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墨書 Inktalez
"Um, I was just asking casually. Aren't we trapped in a mechanism?" Ross inquired.
"Yes, that's exactly the case. We've fallen into a trap, and our group was separated shortly after entering. Our abilities have also been filtered out, so don't expect to use intuition to locate our companions. If I'm not mistaken, there are likely intricate layers designed to ensnare us. We can't blow it up with explosives; the sixth page of the book explains this."
"Using gunpowder might not leave any traces either. Instead, it could trigger other untouched mechanisms. 'Pierced by Ten Thousand Arrows'—that was the first perilous checkpoint encountered by that team when they entered this tunnel. I think I understand why they wrote this guide for future generations."
"Following this line of reasoning, even the most meticulous thinkers can fall victim here. The mechanisms are active; the exit only appears within a certain timeframe. For instance, if we consider the exit as an elevator, we are like passengers in different elevators that lack up-and-down buttons, meaning we are taken to different floors at random. Therefore, the theory that blowing up these stone slabs would allow us to regroup is invalid."
"There might be strong corrosive substances behind those slabs that could dissolve bones. But there's no need to be so disheartened. According to the book's explanation, they eventually regrouped. I believe each of them was intelligent enough not to entertain the idea of using explosives to open an exit; that would be akin to digging their own graves." Freyr continued, "As for your concern about Rhein, such beings are indeed terrifying. While humanity could potentially face extinction in some future timeframe, I believe by then we will no longer be around. Your fear is not unfounded; I share it too. However, without concrete evidence proving that creature's existence, our priority must be survival in the present. We can't make a fuss over something that may not even exist."
"Commander, should we continue deeper?" Ross asked.
"Absolutely. We must proceed, but this time we need to stay closely together and avoid straying too far apart. If we get separated into individuals, it would be like receiving a death sentence," Freyr replied.
The two reached a consensus and continued forward despite the unusual circumstances. Meanwhile, Mackey and Nosty found themselves in another location. Mackey appeared particularly panicked for the first time, shouting like a dog whose tail had been stepped on. "What’s going on? We were just ahead! Why is there suddenly no one here? What’s happening?" As he spoke, Nosty reacted quickly and gestured for him to stop shouting.
His psychic abilities were innate; although he couldn't perceive the finer details within this area, he sensed a large psychic barrier suppressing human signals and even some forms of mental communication.
His own psychic strength was significantly diminished as well. If it weren't for his training reaching a certain level of mastery, he wouldn't have noticed this at all; in fact, his abilities had been reduced by about seventy to eighty percent. Yet he still retained nearly two layers of psychic energy capable of insight.
However, having just one layer felt somewhat reassuring.
"What’s going on? Weren't we just following behind? Why has everything suddenly changed?" Mackey exclaimed as he realized something was amiss. After enduring numerous missions, he now resembled a child encountering problems for the first time—feeling increasingly helpless without anyone by his side.
"Perhaps we've encountered a mechanism malfunction," Nosty said calmly, clearly well-acquainted with the situation and observing everything with clarity.
"Does that mean..." Mackey began, his expression a mix of understanding and confusion, standing to the side with his mouth agape, visibly unsettled.
"We're in trouble," Nosty continued, picking up on Mackey's thoughts.
"Is it really that terrifying?" someone else chimed in.
"Yes, what's even worse is that this layer of mental shielding is suppressing my psychic transmission. Brainwaves are like a channel; I already know everyone's brainwave frequencies, so I can communicate with them at any time and be aware of their situations. However, this layer is blocking my brainwave transmission frequency, which means my abilities are no different from an ordinary person's right now. Plus, being disabled makes it even harder. If I were alone here, I wouldn't be able to leave this place at all. Thankfully, you're by my side; perhaps I can still manage to protect myself. My psychic frequency can sense the arrangement of all nearby mechanisms, but that malfunction is impenetrable even by explosives. It would only cause the walls to crack and let Mercury seep out. This place has been fortified against pests extensively; you should know that everything here is foolproof," Nosty said thoughtfully as he lightly touched the wall.
"What should we do now?" Mackey asked.
"We have no choice but to move forward. Just a few steps to your left foot, there's a trap connected to a wall-piercing Crossbow aimed right at your skull," Nosty warned.
"No way!" Mackey exclaimed in shock.
"Of course I'm not lying to you. Do you think I would deceive a companion on the same boat? Don't joke around," Nosty replied.
"In that case, are there similar setups elsewhere?" Mackey pondered for a moment before stepping back significantly. He picked up a stone from the corner and threw it to test the path ahead. Suddenly, a Crossbow shot through the wall directly at him.
It truly was a wall-piercing shot; it didn't miss its mark but landed on the ground where he had just stood.
A layer of mud covered the cold Arrowhead, seemingly buried in sorrow for an unknown length of time. Just arriving here sent a chill down his spine; it seemed all too real. He quickly took a step back and continued, "From now on, I will follow your lead. I'll take you out of here, and in return, you will use your abilities to survey this place. We will be partners, how does that sound?" He addressed Nosty.
"Alright, I can do that. I will find a way to ensure your safe departure," Nosty replied, falling into deep thought.
After a short while, he took a step forward. "Follow me; this area is at least safe. If there are any forks in the path, remember to alert me. Don't touch anything else, understood?" Nosty said, slowly inching along the wall as he felt his way forward.
Mackey shook his head, perplexed by it all, and continued to move ahead with a dazed expression.
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