[21] The Descent into the Unknown

The moment Cero touched the energy orb, a blinding light exploded from the altar, engulfing the entire chamber. The energy felt like a massive wave crashing against every entity within the room. The golems surrounding Cero's team froze mid-motion, their bodies locked in place as if time itself had halted.

"Director, they've stopped!" a soldier exclaimed, relief evident in his voice.

But the reprieve was short-lived. The orb atop the altar began to pulse faster and faster, and the symbols carved into the chamber walls glowed brighter. The ground beneath them started to tremble violently.

[Warning: Activation has triggered the second phase of the mechanism. The structure beneath the dungeon is opening.]

"Beneath?" Cero muttered, his eyes narrowing as he watched cracks spiderweb across the floor near the altar.

With a thunderous roar, the center of the chamber floor collapsed, revealing a massive chasm that seemed bottomless. The blue light from the altar flowed into the void, pulsing rhythmically like a heartbeat, as though the ancient mechanism was awakening something long buried in the darkness below.

Cero stood still, observing the chasm with an expression of intrigue, weighing the possibilities. The air grew heavier, the kind of oppressive energy that made every breath feel labored. Yet, his composure remained unshaken, as always.

"Director," called a man approaching from behind. It was Robert, a former SAS special forces captain now serving as one of Cero's most trusted guards. His stature was commanding, and his sharp gaze reflected years of battlefield experience.

"Are we going down?" Robert asked, his tone neutral, though his eyes brimmed with caution.

Without hesitation, Cero nodded. "Yes. Our goal is to explore and understand this dungeon. Based on the carvings we saw earlier, something is being contained below. And I want to know what it is."

The elite soldiers around them remained silent, showing no signs of fear despite the ominous atmosphere. As highly trained operatives, they were accustomed to high-risk situations. Yet their vigilant scanning of the chamber betrayed their heightened alertness.

Robert gestured to his comrades. "Understood. Initiate protocol. Check the structural integrity, set up safety lines, and ensure everyone is prepared for descent."

"On it," replied a soldier, moving with his team to secure ropes and scanning equipment along the edges of the chasm.

Cero observed their efficiency before focusing once more on the chasm. Something about this place felt unusual, something even his system hadn't fully explained. Before proceeding further, he activated the mental link to his system.

System, what do the earlier carvings mean? he thought.

[Processing symbol analysis... The wall carvings depict an ancient narrative. The primary subject is an entity with six arms, referred to as "The Final Warden." Its purpose is to contain a force known as the "Aetherial Core," a source of energy beyond conventional magic.]

[Additional note: The Core is believed to possess extremely destructive potential. Full activation could destabilize the energy balance of this region.]

Cero's eyes narrowed. So, we might be releasing something that should stay locked away?

[Highly likely. Recommendation: Proceed with extreme caution. Focus on data acquisition and further analysis.]

"Interesting," Cero murmured. "The greater the risk, the greater the reward."

With the safety equipment secured, the team began their descent into the chasm. Strong cables anchored to metal braces around the altar ensured a slow but stable descent. Helmet-mounted lights illuminated the chasm walls, revealing carvings and glowing symbols as they descended deeper.

Cero led the way, moving calmly despite the seemingly endless drop below. The air grew colder, and with every step downward, the silence deepened, amplifying the faint hum of energy around them.

"Director," a technician's voice crackled over the radio. "We're detecting increasing energy fluctuations as we go deeper. There's a significant source below."

"Good," Cero replied curtly. "Stay focused. Don't let anything distract you."

The walls displayed new carvings. Unlike the earlier narrative-like symbols, these appeared to be warnings—overlapping magical circles with lines converging on a central motif: an eye surrounded by cracks resembling dripping blood.

"Director, this doesn't look like a welcoming committee," Robert commented from behind.

"I don't need a welcome, Robert," Cero replied, his tone calm. "I prefer something that tries to stop me."

At last, they reached the bottom. A vast chamber opened before them, illuminated by towering pillars of blue energy emanating from the ground. At its center stood a massive structure resembling a cage. Its metallic bars glowed faintly but appeared fractured, their stability compromised.

"System, analysis," Cero commanded mentally.

[This structure is the primary seal. Its function is to contain the Aetherial Core's energy. Status: Seal integrity compromised. High risk of energy leakage.]

Robert approached, his sharp gaze fixed on the massive cage at the chamber's center. The blue light streaming from the cracks in the bars made the entire room feel alive despite its eerie stillness.

"What's your take, Director?" he asked cautiously, his voice respectful but wary.

A small grin tugged at the corner of Cero's lips as he stared at the structure. "That we've found something far more valuable than gold or even magic. This isn't just power, Robert. If harnessed properly, this could be a pure energy source. Perhaps greater than anything we've ever used in my old world—even uranium."

Robert raised an eyebrow. "That's a bold assumption, Director."

"Of course," Cero replied with a slight shrug. "But bold assumptions often lead to great discoveries, don't they?"

Without further comment, Robert nodded and signaled his team to secure the area and begin analyzing the structure.

As the technicians and soldiers got to work, Cero ventured deeper into the chamber, studying the glowing symbols along the walls and the dark passages branching off in various directions. The vastness of the chamber resembled a grand hall in an ancient palace. Crossing his arms over his chest, Cero seemed lost in thought.

"This place is massive," he mused aloud. "It's possible that the floor above was just the first level. If I'm right, this is like the dungeon structures I've read about—either you climb higher or delve deeper."

Robert glanced at him with a flat expression. "Director, I'm not familiar with 21st-century youth trends, so I don't know what to say."

Before Cero could respond, a young soldier, brimming with enthusiasm, interrupted with a loud voice. "I get what the Director means! Like dungeon crawlers in games, right? Usually, the deeper you go, the better the rewards—but the enemies get tougher!"

Robert immediately shot the soldier a sharp look. "Watch your mouth, soldier. Don't be impudent."

But Cero raised a hand, halting Robert's reprimand. "It's fine, Robert. Let him speak. Sometimes, fresh ideas come from unexpected places."

The young soldier grinned nervously, then continued in a more measured tone. "I mean, Director, if this is like a fantasy dungeon, there's a chance we've just scratched the surface. There might be even more waiting below."

Cero nodded thoughtfully, his sharp gaze narrowing as he considered the suggestion. "Interesting. If that's the case, we'll need to be prepared for anything. We can't treat this place as just another cave."

As Cero approached the massive cage at the center, the system's voice resonated in his mind once again.

[Warning: This structure is the core of the primary seal. Security mechanisms are active. Any interference with the seal may trigger defensive reactions from the dungeon's system.]

[Note: The energy contained within exceeds the maximum standard of this world's magical system. High risk of destructive energy leakage.]

Just as I suspected, Cero thought. This isn't just an ordinary underground chamber.

He turned to Robert and his team. "Ensure no one touches this structure without my explicit permission. This is the main seal. If we're reckless, we might awaken something that should remain asleep."

"Understood, Director," Robert replied firmly, immediately issuing orders to his subordinates to secure the perimeter.