National destiny: Starting with a coffin, building an aircraft carrier is broadcast live globally.

Pick up the fishing rod again and cast out the fishing line.

73 evolution points aren't enough to upgrade another Lv2 module. If you want a sense of security, you still have to keep hunting and evolving like a perpetual motion machine.

He had just found a comfortable position to lean back in when

Klaus's voice, tinged with excitement, came from behind him.

"Boss!"

With a casual glance back, a small blue figure leaped from Klaus's head and landed precisely on Renyi's head.

Nine claws skillfully gripped the hair.

I didn't even need to look to know it was Xiao Jiu; this little guy is increasingly fond of using them as his mobile vehicles.

Klaus was holding a sword, barely able to contain his excitement.

Or rather, this is a sword that has undergone a complete transformation.

"This is... that iron bar?" Renyi recognized its predecessor.

The sword blade, no longer covered in rust, has become smooth and delicate, as if it had been forged and refined countless times.

Golden patterns resembling wings are engraved in the middle of the sword, subtly flowing in the sunlight.

The originally rough iron handle was probably incorporating some kind of bone material.

It has a smooth, warm texture and is wrapped with anti-slip fascia.

The overall design is a one-handed heavy sword over a meter long, combining power and a sense of holiness, which is completely unrelated to the previous fire poker.

Klaus's eyes were full of confidence in his aesthetic sense.

Although it was still a modification on the original basis, this time he poured his understanding of perfection into it, using the best and most suitable materials available!

As for that previous item...

Hmm, that doesn't count!

He casually reached out and took the sword.

【Chasing the Light (Rare)】

[Trait 1: Dawn. Deals 15% additional damage to mutated creatures.]

[Trait 2: Courage. When activated, removes one instance of mental debuffs from all units within range. Cooldown: Six hours.]

[Evaluation: Congratulations, you've successfully turned scrap metal into a dragon-slaying holy sword (youth version). PS: Pairing it with the resounding slogan "For glory!" makes it seem... no, reliable.]

"..."

The youth version—that's the essence.

However, this sword is indeed excellent.

A group buff that grants immunity to mental attacks, which can save your life in critical moments.

"A very good sword," Renyi praised sincerely.

Klaus, striving to maintain a composed expression, solemnly said to Ren Yi:

"Boss, it belongs to you."

He deserves the best equipment; only weapons worthy of him.

Moreover, this sword was created from scratch, based on the premise that any materials were provided.

It should certainly be considered arbitrary.

[Holy crap! Chasing the Light! That name! That look! Absolutely stunning!]

[Waaaaah, Klaus is such an amazing teammate! He just gave it to the boss without even blinking!]

My mind is filled with images of one hand holding the light and the other holding my heart's secrets...

[Haha, that scene is just too beautiful~]

Ivan, who was watching from the sidelines, cautiously touched the patterns on the wings:

"Klaus, you're a genius!"

However, he still truly loves his shining "secret".

However, Ren Yi handed the sword back to Klaus without any hesitation, saying, "Keep it for self-defense."

Klaus looked at Renyi with a puzzled expression.

"The sword is nice, but it's not for me." Renyi chuckled and patted Klaus on the shoulder. "This sword is a bit too heavy for my style."

Ivan and Klaus recalled their style of attacking ruthlessly and catching their targets off guard.

...Seems like there's nothing wrong with it?

I personally think the weight is fine.

But for him, the sword was too flashy and ornate, and went against his tactical philosophy.

A doctor with no physical strength wielding a gleaming golden greatsword...

Is this appropriate?

It will make potential prey unnecessarily wary!

Klaus hung the [Light Chaser] on his back. What's suitable is best, and this sword might find a more suitable owner in the future.

I sat back down in my original spot, just about to move around a bit for the Ghost Festival.

I suddenly remembered that "Unidentified Sailor's Logbook," which contained not only text but also some blueprints; perhaps Klaus would need it.

He tossed the diary to Klaus, "Take a look at this."

Klaus caught it instinctively; the cover of the diary looked like tanned cowhide.

Before I could even examine the first page closely, the "Pudu" (Salvation) banner, casually placed against the ship's side, suddenly sank.

"Buzz—"

Anyone who grabs a fishing rod will find the line instantly taut, but...

This force... seems a bit off?

Unlike the ferocity and savagery he displayed when catching predators before, this time the force he used was not a struggle to drag him into the water, but rather a frantic struggle as if he were trying to escape for his life!

"Big guy!" Ivan, carrying "Thoughts," was about to step forward.

"etc!"

Grip the fishing rod tightly and move on the deck with the pull of that force.

It wanted to escape, it wanted to escape in the southeast direction!

[Holy crap! Another big one? The Ghost Festival never disappoints!]

[That commotion sounded pretty intense!]

[Wait, look at the boss's expression. He doesn't seem to find it troublesome, but rather strange?]

[This fish doesn't seem to be here to fight, but rather to cry for help? It's running away so desperately!]

Take a few steps back at any time.

With a bend in the knees and a burst of strength, the resilient body of [Pudu] bent into a semi-circle.

"Splash—!"

"Bang!!!" A 5-meter-long shark-like creature was ripped out and tumbled onto the deck.

The entire ship was shaken.

But the hull undulated slightly, like a living creature crouching, to absorb most of the impact and remain stable.

A mutated shark, over five meters long, was lying on the deck.

Its skin is dark gray, covered with hideous scars, and its mouth is not an ordinary shark's snout, but rather layers of sharp teeth that unfold like flower petals, exuding a strong bloody smell.

It also has a very gentle name—

[Lv4 Mutant Flower Kiss Shark]

However, this terrifying creature showed no aggression whatsoever at this moment.

Instead of attacking the nearest target, it frantically thrashed its tail fin against the deck, trying to push itself to the other side of the ship and return to the sea, its eyes filled with fear.

"What...what happened?"

Ivan stared blankly at the strangely behaving shark.

"Like they're fleeing a disaster?"

Klaus frowned as well. What could scare a level four monster like this?

Ivan circled the shark once, then suddenly exclaimed "Huh!" and pointed to a huge claw mark on the shark's body.

"I've seen this shark before!" he said with certainty.

[This... why does it look so familiar...]

[I've seen this girl before.jpg]

[Ivan: I've seen it in your eyes. じò ぴé]

[Hahaha, Ivan, so you still remember the fear of being dominated by those sharks?]

"Where have I seen you before?"

"Right next to that whale carcass!"

Ivan remembers it clearly.

There were several sharks fighting over the meat at the time, and the wound on its body was inflicted by another shark.

Ivan has a pretty good memory, especially when it comes to fighting and hunting.

The site of the whale fall is at least 3 kilometers away from here.

What kind of threat could make a predator that is running rampant in its own territory flee in panic?

Without a moment's hesitation, the scissor in his hand drew a gleaming silver trail.

"Pfft!"

The knife tip precisely pierced the shark's eye and skull, ending its terror.

[You have defeated a Lv4 mutated Flower-Kissing Shark and gained 80 Evolution Points.]

"Klaus, lower the sail."

Ren Yi decisively said, "Let's go too, and as soon as possible!"