"Lady Slyvera, why did we have to hire a mortal to lead us into the Ancient God's Dimensional rift? He can only be a burden to us here!"
A dark haired young man in his twenties whispered as he spoke to a lady by the side.
The young lady was an extremely beautiful young lady with deep blue eyes that complemented her blue hair.
She was dressed in a tight Type III combat suit revealing her extremely well shaped figure.
"Have you ever been to an Ancient ruin before, Frank?" Her voice was cold as she spoke.
Frank blinked rapidly, his confident demeanor cracking under her icy gaze. "Well… no, but—" He stammered.
"But he's only just a mortal and probably wouldn't ever awaken any talent! The other legacy students brought scouts with actual skills, knowledge, and awakened abilities
ranging from D-rank to B-rank, their survival rates would improve drastically. This mortal clearly knows nothing beyond basic survival."
Frank gestured dismissively toward the front of their formation where a lean figure moved with quiet confidence. "Half the academies brought Evolvers as scouts, and Thunder Crown Institute even managed to secure a Super-soldier scout. Yet here we are, trusting our lives to someone who can't even access the System at all."
Sylveria's expression remained unchanged, but the temperature around them seemed to drop several degrees. "If you can survive entering nine dimensional rifts as a mortal without losing your life even once, then perhaps I would have chosen you instead."
Lady Sylveria turned away from Frank completely as she walked.
Several meters ahead, Dravin Cassanova had heard every word of their exchange, and his calloused hands clenched into tight fists before slowly relaxing.
Dravin had been working as a scout for more than five years now, ever since he'd turned ten and Old Man Yang had taken him under his wing.
Old man Yang had been an eccentric old man who lived on the outskirts of Crimson Falls City. He was also a mortal just like Dravin, but his knowledge of Ancient ruins and dimensional rifts were incredible. He was the one who thought Dravin everything he knew.
How to read the subtle signs of dimensional instability, how to identify various traps, changes and signs and also navigate through the void of the dimension.
However, Dravin barely got any clients.
The system heavily favored those with awakened talents, and even when Dravin was hired, it was more as a Squire rather than a true Scout.
Squires handled the tasks of carrying equipment, dissecting monster corpses for valuable materials, and providing basic reconnaissance.
The real scouting, the dangerous advance work that determined the difference between life and death was usually left to those with System access and awakened abilities.
This contract with Lady Sylveria was his first major job as a genuine Scout.
The payment alone would set him up for years and he would be able to apply to enter an academy but more importantly, the success here could increase his reputation.
Dimensional rifts are divided into various geades depending on the level of monsters and difficulty, ranging from F-rank to SSS-rank portals.
A few days ago, an S rank portal rumored to be linked with an Ancient God Inheritance opened up in a city near Crimsonfall City, wiping out everything within a ten mile radius.
The 12 academies governing the continent immediately gathered around the portal, wiped out the monsters as well as zombies mutated from humans who had died from the portal eruption.
Within this Ancient God Inheritance Dimensional Zone, the Twelve Legacy Students from the most prestigious academies on the Azuran Continent had gathered to try to gain the inheritance of the ancient civilization
Anytime a rift of this capacity, it always cause a ripple within the continent. It was what gave the academies resources and footing to become the top 12.
It was said that each of the top 12 academies possess their own Ancient God Inheritance.
Therefore this one that had just popped up had caused the 12 academies to rush it, wanting to gain extra inheritance to become the top one academy.
As the portal rejects those above Super soldier level, this caused the academies to send their legacy students to acquire the world core or inheritance and gain control of the world.
Each of the 12 Legacies were accompanied by their own protectors and support staff.
If something went wrong here killing off the legacies, it could destabilize the entire continental power structure.
Sylveria's traveled with twelve protectors, six male, six female, each wearing Tier II Sphyx Combat Suits that glowed with mana.
Each protector was at least a level 5 Super-soldier, with several approaching level 8. Behind them walked three figures in dark robes whose faces were hidden and bodies covered in black robes.
