Shark Warning
After accepting Ayla's quest, we wasted no time setting off in search of the Pirate King's treasure.
...
...
...So there's really treasure in a place like this?
Affirmative. The location indicated on the map is...
Smile had dragged us here, saying she knew exactly where it was the moment she heard the clues. Now she looked proud of herself.
The ship graveyard.
...Why, though?!
The treasure map includes an unclear map and two written clues.
The first is the ships' final resting place. It says to dig beneath the stone marked with a moon.
Yes... And the second says, Even if the end is already decided, seek the new path that can only be opened by those who choose to press onward.
...That's what it says.
Aha! I get it. So the ship graveyard is the ships' final resting place?
Simple, intuitive logic. Even Luna could understand it.
Then what about the second phrase...?
That is...
...
...Impossible to determine for now.
However, if we find the stone marked with a moon and dig beneath it, the answer may become clear.
I see...! I understand now.
Then I'll start looking right away...!
The sun blazed overhead.
Whew... It's hot...
You kids holding up?
Luna straightened up after searching between the steel structures and wiped away her sweat.
...Even with sandals on, the heat from the sunbaked ground is coming straight through.
Since then, we had spent hours combing through the area...
But finding a single stone under Flora's blazing sun was no easy task, and we were making little progress.
Flora's average temperature is indeed... significantly higher than NOA's...
Possible to infer the origin of Flora's custom of napping at noon...
Yes... I suppose it's because the sun is too strong for people to be active outdoors during the day.
Ugh... So we're searching every inch of this place while everyone else is napping?!
Maybe cleaning the pool would've been way better...
...Doubtful Ayla can withstand this heat in her current condition...
...And I may not be able to either...
I-I'm all right...!
I can keep going... I won't fall behind, so please don't worry about me...!
Ayla said, her pale, parched lips trembling.
Her cold sweat and pallid face made it clear that, despite her words, her body was reaching its limit.
I'm not pushing myself... I really am fine.
Besides, if we delay any longer... the pirates might catch up to us...
As if to prove her point, Ayla deliberately took a firm step forward.
*Sway...*
Ngh...!
Ayla...!
I-I'm sorry. I just let myself relax for a moment...
I can walk properly now...
...
Ayla... You're pushing yourself too hard...
Smile stopped Ayla as she tried to go on ahead.
Ayla's face had grown far paler than before.
Proper rest is also necessary to keep moving forward...
*Cough...!*
*Cough... cough...!*
Just then, Ayla tried to force herself to take another step and broke into a violent coughing fit.
Ngh...!
Ayla, there's blood...!
...Hey, sickly miss. How about we head to the beach first and wash that blood off your hands?
But if we delay any longer, the pirates might...
Forcing yourself to keep going without rest will only slow us down.
...
So quit being stubborn and let's take a short break first. Okay?
We'll figure out the rest later!
...
Ayla, are you okay?
Yes. I took my medicine, and the coughing has stopped, so I should feel better soon. Thank you for asking...
Good. Then we can rest here for a bit before we head out again, right?
...But is it really all right for us to rest like this...?
You hesitated to accept my quest in the first place because you were worried it might take too long...
If this ends up taking longer because of me—
*Bonk!*
Oww...!
You've got way too much going on in that tiny little head of yours!
Listen, sickly miss. I just snuck a peek at the future.
My foresight says taking a little break here is the only way we can avoid the crisis ahead!
...I-is that so...?
Yep. So whether you like it or not, we have no choice but to rest here for a bit.
If you really can't stand sitting still...
Hmm... Oh, I know!
Those seashells that float up to the surface! You'd be much better off collecting those!
Sea... shells?
Yep. There's a pretty good chance some of them will be "magic" seashells!
False. Magic seashells are nothing more than unscientific, irrational superstition.
Clearly something adults made up to placate children...!
Heh. Is that right? We'll see about that.
Just you wait. A blue seashell will float up to the surface any minute now!
*Stare...*
*Staaare...*
Still unconvinced, Smile and Ayla began staring hard at the sea.
And just as Luna said, a blue seashell soon floated to the surface out in the middle of the sea.
Y-you were right...!
...Looks like she was telling the truth this time...!
Then, if we keep waiting, does that mean more seashells will float? One of them might be a magic seashell, right?
