Synopsis

Camerin, the Keeper of the Land, thought the dusk of the day looked redder than usual.

The great airship city of Inae was bustling with people as always,

but there was no hiding the warnings that were coming from every corner.

And the truth was, everyone knew it. Great changes were already taking place.

 

Camerin involuntarily clenched her sweaty hands.

Her calling as Keeper of the Land was not to take sides.

But the situation Shume, the Keeper of White Ocean, had told her about was far from ideal.

At that moment, there was a commotion around her.

Camerin turned her head toward the noise, and then felt a huge shadow fall over her.

Lifting her head, she saw a large fleet of ships crossing the sky above Inae.

 

"Camerin, there you are."

"Theas, is that Solidaris of the Bluehawks?"

"Yes. Spectacular, isn't it?"

"I see you've managed to convince Rayron."

"We've been informed of the situation by the Keeper of White Ocean. The Maleficence Raiders have no choice but to allow them to come to Inae."

 

Normally, the Maleficence Raiders guarding Inae would not have allowed the pirate Bluehawks to come anywhere near their city.

But as Theas said, the situation was serious enough for the Maleficence Raiders to change their rules.

Turning to Camerin, who continued to stare at the sky even after all the airships in the sky had disappeared, Theas spoke cautiously.

 

"Hey... Camerin, we've lost contact with Moon-Submerged Lake."

"First Crimson Mine Village, and now, even Moon-Submerged Lake..."

 

The Bluehawks who had returned to retake the Azure Main from the Maleficents. 

Ominous rumors of Death's Sentinels coming from the Shimmering Archipelago.

And danger brewing beneath the Empty Sea, in the Fount of Tribulation.

Inevitable change had always come like a tidal wave, with no time to prepare.

 

"For now, let's meet with the Bluehawks. We need to hear the situation from them first."

 

She knew that holding on to the time that had passed would only prolong the present moment,

and that, as always, the present moment was the earliest time for them to prepare.

Camerin headed straight for the Maleficence Raiders Outpost.

Temple of Death

Flawless Death Vissima

Flawless.

 

The word was etched before my eyes.
That was it.

 

"In the end..."

 

My face stiffens. I close my eyes for a moment.
I'm heartbroken.
I finally have someone I want to give my heart to, someone who is my reason for living.
I can't believe it. I can't help but laugh.

 

I rationalize myself with words I don't want to say.

 

"Death is a fate we must bear..."
But no, I don't want to bear it.

 

"Flawlessness is a fate I must bear..."
But I don't want to be flawless.

 

"But..."
But...

 

I steel my heart to fulfill my mission as Death's Sentinel.

 

I lock my joy deep within my heart.
The smile fades from my lips.

 

I lock my sadness deep within my heart.
The ache in my chest disappears.

 

I lock myself deep within my heart.
My kind self disappears.

 

"Now, I am the Flawless Death."
The kind Vissima is dead.

 

I receive Death.
Something hot drips from the eyes of the Flawless Death.
The chilly air of the Sanctuary cools it, and it soon becomes a stain, burning into her cheeks.
The sensation is not a bad one for the Flawless Death. 
It only seems to reveal that she had feelings, too.

 

She leaves the Silent Sanctuary.
Everyone praises her flawlessness, and the burden of it begins to weigh on her shoulders.
She sees a girl.
A girl, so beautiful and dazzling, waving happily at her.

She flashes a cold glare at the girl.

The girl shrinks back in surprise.

 

I'm sorry.

 

She withdraws her cold gaze from the girl as if she is not worthy.
The tear tracks on her cheeks burn hot again.

 

Kind Death Cenir

Kind.

The word blurred before her eyes.
And so the girl's kindness began.

"Why...?"

Her vision blurred so much that she couldn't even see the word disappear.
She was heartbroken.
She thought she could finally get recognition from the one who gave her a reason to live.
Her vision blurred even more.

She didn't want to admit it, so she kept denying it.
 
"I can't be... kind."

"I wanted to make Vissima smile..."

She steeled herself, for her own flawlessness.
 
She tried to lock her joy deep within her heart.
But the joy was still there, refusing to be contained.

She tried to lock her sorrow deep within her heart.
But the tears that had escaped her flimsy prison of the heart drenched her face.
 
She tried to lock herself deep within her heart.
But her heart, which was incapable of flawlessness, could never contain her.

"I'm going to be flawless."
No, I can't be flawless.

The girl, who had decided not to receive the Death that had been bestowed upon her, had imprisoned her kindness within a flawlessness
that was too flimsy to be true.

 

Rubra the Profane

An enchanting moonlight streamed through the cracks of the window.

The female figure in the center of the dark room seemed to have been born from the darkness itself.

Her beautiful features intertwined with eeriness, she took a step forward, 

and with that single step, the air around her seemed to grow heavier.

 

"You've already heard my voice, haven't you?"

 

Her voice was so soft, so seductive. 

Sweetly seductive. But my instinctive fear was screaming at me to reject her.

Then came the heart-stopping pain.

 

"You don't have to resist me."

 

She stopped in front of me.

She merely stretched out her arm to caress my cheek, and my entire body stiffened as if I were facing a giant snake.

 

"You can't hide the longing in your eyes anymore."

 

At her sweet words, I felt a faint stirring of the longing I'd tried to hide.

She whispered again, hugging me from behind seductively.

 

"The pain I'll give you is a gift."

 

I knew I should shake off her voice, her touch, but I couldn't.

My heart pounded painfully, and in its throbbing, an unknown longing projected through her.

I must reject her. Stop her.

I felt warnings ringing in the depths of my consciousness, but I couldn't tear myself away from her touch or her voice.

Every time I returned to my senses, I could only accept that I was getting closer to that unknown longing.

 

"Yes. Accept my gift."

 

Suddenly, the pain seemed to fade, replaced by a sweet sense of release.

 

Nesting Veroro

Even your ugly, messy plumage is

terrifying to some, just from its shadow alone.

 

Even the annoying wind you cause every time you flap your wings

can feel like an unbearable storm to some.

 

Yes, you little creature. A pathetic, weak creature

who knows nothing but to eat and sleep. A created failure.

 

Perhaps I should give you a chance.

Build your nest, scatter your feathers, fly to your heart's content.

 

That way, you can prove to me

why I shouldn't kill you.

 

Camirak the Omen Bird

Camirak was a coward.

