Chapter 153:Beyond the System’s Knowledge

Chapter 153: Chapter 153:Beyond the System’s Knowledge

Ronan remained beside the circular depression, studying the strange energy.

For the first time since acquiring his system, he had encountered something it couldn’t explain.

It couldn’t identify the source, determine its nature, or provide even a basic classification.

That alone was enough to make him interested.

However, curiosity wasn’t a reason to act recklessly. He had no idea what would happen if he continued interacting with the energy, and he wasn’t about to risk his life merely to satisfy his curiosity.

He had survived this long by knowing when to advance and when to retreat.

For now, he needed more information.

"Everyone, leave the chamber."

The captain frowned.

"What?"

"You heard me. Get your soldiers out of here."

"You are a prisoner. You don’t give orders to my men."

Ronan looked at him.

"Then stay. Just don’t complain if something happens."

The captain’s expression darkened.

He clearly disliked taking instructions from a prisoner, but after witnessing Ronan’s discovery, he wasn’t eager to remain near the strange depression either.

"Everyone, return to the passage. Nobody touches anything."

The soldiers obeyed.

Ronan followed them out, taking one last look at the circular depression before leaving the chamber.

He had already confirmed that the energy could interfere with his system’s analysis. Repeatedly touching it wouldn’t suddenly make it understandable.

He needed a different approach.

And preferably one that didn’t involve risking his existence.

---

They returned to the surface shortly before the soldier sent to Bloodfall City came back with a response.

The messenger was accompanied by two additional vampires wearing black armor. Unlike the original escort, their equipment carried the insignia of Varkos’s personal guard.

The captain approached them immediately.

"What did Lord Varkos say?"

The leading vampire handed him a sealed document.

"His lordship has ordered the site secured. No one is permitted to enter the underground chamber without authorization."

The captain broke the seal and quickly read the message.

His expression became increasingly serious.

"What about the settlement?"

"His lordship has dispatched another unit to examine the surrounding area. We’re to remain here until they arrive."

The captain nodded before turning toward Ronan.

"You heard the orders. We’re staying."

Ronan glanced at the messenger.

"Did Varkos say anything about the energy?"

The vampire studied him.

"Why would he?"

"Because I discovered something his people couldn’t identify."

"Your discoveries are irrelevant unless his lordship decides otherwise."

Ronan smiled faintly.

"Of course."

He wasn’t surprised by the response. Varkos had no reason to trust him, and revealing information to a prisoner would accomplish little.

Still, the Vampire Lord’s reaction interested him.

He had ordered the chamber secured instead of destroyed. That suggested he wanted to investigate it properly, rather than dismissing it as an unknown hazard.

Whether Varkos understood what he was dealing with remained unclear.

Ronan decided not to press the matter.

---

Several hours passed before the new unit arrived.

It consisted of twelve vampires, including two who appeared to be specialists in formations. They carried instruments, crystal containers, and several pieces of equipment Ronan couldn’t identify.

The moment they learned about the underground chamber, they began preparing to examine it.

Ronan watched from beside the ruined building.

One of the specialists approached the captain.

"Has anyone touched the central structure?"

"Only the prisoner."

The specialist’s expression changed.

"Who authorized that?"

"Nobody. He discovered it before we understood what it was."

The specialist looked toward Ronan.

"What did you do?"

Ronan shrugged.

"I touched a stone."

"You touched it?"

"Would you prefer a more elaborate explanation?"

The vampire’s face tightened.

"Do you have any idea what you might have activated?"

"No. That’s why I touched it."

The specialist stared at him as though he couldn’t decide whether Ronan was stupid or simply insane.

Ronan found the reaction amusing.

After all, the vampire had asked what he had done, and he had answered honestly.

The specialist turned toward the captain.

"Keep him away from the chamber. Nobody interacts with the structure until we’ve completed our examination."

Ronan raised an eyebrow.

"By all means. I wouldn’t want to interfere with your expertise."

He stepped aside.

The specialists descended into the underground passage, carrying their equipment.

Ronan watched them disappear.

He had no intention of letting someone else determine whether he could investigate the energy, but he wasn’t going to challenge twelve armed vampires over a single chamber.

There were better ways to obtain information.

And if the specialists discovered something useful, he could always reconsider his options.

---

The examination continued until the sun disappeared behind the hills.

Then, just as the soldiers were preparing to establish a temporary camp, an alarm sounded from beneath the ruined building.

