***

The enormous storage bucket, now as tall as a person, was more than half full.

People watching the live show of Callia Rabius’s extraordinary fishing spectacle whispered among themselves.

Some seemed to have come after hearing about it.

“You brought the restaurant’s fish tank, but did the whole club come? No, it’s already filled up!”

“Black Forgy, Opal Eye, Yellow Fin… were all these really caught here?”

Actually, this was all thanks to the artifact.

On the day we returned from the May Festival, Duke Rabius called for Teaerik, Callia’s brother and the family’s heir apparent, and had him give me an artifact.

Something about being proud that I seemed to have come to my senses.

Anyway, Teaerik, who had a poor relationship with the troublemaker Callia, took me reluctantly to a secret room within the ducal residence’s treasure vault.

“This is a secret room containing bound artifacts that only direct Rabius descendants can use.”

Though somewhat worn, which made them look even more valuable like precious relics, each artifact had an ancient clay tablet with archaic text inscribed on it.

Since they were offering it first, I had no reason to refuse and was looking around for something good when Teaerik’s unfriendly explanation came from behind.

“You don’t choose. One of them will choose you.”

Subsequently, I was chosen by what appeared to be a fragile metal bracelet.

The rusted bracelet emitted a strong light upon touching my arm, then absorbed into my skin, leaving only faint white patterns.

And the bracelet’s effect, which Teaerik deciphered from the damaged clay tablet, was…

[ Enhanced fish affinity. ]

***

“I truly can’t believe this.”

Though I’d never even won a fifth-place lottery prize in my previous life, I wondered what I was expecting.

I can still hear that damn Teaerik’s roaring laughter.

“Ha, really now.”

While letting out a bitter laugh at the still-ridiculous thought, several people began approaching me respectfully.

“In my 30 years of fishing, I’ve never seen anyone like you, my lady. I’d like to request your guidance.”

Well, this is awkward – I can’t tell them this is my first time holding a fishing rod.

Nor can I advise them about reputation being a fair trade.

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

“Hey! Don’t disturb the senior member while she’s concentrating.”

Sorry gentlemen, but this is all just equipment advantage.

“When is Mikhail coming back?”

He left just a moment ago to bring drinks, but I already miss him.

Callia’s hearing was quite good, allowing her to hear most gossip clearly regardless of distance.

“Looking at the quantity, she’s clearly not fishing for food.”

“Then why is she doing this?”

“Obviously trying to attract the attention of young nobles.”

If I were to react dramatically to that provocation, it would make for quite an entertaining spectacle, as much as the fishing show.

But I don’t have the energy to become free entertainment for others.

“My goodness, you think young nobles would approach her for this?”

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

It’s becoming tedious hearing the same background noise repeatedly.

Ladies and gentlemen, please work on your provocation skills.

I stood up from my chair with a yawn.

‘After witnessing my brilliant fishing skills, that’s all they have to say.’

Clicking my tongue in disappointment, I glanced their way, causing the whisperers to flinch simultaneously and quickly turn their backs.

It felt like hitting a mute button.

Shaking my head, I rolled my shoulders and stretched once.

Well, at least the blue sea is truly beautiful, reminding me of the Admiral’s deep blue eyes from the portrait I saw earlier…

“Gasp, Admiral!”

“Goodness! Admiral Aquilus!”

What?

Even though the Naval Headquarters is right in front of us, would an Admiral really come to such a crowded place on his own accord?

Am I hearing things? Or is this another fake provocation to make me turn around?

If it’s the latter, I’ll admit it’s the most convincing provocation I’ve heard all day.

Not wanting to show any reaction, I deliberately gripped my fishing rod tighter.

But the voice that followed made me flinch involuntarily.

“Everyone, step back.”

A cool, weighty baritone voice pierced through the noise like an eagle cutting through wind.

The brief command was followed by the sound of dozens of people moving in perfect unison.

‘Did the Admiral really come?’

Unable to contain my curiosity any longer, I finally turned around.

‘Holy…’

And my eyes met with the Admiral’s, who had parted the crowd like Moses.

If I hadn’t seen the portrait earlier, I would have thought a young sea god had descended.

Dark hair like the night sea and distinctively long, sharp eyes.

Blue eyes beautiful like the sea captured in glass beads.

Taut skin lightly tanned by the sun.

A sharp yet strong jawline and a straight nose bridge. Features so exquisite they seemed mystical.

Tall stature, and a beast-like physique that was clearly well-trained even under the uniform.

Even if I were bungee jumping, I’d recognize Admiral Aquilus. But what brings him here?