He wasn't much stronger than the other Malefic Beasts, either.

But when he encountered someone weaker than him, he would thoroughly subjugate them and turn them into his pawns,

and when he encountered someone stronger, he would cower and then attack them when they were least expecting it.

 

Now, Camirak was thinking about what he should do to this Maleficent in front of him.

Normally, he would have been more cautious in his movements, but perhaps because of his growing confidence in his growing army of pawns,

Camirak shouted out boldly.

 

"Kwa hah hah hah! What, are you alone?"

"..."

 

She didn't answer. To hide his growing anxiety, Camirak called out louder.

 

"Hey, you! This is my territory! Can't you hear me?"

"..."

"Eek..."

 

Things weren't going as he thought they would, and Camirak felt a little angry. 

For some reason, his usual cautiousness, his ability to accurately separate the strong from the weak and do whatever it takes to survive, had been thrown out the window.

 

"Guys, bring her to me!"

 

As soon as he finished speaking, several of them rushed forward, but soon stiffened and collapsed on the spot.

Camirak quickly assessed the situation, his anger quickly cooling as he realized that something was wrong.

Upon close inspection, he realized that the Maleficent was holding something in her hand that hadn't been there before.

It was a heart.

 

"*Yawn...* This is annoying. I don't want to pull out every single one of them."

 

Finally, the Maleficent spoke.

Camirak quickly stepped forward.

 

"Hm, so you still think you're the boss, don't you?"

 

Camirak quickly lowered his glare, and then knelt down and dropped his head to the ground.

 

"Please spare me! You can kill all of these guys!"

 

A moment of silence. She started to laugh.

 

"Ho ho. You're saying I can kill all of these guys?"

"Yes, yes! As long as you spare my life, they can -"

 

Suddenly a sharp wind sounded. Camirak quickly looked around, startled by the noise, before finishing his words.

His soldiers, who had surrounded Rubra, were now lying silently on the ground, all of them split in two.

 

"Hee-heek!"

"That was fun. You, I'll give you a chance."

"Th-thank you! J-just ask me anything! I'll do it!"

"Okay, then... gather up imbeciles like these. I've got some searching to do, and it's a bit of a big place."

"S-sure! B-but... you just killed all of my men..."

 

Her wordless gaze coldly crushed Camirak.

 

"O-okay! I'll make it happen!"

 

Gluttonous Taigo

"You're no match for me, stuck in the ground and unable to move."

 

"Have you given up on the fight already? What are you throwing at me?"

 

"What is... this? It smells delicious..."

 

"Let me try one... Just one..."

 

"It's tastier than I thought..."

 

"Huh? Wait... I haven't eaten enough yet..."

 

"Okay, I'll stop after eating this one..."

 

"Perhaps one more..."

 

"One more..."

 

"..."

 

"...What was I doing?"

 

"Ah..."

 

"Ah... yeah, I was looking for some food for Garrot."

 

"Just wait for me, Garrot... Heh heh heh..."

 

Falling Ostry

A cliff so steep, it was impossible to see the bottom.

Ostry was standing at the edge of a floating island.

After thousands - perhaps tens of thousands - of attempts, he was determined to make it this time.

 

"Kyaakk!"

 

Ostry vaulted off the cliff, but his small wings were not powerful enough to carry his massive body through the air.

 

"Karrgggkk!"

 

Ostry plummeted downward, eventually landing on another floating island at a lower altitude.

Another day, another failure. His body had gotten used to the many falls, and his horn, the first one to hit the ground, didn't even hurt anymore.

What's wrong? Why can't I fly like the Horn Beasts in the sky above me, even though I'm flapping my wings vigorously?

 

"Khng..."

 

Ostry sat down on the floating island he had crashed on and stared at the Horn Beasts going forth in the distant in the sky.

I want to fly like that. I want to feel the sky and the wind like that. I want to...

 

"Hungry..."

 

The thought didn't go very far. Ostry began to look around to see if there was anything to eat.

Just then, he saw movement on the floating island in the distance.

Normally, a large Malefic Beast like Ostry would scare most people away, but as he flapped his tiny wings and crashed to the ground, they were just laughing at him from the other side of the floating island.

They were convinced that Ostry would never be able to fly across.

But they were mistaken - there was something they hadn't even considered.

Ostry's real strength wasn't his tiny wings, which were merely decoration, but...

 

"Meat?"

 

It's the power of his powerful legs.

 

"Found meat!"

 

The sight of a large Malefic Beast leaping across the floating islands using only the strength of its legs.

The sight of the Malefic Beast using the impact of its landing to propel itself toward its target.

The sight of Ostry's gaping mouth.

 

And then, they saw nothing else.

 

Azure Main

Horn Beast Kraken

We set out once more on our journey,

and we come before you, who lie in the deep mist.

 

Let the unauthorized paths be obscured,

and let only your breath guide us.

 

Master of the great spear that tears the sky and chases the clouds.

Your anger is silent, hidden in the waves.

Before its silence, we pray with care.

 

The heart that hides beneath the turbulent waves.

You, the one who lies in the sleep of the storm.

 

Close your eyes,

and grant us a way.

 

In your deep sleep,

look down upon the lost.

 

In the sea where you sleep,

we shall pass in peace.

 

- Sailor's Song

 

Sonic Boom Crassimor

"Crassimor..."

 

Meliona called out, but Crassimor continued to stare at the scene outside the window in silence.

An unprecedented number of Maleficents were rushing toward the Azure Main like dark clouds.

Ever since the Captain and the Commander had entrusted him with the Azure Main, he had been defending everyone's home without rest.

Endless battles with Maleficents. In the midst of this battle of give and take,

his gut instinct told him that the end was near.

 

Crassimor turned and looked at Meliona.

 

"Is the wheelhouse already taken? What about Huleeze?"

 

Meliona shook her head, and nervously straightened her clothes.

 

"Go, Meliona. Find the key, and see the mission through to the end with Huleeze."

 

His massive hands gripped the handles of the massive iron door, the only passage to the Heart of the Clear Sea.

They had worked together for so long, their emotions seemed to connect without words.

Meliona paused in her steps to leave and looked at Crassimor.

 

"Crassimor, don't die without the Commander's permission."

 

Crassimor gave a short laugh, and then slammed the door shut with all his might.

Meliona disappeared through the crack of the closing door with the sound of massive metal rubbing together. 

