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Chapter 87

Esther was no different; even though her perceptive abilities had been significantly dulled due to her mana mastery being suppressed, she still felt an impending sense of doom from the cave.

“The core of the Rift might actually be in there...” she murmured.

Her search magic, which could barely reach ten meters now, vanished the moment it touched the cave’s entrance. It was neither destroyed nor neutralized; it just disappeared without a trace. This meant that something inside was suppressing her powers.

Galano and Ninian tensed up at her assertion about the core.

“Entering means facing the Rift Guardian,” Galano remarked.

“It’s a little concerning that we can’t see inside... Could it be a trap?” Ninian asked.

“There could be traps,” Leonard replied. “It would be awfully strange for the place hiding the core, right at the heart of the Rift, to be left unguarded.”

He then looked at his companions before continuing, “This is a chance to seal a Rift on our first adventure in the Fifth Sea District. It’s a prestigious achievement for any adventurer. I’d like to take the chance if possible. What do you guys think?”

Galano groaned at the thought. Unlike Ninian, who wasn’t interested in achieving glory as an adventurer, Galano had always idolized his brother Dentuso, renowned as the Storm who had once shaken the seas as part of vanguard of the legendary Aquamarine.

However, not even Dentuso had managed to seal a Rift on his first expedition.

“I’m not interested in the glory or achievements of an adventurer,” Ninian said with her usual calmness. “I just want to test the archery techniques you’ve taught me against worthy prey, not just weaklings.”

Leonard nodded in agreement and turned to Esther, who looked somewhat disinterested herself.

“Does my opinion even matter? Three of you already want to go in, so my vote doesn’t change anything.”

“Esther, remember what Fran said?”

“Oh.” Esther’s expression softened as she recalled the instructions from Frances.

“I’ll leave that to your judgment, Leonard. However, if even one member is against it, retreat.”

Indeed, Frances had given them clear instructions before venturing into the Rift. Some would consider it overly cautious, while others would judge it as the right thing to do. However, Esther was well aware.

If sealing the Sea Orc Den was too risky or seemed like a lost cause, Frances wouldn’t have targeted it in the first place.

And yet, she had left the decision to Leonard, trusting his judgment, but advising retreat if anyone disagreed.

In reality, Frances was convinced that Leonard wouldn’t make the wrong call if he thought something was doable. The reason she had urged him to listen to the others’ opinions was that she expected the three of them, unlike her, to not fully trust him yet.

After all, if they deal with a powerful enemy like a Rift Guardian, a crack in their teamwork could prove fatal.

“...Phew.” Esther closed her eyes, pondering the situation for a few minutes. When she opened them again, she saw her companions waiting for her response.

“Let’s go in. I’ve always been curious about a Rift’s core. This is a great opportunity to satisfy that curiosity.”

With her assent, the decision was made. However, they didn’t enter the cave immediately. Instead, they took the time to recover their strength and energy in a nearby clearing.

They ground the mana stones they had brought with them for recovery purposes, and they meticulously treated all of their injuries, even the minor ones, with potions. If the Rift Guardian used poison, even the smallest cut could cost their lives.

“Three hours and thirty minutes have passed,” Leonard noted calmly, checking his watch. He then voiced a thought that had crossed his mind, “What happens to us if we destroy the core? Do we need to run for the exit?”

“No, the Rift will vanish the moment the core is destroyed. Outsiders like us will just be expelled, likely appearing where the entrance was,” Galano reassured him.

Satisfied with this answer, Leonard drew his sword and proceeded to sketch some shapes in the dirt.

“Before we face the Rift Guardian, there’s one more thing I need to teach you. I’ll go through it as quickly as possible, so listen closely.”

Unlike his previous lessons on the essentials of group combat, this was the exact opposite. It was about overwhelming a single opponent through sheer numbers. Leonard, having learned to utilize a mage and an archer, laid out an efficient combat formation without any complex principles.

It took nearly thirty minutes for the three to grasp the basics.

With this, they had one hour left to get the job done.

“Shall we begin?”

It was an excessively long time for a single battle.

* * *

The entrance of the cave, shrouded by a mysterious veil, was easier to pass through than expected. The crew were met with no resistance as they entered the cave.

Leonard led the way, and the others followed without hesitation. Spheres of light from the Light spell floated ahead, illuminating the dark path.

A few minutes later, they emerged into a bright and expansive space.

“...A temple?” Esther muttered, startled by the sight.

The others squinted, thinking the same as Esther. The place did resemble an ancient temple, rough murals scratched into its walls and stained with what looked like dried blood. Ominous shadows cast by dim, eerie lights danced around, creating uncanny forms that seemed to mock the adventurers.

“This place feels wrong,” Galano said, voicing the unease that gripped them all.

Everything they saw and heard was unsettling, attacking their senses. Adventurers below Rank C would probably not last long in here; they would quickly start seeing things and lose their minds.

