The thunderous roar echoed in the air for a long time before gradually subsiding, and the light slowly faded.
"That's the Magical Aura of a Magical Treasure!
And not just any Magical Treasure, but the Magical Aura of a Legendary Treasure!"
This was different from the Magical Aura that Roy had just seen through his newly acquired Origin Talent, the Eye of Hermes.
This was an external manifestation, a state of activation that everyone could see.
Everyone else had seen it too.
Roy's expression turned serious, and he quickly urged his horse to speed up, heading back.
At the campsite, many people had already gathered, discussing and speculating.
"That's to the east. Someone might have unearthed a Legendary Treasure, or even a Divine Artifact!"
"Exactly! Only a treasure of that level could unleash such an exaggerated Magical Aura!"
"If only we knew what it was! Unfortunately, we're just apprentices and have no way of finding out!"
"Sigh, even if we knew, what could we do? It's too late now. Some lucky person has probably already picked it up!"
"What do you mean?"
"Think about it. Everything was calm before. Why would there suddenly be a burst of light shooting into the sky? It must have been because something was unearthed!
The situation in Chalkland has mostly settled down. Only outsiders would be digging around like this!"
"Hmm... that makes sense!"
Opinions varied, and the discussions continued.
Even Roy, who usually avoided gossip and crowds, couldn't help but inquire further.
As he turned around, he saw Olen, Balu, Melina, and others approaching.
"Those people's speculations aren't entirely unfounded. Someone might have indeed stumbled upon a Legendary Treasure, or even a Divine Artifact!"
"And it's to the east! If only we had gone there to investigate right away!"
"It's not too late now. Let's go and take a look!"
Fate is unpredictable, and under the favor of the Goddess of Luck, anyone could seize such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!
Even though they knew someone might have already beaten them to it, the group quickly set off, eager to investigate.
The atmosphere on the road was tense.
Olen and the others seemed deep in thought, though it was unclear what they were pondering.
Roy didn't ask, but he could sense a hint of murderous intent in their eyes and expressions.
"It seems these people are ready to fight for it..."
Roy pondered.
When the time came, how should he handle himself?
Whether others had Legendary Treasures or not, he had one lying in his Spatial Ring!
...
More than two hours later.
The group arrived at the location where the light pillar had been seen earlier. As expected, there was nothing around.
Whoever had obtained the treasure wasn't foolish enough to stay put and wait for others to find them.
With such a commotion, anyone with half a brain would have fled immediately.
However, this also indicated that the person hadn't fully mastered the treasure they had acquired.
Such items, whether combat-oriented or not, were likely bound.
Only over time, by cracking or resetting the original owner's commands, could they be used.
"Regardless, we must find that treasure!"
Olen snorted, voicing the group's collective thought.
"Let me give it a try. My dog is an excellent tracker."
Melina urged her large Hellhound forward.
It lowered its head to sniff the ground and quickly darted off in one direction.
The group hurriedly followed.
Soon after, they arrived at another location within the Faded Desert and suddenly discovered traces of a battle.
"There might be a team nearby. Let's go and check it out."
"This is troublesome. The traces have become chaotic."
Melina's expression also turned somewhat grim, but she didn't say much. Instead, she silently chanted an incantation, and a glow emanated from her hands.
Moments later, three-dimensional projections of 24 Willpower Runes appeared.
The projections formed rings of light around her arms, which then transformed into a floating Wizard Array and descended to the ground.
Several Void Rifts opened, and ferocious Hellhounds emerged from within.
"Keep chasing!"
...
After some effort, Melina managed to re-lock onto the target's trail, confirming that the person suspected of holding the treasure was ahead.
But just then, a hazy blood mist blocked their path.
The expressions of everyone in the group turned grim.
"They actually fled here!"
"Hmph, the Flesh Swamp…"
"What a clever idea!"
Ahead of them lay a vast, muddy swamp formed entirely of flesh.
This direction was the only path leading to the core area of Chalkland, a place they, as apprentices, were currently unable to explore or traverse.
"Could it be that the treasure the person possesses allows them to pass through here?
If that's the case, then it's basically impossible to catch up."
Roy wasn't particularly enthusiastic about competing for the treasure and just wanted to coast along.
If it weren't for the fear of appearing too suspicious, he would have already left Chalkland to make use of his current gains and hide away to develop.
He felt that the main reason he had come along was simply to fit in.
Looking at the people around him, each one was filled with killing intent and a thirst for battle.
If they were to encounter the treasure, it would immediately devolve into a chaotic, indiscriminate slaughter.
When that time came, he'd prioritize saving his own life.
"There seems to be someone over there!"
Suddenly, Roy's thoughts were interrupted.
Following Balu's alert, he looked ahead.
A person lay on their back beside a Blood Pool, their body torn apart as if by the claws of a beast, almost disemboweled.
"It's Tigro!"
Roy recognized him, his face showing shock.
This intermediate apprentice, who had joined the team midway, now lay here, brutally slain.
"Do you know this person?"
Balu and the others didn't have a strong impression of him and were more concerned about why he had died here.
"Yes, I know him."
This was something that could easily be found out with a little investigation, so Roy didn't plan to hide it.
"It seems he was suddenly attacked, not by a blade or sword, but by some kind of beast or Wizard Body.
His belongings are still here, but it doesn't look like there are many Magic Stones."
"The footprints here are very messy. There should have been a few other people at the time."
Melina personally inspected the traces and analyzed them briefly.
Roy's expression turned grave as he followed them further ahead, only to discover more bodies.
This time, it was Tang En and Zola!
They bore the same wounds, but there were no signs of beast activity around them.
"What exactly happened? Could it be that they were the ones who obtained that Legendary Treasure!"
Out of the five in the team, three were already dead! Only Renien and Andov remained, their fates unknown and whereabouts unclear!
Roy was inwardly startled, but given the gravity of the situation and the fierce demeanor of those around him, he could only keep it to himself and continue searching in silence.
You two, don't end up killing each other!
(End of Chapter)