...Given the odds, we can't ignore that seashell either.
Collecting them as they float up to the surface is rational.
All right. Then I'll pick up any I see...!
Looking excited, Ayla and Smile waded into the water and focused on collecting the seashells as they surfaced one by one.
Watching them, Luna finally seemed to relax, letting out a relieved sigh as she sank onto the sand.
Phew... Getting that stubborn girl to take a break wore me out.
Let's sit here and take a breather too, Captain.
...So that magic seashell story was a lie...?
Hmm... Hard to say. I wouldn't call it a complete lie.
I really did see the future...
And in that future, those two really were in the water picking up seashells!
Of course, there's no way to confirm whether any of them were actually magic seashells, though!
Maybe it was Luna's own way of getting Ayla to rest.
So it was a white lie...
A white lie, huh... I don't know about that.
...It was for a more selfish reason than that.
It's not exactly easy watching someone keep pushing toward a guaranteed failure, either.
Apparently, the future she had seen for Ayla was still weighing on her.
...Just like I said.
I mean...
...
Luna looked toward Ayla, who was happily picking up seashells in the water.
She watched Ayla's slender back in silence for a while, then quickly changed her expression, turning to me with a smile.
So if we're destined to fail in the end... shouldn't we at least enjoy moments like this while we can?
I looked at Luna, smiling as casually as ever.
I didn't know exactly what future Luna had seen, but if I believed our adventure was headed toward a future where failure was already decided...
...The moment I accepted that, I'd lose any reason to keep moving forward.
We can still fight to find a way this doesn't end in failure.
Wow... Captain, that's surprisingly idealistic of you...
Mm-hm. I went through a phase like that too, back when I still hoped a future I'd seen might change.
Ahh, I kind of miss how innocent I was back then.
Then, as if she were really reminiscing, she tilted her head back and looked up at the sky.
Haha... Now that I've said it out loud, taking this quest is starting to feel like a pretty foolish choice...
Hearing her say that, knowing how many unchanging futures and failures she must have witnessed...
I began to worry that the future she'd seen for Ayla might end in something worse than the quest failing.
But just then...
Wow, Smile... There's another blue seashell floating over here...!
...Cannot ignore this one either. Collecting them is rational.
All right. Then I'll pick it up...!
With Smile's approval, Ayla made her way toward the blue seashell bobbing out in the water.
Smile, I've got it—
...Huh?
Ayla grabbed the seashell and tried to lift it, only to stop short.
Something wrong, Ayla?
W-well... Ngh...
Why won't this come loose...? Hrrph!
I will assist...!
*Pop!*
As Ayla strained until her face turned red, Smile joined in, and the shell finally popped free.
Phew... We did it...! That took so much effort...
Maybe this really is a magic seashell, don't you think...?
Too early to be certain.
Several possible causes. A difference between internal and atmospheric pressure, or coral snagged it beneath the surface.
But it could still be a magic seashell.
So I'll keep it in my pocket for now—
It was just as Smile reached out to take the seashell from Ayla.
*Splash!*
Suddenly, a huge wave crashed over Smile and Ayla.
*Sputter...!*
Drenched in seawater by the wave, Smile and Ayla came up sputtering.
And before their eyes...
...?
A white, soft-looking, round object slowly began rising to the surface.
*Rumble...*
Like the hidden mass beneath the tip of an iceberg, a massive shape rose from below the surface and cast a shadow over them.
...
Once the enormous unidentified object fully surfaced, it slowly turned until its black eyes were fixed on Smile and Ayla.
...Grrrr...
Oh...
The creature let out a throaty growl, reached out with its stubby arm, took the seashell from Ayla's hand, and set it back on its belly.
Its eyes crinkled in satisfaction, then widened again as it glared at Ayla.
Krrgh...
S-sorry... I didn't realize it was yours...
...Krrgh.
After shooting Ayla a huffy sidelong glance, it turned away as if it lost interest and slowly moved off.
...T-take care...
That was close...
Yes, that was quite a scare... I'm soaked from head to toe...
Yeah. Also soaked through. Is the map okay?
...Glurp?
Paper tears easily when wet. Concerned about the map's condition after submersion.
Oh, the map...
Smiling, Ayla took out the map she had been clutching to her chest.
