ALL NOVEL Chapter 106: The Clash of Tides and Arrows!
The Musical Dolphin let out a startled cry, its wide eyes fixed on the incoming barrage. Beneath the sea’s surface, nothing escaped the notice of the mermaid. With a mere flick of her tail, a massive wave rose to shield the dolphin.
The Musical Dolphin hurriedly swam to the side of its princess. Despite her somber mood, she gently stroked the dolphin’s smooth back, offering it comfort.
Seeing the wave’s defense fail, she knew her only option was an attack through song.
Just as she prepared to sing again, a volley of arrows from Athena rained down, relentless and unyielding. The speed of her waves was no match for the swiftness of Athena's arrows, leaving her flustered.
Hearing a mermaid’s song triggered a mental resistance test. A failed test meant falling under the song's spell. Although Athena’s mental fortitude had significantly improved, she knew to preemptively block any potential attacks.
Irritated and unable to maintain her mysterious demeanor, the mermaid retreated, testing the range of Athena’s arrows, only to find they reached her no matter the distance.
Venturing too far was not an option; her song had a limited range. Engaging Athena in close combat was out of the question. She wouldn’t abandon her strengths or highlight her weaknesses.
Sunlight, fire, and land devoid of water were their weaknesses. When mermaids transformed their tails into legs, their attributes decreased by 40%.
She realized that without the ocean’s aid, she couldn't match this monstrous human. Frustrated, she knocked on the Musical Dolphin's head. Despite the chaotic scene, the dolphin’s companions, undeterred by any concern for Athena's defeat, squeezed together at the door, watching the battle.
The Musical Dolphin, confused by the sudden onslaught, was further agitated by another tap from the mermaid princess, exacerbating its headache. Its eyes caught sight of a familiar rabbit head peeking through a nearby door crack, bringing a sudden burst of joy and another loud, annoying cry.
The mermaid, thinking the dolphin was cheering for her, squeezed its mouth shut to silence it. Athena, noticing the dolphin beside the mermaid with a noticeable bump on its head, realized it had been reporting back to its mistress.
Without pausing, Athena launched another arrow, this time aiming at the dolphin, but it was blocked by a wave again. Both sides seemed locked in a war of attrition, unable to land a decisive blow, yet neither willing to relent.
Unfazed by the oncoming Moonlight Arrow, the mermaid focused solely on her spell, determined to lure Athena out. Athena's arrows, losing power after passing through the waves, were consistently thwarted by successive waves.
The enchanting melody of the mermaid’s song resonated through the ocean, sweet and divine, captivating all who heard it. Like a fairy tale, the song's mysterious, magical quality seemed to pierce the depths of the sea.
Those who heard the song couldn’t help but reach out, drawn to its source, only to find the darkness hidden behind its beauty. Sailors lured by the song often met their end in the ocean.
【Mental Resistance Test in Progress…】
【Mental Resistance Test Passed!】
Despite the song's allure, the most beautiful Athena had ever heard, her resolve remained firm. The mermaid, seeing her expression soften, sang with even more vigor, her eyes filled with disdain.
The moment the mental resistance test succeeded, the mermaid’s song abruptly halted, receiving a backlash. Disbelief filled her eyes as she stared at Athena, unable to comprehend how her proudest weapon had failed against a mere human.
This was an unbearable humiliation.
Not only did she fail to charm her opponent, but the backlash injured her. The situation above the water shifted dramatically. Though Athena’s sanctuary seemed insignificant in the vast ocean, she now stood as the victor.
Once again, the stalemate resumed. Athena’s attacks couldn’t harm her, and she couldn’t harm Athena. Fearing to sing again, the mermaid watched as Athena ceased firing arrows, yet she had to summon wave after wave to block the barrage of cannon fire and arrows from various defense towers.
Retreating into the ocean would be too shameful!
She slowly released her grip on the Musical Dolphin, allowing it to voice its complaints. Amidst the chaos, the mermaid hurled the dolphin away with a wave, but it soon swam back.
"Wait, a misunderstanding," the mermaid’s voice, melodic and emotionless, like the waves, reached Athena’s ears. The cannon fire continued unabated.
"Ceasefire. Fighting benefits neither of us."
"The Musical Dolphin wants to see your little rabbit."
Her explanation did nothing to halt Athena’s assault. What did it matter why she attacked? The reason was abstract at best.
Under Athena’s scrutiny, the once arrogant mermaid, her face flawless and emotionless, floated on the sea's surface. A single crystalline tear fell from her eye, turning into a perfect pearl in her hand.
Athena paused, taken aback by the sight.
Without a trace of emotion, the mermaid held the pearl aloft in the sunlight.
"A mermaid’s tear as a peace offering."
The gesture was undeniably effective. The overwhelming cannon fire ceased instantly.
