Fishermen II

Fishermen. This intriguing word effortlessly escaped Ariya's lips as her hand firmly clasped Arsen's. It seemed she was eager to depart this vicinity expeditiously.

Arsen gazed at her, noticing the sheer terror etched upon her countenance. At that moment, his eyes followed the trajectory of Ariya's frantic gaze, fixating on the very spot her eyes were darting towards.

From a distance, he beheld the presence of three beings that possessed human-like torsos fused with fish-like lower extremities. Notably, their bodies were enveloped in shimmering emerald scales, exuding an ethereal allure. Moreover, each of them brandished a sharp, formidable spear, poised for action.

Had an ordinary individual caught sight of these extraordinary creatures, undoubtedly their instinct for self-preservation would have propelled them to flee long before the vigilant fishermen could lay eyes on them.

Nonetheless, Arsen found himself in a distinct predicament. Leaving this location would undoubtedly result in the forfeiture of all the hard-earned progress he had made thus far. Therefore, he regarded Ariya with a resolute countenance, shaking his head in a grave manner that conveyed his unwavering determination.

"We have already solemnly pledged to obtain the Tear of Luna at any cost, haven't we?" Arsen asserted, his voice resolute. "Retreating at this juncture would be an ill-advised course of action."

His words carried a profound weight, for they held within them a dire truth. Failure to fulfill the task bestowed upon them by the enigmatic witch spirit would inevitably result in the demise of one of them. The gravity of the situation was heightened by the fact that Arsen possessed the ability to be reborn in this realm, rendering his own demise less consequential. However, the stakes were markedly higher for Ariya. If she were to meet her untimely end, she would be irrevocably snuffed out from this world forever.

She anxiously nibbled at her lower lip, unable to suppress her concern. "What course of action do you intend to take? Engage them in combat?" Ariya posed the question, even though she anticipated his response. "Do you realize these beings wield superior strength beneath the waves? This realm is their domain, after all."

Indeed, Arsen was acutely aware of the precariousness of their situation. However, he found himself pondering the limitations of their choices. This seemingly perilous confrontation with the creatures stood as their sole option. If an alternative path presented itself, he would readily veer towards it, seeking a resolution that circumvented the need to engage in battle with these formidable beings.

In close proximity to the fractured pilings, three burly fishermen meandered about, their masculine forms commanding attention. Even from a distance, Arsen discerned the glimmering aqua-green radiance emanating from their eyes, lending them an otherworldly aura.

"We are left with no other choice," Arsen responded gravely, his resolve unyielding. However, he felt compelled to offer a heartfelt reminder. "Nevertheless, keep this firmly in your mind: if the situation deteriorates, do not hesitate to leave my side. It is the only way I can guarantee your safety."

Ariya could not easily accept this decision, as in her mind, they had embarked upon this journey together and should depart from this place as a united front. However, for reasons unknown even to herself, she offered a subtle nod in reluctant agreement.

_

Another two minutes elapsed, further depleting their precious time, and now they found themselves concealed behind the protective cover of rocks scattered throughout the vicinity. Deep in contemplation, they strategized how best to entice the attention of the trio of formidable creatures without alerting the other lurking monstrosities within the village. It was evident that the presence of merely three fishermen in this realm implied the existence of additional formidable adversaries lying in wait.

"I have an idea."

All of a sudden, Ariya opened her mouth.

"What is it?"

"I can employ this luminous source to captivate their focus. However, the conundrum lies in the fact that these creatures will swiftly converge upon our location. Are you truly confident in your ability to confront them in combat?" Ariya inquired, her voice tinged with a mix of concern and uncertainty.

To be honest, Arsen had no idea how strong this creature was, that's why he simply shrugged his shoulder. "Let's see, then."

Positioned 25 meters distant from the entrance of the submerged village, Arsen and Ariya grappled with the knowledge of the magical light's constrained reach. Nevertheless, Ariya mustered her magical essence, infusing the hue with amplified brilliance. With a sweeping gesture of her hand, an iridescent display unfolded before them, rendering it inconceivable for the fishermen to remain oblivious to its mesmerizing allure.

As if by enchantment, Ariya's stratagem proved successful, capturing the undivided attention of the monsters. With furrowed brows, they peered intently through the radiant illumination, drawn in by its beguiling presence.

