On the deck of the Sea Swallow.
Colin gazed at the sea domain behind him, illuminated by the bright moonlight shining from the high-hanging moon.
The dark, ink-like sea surface behind him had fewer black monster silhouettes than before.
Yet, his heart didn't feel the slightest bit of relief.
In his field of vision, he could clearly see three black monsters, clearly larger than the others by more than one size, swimming toward the shore—also heading in the Sea Swallow's direction.
With a rough estimate based on his sight, the body length of these three black monsters was at least five meters!
Their joined legs, resembling the tails of fish, propelled them forward with powerful thrusts.
Dark waves churned, and the three black monsters shot through the water like arrows released from their bows.
Black monsters slightly smaller in size moved out of the way as if they were approaching their king, hastily parting to the left and right and bowing their heads low in the water, almost burying their faces.
Some unlucky creatures that didn't veer away in time were, upon collision with the three black leaders, dissolved as if licked by flames—effortlessly melting away and then transforming into black mist absorbed by the leaders.
The whole process was silent and swift.
It was at this moment that Colin noticed those black monsters had more than just crimson twin eyes...
Beneath that pair of blood-red eyes was a huge, pitch-black maw.
Those unlucky black monsters, now in anguish, suddenly opened their massive jaws wide, emitting a silent scream. Between their upper and lower lips, like pulled silk, was a connection of countless sticky black threads.
The black creature leaders swam silently forward.
Judging by their momentum, these three black leaders were at least as strong as a First Rank Wizard!
Swish!
The Foolishness Scepter, adorned with dark golden patterns, appeared in Colin's right hand.
His expression turned grave, and he felt a touch of relief inside.
This was a U-shaped harbor, with only one path leading out to sea... it was precisely the direction from which the black monsters were attacking.
It was fortunate he had not rashly chosen to set sail earlier; otherwise, the Sea Swallow would undoubtedly have collided head-on with these three black leaders, comparable to Official Wizards!
Although the witchcraft he cast with the Foolishness Scepter could barely reach the level of an Official Wizard,
he was, after all, only an Advanced Wizard Apprentice, not a real Official Wizard.
If he were to contend with these three black leaders, it would likely still not be enough.
"Go back to your rooms," he instructed Mod and the Renee sisters in a low voice, turning his head.
Then he walked swiftly alone toward the captain's cabin at the top, his face somber.
"...Yes, Master." Renee glanced at the black leaders, then at Colin's retreating back, pressed her lips together, and turned to head below deck.
Mod did not hesitate; following Colin's directive, he quickly made his way below deck.
He could see that their situation was dire; his heart was anxious, but he felt powerless and could only hope that Colin would manage to lead them to safety.
On the other hand, Colin had already arrived at the captain's cabin.
He quickly placed his right hand on the pale blue control nexus crystal of the Sea Demon's Heart, concentrated his spirit, and slowly infused his Magic Power.
Whash—Whash—!
Not far away, the sound of the waves caused by the swimming of the three black leaders was already clearly audible.
As they moved, the dark waves kept crashing against the Sea Swallow, and the strong impact made the ship shake continuously.
Colin stole a glance at the three approaching black leaders.
The silver moonlight draped their exposed, fierce backs above the deep blue sea with a faint silver sheen.
Turning his gaze away, he parted his lips slightly and breathed out a faint breath.
"Lower the Protective Shield's defense intensity; use all the Magic Power for the Protective Shield's camouflage!"
He controlled the Sea Demon's Heart, pushing the Sea Swallow's stealth capability to the extreme!
A wave of invisible Spiritual Light flashed by, and the Sea Swallow suddenly became even more inconspicuous.
From the perspective of the black monsters, it was like a most ordinary piece of reef.
After doing this, Colin turned his head once more to watch those three distinctly different black monsters...
Although the effects of the stealthy Witch Array were excellent, his heart still lacked confidence.
Clasping the Foolishness Scepter tightly in his hand and feeling the scepter's feedback from its metal-wood surface, his face gradually calmed.
Whash—Whash—!
The black leaders were getting closer and closer to the Sea Swallow.
Under the moonlight, Colin could even see clearly the fine patterns on their bodies, which resembled mud and gelatin.
Clang—Clang—
Various moving parts inside the Sea Swallow rattled lightly due to the collision caused by the surging waves.
But the sound was confined by the invisible Witch Array, echoing inside the ship and not leaking out at all.
Soon after, the black leaders came alongside the ship... and seemed to continue swimming forward without any reaction.
Colin let out a slight sigh of relief.
But the next second,
the black leader at the center suddenly stopped and reared its head in a silent roar.
A portion of the slightly smaller black monsters nearby, as if receiving some command, turned and fixed their crimson eyes on the Sea Swallow.
The next second.
Whoosh!
They rapidly swam towards the Sea Swallow!
The three black leaders, meanwhile, led most of the black monsters toward the jungle of Rael Island.
Watching the surge of black monsters, Colin sighed, and quickly reached for the Sea Demon's Heart's nexus crystal.
"Remove the Protective Shield's disguise, output full defense for the Protective Shield!"
Since they had already been discovered, any further disguise would be useless.
Swish!
As if an invisible membrane had dissipated, the Sea Swallow came to life once more.
The difference this time was that a distinct pale blue Protective Shield slowly emerged around it!