The Spear and the Bet

Holding the harpoon he had crafted, Jason staggered toward the large lake behind the camp.

The water was crystal clear, though unfortunately undrinkable. The scenery, however, was breathtaking. A small boat floated quietly on the lake, with the two sisters, Andrea and Amy, sitting on it. They had already started fishing.

"Hey, wanna hop on?"

Noticing someone on the shore, Amy waved and called out, "I'll row the boat over!"

"No need."

Jason waved back and replied loudly, "You two keep fishing. I'll use this."

He raised the harpoon in his hand, ready to test his newly acquired Eagle Eye skill.

"Oh, come on…"

Seeing Jason wielding what looked like a large stick, Andrea looked confused. "Does he really think he can spear fish with that? What a character."

She didn't believe anyone could catch fish that way—especially not in such deep water. If it were that easy, they wouldn't be sitting in a boat right now.

"Maybe he's got something up his sleeve," Amy replied with a shrug, eyes back on her fishing rod.

To avoid disturbing them, Jason walked farther along the shore until he found a quiet spot. He crouched by the water and focused, scanning the surface and the visible depths.

The water was remarkably clear. Jason estimated he could see up to two meters below. If he concentrated, maybe three. Thanks to Eagle Eye, everything was sharper—almost in slow motion.

After a few minutes, he rubbed his dry eyes, amazed by the skill's effectiveness. He'd spotted a few fish swimming beneath the surface. Their movements seemed slower now, deliberate. He was confident—he could hit them.

Taking a deep breath, Jason waded into the water until it reached his waist. Raising the harpoon, he fixed his gaze on the surface.

"Look! He's about to go for it," Amy whispered.

The sisters had abandoned their rods, their eyes locked on Jason.

"I bet you he won't catch a thing," Andrea scoffed. "Spearfishing with a stick? Dream on."

"Alright," Amy said with a grin. "Then I bet he will."

"And if I lose?" Andrea asked, raising an eyebrow.

"You do my laundry for a month."

"Fine," Andrea said, although clearly skeptical. "But don't blame me when he fails."

"I hope you won't regret this," Amy said, turning back to Jason.

At that moment, he struck.

Puff! Whoosh!

The wooden spear shot through the water with startling speed. Jason's training with firearms gave him sharp precision and steady hands.

Plop! Crash!

Within seconds, the surface erupted. Water splashed everywhere, and crimson stained the lake as a large shadow thrashed beneath.

"Oh my god!"

The sisters gasped in unison. A massive fish—a meter long, at least—was struggling at the surface.

"Oh shit!"

Jason himself was stunned. He'd expected a fish, but this looked like something out of a monster movie. Adrenaline surged as he yanked the rope attached to the harpoon, and a dark shape burst from the water.

Danger!

He stepped back quickly.

Bang!

The fish's tail slammed the surface with a thunderous crack. One hit from that, and he'd be out cold.

"This thing's like a demon fish!" Jason yelled, wiping water from his face. "I can't handle this alone—go get help!"

The sisters didn't hesitate.