If Alex failed, he would plunge into the dark, frigid sea and become a snack for a terrifying version of Squidward.
But if he succeeded, he'd do the impossible—become the second man in history to walk on water.
His heart raced at the thought.
No room for failure now.
Alex activated [Fast and Furious], feeling his agility surge to insane levels, and without hesitation, he layered it with [Blur], his agility skyrocketing.
The boat groaned, creaked, and then shattered under the crushing force of the tentacles.
Alex launched himself into action.
He didn't just jump; he exploded off the remains of the boat like a rocket, his movements a blur against the rain-soaked chaos around him.
The air whipped against his face as he hit the water's surface with incredible momentum.
For a moment, his heart skipped a beat as he wondered whether he would sink.
But to his astonishment, the water beneath his feet felt solid, like a glassy platform responding to his blistering speed.
"No way," he muttered in disbelief, a grin spreading across his face.
"I'm walking on water!"
Each stride sent ripples racing outward as he dashed toward the island.
The rain pelted him mercilessly, and the distant silhouette of the shoreline came closer with every heartbeat.
But then, a deep gurgling sound made his stomach twist.
He risked a glance over his shoulder and felt his blood run cold.
Something was chasing him—something fast.
It wasn't the massive octopus-like monster that had destroyed his boat.
This one was smaller, but no less terrifying, and it was gaining on him.
Its streamlined body cut through the water like a torpedo, its glowing, predatory eyes locked on him.
"Seriously?" Alex groaned, his grin fading as adrenaline kicked into overdrive.
He forced himself to stay focused, his eyes locked on the island ahead.
He wouldn't let chaos behind him distract him now.
Almost there, he thought, determination driving each stride across the water's surface.
As the shoreline drew closer, Alex gauged the distance.
Just a few more feet.
Not wanting to risk getting caught at the last second, he launched himself into the air, propelling his body forward with a powerful leap.
But then...
SPLASH!
Multiple tendrils erupted from the water like dark javelins, their sharp movements slicing through the rain-soaked air.
They shot toward him with terrifying speed, aiming to snatch him out of midair.
Alex's instincts kicked in. His [Danger Sense] flared like an alarm, and his body reacted instantly.
He twisted, flipped, and contorted, narrowly avoiding each grasping tendril.
For a moment, it seemed like he'd done it.
But then...
THWAP!
Out of nowhere, a massive tendril, far longer than the others, lashed out and wrapped around his leg like a constricting snake.
"No!" Alex shouted, panic surging through him as he thrashed in midair, trying to free himself.
The tendril yanked him down with brute force, and before he could react, more tendrils followed.
They wrapped around his arms, torso, and legs, securing him like a prisoner.
"No, no, no!" Alex cried, desperately trying to pull free.
But the Nightmare Kraken's grip was too strong.
The monster dragged him downward, pulling him into the cold, dark sea.
The moment Alex hit the water, he sucked in a deep breath, bracing himself as the icy depths swallowed him whole.
He fought the pull of the tendrils, twisting his body and trying to remember every swimming lesson he'd ever taken.
As Alex struggled against the Kraken's grip, a glowing panel appeared in front of im, its ominous text sending chills down his spine:
[Nightmare Kraken (G)]
Alex's eyes widened in sheer horror.
The Kraken was enormous, its grotesque, pulsating body looming in the murky depths like something out of a nightmare. Dozens of writhing tendrils extended from its body, each one moving with eerie precision.
Great. Just great, he thought, still thrashing against the tendrils. How the hell am I supposed to fight this thing underwater?!
More tendrils snaked their way around Alex, tightening their grip.
He winced as the slimy, cold, and disgustingly squelchy texture wrapped around him, pressing against his arms and legs like a living net.
The Kraken pulled him closer, dragging him toward its gaping maw.
Alex's heart pounded as he caught sight of the monster's mouth—massive and lined with rows of jagged, razor-sharp teeth that seemed designed to tear through anything.
The Kraken's intention was obvious. It was going to eat him.
Panic set in as Alex's mind raced.
His palm was pressed against the Kraken's slimy body, and he knew he could activate [Exploding Touch].
But there was a problem.
If I blow this thing up, I'll get caught in the blast too.
Though he had heat resistance, it didn't exactly prevent his body from getting blown into pieces.
Alex struggled harder, twisting his body, but the tendrils only tightened, squeezing the air out of his lungs. The Kraken's maw loomed closer, the jagged teeth glinting like knives in the dim light of the water.
Is this how I die? Alex thought, despair creeping in as he fought to free himself.
Then, the Kraken's mouth opened wider, a chilling sight that made Alex's stomach drop.
Rows of teeth glistened ominously, the darkness of its gullet seeming to stretch on forever.
"Nope," Alex muttered, shaking his head, his heart pounding.
I know I'll die someday, but this is not how I die.
The image of his body being shredded by rows of razor-sharp teeth flashed through his mind, and a chill ran down his spine.
He wouldn't wish this kind of horrifying death on anyone—not even his worst enemy.
Grated to death like cheese? Nope. Not happening.
The Kraken's tendrils tightened again, and Alex felt his ribs creak under the pressure as the creature pulled him closer to its pulsating mouth.
But Alex refused to panic.
He focused deeply, gathering energy into his throat, and activated:
[Sonic Howl].
With everything he had, Alex unleashed an ear-splitting roar. The sound waves burst out from his chest, radiating like shockwaves. The force was immense, reverberating through the water like an underwater explosion.
The Kraken recoiled, its massive body shuddering violently as the sound waves struck it head-on.
Alex felt the tendrils around his body loosen slightly, the disorienting tremors making the creature falter.
But it wasn't enough.
The Kraken's grip was still there, refusing to fully release him.
Fine, Alex thought, gritting his teeth. Time for Plan B.
He activated: [Slip Stream].
A strange, almost invisible aura enveloped Alex's body.
It was like his skin was coated in some kind of ethereal lubricant, making it impossible for anything to hold onto him tightly.
The Kraken's tendrils began to slip and slide against his body.
Their grip slackened even further, its once-firm hold reduced to a desperate struggle to keep him contained.
Alex could feel the difference immediately.
The slimy tendrils lost their traction as if they couldn't stick to him anymore.
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Alex clenched his fists, steeling his resolve, and with a sharp exhale, he shot out of the Kraken's grasp like a slippery arrow.
Behind him, the Kraken let out a guttural howl, its tendrils flailing wildly as it tried to grab him again.
Its massive tentacle shot through the water like spear, aiming to snatch him back.
But Alex was ready.
He extended his hand, activating [Aegis Arcane].
The shimmering, translucent barrier formed around him, deflecting the incoming tendrils with ease.
The Kraken's attacks bounced off harmlessly, each failed attempt frustrating the beast even more.
He wasn't done yet.
With a swift motion, Alex stretched out his hand and...