Chương 152: Chapter 147: Into the Depths (2)

The waters grew more perilous by the minute, teeming with beasts drawn by the blood saturating their surroundings. Most were sharks, their dark forms slicing through the crimson currents, but other creatures joined the fray as well. Schools of tiny, razor-toothed fish now swarmed the battlefield, their sheer numbers overpowering even the deadliest predators. One such swarm had already taken down the dangerous jellyfish, reducing its menacing stingers to floating remnants.

Now, the swarm moved with lethal precision, consuming one massive beast after another. Thalion, however, had little reason to fear them. A single cast of Tsunami Breaker was enough to obliterate the entire swarm in a roiling vortex of force and water. Even if a few managed to evade the initial assault, his mana shield held firm, buying him time to unleash another devastating strike. The tiny fish were no match for him—small victories in the grand chaos—but they were not the real threat.

The greater challenge lay with the larger beasts, those with complex abilities rivaling those of any seasoned warrior. Yet, even they had yet to pose a true challenge to Thalion. For now, most of his foes were sharks, which suited him perfectly. They offered a steady stream of experience, propelling him closer to a long-awaited level-up. But their abilities left much to be desired; their biting skills were crude and inferior to the ones he already possessed. Still, he welcomed the progress.

He was halfway to the next level, and though time pressed against him, he hoped to return before any of his enemies set their schemes into motion. Annoying as this deadline was, it provided a rare opportunity to shift focus: preparations awaited for his aquatic cultivation and the fusion of his storm crystal with Eagly. Additionally, he intended to investigate the potential emergence of weak darkness elementals or, at the very least, their embryonic aspects.

The twilight hours neared, and darkness, both literal and figurative, promised to reveal its secrets. On this level, only a single large crystal remained. He debated whether to dive deeper, lured by the promise of untapped treasures. How many pearls had the other shapeshifters collected by now? The remaining crystal would be fiercely contested. Realistically, his spoils here would likely be limited to levels gained and the faint hope of discovering a rare skill.

Unfortunately, nothing so far had been particularly appealing—no new digestion skills, and nothing suitable to augment his scales. A few skills related to shark scales had emerged, but they required a specific compatibility with shark hide, rendering them useless for his current form. Thalion frowned, his mind churning with calculations. He considered experimenting with a shark's skin, but the risks loomed too large.

Switching to shark scales might compromise his speed and undo the painstaking body-tempering his current serpent form had undergone. Worse, reverting back might not restore his original resilience. Unless the new skin promised undeniable superiority, the gamble simply wasn't worth it. Perhaps diving deeper for reconnaissance alone would be prudent—a glimpse at what awaited below before retreating to the surface. The E-grade beasts he had encountered thus far were formidable, certainly no easy targets.

Still, the allure of discovery nagged at him. He resolved to investigate but with caution, balancing curiosity against survival. In the meantime, Thalion turned his focus inward, cycling through his body-tempering method. While direct combat had grown wearisome, the technique enhanced his maneuverability, allowing him to weave through the chaos of the battlefield. He preyed on stragglers—lone fish or scattered remnants of swarms—and unleashed devastating attacks with surgical precision.

Surprisingly, the experience gained from annihilating hordes of tiny fish rivaled that of killing a twenty-meter shark. Between battles, he transformed briefly into his human form, no more than three fleeting seconds, to absorb the souls into his amulet. The artifact, now of mythic rarity, pulsed with the accumulated power of countless fallen foes, its energy coursing through him like a second heartbeat.

After hours of tempered focus and efficient slaughter, Thalion abandoned the battlefield, diving toward the depths. The water grew darker and colder, the faint shimmer of distant crystals illuminating the silhouettes of massive creatures below. Here, power radiated like a tangible force, the aura of the beasts utterly overwhelming. These predators were on an entirely different level than the sea star or the jellyfish he had encountered earlier.

Thalion kept his distance, his sharp eyes taking in the formidable gathering around one particularly enormous crystal. Among them was what appeared to be an adult Tidecaller Serpent, its length nearly double his own and its scales gleaming with an impenetrable sheen. Nearby, a colossal crab lumbered through the water, its shell adorned with a verdant tree that radiated a unique, awe-inspiring energy.

Next to it slithered a creature that defied simple description: a crocodilian snake, its sinuous body of a snake marked by the head of a crocodile. The beast's body was absolutely massive, stretching an intimidating thirty meters in length. Its sheer size dwarfed anything Thalion had encountered so far. Each movement of these beasts exuded dominance, their power a stark reminder of the dangers lurking in the depths. Thalion hovered at the edge of visibility, his instincts urging caution.

