Bloodline Evolution: I Can Choose Opposing Paths-Chapter 120: Apex Predator: Alpha Lagoon Shark

[Luna POV]

— A Day Prior —

The dragonfly’s wing beat softly beneath them as they cut across the open skies. From above, the Lagoons were peaceful and beautiful...almost deceptively so.

Endless stretches of shallow, clear water reflected the blue skies overhead, broken only by the few islands scattered across the place.

Emily leaned forward as she closed her eyes, guiding the formation of her smaller dragonflies toward the nearby islands that they passed. The smaller insects disappeared for a while before coming back just as quickly.

The senior sighed and shook her head. "Still nothing..."

Iris, riding just ahead of Luna, shook her head.

"We’ve covered this entire side already," she said, glancing down at the water below. "If the ’Sunken Cave’ was actually here, we would’ve seen something by now."

"Maybe it sank deeper," she continued with a shrug. "You know...sunken cave and all that."

"...That’s not how caves work," Marcus replied flatly from ahead. "And, confirming absence is just as important as finding presence."

Their voices faded into the background. Luna pressed a hand lightly against her temple.

A dull ache had started a while ago...subtle at first, but now it pulsed harder. The wind rushing past them didn’t help either, nor did the constant motion of the dragonfly beneath her.

Even under the open sun, with the humid heat of the lagoon clinging to her skin...she was freezing up.

"...Guys," she called softly. "Can we take a small break?"

"Sure," Marcus nodded.

The wind softened as the formation dipped lower before finally landing on one of the larger islands below. One by one, the dragonflies touched down softly.

Marcus stepped off immediately as he scanned the surroundings. Iris followed right after, stretching her arms overhead as if she’d been on a long plane ride.

"Finally," she muttered. "My legs were starting to fall asleep."

The moment everyone dismounted, Emily’s dragonflies dissolved into faint sparks, scattering into the air like fireflies before fading away completely.

Luna moved to step down...before her eyes started to blur and the world tilted. Her foot barely found the ground before her balance slipped. A wave of dizziness washed over her.

...It’s happening again. Please, not now...

Her body swayed, but a hand caught her before she could fall.

"Whoa—hey."

Emily steadied her easily, one arm around Luna’s shoulders. Up close, she was frowning. "...You okay?"

Luna blinked, trying to focus, but the ground still felt unsteady beneath her feet.

"I’m fine," she said quickly, straightening herself.

The senior didn’t let go immediately, her brows furrowed as she helped Luna up.

"Luna...you’re cold to the touch..." she said, grip tightening just slightly, like she was trying to confirm it again.

"Like...really cold," she added, quieter this time.

"Motion sickness," Luna replied immediately as she looked away. "I get that a lot, so don’t worry about me."

"What? How does that correlate—?" Emily started, but Luna was already walking away, not looking back.

Emily remained where she was for a moment longer, watching her.

"...Motion sickness?" she muttered under her breath.

Her fingers curled slightly at her side. Even now, a small tinge of cold still remained on her fingertips.

***

By the time Luna and Emily had caught up. Marcus was crouched on the ground with a palm against the sand.

"...This one’s different," he said quietly.

Standing up, Marcus pressed his boots into the ground hard, the sand shifting more than it should have.

"It feels a bit...hollow, I’d say?"

Iris perked up immediately.

"Oh?" she said, stepping forward with renewed interest. "Now that sounds promising."

But before anyone could respond...a ripple surfaced on the shallow water near the edge of the island.

Aren and Daniel would’ve reacted instantly...but Luna only caught it a second too late.

"—Left!" Marcus shouted before pushing Iris out the way.

Luna just barely managed to throw herself onto the sands as some kind of trident exploded from the waters and flew right through where she was standing just a moment ago.

A massive figure dragged itself from the shallows, each step heavy enough to send ripples across the lagoon. Its body was thick and muscular, almost humanoid in shape—but its head was unmistakably that of a shark.

Luna’s eyes widened, as in its hand...another trident formed from what looked like its own bones.

"Is that...a Lagoon Shark?" Iris said, her voice dropping down low just enough for the group to hear.

"Lagoon Sharks don’t walk on two legs," Marcus replied as he stood back up. "It’s the Alpha...get ready."

The creature’s gills flared violently as its gaze locked onto them...before vanishing entirely.

"Fast—!" Iris started.

Too late. The monster reappeared at the edge of the sand in a single step. Its trident was already primed and swinging downward.

Marcus raised his arms almost immediately.

"Iron Carapace—!"

Instantly, metal plates surged across his body just as the weapon collided with him.

"CLANG!"

The impact blasted sand everywhere, forcing everyone back as Marcus’ feet dug into the ground, barely holding position.

"Move!" he barked.

And Iris did. Her form blurred as she slipped past the creature’s flank.

"Shadow Claws!"

Instantly, claws made completely out of darkness emerged on her hands, almost like they were extensions, as she raked and tore across its side.

"—It’s tough!" 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

Emily stepped back, hands already glowing as sparks flickered into existence around her.

"Storm Cloud—!"

Three miniature clouds formed above the creature, crackling with energy before bolts of lightning slammed down in rapid succession.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

For a moment, sand and dust obstructed their vision.

"...Did that—?" Emily started.

But she couldn’t finish her thought as the creature stepped forward again.

Its skin was blackened in places, thin trails of steam rising from its shoulders and arms. But beneath the charred surface, its body remained intact—not a single deep wound nor any signs of real damage.

"...You’ve got to be kidding me," Iris muttered.

Instantly, the creature’s gaze shifted to Emily as it raised a hand. The calm waters behind it started to spiral before three currents of pressurized water launched at her.

"Emily—!"