The gentle waves of the sea rocked Ahrgo Fischerre like a lullaby. The scent of the salty waters filled the air, creating a humble environment for the sailors of the vessel.
With a peace of mind, Maeyurai stood on the foredeck, his elbows resting on top of the railings.
Eyes laid over the horizon, he could see the vast land of the southern part of the Baofuming Region.
Shifting his gaze to the right, he could see the massive island of Wyumatsui. The bow of the vessel pointed straight at the distant island, headed directly for the port.
"Sailing is quite peaceful," he muttered under his breath, relishing the soft breeze of the wind with a content smile.
"Indeed, it is," replied a familiar voice from behind, coming from the stairs.
Maeyurai turned around to see who it was, despite having a vague idea of who just spoke.
His eyes landed on the person's face.
"Gabby," said Maeyurai.
"Mhm," hummed Gabby, approaching Maeyurai on the railing. "This seems to be your first time on a ship. Am I correct?"
Eyes opening slightly in surprise, Maeyurai would answer, "Oh, yes, it is my first time."
"Interesting. A young lad's first time sailing, eh? How come you're not having seasickness?"
Seasickness, huh?
Even I don't know why I'm not experiencing it.
"Uh... I don't know either. I'm probably just immune?" said Maeyurai in an uncertain tone.
"Maybe you are."
As the two of them talked, a female crew member called out Gabby.
"Jinga! Where did you put the wine?"
Gabby shifted his attention to the woman with a timid expression. "Oh... The wine? I think I gave it to First Mate Agao... Hehe."
With a huff, the woman walked away, searching for Agao.
One thing caught Maeyurai's attention.
"Hey, Gabby," he called. "Why do they call you Jinga the Freeloader? Are you not part of the crew?"
Gabby returned his gaze to Maeyurai, going into thought. "Hmmm... Jinga is a combination of my surname and first name, 'Jin' and 'Ga' from Gabby."
"As for the freeloader part..." Gabby continued. "Well, let's just say I happened to come across Captain Espeninza a few days ago, and I've just stuck along since then."
"Come across, huh?" said Maeyurai. "Sounds like you owe Espeninza a favor."
Gabby fell silent. Maeyurai hit the tip of the nail with his guess.
"Anyway," Gabby spoke up, a hand raised up. "I'm going to take a rest. See you later."
"Alright, see you," replied Maeyurai.
Gabby waved goodbye to Maeyurai, heading downstairs to the lower deck.
As Gabby was walking away, Maeyurai continued staring at the sea. Taking a deeper look, he could see the several sea creatures and fishes that swam near the ship.
He stood still for a short while, watching the surface of the sea.
Feeling bored, he decided to roam around the ship to pass the time.
Walking down the stairs, he noticed a peculiar object. Or rather, a familiar image that he once saw before.
It was on the wall underneath the foredeck. A wooden chart board was placed near the right side of the stairs with a map of the Baofuming Continent displayed. Though it was more focused on Wyumatsui Island and the area that surrounds it.
He paused in his tracks and spun his body around to face the chart board.
Examining it, there were extra details displayed that he didn't see before.
*
Each nation in the Baofuming continent has their own purpose. Wyumatsui Island, being the Central Fishing Capital, is the nation's most popular for its sea activities.
While other nations only have one main city, which is the nation itself, like Gangumen and South Kijisagi, Wyumatsui Island is split into two.
As displayed on the map, the two cities in Wyumatsui Island are named Tahaktatsu and Yugihanata.
Tahaktatsu is the western part of Wyumatsui Island, while Yugihanata is on the east, the opposite side of Tahaktatsu.
Between the two cities, there is an unclaimed territory, serving as the center of Wyumatsui Island. It is strictly left alone for wildlife to be sustained. There is also a lake at this unclaimed center.
Wyumatsui Island is a nation where swordsmanship is normal practice alongside magic. While there are other weapon users in this nation, swords are the most prominent.
Another piece of information is that the Baofuming Region is actually split into three parts as shown on the map. Which are the two superlarge islands on the northwest and southeast, with Wyumatsui Island being in the center.
The two superlarge islands aren't named but are classified based on their characteristics. The bigger of the two is the southeastern island, being around 40% bigger than its northwestern counterpart.
The northwestern island is more known for its dense jungles and cold wildlife, while the southeastern island is recognized for its hot and wet characteristics.
Then there comes Wyumatsui Island at the center. While it is indeed at the center, the island is closer to the eastern part than it is to the west. Which would mean it would take longer to travel to the west island than it would to the east, or Jinsang Bay.
Between the two superlarge islands is the body of water known as the Sid Alvia Sea.
Sid Alvia Sea is where Wyumatsui Island is placed. Sid Alvia is known to be incredibly dangerous, especially at the western part, which is where the Point Weyu is.
