The sun had not yet risen when Aiden opened his eyes. For a few seconds, he remained lying in bed, staring up at the ceiling of his room.
The house was silent. Only the distant crow of a rooster announced the beginning of a new day. Today... was the day. The ancient ruins would officially open to adventurers authorized by the Guild.
Aiden felt his heart beat a little faster. Since his reincarnation, he had fought a Dire Rat. He had survived a goblin. He had met Myra. But today... he was about to leave Ashbrook for the first time.
He quickly got dressed before heading downstairs. Clara was already preparing breakfast. The smell of toasted bread filled the kitchen.
She looked up the moment she saw him.
"You're leaving already?"
"I'll be heading out soon."
"You're really going into those ruins? They're dangerous, Aiden... You could wait a few weeks. Everyone says there will be other expeditions."
The young man lowered his eyes slightly.
"I can't."
"Then promise me one thing. If things go wrong... you come home. No matter what everyone else does."
"I promise."
Just then, Edgar walked into the kitchen.
He took a seat across from his son.
"I've heard about the ruins. You've made your decision."
The hunter unclipped the dagger from his belt.
"Take it."
"Dad..."
"I hardly use it anymore. But it's gotten me out of more than one bad situation."
Aiden carefully took the weapon.
"Thank you."
Edgar placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Monsters don't fight with honor. Don't try to impress anyone. If you have to run... then run."
"I understand."
After breakfast, he left the house. The sky was only just beginning to brighten. The streets of Ashbrook were already bustling with activity. Adventurers were all heading in the same direction. Every one of them carried their gear. Every one of them was talking about the ruins.
Aiden made his way around the family home to the old shed. He opened the door. Bone was already standing inside. The skeleton immediately turned his head.
"Good morning."
Bone gently inclined his skull.
"Ready?"
____________
Servant Status
Stable.
Servant Emotion Detected.
Motivation.
__________
A few minutes later, they met up with Myra in front of the main entrance of the Guild. The young rogue was sitting on a wooden fence, casually spinning a dagger between her fingers. The moment she spotted Aiden, she hopped down to the ground.
"You're finally here!"
"We're early..."
"Exactly. The best always arrive before everyone else."
"And yet..."
"Yep."
She burst into laughter.
"They all had the same idea."
Dozens of adventurers were already waiting for the expedition to begin. The receptionist was making one final check of the registry.
"Party Three!"
"Present!"
"Party Seven!"
"Here!"
The parties answered one after another.
"Party Nine!"
Myra immediately raised her hand.
"Present!"
Then she pointed at Aiden.
"And him too."
The receptionist quickly jotted something down.
"Have a safe journey."
"Thank you."
The convoy finally left Ashbrook shortly after sunrise. The road wound its way between the hills. The atmosphere was surprisingly cheerful. The adventurers joked with one another. Some were already talking about the treasures they would discover. Others imagined the monsters they would face.
Myra walked a few paces ahead. As always. She watched everything. The trees. The birds. The tracks on the ground. Aiden noticed that she never stopped scanning her surroundings.
"Looking for something?"
"Patterns."
"What kind?"
"Bad ones."
"That's how you stay alive."
After nearly two hours of walking... the first adventurers began to slow down. Then they came to a complete stop. Aiden looked up. Before him... the hillside appeared to have been split open. A massive opening descended into the depths of the earth. Huge stone blocks framed the entrance. Their surfaces were covered with moss and long cracks.
Two statues stood on either side. Time had almost completely erased their faces. And yet... they still seemed to be standing guard.
"It's..."
He had never seen anything so imposing.
"I understand why the whole region is talking about it..."
Nearly fifty adventurers had already gathered in front of the entrance. Some were finishing their preparations. Others were studying the inscriptions carved into the stone. Guild scholars were taking notes. No one seemed able to read the ancient script. Then Aiden finally caught sight of the entrance itself. A gigantic stone staircase descended deep underground. The steps vanished into complete darkness. It was impossible to see where they ended.
A chill ran down his spine.
"Do you feel it?" Myra asked.
"Feel what?"
"The air is different."
Aiden took a breath. She was right. The air felt heavier. Colder. As though something had been trapped beneath the mountain for centuries.
The Guild Master raised his voice.
"The parties will enter one at a time! Stay within sight of your teammates at all times! Don't move ahead alone! If you find a room that's already been explored, mark it! If you discover anything important, return immediately and report it to the Guild!"
The adventurers nodded. Then the first parties began descending.
"Our turn."
She stepped onto the first stair. Aiden followed. Bone brought up the rear.
The very instant he crossed the threshold... a strange sensation swept through his entire body. Like an icy current. His breath caught. For a fraction of a second... he felt as though he were falling once more into that strange darkness he had passed through before his reincarnation.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Warning.
Abnormal Mana Density Detected.
Analysis...
Unavailable.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Aiden came to an abrupt stop.
"What is it?" Myra asked.
He looked up. No one else seemed to have noticed the window. The other adventurers simply kept descending the stairs. They talked. They laughed. As if nothing had happened.
"Do you see something?"
"No..." Aiden murmured.
A cold sweat ran down Aiden's back. The system... was unable to analyze this place. It was a first. Bone placed a hand on his shoulder. Aiden turned his head. The skeleton was staring straight ahead, toward the depths of the ruins.