Chapter 244: Samu'dra Thought.

After exchanging a few more words with Jake, Garrick glanced toward the entrance of the training hall.

“Well, I should get back to work. There are still a few things I need to take care of.”

Jake nodded. “Go ahead. Thanks for looking after her.”

“It’s nothing. Oh, and I hope you don’t mind that I helped get her dressed. You know… it’s not really appropriate to walk around naked, even if she’s a monster.”

Jake glanced at Samu’dra, taking in her current appearance.

Her upper body was still bare, revealing thick, powerful muscles beneath her shimmering scales.

A dark, tattered wrap hung from her hips, secured by a knotted sash, with the cloth ending around mid-thigh.

Leather straps wound around her forearms, offering some protection without restricting her movements.

‘Well… I suppose this is an improvement.’

Jake rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

Considering Samu’dra’s enormous physique and unusual body shape, finding suitable clothing for her probably wasn’t easy.

At least Garrick had managed to cover the most important parts.

He turned back to Garrick and smiled.

“Don’t worry about it. You did the right thing. Thanks for helping her out.”

Garrick nodded and smile.

“Good. Well, I’ll leave the rest to you.”

With that, he turned and headed toward the entrance, leaving Jake alone with the giant Naga once more.

For a while, Jake simply watched the giant Naga beside him.

Samu’dra had put away her swords and was now looking around the training area, seemingly searching for another opponent.

Unfortunately, everyone who caught her gaze instinctively looked away, suddenly becoming very interested in their own training.

Some focused intently on their sword forms, while others began practicing their footwork with unusual enthusiasm.

After all, they had already witnessed how powerful this giant Naga was.

None of them wanted to challenge her, only to end up embarrassing themselves in front of everyone.

Jake couldn’t help smiling wryly as he watched Samu’dra scan the training hall like a predator searching for its next prey.

‘Good grief… Does she really want to keep fighting that badly?’

Jake shook his head and decided to put an end to Samu’dra’s little hunting expedition before she scared away everyone in the training hall.

“Samu’dra.”

The giant Naga immediately turned toward him.

Jake looked at her curious expression and smiled.

“What do you think of the outside world?”

Samu’dra blinked.

“The… outside world?”

“Yes. You’ve been here for a while now, haven’t you? You’ve met new people, learned how to use your weapons, and seen how humans live. What do you think about it all?”

Samu’dra fell silent.

She turned her head toward the entrance of the training hall, where the sounds of the bustling city drifted in from outside.

“…It’s strange.”

“Strange?”

She nodded slowly.

“Before, I only… knew the dark cave… That was… my… entire world.”

Her fingers tightened slightly around the hilts of her swords.

“But here… there… are so… many things… I’ve never… seen… before. The buildings… the food… Even the… way… people fight…. is different.”

She paused, seemingly searching for the right words.

Then her eyes suddenly lit up, and an excited smile spread across her face.

“And… there are… so… many… strong people!”

Jake smiled wryly.

For some reason, he had a feeling that Samu’dra liked that last part far more than everything else she’d seen in the outside world combined.

Jake chuckled at her reaction before patting her arm.

“Don’t worry. Once my ship is finished, we’ll set sail and explore the world. There are countless powerful warriors out there, each with their own fighting styles and unique abilities. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to meet them.”

Samu’dra’s eyes widened.

Countless powerful warriors… each with their own fighting styles? In her mind, she could already picture an endless sea of powerful opponents waiting to challenge her.

Some wielded enormous weapons, while others fought with their bare hands.

Some moved like the wind, while others possessed strength capable of shattering giant rocks.

And they were all out there, waiting for her to find them!

Samu’dra’s breathing gradually grew heavier as excitement surged through her body.

Her fingers tightened around the hilts of her swords, and her enormous tail began to sway unconsciously behind her.

Finally, she turned toward Jake with eyes burning with anticipation.

“I’m… looking forward… to it…”

Jake stared at her for a moment.

Then, little by little, he began to understand what kind of person his third crew member really was.

‘Ah… So she’s that kind of person.’

He had initially thought Samu’dra was simply a Naga who enjoyed fighting.

But looking at her practically trembling with excitement at the thought of meeting countless powerful warriors, he realized that her enthusiasm went far beyond that.

She wasn’t merely interested in becoming stronger.

She genuinely enjoyed the thrill of fighting powerful opponents and constantly pushing herself to improve.

Jake couldn’t help smiling wryly.

‘Well, at least she’s honest about what she likes.’

He reached out and patted her thick, muscular arm.

“How about we spar, too?”

Samu’dra froze.

For a brief moment, she simply stared at Jake as if making sure she hadn’t misheard him.

Then her eyes lit up.

“…You want to fight… me?”

Jake raised an eyebrow at her reaction.

“What’s wrong? Don’t tell me you’re afraid?”

“…No!”

Samu’dra answered so quickly that Jake almost laughed.

She immediately straightened her enormous body, gripping the hilts of her two swords with renewed enthusiasm.

“I… would never… refuse!”

Jake chuckled.

“Good. But let’s make one thing clear first. This is a spar, not a fight to the death. Don’t get carried away just because you’re excited.”

Samu’dra nodded vigorously.

“…Understood!”

Looking at her eager expression, Jake couldn’t help wondering whether she had actually heard the second part of his warning.

Still, he had already made the offer.

Besides, he was curious about just how strong his new crew member really was.

Jake and Samu’dra moved to the center of the training hall, putting some distance between themselves.

The other trainees quickly noticed what was happening.

Those who had been pretending not to pay attention immediately turned their gazes toward them, while a few even stopped their own sparring to watch.

Jake rolled his shoulders and loosened his arms.

Across from him, Samu’dra gripped her two swords tightly.

Her tail swayed slightly beneath her, and her entire body lowered into a battle stance.

The excitement in her eyes was impossible to miss.

“Ready?” Jake asked.

“Ready!”

Her answer came so quickly that Jake couldn’t help smiling wryly.

‘She’s really looking forward to this, huh?’

He took a deep breath and adjusted his footing, his expression gradually becoming more serious.

Although this was only a spar, he had no intention of underestimating her.

“Then come at me whenever you’re ready.”

Smash that golden ticket and power stone~