Evolution of the Ruined Heir

Chapter 217: Moving

Malakai’s eyes narrowed as Grunde’s tanned skin turned darker, and his figure grew a size bigger. He grabbed the massive boulder and lifted it up as though it were nothing.

As he dropped it to the side, the squad approached and their eyes landed on a spacious pit below, wide and sloping downward into a hidden cave like tunnel, large enough for them to walk through with ease.

“Grunde…” Laila was a bit shocked. “How did you know about this place?”

“Grunde is awesome!” was his answer. Laila waited for more, but it didn’t come. From the big man’s expression, it didn’t look like she was getting anything else.

She sighed. “You’re sure it leads into that forest?”

Grunde nodded with confidence.

“Alright.” Laila said, turning towards Malakai and Renlo. “Both of you will move between us. Try to keep up.”

Malakai nodded calmly. Renlo exhaled heavily. “Ah, more running already? Alright, alright.” He also nodded after a moment.

“Grunde, you’ll lead us, and I’ll guard our backs.”

Grunde nodded and jumped into the pit, followed by the rest. Luckily, the cave was big enough to easily fit Grunde and sturdy enough to withstand the quakes his steps brought.

Closing up the space with the boulder, they began moving through the caves. Grunde led the charge, Malakai and Renlo behind him, followed by Laila at the rear.

Though they were underground, the low glow from luminous patches of flora offered them enough light to see as they moved.

Laila could feel Malakai’s gaze on her despite walking behind him.

“Something on your mind?” she whispered, making sure her voice wasn’t too loud.

Malakai didn’t miss the chance.

“You don’t seem familiar with this district…”

“You observed correctly. This is the first time we’re receiving a mission here, and honestly, it’s still too underdeveloped to think of visiting.”

“Why is that?” Malakai asked. He had seen it for himself on their way here. Aside from the large city, there wasn’t much of anything else.

It was odd, considering the truckload of resources they could get by clearing out the large forests. But to Malakai, it seemed more like they were defending against something rather than trying to develop the land.

“Most of Murkroot Hollow is… still a mystery,” Laila said after a second.

“The entire stronghold of Sylvastein could be considered fairly new compared to other strongholds of the west. When constructing a new stronghold, the outer walls are built first before the inner cities. From what I gather, Murkroot Hollow is simply the last district to be focused on because of its overgrown flora, so it’s still mostly underdeveloped.”

“How long has it been underdeveloped for?”

“The city expressed their interest about three decades ago,” Laila said, and Malakai furrowed his brows.

“That’s too long…” Malakai murmured under his breath. Laila heard him, and after a long pause, she decided to say what was on her mind.

“There’ve been… rumors going around,” she said, and Malakai’s ears perked up. Rumors were often false, but sometimes not far from the truth.

“It’s said that the clans encountered… resistance when attempting to develop and roam the district.”

“Resistance? From who?”

Laila paused. She contemplated whether to say it or not. It sounded stupid in her head.

“…Some say they’re human beasts,” she said after a second. “Some call them savages. Others say they were sent by the Nature God, as punishment for killing beasts and felling trees. Hurting nature, some would say.”

“Have you been able to confirm any of this?”

Laila shook her head. “The city seems to be keeping a tight leash on the goings-on in Murkroot Hollow, not that I care. These are just things I’ve heard from people.”

Malakai fell silent, digesting the information.

‘The city is hiding something,’ he concluded after a moment.

It wasn’t Malakai’s business whatever they were hiding. They were currently standing in the way of him getting to the darkness creatures.

He needed them to grow stronger. He wasn’t going to wait for another mission now that he had gotten this far.

‘Except it boosts my power.’ The only reason he’d make it his business was if it granted him a significant boost in power.

“What about those Adjudicators? Are Blood Guardians allowed to do that?” Malakai asked.

“No,” Laila shook her head. “I’m sure you noticed their relief when they saw us. They only reacted that way because it’s our squad. Captain Rhett… isn’t well liked by the city.”

Malakai could feel the hint of anger and frustration in her tone. He chose not to push.

As they moved through the cave, Malakai urged Renlo forward. The boy was drenched in sweat, breathing heavily, but still pushing on.

Malakai, having formed his heart node, had steadier breath and full control over his heart rate.

Soon, Malakai began to notice roots with yellowish streaks running through them, just like the ones on the forest trees at the entrance.

‘We’re in the forest,’ Malakai realized.

They maintained their pace until Grunde came to a stop at what appeared to be a dead end.

‘Now where next?’ Malakai thought. Laila seemed to have the same idea and sent Grunde a questioning gaze.

“Trust Grunde,” he said, then confidently walked up to the wall, placed both hands on it, and pushed. The wall began to shift until it opened into an exit, large enough for them to pass through.

Grunde stepped out and pushed a massive boulder over the entrance they had come through, sealing it up.

He turned toward Laila with a proud grin. “See? Grunde is awesome.” Then he looked at Malakai. “Right, small bro? Is Grunde not awesome?” He raised his hand for a high five.

Malakai gave him a weird look.

Grunde’s expression turned sad. His hand dropped.

“We have to move.”

Laila’s urgent tone pulled them back to reality. Her eyes were locked on her lifeguard, her face serious.

Malakai quickly pulled up his map and saw what had her worried.

‘The darkness creatures are moving.’

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