“You can talk?!”

“It has surely been a while, but yes, I can talk,” the old man replied as he casted his rod into the empty waters once more.

His movements were well practised. Each swish of his fishing rod seemed to glide along with the air, as if he was part of nature itself. Even when the fly struck the water, there was no sound.

Of course there wouldn’t, Noah. He’s a ghost!

He smiled. “Only if you fetch something for me.”

“Like what?” Noah asked. “I hardly doubt I can bring you back to life, if that’s what you’re after.”

“Oh no, nothing of the sort,” He said. “Unlike the other sorry bunch, I’m rather happy about my current situation. Just me and the water… But it would be nice if there were any fish to catch. That leads me to my request. I want to catch fish.”

“Can a ghost even catch fish?” Noah squinted his eyes.

The fisherman waved his hand in the air. “Of course I can’t. It’s the image, don’t you get it? I have the time, the water, and my fishing rod. To complete the image, I need the fish, don’t you agree?”

“I mean, I suppose?” Noah scratched his head.

What the hell was going on?

“Wait, are you sending me on a side quest?”

As if to answer his question, a System notification blinked in front of his vision.

You have encountered an area mission.

| Help the Master Fisher complete his image by bringing fish to the area.

| Reward: Master Fisher’s Fishing Rod (Rarity: Unknown.), the Master Fisher will impart his knowledge down to you.

Noah was surprised at the sudden mission, but he wouldn’t turn such an opportunity down. He only had a crude fishing-rod that he had created himself. It wouldn’t be long until it fell apart, and he’d have to obtain another.

It was perfect timing. Not only that, but a rod granted by a Master Fisher had to be at least of Rare quality. Who knows, maybe it was even better than that?

Then there was the knowledge. It obviously meant the knowledge that he wanted regarding the events that had transpired on the island, but maybe it would be more than that?

So without further ado, he accepted.

“Alright, I accept,” Noah said as he peered out into the ocean. There was definitely a distinct lack of fish… or any other life that hadn’t taken on a ghostly appearance, for that matter. He had a vague idea as to why, and he didn’t like his chances of facing them, but when there was a will, there was a way.

Noah continued with enthusiasm, “But why is there no fish here? Is it because of the monsters outside the fog?”

“That, I’m not sure. You’ll have to figure out that one on your own. My senses are… dull in this form, you see.” The Master Fisher cast his rod once more. “Oh, and please make sure that there’s at least one Devil Fish. They are rather beautiful creatures, but their scales are truly magnificent. It would be the perfect sight.”

“Right–” Noah paused. “And you definitely won’t tell me how to guide the fish here?”

The Master Fisher whistled a tune, clearly indicating he had no intentions of speaking any longer.

So Noah walked back into the city. As he was heading toward the house that Pillow had commandeered, he was stuck in thought once more. Thoughts on how to complete the mission he was given.

Sure it was a side quest, but the information he was wanting gnawed at his very being. If this was the way to obtain that information, and maybe a way to gain access to the castle, and its rewards, then he had to take a little risk.

Of course that risk meant that he might become fish food, but who was to say that he had to enter the water?

For example, if he created a big enough splash…

With his mind churning with ideas, he heard something monstrous. Clack, clack, clack, clack.

Krall and Gluttony were already standing at attention when a colossal crab emerged from the street corner. It had savage pinscors which Noah had no doubt they were capable of snapping through strengthened metal. Armoured chitin covered the entirety of its body. Eight solid legs clacked against the stone, but even the high load of the monster was unable to scratch the surface of the paved road.

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Sickly emerald eyes shone with Noah’s reflection. It postured itself to the ground. It was readying a strike.

Noah wasted no time. Using [Shadowed Presence], the shadows around him swirled as he leapt onto Gluttony’s back in one swift motion.

Krall charged out of the shadows like a reckless storm. Each thunderous step created a noise that was no less than the armoured crab. He crashed into the monster, sending it scraping backward.

Its pinscors grabbed hold of Krall’s armoured body, then squeezed. Krall roared in pain. Noah could feel it as well.

Noah was ready to strike. He had already snuck passed the monster during the exchange with Krall. Charging from the shadows, Noah used all of his offensive Skills, and throttled the monster with a piercing lance.

He missed. More accurately, his attack had struck the solid plated armour of the crab.

Tutting, Noah disappeared into a nearby street, only to reappear by its side for another attack. This time he wouldn’t miss. And he didn’t. His lance tore through the gap in the crab’s armour, finding softened flesh.

