The ocean roared.
Not with waves—
With pressure.
The barrier trembled violently as the swarm pressed against it like a living storm. The ancient host's presence surged just ahead of it, no longer distant, no longer patient.
He was retreating.
For the first time in four centuries—
He was being chased.
Shunya stood frozen at the summit terrace.
The system pulsed violently.
[Multiple high-tier entities detected.]
"…This is getting out of control."
Feng Xia flames ignited fully.
Lei Tian lightning surged.
"No," the dragon said.
"This is escalation."
Then—
The sky split.
---
A massive shadow passed over the ocean.
The water itself rose.
Not like a wave—
Like something beneath it had awakened.
A figure stepped forward from the sea surface.
Tall.
Calm.
Eyes deep as abyssal currents.
Water flowed around his body like a living crown.
"Leviathan has arrived," he said simply.
The ocean calmed instantly around him.
Shunya stared.
"…That is new."
---
