(From MC's perspective)
Trunulesia Forest,
After knowing, Valerie Lyons is keeping an eye on me. I decided to stay alert. Unfortunately, I couldn't find a good reason to persuade her to go back.
I raised my head and saw deep dark woods in the middle of the day. A trace of apprehension appeared in my eyes. Earlier, I wanted to go deep into the woods. But I almost neglected the most important thing.
That's safety. There is a high chance of encountering more than one mutated monster. If it's a group of monsters, then it will be more difficult for me not to use the lightning element.
Thinking about the possible outcomes, I decided to stop my current plans. It will be better If I go back and confront Elder Compton about this.
After fighting out, I took one good glance at the woods before going back to the base camp.
On the other hand, Valeri Lyons is looking forward to seeing Zack's strength. But when she saw him standing like a statue in the same place. She furrowed her eyebrows, "What is he doing?"
Then she spread around her senses to find mutated monsters. Seeing that there are no monsters around the vicinity, she sighed in relief.
But it won't be the same for so long. Mutated monsters residing in this forest have terrible senses. It will be possible for them to find out their whereabouts.
So before anything goes wrong, she decides to remind Zack. But suddenly, she saw Zack walking back towards their base's direction.
"What happened?" She said to herself.
Then she decided to follow as well.
...
At the same time,
Ricardo Compton and others reached the ruin site.
In front of them, it's the ruins of a massive complex. Looking at the tonnes of stones, Compton's expression turned solemn. This is not the first time he has come here.
But he was perplexed after finding some disturbance ruins. A trace of trespassing can be seen.
Not only him, but others also find out some traces. Erik Lloyd commented, "How come monsters appeared here?" He squinted his eyes as he noticed the trace of monster footprints.
Garrett Marsh also heard his friends murmur. He said, "I just hope it's not the elite monsters."
His words immediately sent a cold shiver down everyone's spine.
Only Compton appeared to be calm. He is slowly accessing the situation regarding how to proceed further.
He accepted his communication watch to look at the map of the ruins. When he heard everyone's words, he uttered in a stern tone, "Keep quiet and watch out for the surroundings"
After saying that he immediately looked into the ruined map.
Others immediately began to act upon receiving orders. Garrett and Erik looked at each other before scanning the area for monsters.
Terrell Boyd and Kara Robles also did the same.
Four of them picked each direction to scan the place, leaving behind the leader Compton in the middle.
Right now, Compton saw the map. This was the map drawn by him when he visited this place previously.
The ruin is divided into three sections. The first section of the ruin covered the entrance and some dilapidated buildings. The second section covered one medium size building. The third section is unknown.
He had previously reached the end of the second section. Because of a shortage of manpower, he wasn't able to access the third section.
After checking out everything, he sighed inwardly. The map was fine. But the problem is the current situation of the ruin. If monsters had trespassed this place. Then there is a high chance for the old paths to be blocked.
Then it will take some time for them to clear out everything. After retracting his thoughts, he looked at everyone, "Alright everyone we can enter the ruin now."
After hearing that everyone sighs in relief and returned to their position. Seeing that, Compton slowly led them towards the entrance of the ruins.
The entrance has no gate except for a narrow path. Right now the path is occupied by grown-out weeds.
Seeing that Erik Lloyd went forward to clear the path. After entering the first section area, the group slowly started to access the area.
Compton decided to check the first section before entering the second section. He wants to see whether any mutated monsters are hiding here.
Last time, he had thoroughly checked the buildings. All the valuable research materials were already taken out. There is nothing more to research here.
His goals were this time to check the unmarked place in the second section and to further explore the third section.
Time passed,
One hour later, the group found no trace of the monsters. After knowing that, the group finally walked towards the second section.
After they left, the ground beneath some buildings started to shake. Some old run-down buildings immediately started to crumble down.
But unfortunately, the group was not here to witness them.
The second section,
"Leader, what is your plan?" Garrett Marsh asked.
He is the second most talkative person after Vice leader Valerie Lyons.
Others also perked up their ears to listen.
Compton looked around and recalled the location of the unmarked building.
"We will check the unmarked building first," Compton said.
When he uttered those words, the expressions of others turned solemn. Unmarked buildings were not ordinary buildings. Every room inside that building has some kind of restrictions.
Compton observed the reactions of everyone. He doesn't want to fool everyone. This ruin is dangerous. After several decades of research, they only came to know this ruin might be some Academy.
But his old friends had different opinions. I think this ruin is a laboratory. Differences of opinion, but nothing can be said unless they complete the research.
They still have one more section to explore. Who knows what kind of place is the third section? After dispelling the thoughts, he looked around the surroundings.
The area is covered with overgrown vegetation. It is not wise to use elemental powers inside the ruin. It might trigger some restrictions.
After a few minutes, they reached the unmarked building. Compton spread around his elite sense to check the area. His senses immediately covered the door.
Seeing that, there is no restriction on the door. He sighed in relief. Then he took a lead to open the door.
"Don't know how long it has been but this metallic door is still strong," Compton muttered to himself.
After entering inside, a wide spacious hall came into view. Compton was stunned for a moment. Because the place was empty without any furniture or other items.
Right after him, Erik Lloyd and others slowly entered inside. They were also stunned after looking at the place.
"What happened?"
"Has anyone come before us?"
Erik Lloyd and Garrett Marsh uttered one by one. Kara Robles started gazing at the other doors. But, suddenly her eyes widened in disbelief.