Fourth Day, Morning.
Not far from the girl's sleeping place, William is cooking.
The sound of meat sizzling and the smell of roasted fish and strange sea creatures filled the air. He had been at it for hours, hunting, cooking, and eating in between, from the time the moon still hung in the sky to now, when the sun had begun to rise. Hunger was one reason, but there was more to it than that.
Meat from extraordinary creatures didn't just fill your stomach. It made your body stronger and helped your spirit grow. The boost wasn't big, but eating it every day added up. A little progress was still progress. And if you knew how to cook it right, it tasted amazing too.
To make sure he got it right, William spent 500 SP in the System Shop on a book called [Basic Spiritual Food]. Thanks to that, he went from someone who just knew the basics to a decent cook with real skill, at least by this world's standards.
Like he'd said before, the System Shop had almost everything. But even it had its limits. The book was helpful to open his knowledge about spiritual food, but it was still just a beginner's guide. All the books in the shop were like this, basic ones. Still, there were a lot of them, and that variety mattered.
[How To Fight], [Guide To Aura], [Basic Control], [Basic Extraordinary], [How To Spell], and more.
Everything a player might need was in the System Shop, you just had to pay for it.
What made it even better was that these books came with instant knowledge transfusion, so you didn't have to waste time reading them slowly. For William, this alone made the 500 SP he spent on [Basic Spiritual Food] worth it. The book too, still had 2 charges left, so he could use it two more times.
[Basic Spiritual Food] - 1/3 Charges of Instant Knowledge Transfusion Used;
He wasn't sure if the book would disappear once all the charges were used, but even if it did, this much was more than enough for now.
After that, William checked out the rest of the System Update. The most popular section was still the Shop, followed by the Trade Channel, Forum, Ranks, and Daily News. Most players didn't care about things that didn't directly affect them.
Like Ranks and News, they'd glance at the top players, chat about it in Global or on the forum, maybe say a one-second prayer after reading the news… then move on.
William didn't find that strange. It was just how players behaved.
The Trade Channel, though, was always interesting. People dumped all kinds of random things into it, like: cursed coral, glowing plants with no names, monster bones, and other strange loot. Most were just hoping to earn a few SP from whatever they found.
There were normal items too, like aid kits, food, drinkable water, seasonings, and other basic essentials. As long as the prices weren't too high or unreasonable, William picked up what he needed. With that, he bought three gallons of drinkable water, ten kilograms of various seasonings, and several aid kits.
And for emergencies, he also has 3 advanced health potions and one high level one, costing him 950 sp. William also expanded his inventory by twenty five more slots, which gave him room to store everything he had just bought.
From 7450 sp, he left with 5000 sp.
Aside from the shop and trade channel, the Forum was the busiest section of the system. Dozens of threads popped up every second, only to be buried by newer ones just as fast. Still, a few stood out from the noise.
The most popular thread at the moment was:
[How Not To Get Killed By Fishes] - From: SaltyNavigator
It gained attention because SaltyNavigator was quite active in world chat, often sharing helpful tips about surviving in the ocean. His cheerful tone and grounded advice made him feel like an older brother figure in the player community.
The thread listed common sense survival rules, especially about what sea creatures could be safely eaten and which ones would poison you, mutate you, or try to kill you from inside your stomach. It was pinned to the top of the forum and flooded with comments from grateful players.
The Second is:
[Rallying Brother And Sister, Let's Conquer a Dungeon] - From: SargoTheCaptain
Apparently, someone had found a Rift in the ocean, a big one at that. Sargo reported that it was a D-Level Rift, floating out on the sea. From his description, it could host anywhere from a hundred to a thousand participants. There was no minimum level required to enter, but the recommended power was Level 1 or 2 Extraordinary.
For D-Level Rift, mortals(Unranked Person) can hardly survive. They would be a little more than cannon fodder, unable to even make a ripple in that place. So Sargo set the entry requirement as Extraordinary Level 1 as minimum.
So far, he had already gathered over thirty participants, a mix of players and natives. A decent turnout, William thought.
