Summoned with an SSS-Rank Portal Skill

Chapter 145 A New Continent

Apprehension gnawed at William as he plunged into the depths. Despite the magical seaweed's effects, the ocean held unknown dangers. Powerful beasts could lurk beneath the waves, unseen predators ready to strike. The Kraken's presence loomed large in his mind, but thankfully, the monstrous creature was long gone, its immense speed carrying it far from the island.

Stuart, ever resourceful, conjured a bubble of air around himself, clinging to William's back as they sped through the water. "Where to now?" William asked, his voice heavy with grief.

"There's another continent nearby," Stuart squeaked. "That's the closest safe haven. Returning to your own continent would take far too long, and it's too risky."

He was right. William had ventured far from home, and without a ship or crew, the journey back would be perilous. He needed a place to recover, to regroup, to plan his next move. James and the others would be worried, but he had no choice. Everything had spiraled out of control.

"How long will this seaweed's effect last?" William asked, concern creeping into his voice.

"A few days, I believe," Stuart replied. "But you can activate and deactivate the transformation as needed."

A few days wouldn't be enough to reach the other continent. According to Stuart's calculations, it would take at least thirty. William would need another mode of transport.

'I'll figure that out when I need to,' he thought, pushing the worry aside.

Days turned into weeks. William swam tirelessly, only stopping to snatch the occasional fish from the teeming waters. The transformation had unexpected benefits – he didn't need to sleep, and he could consume raw fish without any ill effects. It was a far cry from his usual diet, but survival was paramount.

As the effects of the seaweed began to wane, William knew he needed a new plan. Then, on the horizon, he spotted a small fishing boat. It was impossible to know if they were heading towards the continent, but it was a chance he had to take. He observed the crew, noting their lack of strength. He felt no threat from them.

The boat was stationary, the fishermen casting their nets into the deep. William deactivated his transformation, allowing his body to bob to the surface, feigning the helplessness of a shipwrecked sailor.

"Look!" one of the fishermen shouted, pointing towards William. "There's someone in the water!"

The fishermen, startled by the sight of a man adrift in the open sea, quickly hauled in their nets and set about rescuing William. They carefully maneuvered the boat closer, their weathered faces etched with concern.

"He seems unconscious, but he hasn't drowned," one of them observed, relief evident in his voice. "Let's get him aboard and wait for him to wake up."

With practiced ease, they hoisted William onto the deck, their strong arms gently carrying him to a small cabin below. He was laid on a bunk, left to rest and recover. William, however, was feigning unconsciousness, listening intently to their conversation. Stuart remained hidden, wisely avoiding any unnecessary attention.

After a while, William "awoke," feigning disorientation and confusion. The fishermen crowded around, eager to hear his tale.

"My ship... it sank," William stammered, his voice weak and raspy. "My crew... they're all gone. Some might have survived, but I got separated from them. I must have fainted..."

"Gods above!" the fishermen exclaimed, their faces etched with pity.

"What sank your ship?" one of them asked, his brow furrowed with concern.

"A powerful magical beast," William replied, his voice laced with fear. "These waters are treacherous..."

He noticed, with a surge of relief, that he understood their language, despite it being completely foreign to him.

'Perhaps it's a benefit of being a summoned hero,' he mused. 'It would make sense, considering I'm supposed to be a global figure.'

The summoned heroes possessed unique abilities, and it seemed multilingualism was one of them. This unexpected gift would prove invaluable in navigating this new land.

With renewed confidence, William continued his fabricated tale, weaving a story of misfortune and survival, hoping to gain the fishermen's trust and secure passage to the mainland.

The fishermen, their faces pale after hearing about the monstrous creature that had sunk William's ship, readily agreed to return to the mainland.

"I think we've caught enough for now," the leader declared, his gaze sweeping over the ice-laden tanks filled to the brim with their frozen catch. "We've been out here for days, and it's not worth risking our lives for a few extra fish."

These fishermen, all hailing from the same coastal village, operated as a tight-knit collective, sharing the bounty of their expeditions.

"Aye, you're right," another fisherman chimed in. "No need to tempt fate. We can always return in a few months."

William, sensing their eagerness to depart, seized the opportunity. "If you don't mind my asking," he began tentatively, "where are you headed? And would you have room for one more passenger?"

