“Alright, everyone! Start preparing!”

As soon as the ship arrived at the fishing grounds, the fishermen began moving about busily. Since this was a large vessel, their targets were apparently massive fish. A crane-like mechanism extended from the center of the ship, lowering an enormous baited hook into the sea. Naturally, the fishing line itself was just as thick.

“Hmm… Looking at this, the fishing rods we’ve been using seem kind of strange, don’t they?”

“Well, the materials are top-tier. Like that Metal Spider thread…”

It was already doing wonders for my shirts, not to mention its insane durability. With a fishing line that strong, there was no need to make it thicker.

“Oh.”

“What is it?”

“Something’s approaching the bait.”

“Huh…? Ah, you’re right.”

While my detection range was broader, Rio also possessed the Presence Detection skill. She could sense the large presence closing in on the bait.

We had caught plenty of these before, and they never seemed particularly cautious about taking the bait. Given how easily they could be caught, I found it odd that the ship’s equipment was so heavy-duty.

“This one seems warier than usual.”

“Yeah. Normally, they bite right away—or just try to eat us directly.”

“Haha, that’s true. I guess they won’t attack people on a large ship, though.”

When I was floating just above the water, those massive fish would easily come up from below to snap at me. Honestly, I could probably catch them without any bait at all.

“Oh, looks like it took the bait.”

A moment later, a heavy tug on the line sent the entire ship lurching.

“Whoa.”

“Ah—”

As Rio lost her balance, I caught her in my arms—and while I was at it, I took a moment to enjoy the feeling.

“Sheesh…”

“Haha, let’s stay focused. It’s almost time for us to step in.”

Just as I said that, Christoph gave us a warning.

Though I was keeping my guard up, I supposed it didn’t look that way.

“I don’t think we need to worry about them~? Even when they’re flirting, they don’t seem to let their guard down.”

“Alina, just because you can tell doesn’t mean others won’t misunderstand.”

“Ehehe, even if you compliment me like that…”

They suddenly started gazing at each other, creating their own little world. Shouldn’t they be the ones trying to look more professional?

“Well, let’s focus on our job.”

“…Right.”

Even as we talked, the ship continued to sway violently. The fishermen shouted as they struggled to reel in the giant fish.

The crane at the center of the ship whirred as it extended more and more of the thick fishing line. The hooked prey was fiercely pulling toward the ocean floor.

“If they pull too hard, the ship might capsize.”

“Yeah… Seems like reeling in a giant fish is harder than I thought.”

Two hours had passed since the fish took the bait.

“It’s still thrashing around… It sure has stamina.”

As I observed the still-rocking ship, I sensed something else approaching.

Multiple entities, heading straight for the ship.

“I detect multiple presences approaching.”

Over the past two hours, I had explained my detection abilities to the other six members of our escort. At this point, I could scan a dome-shaped area with a five-kilometer radius. Underwater, my range was slightly shorter, but if I focused solely on the sea, I could maintain that five-kilometer coverage.

“How many?”

Christoph called out, and I answered.

“Five.”

“Each about two to three meters in size. They don’t seem like fish, but I’m not sure what they are.”

“If they’re attacking now, they’re probably amphibian-type monsters.”

“Huh, there are monsters like that?”

“They’re D-rank monsters, but with only five of them, we should be fine.”

“Which side are they coming from?”

Kant smoothly drew his sword from its sheath.

“Port side, slightly to the rear.”

“Alright. Shu, keep up the surveillance. Nir, take one. Kant’s group, handle four. Rio and I will provide support.”

“Got it. Nir, I’m counting on you.”

“Woof!”

As Christoph quickly issued instructions, the others readied their weapons. Christoph drew his bow, Alina prepared her staff, and Rio cast a series of support spells on everyone. Some of them gasped at her speed, but no one let their attention waver from the enemy.

“I’ll open with a preemptive strike.”

Rio also conjured several Ice Needles around her, holding them at the ready.

“Here they come.”

She likely already knew, but I called it out for the others’ benefit. Then again, if her attack worked, none of us might even get a chance to fight.

A loud splash rang out as multiple creatures leapt from the water, attempting to board the ship. Just before they landed, Rio’s Ice Needles shot forward, piercing through their skulls and exiting out the other side.

“Fwah?!”

One monster collapsed to the deck without even twitching, leaving Kant’s group frozen mid-charge.

Looks like they weren’t needed after all.

“Uh… are there any other approaching monsters?”

Christoph, still holding his bow but looking somewhat lost, finally managed to ask a question.