Witch, I'm really not the Deep Sea Ancient God!

Dining boats at sea, a unique industry of the Witch Sea.

Some cracks spawn in remote parts ocean, drawing countless voyagers.

At such times, if there were a fragrant dining boat beside these rifts, it could attract many people.

Without risking entering the cracks, one could still make a good amount of money.

The Crack Tide has arrived, and more cracks will appear on the ocean!

This indeed is a path to fortune.

Of course, without sufficient strength, it's also easy to be taken advantage of with people eating without paying.

An sipped a little bit of wine:

"So, you're also planning to head into the tides?"

An could tell that Chen Qi was not the type content with just being a Chef.

A dining boat at sea was merely an excuse for him to step into the tide of rifts.

Just like many pirates, often cloaked as businessmen, whalers, or explorers.

"Mhm."

Chen Qi nodded his head.

He had already advanced to First Order, but his current strength might not be enough to beat a well-equipped and conscious First Order Transcendent.

He still had plenty of room for improvement in his abilities.

Maro Town was a good starter village that could provide him a lot of help.

But staying in the starter village forever would lead to slow progress.

Plus, he now possessed the treasure map of a Deep Sea Hunter, along with Deep Sea Affinity.

To him, the dangerous tides would be safer by comparison.

Chen Qi took another sip of wine:

"Yes, there should be many opportunities out in the wider world, and I want to give it a shot."

An perked up:

"Oh? A lot of people in Maro Town are also preparing to set sail, aren't you interested in forming a group with them? Like little Maro, he even has... um... pretty good equipment."

Chen Qi glanced at the dazed Maro.

Though it was somewhat rude, no matter how one looked at it, the other party felt like a liability.

Moreover, if someone saw him peacefully coexisting with a creature like the Black Ship Sea Dragon, they'd probably brand him with the title of having the blood of an ancient god.

"Mmm... I'm not interested right now, running a restaurant at sea is a small business in itself, so I won't be forming a group."

"Is that so! You're quite brave to head to the sea during the Crack Tide alone,"

An drained another cup of wine, her face flushed and slightly tipsy.

The Mayor of Maro Town gulped down his wine and also bowed his head, patting his intoxicated son, little Maro:

"Yes, ascending to a higher rank amidst the Crack Tide is no easy task; my precious son encounters strange occurrences every time he sets out to sea."

The Crack Tide isn't merely about an increase in cracks. The entire ocean becomes perilously dangerous as ancient creatures revive in the deep sea.

Just recently, the cruise ship from the Golden Flower Bird Kingdom that was attacked by a mysterious black creature is the best example.

That ship from the Golden Flower Bird Kingdom had several Third-tier Transcendents aboard, yet none were spared the disaster!

Even without mentioning that black creature, many fishermen on Maro Island recently saw a terrifying near-shore overlord.

Some were chased by a pitch-black skeleton all the way back to harbor at night, only disappearing upon reaching the lighthouse's light.

Fearing these creatures, many fishermen have started moving away.

The Mayor of Maro Town finished up the last skewer of grilled squid and glanced at the time.

It's already this late, and he hasn't returned home!

He suddenly broke out in a cold sweat, his hand holding the wine trembling:

"Thank you for the delicious dinner.

It's getting late, and my wife is waiting at home. As the head of the family, I need to get back early. The nights have not been peaceful lately, and she would be scared without me."

The Mayor of Maro Town hurriedly carried his drunken son and left the boat.

An, her face flushed, said nothing but quietly watched Chen Qi.

Then, leaning on the table, she lifted her flushed face and suddenly spoke:

"Honestly, Qi, though I don't know why, I feel that perhaps you're more suited to being a Hunter than a Chef."

Though An was the innkeeper's daughter, she didn't seem to handle her liquor very well.

"Is that so?"

Chen Qi took another sip of wine.

How come a Chef can't be a Hunter?

On player forums, Chefs have the domineering title of monster hunters.

While others' first reaction upon seeing magical beasts might be that they can't beat them, a Chef's first thought is whether they can be eaten.

In many chefs' eyes, many dangerous monsters are just ingredients.

"Remember, the path of a Mage is always open to you. Of course, getting a Second-tier Occupation Card from that path is anything but simple,"

She shook her head and then patted her flushed face to remain sober.

She actually hoped that after Chen Qi went to sea, he'd encounter some trouble.

Then come running back dejectedly, telling her tearfully that he was too reckless, and then, under her advice, choose the path of the book, stepping onto the Mage path!

His personality wasn't suited for following the conventional Mage path.

But maybe he could become a unique profession of the White Tower Federation, a knowledgeable Hunter, or even enter the legendary Thirteen Hunter Associations of the "White Tower."

However, rookies going out to sea always encounter plenty of troubles.

But the fear is that the trouble might be so great that it completely overwhelms Chen Qi.

She could only wish him a smooth journey.

Finally, An shook her head, stood up to say goodbye:

"Do you have a destination to head to at sea? When approximately do you plan to set sail?"

