The overwhelming power of necromancy blasted from Daniel's fingertips. The soul-snaring effect of the dark green light tentacles clutched at Thomas's body, so effortlessly sinking in and trying to pull his soul out.
"Arrrrrrrrrrrrrgghhh! It shouldn't be like this! It shouldn't end like this!" Thomas roared as he attempted to activate the ti spell. But every ti he tried, the spell failed the mont its structure ford, increasing the chance of his body taking the full brunt of the backlash.
Now, his body was shriveled like an old man's and started to resemble a mummy as he was hit by the backlash several tis.
Thomas resisted with all his might, but the inevitable claid him as his soul was plucked from his body by the dark green tentacles of necromantic energy. As it left his form, it instantly turned into a green crystal, while his body turned to ash and vanished in the wind.
Daniel took the crystal, holding it in his hand. After studying it for a mont, he decided to keep it for now and give it to Envy later for interrogation. He still didn't know what had truly transpired and hoped she could shed so light on the matter.
Daniel then looked at the sinkhole, realizing that actualizing the Whispering Hall in its current state seed impossible. However, as he studied the sinkhole, an idea struck him. Could it be possible to actualize the Whispering Hall within the depths of that sinkhole?
It should be feasible, though, after clearing the area and reinforcing the integrity of the hole and the ground above it. But first, he needed to send people to clear the area and gather clues about what had happened.
Daniel turned to Albert, who was standing beside him. "Send so people to clear the area and gather clues about what happened. You can keep any artifacts, magical materials, and such for your organization," he instructed, then continued.
"You have three days, and I authorize you to use the manpower and resources of other departnts, whether it's tal Scarabs, funds, or even personnel from other divisions. After three days, I'll expect a full report in the eting room. Oh... and don't forget to reinforce that sinkhole. I have plans for it."
"Yes, my lord. I'll direct the operation myself," Albert accepted the assignnt and quickly replied.
Daniel nodded and went on his way ho. It was ti to catch a bus since his car was buried in the sinkhole. He hoped Albert could salvage it.
"Ugh... what a day..." he muttered as he descended from the roof and walked out of the district as if nothing had happened.
After such a surprise, he just wanted to go ho and rest. Also, He need to check with the Keeper since, if what Thomas said was true, this incident indicated that other dinsions might already know about this world. But he would wait for more information first.
— A Day later - Noon - Old Colonial District —
At the Old Colonial District, the scene around the sinkhole was a whirlwind of activity. tal Scarabs, each the size of a fist but working with the precision of a surgeon's scalpel, sward over the debris. They moved in perfect synchronization, lifting and sorting twisted tal, shattered concrete, and splintered wood as if following an unseen choreography.
Larger machines, resembling cranes but with the agility of spiders, reached into the depths of the sinkhole, their articulated arms plucking out heavier objects and depositing them into waiting trucks.
Humans, clad in power armor-like protective gear equipped with various tools and large backpacks, worked alongside the machines. They carefully sifted through the wreckage, searching for any clues or remnants of the strange event that had caused the sinkhole.
Every fragnt of debris was ticulously cataloged and analyzed, and any magical materials or wreckage from the necromancer's secret lab were sorted at the worker campsite.
The sounds of heavy machinery, warning signals, and shouting voices filled the air. The whirring of the Scarabs' miniature motors, the clanking of the larger machines, and the shouts of the workers blended into a symphony of reclamation.
In the midst of this operation, Albert, wearing a yellow safety hat and looking at the sorted evidence containing experintal notes and magical tools on the table in front of him, made a rather comical sight as it was in contrast to his image of a noble mage and a dandy man who wouldn't care about construction site safety.
Jack the Ripper stood beside him, categorizing and taking notes on the important evidence.
Among the sorted evidence, the research notes they had categorized and reviewed were particularly alarming to Albert.
In summary, Thomas's research explored using one's soul to connect with another version of themselves in a parallel universe, or even transferring knowledge and magical experience as a shortcut to power.
