My SSS-Rank Grim Reaper System-Chapter 73: Storm and Leviathan
[DAY 5 – NOON]
Alex woke up with a strange feeling.
The air felt... heavy.
Abnormally humid.
He went up on deck.
The sky had changed—dark gray clouds gathering on the northern horizon.
Raven was at the helm, looking at the clouds with a serious expression.
"That doesn’t look good," Alex observed.
"Because it’s not." Raven pointed at the cloud formation. "Storm. Big. Moving fast."
"How big?"
"You see how the clouds are forming a spiral?"
"Yeah."
"That means a category 4 marine storm. Winds of 80 kilometers per hour. Waves of 8 meters. Estimated duration: 6-8 hours."
Alex swallowed. "Can we avoid it?"
"No. It’s moving faster than we are. It’ll hit us in..." She checked the wind. "...two hours. Maybe less."
"Shit."
Emily emerged from the cabin. "What’s happening?"
"Storm," Alex replied. "Category 4."
Emily’s face paled. "Oh no."
"Oh yes." Raven began securing the sails. "Everyone, prepare the boat. Tie down anything that can move. Emily, secure the medical supplies in the hold. Alex, help me with the main sails."
The team moved quickly.
The next hour was a frenzy of preparation.
Boxes tied down. Sails partially secured. Hatches closed.
Grim in Awakened form—ready to stabilize the boat if needed.
Then the storm hit.
Not gradually.
Suddenly.
As if someone had flipped a switch.
The sky went completely dark.
The wind roared.
And the rain began.
Not normal rain.
A DOWNPOUR.
---
Visibility: nearly zero.
Waves pounding the boat—each one shaking it violently.
Raven at the helm, fighting to maintain control.
Alex beside her, helping her hold.
Emily below, making sure nothing broke.
"HOLD STEADY!" Raven shouted over the storm’s roar.
A massive wave—8 meters tall—rose ahead.
CRASH.
It slammed into the boat.
Water flooding the deck.
Alex nearly swept away—but grabbed a safety rope.
"THIS IS TOO MUCH!" he shouted.
"HOLD ON! WE JUST HAVE TO—!"
Another wave.
CRASH.
The boat tilting dangerously.
[SYSTEM – ALERT]
[WARNING: BOAT STRUCTURE – 78%]
[DAMAGE ACCUMULATING]
"It won’t hold much longer!" Alex shouted.
Raven knew it.
She looked around—searching for an option.
Then—she saw it.
A rock formation emerging from the water 200 meters away.
A small island. More like a cluster of large rocks.
But it had a sheltered bay in the center.
"THERE!" she pointed. "SHELTER!"
"CAN YOU MAKE IT?!"
"WATCH!"
Raven turned the helm—an expert maneuver.
The boat fought against the waves but responded.
Heading toward the rock formation.
100 meters.
50 meters.
25 meters.
Then—
Something moved beneath the water.
Something BIG.
---
SPLASH.
A creature emerged from the water.
Serpentine. 15 meters long. Scales gleaming blue-green under the torrential rain.
A dragon-like head. Jaws full of dagger-like teeth.
[Lesser Leviathan – Level 92]
[HP: 28,000/28,000]
"SHIT!" Alex shouted. "Level 92!"
The creature screeched—a sound that pierced even the storm.
Then it attacked.
It lunged toward the boat—fast, deadly.
"GRIM!" Alex ordered.
"UNDERSTOOD!"
Grim launched himself—his Awakened form intercepting.
His scythe clashing against the Leviathan’s scales.
CLANG.
Like metal against metal.
[Leviathan HP: 28,000 → 27,400/28,000]
Barely a scratch.
The Leviathan turned—its massive tail swinging.
It hit Grim.
WHAM.
[Grim HP: 2,400 → 2,100/2,400]
Grim was thrown back—crashing onto the deck.
"Tough. Very. Tough," he reported.
"It’s level 92! Our attacks barely damage it!" Alex shouted.
The Leviathan dove.
It disappeared beneath the waves.
Silence—only rain and wind.
"Where is it?" Raven murmured, her eyes scanning the water.
Then—the boat shuddered.
Violently.
Something struck the hull from below.
[WARNING: BOAT STRUCTURE – 68%]
"It’s attacking from below!" Emily shouted from the cabin.
The Leviathan emerged again—on the opposite side.
Jaws open—heading straight for Raven.
Alex reacted on instinct.
[Shadow Step] —he appeared between the Leviathan and Raven.
His sword blocking the jaws.
The force of the impact—massive.
Alex was pushed back—but held.
"ALEX!" Raven shouted.
The Leviathan pushed—trying to bite through the sword.
[Alex HP: 1,020 → 920/1,020]
Absolute pressure.
"I can’t... hold it... much longer!" Alex gasped.
Emily emerged—her staff glowing.
