The team member who first discovered the cellar and murals was dancing around, almost speaking incoherently.
“Machine servant, young scientist… Miasma Masters, witch, oh my god!” The rest of the team members, illuminated by the light of the fire, also saw the content on the murals and showed the same shocked expressions.
Kael Technology has been collecting knowledge and intelligence through the “Salvation Society” in Dream Zero for many years, all to better understand and master this world. 𝘪.𝘤𝑜𝘮
But it can be said that the knowledge they have collected over the years is probably not as valuable as these murals they found now.
“No, how can this be… Kano Village is not a special place, why would it have such…”
The captain murmured in disbelief, while a team member responsible for academics, wearing glasses, immediately suggested a possibility.
“Captain, have you forgotten? According to the analysis of the company’s scientific research department, the existence of Dream Zero is very similar to a game, with ‘certain trigger mechanisms’. The native inhabitants here are like NPCs, automatically triggering corresponding content when certain conditions are met!”
“Wait, so you mean…”
The scientist adjusted his glasses and said, “That’s right, captain. The young man with the special weapon is very likely, like us, an explorer from the real world!”
“And he obviously achieved something, which caused the originally ordinary residents of Kano Village to suddenly connect to the subconscious system of ‘Dream Zero,’ becoming advanced natives, and giving out the corresponding response to the young man! These murals are it!”
The captain took a sharp breath.
They have the backing and support of the entire “Kael Technology” barely managed to establish a reputation for the “Salvation Society” in ‘Dream Zero.’
But even with the prestige of the “Salvation Society,” they weren’t enough to make the native inhabitants truly open up to them, let alone trigger something about the origin of the world.
And this mysterious young man, his prestige alone is higher than their entire “Salvation Society”?
‘Who is he?’
‘Which organization in the real world does he belong to?’
‘How did he manage to obtain such high prestige in Dream Zero?’
The team members in the cellar took several deep breaths to calm down. A few younger members were eager to speak, excited and raring to go, but before they could say anything, the experienced captain preemptively silenced them all.
“Abandon the target, Kuka, immediately sample and record the murals, Martin, go activate the emergency communicator with the company, Alder, Rosen, Simon, and the rest of you, go outside and keep watch.”
The captain’s words left some teammates hesitant.
Abandon the target?
Such a valuable young man, if they could capture him… the team member didn’t dare to imagine the generous reward the company would provide, perhaps they wouldn’t have to worry for the rest of their lives?
“Captain, are we really not going to…”
“This matter has exceeded our level, it’s for the higher-ups and bigwigs of the company to consider. Martin, if I’m not mistaken, after this exploration, you’ll get a half-month leave from the company, right? Go back and marry your pregnant fiancée.”
The young man named Martin scratched his head sheepishly, his face filled with anticipation for a happy future life.
It was for this reason that the captain sternly reprimanded: “Taking risks now, you might earn enough for a house, but there’s a greater chance of dying here! Do you want your wife and child to be left alone?”
“And you, Simon, I know your mother urgently needs money for treatment. It’s alright, if the bonus after this mission isn’t enough, I’ll lend it to you. And you, Bush, your sister got into Kael University and needs a lot of tuition fees. We’ve made a great contribution this time; I’ll help you apply to the leadership for a subsidy for your sister.”
“”””Captain!”””” Many team members were somewhat speechless and choked up.
“Alder, Kuka, and all of you, I know everyone has mortgages and car loans, and families to support. Everyone needs money; otherwise, who would do this kind of work that risks life for money!”
“But what we’ve obtained now, these murals, are already an incredible stroke of luck. And they fulfill the company’s contract with us, so I won’t take any more risks. And I sincerely hope that after this mission, everyone will resign from the company, take this money, find an ordinary job in the City of Dreams, and live a stable life.” 𝑖𝘦.𝒸𝘰𝑚
After the captain’s heartfelt words, the team members fell silent. Many nodded, letting go of their greed. They really didn’t need to ask for more. Just completing this big job would mean they could truly go home.
“Ah, worthy of being our captain, more experienced than us!”
“Experience that we can’t compare to.”
“Indeed, what’s the use of earning more money if you don’t have a life to spend it.”
“I’ve decided! I’ll listen to captain, resign when I get out, and go back home to get married!”
“Hahaha, remember to invite us to the wedding!”
After this moment of relief, the atmosphere among the exploration team lightened somewhat. Just as they were about to start their respective tasks to complete this last job…
The middle-aged captain suddenly felt a chill up his spine.
Because at this moment, he thought of a very strange point.
The village was empty.
Previously, he thought it was because the young man was not powerful enough, afraid of the thugs returning for revenge. But now, seeing these murals, a person capable of triggering such secret world information, how could they be afraid of mere scavenging thugs?
‘Then… why?’
‘Why did the young man leave?’
‘Even taking the entire population of Kano Village with him?’
A sense of foreboding rose rapidly in the captain’s heart, making him uneasy to the point of calling his subordinates to take out the “logout device” as a precaution.
But…
It was obviously too late.
People inside the cellar suddenly realized the murals were trembling. No, it was the whole wall and floor that were trembling.
“????”
Before everyone could react, the tremor suddenly intensified several times. At the same time, the Tainted Miasma detectors on their waists went crazy, as if broken.
Screams and chaos from the scavenging thugs left outside entered the cellar. A gust of red wind blew down from the cellar entrance. Just touching a person’s skin, the team member immediately screamed, with the dark red lines of Tainted Miasma appearing on his skin, causing his blood vessels to swell and burst.
When the team members outside rushed over, the people in the cellar faintly heard from the chaotic crowd above ground, as well as their own team members, calling out two words in a voice filled with utter despair.
Two words that sent chills down their spine.
“Natural disaster.”
“The natural disaster is coming!!”
𝑖.𝘤ℴ𝘮