Chapter 671: Chapter 671: Too Few Clues
It had taken the three of them to subdue just one Mermaid Monster. If there were three such monsters on the boat at the same time, the danger would be clear without saying.
After Asarina’s point, Bai Youwei also started to hesitate.
But the clues were currently too scarce. Without giving it a try, it would be difficult for her to find a pattern in this maze.
“How about this…” Bai Youwei suggested a compromise after some thought, “Let’s first look for clues around here. If we still can’t find anything, we’ll go with my plan and enter through the third cave.”
Although they had already surveyed this area, it was inadequately lit, and the darkness could potentially hide missed information?
Everyone looked at each other, no one had any objections.
Then Pan Xiaoxin steered the fishing boat, moving slowly along the edge of the cave.
The surroundings were quiet, except for the sound of water.
Along and Aqing stood at the bow and stern of the boat, respectively, Bai Youwei, and Asarina each covered a side, carefully observing the environment. They didn’t miss a single outcropping of reef or shattered shell. After circling around, apart from finding the cave entrances eerily similar, they found no other clues.
“Am I overthinking it?” Bai Youwei mused, “Maybe the condition for passing is to kill the Fish Monsters. Now that they’re gone, maybe we can exit if we go into the cave again?”
Asarina shook her head: “If you could pass just by killing Fish Monsters, there would be no need to set up 7 identical caves.”
After a pause, she shook her head again: “No, it’s 8 identical caves.”
This included the cave they had just emerged from, and the corresponding 7 caves up ahead. A total of 8.
“It’s like looking in a mirror, seven mirrors…” Bai Youwei pondered, conceiving another possibility, “Could each cave be guarded by a Mermaid, and to open the exit you have to kill seven mermaids?”
It was a simplistic idea, but plausible.
Asarina thought it over and sighed deeply. “It seems we have to venture in again. The lack of clues is killing us.”
Despite the obvious risk, going in was their only option.
Asarina looked at Bai Youwei, indicating for her to make the decision.
Bai Youwei nodded after looking back at her.
Asarina slowly inhaled and shouted, “Xiaoxin, let’s go! Head for the third cave!”
In response from the cabin, Pan Xiaoxin steered the fishing boat towards the cave entrance —
Its dark cold ambiance unchanged.
With a sharp bamboo pole in hand, Asarina watched the water’s surface vigilantly. Along and Aqing were also armed with bamboo poles, standing guard on the deck.
There were plenty of bamboo poles on the boat, but unfortunately, their fragility compared to the monster’s claws made them feel somewhat inadequate, only slightly safer than melee weapons like knives.
While petting the bunny, Bai Youwei pondered the risks of using an electric shock in such an environment.
The stench in the air seemed to be growing stronger.
Feeling uneasy, she frowned and quickly scanned the water surface. “Xiaoxin, back out.”
Agreeing with her, Asarina along with Along and Aqing showed no objections. It seemed they also sensed something.
The fishing boat reversed course.
Suddenly, there was a thump!
Immediately after, bang, another and then rapid succession of thumping noises came from beneath the boat!
The color drained from everyone’s faces on the deck, their grips on their weapons tighten.
The next second, a soaking-wet Fish Monster climbed aboard! After grabbing onto the railing, it tried to make its way onto the deck by pulling itself up with just its upper limbs!
Asarina lifted her bamboo pole and jabbed at it! She was trying to knock it off the boat!
The Mermaid Monster winced in pain but didn’t let go. Instead, it flared its fringed gill, emitting a threatening hiss!
Then another dark shadow leaped from beside it, hurdling over the railing and lunging at Asarina!
Asarina stepped back hastily, evading the attack, while another Fish Monster attempted to board the boat!
“Get off!” Along gave a roar, his bamboo pole aimed straight at the Fish Monster’s throat! Aqing also sprinted over from the other end, bamboo pole in hand, targeting the stubbornly gripping claws of the Fish Monster!