Treasure Hunting System： The Ocean Conquerer

”Kid, no matter what, make sure there’s enough Gemstones. Did you hear me? If you let her starve, I’ll come down from the Hall of Trial and screw your head off, even at the risk of divine punishment.” He stared fiercely at Jason.

Facing the glare, Jason merely glanced at him and waved his hand dismissively. ”Cut it out. Besides, I have an ample supply. I’ve practically spent all my funds feeding her; I don’t need your instructions.”

”Good to see you’re sensible, kid. But I should offer something too. I have a legacy in the mortal world—my own treasury—and it has quite a few Gemstones.”

Hearing this, Jason’s head snapped around. Is there really such a good thing? When it came to Gemstones, Jason’s motto was ’the more, the better.’ He’d take as many as he could get.

”I can’t tell you now,” the Dragonman said, looking at him. ”Only when you meet my requirements and complete the trial will I let you in on it.”

He then patted his rear and stood up. He walked to the center of the valley.

”Alright, come here, Jason. You’d better grit your teeth and train hard. I will train you relentlessly. Don’t expect me to go easy on you. What you carry on your shoulders is a destiny beyond your wildest imagination. You must bear this heavy burden as you move forward, yet your future is also bright.”

Jason looked at the Dragonman instructor’s serious expression. He was suddenly reminded of the goal they had set just a few days ago: to make every effort to save the world, or else destroy it. The choice between being a Savior or a Destroyer. He certainly didn’t think there was any burden heavier than this. Yet, he still faced the Dragonman with a serious expression.

”Bring it on,” Jason declared. ”I’ll definitely grit my teeth.”

”OUCH, it hurts like hell! This guy hits so hard; he has no idea how to hold back! OWWW!”

”Gentler... gentler, HISS!”

Battered and swollen, Jason lay on the Teleportation Platform, receiving healing from Matilda. Everyone gathered around, looking at Jason’s sorry state. Jason’s eyes were so swollen they were barely visible, reduced entirely to slits. The various scars on his body were all caused by the beating. The one who beat him had truly used all their strength, maximizing his injuries without endangering his life. Calling it training? It felt more like torture.

”What on earth did you do to warrant such punishment?” Alka asked from beside him, his expression a mixture of concern and puzzlement. Just looking at him was painful enough to give one goosebumps.

”I said... I’d grit my teeth and let him come at me... and in the end, he knocked my teeth out,” Jason said, trembling. He could hardly speak clearly.

Alka looked at the two gaps where Jason’s teeth were missing and silently closed his own mouth. After a moment’s thought, he consoled, ”It’s okay. The feedback from the Crystal Dragon will let you grow new teeth. Don’t worry.”

”WAAAH... That damn instructor said the same thing!” Alka’s words, far from consoling, only triggered Jason’s unpleasant memories.

”Uh...” This left Alka feeling a bit awkward, and he silently closed his mouth again.

The Crystal Dragon circled worriedly around Jason.

”It’s alright. I just look a bit miserable, don’t worry... HISS! Gentle, gentle!” His bravado lasted barely two seconds before Matilda, who was treating him, rolled her eyes.

”You should rest well,” Alka said, unable to bear watching any longer.

”Wait. Once I’m better, I have something to tell you,” Jason said, his tone suddenly serious.

Hearing this, Alka turned to look at him. Seeing Jason’s serious tone and his serious eye... well, eye slits, Alka struggled to maintain a serious expression and nodded. ”No problem.”

Then he turned and left. Behind him, another painful cry erupted from Jason.

”Sister Matilda, please, I’m begging you, can you be a bit gentler?”

”You complain so much! Aren’t you a man? Pororo wouldn’t scream like this even if he were seriously hurt.”

”What? Hmph! Go ahead, hit me harder! If I scream again, I lose!”

”HISS!”

Hearing this exchange from behind, Alka shook his head helplessly.

Sounds of rumbling came from the distance. Seen from afar, a huge, seven-meter-high elemental-like creature, formed from branches and rubble, was under attack. It wasn’t Alka and the others attacking it. Instead, it was the Puppet Knight Order, led by Lucilia.

Lucilia had brought the Puppet Knight Order to the island to train their practical combat skills. The task of clearing out these elemental-like creatures had been assigned to them. This was a rare opportunity. They could even hear Lucilia’s voice cheering them on.

”Come on, everyone! We are the Puppet Knight Order! We are destined to save the world! The sweat and effort we put in now will earn us even more glorious honor in the future!”

”For the Order! For the Mother of the World!”

Hearing Lucilia’s rallying cry, the Puppet Girls responded enthusiastically one after another.

”When did she come up with such a slogan?” Alka asked curiously.

Chadite, beside him, shrugged helplessly. How would she know? Lucilia’s ideas were always eccentric, and she never hesitated to act on them.

”The slogan’s not bad, is it?”

”Indeed.”