CHAPTER 72: WHAT LURKS IN THE SWAMP

The gusts of wind grew colder as the ship sailed through the Tansel swamp. Shaan felt the cold air touch his skin easily because he was the only one not wearing thick clothing to block the chill from the swamp’s wind.

"Brr..." Shaan instantly rubbed his hands together, trying to warm his body that was starting to feel cold. ’I didn’t expect the air to be like this at all.’

Just a few minutes later, Shaan heard footsteps approaching. He turned his head and saw Chelsie holding something in her hands.

"Uhmm... Shaan, use this," said Chelsie, handing the coat to Shaan. "Mr. Courier asked me to give you this coat. You must be cold out here, right?"

"Oh, okay. Sure. You know, I had no idea that the courier kept something like this in his bag." Shaan put on the coat immediately.

"Now I feel much better. Thank you very much."

"Uhm... you’re welcome." Chelsie nodded softly. "By the way, Shaan, how’s the surface of the Tansel swamp on this side? Is everything alright?"

"So far, it’s still safe," Shaan explained. "There are a few bubbling spots that got pretty close to the ship’s position earlier, but I already signaled the courier to steer clear of those areas. I’m sure if we stay focused on watching the swamp’s surface, our ship won’t meet the same fate as the thief’s ship, and maybe we’ll even get through this swamp faster."

"Yeah, that’s right. I hope what you have said is true." Chelsie nodded without hesitation. "Alright then, I’ll go to the back and check on Lira. She might need my help," she said as she walked away from Shaan.

"Okay, be careful."

"You too, Shaan."

Shaan turned his gaze back to the dark surface of the Tansel swamp and watched it carefully. Every time he noticed signs of bubbling water about to appear, he immediately raised his hand to signal the courier, so the ship could avoid the water bursts.

’This feels much easier than I expected before.’

***

The previously calm surface of the swamp began to be disturbed by the raindrops falling continuously. Unfortunately, the raindrops grew heavier and began to blur the bubbling spots that Shaan had seen before.

"Damn. I don’t expect it to rain ." Shaan muttered, wiping his eyes and pulling his hoodie hood tighter. "Now I have to pay more attention to the surface of the swamp and not let the boat get too close to the bubbling spots."

"Shaan, is everything okay at the front of the ship?" shouted the courier from the helm. "The rain is getting heavier, and I think we should pull over for a while until it subsides."

"No, that’s not necessary. I can still see it," replied Shaan to the courier. "Besides, we can’t stop now, and we have to get to the Twilight Sanctum as quickly as possible.

"All right, just keep monitoring the surface of the swamp and signal me if you see any water spouts near our ship."

"I understand, Mr. Courier."

Just a few minutes later, Shaan spotted a cluster of bubbles not far from the ship. At first, he thought it was a bubbling spot, so he prepared to signal the courier. But strangely, the cluster of bubbles started moving closer to the ship.

"What... what is that?"

The strange cluster of bubbles moved closer and closer to their ship. Realizing this, Shaan tightly gripped his dual short swords, ready in case a threat emerged from behind the bubbles.

"Huh? Wait... what... what’s going on?" Shaan furrowed his brow, seeing the cluster of bubbles suddenly disappear from the surface of the swamp. "Where are those bubbles going?"

Shaan looked around and couldn’t find the bubbles anywhere. Strange. He had seen the bubbles very close to the ship, but... but why did the bubbles disappear?

"Hey, Shaan. What’s going on?" the courier shouted, noticing Shaan’s suspicious movements. "Is our ship near a bubbling spot?"

"No, courier. Everything’s safe. But I did see a strange cluster of bubbles moving toward the ship," Shaan explained. "Mr. Courier, is it possible that something—"

’BUMP!’

"What is that sound?"

Mr. Courier immediately stopped the ship for a moment. "Did our ship hit something?"

"What was that sound?" The courier immediately stopped the ship for a moment. "Did we hit something?"

Shaan squinted his eyes and looked around the swamp. "No, courier. I don’t see anything ahead."

"That’s odd. I heard something hit our ship," the courier said. "Maybe I just—"

"KYAAH!"

"Oh my god, that’s... that’s Chelsie’s voice," said Shaan in a panic. "Mr. Courier, stay here. I’ll check the situation at the back of the ship."

"I got it."

Shaan quickly hurried to the back, his face tightening when he saw the situation. Chelsie was hiding behind a wooden box, while Nalira, sword in hand, tried to attack a terrifying creature that looked like a giant eel right in front of her.

’Oh my god, I have to help them right now.’

Seeing the giant eel hadn’t noticed him yet, Shaan gathered all his strength and dashed toward it. With all his power, he swung his dual short swords and managed to wound the horrifying creature.

"Nalira, now’s your chance!"

Nalira immediately cast her spell, sending a cluster of fireballs flying quickly at the giant eel. However, the creature swiftly dodged all the attacks and dove back into the swamp.

"Damn. I was so close," Nalira grumbled in frustration. "I almost killed it."

"Chelsie, Nalira, are you both okay?"

"Uhmm... yeah, we’re fine," Chelsie walked closer to Shaan. "Thank you for saving us, Shaan."

"I’m glad you’re both okay." Shaan smiled. "Wait, what exactly happened? How did that creature appear?"

"Uhmm... we don’t know either. How could a creature like that—"

Suddenly, a heavy impact shook the ship again, causing a strong tremor. Unfortunately, a pile of wooden boxes near Chelsie tumbled and fell into the swamp, and worse, one of the boxes pushed Chelsie off the ship.

"Oh no, Chelsie!"