Chapter 16: Making Money (Part 1)

In the Amazon jungle, a group of people was walking along a river. This group included Edward along with an exploring team.

The exploring team was composed of an archaeologist, a biologist, a botanist, a wilderness survival expert, and a retired Marine. Their mission was to find treasures lost in history.

"Sir, are you sure this is the right way?" asked the biologist, one of the two women on the team.

"The path is correct, but it will take some time to reach our destination," Edward replied without looking back.

"Does Victor really exist?"

"What do you think?" Edward turned to look at the four of them and asked.

No one spoke further. They continued on their journey and soon emerged from the dense jungle to a barren road.

On both sides of the road was lush, green forest, yet here lay a desolate path. There were several mounds of dirt scattered along it but not a single green plant grew on the road.

"Be careful, everyone. Walk through the forest on either side, not on the dirt road," Edward warned.

"Why?"

"Army ants. Those mounds are their nests. If you don't want to be eaten alive, don't disturb them."

The five members of the exploring team exchanged glances before deciding to heed Edward's warning. They walked along the forest path but just then, a giant lizard swaggered onto the dirt road. The five stopped to watch it. In the next moment, a swarm of army ants emerged from the mounds. The lizard tried to escape, but it was too late. The army ants had already surrounded it.

The lizard couldn't even put up a fight before being carried into the ant nest. The adventure team watched in amazement, gulping nervously.

Soon, they reached the end of the road, arriving at a cliff. Edward stood at the edge, looking into the distance. He saw three waterfalls and pointed towards them, "See those waterfalls? Once we pass them, we'll reach our destination."

"Then why didn't we go down directly? Why come all the way here?" The survival expert asked, puzzled.

"Because I needed to find a path. If you think this is wasting time, we can take a faster, more aggressive route."

"What method?" the four asked in unison.

"A raft."

"That's impossible. The drop of these three waterfalls alone would destroy any raft," one retorted.

"Then there's no other way. We'll have to rappel down with ropes and follow the river. It's up to you whether to choose the aggressive or the safer method," Edward said, spreading his hands.

After some discussion, the five decided to opt for the safer route. Although Edward was their employer, their lives were their own, and with two women in the team, even though they were physically stronger than average men, the raft method was too risky. They decided to take a more cautious approach.

They then began tying ropes and slowly rappelling down the cliff. After repeating this process four times, they finally reached the bottom of the third waterfall.

"Boss, what's the next step?"

"We're here. Follow me," Edward led the way toward the waterfall. As they passed through the waterfall, the group noticed a hidden passage behind it, with colorful murals painted on both sides.

"Oxen, their totems! This is real! Aliens really exist!" The archaeologist exclaimed, examining the murals closely by torchlight.

"There is no time for this for now. We need to keep moving. If you want to study this, use your camera to take pictures," Edward instructed.

The archaeologist nodded and started taking photos frantically. As they continued deeper, Edward spoke up, "Get your weapons ready. We've encountered natives."

"How is that possible?"

"Anything is possible. Get your weapons out. I'm not joking."

Knowing that Edward wasn't one to joke around, the group drew their weapons—mostly pistols, with the survival expert wielding a bow and arrow, scanning the surroundings warily.

"We need to move faster. You two stay behind me, and you cover the rear," Edward directed the two women to follow him closely, while the retired Marine took the rear.

As they saw light ahead, they also heard rustling noises behind them. Realizing Edward wasn't joking, they quickened their pace. Emerging from the passage, they found themselves at a stone staircase with a drop of several hundred meters. Beyond the steps lay a vast plain with a stone pyramid at its center. The pyramid had no top; instead, four massive stone pillars intersected and rested on corner platforms.

Upon reaching the plain, a group of primitive people armed with stone spears surrounded them.

"What do we do, boss?" the biologist and botanist asked, sticking close to Edward.

With a blank expression, Edward drew his gun and fired at the nearest primitive man. The gunshot startled them into a temporary paralysis, but soon one of them shouted with the others followed suit, preparing to charge again. Edward frowned and pulled out a crystal skull. Seeing it, the primitive people recoiled in fear and retreated.

"Let's go."

Edward led them to the top of the pyramid, where he took out a device, pressed a button, and placed it aside. The others found places to rest while the archaeologist continued examining the pillar carvings.

After some time, helicopters appeared, causing the primitive people to run away or hide.

As the helicopters landed, Bullseye emerged.

"Is this the place you mentioned?"

"Yes. Now that you're all here, prepare to go up and stay there," Edward instructed, driving the group up. He stayed below and pulled out a raised stone block beneath the central pillar.

As the block was removed, sand poured out, causing the central pillar to lower. The four corner pillars rose, ultimately merging into one and opening a passage below.

Bullseye immediately signaled his men to descend.

"Let's go. It's our turn now," Edward smirked.

They passed through a door and, upon seeing the scene inside, everyone stood in stunned silence.