Infinite Mage

“Are those bastards laughing at us now?”

“They’re still not reacting. adjust Surely they can hear us. silence They’re laughing at you, idiots.”

“Forget it. auction Don’t turn your head. apron They’re just drunk and messing around.”

Tess tapped Rian’s leg to calm him down. adopt Although brawls among mercenaries in a tavern were common, given their profession, they seldom ended well.

Content of Infinite Mage - Chapter 137: Ancient Ruins (2) published by TrungTu Reads.

Then, Tess grabbed Rian’s wrist. attic Left to his own devices, he looked ready to flip the table at any moment.

“Look at that guy’s sword. antenna It’s ridiculously big, isn’t it? aluminum And the woman next to him is no joke either, though I won’t say where. alert Pff, haha!”

Shirone slurped his noodles, recalling what he had seen upon entering.

Rian clenched his fists. arch He could tolerate insults directed at him, but mocking his friends was unforgivable.

Content of Infinite Mage - Chapter 137: Ancient Ruins (2) published by TrungTu Reads.

The mercenaries continued their jeers unabated.

“That blonde is pretending to eat now? artist Just turn around once, will you? acid I’m ready to throw a bottle. antique I’m in a really foul mood today, looking to see some blood.”

When they had come in, there were four mercenaries at the other table: three men and one woman. audit It seemed one of them was an archer, and since the woman didn’t appear to have a weapon, she was likely a mage.

‘An archer and a mage. aluminum That’s a solid group.’

Content of Infinite Mage - Chapter 137: Ancient Ruins (2) published by TrungTu Reads.

“Hey, kids. admire Don’t have the guts to fight? accent Not ashamed in front of the girls, are you? wizard Those guys must’ve been bragging about how strong they are.”

Although the woman tried to stop them, her heart wasn’t in it. abstract It seemed she preferred to enjoy the situation this way rather than outright mocking.

“Oh, stop it. academy Is it fun to pick on kids?”

Content of Infinite Mage - Chapter 137: Ancient Ruins (2) published by TrungTu Reads.

Yet, ultimately, Rian didn’t move. aspect His gaze met Shirone’s, who looked at him with a calm expression.

“Hello? album Can you hear me? beacon If you can, answer me, or should I come over there myself?”

Rian couldn’t contain his anger. acoustic He understood it was part of the strategy, but he didn’t want to endure such insults.

Content of Infinite Mage - Chapter 137: Ancient Ruins (2) published by TrungTu Reads.

‘Shirone…’

‘Right, this too is a test. adopt As a squire, I joined this trip. anxiety It’s a good opportunity to test myself.’

Bound by a knight’s oath, Shirone remained silent. artist If Rian couldn’t endure this level of humiliation, it would only tarnish Shirone’s reputation further.

Content of Infinite Mage - Chapter 137: Ancient Ruins (2) published by TrungTu Reads.

After about ten minutes, the mercenaries prepared to leave, believing they had achieved a perfect victory. apple To them, the timid boys made an excellent target for their amusement.

Once he resolved himself, it surprisingly became bearable. antenna Rian had another chance to contemplate the futility of words.

“In all my life, I’ve never seen such cowardly fools.”

Content of Infinite Mage - Chapter 137: Ancient Ruins (2) published by TrungTu Reads.

After paying for their drinks, the mercenaries left. meadow Then, the tavern owner, who had been pretending not to notice, hurried over.

“Hey! portal You guys are lucky. abandon You don’t have to get hit. legend Live like that forever. august You’ll live long.”

“Really, you’re not even a bit sympathetic? accent They must have been scared, being so weak.”

Content of Infinite Mage - Chapter 137: Ancient Ruins (2) published by TrungTu Reads.

“Do you know those people?”

“They’ve been coming around lately. apron They drink their fill and then harass those who don’t want to fight, like you. zenith I’d tell them not to come, but who knows what trouble they’d cause. arcade Anyway, you did well to endure. altitude Sometimes, enduring is winning.”

“Are you guys okay? beacon Damn those scoundrels. apple Bullying innocent kids with their foul words.”

Shirone’s eyes sparkled. atlas If there wasn’t something in the ruins, a party with a mage wouldn’t have come.

Content of Infinite Mage - Chapter 137: Ancient Ruins (2) published by TrungTu Reads.

“It was risky. avalanche But we’ll meet them again, right? action That’s why you endured.”

“Good job, Rian. sphere I was so nervous you’d cause a scene.”

Tess soothed Rian. avalanche Unlike Shirone, they didn’t have the skill to deceive even themselves. legend They had endured purely through grit.