A destination to head to at sea… Chen Qi pondered.

The treasure of a Deep Sea Hunter, or a dangerous area where Sea Beasts loom, these were his goals!

He thought for a moment and then said:

"I plan to first go to Moonstone City to gather some information, and if quick, I could set sail by tomorrow."

"Tomorrow!"

An was startled.

She touched her chin, then wore a mysterious expression:

"Tomorrow night, your bounty should have arrived. Just in time, I'll apply for something for you, which should be settled by tomorrow evening."

"?"

"See you tomorrow."

...

...

After they had left.

Chen Qi tidied up the small houseboat a bit.

Then, pacing around the small houseboat for a moment and ensuring no one was around, he took out the treasure map from his backpack.

The Deep Sea Hunter's treasure map!

Hunter Yu Huo had already been assimilated by him, and now this treasure map was his most prized possession.

The Deep Sea Hunter was a legend of the Witch Sea, and the treasures left behind were enough to change the life of an ordinary Transcendent.

Moreover, perhaps, within it lay the legendary Fourth Rank Occupation Card of the Deep Sea Hunter!

Of course, being only First Order, the Fourth Rank Occupation Card was not what he needed to consider now.

To develop quickly, this treasure map was crucial.

Chen Qi opened this ancient parchment scroll and examined it carefully.

The Deep Sea Hunter's treasure information only specified locations, not the contents of the treasure. Instead, it summarized the contents with patterns.

Chen Qi examined it closely.

He didn't know if there was any suitable place for him to go on the Deep Sea Hunter's treasure map.

Suddenly, Chen Qi's eyes lit up.

He noticed that in front of every treasure location, there was a vaguely drawn human organ pattern.

He scanned from top to bottom.

This protruding one, is it a finger?

This round one, an eye?

This one, a hand?

This one, a leg?

This twisted thing, could it be a brain?

Chen Qi scanned from top to bottom and noticed that in front of each piece of treasure information, human organs were drawn with extremely abstract artistry.

Could it be that the Deep Sea Hunter's treasure was actually his body buried?

Chen Qi looked serious and instantly thought of various possibilities.

Could it be that collecting all these treasures and combining them would summon a new Deep Sea Hunter?

"No, no..."

Chen Qi quickly dismissed this guess.

Before the treasure map's information were several brain marks.

If this were really the Deep Sea Hunter's body, then what would be assembled was a monster with multiple brains.

Moreover, according to legend's description of the Deep Sea Hunter, it didn't seem like a being with multiple brains.

Beyond that, there were many hands. Could the Deep Sea Hunter have many hands? It surely couldn't be a tentacle monster, right?

So, what did these patterns mean?

Chen Qi fell into deep thought.

Having no choice, he looked over the parchment scroll again.

On the back of the parchment, there were faint, unclear characters.

Chen Qi squinted, examining closely.

The content above seemed to be the explanation for these organ patterns!

Chen Qi quickly looked over the explanations of this information.

[

Finger: For the sea beast near this treasure, I only need a finger to handle it.

Eye: For the sea beast near this treasure, a stern look from my deep eyes, and it must die.

Hand: The sea beast near this treasure is somewhat competent; I will have to use my hand.

Leg: A true deep-sea monster, no choice, I must use my leg as well.

Body: Terrifying foe; even I need to exert all my strength to seize the treasure from this level of beast.

Brain: Oh no, oh no, to conquer this terrifying ancient beast, I must use my brain.

]

Ah?

After reading, Chen Qi frowned like an old man on the subway.

What the heck?

Are these human organ patterns corresponding to the difficulty levels for obtaining the treasures?

The Deep Sea Hunter had categorized the treasures on the map using human body parts as different levels.

Chen Qi had fought through many dungeons, seen difficulties indicated with hearts, stars, letters, and lengths.

But this was the first time he had seen difficulty described with organs.

The Deep Sea Hunter's long hunting career might have messed up his brain.

After the comment, Chen Qi scanned the Deep Sea Hunter's treasure map again:

"Well, at least now I know what these patterns mean..."

With his current strength, he could not venture into deeper seas.

And the lowest 'finger' difficulty was also located in distant seas.

Chen Qi looked at each piece of treasure information, trying to find a destination he could currently reach.

Suddenly, his eyes lit up again.

Near Moonstone City, there was a crack where the Deep Sea Hunter's treasure was buried!

In front of the treasure information, there was a circle drawn, probably describing the treasure, though it was unclear what it was.

And the difficulty was the lowest, a finger!

The crack near Moonstone City, this was quite a good target!

Perfect, as he also needed to take a trip to Moonstone City to sell the spices on the ship and Iron Hand's mechanical arm.

Additionally, as a major city, Moonstone City had special weapon shops, and he also needed to purchase many items.

However, he still had one small doubt.

Chen Qi closed his eyes and tapped his forehead with his index finger, asking himself:

"With my current strength, am I as strong as one of the Deep Sea Hunter's fingers?"