Robert woke up to the sound of birds singing, his body still sore from the previous day's trials. He stretched his aching limbs, feeling the remnants of yesterday's battles lingering in his muscles. Despite the discomfort, he was eager to get the day started. The room around him was dimly lit by the early morning sun filtering through the cracks in the wooden walls. He rose from his bed, the scent of sweat and dirt clinging to him—a pungent reminder that it had been days since he'd last bathed.
After quickly donning his clothes, Robert stepped out of his sleeping chamber. The corridor outside was narrow, the wooden floorboards creaking underfoot as he made his way toward the main hall. The sound of men preparing for the day reached his ears—clinking armor, hushed conversations, and the occasional burst of laughter.
As he entered the hall, Robert was greeted by the sight of his crew bustling about, readying themselves for whatever challenges lay ahead. Some were sharpening their weapons, others were checking supplies, but all seemed focused on the tasks before them.
"Good morning," Robert called out, his voice carrying a note of authority. "Get ready—today is going to be a hell of a day."
His words were met with nods and murmurs of agreement, the men sensing the gravity of his tone. Without further delay, Robert turned and made his way toward the altar, his mind already focused on the tasks that lay ahead.
As he approached the altar, a wave of determination surged through him. The events of the past few days had made one thing clear: if he was to succeed, he needed to grow stronger, faster than the others. He couldn't afford to fall behind. The altar itself was an imposing structure, carved from ancient stone and etched with symbols that glowed faintly in the dim light. As Robert drew closer, a blinding light suddenly erupted from the altar, causing him to shield his eyes.
When the light faded, Robert lowered his hand, squinting at the figures that had appeared before him. Ten soldiers stood in formation, their silhouettes sharp against the morning light. They moved with a disciplined grace, each step deliberate, and as they approached, they bowed low before him.
These men were different from the others—they were shorter, standing at about 1.7 meters, and each wielded a katana-like sword that gleamed ominously in the light.
**[Wondering Ronin (Bronze Tier One): These warriors hail from the Shinto Empire. They were once samurai, but after their master's death, they became ronin, wandering the world in search of a new master.]**
Robert's breath caught in his throat. This was the first time he had acquired warriors from such a vastly different culture. His mind raced as he considered the possibilities, but first, he needed to establish communication.
Unsure of their language or customs, he greeted them cautiously, "Go inside and ask for a man named Sabas. He'll fill you in on your duties."
The ronin nodded in unison, their faces expressionless as they turned and made their way toward the hall. As they left, Robert couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement mixed with trepidation. These warriors could be a valuable asset, but he had to learn more about their abilities and how they might fit into his plans.
Shaking off his thoughts, Robert focused on the task at hand. He reached into his inventory and pulled out a blueprint for a wall. The clearing around the altar was vast—8x8 acres, to be exact. To build a wall that could fortify the area, he calculated he would need at least 300 units of wood. The problem was, he didn't have the right tools to gather such a large amount of wood on his own. The only solution was to trade with the Goblin Lord, a thought that filled him with unease.
He clenched his fists, a surge of anger rising within him as he recalled the trouble the goblins had caused. The need for revenge simmered beneath the surface, but he knew he had to be strategic. Storming in without a plan would only lead to disaster.
As he re-entered the hall, Robert's mind was already plotting their next move. Inside, the atmosphere was tense but focused. The men were discussing tactics, sharing information, and readying themselves for the challenges to come.
"We need to exterminate the goblins," Robert announced, his voice firm and resolute. "They're a hazard to our existence."
The men around him nodded in agreement, their faces reflecting the same determination. But Sabas, ever the cautious one, raised a hand to interject.
"I understand your passion, my lord," Sabas began, his tone measured, "but it would be foolish to go in without knowing if we could be overpowered. Goblins reproduce quickly, and they're more cunning than they appear."
Robert knew Sabas was right. Charging in without a plan could lead to their downfall. He took a deep breath, trying to rein in his frustration. "We need more information about the tribes and villages around us," he conceded. "We can't afford to act blindly."
His thoughts drifted to the treasure map he had found yesterday—a map he had almost dismissed in the chaos of recent events. But now, with resources dwindling and danger closing in, it seemed like their best shot at gaining an advantage.
"I've been neglecting something important," Robert admitted. "I collected a treasure map from the crab that died on the beach. I think it's in our best interest to explore it further."
Sabas's eyes widened in surprise. "Didn't you say it was underwater and that we must avoid the ocean at all costs?"
"I did," Robert replied, his voice steady. "But desperate times call for desperate measures. We need every advantage we can get."
The room fell silent as the weight of his words settled over the men. Robert could see the uncertainty in their eyes, but also the determination. They knew what was at stake.
