Chapter 168: Five O’clock in the Morning

Chapter 168: Chapter 168: Five O’clock in the Morning

’The Heart Line extends... So that’s what it means.’

It dawned on Seraphina Sinclair. This wasn’t just a piece of fishing gear; it was a powerful piece of perception-enhancing equipment, albeit only for underwater use.

Seraphina Sinclair fell into thought.

The system was providing so much gear that could only be used underwater. And the materials from these fish all seemed to be for crafting underwater equipment, too.

’Will there come a day when survivors have to live underwater?’

The thought had barely formed before she dismissed it.

’It’s underwater.’

’Humans can’t survive there, and neither can the Sunflower.’

’It’s probably impossible.’

’Even if it is possible, it would have to be far in the future, right?’

’And who knows if I’ll even live to see that day.’

Seraphina Sinclair stopped dwelling on such hypotheticals and focused all her concentration on the Green Flood Dragon Tendon.

’Time to fish!’

The Heart Line’s capabilities went beyond its description.

Besides exploring the water, it also acted as a line and hook. And since the Heart Line served as Seraphina Sinclair’s eyes, she had no need for a bobber.

It was worth noting that while it served as a fishing rod, it was fundamentally different from a normal one.

For example, with an ordinary rod, you wait for a fish to take the bait.

Seraphina Sinclair, however, used her will to guide the infinitely long Heart Line, chasing down fish and, when they least expected it, shoving the line into their mouths.

’That counts as fishing, right?’

The first fish Seraphina Sinclair pulled out of the water was the one she had failed to catch three times... or one of its kind.

After all, the fish all looked identical, so Seraphina Sinclair couldn’t tell them apart.

She stared at the small fish on the floor, sighed softly, and muttered to herself, "Since I’m not sure which one of you was toying with me, all of you will pay for the crime of one. I’ll just have to catch every last one of you."

After speaking, Seraphina Sinclair mercilessly processed the fish, using Insight on it before storing it in her Silver Moon Earrings.

It was also a D-level fish. It was small—only about the size of her palm—with a long, slender antenna on its head that ended in a small, glowing, fleshy growth, like a little lantern.

’It’s actually quite pretty.’

[Lanternfish (D-level)]

[Description: A magical species of small, glowing fish. They rely on the soft light emitted from the fleshy growth on their heads to gather and communicate in the deep water. This light holds a unique attraction for certain aquatic creatures. The flesh contains faint light energy; eating it raw may cause localized, temporary glowing of the body. The taste is refreshing, but the negative side effects are also pronounced.]

[D-level ingredient detected. Decompose?]

[Decomposition yields: Glowing Nodule x1, Luminescent Fish Meat x2]

’A glowing fish?’

Seeing this, Seraphina Sinclair took the fish back out.

’No wonder it was so conspicuous in the water. Before reading the description, I thought it was just light reflecting off its scales. I never expected it was actually glowing on its own.’

Seraphina Sinclair stared at the strange nodule for a moment, then chose to decompose the fish.

[Obtained: Glowing Nodule x1]

[Description: A natural, energy-free underwater lamp. Wearing it directly illuminates a five-meter radius around you in the water, but it may attract some "curious" creatures. Perhaps an Artisan can uncover its deeper value?]

’An underwater lamp?’

Seraphina Sinclair blinked. She had thought it would have the same use as a glowing fish swim bladder.

’But... what’s an Artisan?’

’Is it a profession, like a Rune Master?’

Seraphina Sinclair put the item away and turned her attention to the two pieces of fish meat she had obtained.

’This stuff...’

’Why does this stuff look so poisonous?’

The two pieces of meat lay quietly on the stone table. The flesh was a translucent, unnatural, shimmering green and even pulsed with a faint, flickering light, as if it were tissue carved from some radioactive monster.

[Obtained: Luminescent Fish Meat (D-level) x2]

[Description: Eaten raw, its texture is cool and refreshing, and it melts in your mouth—but it’ll even make your burps glow! When cooked, the light subsides, and the meat becomes exceptionally fresh and sweet. An excellent choice for restoring stamina.]

’The description says it’s "refreshing"?’

Seraphina Sinclair’s brow furrowed. With the way it looked, forget eating it; she felt like she might mutate just from looking at it.

She shook her head, decisively abandoning the thought of tasting it now. She swiftly tucked the two "green lightbulbs" into the farthest corner of her Silver Moon Earrings.

Time to get back to fishing.

...

「Six o’clock in the afternoon.」

Seraphina Sinclair stood up and stretched. It had been a bountiful day; she had caught a total of five different D-level fish species.

But unfortunately, the system hadn’t popped up to congratulate her on collecting all the D-level fish ingredients.

Seraphina Sinclair glanced at the lake outside her door with a hint of regret, then couldn’t stop herself from yawning.

She frowned, belatedly realizing just how much energy she had expended.

’I must have been too focused while fishing.’

With a weary sigh, she retrieved the afternoon’s haul from her Silver Moon Earrings with a thought.

Instantly, dead fish of all sizes covered the floor, filling the entire mobile cabin with a fishy stench.

Seraphina Sinclair frowned and began to count the day’s catch.

"Thirteen Lanternfish, eighteen Ironrust Catfish, this one..." She gently nudged a small fish covered in fine silver scales that still shimmered with an iridescent sheen in the dim light with the tip of her foot. "Iridescent Spinefish? It’s quite pretty, but it’s also D-level, and I only caught five."

"And these Mistweaver Rays... They’re so big, and the skin on their backs is so dark they blend in perfectly with the water."

Seraphina Sinclair shook her head, as if recalling the moment she caught them.

"If it weren’t for the Perception of the Green Flood Dragon Tendon, I never would have found you. I only managed to catch three in total—fewer than those Iridescent Spinefish."

"And..." Seraphina Sinclair’s gaze paused, landing on the green-blue fish in the farthest corner. "I didn’t run into another Bronze Predator. Looks like they really are rare."

She finished her count. Five species of D-level fish in total...

’Exactly forty fish?’

Seraphina Sinclair just realized she’d managed to hit a nice round number.

Okay, the haul was bountiful, but the mental toll from continuously using the Green Flood Dragon Tendon at high intensity was tangible.

Now that she was relaxing, a dull ache throbbed at her temples. All she wanted was to rest for a while.

’Should I decompose these fish directly, or wait for the waiter to process them? Maybe I should ask for the waiter’s opinion.’

Seraphina Sinclair was completely in the dark about the rarity of these fish, but the waiter—that miraculous chef—would know.

Lost in thought, she dragged her exhausted body to bed and pulled back the covers.

But before she lay down, she summoned a final burst of energy from somewhere. She tossed some wood into the fireplace, lighting a fire large enough to last the night. Then she went to the bathroom and thoroughly scrubbed the fishy stench from her body.

After drying off, she changed into her loungewear.

The moment she lay down, comfort washed over her like a warm tide, instantly submerging her weary body.

Seraphina Sinclair let out a contented sigh. Her consciousness began to fade the instant her head hit the pillow.

’I can’t overuse the Green Flood Dragon Tendon like this again.’

This was Seraphina Sinclair’s last thought.

She fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.

「Five o’clock in the morning.」

Seraphina Sinclair was awakened by the sound of crying.