Chapter 94: The Ruler of the Western Sea

The first thing Daphne did after regaining her composure was to determine Hio Pavlenko’s location.

‘Hadn’t the difficulty of the Abyss increased drastically?’

Not only had a labyrinth appeared, but inside it, she had experienced things that were beyond verbal explanation.

Without even realizing it, her mind had weakened—a chilling experience to think back on.

Hio Pavlenko, Jijoncheonma, had definitely said that place was the Abyssal Depths.

‘What exactly was the Abyssal Depths, and what were those terrifying eyes floating there?’

Despite flailing in terror and pouring every skill she had to the limit, no attack had any effect on that bizarre entity.

Just as Hio Pavlenko stepped forward to confront it, light poured down from the sky, faintly revealing the face of a goddess and a warm touch.

‘What were those things? How had he withstood that monstrosity? How had he escaped from that place?’

‘What on earth… was happening?’

As the head of a guild with immense power and fame, as the first Awakener reigning supreme above all others, Daphne had a duty to know.

Not to mention, her personal curiosity made it even harder to restrain herself.

“Do we know which direction he went? Have you heard anything about what happened?”

“Yes… as I said, he moved immediately without any explanation. And there was no way we could stop or detain him by force.”

Daphne nodded.

It was unfortunate not to have a clear destination, but acting rashly and causing offense would have been far worse.

Since entering the labyrinth, Jijoncheonma’s importance had risen drastically.

He clearly knew some secret they did not.

“He flew straight west.”

“…West.”

“And judging by the trajectory, if you follow it in a straight line, it ends at the port city Lugo.”

“Lugo… no way.”

“Yes. That’s where Arilleia is.”

A mysterious island with barely any information even in the game, much less in reality.

Even now, some rankers have tried to investigate but were never able to enter the secret kingdom.

If Jijoncheonma could access such a place, that would be a significant matter indeed.

“Contact every branch along that route immediately.”

“I’ve already issued the orders.”

“Are there any Awakeners currently in Lugo?”

“There should be. I will verify precisely.”

“If someone suspected to be Hio Pavlenko appears, have them reveal their identity and accompany him if possible. If that’s not an option, at least get a confirmed location. But if he resists, call it off immediately and proceed in a way that offends him the least.”

There was a moment of silence before the guild member spoke hesitantly.

“So… if possible, accompany him. If not, at least confirm the destination, but stop if he seems displeased?”

“Exactly.”

“Yes… I will convey that for now.”

He couldn’t help but feel bewildered.

Anyone could see how cautious that was.

Though they knew Hio Pavlenko was Jijoncheonma, Daphne was no ordinary figure either.

She commanded a massive force through the Adventurers’ Guild and was one of the strongest Awakener generals in the tens of thousands.

Considering even the ordinary Awakeners on Earth, Daphne was at the pinnacle, a supreme predator among millions.

That such a figure would issue so careful an order was unprecedented.

‘What could she have seen in the labyrinth? What had happened?’

“Is Hio Pavlenko really someone you have to be that cautious about?”

Unable to resist curiosity, the question slipped out.

Daphne’s answer was simple.

“Yes. Raise his priority to the highest level.”

“…Understood. Then if you find Hio Pavlenko, will you personally go, Guild Leader?”

She hesitated briefly.

“No. That’s not it.”

She shook her head.

Of course she wanted to, but he wouldn’t want that.

If he needed her, he would have waited to awaken or left at least a word.

Leaving without a single message meant something urgent had come up, and that she was not needed for it.

Daphne was quite cold and rational about such matters.

“Focus only on identifying his destination for now. That will be enough.”

So that if something else inexplicable happened, they could find him again.

“Then we…”

“Prepare for the next raid.”

From the 51st floor, entrances to Abyss Raids appeared all over the world, and the difficulty soared.

It was no longer something a handful of people could tackle.

They had to gather the strong and prepare a large-scale expedition.

Plans were made, but preparations were insufficient.

‘Who would have expected the 10th floor to suddenly become the 50th overnight?’

There was more than enough work to do.

“But to every Awakener along the route, identifying Hio Pavlenko’s destination is the top priority.”

“Yes. I will ensure it’s communicated clearly.”

The two departed for a meeting without rest, and Daphne’s orders quickly spread through the guild.

Ping.

The message was immediately delivered via the internal communication network among Adventurers’ Guild Awakeners.

Morel and Beshy in Lugo, the Empire’s western port city, confirmed the orders.

The emphasis on the orders left no room for ignoring them.

“Seriously… Hio Pavlenko is that recently appointed Guardian Knight, right?”

“That’s the one.”

“Why would such a prestigious Imperial Sword Saint come all the way to a place like this…”

Hio Pavlenko’s name had rapidly spread lately.

A new Guardian Knight for the new Emperor.

The symbol of the Empire’s military, protecting the Emperor and Empire.

Rumors had even spread that he defeated Heuka and killed Atawolf, the continent’s strongest.

‘What could someone so impressive possibly be doing in a small, insignificant port town?’

Morel’s doubt wasn’t just that.

“Plus, he apparently wears a large pointed hat, holds a Magic Staff, and rides a white winged horse? Where do we even start believing that?”

If it hadn’t been an order directly from guild headquarters marked ★Important★, it would be hard to believe.

When they first saw it, Morel thought it might be April Fool’s Day.

“Actually, this order reminded me of something.”

Beshy’s words caught Morel’s attention.

