The night finally fell, I stepped out of the captain's quarters, feeling the cold sea breeze piercing my skin.
The faint moonlight reflected off the water's surface, giving a mysterious aura to the vast ocean surrounding us. But there was no time to admire the view.
Everyone was already in position, prepared to face the threat that would soon arrive.
Along the ship's sides, my small crew stood with faces full of vigilance, each holding the explosive barrels we had prepared earlier. Though their bodies were small, I knew they were no ordinary children. They had trained for moments like this—ready to act when the time came.
In the center of the ship, Fujimaru stood with a serious expression, ready to give orders at any moment. He might not be a frontline fighter, but as a Master, his decisions could mean the difference between life and death for all of us.
Mash stood firmly at the ship's bow, her shield raised, prepared to block the first strike from the Sea Demons. She was our wall of defense, and I knew she wouldn't let a single creature past her position.
Atalanta guarded the stern, her bow raised, ready to strike down any threats from behind. Her speed and precision would be crucial in this battle.
On the right side of the ship, David stood calmly, one hand gripping his sling, ready to launch a deadly projectile. His composed demeanor made it seem as if he was used to facing dire situations.
Meanwhile, on the left side of the ship, Paris stood slightly tense but still trying to maintain his composure. Apollo sat on his head, gazing at the ocean with a calculating expression. Though Paris was younger than the other Archers, I knew he wouldn't run from this fight.
With this formation, our defense was set. All we had to do was wait.
Then, in the distance, the once-calm waters began to churn. The waves moved unnaturally, and dark shapes started to emerge from the depths. One by one, the creatures surfaced.
Sea Demons.
The dim moonlight wasn't enough to fully reveal their forms, but I recognized their terrifying silhouettes.
Bodies like octopuses, but instead of heads, they had gaping mouths filled with jagged teeth—like sandworms from the desert.
They writhed above the water, their tentacles creating violent ripples as if announcing their arrival.
My voice broke the eerie silence.
"Prepare your weapons."
The night air grew even colder. The battle was about to begin.
The once-gentle sea had turned into a battlefield. Waves crashed violently, split apart by the feral creatures lurking beneath the surface.
The Sea Demons moved with unnatural speed, hunting their prey with a bloodthirsty instinct.
I then raised my hand forward, conjuring a sword resembling Excalibur. A blue light enveloped my hand before a replica of Excalibur materialized in my grasp.
Although it didn't possess enough power to cleave the sea, this weapon was strong enough to create small-scale explosions.
I tightened my grip on the sword while my small crew readied their explosive barrels.
Fujimaru subtly raised his hand, signaling everyone to hold their positions. We couldn't strike too soon—we had to wait for the right moment.
Mash stood firm at the bow, eyes locked ahead. Atalanta, David, and Paris had already drawn their weapons, prepared to unleash long-range attacks.
And then, they struck.
With a roar from the waters, dozens of massive tentacles lashed through the air before crashing down on the ship with brutal force.
The ship trembled violently from the impact, nearly throwing me off balance.
"Atalanta! Paris! Start the attack!" Fujimaru commanded.
Atalanta was the first to move. With almost invisible speed, she loosed an arrow at the nearest creature.
The arrow shot forward, piercing the thick hide of a Sea Demon, making it shriek in a horrifying cry.
Paris wasn't far behind. With Apollo glowing atop his head, he pulled back his bowstring and released a golden arrow that shone brightly.
His shot struck another creature, triggering a small explosion that momentarily illuminated the darkness.
David lifted his sling, loading it with a glowing stone before launching it with tremendous force.
The stone streaked through the air like a meteor, slamming into one of the Sea Demons' heads, shattering part of its jaw.
"Now!" I shouted to my crew.
Immediately, they hurled the explosive barrels into the water. As soon as the barrels made contact with the surface, they erupted in fiery explosions.
A massive blast rocked the area around the ship, shaking the air and sending towering sprays of water into the sky.
Several Sea Demons were thrown back by the shockwaves, their bodies torn apart by the force of the detonations.
But they weren't finished yet.
Through the smoke and churning waves, more of them emerged. Some were even larger than the first wave, with longer tentacles and faster movements.
I raised my sword, preparing for the next wave.
"Stay sharp!" I shouted.
The battle had only just begun.
The water displaced by the explosions had yet to settle when the creatures resumed their assault. This time, they moved even more aggressively, as if enraged by our previous attack.
Some began climbing the ship's sides with their long, slimy tentacles, leaving trails of glistening seawater under the moonlight.
One Sea Demon managed to pull itself onto the deck, its jagged-toothed maw gaping wide, ready to devour anything in its path.
Mash reacted instantly. With a swift leap, she drove her shield into the deck and pushed the creature back with full force.
A loud crash echoed as the beast was sent flying back into the ocean, but before we could breathe a sigh of relief, two more took its place.
"Atalanta! Hold them off at the stern!" Fujimaru commanded.
Atalanta leaped onto the ship's mast, taking a higher vantage point before firing a rapid succession of arrows that pierced through the creatures' heads.
One of them screeched, lashing its tentacles violently and striking the back of the ship, causing it to sway dangerously.
