I upgraded and added points in the Holy Inquisition

After wandering around in the dungeon for a while, the miner guide led Lloyd and his party to a crossroads.

It is actually a crossroads in the literal sense. It is not the intersection of some sewer network, but a spacious two-way eight-lane road?

Furthermore, the dome above is very high, and should be able to accommodate apartment buildings more than ten stories high. The entire area has a sense of openness and is no longer as depressing and crowded as other places. It is even equipped with many lamps for lighting, and the light is much more sufficient than other places. It really has the flavor of an underground "city".

Although the structural layout of the various buildings along the way has become less and less like a sewer, and more and more like a city, Lloyd was still shocked to suddenly see a large intersection that is quite rare on Earth.

From this, it can be seen that there must be some things left over from the twilight era underneath, and the previous part of the sewer network is probably not the original appearance of this underground relic, but the result of modification when the Brilliant City was built.

After all, it is easier to rebuild a sewer system in the underground network dug by predecessors than to dig from scratch. The amount of work is different, so it doesn't seem so painful to abandon the part of the sewer network that has been repaired.

Lloyd thought about it briefly in his mind, and then another question popped up in his mind.

What's the purpose of building such a large and complicated underground shelter?

It's not like I haven't been to other refuges left behind by previous civilizations, such as the underground ruins of the City of Illusion and the City of Joy, but they weren't this 'grand', right?

You can't be planning to build giant robots in there, right? Like in the cartoons on Earth?

Just as I was thinking about it, the guide leading the way suddenly stopped and pointed to the opposite side of the wide road.

"I don't know the way to get there. The foreign cultists won't allow us to cross this line, or we will be killed by them..."

The guide spoke with a lingering fear on his face, and tapped a long and narrow crack on the ground with his toes, which looked like a dividing line drawn by some sharp weapon.

As he spoke, he carefully stretched out his leg and lightly tapped the land on the other side of the dividing line. This action looked similar to the emoticon of a seagull exploring the beach on Earth.

As a result, just a light tap caused a roar to come from the end of the invisible intersection, accompanied by a mosquito-leg-level mental pollution.

[Ding~Insanity value +229]

[Ding~Insanity value +471]

[Ding~Insanity value +166]

This was certainly a small matter for Lloyd, but for the two investigators in the temporary team who were not even at level five, it was enough to make them feel like they were facing a formidable enemy.

"This...what is this? I sense a spiritual pollution. Is there a monster in it?"

The investigator wearing a ghost mask asked quietly in the 'Team Channel'.

Another investigator wearing a ghost mask also swallowed hard and said:

"And the danger level is probably not low..."

As investigators with many years of experience, they are good at handling various abnormal events and recovering various dangerous sealed objects, but they are not very good at fighting monsters. After all, everyone has their own expertise.

Even the eighth-rank Old York said in a solemn tone:

"This roar... and the intensity of the mental pollution, I suspect it might be a demon..."

Coincidentally, I thought so too...

Lloyd agreed in his heart and said:

"It should be the Karma Demon."

Taking into account the causes and consequences that were connected previously, the following situation is most likely related to the ancient survivors. This group of people originally has the ability to create and control karma demons, so it is not surprising that they will encounter such a precious item next.

The dome of this place was deliberately built so high, and the road was made so wide. Could it be that they were not producing giant robots, but manufacturing monsters? This kind of monster was always known for being several times larger than ordinary monsters.

This speculation made Lloyd suddenly furious.

You dare to create monsters in my backyard? I think you have already met your death!

He then let go of his inspiration and moved in the direction where the roar came from, wanting to see what exactly was causing the trouble inside.

This action was immediately caught by Old York standing by, who quickly grabbed his arm, the surprise on his face could be felt through the skull mask.

"What are you doing? Didn't I tell you there are demons in there? How dare you randomly develop your inspiration?"

Compared to Lloyd's recklessness, the others instantly restrained their inspiration and behaved quite cautiously when they felt the mental pollution coming.

In fact, this is the correct choice. Otherwise, you might go crazy before you even see the shadow of the enemy.

