23:50, 44th of Trian Month, Trian Ruins.
The moonlight shone softly on the golden leaves of the trees on either side of the path.
The branches rustled and the leaves shook as if waving the hundred-odd humans a farewell.
Prince Curtis turned around and faced the group. As one of the strongest level 7 in this expedition, he considered himself responsible for the group's fate.
"Listen carefully," He said in a serious tone, and the restless group stiffened at his tone.
Like students acting under their fearsome teacher, they stood under a formation subconsciously and looked at him with caution.
Prince Curtis nodded in approval and said. "We don't know what's in the Ruler's Abode, but since it's an unexplored region for so long, there's no doubt whatever it has will be of incredible value."
The crowd's breathing was ragged and their eyes flickered with desire.
Treasures inside ruins were incomparable to what the so-called experts created. Even the best works of the Trade Union paled in front of the average ruins' treasures.
The weapons, armors, and accessories here could perfectly channel and improve one's power.
The mystical items like fruits and liquids would speed up the crawling progress rate of high awakeners.
If the items were good enough, they could even allow one to directly skip a sub-level.
…If they were really, really, really good, then they'd even allow one to skip a level altogether!
The best example was none other than Sovereign Ares who directly went from level 7 to level 9.
Other than these, there were also various life-saving items to be found in the ruins—talismans that can teleport, conceal, defend, speed you up, and more.
If they possess sufficient luck, there's a chance their lives would be completely turned around in a single day.
As their thoughts turned more and more intense, their hearts burned up with fervent desire.
"But." Prince Curtis' cold voice was like a breeze in the arctic.
Like cold water splashed on their heads, they shivered. Their eyes turned back to normal and their hearts calmed down.
"If you overdo it, and I mean, if you go an extra mile than necessary, then I'll mark you as my target and report to the military." He concluded and turned around.
The crowd was silent as they digested his words.
Overdoing.
Since they were going to give their bests for the treasures, injuries were inevitable. Serious injuries would also be common. Deaths…weren't ruled out.
But.
If anyone went out of their way to deliberately harm others, then it'd be considered as an offense by Curtis.
If he reported his findings to the military, they'd be judged in the military court.
Even if they're level 7s and princes on top of that, their punishment won't be light. Death sentences weren't impossible.
"Tch." Princess Nora clicked her tongue at Curtis who had his back turned to the crowd and stared ahead with an indifferent stare.
She admired him for standing up for what was right. Of course, she'd never show it.
Looking at the crowd, she said in a fierce voice. "I just have one thing I want to make clear."
The crowd flinched at her brash tone.
"I won't hold back." She smiled brightly, but it only sent a chill down everyone's spines. "So, pick your opponent carefully."
Finally, it was Jamie's turn.
He looked at them with a plain gaze. "Let's do our best."
With those words, the trio stood in front of the crowd, as if leading them.
In front of them was a huge wall of white mist. With every passing second, the mist was receding bit by bit.
A silence ensued.
Once they got time to think over what they were just told, some members of the crowd gritted their teeth in frustration.
Particularly enemies. They stared at each other with killing intent and clenched their fists.
Ruins… were a perfect place to kill your enemy and leave no trace behind. Even if things got leaked somehow, as long as there's no definitive evidence, there won't be a big problem.
And it wasn't just for enemies.
A group that wanted to loot others also felt tremendous pressure. Things like this were condemned but kept under the rug.
But now…
"Hey!" A hoarse voice broke the silence as a rough-looking brawny man stepped forward.
He was two meters tall and had a large scar running from his eyebrow to the back of his ear.
If Evander's scar made him more manly and handsome, then this man's scar, coupled with his hideous expression made him ugly.
On top of that, the way he growled like a hungry wolf worsened his image in the minds of everyone present.
"Hey!" He called out again and the trio finally turned around.
They looked at him with disinterested eyes. Nora even clicked her tongue and held her hands behind her head with an expression that said. 'Finally!'
But neither she nor the two princes spoke.
…As if they didn't even deem him worth speaking to.
Veins popped up on the man's forehead and he clenched his fists, causing pop sounds to resound in the silent night.
"Who are you to police us? To police me? Huh?" The man took a big step forward and reached Curtis.
With his bigger build and height, he was towering over Curtis.
Seeing the trio remain silent, the man gained even more confidence as he waggled a finger at Curtis.
"You are a bit stronger than me, yeah? But how much? You think you can take care of the whole crowd? The hundred strong? Huh?" He bend down and looked down Curtis in the eye.
"Speak up. Why are you silent, Mr. Police?"
Curtis' eyes were dull as if the provocation didn't bother him in the least.
Right when the man was about to spew curses, the fog cleared up.
"What!"
"It's a mountain!"
"Fuck no! It's…it's a…!"
"Se…Sense the aura!"
The crowd broke into discussions in anxious voices. Their voices bordered on disbelief and fear.
"Huh?" The brawny man raised a brow and looked at the fog, no, at the place where the fog used to be.
A large black hill was present in that place. On the hill were countless purple trees…that looked more like sharp needles.
"…What a weird mountai—" The man's eyes suddenly widened as he took a step back.
Aura…he sensed aura from this hill.
The kind of aura unique to living things.