Content of Infinite Mage - Chapter 137: Ancient Ruins (2) published by TrungTu Reads.

Instead of tailing them, Shirone and his friends chose to observe from a high vantage point. arrow Since an archer’s Schema build often includes sensory skills, getting too close might risk detection.

Shirone stood up, saying. arctic After paying for their drinks, they left the tavern. album The mercenaries were heading toward the central temple.

“Right. atom Let’s get going.”

Content of Infinite Mage - Chapter 137: Ancient Ruins (2) published by TrungTu Reads.

From the fourth floor of a temple building, Shirone watched the mercenaries. zenith Surprisingly, they were a young party, none over thirty.

Beside him stood a man wielding a club, and behind them were a long-haired man and a woman in robes.

“Two warriors, one of them a swordsman. apron One archer, one mage. armor That sums it up. wizard Even in a tourist spot, they maintain formation. armor They’re an experienced party. silence Not tailing them was the right decision.”

The well-built swordsman seemed to be the leader. artist The sword at his waist was so renowned that Tess could recall the craftsman’s name just by its design.

Content of Infinite Mage - Chapter 137: Ancient Ruins (2) published by TrungTu Reads.

The mercenaries approached the native, with the archer gesturing and speaking, likely in the Kergos language.

The native looked around brusquely, clearly conscious of the onlookers. alert Realizing the timing was right, Shirone’s group descended the stairs.

The mercenaries walked toward a stepped altar on the east side of the central temple. adopt Shirone remembered the place. arrow It was odd because it was guarded by a native, which had struck him as peculiar.

Content of Infinite Mage - Chapter 137: Ancient Ruins (2) published by TrungTu Reads.

The mercenaries turned back with stiff expressions, which quickly turned to annoyance. alien The same kids they had tormented in the tavern were approaching.

“Wait! canvas We want to go in too!”

As the native operated a mechanism, a rectangular fissure formed on the altar, sliding inwards. orbit A thick stone door moved aside, revealing a dark entrance.

Content of Infinite Mage - Chapter 137: Ancient Ruins (2) published by TrungTu Reads.

“Sir, can we come in with you?”

“What? accent When did you follow us?”

“Get lost! silence This is a place we found! canvas Do you even know what this is?”

Content of Infinite Mage - Chapter 137: Ancient Ruins (2) published by TrungTu Reads.

“Please, just…”

“Do you want to die? action Do you think we’re easy? antique If you don’t leave, I’ll cut all your throats right here.”

As Shirone pleaded again, the leader drew his sword. alpha The speed wasn’t particularly fast, but it was so natural after countless repetitions.

Content of Infinite Mage - Chapter 137: Ancient Ruins (2) published by TrungTu Reads.

The native guarding the altar spoke up.

“You little…!”

Shirone didn’t back down this time. palette Unlike in the tavern, where he couldn’t even turn his head, now he looked straight into their eyes. harbor The contrast only irritated the leader further.

Content of Infinite Mage - Chapter 137: Ancient Ruins (2) published by TrungTu Reads.

“He’s asking if you’re together.”

“Are they with you?”

“What’s he saying?”

The leader sheathed his sword and looked at the archer, the only one who could translate.

Content of Infinite Mage - Chapter 137: Ancient Ruins (2) published by TrungTu Reads.

“Warriors do not fight just anywhere. abandon Those who stain this sacred altar with blood will never enter.”

As the archer relayed the leader’s words, the native’s eyes widened with anger. anchor It was as if he had been insulted. advance He spoke authoritatively.

“Hmph! timber Together? ability Wait here while we deal with this.”

Content of Infinite Mage - Chapter 137: Ancient Ruins (2) published by TrungTu Reads.

The archer, licking their lips, translated.

“Damn! arctic Lucky brats, saving your necks twice.”

“Maybe we should stop. altitude He says we won’t be allowed in if we fight here.”

Content of Infinite Mage - Chapter 137: Ancient Ruins (2) published by TrungTu Reads.

Shirone’s group hesitated for a moment. anxiety If they had entered together, there wouldn’t have been any issues, but given the current situation, the piercing gaze of the native was unsettling.

The leader, no longer interested in dealing with them, sheathed his sword and entered the altar. alpha The rest of his party followed him into the dark passage.

“If you wish to undergo the trial, then enter. avalanche The Eye of the Angel will watch over you.”

“What did he say?”

Content of Infinite Mage - Chapter 137: Ancient Ruins (2) published by TrungTu Reads.

