Survivors

The air was muggy, and indistinct cries for help drifted on the faintly salty sea breeze.

Xia Lun looked up at the enormous ship.

The lead-gray sky was gloomy and oppressive. Against that murky backdrop, the shattered ship resembled a shadowy demonic lair. The dark gray reef leading to its hull looked like a one-way bridge into a lightless abyss, while the breach torn open where the reef had pierced the ship resembled a gaping maw ready to devour anyone who approached.

"Is anyone still alive? Help us!"

As he surveyed the ship, another anxious, muffled cry reached him on the wind, but Xia Lun paused briefly to weigh his options.

The timing of those cries was rather convenient—before he climbed over the reef, he had heard nothing, yet the moment he mounted it, the cries began.

It could be an evil spirit calling for help. I need to be careful, Xia Lun thought, silently raising his guard. But whether it's an evil spirit or not, I still need supplies and information about the Scenario, so I have to board the ship.

If it's an evil spirit that can communicate but isn't very strong, I could try subduing it and taming it to work for me.

With that thought, he stopped hesitating and manifested his weapons. Gun in his left hand and sword in his right, he followed the Reef Bridge toward the stranded vessel.

Whoosh—crash!

A gale swept over him, strong enough to make his footing on the reef unsteady. The gloomy gray clouds in the distance gathered into banks of black storm clouds, and the sky grew darker still.

The waves below became increasingly violent, their dull roar booming around him.

After roughly three minutes, Xia Lun crossed the narrow, slippery Reef Bridge and jumped down onto the