An Understated Dominance Novel (Dahlia & Dustin) by Marina Vittori updated 2025-26 - An Understated Dominance Chapter 2630

Chapter 2630

Logan landed lightly on the battered deck, the golden glow fading from his blade. A thick pool of dark green blood floated on the waves, spreading slowly beneath the drizzle.

Somewhere in the distance, the typhoon had silently withdrawn. A break appeared in the thick clouds, revealing the long-lost sunlight. It streamed down onto the devastated Breaking Waves, casting light over the chaos and ruin.

Grace steadied herself against the ship’s splintered railing and stared out at the sea as it gradually calmed. She finally exhaled a long-held breath.

The octopus monster they’d just faced had been a Grandmaster-level threat—massive, relentless, and capable of terrifying regeneration. If not for Logan, they wouldn’t have stood a chance. A regular cultivator wouldn’t have even scratched it.

Now, the storm had passed. The sea lay still. The Breaking Waves floated quietly, though its deck was a disaster—splattered with blood, littered with shattered wood, and soaked in seawater. Exhausted soldiers slumped where they stood, breathing heavily, their faces still etched with lingering fear.

Grace walked over to Logan. “Are you alright?” she asked.

“I’m fine,” Logan replied, shaking his head. “That thing was strong, but it wasn’t enough to hurt me. Still…” He glanced at the waves with narrowed eyes. “It’s strange to encounter something of that caliber just days into the East Dragonmarsh Sea.”

Grace nodded, her expression somber. “This place is vast and shrouded in mystery. No one’s explored the deep sea regions, and we have no idea what’s hiding out here. I think we’ve only scratched the surface.”

Even with all her preparation, Grace had clearly underestimated the dangers that awaited them. This was only the third day at sea—and already, they’d nearly been wiped out. Who knew what else lurked ahead?

But there was no turning back now.

The sunlight filtered through the clouds, casting a golden shimmer across the surface of the sea. The Breaking Waves, though bruised and battered, slowly pushed forward, heading into the unknown.

Though drained, the crew’s eyes still held a determined glint. They knew worse threats lay ahead, but none of them intended to back down.

On deck, the soldiers got to work. Some cleared away debris and mopped up blood. Others began the long process of repairing the hull. Medics rushed between the injured, doing the best they could with limited supplies and no time to rest.

Grace and Logan stood together at the bow, staring into the distant horizon. They didn’t know where Fairyharbor Island was—only that it existed, somewhere beyond these waters.

But as long as they kept moving forward, they’d reach it.

The sea breeze swept across the deck, cool and steady. It carried with it a whisper of hope.

The Breaking Waves pressed onward across the vast ocean, chasing the fading myth of Fairyharbor Island.

That evening…

Far ahead, another fleet carved its way through the East Dragonmarsh Sea.

Tristan stood at the helm of the lead ship as dusk settled in. A copper lantern flickered beside him, casting eerie shadows on the deck. Just as he was about to issue a routine order, the west lookout screamed:

“Water—shadows! So many of them!”

The warning had barely left his mouth before the ship lurched violently. A horrible grinding sound echoed up from the hull, like sharp teeth gnawing through wood.

Tristan gripped the railing and peered over the edge.

The sea had erupted into froth.

Thousands of sleek, silver-gray fish writhed in the water, each one half a meter long, with serrated jaws and dagger-like dorsal fins glinting under the dim light. The frenzy had begun.

“Deep-sea piranhas!” someone cried, collapsing in terror. “These aren’t normal piranhas—these are monsters!”

The words had barely been spoken when a loud crack tore through the stern. A swarm of piranhas surged onto the deck with the seawater.

One soldier was caught instantly—his leg clamped by a set of steel jaws. The creature twisted violently, ripping through flesh and sinew until white bone showed. His scream was cut short as blood sprayed across the deck.

Another soldier slashed his sword in panic, cleaving several fish in two. But even dismembered, the piranhas flopped madly across the wood, their jaws still snapping with terrifying force.

More and more poured through cracks in the hull. Their scales were tougher than iron; regular weapons barely scratched them. But human skin? It tore like paper. Blood gushed across the deck, and the scent drove the frenzy to new heights.

Then the waves rose.

A monstrous shadow burst from the sea—a three-meter-long giant piranha. Jet black from head to tail, with bony spikes on its back and fangs laced with venom that shimmered blue under the moonlight.

The Piranha King.

It lunged at the ship, sinking its fangs into the railings. Several soldiers were too slow—swallowed whole in an instant. Their screams echoed briefly, then fell silent, drowned by the beast’s gurgling throat.

“Open fire!” someone bellowed.

Explosions rang out across the sea.

Bullets peppered the water like hail. Dozens of fish floated to the surface, belly-up, blood turning the ocean crimson.

But before the smoke even cleared, the Piranha King returned—with an even larger school behind it.

With one bone-crushing strike, it slammed into the side of an escort vessel, cleaving it clean in half.

Water flooded the shattered ship.

Piranhas swarmed into the rising current like demons unleashed. Soldiers thrashed in waist-deep water, but within seconds, the deck was painted in blood and shredded flesh. All that remained were bone fragments and air bubbles drifting to the surface.

On the remaining ships, terror spread like wildfire. The soldiers looked on, their faces pale and their hearts pounding.

The sea had no mercy.

And it was only the beginning.