While the lead guard was busy obstructing the Blue Tide mermen, countless dark hellfire blades whistled throught the morning mist and struck the other guards one after another.

Before the lead guard could even register the agonizing screams of his comrades, several severed heads rolled into the damp sand. Their eyes were still wide with uncomprehending shock.

In an instant, the shoreline got sprayed with dark crimson blood.

​The remaining three Red Tide guards scrambled backward. Their weapons were shaking as they looked around wildly.

In a span of less than three seconds, nine of their elite warriors had been butchered like pigs.

​"Who’s there?! Show yourself!" the lead guard shrieked, his previous arrogance entirely gone as he held his spear out with trembling hands.

​Out from the morning mist, Neo stepped onto the shore.

His expression was as calm and indifferent as the sea itself, his hands casually tucked into his pockets.

The dark titanium blades spun behind his back like he was the living incarnation of Asura.

​"You... You dare to interfere with the Red Tide tribe? The Lord will have your skin for this!"

​"My apologies, your lord isn’t here to save you today," Neo said softly.

​With a flick of his finger, a razor-sharp crescent of compressed energy shot through the air.

Slice! Slice!

The two guards standing to the left didn’t even have time to gasp before the attack cleaved through their torsos, dropping them lifelessly into the surf.

​The lone surviving guard dropped his spear, his knees hitting the wet sand as he looked up at Neo in absolute horror.

"P-please— Spare me!"

Neo stopped before him, and said,

​"Go back to your Lord. Tell him that the Blue Tide tribe is under my protection now. If he wants his territory back, tell him to come and take it himself. Now run."

​The guard didn’t need to be told twice. He scrambled to his feet, slipping on the bloody sand, and fled into the distance as fast as his legs could carry him.

​Neo turned his back on the carnage, looking toward the stunned group of Blue Tide mermen who were staring at him with awe and absolute terror.

​"I said the shore will be cleared, and now it is. Now get in the water and find the mana stones. We don’t have forever."

The Blue Tide mermen swallowed a mouthful of saliva, then nodded.

​Without delay, they dived into the salt water to find the richest mana veins beneath the seabed.

​From far away, Marlene and a little mermaid watched.

​"Grandma, that man is very strong. Can he not take revenge for grandfather?" the little mermaid asked with watery eyes.

​Marlene looked at her granddaughter and sighed. "Sweetie, he is strong, but the current Island Lord is far stronger. We should just wait and see how he manages the raging tides coming his way."

​"Ah, that’s pretty bad. Should we tell him about the secret weapon? The one Grandpa tried to find for years?"

​"Shush, don’t speak about that weapon. That accursed weapon only brings death and destruction. Did you forget what happened to your grandfather, Mumu?"

​"B-but—" The little mermaid pursed her lips, wanting to say more, but the old woman shut her mouth.

​"No buts. Go and clean the Lord’s house! He might be staying with us for a while now!"

​Meanwhile, in the cosmos, a different dilemma was ongoing.

​Galactic Sector: BALA.

A being of pure celestial light was obstructed by a massive World Dragon.

​The being of celestial light was Priest Salvatore, who was on the path to finding the Tyrant and seizing his existence.

​However, the Dominator of this sector, World Dragon BALA, blocked his path from entering his territory.

​< You’re not allowed, outsider! This is my domain! >

​Priest Salvatore, knowing the other party’s galaxy-shattering powers, gave a respectful bow.

​"Your Majesty, forgive my intrusion. But Emperor Damiano Oslo sent me here regarding a Tyrant that is growing within your domain. If you’d be kind enough to let me enter, I will find him and put an end to all the future destruction he will cause to our Infinite Realm."

​The World Dragon’s interest was piqued.

​< Oh, such a thing really exists in my domain? How did you know, you little worm?>

​Salvatore’s face twitched at the insult, but he maintained a humble attitude.

"The Great Prophecy of the Seraphim Order revealed it, Your Majesty. A dark seed has taken root in your sector. A soul that possesses the hidden traits of a cosmic Tyrant. If left unchecked, he will eventually consume the laws of this very domain, shattering the balance of Sector BALA and challenging the authority of Emperor Damian himself."

​The World Dragon moved its colossal mass, a movement that caused neighboring asteroid belts to grind together and burst into dust.

Its massive, slitted eyes burned like twin suns as it stared down at the celestial priest.

​< A Tyrant? >

< Emperor Oslo worries too much about the future. I am the absolute law of this sector. No puny mortal or budding tyrant can hide from my gaze once they grow large enough to matter. >

​"Of course, Your Majesty. Your power is absolute. However, these anomalies are slippery. They mask their presence using primitive systems and obscure dimensions until it is too late. Grant me passage, and I shall cleanse this rot before it ever becomes a nuisance to your grand domain."

​The World Dragon turned silent, while the cosmic winds howled between them.

​< Very well, worm, > BALA finally rumbled, < You may enter. But heed my warning: if your hands touch anything other than this supposed anomaly, I will swallow your celestial soul and turn your Emperor’s emissaries into stardust. You have a limited time. Do not make me regret my leniency. >

​"Your mercy is as vast as the cosmos, Your Majesty," Salvatore said.

With a final, respectful nod, the being of pure celestial light transformed into a shooting star, streaking through the rift and diving deep into the uncharted systems of Sector BALA.

A storm was heading for Neo; how will he survive this?