Kiaria, Diala, and Princess headed toward the deck together, steps quick but uncertain, as if each of them felt something wrong even before seeing it.
The moment they stepped outside, the wind told them the truth first.
It was warm.
Quiet.
Still.
No cold breeze.No salty bite of winter sea wind that should've been here.
Diala whispered, almost instinctively,"…There is no cold breeze today."Her voice carried a faint tremor–not out of fear, but recognition. Something was off.
The deck was full of people, but no one was shouting or boasting.Every treasure hunter was running around with faces twisted in confusion, searching the vast horizon with restless eyes.
Kiaria grabbed one hunter lightly."What's happening? Did we reach the island? What are you looking for in the middle of the sea?"
The man startled, then stiffened respectfully."P–Patron! You returned… We–we are at the destination, according to the map… but the island isn't here."
"PATRON! HERE!"A loud voice boomed from the control room above.
It was Azriel, waving at them anxiously.The moment they climbed up, he stared at the trio–eyes widening slightly.
"You three…" you've changed.
"Oh! I forgot–" he stopped mid-sentence, abruptly serious. His lips tightened as if he remembered something troubling.
Kiaria sensed his tension immediately."You look nervous, Chief. Tell me–do you need help?"
Azriel swallowed."Oh… P–Patron, you really came back safely. And where is the oth–?"
"I'm here," Diala replied softly.
Azriel nodded but did not relax.
"Patron… we have a problem. According to our ancient map, this place should be the entrance to Re Ze Lure. But–there is no island. No portal. Nothing."
Kiaria's eyes narrowed with interest rather than panic."Oh? Interesting. Then let me try my way."
He stepped out of the control room and walked toward the edge of the deck.Closing his eyes, he sank into his senses.The air stilled around him.Monochrome ripples spread from his presence into the sea–waves of perception scanning the water, the depths, even the subtle shifts of spiritual currents.
Nothing.
Not a single fluctuation.
No hint of a portal.
"What…? Are we misled?" Kiaria muttered, genuinely surprised.
He returned to the control room."Are you sure these coordinates are accurate? I can't feel anything–not even the faintest pulse."
Chief Azriel straightened with conviction."The map is genuine, Patron. Cross-checked by Hell Tavern. No chance of it being wrong."
Kiaria nodded slowly."Then, Chief… everyone, take a break. Rest well. Since all of you searched this region for hours already, leave the rest to us."
Azriel let out a breath of relief and smiled widely."We trust you, Patron. Give us good news."
"I have secret methods. But once everyone leaves, no one should look back or peek. It's dangerous."
Instantly, everyone took his words seriously.One by one, treasure hunters bowed deeply before leaving the deck.Their gazes were filled with something Kiaria rarely saw from strangers–
Trust.Reliance.Hope.
After the last man disappeared into the cabin hallway, Kiaria turned to Princess and Diala."You two as well. Go to your rooms."
He waited until they were gone…then exhaled once, long and steady.
"Come out Grandfathers..."
A shimmering tear in space opened behind him–
and the Dragon Emperors stepped through.
Kiaria bowed slightly."Greetings, Grandfathers."
Golden Dragon Emperor stroked his beard. He came in transformed form.
"Oh… finally. This is the real place. But to enter it, you must find the portal."
Azure Dragon squinted."Little brat… are you truly ready to face death? Last chance to run."
Kiaria didn't answer.
Golden Dragon sighed."Fine. Since you're determined, there's no point hiding anything anymore. We kept one secret from you… for your own safety. But you must know now."
He paused.
"You remember the meteor shower, yes? Cemetery Island was once part of this world. But after a massive meteor fell, the island fractured and drifted out of the world's realm–becoming a container for the meteor's remnant. That remnant created a dimensional rupture."
Kiaria's expression darkened."So that island… is no longer our world."
"Correct. It belongs to another dimension now.Time moves differently there.Laws shift."
Azure Dragon added,"And because of that, the portal never stays in one place. It appears… randomly."
Kiaria frowned."Then how do we find it?"
Azure Dragon crossed his arms."To find it… you must… sacrifice your belov–"
Kiaria froze."What?! Sacrifice a beloved–?"
S L A P
Golden Dragon smacked his forehead."You idiot. No one is asking you to sacrifice anyone!"
Azure Dragon joined in,"Why do you always believe the worst part first? Use that brain of yours!"
Golden Dragon harrumphed."Just wait. Be patient. When the portal aligns, you'll see it."
