Monster Jousting Book 3 - Chapter 2 (Patreon)

Noah sat at the pier alongside the Master Fisher. He didn’t even bother giving Noah a spare glance. His entire focus was on the waters ahead.

Of course, Noah wanted to complete the mission fast. Just like he had done with all the other missions. But this was a little different. He knew how powerful the monsters in the city were. The brush up with that oversized crab was a perfect example. So for now, he needed to Level. He needed Stats.

What better way was there than a blissful couple of days fishing?

Besides, it was a good chance to test out his new fishing rod. He hefted the monstrous fishing rod then cast his line into the water. Hooked at the end of his fly was bait he had been holding onto. It was of Uncommon quality.

The bait slapped against the water, sending the fish scattering. The weakest of them darted away. The strongest of them didn’t seem to bother about his bait. Was the bait not good enough? Maybe these particular fish require a different kind? Noah thought as he helplessly watched the fish go about their business.

Whatever. Noah tried again. Plop. Plop. Plop. The line sunk into the water. After the sixth time, the Master Fisher’s face warped into that of disdain, and annoyance.

“I can’t with you!” he shouted. Noah flinched.

“W–what?” Noah asked, confused as to why the old man had snapped. Was it a senile moment? Noah wondered.

“Is that how you fish? Damn, I ain’t surprised if all you’ve caught are shitty little tadpoles.”

“How the hell else am I meant to fish, old man?” Noah fought back. “You cast the line into the water and wait like I’m growing roots out of my damned feet. How hard can it be?”

“Bah, you know nothing,” Master Fisher spat. “The strong fish react to strong prey. Your little weakling cast can only summon water ponies. Put some force behind your swing. Or why else would strong fish react to your cast? They require sustenance. Fishing can also be considered acting. You need to act like whatever prey your predator wants. A strong fish wouldn’t want to eat a goldfish, would it?”

Noah shook his head.

“The world of fishing is boundless. It is a path belonging to the strong. There is a rule the experts say: if you want to search for beasts, find land. If you want to hunt monsters, follow the call of the ocean. Whatever lies down there–” Master Fisher jabbed his finger to the water. He continued, “is far stronger than whatever is up here. They are the true predators. There is no knowing how ancient they are, and it is impossible to study them like you can up here. If it chooses to bite your bait, you’ll die without even knowing what you did wrong.”

Noah paused. His words were true. On land, he could pick and choose his targets. If the monster was too strong, he could hide. He could run and retreat. But there was no way of knowing what would emerge from the pull of his rod. Would it be a tadpole, or a primordial sea monster?

“Alright, so I need to put more strength into my swing?” Noah asked.

“And the bait you are using is all wrong,” Master Fisher quickly added. “It’s the same concept behind the strength of your cast. Strong predators need to be baited by strong prey. Those little worms are useless.”

“But to catch bigger fish, I need bigger bait. To get bigger bait, I need bigger fish.”

“You think fish only eat fish?” Master Fisher asked. “Wow, you really know nothing. How have you lived for so long?”

Noah ignored the last comment as he focused on where he could gain such bait. The crabs? They were technically sea creatures, so it would be food that the stronger fish were accustomed to. Or maybe they wanted something else entirely? Something that they weren’t used to eating.

His mind turned to Giant. The monster he had defeated on the beaches to destroy the red border for the Master Fisher. Surely a monster of that strength and size would be worth the effort of swimming up to the surface?

But then he had to be careful of catching something he couldn’t beat… Noah just decided to use smaller pieces of flesh. That way, he would only catch beasts of a smaller size. Hopefully.

“Thanks for the advice, old man,” Noah said, turning on his heels. “I’ll be back.”

“Take your time,” He replied. “I enjoy the peace and quiet. Without your horrible form disturbing me.”

“Oh c’mon,” Noah said with a small smile. “Everyone needs a friend. Even a grumpy old fisher.”

Master Fisher grumbled, scowling. Noah walked away. He knew the Master Fisher wasn’t really angry. The old man wouldn’t be helping him otherwise. Besides, what could he do to him anyway, haunt him?

