Published at 30th of July 2026 9:30 am

Chapter 1886: Random Ruins

This chapter is updated by JustRead.pl

The crimson moon arched across the night sky.

It gradually dipped below the horizon, slowly, steadily. As the final rays of red receded from the heavenly canvas, the mysterious mist began to creep in from the edges of the battlefield.

Genevieve and Valerian heard the sound of battle gradually subside above ground. Their conversation halted, and they slipped into silence.

Exactly three days have passed, and he’s still not back, she thought to herself.

Suddenly, Valerian sprang onto all fours. Before Genevieve could ask what was wrong, he dashed toward the sloped entrance and came to an abrupt halt. His topaz eyes remained fixed on the passage above, waiting with rapt attention.

Could it be...

Genevieve followed behind almost immediately.

Meanwhile, in the corner of the chamber, Darren’s hand reached for the spiked mace that lay beside him. He gripped the handle and slowly rose to his feet. A scowl appeared on his face as he looked toward the entrance.

The crimson light spilling through the entrance slowly receded. The growls and shrieks of undead monsters, as well as the sound of battle, gradually came to a stop.

A moment later, a figure slid down the sloped entrance, his body scraping across the gravel as the sound echoed throughout the underground chamber.

Darren grew increasingly tense as his grip around the mace tightened.

Valerian, on the other hand, heaved a sigh of relief and transformed back into his cat form. Watching his reaction, Genevieve let go of the artifact in her hand and heaved a quiet sigh.

With a dull thud, Adam landed underground in the chamber.

For a brief moment, his figure was enveloped in dust. But soon, he was visible to all.

"Hey, guys." The raven-haired youth smiled.

"Brother!" Valerian dove into his embrace and fondly started to lick his cheeks.

Genevieve subconsciously took a step toward him, then awkwardly caught herself before she could embarrass herself.

"Welcome back," she said with a gentle smile.

She observed Adam properly and noticed he wasn’t as injured as she expected him to be. Sure, his leather armor and clothes were a mess. But other than that, he looked perfectly fine.

Adam turned toward her and nodded with a smile.

Then he shifted his gaze toward the Paladin in the corner, his eyes narrowing. He only cast him a brief glance before turning back to Genevieve.

"How have you been?" he asked her.

Darren’s expression twisted into a frown. The way Adam looked at him, as though he wasn’t even worth acknowledging, struck a nerve. Suppressing the anger rising in his chest, he strode toward him, mace still clutched tightly in his hand.

He interrupted their conversation and spat in an annoyed tone, "What took you so long? What were you doing up there?"

Adam slowly turned his head, his eyes turning cold.

"If you haven’t realized," he began, "it isn’t so easy to traverse the land at night."

"I said," Darren growled, unaware of what had suddenly come over him. "What were you doing up there!"

Perhaps he was tired of being looked down upon by Adam. Or perhaps, a part of him wanted to put on a display of bravery in front of Genevieve. He didn’t truly know what it was. What he did know was that he was sick of Adam’s behavior toward him.

If he didn’t stand his ground now, he would forever cower while facing this man.

Adam’s brow arched in amusement. He turned toward him, took a step closer, and looked him in the eye.

"I was trying to find a way out, young master, he said in a mocking tone. "I didn’t know I had to report to you. Pray tell, did you appoint yourself the leader of this party in my absence?"

Darren opened his mouth to reply.

But the moment he met Adam’s tenebrous gaze, a strange feeling crept over him.

It was as though something... something other than Adam... was staring back at him.

Darren’s eyes trembled, and he quickly lowered his head and looked away.

The corner of Adam’s lips curled into a sneer. Without a word, he walked past the Paladin. Valerian stuck his tongue out at the towering man, clearly enjoying his humiliation. Meanwhile, Genevieve cast a brief look at him, then silently followed behind Adam.

Darren stood there with his head lowered. He bit his lower lip, his eyes spewing venom and... fear.

Why am I so damn afraid of him?!

He screamed inwardly.

Why, damn it!

***

Adam took a few minutes to gather himself.

Although the monsters outside hadn’t attacked him proactively, wading through a sea of undead had still been an overwhelming ordeal.

His nerves had been stretched tight the entire time. Only now, within the safety of the underground hall, did he finally allow himself to relax a little.

"Alright, there are a few things you need to know," he said after taking a sip from the waterskin.

Genevieve sat before him. Valerian sat comfortably on her lap — an act that made Adam smile for some reason. Meanwhile, Darren sat a bit further away from them, yet paid attention to his words nonetheless.

Adam raised a finger, then said:

"First, I have found a way out. Or more accurately, a way deeper into the spirit plane."

Before the others could press for more details, he continued, "It lies about a day’s journey east of here. The mist doesn’t reach that place, from what I’ve seen. And neither does this war waged between the undead legions."

"That is good news!" Genevieve exclaimed.

Adam nodded and raised a second finger.

"Second," he continued, "I have confirmed those talismans are indeed what keep the monsters away. I have visited a few other underground chambers like this one, and every single one contained the same talisman."

His gaze shifted to the weathered talisman affixed to the wall.

"Not one of those shelters had been breached. The undead passed over them without a second glance, as if they couldn’t perceive what lay beneath."

His gaze shifted back to the group, and he continued:

"That means these chambers aren’t random ruins. And whoever carved those talismans understood this place and the monsters inhabiting it deeply."

Finally, he raised a third finger.

"And lastly," he said, his lips forming a faint smile.

"I have found the others. And they’re all alive."

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