Rebecca and Vanessa’s earlier optimism had been tempered by the grim reality of the situation. The group had hoped to find some clues, some indication of what had transpired here, but the empty landscape offered no answers. Terry’s doubt regarding retracing their steps was well-founded; it was unlikely that they would stumble upon new evidence that had eluded their initial search.

"What should we do?" Gustavo asked. "This is your operation, and this is the life of your friends we are talking about. You want to be responsible for the outcomes of this job, no matter what, right?"

"We will head to the portal, I suggest you two to return and leave this to us, we have extra protection thanks to the armor, after all," Terry declared.

"If you are confident about this, then I am confident that we won’t be in danger, even though we avoided this place until now," Gustavo said and then smiled. "Besides, this is a good chance to learn how powerful you are with the armor and how it works."

Gustavo’s sincerity was palpable as he began to share his thoughts on the situation. It was clear that he wanted to be transparent and contribute to the effort in a way that mirrored Terry’s straightforward approach. While his intentions were likely well-meaning, the earnestness with which he spoke left Terry, Rebecca, and Vanessa feeling somewhat unsettled.

It struck Terry that this might be a taste of how others often perceived him. The bluntness and directness that had become Terry’s trademark were now mirrored back at him through Gustavo’s words. It was an interesting realization, one that caused Terry to reflect on the dynamics of communication and how his own mannerisms might come across to those around him.

Rebecca and Vanessa exchanged knowing glances, their expressions conveying a mix of amusement and understanding. They had undoubtedly become accustomed to Terry’s straightforward nature, and now, hearing Gustavo echo a similar sentiment, they found themselves on the other side of the equation.

"... In that case, you guys can use this for a short while. It should help you a bit," Terry said and then passed the Lightning Blade and the Fiery Staff to those two. "Don’t break it."

Lightning Blade Lv 15 (0/150 EXP) (Uncommon)

Attack: 75

Attack Speed Speed: 150%

Durability: 150/150

Static Blade: causes ten extra points of damage upon contact and decreases the Enemy’s defense by ten percent for ten seconds.

Electric Revenge: after using the sword for a minute, you can charge energy and unleash it to paralyze all enemies in a five meters radius.

Attack Power Up: increases attack Power by fifteen percent.

Critical Rate Up: increases chances of causing critical damage by ten percent.

Fiery Staff Lv 24 (30/240) (Magic)

Magic Power: 144 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

Durability: 72/72

Fire Damage: + 24%

Fire Damage Up: increases fire damage when using it against enemies of the opposite element.

Rebecca and Vanessa looked just as surprised as Gustavo and Fernanda. Terry’s offer to lend them equipment was unexpected and had its risks, but it was also a quicker way to figure things out. If the newcomers were up to something shady, the gear might push them to show their true colors sooner. If they were genuine about wanting to work together, the equipment could help solidify their alliance.

Terry seemed to be playing a smart game here. He wanted to see how Gustavo’s group would react to the offer. If they grabbed the gear and tried to use it for their own gain, it could be a sign of bad intentions. But if they showed gratitude and willingness to team up, it might be a sign of sincerity.

It was like a test, a way to push things forward and get a clearer picture of who these people really were. Terry was being strategic, showing his skill at handling tricky situations. The equipment was like a symbol of cooperation or trouble, and the ball was in Gustavo’s court now. The tension in the chilly air was thick, with everyone waiting to see what choice would be made and how it would shape the unfolding events.

"Well, thank you..." Gustavo said while frowning.

"Let’s get going," Terry declared.

The group began to cross the portal while keeping their guard up since they didn’t know what they would find, but they could only imagine that it would be the worst kind since they knew nothing of them and they were good at hiding

As they stepped through the portal, the group found themselves in the heart of a desolate landscape, surrounded by ancient ruins. The wind whispered through the remains, stirring up small eddies of dust that danced in the air. The scene was eerie, a ghostly reminder of times long past.

The ruins sprawled around them, their stone structures crumbling and weathered by time. The air was heavy with silence, broken only by the faint rustling of debris carried by the breeze. Despite their heightened senses and cautious demeanor, there was no immediate sign of any presence in the vicinity.

Terry, Rebecca, Vanessa, Gustavo, and Fernanda stood in the midst of this abandoned world, uncertainty in their gazes. The ruins held their secrets, and the group was left to wonder what awaited them in this mysterious and forgotten place. The tension was palpable, a feeling that something significant was about to unfold, yet shrouded in the enigma of their surroundings.

"... Did you only feel the presence that the guild masters left Before?" Terry asked.

"Yeah, why?" Vanessa asked.

"Then don’t trust your senses here... the enemies are creatures that can exist without leaving traces behind, they could be watching us right now," Terry replied.

The group exchanged perplexed glances, their collective curiosity deepening as they scanned the ancient ruins that surrounded them. The sheer absence of any tangible evidence of life or activity was unsettling. How could creatures exist in this place without leaving behind traces, whether physical or magical? It defied logic, challenging their understanding of the world they knew.