BVAL 06

Chapter 06

Persistent Obsession

* * *

Before I knew it, the massive fish tank—tall enough to match a person’s height—was already more than half full.

People gathered around, whispering as they watched Kallia Labius’s bizarre fishing spectacle unfold in real time. Some had clearly come after hearing the rumors.

“They said they brought the dining hall tank—did a whole group show up or something? No, wait… it’s already this full?!”

“Blackforge, Opaleye, Yellowfin… are you telling me all of those were caught here?”

Well, to be honest… this was all thanks to an artifact.

The day I returned from the May Festival, the Duke of Labius summoned Taeric—Kallia’s older brother and the heir—to give me one.

Apparently, he found it admirable that I’d “come to my senses.”

Anyway, Taeric, who had never gotten along with the troublemaker Kallia, looked displeased but still led me into a hidden chamber inside the duke’s treasure vault.

“This is where we keep bound artifacts that only direct members of the Labius bloodline can use.”

The artifacts looked old and worn, which somehow made them seem even more valuable. Each one had an ancient clay tablet in front of it, engraved with archaic script.

As I browsed, wondering which one to pick, Taeric’s curt explanation came from behind me.

“You’re not choosing. One of them will choose you.”

And in the end, I was chosen… by a rusted metal bracelet that looked like it would crumble if worn.

The moment it touched my wrist, it emitted a bright light, then melted into my skin, leaving behind only a faint white marking.

Taeric, who could read the ancient language, deciphered the tablet’s partially damaged inscription.

And the effect was—

[ Greatly increases affinity with fish. ]

* * *

“…I’m seriously speechless.”

In my past life, I never even won fifth place in the lottery once—so what exactly was I expecting?

Taeric’s mocking laughter still rang in my ears.

“Ha… honestly…”

I let out a hollow laugh, and a few people nearby began speaking to me politely.

“In my thirty years of fishing, I’ve never seen anyone like you, my lady. I would like to humbly ask for your guidance.”

Well… it’s not like I could tell them I only picked up a fishing rod for the first time today.

And I definitely couldn’t say it was all thanks to an artifact traded for my reputation.

“My lady, would you consider joining our ‘Noble Fishermen’s Club’?”

“Ahem! Don’t disturb her concentration!”

Sorry, gentlemen. This is all gear carry.

“When is Mihail coming back…”

He only just left to get drinks, but I already missed him.

Kallia’s hearing was sharp—gossip from afar sounded like it was said right next to her.

“Judging by the amount, she’s not catching them to eat.”

“Then why is she doing that?”

“Obviously trying to attract attention from the young lords.”

If I reacted angrily, it would probably become as entertaining as the fishing show itself.

But I had no energy to provide free entertainment.

“Do they really think young lords would approach her because of this?”

“I agree. Unless their intelligence is on the level of fish!”

Same background noise over and over. It was getting tedious.

Ladies and gentlemen, please improve your provocation skills.

Yawning, I stood up from my chair.

“To think that’s all they can say after watching my amazing fishing skills.”

I glanced at them with mild disappointment, and the gossipers immediately flinched and turned away.

Like someone hit a mute button.

Shaking my head, I stretched and rolled my shoulders.

At least the blue sea was beautiful…

It even reminded me of the admiral’s deep blue eyes from that portrait earlier—

“Ah! Admiral!”

“Oh my, Admiral Aquilus!”

What?

Even if the naval headquarters was nearby, why would an admiral show up in a crowded place like this?

Was that a hallucination? Or just a clever provocation?

If it was the latter… I’d admit, it was the best one I’d heard all day.

Trying not to show any reaction, I tightened my grip on the fishing rod.

But the voice that followed made me freeze.

“Everyone, step back.”

A cold, weighty baritone cut through the noise like an eagle slicing through the wind.

At that short command, dozens of people moved in perfect order.

‘He’s really here?’

Unable to suppress my curiosity, I turned around.

“…What the hell.”

And locked eyes with the admiral who had parted the crowd like Moses.

If I hadn’t seen his portrait earlier, I might’ve thought a young sea god had descended.

Jet-black hair like the night sea.
Sharp, elongated eyes.
Blue irises like polished glass holding the ocean.
Sun-kissed, firm skin.
A sharp jawline and straight nose.
Features so perfect they felt unreal.
A tall, imposing frame, clearly powerful even beneath his uniform.

Even from a hundred meters away, he screamed “Aquilus Admiral.”

But why was he here?

“…Why is he getting closer?”

With every step he took, the distance shrank rapidly.

I stared blankly at his sculpted face, then remembered—

‘He told everyone to move aside.’

Judging by the slight furrow of his brow, he was probably about to tell me to move too.

Well, no reason to stay stubborn. I should reel in my line.

Though… judging by the weight, I might have hooked something huge—

“Ah…?!”

Something yanked the line with immense force.

In an instant, my body was lifted into the air.

And the admiral reached out his hand toward me—

“AAAAH!”

A split-second decision.

If this continues, I’ll fall into the sea.

If I drop the rod and grab his hand, I won’t fall.

‘But I’ll die.’

Safety first, always.

No time to think.

I followed pure survival instinct.

Whoosh—

I dodged the admiral’s hand and tightened my grip on the rod.

His eyes widened in shock.

‘Better to fall into water than die.’

Splash!

The impact with the sea stung painfully.

“Ptoo! Cough, hack—!”

Saltwater flooded my nose and mouth.

“Ahhh! Kallia!”

“Kallia!”

The waves overwhelmed me. My dress tangled around my legs, making it hard to move.

Still, I flailed, trying to swim back—

Then suddenly—

“AAAAH!”

Fish began swarming me like crazy.

From all directions, slimy bodies pressed in.

‘Damn fish affinity!’

Surrounded by colorful fish, I tried stepping on them to reach shore—

But then—

Something grabbed my waist and ankle from below.

‘What now?!’

Looking down—

A massive, dark tentacle writhed beneath the surface.

“Ugh! You think I’m turning into octopus sashimi?!”

Maybe it was even a kraken.

I struggled desperately, but it wouldn’t budge—like pushing water itself.

Instead, it slowly dragged me deeper.

My head submerged instantly.

‘So this is how I die? Kidnapped by a giant octopus while fishing…’

So much for being in a romance fantasy.

If my genre had changed, a mermaid prince would’ve shown up.

Instead, I got fish affinity—and an obsessive sea monster.

So it wasn’t “die or fall in water”—

It was “die on land or die in the sea.”

And choosing the sea meant drowning in a giant octopus’s grip.

‘Someone… please get this thing off me…’

Maybe Mihail had noticed by now.

At least he’d try to save me.

But separating this obsessive monster? Impossible.

No one else came to mind.

If only Anael were here…

I closed my eyes.

I wanted to remember my parents from my past life…

But they were vague, like watercolors washed away.

Only the cold, crushing grip of the tentacle felt real.

‘If I see you in my next life… I’ll chop you up and turn you into takoyaki.’

Even if you beg for mercy, I won’t forgive you.

But the grip only tightened.

My consciousness faded.

The fish disappeared. Silence filled the sea.

‘You damn octopus…’

The light above grew distant.

Then—

Something entered that fading light.

At first, I thought it was just a hallucination.

But suddenly—

The pressure vanished.

Something approached, and though my vision blurred—

I felt warmth.

Strong arms wrapped around me, pulling me upward.

“Relax. You won’t die.”

Even underwater, it felt like I heard that voice.

Solid. Steady. Warm.

Relief washed over me—

And I lost consciousness.

Hoping, with everything I had left—

That this savior wouldn’t disappear.