Chapter 44: Movements

"Hey, did you hear? Some weird structure showed up in the Theocracy’s territory, and a bunch of adventurers have been going missing around there. It’s close to some trade routes, so it got found fast. Some people think it’s a ruin that surfaced after earthquakes in the area." A group of adventurers talks in the guild hall of the kingdom of Ortyr.

A lot of things have become news in the kingdom lately — the Theocracy’s new saint, the new communication system the Theocracy created, and now this "Suspicious Ruin" in the Theocracy’s territory.

All these sudden "events" are drawing a lot of attention, especially from adventurers who know when something sounds profitable. Various groups are talking about visiting these ruins in search of treasure, since they’re unexplored and haven’t been regulated by the Theocracy yet.

But unlike the discussions of other groups, one specific duo is in a guild room, listening to everything from the hall downstairs and finding it ridiculous.

"Fools..." The adventurer in light silver and black armor mutters while looking at the guild’s Rank chart.

Adventurers are divided into 10 Ranks. Bronze Rank, Gold Rank, and Platinum Rank are the three lowest, generally consisting of only novices and those still growing.

Followed by Fortress Rank, Crystal Rank, and Magma Rank, the mid-tier strength range of adventurers who survive through the years. They’re the most experienced, and the majority fall among them, with many plateauing at Crystal and never climbing higher.

Then there’s Prism Rank, Chaos Rank, and Guardian Rank. These are already the strongest, far above the others. Even an average Prism Rank can easily defeat most Magma Rank adventurers, and these three Ranks are already considered treasures of the Guild.

And finally, there’s National Rank, the strongest of them all. They’re usually so powerful they receive work from the monarchy or the most important nobles. Even a commoner, if they hold National Rank, is treated as a high-ranking noble.

The two adventurers listening to these rumors are the duo [Silver Wings]. Vox is a tall man with short black hair and dark purple eyes. He has a muscular build and a wild expression, with a large scar covering his right eye, his dark skin weathered by years of service under the hot sun. He’s at Magma Rank and is a skilled swordsman.

And his partner, Teya, a short girl with brown hair and deeply purple eyes. She has extremely pale skin and deep dark circles under her eyes, with an underdeveloped physique despite being healthy. She’s a Magma Rank mage.

"What do you think about it?" the girl asks her partner, sitting on the bed in the room while he’s busy tallying money and deciding on expenses, several coins stacked on the table alongside planning papers.

"I already told you three days ago, it’s stupid. Why are you asking again?" Vox asks Teya, who has been repeating this question every three days for a month now.

"I don’t know... I just thought it was relevant. Around 500 novices have gone missing in that thing already..."

"Teya, we’re not going. It reeks of a trap. Ruins suddenly emerging from an earthquake? And people going missing? None of that is safe for us. Let some big shot go first. If they come back alive with good news, then we’ll go."

"It’s not worth risking it without knowing what kind of danger that place offers. Those stupid novices who only want to climb the ranks are dying because they’re greedy."

"...At least they have courage..."

"What did you say?" Vox speaks with a low growl. Teya stays silent for a few seconds before speaking loudly with frustration.

"I said at least they have courage!!!! We’re only at Magma Rank because you never accept opportunities to grow!! Seriously, man, we’ve been at this for years, and you with your stupid caution have already wasted so many opportunities!!"

"Wait? If we wait, everything good in the ruins will be taken by other people!! There’s no such thing as waiting when the logic is first come, first served!!" She stamps her foot on the floor, kicking up a little dust.

"We should’ve been Prism Rank already. Maybe we would’ve even reached Chaos Rank with the money we’d have earned being Prism Rank long before now!! But no, we’re stuck while you pass up every good opportunity because it doesn’t seem safe..." Teya criticizes her partner with anger.

"...You’re too naive. Don’t you know how to recognize your limits?! That unknown place could kill us. Opportunities need to be managed. It’s true we’ve missed some, but it’s also true that we’re only alive because I turned down some suspicious things."

"Look at those idiots down there, talking about visiting that place while laughing after getting completely drunk!! Stupid people like that are the ones who die stupidly, and you’re just like them! You only think about climbing without considering the risks." Vox’s criticism makes Teya bite her lips.

"You coward. Everyone’s talking about it. Entire groups are starting to go. If it’s a good unexplored ruin, that means it’s full of riches and opportunities to grow. And even if there’s nothing, we can still make contact with some good veteran adventurers who show up there."

"I only see advantages! If you’re so worried, why don’t we go there, wait for stronger teams to arrive, and observe the situation directly? When I told you about the rumors a month ago, you said it was a lie, but the rumors have grown. Clearly, something’s there."

"It’s our chance!!! Just listen to me for once!!! I don’t want to be stuck at Magma Rank forever!!! I’m a talented mage, but you’re holding me back!!! I’m wasting my life at this Rank when I could’ve grown in any other team!!" What she says wounds Vox, though he doesn’t show it. He only furrows his expression, which makes him look angry.

"Then why don’t you find another partner? Why don’t you go to another team that’ll help you grow?"

"..."

"No answer, huh? Because no one would protect an idiot like you who’s a mage and still tries to push too far forward in every fight instead of staying in the rear. You’d die without me..." At Vox’s words, Teya’s eyes well up, holding back tears.

"..." The silence that fills the room is uncomfortable as neither of them speaks for a few seconds.

"...Fine. I’ll trust you this time..." Seeing Teya’s gaze, Vox realizes — this is the limit. If he refuses again this time, she really might leave. Because he’s already turned down too many opportunities, and neither of them is getting any younger.

’Just once shouldn’t hurt... maybe... she’s right. I’m just holding her back...’ Vox ends up giving in, which makes Teya start wiping her tears, feeling like she’s finally getting the respect for her opinions that she deserves after years of teamwork.

"Y-You’ll see! We’ll earn a lot of money and raise our Rank!!" She leaves the room to notify the guild that they’ll be leaving the kingdom to head to the new ruins while the Theocracy hasn’t restricted the area yet.

"...I’ve got a bad feeling about this... not a single lucky novice coming back alive... no reports about deaths... just disappearances..." Vox looks toward the window, hoping that trusting Teya this time works out. He knows that if he keeps refusing, their duo will break irreparably. So he gave in for the first time in years to keep the "peace," because Teya is still important to him.