All-Master Player Of The Academy [EN]: Chapter 178

◈ Chapter 178

89. Ghost Ship – 2

With each step he took on the waves, mana spread out, propelling him forward.

Using that recoil, he leaped again, spreading mana to step on the water once more.

His speed across the crimson sea was comparable to running on solid ground.

Thus, Ian swiftly reached the ship, which was quite a distance from Emerald Beach.

The ship was situated at the border where the red sea met the blue sea.

-Splash!!

Pushing off strongly from the waves, he jumped high, and the ship came into clear view.

It was a dilapidated sailboat, seemingly on the verge of sinking, just as he had envisioned.

Upon hearing Kirke’s report, Ian launched himself into the air and landed on the ship’s bow. As he stepped aboard, the ghosts that had been concealed slowly materialized.

“Kkeureuk. Kkeureureuk.”

And they weren’t alone.

Creatures with human-like bodies but octopus-like suction cups on their legs were also present.

Kirke identified them as a species not documented in the Academy’s records.

Dark energy pulsed around the merfolk’s bodies.

This black energy was unmistakably the power of dark magic, evident to anyone.

“Were they captured and corrupted using dark magic?”

“Dark magic is magic fueled by demonic power. So, a demon is responsible for their condition.”

-Chirrreureureuk!!

As Ian spoke, the merfolk surged toward him, brandishing weapons.

The moment they leaped with rusty swords and spears, he swung his sword in a wide arc.

Those struck by the black energy emanating from the sword were flung back, either plunging into the sea or crashing against the ship’s railings.

Despite this, the enemies showed no fear of Ian.

They relentlessly attempted to surround him.

“Stop!! What do you think you’re doing?!”

-Kwaddeudeuk!!

The door creaked open.

Emerging from within was a skeleton clad in tattered captain’s attire.

He appeared startled to see Ian wielding a sword.

“Incredible! A living person on this ship!! Hey! Bring the rum!!”

After a moment, another skeleton emerged from the interior, carrying a bottle.

The skeleton captain snatched it eagerly and held it aloft.

“Care for a sip?”

“I don’t drink. And what’s in there doesn’t look like alcohol.”

The skeleton captain exaggeratedly moved his jaw, then uncorked the bottle and poured its contents into his mouth.

Seawater, not alcohol, trickled down his bony throat.

“Keuha~! As expected, rum is the drink for a true seaman.”

“That’s not rum; it’s seawater.”

He completely ignored Ian’s comment.

Instead, he spoke in a smooth tone.

“But who are you?”

“I’m Ian Brandon. Let me ask you the same. What are you?”

The skeleton captain’s red eyes glowed intensely within their sockets.

“I am the great seafarer, Kalim Varis.”

“Who?”

“Good heavens! You’ve never heard of Kalim Varis?”

But one day, after setting sail, he vanished without a trace.

Historical records only mention that he perished in a storm or encountered sea monsters.

Ian examined him, tilting his head slightly.

Between the exposed white ribs visible through the tattered coat,

something bound by black chains was embedded where his heart should have been.

“A curse?”

“……How did you know?”

“Well, most wizards would recognize it… Anyway, that curse. It seems to be fueled by dark magic.”

“Haa. Yes. It happened long ago. I set out to hunt a Kraken and encountered a damned bastard.”

“A damned bastard?”

“The great demon Clard, who had established his dominion over the sea. A follower of Rurin of Jealousy.”

“Oh. And then?”

As Ian showed interest, he gnashed his teeth.

“He attacked us using the Kraken and Sea Serpents.”

Ultimately, after being defeated by Clard, he was subjugated and forced to serve as the demon’s subordinate.

“Damn it! I want it to end!! I want to get off this ship that isn’t even mine!!”

“Ah. This isn’t your ship?”

“No. This ship. This cursed ghost ship, the Black Coffin. It’s a ship Clard created for me.”

“Can’t you just leave?”

“This ship requires a captain.”

The Black Coffin.

This ship, known as the Black Coffin, could freely navigate the sea and even submerge beneath the waves.

Furthermore, it possessed the ability to transform those who died at sea into undead, making them its crew.

It was a ship of immense power, but it had a significant drawback.

“This ship is an invincible vessel, but it’s also an invincible prison. Unless Clard is destroyed, those of us bound to this ship cannot truly die!!”

Filled with rage, he shouted desperately.

As he yelled, the skeleton crew and ghosts also displayed their anguish.

The merfolk shared the same sentiment.

They wept tears of blood and bared their chests.

They, too, bore the same chains in their chests as Kalim.

Ian, observing their cries for freedom, asked in an indifferent tone.

“Did you attack the Train Valt [a small transport ship] recently?”

“If you’re referring to the sailboat that travels between Emerald Island and Emerald Beach, it wasn’t us.”

“Then do you know who did it? There was a residue of malice left on the ship.”

“Hmm…….”

Kalim scratched his head, which was just a skull, and then his eyes brightened.

“I heard that Rurin of Jealousy was defeated recently. And I also heard that other demons are moving to attack Clard, who was under his command.”

“So?”

“We act according to Clard’s orders. In other words, another demon might have created another ghost ship to provoke us and lure out Clard.”

Ghost ships need crew members.

So, to acquire those crew members, they might have attacked the Train Valt and captured its crew.

“Why would we attack humans? Our target is the merfolk.”

“It’s rather ironic for an undead to say that. Anyway, let’s assume that’s the case. But do you know why this sea has turned so red?”

“That? It’s the merfolk’s doing. They did it to prevent us from approaching.”

“Hmm?”

“Clard ordered it. He told us to retrieve the Tyrant’s Pearl that the merfolk possess. Because of that, the merfolk stained the sea to stop us.”

This ship cannot enter waters tainted with merfolk blood.

Especially not with malicious intent.

“Honestly, I think it’s a futile effort. Clard has also gained control of the sea monsters. Even if we stop them, how can we possibly stop the monsters?”

He spoke bluntly, but the red light in his eye sockets seemed to betray a sense of longing.

“You don’t want to do it?”

“Of course not. I’m a sailor, after all. To sailors, merfolk are like guides who show the way.”

When he was alive, he always maintained a good relationship with the merfolk.

But now that he’s forced to attack them, how could he possibly be happy about it?

“Of course, my appetite has completely vanished since I became like this.”

He rose from the old, rickety box he had been sitting on.

“Anyway, it’s nice to talk to a living person after so long.”

He opened the door to the captain’s cabin.

“Go back quickly before you become bound to this ship as well. But where’s the ship you arrived on? We can’t take you back to land.”

“I simply ran here. And one more thing. Where is Clard?”

“Hoo. We’d love to know where that guy is. That bastard only gives orders through monsters and never shows his face. Hey!! Turn the ship around! We’re heading back for now!”

Kalim slowly shook his head and entered the captain’s cabin.

After a moment, the ship slowly began to submerge into the sea.

Ian, witnessing this, disembarked and watched the Black Coffin vanish beneath the waves.

“Kirke.”