We arrived at the entrance to the northeast region of the ruin just before the sun rise. I was completely geared up with my revolver and Artifacts. In front of us was a line of trees.
"Past this line of trees is the ruin. Looking from how the trees are acting like a wall surrounding the ruin I suspected there is either a powerful Tree Attribute Grimoire or Flora Type Artifact." Mark rubbed his chin as he said that.
"Or because of how the ruin before, the trees might be growing around it because there are some chemical components stopping any trees to grow in the ruin." Jean giving her opinion while writing in her notebook.
"Maybe it is just because the geological factor. Maybe the composition of the ground itself allowing for this kind of way for the trees to grow." Evelyn said while grabbing the ground near the trees.
"It are all just speculations. If we really want to know, we have to enter first." I said to them. They nodded at me agreeing with my statement.
"Let's check our equipment and gears first for one last time. Tell me if there are any insufficient supplies or missing item from the list." I gave them the list of items I have recorded before coming here.
Once we were done, we started a group meeting. We sat in a circle on the the ground. I pulled out a rough map that I got from Archive and spread it on the ground.
"So, I have calculated that we'll be exploring for a week minimum. The supplies that we have are enough for a month give or take. We will not be exploring that deep into the ruin. We'll do mostly the outer layer and a little bit of the middle layer. We'll be exploring for 5 to 6 hours everyday or it could be more. But we must stop 3 hours before the sun set to set up the tent and prepare foods."
"I'll prepare the food" Mark said while raising his hand.
"I'll set up the tents" Evelyn said with a triumph face.
"I'll help her" Jean followed.
"I'll clean the area with Alex" I said while patting Alex shoulder.
We got up and made our way through the line of trees. When we past the line of trees, we could see an amazing view. Destroyed building covered in moss, roots and vines, a hint of there being roads and a metal poles rusting on the ground. Rubber tyres with holes lying around the path.
"Wowwww" Alex exclaimed with wide eye.
"It's amazing isn't it. It feels surreal everytime I enter a ruin." I pat his back as I walked ahead of him.
I turned around to face them.
"Now. Be cautious. We have absolutely no clues or whatsoever about the ecology here. There might be a sudden weather change." I reminded them.
We started our exploration again. There were a lot of weird trees. Some of the trees and plants I've seen in other ruins but most of it are new. Mark looked especially excited about the discovery of the new species of flora.
We switched one the camera attached to our clothes. Mark, Jean and Evelyn brought out their notebooks while me and Alex looking around. Evelyn at very front of the group with me and Jane behind her. Alex was behind me and Mark was at the rear.
I saw some sort of clearing in front of us.
"Let's set up our camp there. After that we can explore around the area" I pointed to the clearing.
After checking that there was no traces of any kind of creature staying near us we put down our bags. Alex bag being the largest one.
"How you doing Alex? Can you keep up?" I said to him as I took a few gulps of water.
"Yes sir. I might look like this but I can carry some weights easy enough." Alex said panting while he was sitting leaning on the biggest bag.
"I know about that but the weather here is quite different right? I want to know if you can adapt to this kind of weather fast enough." I sat in front of him as I said that.
"I'm not quite sure about that sir. It is so hot and humid but the wind is cold. It is a weird weather" Alex replied to me as he wiped his sweats on his face.
I leave him to rest. This is his first time exploring a ruin anyways so, I didn't expect him to adapt to the environment fast enough. Mark and Evelyn brought out a rectangular shaped sling bag. They opened the bag and fill it with empty vials and containers.
Jean brought out her notebook and a thick book with hard cover. She started flipping through the book with her notebook opened beside it. She would then stopped on a page and alternately looking between her notebook and the thick book.
I walked up to her.
"Oh is this book you bought from the Archive?" I asked her questioningly.
"No. I wrote this book myself. I put all the summary of the history thesis and theory I read with a few confirmed history in here" Jean answered while patting the book with palm of her left hand.
"You wrote this? Wow, I didn't know you were quite diligent in the past two years"
"Yeah, having to do nothing during the past two years with no new ruin discovered gave me an idea to compile what I read in a single book." She looked up at me while smiling for a second.
"So do you know where we are or still don't have enough clue?" I asked her while squatting beside her.
"No, I don't have enough clues yet. I need to at least see if there is any trace of landmarks and the commonality of the structure of the houses. Remains of the houses. But seeing the remains of tall building and what once to be tar roads, I can say this is a city. A big city. It might be the main city of a state." Jane answered me while alternately writing between the thick book and her notebook.
I saw Mark and Evelyn got up from the ground slinging the rectangular bag on their shoulder . They then brought out their notebook. Mark was walking around looking at the trees and plants while Evelyn was collecting rocks and sample of the ground.
Evelyn stopped on a spot. She bend down and grab a handful of dirt. She rubbed it and smell it. Her eyes widen and she went to the biggest bag. She took the shovel tied to the side of the bag. She ran back to the spot and started shoveling.
I stopped watching them do their works and pulled out a large blank paper.
"What is this for sir?"Alex pointed to the paper.
"Oh, I'll be doing the mapping for our entire exploration."
"But don't we have video recording of the area?"
"Yeah but Archive still ask for the physical map of the ruin."
"Ummm, didn't we brought a high-tech mapping and scanner machine?"
"Ohhh, that. That was given to us by the Management to test. Not actually use." I continue drawing on the paper.
"Test?"
"Yeah test. This is their newest prototype. You know how scanner and mapping device can't really function properly in ruin right?"
"Yes. I read it in the book"
"So they will create a new model everytime and test it on the ruin. If it can't fuction properly, they will make new. The Central sponsor them so, lots of money wasted"
"Ohhh, I thought we already have a functional device because the book kinda outdated."
"The book is outdated but it is a good book. Can you bring me the device Alex? I think this is a good time to test it."
Alex walked to the big bag to pull it out. I looked up to the sky. There were dark clouds quickly gathering together.
"Guys, it's going to rain!"