Chapter 39: Covert Surveillance

A few minutes later.

When Gune arrived at the kitchen, all three deputy leaders of the Demon Whale Adventure Group were gathered in the dining area on the second deck.

Martel also brought Gune today's breakfast: fish offal rice bowl.

"Have we reached the Misty Phantom Islands?"

Sitting down and eating breakfast, Gune looked at First Mate Yason and asked.

Calling Gune over for breakfast so early today was somewhat unusual compared to before.

"Mm! Almost there; we could even say we've arrived at the outer edge of the Misty Phantom Islands."

Hearing this, Gune breathed a slight sigh of relief—finally here.

While eating breakfast, First Mate Yason Howell quickly responded.

"The reason we called you over so early and rather urgently today,"

"is mainly because..." Yason lowered his voice. "Some sea tribes have already set their sights on us."

"Since entering the Misty Sea, haven't sea tribes been noticing us all along?" Gune pondered and asked.

"But this time is different."

"Before, it was deep-sea races. Even though they resented us sailing on the surface, it wasn't to the point of fighting to the death."

"And as you know from those battles, those creatures fled after suffering losses."

"But this time, the ones targeting us are the Yasha Fishmen."

"These creatures have always regarded the Misty Phantom Islands as their tribe's sacred ground."

"They allow no one to set foot on or even approach them."

"If there were a dozen demon ships, those Yasha Fishmen might not dare to target us."

"But we have only one demon ship, and no high-rank transcendent to guard it. Those Yasha Fishmen will definitely test us."

"These Yasha Fishmen are very cautious. Based on past intelligence, they have an observation period of half a day to a day before launching an attack."

"So, during this window of half a day to a day before they attack,"

"Captain, you need to first borrow a magical item and conduct a reconnaissance around the Misty Phantom Islands."

"If we can enter and explore for treasures and wealth, then needless to say, we must fight this battle—and fight it well, make them hurt, make them keep their distance."

"Only then can we safely search for treasures."

"If we can't enter the Misty Phantom Islands, there's no point in a meaningless fight to the death with these Yasha Fishmen, especially since their tribe has a few powerful high-rank fishmen."

"However, the Misty Phantom Islands cover a large area, and along the surrounding coastline, there are many reefs."

"Near the Misty Phantom Islands, the source energy is very strange, and there are several places with peculiar whirlpools."

"Plus, the mysterious lethal force of the core 'Phantom Island' spreads out at irregular intervals, killing people."

"The demon ship can't get too close."

"Our plan is to anchor the demon ship here, with a large crew standing guard."

"Meanwhile, I'll take you, Captain, and we'll silently approach the edge of the Misty Phantom Islands."

"I can make us invisible, and at this early morning hour, there are no powerful Yasha Fishmen nearby—they won't detect us."

"This is the perfect time to explore the Misty Phantom Islands."

"And that's why we got up so early."

Admittedly, after approaching the Misty Phantom Islands and discovering the Yasha Fishmen surveillance,

Yason Howell's tactical acumen and caution were far more reliable than Gune's as captain.

"You don't need to come; I'll go alone."

After thinking it over, Gune said.

"Huh?"

The others all looked at him in surprise.

Gune said this because he had just opened the system.

An adventure event appeared on the adventure page.

Although he only skimmed it,

Gune had already confirmed that the Misty Phantom Islands were a treasure site.

From previous adventure events, Gune knew that this adventure might be another great opportunity to bring about extraordinary change.

Perhaps even all members of the Demon Whale Adventure Group would benefit.

Facing their gazes, Gune calmly explained.

"I have invisibility scrolls, and I can easily walk on the sea surface without making any unusual noise."

"Moving alone on the sea surface is much more convenient than the two of us moving in the water."

"I can quickly circle the Misty Phantom Islands."

"If you come along and something unusual happens, I'd have to look after you."

"So, it's enough for me to go alone."

Gune's words were well-reasoned, and after he finished, Yason couldn't find a point to refute.

"Let the captain go alone!" Old Chart spoke up at this point.

"The captain will go quickly and return quickly."

"And as a fourth-rank expert, you are the backbone of the Demon Whale. If those Yasha Fishmen attack, your presence here strengthens our defense."

"Alright, I'll guard the Demon Whale." Yason nodded slightly.

"Captain, please be careful on your own."

