Unexpected

The complex sea conditions are the primary cause of accidents on crab fishing boats.

Even when everyone is on high alert, paying the utmost attention, a single small wave can sometimes trigger an accident.

Even with an experienced captain like Old George at the helm, capable of handling big waves and mindful of small ones, accidents can still strike suddenly and without warning.

In such moments, everyone must watch each other's backs, ready to support their shipmates at any time.

The unwritten rule at sea in the Western world has never been "sweep before your own door, don't mind others' frost on the roof." Instead, on the vast, boundless ocean, besides each other, there is only each other. If you don't help one another, who else will help you?

Thus, mutual aid and solidarity are crucial.

Working in this environment, Henry, though still trying his best to conceal his super strength and various superhuman abilities, couldn't help but be infected by the work atmosphere, lending a hand whenever someone needed it.

In the midst of everyone's frantic busyness, not many noticed whether the strength and speed Henry displayed exceeded normal human limits. As long as he didn't go overboard, he could still bluff his way through.

The closest he came to exposing his super strength was when a wave struck from the side, giving Annie No. 21 a moderate jolt.

At that moment, everyone was in the middle of hauling up a crab pot. The pot just lifted from the water was packed to the brim, and everyone was excited.

Because the captain had found a gathering spot for the crabs, several consecutive pots had been full, and no one was dissatisfied. An early full hold meant an early return to port and getting their hands on the money.

Just as the crab pot rose above the gunwale, a young crew member who had only this year shed the nickname "Greenie" was pulling the guide rope to shift the pot sideways, preparing to bring the heavy iron cage back onto the deck.

This sudden jolt shifted the pot's center of gravity, snapping one of the support ropes. Not only did the iron cage swing back over the sea, but it also threatened to swing outward.

At the same time, the young crew member had terrible luck—somehow, his arm got tangled in the guide rope. As the crab pot swung outward, he was either going to be dragged overboard with it or have his arm torn off.

In that critical moment, Henry grabbed the crab pot that was about to swing outward, braced both feet against the gunwale, and pretended to struggle to hold it up.

The young man's scream naturally drew everyone's attention. They all rushed over to help immediately.

Though the young man didn't get his arm torn off or get thrown into the sea, he was pulled down onto the deck by the rope. Someone quickly untangled his arm and pulled him aside.

Seeing the young man was being taken care of, the other veterans faced a choice: abandon this crab pot or try to save it.

To abandon it meant cutting all the ropes and letting the pot fall into the sea. To save it meant relying on Henry to hold on.

Just as they were about to cut the ropes and tell Henry to let go at the same time, the Kryptonian, putting on an act, didn't think twice and said through gritted teeth, "Can you guys reconnect the broken rope?"

"Greenie, hold on!" The veterans made a snap decision and launched a rescue operation.

Someone quickly hooked a spare rope to the crane, while another climbed onto the gunwale, with two people holding his feet from behind, ready to splice the broken rope.

Tying knots was almost second nature to these veterans. In a few breaths, they reconnected the broken rope with just the right length and shouted, "Henry, let go!"

The Kryptonian, not wanting to steal the spotlight, obediently let go. The reconnected rope instantly snapped taut, but the crab pot was finally secured, albeit slightly tilted.

Several people pulled the guide rope, working together to haul the pot onto the deck, then controlled the crane to set it down. Only when the pot landed safely did everyone breathe a sigh of relief.

Henry kept up the act, pretending his arms were sore and weak, leaning against the gunwale and panting heavily.

As for his hands, he was wearing gloves anyway. Whether he was injured or not, as long as he didn't say anything, no one could tell.

The young man whose arm had been tangled in the rope sat dazed by the cabin, still shaken. The rope had yanked him hard enough to cause some injury.

Though his arm could still bend and move, the muscle strain told him what had just happened was real.

Several veterans split up to check on the two, while others inspected the newly hauled crab pot. Even Old George, who had been at the helm, came running out.

He had seen everything that happened but hadn't had time to take command before the crew on deck resolved the situation.

Old George checked on both of them separately. He first examined the frightened young man, confirming his injury wasn't serious, before coming over to Henry.

Henry's condition had already been checked by a veteran, so Old George didn't ask again. He just patted Henry on the shoulder and said, "Good job. If it weren't for you, that kid might have lost his arm, even if he survived."

No one asked how Henry had managed to hold onto one corner of the crab pot. After all, only one of the four support ropes had snapped, causing a temporary imbalance—it wasn't as if Henry was bearing the entire weight of the pot and its catch alone.

If others had been standing nearby, their burst of strength in that moment might have been enough to hold it like Henry did.

In the dangerous environment of a crab boat, miraculous bursts of strength, though rare, weren't unheard of. Old George and the other veterans had experienced such narrow escapes before, so they didn't think much of it.

After confirming everyone was fine, Old George ordered, "Replace the broken rope with a new one. Everyone, give it your all. Once we finish hauling the King Crabs from this spot, we're heading back to port. As for you two, take ten minutes to rest. Can you handle that?"

Before the two could reply, an old crew member asked, "Captain, heading back this early?"

"The hold is already eighty percent full with King Crabs. We just pulled up a few pots from this spot; once we finish sorting them, I think the haul will be enough. We'll head back early so everyone can rest. Your pay won't be short."

"Alright, you're the boss. You call the shots."

Henry clapped his hands and said, "I'm fine. I don't need to rest." The other man stayed silent, still not recovered from the shock.

Old George didn't let Henry continue working. Instead, he told the man who had just saved someone, "I said ten minutes of rest, so it's ten minutes. While you're at it, go into the cabin and grab some whiskey. One glass for yourself, and one for that kid. He's pretty shaken up."

"Okay, boss." Henry didn't argue and went into the cabin without protest.

The other veterans didn't gossip about the two rookies getting extra rest time. They just kept working on the crab hauling. If they wanted to get back to port early, everyone had to pull their weight—there was no time for petty scheming.

New book requesting follow-up reads, collections, recommendations, thank you~~