With no obstacles standing in their way, Alex, Sherry, and the three researchers quickly made their way across the abandoned city.
The ruins were considerably large, and the two gates connecting the different sections were located on opposite sides of the area. Even with the sentinels no longer moving, reaching the gate leading back to the first section would still take them some time.
By now, the remaining members of the expedition should have already reached the other side.
Alex opened his System Map to check their location. The map of the ruins appeared, revealing the positions of the group almost immediately. They were gathered on the other side of the gate in the first section.
However, as he continued looking at the map, his expression suddenly changed. Several new red markers had appeared in the first section, standing opposite the expedition team.
Alex slowed down slightly. Those red markers hadn't been there before. He couldn't tell what had suddenly appeared, nor did he know exactly what the red markers represented. More importantly, their position was strange.
Alex didn't immediately inform the others. There was no reason to alarm them before he understood what was happening.
Instead, he quietly turned toward Aurora, who was floating beside him, and consulted her.
She remained silent for a few seconds, carefully examining the positions on the map before her expression became thoughtful.
"Maybe someone entered from outside?"
Alex's eyes narrowed slightly.
"From outside?"
"The entrance to the ruins is still open, right?" Aurora pointed out. "When we opened the entrance to the ancient ruins, we anchored this independent world to the outside world. So, someone could have entered from outside after we went in."
Alex considered her words. It was certainly possible. Unlike the sealed sections deeper inside, there was nothing preventing someone from entering from the outside while the entrance remained open.
'But who would come here now?' Alex glanced toward the gate in the distance.
If someone had really entered the ruins, then they had arrived at a very convenient time. And judging by the red markers on his map, there wasn't just one or two of them. There was an entire group.
Alex urged the others to move faster.
The ruins trembled from time to time, sending small vibrations through the ground beneath their feet. Each tremor was a reminder that whatever was happening to the ancient ruins had not stopped.
The researchers naturally assumed Alex was hurrying them because the ruins might collapse at any moment. And they weren't entirely wrong.
It was only a matter of time before the ruins collapsed and were lost forever. Nobody knew exactly how much time they had left, so there was no reason to take any chances.
Fortunately, the group that had left earlier should still be only twenty to thirty minutes ahead of them, so they should be safe for now.
The abandoned city seemed to stretch on endlessly, but they eventually reached the opposite side of the ruins. The massive gate connecting the first and second sections soon came into view.
"We're here."
Alex slowed down as he approached the gate. Sherry and the three researchers followed closely behind, their expressions showing a mixture of relief and exhaustion.
They had finally made it back to the first section.
However, Alex didn't relax. His attention immediately shifted toward the other side of the gate.
He still had no idea who had suddenly entered the ruins, but the System had marked them as threats. Whatever their purpose was, they clearly weren't here by accident.
◆ ◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ ◇ ◆
Meanwhile, on the other side of the gate, the remaining members of the expedition were already making their way toward the entrance. Their journey had gone almost exactly as planned.
After the explosions drew the sentinels away, the route to the first section was clear. The group didn't waste the opportunity and quickly made their way back, encountering almost no resistance along the way.
At first, everything seemed to be going smoothly.
They were crossing the abandoned city and were already approaching the gate connecting it to the first section when the ground suddenly shook.
A deep rumble echoed through the ruins, causing everyone to stop and instinctively look around. The tremor lasted only a few seconds before fading.
"Was that an earthquake?"
One of the researchers frowned.
Before anyone could answer, another tremor shook the ruins. This one was weaker than the first, but it was followed by several smaller vibrations that continued intermittently.
The expressions of the expedition members gradually became more serious. There was no mistaking it: something was happening to the ruins.
"We should keep moving."
There was no reason to remain there and investigate. Whatever had caused the tremors, it was clearly safer to get out of the ruins as quickly as possible.
Meanwhile, Fredrick and Emma were concerned about something else entirely.
