Treasure Hunting System： The Ocean Conquerer

Chapter 92: Chapter 92: White Bones Crawling

The Realm of Pitch Darkness was not entirely devoid of light. The thick, black clouds above occasionally parted to create small openings, making the cloud layer slightly thinner. This thinning allowed the sunlight from outside to pierce through.

However, as they ventured deeper towards the center, such weak light became increasingly rare, appearing only after long intervals.

These rays of light, although weak, were the only illumination in the darkness. This was also the best time for ships to navigate.

Taking advantage of these occasionally appearing dim beams, Alka, who was at the helm, spotted a conspicuous landmark.

It was a gigantic statue standing beside an island. The statue stood at least 20 meters tall and, under the dim light, vaguely revealed a warrior poised to cleave downward with a blade.

”The Battle Statue. We’re almost at our destination.”

Chadite, who was standing beside Alka and teaching him how to control the ship, also saw the statue and spoke. He then instructed Alka, ”Turn the helm to the left and advance for half a day. We should reach the area marked on the map.”

Upon hearing this, Alka nodded and followed the instructions, maneuvering the ship’s wheel.

The opening in the clouds closed, plunging them back into darkness.

「...」

”We’ve arrived. It should be within this area.”

As they neared their destination, everyone came out onto the deck. The pitch-black sea stretched out before them, rendering nothing visible.

At this moment, the clouds opened a small gap once more, allowing them to see a small island not far from them.

Alka used the Mirror to focus a beam of light, casting it onto the island.

”There’s no suitable spot. Circle around and take a look,” Andre instructed, seeing no suitable docking place on the island before them.

After circling, they found a suitable landing point.

”This should be the former port.”

As he spoke, the ship slowly sailed in. Andre turned to look at everyone. ”This island, the one marked on the map, has been explored, and it’s not particularly dangerous.”

Andre thought for a moment and then continued, ”Alka, Jason, and Gami, you three form a team and explore this island first. The rest will accompany me to the other two unexplored islands. Chadite will document things first.”

No one objected to Andre’s division of teams.

Andre then handed the map of the island to Alka; his meaning was clear—Alka was the leader of this temporary team.

Standing by the ship’s rail, Alka used a Mirror-constructed searchlight to briefly survey the island.

The island’s edges were filled with lush vegetation, differing significantly from that on the islands of the outside world; some fluorescent plants were visible in the darkness.

The perpetual darkness and pervasive elements here had long altered the plant ecosystem.

There might even be a chance to discover some interesting Magic Materials.

Additionally, rubble from what were clearly collapsed man-made structures lay buried within. Many such ruins were covered by soil and plants, having long since merged with the island’s environment.

After a quick assessment determined there were no major issues, Alka turned and nodded to the two behind him.

The three of them jumped off the ship. Well, Gami glided down using his vehicle.

Alka then turned and waved to those on the ship. Andre nodded from the vessel.

”Stay safe, and don’t let your guard down.”

The ship, now under control, backed away from the small island and soon disappeared into the darkness. Only a few receding pinpricks of light could be seen.

Jason and Gami each took out a Lighting Stone to illuminate their surroundings, while Alka used a Mirror to reflect the light, brightening the path ahead.

Due to the surrounding darkness, the three stayed close together, each keeping watch in different directions.

The group advanced slowly, each member remaining vigilant of dangers from all directions.

Jason’s voice broke the silence. ”Sometimes I wonder why there isn’t a Spell that allows us to see in the dark.”

”Who said there isn’t? Haven’t you read any books?” Alka retorted.

Gami chimed in directly, ”Such Spells do exist, but neither the Church nor anyone else has recorded their patterns. Perhaps they’re lost, or perhaps someone still knows them.”

”Alright, alright,” Jason replied helplessly, waving his Searchlight Stone around to check for anything unusual.

As they proceeded, they reached what seemed to be an abandoned small town.

Most of these buildings were relatively intact. While some had collapsed or were damaged, their original appearance was still discernible. However, the exteriors of these buildings were now covered with various plants.

”When the Treasure explosion occurred, the people here might not have known what was happening and simply perished in the confusion,” Jason remarked with some sorrow, looking at a skeleton lying near the entrance of a collapsed building.

This place was neither too close nor too far from the explosion’s core, but it was still within range of its deadly effects.

Seeing the skeleton, Jason prepared to walk over and investigate, hoping to glean some useful information.

Alka immediately grabbed him. ”Wait! Don’t go over there recklessly.”

Hearing this, Jason and Gami turned to face him. ”What’s the matter?”

