"This place really does look ancient."

Noah spoke quietly as he walked through the underground passage, leaning on Mary for support.

"Are you sure about this?" Mary asked, her voice filled with concern. "Shouldn’t we check on the others first? Or at least try to find a way to contact the instructors?"

The two of them were currently exploring the hidden passage Mary had discovered earlier.

Since the examination was expected to last a long time and could require spending nights outdoors, Noah had prepared thoroughly before entering.

His storage ring contained various necessities such as a sleeping bag, cooking utensils, rope, a lighter, and other survival supplies.

One of those items was a torch.

Because Noah possessed only Ice Affinity, he could not create a reliable light source through magic. At the moment, Mary carried the torch in her free hand, its warm orange glow illuminating the darkness around them.

"Don’t worry," Noah replied. "Damien and the others should be fine... probably."

Mary frowned.

"’Probably’ doesn’t make me feel better."

Noah chuckled weakly.

"Let’s at least take a look at this place first."

’As much as I am worried about Damien and others. I am also very curious about this. Also once they kill those demons, I will get notification about reward and end of this Act.’ Noah thought.

Mary sighed. She clearly wanted to argue further, but she knew it would be useless.

Soon they arrived before the massive metal door Mary had mentioned.

The structure was enormous, standing nearly five meters tall. Its dark metallic surface was covered with countless intricate engravings. Ancient symbols, celestial patterns, and unfamiliar runes stretched across the door like a forgotten language from another age.

"It’s already open," Mary said.

Indeed, the door was slightly ajar.

A narrow gap had been left between the two enormous slabs.

"Let’s go inside."

"Noah, are you absolutely sure?" Mary asked nervously.

His arm rested over her shoulder as she supported him.

He squeezed her shoulder lightly.

"It’s just an old ruin. What are you so afraid of?"

"That’s exactly why I’m afraid," she replied immediately.

Noah could not argue with that. "Well... let’s find out what’s inside."

Together they pushed the door wider.

A low metallic groan echoed through the underground passage.

Creeeeeeak...

The sound seemed unnaturally loud within the silence. Then they stepped inside the darkness.

Click.

Click.

The sound of their footsteps echoed through the darkness.

Noah slowly looked around.

"This place is beautiful."

The floor beneath them was paved with perfectly cut stone slabs that had somehow survived the passage of countless centuries without a single crack.

The walls were crafted from polished stone and decorated with breathtaking carvings.

It was as if they were telling about ancient cities, unknown kings and celestial bodies. But Noah was not archeologist to understand meaning behind them.

There were some strange creatures with wings, horns, and countless eyes. Some resembled dragons.

Others looked like beings that no longer existed in the modern world. Every carving was so detailed that it felt as though the figures might step out of the walls at any moment.

Noah studied everything carefully.

’As worried as I am about Damien and the others...’ he thought, ’...I can’t ignore something like this.’

Mary nodded slowly. "This place must be thousands of years old."

"It definitely feels that way." Noah replied. As they continued deeper into the ruin, another passage appeared ahead.

This one descended downward. A long flight of ancient stone stairs vanished into darkness.

Mary tightened her grip on the torch. "Alright. Now I’m really starting to get nervous."

Noah smiled. "Why? When I’m right here."

"That’s exactly the problem." She replied with worried tone.

"What?"

"You’re injured, exhausted, and barely standing."

Noah paused. Her words were true. She was right.

"...Fair point." He couldn’t argue with her.

This was not his past world where the old ruins and building have nothing dangerous expect their weak old structure.

Unlike his previous world, ancient ruins in this world could be extremely dangerous.

Here magic existed. Monsters existed. And even ancient beings existed.

Even forgotten gods and divine beings had once walked this world. Yet despite understanding the danger, Noah could not suppress his curiosity.

If they left now and reported the discovery to the Academy, the entire ruin would likely be sealed off and investigated by experts.

He would never get the chance to learn what secrets were hidden beneath the forest.

Mary saw the look in his eyes. She immediately understood.

The curiosity was winning.

After a long sigh, she shook her head. She couldn’t stop him. He saved her afterall.

"Fine. Let’s go."

Noah’s eyes lit up.

"Thanks, Mary. You are the best."

Together they began descending the stairs.

The deeper they traveled, the colder the air became.

Eventually they reached the bottom.

Both of them stopped. Before them stretched a colossal underground hall.

