The Runesmith

Chapter 582: Looking Around.

”It would probably be unwise to build it here.”

Roland muttered to himself as he slipped back into the cave he had just emerged from. Wyverns circled overhead, and he had come dangerously close to being spotted. What he needed now was a better location to construct his small-scale travel gate. This area, where the dungeon break had first begun, was far too risky. If another break started here, it could destroy his only means of returning.

”This space is filled with spatial magic. It could affect the gate enchantments.”

One of the main reasons he couldn’t simply place the gate here, even after drilling into one of the sides, was the overwhelming presence of spatial distortion magic. When he emerged from the cave, he found himself standing on top of a mountain. The entrance he came through was located at the very tip, appearing from the outside like nothing more than a large boulder, no more than ten meters wide.

However, once inside, the passage expanded and extended far beyond what its exterior suggested. What appeared to be a small cave from the outside turned out to be a long tunnel that took nearly five minutes to walk through. That distance added up to almost half a kilometer, something impossible without an enormous amount of magic. With so much energy concentrated here, stabilizing the gate would be a challenging task. Using such a gate in this condition would be extremely hazardous.

”Luckily, the Headmistress has given me some flexibility with my lectures, so I have enough time to do what I must.”

Though his duties at the institute hadn’t disappeared, they had eased. There hadn’t been any major incidents since his sister stopped attending, and with Arion’s help, they had managed to recruit others to assist in organizing the curriculum. His next lecture would be held after their return from Isgard, giving him time to complete his tasks. He also had a few days to attempt five level-ups in order to reach level fifty, where a potentially valuable skill awaited.

It was time to act and begin scouting the area. The large rune bike he had built was not suited for this kind of terrain, so it needed to be stored. Like the elemental armors, it returned to one of his spatial runes, waiting there until it was needed again.

With his preparations complete, only one task remained. He needed to switch to a different armor set. This time, it was the Rune Zephyr variant. Fortunately, he was not out in the open but inside a secure cave, which made the process much easier. From here, he could safely equip an element more suitable for stealth, one that would help him move unnoticed through the mountain ranges and the valleys below.

After a brief moment of hesitation, he assumed the familiar X-shaped stance, just as he had done when activating the Leviathan variant. The Silvergrace suit beneath him shimmered as the armor plates detached with soft hisses, releasing built-up mana pressure. One by one, the base rune armor segments disassembled and vanished into spatial storage.

His body glowed with a pale blue light as mana surged across him, then gradually shifted into an emerald green hue as the Zephyr setʼs elements hovered around him in a slow orbit. The Silvergrace underlayer clung tightly to his form, its metallic fibers outlining the contours of his muscular build in the dimly lit cavern.

As the light around him turned a vivid green, the armor components began to assemble themselves. The greaves arrived first, locking into place with a clean, resonant snap. They were lighter than anything he had worn before. Next came the bracers, and then, piece by piece, the rest of the armor encased him. He now stood fully equipped in the Rune Zephyr, its greenish glow pulsing faintly with stored elemental energy.

Roland took a moment to clench his fist and study the armor now covering his body. It was noticeably sleeker and thinner than any of his previous suits. The wind-element enchantments woven throughout the armor were designed for speed, agility, and silence. With them, he could move faster, jump higher, and most importantly, walk almost without a sound. Each step would be nearly inaudible. The armor also enhanced his ability to blend into his surroundings, using subtle camouflage effects that adjusted to the terrain.

Even more impressive was the armor’s ability to control airflow around him. The wind control field would prevent airborne scent molecules from escaping, making it difficult for scent-reliant creatures to detect him. Many monsters had poor vision and relied on smell or sound, but the wyverns overhead were a different threat. They were more like hawks, relying on sharp eyesight to spot movement from above.

Still, the wind field could distort his outline just enough to make him harder to detect, especially with the tall grass and uneven terrain covering the mountains and valleys. With that natural cover and the help of the armor’s adaptive enchantments, he had a good chance of going unnoticed. And even if he were spotted, this model would give him a solid advantage. It was the fastest of all the elemental sets he had created, making a swift escape through the air well within reach.

”Now then, I need to see where I am. But judging by the terrain, this can only be one place.”

Roland was finally ready to leave the safety of the cave entrance. He stepped forward, but not before placing one of his few remaining sensors near the exit. It would serve as a beacon, ensuring he could always find his way back. This area was far too vast to scatter sensors across it, and he needed to conserve what he had left.

