Bend with your legs... not with your back... use your whole body when rowing... inhale while pulling... exhale while pushing... stay in sync with the group...
Never thought body mechanic drills would come in handy to propelling a freaking huge rod. Hey and least I'm not the only one doing it, but does it have to be such a fucking pain to operate?
"Stars, the waters are merciless! How much longer must we maintain our speed?"
Hey, man, don't look at me. I just got here.
I know people don't think much of guys whining, but if they can
It's somewhat therapeutic that I can feel the muscles tearing in my arms as I brush my oar across unsteady waters. Not to mention I've earned a much needed sweat that the plain shirt once sticking to my body has been quickly discarded.
Also it turns out that the constant reminder of this gloomy dim lighting, the sticky stale air below decks, and being in the gracious company of complete strangers scratches away at that scab. Dizziness, tense throbbing, my caffeine hamster of a heart, nothing sounds more persuasive for me to just keel over and recover.
Not to mention I have to battle the uncomfortable boiling in my stomach before the rancid magma races up my throat and erupts from my mouth.
And here I thought I'm immune to seasickness.
Don't get me wrong, I appreciate that the mysterious scary lady gave me a way to pass the time with basic sailor work, but even a noob like me could use a break. Like right about now!
"The wind's starting to pick up." The sonar of a familiar voice carrying a low and smooth tune to it is intercepted by my ears, which are currently receiving an overflow of constant audible reports of grunting, singing and occasional chattering. "Have rest for a moment. We'll allow the storm to carry us through these waters."
Well now, speak of Cao Cao...
I can't help but evict a shallow breath of relief as knowing that my wishes have been answered. However, I am too familiar of the mysterious concept of time can being a cruel mistress in moments like this. Whether it's finishing one more in your workout regimen or waiting for the long-awaited hyped-up game or expansion, the shorter the distance the more agonizing and eternal it feels.
There's an old saying that time moves by quickly when one is having the time of their lives. I guess that's the same when you're focusing on nothing but rowing the boat down the stormy stream. But now that I know that a break is just around the corner, my R&R feels so far away!
Why do I get the feeling she did that on purpose? Is this girl, like, some twisted psychological tormentor that secretly has it out for me and wants me to suffer as much as I can?! What did I ever do to her?!
No! A better question is: What did the former occupant of this body did to her and her pals? Well... given that I've been getting death stares from almost every person here It's safe to say that former me did something to tick them all off! But what if its not me? Again, what if this vessel is just some trophy kid and these guys are hoping to make quick change off of me? Geeze if that's true, then the Isekai Gods must really hate me for some reason! Either way, I DID NOT CONSENT TO ANY OF THIS!!!!!! I gotta find a way of this sweat fest of a ship! Seriously I'd swim all the way to Nagasaki if that's what it takes!
Once I find land, I'll need to hunt for food, boil some water and avoid getting eaten along the way! I'll just stay on the road as much as I can and if I come across marauders of goblins or whatever Isekais usually throw out, I'll offroad it! Heck! It'll be a good way to increase my stats and level- oh dammit that's right! I don't have a stats board! Ahh well... I guess it'll be just leveling up without the HUD.
Yeah... that's a thing...
And given that I was likely summoned here by magic or alchemy, I just find some royal academy and enroll there if I have to! No wait, I'd likely have to get special permission from this land's king if I want to do that. But... that shouldn't be much of a problem given that fancy getup I had earlier, right?! Maybe if I tell them a romantic epic tale of my grand escape they'll likely sign my butt up at the most distinguished magical academy out there!
From there on I'll study the concept of... space and time? Time paradoxes? What's the right subject for my situation?!
Whatever, I'll just learn whatever I have to learn, trial and error it if I have to, maybe join an adventurer's guild to make some cash and scoop up ingredients, and just find my way back to my own world and back in my own body!
Its not going to be easy, but unfortunately, nothing worth doing ever-
"Alright, reel those oars in, both port and starboard! Hurry along!"
The barking of who I remember being called Ghilinthros strikes without warning. I guess contemplating my grand escape is another strategy I can use to pass time!