After a moment's pause, Robert made his decision. "Thabis, you're coming with me. We're going back to that nightmarish beach where everything went wrong."
Thabis looked startled, his eyes widening with fear. But he didn't argue—he knew why he had been chosen. Of all the men, he was the most familiar with the path to the beach.
Before leaving, Robert turned to Sabas, his expression serious. "If we don't come back in eight hours, assume we're dead. Take full command of the operation and find a safe place for everyone."
Sabas nodded solemnly, understanding the gravity of the situation. "Understood, my lord. We'll be ready."
As they set out, Thabis couldn't shake the feeling of dread that settled in his chest. The last trip to the beach had been a nightmare, and the idea of returning filled him with unease. Still, he pushed those feelings aside, focusing on the task at hand.
The journey to the beach was quicker this time, thanks to Thabis's knowledge of the shortcuts. The forest around them was dense, the trees towering high above, their leaves rustling softly in the breeze. The path was narrow and winding, but Thabis led the way with confidence, his footsteps light and sure.
When they finally reached the shore, the sight of the ocean stretching out before them sent a shiver down Robert's spine. The waves lapped at the sand, their rhythmic motion both soothing and ominous.
Robert pulled out the treasure map and synced it to his interface, allowing the system to track the location. A small, pulsing dot appeared on the map, indicating where they needed to go.
"Alright, my lord," Thabis said, trying to keep his voice steady, "we should start digging. I'll take the western side, and you can take the eastern."
Robert chuckled, shaking his head. "Thabis, I think you misunderstood. The treasure is in the ocean."
Thabis's face paled as the realization hit him. He hadn't been present when Robert and Sabas discussed the treasure, and now the full weight of what they were about to do crashed down on him. "My lord, that's impossible! I can only hold my breath for about three minutes, and I'm a terrible swimmer."
Robert placed a reassuring hand on Thabis's shoulder. "Do you trust me, Thabis?"
Thabis swallowed hard, his throat dry. "Yes, my lord, but this is madness."
Robert's expression softened, his voice gentle yet firm. "Just follow my lead. You'll be fine—I promise."
They stood at the water's edge, the cool waves lapping at their feet. Robert took a deep breath, steeling himself for what was to come. He slowly stepped into the water, feeling the chill seep through his clothes as they waded deeper and deeper until they were fully submerged.
Thabis, holding his nose, felt panic rising in his chest. He squeezed his eyes shut, bracing himself for the inevitable struggle to hold his breath. But then, he heard Robert's voice in his head, calm and steady: "Just breathe. Trust me—you'll be alright."
Hesitantly, Thabis let go of his nose and took a tentative breath. To his amazement, the water didn't rush into his lungs. He could breathe as easily as if he were standing on dry land. His eyes flew open, and he stared at Robert in disbelief.
Robert nodded, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "I told you."
Relief washed over Thabis, followed by a surge of confidence. Robert had taken a gamble, sharing his unique trait with one of his subjects Robert had taken a gamble, sharing his unique trait with one of his subjects, was something he hadn't fully tested himself, but now that he saw it working on Thabis, a wave of reassurance settled over him. They were ready.
They began to swim, their movements smooth and coordinated, cutting through the cold, dark water with ease. The initial shock of the freezing ocean was quickly replaced by a sense of wonder as they descended. The underwater world was a vibrant, otherworldly place, filled with the rich colors of coral reefs and schools of fish darting through the currents like streaks of light.
Robert led the way, his eyes fixed on the compass in his interface, which guided them toward the northeast. As they swam deeper, the light from the surface began to fade, replaced by a dim, eerie glow that emanated from the ocean floor. The temperature dropped, and the water grew darker, the pressure increasing with every meter they descended.
The vibrant colors of the reef gradually gave way to a murkier, more foreboding landscape. The ocean floor was littered with debris—broken shells, remnants of old shipwrecks, and the skeletal remains of sea creatures long since dead. The deeper they went, the more desolate the surroundings became, until they finally saw it—the silhouette of an old shipwreck emerging from the gloom.
It was a barque, an ancient vessel with masts that had long since splintered and crumbled. The ship lay on its side, half-buried in the sand, its once-proud hull now covered in barnacles and seaweed. As they drew closer, Robert could see the details more clearly—the rotting wood, the tattered remains of sails, and the gaping holes in the deck where cannons once stood.
"This must be it," Robert said, his voice steady but filled with awe. The ship was massive, much larger than he had expected. It was hard to believe that such a relic could have survived for so long in the depths of the ocean.
Thabis swam beside him, his eyes wide with a mixture of fear and fascination. "Are you sure the treasure is here, my lord? This place… it feels cursed."