Noah returned to the house on the outskirts. Nearing, he could already hear muffled arguing coming from Thraz and Pillow. Judging by the noise of them, it was heating up.

Noah turned the corner.

“This side is mine!” Pillow shouted.

“How can this be your side?” Thraz asked, raising his voice. “You are a little midget. You will be more than happy in the corner. Besides, Carnage has chosen the bed already. I can not change his mind.”

“I won’t let a fucking cat sleep on my bed!” Pillow argued. “They smell. They lick their assholes, then lick themselves in a futile attempt at cleaning themselves. It’s disgusting! Also, their shit stinks worse that any creature I've ever met. They are vile!”

“Take that back, you shitty little panda,” Thraz said. “Carnage never said anything bad to you!”

“Because it can’t fucking talk, it’s a cat!”

Noah entered. He glanced at the fuming dragonborn, then to the angry, bouncing black panda.

“Can you guys shut it?” Noah asked. “You’re going to wake up the entire damned island. Do you want monsters rampaging through here? Then it won’t matter whose side is what. Besides, there’s hundreds of buildings all literally identical to one another. Choose another one.”

“Then tell–” Thraz pointed at Pillow.

Noah interrupted. “He was here first, Thraz. Anyway–” Noah clapped, gaining their attention. ”We have more important things to worry about than that one insignificant building. We are going fishing!”

Gluttony bounced up and down, feeding off of Noah’s excitement. Krall barged in, crawling into the building low on all fours, tongue hanging out, lips curled into a smile, he also bounced. But this time the entire floor trembled under his weight. Whatever cups lay on the table shook, then tumbled to the floor. Clang. metal clashed against rock.

Noah sighed. His companion truly was getting too big for his own good. He alone took up almost half off the building.

Thraz seemed to forget about what he was arguing about as he smashed his fist into his palm. Nothing like the promise of a good fight to make the mighty dragonborn’s mind turn to mush.

Pillow tilted his head, confused.

“C’mon, a little bit of fishing will do you good,” Noah said, leaving the building.

Pillow quickly gathered his things; daggers, and a water sack, before chasing after the human. “How can fishing be good for you? I’m not hungry.”

“We’re not going to be fishing for food,” Noah said. “But to Level.”

It was a short hike to return back to the beach where he had slain Giant. Noah peered through a bush overlooking the bush. Giant’s corpse was busy being scavenged by a horde of giant crabs. Thankfully, they weren’t of the strong kind like those in the city. They were far smaller, at least less than double both in width and height.

Noah kept watching. He was patient. After twenty more minutes, it was clear no other monster was interested in the half eaten corpse. So Noah made his move.

Thundering ahead with a roaring Krall, and a screaming dragonborn, the crabs scuttled in every direction. They killed whatever was too slow before stopping.

Noah inspected the corpse. It was immediately apparent that whatever had feasted upon the corpse first, wasn’t of crab form. Whatever it was, was huge. Enormous, jagged teeth marks had taken a chunk out of the red border guardian.

Noah picked up his head and glanced in every direction. He noted large claw marks in the sand. They travelled along the beach for a while. Wherever the claw marks travelled, pieces of scrap Giant lay. They advanced for around two miles before they headed back into the jungle.

What the hell is capable of leaving those footprints?

It was a question he wasn’t looking forward to figuring out.

Bringing himself to the shore, Noah cast his line into the water. This time he used far more strength than before. As the heavy line crashed against the water, the hook sank down. All he had to do now was wait.

Five minutes turned into fifteen. The black panda was losing his patience. His little clawed foot tapped against the sand incessantly. Then a clicking of his small spiky tongue followed.

“What the hell are we waiting for–”

Pillow was interrupted by a savage pull on Noah’s rod. It threatened to throw him into the ocean. All the muscles in his body tensed as he pulled with everything he had.

Whatever had bit the line was incredibly powerful. Noah tugged on the line, winding up the reel after every agonising pull. Soon, the beast tired. Now, it was Noah’s turn.

With a mighty yank of his monstrous fishing rod, an enormous figure of a shark blotted out the skyline in front…