"STARFALL!"
Projectiles of light rained down on the Leviathan.
BOOM. BOOM. BOOM.
[Leviathan HP: 27,400 → 25,800/28,000]
Decent damage—holy power effective against a dark creature.
The Leviathan screeched—in pain.
It released Alex.
Dove again.
Alex collapsed on the deck—gasping.
"Thanks," he managed.
"Don’t thank me yet," Emily replied, her eyes scanning the water. "It’ll be back."
She was right.
Thirty seconds later—
CRASH.
The Leviathan emerged directly beneath the boat.
Lifting it.
The boat tilting—nearly capsizing.
[BOAT STRUCTURE – 52%]
"It’s going to DESTROY the boat!" Raven shouted.
"Not if we kill it first!" Alex replied.
But how?
Level 92. HP 25,800. Scales like armor.
Their attacks barely hurt it.
Then—Alex had an idea.
A terrible idea.
But his only option.
"Raven! Can you distract it?"
"WHAT?!"
"Just for thirty seconds! Trust me!"
Raven looked at him—saw the determination in Alex’s eyes.
She nodded. "Thirty seconds!"
She summoned 20 skeletons—level 40 each.
She launched them into the water.
Skeletons swimming (clumsily) toward the Leviathan.
The creature was confused—attacking them.
Destroying them easily.
But distracted.
Alex closed his eyes.
He touched the Fragment mark on his chest.
I need power. Just a little. Controlled.
[Partial Awakening – 10% Output]
Dark energy flowed—minimal but present.
[Stats Boost: +10%]
[Strength: 108 → 119]
[Agility: 115 → 127]
Not a full Awakening. Just a touch.
His eyes glowed crimson slightly.
He concentrated the energy into his sword.
[Blood Weapon] + [Necrotic Burst] combined.
The sword glowing black-crimson.
"Emily," he called. "When I attack—cover it with Purification. Maximum power."
Emily understood immediately. "Purification Strike!"
"Exactly!"
The Leviathan finished off the skeletons.
It turned toward the boat—preparing for a final attack.
It lunged toward them—mouth open.
Alex waited.
Waiting for the perfect moment.
10 meters.
5 meters.
3 meters.
"NOW!"
He launched himself.
His sword aiming directly at the Leviathan’s open mouth.
The inside—not protected by scales.
STAB.
The sword penetrated deep.
[Necrotic Burst] releasing inside.
"PURIFICATION!" Emily shouted.
Holy light merging with the dark energy.
A contradictory explosion—
Inside the Leviathan.
BOOOOM.
The creature convulsed.
Screeched—pure agony.
Black blood pouring from its mouth.
[CRITICAL HIT!]
[Leviathan HP: 25,800 → 8,200/28,000]
Massive damage—internal attack plus elemental fusion.
But not dead.
The Leviathan, enraged—shook its head violently.
Alex was dragged—still holding his embedded sword.
SLAM.
The Leviathan slammed Alex against the water’s surface.
[Alex HP: 920 → 620/1,050]
Pain exploded.
But he didn’t let go.
"GRIM! FINISH IT!" he shouted.
"UNDERSTOOD!"
Grim flew—his scythe glowing.
He aimed for the same spot—the open mouth.
[Death’s Harvest] —an execution skill.
SLASH.
The scythe cut deep.
[Leviathan HP: 8,200 → 0/28,000]
The creature froze.
Then—it began to crumble.
Its body dissolving into a dark mist.
Its soul being absorbed by Grim.
[SYSTEM – NOTIFICATION]
[Lesser Leviathan Defeated]
[EXP Gained: 18,500]
[ALEX – LEVEL UP!]
[Level 40 → Level 41]
[HP: 620/1,020 → 620/1,050]
[MP: 490 → 505]
[Stats Increased:]
- Strength: 108 → 112
- Agility: 115 → 119
- Intelligence: 73 → 75
[Grim – Souls Gained: +8.4]
[Total: 618.3 → 626.7/1,000 (62.67%)]
Alex fell into the water.
Exhausted.
Partial Awakening ending.
[Corruption: 74% → 74.5%] (+0.5% from minimal use)
Emily dove—grabbed Alex before he could sink.
With Raven’s help, they pulled him back onto the boat.
"Are you okay?" Emily asked, her hands already glowing with healing.
"I’ve been... better," Alex gasped.
[Purification] flowed over him.
[Alex HP: 620 → 820/1,050]
Immediate relief.
"That was stupid," said Raven.
"But it worked," Alex replied weakly.
"Still stupid."
"Beautifully stupid," added Emily.
Alex laughed—then winced. "Please don’t make me laugh. Everything hurts."
---
With the Leviathan dead, Raven sailed the boat toward the bay in the rock formation.
It would be good shelter from the worst of the storm.
Still raining, but the waves were less violent.
They anchored the boat.
