Veilbreaker! Oops I Bleed Again
Chapter 45: Ruined Village

Chapter 45: Ruined Village

Draven grumbled to himself.

’I should’ve brought Kaner. Flying would be way faster than this damn horse.’

But he knew bringing too many people wasn’t a good idea.

The more people he had, the more attention they’d attract.

If they got caught, his skills might be exposed.

They might know that Verdants can use skills too.

That was the last thing he wanted.

He had only chosen companions essential to his goal.

"What’s wrong, Draven? You’re deep in thought," Bella asked, riding beside him.

"Wanna make you happy?"

"It’s hard to refuse that offer," Draven grinned.

"I just wonder how long this trip will take on horseback."

Bella thought for a moment.

"If we push the horses, we can reach the town in 10 to 13 days."

Draven clicked his tongue.

"That’s too damn long."

He slumped slightly against the saddle.

’I could fly there myself... but carrying these two along? Too much effort.’

He sighed and kept riding.

For now, this was the best way.

For three days, they rushed forward on horseback, stopping only for short rests.

At night, they set up small tents near Etherealbloom, ensuring safety from wandering beasts.

Draven and Deka took turns standing watch while Bella rested, keeping their guard up as they moved deeper into the wilderness.

They avoided major predatory territories.

But if a lone Rank C beast crossed their path, Draven beat them down without hesitation.

By the third day, they arrived at the underground.

It has a hidden cave entrance, buried deep within a dense part of the forest.

Massive trees and thick roots covered the area.

Vines hang low over the rocky opening.

A cold mist seeped from within, carrying an eerie stillness.

Draven whistled.

"Damn. How did they even build something like this?"

He ran his hand along the rough stone, his mind racing.

"Anyway, pyramids were man-made too. This was possible here too, since it’s a magical world."

They dismounted, leading their horses carefully inside.

For nearly an hour, they traveled downward, the cave sloping into a structured underground passage.

The place was dim, but for some unknown reason, certain stones glowed, providing a faint light to guide their way.

The walls were fitted bricks, stacked seamlessly.

The ceiling, though narrow, was also built from stone bricks, fitted so tightly together that not even light passed through the cracks.

Draven frowned.

"Shouldn’t this place be flooded? There’s a river right above us."

Bella nodded.

"Exactly. Water should’ve collapsed this entire tunnel by now."

Draven turned to Deka, expecting him to be as clueless as always since he was not a Verdant.

"Nah, nevermind. You probably don’t know either."

But to his surprise, Deka actually spoke up.

"A thousand years ago, Verdants used an artifact that created a protective field."

Draven blinked.

Deka continued.

"Not even a single drop of water could enter once activated. But it came at a cost. Using it would drain the user’s life force completely."

Draven stared at him.

"Where the hell did you learn that?"

"From Mirna," Deka replied casually.

"She was our headmaid when I was a kid. She told me a lot about the forest. She’s also a Verdant and she took care of me then."

Deka’s face saddened.

Draven smiled.

"You wanna see her?"

Deka shrugged.

"Maybe. I just want to say sorry to her."

"What a good kid," Draven said, ruffling his hair.

"So, where’s that artifact now?" He continued to ask.

Deka shook his head.

"No one knows. But if it still exists, it’s buried somewhere here."

Draven grinned.

"Might dig around later."

Bella chuckled.

"Good luck with that."

After hours of walking, they finally reached the cave’s exit.

Thick vines and overgrown foliage completely concealed the opening.

From the outside, it was invisible.

Draven stepped forward first, seeing a lot of towering trees again.

He inhaled deeply.

The cool, rich air of Verdant Expanse filled his lungs.

Then he exhaled slowly.

"It’s been a while."

He stretched his arms, taking in the fresh air of Verdant Expanse Forest.

Draven pulled out the map, scanning the routes ahead.

"What’s this marked on our path?"

Bella moved closer, glancing at the map.

"That? That’s a ruined village. The ones who first started building the underground passages lived there."

Draven nodded.

"Alright, alright. Let’s move fast so we can reach town quicker."

They mounted their horses again, riding at full speed.

After a while, they passed by the ruined village.

Draven pulled the reins, stopping abruptly.

The others followed.

Before them stood an old settlement, surrounded by a crumbling 1.5-meter-high wall.

Inside, small Nipa huts remained standing.

They were not just tents.

They’re real wooden structures.

However, everything looked ancient.

It was as if it had been abandoned for centuries.

Draven exhaled.

"So, something like this existed here before?"

He examined the ruins, impressed.

"They really tried to make a village here too."

Bella nodded.

"Seems like it."

Draven thought that the Verdants never settled in one place, constantly moving from one location to another.

But this one tried to stay here, and he wondered about the history behind this village.

It was not a small village.

The walls were sturdy.

And even the houses built around the trees were securely attached, showing no signs of being dismantled.

As they were about to move forward again, Draven’s eyes sharpened.

There was a faint movement inside one of the Nipa huts.

His instincts flared.

"Did you see that?" He pointed at the hut, his voice was firm. "Something moved."

Bella and Deka looked at the hut.

"No," they replied in unison.

Draven narrowed his gaze, focusing.

There.

It moved again.

It wasn’t clear what it was.

But it was definitely there.

Draven dismounted in one swift motion.

"Wait here."

Without hesitation, he moved toward the hut.

He didn’t bother using the entrance.

Instead, he jumped over the wall.

As Draven approached the hut, his instincts flared.

Something was coming.

Fast.

’From above.’

A blurred movement descended from the sky like a spear.

Draven’s body reacted before his mind could process it.

He dashed back, gripping Morphos from his back in one fluid motion.

"BOOM!"

A powerful impact shook the ground where he once stood, dust explosions outward.

Deka and Bella’s eyes widened.

As the dust settled, a new predator stood before them.

Towering, muscular, with the body of a dark-furred lion.

Its massive, leathery bat-like wings folded menacingly against its back.

Sharp fangs and claws gleamed, built for tearing flesh with precision.

It also has a serpentine tail, lined with venomous spikes, coiled behind it, dripping with toxic fluid.

Draven tightened his grip on Morphos.

"Well, this just got interesting."

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