Wallace's statement sent chills down the backs of Butler Mendez, Captain Guard Dylan, and the guards stationed at the back gate of Toraz town.
The boldness of the young Baron saying he would venture beyond the borders filled them with fear.
"Sir, please don't say that and don't rush," Mendez said, "it's dangerous there sir it's dangerous," his voice trembling with concern as he hurried to catch up with Wallace.
Captain Guard Dylan, taken aback by the boy's audacity, followed suit, his mind swirling with disbelief.
"This Baron…"
Is the only thing he could say.
How could this kid dare to go into the dangerous unknown, where countless threats hid in the shadows?
"Don't worry about me," Wallace tried to reassure them, but his words failed to ease Butler Mendez's worried mind.
Before Mendez could express his concerns, Wallace turned to Captain Guard Dylan and asked, "What kind of dangerous creatures live in this area?"
With his question hanging in the air, Wallace's eyes focused on the wide-open gate, revealing the mysterious stretch of forest beyond.
Before he goes there, it would be foolish to go without understanding any creatures that he might meet. He needs to understand them to complete the mission safely and soundly.
The mission was clear—tomorrow, he needed to protect the town's people from harm.
Therefore, Wallace resolved to investigate the situation himself before anything else.
If he had the power, he would eliminate as many dangerous beasts and corrupted creatures as he could.
Yes!
He wouldn't hesitate; he would eliminate any potential threats that may appear tomorrow.
For the vending machine, Wallace will do anything! If it's for the fries, he wouldn't care much, but it's the vending machine!
It's a new story if it's for the Vending Machine the system was talking about, to the point that he didn't even pay attention to the Enlightenment Dungeon earlier that appeared.
Plus, the system didn't say that he cannot lessen the threat tomorrow, so why not?
As for the Mana Knights, whether they could complete the task or not? He doesn't really care about that.
Last time, he didn't care?
What more now when he's capable of doing it on his own?
Wallace is now capable of protecting himself.
Meanwhile, the guards exchanged worried glances, their minds filled with a mix of awe, apprehension, and admiration for the young Baron's unwavering determination. They also feared that he might be unaware of many things—to the point that he is a fool.
Butler Mendez pleaded with a worried expression on his face as he begged Wallace, the young Baron, "Sir, you are the most important person in this town, the embodiment of its safety, success and prosperity. I beg you, don't go out alone into the dangerous unknown."
Meanwhile, Mendez's desperation grew, Captain guard Dylan also knew this so he also pleaded with Wallace, "Please, young sir Baron, I have to agree with sir Butler Mendez, the fierceness of the beasts has greatly increased in recent days. If we went outside, I'm afraid our loyalty and devotion may not be enough to protect you. If necessary, I'm ready to take any blame for this decision."
Mendez and Dylan's words resonated with Wallace, he felt like really made a big mistake in asking them about his look.
What more, he couldn't help but feel shocked by their disobedience.
How could they dare question his authority as the Baron?
Yet, a spark of understanding lit up his mind. "I forgot," Wallace said, his tone filled with both acceptance and resignation.
He forgot that he was the new Baron. He was too occupied with the system mission, and he had forgotten.
"I shouldn't have mentioned that…"
As the words slipped from his mouth, they brought a collective sigh of relief that swept through the air, shared by both Butler Mendez and Captain Guard Dylan.
Contemplating the nature of the young Baron, Dylan realized that a child like Wallace is bound to sometimes underestimate the weight of their own self.
He silently scolded himself for giving too much importance to idle words coming from his friend Butler's mouth.
How could a young child like Wallace commit the unspeakable act of erasing his own family?
As thoughts swirled in Captain Guard Dylan's mind, he suddenly felt like something had changed, the atmosphere of the blow of the wind whistled dramatically.
Zwang!
When they looked, they saw a person enclosed with strange looking armor.
The Vamstroja armor is sleek and angular, exuding a fearsome presence.
The dark metallic textures and intricate patterns create an intimidating appearance. The chest features a sturdy looking breastplate with engravings and sigils.
The bio-mask covers the entire head, with glowing visor-like lenses and advanced sensors.
The shoulders are protected by robust pauldrons housing shoulder-mounted plasma caster cannons.
From Mendez, Dylan and the other guards' perspective, this armor was awe inspiring and at the same time, intimidating, making them freeze in their place, not being able to move.
Out of nowhere, the person wearing armor stretched out his hands and said, "Tell me about the creature that roams this land. Remember, I might be your Baron, but I'm not weak."
Without realizing it, Captain Guard Dylan pulled out an object resembling a book from his pocket. Wallace, who was concealed within the armor, used a visor to uncover his eyes and revealed the book.
The book had a title that read, "Encyclopedia of Toraz Beasts..."
Before long, Wallace's armor started to blend into the surroundings, becoming invisible to the naked eye. And not only that, his presence began to diminish.
"Thank you, all of you. I order you all to dig and place traps here, so I can find them and not become a victim as well. Don't worry..." he added before his presence completely faded.
…
Back in the gaming dungeon, a messy girl emerged, her senses awakening to the familiar surroundings.
"Huh?" she exclaimed.
A vast open space stretched before her, its magnificence contrasting with the dangerous fate she had experienced inside the dungeon.
"Am I not dead?" Ellenair wondered. This place is not the snowy cap she could remember. However, she knew she was back outside the dungeon.
Soon, her mind struggled with the strangeness of her existence.
Lucas, her friend from the past, the noble who left her, had warned her about the merciless nature of noble dungeons, emphasizing their insatiable hunger for human lives.
Wasn't she supposed to be a lifeless body within those dungeon walls since she died inside then?
So why was she standing here, alive and breathing, her eyes fixed on the familiar endless blue sky?
As she realized what was happening, Ellenair cautiously stood up, her body shaking with a mix of fear and curiosity. And there, right before her amazed eyes, lay another dungeon at the side of the dungeon she came out from.
Another dungeon, different from the one she had just emerged from, stood nearby, tempting her with its mysterious atmosphere.
A shiver ran down her spine as confusion overwhelmed her.
How could there be another dungeon right next to the one she had escaped?
"Maybe," she whispered, her voice barely audible, "maybe I was just lucky. Perhaps because the dungeon owner told me a guide and I followed it, that's why I survived."
She closed her eyes, finding comfort in the darkness behind her eyelids, contemplating the strange turn of events.
Moments passed silently, like whispers in the breeze, and then, with a newfound determination, she opened her eyes once again. "I will try again," she declared, her words filled with quiet determination. "But first, I need to gather resources. I need money to navigate the challenges that await me in this unexplored dungeon."