The Hawaiian sun was more intense than Yeh Yao had imagined.

The moment they stepped out of Honolulu International Airport, the hot and humid tropical air hit them, making even Yeh Yao and Alicia, who were accustomed to Malaysia's climate, feel uncomfortable. Marcus led the way, skillfully hailing a taxi and giving the driver an address on the North Shore.

"Where are we headed?" Alicia asked curiously, tying her long hair into a ponytail to combat Hawaii's heat.

"Pupukea," Marcus replied, "a small town on Oahu's North Shore. According to our intel, the wielder of the Hammer of Light was last seen there."

Yeh Yao gazed out the window at the rapidly passing scenery—palm trees, blue skies, and the distant ocean formed a beautiful tropical landscape. The events in Kuala Lumpur three days ago were still vivid in his mind. It had been his first real battle and the first time he felt the full power of the Sword of Light.

"What are you thinking about?" Alicia asked softly, noticing his silence.

Yeh Yao smiled slightly. "Just thinking that if it weren’t for that Blood Moon night, we might still be in college, worrying only about exams and papers."

Alicia nodded, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes. "Life can be like that sometimes. A turning point, a single decision, can change everything. But honestly," she paused, "I don’t regret it. It might sound strange, but this adventure... feels like something we’ve been waiting for."

Yeh Yao looked at her understandingly. Indeed, despite the dangers and unknowns filling their new lives, he also felt a strange sense of fulfillment, as if he had finally found his purpose.

"Have we uncovered the identity of the Hammer of Light’s wielder?" Yeh Yao turned to Marcus and asked.

Marcus shook his head. "Only a codename: 'The Surfer.' He’s said to be a famous local surf instructor, but we’ll need to investigate further to find out who exactly he is."

"How do we locate him, then?" Alicia asked.

"The surfing community on the North Shore is tight-knit," Marcus explained. "We’ll start by asking around at local surf schools and beaches. If someone suddenly displays extraordinary abilities or saves people in dangerous situations, the locals are bound to know about it."

The taxi left bustling downtown Honolulu and drove north along the coastline. As they moved farther from the city, the scenery grew more natural and untouched. Towering mountains stood on one side, the vast Pacific Ocean on the other, with the road winding between them like a ribbon.

After about an hour’s drive, they arrived in Pupukea. It was a typical Hawaiian beach town—low-rise, brightly colored buildings lined streets flanked by palm trees and tropical flowers. Locals and tourists strolled leisurely, and the air carried the scents of saltwater, sunshine, and barbecue.

Marcus led them to a small inn called "Blue Wave" to check in. The inn was simple but clean, located near the beach with a stunning view of the Pacific.

"Let’s settle in first," Marcus said, "then head to the beach to gather information. The North Shore is famous for its sunsets, and that’s when many locals gather—perfect for picking up leads."

Yeh Yao and Alicia shared a double room, while Marcus stayed next door. After dropping off their luggage, Alicia eagerly changed into light summer clothes, ready to explore the unfamiliar yet beautiful town.

"We have a few hours to ourselves," she said excitedly. "I want to check out those famous surf spots!"

Yeh Yao shook his head with a smile but followed her out. Alicia was always like this—no matter the circumstances, she maintained her curiosity and enthusiasm, something he deeply admired about her.

They strolled along the beach, feeling the soft sand between their toes. In the distance, dozens of surfers rode towering waves, displaying breathtaking skill and courage.

"I can’t believe anyone can keep their balance on waves like that," Yeh Yao marveled, watching a surfer glide down a wave at least four meters tall.

"That’s the legendary 'Pipeline,'" a cheerful voice said behind them, "one of the North Shore’s most famous surf spots."

They turned to see a young Hawaiian local standing there, a friendly smile on his face. He appeared to be in his mid-twenties, with sun-bronzed skin and curly black hair tied loosely at the back. He wore a flashy Hawaiian shirt, board shorts, and a shell necklace around his neck.

"Tourists?" he asked warmly. "I’m Nasser, a local surf instructor."

Yeh Yao and Alicia exchanged glances, both seeing surprise in each other’s eyes. Nasser—the name matched exactly who they were looking for.

"Yeah, we just arrived," Yeh Yao replied, trying to hide his astonishment. "I’m Yeh Yao, this is Alicia. We’re from Malaysia."

"Malaysia!" Nasser said excitedly. "I’ve always wanted to surf there. I hear Sabah has some great spots."

Alicia nodded with a smile. "It does, though probably not as spectacular as here."

"Every place has its own charm," Nasser said philosophically, then pointed to a group of surfers in the distance. "See that guy in the red wetsuit? That’s Jake, one of the best surfers on the North Shore. His skills are almost supernatural."

Yeh Yao followed his gaze and indeed saw a surfer in red moving effortlessly through the waves with incredible balance and control.

"Do you surf too?" Yeh Yao asked Nasser, probing for more information.

Nasser grinned. "Of course. Almost everyone here does. But I mostly teach, especially beginners." He paused, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Want to give it a try? I can give you a beginner’s lesson."

Alicia immediately showed keen interest. "Really? That’d be amazing!"

Yeh Yao hesitated. He’d never tried surfing before, and their mission was to find the Hammer of Light’s wielder, not to vacation. But seeing Alicia’s eager expression, he couldn’t refuse.

"Alright," he finally agreed, "but start with the basics."

"Perfect!" Nasser clapped. "Tomorrow at 8 a.m., meet at the northern end of this beach. The waves are gentler there, good for beginners. I’ll bring all the gear."

After setting the plan, Nasser waved goodbye and continued his patrol along the beach. Yeh Yao and Alicia watched him leave, then turned to each other.

"Do you think he could be the one we’re looking for?" Alicia whispered. "Nasser, a surf instructor—it’s too much of a coincidence."

Yeh Yao thought for a moment. "Very likely. But we need more proof. Tomorrow’s surf lesson might be a good chance to observe him up close."

They continued walking along the shore, discussing how to confirm Nasser’s identity and approach him without raising suspicion. The sun slowly sank, painting the sky and sea in gold and red—the North Shore sunset was indeed as breathtaking as Marcus had described.

That evening, they regrouped with Marcus at the inn and told him about their encounter with Nasser.

"Nasser..." Marcus repeated thoughtfully. "It fits our intel. But we need to confirm whether he’s truly the Hammer of Light’s wielder."

"We’ve scheduled a surf lesson for tomorrow morning," Alicia said. "Maybe we can observe him more closely then."

Marcus nodded. "Good idea. Meanwhile, I’ll ask around town for more information about him. If he’s the wielder, there might be rumors about his extraordinary abilities."

After dinner, the three discussed their next steps on the inn’s balcony. Stars dotted the night sky, and the distant sound of waves crashing against the shore created a serene atmosphere—so peaceful that it was hard to imagine the world was under threat from the Shadow Realm.

"If Nasser really is the wielder, how do we convince him to join us?" Yeh Yao voiced the question that had been troubling him.

Marcus pondered for a moment. "Every wielder has their own story and motivations. Some may already be aware of their mission, while others might still be confused. The key is to help them understand the truth—the meaning and responsibility of the power they hold."

"Like what you did for me," Yeh Yao said, recalling their first meeting in Sabah Park.

Marcus smiled slightly. "Yes, but everyone’s different. Nasser might need a different approach. We need to understand him—his values and what he cares about."

Yeh Yao nodded, grasping Marcus’s point. Convincing a stranger to join a potentially life-threatening mission wasn’t easy, especially when the mission sounded so unbelievable.