Chapter 186

Chapter 186. Knock, and if you knock……

We stayed still long enough for the subterranean tremors to settle before resuming our trek.

Naturally, this was only after we had conducted a rudimentary assessment of our situation.

“Let’s move out. Madlin indicates that nothing seems overtly out of place.”

The vibrations had carried a rather sinister quality, but if Senior Myseolne believed it was acceptable, then it was acceptable. There was no need to overthink it.

Regardless, how long did we continue marching after that?

It didn’t take us very long to realize that a fundamental complication had arisen regarding this excursion.

To put it plainly……

“……Exactly how long have we been on our feet?”

“If you are referring to the duration…… it has been precisely three hours and ten minutes.”

“Three hours and ten minutes……”

In truth, a three-hour trek was hardly considered lengthy when it came to examining ancient subterranean structures. I had never personally undertaken an architectural excavation before, but typically, when such a site is unearthed, researchers dedicate consecutive days and nights as a baseline—and under challenging circumstances, the process can stretch across years.

The issue, however, lay elsewhere.

“……”

I took a seat on a suitable piece of masonry resting on the shattered remnants of an ironwork automaton—the fourth cluster of constructs we had run into—and surveyed the dim passageway.

The hallway seemed to stretch endlessly into the distance.

Past the illumination cast by our glowing crystals, a profound, heavy darkness reigned.

Which could only mean—

‘The corridor…… has no end?’

Indeed.

We had been walking for over three hours, yet the path showed no signs of concluding.

I narrowed my eyes into the gloom before shifting my gaze toward Senior Myseolne.

“What about Madlin……?”

“I sent her ahead to investigate just a short while ago…… give her a moment.”

“Understood, then.”

We resolved to pause briefly while awaiting Madlin’s return.

Something was undeniably amiss.

A subterranean labyrinth where a single hallway continues indefinitely even after three hours of marching? Well…… theoretically, it was possible. The world is vast, and it contains no shortage of eccentric individuals. There was no law stating that some ancient lunatic couldn’t have constructed a facility of such ludicrous proportions.

Yet, that remained within the realm of technical possibility; no matter how I analyzed it, the current situation defied basic rationality.

‘Could a localized spatial barrier be trapping us……?’

As a precaution, I extended my sensory perception to scan the surroundings, but I detected nothing of the sort. Granted, it could be a manifestation of higher-dimensional spatial manipulation beyond my current detection thresholds, but leaping to such a conclusion felt a bit excessive.

While I was weighing various alternative theories, Senior Myseolne’s voice broke the silence.

“……Madlin has returned.”

“What is her report?”

Senior Myseolne knit his brows, taking a deep breath before exhaling a heavy sigh. It was immediately apparent that the news was troubling—and my intuition proved correct.

“It makes me question our own perceptiveness…… but Madlin reports that after tracking the corridor to its limits, we are simply cycling through the exact same space.”

“The same space meaning……”

“This entire hallway is built as a perfect ring.”

“……”

Right. Let us halt for a brief moment.

It was time to compartmentalize the data.

“So, when you describe the passageway as a ring…… you mean we have been tramping in circles like rodents on a training wheel, correct?”

“……Precisely. It baffles me how we failed to perceive it, but that is the reality of our situation.”

That raised an immediate inconsistency.

“Then what is the explanation for the constructs?”

We had engaged those automatons on four distinct occasions. If we were merely traversing the exact same loop repeatedly, how could that be explained? Even if the constructs were capable of emerging from concealed compartments, we should have encountered the wreckage of the units we had previously demolished at least once.

Just as that contradiction crystallized in my mind, Senior Myseolne offered an answer.

“I am uncertain of their point of origin, but it appears they possess an efficient method for erasing evidence. ……Madlin? If you please.”

Simultaneously—

Ggrrk—.

A faint tremor ran through the masonry beneath our feet.

Before long, the scattered metallic fragments of the constructs began to submerge into the flooring, looking exactly as though they were being sucked down by quicksand.

Once the alteration concluded—

“……Completely pristine.”

“Indeed. Pristine.”

Just as Senior Myseolne remarked, the remnants of the automatons had been cleared away so meticulously that not a single shred of evidence remained.

This prompted my subsequent inquiry.

“Very well—let us assume the automatons sink into the architecture and can obscure evidence in this manner. What, then, happened to our point of entry?”

“The threshold…… that remains a mystery. Madlin indicates she cannot locate it either. Furthermore, there is nothing but solid mass beyond these walls.”

“Th-this is…… utterly baffling……”

It was enough of a mystery to make spirits weep.

We had undoubtedly maintained a straight course, yet it turned out we were traversing a circular loop? Even now—observe. Even if one scrutinizes the surroundings with absolute focus, the hallway appears perfectly linear. No matter where one directs their gaze, there is not the slightest indication of a curve……

As I was processing this—

One member of our group raised a hand slightly, requesting permission to speak.

“Master, I have a query.”

“……Mm. Very well. Proceed, Demian.”

