Only I Am A Reader
chapter-88

Neighhhh!

"Brother Leo, tell me about another mission!"

The group successfully entered the mountainous region after traveling on horseback for more than a week, but to this moment, Jared didn't stop his friendly chatting with everyone. Even Leo had to share some of the 'normal' situations he encountered since most just ignored the poor young grand duke.

Despite being Jade's sister, their personalities were like the opposite poles of a magnet. One sought change through power, while the other only wanted to live in a carefree manner. It wasn't once that he suggested to his father that he should let Jade be the heir instead.

'It's a pity…'

However, regardless of Jared's importance as a side character, Leo's focus didn't lie on him. Along the way, he took his chance to inspect the group members and found what he searched for.

Although they were currently a group of five, the original group was supposed to only have four people. One of them was a true member of the Association, one was the young grand duke, and another was a top member of a guild that could rival the Fanged Wolves, but Leo was only concerned about the reminding one. His identity was just that of a normal member, but in Leo's eyes, he was the lone survivor of this expedition!

"We have arrived."

Following the guidance of the Association's employee, the group arrived before an awkward rocky structure that stood like an eyesore amid the mountains. For some reason, there was a semi-circular opening at its front as if it was welcoming the group to enter.

"Let's head in if everyone is ready."

Unlike Jared who walked ahead for fun, the actual leader of the group that was agreed upon was the stern-faced man who acted as the Association's eyes here. After getting down and handing his horse to the guide, he formally gave the rest some time to get ready.

However, the rest were mostly ready, nodding as they got down. Leo only needed to adjust the 'Infinity Sword Wheel' and the attire before following suit.

"You can't predict what kind of danger we will face inside, be careful."

Giving out a word of advice, the stern-faced man brandished his sword and walked into the opening. All horses were left for the guide to take care of before the whole group disappeared into the unknown 'anomaly'...

`~~~`~~~`~~~`

"Is this normal?"

Some time had passed since the group had entered into the rocky structure when the guild member could no longer stay silent, asking a question as he turned to the stern-faced man in confusion.

"...Anything is possible inside an anomaly."

The stern-faced man stiffly answered as he continued to look ahead. In reality, however, even he was confused by the situation.

In the records which the Association gave him access to, every Sword Anomaly would contain some sort of abnormality, at the very least Sword Beasts were bound to appear early on while concentrated Sword Breath could be sensed in the air. Yet, they had been exploring for half an hour and all they found were empty rock chambers…

Naturally, it wasn't just the two that felt something was wrong. In fact, only Leo didn't seem to be concerned as he even had the spare time to check the other members. Naturally, he wasn't doing so for no reason.

'I need to find the reason behind it…'

Later on, after this expedition was reported as a complete failure, it was revealed to have been a natural phenomenon that occurred due to an 'earthquake', something that Leo knew more details about as someone who studies geography. In short, this was an underground structure that was 'naturally' pushed up.

The problem was that according to his observation, this place was just as stable as it was empty. Just how did this 'expedition' fail in the way it did? In order to prepare for the worst-case scenario, Leo almost kept his eyes glued to the most ordinary member of the group.

"There is something here!"

The guild member who had been walking alongside the group leader quickly shouted as soon as he laid eyes on the newest rock chamber, he could see something on its walls.

"This is… A Sword Breathing Manual?"

As the group all entered the chamber, Jared was the first one to speak up in surprise. For some reason, the wall was covered in incomprehensible symbols that felt familiar to the group, even at first glance, it seemed like an encrypted Sword Breathing Manual!

Considering their location, everyone other than Leo almost had the same thought at this moment, could they have possibly discovered something related to the origins of the Sky-Piercing Sword?

"Cough… Would it be possible for everyone to leave this for my Association? We all have no need for it as Swordsmen, but it's a great material for research. If everyone pretends they have seen nothing…"

Even as a true member of the Gigant Sword Association, the stern-faced man had no way of knowing if this was a completely new manual or just a repeat. However, he was prepared to pay any price for the smallest chance that this 'text' hid something of much more value.

"On behalf of the Association, I can completely give up our rights to any other gain obtained within this anomaly."

In the stern-faced man's mind, this wall was likely to be the 'item' that held the most value in place. After all, it was very likely for the rest of the rock chambers to be empty.

"Fine by me."

The first to speak was none other than Jared, he only had one target for coming here, and it wasn't 'knowledge'.

"Same here."

The guild member who was the first to discover the place didn't mind either. As a higher up in a guild affiliated with the Association, he was bound to obtain a part of the Association's research results. Betting on things that could be hidden further in seemed like the better option to him.

However, unlike the two who immediately gave an answer, Leo remained silent as everyone turned to him. Strangely, he only stared at an empty corner, seemingly uncaring about the wall. In the end, only three words escaped his serious complexion.

"Someone's missing."