The half-moon shaped cavern was the area that separated the taboo zone tunnels from the sacred ground of Philosophy Corridor. The entrance to Philosophy Corridor turned out to be a narrow, downward slanted hole at a corner of the massive cavern. Mir would not have noticed its presence had it not been for four transcenders suddenly crawling out of it.
As they met up with the rest of the older transcenders in the cavern, he realized that most of them knew each other despite not being from a single faction or organization. All four newcomers were garbed in armors, definitely the result of mutant abilities, because they looked natural.
One man was covered head to toe in fish-like scales. Another woman's body seemed to be covered in a pitch-black, bubbly layer of gum. The other two men had the same mutant ability, an ocean-blue turtle shell around their torso. All four of them were carrying tightly packed bags on their backs, which Mir presumed were made of the same material as the underwears issued to everyone.
Like every other rookie in the cavern, Mir and Murray joined in forming a crowd around them as they exchanged information.
"I managed to reach 60 meters deep into the corridor," the woman said. "Met plenty of Archer Frogs and a pair of Alloy Pythons. No signs of new mutant creatures in my trek."
"I reached a little over 50 meters." One of the turtle-shelled guys followed after her. "Met a rare beast, but it ain't a Skin-leech."
He was aggressively interrogated by the rest of the Transcenders about the species of the rare creature he had stumbled upon. But he refused to relent, only saying, "It has been found inside the Philosophy Corridor before today. I just don't want to reveal the species because certain parties wouldn't want a commoner like me possessing something as good as their hoard."
It was most definitely a shot taken towards the Church of Sunbreaker, as it was the administrator and virtually the owner of Philosophy Corridor. But it was also a pretty stupid remark to make. He could've just lied about it. Was stupidity the only reason he hadn't thought of that idea? Mir didn't know. He had no way to verify that guess either.
The other two transcenders also declared their progress inside the sacred ground. It seemed that none of these four had the ability to walk deeper than 60 meters into the Philosophy Corridor. The level of mutant creature they had to face at that depth was the limit of their capabilities.
"60 meters is enough. If no changes have taken place inside the sacred ground within the first 60 meters, it means that the flood was generated outside in the territory of the taboo zone. It's probably just a freak incident caused by the ruptured continuum here. No need to worry too much." This assuring declaration was made by the oldest guy among the transcenders, a white-haired man with a damaged, turbid-grey eye.
"Or it could very well be a sign that the Sacred Ground here is about to expand," said the woman Mir had gotten acquainted with. Her answer wasn't received with positivity. Most of the older transcenders grimaced, while the rookies like Mir hurried to recall what that concept really meant.
Sacred Grounds were the heart of taboo zones, designed by one or more of the twelve cosmic architects worshipped on planet Ceres. The laws of nature in these places were twisted due to their purpose. The ruptures in the space-time continuum littering the sacred grounds connected planet Ceres to the Architects' domains, and this phenomenon was not exclusive to their planet either. All seven planets in the solar system had the same issue.
The creation, expansion, and contraction of sacred grounds were thus widely known concepts, but the general populace didn't really have the foundation or resources to learn more about them.
"In that case, it would be unwise to continue the usual operation here without proper investigation by better experts from Sunbreaker's Church. We have to tell them to stop sending explorers to this place."
"What about these kids, though?" Someone asked, pointing at the crowd formed by the latest batch of explorers. Calling them kids wasn't really accurate, because almost all of them were legally adults, some were even in their mid-twenties. Philosophy Corridor didn't really have much appeal to older, more experienced transcenders unless their pockets were empty. It did beg the question– why were these older transcenders here, to begin with? What were they doing in the earlier batches?
"We can't go back!" someone from their crowd shouted anxiously. "We've spent time, money, and other resources to get to this place. To enter the sacred ground is a precious opportunity many of us can barely afford!"
The implications of his words set in on the rest of the crowd at that point. If Philosophy Corridor was really expanding, the Church of Sunbreaker would have no choice but to stop issuing licenses for it to people. Not just that, they'd also have to stop letting the current license holders in from now on. Around fifty to sixty rookies had entered the taboo zone in the latest batch. If they didn't get to enter the sacred ground now and use up their license, they would not get the chance again in the near future!
Even if the license didn't expire by the time the environmental shifts in the taboo zone stabilized and the Church reopened it, they would be at a huge disadvantage here due to the new waves of unfamiliar mutant creatures, changed terrain, and unknown new rules of exploration.
"That's right! Since we're already at the border of the sacred ground, at least let our batch enter! There's still some time left before the next batch comes through. Someone can go and warn them at the station while we-"
"Shut up!" the white-haired man roared at the agitated trainee deacon. "The stability of the sacred ground is in question, and you're asking me to gamble so many lives just to satisfy your greed?"
"We're not asking you to gamble YOUR life," said Emil, the fat senior who had been somewhat helpful to Mir and Murray at the station. "If you're so fearful of losses, please return to the station. We're simply asking you not to stop those of us who have spent months saving up for today's opportunity. Those who are outside still have the luxury of returning home empty-handed, unlike us. Go warn them."
The old man scanned the numerous faces in the crowd of young men and women. Mir was doing the same from a corner of the crowd. It was evident that very few of the rookies wanted to play it safe and return to the station.
"Fine, then," the man said in a tired tone. We'll be leaving, and those of you who are prudent may follow us back to safety. The rest of you... I don't have to take the liability for whatever you go through."
That concluded the debate. Murray, alongside a majority of the crowd, advanced towards the corner of the cavern where the last tunnel beckoned. The older transcenders and a handful of rookies prepared to leave through one of the bigger tunnels of the taboo zone.
Mir observed both crowds calmly for as long as he could without standing out. Then he took a deep breath and quickly made his way to Murray, whispering in his ears, "I'm going to use Father Vincent's license to enter as well. He won't be able to use it if the Church locks the scared ground, anyway."