"Were there any casualties?" Brook frowned slightly as he heard the report that the team had dug into the earth, revealing a cave.
"No one was hurt," the person in charge replied, "but the cave feels... strange."
"Strange how?"
"The cave shows very clear signs of being artificially excavated."
Artificial excavation? Hearing this, Brook immediately became alert. When they first arrived, the area had only treasure chests. The sudden discovery of a cave that was clearly man-made naturally sparked his curiosity.
He instructed the team leader to guide everyone to the cave. Regardless of whether it was a ruin or something else, as the captain, he had to inspect it personally.
Upon arrival, Brook examined the cave carefully.
It was a simple semi-circular cave, but its regular shape clearly indicated artificial construction. At the entrance, the walls bore excavation marks that seemed ancient.
That, however, was not unusual. After all, their mission was to populate Karim Continent—a land that had long been uninhabited by intelligent life.
"We'll stop gathering resources for today," Brook decided. "Have your people pull some vines over the entrance to seal it."
The team leader hesitated. "Huh? We're stopping already? What about Shang Chuan—"
"I'll speak to Roy about it. I'll take responsibility for any issues," Brook interrupted firmly.
Despite the leader's concern, Brook's decision was final. The cave's proximity to their Shelter cabin made it strategically important. Investigating it immediately wasn't wise, but it couldn't be ignored either. Covering it with vines served two purposes: camouflage and a way to see if any demonic creatures might emerge. If the vines were disturbed, Brook would likely have to inform Roy and possibly relocate the Shelter.
Once the cave was concealed, Brook returned to the Shelter with his team.
"While gathering resources, we unearthed a cave with clear signs of artificial excavation," he messaged Roy.
Roy, who had been lingering in the exchange area, was taken aback. Logically, since he had provided a heater the day before, the team should have been gathering resources all morning. Returning before noon suggested something had occurred.
Trusting Brook's reliability, Roy opened the message carefully. A cave with artificial excavation? That could indicate a serious problem—or worse.
"What are the specifics?" Roy immediately asked.
"I only inspected the entrance," Brook replied. "The excavation marks are old, but the exact age is unknown. I instructed the team to camouflage it with vines for now."
Roy nodded internally. "Not going in rashly was wise. What's your plan?"
"First, we monitor the vines for any signs of demonic activity. If we detect anything, we'll relocate the Shelter. If not, we can enter and investigate."
"That would take too long," Roy countered. "Give me the coordinates. Tomorrow, I'll send a reliable person to check it. I'll also prepare a batch of potions for your team."
Brook frowned slightly. "Is that person trustworthy?"
This was crucial. Sharing the coordinates could lead to disaster if the wrong person obtained them—they could be robbed or even killed. Memories of the Giant Mickey incident still haunted him.
Roy reassured him: "Reliable. He's both my partner and a client of the Witch. His combat talent is S-rank."
Brook felt relief wash over him. Though the Witch's reputation was poor, she was known to be fair. Anyone trusted by both Roy and the Witch could not be a scoundrel. For E-rank and D-rank Talents like Brook's team, solo combat was a death sentence. Aligning with Roy and the Witch was the only practical choice.
"Alright, then. When will this meeting take place tomorrow?" Brook asked.
Roy answered, "I'll coordinate with him and let you know once confirmed."
After that, Roy attempted to contact Natasha, the notorious leveling fanatic, but she was not home. So, he reached out to Arya instead.
"So, you want me to prepare a batch of potions so your subordinates can explore that cave?" Arya asked. She was currently in class with Professor Sai but understood the situation from Roy's message.
"Yes," Roy replied. "My instincts suggest there could be trouble inside."
Arya considered this. "Making potions isn't difficult, but if your instincts are correct, are you confident your team can handle this exploration mission?"
It wasn't that Arya doubted them. However, venturing into a cave without the use of magic or Talent was inherently risky.
"That's why I invited Natasha," Roy said. "She hasn't confirmed yet, but her combat ability is more than sufficient."
Arya nodded. Both Roy and Arya knew Natasha was a monster-slaying powerhouse. If the cave housed demonic creatures, Natasha would jump at the chance to investigate.
However, Arya's concern went further. "Even if Natasha has S-rank Talent, don't forget—it's currently Mana Turbulence. Magic may be unusable, even for her."
Roy froze. How could he forget such a crucial factor? His desire for potential gains had blinded him.
"When Natasha returns, I'll confirm whether her Talent is physical or magical," Roy said. "If it's magical, we must wait for the Mana Turbulence to end."
Arya agreed. "Unknown dangers are often the deadliest. It's better to be fully prepared."
"Do you have any suggestions?" Roy asked.
"Prepare antidotes, resistance potions, attribute potions, and attack potions," Arya advised. "Equip your subordinates with a range of countermeasures. They'll need them for whatever lies inside that cave."
Roy accepted her guidance. He didn't speak further, knowing Arya had already been thorough.
Yet Arya wasn't finished. "One more thing—if your team discovers something valuable, how will the profits be distributed?"
Roy chuckled lightly. "We'll discuss that later. First, we need to ensure everyone comes back safely."
Brook, receiving updates throughout, weighed the situation carefully. The cave's mysterious past and potential dangers demanded caution. Still, the possibility of finding something extraordinary was tempting.
The plan, as it stood, was clear: monitor the cave, prepare potions, wait for Natasha's return, and ensure they could act safely once the Mana Turbulence ended. Brook trusted Roy's judgment and Arya's expertise.
He understood that entering the cave prematurely could be catastrophic. The vines would serve as a temporary barrier, buying them time.
Meanwhile, Roy moved quickly. He coordinated with his partner and the Witch, gathering intelligence and preparing potions through Arya. Despite the urgency, every step was calculated.
For Brook, the day's events underscored one truth: survival in Karim Continent depended on caution, alliances, and preparation. Even the smallest misstep could be fatal.
As night fell over the Shelter, Brook reviewed the day's discoveries. The cave lay hidden beneath the vines, silent and enigmatic. Its secrets waited, but for now, patience was the best strategy.
Tomorrow, with Natasha's strength and Arya's potions, they would be ready. And if luck favored them, the cave might reveal treasures beyond imagination.
But Brook knew one thing clearly: trust, careful planning, and coordination would be their greatest weapons—far more reliable than mere strength alone.
And so, with the Shelter secured and the cave concealed, Brook's team rested, preparing for the uncertain challenges that lay ahead.
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