After washing up and returning, Kang Byeong-gyu told everyone what he had discovered, and Lee Ji-ah began to show great interest.
"So, did you discover some ruins and find an entrance leading there?"
"To be precise, I didn't see it with my own eyes."
Kang Byeong-gyu laughed in response to Lee Ji-ah's question.
If it had been usual, he would not have been able to overcome his curiosity and would have headed there.
Because he had a personality that suited the job of 'explorer' very well.
However, at that time, he wasn't in the right state of mind.
"Shall we go? If it's ruins, there might be some treasure-like things, right? There could be legendary weapons or even gold coins!"
Lee Ji-ah got up from her seat with an excited face.
She seemed ready to dash there immediately.
"Sit down for now."
Seo Woojin stopped Lee Ji-ah.
"No, mister! What if others find it while we're sitting around so leisurely?"
With the support of the kingdom, there was nothing lacking, but Lee Ji-ah had fire in her eyes.
"Calm down. What's important now isn't something like ruins."
"It's romance, romance!"
It seemed like it would take a bit more time to calm down her excitement.
"I also want to explore at least once."
Kang Byeong-gyu subtly agreed with Lee Ji-ah's words.
"I disagree. The Demonic Realm is already dangerous, and who knows what might happen if we enter such a place."
Yu Hong-seol shook her head.
"I'm against it too."
Seo Woojin also opposed exploring ruins.
He didn't want to enter a place where unknown dangers might lurk, as Yu Hong-seol had mentioned.
'If someone like Burtel appears again, it would be a big problem.'
If that happened, they wouldn't be able to stop it on their own.
Ludaine hadn't returned yet.
"Oh, right! With us, it's unlikely that anything will happen on the outskirts like this. We have an old man, and there's also a specialized Byeong-gyu oppa here."
Seo Woojin sighed.
'Why on earth am I an old man?'
Although I didn't particularly want to be called an older brother, I felt defeated at being treated differently from Kang Byeong-gyu, who was the same age.
"Have you forgotten how dangerous it was just a little while ago?"
If Seo Woo-jin had not stepped forward, the team members, whose magic power was depleted, would not have been able to overcome on their own.
They must have received help from the knights.
"It's resolved well, isn't it? We've also learned a lesson. If it's dangerous again, you can help us again!"
In Lee Ji-ah's eyes, it seemed as if the word "romance" was engraved.
"What about the others?"
Seo Woojin looked at the remaining two.
"I don't really mind."
Kim Da-hye raised her hand and spoke.
With her blank expression, she seemed truly indifferent to whatever happened.
"What about Jin Tae-seong?"
He had not said a word since Seo Woojin returned.
When attention focused on him, he looked surprised for a moment.
But only for a moment.
Jin Tae-seong also shook his head.
It was a clear expression of refusal.
"Well, the decision is made then. Two in favor, three against, one abstention. Let's consider the relic exploration as a non-event."
At Seo Woojin's words, Lee Ji-ah and Kang Byeong-gyu looked disappointed.
But they couldn't help it either.
After all, if Seo Woojin hadn't stepped forward, the exploration would have been impossible.
"Ah, well, it can't be helped."
Lee Ji-ah sighed and accepted the result.
"What does that mean?"
It was then.
Ludain, who had returned after organizing the situation, was standing nearby with a curious expression.
"When did you arrive?"
Seo Woojin asked in surprise.
'I didn't feel any presence at all.'
Even though he had become stronger than before after reaching level 19, Seo Woojin didn't notice Ludain.
The same was true for other Heroes as well.
"Ah, that startled me! How can you appear so suddenly? My heart almost dropped!"
Lee Ji-ah's jumping motion was quite amusing.
"I apologize. It wasn't intentional…"
Ludian slightly lowered his head.
"But, can we continue the story you were telling earlier?"
"Oh, that? Sure!"
Chatterbox Lee Ji-ah began proudly showcasing her anecdotes.
She talked about how Kang Byeong-gyu discovered the entrance to the ruins, and the decision to go in or not.
The talent to keep such a long and detailed story was indeed a skill.
"Ruins, you say…"
However, Ludian's expression was odd.
"Do you know something?"
Seo Woojin asked cautiously.
Come to think of it, this place was on the outskirts of Helldain.
The Empire had made several attempts to suppress and develop this area.
It was unimaginable that the Empire hadn't discovered the ruins in such a place.
"No, quite the opposite."
But Ludian shook his head.
"At least, I have no knowledge of it. I've never even heard stories about the ruins of Demon Lord."
"That means…?"
"I guess you guys were the first to discover it."
Was that even possible?
Of course, people in this world couldn't use skills like Kang Byeong-gyu's "Exploration."
However, it didn't mean there were no adventurers or guides.
Especially in cases like the subjugation of the Helldain Forest, there must have been people familiar with finding paths and accustomed to exploration and adventure.
Yet, they hadn't discovered it until now?
Seo Woojin couldn't understand.
"Can you perhaps tell us where it is?"
From the Empire's perspective, ruins were quite significant.
There could be boundless potential hidden there.
The transcendent-level magic, 'Hero Summoning,' was also discovered in ruins.
So, Ludian's curiosity was not unreasonable.
Not for personal desires but for the Empire's benefit.
