The Boreal Sea had been calm until they reached the darker, more ominous part of it.
Archibald didn't need to see it to sense something was amiss.
He could feel it in his bones, in the way the ship rocked and swayed more violently than ever.
He quickly stood up from his seat and tossed his book aside.
"Lutessa, go call for Lamperogue. Hurry!" Archibald ordered, feeling the urgency in his voice.
"Yes Sir Knight!" (Lutessa)
Lutessa didn't need to be told twice.
As she turned to follow the instructions, Lamperogue emerged from within the ship and made his way to the deck.
He seemed to know what was going on, but Archibald wasn't entirely sure.
"What's going on?" Lamperogue asked, his eyes reflecting concern and a hint of fear.
That's when Lirien screamed at Vesta, who was drinking his liquor as if nothing was happening.
"Didn't you say nothing would happen to the ship, you drunk?" Lirien yelled, her voice trembling with fear.
Vesta chuckled and hiccupped before saying, "I did, didn't I? But the ship is bound to fall if it's attacked by a sea monster."
Just as he finished his sentence, the worst happened.
A large blue serpent-like creature emerged from the water, with razor-sharp teeth and scaly skin. It was a sea dragon, and it towered over the ship, casting a shadow of death upon them.
The sea monster had sharp, menacing teeth, and its scales glinted in the sunlight. Its body was sleek and serpentine, and it circled the ship with ease. It was as if the ship was a mere toy to be easily flipped or crushed by the sea dragon's might.
The wind suddenly howled, and the sea turned into a maelstrom, crashing against the ship's sides and threatening to tip it over.
The sea dragon let out a deafening roar, seemingly taunting the travelers on the ship.
This wasn't a Rank A+ monster for no reason.
...
The passengers on the ship were in a frenzied state, their complaints echoing throughout the deck.
Some protesting that if they'd been informed of the presence of sea monsters, they would never have boarded the ship in the first place.
Others yelled that the captain was reckless and incompetent, that he should have avoided these dangerous waters entirely.
The captain was surrounded by the complaints.
The noise was so much that he thought he would go deaf, his ears ringing with the volume and pitch of the passengers' voices.
He tried his best to calm then down, shouting over the noise that this wasn't just any sea monster, but it was a terrifying sea dragon.
He explained that they were known to lurk around these parts and attacked any ships that crossed their path.
They continued to make their complaints.
Frustration and fear had taken over, and they needed someone to blame.
One person suggested that the captain had been careless and should be held accountable.
Others said that the crew should be doing something to protect them.
The captain felt like he was sinking under all the negativity, but he quickly gathered himself.
"Control yourselves!" he yelled. "I know this situation is not ideal, but we will get through this."
"How do you expect us to control ourselves?!" (Dwarf)
"Shut the fuck up and listen!" (Captain)
"Aye sir!" (Dwarf)
"There are adventurers on board who are capable of dealing with the sea dragon. So please, rest assured that you're all safe." (Captain)
It calmed some but others still complained.
"What adventurers can handle a sea dragon?" one voice cried out.
"That's right!" another shouted in agreement. "We're going to die here, and this captain is doing nothing!"
The captain took a step forward.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I assure you that everything is under control. We have the best adventurers on board, and they will take care of this situation." (Captain)
It took a moment, but slowly, the passengers' murmurs died down.
They looked at each other, some with hope, others with skepticism.
But the mood on the deck had shifted, and the passengers believed that the adventurers could save them from this sea dragon.
If only they knew a [Ranker] was on-board.
...
[Back on deck]
Rachel's smugness was insufferable.
Archibald and Lamperogue both knew they needed her strength to take down the sea dragon, but her dismissive attitude towards the mission was infuriating.
"What do you mean it's too boring for you? This is a life-or-death situation!" Archibald exclaimed, his frustration building.
Rachel only shrugged and replied, "I have other plans in mind. I'm sure you boys can handle it."
Lamperogue rolled his eyes and muttered under his breath, "Typical Rachel."
Nevertheless, Lamperogue was calm.
His code of conduct was: "The worse the situation gets, the calmer you get."
Archibald tried to contain his annoyance and turned to Vesta, hoping to recruit him to join their team.
But Vesta's drunken state made him unintelligible, and Archibald sighed again in disappointment.
Turning to Lirien, Archibald noticed the way she was gripping the pillar tightly, and it all made sense.
She was a Beautiful Feline Woman, hesitant to be out on the open water.
"Lirien, are you okay?" (Archibald)
Lirien nodded, her cat-like ears twitching slightly. "I'll stay here and guard the ship," she replied.
"(Yeeeeeaaahhh, of course you will...)" (Archibald)
Archibald then inquired about Rumia, and Lamperogue informed him that she was still recovering from seasickness.
Just as things seemed hopeless, Myne arrived and offered to assist in the fight.
Archibald was relieved to have someone else on their team and quickly designated her as their long-range attacker.
As the plan was solidified, Lutessa stepped forward.
"I call forth the strength of mana to converse and become an unbreakable sphere that protects those around me, 『Magic Barrier!』" (Lutessa)
She cast a powerful basic magic spell, creating a spherical barrier around the ship.
The sea dragon roared in frustration, but it was unable to penetrate the magical shield.
"I can't hold this for too long guys!" (Lutessa)
The shield was designed to allow matter to pass through but not get in.
Archibald and Lamperogue then proceeded to strip down to their trunks, preparing for close combat with the sea dragon.
They didn't want to get their clothes wet.
"Are you ready, buddy?" Archibald asked Lamperogue.
Lamperogue simply nodded in response. "Always."
"Kick some asses boys!" (Rachel)
"You got it!" (Archibald | Lamperogue)