Butcher Jack steadied himself and reached for the cloth bundle.
No, in the end, it was just a bigger piece of prey—
He'd been a butcher for so many years; how could he suddenly get scared by a mere kid?
The cloth bundle fell away.
A thick, black limb came into view!
—An Acromantula?!
Jack cried out in alarm.
Staring at the monstrous, enormous body, his face turned as pale as if he'd just discovered on his wedding night that he'd married a three-meter-tall female Giant.
This was no ordinary Acromantula.
It was a rare specimen, at least several decades old, with a physique swollen to its absolute limit!
Often, creatures like this still commanded a brood of offspring through their magic.
Extremely dangerous!
Jack eyed the large, penetrating wound on the spider's back and swallowed hard.
He glanced down at Ethan and suddenly asked,
"Kid, how did you find me?"
Ethan tilted his head and flashed a warm smile.
"A wizard named 'Paul' told me. He's so helpful and easy to talk to—truly a good guy!"
Jack fell silent.
If he remembered correctly, that Paul fellow was incredibly cunning and always dripping with sarcasm.
He loved leading Aurors and outsiders on wild goose chases.
And yet, Ethan had found the right place on his very first try—
Candles for Paul.
"Hmph, alright, kid. You came to the right person."
"Within a hundred miles, only I, 'Butcher Jack,' can perfectly process this thing!"
Ethan nodded. "Then I'll leave it to you."
Though the butcher looked rough around the edges, his processing technique was meticulous.
He extracted the venom sac and collected the venom.
He pried off the hard shell and trimmed the insides.
In just a moment.
This Acromantula had been transformed into a plump, round "pupa."
It looked extremely appetizing.
Ethan licked his lips, curious about the taste of this giant "silkworm pupa."
It was worth the effort he'd put into specifically tracking down this place.
After all, if he'd gone through official channels, he'd surely be investigated.
It might even be confiscated outright.
Ethan felt that the Dark Wizard gathering spot gave him the same warmth as home.
With this perfect bait, he'd definitely hook the Labrador Fish King in one go!
Obtain the Patronus Charm and reach the pinnacle of life!
A burning fighting spirit ignited in Ethan's eyes.
After paying up.
Ethan asked again, "Do you know where I can rent a fishing boat? It needs to be large, and preferably enchanted so it can steer itself."
Upon hearing this, Jack frowned. "It's winter now—most fishing boats are docked for maintenance. Not to mention a precious magic boat; even if there were one available, it would've been snapped up by someone else already. It's impossible for you to—"
"Bang."
Before he could finish.
Ethan slammed a cloth bag onto the counter.
The clinking sound of coins made Jack's voice trail off involuntarily.
His gaze, dazed, followed the golden light spilling from the bag.
What was on the tip of his tongue unconsciously shifted to: ". . . You can have anything you want."
Jack snatched the money bag, a glint of greed and awe in his eyes.
"I guarantee, on the name of 'Butcher Jack,' I'll get it for you!"
"Very good."
Ethan nodded with satisfaction.
Indeed, money was the hottest thing in this world.
No matter how cold and hard a person was, they'd become as gentle as water before it.
Alas, it was a little heartbreaking. As Ethan watched the money bag disappear, he felt as if the magic was about to escape his lips.
You can't catch a Noseless one without letting go of Harry, and you can't catch the Fish King without Galleons!
Everything is for a better tomorrow!
Ethan, charge!
Several people followed Jack, who immediately closed his stall, toward the trading spot.
Mr. Lovegood trailed behind them.
He was utterly bewildered, still not having processed what was happening.
How, in just the blink of an eye,
Had Ethan become an honored guest among the Dark Wizards?
What on earth had happened?!
Lovegood deeply felt that he could no longer keep up with the young people's way of thinking.
At the fishing port.
Through Jack's punch and a dazzling display of Galleons, the seller's heart was successfully won over.
After throwing the original captain into the water, Ethan gained the right to use this magic fishing boat.
Report to the officials? Reporting to the officials was useless!