The theory seed absurd, but the research results and experintal records found in the ruins confird its reality. This hard evidence of other dinsions or parallel universes alard Albert, especially considering what he'd witnessed the day before. It was possible that the other side was far more advanced, either scientifically or magically, and neither scenario was good.
It's common knowledge that the more advanced civilizations rarely co in peace. Why trade when you can take from others with little to no consequence? It would be a new colonial era repeated once again, but this ti… they would be the natives.
"Classify this evidence as Level 9 Confidential," Albert said to Jack the Ripper, who nodded in confirmation. "You do that. I need to write the report for tomorrow morning's eting," Albert said as he walked towards his on-site office container.
Unbeknownst to Albert, Jack's flaming eyes, that were cald, suddenly lit up with a bright fla as he looked at the theory, research notes, and experintal records. It was as if he had found sothing incredibly valuable. He quickly photographed all the records with his personal phone and kept them for himself.
– anwhile —
Today is Saturday, a rare chance for Daniel to relax and enjoy a peaceful day. And what does this rare peaceful Saturday an for him?
Tabletop gaming ti!
Daniel stood before his newly purchased model of a famous tabletop ga he'd wanted to play for a long ti, "The Dungeon and Magic." It had a video ga adaptation, but he was more of an old-school guy. Plus, the tabletop version allowed him to play with his loved ones.
He held the rule book in one hand and the character sheets and dungeon layout paper he'd prepared in the other. He smiled widely, relishing his role as ga master for this session.
Little Sylvana had chosen the role of a druid, Envy the sorcerer, and Koyuki the barbarian.
"Sigh... Danny... Please... tell this is a joke," Greed, who was visiting and had been sowhat forced to play as a rogue, voiced her protest.
"What? You don't like playing rogue?" Daniel asked with a smile, ready to enjoy himself.
"That's not what I ant... I an... don't you have work to do? Didn't a serious incident just happen yesterday?" Greed asked, her voice full of worry.
"Nah... No need to worry about it. Albert is preparing the report for . Besides, this is the future Danniel problem. I don't envy the guy," Daniel said with a mischievous smile. "C'mon!
Roll your dice already!" he urged Greed to roll the 20-sided die.
"Okay... have it your way," Greed sighed before she rolled the dice.
The group dove into the ga, quickly losing themselves in the adventure. Dice rolled, laughter erupted, and Envy's delicious, expertly-prepared snacks appeared at just the right monts to fuel their imaginations.
The tension from recent events faded as they delved deeper into the dungeons, facing fantastical creatures and overcoming treacherous obstacles. The hours flew by, filled with camaraderie, witty banter, and the shared joy of escaping reality for a while.
— Morning - 2 Days After the Old Colonial District Incident —
In the eting room at Astral Corp, Daniel sat at the head of the large, long desk, battling a trendous headache after hearing Albert's report. Envy and Penthesilea also wore grim expressions after digesting the news.
On the other hand, Greed, Cao Cao, Odysseus, and Vlad, who had just returned from Europe, seed giddy, struggling to contain their excitent.
The high possibility of another dinsion, likely more advanced in magical power and knowledge, was both troubleso and terrifying to the first group. It represented the potential for an interdinsional war.
For the latter group, however, the sa possibility presented exciting opportunities for expansion, new natural and magical resources, or even a satisfying rampage to fulfill the urge of bloodlust.
"Ugh… I think I'm gonna have an aneurysm," Daniel groaned, massaging his temples.
" too," Envy agreed, her face twisted as if she had just chewed on a fly.
Envy, the first to regain her composure from the prospect of interdinsional war, turned to her beloved with a worried expression.
"That's right, Danny," she blurted out, rembering a crucial detail Daniel had ntioned upon returning from the Old Colonial District. "Didn't you say you captured that mage Thomas's soul in a crystal? Can I see him? I want to confirm sothing. There's sothing bothering in the report."
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