Building My SSS-Rank Universal Empire: From Trash to Cosmic Overlord-Chapter 65: A Seeker?

The explosion shook the ground and threw up a mushroom of fire that billowed upward with a thick curtain of smoke. Pieces of stone and metal scattered outward with a rippling force, reducing the surroundings to a pile of rubble.

But I and the others weren’t hurt, debris–sharp stones and metals, pinged off the red shield around us, leaving cracks behind.

Slya sighed in relief, her jaw dropping at the destruction in front of her. "I just became a Knight, and I’ve already been nearly reduced to bloody meat. That explosion would kill a Knight-ranked seven times over!"

I didn’t point out that it was likely an explosion meant for an Errant Knight. Instead, I collapsed the shield. "Let’s get out of here before the teams arrive."

The Nyxori were important after all, and I wasn’t about to answer questions about how the building was reduced to pile of ashes.

They didn’t need to be told twice as we made our way out of the place, leaving the burning building behind. At first, we walked at a speed short of running before we slowed down once we’d left it far behind.

"Now what?" Slya asked, glancing around before her gaze settled on me.

The original plan was to raid the Nyxori building for coins or valuables we might need in the second layer.

"Now we look for information," I said. The original idea was to have something of value when we got to the second layer. It wouldn’t affect the main plan of gathering as much information about the second layer and its setup as possible.

The information we gained would let us build on the real plan, to dominate the second layer and form a strong team.

The sun was still high in the sky, its glare unmuted as it shone down on us. We walked in what we hoped was the right direction, as almost every path looked the same: dry soil and short grasses.

The only interruptions were ruins—majestic and humbling. Broken and whole buildings, familiar and strange structures, all reduced to remnants of a forgotten past.

We continued walking without speaking much. The sun was more of an annoyance at our rank. We could feel its heat, but its effects on us were minimal.

Just then, we heard a vibration that shook the ground and made the air tremble. The sky darkened, and we looked up as one.

We saw a ship. The lack of large bodies of water in the Hinterlands didn’t mean we were unfamiliar with ships, which normally moved on water. But some years ago, a new wonder from the Enchanters of the Knight Assembly in the Central Lands had created ships that could fly in the air.

"And they named it flying ships. I must say, they didn’t like to trouble themselves with creative names," I thought, smiling as I watched it. It was the size of the Nyxori building, made of a mixture of wood and steel. It cut through the air with a grace unexpected from something of its size.

"That’s what they use for transporting large resources from the Borderland," a low, raspy voice said from behind us.

We flinched, retreating with weapons raised. Slya constructed a sword in her hand, crouching low and ready to leap or dodge as needed. Tiber mirrored her stance, his face set in a grim line.

I was prepared to incinerate the target the moment I saw it. It wasn’t just the voice that had alarmed us, it was the fact that someone could get that close without being noticed. It set every instinct on edge.

Only someone very powerful could cloak themselves so completely, not someone below or equal to us in rank. "Who are you?" I demanded.

It was a boy. That was my first thought, though the figure resembled a teenager of about fifteen.

"I can tell this is your first time in the Borderland. Are you dropped-off criminals who managed to escape? Wait, did you run away? Why aren’t you in chains? Right, if you ran away, then you wouldn’t be in chains. Unless you’re newly ranked-up Knights? Nah, that’s almost impossible for the first layer. I guess some team paid you to come here? Or the Ten? That’s impressive, but why...."

I raised my brows at Slya and Tiber, silently asking, Is he alright? Is he harmless? Or just mad?

Tiber frowned and shook his head. I think he’s harmless. What can he do, talk us to death? Then he grimaced, as the boy kept rambling.

Slya finally snapped. "Enough, you brat!" she shouted, her voice infused with essence for strength.

That cut the boy off. He finally took a deep breath, looking like someone who’d run a mile. "Thank you for stopping me. I would have continued if you hadn’t, and who knows what might’ve happened then? It’s not like—"

"Stop talking," I said flatly. I sent my essence senses washing over the boy, finding nothing alarming apart from the fact that he was Knight-ranked. Still, that didn’t rule out the possibility of a trap. I extended my senses to the surroundings but detected nothing strange, though I refused to lower my guard.

The boy stopped talking and took another deep breath. Then he opened his mouth again, but Slya raised her sword threateningly. He must’ve been used to such reactions because he nodded and stayed silent.

I finally got a good look at him. Short, with a narrow face and black eyes. His brown hair had a reddish tint. "Who are you?" I asked again, quickly adding, "Answer with three words."

The boy’s mouth snapped shut, and he frowned as though asked to solve the most difficult problem in the world. "I’m Xan."

"Alright, continue."

"I’m a seeker, but no one will take me into their team because they think I’m annoying."

I kept my expression neutral. I’ve only spent minutes with you, and I already find you annoying. I don’t blame them. But more importantly, what’s a seeker?