Chapter 181 - 136: Deep Sea Worm, Worm Treasure (2)

’The way you say that just makes me even more nervous...’

Hearing Brother Yu’s words, Li Qun complained inwardly.

But Brother Yu’s plan really was their best option. At least it would prevent a total party wipe.

"Alright, I’m going, Brother Yu!"

Li Qun took a deep breath, and with a SPLASH, he dove headfirst into the pitch-black sea.

When he opened his eyes again, the Frogman Candle Spirit’s nictitating membranes covered them. His vision was filled with the border between deep blue and pitch black, where chaotic currents churned endlessly.

Looking at the absolute darkness below and feeling the biting cold of the surrounding water, Li Qun couldn’t help but feel a chill crawl up his spine.

Although there didn’t seem to be any danger yet, he knew with certainty that the terrifying Deep Sea Worm was likely lurking in the darkness below, its eyes already fixed on him...

Li Qun adjusted his mindset.

Then, he began to swim toward the location of the Wax Ash.

All the while, he kept his eyes glued to the darkness below, not daring to relax for a second.

Just as he was about to reach the Wax Ash...

He suddenly noticed the darkness below begin to roil. A colossal body seemed to be swimming toward him at extreme speed!

In the blink of an eye, a blurry, gaping maw shot up from below, closing in on him!

Li Qun’s pupils shrank. He frantically yanked the fishing line tied to his waist.

"It’s here!"

On the ship, Brother Yu and Old Yan saw this and jolted. Without hesitation, they used all their strength to yank Li Qun back by the fishing line.

SPLASH!

A huge wave exploded upwards again as the Deep Sea Worm’s massive body resurfaced.

But this time, with Brother Yu and Old Yan pulling together, Li Qun was yanked away. The creature failed to devour its prey and instead revealed its position!

Without a word, Brother Yu seized the opportunity. Bending his knees amidst the violent rocking of the Spirit Fire Ship, he launched himself into the air, drew the Law Knight’s Greatsword, and aimed its tip straight for the Deep Sea Worm’s body!

SQUELCH!

Accompanied by a strange, pained shriek and a gush of blood, the Deep Sea Worm began to struggle wildly.

Brother Yu ignored everything else, focusing solely on widening the wound to inflict more damage, striving to kill it then and there.

SPLASH!

The sharp blade tore through the Deep Sea Worm’s skin. The wound grew wider, and viscous blood spurted out, spilling into the seawater.

BANG!

Water sprayed everywhere as the sea churned violently. In its agony, the Deep Sea Worm dragged Brother Yu down with it into the depths.

"Holy crap, Brother Yu is a total badass! Like a War God!"

Having successfully retrieved the Wax Ash and been pulled back, Li Qun felt his blood boil as he watched the scene unfold.

"He’s basically a superman."

Old Yan was also dumbfounded. He thought Brother Yu had some secret move up his sleeve, but he never expected him to just jump in and face it head-on. It was insane.

Then, the two of them watched the sea’s surface with anticipation.

Though they said nothing, they were both waiting for Brother Yu to slay the Deep Sea Worm and return like a triumphant War God.

「A short while later...」

A handful of Wax Ash floated to the surface first.

Then, Brother Yu’s Wandering Soul gradually appeared before them, his face dark.

Li Qun was stunned. This wasn’t quite what he had envisioned.

’But on second thought,’ he mused, ’I guess my expectations were a little too high. That Deep Sea Worm is a Level 30 Molten Slag Monster, and he was fighting it in the sea. It’s not strange that he made a mistake.’

Thinking this, Li Qun was the first to offer comfort. "It’s alright, Brother Yu. That monster is too strong. It’s normal for it to be a tough kill."

Old Yan, however, burst out laughing without hesitation. "Old Yu, didn’t you say it was a sure thing? How’d you still crash and burn?"

"Crashed and burned my ass!" Brother Yu rolled his eyes and retorted irritably, "I killed one and was just about to come up when another one showed up..."

Brother Yu was a little frustrated.

The Deep Sea Worm’s struggling had indeed caused him some trouble, preventing him from killing it quickly and getting him dragged into the deep sea.

