Treasure Hunting System： The Ocean Conquerer-Chapter 619 - 289 The True Origin of Alka_2

An unprecedented disagreement had broken out on the ship. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

The problem was, aside from those three, everyone else knew nothing and was completely bewildered. Or perhaps, not exactly. They had gleaned some ideas from the conversation between the two and the feelings they had experienced before, but they just didn’t understand what this so-called choice truly meant.

"So what in the world is going on? Is no one going to tell us anything?" Lucilia demanded from the side, her voice laced with anger and confusion.

Pororo stood at the bow with his arms crossed, observing the chaos among the crew. His gaze drifted to the sea, his thoughts unreadable.

Juanlu, the only one not involved in the commotion, watched Alka. He observed the captain, who sat quietly on the stairs, saying nothing, not even lifting a hand to stop the two. Juanlu silently walked over to Alka’s side.

"It’s up to you now," Juanlu said.

"Let them vent," Alka replied. "If I help one side, it means I’ve committed to their philosophy, but... I haven’t decided yet."

Just then, Pororo, who seemed to have figured something out, strode over. His steps were exceptionally heavy, making the entire deck THUD with each footfall. He walked directly up to Alka. Kneeling on one knee, Pororo extended his hand.

"Alright! Let me experience it too. What kind of realization could change us so drastically? I will find my own answer."

Pororo looked at Alka, then at the Crystal Dragon and Julia, who were still locked in their dispute.

He looked at Alka and said, "I don’t know why you’re hesitating, or what’s weighing you down."

Then, he turned to Julia. "The clash between the doctrines you’ve upheld for centuries and this new reality, this disillusionment combined with revelation, has driven you to extremes. Right now, you’re neither calm nor rational."

Finally, he addressed the Crystal Dragon. "You’re still young. We watched you hatch. This clearly isn’t your own choice, but a decision dictated by your heritage."

With that said, he turned back, his gaze firm on Alka. "Come, let me experience it too. Let me feel this world’s pain, and then I’ll make my decision."

Another hand gently rested on the back of Pororo’s outstretched hand; it was Juanlu, who had been standing nearby.

Witnessing this and hearing Pororo’s words, Julia and the Crystal Dragon paused.

"Count me in. I want to know what made Sister Julia like this, so... tormented," Matilda said, stepping forward and placing her hand on top of theirs.

Simon walked over silently. His mechanical left arm detached completely, the Treasure that formed its index finger falling away along with the Hand of Precision. Only the upper part of his right arm remained. He laid the stump of his right arm on the pile of hands.

"I am a Mechanic," Simon stated. "I pursue truth and am forever curious."

Jason observed the scene and patted the Crystal Dragon’s head. "Let me see what burdens you carry."

"That previous sorrow... it broke my heart, it affected me deeply," Lucilia said, recalling the mournful Ocean within Alka’s Soul Space. She glanced at Chadite, and they both nodded in agreement.

One by one, their hands joined the pile, offered to Alka.

Seeing their determined gazes, Alka gave a faint, unreadable smile and stood up.

"We are a team... so let us make this decision together."

He placed one hand on the pile of theirs, then extended his other hand towards Julia and Ulu Liwus.

"Come," Alka said. "Let’s bear this together. Feel everyone’s thoughts and realizations. Perhaps then you’ll reach a different understanding."

Hearing this, the Crystal Dragon looked into Jason’s eyes, then slowly approached. Its tail gently coiled around Julia, who had collapsed to the ground in exhaustion, and brought her over as well.

Everyone’s hands were now piled together.

Alka’s deer-skull mask materialized once more, settling onto his head.

Thorns sprouted and entwined, binding all their hands.

This time, they felt a connection, as if their minds had linked.

"Come... let’s experience it together."

This time, Alka connected directly to the world, and through him, everyone else was linked to it as well.

A tsunami of sorrow and pain surged forth, engulfing them all.

They felt the world’s pain, sensed its sorrow, and perceived its frenzied desire for death.

The feedback from this shared experience resonated within them, their individual perceptions colliding and intermingling. Each person formed different conclusions.

Confronted with the world’s intent to die, Pororo was the first to feel it shouldn’t be this way; they should strive to save it, and in doing so, save themselves.

Chadite didn’t want the world to perish. There was too much beauty; she wanted to save it.

Lucilia wavered, unable to make a decision.

Juanlu didn’t want such a world to vanish; he resolved to save it.

Simon, still craving knowledge and greater mechanical masterpieces, thought, How could the world end like this? It must be saved.

Jason, however, found he could understand. He found himself inexplicably recalling his childhood. The world was in pain. Perhaps, he thought, we should respect her will.

Reacting to Jason’s inclination, the Crystal Dragon was displeased and lashed out, striking him sharply with its tail.

Although Julia was no longer as extreme, having been washed over by the others’ emotions, she still believed the suffering world should be allowed to end.

The world is in too much pain, she thought. Its fragmented flesh and spirit are crudely pieced back together, as if with glue and stitches. Blood constantly oozes from the ruptured seams. Countless such stitched wounds are infested with maggots, already rotting and filled with pus.