At first, I planned to return to fishing straight after I woke up. After all, Mora was waiting to be made, and with the war between gods getting more and more fierce outside, the oceans became my one and only safe option of gathering Primogems.
But I decided not to. Instead, I spent a couple days preparing. Buying ready-made food to bring during my fishing trip, getting new gloves to better grip my fishing rod, exercising to increase my Body, and even asking for some tips and tricks from the local fishermen who frequented the ocean's waves.
It was necessary. My instructor wouldn't be with me this time, and If I encountered the Ancient Rusty Koi, I'd at least want to have the ability to keep myself from getting flung into the ocean. I even ate the Ancient Rusty Koi I caught last time for that increase in Body, just to give me a bigger edge.
So, when I set back out to the shores near Guili Assembly a few days later, I was much more prepared than I was when I last went there.
[Venti - Wanderer
Body: 6
Speed: 4
Mind: 3
Elemental: 0]
I took a deep breath as I placed my bamboo basket down on the sands, before sitting down on the small rock my instructor last used as his chair. I attached my [Mystical Imitation Fly] onto my fishing bobber, before throwing my bobber out into the ocean's waters. I planted my fishing pole into the sands, and then waited.
Just like last time, I was the only one here by the shores. I'd asked my instructor about it last time, and he told me that the reason was similar to why there were so few hunters nowadays; most young people were drawn to the militia, what with the escalating dangers of the outside. Having a god that boasted incredible martial prowess probably didn't help in that regard.
An hour went by without any fanfare, though time seemed to stretch on. My instructor wasn't with me this time, and I had nothing else to do. The lull felt both comforting and…terrifying? I wasn't sure how to describe it, but a part of me seemed afraid of the passing of time itself.
How strange.
Before I could ponder any longer, I saw my fishing pole bent, and I quickly grabbed it and dug my foot into the sand. And just in time, as a powerful force began pulling me towards the ocean, visibly straining my fishing string as my catch began trying to run away.
I hissed. Here it was! This was without a doubt the Ancient Rusty Koi! I grit my teeth as I fought back with all my might, twisting my waist as I tried to pull my catch closer to the shore. On the other end, my catch continued to struggle, swimming erratically as it tried to break free.
If this'd been a few days ago, I would've lost both my catch and my fishing pole. But it was different now. My Body had risen by 2 points, I'd gotten some tips from the local fishermen, and my [Mystical Imitation Fly] even reduced the Koi's strength by an additional 30%. The fledgling dragon's strength was still formidable, but it was no longer an impossible force I couldn't resist!
I dug my foot deep into the sand and I continued to pull. I knew I couldn't beat the Ancient Rusty Koi in a straight battle of strength, so I'd fight it with endurance instead.
Both of us were locked in a stalemate for minutes on end. My arms burnt as I kept fighting, and my fingers felt hot. But I didn't weaken my grip on my fishing pole, not for even a moment. Waiting for the moment when the pull on the other end of the fishing line weakened.
Then, after what felt like hours, I felt it. The force pulling me towards the ocean grew just a bit weaker, and I took hold of the opportunity. I grit my teeth, and with a hiss I twisted my waist and pulled the pole over my shoulders. The sudden motion seemed to surprise my opponent, and the opposing force vanished entirely as I heard a loud splash.
I turned around, and I grinned wide as I saw the familiar turquoise-colored fish. I approached with tired steps, and my knees hit the sands as I touched the fledgling dragon.
"Consume." I whispered, and I felt a jolt of lightning course through my veins as the Ancient Rusty Koi shattered into motes of light. I let out a tired breath as I flopped onto the shore, staring listlessly at the cloudless sky. It felt like my arm was seconds away from being torn from my torso, but I couldn't deny the joy pounding in my heart. Because I'd done it! I'd actually caught one without any help!
I laughed tiredly as I checked my Body. As I expected, it'd risen to 7. I smiled wryly as I thought about it; I was initially worried I needed to consume the entire fish to increase my Body, but I then found out that my Genshin System had an option to immediately consume it. Of course, I could still eat it like normal—I could even cook it if I wanted—but that was an avenue better saved for another day.
I laid on the sands for quite some time, letting my body rest after that grueling competition with the ocean. I let my eyes close as I rested, though I endeavored not to fall asleep, even if the rhythmic sounds of the oceans sounded like a siren's song.
Once I've recovered enough, I stood back up. I grabbed the fishing pole that'd fallen not too far away, flung the bobber back into the waters, and stuck the pole back into the sand. I groaned as I stretched my arms, sitting back down on the rock.
More time passed in silence, broken only by the gentle crashing waves. And as I waited, I couldn't help but feel both weary and excited for my next catch. Because dealing with another Ancient Rusty Koi while I was drained like this would certainly be hell, but at the same time, my newly enhanced Body should make the experience a little easier.
Time passed. The ocean's waves crashed onto the shores. And both tired from my recent struggle and lulled by the waves, I could feel myself beginning to fall asleep.
Then, I barely caught the pole being tugged.
My awareness returned suddenly, and I grabbed the fishing pole and dug my foot into the sand. And again I felt that familiar powerful pull on the other end of the fishing line, attempting to pull me into the oceans. My eyes went wide as I hissed; another Ancient Rusty Koi right off the bat!?
