The captain of the ship reached out.

That form in Chapter 25 is beyond doubt.

In the description of the [genetic complex].

In addition to fungi, there are also gene fragments of monsters such as algae, octopuses, and sea anemones.

In other words, Horn is actually half a marine creature!

So, heading towards the sea is a perfectly normal line of thinking, isn't it?

Moreover, the ocean is a vast treasure trove.

There must be countless ocean monsters among them, which he can use to his advantage!

That's why Horn wanted to preserve this entrance to the sea.

However, since his family members couldn't withstand the seawater, he had no choice but to personally step in and temporarily seal the cracks with his body.

It seems that a single [Carnivorous Mushroom] family member isn't enough?

Their mobility in the ocean is limited, at least.

We need to develop new unit types quickly!

……

……

—Little Mike is going to be rich!

The crew of the Golden Sun, from Ivan, who was of similar rank, to the cook David, and the second mate Paul, all thought so!

Although luck accounted for 99% of that shot, no one can deny his contribution.

If it weren't for that shot, they might already be thrown into the sea to be fed to sharks!

Didn't you see that even the hot-tempered Hansen hasn't dared to whip Little Mike these past two days?

The ship was indeed a place with a strict class system.

However, relatively speaking, it is also a system of clear rewards and punishments.

Otherwise, which sailor on board would be willing to risk their life for the captain?

At the victory celebration, Bazel announced that he would reward Mike with a "Spirit Awakening Potion" to help him become a Mystic!

The secret wayfarer!

Overwhelmed by the huge surprise, Mike felt dizzy, as if everything was a dream.

For a moment, Mike even wanted to tell the captain about the existence of Brother Mushroom and Miss Alice in the lower deck, in order to repay their kindness.

But his conscience stopped him.

Brother Mushroom, you treat yourself well too!

And wouldn't doing that make me a traitor?

After that, he became a secret guide and quietly sent Brother Mushroom and the others off the ship. That should be considered even, right?

This is how things should have gone.

However, on this day...

Mike was summoned to the captain's cabin by Bazel.

"Mike, there's something I need to tell you."

Bazel sat behind the large nautical table, his fingers tapping lightly on the surface, looking somewhat troubled.

This gave Mike a bad feeling.

He had thought that coming to the captain's cabin was to hand over the [Spirit Awakening Potion] to him, but now it seemed that wasn't the case.

"Captain, please speak."

"It's like this, I promised to give you the [Spirit Awakening Potion] last time, but I forgot that we had already used it all up last time."

Bazel looked at Mike, his tone indifferent.

"So, would you like to change the reward, or... wait until we reach the next city-state before giving you the potion?"

Upon hearing this, Little Mike felt as if he had fallen into an ice cave.

Liar!

When you gave the sailor the [Spirit Awakening Potion] last time, there were clearly a few bottles left in that box!

The second mate and the others also said that there must still be this kind of potion on the ship.

Having grown up as a beggar in the city of Aran, Mike learned to read people's expressions and moods at a young age.

By then, he could clearly see that Bazel had no intention of keeping his promise and was just looking for an excuse to get rid of him.

Mike was not unaware of Bazel's reputation for being greedy and stingy.

but……

You're already a fifth-tier Mystic, a single [Spirit Awakening Elixir] isn't that valuable, is it? You can't even part with that?

Mike bit his lip hard, but only dared to speak.

"Then please ask the captain to give me a bigger room."

"This is easy. Just tell Hansen later."

The wooden door to the captain's cabin closed.

Bazel's lips curled up in a smile.

He was drunk that day, which is why he accidentally made the promise to bestow the [Spirit Awakening Potion].

After sobering up, he felt increasingly cheated.

Why should I give my own potion to such a useless person?

Wouldn't it be more worthwhile to use that money to train more loyal and talented trusted subordinates?

Now that the promise has been retracted, Bazeir is naturally in a great mood.

As soon as he left the captain's cabin, Mike's shoulders slumped, and he walked out with heavy steps.

"Mike! Are you...?"

I happened to run into Evan on the way.

Evan was about to congratulate Mike on becoming a Secret Pathfinder, but seeing Mike's expression, he knew something was wrong and silently shut his mouth.

Before long, the other crew members nearby also noticed something from Mike's expression.

But they tacitly remained silent.

They had no intention of standing up for Mike.

That's where Bazel's shrewdness lies.

He would often use generous treatment to win over the strong and high-ranking crew members, but he would exploit the lower-ranking sailors as much as possible.

With the former suppressing them, the latter could only swallow their grievances.

Watching Mike walk off the ship, only Evan muttered something under his breath.

"Isn't this bullying an honest person?"

Mike walked aimlessly through the dimly lit cabin.

He wouldn't be so disappointed if he hadn't received this reward in the first place.

He had clearly seen the hope of becoming a Secret Pathfinder, but it was ruthlessly cut off, as if he had fallen from heaven to hell.

"Don't be sad."

Suddenly, a familiar voice entered Mike's mind.

Mike looked up and realized that he had unknowingly walked into the mushroom cabin. The purplish-black mushrooms were gently wriggling, as if extending an invitation.

"Mike, do you believe me?"

"I...believe."

"Then, I will fulfill your wish."

A tentacle gently landed on Mike's head.

"I will help you become a Pathfinder, I will give you great power, and I will make you a respected figure. All you have to do is follow behind me."

"Brother Mushroom..."

A complex mix of emotions welled up within Mike.

More than any promise, the feeling of being cared for warmed his heart and brought tears to his eyes.

"I will follow you to the death!"

……

……

Become!

Looking down at Mike, who was too moved to speak, Horn knew that he would become one of his most loyal employees from now on.

Horn truly hadn't anticipated this turn of events.

He has deliberately cut off contact with Mike these past few days, only monitoring him unilaterally.

If Mike does anything to betray them, they will be expelled immediately.

Human nature has never been able to withstand the test.

If Mike really told Bazel, Horn wouldn't be unable to understand.

But who would have thought that Bazel would be so stingy, not even willing to give away a single [Spirit Awakening Potion], and forcefully pushing Mike to his side.

"That's how it always was with Bazeir."

Alice's inner voice echoed: "My father said that Bazel was once a slave at an auction, that he lived a very hard life, and that he had a morbid pursuit of wealth."

"His attack on his father was probably due to this habit."

Horn immediately understood.

This is because they're terrified of being poor!

Just like people who have experienced famine will instinctively store large amounts of food, it can be considered a kind of post-traumatic stress disorder.

After a brief analysis of the captain's personality...

Horn's attention was suddenly drawn to a creature outside the cabin.

In the azure sea, pale purple umbrellas opened and closed, their tendrils swaying like ribbons.

Like a spirit wandering in the sea, yet it exudes a sense of danger.

That form is beyond doubt.

It's a jellyfish!