Alka pointed to where the skeleton lay. ”Look closely. Something’s not right about where that skeleton is lying.” As he spoke, he directed the light to flicker around the white bones. ”Although quite a few plants cover its body, look underneath it. That’s not how it should look after lying there for hundreds of years.”

The two of them took a closer look. Indeed, at the spot where the skeleton lay, some plant roots, stems, and leaves didn’t look as if they had grown around it to avoid being crushed. Instead, they looked as if they had been clearly pressed down.

However, shrouded by the skeleton and the darkness, this detail was hard to notice without careful observation.

Seeing this, Jason couldn’t help but swallow. ”Could this skeleton be... alive?” he asked nervously. ”You know, like one of those undead things that can move?”

”It’s very possible,” Alka replied.

Gami stared at Jason. ”What are you so nervous about?” he asked curiously. ”Haven’t you seen undead before?”

Jason shook his head. He had only joined the Treasure Hunting Team two years ago and had been busy with Treasure Vault matters during that time. Not to mention, he had been an ordinary person until recently. To him, the undead seemed more like figures from stories and picture books. This would probably be the first time one had appeared alive before him.

”Alka, aren’t you nervous?” Jason couldn’t help but turn and ask, thinking Alka should feel the same way he did.

Especially since Alka had only formally stepped into the Extraordinary world a short time ago and was just beginning to learn some of its secrets.

Alka shook his head. ”It’s alright.”

After all, he had already gained some experience.

After speaking, Alka reached out and drew the Locking Device from its holster on his thigh. He checked the chamber to ensure it was loaded. Then, he drew the pistol from under his arm, ejecting the magazine to check its bullets. The bullets in the pistol were significantly different from ordinary ones; simple patterns were carved on them, indicating they possessed special effects.

Jason performed the same actions. He also took out a pocket watch from his breast pocket, opened the cover, nudged the Pointer on the dial with his hand, and then closed the cover. This pocket watch was the Magic Equipment he had obtained before. Alka had borrowed it to try out once; simply put, it was an item that could temporarily enhance the user’s acuity. However, there was a prerequisite: Magic Power had to be spent to move the Pointer inside before use. Once the cover was closed and Magic Power was input, the Pointer inside would rotate to provide the buff. Now, Jason merely closed the cover; he planned to infuse Magic Power into it, making the Pointer start rotating when he decided to use it.

Meanwhile, Gami, maneuvering his peculiar self-made vehicle, held his position. Two rifle-like Vibrating Stone Gun barrels extended from its sides. Additionally, four tentacles extended from the vehicle to provide remote support for the other two.

Alka and Jason slowly approached the skeleton. The Mirror used for illumination began to adjust its angle, spreading light to illuminate a wide area.

As the two came within 10 meters of the skeleton—

CRACK.

At the sound, the skeleton twitched. A faint, ghostly green glow appeared in its hollow skull. It slowly rose from the ground, pulling a decayed Long Saber from where it lay pinned underneath its back. It opened its jaw, as if attempting a silent roar. However, its jawbone dropped directly to the ground with a CLACK.

「...」

For a moment, the air grew quiet.

Alka raised the Locking Device in his hand. As Magic Power poured into the firearm from his hand, a multitude of intricate Magic Power patterns emerged on the grip and the bronze-covered ornament on its back. He pulled the trigger.

BANG!

With the muffled report, the concentrated projectile shot out, wreathed in faint white flames and resembling a Fireball. It directly bombarded the skeleton’s skull, instantly sending bone fragments flying. The ghostly green light flickering within the skull was instantly extinguished by the projectile. The remaining bones fell powerlessly, collapsing into a pile on the ground.

”That’s it?”

Jason, who had been tense, was somewhat baffled as he watched the skeleton fall after a single hit. Then he sneered disdainfully; it felt as if his nervousness and excitement had been wasted.

Gami walked over. ”It was just an ordinary skeleton,” he said. ”Plus, the projectile he just fired was imbued with Holy Flame. Of course, a skeleton like that would be easily eliminated.”

Jason squatted down, prodding the pile of bones and looking at the decayed Long Saber that had also fallen nearby. He tapped it with his pistol. ”What’s the use of this kind of saber? It seems more suited for smashing than slashing.”

The three of them began to check the surroundings. Besides this one, they could spot quite a few other skeletons around, but these were evidently much more normal. These skeletons had long been covered in dirt, becoming filthy, and were enveloped by various plants that had grown intertwined with them, completely fused with the earth.