Witch, I'm really not the Deep Sea Ancient God!

The downpour grew heavier, blurring the distinction between night and afternoon.
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The entire deck was shrouded in tumult, with only the faint but resolute glow of a ghostfire lantern flickering in the storm.

Chen Qi casually gathered a few skeleton pirates to form a makeshift chair before sitting down.

Though it was a bit uncomfortable to sit on, there were no better chairs on this dilapidated ghost ship.

So it was Perla... Chen Qi sighed in relief, the tension in his heart slowly easing.

He hadn't seen the chief reporter of the White Dove Newspaper, the biggest gossipmonger of Moonstone City, in a long time.

Chen Qi vaguely remembered that ever since the search for the Flower Witch had failed, Perla had been in low spirits.

Seeking a big scoop, she had ventured out to the Crack Sea, but unfortunately, most of her expeditions ended in failure.

She hadn't come across any interesting news.

As a result, the recent reports from the White Dove Newspaper were outdated and dull, even less exciting than watching three deep-sea water elves dance provocatively.

The only somewhat intriguing story was the interview with the spectral captain.

But who would have thought she would attempt a second interview!

Such a tough job, and she wanted to tackle it twice!

Recently there hadn't been much big news in the Witch Sea, leaving Perla without much to do...

Chen Qi furrowed his brow, looking at Perla soaked on the ground, pondering how to handle the situation.

First, he scrutinized his appearance.

His hunter's cloak, damp from the storm, flapped in the wind like a tattered banner.

The Residual Fire Touch's Hunter's Clothes, sufficient to obscure his face, combined with the aura of residual fire around him, even disrupted the detection of spiritual power.

The clothes were fine; the key was Perla.

She must have hidden herself in a barrel at some point, planning to seize the opportunity to interview the Ghost Ship's captain.

Unfortunately, the current state of the spectral captain made it impossible for him to accept her interview.

Soaking wet, Perla knelt on the ground, bum in the air, trembling as she raised her head. Her normally sharp and alert golden eyes, like those of a leopard cat, had dulled and even showed a hint of fear.

If Perla knew it was me, her first statement would definitely be to ask me for a meal.

She hasn't discovered my identity, not even a hint of suspicion... Chen Qi concluded, then adjusted his voice, silently waiting for her to speak.

The chief reporter's arrival was so abrupt that he had no idea what to do at first.

Perla, kneeling on the ground, slowly, ever so slowly, raised her head. Only after ensuring that lifting it too high wouldn't get her neck sliced did she dare to look at the being before her.

There, under the tattered flag of the ghost ship, amidst the rain coming down in torrents, sat a black hunter with crossed legs atop a throne of skeletons, a bright red bloodstained longsword resting on his thigh.

And behind him, two thick, slick tentacles were wiping the blade.

Slippery, slippery—

The spectral captain who had menaced her the last time now lay beneath the hunter's boot, like a stepping stone, his once arrogant eyes devoid of life.

Ghost Ship Captain!! The front-page headline of the White Dove Newspaper!!!

At that moment, only two words flashed through Perla's mind:

"Doomed!"

She had intended to interview the Ghost Ship's captain but had encountered someone even more ruthless.

Moreover, by the looks of the situation, this monster was even more violent than the spectral captain!

Even the hot-tempered black mire was subdued by his presence!

What should I do? Perla's mind raced in turmoil as she clenched her fists in the wind.

Should I ask him how he managed to finish off the Ghost Ship's captain?

No, no, no! That would surely lead to him demonstrating firsthand how he did away with the spectral captain!

Or perhaps, I should ask if he's had dinner?

No! No! No! As a result, he would most certainly devour her alive! Creatures like him love to eat raw meat, especially curious babies like her who don't know the dangers of the world!

This monster appears to be the type who enjoys consuming living humans. Should I pretend I'm a monster too, give a mischievous smile, and discuss the experience of human-eating with him?

No, I have no experience in eating humans; I'd definitely give myself away!

No good! Time is running out! I can't keep thinking!

Thump!

