Dungeon of Niflheim-Chapter 857: Ruellete Angler
Frost was forcefully rebuffed as Khione took point. Grabbing hold of his fishing rod with both hands she roared and tensed up those intimidating muscles of hers to the point that she grew in size. Then with a swift upswing she tore the massive sea monster dangling on the end of the rod’s line from the sea and into the air.
The monster already in fear from her first attack was now in complete and utter despair. The force that wrenched it from its home was so extreme that it didn’t know up from down. It’s expression one of shock and disbelief as it felt itself flying through the air, so far from the water.
Frost fought for several minutes, grinding his teeth, using every muscle in his body to go toe to toe with this monster yet despite all that he ultimately failed, forced to rely on another to help him out. That in itself made him feel...incompetent, inept....weak but to then see his partner, this bombshell of a woman end the fight he struggled so desperately in with an almost effortless and simple upswing he couldn’t help but feel even worse.
He looked longingly at her physique, those highly developed muscles of hers that spanned her entire body, no place was left untreated. Such raw power even before the enhancement of aura, chakra and equipment. Such an intimidating prospect yet at the same time so incredibly alluring.
Despite her size and a build that would put most if not all men to shame Khione still retained her femininity; softness, devasting curves and enchanting beauty. Through this contrast Frost found himself lost in her allure, his feelings of failure when faced with a defeat clashed with the warmth and excitement from having her fight on his behalf, of being protected by this warrior Goddess.
By her side he suddenly felt that maybe being a little weak wasn’t all that bad.
"We’ll handle the next part together, assign me to his station as an assistant!" While Frost was entranced by her show of strength Khione looked to the side where the ship’s staff were and roared an order.
Her booming voice made everyone in the vicinity shiver, they felt small and weak in the face of it but being professionals the staff members in charge of managing the fishing stations carried out her request a moment later.
Suddenly a magic tether sprung from a hidden magic crest on the deck, two lines sporting the same colour and mana wavelength attached themselves to Khione and Frost, binding them to whatever support system had been set up in advance.
Upon seeing this Khione nodded her head before turning around to look at Frost. "Now comes the war, hope you’re ready for a fight hun." She said with a tone filled with excitement as a wild smile donned her lips.
"War?" Brought from his delusions Frost was initially confused but when he saw the glint in Khione’s eyes and that eager and somewhat bloodthirsty smile of hers he responded in kind. His heart thumped away as his blood began to boil. Joy stemming from the promise of battle. The young couple were two peas in a pod, battle junkies through and through.
"Now that’s a handsome face if I ever did see one hahaha." Khione laughed in response, finding his current appearance irresistible.
"And that smile of yours just lights up the room." Frost being similar in nature couldn’t help but compliment his date in turn.
"Hahaha always such a charmer, so smooth with your words but let’s see how you handle fighting an opponent that doesn’t have my smile." The once inexperienced and naïve young girl had become a master of the tongue in so little time.
While Frost and Khione were exchanging sweet nothings and staring into one another’s eyes the age old law, what goes up must come down was being proven.
High above their heads their catch of the day that had been yanked from the ocean’s depths was beginning to fall at a frightening speed. The line and hook was still lodged deep in its gums, viscous green blood dripping down in streams as the origin site had been torn open by Khione’s brutal yank.
Roughly 30 metres long and more than half that in width and height. A rather obese creature with a semi circular and cylindrical shape. Gnarly scales covered it from head to toe, sharp, thick and unappealing. Long spines and tendrils sat atop the scales, leaking what appeared to be some kind of venom from the tips. An all-round nasty specimen and that’s before you even look at its face, large permanently open jaws filled with differing sets of razor sharp teeth. A protruding tentacle that hovered ahead of the jaw, a lure to attract prey in the dark depths of the ocean and 5 sets of bright red eyes that screamed malevolence.
For a first timer it was quite the catch...not very appetising but certainly great material for a tall tale.
