After the giant creature collapsed, the vast room fell into silence. Only the sound of labored breathing from the soldiers filled the air. Dust swirled around them, a stark contrast to the deafening chaos of battle moments earlier.
Cero, who had seemed untouchable throughout the fight, suddenly felt his body weaken. His legs trembled, and he nearly lost his balance before Robert quickly steadied him.
"Director, are you alright?" Robert asked, concern evident in his voice.
Cero straightened himself with difficulty, taking a deep breath. He let out a faint chuckle, more of a dry laugh. "I'm fine, Robert. It's just… the adrenaline's wearing off. My body's returning to normal."
Robert sighed in relief but still looked at him with worry. "Honestly, Director, you really pushed yourself back there."
Cero smirked but said nothing. He gently pulled away from Robert's support, standing on increasingly steadier legs.
The other soldiers gathered around, some still dusting off their combat suits. Though this elite unit was trained for extreme situations, battling a literal monster had left an indelible impression on them.
Robert turned to Cero again, his tone now serious. "Director, we're a highly trained special operations unit. We've been through countless dangerous missions in major conflicts. But this… fighting a real monster like that? It's a first for all of us. I'm sorry if we weren't as much help as we should've been."
Cero surveyed the group, his eyes sweeping over their guilt-ridden expressions. He was silent for a moment before speaking, his voice low but commanding.
"Heh," he scoffed softly, straightening his posture. "Robert, you and your team are exceptional soldiers. Don't sell yourselves short just because this was an unusual first encounter."
The soldiers slowly raised their heads, listening intently.
"I don't need soldiers who hang their heads because the battlefield is different from what they've faced before," Cero continued, his gaze sharp but resolute. "I need a team that can adapt to any situation—whether it's humans, monsters, or forces we don't fully understand. Today, you proved that you can survive and learn. That's the most important thing in any battle."
His words, though simple, reignited a spark of confidence in the group. Some of the soldiers even stood a little straighter, their chests swelling with newfound determination.
"HAH!" one marine shouted enthusiastically, echoed by the rest.
Cero nodded, satisfied. "Good. We'll face more challenges like this in the future, so take this as a lesson. Now, stay focused. There's still work to do."
Cero turned his attention back to the massive throne in the center of the room, where the creature had once sat like a loyal sentinel. He activated his internal system, communicating silently.
'System, where's the key? I'm certain it's in this room.'
[Processing… Locating key…]
[Key detected: Energy source identified within the throne. The key is directly connected to the seal mechanism on the upper floor.]
"As expected," Cero murmured under his breath. He stepped forward, with Robert following closely, ever vigilant. The marines formed a perimeter around the room, ensuring no threats remained.
As Cero approached the throne, he carefully examined its intricate details. Its black metal structure bore patterns that mirrored the glowing symbols on the floor. At the throne's center was a small opening emitting a bright blue light.
Reaching out cautiously, he touched the glowing opening. The light expanded, taking the shape of a floating crystalline object.
"The key," Cero muttered. He slowly grasped the crystal, feeling a cold energy coursing through his hand. The system's voice provided a quick analysis.
[Seal Key Acquired: This crystal can be used to unlock the primary seal on the upper floor. Activating the seal will reveal the Aetherial Core.]
Cero held the crystal firmly, studying it for a moment before securing it in a protective pouch on his belt.
"Director," Robert approached again, his concern still lingering. "What's our next step?"
"We return upstairs," Cero said decisively. "That seal is why we're here. But before unlocking it, we need to ensure all preparations are complete. If the Core is as powerful as we suspect, we can't afford any mistakes."
Robert nodded. "Understood, Director. I'll make sure the team is ready for evacuation if necessary."
"Good," Cero replied, turning to his team and surveying each soldier carefully. "Everyone, pack your gear and prepare to move out. Don't overlook anything suspicious along the way."
"Understood!" the marines responded in unison.
With the crystal key in hand and his team's morale restored, Cero led them out of the grand chamber. Deep down, he knew the mission had just entered a far more dangerous phase, yet that thought brought a faint smile to his lips.
Back on the upper floor of the dungeon, Cero and his team arrived at the sealing chamber, now carrying the key they had fought so hard to obtain. The atmosphere in the room was heavier than before. The glowing symbols on the floor, once dim, now shone brighter, as if reacting to the presence of the key.
"System, what can you tell me about this Core?" Cero asked internally.
[Core Analysis: The energy contained within is equivalent to or surpasses nuclear power in your home world's technology. Potential for destruction is extremely high if released uncontrollably. Recommendation: Implement layered security measures before activation.]
Cero exhaled slowly. "Promising," he muttered before turning to Robert. "We can't take any chances with this. Gather everyone and prepare full coordination. I want a report from every unit within an hour."
"Understood, Director," Robert said, immediately contacting the rest of the team through his comm device.
To ensure everything proceeded flawlessly, Cero summoned experts from various fields. Lead engineers, technicians, and even Isvel, a seasoned magic user, were brought in for their insights. The engineers arrived with energy analysis equipment, while Isvel entered with a curious expression.
As they reached the sealing chamber, Isvel stopped at the entrance, her eyes widening as she took in the ancient architecture and glowing symbols that covered the room.
"A dungeon like this…" Isvel murmured, her voice filled with awe. "I've never heard of anything like it before."
Cero glanced at her, slipping his hands into his pockets. "You seem surprised. You said you knew a lot about this world."
Isvel nodded slowly, her gaze still fixed on the glowing patterns on the floor. "I know about dungeons, Cero. But something like this… there's nothing about it in any records. This clearly isn't something created by any civilization still existing in this world."
She stepped closer, carefully studying the intricate carvings. "However," she said, running her fingers over one of the glowing symbols on the wall, "I do know one thing that might be relevant."