>BOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMM!!!<

With a powerful blast, the interior of the base was exposed to the bright light of the outside world.

Kuzon had just used a powerful blast to create a crevice—enough to enable him and Ana to easily enter the structure.

The false snowy mountain was none other than a cover for the hidden base of their opponent.

“Now that we’re in, you’ll lead the way to the control center. Is that cool by you?” Kuzon asked as they proceeded inside the dark structure.

“No problem.”

With her eyes on the compass, Ana walked while replying. It didn’t seem at all like she wanted to enter into a conversation—something that stung Kuzon in more ways than one.

‘We’ll have to resolve this when we return. For now, I should adhere to what the mission dictates.’

~There are traps up ahead, Kuzon.~ His familiar added.

Kuzon nodded and kept his perception to the highest level—considering it was Ana who would be leading the charge.

‘I would have used Magic, but that could trigger another effect. So, let’s save it for later.’

*

*

*

Ana came prepared. Even in the thick darkness, her compass brightened the immediate vicinity.

Plus, with both her and Kuzon’s enhanced senses, they were still able to keep a constant watch on their surroundings.

The interior of the base was unlike what either had expected to see.

The walls were coated with iron—same as the ground. The echoing sounds of their footsteps reverberated through the area, though neither minded at all.

Considering their loud welcome into the place, they had given up on subtlety.

It was also surprisingly warm within the structure—a product of Magic perhaps.

Since they were in enemy territory, Kuzon had recommended using Resonance to communicate with each other—to which she’d agreed.

~How long do you think this will take?~ Kuzon’s soothing words flowed into Ana’s head.

She fought to keep her composure and also put her thoughts under control. It would be regrettable if any of her more embarrassing ideas flowed into his head.

~I’m not certain. But this is just one mountain. It can’t be that far. Unless, of course, this is connected to a deeper path underground. One sec.~

Ana pulled up an alternate projection from a bracelet-like Magic Tool. It displayed the landscape and coordinates. Kuzon watched it with keen interest as he awaited Ana’s explanation.

~An Automaton of mine is overhead outside. It’s monitoring our signature.~

~Oh? And?~

~We’re still in the mountain, though—~

>BZZZTTTTZZZZZZZZZZ<

Suddenly, the map and landscape projection buzzed and sizzled out.

The malfunction caused even the Magic Tools, the compass and the bracelet, to short-circuit.

“A-ah… ow.” Ana instantly threw the bracelet off and dropped the compass.

The moment they left her skin, sparks surged from the both of them until the devices were rendered completely useless.

“Damnit!” Forgetting they were supposed to be silent, Ana watched as both her devices became ruined.

Frustration and pain coursed through her. She knew just how long it took for her to design and create them—yet…!

However, the destruction of Ana’s prized tools was enough to tell them that the enemy had begun to move.

“Something’s coming!” Kuzon shouted, surprising Ana for a second.

“W-wha—?”

Suddenly, the girl felt a wave assail her, causing her body to tremble. It was an overwhelming power that exceeded anything she could control.

However, this wasn’t her first encounter with it!

“Ana—!”

“I… I’m fine.” Quickly tapping her chest, she ceased hyperventilating and the emerging sweat on her face stopped as well.

>VWOOOOOOOSSSSSHHHH<

In a flash of light and with the swift motion of the wind, two beings appeared from both behind and in front of the flustered duo.

At that very moment, the entire hallway radiated light—using the luminous ores that had been deactivated before.

The sudden illumination that now covered the vicinity sent a bit of shock to both intruders— especially Ana—who winced as she tried to get adjusted to the sensation.

Unfortunately, there was no time to adapt. The opponents were already present.

“Automatons…?” Ana murmured as she looked around her.

The glowing silver and blue colored beings resembled humans in mechanical suits—though neon wires made up their veins, and their bodies were comprised of hardened shells.

WARNING

WARNING

WARNING

WARNING

WARNING

WARNING

Red System Windows started to appear all around Kuzon and Ana, clouding their vision, but also making distracting sounds.

The Automatons readied themselves to attack, using the intruders’ shock to their advantage.𝓞𝑣𝐿xt.𝗰𝒐𝔪

However—

“That’s enough.”

>BOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMM!!!<

In an instant, both Automatons burst into blue and white flames.

It didn’t take seconds before they were completely gone—down to their very core. The mechanical beings didn’t just melt. No—they were completely destroyed.

“Haa… can you keep going?” Kuzon asked Ana.

“A-ah…?”

Ana wasn’t as fast, strong, or reactive as Kuzon. Plus, without prior preparations, she was inferior to top-tier fighters.

Those were all of her excuses for not being a single bit useful in the just concluded assault on them.

Well, there was also one other factor.

“I’m sorry I didn’t do anything.” Ana whispered, her gaze falling and her expression sullen.

“It’s fine. I didn’t bring you here to fight, anyway. That’s my specialty.”

Kuzon smiled as he walked closer to Ana. He placed his hand on the girl’s shoulder and nodded in understanding, flashing a brilliant smile and a confident thumbs up.

“Just do what you have to. Provide mechanical support.”

“About that…” Ana laughed awkwardly, averting her gaze from Kuzon.

The young Midas didn’t quite understand her words, nor the cause of her reaction. He needed more information.

“The compass and location tracker have both been ruined. I also can’t fix them here—not with this kind of situation and certainly not without my equipment.”

“A-ah, that’s bad…”

Both had decided to abandon Resonance, considering it was far more comfortable to speak aloud… and the enemy was already aware of their presence anyway.

Still, considering the possibility that they were being monitored by their opponent, exposing their plans and sudden weakness was akin to utter foolishness.

Which was why…

~We’ll misdirect the enemy with that. While it’s true that they have both been destroyed, I already saved the last recorded coordinates. Besides, we don’t need the compass at this point…~

Kuzon and Ana nodded, directing their gazes to each other through the vast, empty hallway—now lit by the ores around them.

~Just give me some time. I have a plan.~