I Became a Ruined Character in a Dark Fantasy-Chapter 387

"It's unexpected." Lucia suddenly murmured just as the ashen mist crept in and thickened.

"What is?" Ian, walking alongside her, asked.

Diana, who was leading the way, slowed her pace and glanced back.

Lucia continued. "I thought we'd be ambushed at least once. It has been surprisingly peaceful."

So that's what she wanted to say.

Ian let out a low chuckle as he shifted his gaze to their surroundings. Through the thickening mist, an endless wasteland stretched out before them.

The dark sky above shimmered with hues of indigo and violet, like an oily sheen rippling across its surface. Withered yet stubbornly living trees of the demonic realm and scattered rocks of all sizes dotted the cracked and brittle ground.

The scenery remained the same as it had been when they departed their campsite.

"Well—" Ian's gaze finally rested on the fairy scout crouched low, watching them. "It seems the guide has been doing her job well."

Diana's eyes widened briefly as if caught off guard. It wasn't an empty compliment. She had walked without hesitation, as though following a path only she could see.

"Well, of course." Despite the arrogance in her tone, she couldn't suppress the smile tugging at her lips as she replied. "A skilled scout like me doesn't let pointless fights happen."

So much for humility.

Ian snorted softly before glancing back at Lucia, adding, "Although, it's strange that there have been almost no signs of life."

Diana's smile faltered. As if adjusting a mask, she habitually touched her face before speaking. "The beasts in this region aren't as noisy as those living in the outer forests. Honestly, the loud ones don't survive long out here. The longer they live, the more stealthy and cautious they become."

No matter how discreet, they wouldn't be able to fool Yog.

Even as he thought this, Ian nodded calmly. Yog had spent the entire day grumbling about being bored and restless. The creature might have noticed something but decided not to share. After all, unless Ian's life was directly in danger, Yog wasn't exactly diligent in fulfilling its role.

"Besides, we're almost there anyway, so there's no need to worry," Diana added, glancing back at the mist-covered path behind them. "Just a little farther, and we'll reach the domain of the rift. This is the largest rift in the region. It'll be rougher than last time. So clear your mind of distractions."

"I've also cleared my stomach," Lucia murmured as if sighing.

Ian shrugged. "I'm ready too."

As Lucia stepped forward, eager to get things over with, Diana glanced between her and Ian before speaking. "Don't forget the precautions."

While Ian nodded, Diana turned and resumed walking. Watching the backs of Diana and Lucia, Ian also moved forward.

The mist at the edges of his vision thickened in an instant, distorting and warping slightly as if bending reality itself.

There's definitely a difference in scale here, Ian thought, feeling a chilling warning run down his spine. His Intuition was practically screaming at him. Narrowing his eyes, he focused.

The swirling mist and the chaotic flow of magic within it grew vividly clear to him. It felt as though he was stepping into the heart of a colossal tornado.

—Finally, things are getting interesting.

Yog whispered with a giggle.

Ian only furrowed his brow and ignored it. He was in no state to entertain the creature's nonsense.

A low rumble, followed by a resonating vibration, spread through his entire body. It felt like pushing through a strong current. The sensation of the ground rippling beneath him threw off his sense of direction and balance.

—Yes. This is definitely more entertaining. And far more dangerous.

Yet Ian regained his composure faster than before. Even while keeping his gaze fixed on the backs of Lucia and Diana, the stormy threads of magic surrounding them became increasingly vivid to him. The sensation of the ground's undulations grew sharper, oddly making it easier for him to adjust.

I guess it's not just me who feels this way.

Ian watched Lucia's figure ahead of him, noticing she staggered less than she had the day before. The dizzying sensation of the world spinning around him also seemed slightly weaker today. Perhaps their adaptability was exceptional—though that didn't change the fact that the situation was dangerous.

The thickly interwoven chaos within the magical flow pressed against their entire beings, constantly disrupting their senses. Without focusing on the flow of magic, they could easily lose their sense of direction and veer off course without realizing it.

No matter how many times I do this, it never feels worth it.

Coming to the same conclusion yet again, Ian pressed on silently, focusing on both Diana's back and the currents of magic around him.

"What is—" Diana's voice broke his concentration. The words, slightly slurred and muffled, sounded as if whispered directly into his ear—a distortion caused by the warped environment.

Ian immediately realized why she had said that.

Whoosh.

Ahead, the swirling mist, spreading like spilled paint, showed a vivid turquoise hue. A rattling sound, like bones colliding, echoed unnervingly, its volume fluctuating unpredictably, making it impossible to gauge the distance.

"Wander... ers...? How... is this... possible?" Diana muttered in shock, her voice trembling.

At that moment, a quest window materialized in front of Ian's eyes.