Frank served as the captain of Sylveria's protective detail.
Despite his obvious disdain against Dravin, he was undeniably skilled. He was a Level 7 Super-soldier with the talent, "Iron Will Shield," It allowed him to form protective barriers.
Beside Frank was Vivian, a sharp-featured woman whose red hair was pulled back in a bun. Her talent, C-Rank 'Flame Sword' allowed her to form swords made out of flames and attack from afar.
She was Lady Sylveria's right hand, and was extremely protective of her mistress.
But Sylveria's party was just one of twelve similar groups spread throughout the dimensional space.
The Legacy Students had entered the rift simultaneously and since there was only a single obvious road leading forwards, they moved together though meters apart from each other's camp.
From Thunder Crown Institute was legacy student Prince Karlel Stormwind with an A rank thunder talent.
Whenever he moved, Thunder erupt from his feet as though he was a Thunder God.
His blue hair crackled with electrical energy, as he moved.
He had also brought with him two Rank 6 Super-soldier protectors and a scout who had reached the early stages of the Evolver realm.
The representative from Berserker Storm Academy was Marcus Gordon, a very muscular young man with red hair and beard.
Amongst the 12 legacy students, he was the most feared. It wasn't because he was strong, it was because when he gets angry, he turns crazy and basically unstoppable.
What was cause was that his talent "Berserker's Blood" would increase his strength drastically when in a live or death battle.
Marcus didn't bring a single protectors if it weren't for the earnest insistence of his master, he wouldn't have even brought the three scouts with him.
From Nature's Sanctuary Academy came Aria Thornweave, a gentle-looking young woman. Her expression was kind and she looked like a cute little girl with flowers on her hair and ears. However, her strength was insane.
Her S-Rank talent, "Life Dominion," gave her control over plant life and healing magic that bordered on the miraculous. Aria's protectors were unusual—instead of human guards, she was accompanied by awakened plant creatures that seemed to have intelligence.
The Ancient Beast Academy had sent Veraella Draconis. She was completely different from the other girls.
She well toned with muscles. Her black hair was tinged with silver, and her eyes weren't actually human eyes but the certical pupils of a dragon.
Her S-Rank talent, "Ancient Berserker Golden Dragon " was among the rarest and most powerful combat abilities known to exist.
Unlike most berserker talents that simply increased physical capabilities, Vera's ability literally transformed her body, granting her draconic strength, scales that could turn repel most blades, and claws capable of tearing through steel.
She carried a Type III massive war hammer forged from the bone of an actual dragon on her shoulders and Dravin could swear the hammer would literally crush him if he was placed underneath.
The other academies had sent equally impressive representatives. From the Royal Military Institute came Prince Aldric Goldmane, whose noble bearing and mastery of magic made him a natural leader.
Shadow Realm Academy had sent Zara Herman, whose ability to manipulate shadows and void made her nearly invisible when she wishes.
Along side them was the Eternal Winter College's Legacy Student, Elena Snowseed, whose ice magic could freeze opponents solid in seconds.
Inferno War School had sent Darius Flameheart, with Hell-fire s rank ability.
Cosmic Mystic University's Legacy Student was Luna Nebula, whose stellar magic allowed her to channel the power of distant stars.
Mountain Fortress Academy had sent Gareth Tonne, whose earth control ability could literally reshape an entire battlefield in seconds.
And Finally, Crimson Rose Institute had sent their Legacy student Lydia Stockton, whose blood magic was as beautiful as it was terrifying.
Each Legacy Student represented not just individual power but the backing of institutions that had shaped the continent's history for centuries.
The fact that all twelve academies had agreed to this meant they didn't want war and had come to an agreement.
The dimensional rift itself was classified as a Fourth-Tier Ancient God Inheritance, which placed it among the most dangerous and valuable ruins known to exist. Fourth-Tier inheritances were left behind by gods who had achieved partial transcendence before their deaths, meaning the rewards within could potentially transform someone from a mortal to gods.
