Chapter 79: Scenario X

The expedition members spent the next few hours establishing their temporary camp.

The camp was set up near the entrance to the valley, where the surrounding terrain was relatively flat. Several protective formations were placed around the perimeter, while the support members arranged the supplies and equipment.

Two Combat Guardians were assigned to patrol the nearby area.

Although the valley appeared peaceful, the League wasn’t willing to take any chances. The northern mountain range had several known spiritual disturbances, and the team didn’t know whether the underground facility was the only source.

Ryan helped the other researchers organize their equipment before returning to the main tent.

Inside, Lorian had spread several documents across a large table.

"Come here, Mika. I want to show you something."

Ryan approached.

Lorian pointed toward a map.

"This is the area surrounding the entrance. The previous expedition established three possible routes leading toward the underground facility, but only one was confirmed to be safe."

He pointed toward a narrow passage marked in red.

"This is the route we’ll use tomorrow. The entrance is located behind a collapsed section of the mountain."

Ryan examined the map.

"Was the entrance sealed intentionally?"

"Yes. After the previous expedition, the League decided to seal it because of the instability inside. Several protective formations were placed around the entrance to prevent anything from escaping."

Ryan looked at the marked area.

"Do we know whether those formations are still functioning?"

"Some of them are. However, their energy has weakened considerably over the years. We’ll need to inspect them before attempting to reopen the entrance."

Lorian picked up another document.

"There’s also something else. According to the old records, the original entrance wasn’t the only access point. There were several smaller passages, but most of them were buried during the collapse."

Ryan became interested.

"Could any of them still be accessible?"

"Possibly, but searching for them would take too much time. We’ll focus on the main entrance first."

Ryan nodded.

He continued examining the map and memorized the locations of the known chambers.

After a while, Lorian gathered the documents.

"That’s enough for today. We’ll begin early tomorrow, so get some rest."

"Understood."

Ryan left the tent.

Outside, the camp was almost ready. Several members were having dinner, while others were checking their equipment.

Ryan collected his meal and sat near one of the smaller tents.

The food was simple but nutritious. The League had brought enough supplies for the entire expedition, including spiritual grain and several ingredients that helped maintain energy during long journeys.

While eating, Ryan listened to the conversations around him.

The two Construct Specialists were discussing the equipment they planned to use when inspecting the ruins.

One of them, Orven, noticed Ryan nearby.

"Mika, have you finished preparing your research tools?"

"Almost. I only need to check a few things tomorrow morning."

Orven nodded.

"Make sure you bring enough silver-thread paper. We don’t know what kind of structures we’ll encounter down there."

"I’ve prepared several sheets."

"Good. We might need them if we discover damaged spiritual connections."

Ryan agreed.

After finishing dinner, he returned to his tent.

He checked his notebook, research instruments, and other supplies one last time before putting everything away.

Then he lay down.

Tomorrow, they would finally enter the underground facility.

The next morning, the expedition members gathered near the camp entrance.

The weather was clear, although the surrounding mountains remained covered in a thin layer of mist.

Captain Alden stood in front of the group.

"Before we leave, I want everyone to remember the expedition’s objectives."

He looked around.

"Our primary task is to investigate the Ancient Spiritual Network. We are not authorized to explore unrelated areas or retrieve major artifacts without approval. If we encounter something unusual, report it immediately."

Everyone nodded.

Alden continued.

"Combat Guardians will remain at the front and rear of the group. Researchers will stay between them. Nobody is to separate from the team without permission."

He then looked toward Lorian.

"Is everything ready?"

"Yes. The equipment has been checked, and the spiritual fragment is secured."

Alden nodded.

"Then let’s move."

The team began walking toward the northern slope.

The route was narrow, with large rocks scattered along the path. Several sections were covered in vegetation, making it difficult to distinguish the old trail from the surrounding terrain.

After roughly thirty minutes, they reached a large rocky wall.

At first glance, it looked like an ordinary section of the mountain.

However, Ryan soon noticed several faint markings on the rocks.

He approached carefully.

"Captain, are these part of the protective formations?"

Alden looked toward the markings.

"Yes. Those are the remains of the sealing formation."

Lorian stepped forward and examined them.

"Most of the outer structure is still intact, but the energy circulation has weakened. We should inspect the entire formation before attempting to open the entrance."

One of the researchers took out a special instrument and began examining the markings.