The screams of the Maleficents and the urgent cries of the others died down, leaving only silence in the Heart of the Clear Sea.  

In the brief silence, Crassimor sensed that the slight vibration he had felt earlier was getting closer. 

Then, as if to mock the brief silence, countless tentacles burst through the floor and filled the space.

 

"You even got Kraken, you dratted Maleficents."

 

The giant tentacles closed in on him. 

Crassimor steadied his stance, and with all his might, he thrust out his giant fist.

In a split second, the attack - fast but not light, hard but fluid - had already connected with the tentacles. 

Soon, with a space-ripping boom, Kraken's tentacles exploded.

 

"Try to take it."

 

The rising tentacles of Kraken felt like grates that clamped down on him.

Crassimor lowered himself to position himself directly over the Azure Main's engine, the Heart of the Clear Sea.

Its flickering blue light seemed to envelop him.

 

"Until the Wind returns, I will not give it up."

 

Anchoring Huleeze

His vision slowly turned green. 

In his fading gaze, faintly visible fragments of the green landscape seemed to tell him how much time he had left.

He felt dazed.

He muttered to himself over and over again, trying not to forget.

 

"Is the Commander here yet...?"

"Meliona, give me the key..."

"I must not let the Azure Main head toward Inae. I must drop anchor."

 

He felt as if his blood flowed a dozen times faster.

The shouts of those who fought alongside him died away, one by one.

He saw one of his companions fall to the ground, his hand still on the doorknob he'd protected.

A man who had rejoiced at the thought of his soon-to-be-born child.

 

"Is the Commander...?"

"Meliona..."

"Azure Main... Drop anchor."

 

He crushed the head of the flying Maleficent.

Soon his legs gave out and he fell to the ground.

His face shone in the pool of blood from the Maleficents he'd smashed.

Have I always looked this stupid?

The ones he'd been waiting for still hadn't come. 

Still, he was willing to wait a little longer. 

 

"The Commander..."

"Meliona..."

"Drop anchor."

 

The world went green.

He lay on his back on the floor.

The sky was green. Even the distinction between day and night was gone.

All noise ceased and only his breathing filled the space.

What am I doing?

Why am I fighting?

What am I protecting?

Yes... I'm...

 

"Drop... anchor..."

 

...

 

"I must... drop anchor..."

 

Struggling Meliona

The key must be around here...!

 

As she and her companions dealt with the Maleficents, Meliona searched for the key to proceed with her next plan.

Unfortunately for her, the place where the key was hanging had collapsed from the initial Maleficent attack.

 

Why does it have to be that place...? Ugh...

 

Her mind was becoming increasingly dazed by the endless malefic energy, and her breathing was becoming ragged.

Meliona looked around, biting her lip so hard that it bled, trying to somehow maintain her sanity.

 

"Ah!"

 

And to her relief, she found the key lying on the ground at the edge of the rubble.

Picking it up, Meliona clipped it to her belt and ran to the wheelhouse where she knew Huleeze would be.

Or at least, she tried.

 

"Ugh!"

 

With a great pain in her head, Meliona slumped to the ground.

The Mist Gear she had maintained to protect her companions had been contaminated.

 

I can't... move...

No... I have to deliver the key somehow...

 

No matter how hard she tried, Meliona's body would no longer obey her will.

Her strength began to wane.

 

I should have disengaged the Mist Gear...

 

She could feel a tremendous amount of malefic energy pushing into her head.

It was now too much for her to even think her own thoughts.

 

Before things got any worse, I must get the key...

Get the key to Huleeze...

 

Gradually, her vision began to turn green and then completely blur.

 

The key... Huleeze...

 

Just like that, Meliona's consciousness plunged into darkness.

 

Rayron the Maleficence Slayer

It was the beginning of a special day.

The day the first ship he had built himself would set sail.

The man nervously called out the name of the ship. 

 

"Her name is Arcadia. It's everything I could ever hope for."

 

A twinkle shone in the eyes of his younger brother, who had followed in his footsteps, hoping to become a great shipwright like him one day.

His dream had come true, and he was the admiration of his beloved family. The man wished this moment could last forever.

But, as with all such stories, there was always a tragedy at the end.

 

 As fate would have it, tragedy came to the man.

Shortly after the ship set sail, an unprecedented attack of Maleficents began.

He had always been prepared for a small-scale battle, but the numbers were overwhelming this time.

 

"Maleficents! Everyone, get ready!"

 

The hours of labor spent to keep this ship afloat were for naught as the Maleficents trampled over what the men had accomplished.

The resistance of those who had never held a weapon in their lives was not enough to stop the Maleficents' onslaught.

 

The man fought desperately to keep it all. 

The hammers that pounded his dreams were stained with Maleficent blood, and the ropes that bound his hopes were strangling his enemies.

In the heat of battle, the man saw a Maleficent's claws fly and sink into his brother's chest.

His eyes, sparkling with admiration for his brother, lost focus and blurred.

 

"No!"

 

His cries were swallowed by the waves, and the ship of his dreams was stained with blood and despair.

The man survived, but he had lost everything.

No sign of his companions. No sound of his brother's breath.

 

The Maleficents surrounded the lone man.

The man clutched an arrow in his bloody hand.

His fingers, which could no longer bend, trembled.

With all his might, he clenched his fist. He wrapped his unsteady hand around the bow with the torn hem of his clothes.

 

With that bow in hand, he started striking Maleficents in the head.

Maleficents screamed in agony and collapsed in countless numbers.

Covered in the Maleficents' blood, the man felt disgusted by the warmth that radiated from it.

He couldn't believe that the warm blood flowed from these creatures that deserved to be torn apart.

The fight lasted until dawn, and at the end, all that remained was the ragged sobs of a man who had lost everything.

 

 "..."

 

Rayron snapped out of his thoughts and took a step.

The cold wooden floor of the deck beneath the ashen sky accepted Rayron's heavy steps.

With each step, his mind flashed back to what he had given up for this day.

 

A promising life as a shipwright.

 

Memories of a happy family.

 

The lover he had let go for fear of loss.

 

The warmth of her arms that held him back.

 

The time of departure.

The attack of the Maleficents, known as the Fall of the Void.

That day, many lost everything they held dear.

Hands that once held nails and hammers now held great crossbows and sharp swords. 

