Floating Islands: SSS Gacha Lord

There was still no official word on when the Dominion Skirmish would begin, but according to Edrik, it was expected to occur within one to two weeks following the end of the previous battle season.

The very next day, they made the decision to descend to the Lower Lands, embarking on Atlas's first quest tied to his newly acquired Tempest Warden class.

The group descended into a sun-scorched desert region, bringing with them nearly all of their fighting forces, a contingent of workers, and the Elite Subordinates. Only Baldric and a handful of workers remained behind to tend to the island during their absence.

For Mira, this marked her very first journey to the Lower Lands.

Two sleek, high-powered buses rolled into view. Though similar in function to the Sandstorm Cruiser, these were notably larger and had been arranged through the local Awakener Association in the nearest city.

Thanks to Atlas's established relationship with the Association, securing their transport had been quick and effortless.

Their destination lay ahead: the coastal expanse known as Golden Tide Beach. With its majestic cliffs and immaculate sands, it was a place of rare beauty. It would serve as their base for the next few days.

The journey wasn't too long, thanks to the advanced transport they were using. Although this was a desert region, the vehicles moved smoothly over the terrain, even though they relied on wheels rather than the hovering technology commonly found in the larger cities.

After two hours, the scenery began to change. Sparse grass and dry, short trees dotted the landscape as they moved closer to the coastal area.

The convoy came to a halt, accompanied by the sound of crashing waves. The loud, rhythmic roar echoed through the air as sea spray occasionally reached the top of the cliffs.

Atlas quickly stepped out of the Sandstorm Cruiser, eager to feel the coastal air despite the lingering desert heat. He made his way across the sandy terrain toward the cliff edge.

Just as he approached, a massive wave crashed against the cliff face, sending a spray of seawater toward him. He raised an arm to shield his face as the cool droplets misted over him.

Edrik joined him at his side, observing the breathtaking scene. When the wave pulled back into the ocean, they both looked down at the beach below.

It was stunning, a stretch of golden sand bordered by towering rocky cliffs and sparse patches of greenery. Massive waves pounded the shore relentlessly, creating a raw, untamed beauty that was both captivating and intimidating.

Behind them, the troops began pouring out of the buses, cheers erupting from the group.

"Yeah! The beach!"

"Finally! Let's go!"

Some of them had already changed into swimsuits, complete with inflatable rings strapped around their waists. They were ready to jump into the water and enjoy the moment.

But as more people reached the cliff edge and took in the sight below, their enthusiasm began to waver.

"Wait... those waves are HUGE!"

"That's not a beach! That's a death trap!"

"You're kidding, right? We're supposed to swim there?!"

Edrik turned to face the troops, his voice loud enough to cut through the crashing waves. "We're going to have a full vacation in this area for the whole week. Happy?"

The responses were a mixed bag.

"Yeah! A whole week by the beach!"

"This is going to be amazing!"

"Did you see those waves? That's not a vacation; that's a death wish!"

"Seriously, who's going to swim in that?"

"Maybe we should just stick to sandcastles?"

"Perfect training conditions."

"Nothing better than toughening up in extreme environments!"

The workers and several troops busied themselves setting up camp, building a cooking area, and organizing supplies. Meanwhile, Atlas, accompanied by Edrik, Kurogasa, Lyrassa, and Mira, made their way to a more secluded section of the cliffs, separate from the main group.

When they arrived, the area looked similar to the rest of the cliffs, but a glance below revealed a stark difference. This part of the coast was dominated by jagged rocks and a much narrower stretch of beach. The waves here were far more aggressive, frequently crashing against the cliffside with relentless force.

Atlas chuckled and glanced at Edrik. "You really don't hold back, do you, Edrik?"

Edrik smirked. "I know you wouldn't be satisfied unless you pushed yourself to the limit, right?"

"That's... probably fair," Atlas admitted with a grin.

Edrik gave a small bow before adding, "Besides, we have the best support and healer here with us, My Lord."

Lyrassa stepped closer. "I'll always be here to watch over you, My Lord."

"No worry, I know all of you are here to help me," Atlas replied.

Mira, who had been quiet but visibly excited, now stepped forward. Dressed in a modest yet practical one-piece swimsuit, her face lit up with enthusiasm.

"My Lord, I'm so happy! The beach is beautiful," she said. "The sand is so soft, like powdered sugar! And the waves. They're wild, but in such a fun way, like they're playing tag with the shore! Even the wind feels nice, like it's trying to braid my hair!"

"You do realize this beach is for my training, right?" Atlas said. "If you'd prefer less insane waves, there's a calmer area further down."

"No, My Lord!" Mira said with a nod. "I'll stay here and enjoy this area while keeping you company."

"Sure, if that's what you want."

Edrik excused himself from Atlas and the group, walking away to give instructions to the other combatants. Their training was straightforward, running along the beach while enduring the relentless waves crashing against them and the cliffs.

Meanwhile, Atlas, Lyrassa, Mira, and Kurogasa moved closer to the edge of the cliff, waiting for the waves to recede.

When the water pulled back, they jumped down to a seemingly sandy area. However, the thin layer of sand barely covered the rocks beneath, making their footing unstable.

Suddenly, another massive wave approached, towering at least two to three times their height. It surged forward with incredible speed, seemingly ready to swallow them whole.

"What now?!" Atlas said as he looked up at the colossal wave.

He turned to Kurogasa, who stood firm in a solid stance.

"My Lord, you need to hold your ground here as the wave hits," Kurogasa said calmly.

But the waves were too fast.

The water crashed down with brutal force, consuming everything in its path.

In an instant, a whirlwind of vines formed around Lyrassa, creating a protective shield that encased her and Atlas.

Mira and Kurogasa, however, were left unshielded, caught directly in the torrent.

Atlas felt the edge of the wave pulling at him, threatening to drag him to the cliff. Lyrassa anchored him to the ground with vines that wrapped tightly around his legs. Instinctively, Atlas pulled her close, holding her tightly as the water engulfed them.

The wave crashed into the area with brutal force, pounding against the shield of vines and pressing down on them with relentless weight.

At last, the surge began to pull back, the water draining away into the sea and leaving him soaked to the bone, gasping for breath.

"Are you okay, My Lord?"

"I'm perfectly okay. Can't you see what a fine state I'm in?"

Lyrassa let out a soft laugh, brushing her wet hair away from her face.

Atlas turned his head, scanning their surroundings. Kurogasa was still standing exactly where he had been, as if the wave had done nothing to him.

But then Atlas's eyes darted around frantically.

"Where's Mira?!" he shouted.