Rei sat still, his breathing slow, steady.
The soft glow of his newly acquired skill wrapped around his hands, a gentle, pulsing blue. It felt strange—like holding liquid energy, weightless yet tangible, shifting subtly with every movement of his fingers.
"This is… surreal."
A part of him was still processing it.
Just a few days ago, he had been an ordinary guy, struggling against the impossible forces of this unknown sea. Fighting against hunger, exhaustion, and creatures beyond his understanding.
And now—
He had a crafting skill.
Something that allowed him to create—to shape the world around him rather than merely endure it.
His gaze drifted down to the fishing rod in his grip.
A simple tool. The only thing keeping him alive up until now.
"Let's test this out."
With careful movements, he grabbed a Light Fish from the pile beside him, its bioluminescent body flickering softly in the dim morning light.
The moment the two objects were in his hands—
DING!
A faint chime echoed in his ears as golden text appeared before his eyes.
> [Crafting Attempt: Fishing Rod + Light Fish]
[Error: Cannot craft a weapon. Only minor enhancements possible.]
Rei's brow furrowed.
"So I can't turn this into a weapon?"
It wasn't entirely unexpected.
A fishing rod wasn't meant for combat, after all.
Still, a part of him had hoped for something more dramatic. Maybe a weapon formed from the bones of the fish, or a magical transformation into a spear.
But instead—
His hand moved on its own.
His fingers twitched, guided by something beyond his conscious control.
A tool appeared in his grip—a fine, needle-like drill, made entirely of glowing blue energy.
Rei barely had time to react before the tool began moving.
With precise, careful motions, it started drilling a tiny hole into the handle of his fishing rod.
The process was smooth, almost hypnotic.
There was no hesitation, no wasted movement.
Each rotation of the drill felt intentional, as if some unseen craftsman was guiding his actions.
"What the—?"
His other hand, still holding the Light Fish, began to tingle.
The fish's soft glow pulsed in response, its luminescence shifting—breaking apart.
Tiny, crystal-like fragments of the fish's body slowly detached themselves, floating toward the drilled opening in the rod.
And then—
They merged.
The glowing fragments fitted themselves seamlessly into the hole, as if they had always belonged there.
A faint hum resonated through the air.
The fishing rod trembled slightly in his grip—before settling.
DING!
Another notification flashed.
> [Enhancement Complete!]
[Your Fishing Rod has been slightly enchanted.]
[Effect Added: Lucky Aura – Increases fishing efficiency.]
Rei blinked, momentarily stunned.
He lifted the rod, examining it closely.
At first glance, it looked the same.
But when he ran his fingers over the spot where the Light Fish fragments had fused, he felt a faint warmth.
A presence.
It was subtle, almost unnoticeable, but it was there.
Something alive.
"So… my skill really lets me upgrade stuff."
His lips curled into a small smile.
Not a weapon. Not some grand, game-breaking item.
But this—
This was progress.
For the first time, he wasn't just surviving. He was improving.
He tightened his grip on the rod, feeling the new energy coursing through it.
"This skill is awesome."
His gaze shifted toward the horizon.
The night was slowly fading, giving way to the soft hues of dawn.
Orange and purple light stretched across the sky, reflecting off the water's glassy surface.
The sea, once a place of constant struggle, looked strangely peaceful.
He let out a slow breath.
Then—
He swung the rod, casting his line into the endless ocean.
It was time to see what his first enchantment could do.