Kiaria blinked."…That's it? Just wait?"
"Yes."
"…Seriously?"
"Yes!"
The Dragon Emperors vanished, leaving Kiaria staring at the empty air.
"Sigh… even Grandfathers tease me.And I'm supposed to act like a Patron in front of others.What a humiliation…"
He dragged himself back toward the meeting hall while muttering about his damaged dignity.
Once there, he closed his eyes and spread his intent–
connecting to the wills of every person aboard the ship.
"Everyone gather in the hall. Immediately."
Within minutes, treasure hunters assembled.Princess and Diala arrived behind him.
Kiaria scanned the faces.But Chief was missing–
"Hahaha! Looking for me?"A voice echoed from the balcony.
Kiaria didn't even look up."Chief. You dare stand up there while I summon everyone?"
"You misunderstand, Patron!"Azriel leapt down, landing neatly before kneeling on one knee.
"Greetings, Patron!"
"Mm. Rise."
Everyone straightened.
Kiaria spoke calmly,"Island will open soon. I sensed two curved rocky masses nearby. Possibly mountains carved by the sea."
"MOUNTAINS?!"Hunters murmured.
"SILENCE!"Chief barked.
"Patron, forgive them. We searched for days but found no such thing. That's why they're shocked."
Kiaria shook his head."I'm not angry. But those shapes are wrapped in mist. For now, they could be mountains… or beasts.Night is coming.Prepare patrol shifts and night watchers to detect any energy fluctuation or portal opening."
"As you wish, Patron."
"Chief–meet me later in my room. Alone."
The meeting ended.
Princess immediately grabbed Kiaria's wrist."Come."
She dragged him to her room.Diala followed hurriedly.
After checking the hallway like a suspicious cat, Princess shut the door.
"Safe. Now talk."
Kiaria chuckled."Big Sister, at least let me sit first."
He poured ginseng tea for the three of them.
Princess leaned forward."Explain everything. Properly."
"Nothing unusual," Kiaria began."I sensed no fluctuations. Mist covers the whole region. That place isn't our world anymore–another dimension entirely."
Princess nodded."As expected. And the portal?"
"It shifts every time. Appears wherever it wants. We can only wait."
Diala tilted her head."Then… how did you find that mountain-like thing?"
"Oh, that. After ascension, touching the seawater lets me scan its entire expanse. I felt a massive structure blocking the current. If it's not moving, it's either rock or mountain."
Princess narrowed her eyes."You aren't telling the Chief everything, right?"
"Of course not. Only essentials. The rest–they must rely on luck."
Kiaria poured a second round of tea.The moment the liquid trickled, both girls stiffened slightly.
"He's here," they said in unison.
Kiaria smiled."Good. You both learned intent control."
KNOCK KNOCK
The door opened with a wave of Kiaria's hand.
Chief entered."Greetings, Patron."
"Sit. You're the leader here."
He poured tea for Kiaria first, earning a raised brow from Princess.
Kiaria took a sip."Chief, tell me your plan for Re Ze Lure."
Azriel straightened."With so many masters and treasure hunters, everyone bound by Hell Tavern's oath, I believe all of them will join the expedition–except those unwilling."
Kiaria blinked."That's… all? No preparation?"
Princess scowled."Ghost, don't be rude. He has limitations."
Kiaria leaned forward."Then listen carefully. Only Evil weapons are permitted inside. Anyone with holy weapons must convert them. Sister Lainsa has one, but what about your people?"
Azriel's eyes widened."I will check immediately."
"And one more thing."Kiaria's tone sharpened."If they stay close to me, I can taint their weapons temporarily. But only within a limited range. Make sure they understand this."
"I understand," Chief replied, sweating slightly. "I will handle it."
Kiaria placed a hand on the table.
An unused cup slid toward him with spiritual energy.He warmed it, poured tea, then flicked it toward Azriel.The cup flew straight–without a single drop spilling.
But the intent behind it pushed Chief backward two steps.
He barely caught it.
"Terrifying…" he whispered internally. Who is he? His strength and level of gathering information surpasses me and Hell Tavern!
He drank the tea, bowed deeply, and left.
Princess waited until the door shut."What was that for?"
Kiaria leaned back lazily."Just checking his strength."
Princess didn't believe that for a second.But she didn't press further.
Because both she and Diala felt something even stronger–
Kiaria was preparing himself for whatever awaited inside Cemetery Island.And this time…he wasn't planning to rely on anyone else.