The sea monster was forced to let go of Krall. Only for Noah’s companion to rake his claws in between its hardened shell. Scraping flesh, bleeding the beast. Just like his master had done before.

After a few more repeated attacks, the crab had met its match. Collapsing to the ground, Noah noticed a few marks on its shell that weren’t from his attacks. It couldn’t be. Something had gouged out sections of the crabs shell.

Even Noah’s lance couldn’t penetrate the natural armour, let alone damaging it to that extent. No, something much scarier was hiding in this town.

You defeated a - Level 108 Legion Crab.

You have Levelled up!| Noah ( Phantom Lancer ) level 73 -> Noah ( Phantom Lancer ) level 76

Krall, the Scourge of the Jungle has levelled up.| Krall level 73 -> Krall level 77

Gluttony has Levelled up.| Gluttony level 64 -> Gluttony level 70

You are being watched…

Noah was given some more rewards from previous sponsors, but unlike before, new sponsors were becoming more difficult to obtain. It was easy to guess why. They wanted entertainment.

Although the crab was strong, it was too slow to really threaten Noah. Especially because he had Krall to receive the brunt of the attacks for him. It allowed him to sneak around and cause devastating damage before it could really do anything about it.

That was Noah’s greatest advantage, and it was only coming to fruition now that he had two tamed monsters.

What would it be like with three? Noah rubbed his hands in anticipation. Not only would it provide him with extra firepower, but honestly, he didn’t know what he would do without Krall. Or Gluttony, for that matter.

No matter how alone he felt, he always had them by his side. To keep him company, to give him comfort during the cold. He was truly thankful he was walking the path of a tamer.

Just like with his old dog Hank, Noah trusted his tamed companions with his life. As they did with their own.

Noah was about to turn around, but a bright blue light shone against the black bricks of the surrounding houses.

Something was forming above the crab's body.

That meant that it wasn’t a reward of his own actions, but it was a skill related to the crab. What could it be? An armour skill, a water travel skill? Noah kept his attention on the stone as it was forming.

Crackling in the air, it formed. Skill Essence. Noah happily reached out and grabbed it. He identified it.

Rare - Dexterity Based Skill - Legionnaires Charge: The crab legion relies upon numbers to charge their enemies, empowering each member by their side.| Increases companion damage by 5% per companion while charging.

| Can be used to evolve a Charge based Skill.

Nice.

Noah grinned and put the stone securely in his pocket. Absorbing a new skill upgrade wasn’t an easy process. He had only managed to upgrade his Pathstone from first, luck, and second, the evolution stone he had bought from the System.

It wasn’t a process he wanted to replicate if he could help it. First he would upgrade the [Mounted Assault] Skill in a natural process. Only then would the transition to evolving become much smoother.

However, there was one comment that made Noah suspicious. The crabs relied upon numbers. But after waiting for a while, no other crab arrived to back up its companion.

Strange.

Not leaving anything up to chance, Noah ran through the city's streets until he made it to the outskirts where he spotted Pillow sitting outside his house, holding a meaty stick to a crackling fire.

It was just who Noah wanted to see. If there was anyone who would know how to lure fish into the bay, then it was the only person that had experience living in this place.

Pillow waved the meaty stick against the fire, turning it until it hit just the right spot. The meat was turning golden brown, and juices ran clear. Noah didn’t have a clue as to what kind of meat it was. Hopefully not hallowed, he thought.

Raising his eyes, the panda said, “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

Noah sat down next to him and took a sniff of the meat. It didn’t smell bad. Surprisingly it smelt delicious. Noah gulped. “Multiple actually.”

“Ah, over by the pier?”

Noah nodded.

“When I first found them, I ran away as fast as I could.”

“Scared were you?”

“Hey–” Pillow waved the stick in a violent manner, flicking the meat juices into the surrounding area. “Only humans poke their noses in things they don’t understand. Why the hell would I approach ghostly beings? No, I’ve kept my distance from them since I arrived.”

Noah thought for a second, then said, “But you said that you had a run in with one?” Noah added, “that resulted in a cold chill.”

“That was for an important matter. Don’t worry about it.” Pillow said, but he clearly fidgeted. “What do you want anyway? I brought you here. Safest place on the island, as long as you don’t go too far in the city.”

“Actually,” Noah said with a smile. “I need your help…”