"Awoo~"
A long howl echoed through the underground cavern.
A group of people walked toward the source of the sound. Several troupe members proactively explained to Noah:
"Ever since Lario got lost last time and was brought back, it's been howling frequently—we don't know what's wrong."
"Yeah, yeah, it always feels like Lario's been down these days."
"We checked carefully—Lario has no external or internal injuries; it's very healthy, but for some reason, it keeps calling."
Nearby, Roccia spoke up:
"Pero says Lario is currently in withdrawal. It experienced something very thrilling and stimulating before, so it's not adapting well to the current calm."
"Huh?"
What kind of bold words?
What thrilling and stimulating experience? Lario is an Echo.
Hearing Roccia's words, all the troupe members widened their eyes, gazes shifting repeatedly between Roccia and Pero.
This box Echo better not corrupt their First Mate.
Unlike the others' shock, Noah gained some insight from Roccia's words.
Got it—the hundred-ton king wants to hit the highway!
As he pondered, a long shout suddenly reached his ears.
Following the shout with his eyes, Noah's gaze lit up upon seeing the source:
"Hundred-ton king!"
After his distant call, the far-off flower ship Echo stopped howling, turned its hull toward Noah, eyes showing joy greater than a newlywed reunion.
"Awoo~"
The howling no longer sounded distressed but carried cheerful delight, as if expressing missing and welcoming Noah.
Quickly approaching the hundred-ton king, gently stroking its massive hull, Noah felt an itchy urge.
Last time driving the hundred-ton king, he was in a hurry to reach Rinascita, and the sea fog was too thick for good visibility—he hadn't picked up a single Echo.
Now, he happened to want to farm some Echoes from Rinascita's side, and the sea had no shortage of aquatic Tacet Discords.
As for the Echoes picked up in the script before, they all vanished after script reset—special criticism to Fractsidus dog Scar for writing such garbage script, making him excited for nothing.
"Hey! Folks."
An enthusiastic shout came from behind the crowd. Turning around, they saw Brant struggling to carry three dozen bottles of liquor.
"Super absolutely unbeatable delicious troupe brew personally made by Captain Brant is here!"
Brant shifted slightly, peering past the liquor to see the flower ship Echo emitting contented hums under Noah's touch, instantly stunned.
The hundred-ton king showing such enjoyment before this man—he, as captain for years, had never seen it.
"No, brother..."
Brant panicked.
That's my ship—mine!
Why is it so tame and obedient with you!
Time flew, night deepening.
"Dinner's ready, dinner's ready!"
Floating Echoes near the camp loudly announced.
The Troupe of Fools members sat in a circle, drinking Brant's fine wine, bragging and chatting heatedly, having a great time.
Noah sipped a small mouthful of troupe brew. Bubbles exploded in his mouth, releasing a sweet, delicious taste—indescribably wonderful.
No wonder the troupe members obsessed over Brant's brew—it was this good.
"Everyone, I have one more thing to announce."
Brant raised his Terminal, proclaiming loudly:
"Noah brother is actually our Troupe of Fools' partner—from the sponsor Montelli Family. For the upcoming Carnevale, we'll perform with him and strive to claim the Laureate!"
"Good!"
The troupe had no objections, applauding and cheering.
The investor designating a guest to perform together, wanting to promote that guest—it was perfectly reasonable.
Moreover, with the deep meaning behind Carnevale, Montelli couldn't not send someone to participate—the troupe had anticipated this.
With over ten days until Carnevale, as long as Noah didn't perform too disastrously, the troupe even welcomed someone who'd helped them before.
If Montelli forced in someone who threw tantrums, acted like a diva, had poor acting, and only mouthed 1-2-3-4 for lines—the Troupe of Fools would absolutely refuse.
Licking residual liquor from his lips, Noah glanced at the Companion Story in his quest list, scooted closer to Brant, and tentatively asked:
"Brant, uh... can I drive the hundred-ton king for a day?"
As soon as the words left his mouth, Brant's smile froze.
He knew it—this guy definitely had ideas about his Lario.
Brant spoke faintly: "Brother, I heard there's an old saying in Jinzhou."
