Chapter 51

After getting the promise from Firefly that he would be here soon, the three of them said goodbye to the fishing boat.

They took a last look at the fishing boat, where their nostalgic existence was still.

Whether it is Li Jue, Ling Xi, or Wan Nian, there are people they want to see again and say a few words to.

However, they are also aware of their identity in the infinite space, destined to not have a complete life like ordinary NPCs, and even unable to develop close connections with others like players.

In fact, as long as he regretted it now, Wannian thought, he could immediately return to the fishing boat, return to the group of his brothers, and continue his unrestrained, lavish pirate life without having to make any changes or take on any unknown risks.

However, he also became more determined in his desire to become the king of the new world.

He looked at Li Jue who was lying on the side of the boat, trying to catch the waves with his hands.

The fish were attracted by the unique aura of the cub and rushed to the side of the boat to see who the rumored mysterious little system was. Some of them excitedly jumped out of the water as if to escort him on a long journey.

The Boss Communication Post System, as can be seen from the job title, only connects with the big boss of the sub-world.

Except for the leader of the sub-world, all small bosses and NPCs are classified as nobody.

For someone like him to be able to see the system is an honor worth showing off.

You must become the new king.

Even if it’s just to see little Bobo more often in the future.

Of course, he hadn't figured out how to do it yet. Leaving the organization was definitely the right thing to do.

With a baby in hand, everything will go smoothly.

——Dreams are always beautiful.

However, when the boat drifted on the sea for half an hour and the distance to the island still did not decrease at all, Wannian could no longer laugh.

He stood up and looked around a little panickily.

The action of standing up caused the boat to shake a bit. The affected cubs clung to the side of the boat to steady themselves, and then looked at him in confusion.

"Something's wrong." Wannian concluded based on his years of experience as a sea tyrant, "We're not even close to that island."

The cubs looked at each other, then back at the adults.

Wannian knew that it was pointless to explain to such a young child, so he didn't say much.

But his judgment is infallible.

While still on the fishing boat, he made a rough calculation based on the direction pointed by the firefly.

Since the island appeared according to the will of Firefly, or the Sea Monster King, it must not be too far away;

Even if it was for safety reasons and she didn't want to be discovered by others (are there really other people on this sea? Wannian remained skeptical), as long as the little ones got to the island, she could just use illusions to cover them up.

He estimated that at the speed of a normal lifeboat, it would only take about twenty minutes to reach the island.

And now? Half an hour had passed, and the boat and the island remained at a constant relative distance.

Neither far away nor close.

A faint doubt arose in Wannian's mind: Could it be that that thing does not exist at all and is actually a mirage?

He quickly suppressed this ridiculous idea. It was easy for Liuying to torture him, but she would never tie the little system to him; the little guy still had to meet her immediate superior, and this girl was not stupid enough to do that.

Besides, there is no grudge between him and Liuying, so there is no need for him to be targeted.

After ruling out Liuying's motive for committing the crime, Wannian became even more anxious.

If the island wasn't an illusion, and the lifeboat hadn't slowed down, then why were they spinning in circles? It was as if they'd been sucked into an inescapable vortex.

etc.

swirl?

The possibility that had not been taken into consideration before made Wannian's pupils suddenly shrink.

People who have been drifting on the sea for many years understand one thing: sometimes it seems that the sea is calm below the boat, but it is very likely because they are on the crest of a huge tsunami, just like when you step onto the top of a mountain, the surroundings still look flat.

Could it be that they had already fallen into the vortex and just didn't realize it?

Thinking of this possibility, Wannian felt a little panicked.

He is the mini-boss of this sub-world, a pirate who cannot be injured or aged. He may be smarter and more alert than the average person, but other than that he is just an ordinary human being without the ability to go to heaven or earth.

Previously, he was able to complete his mission perfectly because he was protected by the pirate forces.

If he were separated from those high-end weapons and the younger brothers at his command, would he still be able to achieve his goals so easily?

Adults’ emotions can easily be transmitted to children. The two little ones also noticed the unusual atmosphere and stopped playing with the fish.

Li Jue looked from near to far, and only then realized how terrifying the dark sea was in the dark night. He timidly reached out to the only adult: "Uncle..."

Wannian's heart softened, and he was about to go over to pull him when the boat began to shake violently.

This was completely different from the waves they had encountered before. The waves that had originally supported them were surging in all directions, as if having a wild party, determined to capsize the thin boat.

The sea water rushed in, and the fishy and salty smell filled my mouth, eyes and nose.

Wannian roared, "Hold on tight, don't fall!"

How could two little children resist the devastating power of nature? No matter how tightly Ling Xi grabbed Li Jue and hugged him, the heavy waves were like strong arms, tearing the two children apart.

