Chapter 457 - 431: "Big Pit" Ancient Ruins

Chapter 457: Chapter 431: "Big Pit" Ancient Ruins

"Living darkness... moving metal..."

Hagry’s weak and fearful description echoed in Roland’s mind.

’Living darkness... that probably refers to some unknown, strangely-formed Demon. And "moving metal" must be the Magical Guide Structures...’

The thought didn’t fill Roland with much fear.

If they were just ordinary Demons—as long as they weren’t terrifying beings comparable to the legendary Ancient Giant Dragons—he was confident his current strength was more than enough to handle them.

As for the Magical Guide Structures...

His past experience in the Magic City Jiles had already proven that those mechanical creations, eroded by time and operating on only basic directives, posed a limited threat individually to a true Extraordinary Professional.

They relied on nothing more than their vast numbers, tireless assaults, and death-defying nature.

But even a tide like that hadn’t posed a real threat to Graham.

And Roland’s current strength far surpassed Graham’s at the time.

’Still...’

Roland’s reason quickly suppressed any nascent arrogance.

This was, after all, the Aiselon Continent, which held a lost civilization. Adding to that the "Curse" Hagry had mentioned—one that blanketed the entire continent and caused bizarre mutations in living creatures—the situation in the Big Pit couldn’t possibly be simple.

No one could say whether the Demons and Mechanical Bodies there had undergone terrifying mutations beyond comprehension, becoming far more dangerous and powerful than any of their kind he knew.

This caution made Roland abandon the idea of setting out immediately that night.

Rushing into a dangerous place with so little information about the enemy was hardly a wise move.

So, he decided to wait until the next morning, to rest and recover his energy before exploring.

Having made up his mind, Roland informed his companions of his plan.

Upon hearing this, Avril and Galvis immediately said they wanted to go with him.

Roland was about to agree.

After all, another reliable partner meant more Power and support.

But as his gaze swept over the somewhat empty Gear Hall, he saw Duraga and Bronson completely absorbed in studying the ancient devices, and the Gray Dwarves standing guard on the perimeter. He changed his mind.

Right now, their group was trapped on this strange and dangerous continent, and this temporary base was not absolutely safe.

Although Roland had never personally witnessed Duraga fight at full strength, his keen Perception allowed him to gauge that Duraga was within the range of an ordinary Transcendent. He was strong enough to handle common threats, but if they encountered a truly powerful enemy, he would likely be overwhelmed.

As for the other Gray Dwarves, while there were many of them, there were no Extraordinary Professionals among them, making them ill-equipped to handle sudden, high-intensity battles.

Considering the overall safety of the team, and the need to protect the crucial research Duraga and the others were conducting—research that was key to their escape—Roland finally made his decision.

"Avril, Galvis."

His tone was calm but firm.

"I understand how you feel, but someone needs to stay behind. Duraga’s research is crucial and cannot be disturbed."

"Besides, the base itself needs enough Power to defend it. I trust your strength. Staying here to ensure everyone’s safety is just as important."

Avril and Galvis exchanged a glance and could only nod lightly.

The Elf Maiden bit her lip and spoke softly.

"I understand, Roland. You have to be extra careful."

Galvis, on the other hand, let out an exaggerated sigh before perking up and shaking his fist.

"Alright, alright! Guarding the rear is an important Chapter in any Heroic Epic! But Roland, you have to promise me—when you get back, you have to tell me every single thing you saw in that big pit, without leaving out a single word! This will definitely be a major Chapter in *Mortal Heroes*!"

Roland looked at his two partners, a faint smile on his face.

"I promise. I’ll be back as soon as I can."

After briefly discussing the night watch schedule and other details, everyone found a relatively comfortable spot for themselves in the wide, somewhat cold Gear Hall.

They lit a small bonfire and, under the silent night of the wasteland, began their first—and perhaps fated to be uneasy—rest since arriving in Aiselon.

Roland leaned against a cold metal pillar, closing his eyes to rest.

The night passed in an oppressive silence.

Aside from the faint groans of unknown natives suffering from pain or nightmares, which occasionally drifted from the depths of Rusted Town, nothing unexpected happened.

When the first faint light of dawn struggled through the eternally murky "Curtain of Heaven," casting mottled, lifeless patches of light on the ruins, Roland slowly opened his eyes.

He said a brief farewell to his partners, who were already awake, and reconfirmed the arrangements for those staying behind. Then, he packed the necessary supplies, securely fastened the Moonlight Longsword to his waist, and set off on his journey to the Big Pit in the northwest.

