Chapter 59: The Monster that Lurked Taking a deep breath, Xin mustered the courage to mount the crocodile. As he settled into the exotic saddle, the creature let out another low rumble, a sound that Xin interpreted as contentment.
It was an odd sensation, being atop a crocodile as his potential mount, but Xin couldn’t deny the thrill of the experience.
Feeling surprisingly comfortable on the croc’s back, Xin couldn’t help but wonder if these creatures were tamed or somehow enchanted to be friendly towards adventurers.
It was incredible to think that such a powerful and scary beast could be so gentle and cooperative.
It even has a name.
"Lucy?"
It let out another rumble as if acknowledging the name.
So it was a girl. Xin felt uncomfortable all of a sudden.
Curious about his new companion, Xin checked its status.
To his surprise, the crocodile did indeed have its own stats displayed in his interface. Its Strength (ST) and Constitution (CONS) were impressive, making it a formidable mount.
However, Xin noticed that it only possessed two skills: [Bite] and [Tail Swipe]. While not as extensive as some other creatures, it seemed that Lucy’s strength lay in her raw power.
Xin and Lucy boarded the makeshift raft, which barely resembled a boat at this point.
As they set off towards the rocky isles, the sight of floating carcasses of dolphins and sea turtles caught Xin’s attention.
He could tell that these creatures had been killed some time ago and were now carried by the currents, eventually ending up near the stone pillars.
With his WIS, Xin quickly assessed the situation and realized that these carcasses might attract scavenging airborne foes during the day, putting him at risk.
As if on cue, Xin spotted Giant Vultures circling high up in the sky. He knew that if he didn’t do anything with the carcasses, they wouldn’t bother him either.
Carefully navigating the raft, Xin rowed closer to the rocky islet and anchored the boat on one of the protruding rocks. He then mounted Lucy again, feeling the immediate benefits of her presence as he gained +10 in CONS and DEX.
"Let’s go," Xin said, gently guiding her around the treacherous rocks.
He remembered Drasta’s warning about the monster that inhabited these isles, hunting during the day and returning to the rocks at sunset.
Xin remained alert as he explored the area, keeping an eye out for any signs of the mysterious creature. The rocky isles were a complex maze of jagged stones and hidden passages, making it a challenge to navigate.
But Xin was determined to fulfill the quest and claim the reward offered by Drasta. Fortunately, Lucy seemed to have a good grip on the ground.
As Xin and Lucy continued to explore the rocky isles, they came upon a vast, open space surrounded by towering rocks.
In the center of the area lay a massive body of water, almost like a hidden lagoon enclosed by the rocky walls.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow across the landscape, something caught Xin’s eye in the water.
At first, he couldn’t believe what he was seeing. It was enormous, its hulking form stretching across the lagoon.
It was a Dragon Turtle, a legendary and rare creature, lay basking in the fading light. Its immense shell was covered in intricate patterns that seemed to shimmer and glimmer in the twilight.
The Dragon Turtle’s head was adorned with majestic horns and spines, and its eyes were an intense shade of amber, exuding an aura of ancient wisdom and power.
Its long neck gracefully arched as it lifted its head from the water, revealing a magnificent, bearded face.
Xin could see the intelligence in its eyes as if the creature understood him and everything around it.
The scales that adorned the Dragon Turtle’s body gleamed in shades of emerald and sapphire, reflecting the hues of the setting sun.
Its powerful flippers, the size of small boats, lazily swayed in the water. The creature’s long tail occasionally broke the surface, sending ripples across the tranquil lagoon.
Xin’s heart pounded. It was the first he saw a massive creature up close. The White Dragon had his body submerged, so he hadn’t gotten a closer look.
For a moment, Xin and Lucy remained still, observing the Dragon Turtle in its natural habitat. It seemed completely at peace, unfazed by their presence.
Xin checked its stats and was shocked to see that it was the same as the White Dragon.
What’s more, it had troublesome passive skills like if the creature took damage equal to 25% of its maximum hit points from a single damage source, it could move up to speed to the middle of the pillars and dive for cover.
It also had the Siege Monster trait, dealing double damage to objects and structures. So, that explained why the beast could damage the rocks and create giant waves that could even increase the water level that affect Seagull’s Nest.
How was he supposed to kill it? Let alone defeat it? Xin thought to himself.
As the last rays of sunlight disappeared beyond the cliffs, the Dragon Turtle let out a deep, resonating sound, almost like a contented sigh.
Xin’s mind raced, trying to figure out what he should do now. If he was going to engage that creature, he would be dead. No doubt about that.
Maybe it was best to abandon the quest and move on to the next. This was simply an impossible quest for him to complete.
"Let’s go back, Lucy," Xin said, guiding the crocodile away. He was about to leave the area when he heard his name being called.
"Lord Schrodinger."
Looking over, Xin was surprised to see that the lagoon suddenly rose and twirled mid-air until it formed a familiar figure.
"Elysia?"
It was the sea elf who he had met before that helped him reached the Reef Rider’s Hideout to get those oils.
"It really is Lord Schrodinger!" Elysia’s eyes shone with excitement. "It’s been a while. I thought that I would never see you again."