommend that the host refrain from engaging. While I recognize that you possess great power, you are still a civilian. I cannot risk it and must advise you to stand down.

X> Worries, concerns, and etc.

Reading the comments, I felt anxiety creeping in.

What should I do?

°Loid, what are your orders?°

"..."

As Makina's question nail to myself, I could only remain silent—lost in contemplation and inner conflict.