As they approached their destination, the air grew thick with a swirling, dark miasma that blanketed the hilly forest below.
The ruin had already emerged, fully formed and radiating a menacing presence.
What was once a lush landscape was now shrouded in a murky haze that pulsed with dark energy.
They landed at the base of the hill, their feet sinking slightly into the miasma-covered ground.
The entire hillside and the surrounding forest were enveloped in the thick fog, casting an eerie silence over the group.
Reynold stepped out of the silver cube and moved to stand beside his father, his sharp eyes scanning the strange scene in front of them.
His brow furrowed as he watched the swirling miasma, which seemed to be alive.
"This ruin is different," he muttered, uncertainty creeping into his voice.
The Barbarian King, however, was less patient.
"We're late!" he grumbled, frustration clear in his voice as he turned toward Renard. "If you hadn't dragged your feet, we'd have made it in time!"
Renard gave him a sharp look, clearly unimpressed.
"And who was the one who attacked first and wasted time?" he replied coolly.
The Barbarian King snorted but remained quiet. He was irritated, but he knew Renard had a point, as he was the one who charged at Renard first.
After a moment of tense silence, Renard spoke up. "This isn't a Greater Ruin."
Both Reynold and the Barbarian King turned to him in surprise.
"What do you mean?" The Barbarian King, still scowling, added, "What else could it be? Look at the miasma. I assumed it was a Greater Ruin based on how much area it's covering."
Renard shook his head, focused as he studied the landscape.
"No, it's not," he said confidently.
The Barbarian King looked confused. "Then what is it?"
Renard sighed, rubbing his forehead in mild frustration. Despite the Barbarian King's strength and status, his impatience often made things more difficult.
"At least my son managed to get through," The barbarian king muttered. "Hopefully, he'll find powerful artifacts inside."
Renard glanced at the swirling miasma once more before turning to the Barbarian King. "Isn't your son in second place at the academy?"
The Barbarian King nodded, though his brow furrowed slightly. "Yes. What about it?"
"Then I don't think you need to worry about this ruin," Renard replied, his tone sharper now. "He should be able to handle it."
The academy was famous throughout the land for training ascendants of unmatched strength.
Unlike most ascendants who improved their abilities through repeated practice and personal breakthroughs, the academy took a different approach.
Its methods were far more intense and specialized. Students faced unique trials, spiritual formations, and demanding combat simulations designed to push them beyond the limits of ordinary ascendants.
Because of this, the academy's students often far outclassed other ascendants in battle. Even if they were at the same rank or stage, an academy student could easily dominate a regular ascendant in a fight.
The Barbarian King crossed his arms and grumbled. "Still... aren't you curious what kind of artifact might emerge from this place?"
Renard shook his head, dismissing the idea with a wave. "No. I don't have time for that."
The Barbarian King's shoulders slumped, his earlier excitement fading.
He'd hoped Renard would stay and perhaps even join him in exploring the ruin, but he knew better than to try and change Renard's mind.
As Renard turned to leave, Reynold floated over, the silver cube hovering behind him. Glancing back at the ruin, he then asked his father, "What about brother? He's still lost, Shouldn't we search for him?"
Renard gave him a brief look. "You know, we can't track your brother's location. He must return on his own."
Reynold nodded but looked slightly uneasy, though he didn't say more.
With that, Renard and Reynold began to rise, their forms glowing faintly as they headed toward the cube.
The Barbarian King watched them go, frustration clear on his face, knowing there was no convincing Renard to stay.
"Always in a rush," the Barbarian King muttered, shaking his head. But he understood Renard had a whole state to look after.
Before his eyes, Renard and Reynold dissolved into light, merging with the silver cube.
Moments later, the cube vanished in thin air, leaving the Barbarian King alone in the shadow of the ruin, the eerie miasma swirling around him.