CHAPTER 75: CHAPTER75-HEART OF THE OCEAN IN HEARTSTEALER ISLAND

"Good to know," Berkeley said with an icy expression, "Now, meet your end."

The tail-general snorted heavily, defiance in his voice, "I’m not one to scare easily. I know arraymancers need time to set up their magic arrays. If I kill you before you finish setting up your magic array, then you’ll be just another ghost under my hammer!"

As his words fell, the tail-general was ready to move, but it was already too late.

Berkeley stood in the center of the magic array, his hands moving as if playing a harp, murmuring an incantation.

The air around him was thick with a potent magic aura, powerful energy gathering around his body.

As Berkeley’s chant grew louder and more intense, the magic array began to shine with a dazzling light.

Mysterious runes rose from the ground, swirling around Berkeley, forming a massive circular barrier.

"Tail-general, you’re too late. My magic array has been ready for a while now."

The tail-general’s figure appeared at the edge of the magic array. His fierce gaze fixed on Berkeley, a cold smirk on his lips.

"Is that so?"

He tried to step out of the magic array but was repelled by an invisible force.

He swung his hammer, striking the magic array.

The magic array vibrated but didn’t shatter.

"How is this possible? How could you set it up so quickly?" The tail-general’s eyes were filled with shock.

The speed at which Berkeley had set up the magic array far exceeded his expectations.

"Hmph, the souls in hell will explain why," Berkeley growled, as he continued to channel arcanergy through his body. "Level 5 Magic Array - Whirling Blade!"

As Berkeley’s words echoed, the light within the magic array intensified, and the runes began to flicker in various colors.

Immense magical power surged from all directions towards the tail-general, enveloping him completely.

The tail-general felt an overwhelming pressure encasing his body.

He struggled to break free, but his efforts were in vain.

He roared in anger, but his voice was muffled, isolated by the magic array.

Streams of bright white light converged within the magic array.

Suddenly, flashes of blades appeared, and the tail-general’s body was marked with numerous cuts, blood quickly covering him.

His eyes filled with terror, he fell to his knees, pleading for mercy.

However, his voice could no longer escape the confines of the magic array.

Seeing the tail-general’s pitiful state, the other merfolk retreated.

They turned and ran towards Gosa Waters.

"This is madness. Is this the power of a level 5 arraymancer?" one of them exclaimed.

"The tail-general was killed without any resistance. Who would believe this if we told them?" another added in disbelief.

"Why would a level 5 arraymancer come here? Are the humans really so idle?" a third wondered.

"Stop babbling and run!" someone shouted.

They fled without any courage, not caring what became of the tail-general.

Owen, witnessing the tail-general’s easy defeat, muttered to himself, "Arraymancers are indeed formidable, setting up magic arrays unseen. It was truly divine providence that I managed to deal with that level 6 arraymancer back then."

"I once wanted to learn magic arrays, but my talent was too poor," Erin said, gazing enviously at Berkeley. "If I could learn magic arrays, I could be of better help to my master."

Owen patted Erin’s head gently, "The potions you’ve made for me have been a great help, Erin. You’ve done wonderfully."

"Really? Master?" Erin’s eyes sparkled as she looked up at Owen.

"Of course," he replied warmly.

Approaching Berkeley, Owen and Erin found the tail-general dead beyond any doubt, devoid of any sign of life.

Finn had already recovered, thanks to the exceptional effects of the high-grade healing potion.

He stood beside Owen, expressing his feelings of inadequacy.

"Teacher, I still can’t do it," he confessed, his voice tinged with shame.

It was only after facing the tail-general that Finn truly understood the might of Owen, who had killed a master-tier guardian as a diamond-tier warrior.

Against the tail-general, Finn had barely any chance to resist.

"It’s okay, take your time. You still need more experience," Owen reassured him, undisturbed.

The strength of the human race was never about physical prowess.

Finn’s ability to defeat dozens of merfolk already showed his strength far beyond his current level.

Berkeley, meanwhile, had ceased channeling his arcanergy.

"Mr. Owen, you’ve lived up to the expectations," he said with a nod of approval.

"Well done," Owen responded.

As the group gathered, the surviving villagers, most of whom had run out to meet them, knelt before Owen in gratitude.

"Thank you, saviors. Without you, our village would surely have been lost," they said.

Finn, observing the villagers’ gaunt faces and tattered clothes, felt a pang of sorrow.

"Please stand up, everyone. We were just doing what we felt was right," he said gently.

