The young woman looked at Long Tian with a curious expression, as if she was evaluating whether he would be a good addition to her crew. After a brief silence, she added with a light smile:
"I see you're new around here, and I'm almost sure you don't have a job. Would you be interested in joining my crew? We're fishermen, and there's room for one more, of course, if you're interested."
Long Tian looked at her in surprise but couldn't help feeling intrigued by the offer. After all, life in the city was just beginning for him, and joining a fishing crew could be a good way to adapt to the new environment.
"What kind of work would it involve?" he asked, interested.
She smiled and nodded.
"Mostly fishing work, although it could also involve some land work, depending on the needs. But if you're skilled, you could learn more. The lake has many surprises."
Long Tian thought for a moment. The idea of joining a fishing crew seemed like an interesting opportunity to learn more about the city and its people. Also, experience on the lake could be useful if he ever found himself in a dangerous situation, like the mentioned fog.
"I'm interested," he finally said, nodding with determination. "When do I start?"
The young woman smiled, pleased with his answer.
"Tomorrow at dawn. We meet at the dock. Don't forget."
With one last drink, Long Tian stood up and headed for the exit, thinking about the new chapter that was about to begin.
At dawn, Long Tian arrived at the dock as agreed. The cool lake breeze blew gently, and the sun was just beginning to rise on the horizon, painting the water in golden and orange tones. In the distance, the reflection of the early light on the lake's surface created a calm, almost magical atmosphere.
The young woman who had offered him the job was already waiting. When she saw him approach, she raised her hand in a confident greeting.
"On time. I like that," she said as she walked over to him.
Then, with a wave of her hand, she pointed to three people standing near a small wooden boat tied at the edge of the dock.
"Come, I'll introduce you. This here is Hao, the strongest in the group though he talks a bit too much." The man, a young guy with thick arms and sun-tanned skin, nodded with a half-smile.
"Nice to meet you," Hao said.
"That's Mei, our sharpest eyes. If there are fish in the water, she'll spot them first," the woman continued. Mei, with short hair and a sharp gaze, greeted him with a slight nod.
"And this is Lao, our veteran. He might be the oldest, but no hook escapes him," she concluded, pointing to an older man with a serious but kind face, who barely looked up and murmured a greeting.
Long Tian greeted them all respectfully. Though he didn't know them yet, he could feel they were a tight-knit team, full of experience and mutual trust.
Then, his eyes fell on the boat: small, made of light wood, with a pair of oars and a net coiled on the deck. It was modest, but well cared for.
"It's nothing fancy, but it's never let us down," the girl said proudly. "Now get on board. Today we'll see if you've got what it takes."
Long Tian took a deep breath and stepped aboard, ready to learn and face whatever the lake had in store.
Once everyone was on board and they had drifted a bit from the shore, the young woman took a coiled net and handed it to Long Tian.
"The broad-tailed fish is the most common one in the lake," she explained, pointing toward an area where the water seemed to ripple slightly. "It hides among the algae and sometimes near the rocks. It's not very big, but it sells well in the city."
Hao, who was rowing strongly, added with a grin:
"And if you're lucky, you might catch one of the big ones. But those are slippery and will make you fight for them."
Lao, from the back of the boat, was checking the hooks with practiced hands. His voice was deep but clear.
"Don't underestimate the lake's fish. Some have sunk more than one boat due to a wrong move."
Mei, sitting with a rod ready, pointed toward the horizon.
"Over there, the water is deeper. That's where the golden fish usually show up. They're not common, but if you manage to catch one, you earn double."
Long Tian listened closely, trying to memorize every instruction. It was his first time fishing on a lake, but his instincts told him it wasn't so different from hunting: patience, focus, and strength at the right moment.
As they neared a rocky area, they cast the nets. The water rippled gently with the movement of the currents, and everything remained quiet except for the soft sound of the water against the hull.
Minutes passed, then a few more. Finally, Hao shouted:
"We've got something!"
They all pulled the net together, and a couple of broad-tailed fish appeared, glistening under the morning sun. Long Tian smiled. It was his first catch, even if it wasn't anything spectacular.
"Not bad for a beginner," said Lao, nodding in approval.
"Let's go for more," added Mei, already preparing the next fishing line.
And so they continued for hours rowing, casting nets, and fishing under the clear sky. Though tired, Long Tian felt a strange peace. It wasn't a battle, nor a training session… but there was something comforting in that quiet moment in the middle of the vast lake.
A whole week went by with each day almost identical to the last. At dawn, Long Tian would head to the dock, help prepare the small boat, head out onto the lake, cast nets, collect fish, and return at sunset to sell the catch at the city market.
During those days, Long Tian began to feel like part of the crew. Even though the work was hard and repetitive, his hands grew stronger, his coordination improved, and without realizing it, his body became tougher little by little. Even his relationship with the others grew closer. Mei, Hao, and Lao treated him with camaraderie, sharing jokes and stories about the lake while they waited for fish to fall into their traps.
However, one morning, while washing his hands in the lake after a long day, a familiar sound echoed in his mind. It was the system.
[New Mission Available]
Mission Name: Catch the Sawfish
Description: A rare and aggressive fish known as the "Sawfish" has been detected. It inhabits the deeper regions of Mystery Lake. Catch it.
Reward: 5 energy points, 2 infernal exchange points
Time Limit: 48 hours
Long Tian narrowed his eyes as he read the information. Not just because of the value of the reward, but because these types of special missions didn't show up every day. If the system was prompting him, it meant the fish posed a challenge and an opportunity.
He stayed silent for a few seconds, watching the calm surface of the water. How would he catch the Sawfish? Would he go alone or tell the others?