The level 55 fish monster erupted from the ke, its massive maing wide, ready to swallow Ats whole.

  Reag instantly, Ats summoned his Wavebreaker Spear, his body enveloped in a surge of water and crag lightning. Without hesitatioivated his Mana Glider Cloak once more, halting his dest just above the monster's snapping maw.

  Spinning the spear deftly in mid-air, Ats prepared for a decisive strike. eling his energy, he unleashed the skill.

  [Elite - Thunderpierce Thrust (Active Skill) Lv. 7 activated]

  He surged downward like a lightning bolt, driving the spear into the top of the monster’s maw. The on pierced deep, sending arified surge across the fish’s body.

  Before it could retaliate, Zefyros burst from the water, h beside Ats. Seizing the moment, Ats unleashed another skill. Simultaneously, Zefyros maniputed the water surrounding the fish, creating a swirling barrier that prevehe creature from retreating bato the depths.

  [Elite - Flurry of Spears Lv. 3 activated]

  The spear became a blur, striking the fish with relentless precision. Each hit rippled through the monster’s massive frame, scattering blood into the ke. Overwhelmed, the beast thrashed briefly before colpsing bato the water with a colossal spsh.

  [You have killed Rare - Riftscale Titan Lv. 55]

  [You received 4.595 Exp]

  [Exp: 98.429/228.266]

  As Ats began to fall toward the ke, Zefyros surged beh him, creating a wave that propelled him upward and allowed him to stand atop the water.

  The fish floated lifelessly to the surfabsp;

  Ats grinned, leaping onto the fish’s bad bang fidently. Turning toward the keshore, he saw his subordinates cheering and waving, their triumphant shouts eg across the water.

  Raising his spear high, Ats aowledged their cheers.

  CREAKKK!

  Zefyros let out a sharp cry before diving behind the massive fish and pushing it toward the shore with powerful waves. Ats couldn’t help but smile as he saw the others’ enthusiastic reas.

  “We’re having fish tonight!” he shouted, grinning.

  Ohe fish reached the shore, Karia to the water. With a grunt of effort, he dragged the massive fish further onto solid ground.

  Ats hadn’t anticipated that the ke’s inhabitants would grow to suormous sizes—or that there might still be even rger monsters lurkih the surface. Oddly, the thought didn’t intimidate him; instead, it sparked a strange curiosity.

  This ce teeming with monsters, after all, so they wouldn’t be able to rex without setting pruard shifts.

  Still, their time at Fre Peak had prepared them well. They had faced creatures molten va there, and pared to that, the challenges of this isnd seemed more manageable.

  Karian quickly got to work, using his greatsword to cut the massive fish into ses. Even with the sheer size of the creature raised the question of whether it would be enough to feed all 100 of them.

  Realizing they might need more fish to ensure a satisfying meal for everyos reached into his Iory and pulled out a Rank-A Item: Endless Fishing Rod.

  At first g appeared to be an ordinary fishing rod, but the craftsmanship was exceptional, and he imagihe rod was sturdy enough to be used as a on if needed.

  “Garen, take it,” Ats said, holding the rod out.

  The t, broad-shouldered Garen approached with a respectful bow before accepting the rod from his lord’s hands.

  “Catch more fish for dinner.”

  “Yes, My Lord,” Garen replied, gripping the rod firmly.

  Ats smiled as he watched his troops eagerly w together to carve up the enormous fish. The atmosphere was lively, filled with ughter and banter as they prepared the ued feast.

  He couldn’t help but let his mind wander. How beautiful these floating isnds truly were—pces of serene ndscapes and untamed wilderness. He wondered, with a touch of irony, what it would be like if these nds weren’t tested through endless battles.

  Imagine if pces like this could be visited by people from the lower nds, free from war and bloodshed. But that wasn’t the purpose of these floating isnds. They were designed for quest, for flict, where only the stro cimed ownership.

  Lost in thought, Ats leaned ba his camping chair, soaking in the warm sun. The gentle breeze carried the st of the ke, calming his mind, until a familiar figure approached.

  Kurogasa.

  The Ninja Rat appeared silently, bowing deeply before Ats. His sudden presenapped Ats out of his musings. Sitting upright, Ats gave a nod of aowledgment.

  “My Lord, I have the report,” Kurogasa said in his usual quiet, serious tone.

  “Please,” Ats replied.

  Kurogasa bowed slightly before delivering his report.

  “There are five Lords scattered across this isnd—three from Rank-1 and two from Rank-2. Their troop numbers exceed 100 each. Most of them are out hunting, while some are fishing in the ke for food.”

