The Game Difficulty
Is Crazy
Looking over the garden of black megaliths, Glen took a deep breath.
The distinctive moldy smell of old rocks smelled the tip of his nose.
‘So this is Medlers’s Garden.’
Huge black rocks, blue liquid flowing across their surfaces, ancient rune mana.
Ruins rising in the distance.
‘It really is beautiful when you see it in person.’
Seeing one of the famous scenic spots from the original Gray Eden with his own eyes made him feel something new.
It was a shame there was no device to capture this scenery like a photograph.
‘Well, as long as it’s etched into my eyes, that’s enough.’
Letting go of his regret lightly, Glen turned his attention back to his original goal and looked at the patrol unit.
Just as he expected, the patrol was moving in perfect order.
“A massive ruin beneath the cliff…….”
One knight calmly raised his hand to his brow and surveyed the surroundings.
“Is that liquid mana? No… it’s denser than mana, and it even has viscosity.”
Another touched the blue liquid flowing over the black rock, while someone else stood still, waiting for Hawkney’s orders.
Though their actions looked scattered, they were in fact efficient movements based on the Gray Wolf Knight patrol guidelines.
They were quickly assessing what kind of place they had entered.
‘Their response is solid.’
Glen checked Hawkney’s reaction.
Hawkney was stroking his chin while looking at the distant ruins.
“I thought it might be a demon race base or a smuggler’s storehouse, but this is quite a unique place…….”
Even for someone who had searched the borderlands for years, this seemed to be a first.
It was only natural, since this was a secret dungeon no one but a player would ever visit.
Before long, the patrol finished their brief investigation and lined up in front of Hawkney.
“There is a force flowing here that is denser and thicker than mana.”
“It is likely ancient rune mana, a higher concept than mana. I have read related documents before.”
“Also, the massive structure visible below has a unique design not found among humans or the demon race.”
At the patrol’s report, a strange light appeared in Hawkney’s eyes.
“So, putting your words together, this place is a ruin where ancient rune mana flows, and it doesn’t seem to be strongly connected to the demon race?”
“That seems to be the case. It is mysterious, but most importantly, we do not feel demonic energy.”
“Of course, even if the demon race did not build it, there is still the possibility that they are using this natural location as a hideout.”
Glen raised his eyebrows with interest. Honestly, he was a little surprised.
‘Just from seeing liquid ancient rune mana and black stone ruins, they deduced this much.’
Even searching through the original Gray Eden, there were very few groups this competent.
An ordinary knight order wouldn’t even recognize the blue liquid flowing here as ancient rune mana.
A group that possessed not only strength and bravery, but also intelligence.
Once again, Glen realized how impressive the knight order that acknowledged him truly was.
“Hmmm, what should we do…….”
Meanwhile, Hawkney frowned, tapping his forehead with his index finger.
He seemed to be debating whether to search these ruins or not.
Though the place was suspicious, if it had little to do with the demon race, there was no need to take risks investigating an unknown area.
‘That’s reasonable, but…… it’d be a waste to come all this way and leave.’
For the patrol, this place was unknown territory. But that did not apply to Glen at all.
To exaggerate a bit, Medlers’s Garden was so familiar to him that he could reach the deepest part of the secret dungeon with his eyes closed.
‘There’s no reason to go back.’
With a gentle smile, Glen slowly stepped forward.
He stood atop a cliff formed by black rock and looked down over the garden.
“Young Master?”
“It’s truly vast and beautiful.”
“It’s dangerous, Young Master.”
As Hawkney was about to approach, Glen slowly turned around.
“And at the same time, extremely useful.”
“Useful, you say?”
Doubt flickered in Hawkney’s eyes.
A seriousness that hadn’t been there before settled into Glen’s ash-gray eyes.
“I tried thinking from the perspective of demon race members or smugglers. If they were to stumble upon a place like this by chance, what would they think……?”
At those words, Hawkney looked down at the ancient ruins below and narrowed his eyes.
“Indeed… it does seem useful.”
Whether for smuggling or as a hideout, honestly, no place in the borderlands was as convenient as this.
Of course, as was usually the case, such ruins would be filled with traps and unknown creatures meant to eliminate intruders.
‘But for a space like this, that level of risk is worth taking.’
Hawkney nodded repeatedly.
“So, Young Master, you’re suggesting that we investigate those ruins.”
“There’s no harm in investigating.”
Smiling with his eyes, Glen looked back at the rest of the patrol.
“You are all seasoned patrol knights. Surely traps set in a ruin are something you can easily overcome?”
One by one, the knights who met Glen’s gaze hardened their expressions.
“I agree with the Young Master’s opinion.”
“With the demon race invasion approaching, we can’t just leave suspicious elements like this alone.”
“If there’s no demon race, then let’s search every inch and grab some ancient treasures!”
Soon, every patrol member nodded in agreement and drew their weapons.
With a satisfied expression, Glen looked at Hawkney.
“Kukukuk. After seeing your sword at yesterday’s training grounds, I thought you were a cautious man…… seems my judgment was wrong.”
Hawkney laughed, showing his teeth.
“You’re far bolder than I expected! In that case, as the commander, I can’t lose either.”
As Hawkney turned to the patrol, passion burned in his eyes.
“Mathis! Go back the way we came and inform Moti and Rick of the situation! The rest of you, follow me.”
At the long-awaited order to search, the patrol began moving while fully armed.
Soon, seven knights, including Glen, formed up.
Of course, contrary to their expectations, there were no demon race members here—nor even traces of them.
All that existed in this place was dense ancient rune mana, traps powered by it, and annoying monsters guarding the ruins.
But if they could overcome all those obstacles and reach the deepest part of the ruins, their efforts would never be in vain.
‘Because an item worth that much will fall into my hands.’
Looking at the patrol unit, Glen wore a meaningful smile.
A loud rumble echoed from all directions.
At the same time, several chunks of black rock that had been scattered across the ground gathered together, forming the shape of a human.
At the center of their heads, a core of blue liquid appeared.
Kiiiiiing—
A 3-star monster guarding the ruins.
A Rune Golem was created.
“There are more of them!”
A Gray Wolf Knight shouted from a short distance away.
There, three knights were facing six adult-sized Rune Golems.
Kurrr—!
With clumsy movements, the Rune Golems walked forward and swung their heavy fists.
But their attacks could not reach the seasoned Gray Wolf Knights.
Instead, they were met with counterattacks.
Slash—
