kscans

Chapter 151 - Exploring the Ruins

Arriving at the ruins, I muttered, "So it’s a cave, just like in the Republic."

I was a little disappointed.

When I hear "ruins," I picture ancient temples or some kind of mysterious building.

"This is normal in this world," Tina explained. "What makes them ‘ruins’ is that once you go inside, the construction is far too elaborate to be a simple cave."

So it was a matter of this world’s common sense. It’s true, even on Earth, what’s considered common knowledge in one place can be completely different elsewhere.

"Alright then," I said. "Let’s get to it. Though I doubt we’ll find what the nobleman is looking for."

I scoffed.

To the uninformed, treasure is usually just jewels or rare weapons. But there are countless things that would be considered junk unless seen by a specific person.

These ruins probably held that kind of thing.

I knew this because there was an inscription carved near the entrance. The characters were a bit squiggly, but I recognized the pattern. It was close to German, and I could read it.

It said: Homunculi present. Caution.

Artificial humans. A familiar term on Earth, though mostly from manga and anime. They also appear in actual history—humans created by European alchemists, said to be unable to survive outside a flask.

And supposedly, only one person ever succeeded, with no one else managing it since.

If that person had come to this world, it wouldn’t be surprising if they possessed both the knowledge and the power to succeed.

"Let’s proceed with caution," I said. "The monsters in here are probably going to be a real pain."

Tina nodded at my serious expression.

She looked like she wanted to ask something, but seeing as I wasn't elaborating, she must have concluded that I had a strong suspicion but no confirmation. A partner like that is a true blessing.

We ventured into the ruins. It was dark inside, so we lit our way with a torch.

Along the way, we encountered traps like pitfalls and arrows shooting from the walls. But I had knowledge from manga and the modern world. If you observed carefully, you could see unnatural holes in what looked like ordinary walls—meaning projectiles would fly out of them. The floor, too, seemed a bit rough, but on closer inspection, some sections had strange lines etched into them. I tried throwing a small stone at one with all my might, and a hole opened up before immediately closing again.

An automatic opening and closing mechanism. That was impossible with the technology of the people in this world.

Well, it should have been impossible for people on ancient Earth too, but geniuses are born in every era, creating fantastical inventions. Most of the time they’re not recognized by those around them and end up isolated. But those who persevere leave their names in history.

I got a bit sidetracked, but these traps confirmed it. This place was built by that alchemist. I explained my theory to Tina.

About thirty minutes in, I felt an eerie presence from the end of a nondescript, straight passage.

I activated Detection. Three red dots. They were heading this way.

"Enemies," I said curtly. "Three of them." I drew my sword.

Tina followed suit, drawing her Orichalcum Sword. To our left and right were stone walls. No escape routes. Behind us were traps, though no one was there. If we were cautious, they would catch up to us.

Our only option was to stand and fight. I took a resolute stance.

From the darkness ahead, two green dots glowed. Given their position, they had to be eyes, but the only things with glowing eyes I could think of were robots.

As I wondered, a two-hundred-centimeter-tall, black-skinned humanoid emerged. It was bald and naked, but lacked any private parts. There were no other distinguishing features. It looked like a moving doll.

"Is this a homunculus?" Tina asked. "It’s… rather doll-like, isn’t it?"

She couldn’t quite find the right words.

I felt the same way. As I was thinking, one of the homunculi attacked, its right arm stretching towards us. We dodged, and the extended arm snapped back to its original length.

"Looks like fighting from a distance is out," I said with a laugh, though it was more of a grumble. "As expected of otherworld ruins. Anything goes, huh?"

This meant I had to assume that every creature in these ruins could extend its limbs. It would be tricky, but I was glad to have this kind of prey. It was perfect for training.

I raised my sword and charged.

I had no idea how resistant they were to magic. Besides, the passage was only wide enough for three people to walk abreast. Using magic that obscured vision would only put us at a disadvantage.

Close-quarters combat was the only way. Tina, sensing the situation, waited behind me.

