After discussing for almost an hour on their own, by the end of the day, they agreed to leave first thing in the morning.“Let’s not give time for authorities to catch up on what’s happening,” Cherry suggested, casting a halfhearted glare at Serein, who returned her gaze with the demeanor of a comedian. Cherry sighed, realizing there was no point in arguing with her, especially when Serein shrugged off her displeasure.Well, at least they reached a conclusion on when they should leave. They agreed to depart the very next day, even before the sun shyly rose from the horizon. The decision provided them with a sense of urgency, amplifying the tension in their preparations as they readied themselves for their journey.Which brings them to this moment.—Done with their preparation and getting dressed appropriately, with Cevahir posing like a nobleman in the storyline that Serein has formed around the half-dragon in disguise while the rest of them dress like servants or knights to serve the
‘Thank god she didn’t ask about anything any further.’She was quite relieved that Cherry did not pry deeper into this conversation, mainly because she randomly answered the mage with what she knew would happen in the actual timeline of her draft.'Arlia will have a shortage of money, and thus, he can’t afford to get on this ship.'This is why Serein had not been so greedy in her negotiations with Cherry and Gil before. She was trying to avoid being in the same boat as the childish and reckless main character she had planned him to be. Things seemed to be in her favor since now she can afford tickets for the four of them with her own money.It's almost surreal how this turned out, actually.All these achievements she has experienced lately almost feel like a dream instead of reality. She feels close to a ticking bomb in a way due to all these fortunes that just keep piling on her.'Should I… Be wary?'Suddenly, she feels chills running down her spine. She tries to ignore this trail of
They tried. They really did.Serein and Cherry attempted to sweeten their path to allow Cevahir to board the ship without any background check. Serein even offered three times the normal payment just so he could somehow board alongside them.However, despite putting forth their best efforts and trying various strategies, none of their attempts yielded positive results.What they were checking, especially the fact that none of the native folks would flee the territory, seemed to be a concern. Even though they were discussing private ship businesses, it appeared that they too didn’t want to provoke the higher-ups in this place.All of their requests were turned down or flat-out dismissed. Serein and company even considered faking his ID with magic to fulfill their scheme. However, Cevahir reminded these humans that they would be in a trickier situation once they were exposed due to the magic detector used at the checking station.“They have a magic detector?”Serein expressed her baffle
The draft written by Min Suhyun during her amateur writing days was riddled with loopholes and clichéd settings. Additionally, many significant side characters were merely used as stepping stones for the main characters' growth.While acknowledging the necessity of sacrifices and stepping stones for character development, the draft went overboard with the deaths of important and intriguing characters, including the premature demise of Cevahir. Looking back, Suhyun regrets the apparent waste of a compelling character who barely made a real impact in the storyline.Reviewing the draft proved to be a painful experience, with countless errors and mistakes glaring back at her. Despite the shortcomings, Suhyun couldn't help but sigh at the irony of attempting to avoid a certain place only to find herself there eventually.Realizing that forging a new identity for Cevahir was impossible, they were left with no choice but to abandon the original plan of using the intended ship. Consequently,
— shaaaaaaa..As the breeze filled the silence, Serein literally erased the existence of other people and the possibility of any other passengers or even pirates alike walking in on them as she focused on the man who carried the two Wyrms.'Damn it…'She should have known that this was bound to happen at one point or another. Honestly, she should have been more surprised that it hadn't happened the moment they set foot on the ship or something. Of course, stumbling over undiscovered strong characters is a main character superpower… Isn't it always that way?'I shouldn't be so shocked.'Therefore, she keeps telling herself that she’s just not prepared enough because she’s more focused on trying to stay alive from her own possible demise."Ah, it's nice to see you again, miss. We've met before, at the weaponry shop. Do you remember?"The teen smiled similarly to when she found him. Or, well, when he found her, since that punk was the one to tap her shoulder first, mistakenly thinking he
Cringing at his response, however, Serein manages to hold back her genuine reaction from being expressed outwardly and instead pays more attention to the answer itself.‘Wasn’t the reason Arlia left his homeland to find his friend who was banished from the village?’ That friend of his ended up dying, though, from an attack of an adult wyrm going crazy and murdering many people. Serein presumed that the said Wyrm would be either of these two, Sam and Pam. Which is why she’s especially wary of this person holding these two cuties.Well, either way, this is different from what’s happening in the story when Arlia told Princess Cerise, who was wearing her disguise, that he started this journey to find his friend, whom he has always seen as an older brother slash mentor, and to find himself. A journey to find oneself— a different story than what’s been prophesied to him.‘But since the ‘present’ story was not aligned with what’s in the draft. Could it be that this guy, not Arlia?’ Serein ca
