While Uncle Dan held back the two warriors of the Dark Palace at the entrance, Shin’s group pressed deeper into the ruins, unaware of how close danger truly was.
The corridor stretched long and narrow. Its stone walls were cracked with age, veins of moss clinging to the corners like old scars. Mana lamps cast a weak, flickering glow that slid across ancient carvings etched into the floor—symbols worn smooth by time and forgotten footsteps.
Each step echoed softly.
Yet strangely—nothing happened.
No traps.
No ambush.
No warning.
Shin was the first to break the silence.
“We’ve been walking for a while now,” he said, eyes sweeping the corridor. “Isn’t it weird? There are no traps on this path.”
Lin stopped abruptly and turned on him, arms crossing over her chest.
“So you entered without knowing anything?” she snapped.
Shin shrugged, completely unfazed.
“What’s wrong with that?” he replied. “You were all busy fighting outside. If this path was wrong, someone would’ve stopped us already.” He pointed straight ahead, chin raised. “So why not walk in and find out?”
Bek laughed and bounced lightly on his feet, clearly enjoying himself.
“He’s right!” Bek said cheerfully. “And if something happens, my magic shoes will find a way.”
Lin’s expression darkened.
“You are reckless,” she said sharply. “Both of you. Absolute idiots.”
She stepped closer, voice cutting, though concern flickered in her eyes.
“This is an ancient ruin. One wrong step and you lose a leg—or your life. Don’t treat this like a playground.”
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Shin scratched the back of his head with an awkward grin. Bek looked away, pretending not to hear.
A short distance behind them, Pik watched in silence. His eyes gleamed with quiet greed as the argument unfolded.
“This is our chance,” Pik whispered. “We move ahead and take the treasure first.”
Set nodded eagerly. “You’re right, boss. Let’s go.”
Without drawing attention, Pik, Set, and their companions increased their pace, slipping past broken pillars and fallen statues. Their footsteps were light and practiced—clearly accustomed to taking the lead when opportunity appeared.
None of them noticed the faint shift in the air.
Suddenly—
**RUMBLE—!**
The ground shook violently.
“Whoa—!” Bek shouted as he nearly lost his footing.
Cracks raced across the floor. Dust rained from the ceiling as loose stones smashed down, echoing sharply through the corridor.
Lin steadied herself, eyes wide. “An earthquake? No—this isn’t natural!”
Shin slammed his palm against the wall, heart pounding. “What the hell was that?!”
Far above them, beyond sealed layers of stone, the cause remained unseen.
At the entrance of the ruins, Uncle Dan’s fist struck with terrifying force. The enemy’s saber was sent flying, smashing into the stone wall. A violent shockwave erupted outward.
Uncle Dan’s aura surged—no longer suppressed.
The early awakening of the saber, fueled by Qi Gathering, resonated through the ancient structure. Power rippled through stone and earth, awakening mechanisms long buried.
Back inside, Pik stumbled as another tremor followed.
“Tch—this place is unstable!” he muttered, panic flashing across his face.
Before anyone could turn back—
**BOOM.**
A massive stone gate descended from the darkness ahead, sealing the path behind Pik’s group with a thunderous crash.
Dust billowed.
The echo lingered.
They were cut off.
Then—
Glowing red eyes flickered open in the darkness above.
One.
Then dozens.
Then hundreds.
Shin’s voice trembled. “Hey guys… look up.”
A piercing hiss filled the corridor. Leathery wings erupted from the shadows, forming a screaming cloud.
“Ahhh!”
The swarm descended.
Lin swung wildly. “Get away!”
“They’re biting me—help!” Pek cried.
“Everyone—run!” Shin shouted.
They fled blindly, chased by shrill screeches and beating wings, until moonlight burst through an opening ahead.
The bats surged upward, spiraling into the night sky. Their shadows twisted briefly in the silver glow—then vanished.
Silence returned.
Moonlight poured into a wide cavern where a lone stone monument stood at its center. At its peak rested an ordinary-looking stone—identical in shape to the scattered gray stones littering the floor.
Beyond it rose a pyramid-shaped tomb. Three staircases—left, right, and front—led upward, each step worn smooth by time.
Shin grinned. “Hehehe… we came here first! Everyone, search!”
“Yes, sir!” Bek replied eagerly.
Lin shivered. “This place is creepy…”
But no matter how thoroughly they searched, they found nothing—only an empty tomb and gray stones.
“I found nothing but dust and insects,” Pek groaned.
Shin stood by the monument, examining the stone at its peak.
“Maybe this stone is the treasure,” he murmured. “What if we break it open?”
Pek lifted it high—
A sudden gale roared through the cavern.
Dust and shadows blinded them.
When the wind died, the stone was gone.
“What?! Where is it?” Shin shouted.
“I—I don’t know!” Pek said. “It vanished!”
Tension flared, but Lin cut in sharply. “Enough. Maybe it fell among the others.”
Shin knelt.
Most stones were dull.
Then his hand froze.
One stone shimmered faintly with color.
“This one… it’s different.”
Bek shrugged. “Just a rock.”
Lin turned away. “We’re leaving.”
But the ground shifted.
Stones scraped together.
The scattered gray stones slid back into place, rebuilding the monument.
An empty hollow waited at
the top.
The stone in Shin’s hand trembled.
He placed it into the hollow.
*Click.*
The air grew heavy.
Somewhere deep within the ruins, something ancient stirred.