‘Wait, he’s getting closer?’

I was completely flustered by the rapidly diminishing distance with each step he took.

As I blankly stared at the man’s sculptured face, I suddenly remembered what he had said earlier.

‘He told everyone to step back.’

Seeing his brow slightly furrow, he’s probably going to tell me to move aside too.

Whatever his business is, there’s no reason for me to stay here, so I should pack up my fishing rod.

Hmm, but the grip feels different, like I might have caught an amazing fish-

“Ah…?!”

Something pulled the fishing line with tremendous force.

In that instant, my body lifted into the air.

And the Admiral, with fierce eyes, reached his hand toward me…?!

“Aaaaah!”

A split-second decision was made. At this rate, I’d definitely fall into the sea.

But if I let go of the fishing rod and grabbed the Admiral’s hand, I wouldn’t fall in.

‘Instead, I’d die.’

Safety first, always.

There was no time to think further, and I followed the self-preservation instinct that all living beings possess.

Whoosh-

Avoiding the Admiral’s outstretched hand, I gripped the fishing rod tightly.

The Admiral’s eyes, who had been less than half a step away, widened.

‘Falling in is probably better than dying.’

Splash!

As I hit the waves, I grimaced at the stinging sensation.

At least the waves aren’t too rough, so it should be fine-

“Pfttt! cough heuk”

Seawater went up my nose and mouth. Ugh, so salty!

“Kyaa! Callia!”

“Callia!”

The assault of salty seawater left me completely disoriented.

The swirling dress made it difficult to even struggle properly.

Still, as I tried to doggy paddle toward the fishing spot, suddenly my whole body felt a creeping sensation.

“Aaaah!”

All at once, fish began swarming around me like mad.

Fish were rushing in from all directions, above and beside me, their fishy smell nearly making me faint.

‘Crazy fish affinity!’

With colorful fish surrounding me everywhere, I tried to use the fish gathering at my feet as stepping stones to move toward the fishing spot.

But at that moment, something grabbed my waist and ankles underwater.

‘What now!’

Looking down at my waist, I could see something like a huge black octopus tentacle rippling beneath the surface.

“Eek! I refuse to become octopus sashimi!”

Maybe it’s a Kraken that lived in the deep sea.

Either way, I tried with all my might to push away the strange creature wrapped around my body.

But it was like trying to push air or water – I could only feel the sensation, with no actual effect.

Instead, the massive tentacle slowly pulled me toward where its body must be.

My head went under the surface in an instant.

‘Coming fishing only to end up kidnapped by a giant octopus…’

Even though I possessed a romance fantasy novel character, it seems my life’s genre couldn’t change completely.

If it had, a merman prince would have appeared.

But my only superpower is fish affinity, and the one obsessed with me is dark seafood…

I thought the choice was between dying or falling, but it turns out it was between dying on land or in the sea.

And choosing the sea means drowning after being caught by a giant octopus.

‘Someone please get this thing off me…’

The fishing spot must be in chaos by now, so Mikhail might have figured out what was happening.

He would at least try to save me.

Since it would be awkward for him as an employee if something happened to me.

But it would be difficult to remove this obsessive stalker of a giant octopus.

I can’t think of anyone else.

Only someone like Anael could deal with something like this, but she’d be in the imperial palace right now.

I closed my stinging eyes.

I wanted to remember my parents’ faces from my previous life, but having lived alone for so long, they only came to mind hazily, like watercolors bleeding into water.

All the warm memories from childhood seemed like mirages.

Now, only the sensation of cold, strong octopus tentacles felt real…

‘When I see you in my next life, I’ll definitely chop you into pieces and turn you into takoyaki.’

Even if you beg for mercy while spewing ink, I absolutely won’t forgive you.

Though I kept cursing internally with such deep resentment, the grip of the future takoyaki showed no signs of loosening.

My consciousness was growing hazy. Even the fish were no longer visible, and only a muffled silence filled the sea.

I no longer had the strength to hold onto any thoughts.

‘Damn octopus…’

The light from the surface grows distant.

Something seemed to enter through it, but it must be just an illusion born of hope… or was it?

In an instant, my body was freed.

Like clouds parting to reveal the sky, something approached, and even though my vision was blurry, I could feel its warmth.

Strong arms embraced me and headed upward.

-‘Relax your body. You won’t die.’

I seemed to hear those words even underwater. The voice carried a solid warmth.

I lost consciousness with relief.

 Beyond my fading awareness, desperately hoping this savior wouldn’t disappear.