Crimson Overlord
Chapter 402: Conquering Another Ruin 2

Chapter 402: Conquering Another Ruin 2

The morning air was crisp, carrying the scent of damp earth and distant ocean waves as Orpheus and Luna made their way toward the third ruin. The landscape shifted from dense forests to jagged cliffs, where the sea crashed violently against the rocks below. Unlike the previous ruins, this one was perched atop a desolate plateau, its ancient stonework half-swallowed by nature’s slow reclamation.

Luna tightened her grip on the new dagger she had acquired from the second ruin. Its presence at her waist was reassuring, a reminder of her progress. She glanced at Orpheus, who walked beside her with his usual unreadable expression.

"So," she began, "what’s different about this one?"

Orpheus didn’t answer immediately. His gaze remained fixed on the ruin ahead, his sharp eyes scanning the structure with silent calculation.

"This trial," he finally said, "is not about strength. Not entirely."

Luna frowned. "Then what?"

He stopped, turning to face her fully.

"Survival."

A chill ran down her spine—not from fear, but from the weight of his words. She had fought powerful guardians, pushed her limits, but survival was a different kind of test.

She nodded. "Alright. Let’s do this."

The entrance was hidden beneath a crumbled archway, vines creeping over the ancient stone. Luna stepped forward, the air shifting the moment she crossed the threshold. It was subtle—an unnatural stillness, as if the ruin itself had been waiting for her.

Orpheus remained outside, arms crossed.

"This trial is yours alone. I will watch from afar."

Luna took a deep breath, stepping further inside. The walls were lined with faded carvings, depicting scenes of warriors wandering through endless mazes, their expressions twisted in agony or triumph.

A single path stretched ahead, dark and foreboding. With a final glance back at Orpheus—who merely nodded—Luna pressed forward.

As she walked, the corridor behind her crumbled, sealing her inside. She tensed but didn’t panic. This wasn’t the first time something like this had happened.

Stay calm. Think.

The corridor opened into a vast underground chamber. Moonlight streamed in through a collapsed ceiling, illuminating jagged platforms suspended over an abyss. A single stone bridge led forward, but Luna could already tell it wouldn’t be that easy.

Sure enough, as she stepped onto the first section, the ground beneath her feet trembled.

Here we go...

The moment she advanced, the ruin reacted. The stone bridge cracked apart, forcing her to leap onto a moving platform. As soon as she landed, another section detached, swinging wildly.

Luna gritted her teeth. This wasn’t just about agility—it was about timing.

She jumped, twisted in midair, barely catching the edge of another crumbling ledge. Her fingers scraped against the rough stone as she pulled herself up. No time to rest. The entire ruin was shifting, moving like a living beast trying to shake her off.

Somewhere in the distance, she heard a low rumbling. Something’s coming.

She sprinted forward, the path collapsing behind her. At the far end of the chamber stood a towering statue of a warrior, its stone eyes glowing with eerie blue light.

Of course there’s a guardian.

The moment she reached solid ground, the statue moved.

Luna barely dodged as its colossal arm swung down, shattering the floor where she had just stood.

Unlike the previous guardians, this one wasn’t made of flesh or magic—it was raw stone, near-indestructible. She wouldn’t be able to overpower it.

Survival. Orpheus said survival.

Which meant... she didn’t need to fight.

She needed to outlast.

Dodging another crushing blow, Luna scanned the chamber. There had to be an exit, a mechanism—something. Then she saw it. A circular emblem carved into the far wall, half-hidden behind debris.

She sprinted toward it, ducking and weaving as the guardian tried to strike her down. Her heartbeat pounded in her ears. The statue lunged—

Now!

Luna dove at the last second, sliding beneath its legs and reaching the emblem. With both hands, she pressed against it, channeling every ounce of energy she had.

The chamber shuddered. The guardian froze. Then, slowly, it began to disintegrate, breaking apart as ancient magic unraveled.

Luna collapsed onto her knees, panting.

She had done it.

The ruin trembled one last time before a new path opened, leading her toward the exit. When she stepped out into the open air, the cool night breeze washed over her like a blessing.

Orpheus stood nearby, waiting.

Luna exhaled sharply, walking toward him. "I survived."

He studied her for a long moment before nodding. "You did."

A slow grin spread across her face. "So... I earned praise, right?"

Orpheus smirked. "You did well."

Luna beamed.

They made their way back to camp in comfortable silence.

The night was calm, the air thick with the scent of charred meat and sizzling spices as Orpheus and Luna prepared their evening meal. The flames of the open fire crackled, casting flickering shadows against the ancient stone ruins surrounding them. Above, the sky stretched vast and endless, painted with a sea of stars.

Luna sat cross-legged on a smooth rock, tending to the skewers of meat and vegetables over the grill. The juices dripped onto the flames, sending up small wisps of fragrant smoke. Beside her, Orpheus leaned back on one elbow, watching her work with an amused expression.

"You’re getting better at this," he commented.

Luna grinned, flipping a skewer with practiced ease. "Survival, remember? That includes making sure I don’t starve."

Orpheus smirked. "Fair enough."

The meal consisted of thick, marinated cuts of beef and lamb, skewered alongside crisp bell peppers, onions, and mushrooms. Luna had even managed to find some wild herbs earlier, which she crushed between her fingers and sprinkled over the food, adding an aromatic depth to the flavor.

As the meat finished cooking, Luna plated their portions onto wooden trays, handing one to Orpheus. She eagerly took a bite, her eyes lighting up as the smoky, spiced flavors melted on her tongue.

"Mmm! I might be a genius," she declared.

Orpheus took a bite as well, chewing thoughtfully before nodding. "Not bad."

"Not bad?" Luna scoffed. "That’s the best compliment you can manage?"

Orpheus chuckled, setting his tray down.

"Fine. It’s good."

Luna smirked in triumph. "Better."

The two ate in companionable silence, enjoying the warmth of the fire and the cool night breeze. After finishing, Luna leaned back, stretching her arms above her head. Her body ached from the day’s challenges, but it was the satisfying kind of exhaustion—the kind that came with progress.

Orpheus reached for the flask beside him, pouring a rich, deep-colored wine into two small cups. He handed one to Luna.

"A toast?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

Orpheus nodded. "To survival."

Luna clinked her cup against his. "To survival."

They drank, the wine warming her from the inside. She glanced at Orpheus, watching the way the firelight reflected in his sharp eyes. For a moment, the night felt perfect—just the two of them, the quiet wilderness, and the promise of another adventure ahead.

Eventually, the fire dwindled, leaving only glowing embers. Luna yawned, stretching her legs out before lying down on her back, staring up at the sky.

"I’m going to sleep right here," she murmured, voice laced with contentment.

Orpheus stood, shaking his head. "You’ll regret that when you wake up sore."

Luna hummed, closing her eyes. "Maybe. But right now, this is perfect."

He didn’t argue, merely watching her for a moment before sitting beside her, his gaze turning toward the stars. The journey wasn’t over yet—there were still more ruins to conquer, more battles to fight—but for now, they could rest.

Tomorrow, the adventure would continue.