Robert nodded, though he couldn't shake the uneasy feeling that had settled in his gut. The shipwreck looked like something out of a nightmare, and the darkness surrounding it seemed to pulse with an unseen menace. But there was no turning back now. They had come too far, and their mission was too important.
"We'll have to search the ship," Robert replied, scanning the wreck for an entry point. "The treasure could be hidden anywhere, but I doubt it's in plain sight. We'll need to be thorough."
They swam around the ship, their eyes darting over every nook and cranny, looking for a way in. Finally, they found an opening—a large hole in the side of the hull where the wood had rotted away. Robert motioned for Thabis to follow him, and they carefully entered the ship, swimming into the dark, enclosed space.
Inside, the ship was a maze of narrow corridors and cramped rooms, all filled with the detritus of centuries spent underwater. The water was murkier here, filled with silt and debris that swirled around them with every movement. Visibility was poor, and the cold seemed to seep into their bones as they ventured deeper into the wreck.
They searched every room they could find, prying open old chests and crates, sifting through piles of rusted metal and decayed wood. But the treasure eluded them, and with each passing moment, Robert's frustration grew.
"This is taking too long," Thabis muttered, his voice tinged with anxiety. "We've been down here for hours, and we've found nothing."
Robert gritted his teeth, refusing to let the darkness close in on his resolve. "We keep searching," he said firmly. "The map led us here for a reason. There has to be something."
They pressed on, navigating through the labyrinthine passageways until they reached what must have once been the captain's quarters. The door was barely hanging on its hinges, and the room beyond was in a state of complete disarray. The floor was littered with broken furniture and the remains of what might have been navigational equipment, now reduced to little more than rusted scraps.
Robert's eyes swept the room, looking for anything that might indicate where the treasure was hidden. Then, something caught his eye—a glint of gold, half-buried under a pile of debris in the corner. His heart skipped a beat as he swam over to it, brushing away the silt to reveal what looked like an ornate chest, its surface encrusted with jewels and intricate carvings.
"This is it," Robert breathed, his excitement mounting. He ran his hands over the chest, trying to find a way to open it. The lock was old and corroded, but still intact.
"Give me a hand with this," Robert said, motioning for Thabis to join him. Together, they pried at the lock, their muscles straining as they tried to force it open. After a few tense moments, the lock gave way with a loud snap, and the lid of the chest creaked open.
Inside, the treasure was more than they could have imagined. Gold coins, sparkling gems, and intricately crafted jewelry filled the chest to the brim. But as Robert reached in to examine the contents, his hand brushed against something else—something that didn't belong.
He pulled it out carefully, revealing a small, weathered scroll tied with a red ribbon. The parchment was fragile, almost crumbling in his hands, but Robert could see the faint, ancient script that covered its surface.
"This… this isn't just treasure," Robert said, his voice barely above a whisper. "This is something far more valuable."
Thabis looked at him, his curiosity piqued. "What do you mean, my lord?"
Robert carefully unrolled the scroll, his eyes scanning the faded text. It was written in a language he didn't fully understand, but he could make out enough to grasp its significance.
"This is a map," he said slowly, "but not just any map. It's a map to something… something powerful. I don't know exactly what, but it's ancient. If we can decipher it, it might lead us to a treasure far greater than what's in this chest."
Thabis stared at the scroll, his fear temporarily forgotten. "Are you saying there's more than this? More than gold and jewels?"
Robert nodded, his mind racing with possibilities. "Yes. This is just the beginning. We need to get back to the surface and figure out what this map is trying to tell us. Whatever it leads to, it could change everything."
They quickly gathered what they could carry from the chest, securing the scroll safely in Robert's inventory. The journey back to the surface felt longer, the weight of their discovery heavy on their minds. As they swam upward, the light gradually returned, and with it, the warmth of the sun.
When they finally broke the surface of the water, gasping for air, the world around them seemed brighter, more vivid. They had done it—they had found the treasure, and with it, a mystery that could alter the course of their entire mission.
As they waded back to shore, Robert's mind was already turning over the next steps. They needed to decipher the map, gather their forces, and prepare for whatever lay ahead. The treasure they had found was just the tip of the iceberg, and Robert knew that the real adventure was only just beginning.
When they reached the beach, exhausted but triumphant, Robert turned to Thabis with a determined look. "We need to move quickly. There's no telling what we're up against, but we can't afford to waste time."
Thabis nodded, his expression resolute. "What's our next move, my lord?"
Robert looked out at the horizon, where the sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows across the sand. "We return to the others. We regroup, we plan, and then… we follow the map. Whatever it leads to, we'll be ready."