Sargo had also contacted many of the ranked players, including Seraph himself, asking if they were interested in joining the expedition. Unfortunately, the rift's location was at least five days of sailing away from William's current position. So he had to decline.
Still, he noticed that one of the top-ranked players, Red Knight (Rank 2), had already responded and was heading there.
William didn't have any strong thoughts or regrets about it. Everyone had their own opportunities, and as far as he was concerned, he already had the biggest slice of cake over here. No need to chase crumbs elsewhere.
Most of the other forum threads weren't worth his time, memes, complaints, bragging, or wild theories. But one last thread did manage to catch his eye:
[Class Cards Are Scam??]
The original poster had chosen to remain anonymous. According to the post, the OP bought a single lined class card from the system shop but couldn't use it, no prompt, no system response, nothing. And from the replies, it looked like more players were facing the same issue.
William raised an eyebrow but didn't think much of it. He hadn't run into that problem himself, and most players seemed to be doing just fine with their class progression. Whatever the issue was, it wasn't his problem, so he closed the thread and moved on.
Letting out a quiet breath, William leaned back in his seat. The warm scent of roasted fish, crab and herbs drifted through the air, reminding him of the sizzling pan waiting nearby. He stood up, walked back to the stove, and carefully flipped the meat, its golden surface crackling slightly as the juices sealed in.
Back to what mattered, for now.
He checked the fire, adjusted the pan, and took a small sip of the simmering broth. It was rich and savory, with a hint of sea salt and something otherworldly that danced on his tongue. Not bad, not bad at all.
Just as he began plating the cooked meat, he sensed a faint shift in the air. It wasn't noise or movement, but more like a ripple in presence. The subtle pressure of sleeping minds lifting, like the spirituality beginning to stir again, awaken from the dream.
After what happened the night before, William had become extremely sensitive toward subtle change in the air, especially after his left eyes mutated. The overlapping colors in his vision always meant something, and even the faintest ripple across the tainted hues of this world hinted that something was moving in the background.
William looked over his shoulder toward the sheltered sleeping area. The soft threads of spirituality stirring in the air signaled the girls were waking up. One by one, they shifted beneath the blankets, rising slowly from their dreams.
With a small smirk, he turned back to the food and began plating a second, third and more portion.
Rei was the first to peek out, blinking blearily at the morning light. Then Kei sat up beside her, eyes sharp despite the lingering sleep. But both of them froze as they looked toward the fire.
"…Seraph?" Rei said cautiously, her tone laced with confusion.
Kei narrowed her eyes, studying him like she was trying to match pieces that didn't fit. The man standing there wasn't the towering, winged figure they'd seen before. He looked… normal. Humans with no feathered wings on his backs. Just like William before the ritual, and now he casually tending to the pan like a man who'd been cooking breakfast every morning of his life.
Behind them, the three Lambs stirred next. Their movements were slower, more hesitant. The youngest among them whispered, "...Lord Seraph?" Her voice trembled slightly, not in fear, but in seeking confirmation, like a follower trying to confirm the presence of her god in a man's skin.
William exhaled softly and stood up, brushing off his hands as he faced them. From his back, something stirred beneath the skin, then, slowly, a pair of white-silver wings began to grow out, pushing through as if part of his body. They stretched and unfolded, clean and smooth, catching the morning light with a soft shimmer.
"Morning you all," He said, lips tugging into a crooked smile, "And to answer your question… who else in this place has wings and can cook other than me?"
Seeing the familiar wings bloom from his back, Rei just blinked, stunned. While Kei stared for a moment longer, then shook her head, before muttering something under her breath and rubbing her eyes.
Turning to the Lambs, William gave them a single nod, and with it, he let a thin thread of his mystic energy spill into the air. The moment it touched them, their bodies straightened slightly. The Marks of Faith on their chest glowed faintly in response, pulsing in harmony with his power. The connection was undeniable.
They dropped to their knees, heads bowed in silent reverence, eyes full of awe.
"That's enough," He said, voice gentler now, "You can call me Will or William in this form," He told the witches, meeting their eyes as he spoke.
Then he shifted his gaze to the Lambs.
"While you three… call me Master instead of Lord. I think it is more appropriate for now."
