CHAPTER 40: FROM THE DEPTHS

[You have obtained a new passive skill — Armament (I)]

[Armament (I) — Grants control over Ink produced during Drowned Transformation. Node: Ink Control — User can manipulate produced Ink to arm themselves for offense or defense.]

So it’s flesh fused with Ink?

Ace thought about Black Umi and other variations of the Drowned he’d seen in both lives. Armament used to be a high‑level Drowned skill, making them real menaces—especially underwater.

He’d gotten it so early he wondered if Yvandra’Annah wanted him to grow fast—or if she just liked him too much. The latter was surely the result of his Flawless Exploiter, which made him feel like she’d fallen head over heels for him.

That was worrying, but who knew what kind of person Yvandra’Annah actually was? In his first life, Ace didn’t get to learn more about her because the Crimson Shrine of the Drowned had been destroyed before Tava’Az could confront the Kraken and drag it deeper into the Crimson Ocean.

Nonetheless, Ace didn’t dwell on it. With Ink Control, he wanted to see how far he could push his own Ink.

He looked at his hands and willed the Ink to retreat from his palms. It did.

Hands feel exposed now. It must be because the Ink can be used for offense and defense, so it naturally adds to my defenses. What about weapons?

Ace coated his daggers with the Ink. After a few thrusts and slashes, he could tell they’d gotten stronger.

As he leveled Armament (I), he’d gain more bonuses and unique uses. It excited him.

Sweet.

"Got stronger again, Don Capo. What’s that skill?" Alex asked.

"A skill that lets me strengthen myself with that Drowned Ink," Ace said. "I can also make myself look more human while I’m Drowned. That’ll come in handy. I like it."

"Nice."

Ace then explained the work schedule at Crimson Lake. He stressed the need to get both mana and health potions, hoping others would catch the real intent behind it.

If not, he’d tell them straight later. For now, he needed to keep production going and focus on his training and gains.

Soon, everyone was free for the rest of the day. Alex sprinted to the new camp near the Bank Grotto to spend time with the three brunettes. Mercer was exhausted and needed to crash early, so he headed for his bunk.

Marko decided to experiment more with the potions.

Chaewon walked up to Ace.

"What are you going to do?" she asked.

"Pick up a shovel and help with the camp," he said. "I’ve got a passive for diggin’. I’m gonna coat the shovel with Armament too, see how long I can keep it up and all that."

Chaewon’s smile deepened. "Thanks. I know there’s an angle here, but you bringing it up yourself made me happy. When that father and his daughter came to you, you looked at him like he wasn’t a fellow human for a second. You figured he wouldn’t make it here, right?"

She’s already reading me. Am I that simple?

"Yeah," Ace said with a nod.

"But doesn’t the same apply to most of the Don Capo Gang?" Chaewon asked. "Bringing them here already put you at a disadvantage. Elias and Sean died... you could’ve died too. We still survived and got stronger. You found the best tank you could ask for. Point is, every choice cuts both ways."

"Yeah. Simpler reason I want the camp near us," Ace said. "And it’s not because they’re cheap labor for Black Umi Waves."

She leaned in. "Which is what?"

Ace’s mind flashed back to the past. She always did that little affectionate lean‑in when she was curious, looking deep into his eyes.

She only did it with him. It always made her look even prettier. She was adorable when she did it.

"Comforts," Ace said.

When he’d returned to the past and started his second life, Ace first looked at the peaceful world. He ordered chicken, watched anime and adult content, exercised, showered, and felt at peace. All those comforts were possible because other people worked.

"Heaven Village is too harsh for most folks. They don’t give people what they need to keep working. We’re not leaving this Gate soon, so I’ll show ’em how to do it before it gets ugly."

There was an ulterior motive behind his camp—one Chaewon could back wholeheartedly.

"You want to compete with the Heaven Village?" she asked.

"Compete first. Then merge. Put the right people in charge."

"Got it. You have my full support!" Chaewon said with a nod.

"Yeah? Come dig with me," Ace teased.

Chaewon nodded and turned to pick up her shovel.

Soon enough, the two became the stars of the campsite, digging rooms underground like miners cutting a new shaft. Ace was fast and efficient with Armament.

His black, Ink-slick shovel seemed to turn the soil around him into soft clay under a sculptor’s hands. He didn’t even break a sweat for the first hour.

"How’s Mana Expertise coming?" Ace asked.

"Going smooth! Very soon I’ll be able to open the Aquasteel Grimoire and start learning skills from it. Can’t wait!" Chaewon replied.

Ace felt the same. He knew exactly what that Grimoire could do.

Once it got truly dark and dangerous, everyone’s camps were finished and ready to use.

They pulled makeshift covers over their heads and slept under the sheets Ace had brought from the Bank Grotto. It was hard to fall asleep at first; the whole situation felt surreal.

Sleeping underground while the undead literally came from underground? But with no threat approaching, people drifted off one by one.

About a week later, something unusual stirred in the depths of the Crimson Lake.

"Don Capo!"

"Yeah?"

"There was... a cry from the Crimson Lake. It came from the depths."

"...Guess I should check it out. How’d it sound?" Ace asked.

"Uh... like a child," the Don Capo member said, embarrassed.

Well, some horror stories use kids’ laughter to scare people, so I can’t blame him for getting spooked. But why would there be a kid down there? No way Tava’Az got pregnant or something, right?