Chapter 20
Clayton slowly reeled the dead fish closer to shore, a wide grin forming as he realized how big it actually was. It turned out to be a common grass carp—classified as a zero-star beast, often found just about everywhere.
After hauling it in, Clayton carefully cleaned the fish. He removed the guts, then grabbed some nearby reeds to tie it up. Since the weather was chilly, he wasn't too worried about it spoiling.
Ever the opportunist, he decided to use the fish guts as bait.
With his rod reset and the new bait ready, Clayton cast the line as far as he could. He slowly reeled it back in, giving it gentle, twitching motions to mimic a small fish.
Whether by luck or skill, the line suddenly went taut. A dark figure, about twenty centimeters long, broke the surface of the water.
Clayton's eyes lit up. Heart pounding with excitement, he engaged in a battle of strength and wits. He played the line masterfully, letting it run and reeling it back in until the fish finally tired.
When he pulled it onto shore, Clayton let out a cheer. It was a black snakehead.
The black snakehead was a one-star, lower-tier fish—known for being rich in nutrients and brimming with vital blood energy. It was especially valued by knight trainees for enhancing their physical training.
He tied it up with reeds like the first one, but didn't clean it right away. Not for any particular reason—he was just hooked on fishing now and didn't want to waste time.
He baited the hook again and cast it even farther than before. Clayton felt confident. The thrill of fishing was getting addictive.
He jiggled the line again, trying to lure another catch. But whether he was too impatient or there really were no fish nearby, he got nothing.