Despite Smile's concerns, the map was dry and crisp, without a single wet spot.
Maybe this map doesn't get wet because the curse was sealed within it.
?!
...Kng...
Huh? You're back...?
The creature that had been moving away was suddenly back at Ayla's side, eyes wide.
Eyes fixed on the map in Ayla's hand, it slowly circled the two of them.
Kng, kng...
Wh-what's wrong...?
Krghooo...
Krrrraaa!!
Eeek!
Suddenly, it burst from the water and lunged at Ayla, jaws wide open.
Ayla!
It all happened so fast. I sprang to my feet on instinct, but I knew I was too late.
*Grrrk!*
...Ayla, that was close.
...Thank goodness Smile was nearby.
Smile had swiftly jammed Happy End into the creature's mouth and stepped in front of Ayla.
Step back.
*Crunch...!*
Graaah!
S-Smile...
Ngh... Extremely sharp teeth...
Based on bite force and tooth structure... unmistakably a shark, a coastal apex predator...!
Kraaawr!!
As soon as Smile finished speaking, the shark roared and clamped down harder.
Thanks to Smile's quick action, neither of them was hurt, but...
The terrifying bite looked strong enough to chew through steel and split Happy End's surface at any moment.
Smile, Ayla!
Luna, stay here!
*Dash!*
I sprinted toward the two of them, who were still in the water.
C-Captain?! What are you doing?!
As I got closer, the shark's massive body filled my vision, making its size feel all too real.
Smile!
I added my strength to Smile's, pushing Happy End toward the shark.
Its gaping maw and rows of vicious, razor-sharp teeth came into clearer focus.
Kraaawr!!
As its frenzied roar grew louder, a chill ran down my spine.
Wait... That can't be right...
I heard Luna mutter in shock from the beach.
But... the sharks that inhabit Flora's coast should be non-aggressive toward humans...
New specimen detected... exhibiting traits inconsistent with known sharks...
I heard the confusion in Smile's voice.
Traits of sharks...
Come to think of it...!
Then I suddenly remembered hearing somewhere that a shark's weak point is its nose. If one attacks, hit it hard without hesitation, create an opening, and get away.
Kraaawr!!
Smile, Ayla...
Run!!
*Wham!!*
Krrghh!!
*Splash!*
The shark took the hit to the nose, toppled backward, and sent up a huge splash.
Seizing the opening, I grabbed their hands and bolted out of the water.
By the time my feet hit the hot, dry sand again, I'd regained enough composure to take stock of the situation.
Captain, Smile, Ayla! Are you all okay?!
Close call, but unharmed.
So it's true. Sharks hostile to humans do exist along Flora's coast.
Yes. Thanks to you, Captain...
Nng... Eeeengh...!
Eeeengh...!
...It kind of looks like it's glaring at us.
I-it can't come out of the water, can it?
And even if it glares, what's it gonna do? It's not like it can come out of the water.
Eeeee...!!
*Flail, flail...*
Eeeeengh...!!!!
Whoa, what is that thing?!
Sharks are aquatic organisms... Cannot survive out of water...
But the shark seemed furious, glaring at us as it awkwardly scooted across the sand on its back.
A miracle occurred...!
Th-that can't be...!
Now's not the time for that...
Kraaa...!
Run!
The shark seemed to be getting the hang of moving on sand, chasing after us by working its tail fin as if it were swimming.
Ruuun...
...
...Ahaha... It's not as fast as I expected, huh?
Maybe because it's out of the water?
As Luna said, out of the water, the shark's massive weight seemed to make gravity hit it especially hard. It couldn't chase us very quickly.
In fact, we could even back away at a leisurely pace.
Keeek... keeek...
Each time the shark struggled forward, its white belly, pointed toward the sky, jiggled.
Smile observed the sight with obvious fascination.
...Aggressive toward humans. Capable of breathing and moving on land...
And possesses considerably greater mass than an ordinary shark...
Conclusion. Specimen presumed to belong to a new, unidentified shark species.
Based on weight, size, and confirmed ability to survive on land...
Pending official classification, provisional designation: pig shark.
Keek?!
Yes...! Now that you mention it, I did think its little arms looked shorter than an ordinary shark's...
Perhaps that is because it's a pig shark...!
...Grrrk...
