Eldritch Horror Theatre

"Now that's more like it!"

Fu Qian was highly satisfied with Lane's final decision.

He didn't have the time to accompany this group on a slow journey of exploration and discovery.

In fact, he didn't think they had the time for it either.

So, given their lacking execution, he could only help speed things up himself.

Besides, it could also serve as a notice to that animal lover.

Fu Qian glanced back toward the Floating Islands.

By his estimation, there was a high probability that Delanlai and the young mermaid hadn't escaped either.

He might as well make some noise to let them know.

...

Lane clearly knew time was precious, and soon the seemingly familiar melody of the Harmonica rang out.

However, compared to the last time he lured a mermaid, the melody was much more intense and lacked its previous elegance.

Regardless, his musical skill was vastly superior to Rachel's.

When she played the Harmonica, it had felt like she was brute-forcing a memorized string of passwords.

Unlike most of the passengers, who were acting as if they faced a mortal enemy, Fu Qian simply found a spot to sit on the deck, openly evaluating the Fish-Luring Technique.

Although this attitude drew plenty of ire, strictly speaking, it appropriately relieved some of the crew's stress.

As they cast sidelong glances at him, they quickly realized this arrogant figure was now quite literally in the same boat as them. If a monster really appeared, this guy would be the one holding the line.

Amid such self-comfort, they nervously listened through the entire tune, yet the sea before them remained perfectly calm.

There were no earth-shattering roars, nor were there any mutated tentacles in sight.

"It seems we're still safe."

Rachel whispered, letting out a small sigh of relief as she stood beside Fu Qian.

And there was more than one person who seemed to share her feelings, or at least her optimistic hopes.

As a sense of relief washed over the ship, even Lane grew hesitant. He prepared to stop playing, silently questioning Fu Qian with a look.

However, right at that moment, a different hum echoed across the sea—soft and melodious, harmonizing with the Harmonica.

Listening closely, it was actually coming from the direction of the torrential rain.

...

The atmosphere abruptly tensed, the sudden change draining the color from everyone's faces.

Lane's Harmonica came to an abrupt halt, as if he had been electrocuted.

"Why does that sound..."

Unable to find the source in the heavy rain, he instinctively looked at Fu Qian.

"Why does it sound so familiar, you mean? Be bold. It seems you've hit the jackpot again—just wandering around and you bump into another mermaid."

Fu Qian offered a casual congratulation.

He wasn't just talking nonsense. Although the timbre of the voice just now was slightly different, no matter how one listened, it shared the exact same style as the young mermaid from before.

If one had to point out a difference, it was perhaps even more bewitching and seductive, practically seizing one's consciousness and dragging it toward lustful thoughts.

The probability of the young mermaid swimming fast enough to get ahead of them was extremely low; it had to be a different one.

"It even sounds like an adult."

"Mister Fang is joking."

How could Lane possibly be in the mood to hunt at a time like this, even if the man's words perfectly matched his own judgment?

"But if it's just a mermaid, then that is indeed good news."

His meaning was simple: compared to a Divine Being, a mermaid's combat power was undoubtedly far inferior and posed no real threat.

Relaxing slightly as he spoke, Lane looked at his team members, who were gradually recovering their wits, and signaled them to wait a moment before pressing forward.

But right then, from within the unanswered humming, another voice suddenly emerged.

Then a third, and a fourth...

In just a few breaths, like a spreading contagion, a full dozen voices rang out in succession.

Judging by the directions, they weren't just coming from the rain-swept stretch of sea.

Of course, during those few moments, barely anyone on the ship was breathing.

"How could this be..."

For a moment, even Lane froze in place, unable to comprehend the sudden shift.

"I'm not sure what you guys call it, but in our circles, we generally call this a bumper catch."

Distinguishing the voices in this mind-bewitching chorus, even Fu Qian clicked his tongue in wonder.

Mermaids were so rare they drove people to poach them, yet so many had appeared all at once?

Was this Shattered Crown actually a giant Fish Trap?

Because nothing could leave once it entered, it had successfully accumulated a whole school of mermaids?

That actually made a bit of sense.

But here was the question: what kind of bait had lured the mermaids in?

Wait a minute...

Fu Qian, who hadn't stopped searching, finally spotted a silhouette through the torrential rain.

It indeed had the build of a mermaid, but in a fleeting glimpse, he caught sight of incredibly alluring facial features and hair-like tendrils atop its head.

It was a different kind of familiar. This appearance, which differed quite a bit from the young mermaid, naturally reminded Fu Qian of the prop Gerald had used.

Not a mermaid, but a fishman?

The situation was getting more and more interesting.

"Should we head back first?"

Although the others hadn't caught that sight, this chorus was undeniably far too intimidating.

The mermaid killers had stumbled into a mermaid nest, and someone was already eager to retreat.

"We don't have much time. And with this number, it's not entirely unmanageable..."

Lane, however, knew perfectly well how precious their time was. He cast a hesitant glance at Fu Qian.

Since the guy still had the mood to spout nonsense, he should have some degree of confidence, right?

"Keep going."

This time, Fu Qian gave a clear and direct suggestion.

"Does Mister Fang think the danger is acceptable?"

Not expecting the man to agree with his thoughts so readily, Lane's eyes lit up.

"Relatively so. After all, it looks like there are only a few fishmen in that direction."

Fu Qian nodded.

A few?

Easy for him to say. Did he think everyone possessed his means?

And this was only the beginning. Who knew what else was waiting behind them—wait, fishmen?

The crowd, instinctively wanting to retort, finally realized what was wrong with Fu Qian's choice of words.

Fishmen?

Lane was also stunned, scanning their surroundings once more.

Unfortunately, across the vast expanse of the sea, they could only hear voices, with no figures in sight.

"Are you sure those are fishmen, Mister Fang? How could there be so many?!"

Rachel couldn't help but ask.

It was obvious that due to the sheer, exaggerated numbers, none of them had even considered that the singers might actually be those legendary, ferocious creatures.

"Confirmed."

Fu Qian gave a slight nod.

"If these are all..."

Someone's voice was already trembling as they growled under their breath.

"Then why are you telling us to head that way to our deaths?"

"Like I said, because there are relatively fewer of them over there."

Fu Qian stated matter-of-factly.

"Fewer than on the way back."

On the way back? There were some behind them too?

Lane was the first to realize his meaning, snapping his head to look back the way they had come.

"If I'm not mistaken, wait just a little longer, and you'll get front-row seats to a concert."

Fu Qian confirmed his unspoken thought.

"Charge through."

As it turned out, Lane didn't dare test the truth of the concert remark. Gritting his teeth, he made the call.

No matter what, at least this guy was still on the ship. He wouldn't just dig a grave for himself.

(End of Chapter)

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!