"A Ruellete Angler, upper B-rank and practically inedible." Khione looked upwards, shook her head and sighed. Frost’s catch had practically no edible parts, nearly every single millimetre of its flesh was suffused with venom. Where other creatures relied on speciality organs or sacks to protect themselves from being poisoned by their own venom the Ruellete Angler simply developed an immunity, allowing its venom to flow freely throughout its body. This wasn’t a fish they could have prepared and served by the SS. Gwienfieldal’s capable chef. A minor disappointment but not enough to detract from her building joy.
"It’ll be slow and sluggish out the water but that venom’s no joke, you let it touch your skin or worse enter your bloodstream you’ll be wishing for a quick death."
"Ugh not a big fan of venom or poison riddled enemies." Every time the topic came up Frost would be reminded of the time he suffered from the effects of wyvern venom, a rather traumatic experience that he wished to avoid at all costs.
His storage ring held a few different types of antidote potions, some specific, some general and some that were considered high quality, but he strongly doubted that they’d be capable of going toe to toe with the venom of something that dwelled within the Realm of Niflheim and sported upper B-rank strength.
"Do you have any antidotes for it?" Worried about an accident he asked his gallant knight if she had any appropriate antidotes handy.
"I’ve got some high class stuff but that’s practically overkill for something of this level." Khione’s storage ring was filled with only the highest quality goods, goods that would make even those in the S-rank spin their heads. What else could you expect from the Primordial Ice King’s youngest and most cherished daughter.
"I don’t mind you using them if needed but you’ll owe me one." She said playfully after subtly bragging.
"A catch, how shrewd.....Fine have them ready and I’ll give you whatever you want in return" Normally he’d continue to play ball, but his trauma didn’t let him take any chances when it came to poisons.
"Hehehehe pleasure doing business with you Frost." Khione giggled and smiled from ear to ear as her imagination started to run a little wild.
’Anything, he said anything hehehe.’
Frost may come to regret his words in the future but right now he had to put his entire focus the upcoming battle.
When the massive Ruellete Angler started coming close to the deck where all the fishers were currently congregated no one shifted in their seats or tried to move out of the way. In fact most didn’t even pay much attention, looking back at their own rods after a short glance. As though a hulking sea monster that likely weighed tens of tonnes falling directly on top of them wasn’t noteworthy in any way.
A strange sight but understandable when you know the inner workings of the SS. Gwienfieldal and this deck in particular.
The lines attached to the fishing rod were designed to keep any and all prey confined to this deck regardless of their size and strength. The reason for this well Frost was just about to find out.
The moment the Ruellete Angler reached roughly 15 metres above their heads it suddenly vanished and so did Frost and Khione.
One of the support systems set up was a teleportation rune. The fisher -and any assistants they might have- and their catch would be teleported to a special space wherein the final battle would take place. The fisher in this case Frost would have to personally subdue the Ruellete Angler and once subdued he could then sell its carcass to the SS. Gwienfieldal or pay to have it stored safely on board until he disembarked from the vessel.
If the catch was edible then the staff members would be more than happy to purchase it and even help prepare it for their evening meal, but unfortunately the Ruellete Angler wasn’t. Other than the venom that flowed freely throughout its veins hardly anything else was viable. Its scales were too dangerous to fashion into anything worthwhile, its organs could be used in a few alchemy concoctions, but it was quite a niche market and not one the SS. Gwienfieldal’s staff were trained to do. They specialised in food after all.
In the end however Frost didn’t care too much about its material value, the experience itself was valuable. He enjoyed himself and would likely enjoy himself even more in a second.
Feeling that common distortion amongst his organs Frost instantly knew he’d been teleported to a new space. A massive open room, a box that spanned close to 100 metres each way.
He and Khione appeared at one side while the Ruellete Angler crashed down hard on the other. This would be their battleground, one that clearly favoured land based guests like himself.
