Continue? Chapter 3.1 : Underground Facility

The Bush was Massive.

About the size of a Hot Air Balloon.

It looks as if there was nothing inside of it, but upon closer inspection, there was one small area that seemed thinner than the rest of it.

'I guess we just...'

Pushing his hand against it, Quin had his hand go through the Bush.

'This... is kinda cool. I only ever saw these in movies and games.'

Slowly, he walks into the Bush.

"Brother, be careful." Sayu seemed anxious.

"I'll be fine. You all wait here. I'm gonna make sure it's safe before we all head inside."

"Should I go with you?" Mel asked.

"I don't know how safe it is, so I want you to stay with the others."

"Then take one of these."

Mel sprouts a Bright Green Flower, and drops a Black Seed onto his hand.

"What's this?" Quin observed it.

"If something happens, destroy the Seed. When that happens, I'll go get you."

'I guess it's a Panic Button.'

"Alright. I'll head down. Trayfi, you're in charge while I'm gone."

"Can do. I'll try not to let anybody get hurt." Trayfi grows a jokingly serious face.

With that, Quin pushes his entire body through the Bush Entry.

Making it through, a small area was inside, and a Metal Hatch was layed out on the floor.

'This really is like a Movie.'

Slowly, Quin began opening the Hatch, but stopped himself.

'Just in case, I should boost my Stats first.'

[Stats] [Points : 46]

{Strength : 29}

{Defence : 29}

{Agility : 29}

{Stamina : 29}

{Magic : 29}

'I can add another 9 to all of them... maybe I should drink one of these as well.'

Taking out one of the Stat Potions from his Pocket, he opens the small bottle and drinks it.

[+9 Stat Points]

'...Not exactly what I aimed for, but I managed to even out my Points.'

[Stats] [Points : 55 -> 0]

{Strength : 29 -> 40}

{Defence : 29 -> 40}

{Agility : 29 -> 40}

{Stamina : 29 -> 40}

{Magic : 29 -> 40}

'It feels a little weird. I did add a lot of points. I'll check out the [Skill Shop] later.'

Opening the Hatch, he noticed how much lighter it was.

'I can run if I need to. Especially with the [Thunder Boots] boosting my Speed.'

Looking down, Quin didn't see a Ladder.

'Maybe it's a Magic Elevator of sorts? ...Should I jump down?'

Not having many options, he jumps.

. . .

He didn't seem to be slowing down.

'I got my hopes up. I don't wan't to break my legs, so...'

{Hover I}

The Speed of his descent was much slower, but still really fast.

'I can see a glow at the bottom. Not enough time to Upgrade it.'

{Wind Magic I}

Creating a large gust of Wind, Quin slows his descent a little more.

'This should be enough... hopefully.'

Answering his Hopes and Efforts, he finally hits the bottom... with a bit of Force.

"...I would normally say ow, but I think my Boosted Defence and Anti-Pain helped a lot."

"Scanning Lifeform..."

Looking to his right, a small Camera-like Orb floated above the ground.

"That's new."

Sitting up, he faces the Orb.

"Scan Complete. Sending Data of Unknown Personnel..."

'Hold up. Sending Data? And What Scan!?'

"Warning : Data Transfer Failure. Attempting with Different Host... Complete. C-16 Dispatched."

"C-16? Look, I just wanna know what this place is. What even are you?"

"Unknown Personnel cannot access that Information. 13 Seconds until C-16's Arrival."

"What is C-16? What is even going on right now?"

"Unknown Personnel cannot access that Information. 5 Seconds. 4. 3. 2. 1. C-16 Has Arrived for Extermination of the Unknown Target."

'Extermi-what now?'

A Beam shot just above his head, barely missing him and hitting the Orb.

'What...'

"Misfire. Accuracy Processors slightly damaged due to negligence. Attempting Auto-Repair."

Turning around, a Humanoid Figure could barely be made out in the Dark.

'A Person? No, their Speech is just like the Orb behind me. Another Bot?'

"Repairs at 78%. Attempting Extermination."

A Red Light began glowing from the dark. The Light allowed Quin to slightly see the Figure.

'They look Human, but not entirely... I need to Hide.'

As soon as another Laser was shot, Quin quickly avoided and ran full speed into the Hallway to the Right of the Figure.

'This is such a bad idea.'

As he continued running, he noticed something.

'They're not chasing... Did they give up? And... is that Smoke?'

A Strong scent if Smoke was up ahead.

'This doesn't feel right. Did something happen here?'

Stopping at an Open Room, he saw the cause of the smell.

A Large Machine was Blown at the center of the room.

"What... is THIS!?"

To his left was another Humanoid Figure that resembles the one from earlier. This one was stationary.

"That scared me. Is it... out of power?"

Looking around, he could see 3 more Figures at the other Corners of the room.

"Blown Machinery, Non-Functioning Robots, and a lot of Hallways. Was this place a Laboratory?"

Stepping on something, he looked at his feet.

A Piece of Paper with Big Red Words saying "IT WAS A JOK-". The Corner was burnt off.

