"Ahhh!!"
Around them, tourists who had been enjoying the sunshine and the beach suddenly started screaming and running back toward the city in panic.
They had no idea what was going on—but running was always a safe bet.
"What's happening? Everything was fine just a moment ago—why did it suddenly...?"
"Everyone gather here! Something's wrong with the Seabed Temple!"
Ethan Hayes shouted, his voice cutting through the chaos.
This wasn't a natural disaster.
It was man-made.
Because he could feel it—an overwhelming surge of magic power.
"Huff... Looks like they beat us to it."
At that moment, Yami walked up to the beach, a cigarette dangling from his lips, moving with his usual unhurried air.
If they could get the intel, then so could their enemies.
After all, their opponent's goal all along had been to collect magic stones.
He just didn't expect them to make their move now.
The waters around the Seabed Temple were surrounded by powerful magic currents. The sea itself was unstable.
Even high-level Magic Knights couldn't get close easily.
Only during a full moon, when the magic pressure weakened, would conditions be ideal to enter.
"I'll give you thirty seconds to change. Ethan, you and I will head down first."
Without another word, Yami plunged into the sea.
Seeing this, Ethan didn't hesitate and dove in after him.
Once underwater, powerful currents surged from all directions like the chaos inside a washing machine.
Any ordinary person would be knocked unconscious within seconds.
But this didn't affect Ethan and Yami much.
Thanks to magical reinforcement on their skin, they could easily withstand the pressure.
The two swam rapidly toward the ocean floor.
"It's just up ahead!"
Ethan's eyes sharpened as he stared at the barrier in the distance.
There were no vortex guardians, and a gaping hole had been torn into the barrier—
a clear sign of forced entry.
"Let's go!"
Without delay, they passed through the barrier.
The Seabed Temple was like a city built under special conditions.
Protected by the magical barrier, the temple's residents lived in homes carved from seabed rock.
But now, those stone buildings were collapsing in succession.
Smoke and rubble filled the water.
Panic and cries for help echoed in all directions.
Whoosh!
Wind magic surged around Ethan as he bolted ahead of Yami.
Unlike the original story—
several mages from the Eye of the Midnight Sun were already inside, wreaking havoc and killing indiscriminately.
It seemed they knew they were being watched closely—so they came in with full force.
No more lone infiltrators. This time, it was an all-out assault.
"Wind Creation Magic – Infinite Variations!"
A four-leaf grimoire glowed in the air.
Wind elements gathered, forming giant invisible hands that swept down upon the enemy mages.
At the same time, Yami arrived, drawing his katana and joining the battle.
Ten minutes later—
The two had each taken care of the enemies in their area and dispelled their magic.
But the damage to the Seabed Temple was devastating.
Already small in number, the residents had now lost even more.
Collapsed homes meant many had nowhere to live anymore.
But Ethan wasn't focused on that.
What he cared about was—Where is Patolli?
"Were those all the intruders? Or were there more?"
Ethan grabbed one of the shaken residents and asked.
These were just grunts.
There was no way Patolli would send a bunch of nobodies to steal a magic stone.
"I-I think they went to the Elder's residence... over that way..."
As the resident pointed, Ethan vanished in an instant.
Inside the temple:
"Hand over the magic stone, and I might spare your lives."
Patolli stood before two men, a woman, and the high priest of the Seabed Temple, his tone calm—but threatening.
But something about Patolli was off.
He looked the same on the outside—
Yet dark energy flickered in his eyes from time to time.
He hid it well—even his own comrades hadn't noticed.
"Our team outside was wiped out. Looks like the Magic Knights followed us,"
Rhya urged.
"We can't waste any more time, Patolli!"
After all, even a thief should know when to flee.
Get the loot and get out before the 'cops' arrive.
"But they're refusing to hand it over... Fine. I'll just take it myself."
A cruel smile tugged at Patolli's lips as a sword of light formed in his hand.
The three standing in front of the High Priest immediately readied for battle.
This enemy was no joke—and neither were his comrades.
Otherwise, they wouldn't have made it this far.
"Kahono! Protect the High Priest!"
Kiato and Gio rushed forward.
As the strongest fighters in the Seabed Temple, their duty was to protect.
Even against impossible odds—they had to fight!
"Futile resistance."
Patolli sneered as beams of light rained down.
Each strike was blindingly fast.
Kiato and Gio's eyes widened—
They were wounded and defeated in just a single exchange.
It was nearly impossible to react.
If you could see the attack, you were already hit.
"Wait! I-I'll give you the magic stone! Just don't hurt them!"
Gritting his teeth, the High Priest finally spoke.
The stone was important—
But it was nothing compared to his son and grandson.
He just hoped they'd honor their word and spare them.
"Heh... Should've said that earlier."
Patolli stopped attacking, sneering as he walked toward the High Priest holding out the stone.
Ten meters... five meters... one meter—
He reached out his hand, about to grab the magic stone—
But in the next second, it vanished from his grasp.
"Sorry, but I'll be taking this."
From another side of the temple, Ethan Hayes appeared with the magic stone spinning in his hand, smiling with satisfaction.
Patolli's face twisted with rage, teeth clenched in fury.
"Ethan!!"
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