Sadly, the inheritance was protected by an age limitation enchantment that prevented anyone with a bone age above 18 from entering the dimensional space.
This was the only reason the Academies were confident about sending their Legacy students. As their students were all geniuses below age 18 even though some were 16 or 17.
Outside the rift, the Deans of each academy were slightly Anxious.
While they didn't own just a single Legacy disciple but multiple, losing them meant losing decades of resources and time. It would be painful.
The dimensional space was different from what Dravin had experienced in his previous rift expeditions.
The sky was clear as day with two suns hanging in the sky and the clouds were snow pure just like the outside world. The space was even more massive and it was as though they were still on Azuren Continent.
If it weren't for the yellow road, many would have scattered to explore other places and would not know where to go.
They had been traveling for several hours when Dravin suddenly stopped.
The rest of the Sylveria group also stopped immediately. Everyone present knew that a scout's sudden stop could mean the difference between life and death.
Dravin frowned deeply, as he stomped lightly on the ground. Then he squatted down and began scratching at the brown soil with his index finger, trying to remove a tiny bit of dust.
His finger barely made a mark on the soil!
"Strange." Dravin muttered as he dug with even more force
"What's the problem this time?" Frank's sneering voice cut through the tense silence. "Are you pretending to be mysterious again?"
If Frank had his way, this mortal would have met with an unfortunate accident long before they'd progressed this far into the rift. To him, mortals like Dravin represented the kind of weakness that got real warriors killed.
Dravin ignored Frank's words and drew his out his knife he then stabbed down with his might.
"Ding!"
The knife bounced off without leaving so much as a scratch.
Dravin's face instantly changed. Then he turned towards Sylveria and spoke quickly.
"Can you lend me your spear?"
"Stupid mortal!" Frank exploded. "How dare you ask the lady for her weapon? You actually have designs on a Tier III god-killer? You truly don't understand the immensity of heaven and earth!"
Tier III weapons possessed artificial intelligence and actively resisted being wielded. For a mortal to even touch such a weapon could result in severe backlash
"Keep quiet!" Lady Sylveria's snapped and Frank immediately shrank back as if physically struck.
She turned her attention to Dravin, her expression thoughtful "He's not entirely wrong. As a mortal, handling a Tier III god-killer could cause you serious harm. What exactly are you trying to do? Maybe I can assist instead."
Dravin nodded gratefully, pointing at the soil beneath their feet. "Stab the tip of your spear into the soil."
Sylveria raised an elegant eyebrow at the unusual request, but she did as she eas told.
"Lady Sylveria, don't dirty your weapon unnecessarily," one of her protectors, a young man named Devon spoke. "Allow me to test the ground instead."
Dravin instantly shook his head. "She's the strongest person here. If we're going to test this properly, it has to be her."
Sylveria nodded slowly and drew her weapon. The legendary Tier III god-killer was two meters long three headed spear in it.
Purple flames danced along its body, and the air around it distorted with heat.
She suddenly raised her weapon and the air trembled as she stabbed down.
"Thud!"
The spear tip, which should have pierced the surface easily was actually not able to enter the soil!
Dravin's face went even paler pale. "Please… use more effort, Lady Sylveria."
Sylveria frowned at his obviously panicked state, but tightened her grip on the Phoenix Heartspear, and the weapon glowed brilliantly as purplish flames danced crazily, the heat causing a heat wave in the surrounding.
The strength of a Rank 9 Super-soldier wasn't a joke. Sylveria's muscles coiled like steel springs as she raised the spear overhead and drove it downward with her full power.
"BOOM!"
It was as thunder had struck the ground before then.
The air itself trembled from the released energy, and several of the weaker protectors staggered backward from the shockwave. But when the dust settled and the energy dissipated, the Phoenix Heartspear had penetrated exactly two inches into the crystal surface.
Two inches. After a full-power strike from one of the strongest Super-soldiers of her generation, wielding a legendary god-killer weapon, the result was actually just teo inches of penetration.
