Ancient Key

Heated metal should cool rapidly when exposed to the cold void of space. However, for whatever reason, the scorching walls carved by the Mining Laser didn't seem to be cooling down—at all!

The searing pain was torturous, but more than that, I could feel that the leg portion of my suit had been fully breached. Half-reflexively, I activated the emergency isolation function, tightening it around my thigh to prevent oxygen from leaking.

Of course, to make it airtight, the strap around my thigh was so tight that it practically cut off all blood flow through it.

"Well, it should be fine, anyway..."

I glanced down at my legs—or at least where they used to be. But only a charred, unrecognizable mass remained.

The battle between extreme heat and freezing cold had rapidly deteriorated my exposed flesh, practically melting it down in moments.

"I'm not gonna die like this, am I...?" I whispered, my voice tinged with worry and fear.