Chapter 576.5: Encountering Leviathan
Liana nervously recorded data, ensuring the freshly-developed magic tools worked correctly.
Even knowing her mentor wouldn't blame her, Liana still insisted on doing her best.
She wanted the magic tools she helped develop to have greater impact.
To help Bay's soldiers survive and defeat more enemies.
Beside her, Elio recorded data on sea monsters—their stats, value, and combat methods.
So that next time they encountered these monsters, they could take them down faster.
By mid-April—
Bay Territory's fleet left the Caribbean, arriving at the Farsico Sea, and the infamous Sea of Death.
The Yao Moon Family stopped at Farsico for two days, helping Bay complete massive trade deals.
The full five million gold arrived, but before it even warmed in Matthew's hands—it was gone.
Yaya was heartbroken and decided to spend the money herself.
She purchased rare metals, precious arcane materials, high-tech golem cores, and more.
Local traders in Farsico were fascinated by the many sea monsters Bay had hunted.
Matthew traded common materials for the rare metals Bay desperately needed.
And no amount of that stuff was ever enough.
The other soldiers took a short break, sleeping soundly on solid ground for two days.
All warships and transports rested at Farsico's northern port.
Noticing the region's turmoil, Matthew chose to leave decisively before trouble hit.
With fresh food and fruit supplies loaded—
Bay's fleet resumed their southward journey.
Looking at the Western-styled port city, Matthew's gaze was a bit complicated.
Now was not the time to get mixed up in that mess!
Besides, Bay Territory currently lacked the power or status to get involved.
One wrong step and they'd be smashed to pieces!
Upon entering the Sea of Death—
The eerie calm, so different from the Caribbean, made the soldiers relax a bit.
But when the nets were cast—
And they hauled up a batch of grotesque fish monsters—no one dared relax anymore.
These fish had sharp, menacing fangs.
Once aboard, they bit wildly at each other—even at themselves.
Their armor-like scales couldn't be cut easily by swords.
Their small bodies held explosive power.
And it wasn't just one net—every catch was the same.
Even the sea birds flying overhead mutated—three wings, four legs, two heads, bizarre forms.
The soldiers snapped to attention, treating all local lifeforms with utmost caution.
Compared to the torment of wind and waves, sea monsters were far more deadly.
Still, the team didn't stop fishing.
Matthew and Yaya seized this rare chance to study the Sea of Death's twisted marine life.
Matthew came to a grim conclusion:
"This sea is heavily polluted. The deep mutation of monsters has been fully integrated into the local food chain."
Almost all fish and marine life showed severe signs of mutation.
What fascinated Matthew even more—these twisted monsters could reproduce.
In other words, the Sea of Death was a fully mutated ocean.
April 20.
Sea of Death.
Clear skies.
The glittering golden surface shimmered beautifully.
But beneath that calm lay extreme mutation and danger.
With two mutated body feats acquired, Matthew decisively fed a meter-long mutant fish into the magical material lab.
There, it would receive the "best care," contributing to Bay's development.
Just as Matthew turned to study another specimen, a distant, resonant cry swept across the sea.
Within it, Matthew sensed familiar tones and terrifying power.
That sound!
Yaya sprang up, halting her fish-watching game with Oriana.
Her eyes brimmed with deep caution, yet curiosity too.
Noticing Liana's pale face, Matthew smiled and explained:
"Don't worry. That's the call of a Leviathan. Seems it's in trouble and summoning help."
Leviathan?
Liana instinctively widened her eyes, looking at the cute, round Leviathan in her book—and felt her worldview shatter.
Leviathans were this terrifying?
Hearing that name, even Yaya couldn't help but show a look of excitement, her tension easing a bit.
Leviathans were scary—but this time, they were prepared.
Matthew knew that "plain-sounding" roar held layers of meaning.
A creature that could make the sea lord Leviathan cry for help must be terrifying.
But since they were here—for Bay's route development—they might as well prepare.
Understanding Matthew's gaze, Elio ordered the fleet to head toward the Leviathan's call.
Some Yao Moon Family members panicked at the "terrifying" command.
They came to make money, not die.
But Matthew's counter was simple—
He convinced the Yao Moon fleet's agent, Shuyu, who backed Bay's orders.
And so—
Over 30 ships surged toward the Leviathan.
Many Yao Moon members were baffled.
They'd rather take a longer, more dangerous route than face Leviathan directly.