After several minutes, he reported his findings.

"The western section is damaged. The eastern section is still receiving a small amount of spiritual energy, but the central connection is almost inactive."

Alden looked toward Lorian.

"Can we remove the seal?"

"Not yet. We need to understand how the remaining connections are arranged. Removing the wrong section might destabilize the entire formation."

Ryan examined the markings from a distance.

The sealing formation was different from the spiritual thread structures he had studied so far.

It consisted of several layers, with each layer connected to a central point.

However, something about its arrangement seemed familiar.

He took out his notebook and compared the markings with the diagram of the mysterious fragment.

After a moment, his expression changed slightly.

’This arrangement...’

He looked at the formation again.

There were several small connections around the central section, arranged in pairs.

They resembled the smaller threads inside the fragment.

Ryan approached Lorian.

"Research Guardian, could I take a closer look?"

Lorian glanced at him.

"Have you noticed something?"

"These connections look similar to the arrangement inside the fragment."

Lorian became attentive.

He examined the markings more carefully.

"Show me."

Ryan pointed toward a small section near the lower part of the formation.

"These three connections appear to form a pattern similar to the fragment’s main structure. The smaller markings around them might regulate the flow of spiritual energy."

Lorian studied the area.

After a moment, he called one of the other researchers.

"Bring the fragment closer. I want to compare the structures."

A researcher carrying the secured container approached.

The container was placed on a small table at a safe distance from the formation.

For several moments, nothing happened.

Then the faint silver light inside the container began to flicker.

Ryan immediately noticed it.

"Captain, the fragment is reacting."

Alden stepped closer.

The researchers activated their instruments.

The fragment produced another faint pulse.

This time, the markings on the rocky wall responded.

A thin silver light appeared along several sections of the formation before disappearing.

Everyone became quiet.

Lorian stared at the readings.

"That’s the same pattern we observed in the laboratory."

Ryan looked toward the mountain wall.

The fragment had reacted to the formation.

And the formation had responded in return.

’So this really is connected to the ancient network.’

Alden examined the markings.

"Does this mean the sealing formation is part of the same structure?"

Lorian shook his head.

"Not necessarily. It might have been constructed using similar principles, or it could have been connected to the facility when the entrance was sealed."

Ryan considered that possibility.

The original facility had been sealed after the first expedition. It was entirely possible that the League’s researchers had used parts of the ancient structure to create the protective formation.

However, there was another possibility.

The formation might have been connected to the network itself.

If that was the case, then the League had unknowingly been using part of the ancient system to keep the entrance closed.

Ryan decided not to jump to conclusions.

"We should compare the exact arrangements before making any changes," he said.

Lorian nodded.

"Agreed. Let’s record the readings first."

The researchers spent the next hour examining the formation and comparing it with the fragment.

They discovered that the reaction was strongest near the central section.

Whenever the fragment produced a pulse, the markings in that area responded with a faint glow.

However, the effect was too weak to establish a stable connection.

Eventually, Lorian turned toward Alden.

"I believe we’ve found the correct entrance. The fragment’s reaction confirms that the structure here is related to the network."

Alden nodded.

"Can we proceed with opening it?"

"Yes, but we’ll need to stabilize the remaining formation first."

The Construct Specialists began preparing their equipment.

Orven and the other specialist placed several prepared spiritual anchors around the damaged sections.

These anchors were designed to support the remaining formation and prevent its energy flow from becoming unstable.

Ryan watched them work.

Their technique was different from the basic thread manipulation he had learned at the academy. Instead of creating an entirely new structure, they were reinforcing the existing connections while preserving their original arrangement.

It was a careful process.

After nearly two hours, the preparations were complete.

Lorian checked the readings one final time.

"The formation is stable. We can begin removing the outer seal."

Alden gave the order.

The Construct Specialists activated their equipment.

A faint glow spread across the rocky wall.

Several markings began shining one after another, and the protective formation gradually released its hold.

A low rumbling sound echoed through the valley.

The rocky surface trembled slightly.

Then, a large section of the mountain wall shifted.

Dust fell from above as a dark opening appeared behind the rocks.

The entrance to the underground facility had finally been revealed.

The Combat Guardians immediately moved forward.

Two entered first, carefully inspecting the passage before giving the signal that it was safe to proceed.

Alden looked toward the researchers.

