Chapter 684: Calm Ruin

Clyde finally found a mission that suited his needs. He picked up the sheet and showed it to Mina, pointing out the details that caught his attention.

The mission involved exploring a relatively stable Ruin and investigating an abandoned settlement. According to the report the area had low magical interference too, predictable terrain, and only a small number of monsters. The area was already being explored before, now he needs to take the materials from monsters there again.

The objective itself was simple enough that they could finish it without spending too much time or energy.

Mina read through the description, paying particular attention to the environmental conditions and the reported monster activity.

After a moment, she looked up at Clyde.

"This looks like what you need," she said. "The terrain is stable, the magical interference is low, and there shouldn’t be too many monsters around. It might be the best option on the list."

Clyde nodded. That was exactly what he had been looking for.

He needed a place where he could perform the ancient ritual without worrying about unstable ground or sudden disturbances. This Ruin with manageable threats and little magical interference offered the best chance of success.

Their eyes met for a moment before they exchanged a brief nod. They didn’t need to say anything more.

They gathered the mission sheet and approached the counter, where the receptionist was sorting through several documents.

"We’ve decided on this one," Clyde said, placing the sheet on the counter.

The receptionist glanced at the mission details before looking at the two of them. She seemed mildly surprised, then let out a small laugh as she began processing their registration.

"So you’ve finally decided to take an easier mission," she remarked. "I was starting to wonder whether you two ever planned to take a break. You usually go out with Samuel and his team, and those missions are rarely simple. I’ve seen the reports. You people are real hard hitters."

Clyde offered her a faint smile. "I think it was about time we took things a little easier. Everyone needs a chance to relax now and then."

"I’m glad to hear that. It would be a shame if you exhausted yourselves before the next dangerous mission even appeared."

She finished the registration and handed them their mission documents.

Clyde checked the details briefly before putting them away. With everything settled, he and Mina left the Council building and headed back toward their living quarters.

The streets of Sivagadh Fortress remained busy, filled with people going about their daily routines.

As they approached the path leading to their quarters, Clyde turned toward Mina.

"Prepare whatever you need for tomorrow. We should leave early."

Mina nodded. "All right. Is there anything special I should bring?"

"Just your usual equipment. If you need anything else, you can ask Hammer. He should be able to help you find it."

"Alright. I’ll make sure everything is ready for me."

Clyde gave her a final nod before they parted ways. Mina returned to her quarters to prepare for the journey, while Clyde went back to his own room to check the ritual materials he had gathered over the past few weeks.

He inspected each component carefully, making sure nothing was missing or damaged.

Once he was satisfied, he stored everything securely and spent the remaining hours resting and preparing his mind for the task ahead.

—

The following morning, Clyde left his quarters with the amulet required to travel between worlds. He made his way to the designated meeting point and waited for Mina.

She arrived shortly afterward, carrying her twin daggers and wearing the equipment she had grown accustomed to using in battle.

Her armor was properly secured and the straps holding her weapons were fastened tightly.

"Ready?" Clyde asked.

Mina adjusted one of her dagger sheaths and nodded. "Ready."

They headed toward the portal intersection, where the gateway to the Ruins stood within a reinforced stone structure.

Several fighters were preparing to depart, while others returned from their missions with battered armor and exhausted expressions.

The familiar sight reminded Mina that even an easy assignment could turn dangerous without warning.

Clyde approached the portal’s activation platform and placed the amulet into its designated slot. The device responded immediately. Lines of light spread across the platform, and the air in front of them began to ripple as the gateway opened.

After confirming that the portal had stabilized, Clyde stepped forward. Mina followed close behind, and together they crossed the threshold.

The familiar sensation of passing between worlds washed over them. Their surroundings blurred into streaks of light and shadow.

The distortion vanished, and their feet touched solid ground. They had arrived in the Ruin.

A vast, desolate landscape stretched before them beneath a pale, colorless sky. The remains of an ancient settlement occupied the nearby valley, its crumbling structures scattered across the uneven terrain.

Most of the buildings had collapsed, leaving only broken walls, exposed foundations, and rows of stone pillars that leaned at strange angles.

Some structures had been swallowed by the earth and the others stood half-buried beneath layers of dust and debris.

The settlement’s main road ran through the center of the ruins, but its original paving had cracked apart long ago. Weeds and patches of dry grass grew between the stones, their roots winding through the fractures.

Farther away, several larger buildings rose above the floating islands. Their roofs caved in, their walls bore deep scars that suggested either prolonged decay or some violent destruction in the distant past.

Beyond the settlement, low hills enclosed the valley. Sparse trees grew along their slopes, their twisted branches reaching toward the empty sky.

A thin layer of mist drifted across the ground in certain places, moving slowly between the ruins without any apparent source.

Despite the open landscape, the area felt strangely quiet. No birds called from the trees, no distant cries from monsters disturbed the silence.

Clyde stood still for a moment, observing the surroundings. He could sense magic in the air, but it was faint and relatively stable. There were no violent fluctuations, no strange distortions in the flow of energy or immediate signs of an approaching threat.

It was promising.

Mina stepped beside him and surveyed the area. "This place is quieter than I expected," she remarked.

"That’s actually a good thing," Clyde replied. "Let’s finish the mission first. After that, we’ll find a suitable location and prepare everything."

Mina nodded, tightening her grip on one of her daggers before following him toward the settlement.

—