Liang Jian: I have a canteen

Dawn is approaching, darkness is falling.

The raging storm suddenly stopped.

The Madeira gradually calmed down as the storm subsided.

Xu San opened his eyes from his dozing, felt the boat stop rocking, and asked in confusion, "Why did it stop?"

When the storm suddenly stopped, everyone except Hans wore a smile of relief.

Xu San looked at Hans and asked again, puzzled, "Brother Hans, what's with that expression? Is it because the storm has stopped and the horse is no longer able to move?"

Lisa nodded in agreement, indicating that Xu San was right; her older brother seemed to be a bit paranoid.

Hans took a breath, looked at Xu San, and said in a very serious tone, "Now that the storm has stopped, I need to go work overtime to check."

He glanced at his watch again, "It's almost dawn. If we can see the sun, then..."

Hans spoke haltingly, his expression shifting between light and shadow, but Xu San could tell from his rapidly beating heart that what Hans was worried about was likely something serious.

"Let's go!" Hans turned and left, this time without even asking Xu San.

Xu San followed, wondering what Hans was worried about.

This guy has good composure; he wouldn't be this nervous if it weren't something serious.

What exactly is it?
Stepping onto the deck, I was greeted by an utterly profound darkness.

Not a single ray of light!

There wasn't a breath of wind! The deep darkness was accompanied by a deathly silence.

Apart from breathing, there were no other sounds.

Although it lasted only a few seconds, the darkness quickly swallowed people's senses.

The feeling of losing sight amplifies the fear in one's heart.

"Brother, where are you?" In the darkness, Lisa turned around with a sob in her voice, wanting to go back to the cabin to find the light.

No matter which way she turned around, all she was surrounded by was darkness.

"Brother~~" Lisa cried out helplessly, but no matter how loudly she shouted, it seemed that her voice could not be heard. The endless darkness seemed to be swallowing even her voice!

"Brother~~" Lisa's voice trailed off, hoarse and tearful, as she continued to call out, believing that someone would surely hear her.

In the silent darkness, the first thing to break the stillness was the sudden drop in air pressure.

The air felt like it was being gripped tightly by an invisible hand, making one's chest feel constricted. The once calm sea began to stir; the black waves were no longer gentle undulations, but rather carried a menacing force, crashing against the ship's hull with increasing force, the muffled thuds turning into roars like the grinding teeth of a giant beast. The ship began to rock slightly, and glasses clinked in the cupboards, issuing a faint warning. Someone threw on a coat and stepped out of the cabin, gazing at the dark distance, brows furrowed, unease creeping into their heart like vines.

Immediately following was the strange howl of the wind.

It wasn't an ordinary sea breeze; it was a whistling, sharp howl, coming from the distant horizon, growing closer and louder. In the darkness, a blurry black shadow stirred, initially just a swirling mist, gradually coalescing into a pillar, reaching to the heavens and earth, forcibly connecting the sea and sky. Occasionally, flashes of lightning ripped across the sky, briefly illuminating the black column—writhed in broken waves, foam, and unidentified sea creatures, like a raging python, twisting its body as it charged straight towards the cruise ship.

The siren finally pierced the night sky, only to be instantly swallowed by the howling wind. (End of Chapter)