“Ho…” Cevahir doesn’t seem to be disturbed, let alone annoyed. Instead, he’s actually arching his brow at the teen as if interested.‘Holy shit, my freaking hell, what the actual fuckery is happening in front of me? This punk seemed to get a motherfucking dragon interested in him?’All of a sudden, Serein was convinced that this punk was indeed Arlia, though now her main concern has shifted in the most unpredictable direction.Meanwhile, with a brow arched elegantly at the intriguing human, Cevahir ignored whatever the other was spewing about, as he was more interested in the atmosphere surrounding this weird human, “How curious.” This time, it's not Serein.Cevahir was not expecting another one who has this weird ‘scent’ surrounding them to appear before him like this. Alas, there's this young man.‘And I thought the little girl was a peculiar one. Well, apparently that's not the case?’ he mused with his own thoughts, since despite being similar, there's also a distinction between t
“What's with that reaction though? They don't speak to you, weird human?” Sam asked after a couple of exchanges of words later. At last, he seems to show some genuine interest in what this newcomer said. And in return, the boy tilted his head in slight confusion and asked back slowly as if he wasn't able to understand, “Spirits can speak?”To answer his question, Pam’s lively chirp was more than enough, “They can!” The youngest in their party sounded so proud to announce that he and his brothers could hear the spirits while this human couldn't.Luckily for Serein, the greenish-blue wyrm seemed to have forgotten the fact that she, a supposed human, can hear Aiston. Although as for now that ability seemed to be one-sided with the Ancient Spirit having all of the control over this temporary one-way connection, that's the case nonetheless.‘Or maybe Pam-min simply doesn’t know about that,’ Well, whatever was the answer, that adventurer was not in the mood to find out the truth behind tha
“If you were any smarter,” he retorted, echoing her earlier words, “You’d realize that I am not negotiating.” His tone was firm, leaving no room for argument. “You know it too, despite all of your empty threats, you’re the one disadvantaged if this matter goes any longer. So, either take it or the deal is off.”Amidst the temporary lull in the conflict, Serein remained vigilant, her senses attuned to the subtle shifts in the atmosphere. The air crackled with tension, the quietude belying the underlying currents of hostility and mistrust. She couldn't afford to be lulled into complacency by the semblance of peace.The leader's words reverberated in her mind, each syllable ringing with unyielding resolve. His demeanor exuded a steely determination, a stark reminder of the ruthless pragmatism that governed his actions. There was no negotiation, no room for compromise; it was a simple ultimatum, delivered with unwavering conviction.Serein's hazel eyes narrowed slightly, a flicker of defi
"We'll negotiate for the return of the egg you seek," Serein proposed, her voice steady despite the tension thick in the air. "Cease your attack now, or we'll no longer defend it. Instead—-" The man's laughter echoed across the chaotic scene, his demeanor shifting from indifference to outright hostility. His eyes bore into Serein with undisguised malice, challenging her resolve. "Why would you 'protect' something you've stolen?" he jeered, his words laced with venom. Serein paused, weighing her options amidst the relentless assault. Finally, she spoke, her voice calm yet firm, "Believe what you will. But know this..." The leader was taken aback by the sudden shift in demeanor from the human before him. Gone was the desperation he had detected earlier, replaced by an air of regal confidence that seemed to emanate from her very being. The leader, accustomed to dealing with mere mortals begging for their lives or scrambling for a shred of mercy, found himself intrigued by this unexpe
— Whooooshhh! The gusts of wind whistled through the air, accompanied by the sharp clang of metal meeting metal, creating a cacophony that echoed across the ship. It was a symphony of chaos, a tumultuous blend of natural elements and the clash of weapons, perfectly encapsulating the dire circumstances unfolding on deck. — Clang! Clang!! On one side, the ship's crew fought desperately to defend against the relentless onslaught of merfolk attackers. Their movements were fueled by fear and determination, each strike a desperate attempt to repel the invaders and protect their vessel. Meanwhile, the merfolk moved with an eerie grace, their attacks calculated and precise. They seemed almost playful in their approach, toying with their human adversaries as if engaged in some twisted game. Their movements were fluid, their strikes swift and deadly, as they closed in on their targets with ruthless efficiency. The contrast between the frantic efforts of the ship's defenders and the effortle