I couldn't afford to stay still. With quick steps, I rushed to the side of the ship and swung my sword at one of the tentacles trying to reach the deck.
My first slash cut through its soft flesh, sending thick black blood splattering into the air.
David saw an opportunity. He created another stone, this one larger, and loaded it into his sling.
With incredible force, he let it fly, and the projectile rocketed forward, striking one of the climbing Sea Demons squarely in the head.
Its skull shattered instantly.
"Good! Keep up the attack!" I shouted.
On the other side, Paris continued fighting alongside Apollo, shooting arrow after arrow to thin their numbers.
But despite our efforts, their numbers didn't seem to decrease at all.
Then I started to realize something.
"They're not just attacking the ship randomly…" I muttered, narrowing my eyes at the sea. "They're trying to sink us."
Suddenly, something massive stirred beneath the ship. The waves it created were so powerful that our vessel began tilting to one side. Fujimaru nearly lost his balance, and some of my small crew had to grip the ropes tightly to avoid falling.
Then, I saw it—a Sea Demon far larger than the rest.
Its massive body loomed high above the sea, nearly half the size of our ship. Its tentacles stretched longer, and in the center of its formless face, a pair of glowing red eyes burned like twin infernos.
Paris swallowed hard. "That… is way bigger than the others…"
Apollo nodded, his voice more serious this time. "This isn't an ordinary Sea Demon. This is their leader."
Fujimaru grit his teeth, then looked at all of us.
"We have to defeat it now, or we're all going to sink."
I gripped my sword tightly, feeling the cold sea breeze against my face.
"In that case," I smirked slightly, "let's kill their king."
The waves grew more violent as the monstrous figure rose higher, radiating a palpable aura of menace.
Its red eyes gleamed sharply in the darkness, watching us as if evaluating whether we were worthy prey.
Its massive tentacles began to move, creating whirlpools in the water strong enough to shake the ship. One of them shot toward us with shocking speed.
BOOM!
Mash managed to raise her shield just in time, blocking the attack with a thunderous impact that shook the entire deck. The force was strong enough to push her back a few steps.
"Ugh…!" Mash gritted her teeth but held firm.
Atalanta, still in her high position, reacted instantly. In a flash, she fired a rapid volley of arrows at the creature. The arrows pierced deep into its body, but it wasn't enough to bring it down.
David, standing at the side of the ship, took a deep breath and created a larger stone.
He pulled back his sling to its maximum tension and released it with full force. The stone shot forward like a meteor, striking directly at one of the creature's red eyes.
CRACK!
A loud shattering sound echoed as one of the monster's eyes burst. The creature let out a roar that resonated across the ocean, writhing in pain and thrashing its tentacles wildly.
One of its tentacles swept across the deck with immense force, destroying part of the ship's railing and nearly hitting Paris. But before he was struck, he reacted quickly, rolling to the side to avoid the attack.
I couldn't stand idly by. With swift steps, I leaped onto the ship's railing, running along its edge before launching myself into the air. As I soared, I gathered mana around my sword and then swung it with full force.
SLASH!
My strike landed on one of its tentacles, slicing through part of its flesh and spraying dark blood into the air. But it still wasn't enough.
"Paris! We need a stronger shot!" I shouted.
Paris, quickly standing up, but still slightly trembling, looked at Apollo.
Apollo gave a small smirk. "I understand. Use my power."
With a sudden golden glow surrounding him, his crossbow transformed into something resembling a bazooka. He aimed it at the massive monster. Divine energy flowed from Apollo into his hands, creating a pulsating missile of radiant light.
"Atalanta, David! Attack together!" Fujimaru commanded.
Atalanta and David nodded. Atalanta prepared her most powerful shot, while David created the largest stone he could muster.
Within seconds, all three attacks were unleashed simultaneously.
WHOOOSH!
Paris's divine-powered missile shot forward faster than ever, slicing through the air like a flash of light. David's stone launched with enough force to crack solid rock, while Atalanta fired a hail of arrows that spiraled around them, amplifying their impact.
BOOM!
The attacks struck the massive creature directly—Paris's missile pierced its skull, David's stone shattered the upper part of its body, and Atalanta's arrows struck its vital points.
The creature writhed violently, letting out a piercing shriek before finally collapsing back into the sea with a resounding crash.
The ocean churned violently, and for a moment, no one moved.
Then, slowly, the waves began to calm.
I stood at the edge of the ship, catching my breath as I gazed at the now-silent sea.
"We did it…" Mash said, her voice filled with relief.
Fujimaru smiled, though exhaustion was evident in his expression. "Great job, everyone…"
My small crew members cheered, celebrating our victory.
I let out a long exhale, looking up at the night sky.
"We survived for tonight," I murmured. "But we need to stay alert. We don't know if they'll come back."
But for now, at least, we could enjoy this victory.
After the fierce battle against the Sea Demons, we could finally breathe a sigh of relief.
The sea had calmed once more, leaving only the scent of salt mixed with the blood of the creature we had just defeated. However, the tense atmosphere gradually shifted into something lighter as Fujimaru clapped his hands with enthusiasm.