The ship of dreams became a cruel beast, ready to pierce the hearts of Maleficents.

And there was no one left by their side.

 

No one on the Cruel Beast longed for tomorrow.

 

It was the beginning of a very cruel day.  

 

Circuit Engineer Nerimo

Where she came from, there was an abundance of mana, and it developed its own magic.

Most things were solved by magic, so she didn't pay much attention to "machines."

 

Then, one day, she saw an invention that a merchant from Sunken Depths had brought with him.

The contraption looked simple enough. It was called a stove, and it produced a warm fire at the push of a button.

It was the kind of thing you wouldn't need to use if you could use magic.

But when she saw it for the first time, she felt like she had discovered a new world.

 

How could it produce fire without the use of magic?

How did the machine work so that it could capture the power of the mist?

Was the structure that activated the power of the mist magical?

If not, was it constructed in a new way to activate the power of the mist?

 

The girl took the stove apart, trying to figure out how it had been made.

She then reassembled it, trying to see if she could create the same thing.

Despite her repeated failures, the girl was amused.

Like when she was learning magic, she felt a great sense of accomplishment at her rapidly growing skills.

And when she finally managed to put the stove back together again, after completely disassembling it...

 

"I did it!"

 

She squealed with delight, and from that point on, she was hooked on making things.

She thought to herself that she wanted to make a great invention.

And that thought led her to the mecca for inventors. Inae, City of Promise.

 

And so began Nerimo's dream journey.

 

Un-MIC the Iron Face

Was there ever a night he didn't dream of that day?

 

"He's... He's not completely changed yet! I can save him! I can save him!"

"It's too dangerous! Un-MIC!"

 

In the dream, he ran to save his dear companion, who was once again becoming a Malefic Human,

only to be bitten and torn all over by the creatures that were once his friends.

 

"... Ugh!"

 

He opened his eyes, breathing heavily. His body was again covered in a cold sweat.

At the same time, intense pain surged through him.

Un-MIC gritted his teeth and endured the pain without a sound.

 

"...Damn, how long am I going to keep having these damn dreams?"

 

Taking a deep breath, Un-MIC stared at the wounds on the parts of his body that weren't replaced by machinery, and then pushed himself to his feet.

He then donned his mask, as always, and slung his greatsword over his shoulder, which was leaning against the wall.

He then laughed out loud to cheer himself up.

 

"I'm not going to let that get me down, though. Kwa hah hah hah!"

 

For it was his credo to think positively and cheerfully, rather than negatively.

After a round of laughter, Un-MIC turned to stare at the photo of his now-departed companions,

and then turned and walked back to the battlefield, determined not to lose any more.

Moon-Submerged Lake

Crimson Tooth Wulard

"Khng..."

 

A young Sacred Beast was caught in an old net trap and was crying, unable to move.

But his cries were not very loud. 

After all, no amount of crying would change the fact that he was alone.

 

The Guiding River was not home to many Sacred Beasts compared to the Starfall Forest and the Moon-Submerged Lake.

The Maleficents that came up from the adjacent land and the rough terrain made it inhospitable for the Sacred Beasts.

Still, some Sacred Beasts survived. So did the young Sacred Beast's pack.

Up until the Maleficents wiped them out.

 

The young Sacred Beast survived by sheer luck, but he was not happy.

Besides his wounds from the run and his growing hunger, he was sick of being alone.

 

 "Vezzlo, a Sacred Beast is caught here! It sounds like a young one, too."

 

Just as he was about to close his eyes, an unfamiliar voice sounded in the young Sacred Beast's ear.

Soon, a golden blade sliced through the worn netting that blocked its vision.

It was the "humans" he had occasionally seen at the Guiding River. 

 

"I told you long ago to get rid of this old trap. It almost killed this little innocent one."

 

The humans approached the young Sacred Beast. Vezzlo seemed to be the name of one of them.

 

"Come to think of it, this one looks like the offspring of the ones who were killed by the Maleficents last time."

 

The human named Vezzlo petted the young Sacred Beast. 

The warmth of the human's touch was so soothing, causing the beast to fall into a deep sleep.

 

In his dream, the young Sacred Beast ran to his pack, but they were scattered.

Realizing that it was only a dream, he sobbed.

 

"Oh geez, he sounds so sad."

 

The young Sacred Beast opened his eyes. 

He saw the human named Vezzlo, a mountain of fruit, and his wounds covered with herbs. 

He looked at his wounds, the fruit, and Vezzlo.

Noticing the wariness in his eyes, Vezzlo gestured and spoke.

 

"While you were sleeping, Yatan - I mean, our leader - gave it to me. It's yours."

 

And with that, the young Sacred Beast devoured the fruit before him.

The sweetness of the fruit made him forget his caution.

 

"It's not easy being alone, human or Sacred Beast."

 

Vezzlo reached out his arm and stroked the young Sacred Beast's head. 

And then, he gestured again.

 

"Do you want to come with me?"

 

The young Sacred Beast quickly understood Vezzlo's intentions.

He followed Vezzlo to the lake, but he couldn't help but keep looking back.

Finally, he stopped walking when he saw the lake in front of him.

 

"Oh, you're sad about leaving your home."

 

Vezzlo, who had been leading the way, turned back to the young Sacred Beast. He said,

 

"Then, how about this? I'll come to see you. You won't be lonely again."

 

I'll come to see you again.

Although he couldn't quite make out the meaning, it sounded good, so the young Sacred Beast nodded.

 

"What should I call you? Let me think... Okay, how about Wulard?"

"That's the name of a friend of mine who liked the Guiding River. I think it suits you."

"I'm not sure if giving you the name of a dead hunter is a good idea, though."

 

His words resonated pleasantly with the young Sacred Beast. The young Sacred Beast nodded again.

 

"I'm glad you like it."

"Well, then, Wulard. I'll be back. Until then, take care of yourself."

 

From that day forward, the young Sacred Beast was no longer lonely.

He had a friend who kept his promise, and he had a name.

He learned to hunt Maleficents with his friend, and he grew stronger.

In time, the young Sacred Beast grew up and became known as Wulard, the Guardian of the Guiding River.

As the weak young Sacred Beast grew to become a great and powerful Sacred Beast,

one thing remained unchanged.

Vezzlo would always come to see Wulard again.

 

Zermio the Assailant

The stream crashed like lightning through the floating islands.