Towering stone pillars stood in perfect rows on both sides, supporting a ceiling so high that it disappeared into darkness.

Each pillar was covered with ancient runes and artistic engravings. Some depicted stars. Others showed moons, eclipses, and celestial events.

The craftsmanship was beyond anything Noah had ever seen.

"Wow..."

Mary stared in amazement. "This place is far bigger than I expected."

Noah nodded. "I never imagined something like this could be hidden beneath the forest."

"Seems we’ve discovered something incredible." Mary said while watching it.

"We might even get rewarded for it."

Despite the pain coursing through his body, Noah couldn’t stop smiling. The two cautiously advanced through the hall, examining everything around them.

The silence felt sacred. As if this place had been untouched for countless ages.

Soon their torchlight fell upon another enormous stone door standing at the far end of the chamber.

"There it is."

Noah grinned.

"That looks important."

Surprisingly, this door was also partially open. The two exchanged glances before stepping through.

The room beyond was shrouded in darkness.

Mary raised the torch higher. The light swept across the chamber.

She watched the walls, floor, ceiling. There was nothing special.

Then suddenly the torchlight landed upon something massive.

Both froze at what they just saw.

Their eyes widened.

"Th-That’s..."

Noah stared in fascination.

A gigantic stone statue stood before them. It towered nearly twenty meters high.

The figure depicted a woman. Yet calling her merely a woman felt wrong.

She looked divine.

She looked otherworldly with beautiful carving that put life into her.

A long stone robe flowed around her body like cascading water. Intricate celestial patterns had been carved into the fabric, depicting stars, moons, and constellations.

A veil covered her face. Even that veil was carved by stone. Even though her features remained hidden, an overwhelming sense of beauty and majesty radiated from the statue.

It felt impossible to look away.

Both of her hands were extended forward. Resting gently upon her joined palms was a large stone sphere. At first glance it appeared ordinary.

Then Mary narrowed her eyes.

She stepped closer as Noah walked with her.

It felt like her observation ability activated instinctively. The details became clearer.

Then realization struck her.

"Noah..."

"What?"

"That’s not a sphere."

She pointed at it.

"It’s the moon."

Noah blinked.

"The moon?"

He pulled his arm from her shoulder and stepped closer and studied it carefully. Now that Mary had mentioned it, the surface truly resembled the moon.

The light of torch was landed on the sphere. There were countless craters and circular patterns on it.

Ancient carvings resembling lunar phases.

Slowly Noah nodded. "...You’re right."

Mary stared at the statue.

"A woman holding the moon..."

Her voice carried disbelief.

Noah folded his arms.

"Then she must be a Moon Goddess." He immediately came to a conclusion.

Mary immediately turned toward him.

"What?"

"Why are you surprised?" He asked, wondering why she was shocked.

"There has never been a Moon Goddess in recorded history."

Noah looked back toward the statue. The longer he stared at it, the stranger he felt. A cold sensation crawled across his skin.

An inexplicable pressure lingered in the air.

It was not hostile nor it was friendly.

But Noah felt one thing that was dangerous, as though the statue was silently watching them.

Mary suddenly pointed behind it. "Noah."

"What now?" Her voiced pulled out Noah from his focus.

"I think there’s another room." She spoked while pointing there.

Noah frowned. "What?"

Mary moved to the side and shone the torch behind the enormous statue.

He followed her, dragging his weak trembling body. There, hidden completely from the entrance, was another stone doorway.

Noah’s eyes widened.

"Wow."

He looked at her with genuine admiration. "Your observation ability is incredible."

Mary smiled shyly. "It’s nothing special."

"It definitely is."

Noah’s curiosity immediately doubled.

"Alright."

He pointed toward the hidden doorway.

"Let’s see what’s behind it."

Together they stepped past the mysterious statue.

Leaving behind the silent Moon Goddess.

And entered the hidden chamber concealed beyond her gaze.

---

[A/N: Sorry for one Chapter. Also the arc will soon come to end. Sighed. I really want to write lots of romance Chapters for this novel as well. Well I have to wait for few hundred more Chapters. Since I am slow on romance side. Also do you guys like milfs? My next novel will have milf as female lead...keke just joking. Also In kofi acc, each time i reach 20$ donation mark, I will do 3 bonus Chapters! 2 for one novel and 1 for another. Depends on you guys!!]