Chapter 207: Crossing the Ocean

"You sure about getting a werewolf?" While we were still discussing in front of the dragon skeleton, Victoria asked.

"Yeah. They're strong, right? Even Javier agreed. That mean their strength are quite remarkable."

"Yes. I heard from him that even the weakest werewolf alone is enough to give trouble to an Orc Emperor. Though the Orc Emperor is not the mutated one like the one you fought." Victoria said.

"Ah… right, mutated monsters are much stronger, aren't they? Maybe if I found one while looking for the werewolves, I should make a contract with one."

I remember how much trouble that Orc Emperor gave me before. Although that one was mutated thanks to the cult, I can still imagine how strong normal Orc Emperors are. If the weakest werewolf able to fight Orc Emperor, what about the strongest?

I'm also much stronger than I was back when I fought that mutated Orc Emperor. And I want a monster at least as strong as I am. A powerful Werewolf should be a good option.

"What about Vampires? They are capable of using magic, you know?" Victoria asked.

"Really? Then a Vampire it is!"

Hearing that they are capable of magic, I quickly change my mind.

"But vampires only active at night. They are nocturnal creatures who rest during the day." Victoria continued explaining about vampires.

"Then a Werewolf! Why do I want a monster that can only be active at night? I will also fight in the day, you know?" I said.

"Nah, I'm just asking. Anyway, my first thought has always been to have you make a contract with either a Vampire or a Werewolf. Anyway, either of them has hierarchy. So, either Vampires or Werewolves have a leader in their group."

"Can they be reasoned with? If possible, I want to negotiate with the leader of the Werewolves."

"Negotiate to do what?"

"To raise an army of Werewolves. We need more allies to fight against the cult." I said.

"Well, you can only see about it later. I'll tell you where it is, so go there quickly. I think it should take a week to go to where the Werewolves are."

"You should have told me that sooner so we won't waste time! Let's go! Where are they located?"

"That way."

I quickly run to the location Victoria pointed. Good thing it's not where the Monkeys' location is. Wait, are those monkeys good enough to be contracted? Hmm… I don't think they were smart enough to communicate with from the time I saw them. Let's focus on the Werewolves.

Just after an hour of running, I see something weird.

"Hey, Victoria…"

"Hmm? What is it?"

"If we continue going straight, we will be at the sea. Don't tell me…"

"Yes. The location of where the werewolves are is across the sea."

"…and to cross the sea, I need…"

"A week. But with your speed, you should be able to get there in three or four days." Victoria said calmly.

"That's too far! Is there any island I can rest on mid-way? Or you want to say that I should go there without a rest? That's impossible!"

"…everything is for the sake of getting a powerful monster."

"…let's try it. After that time fighting that Fishman, I think that my swimming speed is faster than my running speed. And every time we find an island, you'll leave a Blobby in that island. That way, if I don't see any other island on the way, I can make a portal to that island and camp there."

After deciding what kind of monster I want to make a contract with, I don't want to change it anymore. Werewolves seem to be great since their wolf form is big enough for me to ride. Although I might be faster than them, it's still a good idea to ride a wolf.

And so, after reaching the beach, I only stop for a while just to take off my clothes. They will be an obstruction if I want to swim fast.

And then, I dived into the sea. Luckily, there are no monsters in the area where I dived in. I want to see if there are a lot of treasures in this world, including under the sea, but for now, contracting a monster is more important. I'll go treasure hunting another time.

I only swim close to the surface. It's because the water pressure is lesser and in case I'm being chased by a monster, I can quickly escape to the surface. Then I'll just run on water and find a safe place to escape to.

...

What the hell is this? I have been swimming for twelve hours straight!

After swimming for twelve hours, of course my body would get exhausted. Especially since there are a lot of unknown monsters in this world. The worst thing is that, I see no island in sight. There are no places for me to rest.

Should I go back to human world? If I do that, when I return to this world the next time, I will probably go to that dragon skeleton again.

I can't do that. I have decided to get stronger, and I will! It's just… I'm lacking motivation.

I thought that I would be able to safe the world just by letting Albert know about the future, but that's not enough and I have to continue taking care of everything. I need something to motivate me.

If I don't do this, I'll die. No, that's an example of bad motivation.

If I don't do this, everyone die. That's even worse motivation.

Argh! I'm too tired now and all my thoughts turn negative in an instant! I need rest!

Think happy thoughts! Think happy thoughts!

Can't do that. Too tired.

I can only see the water below me getting shallower and shallower.

Wait! The water is getting shallower! That mean there should be an island nearby!

After thinking that there might be an island nearby, I swim even faster. Using my Divine Vision to its full strength, I can finally see an island!

My speed is getting faster and faster. The island that I could see as blur even with my Divine Vision, slowly becoming clearer. And my speed didn't drop at all. In fact, I think it's getting even faster.

I guess this is me. I'm lacking motivation, but what can really motivate me is the prize in front of me. As long as the prize is unknown, there's no such thing as motivation coming from me. I'll do everything normally.

Should I tell the others? They might give me more reward.

…no that's a bad idea. They would end up abusing it. I'll keep it to myself.

"…Roy, you suddenly getting faster. Is there any island in sight?" Victoria suddenly covered my ears and speak to me.

"Yes. I can finally rest now."

"…are you the kind of man who become extremely motivated with the prize in sight?" Victoria asked again.

…SHE KNOWS! I just found out about it, and she realizes it at once! I want to keep it a secret, but now she will tell the others!

While I was thinking on how to answer that, a helping hand arrive at the right moment.

"I HAVE ARRIVE! Wait, we're swimming?" Sonia suddenly appear and get confused when she noticed I'm swimming.

"Oh, hey Sonia! How's it going on the other side?" I asked Sonia instead of answering Victoria's question.

"Oh, they're doing fine. Today, they're just doing some light training, and then we went to play with the kids and shopping. Jewel is your disciple so it's alright if we used your money for her, right? Anyway, right now everyone is asleep. They are too tired from having fun today. As for tomorrow, our plan is to do some quests from the guild so we can build a clan faster." Sonia explained what the others did today.

I'm so jealous! While I'm exhausting myself swimming, they are having fun! And Sonia said that my money is for Jewel, but I believe everyone is using it! It's my money! Not theirs! They should have gotten a portion of my income since I told Sam to share it with the others!

Ah, whatever. As long as Victoria doesn't tell the others about my weakness, a little sacrifice is nothing.

"It's okay. Jewel is still feeling reserved around us, right? I hope with that bit of money, she will open up more." I said.

"Sonia! Tell the others quick! Roy's weakness is that he only become motivated with the prize in sight! Other than that, he won't be too motivated in doing anything else! Tell Albert and the others fast! To make him stronger, we have to get him motivated!" Victoria shouted.

AAAAH! SHE SAID IT!

And after she said it, Sonia smiled and disappear! Even though it took her a while to travel between worlds, she doesn't mind travelling back just a few minutes after she arrive!

But I still have another secret weapon!

Although I become more motivated with the prize in sight, that depends on what is the prize!

I'm rich and strong. My way of fighting is too different than anyone else. It would be difficult for even Albert to find something that will interest me.

I thought of that as I finally arrive on the island. Luckily, the island is empty. I quickly transformed about eighty Blobbies and turned them into a shelter and a bed. Not caring about Victoria asking me about my motivation anymore, I went to sleep right away.

Today is a long day.