The Maleficent followed it down, and farther down.

He sought to reach the end of the stream, the land of his kind.

But the Maleficent failed to reach it, and collapsed into the watery mud.

 

"Damn them... Damned people... Damned creatures..."

 

His angry screams cut through the sound of the rushing water.

But soon, the Maleficent coughed up blood, unable to bear the pain from the wounds all over his body.

Still, the Maleficent screamed, vomiting everything inside of him.

Frustration with himself for not being born with immense power.

Resentment for his own kind, who looked down on him because he was only good at running away.

And anger at the humans who dared not fear him, who was a Maleficent.

 

The Maleficent's screams turned into a soundless roar,

but he didn't stop. He wanted to forget, to erase, to wipe it away,

but inside him, the stream of memory grew into a mighty river.

 

"Vezzlo, he's getting away! We have to chase him!" 

"He won't make it far. Take care of your companions!"

 

The hunter who lost an eye to him, but still managed to cut through his shoulder.

The hunter who lost an arm to him, but still managed to slash at his waist.

And finally, the hunter who pierced his throat with a golden arrow.

 

The great stream of memories rushed through his fading consciousness.

 

"The Moon Hunters... The Moon Hunters..."

 

The Maleficent repeated the name that had humiliated him. And he hoped and wished. 

To crush the remaining eye of the one who had cut through his shoulder.

To cut off the remaining arm of the one who had slashed at his waist. 

To inflict a pain worse than death on the last one who pierced his throat.

 

The Maleficent was willing to sell his soul to fulfill those wishes. 

Especially that Moon Hunter with the giant ivory, the Maleficent thought, 

who stared down at him with those arrogant eyes. Little did he know, 

his thoughts now bore a striking resemblance to human prayers.

 

Camerin, Keeper of the Land

A brilliant sunset covered Inae, the massive floating city of machines.

The gray smoke made by the Gear Workshop and Main Spring's inventors,

the big and small airships that docked one by one in the trading port,

the tired faces of the Maleficence Raiders returning from their battles with the Maleficents,

all seemed equally bathed in this twilight.

Only the brown hair of a woman standing in the square seemed to glow brighter.

Busy with a list of some sort in her hand, the woman was oblivious to the dying of the day.

 

*Poke*

 

The gruff-looking Constellation Turtle at the woman's side casually poked her in the arm.

 

"What, Bamu? I'll just reorganize my schedule and play with you. Just wait a bit."

 

She had to decide with Gear Workshop and Main Spring where to host the next Inae Conference,

and with the Merchant Guild whether to charge tolls to foreign airships docking at the trade port this year.

And tomorrow, she had to go out all day to respond to reports of sightings of Maleficents with the Maleficence Raiders.

Of course, there was a bit of pride in the fact that this was the kind of work she could do as a Moon Hunter,

but with the strange increase in Maleficent reports these days, it also set a schedule she had no choice but to follow.

 

As such, she was left with a mountain of work to do, and days like this were repeated.

Sometimes she wished she had clones to help her stay on top of things.

 

The woman continued, her gaze still downcast.

 

"If I go to Bunnyhorn first, Rolumber will be upset, right? Okay, so I'll go to Gear Workshop first, and..."

"Bamu..."

 

The woman continued to talk to herself as she looked at the list.

Her words were all filled with things that were not for her, but for others.

They were words that came from caring for the living, breathing people in Inae, not just from settling disputes and regulating rules.

 

It was also her job to rejoice in someone's joy and comfort someone in their sorrow.

Perhaps her days were filled with things she could and wanted to do, not only because she was a Keeper of the Land and a Moon Hunter, but also because she was Camerin as a person.

 

*Poke*

 

Bamu, Camerin's Constellation Turtle, poked her arm again.

 

"Okay, Bamu. Let me finish this, and then I'll play with you."

 

"Grab!"

 

Bamu, now full of anger, started biting Camerin's arm.

It didn't bleed, of course, but it still hurt.

The list of appointments she was holding in her hand fell to the ground.

The list scattered in all directions.

 

"Oh no, my list! Bamu, what's wrong with you today?"

 

Sitting down and picking up the papers, Camerin looked up to see Bamu looking down at her from above.

Bamu grinned smugly, as if satisfied, and turned away.

Dusk colored Camerin's vision, which had been blocked by Bamu.

It was an unusually deep colored sunset.

 

"Bamu, did you want me to see this?"

"Bamu!"

 

Camerin stood up and stared at the sky.

The crimson sky felt like it was swallowing her whole.

Even her busy mind was suddenly filled with nothing but the red glow of the sunset.

 

"It's okay to take a short break, right?"

 

At Camerin's words, Bamu happily offered his back.

She picked up the list on the ground and jumped onto his back.

The higher Bamu flew, the better the view of Sunken Depths became.

 

"I hope everyone is at peace wherever this sunset touches, even if it's just for a moment. Don't you, Bamu?"

 

Bamu didn't answer, but instead snorted.

He had hoped Camerin would take a moment to rest, but she was right back to wishing for the well-being of others.

But this is Camerin, he thought, and Bamu carried her higher.

The day's flight continued until the sun had completely set.

 

Cheshire the Copycat

"Yatan, Yatan. Let's play! Let's play!"

 

As Cheshire approached, whining, Yatan reached out a rough hand and patted him on the head.

As they talked with serious looks on their faces, Cheshire suddenly wondered.

 

"Yatan. Yatan and everyone else, why are you playing with me?"

 

Cheshire's long hair writhed.

It wasn't just humans who found the creature awkward, for it was hard to liken it to any other creature.

The Sacred Beasts of Moon-Submerged Lake turned their backs on Cheshire.

It was Yatan and the other Moon Hunters who took him in and cared for him.

Even in the midst of their serious talk, Yatan looked at Cheshire with a gentle smile.

 

"That's because we love you, Cheshire."

"Love? What's that?"

"It's the feeling of wanting to keep talking to you, wanting to be with you, wanting to cherish you." 

"Mm... That's hard to understand."

 

Cheshire's long hair writhed again.

 

"Cheshire, how do you feel when you play pranks on us?"

"I want to keep doing it! I love playing!"

"That's because you love us, Cheshire. Because you love us, you want to play pranks on us. Because you love us, you want to keep playing with us."

"Me? Love you Moon Hunters? You Yatan?"

"Yes."