The fishermen exchanged smiles, their initial apprehension replaced with sympathy for the shipwrecked stranger. "We're returning to the mainland," the leader replied. "And of course you can join us! Our accommodations are humble, mind you, but you're welcome aboard."

"Thank you," William said, gratitude filling his voice. "I'm in your debt."

He spent the next few days recuperating on the fishing boat, sharing meals and stories with his rescuers. He learned their names – Bran, the grizzled leader with a heart of gold; Kael, the young, eager apprentice; and Torin, the gruff, seasoned fisherman with a repertoire of salty tales.

He discovered they were from a small coastal village called Saltwind, nestled amidst the cliffs and coves of the mainland. They spoke of their families, their lives, and the challenges of earning a living from the unforgiving sea. William, in turn, shared a carefully edited version of his own story, omitting any mention of magic, time travel, or demonic swords.

He spoke of a merchant vessel lost to a storm, a crew scattered and a captain struggling to survive. The fishermen, captivated by his tale, offered words of comfort and encouragement. William found himself enjoying their company, their simple honesty a refreshing change from the deceit and danger he'd become accustomed to.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity at sea, the rugged coastline of the mainland emerged from the horizon. A cheer erupted from the fishermen as they pointed towards a cluster of houses nestled amidst the cliffs.

"Saltwind!" Bran announced, a broad smile splitting his weathered face. "Welcome home, lad."

William's heart swelled with a mixture of anticipation and trepidation. He was stepping into a new world, a world far removed from the dangers and complexities of his own. He was a stranger in a strange land, but for the first time since embarking on this perilous quest, he felt a glimmer of hope.

As the fishing boat sailed into the sheltered harbor, William took a deep breath, savoring the salty air and the cries of gulls circling overhead.

Saltwind bustled with activity as the fishermen returned. Children shrieked with delight, running towards their fathers with outstretched arms. Wives, their faces etched with relief, embraced their husbands, whispering words of welcome and gratitude.

Amidst the joyous reunions, William stood out like a sore thumb. His pale skin, unfamiliar clothes, and the lingering air of exhaustion marked him as an outsider. Saltwind was a tight-knit community, where everyone knew everyone else. A stranger did not go unnoticed.

"Who's that?" a curious villager asked, her eyes fixed on William.

A ripple of whispers spread through the crowd as Bran, the leader of the fishermen, recounted William's tale of shipwreck and survival. But amidst the expressions of sympathy, a note of caution arose.

A gruff, older man with a thick beard and a scar bisecting his cheek pushed his way through the throng. This was Madoc, the village warrior, their protector, their sheriff – the strongest and most respected man in Saltwind.

"Bran," Madoc said, his voice deep and gravelly, "perhaps we should have a word with this stranger."

Bran nodded, understanding the need for caution. He led William and Madoc towards a small, stone building at the edge of the village square – the makeshift headquarters of Saltwind's sole guardian.

Inside, the room was sparsely furnished, with a rough-hewn table, a couple of chairs, and a rack displaying an assortment of weapons. Madoc gestured for William to sit, his eyes assessing the young man with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion.

"Tell me your story, lad," Madoc instructed, his voice firm but fair. "And tell it true."

William, ever the actor, launched into his well-rehearsed tale of misfortune and survival, omitting any details that might raise suspicion. He spoke of a merchant vessel lost to a storm, a crew scattered and a captain left to the mercy of the sea. He described the harrowing days adrift, the fear and despair, and the eventual rescue by the fishermen.

Madoc listened intently, his keen eyes studying William's every move, every flicker of emotion. He asked questions, probing for inconsistencies, searching for any hint of deception. William, however, remained calm and composed, his answers carefully crafted to deflect suspicion.

As the interrogation drew to a close, Madoc leaned back in his chair, stroking his beard thoughtfully. "Well, lad," he finally said, "your story seems plausible enough. But I must confess, something about you doesn't quite add up."

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William's heart skipped a beat. Had he seen through the facade?

"I can't put my finger on it," Madoc continued, "but there's a certain... aura about you. A strength that doesn't seem to fit with the tale of a shipwrecked merchant."

William forced a chuckle, hoping to mask his growing unease. "Perhaps it's the resilience of a survivor, sir," he replied, hoping his words sounded convincing.

Madoc's eyes narrowed slightly. "Perhaps," he said, his voice laced with suspicion. "But I'll be keeping an eye on you, lad. Just to be sure."