Chapter 344. Ropes
Some of the scales on Dipp's face were peeling off as though he had taken a punch earlier. However, the grin of joy on his face was unmistakable.
Dipp stole a sheepish glance at Charles. Charles ignored him and chowed down on his meal. Dipp cast his gaze upon Feuerbach's side. He grabbed the Second Mate's half-eaten can of food and voraciously devoured the rest.
"Second Mate, there are so many new faces I don't recognize. Did they all just join," Dipp asked casually.
Despite his food being snatched, the green-haired man, Feuerbach, wasn't the least fazed or bothered. He even thoughtfully handed Dipp a bowl of fruit soup.
"Yeah, they're all new," Feuerbach answered. "Look, this is Tobba, you remember him, right? With this guy around, we'll never be lost at sea again."
Feuerbach's tone was carefree as he introduced the new crew members who had joined during Dipp's absence. However, the mentioned crew members were far from pleased. They regarded the grotesque-looking fishman in front of them with looks of terror.
None of the older crew members had revealed to them about the past events and they had no idea of the origin of the terrifying creature before them. Neither did they understand why the creature claimed to be the boatswain of the Narwhale.
Weister even discreetly loaded his pistol as he eyed the terrifying fishman before with extreme wariness.
However, after the cook, Planck, learned that Dipp was the informant who brought the news of the Deep Dweller's planned assault, he seemed no longer afraid of Dipp and even busied himself to prepare more food. Unravel the Unknown, Unleash the Unimaginable: N♡vεlB¡n.
"Chief Dipp, I'm so sorry. I mean, it was dark, and I suddenly saw... you. It never crossed my mind that it could be you," Planck explained.
Dipp let out a hearty laughter. "No worries. I sometimes still get a shock when I look in the mirror. Heat me another can, will you? I've been eating raw fish for such a long time, and I'm getting sick of it."
Just as Dipp was happily catching up with the older crew members, Charles suddenly rose to his feet. "Did I bring all of you here to chat? Hurry up and finish your food. We'll continue our exploration!"
The chatter ceased immediately as soon as Charles' words fell. Everyone focused on their food, and their eating speed sped up. Only the sound of swift chewing filled the camp.
In mere minutes, the crew was done with their meal. Picking up their weapons and shouldering their gear, they were ready to continue their journey.
Just what in the world are these things? Who made them?
As Charles was pondering over these questions, his keen senses picked up a sudden movement behind him. He whirled around to find a Ropeling's bizarre face pressed alarmingly close to his own!
Swish!
The Ropeling's head fell to the ground. A scowl appeared on Charles' face as he swiftly retreated.
"Everyone, gather together! Those things are alive!" Charles' deep roar added further solemnity to the atmosphere.
It didn't matter why these creatures could move despite being made of ropes. But their ability to move meant that they could also kill.
The crew quickly formed a defensive circle and brandished their weapons. Their gazes scanned the surroundings at heightened alert.
"Captain, this has nothing to do with me. When I passed by here just now, they didn't move at all," Dipp's voice was laced with anxiety as he hurriedly explained to Charles. He really didn't want Charles to suspect him again.
However, Charles had no time to deal with Dipp. He had noticed that just in the span of a mere few seconds, the entangled Ropelings had already separated each other and had moved a meter closer toward them.
"Back the way we came, now!" At Charles' command, the crew hastily retreated.
Unfortunately, a deeply unsettling event unfolded. More and more bizarre Ropelings appeared under those bizarre trees.
No one actually managed to catch how they appeared, and they seemed to have materialized out of nowhere. When the crew caught sight of them, the Ropelings were already perched on the branches or peering out from behind the leaves.
Against the backdrop of the vibrantly colored trees, the Ropelings' crudely painted smiles appeared particularly eerie.
Being thrown into this sudden predicament, the crew's footsteps started getting disorderly, and their breathing quickened with apprehension. Though their weapons were loaded, everyone held fire as they waited for Charles' order. After all, no one knew if bullets had any effect on these Ropelings.
Suddenly, Dipp at the forefront halted in his steps. Charles rushed to his side, and the sight before him sent a chill down his spine.
A massive net formed from brown jute rope had blocked their path of retreat. The heads of the bizarre Ropeling jutted out from all sides of the net like loose threads.
The Ropelings had surrounded them.