"You Yatan and Moon Hunters. Love me?"

"Yes, we do."

 

Cheshire realized then.

That he was hungry for love.

That there was someone who loved him.

That he had been playing pranks because he needed to love and be loved.

Cheshire's whole body twisted with the joy of finally figuring something out, the joy of being loved.

His grotesque form contorted into something even more bizarre, but Yatan and the Moon Hunters only smiled at the sight.

 

“I love you all, too!”

 

Cheshire's body grew huge as he hugged everyone in the room.

But... something was wrong.

Normally, someone would have cried out, someone would have struggled to break free, someone would have gasped for air, and someone would have laughed, albeit choked up.

But this time, no one made a sound. No one moved. No one laughed.

They just stood there, cold in Cheshire's arms.

 

"Guys...? What's wrong? Yatan...? Wh-where... are you?"

 

Feeling like he was dreaming, Cheshire was thoroughly confused.

Unaware of his slurred speech, Cheshire stumbled around the room.

Looking for Yatan and the other Moon Hunters.

Looking for those who would always play with him.

Looking for those who loved him.

But all he found were those who had been killed by something, too dead to speak.

 

"N-no... D-did I... do this?"

 

He knew instinctively.

The cuts and marks of mutilation.

That they were all his.

That he had killed everyone he loved with his own hands.

 

"Aah... Aaah... Aaaah..."

 

Cheshire's tears fell from his unfocused eyes, down his distorted cheeks, and onto his cold body.

Something boiled inside him. It wasn't love, and it wasn't anger. It was only a strange energy, encroaching from the outside.

It was a force, and it messed with Cheshire's head.

I want to play pranks on people. I want to be with everyone. I want to love. I want to be loved.

I want to play.

Cheshire's long hair moved.

Like a doll, a corpse on the floor was picked up by his long hair and carried straight into Cheshire's mouth.

The familiar voice of the Moon Hunter came out of Cheshire's mouth.

 

"Hah hah. Hah hah hah. Hah hah hah hah!"

 

Cheshire laughed, but the tears still wouldn't stop.

It was all he could do, in his fading consciousness.

 

"Come play with me."

 

Sowing Murk

Murk's discovery of the seeds was nothing more than an accident.

He was just swimming along when he felt something on his tail and checked it out.

There, dangling from his tail, were a few crude-looking seeds, barely hanging on, as if begging for their lives.

 

"Seeds, no need."

 

Flowers, grasses, and other plants littered the land where he lived.

How could things that are so common become so precious?

No human living at Moon-Submerged Lake would call them treasures.

To Murk, who collected beautiful and precious things, they were worthless.

But if he threw them back into the water, they might catch on his tail and become a nuisance again.

So, Murk kept the seeds.

Next to the secret place where he hid his treasures.

 

After more time than he could remember,

Murk came back to this place, as he always did, to hide something valuable.

But it wasn't the treasure that caught his eye.

It was a fragile sprout poking through the crude shell.

Apparently, the warm sunlight and the water that fell from Murk as he went in and out of the water had helped the seed grow.

At first, Murk considered dismissing the sight, but he planted the seeds, anyway.

Perhaps it was a whim, as the humans called it.

 

After that, Murk checked the seeds every time he came here.

At first it was just a glance, but over time it grew into an observation.

At first it was neglect, but over time it became care.

At first it was indifference, but over time it became affection.

And so Murk began to love plants, to love the buds that were growing.

And Murk's whims grew stronger.

 

Finally, it came to fruition.

Soon after the buds formed, the plants were in full bloom.

Murk was lucky enough to see it with his own eyes.

The tiny buds burst into full bloom in the sunlight.

Dozens of colorful flowers, covering the barren ground.

The transformation of something small and insignificant into something new.

It was a sight Murk had never seen before, and it stopped him in his tracks.

 

"...Incredible."

 

Murk walked over to the field of flowers and stroked one that had just bloomed.

Suddenly Murk realized.

The tiny whim had blossomed and filled his heart.

The flowers before him seemed more precious than any treasure.

He would never forget this sight for the rest of his life.

 

Tending plants is more than I thought it would be.

 

A breeze picked up.

The flowers swayed in the breeze,

as if they were pleased.

 

Grailo the Logger

Did you know?

Where Grailo passes, the way becomes a path.

That's because Grailo destroys all the trees as he passes.

No tree can survive Grailo's passage.

That's why there's always a path around Moon-Submerged Lake.

Grailo moves around the lake a lot.

To make sure we can get anywhere around the lake.

He really does live up to his nickname, doesn't he?

But there's something else you should know.

Grailo doesn't destroy just any tree.

The trees he destroys have to be destroyed.

What do I mean?

Grailo doesn't destroy trees that are fine.

You know, the ones that get too big and choke out the grass, or the ones that are already dead?

Yes, Grailo only takes care of those.

Because if they remain, they can affect all of Moon-Submerged Lake.

How does he know which one to destroy?

Grailo is a very smart Sacred Beast.

The way they look, the way they smell, the sound they make when tapped.

He puts them all together, makes a judgment,

and destroys them.

And clears a path for us while he's at it.

Huh? Why am I telling you this?

...I just don't want you to get the wrong idea.

Please don't hate Grailo.

Not now. Not ever.

At least not you. No matter what he becomes.

 

Disciple of Doom

Doomseeker Nox

Wanderment Malefic Beast Response Team Incident Scene Report.

 

Assumed that everyone disappeared from the village at the same time, based on the condition of the accumulated dust, Mist fuel canisters, etc.

Confirmed that all registered airships in Inae remain in the village dock; need to determine if any unregistered pirate ships have ever made a recorded voyage.

 

An inspection of each residence revealed that items were not cluttered and showed signs of recent use.

Given the lack of signs of combat, the field investigator believes that the Malefic Beasts are unlikely to have been responsible.

 

Noteworthy: Several members of the group investigating the village square complained of mysterious dizziness and vomiting.

 

Purple traces and pieces of bandages were found near the square.

As part of the investigation cooperation requested by the Maleficence Raiders, and based on information that the missing person from Sky of a Thousand Seas had bandages all over his body,

the bandage pieces will be shipped to headquarters as evidence in the investigation.

 

Below are the personal notes of the reporting analyst.

Some say he had bandages all over his body, and others say no one saw his face except Ouinim.

How do you expect me to find him?

