The artworks lining both sides of the corridor were exquisitely crafted, and their high value was evident at a mere glance. Perhaps the price of a single piece could sustain a lower hive dweller for several lifetimes, making it hard to imagine that such wealth could be accumulated by just the mayor of a water town.
However, none of the group lingered over these artworks, nor did they entertain the thought of pocketing and selling such artifacts born from a corrupted environment.
After swiftly passing through the corridor, the remaining four arrived in front of the elevator. Three of them stood apart, maintaining vigilance, while Father Ryder pressed the elevator button.
Amidst the distinct sound of mechanical operation, the elevator doors, already stationed on this floor, slowly opened. Inside, there were no other beings, and the mirror-like interior walls were revealed to the team.
A confined, narrow space—a deadly term in urban combat, especially in such an environment. But there was no other choice now. After letting the cross serve as a purification tool and entering first, the four followed closely, stepping into the elevator one by one.
After a quick inspection, Zhang Ge, who was near the right control panel, discovered that the elevator had only one option. It seemed it might lead to the mayor's bedroom or something similar?
There was no time to ponder further. After pressing the button, the elevator doors closed, and as the mechanism operated, Father Ryder, looking at his mobile terminal, suddenly said:
"The depth gauge shows that our depth... is decreasing."
In other words, it didn't seem to be heading to a bedroom or office, unless the mayor was particularly insecure and preferred living underground.
Zhang Ge shrugged and said:
"Is that so? At least if they want to catch up, they'll have to come down in waves via the elevator."
"This should lead to the altar. There are usually some guards there."
Sister Amilia interrupted the banter with a reminder.
The commissar remained silent. Though his expression didn't change, a somber mood was palpable.
In the silence, the depth continued to decrease second by second, but it finally stopped just before breaking a thousand.
This depth far exceeded that of nuclear shelters on Zhang Ge's previous world.
When the elevator doors opened, what greeted them was not enemies, but an immense, boundless cavern.
Apart from the light spilling from the elevator, the only source of illumination in the cavern was a pale beam of light shining down from the ceiling, illuminating an altar engraved with a blasphemous symbol at its center.
The altar seemed to be at the very center of the cavern, surrounded by six corpses, each divided into six parts, each part occupying exactly one-sixth of the space.
Zhang Ge glanced at the group, quickly assessing who was best suited for reconnaissance, and then spoke:
"Shall I take a look?"
The commissar shifted his gaze to Father Ryder, who, after a moment of confusion, realized what he meant and shook his head:
"This is just a standard instrument. It can no longer detect warp readings."
To gaze into the warp is to invite the warp to gaze back. Due to the need for intense, active exposure to warp environments, the probes used to detect warp readings typically have short lifespans. Once corrupted, they self-purify. Father Ryder hadn't anticipated delving this deep before coming.
In other words, stepping outside the protective range of the cross could result in immediate corruption into a Chaos spawn.
But Zhang Ge didn't seem concerned and continued:
"Better to sacrifice one than risk everyone's lives. If something goes wrong, make sure to give me a quick end."
However, Sister Amilia, who had remained silent after her initial remark, now voiced her objection:
"You are one of the sources of the miracle. Your value far exceeds that of all of us combined, at least until we uncover the reason behind the miracle."
Father Ryder was about to agree, but before he could, Zhang Ge retorted:
"If the Emperor truly favors me, how could I tolerate being a coward who only seeks self-preservation, especially when that coward is myself?"
With that, Zhang Ge turned to the commissar, and after receiving a nod, he stepped out of the elevator, moving beyond the protective glow of the cross.
Close call. Almost didn't get to die.
As for discomfort... honestly, there was none. Apart from feeling a bit cold, Zhang Ge didn't notice any special changes in the environment.
But that didn't mean warp corruption wasn't present. Zhang Ge pulled out a flare from his waist and ignited it. It triggered normally and shot into the air, but the flickering crimson light failed to illuminate the surroundings, appearing instead like a distant star embedded in the dark cavern ceiling.
After a moment of thought, Zhang Ge decided to press on. After walking roughly a dozen meters in the darkness, a sudden change occurred.
Starting from beneath his feet, a massive pink ring encircling the altar abruptly lit up. This was followed by a second ring, closer to the altar, then a third, and so on, until the sixth ring. Blasphemous radiance began to fill the underground space.
Before Zhang Ge could get a closer look, an unimaginable force gripped the back of his neck, lifting him off the ground. He was yanked back into the elevator as if he were in a convertible on a highway, hurled through the air by the roaring force.
He steadied himself and looked back to see the expressionless face of Sister Amilia.
The moment the anomaly began, she had dashed out of the elevator, braving the warp corruption outside, and pulled Zhang Ge, who seemed to be standing there dazed, back to safety. But Sister Amilia had only one arm left, forcing her to abandon her ever-present two-handed sword, leaving it where Zhang Ge had been standing.
Sister Amilia didn't waste words, simply extending her hand:
"Weapon."
Zhang Ge sighed. Seeing her like this, it seemed he wouldn't be dying before her anytime soon. Reluctantly, he handed over the lasgun and a few magazines he was carrying:
"Thanks, but I'd be more grateful if you'd let me die with honor... It's Departmento Munitorum issue. Hope it serves you well."
During their brief exchange, the six rings had fully illuminated, revealing the contours of the natural cavern.
Following that, at the center of the altar, a shadowy figure began to materialize. It seemed momentarily puzzled by the absence of its usual worshippers but soon noticed the group in the elevator.
This was not Slaanesh. Cultists of this level couldn't communicate directly with a Chaos God of the warp. But even as just a projection of a powerful daemon, the psychic energy it exuded was suffocating.
"Ah, you carry his scent."