Chapter 273 Chasing Shadows
The giant reptile's body bore a gaping, ghastly wound, seeping blood into the surrounding waters, causing a reddish tinge to envelope its vicinity.
The colossal crocodile floated belly-up, its immense form gradually descending into the watery abyss, destined to rest at the seabed's depths of three to four kilometres. Ultimately, it seemed likely that its final resting place would be within the confines of another creature's belly.
Liu Yong's joy overflowed, and he lauded, "Splendid performance! Pray, enlighten me on the manner in which you dispatched this colossal crocodile."
Bawang promptly offered a concise account of the encounter, to which Liu Yong listened with rapt fascination.
It had been a single, devastating strike!
The giant spear had effortlessly impaled the mighty reptile.
Promptly, Liu Yong presumed that the Overlord's sheer might exceeded 500 tons, possessed strength surpassing 30,000 units, and wielded an arsenal weighing more than 240 tons.
Even amidst his delight, Liu Yong did not neglect the other giant crocodile and reminded Bawang, "Overlord, there are two crocodiles, one larger and one smaller. The other may be in close proximity. Search for it and see if you can locate it."
Overlord responded, "Master, that is precisely my intention. I must find the colossal 100-meter crocodile."
Recalling the encounter with the 100-meter behemoth, Overlord had been unable to defeat it, bearing an unfulfilled vendetta within its heart. Now, bolstered by considerable advancements in strength, it yearned for another opportunity to confront the enormous reptile.
Thus, Bawang initiated a search for the 100-meter crocodile within the vicinity.
Captain Sun Zhou remained uneasy on the vessel "Fu," plagued by the lurking threat of reencountering the giant crocodile.
The second engineer interjected, "Captain, we have been maintaining high-speed sailing for over an hour. It is my belief that we have successfully evaded the giant crocodile. There is no need to continue at such an accelerated pace."
The second engineer added, "Indeed, sailing at such high speeds consumes copious amounts of fuel and places an immense strain on our power system."
Operating at an economical speed was undoubtedly the most prudent choice. Sustained high-speed navigation taxed the power system to its limits, leaving doubts about potential malfunctions after prolonged periods.
Captain Sun Zhou acknowledged this fact and nodded in agreement. "Then let us reduce our speed and revert to an economical pace."
Having expressed his decision, he handed the telescope to his first mate, stating, "Lao Jiang, keep a vigilant watch over the sea. May the fearsome giant crocodile never grace us with its presence again."
Jiang Botao took the binoculars, assuming a relaxed countenance, and responded, "We shall not befall such misfortune. Rest assured, we have surely distanced ourselves from that terrifying giant crocodile."
Observing the situation at sea through his telescope, Jiang Botao remained alert.
Finally, Captain Sun Zhou had a moment of respite. He brewed a cup of tea using hot water, settled into a seat, and began savouring it leisurely.
Approximately three to five minutes later, before he could take more than a couple of sips from his teacup, Jiang Botao suddenly exclaimed, his voice filled with alarm.
"Oh heavens, another giant crocodile! It surpasses the previous one in size. Captain, come and witness this."
Startled, Sun Zhou promptly set down his teacup, hastening towards Jiang Botao to examine the direction he indicated through the binoculars.
Not far away, near the vessel "Blessed," at a distance of three to four hundred meters, a formidable hundred-meter-long crocodile, potentially weighing over a thousand tons, lazily swam through the waters.
Sun Zhou's countenance changed abruptly.
Such an immense crocodile left no room for doubt. If it were to assail the "Blessed," it would undoubtedly rend a gaping hole in the vessel with a single, devastating strike.
Goodness, gracious!
Such a great reptile was beyond comprehension!
The first engineer, second engineer, second officer, boatswain, and others aboard the ship directed their gaze towards the sea without binoculars. Their eyes fixated on the colossal crocodile, their faces etched with terror, while the more timid among them paled slightly.
A hushed silence enveloped the vessel.
Everyone seemed apprehensive, as though any negligent action might provoke the colossal crocodile's attention, causing it to swim towards the "Blessed" and launch an assault upon the ship.
However, a peculiar development unfolded.
The colossal crocodile appeared to pay no heed to the "Blessed," despite its proximity, as if blind to its presence. It passed by at a distance of three to four hundred meters, gradually fading from view, allowing those on board to exhale finally.
"Oh my goodness, it nearly gave me a heart attack."
"It was truly terrifying. If such a colossal crocodile were to engage us, the ship would surely be obliterated."
"Quick, quick, increase the speed! We must navigate at maximum velocity. If it catches up again, we'll be in dire straits."
Shortly after the "Blessed" reverted to an economical speed, it accelerated again. Captain Sun Zhou desperately sought to distance themselves from the area, ensuring they put as much distance as possible between themselves and the colossal reptile.
Meanwhile, Bawang had yet to locate the hundred-meter crocodile and continued its search.AA message reached Bawang from Liu Yong, stating, "Overlord, a few minutes ago, that hundred-meter crocodile passed by our 'Fu' iron ore bulk carrier."
"Truly? Marvelous! I shall head there immediately," Bawang exclaimed with joy. Grasping its colossal spear, it swiftly turned and propelled itself toward the "Blessed."
After a brief span, Overlord caught sight of the vessel "Blessed," subsequently embarking on a quest to find the hundred-meter crocodile.
Minutes later, Bawang located the colossal reptile, which seemed to be moving away from the "Blessed." Without hesitation, Bawang pursued it, undeterred by the possibility of being detected. Its speed surpassed that of the hundred-meter crocodile, having already dispatched the seventy-meter ones swiftly and efficiently trimmed, confident in confronting the colossal reptile.
Bawang's velocity outmatched the hundred-meter crocodile'sing the distance swiftly. At three to four hundred meters, the crocodile caught sight of Overlord.
Halting in its tracks, the hundred-meter reptile patiently awaited Overlord's approach.
With each passing moment, their proximity grew.
Finally, the hundred-meter crocodile discerned Bawang, vaguely recognizing it. Although its cognitive abilities were limited, it failed to reconcile how the smaller Overlord it once encountered had grown significantly.
Unconcerned with the crocodile's momentary confusion, Overlord pressed forward, propelling itself directly towards the enormous reptile.
Observing Overlord's refusal to halt and engage in a standoff, instead choosing to swim directly towards it, the hundred-meter crocodile grew incensed, launching an aggressive charge in response.
Unperturbed, Overlord met its aggression head-on. Brandishing the colossal spear, it aimed the tip towards the massive head of the crocodile, initiating a sprinting maneuver.
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