Chapter 186 (2/2)

The other big subject was just that, the History of Engraving. Years were listed in the book, and after checking with Claptrap, it seemed that something happened around 50 years ago that had caused the study of Engraving to cease, at least publically. This was probably around the time of the formation of the Engraving Guilds, and it was frustrating, because Randidly didn’t want to take the time to understand this information only to find it was completely dated.

But Randidly continued, because that was the only way to improve, and move forward. After 3 hours, he packed up his books and gestured for the others, and their journey continued.

Twice more over the next 24 hours they were forced to stop, Claptrap completely exhausted, and each time, Randidly would study the encyclopedia, slowly working his way deeper. Although it was incredibly rough going, there were several tips and information bits about Engraving that were incredibly useful, and Randidly carefully inscribed them, making a note for the future. For now he was satisfied, but Randidly knew that he wanted to attempt the Shadow IV rune soon.

Perhaps he would have time before the Regional Tournament started, perhaps he wouldn’t, but he definitely wanted some items to give himself an edge. But thinking about the Regional Tournament just got him thinking about Shal, and Randidly shook his head, disgusted.

It was around 3 in the morning when they arrived. Most of their journey was across a wide plateau, covered in a sea of tall grass. They encountered the occasional monster, but they were usually around the level 25, and were easily overpowered by Randidly’s party. But eventually, the tall grass ended, and they found themselves at the base of an enormous mountain. The mountain was so large that Randidly was briefly stunned.

To be fair, he hadn’t really grown up in a mountainous terrain, but the sheer size of this… They had been approaching for quite a while with it looming ahead, but it still appeared incredibly distant. The speed they traveled was not slow, even with Claptrap. To still have it be so incredibly distant.

“The Great Spear. Your first time seeing it? Fucking a sight, right?” Helen said, looking up at the mountain with a wistful expression. “It is said that the Spearman ascended that mountain to face the Calamity, and save us all.”

“And yet the Calamity returned, right?” Randidly said, almost instinctively, looking up at the mountain.

Helen glared at him and spoke, her voice frosty. “Not all worlds have a Spearman, smartass.”

Then she turned and walked away towards Claptrap, who was pointing to a glowing circle on the base of the mountain, still some distance from their position, which was Deardun. But Randidly wasn’t listening to their discussion. He wasn’t even dwelling on the anger tinged conversation with Helen.

Instead, his wheels were slowly turning.

Not all worlds have a Spearman…

Randidly’s initial assumption was that it was just another weird example of the worship this culture had for this man, but what if it wasn’t? What if she meant it more literally. Like, they faced another Calamity, not because it was supposed to happen, but because…

Because there was a Calamity elsewhere that wasn’t defeated. Something like a Tribulation, only on the scale of the world.

Randidly’s expression turned grave. He had great confidence in his own power, especially now, against enemies back on Earth. But if there was something coming that was so strong that it could rival a whole planet… And it was often too powerful to be defeated by even the Master class here…

It also made the story about the woman who possessed the emerald Tassle before Randidly make more sense. Why would the powerful individuals not just defeat the Calamity, but send their youth to fight it? Perhaps there were some hidden rules, but if that person had to go to another world, another world that had been turned into a giant dungeon… It made more sense why they would hesitate.

The frontlines, then, were places where the worlds were connected, possibly.

Randidly shook his head, and then looked with clear eyes towards Deardun. He didn’t know why, but the system hadn’t edited away his access to the information. And that made him suspect that it wasn’t that the system messed up, but this information wasn’t the important part. So Randidly put it out of his mind.

After all, his goal right now was very simple. Make the top 8 at the Regional Tournament.