Walking further into the room, he continued looking around.

However, the only things he could see were Rubble and Ashes.

"I guess I should go Left."

Entering the Hallway to the Left of the one he Entered from, Quin ran through.

'This place is massive. It doesn't seem like the Hallways ever end.'

Stopping again, he enters another open room.

'This Machine isn't destroyed like the other one, but... the thing inside of it. Is that what gave the Machine Power?'

Walking closer, he saw another sheet of paper.

This one had more words, but half of it was ripped off.

"We don't have enough Giga Crystals to power the Facility for any longer than a Week. If those Lunatics would stop using them for their experiments, then maybe we wou-"

"What sort of a Crystal is called a 'Giga Crystal'?"

Looking up, he gets closer, and touches the Glass.

[Appraising...]

'...This one is taking long as well.'

[Appraisal Complete]

[Giga Crystal {Empty}]

{A Large Crystal only found in the Highest Ranking Dungeon. When it is exposed to another Crystal of the same Power, both will explode. Otherwise, the Stronger Crystal absorbs the Weaker one for itself.}

{Mana Capacity : 0 / 1,000,000,000,000}

{Self Generating Mana II [-Error-]}

'What the hell is that number? That's an insane amount of Mana. And that Skill... another "Error"...'

Looking around, it was the same as the previous room.

Rubble and Ashes, but not from the Machine itself.

"...Should I take another Left? That's where the Robot was. Maybe..."

Going left once again, he ran at a slower pace.

"I need to make sure I don't get ambushed or cornered. And if it's a facility this big, where are all of the People? And 'Projects'?"

Slowing to a walk, he could see Light at the end of the Hall.

'That's a first.'

Walking carefully, he took a peek inside.

The Android wasn't there.

'Maybe they didn't return? Or they did chase me, and could be behind me at any second.'

Looking back to make sure he wasn't followed, Quin walks into the room.

'The Crystal in this place is huge! And bright! And... is that another note? No, 2 notes.'

"God damn them. I'm the only one here who actually uses paper and ink, so at least my face isn't glued to a screen or my research. Even if they yelled and hit me, I managed to fend them off with a special weapon of mine : A Pair of Blue Electro Magnetic Blades that were made using my Mana Coding Enhancer. With that, I was able to make them any shape or length I wanted them to be using Mana. They won't take this Giga Crystal, even if it costs me my life."

'Blue Blades? Magic and Science were used to make them... Was this person actually an absolute genius?'

"They went mad. They kept speaking nonsense about a [Being above even the eldest of Gods] and kept trying to use all of the Giga Crystals. Thanks to them, the Facility is about to shut down... for good. I only have one wish before it all goes to hell. If anybody finds this, then listen carefully. I left my Will inside of a Metal Container with a large V painted on it. Find it, and follow the instructions."

'It's like a script for some sort of story. If so, then... this is the last Crystal.'

[Appraising...]

[Appraisal Complete]

[Giga Crystal {Full}]

{Mana Capacity : 1,000,000,000,000 / 1,000,000,000,000}

{Self Generating Mana IV}

'Full Power. I wonder what caused the "Error" in the other Crystals.'

Taking another look around, he could see a small Metal Box with a V on it.

'Their Will is inside of that?'

Taking the container, Quin tried to open it.

No luck.

'How do I open it? It doesn't have a Keyhole, and there weren't enough instructions on this.'

Taking another look at the room, he noticed something else.

The Spots where the Androids should be were empty.

'That's... not good. Let's care about the Box later. How do I leave here without alerting the Robots?'

Before he could come up with a plan, he heard a metallic *Clang* sound coming from the Hall that led to the Exit.

'Uh oh. What should I... Maybe I'll just stand here.'

As he waited for the Droid to appear, the Sound kept growing louder.

'Please let this work.'

"Confirming Target... Affirmative. Engaging. Beginning Extermination Procedure."

Another Red Light began shining in the darkness.

'Here goes nothing.'

"If you shoot me, the Crystal behind me will break."

Stopping, the Android continues charging the Beam, but doesn't fire.

"Calculating... Improbable Outcome. Target's Strength : Unknown. Cannot Calculate Probability of Successful Extermination with Intact Giga Crystal."

'...I'm actually not surprised. It's like shooting yourself in the Heart.'

"Can I ask you something?" Quin asked.

"Unknown Personnel cannot access any Information. If you wish to ask questions, then confirm your Identification."

'I don't have any Identifi...cation...'

Taking out his Knife, he shows it to the Android.

"Does this work?"

A small moment went by, and the Android begins to speak.

"Confirmed. Wielder of Project 8 : Flowing Fire Confirmed. Stage 1 Access has been granted."

"...Does that mean..."

"Extermination Process has been Terminated. You may now Enter and Exit the Facility as you please. Minor Questions and Suggestions can now be Followed Through."

"Thank God. I thought I was gonna die."

"Confirming previous Question : What would you like to ask?"

"First off, what is this place?"

"This Facility is called the Lab of Solman. A Laboratory for Research and Inventions."

. . .