This time, Yang Yi had been fishing for over an hour, and the sky had already begun to darken.
The first night was approaching.
His stomach was growling with hunger, and the scattered long-legged sardines lying nearby suddenly looked far more appetizing.
But eating that kind of fish…
There was a high chance it would reduce his sanity.
Unless absolutely necessary, he didn't want to eat them.
Besides, there wasn't even a stove on the ship—he would have to eat them raw.
Suddenly, the float trembled.
Yang Yi immediately perked up.
He pulled hard, and a black fish was dragged out of the water.
This fish didn't have long legs.
Instead, its body was covered with sharp spikes, and its surface was coated with a swollen, mucus-like membrane.
The moment it landed on the deck, those membranes burst open, spilling out black, foul-smelling pus.
[This fish is disgusting. Sanity -2.]
Before Yang Yi could stab it with his spear, the fish died on its own.
Name: Cyst Spiny PufferType: Food
Description:An Abyss fish.
Its bodily fluids are highly toxic.A normal person would never eat it…
Unless they no longer wished to live.
"Poisonous?"
Yang Yi didn't dare touch it.
He pierced it with his spear and tossed it into the cargo hold.
At the same time, he deliberately stabbed it several more times until the spear tip became stained black, turning it into a poisoned wooden spear.
The sky continued to darken.
Less than an hour remained before nightfall.
The system had emphasized that nighttime was dangerous, so Yang Yi had no intention of fishing after dark.
But just as he was about to put away the fishing rod and return to the captain's cabin—
Something unusual floated across the sea.
It was a box.
More precisely, a treasure chest, about the size of a briefcase, drifting past the side of the Nightmare.
Yang Yi's heart tightened.
He rushed to the helm and quickly turned the ship, chasing after the chest.
This opportunity was something he absolutely couldn't miss.
He controlled the grappling hook at the bow and launched it toward the chest.
But the chest behaved almost like a living creature, slippery and evasive.
After considerable effort, he finally managed to hook it and drag it aboard.
He immediately carried it into the cargo hold to inspect it.
Name: Waterlogged Rotten-Wood ChestType: Treasure Chest
Description:This might not be the kind of treasure chest you're hoping for.
Yang Yi remained cautious.
Holding the flintlock pistol in one hand and aiming it at the chest, he used the spear to pry it open.
Inside…
was a severed human head.
It was bald, with grayish-white skin and a layer of slimy mucus covering it.
The moment the chest opened, the head reacted.
Its cloudy eyes opened, and it began to speak.
"Sir… may I take a few minutes of your time to introduce you to the omniscient and omnipotent God?"
[You cannot understand its language. Sanity -5.]
Yang Yi's scalp tingled, and his body trembled slightly.
"Sir… may I—"
In the next moment, the head jumped out.
Only then did Yang Yi see its true form.
It was actually an octopus.
The head had been replaced with a human head, and beneath it twisted a mass of tentacles.
It leapt toward Yang Yi, spreading its limbs and revealing a beak-like mouth lined with sharp teeth.
It looked ready to bite him.
But what awaited it was—
BANG!
Sparks burst from the muzzle.
The gun did not misfire.
The dull gunshot echoed like the roar of a monster.
The octopus exploded into pieces, scattering chunks of flesh everywhere.
[You heard a strange gunshot. Sanity -3.]
Yang Yi suddenly felt a surge of burning anger rising from deep inside him.
He also felt slightly nauseous.
So he immediately checked his status.
Sanity: 88 / 100Energy: 62 / 100Health: 100 / 100
It seemed that sanity loss could affect a person's mental state.
Fortunately, Yang Yi's Spirit attribute was high, and his will was as strong as steel.
He quickly regained his composure and began examining the monster's remains.
Name: Human-Headed OctopusType: Food / Material
Description:Do not try to understand what it says.
Those words are merely meant to distract you and launch a sneak attack.
But if you actually can understand it…
Then all we can say is good luck.
Edible. Can also be used as crafting material.
Slightly toxic.