"Prepare your equipment. We’ll enter in formation."

Ryan adjusted the straps of his bag and checked his instruments.

The entrance was wider than he had expected.

Several old markings were engraved around its frame, and faint silver lines extended from them into the surrounding stone.

Unlike the sealing formation outside, these markings appeared to be part of the original structure.

Ryan approached one of them.

The silver lines were almost completely faded, but their arrangement was still visible.

He recognized the pattern.

It was similar to the one inside the fragment.

Before he could examine it further, Lorian called him.

"Mika, stay with the research group."

Ryan stepped back.

"Understood."

The team entered the passage.

The air inside was noticeably cooler, and the walls were covered with a thin layer of dust.

Several broken pieces of stone lay scattered across the floor.

Their footsteps echoed through the narrow corridor.

The Combat Guardians moved carefully, checking each section before allowing the rest of the team to proceed.

After walking for several minutes, they reached the first chamber.

It was a large rectangular room with several stone pillars arranged along the walls.

At the center stood the remains of a damaged spiritual construct.

It resembled a tall stone figure, although its upper body had partially collapsed.

Several silver threads extended from its back and disappeared into the walls.

Ryan stopped.

’So these are the constructs mentioned in the expedition records.’

Lorian approached the nearest pillar.

"Record everything. Don’t touch the threads until we’ve examined their condition."

The researchers began their work.

Some measured the spiritual energy around the chamber, while others examined the pillars and the damaged construct.

Ryan took out his notebook.

He carefully recorded the positions of the threads and compared them with the old diagrams.

After a while, he noticed something unusual.

The threads weren’t simply connected to the pillars.

They extended through small openings in the walls, leading toward other chambers.

He followed their direction with his eyes.

’They’re connected to something deeper.’

He examined the damaged construct at the center.

Its spiritual core was still present, but most of the threads surrounding it had deteriorated.

A few remained intact.

Ryan looked toward Lorian.

"Research Guardian, this construct seems to be connected to the surrounding structure."

Lorian approached.

"Why do you think so?"

Ryan pointed toward the threads.

"These connections don’t appear to be part of its internal structure. They extend outward through the walls. I think the construct was receiving instructions or energy from another source."

Lorian examined the arrangement.

"That is possible. The expedition records mentioned similar constructs."

He looked toward the damaged figure.

"However, we need to determine whether it was receiving energy or transmitting it."

Ryan nodded.

That was an important distinction.

If the construct was receiving energy, it might have been a subordinate component of the network.

If it was transmitting energy, it could have served as a connection point between different sections.

He continued examining the structure.

Then he noticed something near the base.

A small circular engraving was partially covered by dust.

Ryan crouched and carefully cleared the surface.

Several thin silver lines appeared.

They formed a pattern he had seen before.

It was almost identical to the arrangement inside the mysterious fragment.

Ryan’s eyes narrowed.

"Research Guardian Lorian."

Lorian turned toward him.

"Did you find something?"

Ryan pointed at the engraving.

"Look at this."

Lorian approached and examined it.

For a moment, he didn’t say anything.

Then he took out his own notebook and compared the engraving with the diagram of the fragment.

His expression gradually became serious.

"This is the same structure."

Ryan nodded.

"The arrangement is almost identical."

Lorian looked toward the damaged construct.

"Then this might be where the fragment originally belonged."

The surrounding researchers gathered near them.

Alden also approached after hearing the discussion.

"Have you identified something?"

Lorian explained what they had discovered.

Alden examined the engraving.

"If this is the original connection point, can we attach the fragment?"

Ryan considered the question.

"Possibly, but I don’t think we should attempt it yet."

"Why?"

"The construct is damaged, and we don’t know whether the remaining connections are stable. If the fragment is placed here, it might activate the entire structure."

Lorian nodded.

"He’s right. We should examine the construct first."

Alden agreed.

"Then leave it for now. We’ll continue investigating the chamber."

Ryan stood up and looked around.

They had only entered the first chamber, yet they had already found evidence connecting the fragment to the facility.

The original network was much more complicated than he had imagined.

And if this damaged construct was only one of its components, then the deeper sections might contain far more important discoveries.

Ryan glanced toward the passage leading out of the chamber.

Somewhere beyond it lay the central structure shown in the old expedition diagram.

He wondered what they would find there.

For now, he returned to his work.

The investigation had only just begun.