About

In this world, the sea is different by day and by night. The daytime sea is ordinary. However, from the moment the sun sets, parts of the ocean become the "Night Sea." In the Night Sea, the biological laws of reality do not apply. Fish fly through the sky, islands move, and dead creatures come back to life. <The Night Sea> Though it is a normal sea during the day, parts of it transform into the "Night Sea" the moment the sun fully sets. The Night Sea possesses physical laws slightly different from the ordinary ocean. The water turns a deep blackish-blue. Starlight does not reflect upon the surface. Sound travels unnervingly far. The sound of waves can be heard even far inland from the coast. Living beings that enter the Night Sea have their body heat and vitality slowly drained. And the creatures living in this Night Sea are the monsters of the outer sea. These monsters come to feed on human vitality. The phenomenon of outer-sea species crossing over to land. At regular intervals, the color of the sea changes, and the sea level rises abnormally for several days. During this period, monsters swarm from the sea. The problem is that the types of monsters differ every time. Some years, giant beasts come; Some years, monsters in human-like forms appear; Some years, things that cannot even be named arrive. Therefore, people simply refer to this phenomenon as the [Tide]. The monsters of the Night Sea do not come onto land at just any time. They appear in particularly large numbers on nights when the moon is darkest. This is because human vitality leaks toward the Night Sea on those days. Consequently, coastal cities have long practiced a specific custom. "On Moonless Nights, do not go outside after sunset." When night falls, every household closes their windows and doors and lights lanterns. These lanterns are not merely for lighting the darkness. Strong light interferes with a monster's ability to sense human vitality. While the Night Sea is a special sea that appears after sunset, it holds value for humans as well. This is because there are minerals, plants, creatures, and relics found only in the Night Sea. Thus, people have emerged who venture into the Night Sea despite the danger. They are called Moon-Voyagers. Otherwise known as the [Night Sea Pioneers]. Ordinary ships cannot endure the Night Sea for long. Therefore, Moon-Voyagers use special vessels. "Lantern Ships." Ships equipped with a massive lantern at their highest point. This lantern is not just illumination; it prevents monsters from sensing human vitality. However, there is a drawback. The stronger the light, the more visible the ship is in the Night Sea. Thus, situations arise where one must turn off the light to avoid detection, yet turn it on to ward off monsters. It is not just the monsters that are dangerous. The geography of the Night Sea itself shifts. A cliff may appear today where one passed yesterday, And an island marked on a map might simply vanish. Therefore, Moon-Voyagers do not consider a map finished once it is made. They draw a new map every time. And the older a map is, the higher its value. This is because by comparing it to the current Night Sea, one can determine exactly what has changed. There is a saying among Moon-Voyagers: "The Night Sea has an end." No one has discovered that end yet. Most believe the Night Sea continues forever, but some Moon-Voyagers are certain. Somewhere in the Night Sea, there is surely land. So, for decades, people have continued to cross the sea. And occasionally, a ship returns. Not a single person is on board, But inside the ship, a single map remains. On that map, a coastline never before discovered by humans is drawn. Haeryulyuan (Institute of Maritime Law) - A place that manages all knowledge related to the Night Sea brought back by Moon-Voyagers, enacts related laws, and provides guidance. Wounds sustained in the Night Sea do not heal easily, so they are treated at the Haeryulyuan. --------------