Chapter 237: Chapter 237 - Accepted
Harold’s smile only widened at the request.
’’Good,’’ he said. ’’A mission like this isn’t something you agree to on a whim.’’
He resumed walking along the narrow forest path.
Theo and Owen exchanged a glance before following after him once more.
For a while, only the crunching of leaves beneath their feet disturbed the silence.
Eventually, Harold spoke again.
’’The first thing you need to understand is that Petra isn’t a place you simply walk into and walk back out of,’’ he said calmly. ’’It is protected by heavy sandstorms almost all year round.’’
Theo frowned.
’’Sandstorms...’’
Harold didn’t mind the interruption and continued right away.
’’The storms are very unpredictable, some lasting days while others take weeks to clear up.’’
’’Only a resident living nearby would truly be able to guide you through them.’’
Theo’s expression didn’t change much.
’’That’s acceptable,’’ he said, nodding once. ’’But it does mean we could get trapped inside the ruins for some time, correct?’’
For a moment, it remained silent.
Harold stared at Theo with a hint of surprise before a faint smile appeared on his face.
’’Yes,’’ he finally answered. ’’Many expeditions have faced water and food shortages because of it in the past.’’
Nodding, Theo waved his hand dismissively.
Food and water were none of his concern, having both his spatial ring and his ability to summon Coke and cake.
’’Now for the ruins themselves,’’ Harold said, clearing his throat. ’’Once you reach the central building inside the small city, you can enter a massive underground city.’’
He paused for a moment.
’’That’s where the true expedition starts.’’
Owen opened his mouth right away.
’’An underground city?’’ he said. ’’Isn’t that awesome?’’
’’Can’t imagine that’s all there is to it though.’’
Harold let out a quiet chuckle.
’’Far from it,’’ he replied. ’’The city has many... strange situations inside. And despite all the time that’s passed, no one has been able to map the place.’’
’’And let me guess,’’ Theo interrupted, raising a hand. ’’This herb is rather deep inside?’’
Harold nodded right away.
’’That it is.’’
Silence settled between the three for a moment.
Both Harold and Owen stared at Theo, who was deep in thought.
’’I have two more questions,’’ he finally said, raising two fingers. ’’One, what rank of creatures can we expect? And two, what size group can we go with?’’
Harold nodded approvingly.
’’Good questions,’’ he said. ’’Most creatures range between E and C-rank. There have been B-rank sightings, but they are so rare they can be counted on one hand.’’
He folded his hands behind his back, not giving Theo a chance to think.
’’This is also why I’d recommend going in a group of at least four people and a maximum of ten.’’
Theo’s eyes narrowed.
’An average of E to C-ranks is manageable,’ he thought. ’But B-rank sightings...’
The last B-rank he’d faced had left him with some pretty bad memories.
But back then, he’d barely reached the Silver Core stage.
If he were to encounter one now, he could most likely escape together with his group.
’There’s another problem though,’ he thought, glancing up at Harold. ’If this is an international bounty, there’s bound to be competition.’
And most hunters agreed on one common saying.
Human greed is often a way deadlier monster than any actual creature could ever be.
Not to mention, they’d be up against Gold Cores!
’We could still fare well against that though,’ he thought. ’Especially if we’re a bit careful...’
There was one final concern on his mind though.
Without a second thought, he glanced up at Harold.
’’How do we do this with our university?’’ he asked seriously. ’’The official year has just started... I don’t even know what classes an—’’
Before he could finish, Harold burst out chuckling.
He shook his head as if he’d heard a funny joke.
’’That’s what you’re concerned about?’’ he asked. ’’Also, how could you be so uninformed about the university you attend?’’
Theo stared at the man, completely caught off guard.
’’What?’’ he asked.
’’You’re a pre-admission student,’’ Harold started. ’’You have no such thing as ordinary classes because they offer no value to talents like you.’’
He took a step towards Theo.
’’What you need,’’ he continued, tapping his chest, ’’is experience.’’
Theo remained silent for a moment.
That certainly wasn’t the answer he’d expected.
Harold withdrew his hand before continuing.
’’Think about it,’’ he said. ’’A Silver Core who spends an entire year sitting inside a classroom will never grow as quickly as one who spends that same year facing real danger.’’
Theo slowly nodded, unable to deny that fact.
Every major improvement he’d made since awakening had come during life-and-death situations or when he was under immense pressure.
’’To think you didn’t know that,’’ Owen scoffed beside him, proudly raising his head. ’’Must’ve been slacking off, huh, Mister Number One Student.’’
Theo snapped out of his thoughts and turned towards him with a deadpan expression.
’’Really?’’ he asked, tilting his head. ’’You want to call me a slacker?’’
Owen immediately raised both his middle fingers at him.
With a deep sigh, Theo ignored him and looked back at Harold.
’There’s no point in overthinking it any longer,’ he thought.
The risks and rewards were enormous.
But more importantly... it was exactly the kind of experience he and those around him needed.
Sucking in a deep breath, Theo finally nodded.
’’We’ll do it,’’ he said firmly.
A warm smile immediately spread across Harold’s face.
’’Good,’’ he replied.
Without another word, he raised a hand and pointed through a gap between the trees.
’’Now... enjoy the view.’’
Theo and Owen followed his finger.
Far below the forest, a very familiar city came into view.
Even from this distance, the utter destruction left behind by the Calamity Covenant was unmistakable.
Though the fires and explosions had long since ceased, almost no building remained standing. With water still flowing through the streets, the city had become practically unrecognizable.
Neither of them spoke, completely stunned.
Harold’s voice quietly broke the silence.
’’Remember this sight,’’ he said calmly. ’’It will serve as great motivation in difficult times.’’
He paused for a moment.
’’And one day... it’ll be your turn to make sure it doesn’t happen again.’’
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