 

Main Characters

Staunch Askin

A boy guarding the dock at the entrance to the Crimson Mine Village.

Originally, the Crimson Mine Village was where the miners of the Bleeding Mines passed down their knowledge to the younger generations.

But starting with the generation before Askin's, people started to leave the village for other parts of the world.

Askin didn't care. He followed the adults, determined to carry on the village's livelihood.

The adults were impressed with him and taught him various skills, even though he was still young.

He's too young to go deep into the mines, and his mining skills are a work in progress, but his eye for good gemstones is recognized by the adults.

When Maleficents appeared one day, the adults entered the mines to stop them, and Askin was left to guard the Crimson Mine Village, waiting for them to return.

 

Maleficence Raiders Theas

A pilot in the Maleficence Raiders of Sunken Depths.

Among the Maleficence Raiders pilots who fearlessly fly their airships, Theas is known for his love of high speed.

In keeping with his personality, his airship is a small speedboat that is well suited for fast travel.

He loves to meet new people and acts like they're his friends, even if they've only just met.

Many people assume that since he's always on the move, he's likely to enjoy active hobbies as well, but instead, Theas likes to spend his spare time reading books and exploring ancient ruins.

This is because he's been interested in ancient history and the existence of gods since he was a child, and his knowledge of the past is quite deep.

 

Moon Hunter Vezzlo

A Moon Hunter of Sunken Depths who hunts Maleficents. 

He's considered the most skilled even among the Moon Hunters, who are known to be especially proficient at hunting Maleficents in Sunken Depths.

He assists Guiding Yatan in leading the Moon Hunters and is the de facto number two among the group. 

While he's quick and cold-hearted when dealing with Maleficents, he's usually soft-spoken and friendly, quickly bonding with both humans and Sacred Beasts alike. 

Because of this, he's always surrounded by many Sacred Beasts, big and small. Wulard, the Sacred Beast known as the Guardian of the Guiding River, is particularly fond of him.

 

Bunnyhorn the Freak

Main Spring's most famous inventor.

Bunnyhorn is a well-recognized eccentric even within Main Spring, and his brilliant ideas often terrify those around him.

An eccentric even among eccentrics, he can't stand not putting his ideas into practice, and eighty percent of his inventions end in explosions.

As a result, he's destroyed dozens of buildings, but his achievements are enough to make up for the damage and allow him to continue his career.

A jovial personality, he's friendly to everyone, even to Rolumber of Gear Workshop, who is considered his rival.

Rolumber, on the other hand, who values manners and decorum, finds him very annoying.

He's famously quoted as saying, "Build it, and if it explodes, so be it."

 

 

Inventor Rolumber

Gear Workshop's most representative inventor.

He's synonymous with the rigid nature of the Gear Workshop.

His designs are notoriously difficult to implement, but once implemented, they perform exceptionally well.

Rolumber's dexterity, however, is somewhat mediocre, and it's a shame that he can't materialize his great designs.

This weakness, combined with his sensitive nature that requires him to adhere to manners and etiquette, roles and rules, plans and procedures, makes him very irritable when he's creating something.

These cold and selfish aspects of Rolumber can be repulsive to others, but he also has the grace to recognize and apologize for his mistakes, which makes him impossible to hate.

He dislikes Bunnyhorn of Main Spring with a passion, having learned that his very existence is a nuisance.

He's famously quoted as saying, "Changing a finished design? Then, it wasn't finished in the first place!"

 

Scenario

Season 14. Sunken Depths will be added to the Quest Book.

- 3 new Act quests will be added.

- 1 new Episode quest will be added.

 

Temple of Death

The first temple of the goddess Usir.
It's hidden on one of the floating islands of the Shimmering Archipelago, and only Death's Sentinels know of it.
A hidden entrance between the floating islands reveals the massive gateway to the Temple of Death, which can only be opened and entered by those authorized by Death.
To outsiders, it's just a rumor, as it's hard to believe that there are people in Seon who haven't benefited from Mistpunk.

 

Quests

A new Act, The Temple of Death, will be added.

You can unlock it by accepting the Lv. 110 Act quest, A Surging Threat.

 

Azure Main

The mothership of the Bluehawks, and one of only a handful of Barrat-class airships in all of Seon.
She's the home of the Bluehawks, and is big enough to carry all of the Bluehawks' ships.
Her bow is decorated with the shape of the Sacred Beast Swingscat, so when the Azure Main breaks through the mist, she looks like a giant Sacred Beast in motion.
At her center is a large-scale power source called the Heart of the Clear Sea, which absorbs and converts the surrounding mist into energy in real-time to propel the airship.
For the Bluehawk crew, a close-knit family, this is more than a mothership; she's their home away from home.

 

Quests

A new Act, Azure Main, will be added.

You can unlock it by accepting the Lv. 112 Act quest, Long-Standing Conflict.

 

Moon-Submerged Lake

A huge moonlit lake.
The moon's reflection on the lake's surface makes it appear as if it is submerged in the lake, a beautiful sight that mesmerizes the first-time viewer.
Unlike the dark surroundings, the moonlight on the surface of the lake looks like a brightly lit lantern.
Sacred Beasts live on the shores of the lake and Moon Hunters live in the center of the lake, coexisting with each other.

 

Quests

A new Act, Moon-Submerged Lake, will be added.

You can unlock it by accepting the Lv. 113 Act quest, The Purpose of the Raid.

 

Disciple of Doom

Something is amiss on one of the floating islands of the Shimmering Archipelago.
A blackened lake that sends the mind reeling as you approach it.
People report that it's been eroded by malefic energy. But the ominous and powerful energy felt from this lake is not malefic energy.

 

Quests

A new Episode, The Disciple of Doom, will be added.

You can unlock it by accepting the Lv. 112 Episode quest, Suspicious Traveler.

 

Episode Quest Skip Feature Improved

The Clear Past Quest and Clear Current Quest features will be merged and reorganized into the Clear Act Quests feature.

- This feature gives you one-stop access to the latest Act quests available at your current Character Level.

- Older Act quests will be cleared without reward and will be available for replay at any time.

 

Fame restrictions on Season 13 Act Quest acceptance and Scenario Dungeon Normal mode will be removed.

The large amount of Quest Completion EXP that was awarded for Season 12 and Season 13 Lv. 110 Act quests will no longer be awarded.

