The Four Prime Fishing Spots
In the dungeon, there are four renowned fishing spots, each corresponding to the danger level of its layer.
White Snake River
When viewed from above, the river resembles a pure white snake. Hence it is also called Snake River. This long waterway has water so clear the bottom is visible, though frequent mists render the clarity largely meaningless. No monsters appear here, and its relatively shallow location makes it a favorite among novice fishermen. Freshwater species with white scales and small magical creatures are commonly caught.
Three Water Lakes
A miraculous interlayer lake where freshwater, saltwater, and brackish water coexist side by side. The uppermost freshwater lake, the brackish lake encircling Grindel in the middle reaches, and the enormous downstream saltwater lake that could be mistaken for the sea itself. Together they are known as the Three Water Lakes. Because fresh, brackish, and salt water intermingle in a single region, each body hosts entirely different species. Thanks to this diversity, it is the most popular of the four major spots.
Red Sea
A vast sea spread beneath a naturally formed colossal tree bridge. One might question the existence of an ocean underground, yet the sight of dark crimson waves surging across its immense expanse leaves no room for doubt. It was once called the Blood Sea for its visceral hue, but the name was recently changed to Red Sea to avoid instilling excessive terror in adventurers. Medium-to-super-large fish are the primary catch, making this the spot with the most satisfying fight. The waters are rich in mana, so magical creatures containing high-quality maseok appear frequently. However, massive entities such as water dragons and megalodons often snatch both the hooked fish and the rod, or target the fishermen themselves, rendering it extremely dangerous. High-tier anglers usually travel with large escorts. It is also famous as the place where the hero Minos slew the false dragon.
Dead Sea
A ‘legendary spot’ whose precise location does not appear in any records. According to the sole surviving document, The Hero’s Journal, the darkness there was so absolute it devoured the light of both torches and mana lamps. For twenty-four hours a day, sounds resembling whale songs mixed with human screams echoed without cease. The record states that variously sized lights drifted slowly through the black water. Rumors abound: jewel-fish whose scales are entirely maseok, or abyssal monsters that lure adventurers with light. Further accounts claim indescribably colossal entities circled the island. Even the hero dared not consider fighting them.
— Excerpt from A Very Informative Dungeon Fishing Encyclopedia —
“Let’s go, nyang! We’re going to sweep up every last fish, nyang!”
“We’ll drive them to extinction.”
“I wonder what freshly caught fish tastes like? Would it be good raw?”
- At least it’ll taste better than undercooked cicada larvae, Hans.
“...Sir Hans. Just what kind of life have you led?”
We headed for the famous dungeon fishing spot known as the Three Water Lakes, specifically the upstream freshwater lake. While strolling while savoring the beautiful natural scenery would have been romantic, Sion warned that good spots would be taken if we arrived too late. So my contractor and I quietly unfurled our wings.
“Ah, Mr. Raven. Please take good care of us again this time.”
“I’ll ensure your safety.”
“Yuri! Do that thing from before, nyang! I want to go twirling again, nyang!”
“Sion, please spare me.”
“Kkyu kkyu!” (Do not torment the savior, guide!)
I lifted the half-enlightened Hans while my contractor grabbed the high-tension cat Sion, and we soared into the sky. As usual the heavens were suitably hazy, the humidity pleasantly moist, and there was no fog—an ideal day for fishing.
A small island encircled by the brackish lake. After passing the dungeon village of Grindel and following the river northward, a lake large enough to rival the brackish one came into view.
“Thief, is this the place?”
“Correct, nyang! Let’s head to the stalls at the far end to buy bait and dough, nyang!”
“...Yes!”
“Understood.”
Freshwater fishing spot. Freshwater lake reached.
Fishing has far more varieties than one might expect. What we were about to try was the most classic form: float fishing. You cast the float upon the water and spend the entire day watching it bob until a fish takes the bait. Sounds fun already, doesn’t it?
