Chapter 447. Another One
The island already looked battered—like it had been through several disasters in one. Trees were either uprooted or broken in half, their leaves scattered like confetti. Houses lay in ruins, their roofs caved in and walls cracked or completely collapsed. Even public facilities—fountains, resting huts, transport stations—were reduced to nothing more than rubble and splinters.
Tyler hovered in the sky, his expression calm but eyes sharp. "A Sea Beast Wave usually happens for a few reasons," he explained, watching the chaos below. "They might be attracted to something on the island... or maybe they’ve been tainted by something, driving them mad. Another possibility is that they’re running from a greater predator... or perhaps they’re being controlled. Honestly, it’s not easy to pinpoint the exact cause." He glanced down. "When a Sea Beast Wave shows up, the best option is usually just to avoid it entirely."
Lily floated beside him, arms crossed, her eyes locked on the swarming sea beasts below. "Yeah, we know that," she replied. "Looks like most of the people here took that ’good option.’ Only a few weaklings seem to have gotten stuck on the island."
A ripple appeared on the surface of the ground below, and Mana rose from it like a spirit phasing through the earth. "There are broken arrays and a shattered core beneath the island," she said without preamble. Her fingers were glowing faintly, having just finished scanning the land.
Tyler narrowed his eyes. "That means the Levitation Array’s been damaged. No wonder the island crashed down." He paused and turned to Lily. "This place is beyond saving now. Quick, can you still sense that person from your race?"
Lily’s expression dimmed slightly as she shook her head. "They sensed me too, I think. They’ve hidden their presence... completely concealed themselves."
"Hmm..." Tyler rubbed his chin. "Looks like they don’t want you finding them."
"So?" Lily raised an eyebrow.
Tyler shrugged. "Should we leave, or do you want to search?"
Lily didn’t hesitate. "Let’s search for survivors. Since we are Merchants who are making a good reputation, we can’t let them die here."
Tyler nodded. "Alright. Split up— we cover more ground that way."
The trio scattered across the ruined island, soaring through the air in different directions. Tyler flew straight toward the remnants of what used to be a tall tower. It was now a broken stump of stone and metal, with only its lower floors intact. Despite the destruction, Tyler sensed lingering fluctuations— an indication that something— or someone— was still inside.