Cave of Concealment was a sanctuary of secrecy. It was a hidden refuge where individuals could seek shelter from the monstrous threats that lurked outside. Within its protective confines, the monster fishes lost all track of their prey, rendering those who sought refuge within utterly invisible to the marauding beasts.
That's why, when Jax slipped into the tree cave, also known as the Cave of Concealment, the three Cute Puffies hot on his heels suddenly abandoned their pursuit. They turned back with their aggressive fervor seemingly extinguished, as if they instinctively knew that entering the cave was an impossible feat.
With that reassurance, Jax's physical body could remain secure within the Cave of Concealment. Even if he took his time scouting the nearby area, he didn't need to worry about anything...
Jax's ethereal form then navigated the area with uncanny familiarity. It was as though the landscape had been etched into his very being, allowing him to glide effortlessly through every hidden recess and secret fold.
But as he traversed the terrain in Soul Form, Jax's mind began to drift, his thoughts consumed by the skill he had acquired from his first kill. His focus subtly shifted, anticipation building as he contemplated the pivotal role this new ability would play in the hunt that lay ahead.
After a long week of exploring the Fish Mystic Land, Jax needed another day to finally secure his first kill. Ironically, his first victim was already a dying monster he stumbled upon by chance while scouting the area in Soul Form.
It was a horned goldfish called Gol Dhorn with a slender build comparable to those Cute Puffies, but more elegant in its looks as its refined features set it apart. Its long, flowing orange fins resembled wavy locks of hair, and a single, majestic horn protruded from its forehead, lending an unmistakable air of elegance to its appearance.
However, beneath its refined exterior, the fish was gravely injured. Jax surmised that the Gol Dhorn had narrowly escaped the jaws of its predator, only to succumb to its injuries at his hands.
In any case, after achieving his first kill, Jax unlocked an interesting skill called Soul Steal. From then on, he became bold enough to set out to hunt other monsters. But the fish in the area proved to be either overwhelmingly powerful or lightning-fast. They would dart away before he could get close enough, or even worse, chase him off, leaving him no opportunity to steal their souls.
It was a given that he couldn't catch a single fish at all. Instead, he often found himself on the receiving end of brutal beatings, with some fish leaving him battered and bruised to the point where Jax couldn't help but regret tangling with them. It was a miracle he was still alive...
Jax continued his exploration. His spectral form effortlessly gliding past the dense forest, its trees a blur as he moved.
As was often the case, a light morning rain fell, its droplets passing harmlessly through Jax's ghostly form. Meanwhile, the fish around him began to stir, seeking shelter in their respective territories as they prepared for their daytime slumber.
For the past week he had observed the fishes here, Jax had formed a conviction: the fish in this area were irrevocably afraid of sunlight.
So, as the rain ceased and the clouds began to clear to make way for the sun's rays, the fish in the area scrambled to seek refuge beneath the shade of the trees, hiding from the impending sunlight.
And this was the perfect opportunity for him to hunt!
"Oh? Jackpot! Those sleepyheads are back there again!" A sly grin spread across Jax's face as he exclaimed. He had just spotted a school of fish he considered the easiest to handle, and his eyes sparkled with excitement at the prospect.
Those fish were twice the size of the Cute Puffy, with flat, oval bodies. Their brown scales deepened to a darker hue on their heads, fins, and tails. A distinctive feature was the pair of long, wavy antennae attached to their upper lip, which surprisingly granted them an acute sense of hearing. This unique adaptation allowed them to detect potential threats from a distance.
Mysticarp, that was what the Scroll called the fish.
The Mysticarps were currently slumbering beneath a particular tree, yet they remained suspended in mid-air, defying gravity. Their large eyes were wide open, but their pupils had shifted to a horizontal position, giving them a bizarre appearance even in repose.
But Jax was familiar with the Mysticarps' habits, as he gained this knowledge from observing them over time. He knew they remained perfectly still when asleep, clustering under the shade of a specific tree. The horizontal position of their pupils was also a telltale sign that they were in a deep, restful sleep.
If he would just be careful, then taking them out one by one would be effortless.
Swoosh!
Jax summoned his soul back. His eyes snapped open, and a faint smile spread across his lips. He rose to his feet and headed out the Cave of Concealment, his smile tinged with a mix of excitement and nervous anticipation.
"It seems like they're really gone," Jax muttered to himself, scanning the area with a sweeping gaze. As he had expected, the Cute Puffies didn't reappear, and the other menacing fish also went into hiding. This period was undoubtedly the most serene, with no aggressive fish daring to pursue him relentlessly.
Soon after, Jax set off. He sprinted swiftly toward the spot where he had found his prey earlier. As he approached his destination, he abruptly slowed his pace, his footsteps becoming cautious and deliberate, clearly fearful of making even the slightest sound.
Jax finally caught sight of his prey with his physical eyes. However, he needed to exercise extreme caution. The Mysticarps were notoriously sensitive to noise and would instantly wake up if they detected anything unusual or threatening.
But well, that wouldn't be a significant issue for someone like Jax. Remaining undetected was always his forte, and he was confident in his ability to sneak up on his prey without being noticed.