In the storm, Perla bit her lip and bowed her head, saying:

"I'm terribly sorry!"

Amid the tempest, Perla's apology was exceptionally well-articulated. Not even the most experienced PR staff at the White Dove Newspaper could have delivered such an impeccable apology!

Years of courting danger taught her that when in doubt, saying 'sorry' was always the right choice!

When facing a rational creature, it was definitely the correct approach!

"???"

Chen Qi, sitting in the skull chair, was momentarily stunned.

What was she apologizing for?

Had she been frightened into talking nonsense?

An interesting reaction… Chen Qi smiled and tapped on the long knife resting on his leg.

Seeing Chen Qi didn't immediately act, Perle, who had finished apologizing, blinked her golden eyes and said pitifully,

"Um… excuse me… can I go now? Or, what do I need to do to leave…?"

Want to leave… Chen Qi pondered for a moment, stroking his chin.

To speak the truth, he didn't really have any way to deal with Perle.

In the Witch Sea, Perle was one of those seemingly minor creatures but in fact, a big boss-type presence.

Perle was likely an edge hunter, one who had participated in edge battles, a hunter who had reached beyond the New Sun world.

Her strength was a mystery, the only certainty being she possessed a special mechanism for locking her health.

Once her health fell too low, she would reveal a wholly new second form, capable of causing a storm, even a storm surpassing Fourth Rank Spiritual Power.

That was the reason Perle dared to court death repeatedly without actually dying.

Of course, if pushed, he could use methods like tying her up to imprison Perle.

Chen Qi glanced over at Perle.

She was wearing a white shirt, the only thing of value being the retro camera she carried, not even a backpack card on her.

There was nothing worth taking, and besides, Perle had been quite helpful to him in the Witch Sea, and he was not some kind of demon.

This was all an accident, and the best outcome was to frighten Perle enough to let her ride her big white dove back home.

Chen Qi tilted his head, pretending to ponder for a while, and finally said,

"Sure, of course, but there will be a price to pay."

"..."

A price… Perle shivered all over.

First, she was shocked that the monster in front of her maintained such a high level of rationality, and second, that it was actually willing to let her go.

"May I, first… take my bag…?"

"Go ahead."

Chen Qi said softly.

What price… Perle slowly turned around, gripping her own behind, moving very slowly.

That type of person who verbally releases you but then fires a shot to assert their cold-blooded nature was countless in the Witch Sea.

Perhaps, she would become a stone for the Black Hunter to test his blade on.

With her big white dove not by her side, she could only swim back.

In a panic, Perle bent down on the rain-soaked deck and picked up her briefcase.

From within the briefcase, a draft peeked out—a draft for an interview with the Ghost Ship Captain.

The carefully prepared draft was quickly soaked by the rain…

Suddenly, a sense of powerlessness surged in her heart.

This time, she had spent a full three days and nights hiding in a merchant ship, pretending to be a barrel of precious wine, to successfully stake out the Ghost Ship and reach it yet again.

To get the interview information, she had concealed her Spiritual Power, staying in the dark barrel for six straight hours.

If she went back like this, she would definitively be mocked by that jerk Lilith from the Witch Times.

All of a sudden, an idea struck Perle, and memories flooded back.

She remembered, this monster in front of her was the Black Hunter who had appeared in the Crack Sea with the Flower Witch!

And this Black Hunter had actually made his way to nearby waters and hunted the Ghost Ship Captain.

This was information no newspaper had reported!

A huge news story… Perle swallowed, and amidst the storm, her heartbeat quickened.

If she didn't come back with big news, she would certainly be trampled underfoot by her junior, Lilith.

Once Lilith's Witch Times became the best-seller, she would be nothing but a foot-licker to her junior.

Finally, after a fierce struggle, Perle bravely turned back and asked,

"Um, excuse me… may I interview you, Mr. Black Hunter?"

"???"

Perle looked at Chen Qi both frightened and hopeful!

Just like you… Chen Qi looked at Perle in front of him speechlessly.

The truly impressive thing about Perle was her ability to be scared and still take incredibly bold actions.