The Invincible Young Master

Leon jolted awake, blinking as his eyes adjusted to the dim light. The tall ceiling loomed overhead, adorned with intricate carvings and strange letters that seemed to shimmer faintly.

Turning his head to the side, he saw a few white and red-armored soldiers stationed in the corners, their armor stained with blood, standing guard with vigilant eyes.

Sitting up, Leon looked around and noticed that the piles of treasure were gone, not a single piece remaining. The chamber, once filled with the allure of ancient wealth, now felt empty and hollow.

He examined his body, noticing his wounds were completely healed, even his internal injuries. "This..."

"You're awake," a voice came from the front.

Leon saw Reynold walking towards him, holding a small marble-sized crystal in his hand. The crystal glowed faintly, pulsating with a soft light.

Only on m v|le|mp|yr

Leon nodded and asked, "Is that the ruin core?"

"It is." Reynold held it up, the crystal's glow reflecting in his eyes. "I found it while scrambling for treasures here."

"What happened while I was unconscious? Where's that giant?" asked Leon, seeing no sign of the Asura.

Before he fainted, he had seen the white-armored soldiers arrive for rescue, but the strength and ability of the Asura were not to be trifled with. So, where did the giant go? he wondered.

"Oh, that giant? It's right there." Reynold pointed to several large wooden boxes lined up near the wall.

"Where?" Leon asked, confused.

"Inside those boxes," replied Reynold. The dark boxes resembled coffins, each inscribed with runic words on the surface. The runes glowed faintly, indicating powerful enchantments.

"How can that giant fit inside those boxes?" Leon couldn't believe it and asked.

"Oh, I made sure to chop him into pieces before putting them inside the boxes," Reynold replied nonchalantly.

"What? Chop him to pieces?!" Leon's eyes widened in disbelief. "Chopping won't do anything; it can regenerate its body."

"Don't worry, those boxes are specially prepared for such cases." Reynold extended a hand and pulled Leon up. "Can you walk?"

"Yes."

"That's good, we need to get out of here before this place is submerged in sand."

Leon looked puzzled but didn't question further. The soldiers began carrying the boxes and moving out of the chamber. Leon and the bald man followed behind.

"Master," Leon called through voice transmission. "Did you see how the fight went after I lost consciousness?"

"Yes," came a reply, calm and measured.

"Is Reynold telling the truth? If so, how strong is he?" asked Leon, one question after another, his curiosity and disbelief evident.

"His attainments in sword arts are extremely high, as if he is gifted with them," said his master, recalling the fight between Reynold and the giant. "He only used his sword arts and didn't reveal his true strength, but from his moves, I can tell he is around peak Astral Bloom or even higher stage."

Merlin added, "It took him only a few swings of his sword to dismantle the Asura and seal its parts in the boxes."

"That strong?!"

Shock and awe were evident in his eyes as he stared at Reynold's figure at the front. Reynold's calm demeanor and effortless handling of the situation made Leon feel a mix of respect and envy.

As they neared the edge of the ruins, the temperature increased, and hot air swept through the corridor. The sunlight was a welcome sight as they emerged from the darkness.

The desert stretched out before them, an endless sea of sand and dunes under the blazing sun. Leon shielded his eyes momentarily, adjusting to the brightness.

He saw many dead beasts' bodies scattered around. From their appearance, they were all corrupted beasts—large centipedes, earthworms, and scorpion-like creatures, each either cut in half or pierced in the head.

He glanced at the bloodied armor of the white-armored soldiers, piecing together what had happened here. These warriors had fought their way through the ruins. The air was thick with the metallic scent of blood, mingling with the desert heat.

"We encountered numerous corrupted beasts on our journey here," Reynold remarked. "It seems your group was transported directly into the heart of the ruin. I wonder why?"

"I also have no idea.". Leon replied, shaking his head in frustration.

As they emerged from the ruin and stood atop a nearby dune, they glanced back at the structure now half-buried in the shifting sands.

"It's a pyramid…" Leon mused, noting its distinct shape.

The ruin, reminiscent of a pyramid with its multiple faceted sides, appeared slowly vanishing beneath the relentless desert.

Reynold's attention was focused on the marble fragment he held, which he crushed with a decisive pinch.

At his gesture, the ruin began to tremble and collapse, gradually becoming submerged in the encroaching sands until it was no longer visible.

Leon's gaze caught a faint glimmer on the periphery. The city lord and his army were now enveloped in a radiant white light, their forms disintegrating slowly into luminous particles. The city lord, with a serene smile, turned to address them.

"I thank all of you for solving this ruin," the city lord said, his voice carrying a tone of genuine gratitude.

"What's happening, city lord?" Leon asked, his gaze shifting to the bald man who stood beside the city lord, also bathed in the shimmering light. "You too?"

The city lord explained, "Little friend, there is no need for concern. With our mission complete, we are merely returning to our rightful place."

As the final words left his lips, their bodies dissolved into sparkling white particles, carried away by the desert breeze.

"No. The city lord is gone…" Leon said, turning to Reynold.

"You're worried about the city lord?" asked Reynold.

"No, that guy didn't give me my reward for this expedition," Leon complained.

Hearing Leon's words, Reynold gave a rare chuckle. "I see, you're worried about that."

"Yes. That man disappeared without giving my pay," Leon grumbled.

"I'll give you your reward," Reynold said, and a large pouch appeared in his hand.

Holding the large pouch, Leon asked, "Isn't it too much? I thought the reward was ten thousand gold?"

"I've added those three's rewards with yours," said Reynold.

"Now that the city lord is gone, what about the city?" asked Leon, storing the pouch in his bracelet.

"There's no city in the desert," Reynold responded, his tone matter-of-fact. "That was the city of wonders, Jurucia,"

"Jurucia…" Leon repeated, a sense of awe in his voice. He had heard countless tales of this city throughout his life. It was said to be the resting place of the human emperor.

"Are you telling the truth?"

"Not entirely," Reynold clarified. "That was only a fragment of the real city. The actual Jurucia is located in a place unknown to us."

This city is said to appear in random places like a mirage and after a period disappear. No one had ever solved the wonder of this city, nor found out its location.

"And what about the people of the city, the city lord, and those soldiers?" Leon inquired, seeking further clarity. "Are they dead or alive?"

"They were merely spectral remnants," Reynold explained. "Whether they are alive or dead remains uncertain until we can locate the true city of Jurucia."

"How do you know all this?" Leon asked, skeptical about Reynold's responses.

"Well, it turns out I'm quite the nerd," Reynold replied casually, a hint of a smirk playing on his lips.

Leon raised an eyebrow, clearly not expecting that answer. Despite having tasted the food and experiencing the sensory reality of the city, it was difficult for Leon to accept that the city was merely an illusion.

"So, where are you headed next?" Reynold asked, shifting the focus of their conversation.

"I was planning to journey to the Jul Empire," Leon responded.

"Quite a coincidence," Reynold said with a nod. "Our destination aligns with yours."

-----------------

A/N: This chapter marks the end of his POV. Phew~ IDK how it turned out, was it ok, or meh? do give your opinion.