Fishermen Level 11 Ordinary - HP 4500

Amidst the rhythmic swaying of their powerful tails, Arsen's senses remained attuned to the crucial information relayed by the system. However, fully aware of the swift approach of the fishermen, he swiftly closed all tabs, diverting his complete attention to the imminent threat at hand.

"Hide for now, and leave everything to me."

"Take care!"

Ariya swiftly positioned herself in a manner that ensured Arsen remained within the reach of her illuminating light. With strategic precision, she positioned herself at a vantage point where he could maintain a clear view of their immediate surroundings.

In an instant, the fishermen's demeanor shifted from curiosity to aggression as their eyes fell upon the presence of the human intruders. The transformation was swift and unmistakable, as their hostile instincts were awakened, fueling their readiness to engage in a confrontation.

A human?

We should kill him!

How dare you intrude on this place?!

Though the words reached his ears, Arsen's concentration remained undeterred, fixated on the monsters' every move. The impending threat had rendered him temporarily deaf to the surrounding sounds, his attention consumed by the anticipation of witnessing a skill or ability previously unknown to him.

Acknowledging the hindrance caused by the aquatic environment, Arsen recognized the need for meticulous calculations in his every movement. Fully aware of the potentially dire consequences, he resolved to meticulously plan his actions henceforth, striving to avert any worst-case scenarios that might unfold.

[Spear gun]

Indeed, one of the fishermen possessed a devastating skill capable of piercing a person's chest, leaving a fatal void in its wake. What further perplexed Arsen was their uncanny ability to maneuver underwater with a fluidity that seemed unaffected by the aquatic environment, reminiscent of their land-dwelling agility.

Swish! Swish! Swish!

In a desperate display of agility, Arsen exerted himself to the fullest, swiftly evading the incoming barrage of spears mere inches from his eyes. "This..." he gritted his teeth, his determination unwavering even in the face of adversity.

While he successfully dodged the onslaught of attacks, his encounter with the force behind those spears took him aback. The sheer pressure exerted by each thrust caught him off guard, leaving him momentarily astonished by the formidable strength of his adversaries.

"F*ck! I'm being pulled."

It became evident that the fishermen's attacks held a dual purpose: not only to inflict harm but also to disrupt their opponent's stability and footing. This was exemplified by the formation of a hurricane-like vortex at the handles of their spears, generating a turbulent force that sought to destabilize Arsen and impede his movements.

Realizing the urgency of the situation, Arsen concluded that the present moment was not the time for him to hold back or conserve his skills. With a resolute mindset, he resolved to unleash the full extent of his abilities right from the outset, knowing that a relentless and decisive approach was imperative.

Driven by the fear of perishing without taking any action, Arsen summoned his courage and made the decision to unleash all of his might. His thoughts turned to the formidable power held within his possession—the Shock Surge Ring. Recognizing its potential to turn the tides in his favor, he resolved to harness its immense power and channel it against their formidable adversaries.

Despite the gravity of the situation, an enigmatic, almost malevolent smile crept across Arsen's countenance. In that moment, a realization sparked within him—electricity and water were a formidable combination. He knew all too well that water, alongside silver and copper, served as an excellent conductor. With this knowledge fueling his resolve, he harnessed a newfound sense of confidence, knowing that he possessed an advantageous element to exploit against his aquatic foes.

Without a moment's hesitation, Arsen unleashed the potent skill of Chain Lightning. As the crackling electricity surged through the water, its effectiveness magnified by the conductive properties of this fluid medium, his opponents were momentarily rendered immobile. The electrifying current coursed through their bodies, disrupting their movements and leaving them vulnerable for a staggering duration of six seconds, or potentially even longer. Arsen's decisive action had successfully tipped the scales of the battle in his favor.

In a swift and mesmerizing spectacle, a radiant orb of gleaming blue-white light materialized at the very core of the monstrous beings, captivating their unwavering focus. Within seconds, the orb erupted in a dazzling display of power, unleashing a web-like configuration of crackling lightning. The intricate network of electrified strands extended outward, ensnaring the bewildered creatures within its mesmerizing grasp. The electrifying web now served as a formidable cage, restricting their movements and intensifying the pressure mounting against them.

Growl!!!

As the monsters recoiled from the devastating impact of the electricity coursing through their bodies,

"I have limited time, I must kill one of them to lessen the burden."