Bear and Pal rowed closer. To avoid suspicion, they didn't dare bathe at Miss Lane's place. They also disguised the rented wooden boat, covering it with whatever they could find along the way, such as dirty plastic sheetings.
As much as they wanted to share the good news, they didn't want trouble to come to their benefactor.
If Bear and Pal wanted to bring survivors over, they would need to screen each one thoroughly.
Even though Skull and Leo's cronies had disappeared, some survivors were still eyeing Uncle Grant and the dead water beast in his arms. While some genuinely wanted to trade, others had eyes that clearly held ill intent.
But because Bear and Pal were present, no one dared make a move against Uncle Grant.
"Where are Ron and Wells?"
Sailing outside was dangerous. It was common for groups to return with missing members.
Uncle Grant couldn't help but think of the worst-case scenarios. After all, Bear's team was close-knit and never traveled separately.
The expressions on Bear and Pal's faces suddenly turned somber.
Uncle Grant feared the worst.
"We ran into a D-Class–promoting water beast and barely escaped."
The crowd that had yet to disperse overheard Bear and erupted into an uproar.
"A D-Class–promoting water beast?!"
"Where did you encounter it?"
"Wait, did you lead it here?"
"Is it nearby?!"
Panic and fear spread. Some survivors quickly rowed back inside, while others who had ill intentions earlier shot Bear and Pal secret glares.
Pal raised his voice to calm the crowd albeit a little upset. "Why would we do such a thing? We would never lead something so dangerous here. The water beast is in the sunken skyscraper city."
Upon hearing this, the crowd calmed slightly, but no one remained outside.
One of the survivors asked, "Are you sure it was a D-Class–promoting water beast? Maybe you made a mistake."
Bear nodded. "We're certain. The core on its temple was a mix of blue and green." He feared the beast might come here—sharing this information was crucial.
"My goodness! It's really A D-Class–promoting beast!"
"If it comes here, we're all going to die! The barriers won't hold!"
Uncle Grant visibly paled. He was afraid, but more than that, he felt sympathy for Bear and Pal. They had just lost two close friends.
As he remembered Ron and Wells, he tightly shut his eyes and let out a deep sigh. So young.
Fearing for their safety, the crowd rushed to retrieve their improvised seawater desalination devices hanging from rusted rebars on the east side of the inner barrier.
Aside from searching for trapped water beasts, this was the main reason survivors stayed outside.
There used to be a desalination machine on the cruise ship that could filter seawater, but it required power or fuel.
While there were manual methods, using solar distillation was all most survivors could afford.
Not long after, news of the D-Class–promoting water beast near the sunken skyscraper city spread throughout the cruise ship base.
Because the survivors were talking so loudly, the news reached Skull before he even made it to the upper deck.
"What? A D-Class–promoting water beast?!"
"Are you sure? Who's spreading such rumors?"
"The survivors said it was Bear and Pal. It explains why two of their members are missing," a man answered timidly.
Fear finally settled into Skull.
He hated to admit it, but although he disliked Bear and Pal, they would never fabricate something like this.
No! He had to inform Boss Leo immediately! He quickened his pace.
When the crowd dispersed, Bear looked around before speaking in a low voice that only the three of them could hear.
"Uncle Grant, don't worry. We never said Ron and Wells died. They're safe...it's just hard to explain."
Uncle Grant's eyes widened before relief flooded in. "Thank goodness. They're still so young… But what do you mean by hard to explain?"
Bear glanced around again. "Let's talk in our room. I also have something good to show you."
Uncle Grant nodded. "Wait, let me get my water first."
Pal looked at Bear. He had wanted to bring this up, but it seemed Bear had already decided. That's good!
"Let me carry that for you, Uncle Grant." Pal noticed the old man's hands trembling. "That bastard Skull didn't lay a hand on you again, did he?" he asked angrily.
"Then I'll trouble you." The fish was indeed heavy. Uncle Grant handed it over. "No, thankfully, you arrived just in time." Otherwise, this old life of mine would've ended today…
Uncle Grant rowed toward the east side, with Bear and Pal following closely behind.
"Uncle Grant, why are you out here alone? Where is Stark?" Bear asked.
Uncle Grant's expression turned sad. "Lily is sick. She has a fever. Stark is taking care of her."
Lily was Uncle Grant's daughter. Before the Cataclysmic Flood, she had returned from overseas with her husband, Stark, planning to settle down with him. But before they could live together as a happy family, disaster struck.
"Lily is sick? Since when?" Bear and Pal were stunned. Getting sick in this time was like having one foot in the grave because there is nowhere to get medicine or treatment.
"Just this morning." Uncle Grant sighed heavily. "She suddenly developed a fever. The engine room floor is cold, and the nights have been especially chilly this week—that must be why."
He looked at the water beast and gently caressed its scales. "I was hoping to make fish soup for her, something nutritious to help her recover. That's why I'm grateful you let me keep it. Later, I'll send you some fish soup."
"Uncle Grant, you don't have to. Keep it for your family, especially since your daughter is sick," Pal said.
Uncle Grant smiled. "It's the least I can do. I still haven't repaid what I owe you before. So don't refuse."
Sadly, he hadn't asked if Miss Lane had medicine. Bear thought.
As Uncle Grant checked his desalination bottle, a small smile appeared. "It seems I'm lucky today. The water yield is good."
Unhooking the bottle, he asked, "Bear, Pal, are you thirsty?"
Bear glanced at the bottle, barely a quarter full. Yet Uncle Grant was offering it. He shook his head and instead pulled something from his backpack.
"We're fine. Actually, we were a bit lucky this trip… so take this."
Uncle Grant stared at the canteen in surprise. "No need—"
Before he could refuse, Pal quickly placed it into his hands.
Feeling its weight, Uncle Grant realized it was full. "This…"
Pal grinned. "Uncle Grant, just accept it! You're making fish soup anyway, right? Just give us half a bowl later."
Bear nodded. He wanted to give more, but that might bring trouble to the old man. Better to wait.
Uncle Grant's eyes turned red. His voice trembled. "…Alright."
Meanwhile, after Skull and Leo's men retreated, they went straight to the bridge on the upper deck—Leo's office.
"Boss Leo! Bear's team has returned!"
In the middle of what used to be the command room, a man with shoulder-length blonde hair tied in a messy ponytail lounged lazily in a swiveling chair, sipping a glass of diluted brandy. His long-sleeved button-up shirt was open at the top, revealing a patch of his hairy chest. This was Leo.
Leo placed the glass on the armrest and slightly raised his chin. "Keep an eye on them. If you notice anything unusual, report to me immediately."
"Boss, there's something else."
Leo abruptly straightened in his chair after hearing the next report.
"What? A D-Class–promoting water beast?!"