Destroying them was even harder than the puppets and liable to bring disaster upon your head . Since they didn’t hold any valuables , most opted to simply skirt around anything that looked suspicious .
Do you have any ideas for an attack plan? - Zac asked .
Well . . . - Kruta slowly said .
What? -
I’ve just seen how sneaky you can be , - the barbarian shrugged . - I’m afraid you’ll take my ideas and run . -
Don’t worry , I’ll only ditch you when you can’t keep up any longer . - Zac winked , but the barbarian was clearly not joking around . - I’m kidding . What do you propose? -
First , let’s discuss the spoils , - Kruta said . - I get the Mana bounty , provided we manage to seize whatever item’s waiting at the end through cooperation . -
Just like that? - Zac said with a raised brow . - Do you want to duel again? -
I know you’re a bit stronger than me , but strength is not the only factor . I can commune with the Hero Souls , which will increase our success rate more than a strong arm . More importantly , I have the key to solving the Stand . -
Zac didn’t immediately answer . Not getting the bounty wasn’t a big deal , but giving up on the item itself was a problem . He needed an item to match the Calamity Core] in quality , which would definitely be a defining treasure of the battlefield .
To be clear , I just want the Mana . I have everything I need for my breakthrough , and I know you are looking for attuned treasures . We split the other spoils six parts to me , four to you . If both want a specific item , we can barter for it , - the barbarian added . - And I promise , you won’t leave disappointed if you follow me , and we survive . -
What if we get split up or are placed in a situation where we have to contend against each other? - Zac asked .
Then I still get 10% of your spoils , - the barbarian grinned . - Finder’s fee . -
You can have the Mana , but I want it if the bounty treasure has an attunement of Pure Conflict . I’ll pay 1 C-grade Nexus Coin for it , - Zac said . - As for the sixty-forty split and a finder’s fee , your ghost-talking isn’t enough . You’ll have to prove this key of yours is worth the extra loot . -
Ghost-talking? My grandma would whoop you until you sang like a canary if she heard you speak like that , - Kruta laughed . - I guess your terms are fine . Well , what do you know about Saeward? -
Except that he died , nothing , - Zac said . - The scrolls don’t mention it . -
Not died , - the barbarian whispered as he leaned closer . - Disappeared . -
What? - Zac said .
There are no mentions of Saeward dying anywhere , - Kruta explained . - In fact , Saeward’s army had the upper hand . Then , their War Array suddenly crumbled , and Saeward was gone . A few of the Hero Souls remembered the confusion , the betrayal . Even with Saeward controlling the war effort , they were barely winning . With him gone , things quickly deteriorated . -
He fled? -
Maybe , - Kruta said . - But I personally don’t think so . I think he either was ambushed or had to act quickly to stop a looming threat . -
So . - ? Zac prompted .
Well , I haven’t figured out the details yet , - Kruta shrugged . - But I think the key to solving this riddle is discovering what happened to Saeward . -
That’s not much of a key . -
Well , this is , - Kruta said as he took out a thick hide .
It was painted with black ink , depicting two raging armies locked in battle . Zac frowned as it wasn’t some ancient artifact from the battlefield . It was newly drawn , probably by Kruta himself . But suddenly , Zac felt himself get sucked into the drawing and saw how the armies and fortifications stretched out in front of him . The artistic depiction transitioned into a vast strategic overview of the whole battlefield . Additionally , the armies were moving , following patterns and strategies Zac couldn’t decipher .
I’ve studied the Stand for years : the armies , their movements . The world has become an echo of their paths and history . This understanding will help keep us safe in a world that’s about to go mad , - Kruta explained . - Well , safer , anyway . -
You’ve drawn a map of the whole thing? -
No , - Kruta said with a shake of his head . - But enough to have figured out a path to where we need to go : the command center . -
From where Saeward presumably disappeared? -
Exactly . If we’re lucky , we might not just walk away with some naturally born treasure . We might walk away with the wealth of a High-grade ancient cultivator . -
What? - Zac asked .
Think about it . Saeward disappeared , and his army was slaughtered . But why are the puppets still walking around aimlessly? Why didn’t the victors collect them? Why can you find broken Spatial Rings and Spirit Tools all over the battlefield? Saeward might have been ambushed , or he might have ambushed whoever is now returning according to the Hero Souls . It doesn’t matter .
I think both fell into some hidden spot or pocket space . Perhaps Saeward even managed to drag his enemy into his Inner World . In that case , we’re dealing with two ancient masters , their heritage and wealth untouched for eons . Since the Ruthless Heavens govern these worlds , they’ll surely have formed troves . -
What does this have to do with the surging energy in the zone? -
I can’t say for sure , - Kruta said . - But I know this . Until now , it has been impossible to reach the heart of the zone . The Hero Souls guarding the command center are extremely aggressive , and the fortifications form a death trap for E-grade cultivators . If there’s a trove , then it’s still intact . But with the surge of energy , the battlelines are being redrawn . The puppets are mounting a new attack , which might create an opening . That is the key to sneaking inside . -
Zac had to admit , he could feel the call of adventure . Unsolved mysteries , ancient troves? Not to mention , it would be hard to successfully launch an ambush on him in the depths of the Stand . With the powerful Hero Souls and puppets crawling across the place , you were liable to attract more attention than you could handle .
Or was that what the enemy was planning to use against him?
Zac shook his head . There was no way to know how things would play out . He could only remain vigilant and try to stay based on the changes on the battlefield .
How do we know your theory is correct? -
Well , there are no guarantees . But I’ve been thinking about that message , - He’s coming . ’ I think it means the hidden realm is returning to the surface . Or perhaps some seal hiding the location of Saeward’s battle is failing . It’s the trapped energy from Saeward’s fall that’s being released , causing the battlefield’s awakening . -
Well , there’s a lot of guesswork , but I think you’re onto something , - Zac said .
And no more than five people have spent as much time as me in the Stand . Of them , only I have gotten the clues from the Hero Souls , - Kruta proudly said . - And that’s why Kruta gets 60% . -
48
HERO SOULS
Fine , - Zac smiled . - You get 60% if we both reach the trove . -
Don’t forget the finder’s fee , - Kruta grinned .
Are you trying to lead me into the lion’s den before scurrying back to safety? - Zac said with a raised brow .
No , but I know my limits . I’ll do what I can , but this isn’t a war for the survival of my tribe , - Kruta said , his eyes narrowing . - But you , you have that madness in your eyes . The madness that will lead you to greatness or ruin . I’m betting on the former . That way , I’ll walk away with some goodies . -
I don’t know if I agree , but fine , - Zac snorted , looking thoughtfully at his companion .
There were no guarantees , but Zac’s instincts told him Kruta wasn’t part of the plot against him . The sense of doom hadn’t changed at all when Zac entered Kruta’s manor . If anything , it had weakened slightly after they’d reached an accord . As such , Zac felt bad about potentially dragging this man into a conspiracy .