Beneath the deep blue ocean surface, faint shadows could be seen swimming.
"Demon attack, everyone prepare for defense!"
Fern, beside Gauss, was not as calm as he was.
Because although many demon attacks might not mean much for someone like Gauss whose physical fitness far surpasses ordinary people, for regular people, a moment’s carelessness and a weapon could pierce their heart, throat, or other vulnerable parts, resulting in death.
We cannot afford to be careless.
"Ooooo——"
Amidst the endless white waves, a chilling low sound of a sinister horn resounded.
On the sea surface, sharp fins emerged.
"It’s the Shasha Fish People."
Fern’s eagle-like gaze penetrated the sea surface, finally identifying the enemy’s race.
"Hmm."
Gauss nodded.
Information about the Shasha Fish People appeared in his mind.
The Shasha Fish People, also known as "Sea Devils" by coastal residents.
From this nickname alone, one can judge the habits of this race.
The Shasha Fish People are a predatory fish-like race, active across all the world’s oceans, whether in the deep sea, coastal shallow waters, or even seaside villages.
Because of their faith, they have a close relationship with sharks, training them as partners; even wild sharks consider Shasha Fish People allies, not foes.
Similar to aquatic goblins, both are limitedly amphibious, able to breathe in air and water.
However, goblins must leave the water and return to air after a certain time underwater to avoid suffocation, whereas Shasha Fish People are the opposite, needing to return to water after a period on land.
Of course, the similarity is that both are regarded as evil creatures by coastal residents.
Gauss drew his rapier, the Zephyr.
Fern glanced at him; if he remembered correctly, Gauss had just introduced himself as a mage.
But now wasn’t the time for chatting.
"Find shelter to avoid!"
Sharp bone spears thrown from all directions forced the sailors to temporarily hide behind the ship’s railing or cargo crates.
Not everyone could catch a bone spear barehanded like Gauss could.
Even as a professional, Fern couldn’t do it.
His reflexes at most allowed him to dodge, but precisely catching it was another level altogether.
Under the suppression of bone spears, hooks of ropes latched onto the ship’s railing.
Then, one by one, Shasha Fish People grabbed the ropes and quickly climbed up, stepping on the ship’s surface.
"Cut the hook ropes! Don’t let them up!"
First mate Leighton drew the curved blade at his waist and rushed towards a rope hooked on the port side.
With a swift white flash of his blade, the rope was precisely severed, sending several Fish People plummeting into the sea.
Other sailors also attempted to cut the hook ropes, using the ship’s railing as cover.
Gauss saw this scene and hesitated.
After some thought, he still said nothing.
Actually, he thought letting the Shasha Fish People board the ship would be more efficient for him.
This idea flashed through his mind quickly.
Because for Fern and the other sailors, who had never truly witnessed his strength and had had no prior coordination, it was natural for them to instinctively adopt what they believed to be the correct strategy.
That was to avoid letting the enemy board as much as possible, otherwise, once caught in a melee, the risk of losing the ship would sharply increase.
Besides, even if Gauss believed this strategy right, was it really right?
In the end, it would only mean jeopardizing others to prove it.
Considering this, he refrained from intervening with commands.
However, even though the sailors reacted swiftly, the Fish People operated in seamless coordination.
Many Fish People still managed to swiftly climb onto the deck, using the cover of bone spears.
When the Shasha Fish People climbed onboard, their ferocious features were clearly laid bare before Gauss.
They were slightly shorter than average humans but had sturdy, powerful bodies with streamlined muscle shapes, evidently well-suited for underwater combat.
Their bodies were covered not with smooth scales but with a certain rough, dark green skin.
Their heads were ugly fish heads, with a snout protruding forward; their gaping mouths almost split behind their gills, filled with several rows of backward-curving, shark-like sharp triangular teeth.
This structure made it difficult to escape once bitten.
In terms of limbs and trunk, they possessed humanoid limbs, with relatively long upper limbs and webbings between their fingers, with fingertips ending in bone-spur-like claws, while their lower limbs were robust and agile.
A row of sharp dorsal fins extended from the back of their necks to their tailbones, and a strong, powerful fish-tail grew behind their tailbones.
The Shasha Fish People boarding the ship almost all carried sharp bone spears or bone knives, with protective armor made of tough shells around their shoulders, waists, and chests.
"Prepare to fight!"
Fern ordered.
However, Gauss acted even before he gave his order.
Before he even spoke, Gauss had already shot forward like an arrow leaving the bowstring.
The itch to exercise his skills after accepting the commission was not an idle remark.
He had just mastered a technique called the White Falcon Swordsmanship, so how could he not want to showcase its power in actual combat?
As for the previous practice with Adelle, it held no significance.
Both knew they couldn’t truly unleash their full power, and it was more of a warm-up spar.