The rough wooden ship, its sails stitched from beast hide, floated silently.
The gaze followed the armored monster covered in thick fur as he crossed the busy deck. The other monsters stepped aside one after another. His back mounted the creaking wooden stairs, lifted the beast-hide curtain, and entered the cabin. Inside were three imposing monsters with obvious dragon traits.
The humanoid demon beasts outside the cabin all retained a few dragon traits, though none were very distinct.
The low-ranking demon beasts busy on deck possessed thin Dragon Bloodlines. Were it not for the faint trace of dragon might and slight resemblance in appearance, it would have been nearly impossible to associate them with dragons.
Their species were a chaotic jumble, their forms varied.
Some bore turtle shells on their backs; some were clearly carp that had evolved into neither fish nor flood dragons; some were snakes that had failed in their transformation into flood dragons.
Compared with them, the three powerful demon beasts inside the cabin were closer to dragons, yet still far removed. Only the tall figure seated in the central position had a single horn atop his head. It was somewhat short and resembled a rhinoceros horn more than anything else.
"Demon Dragon King, humans have entered the Dark Void. The scouts reported that the dark monsters have become restless."
The one-horned Unicorn Demon Dragon in the main seat pondered for a moment, then took out a token.
"Since the humans have made their move, we must also discover the truth. Take the Divine Dragon Token and personally enter to see whether it is that white dragon. The Divine Dragon Token can keep you safe. Remember, do not lose it."
"This subordinate obeys!"
The demon beast in crude armor accepted the token and left.
The ferocious flood-dragon-headed