Naturally, they thought Bay planned to kill the Leviathan.
Even though most had never seen one—
Just the name and old legends made them shiver.
But Matthew remained calm—he'd long been ready.
About an hour later—
The fleet arrived at a shimmering patch of sea.
The expanding ripples gave everyone a bad feeling.
From afar, Matthew saw the chaotic battlefield and said to an eager Yaya:
"Let's not disturb their meal. Don't want them getting mad."
Beside him, Liana grabbed her telescope.
Previously scared, she now showed an Arcanist's core trait—curiosity!
In her view was a rainbow-scaled sea serpent.
As thick as a barrel and 11–12 meters long, its mouth—normally with two fangs—was lined with terrifying jagged teeth.
It bit into a huge black-and-white fish, blood gushing and dying the sea red.
Even from afar, the giant sea serpent stunned Liana.
It was bizarre—nothing like any snake Liana had studied.
Worse, it wasn't alone. Dozens more wrapped the giant fish.
One was over 20 meters long!
Its huge fangs tore into the fish's belly, making it thrash in agony.
And that wasn't all—Liana saw a long-necked monster lying in wait.
"Is that huge fish the Leviathan? It looks awful—being bitten so badly!"
Yaya's eyes narrowed angrily at the sea serpents and monsters.
The black-and-white Leviathan, with its smooth skin and round belly, looked adorable.
The attackers? Ugly and grotesque.
ROAR—!
Another deep roar rang out.
This time, everyone heard it clearly.
The bloodied Leviathan leapt high, roaring in defiance.
Then crashed back, writhing in pain.
Trying to shake off the serpents and escape.
Hearing it cry out, no one felt fear anymore—just pity.
Seeing everyone's expressions, Matthew smiled slightly.
He silently calculated, already having a plan.
A call from one Leviathan should've summoned others.
Yet none arrived.
This could only mean the enemy was too numerous—even for other Leviathans to handle.
Matthew eyed the long-necked horror and muttered:
"Long-Necked Mutant Sea Dragon, long time no see."
Yes—this terrifying twisted beast was a dragon-blood creature.
A Legendary-tier nightmare!
Its presence emboldened the Legendary sea serpents to attack a Leviathan.
After all, Leviathans rivaled the legendary sea monster Kraken.
Even if this Leviathan was only Extraordinary-tier, other sea monsters were still prey before it.
But its massive abdominal wound kept it trapped.
The one who inflicted it? That long-necked sea dragon lurking nearby.
The gaping wound wasn't just painful—it was laced with horrifying toxins.
Only thanks to the Leviathan's strength and bulk was it still alive.
But it had lost over two-thirds of its health—soon to dip below half.
If they didn't act, this future Legendary sea monster might die before maturity.
Matthew glanced at Elio, who nodded and shouted:
"Target the sea serpents—open fire!"
BOOM!
Precision magic cannons roared in unison.
A barrage hit the largest sea serpent.
Though its scales resisted the first blast—
Ten more shells made it recoil, loosening its grip on the Leviathan.
The smart Leviathan noticed instantly. In pain, it stopped struggling.
It sensed that Bay had no intention of attacking it!
Seeing this, Matthew's eyes glinted, silently musing:
"So the disaster that corrupts Leviathans hasn't happened yet."
Another volley followed.
The largest serpent took a headshot—
And went limp.
Even its fangs loosened from the Leviathan's belly.
Feeling this, the Leviathan shivered with dread.
It barely had time to twist and roll.
But its back took another deep wound—worse than the belly.
It didn't flee. It tore off the flesh still in the serpent's mouth.
Blood spurted like a fountain. The Leviathan trembled.
But it spun, jaws wide, and bit the long-necked sea dragon.
SNAP!
The Leviathan chomped the bloated dragon's belly.
Tearing it open, spilling organs everywhere.
"-250!"
The sea dragon's HP plummeted by two-thirds!
Just one strike flipped the battle!
Yet the dragon didn't die—it shrieked, ordering serpents to strike the Leviathan's wounds.
Then tried to escape.
But just then—another round of cannon fire.
Over half the serpents were blasted away.
Freed, the Leviathan, though wounded, bared its fangs.
HSSSSSS—!
Five serpents nearby were sucked into its mouth!
Its wounds visibly healed.
Matthew even saw its HP jump from 1/3 to 1/2.
"Damn! It's healing while eating!"
"What kind of talent is that?!"