Their daughter had chosen to stay behind with Alex and continue deeper into the ruins. At the time, they had accepted her decision because she genuinely wanted to explore the place and had someone as capable as Alex protecting her.
But now that the entire ruin was beginning to shake, it was difficult not to worry.
"I'm sure they're fine." Fredrick tried to reassure her, though there was still some concern in his voice. "We can't go back now. Let's get outside first and wait for them."
Emma knew he was right. Even if they wanted to turn around, they had no idea what was happening deeper inside the ruins. Going back would only put everyone at greater risk.
She took one last look behind them before nodding.
The researchers became even more convinced that leaving the ruins had been the right decision. They may have spent years in this place, but there was no discovery worth risking their lives for.
Eventually, the massive gate separating the two sections came into view.
Everyone quickened their pace. One by one, they passed through the gate and entered the first section, and for a moment, relief spread through the group.
They had made it back.
However, that relief lasted only a few seconds.
The moment they stepped farther away from the gate, several figures suddenly appeared ahead of them.
The expedition members immediately stopped. Their expressions changed as they realized that the people blocking their path were complete strangers.
And by the way they were positioned, they had clearly been waiting for them.
Judging by their equipment and the way they carried themselves, they were clearly veteran adventurers or mercenaries. They had positioned themselves strategically, surrounding the expedition team while keeping a close eye on everyone.
Yet, they showed no intention of attacking.
The man standing in the middle stepped forward. "We have no intention of harming you. We're simply looking for the treasure inside these ruins."
The expedition members exchanged confused glances.
It took them a moment to understand what he meant. They quickly realized he was referring to whatever was hidden beyond the massive gate.
"We didn't find anything," one of the researchers replied. "We haven't even explored the ruins fully. Just let us leave."
The man listened quietly before shaking his head.
"I'm afraid I can't do that." His tone remained calm, but there was no room for negotiation.
One of the expedition members frowned and tried to push his way past.
The man's expression didn't change. A powerful aura suddenly spread from his body, pressing down on the entire group.
The researcher froze as his body instinctively reacted to the overwhelming pressure.
The man looked at him calmly. "I wouldn't recommend that."
His voice was still composed, but this time, the warning behind it was unmistakable.
The researcher slowly stepped back. The man withdrew his aura, and the oppressive feeling disappeared as quickly as it had come.
No one else attempted to move.
The five strangers remained where they were, blocking the path without even drawing their weapons. They clearly had no interest in wasting time or hurting anyone unnecessarily.
They were simply waiting for someone.
Just then, Alex, Sherry, and the three researchers stepped through the gate.
The moment they emerged, Sherry's parents immediately spotted their daughter. The tension that had been visible on their faces relaxed, replaced by clear relief.
Alex's attention, however, was focused on the five strangers, the newly appeared red markers on the System Map.
'So Aurora was right.'
These people had entered the ancient ruins after the entrance became connected to the outside world. Alex didn't know who they were or how they had managed to get here, but their presence was clearly not a coincidence.
As Alex studied them, the group's leader smiled. He had clearly been waiting for them.
His gaze moved across the three researchers before finally settling on Alex. "So you're the boy who found the treasure inside, if I'm not mistaken."
Alex's expression hardened. He hadn't even told anyone about what he had found.
The man seemed to notice the change in Alex's expression, but his smile didn't disappear.
"If you hand over that treasure to me, I can let you and the others leave safely."
He spoke calmly, almost as though they were discussing a simple business transaction.
Alex remained silent.
He carefully observed the five men standing before him. Their movements hadn't changed, but they had clearly prepared for the possibility that things might turn violent.
The leader continued before Alex could respond.
"If you refuse..." He paused for a moment, the smile on his face fading slightly. "...then I'm afraid things will become considerably more difficult."
Alex narrowed his eyes.
These people had really come for the treasure. But how had they known about it—and, more importantly, how had they known that he was the one carrying it?
For the moment, Alex had no intention of giving them an answer.