[User does not recognize observed ability sigil.]

[Observed ability sigil belongs to the Physical category.]

Noah was startled as the voice of the System unexpectedly answered his question.

Ability sigil? That must be what the description of my new [Battle Instinct] ability was referring to.

The monster's tentacles had disappeared beneath the waves, which gave the survivors on the ferry a much-needed respite. The light had become smaller as the creature retreated deeper into the ocean depths causing the water's surface to become calm and rhythmic.

But the light was quickly growing in size as the creature once again approached the surface. The monster's pulsating tentacles burst from the water to wrap the ferry in its grip. Radiant yellow light was dancing beneath the surface of its slimy skin as the tentacles began to grow at a rate visible to the naked eye.

The arm which had been severed by Noah's wound had closed and was no longer bleeding. It was now rapidly growing back at an exponential rate.

As the tentacles constricted the ferry, the boat's metal let out a groan of protest before a panel ruptured, pumping out fuel over the creature's arm and into the ocean. Noah quickly hauled himself over the rail beside a tentacle, which had wrapped the ferry within meters of him.

Each yellow light pulse beneath the unknown sea monster's skin caused it to grow larger, and the metal groan as its hold grew tighter. The light under the monster's skin began to fade as the ability sigil above the water disappeared before the severed tentacle was able to fully recover. The tip of the appendage was still missing, but it was much larger now.

All that could be heard over the boat's keening was screams of terror from the remaining survivors on board. Noah was at a loss on what to do next without his sword, so he quickly turned to run inside the stairwell entrance.

There was a fire emergency axe encased in glass miraculously untouched on the other side of the door. Noah punched out with one of his spiritual arms to shatter the glass before picking the fire escape axe off the wall then hefting it in his hands to test its weight.

I'm surprised this is still here, but I'm grateful. I don't think it will do much to the sea monster, but it's better than nothing. Well, I had better get to work before it crushes the boat in half.

He closed his eyes then prayed to whoever was listening that he makes it through this ordeal alive after he angers the monster further. He opened his glowing eyes while releasing a deep breath as he resigned himself to what he felt was a suicide mission.

He tightened his grip on the shaft of the axe then pushed open the stairwell door with determination. He let out a battle cry as he charged forward while raising the fire escape axe above his head, grabbing it tightly with both hands and also his six spirit hands.

As he approached the ferry's distorted rails, which were bending under the pressure of the slimy tentacle pulsing with faint yellow light reaching out of the cold water depths.

"ARGH!" Noah roared as he swung the fire escape axe into the side of the gigantic tentacle.

『AHHHHHHH!』The monster let out a cry of annoyance, pain, and rage inside Noah's head.

As he braced himself for the inevitable retaliation, he saw flames rapidly spreading over the water's surface originating from one of the sea monster's arms further up the ship.

Standing in front of the burning tentacle was Mister Kim with green light flowing under his skin to his hand, where he was holding a whip made of flames, shielding a cowering Su from harm with a defiant expression on his face.

The fuel coating the water's surface surrounding the ferry and half of the sea monster's tentacles were now ablaze. The creature's burning tentacle in front of Mister Kim peeled back from the edge of the boat as Mister Kim threw Su in Noah's direction.

Mister Kim made eye contact across the distance, silently entreating Noah to protect Su before turning to face his impending doom with defiance. Mister Kim raised the flaming whip above his head in preparation to lash out with it at the sea monster before it crushed him.

He pulled the axe free of the tentacle in front of him in a spurt of blood. He then began to run toward a hysterical Su who was clutching at the rails, screaming towards her grandfather. He arrived at Su's side to pull her away from what was about to unfold.

The confrontation between the man and the monster was currently in a stalemate as both sides readied themselves.

"Grandpa, Nooo!" Su struggled free on Noah's grasp to begin running towards her grandfather.

"Su! Go with him now! I must do this!" Mister Kim's command caused Su to stumble to her knees as she began to wail mournfully.

"Su come with me, your grandfather wants you safe."

Noah crouched down in front of Su while glancing back over his shoulder towards Mister Kim, who had his back towards them to face the colossal burning tentacle which had yet to descend.

"I don't want him to leave me! He's the only family I have left!"

Su threw her arms around Noah's neck as he picked her up. Noah looked towards Mister Kim one last time before racing back in the stairwell's direction he got the fire escape axe from.

Noah put Su down on her feet in front of him. Noah deactivated his ability as he crouched down in front of Su again, placing both hands to hold her soot-blackened face as tears streaked down it.

"Stay here Su. I'm going to go help your Grandpa. You'll be safe here for now," Noah promised the young girl.

"Please help him, I'll give you these," Su pulled two clear transparent crystals from her oversized coat to hold up in front of Noah.

"They're Mommy and Daddy's spirits. Grandpa said they're watching down on me from heaven, but that I need to keep them hidden, or people will try to take them from me. I'll give them to you if you can save my Grandpa!" Su innocently said.