It was dusk.
A huge freighter sailed slowly along a North Sea shipping route. It was the [Serpent's Hand] freighter that had just left the port of Rotterdam.
Clang-
A violent jolt traveled from the stern through the entire ship. Many aboard felt the distinct shaking. Bark, the leader of the [Serpent's Hand], changed into formal clothes and hurried to the bridge.
"What happened?" Bark asked the captain anxiously.
"We probably ran aground," the captain replied with remarkable calm.
"I've already sent people to measure the tide and check the surrounding depth. They'll inspect the hull for damage. If the grounding is minor, the ship should still be able to move, but we'll need to head for shallow water as soon as possible and inspect the entire hull. If we find any leaks, we'll have to pump out the water and plug them to prevent sinking," the captain continued.
Bark checked his watch. It was exactly 18:00. To reach the next [Inhibitor Field] on schedule, they would have to depart before 19:00.
"Tell your people to hurry. Make sure they determine the extent of the hull damage within an hour."
"All right."
On the freighter's deck.
Several crew members in diving suits switched on their headlamps and used the ship's lift to descend to the water's surface. Once there, they began diving.
Bubbles gurgled upward from their breathing tubes as they kicked their flippers and swam toward the bottom of the ship.
The round beams from their headlamps fell upon nearby coral, which glowed with a stunning, otherworldly luster in the light.
The divers soon reached the underside of the ship. They discovered there were no reefs beneath it at all, only sea anemones nearby, with red-and-white clownfish swimming leisurely around them.
There was nothing here, so why...
Just as