He only had time to remind her amidst the turbulent waves: "Juejue, remember to use that—"

After a moment of uncertainty and confusion, he finally opened his eyes with great difficulty, and saw the thin little bodies of the cubs being swept into the dark sea.

……wrong.

Their final posture clearly showed that they jumped down on their own initiative!

But it was also true that the lifeboat was about to fall apart, and even if one did not jump in now, the boat would soon cease to exist.

Wannian gritted his teeth and consoled himself: the small boss is still very useful to the sub-world, and he will not die easily; before that group of stupid players pass the level and the dungeon is completely refreshed, he must have a way to survive.

He was just about to loosen the rope that bound him when he suddenly realized that the water under the boat had been rotating in the same direction since he had no idea what was going on, like a circle, and was gradually expanding layer by layer.

...Wow, it’s really a whirlpool!

The humans had no time to react before the boat was suddenly pushed dozens of meters away. The boat, which had already been stretched to its limit, completely disintegrated due to this sudden external force.

At the moment of the collapse, Wannian didn't think about how to survive first, but what to do with little Bobo?

Without his help, could Li Jue be saved with the help of another equally young child?

He struggled to float up in the raging waves and saw an island slowly rising to the surface of the sea, casting a dark shadow against the bright yellow moon, like a monster nurtured by the ocean that was big enough to devour the heavens and the earth.

He complained for thousands of years, not showing up early or late, but appearing just when their boat passed by. Isn't this teasing them?

He struggled to steady himself on the edge of the whirlpool and glanced to the side inadvertently.

It was this one look that made him lose his breath.

The small island that could not be approached no matter how hard the boat sailed was still at the same distance, far away in the horizon, and its position had not moved.

...In that case, what was that thing that just emerged from the sea?

He turned around tremblingly and had to raise his head high to get a full view of the shadow.

The "island" in front of him kept changing its shape, the earth cracked from the center outward, and a mountain rose from the ground. The towering "top of the mountain" was inlaid with a pair of red eyes emitting a strange light, and it could swallow the moon with its mouth open.

The cracked land grew into giant tentacles with a diameter of tens of meters. They waved arrogantly, stirring up the originally calm sea, accompanied by roaring waves, like a world-destroying dance in the night.

——Since it has self-awareness, it naturally cannot be an "island", but an emperor squid!

Wannian, who finally recognized the monster's true face, did not feel the slightest bit of surprise at witnessing a legendary creature. He was completely devastated. How could this thing still float to the surface?

The emperor squid is a giant invertebrate that lives in a 10,000-meter-deep ocean trench. Each of its tentacles is a hundred meters long, making it the invincible overlord of the deep sea.

However, this overlord has lived in the dark seabed for generations. In theory, once it floats to the shallow sea, its internal organs will burst and it will die because it cannot adapt to the sharply reduced water pressure.

But looking at it now, it looks full of energy and doesn't look like it's feeling unwell at all.

Wannian wiped the water off his face and comforted himself: This is infinite space, even death is just a game, it is normal for creatures not to survive and grow according to the basic laws.

Right.

The squid's eyes were filled with red blood mist. It looked down and searched, as if looking for something.

After a long while without any results, it angrily slapped the sea surface with its tentacles, and its vocal organs, which were nowhere to be found, uttered sad and angry whimpers.

Once it gets sad, it becomes extremely sad and immediately creates a tsunami-like wave.

The small lifeboat they came in had long since fallen apart. Not to mention the boat, even if they replaced it with Wannian's own pirate ship, it would not be able to withstand the attack of the emperor squid.

Wannian was struggling over whether to get away from this big guy that might go crazy at any moment, or dive under the sea to look for the small system, when the back of his hand that was not in the sea water was suddenly touched by something.

This sudden touch from an unknown source gave him goosebumps.

All creatures fled for their lives as soon as the emperor squid appeared, so how could there be any creature so brave as to stay? And why does this cold and soft touch feel so much like part of a tentacle?

Could it be that the squid is planning to use this tiny two-legged creature to fill its stomach first?

But the problem was that he had seen how big the squid's tentacles were. Let alone tugging him like that, even if he was touched lightly, he would probably have no chance of survival.

What on earth is this...

"Bo...Gulu Gulu...Bobo!"

The soft and brisk baby voice finally saved him from the panic of scaring himself with his overthinking. Wannian breathed a sigh of relief and looked down to see the little creature swimming towards him.

Fortunately, the little jellyfish itself glows, otherwise its translucent little body would almost seem to blend in with the night water.

When their eyes met, the little jellyfish waved its bow-shaped tentacles happily as a greeting. The pear blossom shape of the umbrella formed by the tentacles flickered and sparkled, like a firefly flying in the sea.

