Chapter 16: Treasure Hoarders

T/N: Treasure Hoarder's Name May Not Same as Game, Don't Compare Them. They Are a Bunch of EXP for MC Anyways - Not Important.

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A green leaf was carried over by the breeze. Noelle gently pinched it between her fingers before letting it go again.

Facing Nolan's question, she stroked the silver-gray hair strands at her temple saying:

"The Treasure Hoarders are bad people. If they get their hands on the artifact, they will surely utilize it for ill ends. So we should stop them!"

Noelle spoke very reasonably. The Treasure Hoarders were after all a loosely organized band of thieves where the members had money-blinded hearts.

Once they caught a whiff of treasures, be it domains or ruins, they would try their luck whether they were capable or not.

So when adventurers also went exploring those domains and ruins, aside from monsters the obstacles they faced could also include the Treasure Hoarders.

"Alright, since we all agree let's go to The Thousand Winds Temple and teach those guys a lesson!"

A smile appeared on Vile's face. Although she had told this important information that was meant to be sold to the Knights of Favonius, she wasn't unhappy about it, as a way of repaying the two for saving her life.

With Vail leading the way and Noelle following closely behind, Nolan as the archer was last, vigilantly observing their surroundings.

The trio followed the grassy slope up to high ground, and the entire Thousand Winds Temple within their sight.

Stone pillars of unknown purpose stood erect. Layers upon layers of massive stairways extended downwards. In the middle of the Thousand Winds Temple was a circular structure that resembled a colosseum arena on closer look.

Below the colosseum-like structure was a passage leading inside. Two Treasure Hoarders stood guard outside, while the rest were likely within.

It was evident they were also highly vigilant.

In principle, adventurers should have already combed these ruins inside out long ago, taking anything valuable. Could it be that the Treasure Hoarders discovered new unexplored regions?

Without knowing the full details, the three decided to first sneak over and somehow take out the two Treasure Hoarders guarding the passageway.

Because they couldn't attract the attention of the Treasure Hoarders, it took some effort for them to get there.

Originally, with Nolan's strength, it would not be a problem for them to directly beat up the two Treasure Hoarders. But that might startle those inside the passage and cause them to flee.

Thus the task of silently taking out the two guards was left to Noelle.

If it was Nolan, even with a sneak attack he couldn't swiftly and soundlessly take them out.

As they got closer, taking cover behind massive rocks, Nolan and them could clearly hear the two Treasure Hoarders' conversation.

"Veg, how come the boss and they have been inside for so long without coming out yet? They won't encounter any danger, right?"

Aurn, wearing a black cowboy hat decorated with feathers and holding a repeater crossbow, spoke worriedly.

"Don't worry, Boss Johnny took a whole pile of potions inside. Even if they meet ruin guards, they can take it apart!"

Compared to the indecisive Aurn, Veg seemed much more confident.

Veg's weapon was also a repeater crossbow. He raised his right hand covered by tattered gloves, laughing as he said:

"After the boss and others succeed, we'll go have a banquet tonight to celebrate a feast! Hehe, our luck's way too good recently huh."

"A month ago we dug up an adventure journal on the coast near Stormbearer Point recording traces of an artifact relic. Not to mention we also found the recorded sealing materials."

"Especially that Golden Koi fish. Can't buy it anywhere, yet it conveniently appeared right in front of us in the end, how bizarre!"

Aurn nodded in agreement:

"Running into that net with the Golden Koi at Lake really was unexpected. Don't know which poor fool left that net there, getting us these benefits." 

"What's more, only the fish head was needed to undo the seal. We sold the rest of it for 150,000 Mora! Too bad we couldn't taste that delicacy ourselves!"

"Oh please, aren't you satisfied getting such a fat share? Whether it be Golden Koi or other delicacies, it goes out the other end the next day after eating. For us, the Mora we obtained is far more substantial than fleeting food."

Veg sneered disdainfully at Aurn's sentiments.

These Treasure Hoarders risked life and limb in the wilderness all for the sake of those round coins! Only Mora was almighty, with it anything could be done!

Hearing this from afar, Nolan was enraged. So it was this bunch of thieves who took his fishing net, even selling his fish for a lot of money!

How preposterous. He'd already decided not to make trouble for them for the time being until they delivered themselves to his doorstep.

Just as he was about to have Noelle take action, the ground lightly shook.

"What's going on?"

Veg and Aurn's faces were filled with horror, looking left and right but not noticing anything amiss.

Nolan's hand was against the rock. Faint but continuous vibrations transmitted over, making him inexplicably think:

"Could it be a minor earthquake?"

"No, it's not an earthquake. Look over at the passageway!" Vile shook her head, gazing towards the passage the Treasure Hoarders guarded.

"Run! Quick run! It's Ruin Guard!"

Several people simultaneously ran out from the passage while yelling outside. Chasing behind them was a gigantic humanoid mechanism. Its metallic body seemed corroded and dark in color, with glints of light emitting from its head as if they were its eyes.

Its upper body spun wildly, turning the surroundings into a shredding machine along with its twin mechanized arms. Its lower half stepped normally like human legs, causing tremors with every footfall.

Spotting the source of the tremors to be a ruin guard, Veg was no longer as nervous. He even shouted mockingly inside:

"Boss! It's just a single Ruin Guard, right? A few shots at its eyes will paralyze it. Aurn! Let's aim for its eyes together!"

Inside the somewhat gloomy passage, the Ruin Guard's "eyes" shone so dazzlingly.

Just as Veg and Aurn raised their hand crossbows, pulling the trigger about to shoot, Aurn suddenly noticed the shining "eyes" seemed to have multiplied. Could he be seeing things?

Aurn rubbed his eyes, looking again. Now apprehension and fear showed in them as his crossbow-holding hands trembled too.

"Hey...you kidding me?"

Bullets of sweat flowed from Veg's orange sideburns as he couldn't help but retreat a couple of steps.

"Morons! Stop aiming already! There are five Ruin Guards! Run!"

Johnny led his three subordinates out of the passage, seeing the other two still frozen there. He directly slapped them awake.

Aurn adjusted his black cowboy hat, knocked askew by the boss, finally reacting as he fled together with Veg and Johnny's group.

Hidden at the side, Nolan also felt waves of dread. The ground tremors intensified continuously. If they didn't escape now, this place would also get shredded by the Ruin Guards soon.

(End of Chapter)

To be continued...

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