Chapter 101: Underwater

Swoosh!

As fast as the naked eyes couldn't see, a little snake just the size of a finger shot towards Ryu, aiming at his neck. Ryu didn't notice it since it was too tiny, and its color blended in with the leaves.

And when it bit, it had actually torn Ryu's skin that not even an ordinary blade could pierce. Ryu growled and squeezed the little snake in his hand.

With Seraphina's heal, the torn flesh on Ryu's neck was being renewed, and within a second, he was good as new.

"Are monsters here becoming stronger and stronger as we near that ocean or is it just me?" Kai focused his eyes on the trees to see if other little creatures would attack them. He was the last moving in the group while Ryu led the charge. The three mages were in the center to make sure that they were protected.

"No. they're getting stronger. Who knows what will face, so don't let your guard down." Jane held Theodore's hand tightly. The water was on their neck, and it wouldn't be long that they would have to swim underwater. Though they could breathe and talk with the help of the water breathing potion, Jane was worried about their sleep and how they would eat.

"By the way," Jane couldn't help but ask. "How are we going to sleep and eat underwater?"

".. ."

".. ."

The group all paused and pondered Jane's question. Most of them were first-timers in underwater adventure.

"We'll just set up camp like normal," Seraphina answered. "In case of food, we couldn't cook underwater, so for the many days ahead, we'll have to make do for fish and other food we found below."

Jane and Theodore's faces changed. They came from a noble households, and they never ran out of delicious food to eat. Even they become adventurers, they have enough money and resources to live a comfortable life outside their home. 

"Is there another way to cook food underwater?" Jane had plenty of food to last them a full cycle moon, but most of it required fire. 

Though they would venture into the Nightmare Sea, they planned to search underwater for treasures and items and emerged on land for food and rest before embarking again below. 

They could just get back on land anytime they wanted. But in here, they were trapped in who knew how long. Things like being complacent with their food and items were no longer applicable at their current predicament. Their food and items could run out, and they'd be stuck here until they were whether and die!

Seraphina thought for a moment before she shook her head. "There is a lot of disadvantage when adventuring underwater. Not to mention that the movement is limited fire spells doesn't work either."

Jane gave up and released a large breath through her mouth. 

Ryu and Kai weren't bothered as long as there were lots of fish to eat. They could even sleep on a coral reef or large clamp of shells or rocks.

Ryu observed Jane. She was a beauty with a motherly feel to her. It must be due to taking care of Theodore. 

Ryu wondered if he had sibling too. .. But that thought would have to wait when the water reached his neck. He looked over his shoulder and found that everyone was ready to dive.

With his lead, he submerged in the water. The water was much clearer, to his surprised. It was like constant light was illuminating its depth.

Not far from them, Ryu spotted another group. There were searching the seafloor for possible treasures and items. There were also sea creatures swimming to and fro, but they immediately fled upon contact with their group.

"Be careful," Seraphina warned. "Now that we're underwater, chances are, we'll encounter large beast and even Rank-A sea monsters."

"I think it's safe and time-efficient if we hide and ran away from it." Jane didn't want to waste her items and mana if she didn't have to.

Kai nodded. "A good plan. And let's not try to create too much noise. Who knows if the Leviathan is here."

Theodore shivered, and it was certainly not the cold waters.

Ryu and the others' pace was slow compared to the others. They had to watch out for monsters and hid beneath a large reef if something gigantic passed by. Besides that, they have to search for treasures and their companions.

Kai rubbed his eyes. "Is it dark already? My eyes felt like they'll pop from their sockets."

"It's the effect of the water. Since it's a little blurry here, our eyes have to work more than usual," explained Seraphina.

"I don't think it's only the waters." Jane looked above, but she could no longer find the light of the surface. "It really must be dark outside."

Contrary to their expectations, the underwater wasn't pitch black like what they expected. Reefs, corals, and the many creatures living inside give light and illumination though the visuals were indeed a little blurry. 

Deep in here, it was easy to lose track of time because day and night didn't seem to exist. It was only constant darkness with blurry lights.

Faced with this situation, anyone would be insane after a couple of weeks.

"Did that creature lie to us?" Kai mumbled. "There's no treasure here, and we've been swimming for hours."

"How about we take a break?" Seraphina suggested to everyone.

"That's a good idea." Jane and Kai said at the same time.

"Shall we take shelter there?" Seraphina pointed to a large reef she spotted a while ago. It had many holes that would prove as their temporary shelters. Though the rock and sharp edges were the least comfortable, it was their only protection from other monsters. Not to mention that the added camouflage would protect them from possible attack.

Everyone nodded, and they went ahead to inspect the large reef that plants and mosses hid. It blended perfectly with its surroundings, so it was a perfect hiding place for them to rest.

Ryu, however, was not tired. "'m going to explore some more," he said while the others brought out their snacks to replenish their energy.

"Don't go too far," Kai hollered in a low voice. Afraid that he might attract something or worse, wake a sleeping behemoth.

Ryu nodded before he went away. 

Seraphina looked at the others' tired faces before she shifted her eyes at Ryu's thinning silhouette. "I think I better go with him. In this darkness and the vast seafloors with no path, it's easy to lose your way."

"Egh?" Before Kai could protest, Seraphina swam after Ryu.