The mysterious glass bow-shaped pear blossom jellyfish is back again. Wannian was actually a little moved when he saw the small system in its original form (to him).

The little guy didn't come alone. There was a seal pup that was a size bigger than him next to him. It had smooth black fur, warm brown eyes, and a silver-white stripe on its head. This look was undoubtedly Xiaoxi.

Hey, how come Xiaoxi also has a marine life form? Isn't this child the captain's adopted son?

Wannian was stunned.

However, since the little jellyfish is a precious system cub, the boy who can accompany him must not be an ordinary person.

...So he is the only pure human being here!

"Bo, Bo."

The little jellyfish swam to his side and touched his hand again, as if eager to express something like a child pulling at the corner of a clothes.

It’s a pity that Wannian couldn’t understand it.

He subconsciously looked at Xiaoxi, who used to be the one to convey whatever the little jellyfish said; however, the little seal looked back at him dejectedly and grumbled muffledly.

...Well, the only translator is also on strike.

Fortunately, the two cubs can understand human language.

Wannian secretly marveled at his own excellent swimming ability. As he rose and fell on the waves, he spoke earnestly to his cubs, "I've observed that this giant monster's eyesight isn't very good, and it's searching for something, so it probably won't notice anything else for the time being. Let's get out of here first. I've thought it's best to go back to the fishing boat and ask Liuying what's going on with that little girl island..."

He couldn't continue with his plan.

Those red eyes hanging high in the night sky had come close to them without them knowing when.

The emperor squid sank into the sea, and one of its eyes was as big as a ship. The red pupils illuminated every detail in the sea, and even the transparent jellyfish turned into strawberry-flavored gummy candies.

The squid raised its tentacles and attacked them. Wannian closed his eyes heavily: with their speed, it was absolutely impossible for them to escape.

At the moment before death came, Wannian's thoughts wandered to the fact that becoming the king of the new world was quite complicated, and he had to exorcise the demons and monsters first.

Did the Siren King encounter the same dilemma when he cleared out this sub-world?

Whether it's an emperor squid or something else...

But it was obvious that they all obeyed him now.

What should I do to gain such power, and what is the price?

However, the expected pain of being torn to pieces did not come. The squid's tentacles just moved him aside irritably and picked up the strawberry candy with great care - and also picked up the baby seal in the process.

The two cubs were so small that they were as small as grains of rice in the squid's tentacles, and even the suction cups couldn't hold them steady.

After realizing this problem, the squid stopped trying to lift them up and leaned over, speaking in a very affectionate tone: "Young Master! Oh, it's really Young Master!"

Wannian in the water was completely stunned.

Wait, no, where does this cute girl voice come from?

Is it this emperor squid that exudes a domineering aura? !

——Was the thing it had been anxiously looking for the baby?

Xiao Lijue was also stunned.

After he left the sea, he was wrapped in a layer of water again, and now the little seal was holding him on the head like a ball.

Ling Xi used some spiritual power to stabilize the water ball to ensure that the little jellyfish would not fall suddenly.

Li Jue patted Ling Xi's head with his little tentacles. They also had a mental link to communicate: "Xixi, who is talking?"

The little seal raised his face and nudged the water ball with his nose. "I guess it's Mr. Squid."

"Mr. Squid?" The little jellyfish was very surprised. "Is it my little sister?"

It's hard not to tell that the voice is a girl's with that sweet and coquettish voice.

But as they looked at the monster that was approaching like a mountain, it was hard to really associate it with the image of a cute girl with twin ponytails and a pleated skirt.

The little seal hesitated: "Maybe... it's my sister."

Li Jue is not even four years old yet. Even if the emperor squid is really magnetic... well, it should not be younger than Li Jue, otherwise it would not grow so big.

One thing is certain: the Emperor Squid has no ill will towards them - the use of the term "young master" must mean that the Sea Monster King trusts him very much.

The squid is indeed a mollusk, but it is so big that no matter how soft it is, it can be stacked like a Transformer.

The little jellyfish lifted the bow on her back and mustered up the courage to greet her, "Squid sister!"

The little seal was stunned: Are you so sure that it’s your little sister?

The giant emperor squid also failed to react to the name immediately, and then laughed softly, "Young Master, I'm not your sister."

It can actually understand the popping sounds made by Li Jue. It turns out that the ocean world has its own set of rules.

The little jellyfish puffed up its umbrella and said, "Then what are you?"

"I'm a boy," said Squid shyly, "I'm 100% genuine, a real boy~oh~"

Wannian couldn't understand what the little jellyfish said, but he could understand the squid. He broke out in sweat when he heard it: It's bad enough that such a big guy can make a cute girl voice, but now he has to tell him that he is actually a male. It's simply... simply perverted!

