Chapter 21: Underground Subway Tunnels are Underrated

'I'll say it now... underground subway stations are underrated,' I thought, suppressing the urge to whistle in admiration at the fine structure. I stared at the jagged ceiling, reminiscent of being in an underground cave. Dim glowing lights powered by what I assumed to be some type of "Mana" crystals, as Lyra had mentioned before, illuminated the space.

Currently, I found myself in what could politely be called a waiting room. I said "politely." 

There was just a single row of steel chairs placed furthest at the back, accompanied by the singular scenery of the jagged ceiling to keep me company. Ah, along with a few ominously glaring pricks sent to watch me from across the room. 

After managing to reach a consensus with Barack and his women, we were led to one of the Outsiders' villages. I didn't know much about the Outsiders, or anything in particular, but from these few hours, I've been able to learn that these people have somewhat devolved to a more 'prehistoric' and ancient style of living to survive in the apocalypse.

They exist and are grouped in Tribes, each possessing their own regions and territories of the wasteland that remained of Earth. The Tribe Lyra and I happened to come across, and Addy's tribe, called themselves the Ntuli people.

These guys had clothes on that left not much to be imagined, but each and every one I had seen so far all possessed "Mana" just like Barack, our assailants, and Addy herself. 

I tried asking them about it, but I'm not exactly welcomed with open arms here. Barely managed to threaten my way in, even. But this wasn't something that deeply concerned me, just whimsical curiosity. Well, in any case, I was going to get my answers soon.

My being in this very room at the moment was to wait for someone called 'The Professor'. According to Barack, this person was the only one most likely to give me the answers I seek throughout the Ntuli Tribe. In return, I had to answer a few curiosities of their own, and in exchange for treating Lyra, I was going to help the Ntuli people deal with something. All I had to do was sit tight and wait.

I promised I wouldn't bare my fangs if I received no animosity in return. I merely had questions I desired to be answered.

"Ptoii. Fucking wall devil," I heard one of the pricks — I mean guard spit out.

I spared no attention and only continued to let my mind wander.

Speaking of Lyra, I cautiously handed her over to the Ntuli people to control her condition, as a start. Barack assured me that no harm would be done to her while we had both yet to fulfill each side of our deal.

Of course, I wasn't bothered, but that wasn't enough to just let one of my companions into the care of a bunch of Natives that assaulted me at first glance. So I played my most valuable and effective card.

—"I hope she will be treated with care for all our sakes," I said with melancholic detachment, releasing a little of my aura to all of those who had been present at the time.

I had resulted to subtle threats and intimidation. 

"It is time," I heard the low voice of a raspy male, followed by the accompanied sound of heavy metal doors grinding against the hard ground. I shifted my gaze from the ceiling to the tanned young man with bad eyes who stood at the now-opened entrance.

He had short dark hair, azure eyes, a chiseled build, and tribal tattoos. His blue eyes stared menacingly, full of contempt at me. "The Professor will see you now," he said with a repressed growl in his voice.

I limited my actions to silently getting up and walking towards the door, pretending to ignore the presence of the three men

The tanned young man that just arrived impeded my passage through the door and looked me straight in the eye with furrowed brows.

"The weapon stays," he referred to my sword.

"For all of your sakes, it doesn't," I remained impassive as I watched the man's blue eyes glow with burning azure. Then he repeated more firmly, "Drop it."

"I don't wanna," I shrugged indifferently, and the young man's anger was evident in his tanned face.

Internally, I was more interested in how he got a tan when the sun was almost non-existent now.

"Iroq, stop it. The Chief guard said not to antagonize further the..." one of the other young men to my left started but stopped, struggling with the last choice of words.

"Guest..." He said, biting down his lip, then added reluctantly, "Do not antagonize him."

If I didn't have to maintain an indifferent and aloof mask, I would have broken into a snicker at the display. Meanwhile, the dude called Iroq still glared almost literal daggers at me. I hadn't cut him down, only because he hadn't raised a single finger at me. The slightest move and I'll blow the whole waiting room into smithereens. The two other men would just be collateral; at the wrong place at the wrong time.

It might seem like a stupid thing to do as it would deem futile all of my progress so far, and most likely endanger Lyra's wellbeing. But it would also serve the purpose of displaying my through capabilities.

If it truly came down to it, I'd just wipeout the tribe, leaving only a select few with broken wills to answer to me. 

"So, Iroq... what are you going to do? Your call, I'm up for anything. I dare you," I suppressed a smirk from emerging.

Iroq's glowing eyes softened slightly, his tight expression relaxing just a fraction as he allowed me to pass. With a deep frown etched on his face, he began directing me silently, clearly seething with frustration.

As I followed him, we traversed down a long, dark underground passage. The Outsiders, specifically the Ntuli Tribe, had forsaken the surface world to the prowling Elder Gods, instead opting for a civilization nestled within underground subway channels and abandoned tunnel systems. 

Despite this choice, they had managed to create a surprisingly comfortable and technologically advanced environment within the tunnels. Rather than resembling primitive cave dwellers, the Outsiders of the Ntuli Tribe appeared more like futuristic natives to me.

But I only judged this from the little I had seen since descending down the subways. I wasn't a fool; it was clear, ever since I arrived, that I had been guided around the real heart of the tribe. All I've been 'let' to see are long passageways and stretches of run-down tunnels. And a misshapen waiting room.

I couldn't blame the Ntuli Tribe for their cautiousness against me. It's justified even; I could understand where they were coming from. Who would let a threat as big as me wander their base unaccounted for? I did threaten them a few times, despite all the crap I said about peace and love.

However, it all still remains pointless. 

No matter how hard they try to conceal their true civilization from me, it wouldn't matter if I ultimately chose to eradicate them.

Walking silently down the ruined tunnel path, we finally reached a stop at a massive metal door which promptly slid open as soon as Iqour stood positioned before it.

 Giving me a silent death stare, he stepped aside, prompting me to enter. I was certain that if it were a trap, I would make it out on top, so I threw caution out the window and casually strolled in. 

The interior of a lab soon unfolded before me.

The walls were lined with pulsating panels, emitting a soft, ethereal glow that illuminated the vast chamber. Crystal-clear conduits snake along the ceiling, carrying streams of shimmering energy.

In the center of the room, a towering holographic display projects intricate diagrams and data visualizations, hovering in mid-air like ancient runes brought to life. Arcane symbols flicker across the floor, tracing intricate patterns of power.

Steel work benches lined the place with piles and piles of paperwork and the distinct smell of what resembled sterilizer filled the air.

'Woah. ' I almost couldn't supress my surprise. 

The mechanical sound of a sliding door brought my attention towards the person who stepped through behind me. The amiable voice of a middle-aged man reached my ears.

"You must be the new guest who has been causing a ruckus ever since you arrived. I heard there might be something I can help you with?"

I remained still with my back against the said person for a moment then slowly turned around with a leveled gaze.

"Are you the Professor they keep talking about, Old man?"

But contrary to the response I had been expecting, the middle -aged man seemed to go into shock.

"You're incredible...!"