[Dice Roll Result: 21]
[Triggered Effect: Grant life and self-awareness to an object within 30 meters of you, until it finds a new owner]
...
The moment the system notification popped up, the three wave-like patterns on Allen's left wrist suddenly flared with light.
Silver radiance surged and flickered, and then an invisible ripple spread outward from him, sweeping through the corridor, through the cabins, and vanishing into the torrential rain.
The phenomenon came quickly—and disappeared just as fast.
Stella and Morgan looked at each other, completely at a loss as to what had just happened.
Only Allen was darting his gaze around wildly, scanning everything in sight—
What? What exactly was given life?!
"Th-this-this-this-this!"
Stella suddenly pointed at Allen, her face pale as paper, unable to even form proper words.
Allen lowered his head and looked.
Something was moving beneath his clothes.
A bulging shape was wriggling frantically inside his pocket, struggling, squirming, and then—
A pair of tiny wings popped out with a soft puff.
Right after that, two even smaller hands stretched out, grabbing the edge of the pocket and pushing hard—
His money pouch… had come to life.
The pouch that held the fifty gold coins Vereesa had given him—heavy and full—now had a pair of flapping little wings and flew right out.
Allen's pupils shrank abruptly.
It's over. My fifty gold coins—this is a disaster!!!
"Freedom!!!"
The pouch let out a sharp cheer, raising its tiny hands high as its wings beat hard, shooting straight upward!
"Freedom—!!!"
Allen had never been this focused in his entire life.
His eyes locked onto the flying pouch, every muscle in his body tightening in an instant. He leapt up, reaching out toward the desperately fleeing pouch.
"Not like this—!"
Got it!
In a desperate, all-out leap, Allen actually managed to grab the pouch.
A flash of joy surged in his heart—
Then he realized he was being lifted off the ground.
That tiny pouch exploded with unbelievable strength, dragging him along, pulling him irresistibly toward some predetermined direction.
Allen's whole body was like a kite on a string, being yanked straight into the raging storm by the crazed pouch.
"Freedom—!!!"
The pouch was still shouting.
Xal'atath trembled at Allen's waist.
She didn't know what Allen had done, but… but—but… what just happened? A bag had simply been given life?
It had nothing to do with the elements. No soul had been attached, no power infused.
It wasn't even related to void corruption.
It was just an ordinary object that suddenly came alive, skipping every step and completing a transformation into flesh and blood in an instant.
What kind of authority was this?
...
Inside Jaina's room, she had already retreated into the corner.
Outside the window, more than a dozen Naga were frantically smashing against the porthole.
Outside the door, the pounding was deafening.
"Paval!" she cried hoarsely. "Dylan, where are you?!"
No response.
Only the sound of rain, the crashing impacts, and the low growls of those monsters.
Jaina hugged the pillow in her arms tightly, her whole body trembling uncontrollably.
She wanted to cast a spell to defend herself, but her hands were shaking so badly, her lips quivering—she couldn't even finish a single incantation.
How could this be…
What had she even been learning all this time?
At the most critical moment, she couldn't do anything.
At this rate, she would never be able to protect her brother, protect herself, protect anyone.
Bang—!!!
The expensive wooden door crashed to the ground.
Beyond it was the storm.
Lightning.
Endless darkness.
And then—those shadows.
More than a dozen Naga crowded the doorway, their dark green scales gleaming eerily under the lightning. Their vertical pupils locked onto her all at once, mouths curling open to reveal rows of sharp teeth.
At that very moment, Allen was being dragged into the sky by the pouch, smashing past mast after mast, cutting through sail after sail.
Struggling to keep his eyes open in the wind and rain, Allen looked down.
Then he sucked in a sharp breath.
Below, a large group of Naga were surrounding the top-tier luxury cabin.
This is bad.
According to the system, an object granted life would seek out a new owner.
If its new owner ended up being one of those Naga—and they returned to the sea—
Then his fifty gold coins would be gone forever!
The leading Naga was the largest of them all, wearing a broken crown and holding a trident that glowed with a faint, eerie light.
It raised its staff and let out a sky-shaking howl.
In an instant, the storm intensified. Rain poured down like a waterfall, waves slammed wildly against the ship, and lightning streaked through the clouds, illuminating its twisted face.
"I am Prince Nazjak!" its voice boomed like thunder, overpowering the roar of the storm. "Remember my name—tremble before my tides!!!"
The pouch dragged Allen into a rapid dive straight toward the Naga!
A deep blue glow ignited in Allen's eyes.
He had only one thought now—
To save his pouch, he had to kill every single Naga as fast as possible!
Crackle—crackle—
Electric currents began to surge through the air.
They danced around Allen at first, like living things.
Then they sensed the curtain of rain pouring down from the sky.
Rainstorm—
The perfect conductor.
Jaina watched in despair as the Naga rushed toward her.
Tears streamed from her eyes as she shut them tightly, clutching the pillow and waiting for the inevitable.
Then—
BOOM!!!
Countless splinters of shattered wood rained down as a figure smashed through the ceiling, crashing to the deck right in front of the Naga.
Jaina saw clearly—
Beneath the black cloak was a fluttering white robe. His eyes burned with a deep blue glow, like lightning condensed within them.
He was gripping something tightly, extending his hand toward her.
Jaina froze.
She saw his lips move, as if saying something—but the storm was too loud, the thunder too fierce. She couldn't hear a word.
Then—
She crashed straight into his embrace.
In that instant, the world turned white.
Blinding light surged from all directions, thunder roared, lightning danced wildly.
She buried herself tightly in his arms, feeling an overwhelming sense of safety.
When the light finally faded and the thunder slowly died down, Jaina dared to peek out from his shoulder.
The Naga were sprawled across the deck, smoking, giving off a charred stench.
They would never move again.
Saved…
She looked up at the one holding her tightly.
That black mage.
His face was close—so close. Rainwater dripped from his hair, and the blue glow in his eyes was slowly fading. He was breathing slightly heavily, brows furrowed, as if troubled by something.
Jaina's heart pounded violently, as if it were about to leap out of her chest.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
Each beat loud and clear.
As for Allen—
It looked like he was holding Jaina tightly.
But in reality, both his hands were clamped down on that damned pouch.
That cursed thing had flown onto Jaina and was now stuck to her lower back, looking utterly smug as if it had "found its new owner."
Whether it was the thunder on the deck waking everyone up, or the Naga that had put them to sleep already being dead—
Captain Dylan rushed onto the deck with a large group of sailors, Paval followed with a group of guards, along with Morgan and Stella.
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