Beyond the Apocalypse-Chapter 595: Into the danger zone

The moment Janus and Agamenon’s teams reached the city’s walls, their eyes were drawn to a set of massive gates—more than ten meters tall—adorned with carvings of impressive, unfamiliar entities.

These creatures resembled dragons, but they lacked wings, and their bodies appeared far more muscular and robust. Some among the cultivators exchanged puzzled looks, trying to interpret the possible meaning behind these images. Most assumed these carvings represented the original inhabitants of the Land of the Three Calamities, yet no one was completely sure.

In contrast, the four Sky Seed Depravitas merely glanced at one another, the same strange thought running through each of their minds.

’Are those humanoid dinosaurs?’

It was an odd revelation, to say the least. Despite the seriousness of their mission, a flicker of astonishment passed across their faces. Still, they could not let curiosity distract them for long. They all understood that every second was vital.

With that in mind, Vlad and Tyron stepped forward. As the teams’ Runic Masters, they shared a look of mutual understanding before giving each other a profound nod.

Carefully, they pressed their hands against the metallic doors, channeling energy into the ancient surface. Through their expertise in Runic Arts, they sought to reveal the arrays carved into the doors. Within seconds, countless runic lines flickered to life, spreading across the metal in all directions. The lines intertwined so intricately and bizarrely that several onlookers felt a wave of nausea just trying to follow their patterns.

"I will neutralize the energy patterns."

"And I will unravel the key."

Vlad and Tyron’s calm, deliberate voices resonated in the tense silence. They proceeded to divide their tasks, merging their energies into the runic lines in a seamless collaboration that showcased their training and experience.

Janus, Agamenon, and the rest of the warriors watched quietly, marveling at the duo’s proficiency. Their hands moved over the illuminated lines at remarkable speed, carefully altering the ancient array to grant entry.

Of course, nothing physically stopped the group from attempting to fly over the walls or break them down by force. However, such recklessness was unthinkable. The city might be filled with traps, defense formations, or even golem guardians that could react violently to an intrusion. Attempting to bypass the main gate without the proper runic deactivation was akin to announcing themselves as thieves, triggering the city’s built-in warding systems.

After nearly five minutes of concentrated effort, beads of sweat trickled down the faces of Vlad and Tyron. Their foreheads glistened, reflecting the intense mental strain they were under. Finally, they succeeded. The metallic doors began to shake, rumbling with a thunderous groan as they slowly split in half, revealing a dark interior beyond.

The teams did not hesitate. They marched forward immediately, stepping into a city that had been sealed off for countless years.

The sight that greeted them was staggering. They found themselves standing at the edge of enormous roads amidst the remnants of towering buildings that seemed built for beings far taller than an average human. The roads were so broad that they dwarfed even the largest thoroughfares in imperial cities, and the structures looming around them cast massive shadows.

Many buildings were riddled with cracks, some partially collapsed under the weight of centuries. The roads bore signs of long neglect—broken in places, with uneven surfaces that could easily trip the unwary traveler. Time had evidently taken its toll here. Even though magic stones often proved to be durable across millennia, they were not eternal.

Despite the signs of ruin, a subtle aura of grandeur lingered in every crumbled wall and half-ruined tower. It was impossible not to imagine how spectacular the city must have looked in its prime. However, such thoughts of past glory paled before the immediate concern: the treasure and resources that might lie hidden within these abandoned structures.

Before anyone could begin searching, Vlad suddenly turned around. Without explanation, he returned to the still-glowing runic lines near the gate, resuming his work as though there was something left undone. Confusion rippled through the cultivators as they realized precious time was slipping away. They needed to maintain their advantage over Valeria and her allies, who were surely hot on their trail.

Before questions could be voiced, Tyron stepped forward as well. The older Runic Master joined Vlad, aligning his energy with the lines they had only just deactivated. The two exchanged a look, coldness, and determination flashing in their eyes, before resuming the meticulous process of manipulating the gate’s runic script.

Moments later, and to everyone’s surprise, the massive gates slammed shut once more, returning to their sealed state.

Janus and Agamenon exchanged puzzled glances, uncertain of the duo’s reasoning. Even though Vlad and Tyron had resealed the entrance, they had weakened the runic defenses when they opened it the first time, so it would be very easy for Valeria and the others to open it up again. There was really no logic behind their moves.

Even though Janus and Agamenon were leaders, if Vlad and Tyron—the expedition’s key Runic Masters—decided to do something, there was little point in objecting. They knew better than to question crucial tasks in which they lacked expertise.

"Sorry for the delay, but I assure you it will be worth it," Vlad remarked with a faint, cool smile. His words piqued curiosity among the warriors, but greed still overshadowed intrigue in most hearts. They were inside now, and wealth presumably awaited.

Janus was the first to redirect the group’s attention to their true mission.

"We’re inside the city, but it seems we’re in a section meant for ordinary citizens," he observed, his gaze drifting higher up along the mountainside. There, they could see another imposing set of walls, hinting at an inner district.

The layout resembled that of the Golden Sky Fortress, where layers of fortifications and gates protected the richest, most important areas. It was logical to assume that while one might find some treasure in these outer rings, the true riches would likely be in that upper ring, deeper within the city’s heart. Of course, it would also be infinitely more dangerous.

"The real question," Janus continued, casting a glance over the assembled cultivators, "is whether we loot the outer ring first, or plunge deeper, risking greater dangers in pursuit of even greater rewards."

He did not have to wait for an answer. One look at their determined, greed-fueled eyes told him everything he needed to know. A wide grin spread across his face, revealing how he shared their eagerness.

"Let’s go, then."

Updated from fr𝒆ewebnov𝒆l.(c)om