Earth Dungeon 122.2

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Chapter 122.2. Abyss

"There wasn't a single soul, but the facility was completely intact. There was even a management terminal. Next to it, there was a notebook with passwords written down. It's common to create overly complex passwords because companies want tight security. So, instructions are given to put cumbersome passwords on each system individually."

"The underlings set up those complex passwords as instructed. However, the number becomes hundreds. For tasks like setting up, you need to get the administrator's permission from your boss. But the old bosses, aged and unable to remember that many passwords, find it bothersome. So, they secretly write them down in a notebook and hide it."

"That's the facade of security for you. It's terrible."

"Thanks to that, we were able to use this facility."

Entering the back room, it was a small space. Mogami, recalling his past visits to this room, approaches a box resembling a safe, three meters in height and five meters in width, installed on the wall. It's made of a thick, armor-like metal wall with a card reader and a panel.

"We should have spare weapons and crystal-generating devices in here."

Mogami swipes the card through the card reader and then taps the panel next to it.

"32598... I'm sure it was... Oh, no, that's wrong. 325896. It's been so long I forgot. Not that either."

"Old man, hurry up! We don't know when crystal zombies might appear!"

Frowning at the impatient shouts of his companions, Mogami tries to recall the numbers.

"321987."

A beep sounds, and the lock clicks. Mogami breathes a sigh of relief.

"Good, I managed to remember."

"That's simple, isn't it?"

Relieved, they hope for the box to open, watching with anticipation alongside the surrounding companions.

"If we understand the principles of that thing, we can solve the energy problem. We can even mass-produce this blaster."

"We spent ten years without any research results. Let's take it slow."

Nodding, they eagerly wait for the box to open and, leaning forward to see inside, Mogami's face turns pale.

"What is this?!"

"What is it? There's nothing!"

"What's this hole?"

Inside the opened box, there was nothing where weapons or crystal-generating devices should have been. Only debris had piled up.

And there was a large hole on the opposite side. A hard wall that couldn't be scratched by a blaster had been destroyed.

"This... is it being destroyed from the inside?"

Frowning, they raise their eyebrows at the sight of the metal wall curling up and seemingly breaking through the concrete wall from inside the box.

"Hey, there's a weapon under the rubble. A blaster!"

Realizing that several guns are buried in the debris, the companions cheer. They eagerly dig them out, hugging the weapons like treasures, grinning smugly.

"Now you won't make a big deal out of us."

"Yeah, we'll be the ones in charge here."

"...Do as you please. But, I have a bad feeling. Where is the crystal-generating device?"

Sweating, Mogami looks around. Suddenly, there's a clattering sound, and the sound of rubble collapsing.

"What's that?"

Holding the newly acquired weapon as if obtaining a coveted toy, aiming in the direction of the noise, the companions step forward.

"Show us the power of the blaster."

The power is filled, and the synthetic machine voice announces that the charge is complete at 5%. Meanwhile, something emerges from the hole's end.

"A lion?"

A lion with golden fur. It's not a particularly large lion, about five meters in size. It has intimidating golden eyes and is a beast that exudes a powerful force. The fur sparkles and shines beautifully with a transparent crystalline hue.

"I'll make a trophy out of it!"

One of the companions tests the power of the blaster by pulling the trigger. The barrel glows, and a red heat beam hits the lion's head. The extremely high-temperature blow would easily incinerate a normal enemy.

However, as if tickled, the lion only twitches and moves its head to clean itself with its paw. The attack does not burn or scorch a single strand of fur.

"What's with this thing?"

Others also shoot the blaster, but the lion neither dodges nor gets affected by the attacks. While receiving the attacks, it casually walks forward, not burning, not scorching, with not a single hair singed. Witnessing this, the companions retreat with terrified expressions.

[High Accelerator]

A sound is heard. Squelch, and then, one of the companions is crushed. By the lion's foreleg. Despite being a relatively small lion, it crushes the companion with its foreleg.

The lion slowly scans its face around.

Squelch

And, without anyone noticing, it stands by another companion, who is also crushed. With every blink, and the lion has completed its movement, and squelch, squelch, the companions are crushed.

"What is this..."

The lion elegantly looks around, and the beauty of its appearance makes Mogami and the others feel fear from the depths of their souls.

[You should not have come to the Abyss.]

A voice that conveys a sense of oppression turns into thoughts and reaches the minds of Mogami and his companions, who stare in horror at the beast.

"What... [Abyss]?"

[A place where humanity is no longer allowed. You were unfortunate.]

Squelch, and another companion are crushed, and Mogami and his companions couldn't capture its movements. It seems to be moving at high speed, yet it doesn't indicate even a breeze, only leaving behind results.

"It was a trap... from the beginning. That device was a trap!"

Mogami realizes those words.

[Humanity is destined for defeat.]

"I won't die in a place like this!"

Holding the blaster, the others also aim their guns at the lion.

Gunshots echo, but they stop after a while.

And once again, only silence spreads.