Nonetheless, Sid Alvia is still widely recognized as a place with diverse life despite it being life-threatening to venture in.
Even if Sid Alvia is considered dangerous, the people still choose to sail and take paths in the sea.
It is dangerous not because of its wild water currents and weather, but because of the fact that it is contaminated by powerful HSs. (Hell's Spawns)
And Point Weyu, just to the west of Wyumatsui Island, is the most contaminated area of the Sid Alvia Sea.
*
"Hm, this is useful," Maeyurai muttered under his breath, taking in all the information displayed on the chart board.
Looking at the map, it should mean that once we arrive on Wyumatsui Island, we're already on Yugihanata.
Yugihanata sounds like a sword in a way.
I wonder what the two cities are like.
Thinking about it... The golden swordsman that I saw could be living in Yugihanata. It's possible that he's in Tahaktatsu, though.
I'll know soon enough once I arrive in Wyumatsui Island, I guess.
After Maeyurai was finished studying the map on the chart board, he moved to the side of the deck, looking over the sea.
"So this is the Sea of Sid Alvia," he said in a fascinated tone.
As much as he admired the vast sea, he knew that underneath the safe surface were several HSs that he'd never seen before.
May it be from Common to Lord-Level—perhaps stronger—they were present.
In his mind, he thought that he could become a hero along his journey, become the salvation that would save everyone from the Hell's Spawns.
Bring the guiding flames, burn the thorns blocking the path, and ignite a new way forward for civilizations and humanity to rise!
A smug smile crept up on Maeyurai's face.
I like the sound of that.
Maeyurai the Hero! Wow, everyone will be praising me.
"What are you smirking at?" a voice spoke out, approaching Maeyurai.
The sudden voice startled Maeyurai. He recoiled back in surprise, turning his head to the right to see who was nearby.
A flash of red. Then his eyes focused.
It was Agao.
"Oh, hey," said Maeyurai, taking the smirk off his face right away in order to not embarrass himself further. "It's you, First Mate Agao."
"Mhm," Agao murmured, resting his elbows on the railing as he stood beside Maeyurai.
The two of them fell into a peaceful silence.
Maeyurai shifted his gaze from Agao into the distant land. It seemed to be at least a thousand kilometers away.
"I know what you're looking at," said Agao in his usual dry tone.
"You do? Have you been there before?" asked Maeyurai, not moving his attention from the distant land.
"I have," Agao replied. "It's the Region of Sailzlovaria, the Ocean Star. It's the dream place of many swordsmen here in Wyumatsui Island."
Maeyurai's head jerked back as he heard that what he was looking at was the Sailzlovaria Region. He didn't expect that it would be that close—even if it was far.
"Woah, that's cool," said Maeyurai. "What's it like in there?"
"It's lively. The people are living like Hell's Spawns doesn't exist."
"Huh? Why?"
"Because there are dozens of strong swordsmen that can protect them. If I remember, there's one individual in Sailzlovaria that is about to reach Mythical rank."
"Mythical..." said Maeyurai. To him, these ranks didn't mean anything. The main reason is because he still doesn't comprehend just how powerful the higher ranks are.
"How strong are Mythical-Level individuals or Hell's Spawns?" he asked.
Agao fell silent, thinking of how to answer accurately. Then, he opened his mouth.
"Individuals on the Mythical rank and above can destroy a mountain in an hour."
...
"Are you serious?" asked the frightened Maeyurai. A power of that level couldn't possibly exist in the world; he couldn't visualize it.
Rumble...
Ahrgo Fischerre trembled. The waves of the sea crashed on the hull violently, as if trying to bring it down.
A violent shake.
"Shit!" exclaimed Agao. It was the first time that Maeyurai had seen him expressing anything.
Agao and Maeyurai couldn't regain their balance and fell to the floor with a loud thud.
"Agao! What's happening?!" yelped Maeyurai.
"It's possibly the Leviathan!" Agao answered, gripping the railing for support.
"Leviathan? What the hell is that?"
"It's a High-Lord Spawn (Hell's Spawn); it's been pestering the surface of Sid Alvia for months now!"
Huh? A High-Lord?
Isn't that... Incredibly powerful?
We're going to die!
Maeyurai's knees shivered. He couldn't find the strength to stand up.
On the quarterdeck, Espeninza was steering the ship professionally, keeping it firmly balanced on the sea.
"Everyone!" he yelled loudly. "Brace for impact, the Leviathan is nearby!"
Shbam!!
A loud crash could be heard at the starboard, followed by an incredibly powerful quake of the ship.
Maeyurai fell to his knees.
"Wait," Maeyurai muttered under his breath, his whole body freezing. Frozen, not out of fear, but out of composure. "This might be good."