[Trap of the Rift Zone.]

A trap?

His already furrowed brows knitted further, but there was no time to review the quest details. The teal light dimmed into a hazy shimmer, while the rattling grew louder, moving closer.

Ian quickly closed the quest window.

"This can't be," Diana, now completely still, muttered in disbelief. She fixed her gaze on the approaching turquoise wave, which was now becoming clearer at an alarming speed.

Moments later, part of the shimmering glow like will-o'-the-wisp surged upward, only to plunge down again. The trajectory became sharper and more distinct as it descended.

What the hell?

It was a sight intense enough to send Ian's tension and focus skyrocketing to their peak. His nerves tingled, sharpening his instincts, and his distorted senses forced themselves back into alignment.

His head felt as though it were heating, his thoughts blazing like a forge.

—It doesn't seem like the time to just stand there watching, friend.

I know.

Cursing inwardly, Ian reached into his pocket dimension. Fortunately, it opened as he willed.

The cool sensation of the weapon's handle filled his grasp. Clutching it tightly, Ian twisted his body with a heavy movement and surged forward.

Whoosh—

The black blade that emerged in his hand shimmered faintly with violet haze as it caught the dim light. Ian sprinted past Lucia and Diana, eyes locking onto the meteoric figures plummeting toward them.

Skeletons, stripped bare to the bone yet charging like wild beasts, filled his vision. Their forms resembled monstrous creatures' skeletal structures, with turquoise light pouring from every hole in their skulls and the claws extending from their bony hands.

Thud—Crack!

As Ian locked his gaze on the skeletal creature plummeting like a missile with its bony limbs spread wide, he launched himself off the ground with all his strength. Even under the crushing pressure of the surging magic, his body cut through the resistance like a blade slicing through water.

Crunch.

A saw-like streak of violet slashed diagonally across the charging skeleton. Its darkened bones shattered into fragments, and its skull, caught in the arc's edge, burst apart with a teal glow, scattering in all directions.

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Fragments of bone, dislodged in mid-air, came raining down toward Ian. He raised his right arm to shield his face.

The impact of the shards sent him crashing back to the ground, where he rolled across the rough terrain. He barely felt any pain—just a dull thud and a momentary dizziness that blurred his vision.

Fuck.

Ian cursed as he staggered back to his feet. Though his disjointed senses had adjusted somewhat, they were far from perfect. He felt sluggish, as if water submerged his body, every motion dragging against an unseen current.

Crash, shatter—

The only relief was the poor aim of the falling skeletons. The one Ian had sliced apart had been the only one directly targeting their group. Others landed like a meteor shower, smashing to pieces upon impact behind or to the sides of their position.

But, of course, those weren't all.

Rattle, clatter.

The sound of bones echoed as several still approached, charging forward.

Ian clenched his left fist, and golden light flared from the back of his hand. It quickly formed into a hexagonal shape, glowing brightly.

Boom!

A skeleton burst through the mist almost simultaneously, lunging with outstretched arms. This one had a human form, its jawbone agape as teal magic poured out like smoke. Its claws glowed as if ignited by teal flames.

Slash—Crack!

A sweeping violet arc cleaved through the lunging skeleton's claws and skull in a single motion. The creature exploded into countless fragments mid-charge, scattering in all directions.

Raising the Platinum Barrier in front of his face, Ian glanced over his shoulder.

"What are you doing? Keep moving!"

He had only passed a few steps beyond them, but the mist almost entirely obscured Diana, far behind him.

Diana stood frozen, staring at Ian and his golden shield with a dazed expression. A startled blink broke her daze, but Ian had no time to ensure she resumed walking.

Crash!

Another skeleton lunged at him. Ian swung his left arm sharply, the Platinum Barrier colliding with the skeleton's forearm. Its extended limbs snapped and fell away, revealing a skull lined with jagged, sparse teeth. Judging by the frame, it seemed to be the remains of a mutated goblin.

Ian caught sight of yet another skeleton charging at him from the side. He pivoted, channeling his momentum into a powerful thrust of his black sword.

Crack!

The violet arc tore through the approaching skeleton, then ripped through the goblin's exposed skull. The teal light within them flickered and dimmed as their shattered remains scattered to the ground.

"What... is this? How could... the Wanderers?" Diana's trembling voice carried from just behind him.

Reflexively, Ian stepped aside and turned to look.

Diana was now right behind him, her gaze locked on the collapsing pile of bones. Her wide eyes reflected a storm of shock and fear.

Confirming that Lucia was still following behind, Ian finally spoke. "They're just a few minions."

Unlike Diana's slower, hesitant tone, Ian's words were sharp and precise. "Save your thoughts for later. Focus on getting out of here safely. Do your job."