After consumption:
Strength +1 (temporary)Constitution +1 (temporary)Spirit -1Sanity -20
Note: Attributes cannot exceed the limit of mortal beings (10).
This thing was at least somewhat valuable.
Yang Yi gathered the pieces of flesh together and then continued searching inside the chest.
Inside were several rusted coins.
He picked one up.
On the front was a seashell symbol, and on the back was a cartoon octopus head.
[You obtained 100 Conch Coins.]
Other than that, the chest was empty.
Where was the promised fresh water?
And these Conch Coins couldn't be used right now.
The sky was getting dark.
Yang Yi threw the captain's skeleton into the cargo hold and returned to the captain's cabin.
He had no intention of fishing or scavenging at night.
The system had warned that nighttime was dangerous, and he didn't want to take risks so early in the game.
As for fresh water…
He could try again tomorrow.
As for food…
Worst case, he would eat the long-legged sardines.
To survive, Yang Yi didn't mind eating strange things as long as they provided protein and energy.
He had never given up easily.
Not in the past.
And not now.
He lay down on the old bed, tossing and turning.
The bedding was damp and smelled of mold, making it extremely uncomfortable.
But he had no choice.
Night finally fell.
Only faint moonlight illuminated the sea.
Aside from the sound of waves and wind, everything was silent.
Yang Yi had no intention of sleeping.
So he opened the world chat channel.
"Grappling hooks can catch treasure chests."
He posted the information.
In truth, the tip wasn't very valuable—anyone who saw a chest would naturally try to grab it.
But sharing it could earn goodwill and perhaps more information from others.
Soon replies appeared.
"That's true. I caught a wooden resource chest earlier. Got 1 unit of steel, 20 lumber, and 20 fabric."
"Then you can upgrade your ship soon! I'm jealous!"
"Hehe… I caught a bronze equipment chest and got something nice!"
Blood-Stained Pearl Necklace
Type: RelicQuality: Fine
Description:Once part of a bride's dowry.
Its former owner is still searching for it.
Effects when worn:
Agility +1Spirit -1Sanity limit -5
"Uh… I don't think that counts as a treasure…"
"You're just jealous!"
"It's so dark. My ship doesn't even have a lamp. Guess I'll only get one after upgrading."
"I don't even have a blanket. I'm freezing!"
"I can't sleep!"
"Did anyone notice the waves getting bigger?"
"The rougher the sea, the more valuable the fish! Let's go night fishing!"
"Night fishing +1."
"+2."
"+10086."
"Hey… do you guys hear singing? It actually sounds pretty nice."
"No? Don't scare me. Who would be singing in the middle of the ocean?"
"I see her! A beautiful woman singing! She's waving at me!"
"Bro, check your sanity value! That's a sea siren—holy sh*t!"
"She's so beautiful… she's swimming toward me!"
"Bro! Hide in your captain's cabin! Lock the door!"
"Too late… he's already charmed."
"..."
"Bro, you still there? Don't scare us like that."
"Hello?"
No more messages came from him.
Yang Yi frowned.
The system's warning was definitely not groundless.
He listened carefully.
He heard no singing.
Then he stood up and pushed open the captain's cabin door.
The door of this ghost ship was old and rotten.
The lock had long been broken—it was merely decoration.
He opened a small crack and carefully observed the outside under the moonlight.
After several minutes of confirming there was no movement, he stepped out.
He went to the bow, took control of the helm, and reduced the ship's speed to 10 knots.
Lower speed meant lower chances of encountering monsters.
If something attacked while he was sleeping, he might die without even knowing how.
But stopping completely wasn't a good idea either.
Yang Yi believed 10 knots was perfect, maintaining distance from the black fog behind him.
After finishing everything, he returned to the cabin.
The flintlock pistol was placed beside the bed.
The spear leaned against the wall.
After browsing the chat channel for a while longer, he finally fell asleep late into the night.
Yet as he slept, faint whispers seemed to echo in his ears.
His brows furrowed, sweat forming on his forehead.
It seemed…
he was having a nightmare.