Chapter 759: The Sea Devotees Makes Their Move In the capital city of Aquaria, King Thalasar stood on his balcony with his gaze fixed toward the Abyssal Kelp Forest. There were no cameras or any magical surveillance to know what was happening in there. The only way to find out the final results was when the competition ended. The Sea King narrowed his eyes; it felt as if he could see through the trees and discern what was going on. After a moment of silence, he muttered, “The monsters are reducing at a fast pace. This year’s participants really mean business.” Then he added, his voice calm but firm, “As long as they avoid the deeper parts of the forest—especially the middle—nothing should happen to them.” Back in the forest, after a brief rest, Nox’s team began moving again. The once-bustling hunting grounds were now eerily quiet. Most of the hunt took place around the outer region of the forest. Hardly anyone dared approach the center because the Sea Devotees were stationed there. It was already the second day. The number of monsters had drastically decreased, making it difficult to find new prey. After several minutes of roaming, Nox finally spoke. “We need to up our game.” Dorran glanced over his shoulder. “And how do you suggest we do that?” Lyra and Coralia turned their gazes toward Nox as well, waiting for an answer. “I think it’s time we start targeting the other teams,” Nox said with a smirk. “By now, everyone’s thinking the same thing. Why not beat them to it?” Coralia frowned slightly. “You’re suggesting we steal from them?” “Not steal,” Nox corrected, his grin widening. “Just… transfer ownership.” Lyra crossed her arms. “That’s the same thing.” Dorran chuckled. “I’m in. We’ve wasted enough time playing fair. Let’s make this interesting.” He didn’t see anything wrong with the idea. As a pirate, he had done far worse things in the past. Compared to those, this was mild. Lyra and Coralia exchanged hesitant looks. After a brief pause, they both sighed and nodded. “Fine,” Lyra said. “But only if we don’t kill anyone.” “Agreed,” Nox replied immediately. “Let’s go.” He placed his palm on the ground, summoning Shade. The Chroma Serpent emerged from the shadows, its scales blending seamlessly into the environment. “Scout ahead. Find us a group,” Nox ordered. The serpent slithered away silently. Minutes later, Shade sent back a faint mental pulse. “Got them,” Nox said. “Half a mile northeast—looks like a group of five.” “Dammit,” one of the enemy competitors muttered, frustration evident in his tone. “We’ve been walking for hours. Should we head deeper? Maybe there’ll be more creatures there.” The group was clearly tired. They had just taken down a small crab beast and were still patching up minor wounds. “Let’s hunt a few more before we return to camp,” another replied. “We still need at least two high-tier trophies to reach the top ten.” Before he could finish, a dark blur flashed past them. The leader froze. “What was that?” A shadow burst from the kelp—Shade struck first, coiling around the nearest warrior’s arm and slamming him into a coral wall. “Ambush!” someone shouted. Dorran dashed forward with Grim beside him. The shark’s tail swept like a club, sending another warrior crashing backward. Lyra and Coralia followed next, water swirling around their tridents. “Bind Current!” Lyra shouted, forming a vortex that pulled two enemies together. Coralia’s trident glowed faintly as she struck into the whirlpool, stunning them both. Nox appeared last—calm and efficient. Lightning surged around his palm as he caught the team’s leader mid-attack. The electric burst made the man convulse violently before he dropped unconscious. Within minutes, the fight was over. “Collect their trophies,” Nox said flatly. Dorran was already checking the loot. “They had three mid-tier and one high-tier.” “Good haul,” Nox grinned. “Let’s move before someone else finds us.” Lyra sighed. “I still don’t .” Coralia placed a hand on her sister’s shoulder. “It’s the competition. Everyone’s doing it now.” The group continued forward, Shade scouting ahead once again. Groups of competitors were ambushed one after another. Some tried to fight back, but most ended up surrendering their trophies. The ambushes continued throughout the morning. Nox’s group accumulated enough points that they didn’t even need to hunt regular beasts anymore. By evening, they had taken down three more teams. Dorran whistled. “I doubt there’s any team higher than us in the rankings—if only it were visible.” At this point, the other competitors were on high alert after suffering repeated ambushes from Nox’s group. A few even decided to band together to take revenge and reclaim their trophies. However, after one such alliance was brutally humiliated, the rest grew hesitant to attack them outright. Thɪs chapter is updatᴇd by 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝※𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖※𝕟𝕖𝕥 “Dammit, those land-walkers are even stronger than they look.” “Yeah, especially the dark-haired one. Those blue sparks are something else.” All around the Abyssal Kelp Forest, whispers like these spread. The deepest part of the Abyssal Kelp Forest was a forbidden zone for most Sea People. Even the strongest hunters avoided it. On ancient sea maps, the area was always marked in black, with a trident symbol crossed through—a clear warning to stay away. Every year, a few reckless youngsters ignored the warning. They entered full of confidence, armed with enchanted weapons and pride. None ever returned. Rumors said the central abyss was home to the Sea Devotees, a fanatical sect that worshiped the sea goddess—a being said to have fallen from the surface world long ago. Some believed it was just a story to scare off young explorers, but others knew better. Most avoided this place, and it was usually eerily quiet. But tonight… that silence was broken. Deep inside the lowest trench, a faint light flickered within a ruined temple built from coral and bones. Inside, several robed figures knelt, their eyes glowing faintly blue as they stared at the figure seated upon the coral throne. The man sitting there was enormous, his muscles rippling with every subtle movement. He wore black armor that seemed to pulse with life, and his long silver hair drifted gently with the current. His very presence made the water feel heavier. This was none other than Kaelen—the same devotee Nox and Lyra had encountered during their first hunt—a being whose strength rivaled that of a Monarch.