Diana, wide-eyed, instinctively nodded, though she seemed startled by his abrupt command. At the same time, Lucia's strained voice interrupted.

"Alone... it's too dangerous... Together!"

Ian turned to look at her, his brow furrowing deeply. He could see crimson magic swirling wildly in Lucia's eyes.

"Stop, Lucy. Using magic here is—"

But it was too late. Lucia had already unleashed her magic, only for it to dissipate immediately, swept away like sand in a storm.

"Wha—" A gasp escaped her as she staggered, the glow in her eyes extinguishing in an instant.

It was a case of magic backflow—an expected outcome in this place. With corrupted magic raging uncontrollably in the area, only the high-density power, like those of a dragon, chaos energy, or divine force, could avoid being swept away or turned against its user.

Lowering the Platinum Barrier, Ian moved swiftly to catch the collapsing Lucia in his arms. His gaze shifted back to Diana.

"Take Lucy and keep moving. If she falls behind, you'll be the one paying for it."

There was no time for subtle persuasion. Diana, realizing he was serious, exhaled sharply and turned with a creak of her armor. She grabbed Lucia with both arms and lifted her.

"Alone is dangerous—"

"Leaving them unchecked is just as risky."

He had already fixed his gaze on the scene behind them. The rattling sound of bones echoed, accompanied by the eerie turquoise glow spreading once again. The fallen skeletons had reassembled themselves.

"I'll fight while keeping pace. Don't worry," said Ian.

"I still don't understand... how they're moving like that..." Diana muttered in a subdued tone. "Just... don't fall... too far behind..."

"Focus on finding the way out," Ian snapped.

Diana briefly glanced at the black sword Ian gripped, then steadied her breath and shifted her focus forward. She glared into the swirling mist as if trying to pierce through it.

Then Diana moved again. Ian, following her with slow, deliberate backward steps, fixed his eyes on the increasingly vivid turquoise lights ahead. Even with his heightened focus and sharpened instincts, Ian's sensory range was severely limited. Beyond the immediate presence of Diana behind him, he couldn't sense much else.

Clatter, clatter.

In stark contrast, the undead seemed almost unaffected by the rift's influence, likely because they were puppets animated by magic. The reason the spells driving those creatures didn't dissipate, even in this environment, was likely because their animating force was chaos energy.

As Ian raised his reformed Platinum Barrier to cover his face, Yog's whisper crept into his mind.

—Looks like some of them cracked their heads when they fell. Fewer now. Three... no, four left, maybe?

Yog whispered, but Ian, retreating slowly backward, found entirely different thoughts crossing his mind.

Was this quest about escaping the rift rather than fighting?

They were merely slightly stronger undead, but with the multitude of status ailments weighing him down, they were as dangerous as named monsters. He couldn't use magic here either. Of course, there was no time to review the quest details or urge Diana to move faster.

Crash!

Two massive skeletons, each towering around two meters, burst through the mist, charging at him. Between their outstretched claws, teal energy flared menacingly.

At nearly the same moment, Ian's black sword, still radiating violet haze, slashed forward instinctively.

Slash—Crunch!

The diagonal arc swept through both skeletons, shattering their ribs and spines. One collapsed in a heap, its head bursting with a teal glow upon hitting the ground.

Crack! Smash!

Even as Ian stomped over the crumbling pile of bones, another skeleton lunged forward. He barely stopped its descending arm with a raised right arm, gritting his teeth as he swung his weapon outward with all his strength.

His dulled senses allowed only basic attacks, but the undead were equally straightforward in their movements.

Slash!

The skeleton's extended arm and ribs tore apart, sending fragments flying. Ian's shield drove into its collapsing skull, shattering it into pieces with a hollow crack. As the bones fell, teal smoke flickered and dissipated.

—It seems like these things aren't trying to kill you. They're trying to capture you alive, just barely keeping you that way.

Hearing the whisper, Ian raised his right foot instinctively. A half-skeleton had crawled dangerously close, dragging itself across the ground with its arms. Its hand swung toward his ankle just as Ian noticed it. Had it been smaller, he might not have noticed in time.

Crunch!

His foot came down, crushing the skull like a gourd. Bits of bone scattered as teal smoke burst and dissipated into the air.

Not that these skeletons were weak—they broke easily because Ian couldn't control his strength. Every attack landed with full force. Even his stomp left a deep crater in the ground. As a result, every motion was exaggerated and draining.

—Look up. Right now.

At Yog's urgent whisper, Ian barely steadied himself and lifted his gaze forward.

However, it was already too late. A skeleton had hurled itself toward him, its turquoise magic blazing fiercely in its extended claws as it closed the distance in a flash.