Cevahir's soft call carried a hint of frustration, barely audible amidst the chaos. "Fuckers," he murmured, his voice strained with the effort to convey his desires. He’s not sure what happened, but he knows that his siblings are in danger. And him, despite his injured statem longed to take action, to do more than he was currently capable of, but the weakness brought on by his wounds held him back. "Don't you dare taking them from me," a low growl escaped his lips. His words tinged with resolve despite his physical limitations. Though prideful and determined, he couldn't deny the reality of his weakened state.That being said, if anyone were to see his dimmed eyes, In that vulnerable moment, the fragility of his heart was laid bare, its protective layers stripped away. All pretense fell away, leaving behind raw emotion and stark vulnerability. In that fleeting moment of desperation, he found himself consumed by a singular focus—‘Someone save them.’Cevahir's desperate desire to spe
“Little Human! Little Human!”The urgency in Pam's voice cut through the chaos like a blade, commanding Serein's attention. As he slithered up her leg and onto her back, she couldn't suppress a shiver, feeling his presence against her skin. However, there was no time to dwell on discomfort. With a quick mental steeling, she focused on the task at hand.Serein had just dispatched another merfolk with precision, her movements fluid and decisive. The clang of metal against metal echoed in the air as her blade found its mark, sending her opponent crashing to the ground with a resounding thud. The ship's deck bore the marks of their struggle, but she paid it little heed as she turned her attention to Pam's urgent cry for help.“Little human, help!” Pam's plea rang out, a note of desperation underscoring his words. Despite the urgency, Serein couldn't help but feel a pang of empathy for the young wyrm clinging to her back. She knew he trusted her to come to their aid, just as she had done i
Death. That dark thought loomed over Cevahir's mind like a dark cloud, creeping in and casting a shadow over his resolve as he struggled to maintain composure in the face of their new adversaries. Despite his efforts, weakness seeped through his facade, betraying the inner turmoil he battled to conceal.He wants to protect them, he needs to do that. Protecting them was paramount. It wasn't just a matter of duty; it was a deeply ingrained instinct, a primal need that pulsed within him. But it wasn't the humans he felt compelled to shield; Sam and Pam.it was the two young wyrm siblings whose well-being he had willingly taken upon himself to safeguard. They were his responsibility, his choice, and he would do whatever it took to keep them safe from harm, even if it meant facing death itself.The memories of Pam and Sam's hatching remained vivid in Cevahir's mind, a poignant reminder of the bond forged between them from the very beginning. Despite the accusations hurled at him by the
— Ooooong!With a soft hum, a gentle pink glow began to radiate from the center of the trio, casting a soft, ethereal light that danced across their figures. As the glow intensified, it enveloped them in a warm embrace, suffusing their bodies with a tingling sensation of rejuvenation. The light seemed to seep into every pore, filling them with a sense of buoyancy and vitality. It was as though a gentle breeze had swept through, lifting their spirits and infusing them with renewed energy. The glow shimmered and pulsed, creating an aura of serenity and empowerment around them. It was a moment of transcendence, as if they were bathed in the light of hope itself, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.As one of the three who received the boost, Serein felt a surge of energy coursing through her veins, enhancing her agility and speed as she seamlessly transitioned from defense to offense. With swift and precise movements, she launched a counterattack against the soldier before her. T
The Selkie's words cut through the chaos with a chilling nonchalance, his comrades continuing their ruthless assault on those aboard the ship. Whether through direct confrontation or mercilessly tossing them into the sea, their fate was sealed in the domain of the sea monsters, where mercy was a foreign concept."The notorious degenerate who stole the sky's eggs in the past has come to steal our future leader. Such an uninspired predicament," the old Selkie remarked with a hint of amusement, his tone dripping with disdain. "To think that you'd pull off such a foolish stunt rather than laying low. What a fool."Despite the insult, the half-blood remained composed, his focus diverted to shielding Pam from harm, even in his invisible state. However, his efforts were in vain as the young wyrm, unable to bear the insults hurled at his brother, erupted in defiance."Ceva-chi is not a fool!" he shouted, his voice filled with indignation and loyalty.Summoning his courage and determined to pr
After Cevahir's chilling revelation, the group realized that preparing for battle was imperative. However, with the conflict between the sea monsters and pirates raging on, it seemed wiser to remain low and avoid unnecessary risks. No one was eager to throw their life away in the midst of the chaos."They are angry," Cevahir's assertion echoed in their minds like a solemn bell tolling, underscoring the gravity of the situation with each resonating chime. This wasn't mere random aggression; it was a meticulously planned onslaught, orchestrated with precision and intent that sent shivers down their spines.Yet, Min Suhyun couldn't shake off the feeling of being ensnared in her own narrative web. If only she had paid closer attention to the details beforehand, perhaps then she could have avoided this predicament or known a way to address it before it reached this critical point. But even if she had done all of that, the problem wouldn't have been resolved.Unlike the main characters who