Beside Maeyurai was Agao, holding the railing firmly. "What are you planning to do?"
Not bothering to reply, Maeyurai pulled out his longbow and ran up the stairs to the foredeck.
Even though his movements were wobbly due to the violent rocking of the ship, he managed to adapt and gain balance.
Then, he stood near the ship's bow, his eyes searching for the Leviathan underneath the sea.
Crash!!
The ship wobbled once more. It tilted to the right, and Maeyurai almost fell off the vessel. Fortunately enough, he managed to hold the railing.
"That was close!" he exclaimed, pulling himself to the railing with a tight grip.
After the ship almost stumbled over, Maeyurai caught a glimpse of the Leviathan swimming under the sea.
The Leviathan greatly resembled both a narwhal and a blue whale. Its massive red body was surrounded in barnacles, making it look craggy. The way that its long horn pointed forward made it look majestic despite its rough body.
When Maeyurai finally managed to find his footing, he conjured a lightning arrow. Upon nocking it on his longbow, he stood near the ship's bow and drew.
He was aiming at the Leviathan, trying to find where its weak spot could possibly be.
Just as he was about to release the lightning arrow, Maeyurai felt a tight grip on his shoulder.
Before he could react, he was pulled back with an incredible force.
Behind him was Agao.
"What are you doing?!" Agao yelled. "You can't beat that thing!"
Maeyurai fell to the ground with a soft thud, the lightning arrow being launched up in the sky.
"Ah!" he groaned, turning his head to look at Agao.
He stared at Agao in defiance. "How would you know that I can't if I haven't even tried—?"
"Shut up and listen!" Agao barked. "That thing is only playing with us. Show hostility and you are going to get us all killed."
Maeyurai's head flicked to the side in annoyance.
"Tch," he uttered.
A fourth rumble.
"It's still toying around..." said Agao, looking over the wooden railing to find the Leviathan's position.
Attempting to stand up, Maeyurai's legs were wobbly due to the shaking of the floor. After finding balance, he walked over to Agao, looking over the railing as well.
The Leviathan was visibly large, swimming directly underneath the vessel. It was almost thrice bigger than the already large ship.
Then, it dived deep, disappearing underneath the dark sea.
"It's gone..." said Maeyurai, letting out a sigh of both relief and disappointment.
A moment of silence.
A final rumble.
Gurglegurg...
SPLASH!!
The enormous Leviathan breached into the air, flying high in the sky with an incredibly wide arc.
As it glided through the air, it gracefully spun its colossal body around like a ballerina. Upon landing back in the sea, its sheer weight sent out powerful waves that pushed back everything.
Everyone on the deck could see how elegantly it moved in the air. Soon, the waves slammed on the ship like a tsunami, pushing and almost tilting it to the side.
"Hold on tight, everyone!" a faint voice yelled out. It was Captain Espeninza.
The vessel shook violently, being displaced easily by the powerful waves.
After a good while, the rumbling has finally ended. The Leviathan had already fled away, finding its next playmates.
The experience left Maeyurai in dismay. Not because he almost died to the Leviathan—though it's a part of it—but because he couldn't engage with such a powerful being, despite it showcasing how terrifying its power was.
And the worst of all, it was merely playing around.
After the Leviathan's dangerous mucking about, the rest of the crew members that were on the lower deck—or the crew's quarters—rose up to the main deck to be filled in on what happened.
Amongst the crew members that came from the lower deck was Gabby.
Seeing the people come out of the lower deck, Agao left Maeyurai on the foredeck, going downstairs to talk to the others.
Maeyurai stood still near the ship's bow, his hand gripping the railing loosely. He attached his longbow to his back and lowered his head.
"I guess this place really is as dangerous as the map said."
He shifted his gaze from the floor to the large island of Wyumatsui in the distance, feeling empty from the event.
"I'll just make the most of my time in Wyumatsui Island worthwhile," he said, forcing a small smile.
*
Even when the full moon drifted into the sky, darkness still consumed the whole sea. It was pitch black; you couldn't even see where you were headed.
While the moonlight could illuminate the surroundings, the dense clouds that hovered above Sid Alvia were thick, restricting the passing of light to the sea.
The only things that lit up the area were the ship's lamps and torches. If anything were to ambush them, they would be susceptible, and they wouldn't even know what attacked them.
Since it was dark, Maeyurai stayed in the lower deck, where the crew's quarters were.
The crew's quarters was also used as a room for passengers, as there were extra spaces they could use.
Despite the number of people inside the crew's quarters, the noise was minimized. The people were well-behaved and didn't make loud noises even though there were still chatterings.
On the corner, Maeyurai sat on the edge of his futon, watching the others talk to each other.
As he didn't want to talk to the others, he lay down on the futon with closed eyes.
Soon, he drifted to sleep.