The area surrounding is completely cordoned off, with barricades erected to completely isolate this section from the rest of the city.
A group of individuals clad in black uniforms, long trousers, fitted long-sleeve shirts adorned with buttons, and short-sleeved blazers featuring a striking white circle symbol flanked by three swords and a raised fist, stood vigilantly nearby.
Massive vehicles loomed ominously around the perimeter, while several security personnel patrolled the area with an air of authority.
At the heart of this sealed-off zone swirled a gigantic portal, reminiscent of a deep blue nebula, exuding an aura that was both solemn and terrifying.
"Sir Ethan! Over here! Here!" A handsome young man with flowing blonde hair and piercing blue eyes called out while waving his hand.
He appeared to be in his mid-twenties, towering at 1.97 meters tall, his well-proportioned figure radiating confidence.
Clad in pieces of armor, a silver gauntlet on his right hand, a silver chest plate, leg guards on both legs, and a long sword sheathed at his waist, excuding an aura of confidence.
"Hahahaha! Logan! Long time no see!" The man who turned to greet him was Sir Ethan, a distinguished figure who seemed to be in his fifties.
Flecks of white peppered his sleek black hair, complemented by a well-groomed mustache.
Dressed simply in brown trousers and a light blue shirt, he carried a long silver spear slung across his back.
"Ethan! It's been ages!" Logan exclaimed as they clasped hands warmly amidst hearty laughter.
"Come on now; it's only been two or three months," Logan rolled his eyes playfully.
"True enough," Ethan chuckled while glancing at Logan's right arm. "Looks like you're back in fighting shape."
Logan waved his arm enthusiastically and grinned. "Yeah! Thanks to a B Rank Healer!"
With newfound seriousness, he bowed slightly before Ethan. "Sir Ethan, I owe you my life. If you hadn't saved me during that encounter in the Ruin... please accept my heartfelt gratitude."
Ethan stepped forward to help him up but paused when Logan remained resolutely bowed. "No need for all this formality! Anyone would have done the same."
But Logan persisted with sincerity etched on his face: "No way, I mean it! You are my savior; if not for you..." His voice trailed off as he continued to bow deeply.
Seeing how earnest Logan was being made Ethan sigh softly before relenting. "Alright then; I accept your thanks, but get up already!"
Logan straightened up and smiled warmly at him. "Thank you."
"Enough sentimentality," Ethan waved dismissively before turning his gaze toward the enormous portal once more, a faint glow igniting curiosity in his eyes.
"This portal is quite massive huh!" Logan remarked excitedly as he too gazed at it.
"Of course! It's a C-Rank Ruin after all," Sir Ethan replied, beaming with enthusiasm.
"A C-Rank? That means there must be a treasure trove of valuable loot inside!" Logan licked his lips, the fire in his gaze intensifying.
"Hahaha! Absolutely! But remember, while there's plenty of good stuff in there, we can't forget about those Ruin Monsters lurking around. You'll have to defeat them to claim your prize," Sir Ethan chuckled knowingly.
"Yeah, you're right about that." Logan shook his head as the fervor in his eyes dimmed considerably.
"By the way, Sir Ethan, how long has this portal been here?" Logan asked curiously as he turned to face him.
"According to the information I received from the Association, it's been here for three days already," Sir Ethan informed him.
Logan's expression shifted slightly as urgency crept into his voice. "Then why hasn't anyone conquered it yet?"
"Well, there aren't many Warriors in this part of the city. And even if there were more, most are tied up with other important tasks. That's why it's taken so long," Sir Ethan shrugged nonchalantly.
"So how many Warriors have gathered so far?" Logan asked with keen interest.
"About twenty Warriors and one scavenger," Sir Ethan replied casually.
"Looks like quite a few have already arrived." Logan scanned the area and noticed several well-equipped Warriors huddled together in groups of two or three, chatting and laughing amongst themselves.
"Yeah! Aside from two people who are missing, everyone else is here," Sir Ethan confirmed.
"Let me guess: one Warrior and that scavenger?" Logan grinned playfully but with an edge of seriousness flashing briefly in his eyes before fading away again.
"You got it... but, "
Suddenly interrupted by a loud voice calling out to him, "Hey, Sir Ethan!"
Both Logan and Sir Ethan turned toward the source of the voice.
A few others nearby glanced over too but quickly returned to their conversations upon recognizing who it was.
"Hey Blackwood! You finally made it; took you long enough!" Sir Ethan greeted with a nod toward the man who had called out to him.
"Hehehehe! Something held me back for a bit, sorry about that!" Blackwood scratched his head sheepishly while smiling broadly.
"Don't worry about it," Sir Ethan waved off any concern lightly.
"Hahahaha! Thanks!" Blackwood laughed heartily before turning to Logan and extending his hand.
"You must be Sir Logan; Sir Ethan has told me so much about you. Nice to finally meet you!"
"Nice to meet you too!" Logan exclaimed, extending his hand for a shake.
They clasped hands firmly, sealing their introduction with a friendly gesture.
Blackwood turned to Sir Ethan, his eyes gleaming with curiosity. "Congratulations! I heard you conquered a B Rank Ruin just a few days ago with a handful of warriors. You must have gained quite an impressive haul from that adventure!"
"Haha! Oh, I didn't do much," Sir Ethan chuckled modestly, waving his hand dismissively. "I merely tagged along with some B Rank and A Rank warriors; I was just there for support." Yet, the joy in his eyes betrayed his nonchalance.
"Don't be so humble, Sir Ethan! Everyone here knows about your strength," Blackwood chimed in, grinning.
Sir Ethan smiled back, but the flicker of joy in his eyes was unmistakable as he revealed a hint of pride through his smile.
"It seems your strength has indeed grown significantly if you're being invited by B Rank and A Rank Warriors to raid a Ruin," Logan remarked warmly.
"Just a slight improvement, nothing too remarkable," Sir Ethan replied with a sigh. "I'm getting older; my talent has already been stretched thin compared to you young folks who have all the time in the world ahead of you."
"Come on now, Sir Ethan! You still look youthful and full of energy! I believe your strength will continue to grow!" Blackwood encouraged him earnestly.
With an emotional shake of his head, Sir Ethan responded, "No need for flattery. Honestly, I'm contemplating retirement after this raid. Some old injuries are resurfacing; it might be time for me to hang up my gear and embrace the role of a good grandfather."
A heavy silence fell between Logan and Blackwood as they processed Sir Ethan's words.
They both understood the weight behind what he said, the injuries he referred to were not just physical scars but reminders of battles fought long ago.
"Can't healers help with your injuries?" Logan asked gently.
"My kind of injuries can't be healed by healers alone," Sir Ethan sighed deeply. "I've tried countless times, even inviting an A Rank healer, but it always ends up being futile."
A fleeting sadness crossed his weathered face before it vanished like mist in sunlight.
"Let's not dwell on that anymore," he said briskly, waving away the somber mood that had settled over them.
"Sir Ethan since we're all here now, why don't we get this done?" Blackwood suggested enthusiastically while patting the giant hammer strapped at his waist.
"Well… there is one more person we're waiting on," Sir Ethan replied thoughtfully.
"Who?" Blackwood asked, confusion etched across his face.
"Oh! Speaking of the devil, here he comes!" Sir Ethan pointed toward an entrance temporarily set up and blocked by barricades.
Logan and Blackwood turned their gazes toward where Sir Ethan is pointing.