Gravity Mage with Level-Up System Chapter 1930: Part 2: Eel Monsters

Deep Blue Sea

A cacophony of spell attacks jolted me awake within the Gregor Mansion. Opening my eyes, I realized I had dozed off directly in front of the control mirror. A quick glance revealed the unfolding chaos outside, the darkness illuminated by monstrous figures visible only within the mirror's reflection. I activated the system's probe function.

[Ding! Sea Eel Monsters. One of the dangerous sea creatures.]

The system's voice echoed in my mind, and a wave of relief washed over me. Being here had certainly saved me from a series of sleepless nights. Deciding I'd seen enough, I stood and retreated to my room for some much-needed sleep.

Outside

Boom!

A continuous, thunderous noise persisted as over a hundred monsters, ranging from lower-middle to middle-upper order, were felled. However, the true threat, the 9th and 10th Order Eel Monsters, had yet to make their appearance, and the wizards were already showing signs of exhaustion. Reluctant to deplete their reserves entirely, they found themselves in a precarious situation if the onslaught continued.

Old Man Gary observed the scene, his lips tightening. He knew most of the combatants hailed from influential backgrounds, and any harm befalling them would undoubtedly trigger investigations by their powerful backing forces, likely involving Fate Wizards. He wished to avoid such complications.

"Alright, everyone. Take a well-deserved rest for now," he announced to the weary group.

A collective sigh of relief swept through the wizards.

Boom!

In the ensuing second, a shimmering blue layer enveloped the ship. The activation of the protective shield was immediately apparent, signaling a brief reprieve. Exhausted, the wizards slumped onto the deck, some immediately assuming a cross-legged position to meditate and recover their mana.

Before long, a few passengers began to notice the conspicuous absence of the masked man, who had previously caught their attention. They had never witnessed him engage in any combat, and their curiosity, initially leading some to consider a direct confrontation, turned to surprise when he simply didn't appear.

Driven by their intrigue, several wizards decided to investigate the cabin rooms, assuming he might be resting. A flicker of annoyance ignited in their eyes at the thought. However, to their utter astonishment, the cabins were completely empty. A thorough search of all other rooms yielded the same result – they were vacant. The wizards were dumbfounded. Their investigation extended to the storerooms and the operator's room, where the pilot and other crew members expressed equal shock. They soon discovered that one of the passengers had indeed vanished. The news spread like wildfire, leaving everyone in a state of bewildered shock.

How could the masked man have disappeared without a trace? There had been no signs of a struggle or any conflict among the passengers. It was only the second night, and he was gone. Fear and confusion rippled through the crowd.

Murmurs and hushed conversations began to fill the air, replacing the efforts to replenish mana with rampant gossip. The incessant chatter soon reached the ears of Old Man Gary, who had been intently scanning the vast expanse of the sea, his attention undivided until that moment. The persistent noise finally broke his concentration, and he turned towards the deck, inquiring about the commotion.

He quickly grasped the situation: the passengers had realized the masked man was missing. Gary understood that revealing the truth – that the masked man might be dead – would incite widespread panic. Therefore, he opted for a deception.

"The masked man is one of our secret forbidden wizards, tasked with protecting the ship. Do you think a single Forbidden Wizard is sufficient to safeguard this vessel?" Gary declared, his voice carrying across the deck.

A wave of comprehension washed over most of the passengers. However, the locals, including the wizards from Blue Falls City who were familiar with the Montex Shipping Company's operations, reacted differently. They knew the company typically employed only one guardian per vessel. Furthermore, some had witnessed the Masked Man conversing with the Young Master of the Patrick Family and Manager Robert at the port.

These individuals were certain the masked man was not merely a guardian. They suspected something untoward had happened to him, possibly at the hands of Guardian Gary himself. The locals wisely chose to remain silent, unwilling to provoke Guardian Gary, especially in this confined environment where a single misstep could prove fatal. They resolved to let the matter rest.

Old Man Gary paid no mind to the locals, confident in their silence. His gaze returned to the sea.

Time marched on.

Daylight broke, and the wizards retreated to their cabins, though some remained on deck. Surprisingly, the night had passed without any further attacks from the eel monsters. The peaceful night had allowed most to fully recover their mana.

Inside the Gregor Mansion, I awoke from my slumber and proceeded with my morning ablutions. Subsequently, I made my way back to the control mirror.

The bright daylight streamed through the ocean's surface, penetrating the depths. My thoughts immediately turned to the blue water pearl. Retrieving this treasure, which granted the ability to breathe underwater, I prepared myself. It seemed like the opportune moment to conduct my investigation. However, a lingering concern remained: could Guardian Gary detect my movements with his mental power?

Then, I resolved to take the plunge.

Swoosh!

I materialized outdoors, perched atop the anchor, plunging into the ocean's embrace. As the seawater enveloped me, the blue water pearl nestled in my palm pulsed with infused mana.

Instantly, the pearl sprang to life, unfurling a cerulean barrier around me. Water was violently repelled, leaving a pocket of breathable air within. My usual respiration returned.

A radiant grin stretched across my face.

Soon, schools of sizable fish darted past. Without hesitation, I snagged a few, swiftly tucking them away into the system space.

After securing fifty more, I returned to the sanctuary of the system space. Within the cool blue grid, the diverse bounty of fish lay upon the ground.

I could sense the potent mana emanating from their forms, a treasure trove of rich nutrients. I resolved to prepare a feast right here and indulge.

Meanwhile, on the surface...

Old Man Gary sensed a disturbance. The marine life was in disarray, a tell-tale sign of a new predator lurking in these waters.