38 Emerald Crab Swarm

Unlocking the Cooking subroutine was an unexpected reward. It was another way he could make money, and it would help solidify his status as an exotic foreign trader. This also confirmed that certain subroutines were unlocked via requirements.

After everyone had eaten a nice meal, they packed up the equipment, loading everything up into the carriage. The people around had thanked him profusely for the meal. Zanir told everyone, that he would ask Lord Martin about hiring them.

If they were willing to dedicate their lives to the company, they would receive education and employment. He told them that they didn't have to decide right away, as it was an important decision. He would return later, and take everyone who was willing to come with him.

While the crowd of people discussed it amongst themselves, he had the group move out. They headed towards the docks area. Showing the guards his pass, they escorted him to one of the nicer looking warehouses.

Here he would be able to dock his ship, if he had one. However, ships were just collections of materials put together, and he could easily build his own. Driving an entire ship out of an empty warehouse simply wouldn't do. That didn't mean he couldn't have any fun, while they were here.

Setting up a few sheets, just in case they had any surveillance on the building, he used the system to design small paddle-boats. These had room for four people, they could all take turns paddling the boat, in case anyone got tired.

A thin, yet strong, canopy tarp would help reduce exposure to excess sun. It could be removed, to enjoy the view, if it was getting in the way. With a sail-less design, they were sure to catch people's attention.

Making enough for his crew, and a few extras for sale later, they prepared to head out. He wasn't going on a sea voyage just yet, but going out to the nearby harbor. He could test out the paddle-boats, and they would be able to come back with his ship.

Packing up the carriage, he showed his men how to work the boats. It was a simple design, so the men were able to grasp it quickly. They couldn't understand how these strange boats could really work. What did pedaling have to do with boats?

Opening up the warehouse, a strange fleet of never before seen boats came out. The dock guards and everyone on the pier were stunned. They didn't have any sails, yet they were still moving? Those who looked closely, noticed that the rear of the boats had spinning wheels attached.

Needless to say, they were having a blast. Similar boats were rented out to tourists, at lakes and other areas, back on Earth. For the people here, not only was it their first time, but the first time anyone had ridden these boats.

Twenty minutes later, they found a small isolated cove. Large rocks sheltered the area, creating small tide pools nearby. Further into the quiet bay, there were a few feet of ruddy beach shoreline, beyond which lied the nearby grasslands.

Navigating in, he designed something that would be functional and stylish. A large, three masted galleon style ship, while not as maneuverable as lighter ships, would work just fine for now. It had room for plenty of firepower, and it also had a commanding presence.

It wasn't an issue to create a few more small ships. He had several types of trees growing in his world, and the system had been harvesting them regularly. The small amounts of metal he'd been getting were perfect to reinforce key parts.

Creating a half dozen sloop style ships, he stored the paddle-boats away. Satisfied with his small fleet, they would now be able to return in style. Not before he took a few samples from these tide pools though.

Teeming with life, these pools were worth checking out. There were a few starfish, clams, and mussels he was able to find nearby. Unfortunately, they were just regular creatures. He'd hoped for a magical, regenerating starfish, but had no such luck today.

As the men were exploring the cove, they head skittering sounds, coming from a nearby cave. The nearest guard peered in, coming back quickly, motioning everyone to get onto the ships.

"It's an emerald crab swarm!"

Hearing this, the men were all quick to return. Emerald crabs moved in swarms, they were omnivorous, and had no issues devouring entire groups of people. Since they were also highly toxic, people tended to avoid them at all cost.

Tactically retreating onto the boats, they witnessed a tide of small green crabs, emerge from the cave. To their horror, they realized these fist-sized crabs were only the juveniles. Plate-sized crabs soon started emerging as well.

The entire beach area was soon flooded, luckily they stayed out of the water. Noticing that they weren't chasing, he wanted to try something. Putting out several vines, he had them attach to the galleon.

Clamping the other side around his torso, the vines were able to lift him up, suspending him in mid air. Slowly, and carefully, he had them move him over the beach area. Once he got close enough, he tried absorbing them.

[Material analyzed:

Name: Emerald Crab

Type: Animal, Crustacean

Rating: Level 3

Description: These crabs contain a potent enzyme, which works to rapidly break down protein. Territorial and aggressive, take caution as they're known to move in large swarms, usually guarded by a single king crab.]

Some time later, the flood of crabs was reduced to a trickle, as they poured into the system. After the last few stragglers were swept away, a shrill screech was heard resounding from deep within the caves. He cursed his greed, as it seemed the disappearance of the entire swarm alerted the king crab.

Willing the vines to return him, his heart filled with dread, as he saw a colossal crab burst out of the cave. It's speed was astronomical! Like a bullet, it whizzed though the air at Zanir, brandishing an oversized claw.

In a panic, he absorbed the nearby ground, hoping to trip the crab up. It worked, knocking the crab off it's trajectory slightly. Narrowly avoiding being decapitated, he did his best to twist his body, but still got clipped.

Shearing flesh and bone alike, the massive claw managed to cut his right hand clean off. Pain shot through his arm, as blood sprayed out. Thankfully, one of the nearby vines grabbed his hand, before it fell into the bay.

Numerous system prompts went off, warning him about the damage. Subsequent prompts informed him about adrenaline and endorphin spikes. Working quickly, he had the system medicate and sterilize his arm, wrapping the would in gauze for now.

The system wasn't able to reattach his hand, at least not in it's current state. However, it could preserve the hand temporarily, until he could find a healer or some artifact. He wasn't too worried, limb recovery was possible in this world.

Ordering his men to load up a bolt thrower, everyone watched in trepidation. This was the first time anything like this had happened. They had all been overwhelmed by the sheer speed of that king crab, it's power was on another level.

Firing the bolt at the king crab, the expected result was not what happened. Instead, the bolt smashed into his exoskeleton, splintering apart into a shower of fragments. It wasn't that the bolt was weak, not at all, the king crab was simply an ancient existence.

This particular king crab was several hundred years old. Having molted through countless shells, his defense had reached an unprecedented level. He would come to find out later, that the locals referred to him as 'Old Green'.

For now, he had no choice but to head back. Swearing that he would come back someday, and have his revenge on the massive king crab. This was a sore reminder, that even with his system, there was still plenty of danger around.