Glimpsing the light at the end of this grueling tunnel, I look ahead, twelve o'clock, watching how Sole, built like washout out stocky olympian in front of me fluidly retracting his oar from the ocean. His face looks like it's seen better, but at least he's alive.
Hopefully we're buddies?
After scanning him pushing and sliding his oar back in, I feel pretty confident to mimic hisactions.
If only it's easier said than done considering the damn water seems hellbent on rather breaking the damn overgrown splinter than letting it go!
Turns out, being conscripted into a new body of fairly weak stature and dealing with the minor dizziness and nausea make a simple task much more difficult.
At this point, I can feel everyone's eyes are on me and I try my best to ignore the morbid sense of shame.
"Are you truly this hopeless?! Reel the oar in already!" My loving supervisor can at least lend me a hand.
I know I'm a big boy, but even adults need help once and awhile!
"Oh shit!"
A rogue wave must have battered against my oar and my grip loosens. Just when I thought things could not get more embarrassing, my epic tug of war match with this pesky element concludes with my defeat.
And to make matters worse, my opponent decides to be a spoil sport by socking my side of the damn stick straight into my nose!
Might be a little late but at least my hands but in the effort to shield my nose. Shame my ears are picking up the oar sliding from the side hole, destined to be lost at sea. Alarmed cries and harsh jeers ring out from my new colleagues as they witness the new kid aboard has screwed up on his first day of the job.
I couldn't even bear to watch as it plops into the ocean.
Roaring cheers follow shortly here after, and I can't help but feel that I've unlock some form of magical energy and saved a piece of valuable equipment! But as I gaze up, I quickly discover that my oar is saved not by my nonexistent sorcery, but the quick reflexes of the chick from before.
Well… that was a close one.
Just as before, he wastes no time looking like a pro and the oar is safely extracted inside the ship. Disaster was averted, thank the gods.
Though I have to say he's gotta work on her body mechanics. He keeps bending her back like that, it'll hate her before it's too late.
I'm not given time to reminisce as he wastes no time turning to me and offering her hand.
For a split second, I'm stunned given that someone is actually trying to help me up! I accept, doing my best to not make his witness any potential waterflows that might spring down my cheeks.
I had a feeling nice people exist in this world. I guess I'm just shocked it was this early.
"You fool! What in the bleeding void was that idiocy?!" Of course Ghilinthros would throw a fit.
Still, I have to say he knows how to make a march look like the personification of rampaging titan. Not to mention how sharp those arms move, I wouldn't rule him out as a drill instructor.
"We nearly lost a precious piece of this vessel, because YOU fail to process the basic action of pulling something back in!" Nothing like a backhand to the face to bruise my ego. "Tch, just when I was just beginning to tolerate you!"
Waking up underwater, freezing to death, saved by my now captors, feeling like I'm gonna hurl, potentially breaking my nose, and now some guy just blowing his lid off at me, all those factors are the perfect combination to brew a certain newcomer snapping like a twig!
All I can see is a blood haze tint fueling me with a rush of adrenaline solely present to deliver retribution straight to his face. The thought of hearing bones from the jaw and the nose breaking and cracking just feels like the most soothing sound I can ask for right now!
I never have the chance to fulfill every employee's darkest fantasy, because thankfully, it looks like a familiar face has beaten me to it with a brutal punch to the face.
"You dare strike him, you long haired fruitcake?!" To say that Sole is pissed would be like calling a tsunami a chill storm. She's fucking unnerved, like someone just skinned her favorite pet bunny right in front of her.
But before Ghilinthros could retaliate, a pinch and jerk of his ear following by thick silver vines violently squeezing a struggling Sole.
As reason and a small spark of serenity start to linger within me, I huff heavily seeing the humiliating and amusing display of karma by the scary yet beautiful short haired lady escorted by two helmed guards. She knows how to pull off the picture of a stern teacher ready to put delinquents in their place.
At least she's sporting her second scaly skin again and not just a cloak this time.
Oh yeah, she's definitely this world's dominatrix.