If you reach Lv. 110 through Fast Leveling mode, Act quests up to Season 13's Lingering Unrest will be cleared.

 

If you're a Lv. 110 character who can skip the current season's Act quests, the pop-up window shown above will be displayed.

- If you select Skip, quests up to Season 14 Sunken Depths scenario's first Act quest will be cleared without reward.

- If you select Continue, you will continue the Act quest you're currently on.

- Even if you select this route, you can always use the Clear Act Quests feature in the Quest Book at any time.

 

 

Season 12 and 13 Lv. 110 Act quests will now display the following text:

- This quest doesn't provide a large amount of EXP for leveling up.

 

World Map

New Area: Sunken Depths

The new area, Sunken Depths, will be added to the World Map.

· Accessible after completing the Lv. 110 Act quest, The March of Horn Beasts.

 

New Towns

3 new towns will be added.

Crimson Mine Village

The mines called Bleeding Mines because the minerals being mined are exceptionally red.
And the small village near the mines was also aptly named the Crimson Mine Village.
The miners who have worked in the Bleeding Mines all their lives, and the younger generations who inherited the know-how from them, continue their family legacy here.

 

The new town, Crimson Mine Village, will be added to Sunken Depths.

- Accessible after completing the Lv. 110 Act quest, The March of Horn Beasts.

 

Inae, City of Promise

A massive city of airships floating above the Empty Sea.
The layered airships look like buildings, and these structures are stacked and stacked again to form one giant airship.
A trading city centered around the Merchant Guild, it's in charge of the flow of money and supplies throughout Seon. Due to these characteristics and its limited time of exposure, it's called Inae, City of Promise.
Its tall buildings, piled high due to the limited space of land, seem precarious, but are made safe by the giant airship at its center, Xavi's Compass, and its excellent design.

 

The new town, Inae, City of Promise, will be added to Sunken Depths.

- Accessible after completing the Lv. 112 Act quest, To the City of Promise.

 

Sanctuary of Scattered Stars

The gathering place of the Moon Hunters.
Located in the center of Moon-Submerged Lake, it's a tacit gathering place for the Moon Hunters who live in nature.
Originally, the Moon Hunters, in order to hunt safely, didn't keep specific places to live. Over time however they needed a place to gather.
Naturally, they chose the place where they could best see the giant moon from the lake. As the place of their shelter, it came to be known as the Sanctuary of Scattered Stars.

 

The new town, Sanctuary of Scattered Stars, will be added to Sunken Depths.

- Accessible after completing the Lv. 113 Act quest, Impersonation.

 

DFO Chronicle

 

The Season 14. Sunken Depths entry will be added, following the release of Sunken Depths.

- Related webstories, webtoons, and DFU items will also be added.

 

DFO Chronicle - Season 13 items will be reorganized.

- Moved A New Beginning to The Path to Seon.

- Improved the way titles are displayed for each event.

 

Log Feature Added

The Log feature will be added to the dialogue displayed during Act/Episode/Guide quests.

- Only for quests that offer a replay.

- You can use the Log function by clicking the LOG button in the upper-right corner of the Dialogue window or by entering the [Backspace] key.

   ㄴ In Scenario dungeons, however, there may be dialogue that intentionally excludes the Log feature for cinematic reasons.

 

You can use the Log feature to display the View Log window.

- You can use the View Log window to review the dialogue that has passed before the one currently being displayed.

   ㄴ You can only view dialogue from the currently active quests. Dialogue from past quests that you've already completed can be viewed through Replay.

- The dialogue currently being displayed is shown at the bottom of the View Log window.

- You can control the scrollbar with the mouse and the [↑] and [↓] keys.

- You can close the View Log window by entering the [Esc] or [Backspace] key, and resume playing.

 

Replay Feature Improved

The way dialogue is organized in the Quest Details on the Replay tab will be changed.

- Changed the way text is organized and added character names. (This change also extends to all quests.)

- Added Scenario Dungeon cinematics dialogue and Quest completion dialogue. (Only for Act/Episode/Guide quests that offer replays)

 

The Try button will be added to the right of all Quest titles in the Replay tab.

- For quests that consist of dialogue only, clicking the Try It Again button will allow you to replay the dialogue through the Dialogue window.

- For quests that consist of dialogue and Scenario Dungeon progression, clicking the Try button will allow you to replay the Dialogue window and the Scenario dungeon. (Dungeon progression will be the same as before.)

   ㄴ Can only be used in Seria's Room.

 

The View Log button will be added to all quests in the Replay tab.

- After selecting a quest, click the View Log button at the bottom right of the Quest Book, and you can view the dialogue of the quest through the View Log window displayed.

 

The following Scenario dungeons will be added to the Replay tab.

Type	Season	Quest
Act	Season.1 Arad	Empress Skardi of the Principality
	Season.7 Pandemonium	Floater
	Season.8 Pandemonium War	Elting Memorial
	Season.9 Empyrean Chronicle	Etten's Commander Petra Noiman
	Season.9 Empyrean Chronicle	The Star That Got Away
	Season.10 Grim Seekers	Arad in Chaos
	Season.10 Grim Seekers	Right and Wrong
	Season.11 The Cult of Darkness	Revenge Feeds Revenge
	Season.12 A New Journey	What's Left behind the Battle
	Season.12 A New Journey	Where There's the Truth
	Season.12 A New Journey	Undying Flames
	Season.12 A New Journey	Sky's Wish Gate
	Season.12 A New Journey	A Very Small Difference
	Season.12 A New Journey	Back to Where We Belong
	Season.13 The First World under the Sky	Surprising Facts
	Season.13 The First World under the Sky	Sort Out the Situation
	Season.13 The First World under the Sky	To the Scholar District
	Season.13 The First World under the Sky	Following the Case
	Season.13 The First World under the Sky	To the Living District
	Season.13 The First World under the Sky	Back to the Square
	Season.13 The First World under the Sky	To the Saint Horn
	Season.13 The First World under the Sky	The Threat of Dusky Island
	Season.13 The First World under the Sky	Clearmist's Curtains Lifted
	Season.13 The First World under the Sky	Lopes's Real Purpose
	Season.13 The First World under the Sky	In the Same Direction
	Season.13 The First World under the Sky	Preparing to Go to the Forest of Awakening
Episode	Mediator of Balance	Back into the Rift
	Mediator of Balance	True Intentions