Chapter 19: That Move

“No! You—”

The man’s agonized scream was abruptly cut off as the serpent monster’s four-part maw swallowed him whole. Amidst the chilling sounds of crunching and chewing, the beast slowly sank back into the abyss, as if it had never appeared at all.

The chain bridge returned to silence. The remaining three trembled as they crossed the rest of the way, the only proof of the horror just witnessed lying in the corroded marks and skeletal remains on the bridge deck. The trio collapsed on the ground, as if rescued from calamity. For a long while, two of the team members glanced fearfully at their captain, whose face was equally grim.

Trust among them had been shattered; none knew what awaited them next, nor whether their captain would once again push them toward the abyss. But traveling alone was clearly impractical. Each harbored their own thoughts, yet necessity forced them to move forward together.

The captain glared fiercely at the Defense Bureau’s forces. Were it not for them, his team would never have suffered such undeserved disaster!

“We’re leaving!”

Seizing the opportunity while distance still separated them, the three swiftly turned and entered the city gates, vanishing from sight. Clearly, they no longer wished to be constrained by the Defense Bureau.

Once again, the scene stagnated. Seeing a team break free from the Bureau’s control, many groups stirred restlessly—quite a few seemed eager to try crossing the bridge again. Yet uncertainty lingered; would the terrifying serpent reappear? None dared act immediately.

Witnessing all this, Raj secretly looked at Red. “Captain, should we try to leave as well… how about using that trick?”

Red pondered for a moment, then nodded. When he instructed Ye Mi to attach the high-altitude safety fall-arrest ropes from her backpack to their combat suits, Ye Mi finally understood what ‘that trick’ meant.

Because the Gray Eagle Expedition had only four members, Red’s abilities could be utilized to their fullest. The method was straightforward—

A winged eagle-man, his wings fully spread to a span of four meters, soared into the sky, carrying a petite girl on his back. In his talons, he clutched safety ropes binding the other two teammates, one male and one female.

The four moved as one, flying across the abyss.

The Gray Eagle team had used this trick many times, escaping countless dangers thanks to it. Otherwise, Raj—whose combat ability could only be described as weak—would have long perished amid the perils of the Light Ruins.

This was also why Ye Mi, after evaluating her strength via Gina’s parasites, had not rushed to leave the team; they were unlikely to drag her down, and might even provide considerable support.

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The eagle soared through the heavens; no serpent monster appeared to hinder the Gray Eagle team.

Moreover, Red’s dimensional advantage meant that, even if the serpent tried to block their way, it could never reach them up in the sky.

Ye Mi glanced back. On the ground, some teams gaped in astonishment while others wore looks of sudden realization.

So it could be done this way!

After all, they were all supernaturals.

Immediately, some teams began to imitate. For instance, the Defense Bureau’s plant-type supernatural reacted quickly; roots sprouted, forming a sloped archway of vegetation. They could simply walk along the arch’s edge to cross the abyss—a bit more effort, nothing more.

The remaining teams also unleashed their abilities in creative ways. Whether they succeeded or not, the Gray Eagle team could no longer see.

Red clearly had no intention of becoming the Defense Bureau’s sacrificial explorers. After crossing the abyss, he wasted no time, flying straight into the city.

The three Gray Eagles felt much lighter.

As for Ye Mi—

She had little to worry about. From the moment she dared enter the alien ruins, Ye Mi had prepared possible escapes: Gina and Rust Tide, two layers wrapped outside her silver body.

If she failed, she’d merely lose some time and Rust Tide. Painful, perhaps, but compared to what the ruins might offer, Ye Mi preferred to risk little for the chance at much.

For her, the ways to grow stronger were few; every opportunity carried risk and reward alike.

Ye Mi felt like an onion—anyone wishing to kill the real her would have to peel away layer after layer.

So even if she encountered danger in the ruins, or was used as a pawn by the Defense Bureau, the price she paid would always be less than the others.

“Ah!”

“Look below!”

Keira’s startled cry drew the Gray Eagles’ attention: below, the town had somehow become shrouded in black mist, its interior structure now obscured.

Red’s expression grew grave. “There’s a flight restriction inside the city—I can feel it. The further we go, the harder it becomes to fly. Reaching that giant statue is nearly impossible.”

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Even so, they were, for now, the closest team to the colossal statue. Ye Mi, sharp-eyed, noticed that the statue’s torso was actually filled with windows and staircases, layer upon layer, all converging at the statue’s truncated neck.

But whatever lay atop was now impossible to discern—the statue soared so high it pierced the clouds.

She spoke, “It seems we must use those passageways connecting the limbs to reach the statue’s summit.”

“What’s up there?” Raj wondered. “What does the trial of the gods want us to do?”

Red shook his head, slowing their flight. “I don’t know, but there’ll be clues. We’ll take it step by step.”

Everyone agreed with his suggestion.

Ye Mi advised Red to choose a pathway connected to the rear of the ancient city—a direction almost opposite their entry point. This way, they could keep as far from the Defense Bureau’s teams as possible.

With the sound of beating wings, they slowly descended. As they crossed the swirling black mist below, the unknown made Ye Mi unusually tense.

Fortunately, nothing untoward happened. The Gray Eagle team safely landed on a hillside, where a portion of the city below was faintly illuminated by moonlight through the mist—still only partially visible.

“There’s nothing… can’t see the bottom either. Truly a dead city.”

Raj continued his nervous rambling. The others, accustomed to his chatter when anxious, ignored him, scanning their surroundings.

Nothing but a winding mountain road, stretching downwards. Beneath the mist, only two faint points of red light could be seen.

More red light? Ye Mi felt as though her world would soon be overtaken by crimson.

“Let’s go down and have a look. There’s nothing here on the mountain.”

Red gave the order, and the group began descending.

All along, nothing broke the silence except their footsteps.

At last, the Gray Eagle team reached the base of the mountain and finally saw what those two red points were.

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