With that in mind, Jax crept up to one of his targets. Being barefoot, he moved silently, avoiding the faint rustling or creaking sounds that shoes or slippers might make.
Step. Step. And another silent step.
Jax finally reached one of the sleeping Mysticarps, close enough to touch. Excitement and nervousness surged through his heart, causing sweat to break out on his forehead and his hands to tremble and grow damp. Despite his nerves, he slowly raised his hand and gently touched the left side of the large fish.
Pop!
The bubble inflating on its nose suddenly burst. The Mysticarp's eyes snapped open, instantly awake. Its horizontal pupils rapidly transformed into round, wide orbs.
But it was too late for the Mysticarp. Jax had already gained the upper hand. With eyes blazing sharp and fierce, Jax swiftly unleashed his killing move, striking before the fish could even react.
Soul Steal!
Given the Mysticarp's relatively equal strength to Jax and its vulnerable sleeping state, it only took a split second — merely one or two seconds — for Jax to successfully extract its soul from its body.
It went without saying that Jax had successfully extracted the Mysticarp's soul without any issues.
The soul resembled a transparent, glowing replica of its physical body. However, after a brief moment, the fish's soul began to transform, gradually taking on a wisp-like shape — becoming round and formless, as if attempting to conform to the shape of Jax's grasp.
Jax swiftly caught the lifeless body of the Mysticarp, preventing it from crashing to the ground and making a loud noise. With the large fish securely in his arms, Jax let out a relieved sigh. He then used his right shoulder to wipe away the thick sweat dripping down his temples.
"Phew! Finally, I got another soul," Jax thought, a wide smile spreading across his lips. But he knew it wasn't time to celebrate yet. There were still several Mysticarps under the tree, and their souls were waiting for him to be collected. Shifting his gaze, Jax counted five remaining fish, their slumbering forms a reminder that his task was far from over.
With deliberate slowness and caution, Jax gently laid the Mysticarp's body on the ground. Simultaneously, he summoned the Quest Scroll and carefully deposited the soul into it.
___________________
[Mission]
• Slay fishes and collect 100 souls or more within the time limit of 30 days.
(Souls collected: 3/100)
(Remaining time: 19D)
___________________
Jax's eyes scanned the updated tally, and a wide grin spread across his face as he saw the number of collected souls go up. But his triumphant smile was short-lived, freezing in place just moments later.
''Damn, I should have absorbed its soul instead...'' The thought hit him belatedly, reminding him that unlocking his skill was his top priority. Jax scratched the back of his head, letting out a regretful sigh.
It wasn't a huge loss, though. Jax knew he still had a few more pitiful souls lined up, just waiting to be collected.
''I'll make sure to collect all these souls!'' Jax mentally declared, his determination renewed. He dismissed the Scroll and turned his attention back to his next target.
But to Jax's horror, one of the Mysticarp's gaze was now locked onto his, its eyes staring directly into his own. Jax's entire body froze, his heart racing wildly in his chest as a surge of worry washed over him.
Then the Mysticarp's gaze shifted to its lifeless companion on the ground, and in that instant, it understood the gruesome scene before it. With a certain unknown creature standing beside the corpse, the Mysticarp didn't need to think twice — that filthy creature must have killed its companion!
SHRIEKKK!!!
Suddenly, the Mysticarp released an ear-piercing shrill cry. The bone-chilling sound reverberated throughout the entire forest. Jax couldn't help but grit his teeth and clamp his hands over his ears.
"Damn it! I should've been more careful!" Jax panicked, mentally reprimanding himself. Luckily, the Mysticarp's cry was short-lived, sparing his eardrums from further torture.
Overwhelmed with relief, Jax shifted his gaze, but to his frustration, all five fishes had already darted faraway and disappeared into the distance.
"Tch, as expected..." Jax clicked his tongue in dejection. Now he had to start all over again and search for a new target — a tedious task that filled him with frustration. He couldn't help but regret not taking out those five Mysticarps when he still had the chance.
Kyut Kyut Kyut Kyut Kyut Kyut...
He was still brooding over his missed opportunity when, suddenly, Jax's thoughts were interrupted by a chillingly familiar sound. His head snapped towards the noise, and he squinted, eyes scanning the distance to pinpoint the source.
"It's still far away, but this sound..." Jax trailed off, his eyes widening in terror as realization dawned on him. "Cute Puffies?" he whispered, his voice trembling with dread.
Jax's certainty grew, his familiarity with the sound leaving no doubt in his mind. It was unmistakably the gurgling of Cute Puffies. And it wasn't just one — there were multiple, perhaps even an overwhelming number of them. The cacophony of their gurgling noises sent a shiver down Jax's spine, and it filled him with a sense of dread and foreboding.
As the Cute Puffies emerged from the depths of the forest, Jax's worst fears were confirmed. The sheer number of them was staggering — not five, not ten, not twenty... he finally lost count. His heart skipped a beat as his mind recoiled in horror.
The spectacle was nothing short of gruesome.
He couldn't help but wonder if he was being singled out for punishment, and if so, why God was being so cruel.
"Fuck, I'm really dead this time..." Jax whispered, his voice trembling with each ragged breath. The prospect of survival had already slipped away, leaving only the bleak certainty of his impending doom.