The blue light faded slowly…

and the huge serpent's body dissolved into water, soaking the ground.

Silence fell across the clearing.

Aria stood with her fists up.

"…Is it dead?"

Caria poked the ground where the serpent had been.

"It's gone. Completely."

Sophia lowered her blade.

"Well done. That was clean."

Puddle cheered loudly, spinning in the air.

"Master strongest!! Big fish go SPLASH!"

Lyra walked forward quietly, watching Rhys with calm eyes.

"You handled it perfectly."

Rhys exhaled slowly, letting the tension drop from his shoulders.

Severance Tide hummed at his side, as if pleased.

Behind them, Slasher stood frozen.

Face pale.

Hands shaking.

Staring at the empty ground where the serpent — his strongest trump card — had just been destroyed in seconds.

"…No…" he whispered.

"That was a Rank 3 boss summon… It was supposed to beat you… it was supposed to KILL you…"

He took a shaky step back.

"You… you're not a normal swordsman…"

Aria scoffed.

"You just realized that NOW?"

Caria rolled her eyes.

"Idiot."

Sophia sighed.

"You brought this on yourselves."

Slasher pointed a trembling finger at Rhys.

"You cheated! There's no way a magic swordsman beats a serpent like that! You rigged something!"

Aria threw a rock at him.

"SHUT UP!"

Slasher yelped and stumbled back.

"Th-This isn't over! I'll get stronger! I'll get REAL power next time!"

He turned and ran, practically tripping over his own feet.

His teammates scrambled after him, yelling:

"That wasn't part of the plan!!"

"He killed it too fast!"

"Boss, wait for us!!"

In ten seconds, they were gone.

Totally defeated.

Totally humiliated.

Aria stretched her arms behind her head.

"Well! That was easier than expected."

Caria nodded.

"I almost feel bad for them. Almost."

Sophia looked at Rhys.

"You didn't even use your real class abilities."

Rhys gave a small shrug.

"No need."

Lyra gave him a meaningful glance.

"Better to keep your power hidden for now."

Puddle hopped onto his shoulder.

"Master, where we go now?"

Rhys sheathed Severance Tide.

Rhys dusted his hands off, glanced once more at the spot where the serpent had vanished, and finally spoke:

"Of course we're moving on. Our next stop is Moon Island."

Aria blinked. "Moon Island? THAT Moon Island?"

Rhys nodded. "Yeah. It's a big island—and there's an event happening there right now."

Aria's face lit up instantly.

"Ohhh yes! The King of Sword Event! Every sword-type class from Rank 2 to Rank 5 goes there to compete. Dozens of arenas, hundreds of challengers, and each arena has its own champion! The prizes are insane!"

Caria adjusted her glasses. "Weapons, skills, rare sword arts… it's basically a paradise for sword users."

Sophia nodded. "And also one of the safest places to find new material. Too many guards there for troublemakers."

Puddle swung her legs excitedly. "Swords! Swords everywhere!"

Rhys chuckled lightly.

"Yeah. And since my sword mastery is advanced now… I kinda want to try fighting strong swordsmen."

Aria slapped his back. "YES, THAT'S THE SPIRIT!"

Sophia smiled calmly. "Just don't overdo it."

Caria pointed at the map in her hand. "We need a sky ship again. Moon Island is far off the coast."

Rhys nodded and tilted his head toward the path.

"Let's head back to the docks and book a ride. Next island, next challenge."

Lyra walked beside him silently, but her expression softened.

"Moon Island…" she murmured. "That place holds old memories."

Aria's eyes widened. "Eh? Were you there before?"

Lyra simply smiled.

"You'll see."

Rhys stepped forward, Severance Tide humming at his side.

"Alright," he said.

"Next stop—Moon Island. And whatever waits for us there… we handle it together."

The group nodded.

Adventure continued.

And the path ahead was about to get even more interesting.

They hurried back toward the docks, leaving the forest and the battlefield behind them. The salty breeze grew stronger the closer they got.

Aria jogged ahead, waving at the ticket clerk."HEY! One sky-ship to Moon Island, please!"

The clerk blinked. "Uh—right now? The next one departs in ten minutes. You're lucky."

Caria nodded. "Perfect timing."

Sophia paid with their pooled travel funds. Rhys helped Puddle hop onto the ramp, while Lyra stepped onto the wooden platform silently, her hair swaying in the rising wind.

The crew guided them toward a medium-sized sky-ship—sleek, pale blue sails with crescent moon symbols across them.

Aria whistled. "Damn… classy ship."

Sophia corrected her. "It's a Moonline vessel. They operate all transport to Moon Island."

Lyra stood near the railing, staring at the horizon."…That place hasn't changed," she murmured.

Caria tilted her head. "You really have been there."

Lyra didn't answer—but she didn't deny it either.

Rhys stepped beside her. "Any warnings we should be aware of?"

Lyra finally looked at Rhys, her expression calm but distant—like she was remembering something very old.

"In my time," she said softly, "Moon Island was the safest place for sword masters… and magic sword users. A place where strength was respected, not abused."

Aria tilted her head. "So it was like… sword paradise?"

Lyra nodded lightly.

"Something like that. And Severance Tide… nine out of ten, I would say it was originally forged there."

Rhys blinked. "So the sword came from Moon Island?"

"Most likely," Lyra replied. "The island was home to many ancient forges, moon-blade temples, and sword clans. Your weapon fits the style… the energy… the craftsmanship."

Aria grinned. "So we're literally taking the sword back home? That's kinda awesome."

But Lyra raised her hand gently.

"However… that was over ten thousand years ago."

Everyone froze.

Caria slowly closed her notebook. "Ten… thousand?"

Lyra nodded.

"Yes. So I have no idea what Moon Island has become after all this time. The clans may have changed. The traditions may be gone. Even the forges might be different."

Sophia hummed thoughtfully. "Meaning: we can't assume anything."

"Exactly." Lyra folded her arms. "I cannot say what waits for us. Only that the island we're heading to… is not the one I once knew."

Rhys adjusted his grip on the railing. "Doesn't matter. Whatever changed—we'll adapt."

Aria pumped her fist. "Yeah! Old or new, we'll beat whoever needs beating!"

Puddle raised her tiny hands. "Moon island adventure!!"

Lyra gave a small nod, a faint smile touching her lips.

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