"Athairnor... The void are you-"
"You realize the consequences of unjust judgment upon subordinates, do you not?" She yanks him toward her with ease and whatever she whispered to him clearly causes a crack in his macho visage. "Even so," She turns to Sole. "That is no excuse to seed chaos aboard this vessel!
I can feel the chills from here!
With a flicking motion, the true boss of the ship throws him to the deck and emphasizes her power pose with the sharp click of her knee-high boots and a hand on her hip.
"Take them below decks!" Athairnors subs waste no time pushing them out of the picture. "I'm sure tending to our charges will sate both of your violent urges."
I'm glad those two understand what she means, because I am a little confused by her words as well as a little frightened. At least Sole is taking it in stride, all stoic and cool like every dwarf from every MMO ever. Something Ghilanthros needs to work on, because looking shocked and intimidated will get you so far.
Believe me, I tried.
She spins in my general direction and gazes at every soul with that sharp and intense stare, as if daring any who are foolish enough to challenge her.
Obviously, this rowdy bunch is rendered docile.
"I swear, after our first encounter, I entrust many of you to deliver me and my oath-sworn to our destination without incident." A disappointed sigh is never a good sign after a sentence like that. "I fear my trust might have been misplaced."
I watch, almost amazed, that this femme fatale's persona takes a solemn turn. "Though I understand you'd rather have someone else reining in your leashes.. I assure you I am one in your wishes." A scowl forms. "But you have my assurances, none of you are being held here against your will."
Reeeeaaaalllly? Oh well THAT'S a relief!
"So if any no longer have the spirit instilled to brave the oncoming storm, then the sea will take you in it's cold embrace."
I'm glad I'm not the only one that feels their spine chill from her pep talk.
"I'm glad all of you still have senses. In the mean time, be at ease. Broth will soon come for all of you."
Let's just hope it doesn't taste like something you would find out of a open fridge. Though I might not gamble my life on that since Athairnor is looking my down like she has plans for me.
I don't know why I even bother plopping my butt down on the floor. Even as she begins waltzing towards my general direction. Maybe she's getting the girl next to me? Maybe she's got one of those thousand yard stares and was looking something beyond me. Whatever it is, it never hurts to listen to that fringe voice in my head saying 'You're in the clear, dude. Don't worry.' Heck, a lot of the times the most vocal voices can fake it until they make it. So as long as I keep thinking that, let it get louder and louder, then Athairnor will just-
"Come now."
FUCK!
What's the point in even trying to hide my annoyance? I mean, I got nothing to lose. People can argue my life, but getting myself killed might just magically plop me back in reality as far as I know.
"Your nose is bleeding. You wish to see it heal properly, do you not?"
Still, it's not like I can say no to the nice lady that will absolutely obliterate me if I don't comply immediately. Besides, its better than being around a bunch of grim looking coworkers that makes my heart beat like a war drum.
And so, after skimming through my nonexistent options, I choose to gamble everything on the boss lady.
"A moment!" A firm voice pins me in place. "I need to see how bad it is!"
I can't help but feel my luck is somewhat beginning to turn around, because the same guy that saved me from my screw up minutes earlier, is now having the heart to check to see if my nose will live to sniff foul odors another day.
Annoyed aside, Athairnor plays along like she doesn't mind and just quietly observes the Sole checking my wound. Just wish he wouldn't leave me in suspense like this.
"The swelling is severe, but nothing seems broken." Dude are you actually looking at my nose, or are you just trying to prove you aren't tone deaf? Why not just let the whole ship know about my checkup. "He should be fine, good lady."
"We shall see if my mender agrees with your superficial conclusion. Come now."
My hand feels as if it's being jammed with a familiar rough fabric that's just as itchy as the clothes I'm wearing.
"Just be sure to use water when it starts to act up."
My lips silently offer the most basic gratitude to Sole before trudging behind Athairnor. All while making sure the occasional rocking of the ship doesn't make me crash into something, or someone, unpleasant.
So far so good.
Now all I need to do is just find out what the hell Sole just put into my hand! Hopefully nothing that will give me a panic attack please.