“What is it?”

“Isn’t Hio Pavlenko the hottest topic right now? Because of his recent shocking moves.”

“That’s true.”

“There’s a pretty believable rumor going around… that Hio Pavlenko is Jijoncheonma.”

“…Jijoncheonma? That’s the number one on the rankings?”

“Yes. I was skeptical too, but since such an order came directly from headquarters… it seems fairly credible, right?”

“Hmm… Jijoncheonma… if that’s true…”

The doubt vanished from Morel’s face, replaced by a new emotion.

Hope.

A hope that could overturn all skeptical nonsense.

If Hio Pavlenko really was Jijoncheonma, and he found him… it would be a huge achievement.

Reading the order carefully, it was strangely cautious.

No matter how honorable the medal, there was no reason for Daphne to be this careful.

Not even with missions involving Sword Saint Vitalianus.

‘But if it was Jijoncheonma?’

Everything fit perfectly.

If they could at least accompany him and build a small connection…

A greedy smile appeared on Morel’s lips.

“Going to headquarters isn’t just a dream… heh heh heh.”

They might get promoted for their contribution.

Not the Adventurers’ Guild headquarters, but in the outside world—the real world, as they called it.

Standing next to Daphne, the most famous and influential woman receiving worldwide respect, was a vision Morel couldn’t stop imagining.

“Ha ha ha.”

Beshy’s shout crowned Morel’s daydream.

“Uh, um…!”

Their gazes shifted upward, and an unbelievable sight appeared.

Screeech—something white with wings flying at lightning speed.

“Is that really… a white winged horse?”

Though it passed quickly, there was definitely a person riding it.

Their outfit was also distinctive enough to be sure.

“Run!”

It was Hio Pavlenko.

“B-But that direction… is toward the Badan Sea.”

“Then quickly get a boat ready!”

“Yes, sir!”

Morel and Beshy moved with incredible speed.

“That’s Arilleia. He’s headed there.”

“The direction is right, but can you enter Arilleia?”

“Then we have to go and check quickly.”

As strong Awakener Adventurers, they had decent standing in Lugo and secured the fastest boat.

“No way. That’s a cursed sea, you know.”

The captain refused to go, but they persuaded him with several times the money.

“Ah… this isn’t good…”

Eventually, they set off.

The ship raced quickly across peaceful seas.

From that moment, it charged toward the cursed, storm-filled waters, reckless beyond measure.

Tension naturally grew on Morel and Beshy’s faces.

“By the way, how does Hio Pavlenko plan to get through that?”

“Who knows… he must have some plan.”

“Surely he’s not thinking of fighting that guy from the western sea?”

“…No way. Even Jijoncheonma fighting there would be suicide.”

Darkness gradually crept in.

Though they were still some distance from the cursed sea, the storm’s influence whipped the wind and rocked the ship violently.

“Hope it’s not too late.”

“I really hope not.”

The worst would be going through all this and gaining nothing.

Even if they couldn’t accompany him, they needed solid proof that Hio Pavlenko headed for Arilleia.

That would be their achievement.

“Buy a video recording stone just in case. We need proof.”

“…Me?”

“Or should I?”

“Well, I don’t have enough points saved up…”

Beshy’s weak excuse made Morel snort.

“I logged out a few days ago and checked. Your name was even in the paper, you know?”

“Ah…”

“That you went to the same gate as Kriton. Your fame points must have piled up.”

That was why they desperately wanted to get promoted.

Going to headquarters meant more chances to meet famous rankers, and just being nearby earned reputation points.

“Yes.”

“Buy the highest quality recording. We might not get close enough otherwise.”

“…That’s expensive… yes, understood.”

Though unpleasant, it was unavoidable.

Morel was Beshy’s superior, and this wasn’t a place to just quit over unfairness.

“E-Entering! Hold tight!”

Meanwhile, the ship finally entered the cursed sea.

Kraaaang!

A thunderclap tore through the air overhead.

Facing the fierce wind and rain, Hio calmly flew wrapped in a shield spell.

“So it seems it’s all caused by magic, huh?”

The answer echoed directly in his mind.

“That’s right. Apparently, there’s a massive magic circle here. A magic circle that can control weather on this scale… it must be no small matter.”

Until now, they had only thought of Regarda’s skills, the ruler of the western sea.

But this sea, stormy all year round, seems affected by the magic circle formed on Arilleia.

“Well… since individual magic power isn’t infinite, it makes sense it’s done by magic circles.”

“To control weather over such a wide area, at least two grand mages must be involved.”

“For what purpose, though?”

“We’ll find out eventually.”

“That’s right. But that’s not the important thing right now.”

Hio’s gaze fixed straight ahead, slightly downward.

Furnel, sharing the same vision and feelings, agreed with a cautious tone.

“This won’t be easy.”

Waves crashed at their feet, a dark abyssal sea beneath.

A pair of eyes flashed from those depths.

“Finally, we meet.”

A massive creature erupted from the sea with a roaring spray.

It was a legendary sea dragon.

But Hio’s gaze wasn’t on the dragon, but on the man standing atop its head.

“Regarda.”

One man stood firm on the beast’s head.

A blue spear gripped in his hand.

Regarda Ovierre, ruler of the western sea.

His heavy gaze was fixed on Hio.

His voice, clear and roaring like the waves breaking through the storm.

“Go back.”

At the same moment, lightning began to gather in the sea dragon’s eyes.