His main objective now was to locate a suitable spot to establish a base. From the looks of it, this was one of the zones from the super dungeon, and he had to secure a location where monsters would not venture. However, monsters were not his only concern.

This region held far more dangerous beings than just creatures. High-level adventurers roamed these lands, many of them potentially over a hundred levels above him. This was the domain not only of Platinum and Mithril-ranked adventurers but also of the super elites, those of Orichalcum rank. Any mistake here could be fatal, so careful planning was essential.

“If I’m not mistaken, this should be the third ring, the Drachnid Valley.”

Roland crouched just outside the cave mouth, his Zephyr armor blending seamlessly with the rugged, windswept slope around him. The third ring, known as Drachnid Valley, was infamous not only for its deadly lesser dragon-type monsters but also for being one of the dungeon zones located beneath a massive supervolcano. 𝘙𝐚ɴȫ𐌱ËꞨ

To the uninformed, the dungeon might have appeared to be a volcanic region filled with lava beasts and dominated by a massive dragon at its center. However, that assumption could not be further from the truth.

The Dragnis Island Dungeon, also known as the Infernal Wyrm Maze, was composed of multiple interconnected rings. Its name came from the first ring, a maze-like structure filled with lava, ash, and wyrm-type creatures. For a long time, explorers believed that this fiery labyrinth was the entire dungeon. Eventually, however, it was discovered that it was only the beginning. Beneath and beyond the first layer lay a series of zones, each with its own ecosystem.

What began as a realm of fire and molten stone eventually gave way to darker, stranger places. One of these was the Rotten Forest, a twisted and decaying region teeming with poisonous Treants and unstable, decomposing terrain. This was the second zone of the dungeon, and it ultimately led into the valley Roland now stood above.

This valley, known as Drachnid Valley, was overrun by creatures commonly referred to as lesser dragons. These included monsters such as Drakes, Wyverns, and Wyrms. Though each of these had the potential to evolve into a true dragon, very few ever succeeded in reaching that final, powerful stage. Most were killed long before they could ascend, whether by rival monsters or adventurers. Their bodies were sought after by almost everyone but once a dragon was born, most knew to stay away.

True Dragons were unique among monsters. From birth, they were already classified as tier-three creatures. Unlike most monsters that needed to gain strength through battle and experience, True Dragons started from a different foundation. They were born powerful, and their growth was not initially tied to levels.

Instead, they followed a more natural progression. With enough time and sustenance, they would begin to grow—physically and magically. Their development was steady but slow, and during this early phase, they were especially vulnerable. Lacking the immediate benefits of leveling, young dragons were at real risk of being hunted or killed before reaching maturity.

Because of this, most naturally born dragons kept themselves hidden. They rarely left their lairs, emerging only for brief periods to gather food before retreating again into hibernation. They waited, conserving energy and avoiding danger, until they could awaken as fully realized True Dragons.

Once they reached that stage, they became vastly more dangerous. Much like Roland’s own Overlord Class, their evolution granted them boosts in all areas, with enhanced stat multipliers and superior growth potential. From that point onward, they were no longer just monsters as they became apex predators only challenged by a handful of other powerful beings.

The rings surrounding the volcano were vast, said to span a large portion of the island. What made exploration even more difficult was the influence of spatial magic, much like the kind found in the cave he had passed through. These distortions created immense, unnatural distances between areas, making navigation unpredictable and often misleading.

From what Roland knew, this region housed monsters that reached up to level three hundred. It served as a kind of stopgap for many tier-three class holders, a place where they either proved their worth or met their end. But Roland had no intention of following in their footsteps.

He was different. With his strength, knowledge, and tools, he had already slain monsters well above his current level. Facing stronger creatures was exactly what he had been waiting for.

”Luckily, in this area, there are no True Dragons, but first, I need to find a hideout.”

At last, Roland began to move. He waited for the right moment. Once the Wyverns above turned their attention elsewhere, he slipped forward across the uneven ground. Not far from the cave entrance lay a nest, likely used by the creatures, made of twisted branches and scorched stone.

Despite appearing exposed, the entrance he had used was well protected. Anyone who stumbled upon it would find nothing but a short passage ending in solid stone. Based on his analysis, without the ability to decipher the runic enchantments embedded in the rock, the cave would seem no deeper than five meters.