Anyone who says no is a pitiful soul ignorant of the beauty of patience and romance. They are probably the impatient sort who cannot even wait for instant noodles to cook, lifting the lid at two minutes and thirty seconds to chew the still-hard noodles along with the broth.
Putting nonsense aside, float fishing naturally requires fresh live bait juicy enough to make fish drool, plus dough bait capable of luring even the wariest fish.
“Boss! Give us plenty of green worms and dough bait, nyang!”
“Yes, yes. Just a moment please. I’ll prepare them right away!”
At the bait stall thick with the scent of water and damp earth, we purchased something resembling earthworms covered in blue mold—called green worms—along with dough. According to Sion, this was a prime spot where bites would come within five seconds of casting the float. We left the noisy market-like row of stalls and walked a short distance until human voices faded, replaced by the soothing sounds of nature.
The clear cries of nameless mountain birds, the gentle murmur of flowing water. The rustle of wild animals hurriedly hiding at our approach. A light breeze shook the branches, sending green leaves and white flower buds drifting down. We walked for a while, eyes drinking in the faint light filtering through the thin canopy of green foliage overhead.
“We’re here, nyang.”
At Sion’s quiet whisper, a tranquil lake appeared before us.
“Everyone, we must be quiet from here on, nyang.”
Dungeon fishing etiquette number one: remain silent by the water. This is not only because fish are sensitive, but because fishermen are easily ten times more so. If you don’t want trouble, keep your voice down.
“Yeees…”
“Understood…”
“Yes, ma’am…”
- As you wish…
Thus began our group ASMR session. We moved carefully so as not to disturb the wild fishermen, treading softly and quietly behind Sion’s swaying tail.
Sion, self-proclaimed “Goddess of Fishing” with eight years of experience, declared that three conditions must be met for a location to be called a true hot spot. (Please note this is entirely her personal opinion.)
“First, there must be lots of trees growing around, nyang.”
“...What exactly do trees have to do with fish?”
According to Sion, fish are most active in dark places where light barely reaches. This was also why I had woken her in the middle of the night. In theory, if fish prefer darkness they should be helpless at night.
“Ah, so it’s not the trees themselves but the shadows they cast that matter?”
“Exactly, nyang! Also, fishing under trees reduces glare on the water, making it easier to focus on the float without straining your eyes, nyang.”
“Wow, Sion, you really know your stuff.”
“Hehe, it’s nothing special, nyang!”
- She really is on a completely different level from a certain uneducated someone.
“Sword, do you know the story of the goddess and the woodcutter?”
- Hans, save me.
The next condition was:
“There must be plenty of aquatic plants or floating logs nearby, nyang!”
“Is this for a similar reason?”
“Nyang, that too, but—”
Above all, such terrain is a favorite hiding place for fish, so the population here is far higher than elsewhere.
“In other words, we’re attacking the fish’s stronghold?”
“Yuri, that’s an excellent analogy, nyang!”
“Ahem. Then what is the final condition?”
“The final condition for a prime spot… is precisely…!”
Moderate current? River mouth? Place where algae gathers? I had never fished myself due to being busy, but I had seen plenty of documentaries and books, so I possessed a modest amount of common sense. Yet in this fantasy world where common sense was twisted, my knowledge proved useless.
“It must be a place overflowing with mana, nyang!”
“...Mana?”
The moment the words left her mouth, Sion brushed aside a large leaf. A picture-perfect fishing spot appeared—trees providing perfect shade, aquatic plants and underwater debris floating gently. What made it especially unusual were the colorful particles of light drifting and circling above the shaded water.
Fireflies… no, surely not.
The movement was too static for living creatures like fireflies. While I stared in blank admiration at the unexpected spectacle, a small gasp rose beside me.
“My goodness… Sion. Is this perhaps an ‘Arcane Loop’?”
“Whoa! Sion, is Yuri right?”
“Hehe, that’s correct, nyang!”
- Hoo, a naturally generated Arcane Loop. Quite the rare sight.
“....”
‘...Arcane Loop?’ What the hell is that, you fantasy world residents.