While Zen officially enters the city council to the secret tunnel, everyone else is in panic as magical beasts continue to overwhelm the town from Westside.

"Just how did we lose the Westside when the magical beast's riot has barely started. I want an explanation." City Lord Jason Flare yelled at the army in charge of the Westside.

"Reporting to the city lord, we were defending really well b-but Commander Gerald suddenly detoured our path and went somewhere else, causing our number to decrease drastically. We have no choice but to retreat." The army leader slowly said.

"COMMANDER GERALD!"

Jason suddenly exclaimed loudly, different from his usual demeanor. It wasn't his fault to lose his cool.

He has purposely made preparation on him but to think he could still succeed only means one thing.

His subordinate has most likely been killed by the force behind Gerald because there's no way he could detour the army path without his authority.

For Gerald to be able to detour their path only shows that his influence is higher than him and the town could be infiltrated already.

"Sigh, the town is now doomed for sure. Order for retreat and we shall head to the Swift Feather Kingdom. I dare them to refuse entry with my presence there otherwise they can face my family wrath."

Jason Flare said while gritting his teeth. His family was influential and he was appointed City Lord in this town way back then due to the Patriarch's order to investigate.

The investigation was something related to the secret tunnel here but he has found zero clues no matter how hard he searched.

He can't have anyone else doing this task either because it's confidential information and the mysterious item that is hidden inside could change this world.

The Patriarch discovered the secret tunnel when he was visiting the town for fun and it was inconvenient for him to investigate personally.

If he did that, it was basically informing the other families that there is something valuable inside that could attract his attention.

Jason Flare shakes his head at all these jumbo-up messes. Not thinking any further, he instructs others to hurry up with the retreat and sound the bell.

*Ding* *Ding* *Ding*

"The retreat bell has been sound, everyone retreat while covering each other. Remember, don't think about leaving your comrade behind because one left will have more black fog appearing in the air."

"Hurry up and retreat in a coordinated fashion back in practice."

Once the retreat bell sounded throughout the town, many adventurers, mercenaries, and armies began retreating while covering for each other back.

The casualties were high in this short fight with many fallen people turning into black fog which starts to pollute the air.

Seeing the clear blue sky is covered by black fog, everyone knows the town is finished and they're powerless to change this outcome.

They have hoped some white knight in shining armor to come and rescue them but it is only a pipe dream.

Who would be a fool to rescue a bunch of nobodies without any background? If the position was reversed, they wouldn't even bother with this town.

Reality is harsh and they don't even know who can escape this calamity. They have done their duty so no one would revoke their rank.

The army was different as they eat and earn money directly from the city council so they're obligated to defend the town until further notice.

Now that the retreat bell was sounded, everyone is allowed to back off and go to the neighboring kingdom for shelter.

================

While everyone is struggling, Zen is struggling too because Cecilia's sense of direction was ridiculous.

"This is the 7th time that we walked into a dead-end, Cecilia. Can you really sense the item in here or you're just guessing the direction?"

"Just shut up. It was simply a mistake and it's my first time here. Of course, I would need some time and one more complaint then you'll get to taste my essence flame."

Despite being the righteous one, Zen was ashen and shut his mouth instantly. The essence flame was truly a terrifying ability and he is jealous.

'Sigh, I really want to have them so I can become an alchemist. Concocting pills that have multiple effects is so damn cool.'

After many more dead ends but this time, Zen said nothing and continued to look for another path. The secret tunnel was like a complete maze and there was a hidden mechanism too.

However, there was one thing Zen is certain, the area has not been explored because there was no sign of footprint.

Considering the ground type, footstep would be left behind if someone was here before but there was nothing.

Everything looks uniform and there are even cobwebs and dust everywhere. It seems disgusting to even step foot here but for that mysterious item, it's all worth it.

Another 10 minutes go by and Cecilia finally feels a strong sense of familiarity.

"I can feel the aura coming in the Northside of us. Hurry up, I can also detect those dogs are finding the same thing as us now."

"Tch, so cliche for those dogs to be able to catch up with us despite the head start we got," Zen said as he increases his movement to the Northside.

Running for about 15km, there was a huge stone door in front and many weird symbols were carved in it.

"Yes, these weird symbols are exactly the same one when I explored the supreme being tomb. Those symbols should only mean that this familiarity I'm getting is from the same source."

"Then do you have any idea what these symbols stand for? Also, do you have a way to open this stone door because I don't want to die in some death trap?"

Zen is excited but cautiousness still arises as there will be no free lunch in this world. He refuses to believe the stone door would open with a simple push.

Except for this time, he was wrong because the stone door opens after a few moments.

The mysterious space in Cecilia also fluctuates and becomes unstable at that moment.

"T-This." Cecilia in the mysterious space saw this sudden change and came to a conclusion. Both her space and whatever is inside the stone door are communicating right now.

"Don't be paranoid Zen, I'm sure the item is just confirming that we have the same aura as him. The conscience is probably trying to identify us. Just walk inside slowly and make sure to stay calm."

Cecilia said in a calm voice to soothe Zen's alertness. She was doubtful of this opening too but she believed the mysterious space that saved her will not have malicious intent.