Chapter 20 part 1

Leylin ventured deeper into the cave system, the sound of his footsteps echoing off the walls. He held his torch aloft, casting a flickering light on the rocky terrain. The air grew colder and damp as he descended. He paused to examine the cave wall, running his hand over the rough surface. He could see the glint of minerals embedded in the rock.

[Beep! Increased radiation density detected.... Ambient radiation entering host body….. Unknown radiation purge recommended….]

"Purge," Leylin mentally instructed.

'Interesting,' Leylin thought. Luckily, he had the AI chip on active monitoring mode even if he would feel fatigued later.

The spiritual tomb of stary wisdom was indeed a peculiar place. It was rumoured that a great dragon had tried to burrow itself trying to get to the land of the fey. Leylin's own bet was something trying to get to the subterranean world or a meteor strike. While it did not quite look like an astral crater, even geological formations cease to become recognisable over long enough time scales.

All the starmetal ore on the black weed continent was obtained from the spiritual tomb. It was also rumoured that lower levels had magic crystals.

The problem was that anyone that ventured into the spiritual tomb ended up dying, even grand knights fell sick, which was perplexing, but that mystery cleared up. It was dense radiation. Even he would have lost a portion of his lifespan due to the radiation had it not been for the AI Chip.

"Run diagnostics on the radiation, contrast it with other forms of radiation and try to find utility", Leylin mentally commanded.

[Beep! Task established... time required 34 hours and 13 min and 12 seconds]

Leylin carefully continued his way down the steep cave path, the sound of his footsteps echoing through the cavern. The air grew colder, and damper as he descended, and the light from his torch flickered against the rocky walls. He paused to check his rope, ensuring it was secure before continuing.

[Beep! Caution.. Radiation intrusion rate at 40% of maximum expulsion rate]

Interesting, he wondered if it was the AI chips limit. He thought about continuing his descent but decided against it. He didn't want to test his plot armour so soon. He decided to climb back up.

As he made his way back to the surface, Leylin couldn't shake off the feeling that there was something else deeper in the cave that he needed to find. He made a mental note to return to the cave when he would be better equipped to explore the deeper levels. For now, he would focus on mining the starmetal while he waited for the AI chip to finish its radiation analysis. He was determined to uncover the secrets of the spiritual tomb and unlock its hidden treasures.