Is this really a Game?!

Shadow and Tank nodded in agreement. It was better to be cautious, especially when dealing with such a mysterious threat. Trust was a delicate matter, especially in such uncertain times. They couldn't afford to share sensitive information with the Enclave until they were absolutely certain of their intentions.

Reign took out a small notebook and began to meticulously copy down the runes and symbols lining the edges of the pit. Shadow and Tank kept watch, their senses alert for any signs of danger.

Once Reign had finished copying the runes, they carefully examined the pit, searching for any other clues that might shed light on its purpose.

"Now, let's take a look around, maybe we can find some clue that those who had started spreading the corruption left, or perhaps a trace of mana from them." Reign said as the other two nodded their heads before looking around.

Unfortunately, even after looking around for over 10 minutes, they found nothing.

There was nothing they had left.

There was not even the smallest trace of mana left in the air, there was simply nothing.

"They were thorough, huh?"

"Yeah, they left absolutely nothing in their wake, no clues at all." Reign stated as he looked around the area.

"It's clear that whoever is doing this is quite proficient in it, they know how to hide their tracks well, either because of some ability or skill they have, or just because they are experienced in doing such things." Reign commented before exhaling deeply and looking at Shadow and Tank.

"I agree with you, to leave this place like this, without any trace of themselves, they are definitely experienced in it if Wolf was with us, maybe he would be able to give us some insight, alas, he stayed back," Shadow said with a sigh before shaking his head.

"Maybe it was a mistake to not bring him along, after all, he is the one amongst us with the most experience when it comes to such things."

"Maybe, but we were mostly betting on the enemy leaving a trace of their mana, perhaps even something I could notice with my soul manipulation, but none of that is present, next time, Wolf will definitely have to be amongst us, he might notice something we failed to notice." Reign said with a nod of his head before looking back at the hole that was now nothing but a regular hole.

It seemed that Reign's spears had done enough damage to it, and after not being able to spew corruption out of itself, the hole was seemingly unable to even sustain itself, leading to it dissipating.

"We should head back to the jungle and report our findings to Gabriel," Shadow suggested. "He might have more insight into what we've discovered."

Reign agreed, and the three of them began to make their way back through the jungle, keeping a watchful eye out for any signs of further corruption.

As they traveled, Reign couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to the situation than they had uncovered. The voices they heard coming from the hole, the strange symbols and runes, all pointed to a deeper mystery.

During their trip back, they didn't come across any monsters or any opponent that might be lying in wait, in fact, it was quite a peaceful trip back.

"Can you guide us to you, what route should we take?" Reign asked Gabriel over the communication crystal.

"Just go with the Behemoth, it is waiting at the edge of the jungle, your friends have already reached him and are waiting for you there." Reign nodded in affirmation to Gabriel's words before telling Shadow and Tank.

It took them a short couple of minutes to reach the edge of the jungle where the Behemoth was truly waiting for them.

They noticed him from afar, after all, his large body made it hard not to notice him.

Greenie was there with Mia and Beast, as was Wolf with Aelrinder and Laura.

They all gathered in front of the Behemoth before following it deeper into the jungle. With the powerful Behemoth with them, no monster from the jungle dared even come close to them, let alone attack them.

"The corrupted areas were easier to handle than they were before," Wolf stated as he walked next to Reign.

"And I don't mean that in the way that we are now Tier VI and are more powerful, I mean that the corrupted areas didn't have time to grow, to become as powerful as the ones we had come across before."

"The longer the corruption spreads, the more powerful it becomes, and since we arrived early before it could completely finish spreading, we were able to quickly get rid of the cores, the main reason being the fact that I and the others had destroyed the main one which was creating the corrupted areas in the jungle."

"You and Greenie's team got rid of the source of the corruption, and it seems there were only two sources, at least this time, which made it impossible for the corruption to continue rapidly growing."

"It is a shame that you guys were unable to find any clues that could lead to the perpetrators, but hey, at least we have those symbols and runes that you guys found."

"Yeah, the runes and symbols on the two sources were similar to one another, but there are differences, we just don't know why they are different." Reign said as Laura came next to them.

"It could be because of multiple reasons."

"Some of the runes and symbols might be responsible for the location, like an address of sorts, it could also be the difference in power between the two sources, how they functioned …"

"I've never seen such runes and symbols before, I think the best course of action is to first talk with Gabriel, and then ask for help from Drayce, the Queen, Eldar, or Jack."

Reign nodded at Laura's words before looking at the back of the Behemoth that was leading them to Gabriel.

"Luckily, it won't take us long to reach Gabriel, as for the others, we can talk to them once we get back home, it's already morning after all, they will all be awake and we can immediately go to them to talk."

Wolf and Laura nodded at Reign before they continued walking behind the Behemoth, all of them walking without a care in the world through the jungle as they knew that no monster would be dumb enough to attack them right now.

When they reached the clearing in the jungle, they found Gabriel waiting for them, his expression grave.

"They have acted quickly, the corruption had started spreading faster this time compared to the past."

Gabriel's words made Reign and the others furrow their brows before taking out the notes they had written the runes and symbols.

"Do you know what these mean, any of them?" Reign asked Gabriel who was staring at the runes and symbols before finally shaking his head with a sigh of defeat.

"Unfortunately not, I have no idea what any of those mean, not even a single one."

"Well, let's hope that we will have more luck when talking to Drayce and the others, they are all much more knowledgeable at these things than us, they should be able to give us an answer."

"Do you think the spread of corruption will stop for a day or two again?"

Gabriel glanced at Reign before nodding at his question.

"Yes, if the perpetrator follows the same pattern as before."

"Even though the corruption was spreading faster this time, nothing else seemed different, so I do hope that they will act as they always have."

"But, thanks to your involvement, no new corrupted areas had a chance to spawn this time, which is good, but it also might work against us, those trying to spread the corruption might double down on their efforts to do so."

"We will go back and try to decipher these." Reign said as he pointed at the runes and symbols.

"We will of course come back to hunt, but if something happens while we are away, do notify us, we will come as quickly as possible."

"Of course, my friends," Gabriel said with a wide smile on his face before Reign and the others turned around to leave.

"Wait, let him guide you back, it will be easier for this that way," Gabriel said as the Behemoth moved again, walking to the jungle.

"Thank you." Reign said as he nodded at Gabriel before they all walked behind the Behemoth again.

Without any fear of being attacked, the walk back was truly a fast and calm one. They reached the edge of the jungle, where the Behemoth stopped and uttered a grunt of sorts before walking back to the depths of the jungle, to Gabriel.

"Well, let's hope that Drayce or the queen know about these runes, the two of them are much more knowledgeable about such things compared to Eldar and Jack."

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