Buffeted by Wind and Rain
Linsey placed one foot on the edge of the raft and squinted.
The commotion at sea intensified.
How could he dare to conserve resources now?
Linsey then not only laid planks to expand the raft into a submarine-like enclosed structure, but also used the [Hand of Construction] ability to plate it with iron plates and reinforce it with the [Survival Construction] module skill.
Boom—
Thunder roared, and the dark sky drew ever closer.
After Linsey reinforced the boat, he looked out through the pre-drilled window:
"Storm, thunder..."
The ship's construction should be sufficient to withstand the impact of waves.
But in a storm, it's never just the waves that launch the attack.
Wala Wala also crowded to the window:
"5 minutes... no, it should be 3 minutes! Linsey, we're about to go in!"
Ala Song then reached out and tapped the hull.
This enclosed 'submarine' appears to be made of iron wrapped in wood.
But when you actually tap it, it gives a completely different sound feedback, which doesn't match any of the materials Ala Song had researched.
The one-armed painter spoke in a subtle tone:
"I don't doubt that this thing can withstand seawater, but what if lightning from the sky strikes down too?"
Linsey began:
"Generally speaking, lightning strikes at sea will conduct to deeper waters. Unless there's a sudden sideways movement or something similar, there shouldn't be any danger on board..."
As the dark clouds drew ever closer, Linsey changed her mind halfway through:
"Of course, we can't expect this guy to be anything normal."
"..."
Ala Song and Wala Wala looked at each other, neither of them having any good means of defense against lightning.
"All right."
"I think I can still think of a way."
At this point, Linsey naturally stepped forward.
He brought out the Workbench, took out several Iron Ingot, and made Lightning Rod and Faraday cages, which were then placed on the ship.
During this process, he also collected the quest rewards from [Hallucination World Lost Path].
[Oddity/Material: Nautilus]
[Once equipped, it provides underwater vision and hearing, as well as the ability to move freely at depths of up to 20,000 meters; it can also be used as a material to craft other tools.]
[A magical conch shell, reasonably priced.]
[Rare Item: Dream Paint (Blue)]
[Using this pigment in painting will bring the scenes to life like a film; using it in writing will influence the course of one's destiny.]
"Write your destiny, paint your future!"
"The story is made up of coincidences and fantasy, and I will depict it!"
"Come with me, you who are weary of the known world, for here we have a new heaven and a new earth!"
[Special pigments are highly valuable.]
Of the two reward items, Linsey was particularly interested in the latter's effect.
Using the [Dream Paint] to create art can surprisingly influence the course of one's destiny in reality.
Doesn't that mean you can change your fate at crucial moments, like in "Final Destination" or "Death Note"?
"You only get one chance, so use it wisely."
Linsey reminded herself to put away the [Dream Paint].
As for the former—
The underwater mobility provided by the Nautilus can also be provided by Linsey's other equipment. However, this thing also has underwater vision and hearing, further enhancing its underwater mobility.
Let's take another look at the crafting list using the Nautilus as a material.
[1 Nautilus + 1 Jellyfish Pearl + 1 Sea Turtle Shell = the Magical Conch]
"The Magical Conch..."
Linsey almost started singing the opening theme of SpongeBob.
However, when his gaze shifted to other composite entries, an even stronger premonition arose in his heart.
[1 Forest Brooch + 1 Surging Tide Conch + 1 Sky Compass = Ecosystem Radar]
This Magical Conch
It is very likely one of the materials used to craft the [Surging Tide Conch].
Linsey packed up the equipment.
He casually placed two Source Flame to provide lighting.
Looking back into the ship, Linsey found the atmosphere to be frighteningly somber.
Wala Wala and Ala Song remained silent.
Even if you have the courage to face challenges.
But when such a colossal Eighth Stage entity lies before you, the corresponding fear inevitably follows.
Especially considering that they are powerless to do anything about it, and so far, all the actions have been led by Linsey!
"..."
Wala Wala and Ala Song are artists.
As the dark storm loomed overhead, Linsey came up with a way to inspire artists.
He cleared his throat and began to recite a prose poem he had kept in his heart for a long time—"The Stormy Petrel".
"On the vast sea, the wind whips up dark clouds. Between the clouds and the sea, the Stormy Petrel, like a black lightning bolt, soars proudly..."
This is the cry of the prophet of victory:
"Let the Storm rage on!"
No matter how strong the Eighth Stage Awakened are, how could they possibly suppress the indomitable fighting spirit of the revolutionary pioneers?
Linsey's recitation skills cannot be described as expressive and moving.
But Wala Wala and Ala Song, with their sensitive artistic hearts, felt the strong emotions within these poems.
The gloom on their faces vanished instantly.
His chest heaved with excitement, and his eyes shone brightly.
"Linsey, did you write this?"
"This was written by a great poet, and I just feel it's very suitable for the current situation."
"If you have the chance, you must introduce me to him!"
"..."
"In any case, thank you for the encouragement."
Boom!
Just then.
Linsey and his crew sailed into the storm on their own, carried by the Wind of Freedom.
A bolt of lightning struck, hitting their ship, but was guided by the Lightning Rod and Faraday cage to the surrounding seawater, completely escaping harm to the three people inside the vessel.
boom--
Then, the waves crashed down.
The iron plates covering the outside of the boat crackled and popped, while the wooden structure inside creaked and groaned.
The waves surged and raged, boundless and vast, like the hand of fate of a giant.
Although the small boat was sturdy, it was completely unable to control itself in the face of the power of heaven and earth.
The space within it is reversed according to the direction, and left and right are indistinguishable.
Like sand and gravel being eroded by a flowing stream.
Linsey and her two companions were naturally thrown about by the impact.
The ship protected them from the sea and lightning, but it could not eliminate the powerful force of the crashing waves!
"Wala Wala, Ala Song, come closer to me!"
Linsey shouted.
He seized the opportunity and struggled to control his body.
He pulled out Corrupted Strain Spiderweb he had collected long ago.
Spider silk from Devil Beast ensures its strength.
These white silk threads were laid directly inside the boat, finally securing the three people's bodies and preventing them from hitting the surrounding walls.
The sound of the waves almost filled the cabin, so Linsey had to shout:
"Hold on!"
"Our safety is not an issue for the time being."
"Now we need to figure out how to break through the storm and find the location of that giant whirlpool!"
"..."
"Adores, why did you betray me?"
"You heartless man, die!"
As Linsey finished speaking, a long, eerie shout echoed from the sea.
Then it was right in front of the three of them.
The pale, ghostly figure of the young girl passed through the ship's hull like a phantom and rushed directly into the interior of their vessel!