My Guardian System: The Trader

"What?!" Even without seeing the expression on their faces, the mysterious individuals inside the room were also obviously shocked by the exclamation of one of them when they saw Jem and the others.

Jem and the others did not expect that when they arrived inside the spacious room they would see some individuals hiding their bodies and faces in the long dark cloth worn from head to toe. Thanks to the torches hanging on the wall at every corner of the room, this made their vision clearer. So they immediately realized the presence of some suspicious individuals.

Not only because of the torches but there were big 6 cylindrical objects that were also emitting off lights and were standing vertically while facing the back of the 6 individuals surrounding a shining circle on the ground. Jem wondered what those shining substances inside the cylinders were.

Regardless, everyone's attention was caught by Miss Mona. "Who… who are you?" Everyone looked in her direction upon hearing her question. Their foreheads furrowed. "You don't know them?" Oldman Barn was the one who asked her the question in a confused tone.

"No!" Miss Mona shook her head in response to Oldman Barn. 

Like them, the suspicious individuals inside also seemed surprised. Jem and the others noticed the hands of those individuals were shining while being raised in the air. Jem wondered if they were ex-humans like him. However, he noticed that it wasn't their hands that were glowing but the accessories like small jade pendants that were tied in their hands.

While narrowing his eyes, 'What are those accessories?' Jem wondered.

Nonetheless, the large bright circular object at the feet of those people was also emitting light. So the inside of the spacious room was quite bright. On the side and inside of the large circle on the ground, some mysterious marks looked like ancient letters were shining in bluish colors.

"C-could it be… those are runes?" Miles whispered in a questioning tone. But, because her whispering was quite loud everyone heard it.

Jem also looked at her. He had once heard about it from his grandfather. But, he has never seen it in person. If Miles is correct in saying that those are indeed Runes, then this is the first time he sees them in person.

Jem suddenly thought about what his grandfather had said before. 'According to my grandfather, during the ancient war, runes were often used in battle. It has many uses. Especially with magical stuff. However, when the ancient war ended, the runes disappeared at the same time.'

Jem doesn't know that much about runes. He was also less interested when his grandfather told him about it. So apart from what he mentioned in his mind, he knew nothing else about it.

He looked at Miles. He thinks Miles knows something about them too. But, before he could open his mouth to ask her, he was interrupted when one of the mysterious people suddenly shouted, "Who are you people?!" It was almost the same as Miss Mona's question. "How did you find out about this place?! Argh! It doesn't matter!" The person seemed to have lost his appetite to ask questions. He suddenly turned to the two suspicious people standing closer to the entrance where Jem and the others were. "You!" He called for their attention.

The two stood on each side of the entrance like the guards should be. In their hands, they were holding large weapons. One was holding a large and wide sword, and the other one was holding a big battle-ax.

After hearing the call from the person that seemed like their leader, the two armed individuals looked to the person who called them. The man who shouted immediately followed what he said. "What are you waiting for?! Kill them!" Suddenly, everyone's eyes widened upon hearing it.

Jem already anticipated that something wasn't right upon seeing these people. But he didn't expect that they were so hostile towards them. Jem and the others didn't understand what was happening, but ordering the others to kill them directly without letting them explain their reasons for coming was obviously telling them that these people were onto something shady and not friendly.

When everyone heard this, "What?!" Oldman Barn and Abel exclaimed at the same time. At that point, everyone was immediately alarmed.

"Oi! What do you mean?" Oldman Barn asked in an annoyed tone.

But it was futile. The two armed individuals were already approaching them. Obviously, to attack them without hesitation. Miles and the others' faces turned white at that moment. They never expected this turn of events.

Looking at the approaching two men, Miles and the others felt a chill run down their spines. Although the weapons in those two's hands were just ordinary ones, they still deterred them. Since the two armed individuals were initially at a closer distance with them, they only took a few steps to arrive near Jem and the others.

The two simultaneously raised their weapons above their shoulders. No need to guess what they were planning to do next as it was clear as day. With a strike of those two large weapons, it would not be hard for them to eliminate them at once. Especially that they were standing closer to each other. Also, the shining aura on their hands told them that these two were no ordinary people.

Without saying a word, the two armed individuals struck their weapons at the same time. Miss Mona and Miles who were at the front of the group widened their eyes in fright.

If only Miles had a weapon she could have fought a little to save herself. But, this time she had no weapon in her hands. Besides, the two attackers were too fast for her, who was just a normal person.

However, two figures leaped to intercept the enemy's attacks. It was followed by colliding noises of weapons.

Clang! Clang!

"Jem!" Miles shouted when she saw the figure of Jem, facing his back at her. Before the enemy's attack could hit Miles, Jem hastily summoned daggers and used them to block the armed person's attack who came in front of Miles.

"Mr. Abel!" Miss Mona also shouted Abel's name when Abel used his short sword that was hanging on his waist the whole time. He was supposedly holding a spear.. But because the path inside the tunnel was narrow, he decided to leave it at the tunnel entrance.