"Byung-gyu."
Seo Woojin nodded slightly.
It meant he could speak.
"Oh, as for the location…!"
Kang Byeong-gyu quickly explained the location as if he were possessed.
No, he was even drawing a map.
It seemed like he was expecting an archaeological expedition with the knights.
And Ludain fully satisfied Kang Byeong-gyu's expectations.
"Could you please come with me?"
Ludain asked.
His gaze was not on Kang Byeong-gyu but on Seo Woojin.
* * *
"Let's move."
Baek Siwoo said as he sheathed his sword.
"Can't we take a short break? I'm a bit tired."
Kim Taejin said with a weary expression, but Baek Siwoo shook his head.
"You'll catch a disease if you rest in a place like this."
Monster corpses formed hills around them.
It's not a metaphor.
There were really hundreds of monster corpses forming a small hill.
"What disease? How can a Hero get sick?"
Their bodies transcended humanity, strong enough to chew up any pathogen.
Even if they did get sick, they had the 'Saintess.'
A blessing from Seong Yura would cure any illness.
"Still, it feels uncomfortable."
Well, that's true.
No matter how accustomed they were, taking a break in a place full of corpses was a different story.
It was disgusting.
"Let's move when we have a little leeway. If monsters gather again, it'll only delay us."
"Alright, alright."
Kim Taejin sighed as if there was no choice and started walking.
"But, was the situation resolved earlier?"
"Probably. Only one signal flare went up. If there were more problems, more flares would have gone up."
As Park Jinhan wiped the blood off his body and asked, Kim Taejin shrugged while answering.
"But I'm still curious. Siwoo, shouldn't we check over there?"
It was too late to help.
But Baek Siwoo, who still seemed concerned about that side, opened his mouth as if he had been waiting.
"Let's do that. Since we don't even have a destination, we might as well check what's happening there while we're at it."
After saying that he looked back at his friends.
Then everyone nodded.
There was no reason to object now.
"Which side was it?"
"West, it was the west. I remembered just in case."
"Thanks, Taeun."
As Baek Siwoo spoke with a smile, Lim Taeun's face turned red.
"Since it was a bit far, let's hurry. We need to arrive before it gets dark."
Both stamina and magical power were still abundant.
But the repeated battles had indeed tired their minds.
The desire to find a suitable camping spot and take a rest was strong.
"Let's just confirm that side today and rest early."
In this team, reconnaissance was Lim Taeun's responsibility.
The small 'dragon' still observed the surroundings from the sky and conveyed information.
"If you go this way…"
Lim Taeun pointed in one direction, and Baek Siwoo walked in that direction.
How far had they moved like that?
"Hmm?"
Baek Siwoo sensed someone's presence ahead.
"Wait a moment. There's someone in front."
Lim Taeun also confirmed it and stopped the group.
"Another team?"
There shouldn't be anyone else in this area except them.
'Probably one of the Heroes or knights.'
And Baek Siwoo's expectation was correct.
"Seo Woojin."
The first thing that caught the eye was Seo Woojin.
Whatever had happened, his clothes were in disarray.
He didn't seem to be injured, but he looked like he had gone through something tough.
"Oh? It's the 'Sword God'! Hello! Meeting you in a place like this!"
'Is it Lee Ji-ah?'
Baek Siwoo nodded at the woman waving towards them.
"Tsk."
A sound of disapproval came from the side.
It seemed that the situation itself was not to her liking.
Baek Siwoo quickly opened his mouth, thinking she might start an unnecessary argument.
"Did you come from where the signal flare went off?"
His question was quite appropriate.
Since he was originally heading there out of curiosity, even Sung Yura had silently waited for an answer without interfering.
"Oh, the situation there is over. Dark elves appeared."
"Dark Elf?"
The expressions of the four, excluding Baek Siwoo, contorted.
It seemed like they were recalling Gerald.
A monstrous being that appeared when their confidence was at its peak.
Considering that Gerald was also a Dark Elf, their reactions were not unreasonable.
"Fortunately, thanks to the instructor and knights, we were able to conclude without any significant harm."
Upon Seo Woojin's words, Baek Siwoo inwardly sighed in relief.
He had been worried that something serious might have happened, but now that it was resolved, he felt he could finally relax.
"But aren't knights supposed to refrain from interfering in the affairs of Heroes unless it's an emergency? It looks like you're traveling together now, no matter how you look at it."
At that moment, Sung Yura spoke with a sharp tone.
Her gaze fixed on the instructor standing next to Seo Woojin, Ludain.
It was indeed a situation that could be misunderstood by Sung Yura.
"Oh, that…,"
Seo Woojin and Ludain simultaneously wore awkward expressions.
Seizing the opportunity, Lee Ji-ah responded with an excited expression.
"We found something and are going to check it out on our way!"
"Found something?"
When Baek Siwoo looked as if asking what that meant, Seo Woojin sighed and opened his mouth.
"An ancient ruin."
"An ancient ruin?"
"Are there ruins in a place like this?"
Elite friends somehow shared expressions similar to Lee Ji-ah's.
Fantasy world and ancient ruins.
The expectations it brought were greater than one might think.
"…Can we come with you?"
And it was the same for Baek Siwoo as well.