An elderly villager stepped forward, speaking respectfully, "May I ask if the esteemed guests have come to Gosa Waters in search of the Heart of the Ocean?"

Owen was slightly taken aback and exchanged a glance with Finn.

Understanding Owen’s thoughts, Finn continued the conversation, "Yes, please tell us more."

The elder seemed pleased.

"Indeed," he said, "Esteemed guests, I am willing to exchange information about the Heart of the Ocean for the resources needed for our village’s development. Would that be acceptable?"

At this point, Berkeley joined in, his eyes gleaming with the shrewdness of a businessman.

"If the information is true and useful, you may suggest any resources you wish to exchange."

The elder’s spirit lifted as he paused for a moment, organizing his thoughts before speaking, "The ocean world has been tumultuous of late, waves of unrest stirring. It’s all because of the reappearance of the Heart of the Ocean. Our villagers stumbled upon this news while out at sea fishing."

Everyone listened intently, unfamiliar with the Heart of the Ocean and eager to learn more.

"The Heart of the Ocean has surfaced near the territory of the merfolk in Gosa Waters, at a place known as Heartstealer Island."

"Heartstealer Island?" Finn frowned, puzzled.

An island in the underwater world?

"Indeed, it’s a natural wonder. Not only does the island exist, but it also contains the air needed by our human race," the elder explained with enthusiasm, clearly hoping to sell this information for a good price.

Owen and the others exchanged curious glances.

"The Heart of the Ocean is there?" Berkeley asked for confirmation.

"Exactly," the elder replied confidently.

Berkeley narrowed his eyes, his tone skeptical, "There are too many doubts in your story. The most crucial point is... how did you come to know this information?"

At this, the elder’s expression changed slightly, becoming tense.

Berkeley sneered, "So it’s a hoax, after we just saved you."

The elder bit his lip, his spirit deflated, and admitted, "Let me be honest with you, our benefactors. We got this information from a merchant ship. They wanted us to locate Heartstealer Island, so we showed them the way."

"Then, while on the ship, I overheard this news by chance. Heartstealer Island supposedly houses a legendary-tier artifact, the Heart of the Ocean. Seeing your extraordinary abilities, I thought you might be here for the Heart of the Ocean."

"This information was something I overheard unintentionally. Speaking of it feels somewhat dishonorable, which is why I was hesitant..."

At this point, the elder’s face became steeped in sorrow and pain.

"Benefactors, as you have seen, we have suffered greatly from the sea monsters’ invasions on our coastline. We truly wish to flee this place, which is why we’re selling this information."

"Our lives are so hard here, this place is really not fit for humans!" The elder’s voice broke with emotion, his words resonating with heartfelt pain.

Erin’s eyes even reddened, unable to withstand such emotional stories.

Finn and Berkeley turned to Owen, realizing that this seemingly young and somewhat naive-looking man was actually the pillar of the group.

The elder looked at Owen with hopeful eyes.

Owen nodded slightly to Finn and Berkeley.

Berkeley immediately understood and spoke loudly, "Our lord sympathizes with your plight and will grant your wish. You may leave your homeland and go wherever you desire."

Finn looked at Berkeley, slightly annoyed at being preempted.

"Indeed," he said, pulling out a token from his space ring and handing it to the elder, "Take this token to the nearest city. They won’t make things difficult for you."

The elder, holding the token, realized Finn’s extraordinary status.

The token was made of pure gold, embedded with diamonds, and was worth millions of gutecoins just by its material value.

The emblem on it was grand and unmistakably genuine.

The elder repeatedly thanked them and, patting his chest, offered, "You benefactors are the saviors of our village. I am willing to personally guide you to Heartstealer Island."

Owen then spoke, decisively declining the offer, "No need. Just draw us a map, and we will go on our own. You should hurry and leave; there isn’t much time left."

The elder’s eyebrows rose in confusion, "What do you mean there isn’t much time left?"

Owen gazed towards the Gosa Waters. Beneath the vast and eerily calm surface, shadows moved at an incredible speed.

With his heightened senses and extraordinary mental prowess, he could feel powerful enemies approaching.

Following Owen’s instructions, Berkeley had the elder hastily draw a simple map.

The elder, along with the villagers, gathered their belongings and left the village.

Perhaps due to their deep-seated hatred for the land, their departure was swift.

No sooner had the villagers vacated, creatures burst forth from the sea’s surface.

"Who is it? Who killed Anbar?"

A merfolk, even more ferocious than Berkeley, leaped out of the water, his eyes blood-red as he glared at Owen and his companions.