"Okay, okay, okay—straight to the big shot vibe. What old saying?"
"A friend's wife must not be bullied."
"Huh? But the hundred-ton king is a ship?"
"A friend's ride must not be ridden either." Brant explained: "Mounts count as rides too."
Noah looked at his "Sailing Day, Captain" quest, scratching his head in frustration.
In the original plot, this quest triggered after Carnevale. Rover claimed the Laureate with the troupe's help, greatly boosting their fame.
Thus, the troupe felt great goodwill toward Rover. Members and Brant bet on fishing.
The bet's outcome naturally made Rover captain for a day, unlocking Wuthering Waves' most fun Companion Story.
Now, the quest triggered before Carnevale. Noah figured he'd earned the members' goodwill, but...
But for some reason, Brant seemed very wary of him approaching the hundred-ton king.
One plan failing, Noah hatched another:
"Tomorrow, does the Troupe of Fools have sailing plans?"
"No."
"Brant, want to bet with me!"
Noah clapped his hands, then pointed to nearby fishing rods:
"We bet on fishing—who catches a fish first. If I win, the troupe sails tomorrow, and I direct the course; if you win, you set the terms."
Hearing this, Brant thought briefly while the dinner table crowd got excited, egging on:
"Accept it!"
"Accept it!"
"Captain Brant, accept it!"
Hearing the jeers, Brant couldn't help chuckling.
If Noah won, he only wanted to direct the course... not unacceptable!
Thinking this, Brant proposed his stake:
"If I win, brother—you can't have ideas about Lario."
Noah waved dismissively with a smirk:
"Look at you— the hundred-ton king is definitely yours. How could I have ideas?"
He's no Cao thief—how could he covet others' things? What pulls? What Resonance abilities? Those he earned fair and square!
No stealing, no robbing—legitimate.
Soon, everyone finished eating and drinking, heading to the fishing spot. Roccia tugged Noah's sleeve, whispering:
"You're guaranteed to win."
"Hm?" Noah asked curiously: "The bet hasn't started—how do you know I'll win?"
"Captain Brant has great luck at sea, but—" Roccia said confidently: "In troupe bets, he's never won."
"Like that, haha—blessings to you—hic~"
A cool breeze from nowhere blew. Noah swayed, vision blurring, cheeks flushing unnaturally red.
The troupe brew just drunk... seemed to have quite a kick! He really wasn't suited for high-proof liquor.
Forcing alertness, Noah sat down, baited the hook, and cast in sync with Brant.
Soon, ripples appeared on the water. He suddenly felt the hook heavy, yanked the rod—bait gone from the hook.
"Yo ho! It's that sly big fish!"
Experienced anglers in the troupe perked up for the show:
"That big fish is slippery—eats bait without biting, huge appetite, never full, and scares away other fish."
Hearing this, nearby Brant burst into laughter, not caring if it scared fish:
"Noah brother, luck doesn't favor you—I win for sure."
Noah stubbornly rebaited and cast. Seconds later, hook sank—bait cleaned off again upon reeling.
"Hahahaha!"
Troupe members let out amused laughter.
"Damn, this fish is such a troll."
Noah's face darkened. He scattered handfuls of feed to nest, cast again.
Soon, reeled up—hook empty.
Next, Noah fell into a loop of nesting, casting, air strikes.
Each time reeling a clean, washed hook, surrounding members burst into laughter. Noah's face reddened more—drunk or angry, unclear.
"Haha! I caught one! Noah brother, I win!"
Nearby, Brant excitedly reeled, a finger-sized small fish on his hook.
Instantly, liquor hit Noah hard—red from head to neck:
"What the heck!"
Character switch—Jinhsi!
Time power, activate!
Time rewound half a minute, then paused. Noah dove into the pond, grabbing the sly big fish:
"I'll be damned—"
Smack! A big slap sounded.
"For not biting!"
Smack!
"For eating bait!"
Prying open the fifty-plus-pound fish's mouth, Resonance ability activated—he remotely summoned bait, pouring tons in:
"Love eating, huh! Eat your fill!"