"I know. Wait for my good news!" Gune nodded lightly.

...

About a kilometer away from the Demon Whale demon ship,

in the deep, dark, silent mist,

on the sea surface,

there were over fifty Yasha Fishmen.

These Yasha Fishmen had horned fins on their heads, long and sturdy arms, and elongated bodies. Their aura was fierce and savage, full of the brutal killing intent typical of deep-sea tribes.

Each of the fifty-plus Yasha Fishmen held a water-blue, icy trident that clearly glowed with a cold, eerie light. These tridents were also the origin of the Yasha Fishmen tribe's name.

Among the fifty-plus fierce Yasha Fishmen, most were second-rank, a few were third-rank, and the two leaders were fourth-rank.

Among these fifty-plus Yasha Fishmen were also two fourth-rank humans.

At that moment, before these two fourth-rank humans floated a "Water Demon Mirror" about a meter in diameter, used for remote surveillance.

In the Water Demon Mirror, what appeared was precisely the "Demon Whale" floating on the sea.

"Lord Arus, you know this guard duty better than I do. The High Priest's ritual must not have any mistakes."

"If these people interrupt the High Priest's advancement ceremony,"

"all of you will be sacrificed."

The slightly plump man with a faint smile always on his face, "Wagner," said softly.

The fourth-rank Yasha Fishman named Arus said in a gloomy voice, "Don't worry. We'll launch an attack first to test the strength of these humans on the demon ship."

"If they're too weak, we'll destroy them directly."

"If they're relatively strong, we'll need to invite high-rank experts from the tribe to eliminate these unidentified intruders."

"Or kill some and capture some to bring to the ritual. I believe the High Priest will like these sacrifices."

"Good!" Wagner looked at the demon ship in the Water Demon Mirror and nodded lightly.

"I don't know where you came from, but coming to the Misty Phantom Islands at this time is simply seeking death. The birth ritual of a Transcendent Master is not something you can disturb. Truly a pitiful bunch."

...

Over ten minutes later.

In the captain's cabin, Gune entered a state aligned with the Dark Essence.

With a flip of his hand, Gune took out an advanced invisibility scroll.

As he activated it with source energy, a faint white light emerged, and Gune's entire form vanished into thin air.

In his invisible state, Gune looked at his own body.

His body appeared faintly transparent to himself.

This transparency was how Gune saw himself. To others' visual perception, Gune simply did not exist.

Through the already open glass window of the captain's cabin, Gune silently slipped out.

Over the ship's railing, the invisible Gune landed on the mist-shrouded sea surface without causing even a single ripple; the waves continued to rise and fall gently.

Then Gune looked around.

"Earlier, I always felt a sense of being watched. Now that I'm invisible, it's gone. It must be those Yasha Fishmen playing tricks in the shadows."

"I need to act quickly and return before those Yasha Fishmen might launch an attack."

Then, looking toward the direction of the Misty Phantom Islands, Gune moved forward swiftly.

As he moved, Gune also opened the system and carefully examined this adventure event.

Adventure: Ancient Shadow Gate

Adventure Event One: Holy Shadow Rune

Adventure Event Two: Holy Shadow Magic Stone

Adventure Event Three: Ancient Shadow Gate

Gune gradually opened the content and details of these three adventure events, as well as many points to note throughout the entire adventure.

About ten minutes later.

At the edge of his vision through the dark mist, he could already see some large, grotesquely shaped reefs.

Gune had arrived at the edge of the Misty Phantom Islands.

Looking at the oddly shaped reefs, like eerie shadow beasts roaring in some strange way,

A smile curled at the corner of Gune's mouth.

"No wonder the Misty Phantom Islands have become a mysterious, eerie, death-filled region in the ocean."

"Those suspected of having Dominator bloodline power and possessing eerie innate abilities—the Shadow Beasts—live here."

"It's no surprise this place is a death zone."

Through the system, Gune learned

that on the core island to the west of the "Misty Phantom Islands"—the most feared "Phantom Island"—lives a bizarre species that is neither flesh and blood, nor soul, nor energy form: the Shadow Beast!

The name "Shadow Beast" was coined by Gune based on the system's detailed description.

"Shadow Beasts" have no physical body, no soul, and do not absorb any form of natural source energy.

Therefore, they are immune to any form of physical attack, soul attack, or energy-based spell attack.

The only thing that can affect them is—shadows!