Chapter 66 - The Third Star Fragment
The sapphire light of the Third Star Fragment illuminated the entire ocean.
Its radiance spread across every wave.
Across every ship.
Across every living beast.
The Fragment was no longer responding to the ancient seal.
It was responding...
To Kai.
---
The Book of Infinite Beasts opened.
Golden pages turned rapidly.
Star Fragment Resonance
Fragments Collected:
★ First Fragment
★ Second Fragment
★ Third Fragment
Synchronization:
43%
New Authority Available:
Guardian's Covenant
---
The Star Devourer's enormous eye narrowed.
"Impossible..."
"The fragments obey only the ancient seal."
Kai shook his head.
"They don't obey."
"They choose."
---
The Third Star Fragment slowly rose from the broken gate.
Every Guardian held their breath.
The Final Chain immediately began collapsing.
The ancient prison trembled violently.
Thalassor cried out.
"Kai!"
"The seal!"
But Kai did not panic.
He closed his eyes.
The First Guardian's words echoed within his heart.
"Do not replace the old chains..."
"Create a new path."
---
The three Star Fragments began orbiting one another.
Golden.
Crimson.
Sapphire.
Three lights merged into a magnificent constellation.
The Book blazed brighter than the sun.
Authority Unlocked
Guardian's Covenant
A Beast Sovereign may share the burden of the Guardians.
---
Kai raised his spear.
"I reject the age of eternal sacrifice."
The three Star Fragments flew into the sky.
Instead of returning to the prison...
They split into thousands of tiny stars.
Each star descended upon a different sea beast.
Dolphins.
Whales.
Sea serpents.
Turtles.
Even ordinary fish.
Every creature received a tiny spark of starlight.
Thalassor watched in amazement.
"He divided the burden..."
---
The ocean itself began glowing.
Instead of one Guardian carrying the prison...
Millions of sea creatures unknowingly shared the seal together.
Each carried only a fraction of its weight.
Too little to harm them.
Together...
Enough to hold back the Star Devourer.
The shattered chains transformed into rivers of starlight.
A new prison was born.
---
The Book updated.
New World Record
The Living Seal
Creator:
Kai Dragonbane
Status:
Stable
Guardian Casualties:
Zero
---
The Star Devourer roared in fury.
"Again!"
"You deny me!"
It unleashed a beam of cosmic darkness.
Before it reached Kai—
Krakenoth surged forward.
The ancient jailer wrapped every remaining tentacle around the Star Devourer's arm.
Thalassor joined from the opposite side.
Nereus raised his cracked trident.
"For the sea!"
Selene lifted her moonlit sword.
"For the future!"
Ignis roared.
The Crimson Flame Fox unleashed its strongest Eclipse Blaze.
Kai thrust his Star-forged spear.
"Celestial Pierce—Final Horizon!"
A pillar of golden starlight erupted from the spear.
It pierced the Star Devourer's hand.
Not to destroy it...
But to force it back beyond the gate.
The Living Seal answered.
Millions of tiny stars across the ocean shone together.
The gate slowly closed.
The gigantic hand disappeared beneath the sea.
The galaxy-like eye stared at Kai one last time.
"Ninth Beast Sovereign..."
"The game has changed."
"I shall remember your name."
The gate sealed shut.
Silence returned.
---
For several seconds...
No one moved.
Then the Book chimed softly.
Main Quest Complete
The Leviathan Sea Saved
Rewards:
- Third Star Fragment Obtained
- Star Sovereign Resonance: 43% → 56%
- New Title: Bearer of the Living Covenant
- Guardian Reputation: Greatly Increased
---
Cheers erupted from every surviving ship.
Sailors embraced one another.
The Abyss Legion lowered their weapons.
Even Thalassor released a joyful roar that echoed across the endless sea.
Nereus approached Kai.
He knelt.
"I have guarded these waters for four thousand seven hundred years."
"Today..."
"I witnessed a miracle."
He stood and extended his hand.
"From this day onward..."
"The Kingdom of Tides stands with the Beast Sovereign."
Kai accepted the handshake.
"Not as ruler and subject."
"As allies."
Nereus smiled.
"As allies."
---
High above the clouds...
The Archivist watched silently.
The darkness surrounding its body had become noticeably thinner.
"It truly exists..."
"The path beyond sacrifice."
For the first time in ten thousand years...
The Archivist smiled.
Not with sorrow.
But with hope.
Then it vanished into the wind.
---
Far away...
Beyond every kingdom...
Beyond the edge of every known map...
A floating continent drifted through the heavens.
Within a palace of black crystal...
Six figures sat around a circular table.
Each wore a mask representing a different beast.
The largest figure slowly opened its eyes.
"The Third Star Fragment has awakened."
Another figure laughed.
"So the Ninth has surpassed the previous ones."
The leader stood.
"No."
"He has become something none of them ever were."
He looked toward the distant horizon.
"Prepare the Celestial Tournament."
"The Beast Sovereign has finally earned the right..."
"...to challenge the rulers of the hidden world."
The Book of Infinite Beasts displayed one final notification.