“Are we currently imprisoned here?”

The one who chose to respond was Chenbi.

“Demian, we have been confined for quite some time. The current development simply means the confinement has become more absolute.”

As expected of the unshakeable Chenbi. Even faced with such circumstances, he maintained his equilibrium and applied a rigid, logical standard.

However, Demian’s inquiries were not yet exhausted.

“Then—we came here to deliver the spirits, correct? Is that not so?”

“Do not include me in that ‘we.’ I was dragged into this affair. Frankly, I would prefer it if the spirits delivered me instead. Regardless—what is your point?”

“Then is it not contradictory? Why are the spirits subjecting us to this treatment?”

“Demian, why did you subject me to that ordeal previously?”

“That is entirely unrelated to my question.”

“In that case, I decline to answer yours as well.”

The exchange between Demian and Chenbi concluded by veering sharply into an absolute conversational wreck.

Ah—to clarify, Chenbi remained entirely composed. He had merely voiced his skepticism in a measured tone. He wasn’t experiencing any genuine annoyance…… right?

In any case, though their dialogue had derailed entirely, listening to their back-and-forth triggered a mutual curiosity within me.

“Indeed… what would be their motive?”

“What are you implying?”

“Precisely what Demian pointed out—if an phenomenon like this is executable, who else could be responsible besides the spirits? It is highly improbable that the architecture itself possesses a consciousness capable of rearranging its own layout.”

Granted, I had encountered lore suggesting that certain ancient ruins could alter themselves mysteriously. Supposedly, they reacted to trespassers based on a pre-programmed behavioral protocol left by their creators. However, such instances ultimately relied on structures saturated with the remnants of advanced sorcery—the left-behind architecture of an ancient, highly sophisticated magical era.

Yet this particular environment—no matter how rigorously one evaluated it—was devoid of even the most basic traces of sorcery. If such a feat was being accomplished here, it had to be the work of the spirits.

So why were they impeding our progress?

“Is that…… perhaps a somewhat presumptive deduction?”

“Presumptive?”

“……Yes. The spirits desire liberation. Though the specifics elude me, this must be a resolution they have yearned for—without interruption—for millennia. For what reason would they actively sabotage us?”

That…… was an answer I did not possess.

No matter how I analyzed the problem, there was no logical incentive for the spirits to obstruct our path. Had we been unannounced, hostile intruders, it might make sense—but didn’t Senior Myseolne explicitly state he had heard their pleas? They had identified me directly, labeling me a deliverer. Therefore, they should have no cause to treat us with hostility.

‘No—at this juncture, the motive is irrelevant.’

As is always the case in these scenarios, the critical focus isn’t the “why,” but rather the “how.” How do we bypass this impediment? How do we discover the correct path? And…… how do we achieve the liberation of the spirits?

Having reached that conclusion, I addressed the collective group.

“If we lose ourselves in endless speculation, we will never find an end, so I intend to outline the facts we must simply accept so we can determine our next move.”

“Mm. Agreed.”

First.

“We cannot identify the mechanism, but our orientation—our very perceptions—are being manipulated. What is certain is that this does not stem from traditional magical interference.”

“Concurred.”

“We can ponder the underlying reason at a later time. Moving forward—regardless of the cause, we are confined within a structure devoid of an entry or exit. Until that immense racket ceased, the entryway remained visible, correct?”

“I recall it distinctly.”

Yes. Up until that precise moment, it was present. We had remained directly in front of the threshold while awaiting the termination of the rumbling and tremors.

“From that, we can deduce one fact. The structural transmutations occur entirely without warning signs.”

“Mm. That stands to reason.”

I highlighted a few additional minor observations before moving past them.

Why did these details matter? It was necessary to acknowledge our current reality—and simultaneously, elevate our state of alertness.

To be perfectly candid, even I found the situation difficult to comprehend.

‘……They managed to deceive my own senses?’

It was nearly unthinkable. Perhaps that was why my intellect kept running perpetual calculations regarding the potential cause and mechanism—consequently, consolidating the facts in this manner provided a much-needed sense of clarity.

So, what required our vigilance?

As previously stated, the cataclysmic noise wasn’t a signal preceding structural alteration.

‘Therefore, I must operate under the assumption that these architectural shifts happen instantaneously and silently.’

Furthermore, our very senses were being inexplicably distorted. In other words, even if the corridors were being reconfigured and exchanged right beneath our noses, we might remain entirely oblivious to the transition.

In any case, while I was consolidating these precautions—

“Aster, I have compiled your points based on that assessment.”

Operating with his typical efficiency, Chenbi produced a journal and presented a synthesized outline of my statements.

“Is this accurate?”

“It is.”

“Then I shall duplicate it for distribution.”

With those words, Chenbi applied duplication sorcery to project the text onto additional parchment. He provided individual copies to me, Senior Myseolne, and Demian, before turning his attention back in my direction.

“I comprehend your analysis. What is our course of action now?”

His gaze was fixed on me, yet the inquiry wasn’t intended solely for my ears. It was a prompt directed equally toward Senior Myseolne.