But the Deep Sea Worm’s weakness seemed to be its lack of special moves or Skills. So, after a fierce struggle, he still managed to kill it, though with difficulty.

But before he could even celebrate, another Deep Sea Worm, drawn by the scent, arrived. Brother Yu, who was almost out of breath, was naturally put on the back foot and could only helplessly bite the dust...

"Doesn’t that mean you still killed one Deep Sea Worm, Brother Yu?"

"Did you pick up its loot?"

Li Qun said in pleasant surprise.

Hearing this, Brother Yu looked around, then pointed to the side. "There, over there."

"Hmm... perfect. Have Old Yan tie the rope to you, then go get the items. I’ll keep watch in my Wandering Soul State. It should be fine."

After getting ready, Li Qun excitedly went to pick up the Deep Sea Worm’s loot.

And this time, perhaps because the Deep Sea Worm that had been watching this area had been killed by Brother Yu, the retrieval process went very smoothly.

[Acquired: Wax Oil x60]

[Acquired: Fire Seed·Deep Sea Worm]

[Acquired: Battle Ash·Hunting Sensation]

[Acquired: Worm Package]

The haul for killing the Deep Sea Worm wasn’t much, but everything looked quite useful.

’This Deep Sea Worm’s Fire Seed... if I use this for my Fire Ignition, won’t I be able to swim freely in the sea?’

Li Qun’s eyes lit up.

It was perfect timing, as he hadn’t performed his Fire Ignition yet!

’For a player who chose the Frogman Bloodline, this Deep Sea Worm’s Fire Seed is probably an Epic Level upgrade!’

"Hmm... that’s true. Why don’t you go ahead and use it for your Fire Ignition?" Brother Yu said, stroking his chin.

"Really? For me?" Li Qun was pleasantly surprised.

"Just take it, kid. What’s there to be polite about? Old Yu wasn’t polite with you when he used you as bait just now," Old Yan said teasingly, patting his shoulder.

"Alright! Thanks, Brother Yu! Thanks, Old Yan!"

Li Qun was overjoyed and gleefully accepted it.

Afterward, the three of them headed back. Brother Yu was instantly pulled away by the Spirit Candle, leaving first, so Li Qun and Old Yan could only follow behind.

"Go ahead and open that package and the treasure chest too. See what’s inside, and then do the Fire Ignition."

Brother Yu suggested.

Li Qun was naturally happy to oblige.

’You know, hanging out with these two older guys, aside from their slightly weird conversation topics, has been nothing but beneficial.’

[Worm Treasure]

[Type: Consumable]

[Effect: Upon opening, randomly obtain one piece of Weapon or equipment of Poor to Excellence quality.]

[Explanation: A treasure from the belly of a Deep Sea Worm. Explorers from the Land of Burning once flocked to these, but most of the unlucky ones only ended up becoming treasure for those who came later...]

[Worm Package]

[Type: Consumable]

[Effect: Upon opening, randomly obtain one useful or useless item.]

[Explanation: It’s clearly not as good as a Worm Treasure.]

The former was what Li Qun had risked his life to find when he was first swallowed by the Deep Sea Worm, while the latter was obtained after Brother Yu killed the Deep Sea Worm.

Obviously, the package wasn’t as good as the treasure chest.

Still, the fun of opening loot boxes was something to look forward to.

WHOOSH WHOOSH...

Li Qun dipped his hands in the seawater to wash them, then blew on them a couple of times. Full of anticipation, he opened the treasure and the package one by one.

[You have opened the "Worm Treasure"]

[Acquired: Torn Gloves (Poor)]

[You have opened the "Worm Package"]

[Acquired: Extinguished Oil Lamp x1]

Without a doubt, both items were complete junk, utterly useless.

Li Qun was speechless.

Seeing this, Brother Yu and Old Yan were stunned for a moment, then burst out laughing. "HAHAHAHA..."

"...It’s fine. Bad luck is normal." After laughing for a bit, Brother Yu patted his shoulder. "Go on, try that Worm’s Fire Seed."

Hearing this, Li Qun shook off his frustration and took the Deep Sea Worm Fire Seed over to the Spirit Candle.