Treasure Hunting System： The Ocean Conquerer

Chapter 381: Chapter 210: The Person Frozen in Tragedy_2

After all, a Spell in such a fixed state couldn’t last long and would require a continuous consumption of Magic Power.

In that instant, Alka was stunned.

Seeing Alka appear to have realized something, everyone stopped talking, waiting for him to think and reach a conclusion.

”So, why is that person still alive?” Alka muttered to himself.

Indeed, it’s been ten years. No matter how incredible the Spell’s power, it’s impossible to maintain it for so long without Magic Power and a continuous supply from the caster. Immobilizing a person’s injuries and preserving their condition like that... it didn’t seem like any simple Spell could achieve this. A Spell like that must be incredibly powerful. So why has Simon’s state of Stagnation persisted for ten years?

Alka narrowed his eyes slightly.

”Let’s go. We’ll look further inside.”

Everyone nodded and followed Alka as they continued forward.

Later, they saw four wooden beds in a room with a contorted ceiling. The sheets and blankets on them were entirely blackened and yellowed.

Only two skeletal remains lay on the beds. Two more were scattered on the floor, their positions suggesting they had struggled before death; one had even crawled to the doorway.

These skeletal remains hadn’t been corrupted into undead creatures either.

Alka went up to take a closer look.

None of the four skeletons were complete. Each bore various injuries, any of which would have been fatal if not treated promptly.

Under such circumstances, these four crew members must have been put into a state of Stagnation and placed on these wooden beds.

Now, they were all dead. The Spell effect on them that induced the Stagnation had vanished long ago—it was impossible to tell for how long.

The reason they hadn’t turned into undead might be that they weren’t affected by the enemy’s sacrificial final attack.

Perhaps their state of Stagnation only dissipated after that attack. Once it did, they likely tried to save themselves.

That would explain why their bones were scattered in various places.

”Stay alert! Everyone, get closer and watch your surroundings,” Alka said decisively.

Although they weren’t sure why, everyone nodded and moved closer together.

Noticing their questioning looks, Alka explained, ”Remember what I told you last night about my communication in the Dream Realm with the person who is still alive?

”These people,” he continued, gesturing to the skeletons on the beds, ”were all placed in a state of Stagnation ten years ago due to severe injuries. According to that survivor, this state of Stagnation would keep their injuries stabilized until the crisis was over. Only then would their crewmates proceed with treatment to save their lives.

”But now they’re all dead. Such a Spell, lacking Magic Power and a caster’s supply, should have dissipated long ago.

”Yet, the person I met in the Dream Realm last night claimed he is still being maintained in such a state.”

After listening to Alka’s brief explanation, everyone immediately understood why they needed to be cautious.

However, Alka remained relatively optimistic. After all, if that person had intended them harm, the best opportunity would have been earlier when they were surrounded.

A sudden ambush then would have inflicted serious harm on them.

Now that they had cleared out those undead, such a good opportunity no longer existed.

Everyone maintained their formation, advancing slowly.

Along the way, they saw more skeletal remains. Some were propped against the walls, while others lay sprawled in the middle of the passageway.

The positions of some skeletons suggested they had been crawling before they died.

The corridor was marked with various blackened bloodstains—all evidence of the injured’s desperate attempts at self-preservation before dying.

Finally, up ahead, they saw a large cluster of skeletons—conservatively estimated at over a dozen—with three undead lying nearby.

As Alka’s group approached, these undead slowly rose from the ground.

These undead bore various wounds.

However, their strength was only at the Three Spirals level, and Alka’s group dispatched them with ease.

Observing the scene, Alka grew even more certain of his suspicions.

These injured individuals must have been released from their state of Stagnation after the effects of the enemy’s attack had subsided. They might have even fought these undead while on the brink of death.

Then, Alka retrieved a faintly glowing blue object from beneath one of the skeletons.

With a touch, the blue light disappeared.

It was a knife resembling a throwing knife, only two fingers in length, small and sharp.

After a quick rinse, the knife’s true appearance was revealed.

It was a ghastly white, with patterns resembling bone textures. It was actually crafted from bone.

”A good item?”

Alka turned. It was Jason who had spoken.

Alka nodded. ”This should be a decent Spell Weapon, a throwing knife.”

Shaking the small Bone Saber in his hand, he continued, ”This is perfect for me. I’ll take it.”

Everyone nodded without any objection.

After all, Alka hadn’t seemed to acquire anything during their exploration so far. Besides, he was the only one among them skilled at throwing weapons from a distance.

Even if it were given to the others, they wouldn’t be able to throw it accurately.

When they reached the upper deck, they were greeted by an undead with a construct arm.

Its strength reached the Four Spirals level. There were bloodstains nearby, but no skeletons.

Alka couldn’t help but glance back at the path they had just ascended.