However, Leonard and his comrades were all formidable, able to withstand the oppressive atmosphere without flinching. If there were thousands of sea orcs roaming outside, the cave was eerily devoid of life. The still, heavy air clung to their skin like rotten mud.

We’re getting closer.

However, feeling the raging energy of the Five Elements True Dragon Ring within him, Leonard knew they were getting close to the Rift’s core.

After a few more minutes of advancing forward, everyone simultaneously held their breath, staring wide-eyed at the grotesque creature that appeared in their view.

“That’s... the Rift Guardian!” Ninian exclaimed in a hushed tone.

A Sea Orc Champion was kneeling in front of an unholy statue, which emitted a vile aura. The Champion, nearly four meters tall, seemed to embody raw power, molten and solidified into a physical form. Its head was covered in scales and gills, and two coral-like horns protruded from it.

With every breath, the monstrosity exhaled black, murky steam.

Alright, it seems that the anchor with the thick chain hanging at its waist is its weapon. Given how huge it is, we should be prepared for close combat.

The abomination, mutated far beyond a regular sea orc, exuded an aura more formidable than Conrad’s after he had taken the secret drug. Leonard thought it was unlikely that Ninian, Galano, or Esther could inflict a fatal wound on it.

“...!”

Leonard’s eyes suddenly widened as he stared at the Champion. His mana senses had picked up another presence nearby.

...Did I let my guard down? No, there’s something here capable of deceiving or blocking my senses, just like the cave entrance.

If the creature hadn’t moved, he likely wouldn’t have noticed it. The ambusher had lost its chance due to its own arrogance. Leonard subtly conveyed a message to his companions without showing a reaction.

—Listen carefully without reacting. Something is hiding on the ceiling behind us. It’s probably at least in the True Demon Tier, possibly even in the Chaos Demon Tier in the worst-case scenario.

The three maintained their composure, their countenances pale but their breathing steady. Any hint of their realization could cost them their advantage.

Glad that the others remained composed, Leonard continued with his explanation.

—The Rift Guardian is aware of our presence as invaders. It’s probably planning to ambush us by pretending not to notice us, luring us into a pincer attack with the creature that’s hiding. We’ll turn this against them.

Determination flickered in his companions’ eyes. Despite the increased danger with the additional enemy that was possibly in the Chaos Demon Tier, their trust in Leonard remained unshaken. In a situation where retreat was impossible, they entrusted their lives to their leader. That was how adventurers ought to act.

Step by step, they moved forward, leaving their backs exposed to the enemy waiting in ambush, baiting it while preparing a counterattack.

Specifically, Esther was the perfect bait in this situation.

“Gather, O lightning. Be warned, O thunder. Blow forth, Ostorm...!” She chanted softly, summoning five magic circles, the maximum a Class 5 Mage could control.

Anyone would think she was preparing a fatal strike against the Sea Orc Champion, which was praying to the vile statue. Her teammates moved away, pretending to rush forward, leaving Esther seemingly exposed.

Simultaneously, a sea orc dropped from the dark ceiling. Recognizing the mage as a dangerous foe, the creature instantly pounced at the perceived vulnerability of the mage.

The Rank C4 Sea Orc Warrior brandished two bone knives, aiming to slice Esther into four pieces with an X-shaped slash.

“...Caught you,” Leonard whispered.

But the moment the Sea Orc Warrior moved, Leonard had already turned, activating his augmented sword energy.

The Five Elements Sword Qi

Augmented Assimilation

Leonard’s sword was enveloped in an augmented sword energy made from the Black Tortoise Qi.

Five Elements Style, One Sword Style

Black Tortoise Extra Form: Dragontail Sword

A ray of light shot forth.

Against the unexpected counterattack, the Sea Orc Warrior turned pale, shocked by the dense wave of power coming its way. Instinctively knowing that it had to avoid that attack at all costs, the creature switched to defense in a panic.

In a desperate attempt to dodge, the sea orc forcefully twisted its body in an awkward manner, its bones shattering and muscles tearing as a result. Though the injuries were severe, they would heal in seconds.

Just like that, the Sea Orc Warrior managed to evade the Dragontail Sword, just barely. However, it couldn’t afford to fall on the ground and roll around.

“Stupid orc. It’s not a flying sword. It’s controlled with qi telekinesis.”

The Dragontail Sword suddenly veered and struck, severing the Sea Orc warrior’s right arm and piercing through its ribs and lungs. The wound froze instantly, preventing regeneration and making it impossible to remove the sword.

The sea orc’s eyes shook and widened in terror, realizing that it had even been robbed of the sensation of pain.

Skreeeee! Kreeeee!

The creature’s agonized cries sounded like desperate prayers for mercy, pleading to be saved.

Grooooar!!

In response to its follower’s plea, the Rift Guardian rose beside the statue, roaring fiercely before hurling its anchor at Leonard.