Chapter 340: SerpenTine

Chapter 340: SerpenTine

The merchant smiled thinly at the sound of money, but as he was turned around, his reaction was hidden from Gerald. When he rotated back, his face carried an expression of surprise.

"Oh, what is this?" He quickly grabbed the money pouch and opened it up where he was greeted by the glint of golden coins. "A most generous offer Here, this should help you."

The man handed over a vial of some kind of oil. Gerald took it and looked at it skeptically. "What is this?" he asked. The liquid inside had a weird medicinal smell.

"It's the sunscreen, of course," the man answered smiling like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "You will need it if you plan really plan on hunting a Phoenix. The rocky wastes of the Great Desert are unforgiving under the scorching summer sun. Hehehe"

Gerald felt like he was being mocked, and just as a thought of violence entered his mind, the guy in question became serious.

"Let me tell you a story since you plan on hunting the sacred bird of flames" the man began. "Every ten years or so, hunters like you, from all parts of the continent, travel through this town on their way to the Great Desert across the Emerald Sea."

"They are all strong, greedy, and arrogant, just like you. They like to push people around, boasting of their great deeds on the mainland Hah!" The man smiled mockingly, his visage turning to one of twisted pleasure as he told the tale.

"Thousands come, forming a horde. All in the search of the elusive Phoenix!" He nearly spat out the last word, cackling as he went on, "And them march into the desert, woefully underprepared, for they know not of the beasts that lurk under the sands."

"And even if the worms don't devour them, the sun will drain them dry in hours. After weeks of wandering and deadly battles, they stumble back, with a few drops of blood." His words flowed like a river and were enchanting to listen to.

"None managed to slay the sacred beast, even until now. Though many have claimed to have done it, the Phoenix never dies." The man stopped his story and then looked at Gerald with a serious gaze This chapter is updated by nov(e)(l)biin.com

"Anyway, if you plan on wandering into the desert, I have here a few things you might need!" Not losing any time, the man quickly dragged a crate from beneath his stall and started showing off various things needed for desert survival.

"Piss off! All that was a sales pitch?!" Gerald stormed off before the crazy man could even finish showing off his wares.

"Sir, please wait! I have hats! Sandals for the desert sands! Cloaks for cold nights! Even worm repellent! Sir!"

But the shouts fell on deaf ears. Gerald had enough of this place. He went back to the ship and decided to take a short nap until it was time to set sail.

***

Gerald was woken up sometime later when the shouts became too loud just as the ship was about to set sail.

He rubbed his eyes and went to the deck to get some fresh air. The sun was high in the sky, but the cool sea breeze made it nice and comfortable. He removed his clothes so that only his pants remained, and basked in the summer sun.

The head, large enough to fit a bear inside it with ease, had three large blue eyes on each side, and teeth like spears that could skewer an elephant.

As it swam closer, the sailors held their breath. The ship was deathly silent, each person alone with their thoughts and fears. A fight in the middle of the Emerald sea would be a disaster. No matter if they won or lost, it wouldn't be worth it for either party. The best thing that would happen was to avoid a battle and bloodshed.

Then it happened, the Sea Serpent bumped the side of the ship with its massive body, and the large merchant vessel shook violently and leaned to one side.

A few people screamed in panic as they flailed around to get a hold of something to stop themselves from sliding helplessly.

"Hold on!" the captain of the guards shouted. He was holding onto a railing, just above the serpent's back where the ship was struck. "Don't move a muscle! Wait for my signal!"

The ballistas were aimed down towards the spine of the Sea Serpent. The powerful weapon carried two meters long iron bolts coated with poison. It was the perfect opportunity to strike!

"Hold it!" the captain shouted again as the ship shook once more, this time even more violently. Creaking of wood could be heard from down below, and the people on top felt as if they hit an underground rock as the ship leaned to the other side and was pushed slightly of course.

Everybody held their breath, waiting for their leader's order.

But it never came.

The Sea Serpent bumped the merchant vessel a few more times as it swam, pushing it out of its way, and continued on its path across the Emerald Sea.

Shaken and sweating in fear, the men gradually allowed themselves to breathe out a sigh of relief as the beast disappeared behind the waves.

"That was a close one," one of the younger sailors gasped and collapsed on the floor. One wrong move and they would have been goners.

"Thank Innos for our captain! I would have definitely shot if it wasn't for his nerves of steel," a guard commented. His hands holding on to the ballista were still shaking like mad.

"A brave man indeed," Gerald agreed. Even he left some tightness in his chest when the giant creature bumped into them, and he could fly! He couldn't even imagine what the rest must have felt, having their safety challenged so aggressively. If the ship sunk, they would all die. It was a terrifying thought for sure.

"Stop moping around you scared little chickens!" the captain of the ship came from his cabin shouting, seemingly fine even after such a close call. "Go check if we are taking water! That second strike didn't sound too good. It would be a real tragedy if we sunk after surviving an encounter with a Sea Serpent!"

"Yes, sir!" the workers quickly followed orders, some of them running below the deck to assess the damage, while the rest went to check on the cargo and fix anything that might have fallen out of place.

Gerald decided to be on guard for the rest of the journey, just in case.