Chapter 200: Gains
The two team members were both marine biologists, and the moment they saw the colossal creature before them, they instantly recognized it. The apex predator of the ocean from 28 million to 1.5 million years ago—the Megalodon—it was real. And right now, it was alive and directly in front of them.
“Run! Get the hell out of here!”
The two of them panicked and began thrashing through the water, swimming for their lives.
“The fish population in this area is so sparse, it must’ve been hunted down by that Megalodon. It’s probably full. It won’t attack unless provoked. Stay calm! Don’t panic, or you’ll make yourselves targets!”
Ji Shuiyao forced herself to stay composed, quickly applying her marine biology expertise as she tried to calm them down. But her rational words meant nothing to men terrified out of their minds.
The two team members, upon catching sight of the massive shadow closing in, instantly panicked and began thrashing through the water in a desperate attempt to flee. The Megalodon, which had been gliding silently through the depths, suddenly locked onto the disturbance. In the blink of an eye, it launched forward with explosive speed, cutting through the dark sea like a torpedo.
Ji Shuiyao originally stayed still, frozen in place, but the moment she saw the sudden acceleration and the direction of the beast’s pursuit, her heart clenched—not with fury, but with dread. Though the Megalodon’s focus was clearly on the other two, its path was cutting directly through her own. If it didn’t devour her, it could still smash her to pieces just by barreling past.
She, more than anyone, knew what they were dealing with.
A Megalodon typically cruised at around 35 kilometers per hour, but when pursuing prey, it could surge to 50. That was like getting hit by a compact car moving at full throttle—except this wasn’t a 1.5-ton car. It was a 70-ton, 20-meter-long monster from the prehistoric abyss. If something like that slammed into a building, it wouldn’t just leave a dent—it would level it.
Ji Shuiyao’s face paled. Regret surged up within her like a tidal wave. If only she’d listened to Wang Haoran… But now it was too late.
That monstrous body loomed so large it consumed her entire field of vision.
“So… this is how I die?”
The thought whispered through her mind as she braced herself for the inevitable.
But just before she was struck, a figure streaked through the water like a torpedo, grabbing her around the waist and yanking her out of the Megalodon’s path.
The sudden, blistering movement left her dizzy. When she finally regained her senses, the beast was already retreating into the depths.
Ji Shuiyao realized someone was still holding her firmly by the waist. She turned her head and saw it was a fellow diver. Through the clear mask of the diving suit, she glimpsed a handsome, clear-cut face.
She never cared much for human aesthetics. But somehow, in that moment, she felt this man was beautiful—more exquisite than any rare marine specimen she’d ever seen.
【Ding! Female Lead Ji Shuiyao’s Favorability toward Host has increased by 20. Current Total Favorability: 30 (Very Friendly)】
【Ding! Host has influenced the plot. Villain Points +500!】
“Can you still swim?” Wang Haoran asked softly, holding her steady. He could feel her trembling violently, clearly still paralyzed from the shock.
“Just barely,” came Ji Shuiyao’s strained response over the comms.
“If you don’t want to end up as a Megalodon’s ‘feces’, I suggest you hold on tight,” Wang Haoran said dryly.
Ji Shuiyao didn’t need to be told twice. She clung to him like an octopus, wrapping herself tightly around him.
Roughly half an hour later, the submarine returned to the research vessel. Everyone made it back safely—including the two who had been chased.
They did not escape because they swam faster. No. They were actually swallowed. But the Megalodon had apparently eaten too much and vomited. The two of them were spewed out, surviving by the slimmest of margins.
Back on the ship, however, their mental states were in complete shambles. Neither of them could string together a coherent sentence. They were clearly suffering from serious psychological trauma. Who knew how long they’d need to recover?
Still, it was a miracle they survived at all.
To ensure everyone’s safety, Ji Shuiyao had no choice but to issue the command to abort the mission and head home. Canceling the expedition hurt, but facing a prehistoric beast like that again wasn’t a risk she was willing to take.
If that Megalodon decided to ram the research vessel, no one on board would stand a chance. It was unlikely, but not impossible—and she wouldn’t gamble their lives on it.
“It’s hard to believe a Megalodon still exists in today’s world,” Ji Shuiyao murmured, her voice still tinged with lingering fear.
Beside her, Wang Haoran looked unfazed. In a world with Protagonist Halos, Villain Halos, and two major female leads on the same boat? Nothing surprised him anymore. A Megalodon? That was tame. He wouldn’t even blink if they ran into a mermaid next.
“Did anyone manage to collect anything?” Ji Shuiyao turned and asked the team hopefully.
“Nope.”
“Nothing here.”
“Same.”
Everyone shook their heads.
They hadn’t even begun collecting samples before Ji Shuiyao ordered them to return to the sub. Of course they came back empty-handed.
She sighed, long and weary.
This entire scientific expedition was a bust.
She already dreaded the headaches waiting for her back home. The funding alone for this trip had been astronomical. She requested an enormous budget from the institute. Even bringing back one unknown marine specimen could’ve justified the expense.
But now, they had nothing.
Worse still, the sponsors might not even believe their explanation. It was going to be a public relations nightmare.
“I did pick something up,” Wang Haoran said casually, pulling a sealed sampling device from his equipment pack.
Inside the transparent container was a small amount of blood—clearly drawn from some kind of deep-sea fish.
Ji Shuiyao barely glanced at it and shook her head. “There’s not much research value in common fish blood. That sample isn’t useful.”
“Oh, I see… so Megalodon blood has no value?” Wang Haoran muttered with disappointment. He was just about to toss the container overboard when—
Ji Shuiyao dove forward without hesitation and grabbed his arm, practically clinging to him to stop the throw.
“You said it’s Megalodon blood?!” she cried, eyes wide in disbelief.
“Yeah.”
【Ding! Female Lead Ji Shuiyao’s Favorability toward Host has increased by 10. Current Total Favorability: 40 (Very Friendly)】
【Ding! Host has influenced the plot. Villain Points +500!】