Everyoen's faFrank's sneer faded as he realized something was wrong.
"What… what does this mean?" Sylveria asked.
Dravin's mind went blank.
"Can't even penetrate properly? Dead… we're all dead."
"Brat! What nonsense are you saying?!" Vivian snapped, her sword instantly surged as flames erupted from it.
"Speak properly, or you won't receive your payment!"
The mention of payment helped Dravin focus. He took several deep breaths,"This is a theory I formulated myself through years of observation,"
"The defensive capabilities of creatures within an Ancient ruin is equivalent to half of the hardness of the environment itself."
Everyone immediately went silent.
"Are you saying that if we can barely penetrate this surface, we would have similar difficulty breaking through the defenses of any monsters we encounter here?"
Dravin nodded gravely. "Unfortunately, yes. Its not mana hardening. It's as though this is a natural ground. Any creatures that evolved or were created in this environment would have natural defenses calibrated to the local conditions. If Lady Sylveria's full power can only achieve two inches of penetration, then the monsters here might have hide thick enough that our weapons would barely scratch them."
Most of the protectors present were Rank 5 or 6 Super-soldiers—significantly weaker than Sylveria. If she could barely damage the environment, what hope did they have against creatures adapted to it?
At that moment, their discussion was interrupted by the approach of another group. Prince Karlel Stormwind had noticed the commotion around Sylveria group and decided to approach them.
"Sylveria, is there some difficulty with your route?"
Karlel had been pursuing half a year now, though his advances had been consistently rebuffed.
Sylveria had shown no interest in ehat he was feeling. Still, he persisted in hoping that demonstrating his power and reliability might eventually win her attention.
Frank quickly explained Dravin's theory and the results of their test.
As he spoke, Karlel's expression grew increasingly troubled.
When he finished, he turned to his own scout—a Rank 3 Evolver with an Earth-sense ability.
"Marcus, what do you make of this theory?" Karlel asked.
Marcus was an 18 year old young man who had been scouting for more than a three years and had an E grade sensory talent.
He knelt and placed his palm against the soil.
After several minutes of concentration, he stood and shook his head dismissively. "The ground is indeed harder than normal, your Highness, but this mortal is theory is invalid. If such theory was correct, we would have heard about it long long time ago. He's probably trying to make himself seem more valuable by manufacturing danger."
Dravin's face changed. "What are you—"
"Enough!" Karlel interrupted.
"I appreciate caution, but we can't let fear paralyze us. This is an Ancient God's inheritance—of course it's dangerous."
One by one, the other Legacy Students and their parties arrived as word spread of the discussion. Soon, nearly the entire expeditionary force had gathered to debate Dravin's theory.
The consensus was clear—while they acknowledged that the ruins would be dangerous, most believed that Dravin was deliberately exaggerating the threat.
Marcus grinned coldly. "I've been in dozens of ruins,"
"Every scout tries to make their first major expedition sound like a death sentence. It's how they justify their fees."
Aria frowned but was skeptical.
"We can't make decisions based on untested theories. Our academies wouldn't have sent us here if the danger level was truly beyond our capabilities."
Vera twisted her massive hammer, giggling in mockery. "Hehe! Is Sylveria getting scared? As expected of the weakest academy!"
Vivian who was beside Sylveria flushed red in anger. "We are trying to warn you and you're mocking us. Let's see who dies first."
Vera's eye's turned cold. And she spoke indifferently. "Keep your dogs in check Sylveria or I will."
Sylveria calmly raised her spear and pointed at Vera. "Watch your dog mouth, Vera."
Vera's face changed. And a powerful aura blasted off from her as he hair started flowing upwards with her eyes blazing in fury.
"Hehe. This seemed like fun. Can I join?" Cute Vera suddenly popped up from nowhere and appeared between the two of them.
Immediately, the two lady's expression changed slightly. 'This crazy woman is here.'
Both Sylveria and Vera immediately turned around, their anger vanishing.