The real access point, hidden behind layered illusions and spatial wards, remained out of reach to anyone lacking the knowledge to reveal it. Still, Roland had his doubts. From the signs he had encountered deeper within the tunnel system, it was clear that someone else had likely uncovered the connection long before him. Even though his lair could not be built here, he needed to make sure to monitor this area to see if whoever used it would return later.

‘I’m too exposed here, I need to get down into the valley.’

The runes on his armor began to glow with an emerald light, and a moment later he was shrouded in a swirling veil of energy. With a slight motion of his foot, he leapt forward and descended from the mountainside. His fall was slow and controlled, guided by the magic of his Zephyr armor. Around him, flying Wyverns circled in wide arcs, scattered across the sky like drifting shadows.

His enchantments made him nearly invisible to their senses, but the spell was not flawless. Any sudden movement could give him away, so he calmly continued his descent.

‘There is something there. Could it be a settlement? Once I’m back, I need to get my hands on an updated map of this region.’

As he drifted downward, various landmarks became visible in the distance. Among them was a structure that caught his attention, a keep made from what appeared to be wood and tangled vines. He could not tell whether it was a creation of the dungeon itself or a man-made fortification. This dungeon zone was more than just a place filled with monsters. It was vast, unpredictable, and operated under no particular law.

Adventurers had been coming here for years. Some had even chosen to stay. While the regions filled with lava and rot were far too hostile to inhabit, this valley was different. It was filled with vegetation, flowing streams, and breathable air. For some, it served as a rare sanctuary. With enough resources and effort, a hidden stronghold could thrive here.

Still, Roland knew he had to be cautious. He was in uncharted territory, and showing himself openly to the locals was risky. Most of the people who lived here were powerful tier-three class holders, most above level two hundred. Some had cut themselves off from the world beyond and did not welcome strangers freely.

From what he understood, outsiders typically had to pay or go through a process to be introduced to the permanent residents. These seasoned adventurers offered shelter and security, trading goods and information with the outside world on their own terms. If they discovered that he had bypassed those channels and entered their domain without permission, he could not predict how they would react.

His visor gleamed faintly as he began recording the geographical layout of the valley from every angle. Two of his floating golems circled around him, assisting with the process by scanning and mapping the environment in real time. The distant settlement was only one of many points of interest. The valley held far more than it appeared at first glance.

One of the most striking features was the vast blue sky above. At first, it seemed natural, complete with drifting clouds and warm sunlight. However, a deeper analysis revealed the truth. It was nothing more than an elaborate illusion. There was, in fact, a solid rocky ceiling far above, crafted or shaped by magic to appear open and endless.

According to his calculations, the distance from the mountain peak to the valley floor was approximately six kilometers, with another four kilometers extending above that to the false sky. The entire space was immense, stretching in every direction like a hidden world beneath the surface. He was certain it had limits, but those boundaries were not obvious. It would take time and careful exploration to uncover the true extent of the dungeonʼs reach.

As he continued his gentle descent, Roland identified several points of interest scattered throughout the valley. To the northwest, nestled against the inner slope of the valley wall, a shimmering waterfall poured from what appeared to be the open jaws of a dragon or something sculpted to resemble them. The distance was too great to see clearly, but the formation stood out as something unusual and possibly important.

Further south, a wide meadow came into view. At its center stood a ring of tall stones. Their shape and spacing looked intentional, not the result of natural erosion or chance. He could see several drakes moving near and around the formation, roaming freely in the open space. These wingless lesser dragons were large and likely powerful, making them excellent targets for leveling when the time came.

To the east, he spotted several lakes, but one in particular drew his focus. It was many times larger than the rest, and its water was so dark that it hinted at it being quite deep. For a moment, a massive shadow moved just below the waterline. It shifted slowly, making him question whether it was worth investigating now or leaving it for a time when he had grown stronger.

These were just a few of the many sights he saw as he descended. Smaller entrances to various caves dotted the landscape, and dense forests stretched through the valley, with a long river winding through its center. If he hadn’t been so tightly constrained by time, he could have imagined himself spending several weeks exploring every part of it. But under the current circumstances, he had to move quickly.

‘That spot looks promising. No monsters, no adventurers, and the mana density is relatively low.’

As he neared the ground, he spotted a location that could serve as a base for his teleportation gate. The winds around his armor intensified as he activated his mana. Now that he was far from the wyverns, there was no longer any need to remain hidden. He surged forward, transforming into a streak of emerald light, and headed for his next destination.