[Player Liam, receive your next challenge.]
[Explore the depths of the ancient ruin.]
[Rewards will be based on the degree of completion.]
Liam raised his brows as he realized the implications of this new challenge.
Hey C. Is this your way to guide me towards these ruins? If you want me to explore them, why not say so straight up? Isn't this wasting one of my rewards?
[All your actions are voluntarily, Player Liam!]
Sure, sure...
Liam rolled his eyes, his changing expressions drawing strange gazes from his teammates. But right then a loud clap sounded out.
"Alright! Come here and form a line!"
The officer's voice sounded out, commanding the team. Now with less soldiers around the players were obviously less restrained. But since they agreed to join the mission, everyone still listened to the officer.
The players formed a line next to the truck. Finally, Liam got a good look of the officer. He was a middle-aged man clad in uniform, having deep, sunken eyes, which showed signs of years of hardship. But his voice was brimming with power as he spoke:
"My name is Lieutenant Hoffman! I will be your captain for the day. As you all know, we are about to explore an ancient ruin today. Save your questions for now. Let's head for the ruins first!"
"Yes, sir."
The players answered chaotically but Hoffman didn't expect more from them. He turned around, following the path with the players in tow.
After a short hike the team arrived on top of the hill. Chills ran down everyone's spines as they stared at the thick cloud of void energy before them. It blocked the sight of the ancient ruin, only partly revealing a wall made from some black metal.
Even Hoffman took a moment to adjust his emotions before talking to the players.
"This is our target for the day. Now, you still have the chance to back out."
The players looked at each other but no one opened their mouths. Hoffman nodded, satisfied, as he pointed towards the right where a huge tent had been put up surrounded by some crates and tools.
"Come over here, take a look."
Hoffman walked towards the tent, stopping next to a screen which displayed various readings. The lieutenant pointed at one of the oscillating lines, explaining plainly:
"These are the results of our scans. You can see that usually no energy signature can be made out in these ruins. But spikes happened here and here.
These signify that something rich in energy is moving in these ruins. Most likely void-corrupted beasts. And two at that.
But you don't have to worry. Our readings indicate that these beasts aren't too strong. According to player levels one would be at level 39 while the other is at most at level 46.
We will stay together and slaughter the beasts. This way I can ensure everyone's safety as a martial arts master of the marrow strengthening stage. Afterwards we will split up to make the best of our limited time."
Hoffman made a short pause to let everyone understand his speech.
Liam nodded slightly. The army had it all planned out. Accompanied by a martial master of the third stage, marrow strengthening, equivalent to a level 60 player, the two beasts shouldn't pose to a threat to the team.
And unbeknownst to others Liam himself was not any weaker than Hoffman thanks to an earlier reward from C. Thus, there was no need for him to worry at all.
Hoffman swiped his eyes over the players. Seeing that no one appeared troubled he took a step to the side and opened a large crate.
"Of course we won't let you face those beasts unprepared. Those of you who don't have their own weapons can borrow some from us."
Liam's eyes lit up as Hoffman opened crates one by one. Most of the players stepped forward, browsing through them. Only Kieran and one of the women weren't interested. They were obviously seasoned hunters, fully equipped with everything they might need.
Liam looked through the offered weapons but didn't find anything special. The swords were standardized, fitting well for an army but without any outstanding properties. Thus, the players didn't spend much time looking and soon everyone had chosen a full set of equipment.
Liam obviously selected two swords and a light armor, which suited his skills.
When everyone was outfitted, Hoffman spoke up:
"Allright. Now our preparations are complete. Any questions left?"
Without hesitation multiple arms were raised. Hoffman nodded towards Kieran, prompting him to speak:
"Are we allowed to take something out of the ruins?"
Immediately the others lowered their arms, listening with rapt attention.
"Yes, you are..."
"Nice!"
"That's what I wanted to hear!"
Hoffman looked at everyone sternly, forcing them to grow quiet.
"But... everything you take out must be handed over for inspection. Dangerous items will be confiscated. New technology will be handed over to the army and you will receive a fair remuneration. Everything else can be taken with you. Failure to comply will draw severe punishment.
And let me warn you: taking anything related to the void with you will be regarded as a terrorist act and will be handled like so!"
Everyone shivered under Hoffman's chilling gaze. The people were only here to make some money. They naturally didn't plan to keep anything void-related and draw the army's ire.
Seeing that his message reached the players, Hoffman nodded slightly. He asked for more questions, but everyone stayed silent.
"If that's the case, we can get started. Follow me."
Hoffman turned and approached the ancient ruin. The players stayed close to him, not daring to forget his commands.
Together they walked along the black wall until an obvious opening could be made out. It wasn't a gate but rather a breach which the team now used to gain entry.
Everyone braced themselves as they stepped past the threshold and finally entered area affected by the void. Instantly the consoles everyone was wearing let out starlight energy, which formed a thin protective layer around the wearer's body, keeping the void at bay.
Inside the cloud of void energy it was absolutely silent. Only the sound of footsteps could be heard. Glancing around no one could see further than two meters due to the violet fog.
Withing their sight there was only the ground, which consisted of a solid material similar to concrete. It was permeated with cracks and in some places the ground had been broken apart.
Even after such a long time almost no plants had found their way inside and those that did had been corrupted by the void, taking on all kinds of weird forms.
"Stay alert. Some plants have become aggressive after being affected by the void. Don't let them injure you."
Everyone nodded, feeling their hearts skip a beat. The atmosphere was more oppressive than some people expected.
The one remaining the most composed was naturally Liam. The scene before him didn't differ much from some places in the game where the void gathered.
He kept his cool as he followed behind the lieutenant, observing the surroundings with curiosity. However, he swiftly realized that the mythical ancient ruins were some places filled with wonders. No, what Liam saw didn't look much different from a modern city except for the lack of high-rise buildings. In fact, it rather resembled the military complex he had just been to.
But this wasn't overly surprising. The ancient ruins were remnants of an ancient civilization, which was technologically more advanced than everything the current civilization could offer. Of course, their ruins weren't some temples but rather cities.
While these thoughts ran through Liam's mind, his ear suddenly twitched. Just as he wanted to alert the lieutenant, Hoffman raised his hand, signalling everyone to stop.
"Draw your weapons. Something is coming."
Instantly the atmosphere shifted. Everyone readied their weapons, vigilantly looking left and right. Just then heavy footsteps sounded out. Before the team could locate the approaching enemy, the violet fog stirred heavily.
A huge silhouette suddenly appeared. The next moment a beast broke out of the fog. It came from above, its wide-open maw aiming for a staff-wielding man at the back of the group.
"Vile beast!"
Hoffman was the first to react. He jumped with great strength, reaching the beast in an instant. His arms covered in bracers crashed violently against the beast's head.
With a wail the beast landed on the floor, barely able to stand.
Only now did everyone get a good look at the beast. It was huge wolf clad in blood-red fur. Patches of its body were permeated with thin, violet lines, especially its eyes, which were devoid of reason.
Scanning the beast the pressure on everyone diminished greatly. No one felt too much danger from the beast, indicating that it was the one equivalent to level 39.
After the short scare the players stared at the beast angrily. Their weapons moved quickly, hiding the embarrassment upon being frightened by a beast of such low strength.