1095 Fucked
In the dim light of the ruined pagoda, a group of elves grumbled and complained as they searched the premises for anything of value.
"Ah! This isn't fair! Our earlier generations had it so much easier, but we have to suffer. The concentration of the blood essence strings is so low that we haven't come across even one until now."
"Shut up. This time the trip to ancient ruins is not about acquiring any treasures or even acquiring any of the blood essence strings. This time it is all about survival."
"Meh. You are just being too cautious. Every decade when the gate to the ruins is opened, there is always bloody carnage in there. Of all the people who enter here, several die. This is nothing to be shocked about. It is expected."
"No. No. I think you have not heard about the news yet. This time the ruins is going to be more crowded than ever. The Emperor has opened the gates of the ruins to many major kingdoms. Each Kingdom received 20 slots!"
"Shit! Doesn't the Empire have 100 slots? That too, all the big clans have ten slots. This is definitely going to be a bloodbath."
"Aye! Not just that. The Emperor has also opened up the ruins for some C-grade worlds and D-grade worlds, giving some of our distant branch families some slots too. These guys coughed up quite a pretty penny for this purpose."
"But why is he doing all this?"
"Ok. This rumor might not be true but I heard that the inner veil of the ruins is being brought down this time. Apparently, the Emperor wants his prodigal son to attempt the impossible."
"How did the crown prince allow that?"
"Aye! It's all timing! The third prince made a breakthrough and reached Level 1000."
"Hot damn! He should be the youngest elf to achieve this feat."
"Yup, and that's why the Emperor is arranging for this trip. And that's why heads are going to roll."
"Ahhh… politics… a person can't even trust their own kith and kin."
"You bunch of idiots! Stop gossiping like little bitches and get to work. Your elven ass is not going to get shit if we don't increase our pace."
"Alright. Alright. Let's move. We found the entrance to the ruins, so now we need to get inside. Maybe we can find one or two treasures?"
"Hmph! You are aiming too low! I plan to kill some soul blood beasts. I reached Level 700 already. I might not be some prodigal hot shot but this Loraethal is not that bad."
The group of elves furiously searched the pagoda, only to step out empty-handed. But none of them seemed to be bothered by this. After all, they were still on the outskirts of the ruins and everything that was valuable in these places was already stripped clean.
The group then hunkered down to plot their next move and chose another target. This time they chose a target closer to the ground. Logically, this was a bad thing to do.
In these mana rich mountains, it was best to target places at the top of the mountains where the mana was most abundant. The civilization here was set up in that manner.
However, this group chose to go for a small building at the bottom. This was because everyone who entered the ruins only had a limited time to search the place for treasures and valuables.
So most people would target the living abodes at the top of the mountains to obtain something valuable as most prominent people would have probably resided at the top.
This group of elves decided to do the opposite and search the bottom areas in case there were any items overlooked by their predecessors. Perhaps the lower buildings were ignored thinking that they wouldn't have something valuable.
The elf named Loraethal suggested this idea and the others seemed to think that this was a good method. Being in the outer part of the ruins, maybe if they employed this strategy they could come across a herb or two.
A few minutes passed when they descended the mountain and entered the building. However, at the last minute, Loraethal stopped. "Hey. Look there. Is that a crevice? Don't you guys think that it is quite big? Perhaps someone lived there?"
The group immediately paused their descent and floated in the air. They might not be prodigies but they were elves born in a B-grade world. Their growth and potentials were nothing to be scoffed at.
Moreover, each one of them was around Level 700 or so. They daringly stepped inside the crevice to explore opportunities. One of the elves summoned a faint flickering flame that lit up their path ahead.
The crevice pathway led them deeper and the next second, the bunch of elves gasped. Their pathway ended in a huge hollow space.
They had actually stumbled into a huge cavern inside the mountain!
The elves quickly activated their wind magic and descended down quietly, sticking to the wall of the cavern. It was pitch dark inside, filled with a very noxious miasma.
However, the elves continued to descend. It would have been better if they knew where they were going but at the moment it was safer to stay in the dark. Otherwise, they might as well have a target on their back that said kill me.
This was because the ancient ruins not only held infinite treasures and heaven-defying possibilities, but they also housed several dangerous beasts.
And as long as they did not run into one of these beasts…
The group of elves all said their silent prayer and prepared to explore the place when suddenly the one with the highest perception among them began to shake in fear.
Sitting a few feet away in front of them was none other than a freaking soul blood beast!
The soul blood beast was a creature of nightmare and awe, a terrifying manifestation of ancient power and primal hunger.
Its ethereal form towered over the elves, standing at an impressive height of nearly twelve feet, with a long, serpentine tail trailing behind it.
Its body was covered in iridescent scales, shimmering with hues of deep crimson and dark purple. As it moved, its scales seemed to shift and change, giving the illusion that it was composed of both light and shadow.
The huge beast that was awakened by the sudden presence of fresh blood turned its menacing gaze toward the group of elves. Its crimson eyes glowed with a ferocious hunger, and its ethereal form emanated an eerie aura.
They were fucked!
But just as they stood frozen in fear, a ball of flames erupted and a short and chubby elf appeared out of the shadows, barreling the soul blood beast with a barrage of attacks.
Eldrin Silverthorn did not plan to miss out on such a god-sent opportunity!
