BXBX NOVEL Chapter 181 River Monster
The engine of the boat roared to life, making a smirk appear on my face.
Finally, after a good hour of familiarizing myself with the controls, I was ready to set sail.
"It should take a few minutes..."
Looking at the Island in the middle of this massive river, I muttered.
I could barely make out the outline of buildings and trees from a distance.
However, I wasn't planning to enter the village yet.
The Sun was already setting and I wasn't stupid to fight shadows in the dark.
There should also be a Demon within the Dungeon, so I will only enter the Island within daylight.
For now, I should just safely cross the River and find a suitable spot to anchor the boat for the night.
'...'
Looking at the shoreline, I noticed the gentle sway of long reeds in the evening breeze.
There were so many of them, they seemed to form a forest on their own, dancing in unison with the rhythm of the wind.
It was a perfect hiding spot, at least for a single night.
Splash...
Steering the boat toward the reeds, I carefully maneuvered it through the shallow waters while keeping an eye out for any hidden obstacles.
Creak...
Unfortunately, as I approached the shoreline, I heard an unsettling creaking sound coming from the boat.
I hoped that it was just a minor issue, but the nagging sensation in the pit of my stomach told me otherwise.
I tried to move the boat from its spot, however, the ship stood in place.
Panicking slightly, I quickly went toward the rails that lined the boat and looked down to assess the situation.
"Fuck..."
With a single glance, I knew that the boat was stuck.
I've made a mistake and underestimated the depth of the water.
My eyes instantly shifted toward the reeds that were swaying just a couple dozen feet away from me.
Should I try to jump into the water and push the boat into the cover?
Observing the water, I hesitated for a moment.
The water seemed calm, and the idea of getting wet didn't bother me much.
However, there was no telling whether some creatures were lurking beneath the surface, waiting for me to dive in.
'Mana Perception...'
Mana surged through my body, circulating toward my eyes, specifically to my irises, making a golden glow emanating from them.
Blink... Blink...
Within seconds a myriad of colors emanated from my vision, revealing the intricate and vibrant energy patterns of the world around me.
'Let's see...'
Using my enchanted Mana Perception, I carefully scanned the water and the area around the boat to ensure that no creatures were lurking beneath the surface.
My eyes scavenged the depth with precision and clarity, trying to detect any life forms, however...
The tranquil water appeared to be devoid of any hidden beings.
"This is suspicious."
However, I wasn't too keen on diving into the water instantly.
Although I couldn't detect any Mana coming from the water, it didn't guarantee that no dangers were lurking beneath.
Maybe a creature could hide its Mana signature, or perhaps some creatures did not possess Mana at all.
"Ughh..."
Groaning, I used my hand to ruffle my dark bangs that were beginning to get into my face.
With a deep breath, I steeled myself for what I had to do. The sinking sun cast long shadows on the water's surface, making the situation even more tense.
"It has to be done..."
Carefully, I lowered myself into the water, my heart pounding in my chest.
Splash...
The river water engulfed my leg skin, sending shivers up my spine.
Step by slow step, I moved forward, each footfall carefully placed to create as few ripples as possible.
Swish...
The reeds swayed gently around me, their rustling providing a constant backdrop to my cautious progress.
Every muscle in my body was taut, ready to react at a moment's notice.
If a creature were to lunge at me, I was confident in protecting myself in time.
I reached the side of the boat, my hands gripping the wet metal as I strained against the resistance of the shallow waters.
Creak...
The eerie creaking of metal echoed in the stillness, and for a moment, it felt like the whole world was holding its breath. I pushed with all my might, my Awakened body's strength lending me the power I needed.
Creak...
The boat resisted, seemingly stuck in place. Doubt began to creep in, but I refused to give up. And then, finally, with a triumphant lurch, the boat began to move. A surge of relief washed over me, and I couldn't help but let out a victorious exhale.
But my elation was short-lived.
!!!
From the corner of my eye, a disturbance in the water caught my attention. Ripples spread out, heading directly toward me. Panic surged through me as I turned to see a dark shape moving swiftly beneath the surface. My heart raced, and without a second thought, I leaped back onto the boat, scrambling to my feet.
Tap... Tap...
I raced into the cabin, slamming the door shut behind me and locking it with cold hands. In the dim light, I suppressed my Mana, hiding my presence as best I could. I pressed my face against the cold glass of the window, my breath fogging it up slightly.
Splash...
Outside, on the front deck of the ship, the water's surface broke with a subtle disturbance.
A dark form moved just below, its sinuous motion unnerving. The ripples it created spread outward, the fading light dancing on the water's surface.
Time seemed to stretch as I held my breath, praying that whatever it was would lose interest and disappear into the depths. The suspense was almost unbearable, and I strained my eyes, trying to make out more details in the fading light.
As the last rays of sunlight dipped below the horizon, the water's surface stilled once more, the ripples fading into obscurity. The boat bobbed gently in the river, and for a moment, all seemed calm.
However, from my experience, I know that fate is a bitch.
The cabin felt suffocating as I watched through the fogged glass, my heart pounding in my chest. The moments stretched into eternity, and the tension in the air was palpable.
I strained my eyes, trying to pierce the dim light and catch a glimpse of the creature that had emerged from the water.
And then, it happened.
Swish...
A shadowy hand, like a living extension of the darkness itself, emerged from the water. It gripped the rail of the boat with an eerie strength, bending the metal slightly with its fingers. My breath caught in my throat as the hand pulled upward, revealing more of the creature's form.
Splash...
The shadowy figure pulled itself out of the water, placing its feet onto the deck with a disturbing grace. Water dripped from its form, each droplet vanishing into the obsidian darkness that composed its body. It stood tall and imposing, its form vaguely humanoid but twisted and distorted, as if it were a living manifestation of nightmarish shadows.
Obsidian eyes scanned the deck, and for a moment, the world seemed to hold its breath. The creature's gaze felt like it was piercing through the cabin's walls as if it could sense my presence even though I had suppressed my Mana. The air grew colder, and a strange, primal fear rooted me to the spot.
The creature's head tilted slightly, and a sound that resembled a growl rumbled from its throat. It was an otherworldly noise, a mix of predatory threat and curiosity. The Shadow's head turned, its gaze fixating on something beyond my field of vision. My heart raced, wondering if it had sensed something else.
This was the first monster from the Shadow Dungeon I've met.
As the Shadow continued to survey the deck, I found myself strangely calm. A slight fear still gripped me, but it was mixed with a determination to survive. My hand clenched the Authority I had summoned, my fingers curling around it in a comforting grip.
I might not have understood the full extent of this creature's power, but I was not defenseless.
"..."
Time seemed to stretch as the creature's gaze lingered on the deck. The seconds felt like hours, and I dared not move or even breathe too loudly. It was a battle of wills, a silent confrontation between the intruder of shadows and me.
And then, as suddenly as it had appeared, the Shadow turned away. With a subtle, flowing motion, it retreated back to the edge of the boat, where the water's surface seemed to meld seamlessly with its form.
Splash...
With a final glance back toward the deck, the creature dissolved into the darkness of the river, leaving only ripples in its wake.
The Shadow Creature finally left...
Click...
I carefully opened the door of the Cabin and stepped outside.
For a few moments, I stood frozen but soon quickly went back inside.
I'd rather spend the night within the cabin and not on the deck.