Cathulhu Online, MUNYA!

Chapter 58 – Cat Dad’s Future Prophet

Gnoll Island

Two ferry ships docked at an abandoned port. Ten players in leather armor, five mages, two healers, and three knights came down from the vessels and gazed at the inhabited island.

The leader of the group was one of the knights. His 7 feet beefy silhouette stood out from the rest of the crews, and his flashing level 60 seemed intimidating.

Behind the knight, the female mage with the name [Cherry Popper] and a hooded rogue [Dog Eater] followed after their captain.

“Is this the place?” Asked Butter Tank, aka the tall captain.

Cherry Popper reported to the knight, “Yes captain. The appraiser NPC said that the Gnoll Set had the scent of the sea and earth. But according to the description, the items were made from elite gnoll corpses. We also purchased the hint from a shady NPC in the goblin dungeon’s safe zone that Gnolls usually lived in a cave. So, if we combine the clues, the gnolls should be living in a cave somewhere near the sea or on an island!”

Butter Tank appreciated the woman’s investigation.

Although Cherry sounded like a pro, she simply purchased all information from NPCs and read the clues from the item descriptions. It was not something impressive in-game, but her contribution was useful nonetheless.

“If we talk about the sea, there aren’t many unexplored islands and continents. One of the unexplored areas is these islands,” Cherry added.

“Our guild has already checked this island, though. There isn’t anything worthwhile in the forest other than low-level snakes and wild trees. Maybe, carpenters and lumberjacks might love this island’s resources.”

“But we haven’t thoroughly mapped the entire island chain yet. Even if we don’t find anything here, we can at least map the region and sell it to the market.”

“If that’s the case, our mobilization is pointless here. We should have deployed scouts instead of an exploration team.”

“Come on, boss. If we really find an unknown dungeon, our team can at least gain the first explorer bonus buff! 50% drop rate buff for 3 days is huge!”

“Alright, alright. Let’s get going. We’ll check out this forest.”

The team approached the forest. Two rogues took the lead and searched for traces of people.

They only took less than 10 steps, and the rogues spotted footprints._.

“Someone was here not long ago!”

“Oh?”

The party got excited. They followed the rogue, who traced the footprints further into the forest.

The trace stopped at a steep cliff. The rogues looked up and pointed at the mountain.

“Let’s climb the mountain. The trace leads up!”

…

Meanwhile, Slave One stopped his fishing boat in the middle of the sea. He glared at the ferry ships, which had been docked at the Gnoll Island.

Ding

<Magdalene advises you to sink their ships.>

Slave One frowned and gazed at his fiancé. He slightly shook his head.

<Magdalene encourages you to be confident in your abilities.>

Slave One nodded and shook his head at the same time.

<Magdalene promises that she won’t kill the poor slaves on that ship.>

Slave One smiled. He sailed closer to the ferry ships while he activated one of his skills.

Water Gathering!

A mass of water gathered and hovered over his fishing ship.

A few minutes later, the water mass was ten times larger than the ferry ships. Slave One started sweating as the spell put a strain on his psyche.

Ding

<Magdalene has taken over the water mass.>

<Magdalene has cast a spell, Hungry Sea!>

The seawater from the water mass transformed into a water shark. The monster opened its mouth and jetted toward the two parking ships.

…

On the two ferry ships, two retainers of Butter Tank stood idly on the boats. Their eyes were dull. Their ragged clothes were smelly as if they hadn’t taken a bath for months.

Their condition was common in the game. As the support characters couldn’t betray their masters, the players mistreated them and ignored their welfare.

None of them had realized yet that what they had been doing would instigate a war between the aliens and their world in the future, but that was a story for another time.

Meanwhile, the two retainers on the boat noticed the incoming attack, but none of them reacted to the water shark. They bitterly smiled as if they expected their death. One of them closed their eyes, waiting to be killed.

BOOM

The shark crushed one of the boats in half. One of the support characters fell to the sea!

The remaining retainer gazed at his colleague with teary eyes. He inwardly cursed his master for not taking care of him. He then closed his eyes, wanting to follow his friend to his death.

BOOM

The shark came back and devoured the ferry ship. The retainer also fell into the sea.

Both retainers accepted their fate and hoped for a painless death.

But as both retainers gave up their miserable lives, a change occurred inside them. They heard someone’s voice.

DING

<Magdalene asks you if you want freedom.>

“…”

They widened their eyes in astonishment. They opened their mouth slightly, but no word came out.

<Magdalene understands your intention.>

RUMBLE

The water shark returned. The monster carried both retainers in its mouth and brought them to a certain fishing boat.

…

Slave One helped the two retainers on board his ship. He hugged them and patted their backs.

The retainers’ eyes were teary. They stared at Slave One and tried to speak, but something blocked their vocal cord.

Slave One’s clear eyes and his expression slightly changed. A trace of anger was swelling inside his pupils, yet he smiled at them and assured their safety.

The two retainers bowed at Slave One, but they turned around and looked at the island. Their dark expression told Slave One everything.

DING

<Magdalene suggests that you bring these poor souls to Cernun to ask for his help.>

<Magdalene also suggests that you should change your name with the rename ticket. It’s about time for you to be independent.>

Slave One shook his head and gave Magdalene an angry look.

<Magdalene says she is sorry.>

<Magdalene says she will respect your loyalty toward your master.>

Slave One smiled. He brought out the rename ticket and tore it.

DING

<The Rename Ticket has been used. Please input your new name.>

Slave One gazed at the two poor retainers. Then, he suddenly had an inspiration, a cheeky one. The corners of his mouth slightly curved up.

DING

<The name [Joshua] has been taken by an NPC or a Player. Please choose another name.>

Slave One frowned in disappointment. He tried again.

<The name [Savior] has been taken by an NPC or a Player. Please choose another name.>

Again!

DING-DING

<The name [Jesus] is inappropriate. Please choose another name.>

<The name [Allah] is inappropriate. Please choose another name.>

“…”

DING-DING-DING

<The name [Messiah] has been taken by an NPC or a Player. Please choose another name.>

<The name [Muhammad] has been taken by an NPC or a Player. Please choose another name.>

<The name [Prophet] has been taken by an NPC or a Player. Please choose another name.>

“…”

<Magdalene bursts into laughter because of your cheekiness and terrible naming sense.>

<Magdalene has an idea. She asks you if she can name you.>

Slave One pouted. He turned to his fiancé with teary eyes. He repeatedly nodded.

DING

<Your name has been changed to [Shepherd].>

“…”

Slave One, now Shepherd, widened his eyes. He stared at his fiancé as if she had done something irreversible.

<Magdalene can’t stop laughing.>

<Magdalene says that it suits your ambition and inspiration!>

<Magdalene says you should be grateful that she didn’t name you [Purrphet Mewoses McCatfisher the third] to match with your master.>

“…”