The giant squid is still acting coquettishly towards the tiny jellyfish, which makes people's hair stand on end and their worldview collapses.

The small system quickly and naturally accepted this new setting: "Mr. Squid, what do you want to see Zizi?"

Regardless of the onlookers' lives, the squid continued in that sweet voice: "Hey, I'm here to take you back to the palace."

The little jellyfish flapped its umbrella happily: "Is it Brother Yaoyao going to see his cubs?"

Brother Yaoyao...who is he?

The squid had never heard of this special nickname between the young cub and the Siren King, but it didn't matter: "Actually, Miss Feihua was supposed to pick you up, but I don't know what she was doing. She left a letter to send me to complete the task."

"Sister Huahua?" Li Jue hesitated, "But Sister Liuying asked me to wait for her."

The squid raised a tentacle behind it and scratched its bald head. "Oh, is that so? I'm surprised they can't agree."

You know, as the king's right-hand man and twins, Liuying and Feihua are the kind of sisters who can achieve a high degree of tacit understanding without the need for verbal communication.

Why are there seemingly contradictory instructions now?

Li Jue was also confused, but the little water cub didn't have much brain capacity for thinking. When he thought about seeing Qian Xing soon, he happily jumped on the little seal's head: "Xixi, let's go!"

Ling Xi was also hesitant. His understanding of Liuying and Feihua was limited, and he could not completely trust anyone. As for the cute girl in front of him, um, Emperor Squid, whether she was Qianxing's confidant or not remained to be verified.

But as long as I stay with my baby, I won’t let him get hurt.

He has a special trick.

The little seal held the little jellyfish, moved on the tentacles, and used its short, fat flippers to hold the edge of one of the suckers.

The squid excitedly shook its other tentacles, while being careful not to push the two little ones off.

It didn't even notice there was a tiny human being, preparing to dive into the sea with its cubs on its back.

Wannian struggled hard in the waves that were rolling like mountains, shouting loudly: "Bobo cub, little Bobo cub——"

Unfortunately, his voice was not as loud as the splash made by the squid's tentacles, and was completely drowned out.

"—Wait! I don't agree!"

Another thin, sweet voice interrupted.

All the living beings present turned their heads at the same time.

Wannian was horrified to discover that the island that had always been out of reach was now right in front of him - and it was not an island at all, but a giant sea turtle that was as big as an emperor squid!

Previously, its head had been buried under the sea, with only its back covered with lush mosses exposed, making it look like a small island with dense vegetation.

No wonder the "island" can appear and disappear at the command of the firefly, it is just the difference between rising and diving.

Their boat has not been able to get close to the "island" because this guy is swimming leisurely, right?

Even the squid's disdainful snort sounded like a young girl's coquettishness: "You wish, young master should come back to the palace with me."

The turtle said in the same delicate voice: "Miss Liuying said that the young master must wait here with me first."

"You're talking nonsense! This was given to me by Miss Feihua!"

"You're talking nonsense! If you don't believe me, go ask Miss Liuying. Return the young master to me immediately!"

"I'm giving it back to you. When did it become yours?"

"Even if it's not mine, it can't be yours!"

“How dare you, do you want to disobey Miss Feihua’s order?”

"Are you going to disobey Miss Liuying again?"

"If you're not convinced, let's go ask His Majesty!"

"Humph, just ask!"

Blah blah blah.

I'm so frustrated. How could such a childish monster exist? Can it really be a good boss in a game of escape?

And this kind of voice is really hard to accept...Wan Nian, who has been soaking in the cold sea water, feels like he will vomit at any time.

The two little guys on the squid's tentacles didn't expect such a dispute.

Ling Xi had never seen these two big guys before. He used his authority to quickly check and found that players of the ocean copy might directly start the final chapter and face the big boss, the Kraken, after passing the pirate level. They might also trigger a side quest, which is to accept the test of the emperor squid or the giant turtle.

As the small boss pirate leader at the first threshold, Wannian usually returns home with his brothers after completing his mission, so he has never encountered squids and turtles.

Seeing that the squid and the turtle were about to fight for the ownership of their baby, this was a serious matter: if they fought with their bodies, causing a tsunami would be the least of their consequences.

On the sea, under the moon, a palm-sized figure resolutely stood between the monsters.

The water film around the small jellyfish expanded to accommodate the baby seal. The latter still held the former on its head, and the two cubs slowly floated into the air with the bubbles.

The translucent little cub, shining brightly in the moonlight, waved its bow-tie tentacles, shouldering the responsibility of regulating (serving) and stopping (water), and advised in a childish voice:

"—Stop fighting!"