The voice from deep within the tunnel sent a chill down Rocky's spine...
"This place... could it be haunted?"
When people fled to the sky, nations hurriedly closed all research facilities and evacuated their personnel, so it was impossible for anyone to be here.
But what was that sound just now? Could it really be haunted?
Shaking his head, Rocky dismissed the ridiculous thought, mustered his courage, and began to walk down the tunnel step by step.
No matter if it was haunted or not, since he had come, he couldn't leave empty-handed. Whether for himself or for Thunderhawk City, he had to find out what was going on here.
So he quickly adjusted his mindset and with full attention, started to walk toward the depths of the tunnel.
The tunnel was far longer than he had imagined; Rocky walked downward for a long time without reaching the end. It felt as though the tunnel had no end at all, which only underscored how deep underground this research facility was.
However, this in itself was normal, much like the stone gate outside. These were all security measures designed to prevent the Demons from destroying the facility.
Finally, after walking nearly a thousand meters down, Rocky reached the end of the tunnel where another stone gate appeared in front of him.
Throughout the journey, Rocky hadn't encountered any other strange occurrences. The voice from before hadn't appeared again, so his mood had calmed considerably by now. With previous experience in mind, he placed his hand directly on the stone gate and channeled the magic power within him.
A rumbling sound followed as the stone gate slowly rose from the bottom up, allowing Rocky to walk inside.
Beyond the stone gate was a giant laboratory filled with dozens of research stations, each laden with various pieces of research equipment.
"Just as the rumors said..."
Upon entering the stone gate, Rocky glanced around and approached the nearest research station. Looking down, he found a Magic Stone and an unfamiliar instrument, both covered with thick layers of dust.
It looked like when people fled to the sky, they were indeed in a hurry, leaving behind instruments without even taking them.
Thinking of this, Rocky picked up the Magic Stone on the research station and discovered that it still contained ample mana.
"Keep it. These Magic Stones can be used personally."
"And take these devices too; they can be sold as antiques!"
Upon finding that the Magic Stone still held mana, Rocky took out a large cloth bag, placed the Magic Stone inside, and then started gathering the instruments on the research station, clearly intending to take them all.
After all, these things could be turned into money!
As the City Lord, Rocky was well aware of how tight Thunderhawk City's finances were. The entire city couldn't even be self-sufficient, so how could there be any revenue? Therefore, he planned to take everything he could from here. This way, even if no other discoveries were made, selling these items would at least break even.
"You finally arrived..."
Just as he was busy stuffing the instruments into the cloth bag, that strange voice appeared once more!
"Ah!"
The sudden voice startled Rocky, causing him to jolt and drop an instrument to the ground, making him wince with pain.
Then, when he looked toward the source of the voice, he saw someone standing in the deepest part of the laboratory!
Really seeing ghosts!
Discovering someone in the laboratory, Rocky was taken aback and even felt a bit terrified.
But as he looked more closely, he realized that the figure was not a person but a Magic Energy Image!
Heavens! There was a Magic Energy Image here?!
Discovering that the figure in the lab was just an image formed by mana, Rocky instead widened his eyes, as according to what he knew, although Magic Energy Image technology was not the latest, it was still only invented five or six decades ago!
Why would such a technology appear in a research facility almost a hundred years old?
The answer was not hard to guess. However, when Rocky thought of it, he couldn't help but gasp!
Could it be... the people in this laboratory invented the Magic Energy Image on their own?
This answer made Rocky's breathing quicken. If this were true, wouldn't that mean the research in this lab was fifty to sixty years ahead of its time?!
"No, it's impossible, surely someone else came before me..."
Finding his speculation too bold, Rocky shook his head, admonishing himself not to harbor wild thoughts or high hopes; otherwise, if he were disappointed, he might break down.
At the same time, he approached the Magic Energy Image.
Standing in front of the Magic Energy Image, he examined it closely and found that the image was that of an old man, appearing to be eighty or ninety years old, clad in a Magic Robe from the Land Era, clearly indicative of a person from that time.
"I've been waiting for you..."
As if sensing Rocky's approach, the Magic Energy Image spoke again:
"My name is Wensel, the head of this research facility. This image is my last testament..."
At this point, Rocky finally began to understand. The facility must have some kind of sensory mechanism; once the stone gate outside was opened, the Magic Energy Image activated, showing him all this.
But what puzzled him was, since Wensel was the head of the facility, he must have been a significant figure. Why did he leave an image here? Such an important figure should have been sent to Sky City early on.
While Rocky was perplexed, the Magic Energy Image before him, more accurately, Wensel's image, continued speaking: "I don't know when you or others might find this testament, nor do I know who you are, but I assume you have already executed the Sky City plan."
"But please believe me, the Sky City plan is dooming everyone!"
Suddenly, Wensel's image became agitated and angry: "Fleeing to the sky is equivalent to handing over the land to the Demons, akin to surrendering! Surrendering to the Demons!"
"This plan is utterly misguided. Sky City can't possibly take everyone, and there's no opportunity to counterattack from the sky. It's complete self-destruction!"
Heavens!
Wensel's words left Rocky utterly astounded!
Why was this old man vehemently criticizing the Sky City, which saved everyone? Who was he to be so arrogant?
Meanwhile, Wensel's image paused for a long time before letting out a sigh:
"Enough..."
"Discussing such matters now is pointless. If you're seeing this image, it means I'm already dead, and the Sky City plan has been executed, so nothing more can be done..."
After a long sigh, Wensel's image continued:
"You might wonder why you're seeing my image here. It's simple, I didn't evacuate. When those cowards chose to flee, I chose to stay."
"Don't be surprised, I'm not the only one with this idea, and we didn't stay here waiting to die; we continued our research."
Research!
Research!
When Wensel's image spoke this word, Rocky almost stopped breathing!
Wensel not only chose not to flee to the sky but stayed in the research facility to continue his research, which meant what?
It meant the research facility should contain his inventions!
Moreover, it seemed... Rocky might be the first to reach this research facility!
The very thought made him forget to breathe...