Hold on. Would you two cut that out? Pig shark?!
At last, Luna seemed ready to say something mature, giving them a stern look as she stepped in.
Yeah, exactly. If you tease it by calling it a pig...
Going by Smile's explanation, it's a shark in the ocean, but on land it's a pig, right?
Then we should call it what it is. A pig!
...
...
......
Um... Uh...
I'll apologize for them, so please don't—
Kraaaa! Kraaaaargh!!
Ruuun!
The furious pig shark thrashed its way across the sand at full speed, hot on our heels.
Aaaah! Why is that thing so fast?!
Technically, pigs aren't as slow as people think...!
Confirmed. This shark truly possesses the traits of a pig...!
This isn't the time to analyze that!
With the pig shark charging after us, jaws wide, we had to sprint to stay ahead of it.
Kyaaah!
Eek...!
Ayla!
The pig shark was so fast that it quickly closed in on Ayla, who had fallen behind, until it was almost within reach.
Desperate to do something, I quickly scanned the area and spotted the seashell in Smile's pocket.
...!
I quickly snatched the seashell from Smile's pocket and threw it the other way.
Burger!!
Kraaah... Kng?!
The pig shark had been closing in on Ayla with its jaws wide open, but instinctively whipped its head toward the flying seashell.
Krrrraaa!!
...Then it charged off in the opposite direction, even faster than when it had been chasing us.
Whew... You saved us, Captain! How'd you do that?!
If it's a pig...
I figured there was no way a pig would turn down a burger.
...Possibly a pig in shark form. Further research required...
Ugh... Where even are we...?
Even after the pig shark disappeared into the distance, we dragged our shaky legs onward for quite a while, just to be safe.
The pig shark was not our only worry. The pirates after Ayla's map could catch up to us at any moment.
We kept walking aimlessly, losing track of time until we realized the sun had already set. Exhausted, we decided to find somewhere to lie down and get some sleep.
Ayla was worried the pirates might catch up while we rested, but...
With not a single streetlight around, pushing on through the darkness could easily get us lost.
And before long...
Captain, over here! This way!
Luna had found a cave concealed by thick brush along a secluded stretch of the coast.
The far end of the cave opened onto the sea, but it still offered enough shelter from the sea breeze and morning dew to spend the night comfortably.
A cave this secluded should be hard for the pirates to find.
As expected. Luna has plenty of experience sleeping outside.
Shelter selection expertise confirmed.
Haha, right?
All right, everyone. Just pretend you're at home, lie down, and get some rest. We've got another long day tomorrow!
With that, we settled down for the night, using the rough stone floor as our bed.
...Everyone... thank you for coming with me.
We're simply carrying out the quest. No need to thank us so much.
But...
Enough of that. Better to get to bed early, so you kids get some sleep.
Yeah... I'm getting sleepy too...
I-I see... All right, I'll get some sleep, then.
Then... good night...
Smile and Ayla's drowsy voices gradually drifted away.
...
As my eyes adjusted to the darkness, I could make out their peacefully sleeping faces.
Faint moonlight spilled through the open mouth of the cave, and I felt the cool, damp sea breeze drift in.
The chirping of summer insects and waves breaking in the night began to draw my weary body to sleep.
...Captain, are you asleep?
Luna's barely audible voice seeped through the haze of my fading consciousness.
I barely managed to work my throat, producing only a faint, hoarse sound.
...I see.
...
Maybe she was still sorting through her thoughts. As her silence stretched on, only the gentle rhythm of the waves filled the cave.
The steady rhythm of the waves made my eyelids grow heavy against my will.
...
You know... after Ayla picked up that seashell earlier...
We were supposed to spend some time relaxing on the beach, then find somewhere nearby to stay for the night. That was how things were fated to go.
But then some weird shark came out of nowhere and attacked us...
And now we're spending the night in this cave we were never supposed to end up in, right?
...Of course, maybe it was just a one-in-a-million exception.
Still, Captain...
...
...Am I being stupid again?
But seeing her try that hard makes even me want to believe.
And this time, you're here too, Captain.
So maybe...
The cave held the damp, cool sea breeze, the gentle sound of waves, and the chirping of insects.
...Yeah. Maybe...
...And judging by the tossing and turning, Luna didn't seem to sleep much that night.