He hadn’t gone far when a tiny, shimmering shadow landed lightly on his shoulder.

"So, Roland... what’s that Big Pit really like?"

The Pikachu’s small face was full of curiosity.

Roland glanced at the little companion who had insisted on coming with him and shook his head helplessly.

"How should I know, Tress? This is my first time going there, same as you."

Hearing this, Tress playfully stuck out her tongue, then blinked her big eyes and asked.

"Then why did you have to come to this awful-looking continent, and why are you in such a hurry to get to that ancient ruin? Is it just to get more Power?"

She tilted her little head, full of confusion.

From what she had observed, although Roland was constantly getting stronger, his core motivation didn’t seem to stem from a pure greed for Power.

"Power? Perhaps..."

Roland’s gaze drifted toward the desolate horizon, his voice tinged with a distant quality.

He recalled the moment he had first transmigrated into this world.

Back then, he had craved Power to solve the imminent crisis, to survive the Chaos that would likely sweep over everything when the tide of Magic Power returned.

The goal was simple and direct.

He didn’t want to die.

However, as his strength rapidly increased with the help of the Professional Panel, reaching a level where he could look down on the vast majority of mortal life, his mindset had quietly changed.

Rather than still "craving" Power, it was more accurate to say he was filled with curiosity about the various incredible systems of power this world contained.

It was like someone transmigrating into a martial arts world—how could they not be fascinated by the exquisite techniques and profound internal arts?

He wanted to understand the ultimate source and form of the Power behind the Path of the Knight, the mysteries of Magic, the faith of Divine Spirits, and even the creations left behind by this lost civilization before him.

But beyond that, there was a deeper reason that weighed on his mind.

The mystery of "Rudolph."

If he was simply a case of mistaken identity, or a descendant of Rudolph’s bloodline, then everything would be fine. Whatever the legendary Rudolph had done would have no direct connection to him.

’But what if... what if he *was* Rudolph himself?’

The original owner of the body he now occupied clearly had no connection to the "Rudolph" remembered by figures like Duadeng and Duraga.

’So, is it possible that at some point in the future, for some reason, he himself becomes "Rudolph"?’

’If that hypothesis is true, then he has to acquire enough Power as quickly as possible to face that unknown "future."’

Recalling the Trait he had triggered in Golden Ears City called [Time Traveler], Roland felt a chill in his heart.

’This continent is filled with all kinds of Power that defy common sense. The shallow understanding of Space-Time from his previous life might not apply here at all.’

’Becoming Rudolph might just be one possibility among countless timelines, but if it really happens, the events and challenges he would have to experience along the way might be something he has no choice but to face.’

’If he doesn’t have enough Power by then, he could very well become a cautionary tale, completely annihilated in the torrent of some parallel universe...’

At this thought, Roland shook his head slightly, as if to shake off these heavy, ethereal thoughts.

Then he reached out, gently tapped Tress’s small head, and changed the subject.

"Alright, little one. Instead of thinking about all that, why don’t you help me keep an eye on our surroundings?"

Tress obediently hummed in agreement, flapped her transparent wings to fly a little higher, and took on the role of a temporary aerial scout.

Roland gathered his thoughts, refocused his attention on the path ahead, and quickened his pace.

After traveling at high speed for the better part of a day and crossing a hilly region that was even more fractured than what he had seen before—as if it had been repeatedly ravaged by some immense force—the scene ahead changed abruptly. Or rather...

It abruptly collapsed.

It was not a naturally formed valley, but a terrifying scar on the earth’s surface, so enormous it inspired awe, as if a huge chunk of the land had been violently gouged out.

The edge of the Big Pit was jagged, like the bite marks of some colossal beast. The exposed rock layers had a vitrified sheen, as if they had been melted by extreme heat or a massive impact and then cooled.

The pit’s walls stretched almost vertically downward, bottomless. Only a dim light managed to penetrate a short distance before being completely swallowed by the profound Darkness below.

But what was most striking were certain areas along the pit’s edge.

Here, the remains of massive, regular metal structures, clearly not part of the natural rock formations, were exposed. They were twisted, broken, and covered in rust, yet they stubbornly testified to the artificial nature of whatever was buried beneath.

It was as if some ancient, magnificent ruin, buried deep underground, had been brutally torn open from above by an irresistible Power and exposed to the sky of this wasteland.

Roland stood at the dizzying edge of the pit.

A strong wind gusted up from the bottom, carrying with it a scent of rusted metal, dust, and something else...

An indescribable aura of ancient Energy.