Taking a deep breath for courage, she explained: "Isn't it odd? We all know that C-Rank Ruins and below typically have only two or three waves of monsters before encountering the boss. Yet we've faced six waves already, and still no boss in sight!"
A flicker of surprise crossed Sir Ethan's face as he processed her words.
"Now that you've mentioned it I think you're right," Blackwood chimed in thoughtfully. "After all shouldn't D Rank Ruins have fewer waves and we should have encountered the boss by now."
"Exactly!" another warrior exclaimed. "And don't you notice? The Ruin Monsters we've faced seem stronger than usual."
The other Warriors nodded vigorously in agreement.
"Do you think we might have entered an wrong Ruin?"
The other Warriors were taken aback, pondering Sally's words as they murmured among themselves.
"Hmm! You might be onto something; it does seem a bit odd," Sir Ethan agreed, his brow furrowing in concern.
"What do you think?" he asked, glancing over at Logan.
Logan, who had been quietly contemplating the situation, finally took a deep breath and spoke up. "I think it's pretty normal for a Ruin like this. Sure, some things have changed, it's not what we expected, but is it really that alarming? We've already fought off plenty of Ruin Monsters on our way here. Are we really going to turn back now because of a few extra waves?"
He looked around at his companions and continued confidently, "Yes, there are more monsters than usual, but it's nothing we can't handle. Let's focus on finding the boss and closing this Ruin!"
His words hung in the air as the group fell silent.
Each warrior felt an unease creeping in but couldn't deny that Logan had a point: an additional three or four waves of monsters wasn't enough reason to abandon their quest after all they had endured.
"What do you all think?" Sir Ethan asked again, seeking consensus.
"I agree with Sir Logan," one warrior chimed in. "We just need to locate the boss and take it down; these changes are minor."
"Is everyone on board with that?" Sir Ethan scanned the group for nods of agreement.
"Absolutely!" they replied almost in unison.
"And what about you two?" he turned to Blackwood and Sally.
After a moment of reflection, Blackwood nodded decisively. "I believe we should press on."
Sally hesitated briefly before sighing and giving her reluctant approval.
Although she felt a knot of anxiety in her stomach, she knew turning back wasn't an option right now. "Okay," she said softly.
"Great!" Sir Ethan smiled broadly. "Let's not worry too much; while there may be some changes, I'm confident in our strength against this D Rank Ruin."
A wave of reassurance washed over them as smiles returned to their faces.
Just then, Cloud approached cautiously and announced to Sir Ethan, "Sir Ethan I'm done."
Sir Ethan stood up nodded at Cloud and said. "Alright everyone! Let's wrap this up quickly so we can head home!"
"Yes, Sir!" they responded enthusiastically in unison.
---------------------------
After half an hour of trekking through the desolate landscape, Sir Ethan and the Warriors had yet to encounter another Ruin Monster.
The silence was unsettling, punctuated only by the eerie howling of the wind that seemed to echo like a ghostly wail, amplifying the oppressive atmosphere around them.
Sir Ethan, Logan, Blackwood, and the other Warriors remained on high alert as they cautiously advanced.
Meanwhile, Cloud lingered at the back of the group, his own sense of vigilance heightened despite not sensing any immediate danger like the other Warriors.
"Stop!" Suddenly, Sir Ethan raised his hand and called out softly but firmly.
His gaze sharpened as he surveyed their surroundings with a serious expression.
They found themselves in what appeared to be a valley riddled with countless cave-like openings carved into the small mountains and hills that loomed over them.
The chilling wind continued its mournful song, sending shivers down their spines.
"I think this is where the boss might be," Sir Ethan stated, scanning the emptiness around them.
Aside from the wind's haunting melody, there was nothing else in sight within this valley.
Yet he refused to lower his guard; gripping his spear tighter, he channeled mana through his body in preparation for any potential threat.
The other Warriors mirrored his actions, silently gathering their mana while maintaining a watchful stance.
As they pressed forward with seriousness etched on their faces, time slipped away without revealing even a trace or shadow of a Ruin Monster.
"Are you sure this is where the boss might be?" Blackwood asked hesitantly, confusion flickering in his eyes as he turned to Sir Ethan.
Logan and several other warriors shared similar expressions of uncertainty as they scanned their surroundings again.
Over an hour had passed since entering this valley they haven't encountered any Ruin Monsters, much less their boss, which left them questioning Sir Ethan's instincts.
Sir Ethan felt unease creeping into his heart; it was unusual for them not to have located their target by now. "Well... this might still be where the boss is," he replied uncertainly.
Just then, one of the Warriors, a Mage clad in fiery red robes and wielding a long wooden staff, stepped forward confidently. "I think this Ruin might not even have a boss after we ha... "
BANG!
A deafening explosion shattered the tense silence as thick crimson liquid sprayed across Sir Ethan and the other Warriors.
They stood frozen in shock; wide-eyed and trembling as horror gripped them tightly.
Slowly turning his head, Sir Ethan's gaze fell upon what remained of the Mage, the upper half of his body blown away completely, blood cascading down like a grotesque fountain before him.
Waves of panic crashed over him as he struggled to process what had just happened; even his grip on the spear trembled uncontrollably.
At the back of the group, Cloud was paralyzed by fear; he dropped to his knees with pallid cheeks reflecting sheer terror.
It was not only him who was filled with fear all of them present were filled with terror and fear.
After what happened wad both bizarre and terryfying as well, just a moment ago this Mage was talking, alive and kicking and the next his upper body was blown off dying right infront of them and they didn't even know who or what did it.