Although early February marked the beginning of spring in many places, sheets of drift ice still floated across the calm sea north of the Sunia Sea. Though they did not look especially large, these things were unimaginably hard and a nightmare for most ships. But in this world of mysterious powers, there were always exceptions.
Beneath the icy sea, a large pirate ship wrapped in a strange air bubble sailed slowly onward. Its bizarre figurehead was assembled from a woman, octopus, sea serpent, eel, bat, and various other creatures. It was the legendary flagship of Vice Admiral Deep Sea—the Scylla.
Unfortunately, the ship's former owner, Vice Admiral Deep Sea, who possessed the Sea Monster Bloodline, had already become a Beyonder Characteristic. Most of the pirates aboard had also become Blood Servants.
"Continuing this standoff won't get us anywhere. No matter how hard you glare at me, you can't change the fact that we've taken the initiative. Of course, you're welcome to keep staring. I can go without food or drink for half a month. How long can you last?" Earnest Boyar, a Sanguine viscount at Sequence V, arrogantly surveyed the three factions before him.
Although each of the three factions facing him had a Sequence V powerhouse of the same level, and his side did not hold an advantage in numbers, he remained full of confidence. He was confident enough to withdraw the spirit creature circling at his side back into his necklace.
Even so, the Beyonders confronting the Sanguine did not lower their guard. Not long ago, there had actually been six factions aboard this ship, but after that spirit creature appeared, only four remained.
Those Artificial Vampires, whose origins were unknown—whether the Rose School or the School of Fate—had turned into a pile of mangled flesh along with