Threading between two colossal worms was anything but easy.When the distance between the two narrowed to just five or six hundred meters, it was like dancing on a blade’s edge—one wrong move, and there would be no return. Every second required constant attention to position and the storm’s effect on the ship.Yang Yi’s nerves were taut as wire. He weaved and maneuvered for eight straight hours, a small pile of Vital Coconuts scattered at his feet.The refreshing effect of coconut water only activated once every 24 hours—but Vital Coconuts had no such restriction. Drinking too many, however, caused diminishing returns... and a bloated belly.Thanks to that, Yang Yi felt like an iron man—still over 70% stamina left.But only he knew how much his body hurt.“How far to the exit?”For the first time, doubt began to creep into his mind.But his will was steel. He shook his head, refusing to think about it, and kept forcing the ship forward.Private messages kept popping up in his inbox—mostly thank-you notes from other players.Many had managed to escape the storm zone during this time.Their ships were slower and had been blocked near the exit by the giant worms.After Yang Yi’s warning, they’d gathered their courage, timed the gap, and charged through.So many were now grateful, sending him messages of thanks.Of course, there were also those who’d failed—and been eaten. But the dead couldn’t send messages, so Yang Yi would never know.Through these private chats, however, he also learned something important.Near the exit lay a buffer zone, about fifty nautical miles long. No giant worms, far calmer seas.That meant—if he saw a vast stretch of sea free from worms, the exit was close!Yang Yi fixed his gaze on the crystal orb.Within a hundred nautical miles, there was no such clear sea yet—no matter where he looked, worms filled the waters...The Nightmare was among the faster ships. With map assistance, they should be nearing the end by now…Three hours later—He finally saw it on the orb: a patch of sea utterly free of dark dots.Like an area erased by a giant rubber eraser—blindingly clear. The distance: about 80 nautical miles.“Suna! We’re almost out!” Yang Yi shouted in excitement.But Suna didn’t look relieved. Instead, she stretched out a hand, feeling the air. Then her expression hardened.“Don’t you feel it? The storm’s getting weaker.”Yang Yi’s heart jolted.If that was true, the storm—once a shield protecting trapped ships—was fading.And that meant the worms’ sensory range was expanding… until it fully returned.He quickly opened the weather forecast.The storm is calming—surprise, surprise!Location: Sea of Origin (Storm Zone)Sunlight duration: UnknownTemperature: 12–18°CWind Force: Level 9The storm was fading! He remembered when he first woke—it had been level 10!Now the sky was no longer pitch-black; faint light began to seep through.He’d been too focused on sailing to notice the gradual change, but now, realization hit like a cold slap.At this rate, wind force would soon drop to 8… 4… even 1.And when that happened—the worms would bare their fangs and tear apart every ship in sight!“Full speed ahead!” Yang Yi roared, switching from his cautious route to the most direct one.Only 80 nautical miles to the buffer zone—better to take the shortest path, even if it meant risk!No one knew when the storm would completely end.But Yang Yi had a gut feeling—it would happen fast. Much faster than expected. And when it did, the worms would come for them.He had to reach safety first.After more than an hour of high-speed sailing, the Nightmare finally reached the edge of the buffer zone—less than 40 nautical miles to go.The worms were smaller here—but the wind had already dropped to level 4, barely hindering their senses.The world chat was full of curses.A few surviving players raged endlessly:“F*** this system!”“I’m screwed! The worm’s on me!”“Ahhhhh!!!”Yang Yi’s situation wasn’t much better.Two giant worms were following close ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) behind, the distance closing rapidly.He had no idea how those things could swim so fast, despite their massive, elongated bodies.Suna saw the danger too and ran toward the stern.“What are you doing?!” Yang Yi shouted.“I’m releasing the Astrologer’s grappling hook—it’ll buy us some time!”“This—”Yang Yi was surprised, but didn’t stop her.It was, after all, a smart move.The worms lacked vision and would likely attack the unmanned Astrologer, giving them a delay.Of course, that meant Suna would lose her ship entirely.But survival came first!Without hesitation, Suna unlatched the grappling hook.The Astrologer, slower than the Nightmare to begin with, quickly fell behind. As expected, the two worms turned on it.And since they weren’t allies, they began fighting over the prey—ripping into each other.Yang Yi seized the chance. The Nightmare surged ahead, gaining distance.But he didn’t relax.Without the Astrologer, his crystal orb could no longer display the map.He had to rely on memory now.He remembered—there was still one last worm ahead. One he’d have to face head-on.This route was still the best possible one.Any other path, and they’d be chased by a dozen worms instead of two.Better to gamble everything against one than die to a swarm.“Suna,” Yang Yi said grimly, “you’re taking the helm. Keep our heading steady.”“When I tell you to jump, jump. Don’t hesitate. Don’t stand there like an idiot—just jump, understand?”Suna nodded and took the wheel.Yang Yi stepped forward, standing at the bow.The Nightmare had no weapons—before a giant worm, it was nothing but prey.And he had no illusions that luck would save him.He was going to fight—to see whether the worm’s head was harder, or his prized flintlock’s caliber larger.He changed into his sharkskin wetsuit and took his position at the bow, ready.Soon, a dark shadow appeared ahead.Once they passed that—safety.Yang Yi switched his flintlock into cannon mode, a cold smile curling on his lips.“Come on, let’s gamble!”Without storm interference, the worm’s senses were terrifyingly sharp. It locked onto the Nightmare and charged.Yang Yi’s entire body tensed. His gun hand clenched so hard his fingers went pale.He wasn’t a marksman by any stretch.He needed it close—very close.There would only be one shot.Miss, and he’d die.As the creature approached within thirty meters, Yang Yi got a good look at its size—three meters thick, forty meters long above the surface.It lowered its body, jaws splitting into four gleaming blades like a massive guillotine, lunging straight for the Nightmare.“Suna! Jump—now!”Yang Yi barked the order and aimed at the worm’s head.Its mouth was a circle of interlocking, jointed limbs—like a spider curled into itself—lined with jagged fangs that would crush anything caught within.And right now, its prey was the Nightmare.Facing imminent death, Yang Yi suddenly felt calm. He drew deep, steady breaths.He could see it clearly now—almost smell the briny stench of its oceanic flesh.That meant the distance was close enough.Less than ten meters.Now!He pulled the trigger.BOOM!The recoil threw him off his feet, numbing his arm as he slammed into the cabin wall.The gunshot roared like thunder—man’s defiance against nature.And its power was monstrous—no weaker than a cannon.The shot hit squarely. The worm’s head exploded.Mouthparts and skull fragments rained across the sea.But its momentum didn’t stop. The massive body crashed into the Nightmare—[The Nightmare has taken a direct hit. Durability -600. Hull integrity lost…]The fragile ship was torn clean in two.

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