After loading their modest boat to the brim with fresh fruit, they finally cast off from the shores of snake Island. The next mushroom island was notorious, shrouded in rumors of illegal, magical fungi—specifically, a lethal strain known as the Magic Mushroom. It was a terrifying delicacy; consuming it would transform a person into a hulking "battle martian," exponentially increasing their size and raw strength, though only for a fleeting few minutes. It was precisely this chaotic power that drew hordes of ruthless bandits and bloodthirsty pirates to the island's shores. Yet, the island wasn't entirely hostile; beneath the canopy grew a variety of normal, delicious edible mushrooms alongside the deadly poisonous ones.
For a while, the voyage was peaceful. Their loyal dog, Hero, lay relaxed in the hull, while Jack rhythmically rowed the boat forward.
"Lucious, let's barbecue some mushrooms," Jack suggested, breaking the silence. "Yeah, and let's make mushroom soup, grilled mushroom rice, and even eat some raw. Some of those raw ones are incredibly delicious!"
Hero barked enthusiastically, clearly approving of the menu.
Lucious smiled, but shook his head gently. "That sounds great, Jack, but for now, we need some real protein. I'd love to catch some fish."
"Yeah, I'm pretty hungry too, Jack," Lucious added.
Suddenly, Jack's eyes narrowed as he spotted a dark, ominous plume rising on the horizon. "Look... black smoke," he said, pointing. "What's happening over there?"
Lucious shielded his eyes, tracking the column. "Yeah, let's go check it out."
They altered their course, pushing the boat closer to the source of the smoke. As they neared, a horrifying scene materialized. It was a commercial shipping vessel, utterly destroyed and engulfed in roaring flames. As they pulled alongside the wreckage, they gasped—the body of a dead baby hung limply from the debris. Hero let out a low, mournful bark.
"This was a commercial sailing vessel," Lucious said, his voice dropping to a grim whisper. "Pirates must have attacked, killed everyone, and looted them. We were too late. I wish we could have helped them."
"We have to be very careful from here on out," Jack muttered.
Lucious carefully climbed aboard the burning, wrecked ship to scavenge for anything that might aid their survival. Navigating through the strewn bodies, he spotted a weapon. He picked up the sword and tossed it down to Jack.
Lucious continued to sift through the ruined deck, searching for useful supplies. He managed to unearth a heavy sack of rice, dragging it to the edge and passing it down to Jack.
"Let me check for more useful items," Lucious said, stepping deeper into the wreckage.
He soon came upon the body of the ship's captain. Searching the fallen officer, Lucious found a sturdy telescope and a portable watch attached to a chain. Pocketing the valuables, he jumped out of the burning wreck and back into their boat.
"What havoc," Lucious sighed, looking back at the burning ship. "We have to be incredibly careful from now on. But under no circumstances are we going down without a good fight."
Jack looked down at the blade in his hands, a heavy weight in his palms. "I've never used a sword before..."
Lucious offered a reassuring nod. "Don't worry, Jack. I will protect you. But at any time, a weapon is useful. Keep it with you. Now, let's keep moving forward."
With Hero relaxing once more in the boat, they left the grim scene behind. As they drifted away, Lucious tested the captain's telescope. It worked perfectly, allowing him to see clearly up to a mile away. Jack took the sword and securely tied it around his waist.
Slowly, the sun began its descent, sinking low until it looked as though the end of the sea was swallowing the sun entirely. They watched the vibrant sunset together as their boat drifted lazily away from snake Island. They still had a daunting three-day sea voyage ahead of them to fully clear the island's waters.
Suddenly, the line on Lucious's fishing rod snapped taut. The reel whirred.
"Finally!" Lucious yelled, gripping the rod tightly as it bent against a heavy weight. "I've caught something! It must be something good—a really bulky fish!"
After a brief struggle, he hauled his catch over the gunwale. It was a massive, four-kilogram fish, guaranteeing them the hearty meal they desperately needed.