Several vampires immediately rushed toward the entrance.

Ronan stood up also. A moment later, one of the specialists emerged from the passage , his face pale as he spoke hurriedly.

"Everyone, move away from the building!"

The soldiers obeyed without hesitation.

The captain approached him and asked.

"What happened?"

"The energy reacted to our equipment."

"How?"

The specialist swallowed.

"We attempted to measure the residual energy in the central depression. The instruments registered almost nothing, but when we increased their sensitivity, the entire structure responded."

Ronan’s attention sharpened.

"What do you mean by responded?"

The specialist looked toward the entrance.

"The markings on the floor began glowing. Then every instrument we had stopped working simultaneously."

He paused.

"One of our crystals shattered."

Ronan glanced at the underground passage.

"Did anyone get hurt?"

"No. We withdrew immediately."

"Did you discover anything before that happened?"

The specialist hesitated.

"Not much. The energy doesn’t behave like ordinary magical power. It doesn’t spread through the surroundings in the way we’re accustomed to measuring, and our instruments can’t establish a stable reading."

The specialist opened his mouth to continue but the captain interrupted as he ordered the soldiers to prepare for departure.

Ronan didn’t object.

The examination had confirmed something important.

The energy wasn’t merely difficult to identify. Attempts to measure it could provoke a reaction.

That meant the underground chamber wasn’t necessarily safe to investigate, even if the energy itself appeared inactive.

More importantly, the specialists had encountered the same limitation he had.

Whatever this phenomenon was, it existed beyond their ordinary methods of understanding.

Ronan had expected the system to be an advantage in almost every situation.

Now he was beginning to realize that relying on it too heavily could become a weakness.

If he encountered something the system couldn’t analyze, he would have to rely on his own judgment.

That was an uncomfortable thought.

But it was also an opportunity to learn.

---

They departed Dusk Hollow the following morning.

The captain had received new instructions from Varkos, and the decision was to return to Bloodfall City rather than investigate Blackthorn Outpost immediately.

Ronan wasn’t particularly pleased.

He had wanted to examine the second location, especially after learning that another settlement had disappeared.

However, the decision wasn’t his to make.

His restraints remained firmly secured, and the escort was larger than before.

The carriage traveled east along the main road.

Ronan watched the passing landscape through the window, considering his next move.

His original plan had been to use the expedition as an opportunity to escape. Yet the strange energy had introduced a new complication.

If he returned to Bloodfall City, Varkos might attempt to keep him under tighter supervision. The Vampire Lord could also demand that Ronan participate in further investigations.

Neither possibility was appealing.

On the other hand, leaving now would mean abandoning a phenomenon that might have enormous implications for his future.

Ronan leaned back.

He had to admit that the discovery had caught his interest more than he expected.

He wanted to understand the energy, he had a hunch it was related to something even God’s would crave for but also he wanted to know why it could interfere with formations and resist analysis.

And he wanted to find out what kind of creature had used it to empty an entire settlement.

But curiosity didn’t mean he would sacrifice his freedom for the sake of an investigation.

If Varkos wanted his cooperation, the Vampire Lord would have to offer something worthwhile.

Otherwise, Ronan would find another way.

---

Bloodfall City came into view shortly before midday.

The gates remained open, but the number of guards stationed along the walls had increased considerably. Additional patrols moved between the towers, and several messengers hurried through the entrance carrying sealed documents.

The situation was worsening.

The carriage passed through the gates and continued toward the castle.

Ronan noticed that several soldiers were preparing to leave the city, carrying supplies and weapons. Others were gathering near the western road, apparently waiting for further instructions.

Varkos was mobilizing his forces.

That suggested the disappearance of Dusk Hollow wasn’t the only problem occupying his attention.

When the carriage finally stopped, the captain opened the door.

"Get out."

Ronan stepped onto the road.

Instead of returning him to the dungeon, the guards led him directly into the castle.

That was unexpected.

He had assumed Varkos would want time to review the report before speaking with him again.

Apparently, the Vampire Lord was in a hurry.

They passed through the main hall and entered the same chamber where Varkos had questioned him before.

The Vampire Lord stood beside a table covered with maps.

He looked up when Ronan entered.

"Tell me exactly what happened at Dusk Hollow."

Ronan glanced at the guards.

"Shouldn’t you ask your soldiers first?"

"I already have."

Varkos gestured toward the table.

"Now I want to hear your account."