Endless Evolution: Last Star

Chapter 914: Tunnel

Under the cover of night, the three silhouettes approached the warehouse, working directly with the Lower Ring.

It seemed that such a place should have strict defenses, but there was no need. Few ordinary people would venture into the warehouse, perhaps only thieves, but a few cameras and guards at the main gate were enough to deal with them.

If someone could get past the cameras and fool the guards into entering the warehouse through another entrance, they would be met by the real guards watching the shipments coming from the Lower Ring.

Naturally, the intruders would not know this so they would be arrested and presented as attempted theft. None of the intruders would have known that they were close to the passage to the Lower Ring.

Sure, the situation was different for those who knew that this warehouse was a Hollow Spot. Most of them were powerful and important people, the kind the internal guards didnʼt chase away, but prepared for their arrival.

Obviously, Erik fell into the second category.

The supplies from the Lower Ring and the location of the Hollow Spot were a dark secret to commoners and even Phantoms below K3-Level, but not to the strongest man in one of the twelve great families.

”Here.” Erik opened the gate at the back of the warehouse, there was no lock. ”Follow me. Once weʼre inside, weʼll be met.”

Adam and Silvana glanced over, a slight worry visible in her eyes. It was obvious she was worried about the unknown.

Step. Step. Step.

Slowly, they approached the back of the warehouse, the staff entrance. As the door opened, a long passageway ran along the left side of the warehouse ahead.

For a moment, Adam thought they were in a basement, first, they descended, walked a dozen meters, and then climbed u,p stopping in front of a steel, heavy door. The door had a code lock, Erik knew the code so soon they moved on.

A bright light fell on their faces, forcing Adam and Silvana to cover themselves with their hands.

A slight noise came from outside as a massive platform with a common-looking truck rose up. Several men in black clothes opened the gates, allowing the truck to move forward. They looked like government personnel, but at first glance, it was obvious that there were two groups of people working together, the emblems on their chests showing it.

One group had a sphere emblem empty at the bottom and filled at the top like a dome. The second group had the opposite pattern.

ʼI see...ʼ Adam muttered internally. ʼAs Erik said, the government only works with the Lower Ring on basic things, supplies are clearly one of them. Apparently, there are people from both the Upper Ring and the Lower Ring departments here. The emblems on their chests make it clear whoʼs from where.ʼ

Despite Erikʼs arrival, the men continued their work - a group of three men came to meet them. A man with broad shoulders and long black hair walked in front, his dark outfit was not like the official suit of government agents, but like that of the military.

”Mr. Erik, itʼs good to see you,” the man said in a low voice, his hands behind his back.

Then, his eyes traveled toward Adam. For some reason, he completely ignored Silvanaʼs presence not even bothering to look at her.

”Is this the young man we agreed on?”

”Yes.” Erik nodded deeply. ”This young man will be traveling to the Lower Ring today. As we agreed his destination should be a random place in the Outer Field. Iʼm afraid someone might have found out about our plans.”

”Sure, I understand your concern. Iʼve heard that the Red Bears have become considerably more aggressive lately. If theyʼre going to take over territories, now might be a bad time to go down to the Lower Ring for a lone Phantom.” The man warned, he seemed to be sincere.

Tap.

Erik patted Adam on the shoulder, a slight smile on his face. ”Donʼt worry. This guy can stand up for himself. Whatʼs more, he has a reason to come down at the Lower Ring. Even if he doesnʼt have a protector, heʼll figure it out somehow.”

”Well...” the man looked intently at Adam. ”My job was to tell you about the risks. Whether or not to listen to me is your decision.”

With that, the man turned around and beckoned them with his hand.

Adam raised an eyebrow, uncertainty appearing in his heart.

ʼHm? The Outer Field? The Red Bears? What were those two just talking about?ʼ he inwardly frowned, ʼHmm... Erik was right. Thinking of the Lower Ring as a big slum is a mistake. Iʼll need to figure out whatʼs going on there as soon as possible.ʼ

Following the commander, they walked past the truck platform, passing into a separate room a little ahead.

A multitude of steel chambers resembling coffins filled the walls from floor to ceiling - in the center was a massive hatch going deep down.

The man hit the button closing the door behind them as he waved his hand.

”We usually use this place to dispose of trash and rejected products. On rare occasions we place packages in these chambers, and even more rarely...” he glanced at Adam over his shoulder. ”People end up in there - usually dead.”

Silvana gulped, her face pale, but Adam was hardly impressed. He was prepared for anything when it came to the Lower Ring, and the more he learned about the place the higher his expectations became.

”So, weʼll proceed as follows. You get into the chamber, weʼll lock you in and take you down. The system will automatically move all the chambers going down the channels, so even if someone is following you, itʼll be impossible to figure out where you end up.”

Adam narrowed his eyes, looking around.

”What strange, but effective, security measures.,” he muttered.

”Sure. Theyʼre rare measures. If you used the Hollow Spot closer to the center of the Citadel, the descent is indistinguishable from an elevator, but considering youʼre the lone K3-Phantom from the Upper Ring, it would be too dangerous.”

With a brief pause, Adam nodded deeply as he stepped forward.

”Fine, Iʼm ready. Letʼs get started already.”