Asher looked through the holographic interface that projected Infront of him, checking the progress of his side quest.

"Let's see... halfway done already?" he murmured, pleasantly surprised. The completion bar for the side quest was filled to the midpoint.

He tapped on the quest details, expanding the information. "Fifty more fishmen, huh?" Asher spoke aloud, considering his next move. The solitude surrounding him allowed him the comfort of thinking out loud without the concern of prying ears. "That's manageable, especially now with 'Agony' in my arsenal."

The side quest, a seemingly simple extermination task, had turned into a more significant task. It wasn't just about the numbers; each fishman defeated was another piece of experience, another step toward greater mastery and the reward of the side quest was also one of those steps.

"I've got the sixth floor objective completed, and that's given me a good push on this side quest." Asher reasoned, scrolling through the list of completed tasks. "Fifty more... that means I need to find their gatherings, or maybe there's a spawning ground around here somewhere."

Affirming his target, Asher felt a surge of urgency. Rest was a luxury he could not afford—not when he was this close to completing the side quest and his companion back on earth were waiting for them. With a clear goal in mind, he decided to press on and finish the task immediately.

However, the shores, once teeming with his aquatic adversaries, now lay eerily silent and devoid of their presence.

As he traversed the shoreline, his shoes sinking slightly into the wet sand, Asher's sharp eyes scanned the environment. "Curious." he said, "not a single one in sight." The absence of fishmen was as conspicuous as it was sudden, a stark contrast to the plentiful encounters he had faced earlier.

A thought clicked into place in his mind, forming a theory. "Whiskertus, the Marauder... he wasn't just another enemy. He was a scout, a strong one at that." Asher realized, piecing together the events. "And his failure to return would've certainly raised alarms."

He paused, looking out over the waters, where the reflections of the moon danced across the surface. "They're on high alert now. They know something's wrong here at the shore. They must be regrouping, reassessing their strategy," he deduced.

This new understanding presented a challenge, but also an opportunity. "If they're lying low, they might be gathered somewhere nearby, possibly planning their next move. That's where I'll find them." Asher concluded.

Asher’s steps followed the curve of the shore, his eyes sweeping the terrain for any sign of the fishmen. The hush of the waves against the sand provided a rhythmic backdrop to his focused search. He knew better than to expect the fishmen to make an appearance so openly after the loss of Whiskertus and the numerous other fishmen. They were cunning creatures, and this sudden disappearance suggested a strategic retreat rather than a full-on flight.

As he patrolled the edge of the water, the first light of dawn began to seep into the sky, the darkness receding. The rising sun painted the horizon with strokes of amber and gold, and it was against this light that Asher noticed an anomaly.

There, some distance from the shore, was a small island. It stood alone in the vast expanse of water, an isolated clump of land that seemed too singular to be a mere feature of the landscape. “Suspicious.” he muttered to himself, squinting against the growing light to get a better look.

The island was an irregularity that beckoned for investigation. “Could that be their stronghold?” he pondered, considering the likelihood of the fishmen using it as a base or a gathering point.

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He weighed his options. Swimming could be dangerous, but if the fishmen were indeed using the island, it was a risk he had to take. The reward of completing the side quest—and potentially uncovering more secrets—far outweighed the risk.

Asher stood at the water's edge, the sea stretching out before him. He considered the swim, the island beckoning him from afar, but his instincts held him back. "No," he said firmly. "It's too risky. There's no telling what lies beneath these waters, or if the fishmen have set traps for infiltrators"

Turning his back to the sea, he decided on a safer, more strategic approach. "The sea elves." he thought out loud. "They'll have insight, perhaps even a solution. These waters once used to be their homes." With the island etched in his mind as a place of interest, he made his way back into the dense foliage of the jungle, seeking the sea elves who called this part of the floor their home.

The jungle was alive with the sounds of the morning – birds singing, leaves rustling, and the distant sound of the ocean waves. Asher moved with purpose, his eyes alert for any sign of the sea elves as he followed the same track he used last time. They were reclusive beings, but he hoped that the urgency of his predicament would prompt them to aid him.

After a trek through the thick underbrush and towering trees, Asher finally came upon a clearing he had met the sea elves. He called out, his voice carrying through the jungle, "Is anyone here?"

There was a rustling in the foliage, and a moment later, a group of sea elves emerged, their expressions a mix of curiosity and caution. Asher met their gaze with respect and explained his situation, the defeat of Whiskertus, and the mysterious island.

The whispers among the sea elves grew louder as Asher shared the details of his recent encounters and victories. The elder, a figure of both wisdom and authority within their community, stepped forward with an expression that was a mix of disbelief and awe.

"You... you have defeated Whiskertus?" the elder stammered, his voice tinged with a mix of respect and incredulity. "This scourge of the seas, this bringer of terror?" He paused, his gaze fixed intently on Asher. "Forgive my skepticism, but Whiskertus has long been a nightmare to our people. He has slain many of our kin and was a key force in driving us from our ancestral waters. His fall... that is a matter of great significance to us."

The elder's words hung heavy in the air, underscoring the magnitude of Asher's achievement. It was clear that Whiskertus was more than just another adversary; he was a symbol of oppression and fear for the sea elves.

Asher felt an understanding and empathy for the sea elves. "His defeat was a challenge, but knowing now the pain he has caused, I'm glad to have been the one to end him."

Asher reached into his inventory, retrieving the massive spear he had claimed from Whiskertus. As the weapon emerged into the light of day, a collective gasp rippled through the group of sea elves. The spear, unmistakable in its design and aura, was a well-known symbol of Whiskertus's reign of terror.

The elder's eyes widened at the sight of the weapon, now in Asher's possession. The very object that had once been a tool of fear and oppression in the hands of Whiskertus was undeniable evidence of Asher's triumph.

"This... this is indeed the spear of Whiskertus." the elder spoke, his voice a mixture of shock and reverence. "To see it here, not in his vile grasp but in yours... it is more proof than we could have asked for."

The sea elves, now fully convinced of Asher's victory, looked at him with newfound respect and gratitude. The fall of Whiskertus was not just a personal achievement for Asher but a significant turn of events for the sea elf community. In their eyes, Asher had transitioned from a formidable warrior to a liberator, someone who had unknowingly avenged many of their losses.

"I believe the fishmen may be using that island as a stronghold." he concluded. "I seek your wisdom and, if you're willing, your assistance in reaching it without risking the dangers of the open sea."

"Your deed has lifted a great burden from our hearts." the elder continued. "We will honor our word and aid you. In defeating him, you have done us a great service."

The atmosphere shifted from one of skepticism to one of alliance and mutual respect. With the sea elves' support secured.

The elder sea elf reached into the pocket of his flowing robe, retrieving a small object that caught the light with a subtle shimmer. He held it out towards Asher – it was a small pill.

"This," the elder began, "is a gift . This pill will allow you to navigate underwater with the ease of a fish, and more importantly, breathe as if the water were air. Though be careful as the duration of this pill is limited"

Asher accepted the pill with a sense of wonder and appreciation. The thought of swimming freely beneath the waves, exploring the underwater world without the constraints of human limitations, was exhilarating.

"This is remarkable." Asher said, examining the pill. "With this, I can approach the island undetected."

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