The commanders’ council hall was slowly emptying.
After hours of discussion, reviewing maps, and making decisions about the Base’s future, the commanders were leaving their seats one by one.
A few were still discussing the seven human territories whose existence was no longer just a legend.
Others were leaning over the 3D map, talking about possible exploration routes up to a radius of fifteen hundred kilometers.
With the destruction of the three main races around the base, advancement had become possible, and this opportunity could pave the way for them greatly.
However, because of Lian’s words, everyone had developed a bad view of the ruins, and this had become a cause for concern.
Ruins had always been a source of treasures and many paths to progress, and the fact that they might now be used as traps by the natives had caused fear.
But did they really have to abandon the ruins? In the end, it was suggested that if they did find a ruin, they should definitely enter it as a group and try to avoid entering alone.
Valerian was the last person to pass by the command table. He stopped in front of Lian and gave him a careful look.
"Thank you for the points you mentioned. They made us understand that this Ruined Realm can be different from all the previous ones. Even the ruins will no longer be that safe."
Lian gave a short smile.
"You’re welcome. I just made a simple point. We have to be careful with our lives. After all, if we die, we cause monsters to enter our own world." He then added.
"Besides, fighting and being at war with monsters is one thing. Being at war with an intelligent and powerful civilization of humans is another. We need to be careful."
Valerian nodded calmly.
"When you are fully recovered, my base will always welcome you. I think our cooperation has just begun."
"Thank you for the invitation." Lian replied with respect.
"It was a pleasure meeting you. It’s time for me to return to my own base." The level 40 commander gave a faint smile and, without saying anything more, left the hall.
A few steps away, Elizabeth was also ready to leave. Before exiting, she paused for a moment and turned back.
"For now, just rest. You fought more than your share. This time, let your body breathe. We will need you for advancement in the Ruined Realm."
Lian nodded.
"Of course."
When the hall door closed, only a few officials remained. The meeting... had finally ended.
---
A few hours later... the sun was slowly hiding behind the massive walls of the Base, and the orange light of sunset was shining through the window of Lian’s quiet room.
Knock knock knock
"Come in."
The door opened slowly and Kain entered. Upon seeing Lian sitting on a chair this time, he smiled.
"Finally free from the meeting."
"Fortunately."
Kain sat on the chair opposite and for a few seconds both looked out the window in silence, then he asked.
"So, what’s your next plan?"
Lian did not say anything for a few moments, his mind went to his armor, or better to say... the remains of his armor.
A large part of it had melted, parts were completely broken, and a few metal plates were no longer usable.
Practically, he no longer had any armor.
"First, a new armor. My current one is finished."
"When I returned to the Vorhelm clan’s home, I obtained a monster skin. It shouldn’t go to waste, and I’m sure something good can be made with it." He continued a few moments later.
Kain looked at him in surprise.
"The skin of one of the most powerful monster races known to exist. If an armor is made from its skin, it will probably become one of the best S-rank armors." He thought for a moment.
"Maybe even an Ancient rank armor."
"That’s not something just anyone can do. Making an Ancient rank armor requires truly high skill." Kain’s eyes widened slightly.
"That’s why I was looking for you. Do you know anyone who can help?"
"Maybe I know someone." Kain thought for a moment, then as if remembering something, he pondered for a few moments.
"Who?" Lian raised his gaze.
"A blacksmith in the capital, but getting him to accept the order is very difficult."
Many people thought blacksmithing, like being a warrior or a mage, was an awakening class.
But the reality was completely different. No one awakened with the Blacksmith class.
Blacksmithing was a profession.
After the emergence of the Ruined Realms, humans had discovered thousands of books, tools, maps, and remnants of technologies from destroyed civilizations.
It took decades for researchers to reconstruct only a small part of that knowledge, and from that research, new professions were born.
Master Blacksmith.
Alchemist.
Artifact Craftsman.
All of them were professions, not classes. Anyone could learn them, but reaching mastery sometimes required several decades of time.
For this reason, true masters were very rare.
Kain continued.
"His name is Magnus Ironsoul. He has been making armor and weapons for over thirty years. They say most of the armor used by high-level guild leaders now is his work."
"But he’s a strange person."
"What kind of person?" Lian asked curiously. He didn’t know any blacksmiths, but he had always been curious about them.
"He has a strange obsession. He doesn’t accept all clients."
"If he finds the materials worthless, he won’t even look at them. And if he doesn’t like the client’s personality... he’ll throw them out directly." Kain laughed.
"I heard even the President had to wait weeks for his turn."
Lian thought for a few seconds and then smiled.
"Then we’ll try."
"Really?" Kain raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah."
Lian looked outside.
"Before I start my next exploration, I need a new armor. This time I want to go much further, at least five thousand kilometers. Without proper armor... it’s very dangerous."
He planned to go on an exploration journey instead of exploration patrols.
This way, reaching level 20 would happen much sooner.
"Right now?" Kain asked in surprise.
"The sooner, the better."
His friend looked at him for a few moments and then shrugged.
"Anyway, I don’t have anything special to do right now, so let’s go."
Lian nodded calmly, but suddenly something came to his mind.
"There’s another thing I need to do. A few of the treasures from that ruin are still in my storage space. I need to sell them."
The next morning... finally, the main gate of the Base opened calmly and without anxiety.
Lian and Kain were ready to leave, but before reaching the portal, someone was waiting for them.
Seraphina.
"Take care of yourselves, and please, don’t do anything foolish again."
"Of course." Lian smiled and then asked.
"What are your plans?"
"Me and the rest of the student council are also going to return to the academy soon." Seraphina added.
"Oh? Something happened?"
"Remember that Special area the federation found? Finally, the entry quotas have been distributed, and the academy has also been given a number of quotas. We have to return to the academy to prepare and for the student council to distribute the quotas."
"I thought it was a Hidden area." Lian nodded, Special areas, as their name suggests, are very special.
If entry quotas are really going to be distributed, then he cannot miss it either.
"It has been confirmed to be a Special area." Seraphina added.
"Then I’ll see you at the academy soon." They then said goodbye.
A few minutes later... they reached the central square of the Base. In the center of the square... the base’s massive portal was located.
A column of blue light stretching dozens of meters into the sky, hundreds of awakened ones were coming and going, some were just entering the Ruined Realm.
Some were returning after completing missions, and many were going to rest.
Lian stopped for the last time, his gaze moving across the base’s massive walls.
Right here, he had been only a few steps away from death. He had been here for a short time, but many things had happened to him.
Then, together with Kain, he stepped toward the portal. The blue light engulfed both of them, and for a few seconds... everything was drowned in absolute whiteness.
When the light faded... the cool and familiar air of the modern world caressed their faces.
They... had finally returned to their own world.