But I didn't complain. I got straight to fighting for dominance against the fledgling dragon. I was still plenty tired from my previous struggle, but my increased Body helped lighten the load somewhat. My lungs felt like they were being set aflame as I continued to pull, but I didn't dare let my grip weaken for even a moment.
Another competition between us followed. My vision quaked as I struggled both against the fledgling dragon and to keep myself from falling unconscious. But I held steadfast, and before long, an opportunity showed itself. The pull weakened for a moment, and with a powerful shout, I yanked the Ancient Rusty Koi out of the waters and onto the sandy shores.
I let the fishing pole drop onto the sand as I sighed, gently shaking my hands as my gloved fingers burnt. I made my way over to the fledgling dragon, and I grinned as I prepared to consume it.
But I stopped, and instead pulled the Ancient Rusty Koi into my Inventory instead. A worry cropped up in my head, and after I glanced at my fishing pole, I realized my fear had come true. The woven bamboo had ripped, and if I cast the bobber back into the ocean, the fishing pole would no doubt snap in half when the next Koi came around.
Well, I suppose it wasn't much of a surprise. The poor thing had survived three encounters with the Ancient Rusty Koi. The fact that it hadn't snapped was a miracle in its own right.
That was fine. I guess I'll just have to buy a new one. And hey, I happen to have a fledgling dragon that'd sell for a hefty 200,000 Mora. I could definitely get myself something nice for my next trip.
…the fact that I didn't shiver at the thought of 200,000 Mora was terrifying. How did I get desensitized so quickly? Is this the power of money?
Terrifying. Truly terrifying!
With a small sigh, I went into my Inventory and sold off my most recent catch. 200,000 Mora was immediately added into my Inventory, and I smiled wryly as I grabbed my nearly-broken fishing pole. I retrieved my [Mystical Imitation Fly] from the bobber, and lifting my empty bamboo basket, I began making my way home.
Once I reached the gates, the gatekeepers gave my bamboo basket a pitying glance. "A foul harvest today?" One of them asked.
I struggled not to grin as I thought of the 200,000 Mora sitting in my Inventory. "A slow day." I said instead, pretending to sigh as I gave the bamboo basket a small shake. "I thought I would've been able to get something from it."
The other gatekeeper shrugged. "Many demonic gods arose from the oceans. It is of no surprise that many wildlife has escaped."
I blinked. So that was why I was the only one fishing today. Still, with the war between gods ramping up, I couldn't help but wonder when it'd stop. Would all our sources of food be cut off eventually? How would Guili Assembly remain standing if no one could even head out to hunt for food?
I shook my head, willing those thoughts away. I then bid the gatekeepers farewell as I entered the city, heading straight for my home. Once I arrived, I dropped my fishing pole and bamboo basket by the bedside as I leapt onto the bed. And weighed by my mounting exhaustion, sleep came to me quickly.
When I awoke, the next day arrived, and I went out to the markets to see if I could buy a new fishing rod. The streets were a lot calmer, now that the martial arts contest had ended.
I first headed straight for a dedicated fishing store to see if they sold any fishing poles. But I almost balked once I saw the prices of the poles being displayed. They certainly looked fancy and durable, but their prices were way higher than what I was comfortable spending. An average of 50,000 Mora for just a fishing pole? As if!
So I went to a pawn shop instead, intent on seeing if there was any fishing pole I could purchase for cheap. The elderly woman manning the counter welcomed me as I approached, and I returned a smile before I began looking around. There was a wide variety of items being put on sale, but most of them were unrelated to my fishing endeavours.
But just as I was about to head to the elderly woman to ask, I caught sight of a bamboo basket by the corner of the store, filled with all sorts of sticks and poles. It wasn't anything special on its own, but I could faintly see a familiar glimmering light coming from within the basket.
My eyes went wide. I knew exactly what it was—an item that my Genshin System recognized!
Immediately I went over to the bamboo basket, and after a moment of rummaging, I pulled out an ordinary-looking wooden pole, lined with white carvings. My fingers tingled as I held it—a clear sign of its mystical powers.
[Wilderness Pole 3★
A sturdy pedestrian-looking wooden fishing rod. Despite its visual normality, it carries a strange weight, as if the experience of its past wielders had seeped into its wooden makeup.
After successfully completing 20 Fishing Attempts, grants the User a special Talent.
-0/20 Fishing Attempts completed-]
I sucked a bated breath. What an amazing find! To think I'd find something like this out in the wild! Still, I suppose the item's ordinary appearance fooled many to think that it wasn't anything special. Again, I silently thanked the Fates for granting me the Genshin System for the miracle.
I turned to the elderly woman and cleared my throat. "Honored elder, how much must I pay for this?"
The woman hummed as she gazed at the pole I held. "3,000 Mora is enough, young one." She said, and her lips curved to a small grin as she saw my surprise. "That thing had sat in my hold for far too long. Better to let the young use it than let it stew in disuse, no?"
I nodded quickly, and after discreetly pulling 3,000 Mora from my Inventory, I made my purchase and left the pawn shop, eager to return to the shores.