CHAPTER 50: SANTEYOTA RUINS

"For the first problem, best bet is to find clan swords from other powerful families of the Sword Era that are still around today.

For the second problem, the fastest method is hitting up Ersbah ruins.

Use the ancient coins found in Castle of Agony to trade for spirit equipment needed for the guards’ next level-up."

Carlos constantly planned internally, various strategies racing through his mind.

New guards’ birth and Purple Thornblade Skeleton Guards’ second sublimation were extremely important stuff.

And they had to be handled before heading to the new Dark Mist region—the Desolate Desert.

Otherwise, Carlos couldn’t max out his combat power while "grinding."

Only after Purple Thornblade Skeleton Guards’ second sublimation could they roam freely in the Desolate Desert—monsters there were way stronger than the Withered Lands, and first sublimation wasn’t bulletproof.

Burying future plans in his head, Carlos opened the door and returned to the hall.

"Iris, I’m done.

You can return the spirit equipment to its owner now."

"So fast?"

Iris was surprised, really curious what Carlos had done borrowing spirit equipment in such a short time.

But since Carlos hadn’t offered to tell her, she didn’t ask.

"Fine, but I’ll return it tomorrow.

According to the deal with Wadsworth, returning it before noon tomorrow is good enough."

After a pause, Iris worried Carlos hadn’t gotten it and actively explained:

"Returning too quickly might make him suspicious and cause unnecessary drama—not necessarily good.

Carlos, pay attention to this in the future too."

After teaching by example, she put the spirit equipment away.

"Got it, I’ll be careful in the future."

Iris’s caution was a bit more than Carlos had expected. He nodded, showing he’d taken it to heart.

Iris seemed to suddenly remember something:

"There’s another thing. While you were away, Kathy came looking for you several times.

When you have time in the next few days, remember to visit her place. Don’t always make the girl come looking for you."

"Kathy..."

Carlos went quiet.

Time was tight—he had to hustle to complete several upcoming prep plans.

And after preparations, he wanted to immediately go "grinding."

Calculating everything, he hadn’t left time for hanging out with his childhood sweetheart.

The key point was that spending time with Kathy wouldn’t boost his strength much—not many benefits.

"You’re really chill, not worried about Kathy getting pissed at all.

Also, Heidi and Grace who awakened with you are both cool girls.

They’ve also come looking for you—you should hit them up more."

How could Iris not see Carlos’s thoughts?

He was completely focused on "getting stronger," with no time for hanging with friends.

This wouldn’t work—less contact meant weaker feelings, probably becoming strangers later.

"Iris, you know I currently only want to rapidly "get stronger" and restore the Valois family’s rep!

Other things, I feel can be temporarily put on the back burner."

Carlos carefully stated his thoughts.

His strengthening speed way outpaced his peers—spending time with them was purely wasting his time.

When his strength improvement slowed later, Carlos would consider hanging out with them.

"...Don’t tell me you want to be a ’lone wolf’?"

Iris’s pupils contracted as she sensed her brother’s core meaning.

"Currently, that’s the plan."

Being seen through, Carlos simply owned up to it.

Iris’s expression changed dramatically—her brother actually wanted to venture into Dark Mist regions solo. This was way too dangerous!

"Carlos, don’t think other Dark Mist regions will be like the Withered Lands—simple environment, simple monster types, easy to handle."

"As Spirituality increases, future Dark Mist regions you’ll enter will have unpredictable environments and complex, diverse monster attack methods.

Especially when entering high-risk Dark Mist regions, scouting, close combat, ranged, defense, healing and other abilities are all must-haves.

How could you possibly handle all situations alone?

Your ability gaps can only be filled by teammates’ help..."

Iris earnestly advised her brother never to think he was already strong enough to venture into Dark Mist regions solo.

In human history, geniuses and even freaks weren’t uncommon.

Psionics who always walked the "lone wolf" path weren’t rare either.

They might succeed for a while, but not forever.

Once encountering monsters or environments that countered them, being helpless was the least of their worries—losing their life was the real problem!

Carlos listened patiently until Iris felt she’d said enough, then spoke:

"Iris, have you forgotten about Teleportation Scrolls?

After I’m forced to use one, let’s discuss this issue.

Before then, please let me ’get stronger’ according to my own plan!"

Carlos didn’t try convincing Iris, choosing to table this topic.

Relatively speaking, teams did have major advantages.

But Carlos’s situation was too different.

On one hand, he knew intel about various Dark Mist regions and would definitely not enter overly dangerous places—problems were unlikely.

On the other hand, he had too many methods and secrets that couldn’t be known by others.

Also, while teams greatly improved safety, Spiritual Essence from killing monsters would also get diluted, seriously affecting Spirituality improvement speed.

"Is this about Teleportation Scrolls?"

Seeing Carlos’s attitude of "say what you want but I’m not budging," Iris felt helpless.

"Let me tell you, I previously..."

"Iris, I suddenly remembered there’s really important material to process.

I’ll head back first!"

Carlos saw Iris showing signs of another long lecture and quickly made an excuse to bail, disappearing from the hall in a flash.

"Carlos, you!"

Iris swallowed her persuasive words back, sighing inwardly:

"This kid—when he hits a wall, he’ll know I was right."

She rubbed her forehead, thinking

when he encountered troubles he couldn’t solve and was forced to use Teleportation Scrolls to escape back, she’d definitely kill his lone wolf ideas completely.

.....

Back in his room, Carlos was also rubbing his forehead—the action couldn’t be said to be identical to Iris’s, but was 99% the same.

"Pain in the ass. Iris wasn’t this much of a nag before. Could it be her age?"

He thought privately that he absolutely couldn’t mention lone wolf topics in front of her again.

This lecture made his head a bit dizzy.

"Rest tonight, head to Santeyota Ruins tomorrow!"

...

Early the next morning, Carlos said something to Iris, then rode out of Ember City...

Shortly after leaving Ember City, Carlos stopped at a wilderness stable, got off his horse, and stabled it.

The upcoming area wasn’t accessible to regular horses.

Then he summoned four Purple Thornblade Skeleton Guards, sat on the Iron Palanquin, and waved dramatically.

"Let’s roll—destination: Santeyota Ruins!"