"Awwn! You guys don't want to play with me any longer. That's not fair!"
She stomped her feet and went back to her party.
They began walking deeper through the yellow road.
Only a few members of the expedition seemed to take Dravin's warning seriously.
"Thank you for your concern, Dravin," Sylveria said, "but we will proceed as planned. However, I want you to remain close to me during our exploration."
Dravin sighed and nodded.
The twelve Legacy Students reorganized their formations and continued deeper into the dimensional world.
Though they maintained separate groups, the practical reality was that they were all following the same predetermined path.
After an hour of travel, they finally stopped.
Before them stood a massive golden gate so tall it seems to reach the clouds.
What was strange was that it was simply a gate standing there attached to nothing.
The gate stood partially open, revealing only darkness behind it. M
The Gates of Divinity," Luna suddenly spoke.
"According to the old texts, gates like this are fragmented treasure space of divine entities."
The various Legacy Students gathered before the gate and entered excitedly into the gate. If they could get a single treasure from here, their journey would be worth it.
The Legacy Students began entering the golden gate, their protectors and support staff following close behind.
Sylveria paused as she reached the gate, looking back at Dravin.
"Stay close," she said, then stepped through the gate.
Dravin gritted his teeth. He really need money and had no choice but to follow.
The space beyond the gate was a massive throne room that it couldn't be described with worlds.
The ceiling was so high even Dravin couldn't sense if there was a one, while the walls stretched away into the distance.
The floor was made out of polished high-grade mana crystal that reflected one's image perfectly as though walking in water.
But what made everyone paused was the massive throne at the fore front of the throne room. The throne seem to have been made for a giant more than 10,000 meters tall.
Kneeling before the throne were seven enormous humanoid titans. Each stood at least 100 meters tall, their muscled forms carved from materials never seen before.
Their arms were raised in inwards as they presented something to the empty massive throne. They were like ants presenting their offerings!
However, what was in their hands were actually treasures!
They rippled with an astonishing amount of mana that it was visible to the naked eye.
Weapons, armor, scrolls, gems, and artifacts of every description filled the Titans' grasp.
Even from a distance, it was clear that they weren't ordinary treasures.
But the most disturbing thing were the statue-lined walls of the throne room.
On the left side of the throne room stood two hundred and forty demonic gods, each horrifying with several unique features.
Some had multiple heads, others bore wings of tattered flesh, and still others wielded weapons.
On the right side however were two hundred and forty angelic figures, each bearing eight wings, six wings and some even four wings.
The groups spread out across the throne room, in awe of the marvel.
"Incredible,"Prince Aldric mumbled "The weapons alone could outfit entire armies."
"Look at those scrolls,"
"They could actually contain lost ancient magical techniques."
The greed that filled the air was crazy, every person in the room was calculating which treasures they might be able to claim.
Marcus couldn't hold it in anymore and was the first to act.
The berserker had been staring at one particular Titan—whose raised hands held a war axe that dwarfed even his own impressive weapon. The axe's head was blazing in flames that never went out, and its handle was inscribed with runes.
"It's actually Type 5 god-killer," he whispered, his voice filled with hunger. "With that weapon, my position as legacy student would be set in stone."
Before anyone could stop him, Marcus broke from the group and charged toward the Titan.
"Boom!"
The air shrieked as his incredible speed tore through the wind.
His massive body moved with surprising speed as he climbed the kneeling statue like a monkey.
"Marcus, wait!" Prince Aldric called after him.
Marcus reached the Titan's outstretched hands and grasped the flaming war hammer.
"Hahahaha!"
"I actually got the legendary weapon!"
Marcus roared in joy as he raised the weapon up excitedly.
However, his roaring stopped as his entire body shook as his eyes widened.
He opened his mouth wide to scream, when his body split into multiple pieces and fell apart like a jigsaw puzzle.
Cubic flesh, blood and intestine fell to the ground like ice cubes as blood slowly stained the statue's hand.