The homunculi, unfazed, met my charge. Two of them extended their right arms, taking aim at me as I ran. I dodged them by a hair’s breadth. Once in range, I swung my sword in a wide horizontal arc.

The blade sliced open a homunculus’s stomach, and blue blood spurted out.

I was no longer fazed by different-colored blood. But the wound on its stomach sealed itself shut almost immediately. That surprised me—I hadn’t expected such advanced healing abilities. The third homunculus threw a punch with its left fist.

"Thunder Palm!" I shouted.

I unleashed a blast of lightning from my left palm.

The discharge was roughly a thousand volts, enough to knock out a Wolf. The third homunculus’s left fist was knocked back, but its stance remained solid. I immediately backed away.

I had a feeling the first one was about to do something.

As I retreated, Tina acted.

"Ice Field!!"

She thrust her sword into the ground, and a path of ice shot forward in a straight line.

The ice snaked around the three homunculi’s feet, freezing them in place.

With the three of them immobilized, I struck.

"Thunder Sword Strike!"

My lightning-infused blade cleaved through them.

I bisected all three. I thought they would regenerate immediately and was about to deliver a finishing blow, but the homunculi’s bodies suddenly began to melt. Like ice turning to water, they dissolved and vanished.

"So their regeneration has its limits," I said. "Thanks for the backup."

I offered my thanks.

"It’s only natural for a partner," Tina replied. "But to think such a monster exists… Earth’s ideas are terrifying. It’s no wonder even Rodel the Flash would have struggled here."

She stared grimly at the spot where the bodies had been.

"Huh? Rodel struggled here? Was he here on a request too?"

Tina answered my question. "No. During the kraken incident a year ago, Rodel the Flash failed. I heard he came here to search for a legendary weapon in order to succeed in the subjugation. I don’t know if he actually came, though. It seems he was just trying to buy time."

Her expression was one of exasperation.

I felt the same. I’d only met Rodel once or twice, but I got the gist of him. With his personality, he wouldn't do anything dangerous or take risks in a place where he wouldn’t stand out.

He was less an adventurer and more of an… idol? The kind of guy who thinks he’s the main character.

I, on the other hand, have no illusions about being some chosen hero. I only came to this world because I found a book in the storehouse and tried it out for fun. I’d never think I was "chosen" for something like that.

Half-assed feelings are just too unpleasant. I pushed the past from my mind and moved forward.

Exploring the ruins was, in a word, exhausting.

We were constantly fighting homunculi that appeared at every turn. Many of them launched surprise attacks from the darkness, making it the toughest place I’d ever fought in.

When we felt our bodies growing tired, we’d take a short break in a place that seemed safe, replenishing our energy with water and rice dumplings from our rations. Of course, we didn’t eat at the same time; one would eat while the other kept watch, and we’d switch as soon as the first was done.

There were no lunch breaks like at a regular job. It made me realize how easy my adventurer life had been up until now.

After repeating this cycle for some time, we found an iron door.

It looked suspicious, so I activated Analysis. Material: iron. Nothing else stood out. Next, I used Detection. There was a large space on the other side, with no hostile presences.

I gave Tina a look. She nodded and drew her sword.

Even with no hostile readings, we couldn't let our guard down. I slowly opened the door.

It was some kind of laboratory.

The room was lined with shelves packed with countless experimental tools and chemicals. But what caught my eye the most was the giant flask in the center of the room. I’d seen it before.

It was the same kind of experimental apparatus the former Pope had used to rejuvenate himself during the church incident a year ago.

Why was it here? I wondered, but this place had existed for a long time. It definitely wasn’t brought from the church. Besides, that one had been destroyed.

As I thought this, Tina muttered, "Is this from the church? But it should have been destroyed. Does that mean it was originally here? If so, who…?"

She was talking to herself.

I felt the same way. Just then, an alarm blared through the room.

Warning! Warning! Intruder in the laboratory! Activating Spagyrist! a female voice announced.

To think the great minds of the past could create something like this… their intellect surpassed modern humans.

But this was no time for idle thoughts. The flask in front of us began to bubble as if it were boiling. We leaped backward.

Something shot out of the flask.