The Leviathan’s Roar and a Fateful Discovery

After seeing White Feather off, Ming Yu lost interest in gazing at the sea.

Feeling utterly bored, she pressed her earphone, projecting a holographic image before her. Her fingertips idly swiped across the screen.

The distance from Pharos’s base station was too vast, leaving her with virtually no signal. She could only browse the content stored directly on her device.

It was then that Ming Yu’s gaze sharpened, spotting an unread email.

[January 14th, 2625, 1:34 AM]

[Sender: Little Nightingale]

Ming Yu had bid farewell to Little Nightingale late on the thirteenth, yet she hadn’t anticipated an email from her in the early hours of the fourteenth.

Typically, those residing within cities rarely used email, preferring real-time chats via communication software. Only ‘Sea Cat’ individuals like Ming Yu, constantly on the move, often found their communication devices without signal, rendering them unable to check or reply promptly.

Evidently, Little Nightingale had sent this email just before Ming Yu ventured too far from the port.

Ming Yu wasn’t in the habit of idly sifting through communication logs, nor did she often use the other functions of her smart earphone. Consequently, she hadn’t noticed Little Nightingale’s message immediately.

The email’s content was brief, consisting of only a few lines.

“Ming Yu, you still haven’t told me how long you’ll be gone this time.”

“But no matter how long you’re away, I’ll be waiting for you at home. There are some things I want to tell you when you return.”

‘Little Nightingale has something to tell me…’

‘What could it be?’

After reading, Ming Yu extinguished the holographic screen, staring blankly at the surging waves on the horizon.

She couldn’t guess.

However, Ming Yu didn’t wish to dwell on these matters; she quickly cast them aside. Her immediate troubles demanded her attention far more.

****

The colossal fleet continued its slow, steady advance.

Unbeknownst to them, the frenzied sea wind gradually died down, and the sound of crashing waves quietly subsided, as if the entire sea held its breath, fearing to disturb some terrifying presence.

The atmosphere solidified to an icy stillness; the calm before the storm was fleeting.

Ming Yu exhaled softly, her right palm resting against the threaded hilt of a blade. Her slender fingers slowly closed around it.

In that instant, an earth-shattering roar erupted.

Horrifying mechanical waves, laden with immense energy, surged outward at over three hundred meters per second, spreading in all directions. It was as if a colossal hand, with a gentle push, had swept aside the heavy clouds veiling the sky, revealing the fierce blazing sun above the clouds.

Blinding beams of light pierced through the clouds, reflecting on the tumultuous sea in shimmering, scale-like slivers of silver.

This long, profound whale song persisted for nearly half a minute.

Even with energy shields equipped, some ordinary crew members still found their eyes wide, dark red blood seeping from their seven orifices. Their bodies involuntarily collapsed, losing consciousness instantly.

A tempest swept through, causing most to tremble with fear. Many couldn’t help but shiver.

They were terrified.

It was a fear akin to those accustomed to city hurricanes suddenly finding themselves amidst a vast, untamed tornado in the wilderness.

‘This is… a legendary leviathan…’

Beneath the ocean’s surface, a vast, immeasurable shadow emerged. Its enormous body revealed only the tip of an iceberg, as a thick column of water shot skyward, its spreading spray resembling a massive artificial downpour.

The strong wind, laden with water droplets, dampened Ming Yu’s lowered, slender eyelashes.

Through her earphone, Seti’s tone remained calm as he systematically issued commands.

“Disperse.”

“The vanguard will focus on resistance, striving to halt the enemy’s advance.”

“Jiang Chen will lead the left flank in a flanking maneuver, seizing any opportunity to attack the enemy’s sides and rear.”

“The right flank will maintain space for the enemy’s retreat. Be wary of scattered, high-tier sea beasts attempting to breach the defensive line.”

“May fortune favor your martial endeavors!”

****

Star Ring Base, Satellite Monitoring Room.

The sound of a porcelain cup shattering echoed through the monitoring room. Coffee, still steaming, splattered across the floor.

Chris stared intently at the satellite image on the screen, then frantically dialed the head of the Satellite Monitoring Center, describing the scene before him.

Perhaps due to his profound shock, his description became incoherent, causing the senior leader on the other end of the line to grow impatient.

“Chris, what exactly are you trying to say? What monster?”

“I… I don’t know how to describe it. I’ve never seen anything like this, this…”

“Enough. I’m currently entertaining important guests. Whatever it is, it can wait…”

The voice on the other end paused for a few seconds, then its tone abruptly shifted, continuing,

“Wait a moment. I’m coming right over. Report any developments immediately!”

“Understood,” Chris quickly responded.

The call disconnected, but his gaze remained fixed on the monster on the screen, aghast at its immense size.

Meanwhile, on the other end of the communication.

The head of the monitoring center shed his serious demeanor and hurried to the side of Augu, the current de facto ruler of the Azure Sea United Nations, chuckling obsequiously:

“Lord Augu, I’ve already relayed your instructions to my subordinates as you wished. Please, follow me…”

“Mm-hm.”

Hearing this, Augu nodded and rose from his seat.

After the political upheaval, his status had undergone a monumental transformation. Almost everyone believed he would be the nation’s future dictator.

Except for himself.

Augu was fixated on finding the ‘Immortal Leader’ indicated by the High Priest of the Eternal Temple, preparing to dispatch troops for a landing, to return to the Old World.

Upon hearing news from the Old World in the communication, he naturally wouldn’t easily let it go. He immediately requested the head to lead him to understand the situation.

Entering the monitoring room, Chris had been waiting for a long time, having already vacated the spot for his superior. Yet, he hadn’t expected his direct superior to respectfully approach him and invite the elder accompanying Augu to take the seat.

Augu, without pretense, took a seat before the monitoring screen, his gaze falling upon the image within.

On the vast blue ocean, hundreds of warships swarmed forward like ants hunting a giant elephant, surging towards a colossal monster.

Seeing this, Augu suddenly furrowed his brow, as if recalling something.

‘Could this be… a Siren civilization’s aberrant species left in the Old World?’

As Augu pondered the Siren Civilization, the screen’s image reflected in his eyes. Suddenly, within it, a faint, almost imperceptible silver gleam flashed.

Psionic energy enhanced his senses, allowing him to keenly perceive this anomaly. His expression subtly shifted as he turned to Chris.

“Young man, would you be so kind as to adjust the image for me? Zoom in on this area.”

As he spoke, he pointed to the expanse of sea between the colossal beast and the warships.

Following Augu’s instructions, Chris cautiously complied, swiftly completing the adjustments as the elder requested.

On the screen, a nimble assault boat was seen cutting through the waves, charging directly towards the colossal beast.

At the bow of the assault boat, a flash of silver-white danced wildly in the wind. The image before him slowly merged with a scene from his memory.

Augu froze slightly, his pupils suddenly dilating.

‘Could that be… that individual?’