I look at the map on the desk and point to the Euphrates River running through Syria.


    “The Ichthyes are considered freshwater fish, but they helped Aphrodite form from ocean foam. The only salty water that leads to the ocean near the region and matches the mythology is the Persian Gulf. However, there are only a couple of freshwater sources that flow into the Persian Gulf. One of the most common and well-known is the Euphrates River. If the rumors in Syria are true, I think they originated from fishers at the Euphrates River and spread from there,” I say, looking at Ms. Akira.


    Ms. Akira’s eyes narrow slightly as she processes the information. Her bright white hair falls over her shoulder as she leans forward, her hand resting thoughtfully under her chin. The soft hum of the projector fills the room, casting a bluish glow across her sharp, calculating expression.


    “Interesting,” she finally says, her voice low. “I knew your knowledge as a fisherman and a retired history professor would come in handy.” A small, fleeting smile touches her lips, but it’s gone almost as soon as it appears. “You might have saved us some time and put us ahead of the other guilds. Most of the other guilds are heading toward the Mediterranean Sea,” she adds, glancing back at the map.


    I feel a small sense of satisfaction at that. Ms. Akira wasn’t one to hand out praise lightly, and being able to give the guild a strategic advantage meant that my research hadn’t been for nothing. Still, that satisfaction is quickly overshadowed by the weight of what this could mean. The Ichthyes were not just creatures of legend — their appearance often signified something much larger at play.


    “However,” Ms. Akira continues, her tone hardening, “just like Kazuto said, there have been reports of something dark lurking in the Mediterranean Sea. Do you know what it might be?” Her gaze sharpens, pinning me in place.


    I take a breath, piecing together the fragments of history and myth that have been swirling in my head for days.


    “If we''re talking about mythical creatures, it’s most likely Leviathan,” I say slowly. “A water dragon that God defeated in Christian texts. In Greek mythology, it was called Typhon — a monstrous serpent-like creature that even the gods feared. According to the myths, Typhon was the creature that the Ichthyes helped Aphrodite and Eros escape from when they jumped into the river.”


    Ms. Akira’s expression darkens. “A water dragon? And one powerful enough that it was sealed by the gods?”


    I nod. “Yes. It was sealed away on Mount Etna, and it’s said to be the source of some volcanic eruptions, according to Greek mythology.” I pause, feeling the weight of the revelation settle heavily in my chest. “If Leviathan is stirring… it’s not just the Mediterranean that’s in danger.”


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    Ms. Akira stands, crossing her arms as she begins to pace in front of the desk. The sound of her heels clicking against the marble floor echoes through the room.


    “This changes things,” she says. “This mission was classified as an S-Rank, but if what you’re saying is true, it might be upgraded to an SSS-Rank mission.” Her lips press into a thin line. “An ancient water dragon stirring beneath the Mediterranean… that’s not just dangerous — that’s catastrophic.”


    My mind races as I consider the implications. Leviathan was a force of chaos, capable of reshaping the seas and the land itself. If it truly was awakening, then it wouldn’t stop with the Mediterranean. Ocean currents would shift, tsunamis would follow, and coastlines would be swallowed whole. Entire cities could disappear overnight.


    “We know how it was defeated, though,” I say, forcing my voice to remain steady. “If we have someone who can use strong electric attacks — like lightning — we might have a chance.”


    Ms. Akira’s gaze sharpens. “You’re talking about Kazuto.”


    “Exactly.”


    Kazuto was one of the strongest electric-type fighters in the guild — maybe the strongest. His control over lightning was unmatched, but even he had his limits. If Leviathan had regained its full strength, Kazuto’s lightning might not be enough.


    “Still,” I add, “if Leviathan is stirring, we need to figure out why. It’s been sealed for centuries — why now?”


    Ms. Akira stops pacing and turns toward the map. Her eyes narrow as she scans the Mediterranean coastline. “What’s changed?”


    I step toward the map and study the region more closely. The Mediterranean Sea had been relatively stable for centuries. Aside from minor natural disasters and the occasional magical disturbance, there hadn’t been any signs of such large-scale activity — until now.


    “Perhaps someone is trying to wake it,” I suggest.


    Ms. Akira’s eyes darken. “If that’s true, then this is no longer just a hunting mission. This is a containment mission.”


    “And if we fail?” I ask.


    Ms. Akira meets my gaze. “Then we better not fail.”


    I let out a slow breath, the tension in my chest coiling tighter. “If the rumors about the Ichthyes are true, then there’s a chance they might lead us to Leviathan’s resting place.”


    Ms. Akira nods. “We’ll need to move fast. If the other guilds are already focused on the Mediterranean, they could interfere. Or worse — they could wake it up before we get there.”


    “If Leviathan wakes up, the Mediterranean isn’t the only place that will suffer,” I say quietly. “Its influence could spread through the ocean currents — even as far as the Atlantic.”


    “That’s not all,” Ms. Akira says, her voice lowering. “If Leviathan truly awakens, it will throw the entire magical balance of the world into chaos.”


    Silence stretches between us, heavy and oppressive. The hum of the projector seems louder now, vibrating beneath my feet.


    “Then we stop it,” I say finally.


    Ms. Akira’s eyes narrow. “Are you ready for that?”


    I hesitate, the weight of the question settling in my chest. This wasn’t just about securing a mythical creature — it was about facing something that could rival the gods themselves. But I had faced impossible odds before.


    “I’ll need Kazuto,” I say. “And anyone else we can spare.”


    “I’ll put a team together,” Ms. Akira says. “But this mission just became top priority. If we’re going after Leviathan, we need to be prepared for the worst.”


    I nod, feeling the tension in my shoulders harden into resolve. “Then let’s get to work.”


    Ms. Akira’s expression hardens. “We leave at dawn.”


    As she strides toward the door, I remain at the map, my gaze lingering on the dark expanse of the Mediterranean Sea. Somewhere beneath those waters, something ancient and powerful was stirring — something older than gods and far more dangerous.


    And soon, we would be face-to-face with it.