The Lambs nodded in perfect sync, their expressions peaceful now that their doubt had been cleared.
With that done, William turned back to the fire, casually flipping the last piece of fish.
"Now eat," He said, "It's going to get cold. And after that… we have a lot to talk about."
…
The group gathered quietly around the fire, still adjusting to the morning light. The smell of roasted fish and herbs filled the space, but their eyes weren't on the food, they were on him.
Seraph.
Or rather, William, the man now sitting calmly by the fire, plating food like he'd done it every day of his life. His silver-white wings folded neatly behind him, and the morning light caught faint lines of energy that traced across his back and shoulders.
But, more than that, it was his left eye that held their attention.
It had changed.
Where once it matched his other, now the sclera was a pale silver, almost metallic, and the iris had become sharper, narrower, slit like a beast's eye, layered with fine ridges of silver. It wasn't monstrous, but it was no longer fully human either. That eye held weight, like it could see through things, like it wasn't just watching, but measuring everything around.
Rei was the first to speak, "You… what actually happened to you?"
Before William could answer, she continued, quieter now.
"You feel… different," She said, "More stronger, but also… calmer?"
Kei nodded slowly beside her, eyes still fixed on him, "It's like your whole presence changed overnight."
William didn't deny it. He looked at them, that sharp right eye glinting for a moment, then softened.
"I guess you could say I finally caught up with myself," He said, voice steady and grounded, "Nothing to worry about. Just… a better version of me."
The Lambs sat quietly, watching him with wide, unblinking eyes. They didn't speak, but their expressions reflected the same feeling the twins had. Something about him felt more complete, more solid, like he wasn't just surviving anymore.
There was a gravity to him now.
Not just power, but purpose.
Kei eventually looked away, breaking the silence, "So... you're not going to suddenly turn into something huge and terrifying again, are you?"
William blinked, then smirked, "You think I did something while you were asleep?"
"Well," Rei said with a half-smile, "When a guy shows up looking like this after a nap, it's suspicious."
"I did nothing unusual," He said, handing them their plates, "The only thing I did last night was survive, fighting and killing, then cook, and maybe… Change a little."
"You definitely changed," Kei muttered, but this time with a hint of warmth.
They began to eat quietly. The food was good, better than they expected, and the twin's eyes widened in surprise after they tasted it.
Spiritual Food!
But none of them said much. They were too busy adjusting to the new weight of his presence.
William also didn't press further.
He just sat with them, calm and unreadable, his hand holding smoked big crab claws and eating it in silence. His wings resting lightly on the ground, his slitted silver eye catching the light with an unnatural gleam.
And though none of them said it aloud, one thing was clear to all five girls now:
He wasn't the same man they met days ago.
But somehow, that made them feel safer, not afraid.
…
They ate in relative silence, the warmth of the fire and the meal settling their nerves. But eventually, the peaceful moment gave way to the reality of their world, unchanging in its danger, even after a calm morning.
Once the last bit of food was gone, William set his plate aside and looked around the group. His expression was thoughtful, yet still held the trace of a smile.
Then, finally, he spoke.
"Now," He said, breaking the silence, "Tell me more about the sea. And I mean by that, everything you know."
Kei was the first one to answer, "Okay, but after that tell me what happened to you," She said in one breath, "That eye of yours and how can you hide your wings like that."
She narrowed her eyes, "From what I know, nobody can control their mutation like that. Even with perfect control, most people can only suppress it, not bend it like it's a natural part of your body."
"And I want your blood," Rei added cheerfully.
William blinked, "Okay."
The response was so calm that even the Lambs froze for a second.
He glanced between the twins, and the memories came back, one in knowledge and one in blood. Kei is curious, wanting to know what happened to him on the basis of expanding her knowledge, analyzing and understanding, at the same time growing by progressing further into her class.
As for Rei…
William's eyes followed her as she stood and walked over to him, her expression bright and unbothered. She sat beside him, unusually close, and with his silent permission, reached for his hand.
Her smile widened, and her mouth opened, fangs emerging naturally from behind her lips.
She bit.
The sharp sensation was brief, followed by a warm, slow pull. Her face shifted almost immediately, her eyes fluttering slightly in a look of quiet, radiant bliss.
