Pirate: Crew of Desire and Bonds

Garrick didn’t waste any more time.

”Watch carefully.”

He took a steady breath, then closed his eyes for a brief moment.

A faint blue aura began to circulate around his body in a controlled, refined flow.

The energy moved from his chest, through his lungs, and outward in a continuous cycle.

”You don’t need to force it,” Garrick explained while maintaining the circulation.

”You guide your aura into your lungs and keep it cycling. Once the flow is stable, your body stops relying on normal air for a while.”

Jake’s eyes narrowed as he observed every detail.

The moment he focused, something clicked.

His Aura Perception sharpened instantly, allowing him to clearly ”see” the refined flow of Garrick’s aura.

At the same time, his Aura Manipulation stirred in response, instinctively analyzing the structure of the technique.

It was surprisingly clear.

The path of the energy, the rhythm of the cycle, the way the aura temporarily replaced the function of breathing... all of it settled into his mind with unnatural ease.

Like a sponge absorbing water.

Jake raised one hand slightly and began circulating his own red aura in the same pattern.

At first the flow was a little rough, but within moments it stabilized.

Then a controlled cycle formed inside his chest, smooth and steady despite the pouring rain.

Garrick’s eyes widened slightly.

”...You got it already?”

Jake exhaled slowly, red aura faintly flickering around him as the technique held.

”Yeah,” he replied quietly. ”I think I understand it.”

Grace stared at him in mild astonishment, while even Barbara and Vivian, watching from above, looked genuinely surprised.

It seemed this guy was really special...

Garrick studied Jake for another second before giving a short nod.

”Good. Then you might actually survive down there.”

There was no more time to waste.

They quickly began planning under the pouring rain.

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Soon,

Vivian’s voice was sharp and decisive.

”Garrick and I will stay on the surface. We’ll keep the necks occupied and draw as much attention as possible. Barbara will support from range and watch for any sudden changes.”

Garrick gave a firm nod, blue aura already faintly circulating around his long sword.

”We’ll buy you as much time as we can. Once you’re in the water, move fast and don’t get dragged too deep. And if it comes to the worst... I’ll dive in to save you.”

Jake listened carefully, rain dripping from his hair as he adjusted his grip on his sword.

”Understood. I’ll find the main bodies fast, and kill them.”

Grace stepped closer to him, her expression solemn under the storm.

”Jake... about the main body.”

He turned to her.

Grace hesitated for a brief moment, then spoke carefully.

”It... looks a bit funny.”

Jake blinked.

”...Funny?”

Grace nodded seriously, golden eyes earnest despite the strange choice of words.

”Yes. According to the records I read, the main body of a Drowned Stalker doesn’t resemble any normal beast. It’s strange... almost ridiculous in shape. It’s difficult to describe properly, but it shouldn’t be a problem.”

”Their main body is actually their weak point and isn’t particularly durable. The reason they’re so troublesome to deal with is because of those long necks of theirs, which can regenerate seemingly without limit. But once you locate the main body, I heard it becomes a quick job to finish them off.”

Jake stared at her for a moment, still unable to form a clear image from her explanation.

Even so, he felt a little relieved knowing that the main body was far weaker than those terrifying necks.

Grace seemed to realize it as well.

She quickly continued before he could ask further.

”But you don’t need to worry about the exact appearance. Just find the core.”

She raised one hand and tapped the center of her own chest firmly.

”It’s located right in the middle of its chest, and it glows red. As long as you destroy that core, the main body will die... and the necks connected to it will collapse.”

Jake memorized her words carefully and gave a small nod.

”Red core in the center of the chest. Got it.”

Grace’s golden eyes lingered on him for a moment longer, filled with quiet worry and determination.

Soon, under the roaring of the cannons, everyone got into their positions for the operation.

Jake took a slow breath under the pouring rain.

He circulated his red aura the way Garrick had shown him, stabilizing the flow inside his chest.

The technique settled into place more smoothly than before.

Once he was ready, he tightened his grip on his sword and turned his head slightly.

Grace stood closest to him, golden eyes locked onto his face with quiet determination despite the worry still lingering beneath.

Above them, Vivian watched with a serious expression, and Barbara remained silent at her side, observing carefully.

Garrick stood ready with his long sword, blue aura faintly flickering.

Then, with his eyes turning solemn, he jumped down first.

SPLASH!

He began running extremely fast toward the swaying necks, trying to draw their attention.

”OI! YOU CREEPY NECK BASTARDS! COME AT ME!!”

Almost as if they could understand his words, all of the Drowned Stalker necks turned toward the figure running toward them.

Seeing that it was now the time,

Jake gave everyone one last small nod.

Then, without another word, he turned toward the black sea and jumped.

SPLASH!!

His body cut through the rain and vanished into the dark water below.

The surface of the sea churned for a moment before settling again under the storm.

On the deck, Grace immediately stepped closer to the edge, her golden eyes fixed on the spot where Jake had disappeared.

Her hands tightened around her gun, but she did not call out to him.

Above, Vivian’s voice rang out sharply.

”All hands!! Keep the necks busy!! Don’t let them follow him down!!”

Soon, the battle on the surface intensified at once, while beneath the black water... Jake began his descent into the domain of the Drowned Stalkers.

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Inside the sea,

Jake opened his eyes.

”...!!”

And immediately froze.

Because there was nothing...

No light.

No shapes.

No movement he could clearly perceive.

Only an endless, suffocating darkness stretched out in every direction... so deep and complete that it felt like he was staring straight into the abyss itself.

Even with his enhanced body and sharpened senses, he could barely make out anything beyond a short distance.

The water around him was thick and cold, pressing in from all sides, while the faint circulation of his aura was the only thing keeping him from needing to breathe.

’...Fuck... I can’t see a damn thing.’

A chill that had nothing to do with the cold water crawled up his spine at this realization.