Identifying these creatures could reveal more about their strengths, but the risk of detection outweighed his curiosity. For now, he would observe, his mind racing with strategies and the faint hope that an opportunity might present itself. He couldn't help but wonder if creatures lurking in the even deeper abyss were even more powerful or if this leviathan represented the apex of its kind. The troubling part was that this beast was only in the third stage, yet its leveling speed showed no signs of slowing.

If this trend persisted, it could spell disaster for the surface world. Thalion's thoughts darkened as he considered the potential implications. Humanity had craftsmen and equipment—tools designed to bridge the gap in power—but he doubted they were sufficient to counteract such an overwhelming disparity in levels. The termites on land displayed a similar leveling curve, though perhaps slightly slower. Still, their rapid evolution far outpaced any human's, and the rarity of termite queens had to be staggering.

No human could hope to achieve such heights in this short amount of time. Thalion wondered if he would have stood a chance against beasts like these if he hadn't obtained his title. Probably not. Yes, his current level was significantly lower than before, but his body-tempering had advanced above all expectations, bolstered by his title and the connection with the outsider. A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

A year spent honing his blood magic and swordsmanship had also sharpened his edge. While he might be weaker now in raw levels, his refined techniques and layered advantages made him far stronger. The real question was whether this would hold true in the coming weeks. As more humans—some even blessed by gods—rose to E grade, Thalion's cultivation chambers and his carefully constructed support system could face serious threats. An ominous sense of urgency gnawed at him.

Something was coming; he didn't know what, but the air itself seemed charged with impending chaos. Time was running out. He cast one last glance at the colossal beasts circling the great crystal and began his ascent. His decision was clear: return to the skyship, gather the pearls from his loyal helpers, and leave this perilous depth behind. <-- Meanwhile, Maike was having a hard time. She had warned everyone—repeatedly—about the dangers those women posed, but no one had taken her seriously. Not even Thalion.

To make matters worse, her reports had been dismissed or downplayed, and she suspected that some members of the council were already compromised. She lacked proof, but her instincts screamed at her to tread carefully. Those witches were far more dangerous than anyone realized. Maike was increasingly confident that some in the council were aiding the Blessed factions in Thalion's base—and possibly even collaborating with individuals from rival bases. How could Thalion leave the base so openly?

In her eyes, it was reckless. Nothing catastrophic had happened yet, but it felt like only a matter of time before things spiraled out of control. She longed to investigate the witches further, but her current responsibilities left her with no spare time. Watching over Kaldrek, that big idiot, consumed all her focus. Too many guards were clearly under the witches' influence, or at least sympathetic to their cause. They constantly invited Kaldrek to bars, inns, or establishments controlled by the witches.

So far, Maike had intercepted every attempt, but it was becoming increasingly exhausting. Every hour, a new scheme emerged to lure Kaldrek in. The tipping point came when one of the witches personally visited Kaldrek at the training hall, offering a direct invitation. Maike had been mentally screaming at him to refuse, and to her relief, he had. Luck, however, wasn't a reliable ally.

While she appreciated Kaldrek's loyalty, keeping him out of trouble felt like training an overeager puppy: rewarding but utterly draining. Yet, despite the fatigue, she had succeeded. So far, Kaldrek hadn't been compromised by any faction. Her moment of triumph came when Kaldrek flatly told the red-haired witch that he was too busy for "fun." Maike couldn't help but grin. Annoying as it was to shadow him constantly, it was worth the effort.

She trusted no one else to guard Kaldrek's integrity, and she genuinely liked him. Sacrificing time and experience to ensure he stayed safe felt like a small price to pay. Then, everything happened at once. First, a report came in: six massive skyships from a rival city had been spotted en route to their base, traveling much faster than anticipated. Next, unrest stirred among the Blessed, their probing agitation edging toward outright rebellion.

Prominent clans marched through the streets, shouting slogans and inciting the people against Thalion. They claimed he was too weak to guarantee safety, insisting no F-grade at level 50 could defeat an E-grade warrior. But that wasn't their only move. They also challenged Kaldrek's authority within the guard. One by one, powerful E-grades stepped forward, openly declaring their intent to take his position. Maike's stomach churned. This wasn't just bad—it was catastrophic.

