Chapter 40: Dreamers

  Nitaan lowered his head in thought. He completely agreed with Injan. The risk was too high. The Ancient Ruins were filled with Devil beasts that Nitaan couldn't handle. Although he and Kiita could somewhat contend with Second word Engraver, and had a chance against First word Engraver if they gave it their all, that was limited to just one enemy.

  Not to mention that Ancient Ruins are very likely to contain countless even stronger Devil beasts. It was an opportunity too difficult to seize. Forcing it without careful consideration would be tantamount to suicide.

  "I haven't agreed yet. I just said I'd go visit them when I have time," Nitaan replied.

  "That's great then," Injan breathed a sigh of relief.

  "To be honest, most major powers have the right to enter these Ancient Ruins. Our Uthumpohn family also has access, but the Fang Trading Group got the right to explore first," Injan explained.

  "Which I can guarantee that they would fail in their early tries, unless the Fang Trading Group goes insane and lets their team carry a large number of Pathseeker-level artifacts."

  "Even though there hasn't been a thorough search yet, the brutality of that place is far beyond what First word Engraver and Learner can handle," Injan explained at length.

  "I think it would require a group of top-tier First word Engravers carrying high-level artifacts to even get any results."

  Hybrid Noble is a Pathseeker himself. Even with his vast wealth, it couldn't be more valuable than a large number of Pathseeker-level artifacts. It doesn’t make sense to risk losing it for something of lower value.

  Unless, of course, Hybrid Noble is hiding something, and someone knows about it.

  "But if P’ Nitaan are truly interested, you can wait and go with the Uthumpohn family group. With your abilities, I think there's no problem if I fill you in."

  "But our family group probably won't exert much effort. Just a bit of survey and exploring," Injan continued.

  So Pathseeker’s treasure is not that valuable in the eyes of the Uthumpohn family? Nitaan thought.

  "I'll think about it, but I think it's better not to participate. After all, I'm still just a Learner," Nitaan replied.

  "To be honest, the exploration won't begin anytime soon. Right now, they're sending out suicide teams to gather intelligence. The main forces of each group will probably start putting in effort in about three to four months from now."

  "Suicide teams?" Nitaan frowned.

  "Yes, those are adventurers who believed that they might seize a once-in-a-lifetime chance," Injan explained. He averted his eyes while sighing with a heavy heart.

  Nitaan glanced at the faint flames that enveloped the room. If the origin of these Ancient Ruins was a secret so secretive it required a cover before explanation, then it was almost impossible for those adventurers to know.

  Injan looked at Nitaan and continued, as if understanding his thoughts.

  "That's right. Those adventurers have no information that the interior contains numerous Devil beasts at the Engraver level and higher." Nitaan frowned upon what he just heard.

  "Most adventurers who are able to reach the level of Engraver always accept missions after thoroughly checking it's details." Injan closed his eyes.

  "Therefore, adventurers who accept missions without careful consideration, hoping to be the lucky one among thousands and seize the opportunity, are mostly at the Learner level." Injan sighed.

  "..." Nitaan's brow furrowed even tighter.

  "That's why suicide teams often carry report talismans or special Enchanted artifacts to send out gathered information before they die."

  A lot of Learner adventurers are given the opportunity to explore the tomb of Pathseeker. For them, this might be a chance to soar into the skies. Yet they are actually expected to die for just a bit of information.

  "And the kingdom condones this?" Nitaan asked involuntarily.

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  "Even if they don't, those dreamers will find a way in anyway. We don't force anyone. We only assign missions and give a general overview of the dangers. Ultimately, it's them who choose to go." Injan said with a neutral expression.

  "Major powers don't always get benefits," Injan added. “Among adventurers, there are those who are truly strong or those who are incredibly lucky. Therefore, it’s not rare that treasures are claimed by suicide teams," Injan explained.

  So that's why those dreamers think they might be that lucky one. Nitaan tilted his head.

  "Those who are truly strong?" Nitaan asked.

  "Yes. Even among Engravers of the same level, there's a distinction. For example, an Engraver who used to be a 1-word Learner will be weaker than an Engraver who used to be a 2-word Learner, and so on," Injan explained.

  "Of course, it's not always the case, but mostly it is. Physical strength, Spiritual energy, Speed, and others gained upon fully comprehending a word depend on the number of Words of Power that have been discovered.”

  “Since once you become an Engraver, your body is nourished by the Words of Power within you. So, the number of Words of Power Fate Scripters discovered has a significant impact."

  "At the same level, there are those who excel in combat, those who excel in assassination, and those who excel in healing. Therefore, it can't be used as a primary measure. Some people with well-balanced power words can fight above their level, which isn't surprising. But of course, there aren't many."

  Nitaan suddenly thought of his own situation. Combined, he and Kiita could contend with a First word Engraver. If they fought individually, with the shared power from the other side, they could still win if they managed their power well. But if they fought separately, he was only slightly better than others of his level. After all, he discovered four Words of Power.

  Discovering 4 Words of Power at his age is no doubt not an easy feat.

