"Captain, I think we are screwed!"
A merchant vessel cut steadily across the open sea when the water ahead suddenly churned.
Standing at the bow of the ship, the captain, a middle-aged man, visibly paled when his crewmate's words echoed in his ears.
Then, when he saw the surface of the water bulge upward and split apart as something massive rose from below, he screamed in panic:
"Damn it! The waters around the Dark Valley are cursed! Where are the damned Magi? Summon them this instant! What the hell are they paid for if not to deal with these monsters!"
In the next heartbeat, dark scales broke through the waves, followed by a towering shape that dwarfed the ship.
Shouts rang out across the deck. The captain gripped the railing hard as he took in the creature's size. The Magi also arrived and stood beside him, their faces drained of all color.
"T-that… that monster is far more powerful than us!" A Magus screamed in horror.
