Chapter — The Tide Bows to the Calamity
The ocean roared like a living beast.
Waves against the rocky shore of the corrupted forest, sending white foam spraying into the air. The wind carried the scent of salt and something darker—blood and ancient sea creatures lurking in the deep.
Standing on a black stone cliff overlooking the shore was Draven.
His wings folded slowly behind his back as he stared down at the army gathered along the beach.
Thousands of monsters.
Creatures that would normally tear each other apart.
But now—
They were kneeling.
The Army of the Sea
Nearly five thousand Morlock warriors covered the shoreline.
They were massive creatures, taller than most humans, their bodies covered in blue-green scales hardened like armor. Their arms were thick and powerful, ending in clawed hands capable of tearing through steel.
Each one carried weapons crafted from coral, bone, and sharpened shells.
Behind them stood another two thousand sea creatures.
Some were shark-like humanoids.
Others resembled giant armored turtles.
A few looked like walking squids with spear-like tentacles.
But none of them dared move.
Every head was lowered toward a single figure.
Draven.
The apex predator of the corrupted forest.
The Prince Steps Forward
From the center of the Morlock ranks, one figure stepped forward.
He was larger than the others.
His scales were darker.
Storm-blue patterns glowed faintly across his body.
A long scar ran across his chest.
He knelt before Draven and slammed his trident into the sand.
"I am Prince Varuk, son of the Sea Storm Morlocks."
His voice echoed like thunder.
Then he bowed his head deeply.
"My lord… the ocean recognizes you."
The monsters behind him lowered their heads further.
Varuk continued.
"If the corrupted forest accepts us… the Sea Storm tribe will serve you until extinction."
Draven remained silent.
His crimson eyes stared down at the prince.
Varuk continued speaking.
"My father… the Morlock King… has been captured."
A low murmur passed through the sea creatures.
"The Piranha Warrior Tribe has attacked our territory."
His claws clenched in the sand.
"They are led by a monster…"
His voice dropped.
"A Poison Stinger Crab Beast."
Draven's eyes narrowed slightly.
Varuk looked up.
"My lord… we beg for your assistance."
"If you help us rescue our king… the Sea Storm Morlocks will defend the shores of your forest forever."
He lowered his head again.
"We will obey any command."
"We will die for your domain."
Then he raised his hand.
"We also bring tribute."
The Treasure of the Sea
Two massive Morlocks stepped forward carrying a heavy chest made of black coral.
They placed it before Draven.
The lid opened slowly.
Inside—
A fortune.
Gold gleamed under the sunlight.
The Tribute
Inside the chest were:
12 million gold coins
Enough wealth to fund a small kingdom.
Behind the gold were several glowing white pearls.
5000 Mana Pearls
Unlike ordinary mana stones, these pearls held condensed ocean mana.
They were far more valuable.
A single one could power powerful magic formations.
Resting at the center of the chest—
A weapon.
An ancient trident.
Its shaft was made from dark blue metal that looked almost alive.
Lightning-like cracks glowed across it.
The three blades were curved like shark teeth.
Ancient runes covered its surface.
Prince Varuk spoke.
"This is the Trident of the Sea Storm Tribe."
"A sacred heirloom."
"Legends say it once belonged to the Sea God during an ancient war."
Draven picked it up.
The weapon hummed softly.
The ocean waves suddenly surged violently.
The sea itself reacted to the trident.
Draven smirked slightly.
"Interesting."
Behind the weapon were piles of glowing crystals.
Sea Monster Cores
3000 Low Rank
1000 Mid Rank
Finally—
One last item.
A spatial magic bag.
Varuk spoke carefully.
"My lord… inside this bag is something dangerous."
Draven opened it.
Inside was a piece of dark coral.
Black veins spread across it like a disease.
Varuk explained.
"This is a Cursed Coral."
"Ages ago it spread a terrible plague through the ocean."
"It was sealed away by our ancestors."
Draven's eyes gleamed.
A biological weapon.
Useful.
Very useful.
The Domain Council
Later.
Back inside the corrupted forest.
Draven sat on a throne made from twisted black roots.
Around him stood his generals.
A1.
B2.
C3.
Samuel.
The Gargoyle General.
The corrupted ravens watched from above.
Draven placed the trident beside his throne.
"Thoughts?"
A1 spoke first.
"The Morlocks are strong."
"If they guard the coast… our domain will gain a natural defense."
Samuel nodded.
"And sea creatures could become useful soldiers."
B2 crossed his arms.
"But helping them means fighting underwater."
"Not ideal."
C3 adjusted his robe.
"The Poison Stinger Crab Beast…"
"Crab-type monsters are extremely durable."
"They possess powerful toxins."
The Gargoyle General spoke in his deep voice.
"We crush them."
Draven chuckled.
Samuel spoke again.
"There is also strategy to consider."
"If we help them…"
"We gain loyalty from thousands of sea monsters."
Draven leaned back on his throne.
His finger tapped the armrest.
Then he smiled.
"Prepare the army."
Everyone looked up.
"We are going fishing."
Meanwhile — Capital of the Eastern Empire
Inside the royal palace.
A messenger rushed into the war chamber.
"Urgent order!"
The commander of the Dragon Knights opened the letter.
His eyes narrowed.
"Dragon Knights… return to the capital immediately."
The knights murmured.
"That's strange."
"Why now?"
"The king didn't mention anything."
The commander frowned.
Something felt wrong.
The royal seal was real.
But the message felt… rushed.
Unnatural.
Unknown to them—
Far away.
Inside a hidden cathedral beneath the city.
A man sat in a chair surrounded by flickering candles.
A clown mask rested beside him.
The Ring Master.
Leader of the Bloody Circus.
He smiled softly.
"The board is moving."
His assistant spoke.
"The Dragon Knights are returning."
"Just as planned."
The Ring Master chuckled.
"Good."
"Let the empire look away from the forest."
His eyes glowed faintly.
"Because when they turn back…"
"It will already belong to someone else."
The Sky Above the Forest
High above the barrier.
Several large flying creatures circled silently.
Wyverns.
Each one carried armored riders.
They stared down at the corrupted forest.
One of them spoke.
"This place…"
"Feels wrong."
Another rider nodded.
"Yu will want to know about this."
They were scouts from Meralius.
The monster territory ruled by the sleeping Demon Lord.
One of the riders looked down again.
The barrier pulsed slowly.
Inside it—
An army moved.
Thousands of monsters marching.
And at the center—
A single figure with dark wings.
The rider swallowed.
"…We should report immediately."
Because deep in their instincts…
They understood something terrifying.
The creature inside that forest…
Was becoming a king of monsters.
The Calm Before the Storm
Back on the shore.
The Morlocks waited.
Prince Varuk stared at the forest anxiously.
Then—
The ground began to tremble.
Trees moved aside.
From the darkness of the forest…
An army emerged.
Undead knights.
Blood Lancers.
Corrupted beasts.
Gargoyles.
Spirit flames.
And above them—
Draven descended slowly from the sky.
His wings spread wide.
The Morlocks immediately knelt again.
Draven looked at Prince Varuk.
His voice echoed across the beach.
"Show me where your enemies are."
The ocean wind grew stronger.
Varuk raised his head.
Relief filled his eyes.
"The sea will guide you, my lord."
Behind Draven—
His generals prepared their weapons.
Because the first battle of the Monster Kingdom was about to begin.
And somewhere in the deep ocean…
The Piranha Warriors had no idea what kind of calamity was coming for them.
TO BE CONTINUED....