When I shifted my attention to Senior Myseolne, he chose to speak first.

“For the moment, I would prefer to learn of Aster’s perspective. I do possess a specific methodology in mind…… though I cannot say I am eager to suggest it.”

“In that case…….”

I offered Senior Myseolne a brief gesture of agreement, then extended a single finger.

“I have formulated two potential approaches. The first option is…… candidly, something I do not highly endorse either, but it represents the most practical choice, so I will present it.”

Could the strategy Senior Myseolne envisioned match my own? Well—if not, it mattered little. In any case, what did the initial option entail?

“We divide into two separate pairs and proceed in diametrically opposite directions along this corridor. Any inquiries?”

“I have one!”

“You…… very well. State it.”

Demian inquired, a guileless smile gracing his features.

“What is the utility of that action? We are already cognizant of the layout.”

“An excellent point. It serves two functions. The primary reason is to verify the geometry beyond question. Madlin performed a scouting run of the hallway, however……”

“Hm. You are accounting for the contingency that even a spirit’s perceptions might be subject to distortion?”

“Exactly. That is the point. The likelihood may be minimal, but Madlin herself failed to recognize the circular nature of the path until she had traversed its entire circumference.”

“A valid perspective. You noticed a critical detail. What is the secondary objective?”

“That would be…… irrespective of whether this is the work of spirits, it allows us to gauge their underlying disposition. If their motives are malevolent, they will likely seize the opportunity to strike once our forces are divided.”

To be perfectly honest, I wasn’t entirely convinced we needed to decipher their motives. After all, the moment they chose to warp the architecture, their immediate objective became evident. However, beyond merely assessing intent—observing how the opposing force reacts can yield an abundance of tactical data.

Even so, the factor causing me to hesitate was……

My focus shifted toward Demian and Chenbi.

Yes. Those two were the source of my reluctance. If the group consisted solely of myself and Senior Myseolne, we likely would have executed the plan without a second thought, but managing those two introduced—admittedly—a level of concern.

Regardless.

“The strategy you were contemplating is likely identical to mine, correct?”

“……Mm. Indeed. Broadly identical.”

As I suspected.

“What is the alternative approach?”

“The alternative approach is……”

I rubbed the back of my neck while sorting through my thoughts. Frankly, it felt slightly absurd to dignify it with the term “strategy.” To speak plainly…… it wasn’t a tactic I held in particularly high regard.

Yet, what choice did we have? Our alternatives were non-existent.

Once I finished organizing the concept, I spoke with measured deliberation.

“Are you perhaps familiar with the ancient proverb, ‘Knock, and the way shall be opened unto you’?”

“I am acquainted with the phrase, yes.”

“We shall appeal to the spirits’ sensibilities through absolute earnestness. I cannot verify with absolute certainty that the spirits engineered this barrier, but if they are responsible, they will perceive our dedication and grant us passage.”

“Hoh…… you possess an extraordinary mind.”

Senior Myseolne uttered an appreciative remark, seemingly struck by the sentiment. Yet almost instantaneously, a look of profound curiosity entered his gaze.

“But by what means do you intend to appeal to the spirits’ sensibilities?”

“If my hypothesis holds, the spirits are actively monitoring this chamber. Were that not the case, they could not have manipulated the geometry so seamlessly, completely evading our notice.”

“And then?”

“We demonstrate it to them. The sheer scale of our dedication.”

“……In what manner?”

Senior Myseolne’s expression shifted, showing a trace of mounting apprehension.

I stated the absolute obvious to him.

“When one seeks to knock upon a threshold, what instrument does one employ?”

“……An open palm?”

“Negative. Not merely a palm.”

“……A clenched fist?”

“Precisely.”

Yes. That was the absolute truth of the matter. When a person wishes to challenge a barrier, they close their fingers and strike. The exact same principle applied when appealing to the spirits’ sensibilities.

“I intend to make my appeal using this fist.”

“What does that even—”

Observing his bewilderment, I concluded that a physical demonstration would be far more efficient than continued verbal explanation.

“Senior. Given that this hallway forms a ring, which direction leads toward the core of the circle?”

“……That direction.”

Ah. From my current orientation, that indicated the right-hand side.

Without a moment’s hesitation, I rose to my feet and stationed myself directly before the rightmost masonry wall. Concurrently, Senior Myseolne’s frantic voice echoed from behind me.

“H-hey now. What are you attempting to do?”

“I am going to demonstrate for you. My absolute dedication.”

No further dialogue was required. In the course of existence, a single visual confirmation outweighs a hundred explanations.

A brief, concentrated inhalation. I anchored my left foot forward, naturally pulling my right shoulder back and allowing the momentum to guide my arm behind me. And then—

“Hup!”

A sharp, explosive exhalation.

KWA-AANG―――――!

As a cataclysmic detonation reverberated through the corridor, I discharged the remainder of my breath.

Are you observing, spirits?

This is the extent of my dedication.

This is my true intent.