Chapter 1030: 1028: What A Beauty. |
"You really are very, very interesting."
Krave muttered as the three of us dived into the water. Luna is still on my shoulder, though this time her tail keeps hitting my neck faster and faster. And I could tell without a single bit of doubt that she is very, very dissatisfied with the whole situation. But what can I do? Sometimes something has to be sacrificed for better deals, and better deals I did get.
"I will take that as a compliment."
I replied back with a smile as my body fully immersed into the water, though the moment I did.
[Blessing of Xavier Activates!]
[You can breathe and move in water undisturbed, just like a sea being!]
[Blessing of Nerissa, Goddess of the Abyssal Depths Activates!]
[Blessing of Thalassa, Goddess of the Storm-Tossed Oceans Activates!]
[Blessing of Lirien, Goddess of Crystal-Clear Springs and Lakes Activates!]
[Blessing of Aurelia, Goddess of Bioluminescent Tides and Nocturnal Seas Activates!]
[Blessing of Sylphara, Goddess of Rain, Mist, and Monsoons Activates!]
[Blessing of Kaelith, Goddess of Frozen Depths and Icebergs Activates!]
’I guess I will be quite unrivalled in the waters also.’
"It seems I can’t be the only one to be left behind."
Krave added suddenly.
[Blessing of the Kraken Activates!]
Seeing this, I could only shake my head with a wry smile.
"Thanks, now it feels like a complete package."
"Hahaha.... just take it as a consolation prize..."
Krave replied.
"No, it’s still an amazing thing for me. Just because of the rest of their blessings, it doesn’t mean what you gave me doesn’t matter. It still has its own unique value."
Krave blinked her eyes, a bit surprised at my words, after which a mature yet womanly smile came to her face as she responded.
"It would seem you are quite popular with the ladies, I presume?"
"Just a little."
[Liar.]
’Sue me then.’
"Liar..... I can already tell from what I saw that you are quite the player. If you played the Gods like that, I can only wonder how the poor mortal girls play within your hand."
Krave was smiling as she said all this, to which I just kept giving her a smile of my own.
"Hey, it’s their fault for not being able to resist all this... kugh!"
My words were interrupted by Luna’s tail sweeping in and hitting my lips, to which I could only swallow the rest of my words. My hand went to pat and play around with her head. It took a bit of patting for Luna to calm down.
"Sorry for showing you all that. I know you must not have liked it, and thanks for holding yourself back also."
My words made Luna purr as she gave a ’Humph!’, which made me chuckle. By my side, Krave looked at all this with a small smile, who seemed to be a bit jealous also, as we sank into the bottom. My eyes watched the darkening sea as if it were as bright as I saw several fish and beings moving around.
A school of fish swims by, and my senses detect several large beasts moving here and there. Several at Origin realm 8 and above. The ocean itself has the largest amount of Origin beings ever; its vast field is a breeding ground for power and prestige. And after that time, when the water had become the target of all land, they really did try to increase their whole power.
The sharp sounds of sharks eating, the fish swimming, the algae stuck in the reeds, the clucking of crabs. I could feel that sensation of the water all around, like a loving touch of nature. Yet its dangerous side shows no justice. Strength, size and power rule here and there is no difference in all that.
"Let’s pick it up."
I said, and with a single focused thought, the world blurred around us. The three of us shot downward through layer after layer of pressurised water, the light from the surface fading into a deep, mysterious blue that gradually gave way to absolute darkness, broken only by small blue lights. The pressure was immense, a constant, crushing weight.
When the blur cleared, we emerged into a sight that stole my breath.
Before us stretched a civilisation unlike anything I had ever imagined, a vast, sprawling underwater metropolis that blended the raw, untamed beauty of oceanic life with the grandeur of a fantasy medieval world elevated by subtle modern touches of magic and ingenuity. It wasn’t a city built on the seafloor in the crude sense of human construction. No, this was a living, breathing extension of the ocean itself.
Huge, towering spires of living coral rose like cathedrals, their surfaces glowing with shifting patterns in every shade of blue, teal, and gold. These weren’t simple structures; they were alive, their branches and ridges forming intricate balconies, archways, and spiralling walkways where merfolk and other water species moved with fluid grace.
Schools of colourful fish darted between them like living traffic, their scales catching the light in dazzling displays. Massive kelp forests formed natural "avenues," their long fronds swaying gently in the currents like banners in a breeze, while enchanted lanterns made from glowing jellyfish floated lazily above, casting soft, ethereal illumination over everything.
The city itself was enormous, stretching out in all directions for what seemed like miles, a true underwater empire. At its heart stood a colossal central dome formed from a single, gigantic shell-like structure reinforced with crystalline veins that hummed with protective magic. This central "palace" or hub was surrounded by districts that each reflected different aspects of oceanic life.
One area was dominated by sprawling mangrove-like root systems that had been shaped into elegant homes and marketplaces, where merfolk with scaled tails bartered goods using glowing pearls and enchanted shells. Another district featured towering ice-like formations, where crystalline buildings housed scholars and mages.
Water species of all kinds moved through the city in a constant, harmonious flow. Schools of merfolk with shimmering scales and elegant fins glided past, some carrying baskets woven from seaweed filled with glowing fruits and deep-sea delicacies. Giant sea turtles, their shells engraved with protective runes, served as living transports, carrying groups of smaller beings on their broad backs.
Schools of intelligent octopuses with patterns on their skin used their tentacles to manipulate tools and trade goods with surprising dexterity. Even larger beasts, massive whales with enchanted harnesses, moved slowly through wider "streets," their songs resonating through the water as a form of communication and navigation.
The buildings themselves were a beautiful fusion of fantasy medieval architecture and oceanic ingenuity. Spires and towers rose in graceful spirals, their walls formed from compressed coral and enchanted stone that shifted colours with the currents. Windows were made of thin, transparent shells that allowed light to filter through in rainbow patterns. Bridges of living kelp and reinforced bubble-magic connected different levels, allowing beings to swim between districts with ease. Market squares bustled with activity, stalls made from giant clam shells displaying artefacts, potions brewed from deep-sea herbs, and weapons forged from abyssal metals that gleamed with inner power.
It was a world of wonder and danger mixed. Origin realm beasts moved through the outskirts, some serving as guardians or mounts, their powerful auras a constant reminder that strength ruled here just as much as beauty. The city wasn’t just a place of commerce and living; it was a fortress, with massive coral walls reinforced by divine-level enchantments that could withstand even the crushing pressures of the deepest trenches. Schools of predatory fish patrolled the outer perimeters, their eyes glowing with intelligence as they responded to unseen commands from the city’s defenders.
I felt a deep sense of awe as we hovered at the edge of this magnificent sight. The blessings from the goddesses made everything sharper, more vivid. I could sense the flows of mana through the structures, the subtle harmonies between the different species, the way the entire city pulsed like a single living organism. It was a civilisation that had thrived in isolation for ages, developing its own unique culture and power structures far removed from the surface world.
"Quite the sight, isn’t it?"
Krave said beside me, her voice carrying through the water with a hint of pride.
"This is one of the major hubs. The Ocean’s Heart, they call it. A place where many species have come together."
Luna’s tail flicked against my neck again, but this time it was lighter, almost curious as she took in the view. I reached up to pat her head gently.
"It’s beautiful."
I replied honestly, my eyes tracing the glowing spires and bustling streets below.
The three of us began our descent toward the city proper. The water grew warmer as we approached the central areas, infused with magic that made it feel almost like a comfortable embrace.