"Alright! Since we're still alive tonight, how about we celebrate?" he said with a bright smile.
I looked down at my hand, which still held Excalibur, before dispersing the sword back into shimmering blue particles.
Then, I turned my gaze to Fujimaru and gave a small smile. "Of course. I've brought something for that," I said as I walked toward the large sack still lying in the corner of the deck.
Gripping the rope, I gave it a firm pull, opening the sack to reveal the wild boar meat we had hunted earlier that day.
My small crew members cheered in excitement. They quickly moved to prepare the cooking equipment on the ship. Meanwhile, I helped skin and cut the meat with a knife I created using my skill.
Atalanta, usually serious, seemed intrigued and joined me, ensuring the meat was cut properly.
Mash and Fujimaru helped prepare whatever seasonings we had, while Paris sat by the small campfire we had built on the deck, watching the meat as it began to roast with anticipation. Apollo looked relaxed on his shoulder, enjoying the aroma filling the air.
David, who had remained quiet for most of the time, now wore a small smile. "It's been a while since I've had a properly cooked meal."
"Indeed," Atalanta added, gazing at the meat changing color. "As a hunter, I know that perfectly cooked game is the best reward after an exhausting day."
Moments later, the mouthwatering scent of roasted meat filled the air. One of my most skilled crew members carefully turned the meat, ensuring it cooked evenly. I took a piece, tasted it first, and nodded in satisfaction.
"It's ready," I said, handing the first piece to Fujimaru.
Fujimaru's eyes lit up, and without hesitation, he took it and bit into it eagerly. "This is delicious!" he exclaimed.
Seeing his reaction, the others quickly took their portions. Mash ate quietly but clearly enjoyed it, while Paris looked slightly surprised by the richer flavor compared to what he was used to.
David chewed slowly, savoring every bite, while Atalanta ate with a pleased expression, though she maintained her usual composed demeanor.
Even Apollo, who typically carried himself with grace, couldn't hide his delight. "Hmm, not bad at all. I must admit, you all have quite the talent for cooking aboard a ship."
I simply chuckled. "If we're going to face battles like this often, we need to know how to enjoy life."
That night, we all ate heartily, celebrating our small victory with a meal worthy of the occasion. The dim campfire, the gentle sound of the waves, and the occasional laughter among us created a warm atmosphere.
For a while, we could forget the dangers still lurking ahead and simply enjoy this moment—a moment where we weren't just warriors, but friends sharing joy in the vast open sea.
As the wild boar meat dwindled and our stomachs became full, the mood on the ship slowly shifted from merriment to a quiet sense of reflection.
The campfire in the middle of the deck flickered, casting a warm glow over us as we sat in a circle.
Fujimaru, still holding a piece of meat in his hand, was the first to speak. "That battle… was harder than I expected."
Mash, sitting beside him, nodded in agreement. "Yes. Those Sea Demons moved much faster than we anticipated. If we hadn't come up with a good strategy, this ship might have been overwhelmed from all sides."
Atalanta, who had been silent, finally spoke. "Luck was on our side tonight. However, if their numbers grow or they reproduce faster than we predict, we'll be in a far worse situation."
David gazed out at the now-calm ocean, but his eyes still held a wary glint. "They weren't ordinary creatures. I could feel it… as if they were manifestations of something greater."
I nodded, staring at the same sea. "They're not just wild monsters. I suspect there's something—or someone—behind their creation, ensuring they protect this Singularity."
Paris, who had been listening intently, furrowed his brows. "So, you think they're part of someone's plan?"
Apollo chimed in with a calm voice, "Most likely. Beings like that don't just appear without reason. They could be guardians or shields for something even more dangerous in this place."
A brief silence fell over us. The ocean breeze blew gently, carrying the familiar salty scent.
Fujimaru finally spoke again, this time with a more serious tone. "If that's the case, we need to prepare for something worse in the coming nights."
I smirked slightly. "That much is clear. But at least, we still have one advantage."
Mash turned to me, curious. "Advantage?"
I gestured around us. "We've proven we can fight them. We know their weaknesses, we know how to defend ourselves, and most importantly..." I looked at each of them in turn. "We have a strong team."
Paris gripped his bow tighter, as if gaining newfound confidence. Atalanta simply clicked her tongue, but her eyes gleamed with determination.
David let out a small sigh before smiling. "Then, we just need to make sure we don't lower our guard in the nights to come."
I raised a wooden cup filled with water, looking at them with unwavering resolve. "To the battles ahead."
Fujimaru smiled and lifted his cup as well. "To our victory."
The others followed, and in that shared moment, we embraced the peace that might be our last before the next battle arrived.
***
Author note:
About the next singularity I thinking about make the Camelot First before I do the Babylonia.
Because I thinking that's two of them is so interesting that I can't choose one.
In the Camelot singularity, I wanted the mc to fight Artoria. In the Babylonia singularity I wanted to the mc to fight against the many monster that's attack the city of Uruk all alone, and also I wanted to make her have interaction with Gilgamesh.
And so, thanks for those of you who still reading this fanfics. I'm sorry if there's much mistake in this book, I hope you're all still enjoying the fanfic.
Love y'all, :)