Chapter 423 - 413: Voyage Carnival 15

The lead Deep Sea Blue Merfolk’s expression soured, and the others around him followed suit, glaring at her with open hostility. Fangs and claws were on full display.

Even though this was just a substitute, it didn’t mean she wasn’t afraid of dying.

’If I really push these guys over the edge, they might not be satisfied with just killing my substitute. They might go after the cargo ship, and then all my effort would have been for nothing.’

So, the moment she saw things were heading in the wrong direction, Moira Lynch acted without hesitation. She raised her hand and released the six Merchildren from her space.

Suddenly thrust into a new environment, the Merchildren’s eyes held a trace of confusion and hurt.

After all, their current surroundings were a far cry from the conditions inside Moira Lynch’s space.

Fortunately, Merfolk were highly adaptable. Besides, this was their home. After a brief moment of confusion, they quickly adjusted, having spotted others of their kind nearby.

Just then, several female Deep Sea Blue Merfolk emerged from the group. With expressions of pure relief, as if reunited with something they thought was lost forever, they pulled the Merchildren into a tight embrace.

Watching the scene unfold, Moira Lynch guessed these female Deep Sea Blue Merfolk were the Merchildren’s mothers.

Moira Lynch didn’t stop after releasing the Merchildren. She proceeded to release all the fish she had stored in her space as well.

A few minutes later, Moira Lynch looked at the leader of the Deep Sea Blue Merfolk and communicated with him using her spiritual power. "I have fulfilled my promise to you. Please honor your end of the bargain."

The lead Deep Sea Blue Merfolk glanced at the Merchildren, then back at Moira Lynch. His expression remained unchanged, and the hostility in his eyes had not faded.

Just as Moira Lynch began to think he was going to break their agreement, one of the Merchildren, nestled in its mother’s arms, suddenly looked up and chirped in a soft, juvenile voice.

Moira Lynch didn’t understand the Merfolk’s language, but she could clearly feel the hostility from the surrounding Merfolk diminish significantly after the little one cried out.

Even the lead Deep Sea Blue Merfolk’s expression softened considerably.

Moira Lynch breathed a sigh of relief at this realization.

’I had it all planned out, actually. If these Deep Sea Blue Merfolk dared to go back on their word, I would’ve just sucked them all into my space without a moment’s hesitation.’

’Once on dry land, no matter how powerful they are, they’d be completely at my mercy.’

’But that was a last resort.’

’I never expected the Merchild to be the turning point. Good thing I had that burst of kindness earlier and healed the little ones’ injuries.’

"Fine. You may go. You saved my child, so I am willing to honor our agreement. This time only. If there is a next time, I will personally tear the poachers to pieces."

Hearing the Deep Sea Blue Merfolk’s threat, Moira Lynch retorted silently, ’Telling me that is useless. I’m not the poacher.’

Moira Lynch watched the Deep Sea Blue Merfolk leave, finally letting out a sigh of relief. She reached up and scratched her arm. ’So itchy! I can’t stand it anymore, I need to get going.’

Seeing that the cargo ship had already disappeared from view, Moira Lynch resignedly started to give chase.

After swimming for nearly half an hour, she finally caught up.

She climbed back in through a window, returning to her space.

Moira Lynch observed the soaking-wet substitute, her gaze landing on its face.

The seawater had been cold, and after spending so much time in it, the substitute’s body had turned completely white.

Seeing this, Moira Lynch couldn’t help but marvel. ’It’s so realistic. It even copied my side effects perfectly.’

But her eyes remained fixed on the substitute’s face.

"Are those... fish scales?"

A thin layer of faint, white scales had appeared on the substitute’s forehead and at the corners of its eyes.

The scales had a pearly luster and were actually quite beautiful.

’Wait, that’s not right. Why would I be growing scales?’

Moira Lynch had the substitute take off its clothes. Sure enough, just as she’d suspected, there were scales on its arms in addition to the ones on its face.

Seeing this, Moira Lynch’s first reaction was to wonder if someone had put a hex on her. But on second thought, that didn’t seem right.

As it happened, the blessing her Blessing Badge had refreshed to these past few days was Curse Immunity, which made her immune to all Spiritual System abilities.

Besides, the scales began to slowly disappear once the substitute was out of the water.

Fortunately, Moira Lynch had a good memory, and she soon remembered the Yoyo Fruit.

When she first bought the Yoyo Fruit tree, the description mentioned that long-term consumption would yield an "unexpected harvest."

Moira Lynch had been eating a Yoyo Fruit every day for over six months.

With a theory in mind, she went to Patience for confirmation.

[Those who consume Yoyo Fruit for an extended period will develop fish-like characteristics, such as scales and even gills. However, these features will disappear upon leaving the water and will not cause any adverse effects to the consumer. On the contrary, it will cause marine life to treat you as one of their own.]

’Case closed!’

Knowing that this was just an effect of the Yoyo Fruit, Moira Lynch was finally able to relax.

’So this is the ’unexpected harvest’,’ she thought. Moira Lynch decided she should give some to Shane Rhodes and the others too.

But the number of Yoyo Fruits was limited. ’It’s better to use Medicine,’ she concluded.

Yoyo Fruit Medicine.

She set both production slots on her Pharmacy Box to "Yoyo Fruit Medicine."

’Twenty thousand vials should be enough.’

’As for how to get it to them...’

A small smile played on Moira Lynch’s lips. She decided to entrust this "arduous" task to Hugh Finch.

「After midnight...」

...

Hugh Finch looked up as Moira Lynch barged into his room. Unflustered, he asked, "Is it settled?"

Moira Lynch nodded, puffing out her chest proudly. "Of course. You’re talking to me, after all."

Seeing her puff up like a proud peacock, a faint smile touched Hugh Finch’s lips. "Such a show-off. You didn’t come all the way over here at this hour just to tell me that, did you?"

’If that were the case, she could have just told me tomorrow or sent a message on the Intelligent Brain. There was absolutely no need for her to run all the way over here, especially at this hour.’

"Of course not."

Moira Lynch took out a Space Button. "There are twenty thousand vials of Yoyo Fruit Medicine in here. Split them among the team. As for the excuse for where you got them... you can figure that out yourself."

Hugh Finch took the Space Button, not paying attention to her last comment. "What does this Medicine do?"

Moira Lynch then explained the effects of the Yoyo Fruit and what had happened with the scales.

"Anyway, it’s good stuff, but it only works if you take it long-term. You all can start with these. When you run out, just ask me for more."

With that said, Moira Lynch dashed off.

Left alone in his room holding the Space Button, Hugh Finch belatedly realized her last comment had sunk in. What kind of excuse was he supposed to come up with to explain this to the others?

He had been about to go to sleep, but now... now he was wide awake. ’That little brat,’ he thought. ’She definitely did that on purpose.’

"Maybe I’ll just keep it all for myself," he muttered.

Of course, he was only joking.