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Chapter 7

I was behind the four-member party following them keeping a distance, I could have gotten closer by Erasing my presence but felt unnecessary.

The Ruins turned out to be tricky structures, it was mentioned in the story that this Ruin acted more like a dungeon than a Ruin, so there were challenges in facing it including The treacherous terrain which made navigation difficult, and incessantly spawning and attacking monsters added to the peril, and above all, as this Ruin host undead beings, there is a cursed aura of death in the atmosphere that constantly saps your energy.

The history I know about this ruin is minimal, But I do know a few things about the special residents in the ruin.

Within the story, one of the Heroes ventured into this Ruin as part of his training. True to his heroic nature, he viewed the undead beings with compassion and pity. Utilizing his extraordinary powers, he effortlessly tore through the Ruins, granting peace to the tormented souls trapped within this dungeon.

My eyes fell on the four Adventurers before me. Coincidentally, like Verth, the Hero was also someone who served the Goddess and the church. He was a Hero who was chosen by the Goddess Adria, wielding her Holy sword, he was the Goddess's attempt to save this world.

An Attempt that leads to a futile result but an Attempt nonetheless.

Verth and his comrades moved through Ruins without the need to slow down their pace, they cut down every undead creature that came across him, they were an extremely balanced team with a very good sense of teamwork and also seemed to have a lot of experience in dispatching the undead monsters efficiently, and what set them apart was their adept command of Divine magic, granting them a tremendous advantage over their undead adversaries

I couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. Their proficiency in combat and utilization of Divine magic meant that I could rely on their abilities, lightening the burden of my own responsibilities. While I wouldn't label myself as lazy, there was an undeniable pleasure in witnessing others do tasks that would typically fall on my shoulders. Our exploration of the Ruins took us deeper into the mysterious labyrinth, reaching the culmination of the first circle and standing at the threshold of the second. It was at this critical juncture that our progress was abruptly interrupted. Without warning, three towering figures emerged before us - Metal knights, wielding swords and their dark armor exuding an aura of foreboding.

These Metal knights were different from the other undead creatures, their bodies encased in black armor that seemed to absorb the surrounding light. Their armor was adorned with intricate engravings and dark symbols, hinting at their malevolent nature. The knights' eyes burned with fiery red flames, casting an eerie glow in the dim environment of the Ruins

Verth and his team swiftly assessed the situation, their expressions steely with resolve, He already knew the limitations of their Divine magic against these unique adversaries, and shifted his focus to defensive measures. Channeling his Divine energy, he erected potent barriers that shielded his comrades from the Metal knights' powerful sword blows, providing them with a crucial line of defense.

The knight's charged at the group all three together, As the Metal knights lunged forward, their swords swinging with lethal intent, Verth leaped into action. With his shield raised high, he intercepted the first knight's strike, the clash of metal resonating through the air. Verth's immense strength held firm, his armored form unyielding against the onslaught. He countered with a swift and powerful riposte, his blade cutting through the darkness with a blinding flash of steel.

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Beside Verth, the bulky man launched himself at the second knight. Unfazed by the enemy's intimidating stature, he used his own immense size and strength to grapple with the Metal knight, seeking to overpower it. Muscles bulging, he engaged in a fierce and brutal contest of strength, grappling and wrestling with the unholy creature. His raw power and determination gave him the upper hand, gradually overpowering the knight and driving it to the ground.

Meanwhile, the Nun, her eyes shining with an inner radiance, channeled the pure energy of the Divine through her fingertips. She unleashed a devastating wave of holy magic, bathing the battlefield in a blinding light. The energy surged towards the third knight, searing through its dark armor and sapping its unholy vitality. The undead knight recoiled, its fiery gaze flickering for a moment as the holy magic ravaged its ethereal form.

From a distance, the archer observed the chaos unfolding before her. Drawing his bow with practiced precision, she notched an arrow imbued with the essence of the sacred. Taking careful aim, she let the arrow fly, its path guided by the divine blessings bestowed upon it. The arrow streaked through the air, finding its mark with unerring accuracy. It pierced through the weak point in the third knight's armor, shattering the necrotic enchantments that held it together. The Metal Knight crumbled to the ground, its fiery gaze extinguished forever.

The battle raged on, the clash of steel and the roars of the combatants echoing through the Ruins. Verth and his team fought, their unity and complementary abilities forming an impenetrable wall against the undead knights. Slowly but surely, they gained the upper hand, chipping away at the dark armor and weakening their relentless adversaries.

Finally, after a fierce struggle, the last Metal knight fell, its once menacing form reduced to an inert heap of shattered armor. The battlefield fell silent, save for the heavy breathing of the victorious warriors. They stood amidst the wreckage, their bodies battered and bruised, but their spirits unbroken.

I couldn't help but acknowledge their skill and resilience. Their coordinated efforts and strength were really impressive for second-class Adventurers. However, my admiration had to take a backseat, as Verth and his companion have done their part, and from here I have to do it on my own

Emerging from the shadows, I clapped, drawing the attention of the group. Startled by my sudden appearance, they eyed me cautiously, their wariness understandable. "That was an extraordinary display, Verth" I applauded.

Verth's eyes widened in recognition. "You! You're here?" he exclaimed, a mix of surprise and disbelief in his voice.

Surveying the surroundings, I deliberately ignored the other adventurers and replied, "Indeed, I had to rely on you to find this place since I didn't know the way"

My words triggered a thought in Verth's mind, and the realization dawned upon him. He had been deceived, and manipulated into unwittingly serving someone else's agenda. Anger surged within him, fueled by a sense of betrayal.

Verth's expression hardened as he directed his gaze toward me, his eyes aflame with intensity. "You... You used us," he growled, his voice dripping with anger and determination.

"Yes!, that is indeed correct, now move" I ordered as I walked toward the entrance of the second circle.

Verth turned to his comrades, their faces were filled with fatigue from their past battle, and breathed heavily, fear and wariness plastered on their faces but even then they readied their weapons giving a determined nod to their leader.

Reignited by the determination of his comrades, he brought his sword forwards, aiming at me, "By the name of Goddess Adria I Verth Tryan swear unless you tell me who you are and what your intention is? we will not move an inch!"

I halted my steps at the declaration of the Paladin, amusement flickering in my eyes. "That works too," I replied, activating the Enigmatic charm. The air around Verth and his companions began to shimmer, and a palpable sense of dread filled the atmosphere.

Verth and his comrades, who already were on edge from their previous battle, suddenly felt an overwhelming wave of fear wash over them. Their bodies trembled involuntarily, and their faces paled as the enchantment took hold. Their eyes widened in terror, unable to tear their gaze away from me.

Taking advantage of their frozen state, I moved towards the Second Entrance leaving Verth and his companions trapped in their fears, their collective gaze following me, a mixture of resentment and helplessness in their eyes. But no matter what they did, they just couldn't move.

Verth strained against the grip of the spell, his determination radiating through his rigid body. "We won't forget this," he vowed, his voice brimming with anger and defiance. "We will find you, and justice will be served."

I paid little heed to their harsh words, but before entering the Second Entrance, I offered them a parting remark. "Sure" turning down the Enigmatic Charm, letting them free.