[BOAT STRUCTURE – 52%]
Damaged but functional.
It would need repairs when the storm passed.
"Everyone below," Raven ordered. "We’ll wait here until the storm passes."
They descended into the cabin.
Small. Very small.
Two beds. One table. Space for maybe three people comfortably.
But everyone was soaked.
Clothes dripping water. Hair plastered to faces.
"We need to change," Emily said practically. "Or we’ll catch hypothermia."
The problem: only one cabin. No privacy.
Uncomfortable silence.
Then Raven—always practical—began taking off her wet jacket.
"No time for modesty. Everyone change. I’ll look at the wall."
She turned.
Emily and Alex exchanged looks.
Then—they also began to change.
The atmosphere... charged.
The sound of wet clothes being removed.
Water dripping.
Breathing.
Alex tried not to look.
He failed.
He saw a reflection in the small window—
Raven removing her shirt. Her back visible. Curves...
He looked away quickly.
Focused on changing himself.
But then he saw Emily—
From a side angle—
Removing her wet robe—
Don’t look. Don’t look. Don’t—
He looked.
Emily noticed.
She blushed—but didn’t cover herself.
She just... looked back.
The moment stretched.
Then—
"Everyone decent?" Raven asked, still facing the wall.
"Almost," Emily replied quickly, putting on a dry shirt.
Alex finished too—dry pants, clean shirt.
"Good." Raven turned.
Now in dry clothes—tight pants, a simple shirt.
Her wet hair falling over her shoulders.
No makeup (washed off by the rain).
Natural.
Beautiful.
Alex audibly swallowed.
"What?" Raven asked, noticing.
"Nothing. Just... you look different."
"Different good or different bad?"
"Different good."
A small smile. "Thanks."
Emily coughed. "So. What do we do now?"
"We wait," said Raven, sitting on a bed. "The storm will last another 4-6 hours."
"And then?"
"Then we repair the boat and continue toward the island."
"How far are we?"
"Two days. Maybe three with the damage to the boat."
Alex sat on the other bed—exhausted from the battle.
Emily sat beside him—without asking.
Raven raised an eyebrow but didn’t comment.
The boat swayed gently.
Rain still hitting the hull.
Storm raging outside. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮
But inside—warm, dry, safe.
A strangely intimate moment.
Three people in a small space.
Wet clothes hanging.
Forced proximity.
"We should sleep," Emily suggested. "We’re all exhausted."
"Good idea," Alex agreed.
Problem: two beds. Three people.
Uncomfortable silence.
"I’ll take the floor," Alex offered.
"Don’t be ridiculous," said Raven. "You just fought a level 92 Leviathan. You need the bed."
"Then you take the floor—"
"I fought too."
"Then Emily—"
"I participated too," Emily interrupted.
Impasse.
Finally, Raven sighed.
"Fine. Simple solution. Alex in one bed. Emily and I share the other."
"Are you sure?" Emily asked, sounding disappointed.
"Unless you want to share with Alex."
Emily blushed. "I—that’s not—"
"Then it’s decided."
Raven got into one bed.
Emily hesitated—then got in beside her.
A small bed. Very small for two people.
They had to lie very close together.
Alex in the opposite bed—a meter away.
He could see them clearly.
Two beautiful women. Very close to each other.
Don’t think about it. Don’t think about it. DON’T—
"Alex?" Emily called in the darkness.
"Yeah?"
"Thanks. For protecting us today."
"You’re welcome."
"You’re an idiot for using Partial Awakening," Raven added. "But you’re our brave idiot."
"Thanks. I think."
Silence.
Then—Emily’s voice, softer.
"Alex?"
"Yeah?"
"Do you ever think about... after?"
"After what?"
"After all this. The Fragments. The corruption. The danger."
"Sometimes."
"And what do you see?"
Alex considered honestly.
"Peace. Maybe a small house somewhere. Away from cities. With..." He hesitated. "...with people I care about."
"Like us?" Raven asked—direct as always.
"Yeah. Like you."
Longer silence.
Then—the sound of movement.
Emily turning in bed.
Now facing Raven directly.
Very close.
"Raven," Emily whispered.
"Yeah?"
"What will you do? When this is over."
"I don’t know. I never thought about a long-term future."
"Why not?"
"Because assassins don’t have long futures."
"But you’re not just an assassin anymore."
"No?"
"No. You’re part of a family."
A pause.
Then—Raven’s voice, softer than Alex had ever heard it.
"Thanks. For saying that."
Movement again.
Alex couldn’t see clearly in the darkness.
But it sounded like...
Were they hugging?
Oh. That’s... unexpected.
"Master. Losing. Control. Situation," Grim murmured from the corner.
Alex couldn’t argue.
Two beautiful women.
Sharing a small bed.
A meter away.
While the storm raged outside.
It’s going to be a long night.
---
