He had been fishing for over an hour now, and the sky was beginning to darken.The first night was about to fall.Yang Yi’s stomach growled with hunger. The long-legged sardines scattered nearby were starting to look somewhat appetizing.But eating that kind of fish… would most likely lower his sanity.Unless it was a matter of survival, he didn’t really want to eat them—and besides, there was no stove on this ship. He’d have to eat them raw.Just then, the fishing float twitched. Yang Yi perked up instantly.He yanked hard, and a black fish was pulled out of the sea.This one didn’t have long legs, but was covered in sharp spines. Its slimy, swollen-looking skin burst open as soon as it hit the deck, oozing foul-smelling black pus.【This fish is disgusting. Your sanity -2.】Before Yang Yi could stab it with his spear, the fish twitched and died on its own.【Name: Cysted Spiked Puffer】【Type: Food】【Description: A deep-sea fish. Its bodily fluids are extremely toxic. No sane person would eat it—unless they have a death wish.】“Toxic?”Yang Yi didn’t dare touch it. He used his spear to skewer it and tossed it into the ship’s hold.At the same time, he deliberately stabbed it a few more times, until the spearhead was stained dark—turning his weapon into a crude poisoned spear.The sky was getting darker now—less than an hour left before nightfall.The system had warned that nighttime would be dangerous, so Yang Yi didn’t plan to keep fishing after dark.But just as he was packing up and heading toward the captain’s cabin, he noticed something strange floating past the ship.It was a box—a treasure chest, about the size of a briefcase, drifting along the side of the Nightmare.Yang Yi’s heart skipped a beat. He rushed to the helm, turned the wheel, and steered toward it.An opportunity like this—he couldn’t afford to miss!He extended the grappling hook toward the chest.But the chest moved like a living thing, slick and slippery, constantly evading his grasp.After quite a struggle, he finally managed to snag it and haul it aboard. He hurried below deck to inspect it.【Name: Waterlogged Rottenwood Chest】【Type: Treasure Chest】【Description: This might not be the kind of chest you were hoping for.】Yang Yi stayed cautious—holding a flintlock pistol in one hand, he pried the chest open with his spear.Inside was… a human head.It was bald, its skin a pale ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) grayish-blue, coated with a layer of sticky mucus.As soon as the chest was opened, the head stirred—its cloudy eyes rolled open, and it began to speak.“Sir, may I have a few moments of your time to tell you about the Almighty One?”【You cannot comprehend its words. Sanity -5.】Yang Yi’s scalp tingled, his body trembling slightly.“Sir, may I—”Before it could finish, the head leapt out. Only then did Yang Yi see its true form—It was an octopus, but its head had been replaced by that human face. Beneath it were twisted tentacles writhing like snakes.It lunged toward Yang Yi, tendrils spreading wide, revealing a beak-like mouth full of sharp teeth—But before it could bite—BANG!Flames burst from the muzzle of his gun. It didn’t misfire.The dull explosion echoed like a monster’s growl.The creature burst apart into chunks of flesh.【You heard an unsettling gunshot. Sanity -3.】Yang Yi felt a wave of nausea rising from deep inside, but quickly checked his status.Sanity: 88/100Energy: 62/100Health: 100/100So a loss of sanity did affect one’s mind.Fortunately, Yang Yi’s mental stats were high—his willpower was like steel. He calmed himself and examined the creature’s remains.【Name: Human-Headed Octopus】【Type: Food / Material】【Description: A deep-sea creature. Don’t try to comprehend its speech—it’s only trying to distract you before striking.If, however, you truly can understand it... well, good luck.Edible. Usable as crafting material. Slightly toxic.Effect when eaten: Strength +1, Constitution +1, Spirit -1, Sanity -20.】【Note: You cannot exceed the mortal attribute cap. The mortal limit is 10.】At least it had some value.Yang Yi gathered up the chunks of flesh, then checked the chest again.Inside were some corroded coins. He picked one up—engraved with a seashell on one side, and a cartoonish octopus head on the other.【You obtained 100 Conch Coins.】Other than that, the chest was empty.No fresh water.And these conch coins—useless!The sky was now fully dark.Yang Yi tossed the captain’s skeleton into the hold and returned to the captain’s cabin.He didn’t intend to fish or scavenge at night.The system had warned of nighttime danger, and he wasn’t about to take that risk so early.As for fresh water—he could keep looking tomorrow.And if he had to, he’d eat those long-legged sardines!To survive, Yang Yi didn’t mind eating strange things—as long as they gave him protein and energy.He was never one to give up easily.Never before, and not now.He lay down on the damp, moldy-smelling bed. It was uncomfortable, but he had no choice.Night fully descended.Only faint moonlight filtered through, and the only sounds were the crashing of waves and the whisper of wind.Yang Yi couldn’t sleep. So he opened the world chat channel.“Grappling hooks can catch treasure chests.”He shared that bit of information.It wasn’t much, really—anyone who saw a chest would probably try to grab it.But posting it might earn him goodwill—and more information.“True, I caught one too—got a wooden resource chest. Pulled out 1 unit of steel, 20 of wood, and 20 of fabric.”“Nice! You’ll be upgrading your ship soon. So jealous!”“Hehe, I caught a bronze gear chest—got myself a treasure!”【Item: Bloodstained Pearl Necklace】【Type: Relic】【Quality: Fine】【Description: Once a bride’s dowry... she’s still looking for it now.Wearing it: Agility +1, Spirit -1, Sanity cap -5.】“Uh... that doesn’t sound like much of a treasure...”“You’re just jealous!”“It’s pitch-black here—no lights on my ship, probably need an upgrade for that.”“No blankets either—freezing my ass off!”“Can’t sleep!”“Anyone else notice the waves getting rougher?”“Bigger waves mean pricier fish! Let’s go night fishing, boys!”“Night fishing +1.”“+2.”“+10086.”“You guys... hear singing? Kind of eerie but beautiful.”“What? No way, don’t scare me. Who’d be singing out here?”“I see her—it’s a gorgeous woman, singing and waving at me!”“Bro, check your sanity! That’s a siren, damn it!”“She’s so pretty... she’s swimming toward me!”“Bro, get in the captain’s room and lock the door!”“Too late. He’s already charmed.”“……”“Hey, you still there? Don’t go quiet on us, man!”“Hello?”No more replies came.Yang Yi frowned.The system’s warnings weren’t just superstition.He listened carefully. No singing—so far, so good.He got up, pushed the door open slightly.The ship’s doors were old and rotten; the locks were long broken, purely decorative.He peered through the crack, studying the sea under the moonlight.After a few minutes of watching and hearing nothing unusual, he stepped out and went to the helm, slowing the ship down to ten knots.Lowering speed would reduce the chance of encountering monsters.If something attacked while he was asleep, he wouldn’t even know how he died.But staying still wasn’t an option either.Ten knots, he thought, was just right—enough to stay ahead of the black mist behind him.After adjusting the helm, he returned to the cabin, placed his flintlock beside the bed, and leaned his spear against the wall.He read the world chat a little longer.Eventually, near midnight, he finally drifted into uneasy sleep—As faint, whispering voices brushed past his ears.His brow furrowed, sweat gathered on his forehead—He was dreaming.A nightmare.

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