After the encounter with the dark gray mist, the group moved very carefully. As time passed, they were getting closer to the end of the insect valley, and they didn't encounter that mist again except for some small magic bugs. Their journey went smoothly.
Two days later, the group was finally out of the insect valley, and everyone sighed in relief and rested for half a day before continuing.
After passing through the insect valley, they entered a familiar gully that even the One Fist Team was unaware of. Furthermore, this time, they were faced with some powerful magic beasts, but the One Fist Team handled them easily.
On the sixth day, the group finally reached their destination, which was a towering waterfall surrounded by barren mountains.
Stopping in from the massive water body, Aven declared, "We are here."
"What is this place?" Bryan couldn't help but ask as he felt the rich element mana in the air. The other also felt it.
Jacob was already aware of this place, and he knew what was next. He spoke, "Alright, everyone. I want you all to stay put while I go and scout the area."
"I'll come with you." Bryan moved forward.
Jacob looked at him with a faint frown before nodding, "Alright. The rest of the group will rest until team leader Bryan and I come back."
Aven and Frugal frowned behind their masks as they had already discussed that Jacob would go alone since that place was a secret, and they already knew Bryan's hidden intention.
However, they didn't speak out since Jacob was their leader, and they trusted his judgment.
"Let's go." Jacob coolly stated before he dived into the water without hesitation.
'It's hidden underwater?' Bryan thought with a hint of anticipation, and the next moment, he dived behind Jacob.
The water current was quite strong, but it wasn't at the level where it could obstruct epics like them. Furthermore, Jacob has a strong affinity with water after he completes the water meditation, and he is as agile as a fish within the water. It even alarmed Bryan when he saw Jacob was moving too fast for him to keep up.
But he tried to keep up as he could tell Jacob was going towards the source of the waterfall. However, right at this moment, dizziness suddenly overcame his mind, and before he could even begin to understand what had happened, his eyes started to close as his mind completely shut down, and he fell into a slumber!
Jacob's figure appeared out of nowhere as he stared at the drowning orc and held his body. The next moment, Bryan vanished without a trace.
'Did he think I'd let him further ruin my plans? If I'm not wrong, he still didn't send that map he was making to whomever he was planning to since he just found out that we reached here, and he might want to wait before confirming the scoop of the treasure…
'Although it would be difficult to explain to his team, it's better than creating an unpredictable variable.' He thought with killing intent, 'Besides, I'm getting hungry…'
After dealing with Bryan, Jacob moved towards the waterfall and dived deeper while replenishing his hex mana. The pool was around 100 meters deep, and as he approached the waterfall, it became even deeper.
'It should be at the bottom…'
Jacob reached the bottom of the waterfall, which was over 300 meters deep, and he was finally able to spot what he was looking for. There was a three-meter side hole within the waterfall mountain, and he entered it after confirming there wasn't anything inside.
Although it was dangerous, he knew the giant siblings needed him so they wouldn't try to scheme against him. According to them, there wasn't any trap in this passage that led directly to the 'door.'
Jacob slowly swims within the dark tunnel and approaches its depth. After swimming for five minutes, he finally saw a light source that was left behind by the two siblings. It was the end of the tunnel.
Approaching the light, Jacob reached the end and exited the tunnel. However, the moment he stepped out of the water tunnel, he met with fresh air, not water.
Astounded, he looked back and saw the water tunnel behind him now look like a water mirror completely static, and when he tried to go back, he was again submerged in the water.
'How magical…' He thought before he finally looked into the magical space behind the tunnel and was even more shocked.
Because the space was sealed, it was 50 cubic meters large and seemed to have been made entirely with reinforced steel, and there were countless magic runes encrypted on every corner of this space, even the floor. On the top center wall was a 10-meter large black door with a strange crimson runic symbol.
'So that is the door! Although it is slightly different from how they explain. Nonetheless, they weren't wrong about the runes' Jacob's eyes glued on that door he heard about from the siblings, but seeing it himself was another different experience.
Jacob approached the black door while he tried to comprehend those magic runes. But he quickly understood his limit. The thing was, he only knew Rune Crafting up to basic epic grade. But the runes in this place were most likely encrypted by an Advance Elder Grandmaster Rune Artificer!
However, he was discouraged because he knew he might encounter this sort of barrier as the Vile Witch wasn't a small character. So, before coming here, he has already exchanged one atomic grenade for Advance Epic Magic Rune Language with the Dark Marquise.
Although it wasn't the knowledge of an advanced elder grandmaster, it was enough for him to read those runes. Neither was it like he didn't want to acquire that knowledge; he tried, but the Dark Marquise wanted 3 White Sun Missiles for it, which Jacob didn't have, so that deal didn't happen.
But now, seeing the work of an Advanced Elder Grandmaster, Jacob felt he might be able to increase his Rune Artificer rank if he was able to comprehend those runes. At least, he wanted to try before using his last resort to blow up this place.
Furthermore, after seeing this place, he wasn't sure if a single atomic grenade was enough to blow up those runes, and if he used more than necessary, this whole mountain might come down.
So, comprehending those runes was the best option.
Jacob then didn't waste more time and sprang into work, but before that, he was going to have a hearty meal!