Fishermen

Ariya and Arsen made a daring decision to embrace the task bestowed upon them by the witch of the forest. Reluctantly, they realized they had no choice but to accept, for defying her would surely bring about a grim fate.

Aware of the formidable power possessed by the witch spirit, Arsen was well aware that no matter how hard he tried or how much effort he put into it, defeating her would be an insurmountable challenge. Hence, he understood that proceeding with the task at hand was, indeed, the wisest choice available.

Moreover, Ariya's hand slipped into her pocket, retrieving a small, transparent glass tube containing a shimmering aqua liquid. With a cautious tone, she held it out and uttered, "Here, drink this." Ariya, far from naive, understood that the most fearsome creatures could be found lurking beneath the water's surface.

Intrigued, Arsen seized the tube, his eyes fixed on Ariya with a curious expression. He was eager to inquire about the purpose of the transparent container. However, before he could utter a word, a sudden burst of radiant blue light materialized, forming an elevated screen that appeared right before his eyes.

As Arsen examined the tube more closely, he noticed a label affixed to it, revealing its contents: [Aquatic Potion] (Mid-level). The realization dawned upon him. This potion had the remarkable ability to grant him the power to breathe underwater for a span of 25 minutes.

As Arsen's eyes comprehended the purpose of the potion, his mind raced with understanding. However, despite his realization, a dry gulp escaped his throat involuntarily. He couldn't contain his astonishment as he exclaimed, "Wait, are you suggesting that we are about to venture underwater?"

The lake lay engulfed in an impenetrable darkness, obscuring any visibility beyond its ominous surface. The pervasive feeling of something lurking, ready to snatch them at any moment, sent shivers down their spines. Furthermore, the menacing silhouette of the darkened trees in the vicinity intensified their unease, casting an eerie aura that unsettled Arsen to the core.

Ariya furrowed her brows in deep thought. "From what I understand, the Tear of Luna can only be found beneath the water's depths. Is there any alternative approach you can think of, apart from diving in?" she queried, seeking Arsen's input.

Arsen's previous life had never afforded him the opportunity to experience scuba diving or anything similar to what lay ahead. Additionally, no alternative solution came to mind. Thus, with a resolute decision, he untwisted the lid of the potion and raised it to his lips, consuming its contents in a single gulp. The magical elixir coursed through his veins, preparing him for the daunting underwater journey that awaited them.

With each gulp of the potion, Arsen's throat undulated, the liquid sliding down with a discernible movement. However, his eyes widened in surprise as an unexpected flavor enveloped his senses. Astonishingly, the potion possessed a taste akin to a carbonated beverage from the real world. Nonetheless, Arsen quickly pushed aside his fascination with the flavor, for he was already witnessing the potent effects of the potion taking hold within him.

"What is this?"

As Arsen felt his chest expanding, a wave of relaxation enveloped his throat. He pondered inquisitively, marveling at the newfound sensation. It was akin to consuming something infused with menthol, creating a soothing effect that made his breathing feel effortless and unencumbered. The potion's transformative properties left Arsen questioning the depths of its magical capabilities.

Observing the telltale expression on Arsen's face, Ariya deduced that this was indeed his first encounter with the aquatic potion. Nonetheless, she paid little attention to that realization, fully aware of the pressing time constraints they faced beneath the water's surface. While they would have had no worries if Ariya had brought an ample supply of the potion, the two bottles in her possession represented their sole lifeline. Therefore, it was imperative that they commence their underwater expedition without delay. With a determined gaze, Ariya motioned for Arsen to follow her lead, signaling their readiness to embark on their crucial mission.

"If you don't have any idea, let's keep moving," Ariya said in a serious tone. But before that, she checked the lake, and when she discovered that there was no threat, she jumped into it without making any hesitation.

Splash!

As Arsen marveled at the audacity displayed by the woman beside him, questioning the wellspring of her courage to plunge into the dark depths of the lake, his thoughts were abruptly interrupted by the sound of splashing water. Droplets of water splattered upon his skin, jolting his senses awake and snapping him back to the present moment. The sensation served as a stark reminder of the imminent dive they were about to undertake, urging him to gather his composure and join Ariya on their underwater quest.

'I must follow her.'

After a few seconds, Arsen followed Ariya.

-

Submerged beneath the water's surface, Arsen encountered a new obstacle that hindered his progress. Despite his utmost effort to pry his eyes open wide, he found himself shrouded in complete darkness. The murky depths obscured his surroundings so thoroughly that even Ariya, who was in close proximity, remained invisible to him. Were it not for the sound of her voice guiding him, Arsen might have never detected her presence. The disorienting nature of their underwater journey intensified, requiring Arsen to rely heavily on his other senses and Ariya's guidance to navigate through the enigmatic depths.

"How are we able to find the Tear Of Luna in this situation?" Arsen asked that somehow annoyed.

"Relax, Sir Arc Blood," Ariya's soothing voice echoed through the water. In response, she began harnessing the magical energy within her, causing a delicate luminosity to emanate from her body. The ethereal glow traveled along her arm, eventually coalescing into a radiant orb about the size of a tennis ball. "We can use this as a temporary light source," she offered, the magical illumination piercing through the darkness and casting a gentle glow upon their surroundings.

Frowning, Arsen's brows knitted together in perplexity as he realized that Ariya possessed the ability to wield magical power. The question lingered in his mind as to why she hadn't used it earlier to defend herself against the lurking monsters. However, he swiftly shook off those thoughts, recognizing that dwelling on such matters was not productive in their current circumstances. It was imperative to remain focused on the mysterious entities that lay ahead, diverting their attention to the imminent challenges they faced.

Moreover, the rounded magical light could reach limited areas, that's they have to stick together. At this point, Arsen was confused. Why? Because he didn't what he should feel right now.

The surrounding sounds reverberated in Arsen's ears, reminiscent of the soothing whispers one might hear when holding a seashell close. The tranquil nature of the auditory experience provided a momentary respite, calming his nerves amidst the underwater environment. Yet, he remained acutely aware that at any given moment, the tranquility could be shattered by the unexpected. The depths concealed potential dangers and the need for constant vigilance, serving as a reminder to remain alert and prepared for any unforeseen events that could arise.

Ariya and Arsen were sticking together, looking at the sharp rock formation surrounding them. If they were no source of light, strolling in this area was really dangerous.

"Where we should start?" Ariya can't help but ask since she has no idea where they can actually find the Tear of Luna, as well as what it was looked like.

Arsen heard his question but the same as her, he had no any idea. The only thing he could do right now was to be attentive.

_

After several minutes of fruitless exploration, a faint hint of disappointment etched across Ariya's countenance. The passage of five minutes felt like an eternity, and the absence of any significant clues or leads to the Tear of Luna weighed heavily upon her. Frustration began to gnaw at her determination, as the precious time they had expended without progress only intensified the pressure of their quest. Despite the setback, Ariya remained resolute, determined to continue their search with renewed focus and perseverance.

"As of now, we only have 20 minutes left, and we didn't know what kind of creature guarding that item." She commented.

Arsen nodded in agreement, at the same time, he was well informed that there was a high chance the creature guarding that item was not easy to deal with. Before he could have a chance to give his comment, suddenly, he heard Ariya raising her voice.

"Look! I think we found the place."

Without asking, Arsen looked at the area where Ariya's eyes darted right now. His eyes were filled with shock as he didn't anticipate that there was an undiscovered village underwater.

When he was about to come closer to the undiscovered village, Ariya held his wrist tightly and he could feel her hand shivering. So, he looked at her and saw her obnoxious expression.

"No, there are fishermen guarding the area."