CHAPTER 232: SUN ISLAND II

Rhys nodded, gripping his sword tighter.

"Alright—let’s end this!"

The Sea-Flare Serpent let out another ear-splitting hiss and slammed its tail down across the deck. Wood splintered. The ship lurched. Aqua squeaked and grabbed Rhys’s sleeve.

Aria quickly cast a barrier over the group.

"Hold steady! I’ve got you!"

Sophia shouted from the side.

"It’s targeting Rhys! Watch for another lunge!"

Caria grinned fiercely.

"Then let’s make sure it regrets that!"

She dashed forward again, axes glowing faintly. She swung at the serpent’s jaw, forcing it to rear up. The monster snapped its teeth in anger and aimed straight at her.

"Caria, move!" Rhys yelled.

She rolled aside just in time. The serpent’s head shot forward, missing her by inches and slamming into the deck instead.

Rhys used the chance.

He ran up the creature’s lowered neck, jumped, and slashed downward with Vertical Slash, leaving a glowing line of damage across its scales.

Puddle cheered.

"Master fast! Master strong!"

Aqua raised her hands and fired Water Jet, hitting one of the serpent’s fins.

The creature roared in pain.

Sophia chanted another spell and dozens of small light arrows shot out at once, striking the serpent’s body.

"We’re wearing it down!" she shouted. "Keep pushing!"

The serpent, furious now, twisted violently and slammed its entire body against the ship’s side.

A massive wave crashed over the deck.

Everyone stumbled.

Aria almost fell, but Lyra casually snagged her collar and set her back upright without even uncrossing her arms.

"Thanks," Aria breathed.

Lyra nodded.

"Don’t worry. I won’t let you fall into the sea. Just... fight properly."

Rhys coughed out seawater.

"Not helping! You’re still not helping!"

Lyra smirked.

"You’re doing fine."

The serpent rose up again, gathering energy in its throat—preparing its breath attack.

Sophia’s eyes widened.

"That attack will blow the ship in half! Stop it before it fires!"

Rhys made a split-second decision.

"Puddle! Aqua! Hit its eyes!"

"Okay!"

"Okay!"

Puddle fired Light Bullets—five bright shots hitting the serpent’s left eye.

Aqua blasted the right eye with Water Jet.

The serpent screeched, the light in its throat flickering.

Caria didn’t wait.

She jumped off the railing, using the monster’s scales as footholds, sprinted up its neck, and slammed her axes down on its skull.

"STAY DOWN!"

The monster collapsed, dazed.

Rhys saw the opening.

He charged forward, mana swirling around his blade. He activated Whirlwind Slash, spinning into a tight, powerful strike that tore through the serpent’s weakened neck.

The Sea-Flare Serpent froze.

Then, slowly...

It fell back into the ocean with a massive splash.

Silence fell on the deck.

Aqua peeked over the railing.

"...Is it gone?"

Puddle raised her fist triumphantly.

"Victory for Master team!"

Sophia wiped her forehead.

"That was dangerous... but we handled it."

Aria healed everyone’s scrapes and bruises.

"No serious injuries. Thank goodness."

Caria grinned wildly.

"Now THAT was a fight! Sun Island hasn’t even started and it’s already spicy!"

Rhys leaned on the railing, trying to catch his breath.

"Spicy isn’t the word I’d use..."

He glanced at Lyra.

She stretched her arms lazily.

"See? You didn’t need me. You all handled it well."

Rhys frowned.

"You’re enjoying this too much."

"Maybe," Lyra said with a small smile.

The ship resumed its slow approach toward the shore, the golden cliffs now just minutes away.

Aqua tugged on Rhys’s sleeve.

"Um... Master... will the island monsters be... scarier?"

Rhys sighed.

"Probably."

Puddle nodded seriously.

"Then we fight!"

Caria laughed.

"Well said!"

Sophia pointed forward.

"We’ll be docking soon. Everyone, prepare yourselves."

Aria smiled gently.

"Sun Island... here we come."

Rhys straightened.

"Alright," he said. "Let’s step onto the island like a real team."

The ship pressed onward.

Toward Sun Island.

Toward whatever chaos waited next.

The hull groaned as it brushed against the shallow reefs, and the ship finally drifted into the small wooden pier jutting out from Sun Island’s coast.