  “That’s why First word Engravers born from a 5-word Learner are terrifyingly strong. From what I’ve heard, their abilities are no less than those of a Third word Engraver,” Injan sighed.

  Nitaan couldn’t help but sigh at the thought of a First word Engraver capable of fighting an Enlightened.

  This Grand Continent was truly too vast and too terrifying. Nitaan grumbles.

  “But such a being is practically a pipe dream. It wouldn’t be surprising if there are none for a whole era. In this era, the only one rumored to be one is a member of the Tsubas race, but even that is just a rumor.”

  “The more Words of Power one possesses, the harder it is to truly comprehend them. P’ Nitaan has probably seen how many adventurers who are 2-3-word Learners" Injan said.

  Nitaan thought of Prai and his friends.

  "I'm not saying 3-word Learners are easy to find," Injan explained. "In one of the Firegan kingdom’s Great Families, even the most talented heir of this era was only a 3-word Learner.”

  “Three words is still considered a level for those with talent and a promising future. Since they have a higher chance to become Enlightened"

  "It's just that this Great Continent is too vast. The number of intelligent beings is countless. Even within this kingdom alone, there are far too many people. Therefore, 3-word Learners seem easy to find."

  Nitaan began to understand. It wasn't that 3-word Learners were easy to be, it was just that the sheer population made them seem common.

  "But the real contradiction is the number of First word Engravers born from 3-word Learners. Most Engravers are born from 1- or 2-word Learners.”

  "P' Nitaan can look at Enlightened as a comparison, it isn't easy at all to be Enlightened," Injan sighed. He also worries about his future.

  Nitaan suddenly sensed sadness in Elder Grai's eyes. Elder Grai was a 2-word Learners, so his chances of reaching Third word Engravers and become Enlightened are slim.

  "So, P’ Nitaan can probably imagine the strength and rarity of an Engraver who used to be a 5-word Learners."

  Nitaan nodded slightly. He had never even seen a First word Engraver who used to be a 4-word Learners.

  Kiita could be one! Nitaan secretly hoped. If Kiita could really reach that level, the tournaments might not be as difficult as he thought.

  "That's right. If a being of that level really appeared, or if someone with extraordinary luck showed up, it wouldn't be surprising if they were the one to seize the opportunity. That's why so many adventurers try their luck, risking their lives."

  Nitaan didn't reply. He simply pondered silently in his head.

  It would be a lie to say he wasn't interested in those treasure.

  Nitaan's goal in participating in the tournament was to obtain the Moonlight Dew and to perform his and Kiita's second Engraving Ceremony.

  If the treasure from Hybrid Noble contained something that could increase his chances of performing the second Engraving Ceremony, then taking that risk was worth considering.

  Too dangerous. Tournament prohibits lethal injury, so it's relatively safe. That tomb, however, is definitely life-threatening, but it also offers the potential for treasures even better than winning the tournament.

  If I can become First word Engraver before the tournament, joining Injan's group wouldn't be a bad option. It would be a good experience and not too dangerous.

  But if I can't become First word Engraver in time, I'll just have to give up. Nitaan summarized his thoughts.

  "I'll decline for now, but if there's still room when the exploration starts, I might ask to join later," Nitaan said jokingly.

  Injan looked at Nitaan, trying to understand his thoughts. After a moment, Injan smiled.

  "Not a problem. We can discuss it again when the time comes," Injan smiled. He wouldn't refuse a skilled Scout joining him.

  "Alright, let's leave the serious matters aside for now. How is the capital?" Injan clapped his hands lightly, and the wall of fire instantly disappeared. Injan casually changed the subject.

  The two exchanged a few words before Nitaan excused himself to return home.

  Injan walked Nitaan and Kiita to the main gate. As they prepared to leave, Injan took out an exquisitely engraved medallion featuring an image of a Unthumpohn flower and handed it to him.

  "If you encounter any minor problems, show this medallion to the other party. They might show me some respect," Injan said.

  "Young Master, that medallion..." Elder Grai frowned slightly.

  "Trust me, it's worth it," Injan smiled.

  "Thank you very much." Nitaan accepted the medallion, examined it briefly, and placed it in his Palace Hold bag.

  After the farewells, Nitaan’s mind still lingered on Ancient Ruins and the countless adventurers who risked their lives for their dream and goal.

  Dreams are truly dangerous. Nitaan murmured.

  For someone without dreams like him, those actions were so difficult to understand. All his efforts weren't driven by such a dream.

  He simply wanted to know what it feels like to be the one at the top. Would it feel good? What would the view be like?

  If he could do everything he wanted, protect those he wanted to protect, and destroy those he wanted to destroy, would he be happy?

  Since he didn't know the answer, he could only strive to improve himself in order to find it.

  Even if he failed, he wouldn’t care. His life right now isn’t bad at all.

  He had only been in the capital for a week, but he was already sensing a multitude of turmoil. Fang Trading Group, the Uthumporn family, City Guard unit, and then there was the matter of the Kodchasan family.

  "What a big city," Nitaan sighed.