  Ats absorbed the information quietly, his mind already calg the risks. After a brief pause, he spoke decisively.

  “Tighterols. Stay on high alert. If we cross paths with any of them, I want to know immediately.”

  “Yes, My Lord.” Kurogasa bowed once more before vanishing into the shadows.

  With all the preparations plete and the team ready to begin their hunt, Ats stood tall at the front, fnked by his elite subordinates. Before him, the batants and workers stood i rows.

  “Today,” he began, “I will appoint a new leader to take charge of the fifth team.”

  A ripple of excitement spread through the ranks. Faces lit up with anticipation.

  Ats had already discussed this decision with his elite subordinates a fident in his choice. The individual he had in mind wasn’t merely capable—he was extraordinary, someone who stood out from the rest. And, as fate would have it, this remarkable recruit had arrived through the Gateway Altar.

  “Veylor,” Ats called.

  All heads turo a figure standihe middle of the formation. And, it wasn’t… a human.

  It was a wolf.

  No—a massive, upright wolf, t above most of the others. His thick bck fur gleamed uhe sunlight, and his muscur frame was reinforced armor that fit snugly over his powerful body.

  The beastkin warrior stepped forward with dignity.

  “My Lord,” Veylor responded.

  Veylor was a cle fighter who bined speed with impressive durability. His bat style was both agile and resilient, making him a formidable presen the battlefield. He possessed the unique ability to hold his own in a fight, even when outnumbered, without needing immediate support.

  With his sharp instincts and fierdependence, Veylor erfectly suited for leading from the front, where the chaos of battle was at its fiercest. His ability to withstand heavy assaults while delivering swift, decisive strikes made him a crucial asset to any offensive push.

  “You will lead the fifth team—Eclipse,” Ats decred.

  A wave of appuse erupted as Veylor strode fidently toward the front, joining the other team leaders. One by ohe leaders of the other teams followed suit, gathering at the front alongside him.

  Ats addressed them all once more.

  “Zara for Aether, Kaida for Bze, Garen for der, Ronan for Dusk, and Veylor for Eclipse. Each team will sist of sixteen members, with roles carefully assigned for band efficy.”

  As Ats finished speaking, the five team leaders stepped forward and bowed in unison toward him.

  “And…” Ats tinued, drawing everyone’s attention ba.

  “Each team will have its own supervision. However, to adjust our strategies, I’ll re-assign supervisors to work directly with each team leader. Aether will remain under Milo’s guidance. Bze will tih Lyrassa. der will be supervised by Baldric. Dusk will work with Karian. And Eclipse will be under Mira’s supervision.”

  Huh?

  A collective murmur rippled through the crowd when Mira’s name was mentioned. Several batants exged gnces, clearly surprised by the ued pairing. Even Mira herself blinked in shock, her mouth slightly open in disbelief.

  Then, as the moment sank in, she let out a soft giggle, quickly posing herself. With a cheerful boun her step, she made her way toward Veylor, falling into line alongside the other supervisors.

  Ats tinued, his tone calm and steady.

  “Edrik will have more responsibilities, ag as my bridge to coordih all of you. Meanwhile, Master Kurogasa will be fog on scouting tasks to keep us informed of any potential threats.”

  He paused for a moment, gng toward the group. No one dared to ask what Manna’s role would be. She wasn’t even standing among them. Instead, she sat leisurely he camp’s cooking area, already enjoying a freshly roasted piece of fish.

  Evehings got serious, she found a way to operate on her own terms.

  But more than that, it had been the right choice. Ats felt a deep sense of satisfa watg his team grow stronger and more coordinated with each passing day. Their progress was tangible, and now all that remained was to recruit more troops to plete his ranks.

  Once all the preparations were finalized, the teams dispersed, each group setting out to plete their assigned hunting missions.

  With everyone busy, Ats made his way toward Manna, who was still leisurely mung on her fish.

  She gnced up at him zily as he approached.

  “I’m heading out to plete my quest. You’ll stay here with the workers?”

  Manna gave a small shrug, biting into her food.

  Before he could say more, a loud g rang out from the cooking area. One of the female cooks had dropped a pot onto the ground.

  Ats turned his head toward the sound. "Are you alright?"

  The female cook quickly bowed, flustered as she scrambled to pick up the fallen pot. "I-I’m fine, My Lord. Five me, I didn’t mean to drop it."

  Ats chuckled softly. "It’s alright. Just be careful."

  The girl nodded quickly, her face flushed with embarrassment.

  Ats turned baanna. “Bye.”

  "I'll catch up..." she said.

  Ats gnced back at her. "Sure," he replied with before turning away.