Golden cliffs towered above them—jagged formations glowing faintly as if reflecting a perpetual sunset. The air felt warmer, thicker, humming with an unfamiliar energy.

A soft chime followed.

[ You have entered: Sun Island – Outer Coastline ]

[ Recommended Level: 240+ ]

[ Environmental Hazard: Solar Overcharge (Minor) ]

Exposure to concentrated sunlight may slightly increase mana consumption and fatigue.

Rhys blinked.

"...What kind of island is this?"

Lyra stepped off the ship first, landing lightly on the pier.

"One that eats unprepared players for breakfast. Stay alert."

Caria hopped onto the dock with a loud thud, stretching her arms.

"Good! Finally a place that looks fun!"

Sophia scanned the surroundings, her staff glowing faintly.

"I’m sensing... multiple mana signatures. Some are strong."

Aria stepped up beside her.

"Hostile?"

"Very."

Aqua stayed close to Rhys, clutching his cape nervously.

"Master... I feel something. Something big."

Puddle stood proudly beside her, puffing up like a tiny guardian.

"Master safe! Puddle protect!"

Rhys smiled faintly and patted her head.

"Let’s go slowly. No rushing."

They stepped off the dock and onto the sandy path leading inland. The sun overhead was bright—unnaturally so. The golden cliffs shimmered like they were alive, pulsing faintly with each step they took.

Caria whistled.

"This place is gorgeous. Deadly, probably, but gorgeous."

Sophia nodded.

"It’s known for rare materials and powerful field bosses. Sun Island is a top-tier leveling spot."

A sudden clang echoed nearby.

Rhys immediately drew his sword.

"Everyone, ready up."

The group tensed.

Something crawled out from behind the rocks—a creature made of molten gold and cracked stone. It resembled a lizard, but its body radiated heat like a furnace.

[ Sun-Scaled Lizard – Level 243 ]

[ Trait: Overheat Burst ]

The lizard hissed, steam rolling off its skin.

Caria cracked her knuckles.

"Oh, a warm-up."

Sophia narrowed her eyes.

"It explodes when killed. Don’t stand close."

Aqua squeaked.

"Then what do we do?!"

Rhys raised his sword.

"We fight smart."

Before anyone else moved, a shadow streaked past them.

Caria blinked.

"Wait—what was THAT?"

A figure landed in front of them, blade dripping with molten gold. The lizard had been split clean in half before it could even react.

The creature exploded—but the stranger flicked his wrist, creating a shimmering barrier that absorbed the blast like it was nothing.

Rhys tensed.

"Who—?"

The man straightened.

Tall. Calm. Wearing sun-themed armor with white-gold trim. His eyes glowed faintly amber, like miniature suns trapped inside.

He tapped his sword on the sand, sending sparks dancing.

"Ah," he said. "So you’re the newcomers who defeated the Sea-Flare Serpent."

Lyra’s expression hardened.

"...Solbrand."

Caria’s eyebrows shot up.

"Wait. THE Solbrand? Ranked number 12 in the global leaderboard?"

Sophia tightened her grip on her staff.

"A top-tier player showing up this fast...? What does he want?"

The man smiled politely, but there was something sharp behind it.

"I welcome you to Sun Island," Solbrand said.

"And I have a question for Rhys."

A thin tension sliced the air.

Rhys stepped forward.

"...What question?"

Solbrand raised his blade slightly.

"Why," he asked calmly, "is an Ancient-class creature obeying you?"

Rhys froze.

Sophia inhaled sharply.

"...He noticed Puddle."

Lyra moved slightly in front of Rhys.

"Be careful," she whispered. "He’s not here for greetings."

Puddle clung to Rhys’s leg.

"Master... danger?"

Solbrand watched her carefully.

"No need to be afraid. I don’t harm children. But I will take that Ancient if its master proves unworthy."

Rhys’s expression darkened.

"You’re not touching her."

A smile tugged at Solbrand’s lips.

"Then prove," he said, pointing his sword toward Rhys,

"that you deserve to stand on Sun Island."

The wind hardened around them.

Magic surged.

Everyone’s weapons lit up.

The first confrontation of Sun Island was about to begin.