Ex rank talent Awakening: 100\% Dodge rate-Chapter 169 - : THE STRANGE ISLAND

"We absolutely can't do that! Are you crazy? Do you seriously want to hasten our death?!" Jason shouted, his voice echoing sharply across the wooden deck as he slammed his fist against the railing. His face was flushed with panic, and his eyes burned with desperation as he glared at Arthur, who had just proposed the unthinkable.

"Come on, what's the difference?" Austin countered, standing tall despite the storm of tension. "We're dying anyway! I'm just saying—it's better we satisfy our curiosity before the inevitable! Am I the only one wondering what's pulling our ship like this? What could possibly have the strength to drag something this massive?!"

The silence that followed his words was louder than the shouting. The expressions on the crew's faces—wide-eyed and conflicted—made it clear that they, too, were curious. Something deep within them wanted to understand what kind of force defied natural laws so completely.

"You guys are insane! I don't want any part of this!" Jason shouted again, this time more desperately, his voice cracking. "I have a child, for God's sake! A future! I'm not throwing that away on some madman's whim!"

"So what?!" Austin snapped, refusing to back down. His eyes held a weary, hardened look. "Not like the child will survive if we just sit here and rot. We need hope. Even if it's on the other side of insanity."

"You!" Jason, overcome by emotion, lunged forward and landed a punch square on Austin's jaw. The hit echoed through the ship, shocking the others. Austin staggered back but didn't retaliate. He wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and met Jason's furious eyes calmly.

He knew Jason wasn't angry at him—he was scared. Deep down, Austin understood that Jason's outburst came from love, not hate. From the fear of losing everything he cherished. Austin held no grudge and simply turned his face away, swallowing the pain—both physical and emotional.

"Okay, enough! You both—stop it," Daniel finally interjected, stepping in with authority. His tone cut through the air like a blade. "We lift the anchor. It's inevitable. Jason, go spend time with Eunice and your child. Anyone who has someone to hold on to—do it. The rest of us will prepare."

Jason looked away, fists clenched, but didn't argue. He knew Daniel was right. The others exchanged glances, the decision finally made.

"Lift the anchors!" Pythagoras called out, and Hephaestus, alongside the rest of the crew, scrambled into motion.

The moment the anchors were up, the ship surged forward—not under wind or sail, but under the invisible pull of some unnatural force. Everyone braced themselves, clutching the rails or each other as the ship glided faster than it ever had before.

The horizon began to change. A massive silhouette emerged ahead, one that grew clearer as they sped toward it.

"Land!" Daniel shouted, the word erupting in a mix of relief and disbelief. Cheers broke out across the deck. Jason, too, found himself smiling, hope welling up inside him for the first time in days. Maybe his child had a chance after all. He silently thanked Austin, though guilt lingered for the punch he'd thrown.

But as they drew closer, confusion replaced hope. The landmass didn't resemble a normal island. It looked like a giant, fallen rock—something torn from the heavens and dropped into the ocean. Jagged edges jutted upward, and its surface shimmered faintly with an unearthly glow.

Their ship latched onto the rock-like island as if magnetized. Vines slithered up the hull and gently held the vessel in place. Trees towered high on the rock's surface, their leaves glistening with unnatural colors, some pulsing faintly with internal light.

The entire crew disembarked cautiously, stepping onto the rock-island as an eerie breeze swept past them. It smelled of unfamiliar flowers, sweet and pungent.

They began to explore, moving through the terrain in silent awe. Strange fruits grew on the trees—one was engulfed in flames, burning but not consumed. Another exuded a cold mist that chilled the air around it. One looked like polished obsidian, light seeming to vanish into its skin.

Despite the temptation, they avoided touching anything. Curiosity warred with caution, and they agreed it was wiser to learn about the island's inhabitants—if any existed—before doing anything reckless.

The fifty of them moved deeper into the island's heart. Along the way, the bizarre sights only increased. A monkey with wings glided overhead, chewing on a red, flaming banana. It made no move toward them, but its glowing yellow eyes tracked their movement.

They ducked into cover, trying to avoid drawing its attention. The forest was alive with sounds—none familiar.

Eventually, they arrived at what looked like the island's core. In the middle of a clearing, shrouded in mist and surrounded by bioluminescent plants, was a cave. Its mouth was jagged, dark, and foreboding.

"I don't have a good feeling about this," Merlin muttered. He had read too many adventure tales to trust the lure of mysterious caves. Bad things always waited inside.

"Don't be such a coward," Sabbah said, grabbing Merlin's hand. They had grown close during the voyage—close enough for such casual intimacy. "Even Iris is curious."

Daniel, standing in front, turned to address them all. "So, what's the call? Do we go in? Or turn back now?"

"I say we check it," Jason said, stepping forward, his earlier hesitation gone. "If we've come this far, we can't back out now."

"I thought you'd be the last person to say that," Dennis joked, nudging him. "Looks like your adventuring spirit finally kicked in."

Quiet laughter passed among the group, a small moment of levity amid the growing tension.

A count was taken—fifty hands raised in agreement. The decision was unanimous.

They filed into the cave, forming a chain by holding one another's shoulders to avoid getting lost in the blinding darkness. The further they went, the heavier the air became, like the cave was swallowing them whole.

Minutes passed. Then, ahead—light. A blinding brilliance burst into view.

They stepped into a cavern unlike any they'd imagined. The chamber was vast, its walls covered with glowing vines and crystalline growths. In the center stood trees, each bearing a single, radiant fruit.

Twelve of them glowed brightest, their light golden and divine. Twenty-four others shone with slightly lesser brilliance. Thirty-six more dimmer, but still brighter than anything outside.

No one dared touch them. The group continued, hearts pounding, until they reached the very end.

There, resting on a bed of thornless roses, was a woman. Her beauty defied reason. She radiated warmth, divinity, and elegance beyond human comprehension. In her arms, a child slept peacefully—equally ethereal in appearance.

Without a word, all fifty of them dropped to their knees. It was involuntary—something primal, spiritual. Their bodies moved without thought, compelled to worship her presence.

The woman opened her eyes, deep pools of ancient light, and looked at them with compassion.

"Guests, I see," she said, her voice melodic and entrancing. "Among all who have set foot upon this island, none have arrived with hearts as pure as yours. Your unity—it is something to be proud of."

She raised her hand, and vines sprouted from the ground, weaving themselves into chairs.

"Come, sit," she invited gently.

After a brief hesitation, they obeyed. The vines were soft, far more comfortable than they looked.

"Thank you for receiving us," Daniel said, his voice trembling slightly.

"There is no need to fear me," she replied, smiling kindly. "I have no intention of causing harm. You are safe"