"Mhhhn…"
The sound she made was questionable at best. But it made the atmosphere turn awkward in an instant. No one said anything, everyone was watching.
William just stared at her calmly, 'That doesn't hurt,' He thought, 'It's just… a little warm.'
Rei leaned against his right shoulder as she drank, her eyes half-lidded, content like a cat being hand-fed.
She was probably just hungry… For blood. Or maybe… It was just part of her class.
Either way, William didn't stop her.
Then, one by one, the Lambs began to snuggle closer.
The youngest was the boldest, climbing onto his lap after seeing that William didn't shoo Rei away. She curled up there without a word, resting her head lightly against his chest.
The second took his left side, nestling into the crook of his arm, while the third calmly circled behind him, slipping her arms around his torso and hugging him from the back, her cheek brushing against the base of his wings.
There was a flicker of confusion on William's face, but eventually, he let out a breath and said, "...Just do as you like."
He withdrew his wings, folding them back into his body until they vanished completely, leaving him looking no different than a normal human. A moment later, he felt the Lamb behind him press in closer, her soft chest lightly pressing against his back.
Whether it was jealousy, devotion, or simply a desire to be near their god, William couldn't say for sure. Perhaps they had just seen one of their own do something questionable right in front of them, and instinctively moved to claim their own space.
Either way, he didn't resist. He simply sat there, surrounded and silently worshiped, a reluctant throne for their affection.
Once they had all settled into place, his gaze lifted again, this time focusing on the lone witch sitting in front of him.
Kei.
She sat across from him, her expression was unreadable. Unlike the others, she hadn't moved closer. She stayed where she was, legs crossed, arms resting loosely in her lap, watching the quiet mess of affection wrapped around William without a word.
Her eyes flicked to Rei, who was still lazily leaning against him with half-lidded eyes.
'This shameless sister of mine…' Kei thought, annoyed, though a hint of embarrassment crept in behind the glare.
Then to the Lamb on his lap, already half-asleep. Then back to William.
"…I'll pretend this isn't a cult scene," She muttered under her breath.
William raised an eyebrow, "I didn't ask for this."
"I know," Kei said, "That's what makes it worse."
Still, she didn't sound upset, just resigned. With a soft sigh, she looked toward the sea in the distance. The wind stirred gently, the scent of salt lingering on the air.
"Fine," She said, straightening a little, "You wanted to know about the sea, right? Everything we've seen, heard, and felt since arriving."
William nodded silently.
Kei's tone shifted, subtle, but sharper now. Like a teacher settling into a lesson.
"I'll start from the basics. The sea in this world is alive, not just full of life, but alive in its own way. It watches, it reacts. The deeper you go, the stranger it becomes. The air thickens, the pressure changes, and sometimes… it feels like something is listening or watching."
She paused for a moment, then continued.
"There are places where the water hums even without wind. Places where boats vanish without a trace. Most of the islands you will find felt like fragments, pieces of something older, as if the sea spat them out."
She looked at him directly now, eyes clear and unwavering.
"And do you know what this part of the sea is called?"
William shook his head. The others leaned in slightly, listening.
"It's called the Sea of Beginning. Any part of the ocean where the power ceiling caps at Extraordinary Level 3 is called that, no matter where you are. Usually, it's used by powerful families to train their heirs… and by some races to test their young."
"A perfect place to grow. Which is why we, as witch descendants, sought refuge here."
Oh... William thought. That made him remember something.
"What happened to your witch mother, actually?" He asked, cutting in briefly.
Kei shook her head, "We don't know. But now we're considered free witches because of that."
'She seems happy about it…' William thought, 'Are witch mothers that scary? Or is there something deeper in witch custom I don't know yet?'
He didn't ask further. Just listened.
Kei continued without missing a beat, moving from the origin of the sea to explanations about Class Cards, Rifts, strange phenomena, and the variety of races in this world. She spoke with clarity, mixing fact with theory, occasionally pausing to see if he was keeping up, not realizing William absorbed every word like stone soaking in sunlight.
Eventually, she shifted into something heavier.
The Taboos of the sea.