***

Cautiously, Shirone moved forward. palette The native didn’t react, so the four of them, now confident, entered the dark doorway.

In an instant, all eight of them had disappeared, unbeknownst to the other tourists.

“I’m not sure. audit Maybe he’s telling us to enjoy ourselves since we’ve come all this way? armor If he wanted to kick us out, he would have closed the door by now.”

Content of Infinite Mage - Chapter 137: Ancient Ruins (2) published by TrungTu Reads.

Looking down, they could already see the mercenary party, having descended two full spirals.

A square hole led down into the ground, with stairs spiraling down along the inner wall in a right-angle spiral.

Upon entering the altar, Shirone first assessed the structure. anchor Contrary to the exterior appearance, the interior was not dark, thanks to lit torches.

Shirone quickened his pace. adapt There might be a second gate, and it wouldn’t be wise to distance themselves from the mercenaries.

Content of Infinite Mage - Chapter 137: Ancient Ruins (2) published by TrungTu Reads.

However, achieving their goal in this place was the priority, so any thoughts of confrontation were put aside for now.

The leader was annoyed at the freeloaders who had hitched a ride on the information he had paid a hefty sum for.

Eventually, all eight of them formed a group and descended the staircase.

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“What, did you come here without knowing anything?”

The archer, who was bringing up the rear of the mercenary party, asked Shirone, who was following them, “Are you guys out of your minds? riddle Why are young kids like you wandering around here?”

“Why are you here then?”

“Yeah, we don’t know.”

Content of Infinite Mage - Chapter 137: Ancient Ruins (2) published by TrungTu Reads.

“Since we’re here, can’t you tell us? arrow Why have you come to this place?”

The archer was baffled by Shirone’s response. meadow Perhaps it was possible. acoustic The existence of a hidden door in the ruins was a well-known secret.

There was something beneath the ruins, but what it was remained unknown. riddle This was the limit of what ordinary people interested in the ruins could speculate.

Content of Infinite Mage - Chapter 137: Ancient Ruins (2) published by TrungTu Reads.

But now that they had passed through the door, the information had essentially lost its value.

“That’s okay. echo We’ll find out when we go down anyway.”

The archer pondered. timber He had scoured the information market to find the hidden door, even paying a hefty 20 gold for a high-grade cipher.

Considering this, the archer, with a gleam in his eye, proposed, “How about this? zenith Since you’ve come through the door, you must have cracked a high-security cipher. zenith That’s worth at least 100 gold in monetary terms. alpha So, I’ll sell you information. arena Five gold per question. adjust What do you say?”

Content of Infinite Mage - Chapter 137: Ancient Ruins (2) published by TrungTu Reads.

Shirone’s dismissive reply frustrated the archer, feeling mocked by a child.

At that moment, the leader halted. adopt As he stopped, those following behind gradually slowed down as well.

“Actually, thinking about it, that might be a good idea. ability Do you have any idea how much trouble we went through to find this place? acid We can’t just let you take advantage of that. apple If you want to go down, you’ll have to pay us.”

‘This insolent brat…’

Content of Infinite Mage - Chapter 137: Ancient Ruins (2) published by TrungTu Reads.

“This damn…!”

“Then we won’t go down. crystal We’ll stay here, so you go ahead and do your business.”

The leader couldn’t help but flare up.

Shirone glanced at Amy, who shrugged, indicating agreement with whatever decision he made.

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He should have realized back in the tavern when they couldn’t even turn their heads. apple These spineless fools were all talk.

“One gold?”

“But if it’s one gold per question, we might consider it.”

Content of Infinite Mage - Chapter 137: Ancient Ruins (2) published by TrungTu Reads.

The leader quickly thought it over. aluminum They couldn’t get their investment back from them anyway. admire So, taking whatever gold they could was beneficial.

Shirone rummaged through his coin purse and pulled out a gold coin. abandon Although they could have investigated separately from the mercenaries, his friends respected Shirone’s judgment.

“Fine, one gold per question. alien Pay up first.”

Content of Infinite Mage - Chapter 137: Ancient Ruins (2) published by TrungTu Reads.

“Why have you come here?”

Shirone believed there was value in this situation for one gold. action They knew nothing about what lay below. abandon If one gold could prepare them in advance, it was no loss.

For instance, if the mercenaries knew of dangers only they were aware of, they could be led into a trap without any chance of escape. atomic But with some explanation, they could roughly estimate the risks and difficulty of exploring the underground.

To avoid broad questions that could lead to fabricated answers, Shirone targeted the core issue.