Born in Blood

517  Unholy Lamprey

Liam took a quick look at the mission types available. Search and Escort, Search and Destroy, Escort and Protect, Track and Retrieve, Study and Report. These were the types of missions that were available.

The first type of mission, Search and Escort, involved finding a client and escorting them to safety.

The second, Search and Destroy, would involve the opposite — tracking down something inanimate, like a treasure or keepsake, then destroying it. The third, Escort and Protect, involved escorting a certain individual to a certain place, then protecting him for a certain duration.

The fourth, Track and Retrieve, would involve either tracking down an inanimate object, or a Sapient sea creature, then retrieving them into safety. Usually, it involved trodding through hostile territories and clashing with either Rogue Oceanors, or Renegade Seakind.

The fifth and final option, Study and Report, was relatively less dangerous compared to the other types. Such missions involved simple, but arduously long tasks that required constant studying, experimenting and understanding, before reporting them back to HQ.

"You have any maps I can take a look at?" Liam asked Bill, who immediately nodded. "Say no more," Bill said, then snapped his fingers. A map instantly appeared on the table.

It was made out of clear, stretchy blue liquid, but it didn't feel wet when Liam touched it. Instantly, Liam could see the Quadrants that Bill mentioned. Including the one they were in now.

The map was also interactive and 3D.

He could see various fish species swimming in specific parts, including the borders between their Quadrants. Quadrants had their own rulers and names, as well as their specific species.

Some Quadrants had more than one species, but they were few and far in between. Quadrants also had differing water colors. They contrasted sharply, with some Zones even having red liquid instead of blue! But the map only showed the Zones in 20x20 form, with the Quadrant that they were in as the center. However, there were a few unique things that Liam noticed. One, was a long, thick redline that split across the entirety of the map, and continued going past it.

No fishes or seafolk lived across the entirety of the path!

However, Liam noticed how there were large footprints across the entirety of the strip. The second thing he noticed was a pulsing, red dot in a certain Quadrant, roughly 12 Zones away. The letters 'AG' were written on it with a red, dangerous font. Ringing it were smaller red dots. Liam instantly realized what that was.

Aquafina Global. It was NOCL's rival and competitor. Who's CEO Bill wanted Liam to assassinate.

But the way it was now, Aquafina Global looked incredibly fortified. It almost matched Nautilus Oceanique Company Limited's strength… but it was just a touch weaker in comparison.

'I definitely can't take on something that strong,' Liam thought.

'Not yet, at least.' 'I'd need at least a couple of years of gaining some power.' Then, Liam looked at the redline.

"This," Liam asked, tapping the redline and glancing at Bill. "What is it?"

"Ah," Bill said, crossing his legs. "That, my friend, is the Blood Strip." Liam raised a brow. "Like, for understanding the Blood Quality?"

"No… yes… maybe, I don't know," Bill shook his head and shrugged. "Anything that chooses to linger or settle there dies in a matter of minutes, and their blood seeps into its earth. Know why?"

Liam shook his head tersely.

"Because it's where one of the Great Tides, the Unholy Lamprey dwells beneath."

"I've seen it just once before… and I still get goosebumps remembering it. The rows and rows of cruel teeth… its dreadful form as it emerged from the crimson soil, devouring a Rank 6 beast in one single gulp…"

Bill hugged himself and rubbed his arms, shivering in fear. "Avoid it at all cost."

'Wuss.'

"What Rank is it?" Liam asked. A Blood Quality?

Liam needed to study and attain it at all costs!

A good chunk of his fighting prowess came from his ichor!

"Towards the peaks of Rank 6," Bill revealed. "Like all the other Greats. Oh, and it's not like you can't pass over the Blood Path. We have Teleportation Platforms here too." "How many are there in total?" Liam asked. "Great Tides, I mean."

Bill smiled cryptically. "That's not a cheap question to ask, my friend… but I'll answer anyway," he said. "There are six of them that I know… and they're all actual siblings!" Liam noticed Bill's words.

'Six of them that he knows… so there's more than just them?' Liam paused. "They're all from one family?" Bill nodded. "Indeed. They all have unique characteristics and each affect the oceans differently."

"Can't tell who's who, though. The Argonaut is rumored to be their mother, with the kindness and pacifistic qualities she possesses."

"Can people speak to them?" Liam asked. "No and yes," Bill said. "They can choose to speak with you, if you're lucky. But you cannot speak to them. Usually, people who try get eaten. The Argonaut hasn't eaten anyone, but she'll just ignore you until you can't run after her anymore."

"The Lamprey won't even hear you out. The second you walk on her soil and remain, you'll start suffocating, and your blood will seep." That was interesting.

Liam would have to try once. Nôv(el)B\\jnn

Maybe he'd be fancied by one of them!

Seeing that Bill was wary about giving too much knowledge and not receiving anything in return, Liam chose to browse over the available missions. What caught his eye was the following:

"Track and Retrieve."

"Axolotl Princess kidnapped by a swarm of Dark Moray Eels. Stonehenge Deep Quadrant, but their true location is kept hidden. Retrieve, dead or alive. Mission Deadline: 6 months and 2 weeks. If exceeded, will be counted as failure."

'Classic kidnapping,' Liam chuckled. There was no criterion that Liam had in mind when choosing the mission. Well, other than wanting to kill things. "Alright," Liam said, pointing to the mission in question. "I'll take that one."