Chapter 38: The Iron Doors

As the first rays of sunlight pierced the morning fog, Noah stirred from his restless sleep beneath the rocky overhang. The crackling embers of his fire had long since died, leaving only the faint warmth of the stones behind. He stood, stretching his stiff muscles, and surveyed his surroundings. The mist that had blanketed the gorge the previous day was finally lifting, revealing the jagged terrain ahead.

He gathered his gear, strapped his blade to his hip, and set out once more. The map in his mind was clear: the red-circled area was close now, but it marked a broad region rather than a specific point. He would need to search carefully to uncover what the map had tried to conceal.

Hours passed as Noah traversed the rocky landscape. The northern terrain was harsher than anything he had encountered before, with sharp ridges, steep inclines, and sparse vegetation. It was eerily silent, the usual sounds of wildlife absent, as if the region itself had been abandoned.

Noah's instincts were on high alert. The grindstone's detection range hadn't picked up anything significant, but the oppressive atmosphere made him feel as though he were being watched. He tightened his grip on his blade, ready for whatever might come.

Finally, as the sun reached its zenith, he spotted something unusual in the distance. A rocky outcrop jutted from the side of a cliff, and at its base, partially obscured by rubble and overgrown vines, was a large opening. Noah's heart quickened as he approached, brushing aside the foliage to reveal thick, rusted iron doors set into the stone.

The doors were massive, reinforced with thick rivets and lined with faded markings that might once have been warnings or instructions. It was clear they weren't natural—this was man-made.

Noah stepped closer, his hand hovering near the hilt of his blade, when a sharp ping from the grindstone stopped him in his tracks.

Warning: Aberrations detected.

Targets: 2x Mid-Level Aberrations, 1x Mid-Level Mutant Aberration.

Noah froze, his eyes darting to his surroundings. The grindstone displayed the locations of the aberrations on his HUD: three red dots circling the area near the iron doors. He ducked behind a nearby boulder and peered out cautiously.

The first aberration emerged from the far side of the clearing. It was a mid-level aberration, its grotesque form lumbering through the open space with a slow, deliberate gait. Its movements were strangely methodical, almost as if it were patrolling.

Moments later, another mid-level aberration appeared, this one slightly smaller but no less menacing. It paused near the doors, its deformed head tilting as though listening for something before continuing its circuit.

Then came the mutant. Noah's breath caught as the creature came into view. It was larger than the others, its body pulsing with unnatural energy that crackled across its skin. Unlike the others, it moved with a predatory grace, its glowing eyes scanning the area with unnerving intelligence.

The three aberrations moved in a loose pattern, their paths crossing occasionally as they circled the iron doors. It didn't take long for Noah to realize what they were doing: guarding the entrance.

He watched them for several minutes, his mind racing. If these creatures were protecting the doors, then whatever lay behind them had to be important. And given the lack of any other signs of life in the area, this was likely where the survivors of the research facility—Valerie included—had fled to.

Noah gritted his teeth. He had to get inside, but taking on three aberrations, including a mutant, wouldn't be easy. Still, with his recent core boosts and sharpened skills, he was confident he could do it with the right approach.

He crouched lower, carefully observing the aberrations' movements. Their patrol routes overlapped, but there were gaps he could exploit. The key would be to take them out one at a time, starting with the standard mid-level aberrations before tackling the mutant.

Noah pulled back into the shadows, formulating his plan. He would wait until one of the standard aberrations strayed far enough from the others to isolate it. Then he'd strike fast and hard, taking it down before the others could react.

For the mutant, he would need to be more strategic. Its intelligence and enhanced abilities would make it a tougher opponent, but Noah was confident he could outmaneuver it with his agility and Energy Missile skill.

As he reviewed his plan, he couldn't help but glance back at the iron doors. They loomed in the distance, a silent reminder of the stakes. Whatever lay inside could hold the answers he needed—not just about Valerie and the other survivors, but about the artifact, the aberrations, and this twisted world itself.

Noah tightened his grip on his blade, his resolve hardening. He would take down these aberrations, no matter what it took.

For now, he waited, his body tense and ready as he watched the patrols. The hunt was about to begin.

End of Chapter 38