Chapter 26: Preservation (1/3)

The Silver City exploration team ventured deep into the ruins. Even with portions of the massive dome collapsed, the space remained remarkably vast for the towering figures of the Silver City’s inhabitants.

"These must be the relics left behind by the Giants," the Guardian remarked.

"Aren't you just full of wisdom," the gaunt man said, poking the Guardian in the kidney.

"Hey, that tickles, Rat." The gaunt man, known by the nickname "Rat," had his prying hand swatted away by the Guardian, who turned to the side to fend him off.

Rat seized the moment of distraction to jab him twice more, prompting the Guardian to swing his hand toward Rat’s head in retaliation. Yet, as his hand rose, the Guardian suddenly froze, momentarily unsure of how to proceed. Rat took the opportunity to jump up and slap the top of the Guardian's head.

"Maintain your discipline," Colin’s steady voice rang out. His tone was flat, yet it brought both men to an immediate, silent halt.

"Yes, Chief," the Guardian replied in a muffled tone.

"Understood, Chief," Rat said, bowing his head in submission.

Colin sprinkled a pinch of unknown powder into his massive torch and raised it high. The flame instantly shifted to a brilliant, shimmering silver, growing significantly brighter.

The vast illumination radiated from the torch, carving out a circle with a diameter of roughly seven hundred meters, with Colin at its center.

"Do not stray more than three hundred meters from me." Though he had repeated this many times, Colin issued the reminder once more.

"Understood." The group responded in unison; even the restless Rat did not dare to act out this time.

As they acknowledged his command, a faint, silvery-white glow emerged from each of them, as if draping every team member in a layer of invisible, silver armor. From this point on, within a three-hundred-meter radius of Colin, any damage sustained by the members would be shared by Colin Iliad.

The six of them spread out slightly. The Guardian led the way, shield in one hand and iron hammer in the other. Rat followed behind, accompanied by a "Psychologist"—or, as they were officially known here, an "Analyst"—who carried a torch.

The only woman in the group was an "Appraiser." She and another member, a "Reaper," flanked the space between the front trio and Colin at the rear. They were a married couple; one carried a torch, while the other held a flame aloft in their hand. The Reaper’s predecessor was a "Pyromaniac," known in ancient times as a "Fire Mage."

At the very back was Colin, wielding a torch in one hand and a heavy sword in the other, serving as the rearguard.

"Chief, there seems to be something over there," Rat said, pointing toward a mound of debris caused by a collapse.

"Anise, you and Berg go check if there is anything useful in that pile. Stiark, you and the others provide cover nearby," Colin commanded from the rear.

"Understood," the Appraiser, the Reaper, and the Guardian responded in unison.

The group maintained their formation as they approached the mound. Berg, the Reaper, protected the Appraiser, Anise, as they moved forward, while Stiark, the Guardian, and the two behind him stood guard. Colin turned his back to them, remaining vigilant of what lay behind.

Berg carefully began to clear away the debris. As a skilled "Hunter" and "Conspirator," he was the most knowledgeable among them regarding potential hazards, and his spirit vision allowed him to easily spot hidden traps.

As the earth was cleared away, the object beneath was revealed: a weathered box.

Berg did not touch it; he and Anise stepped back.

"Is there a problem?" Colin asked.

"I didn't find any traps," Berg said, shaking his head.

"I didn't detect anything amiss, either," Anise added.

Colin nodded and tossed a stone at the box.

*Click.*

There was no reaction.

Berg sent a floating orb of flame to circle the box, but nothing happened.

Taking a deep breath, Berg infused more spirituality into his flame and approached the box. The Analyst, Anthony, stepped quickly to Berg’s side to closely monitor his mental state.

Extinguishing the flame, Berg opened his eyes and locked gazes with Anthony, who squeezed Berg’s shoulder to help him relax the muscles tensed by anxiety.

"It’s fine, it’s fine. Relax; your spirit hasn't been corrupted."

Berg exhaled the breath he had been holding in his chest and signaled for his wife to proceed with the appraisal.

Anise activated her spirit vision and cautiously moved forward, followed closely by Anthony and Berg.

She picked up the box gingerly, ready to throw it at a moment's notice. She turned it over once, then opened it; a burst of light emanated from within.

"This is a Beyonder object," Anise concluded. "Its effect, upon opening, is to emit a light imbued with spirituality, which can, to a certain extent, issue simple commands to low-intelligence creatures illuminated by it. The side effect is likely that it absorbs the holder's spirituality and blood while emitting light." She snapped the box shut.

"Leave it here and continue forward," Colin ordered. It was best not to carry items that were not yet fully understood; they could return for it after the exploration was complete.

Anise did not hesitate and immediately returned the box to its original spot. Berg stepped up to pile the earth back over it, doing his best to restore the mound to its previous state.

Afterward, the team continued their exploration deeper into the ruins.