Chapter 596: Dino Golems
The Sky Seed Depravitas and the rest of Janus and Agamenon’s team marched at full speed through the abandoned streets, heading toward the next ring of the city. None of them dared to fly, unsure of what kind of restrictions might be in place. Given that the defensive systems had thus far not targeted them—thanks to their entrance through the main gates—they were considered mere "visitors" for now. Any act that would require special authorization could trigger the city’s security measures, turning the entire ancient fortress into a deathtrap.
Besides, running at full speed was not a problem for these elite warriors. Their physical prowess and magical enhancements allowed them to move at thousands of kilometers per hour.
As they advanced, Vlad found his attention caught by the strange buildings they passed. He noticed signs, plaques, and inscriptions engraved on walls and broken pillars, all written in a language he could not yet interpret. It was presumably the original tongue of the Land of the Three Calamities’ inhabitants. Under normal circumstances, Vlad might have used his soul force and mental abilities to decipher the script manually, but he simply did not have time to spare.
Fortunately, his A.I. Chip constantly scanned these inscriptions, analyzing each character and symbol. Bit by bit, the ancient language was deciphered and uploaded into his mind. The other three Sky Seed Depravitas were doing the same. If they could interpret the signs, they might avoid accidental triggers or dangerous ambushes deeper into the city.
Thanks to their speed and unwavering resolve, the group soon arrived at a massive gate leading into the ancient metropolis’s inner ring. At first glance, they could see this gate was even more imposing than the previous one.
Once again, the engraved figure of a humanoid dinosaur dominated the door’s surface. This particular carving looked significantly more intimidating, with thick horns and rippling musculature. Even Janus, who had seen countless wonders, paused to take a steadying breath. The faint aura emanating from the carving suggested it belonged to an immensely powerful creature whose presence still lingered in the very stone despite the passage of time.
However, neither the teams nor the Sky Seed Depravitas allowed these imposing images to distract them for long. They refocused on the task at hand, and both Vlad and Tyron moved forward.
An intricate network of runic lines emerged when they channeled their energies into the metallic surface. Vlad and Tyron’s expressions grew solemn—they immediately realized that this formation was nearly three times more complex than the one on the outer gates. They exchanged determined nods and set to work, weaving their energy into each curve and sigil of the formation.
For several intense minutes, the rest of the team could only watch in silence as the two Runic Masters concentrated. Occasional furrowed brows and worried glances were directed back at the outer ring, where everyone feared that Valeria, Scipius, and Cato might catch up at any moment.
The advantage Janus and Agamenon’s group currently held was not insurmountable, and since Vlad and Tyron had weakened the runic formation on the outer gate when they opened it, it would not be difficult for Valeria’s group to push through.
Although fully absorbed in their delicate task, Vlad and Tyron noticed the apprehension in their allies’ expressions. They responded only with cold, knowing smiles as they continued unraveling the complex runic arrays.
Meanwhile, outside the city’s outer walls...