"Boss, who's this?"
As they neared the ancient structure, Robert saw over a dozen people covered in dust and grime. They, of course, saw him too.
Blackwing clapped his hands to get everyone's attention. "This is Blade. He's a decent fighter." The nickname 'Blade' had come up when Scar mentioned Robert taking down three Treasure Hoarders.
Robert stepped forward. "I look forward to working with you all."
The others were noncommittal. However, a middle-aged man dressed quite differently from the typical Treasure Hoarder smiled and said, "It's more like you'll be taking care of us."
Hearing this, Robert began to guess the nature of his new assignment, even before being told: he was probably here to fight.
Sure enough, Blackwing soon explained. "This is one of the entrances to the ruins we found. But the ley lines around here are abnormal. Breaking open the entrance causes ley line disorders." He paused, looking at Robert. "You know what ley line disorders are, right?"
Robert very much wanted to ask 'Disor-what?' but held back, nodding slightly instead. "Ley line disorders can lead to the emergence of monsters. It's a dangerous situation."
Blackwing nodded. "Correct. Monsters can appear. So, your job is to hold them off, prevent them from harming the others."
Robert scanned the area. Including himself and Blackwing, there were only sixteen people. Judging by their attire, at least six didn't look like they could fight.
"Is it just us?" Robert couldn't help but ask. He didn't know how strong the monsters would be, but surely more people would be better? He knew there was a whole camp of other Treasure Hoarders outside.
Blackwing didn't answer, but the middle-aged man from before spoke up. "According to our investigations, there seems to be an Adeptal mechanism here that limits the number of visitors. We tried adding more people a few times before, but every time we exceeded sixteen, it triggered a dangerous anomaly that caused heavy losses."
Blackwing chimed in, "So, there's a high probability this ruin holds valuable goods. Anything related to the Adepti can be sold for a fortune." He added, "I know a certain... generous client in Liyue Harbor, a consultant at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. Never haggles, filthy rich."
Robert: "..."
What is this sudden sense of familiarity? Wait, hold on. You're digging up Adeptal relics to sell to... him? And you haven't been impaled by a stone spear yet? Your Liyue bloodline must be pure indeed.
Robert collected himself. "Alright, Boss. Leave it to me." He couldn't very well say he couldn't do it. Refusing now would undoubtedly make Blackwing turn on him instantly. Robert wasn't confident he could take on an elite Treasure Hoarder like Blackwing, a bearer of the Silver Raven Insignia.
Blackwing nodded, pleased. "Good. What weapon are you skilled with?"
Robert had no formal training. He had to think on his feet. "Get me a blade. It feels straightforward." Of all cold weapons, a blade was the simplest for a beginner. You might not become a master swordsman, but you'd know how to swing it.
Blackwing agreed. "Fine." He walked over, picked up a large broadsword, and tossed it to Robert. Robert's heightened senses allowed him to sidestep and catch the weapon neatly. Blackwing nodded in approval; it would have been pathetic if he couldn't even catch it.
"Alright, Old Zhang, you and your team keep working on the door. We'll patrol the perimeter," Blackwing called to the middle-aged man.
Old Zhang nodded and gathered the others to resume work. Robert stood by, observing. They were studying a massive stone statue with a dragon's head, a horse's body, lion-like feet, and scales, painted with lime, suggesting grey-white fur. Robert stared at it; it looked somewhat familiar.
Noticing Robert's gaze, Old Zhang smiled and explained, "This mythical beast was likely the Adeptus or Yaksha guarding this ancient structure. The Yaksha and Adepti of Liyue were not mortals; many were mountain spirits and strange beings who guarded Liyue under Rex Lapis's leadership. Similar guardians are often found in ancient ruins. To open the ruins, we must first identify the guardian. Otherwise, our only option is to blast our way in. But with Adeptal-protected ruins, blasting is risky. Not only could it destroy the treasures, but the anomalies released from breaking the seal are unpredictable."
Perhaps out of a teacherly instinct or a desire to show off, Old Zhang shared many points about excavating ruins. Mortal ruins were full of traps, but those involving the Adepti and Yaksha were perilous. Every caution Old Zhang mentioned was learned through the Treasure Hoarders' accumulated, often bloody, experience. Of course, if the official Liyue authorities were handling this, it would be different. Their continuous historical records meant they wouldn't need to rely on trial and error with lives.
Just as he finished speaking, someone from the working group called out, "Teacher! We found something!"
No sooner had the words been spoken than the ground trembled.
Blackwing, who had been listening nearby, tensed up. "Ley line tremor! Monsters incoming! Battle positions!"
Robert gripped his broadsword and moved with the others to form a protective circle around the six civilian archaeologists. Honestly, Robert would have preferred to hide among the archaeologists, but a glance at Blackwing's massive crusher made him abandon the idea.
Within a few breaths, tendrils of black and red mist began rising from the ground. The mist coalesced into hairy, humanoid creatures.
"Hilichurls. And a Mitachurl. Manageable," Blackwing said, relieved. "I'll handle the Mitachurl. The rest of you, take the Hilichurls." With that, he charged directly at a large Hilichurl wielding a giant axe.
The other Treasure Hoarders raised their weapons and rushed towards the emerging Hilichurls. Robert hesitated for a split second. So much for slacking off. He moved, charging at a Hilichurl running towards him. This one brandished a wooden club—a club-wielding Hilichurl.
The newly materialized monster, driven purely by destructive instinct and devoid of thought, raised its club excitedly, not considering the consequence of wood meeting sharpened steel.
Robert moved like a tiger pouncing, closing the distance swiftly. His broadsword swept out in a sharp arc, carrying a faint chill. The Hilichurl had no time to react before it was cleaved in two, dissolving into a puff of black smoke.
'Not strong. Weaker than my three roommates this morning.'
Assessing the feedback through the hilt, Robert pivoted, using the sword's momentum to carve a wide arc that sent a nearby Hilichurl stumbling back. He stepped forward, turned with the motion, and swept the blade horizontally. The sword whistled低沉ly through the air. Two Hilichurls tried to raise their wooden shields, but against Robert's raw strength, the shields splintered like paper. The blade flashed; the two Hilichurls fell, dissolving into smoke before they could even cry out.
Before he could catch his breath, another Hilichurl, wielding a torch, charged at him, yelling.
Fire dance, is it?
Having easily dispatched three Hilichurls, Robert felt more confident. Seeing the torch-bearing Hilichurl charge, he冷笑ed, standing his ground. As the creature closed within a few steps, Robert sidestepped the flaming torch, eyed its exposed back as it rushed past, and brought his blade down decisively. The Hilichurl was split from head to toe, vanishing into black smoke.
The fight was over in mere moments. Robert looked around. As expected, no one was injured. One Mitachurl and nearly twenty Hilichurls had been wiped out in less than half a minute.