Even if they managed to suppress the rebellion for now, the skyships would arrive in mere hours. Their upgraded engines gave them unprecedented speed, leaving no margin for error. Worst of all, the rebels were closing in on the teleporter. If they managed to disable it before Thalion returned, the base would face insurmountable problems. The situation spiraled out of control, and Maike felt the weight of it all pressing down on her. She clenched her fists, determination hardening in her gaze.

Whatever it took, she wouldn't let them win. Kaldrek acted immediately, summoning every trusted guard to secure the portal. The rebels were taking their time, which granted him a narrow window to prepare. Despite their sluggish pace, he knew they would arrive eventually, and the situation would escalate. Without hesitation, he jumped through the portal himself, attempting to establish contact with Thalion. Frustration gripped him as the communication tokens failed under the pressure of the ocean's depths.

Sending anyone after Thalion was futile. If he was still in the ocean, he had to be deep beneath the waves, likely hunting powerful beasts. From the rooftop of a tall building, Maike surveyed the chaos below. A seething crowd surged through the streets, their chants echoing through the city. They shouted promises of change, claiming divine blessings, and vowed that everything would improve under their rule. To Maike, this was laughable.

Thalion's hands-off leadership already granted the people unprecedented freedom. If the Blessed factions seized control, that freedom would vanish. Her brow furrowed as she picked up a particularly troubling chant: a call for a "legendary warrior" to arrive and bring salvation to the base. The idea gnawed at her. A figure like that could rally even the undecided to their cause. Leaping between rooftops, Maike noted something strange—this wasn't a unified rebellion.

The factions marching through the city were clearly divided, some even appearing hostile to one another. But the largest group, the one chanting about the legendary warrior, overshadowed the others. Despite the division, Maike's unease grew. The rebellion was spiraling out of control far too quickly. Holding out for another two days until Thalion returned seemed impossible. Yet, what caught her attention most was the rebels' destination.

They weren't attacking Thalion's tower or attempting to seize the city outright. They were heading straight for the portal. The significance wasn't lost on her. Thalion's tower had become much harder to breach in recent weeks, fortified with thick metal gates inscribed with powerful runes. Even so, Maike doubted they truly understood what Thalion did in there. Some believed he merely meditated and cultivated in solitude. Not long ago, the tower had been home to dozens of residents.

Thalion hadn't cared about the space, but now he had fortified it and emptied it of all but his most essential equipment. As she considered the rebels' strategy, two glaring issues came to mind. First, why had the skyships been spotted so late? Scouts should have detected them much earlier. The only plausible explanation was sabotage—someone had withheld the report to aid the approaching forces. Second, the rebels must have access to long-range communication.

How else could they have known about Thalion's absence so quickly? Maike's jaw tightened as she pieced together the enemy's plan. Thalion had likely intended to return just before the rebellion reached its climax, making a dramatic reentry to save the day. But he had miscalculated. His enemies had anticipated his strategy and moved faster than expected. They were likely reveling in their advantage. If things continued this way, Maike doubted the guards would even fight the rebels.

Morale was shaky, and many guards hesitated to shed blood unless absolutely necessary. Even with the skyships hovering ominously over the city, the rebels faced little resistance as they marched toward the portal. Defensive arrays could destroy the ships if they attacked directly, but the risk of internal sabotage loomed large. After an hour of marching and shouting, the groups finally reached the portal. The guards stood firm in a defensive line, but the rebels outnumbered them significantly.

While the guards still had a numerical advantage around the portal, the rebels' sheer determination made them a formidable threat. A woman stepped forward from the crowd of over two hundred, her voice cutting through the noise like a blade.

"Kaldrek, step aside!" she demanded. Maike studied her carefully. The woman didn't resemble the witches. She was striking—beautiful, even—but not in the almost alien way of the witches, whose exaggerated curves and unnaturally perfect features seemed designed to beguile. This woman had a commanding presence, her beauty more human yet no less dangerous. Kaldrek's voice boomed in response.

"You are betraying everyone in this base. Step back, or you will face the consequences!" Maike clenched her fists, her heart sinking. Even as Kaldrek stood his ground, it was clear he understood the odds. His reinforcements weren't as reliable as they seemed, and many of the guards could easily waver or even turn against him. The woman laughed—a sharp, mocking sound that sent a shiver through Maike. This wasn't going to end well. Neither side seemed willing to back down, and Maike feared for Kaldrek's life.

Her mind raced, searching for a solution, but the path forward seemed riddled with danger. As the tension thickened, the city itself seemed to hold its breath, teetering on the edge of chaos.