Originally, Jack had been scouting for illegally modified fishing boats.
A dog-eat-dog world.
It was permeated by brutal internal strife and persecution.
Luna: "Ethan promoted the development of winter fishing. Ethan is truly a good person~"
The Dark Wizard thrashing in the water: ???
You damn well open your eyes before you speak!
"I won't let you off! You despicable outsiders!"
Luna looked down from the deck: "So pitiful, let me help you."
With that, she raised her wand and recited a spell Ethan had never heard before.
A blue light shot out.
"Whoosh!"
A large, square block of ice appeared in the sea.
It perfectly encased the Dark Wizard.
His expression was frozen in shock and disbelief.
As the ice block bobbed up and down in the sea.
Luna: "Oh dear, I accidentally failed. Hehe~"
Ethan patted her shoulder and encouraged, "Keep up the good work next time."
On the shore, the Dark Wizard urgently said, "If they keep trying, this whole black market will be gone!"
"Jack, aren't you going to do something?!"
Jack's eyes reflected the light of the Galleons, and he righteously declared, "I didn't see anything."
Dark Wizard: "…—·
It's over.
Jack had been corrupted by the devil and had fallen.
At this moment.
The Dark Wizards who had come ashore upon hearing the news exchanged glances, and a greedy light appeared in their eyes.
"…That Acromantula certainly wasn't hunted by this kid himself."
"He probably bought it from someone else with money."
"A rich kid, I'll personally—"
Several of them conferred, got onto another magic boat, and stealthily followed Ethan and his companions.
If they succeeded, they probably wouldn't have to worry about food and drink for a year!
On the shore, Jack watched their receding figures and shook his head.
"Ahead lies hell—"
He dared to bet his decades as a butcher.
That kid was definitely not simple.
His fingernails were probably steeped in blood.
"Heave-ho!"
With a loud splash.
Ethan cast the fishing line, baited, into the water.
The gaudy purple fishing rod glittered in the sunlight.
Ethan: "…—…No, Luna, don't try to turn my robes purple too. This is someone else's fishing rod; I don't like this color."
Luna put down her wand in disappointment.
Then, she enthusiastically began to research the creation of small dark clouds.
A cold wind blew.
Splashing Mr. Lovegood's head and face with rain.
The silly father, like a drowned rat: "…—·
Our, our daughter is truly talented!
The waiting time was long.
Ethan wrapped himself tightly in his thick cloak, hugging a small warm stove, curled up like a little old man.
He wondered when it would get hooked. Once the Fish King took the bait, he would summon the Death Bird,
Because he definitely couldn't pull up the Fish King by his own strength alone.
He wasn't sure when the Fish King would bite, so it wasn't good to summon rashly and waste magic.
Ding!
Suddenly, a crisp sound rang in Ethan's ear.
Immediately after, the fishing line in his hand abruptly went taut!
It's hooked!
So fast?!
Ethan's eyes lit up, and he shouted:
"Death—gurgle!"
The moment the fishing line went taut, Ethan was instantly pulled by a great force, flipped over the railing, and plunged headfirst into the sea!
"Splash!"
The boat rocked, water splashing everywhere!
What powerful strength!!
Ethan held his breath, feeling the icy cold seawater fill his nasal cavity.
In the dim sea, he couldn't see anything, only vaguely discerning a behemoth furiously dragging his fishing line.
Swimming quickly into the depths!
On the rocking boat.
Luna held onto the railing with one hand, pointed her wand at the sea with the other, and hugged her father to her leg.
She clearly and quickly chanted, "Ethan, come here."
In the sea.
Ethan felt his clothes suddenly yanked upwards!
Magic pulled him, contending with the big fish!
Thanks, Luna!
This momentary gap was enough for Ethan to react!
Death Bird, activate!
On the back of his hand, white light flared!
The next second.
Only a sharp cry was heard, and a pair of withered, corpse-like hands grabbed Ethan from behind!
Then, they lifted him sharply upwards!
"Splash!"
Breaking out of the water!