February 2, 9998, Yulan Calendar.
The northernmost edge of the Magical Beast Mountain Range lay only a few miles from the North Sea. From the ridge, an endless expanse of blue stretched into the distance-the sea.
A broad road ran between the North Sea and the Magical Beast Mountain Range. It connected the O'Brien Empire and the Holy Union, and large numbers of people passed along it almost every day. Caravans, mercenaries, and travelers came and went in an unbroken stream.
When Loa and Wangcai emerged from the mountains, they happened upon a caravan resting beside the road.
Loa found an empty spot, lit a fire, and began roasting a rack of ribs. They came from a Bloodthirsty War Boar he had hunted the day before. There was pork belly layered with fat and lean meat, as well as prime ribs, sizzling with fat as they roasted.
The aroma drifted out, drawing glances from quite a few people in the caravan.
One fool who didn't know any better approached, wanting to "borrow" some meat. Before he could finish speaking, Loa slapped him, sending him flying thirty feet. He hit the ground and passed out.
No one else dared approach.
After Loa and Wangcai finished eating, they cleaned up and continued north.
The seashore.
Loa stood on a black reef, facing the sea breeze.
The wind was strong.
He narrowed his eyes and looked into the distance. Far away, the sea and sky met in a gray, hazy line, their boundary blurred by moisture. It was impossible to tell where the sea ended and the sky began.
Wangcai crouched beside him, his eyes wide and round at his first sight of the sea.
"Boss, is this the sea?" His voice sounded in Loa's mind. "It's so big!"
Loa didn't answer.