Chapter 456. Wyvern Nest (1/3)
A merman surfaced from the tranquil ocean, holding a pearl the size of a human head. Its sheen gleamed under the sun, reflecting rainbows across the rippling waves. He hoisted it above the waterline, showing it proudly to the people aboard a nearby merchant boat.
"Nice... I’ll take that pearl," a man on the deck called out, nodding in appreciation. He reached into his storage ring and pulled out a bundle of Lydia currency.
"Cashless transaction," the merman replied in a calm, gurgled voice, his accent distinctly aquatic.
"Alright, alright..." the man grumbled, stuffing the currency back and pulling out his bank card instead. With a practiced flick, the merman tapped a few buttons on the waterproof device strapped to his wrist, activating the payment mode. The man waved his card, completing the transaction with a soft beep.
"Thank you for your purchase," the merman said with a polite smile. "Please come again if you need more fresh pearls."
With that, he dove beneath the waves, leaving behind only a small splash and a trail of bubbles.
"Wait—hey! Do you know where the Dragon Boat is?" the man called out, leaning over the railing.
The merman’s head popped back up, his expression unreadable. He raised his wrist again and pointed at the screen—it clearly meant he wanted a payment for information.
The man sighed and transferred a small amount of Lydia.
"The nearest one just left Clover Garden," the merman said after receiving the funds. But then, his body suddenly stiffened. His gills flared, and his eyes darted toward the horizon.
"Something ominous is coming..." he muttered, almost as if to himself, before swiftly submerging without another word.
The man blinked in confusion and turned around. That’s when he saw it.