0035. Building is Sealed

As Nile entered the third-floor trial, a deep rumbling sound echoed throughout the building. The whole structure seemed to tremble as the energy around it flared up. Suddenly, a series of intricate runes and glowing arrays flared to life, spreading across every corner of the building. With a hiss of unseen power, the seals were enacted, locking the entire building away from the outside world. No one could hear, see, or enter the building anymore. The seal was complete.

Down on the ground floor, Arin's eyes sharpened as the vibrations echoed through the walls. His instincts kicked in, and he quickly began to assess the situation. A deep frown creased his brow as he rushed over to the others. "Everyone, gather your important belongings! We need to move quickly."

The sudden chaos had everyone alert. As the reality of the situation settled in, Veena, standing nearby, felt a wave of worry surge through her chest. "Nile? Is he alright?"

Arin, though his voice remained calm, couldn't mask the anxiety in his eyes. "He's fine. He's still in the third floor where no one else is allowed other than him as per Frost's instructions. But we don't know how much time we have." He glanced at Lyra, who was already pulling a small, intricately-carved key from her pouch. Arin, too, revealed a key from his own storage space. The siblings exchanged a knowing glance, understanding the gravity of the situation.

Without waiting for further questions, Arin quickly ushered everyone toward the shop, ensuring they kept their cool while packing their most valuable items. Lyra moved swiftly to secure everything, including the precious Slime King core, while Jessica took a moment to grab her belongings. She reached toward the door when suddenly, everyone else stopped.

The group gathered in the center of the shop. Veena's gaze was fixed on the complex arrays glowing with an ominous light, and she said, her voice tinged with concern, "We can't get out. The arrays were set by someone powerful. These are beyond level 10."

Jessica froze. The words felt like a cold splash of water. Level 10? But that was impossible! The top powerhouses of humanity had all been known to be at level 9. Level 10 beings were mere myths... until now.

"Are you sure?" Jessica's voice was sharp, disbelief evident in her tone.

Lyra, hearing the question, spoke up. "Actually, there have been rumors for a century about hidden level 10 powerhouses. The recent news about the Black Glow Island battle confirmed it." She inserted the key into a device in the center of the shop, her movements fluid and practiced. "A level 10 human cultivator was finally revealed to the public. Since then, it's been confirmed across all the major news channels. Many of the cultivators have already gone to City Island to witness the honoring ceremony of these new level 10 beings."

The mention of City Island immediately captured Jessica's attention, but Lyra continued without pause. "It's why the market here has been quieter than usual. Everyone has left. All the attention is focused elsewhere."

The hum of the device filled the air as Lyra completed the final steps, and, with a soft click, the glass cabinet before them opened. A hidden door in the floor slid open simultaneously. The ground beneath their feet seemed to open up, revealing a narrow underground passage.

Lyra quickly stashed the Slime King core into her pouch, a task she'd done countless times before, and motioned toward the newly revealed path. Arin, without hesitation, dove into the passage, disappearing into the depths below.

The others remained in stunned silence. The sudden revelation of a hidden passage, combined with the earlier talk of level 10 powerhouses, made everything seem far more complex than it had initially appeared. Jessica stood still for a moment, processing the shocking news.

Her mind raced, trying to piece together the fragments of information. She looked to Veena and James, who seemed unfazed by the earlier conversation. They'd known. Jessica realized they had known about level 10 cultivators all along. It wasn't new to them. The nonchalance in their expressions spoke volumes about their own power levels, close to level 9, enough to have access to such secrets.

After what felt like an eternity, Arin returned. He held a small storage pouch, identical to the one Lyra had given him earlier. He handed it to her, his face grim but resolute. "Safe and sound," he said quietly, before looking to the others. "Let's wait, now."

The mood in the room had shifted. Everyone had questions, but now wasn't the time to voice them. The urgency of their situation had only grown with the discovery of this secret underground floor and the unsettling implications of level 10 powerhouses.

Feeling the intense vibration of the arrays they knew they would face it together, as their world—and their understanding of it—shifted beneath their feet.

As the tremors from the building's core subsided, the oppressive weight of the arrays gradually lifted. The runes that had sealed the structure from the outside world flickered and disappeared one by one, leaving the building groaning under the strain. The cracks on the walls widened, and dust rained from the ceiling, a warning of the collapse to come.

At that moment, the gate to the shop on the first floor creaked open, signaling the end of the temporary seal. Arin, standing near the center of the shop, let out a deep breath. Relief flickered in his expression for a brief moment before worry overtook him again.

"We need to move out, everyone," Arin called, urgency lacing his voice. "Grab a place at the Red Moon Inn. I'll bring Nile."

The others immediately began gathering their belongings. Lyra took the lead, guiding the group toward the exit. Yet Veena stood rooted in place, her expression drawn tight with worry. She turned toward Arin as he darted up the stairs.

"What about Nile?!" she called after him.

"I'll get him!" Arin shouted back, not slowing his pace. His silhouette quickly disappeared into the shadows of the staircase.

Veena's heart pounded as uncertainty gnawed at her. The building trembled, and the walls groaned as though warning her not to linger. Yet she couldn't leave without knowing Nile's condition. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath and expanded her spirit sense.

Her consciousness spread outward like a ripple in still water, climbing through the broken structure, bypassing the second floor, and finally reaching the third. The moment her senses brushed against Nile's presence, she froze. He was there—his breath steady, his body intact. The tension in her chest eased slightly. Though unconscious, he was alive, and his condition was far better than she had feared.

A small, relieved smile flickered across Veena's lips as she opened her eyes. She turned to the group, who had paused by the exit, and announced, "Nile's alive. He's on the third floor, and his body's stable."

Her words brought a collective sigh of relief, though the urgency of their situation quickly returned. Lyra, who had already begun ushering the others out, glanced back and motioned for Veena to follow.

"We can't wait any longer. Arin will bring him," Lyra said firmly.

Veena hesitated, her instincts screaming at her to run to the third floor herself. But she trusted Arin. With one last glance at the staircase, she finally followed Lyra and the others.

"Let's move," Lyra urged, stepping through the shop's exit. "We'll regroup at the Red Moon Inn and figure out the next steps there."

The others filed out, their movements quick and tense, but the knowledge that Nile was alive kept their spirits from breaking entirely. Veena glanced back once more before following them, silently praying for Arin and Nile's safe return.