But Lloyd was different. He waved his hand and explained casually:

"It's okay. I have equipment that can resist mental pollution, and I can also help you eliminate it."

As he spoke, his [Consciousness Tentacles] activated, giving each of the other five people on the forehead a strand of hair, taking up all of the "mosquito legs" that he had previously given them.

"Huh? The mental pollution actually disappeared? Faster than taking a potion? Has Mitzkatok's technology developed to this point?"

The expression under Old York's mask suddenly became even more shocked.

The others subconsciously reached out to scratch their heads, trying to grab the invisible "hair", while saying:

"What a magical equipment! It's worthy of being called Mizzkatok!"

"But why isn't this great equipment being promoted in the real world? I will definitely buy it no matter how much it costs!"

"I'm afraid it's not a matter of money, but a matter of quantity. I guess even that mysterious academy can't produce too much of this kind of equipment. If nothing unexpected happens, there may only be a few pieces. It should only be equipped to key figures in high positions of power."

"Ah? So, Mr. Lloyd's position in Mitzkatok is also extraordinary?"

"Of course. Are you questioning Mr. Lloyd's academic level?"

With the help of this "Team Private Chat", these people communicated faster than scrolling the screen, and completed a conversation in just one second. Lloyd was so embarrassed that he could only interrupt and say:

"Okay, I checked with my inspiration, the next road is relatively simple, and we shouldn't need a guide. Let him go back first."

"Well, otherwise it would be quite troublesome for us to bring an ordinary person with us."

Old York nodded, then took out a few bills from his pocket and handed them to the guide in an unusually generous manner.

Although the other party clearly stated that there would be no charge, the fee is the fee and the kindness is the kindness, and they should be discussed separately.

When Lloyd saw this scene, his impression of Old York improved a bit. This old man was indeed not the kind of person who looked down on others and looked down on them.

"This is really...thank you so much! Please be careful and make it out alive! I'll be waiting for you at the intersection on this side!"

The guide said this sincerely, and pointed in the direction they came from.

........................

After the guide left, the temporary team continued to move deeper.

Although the road became wider and easier to walk on, the pace of travel slowed down. Every step had to be taken cautiously, for fear that a demon would suddenly rush out from somewhere.

And the moment they crossed the dividing line, a series of roars suddenly came from the depths, echoing under the influence of the hollow structure, giving a continuous feeling, making it impossible to tell how many demons there were in the depths.

At first, even Lloyd felt a little numb from these shouting, but fortunately he quickly got used to it and didn't care so much anymore.

On the other hand, the other members of the team waited until the roaring continued for a while and finally died down before they breathed a sigh of relief.

Even Old York let out a long sigh and said with emotion:

"Huh... This is really frightening. Fortunately, Lloyd, you can help share the mental pollution, otherwise it would be troublesome..."

"But even if we are not afraid of the influence of mental pollution, it will be difficult to fight against the Karma Demon, right? This kind of terrifying monster has more than just mental pollution as a weapon..."

The investigator who was always talking about Bai Yueguang followed up.

After hearing this, Lloyd wanted to say something to comfort them, such as saying that he still had a lot of equipment in his pocket, and explaining that he could let them experience the firepower of Mizzkatok.

But the investigator with the lowest attribute, who had been the most ruthless to Lloyd earlier, spoke first:

"But even so, we have to figure out what's going on here, right? Otherwise, if these demons rush out, they might break into the financial street in the new city, and the consequences would be disastrous..."

Hiss~ This guy is really brave? But not the kind of bravery that Internet keyboard warriors have…

Lloyd nodded secretly and said:

"Yes, we must at least figure out what is inside... My inspiration was blocked by an invisible force after it extended to a certain distance. It seems that there is a real conspiracy hidden deep inside."

"Well, let's continue. Be careful and try not to be discovered by the monsters."

Old York also expressed his opinion, which dispelled the hesitation in the team, and added a special sentence:

"If you encounter any situation later, don't be reckless and be sure to protect yourself."

Intentionally or unintentionally, Lloyd always felt that this sentence was directed at him...

That's really unnecessary worry. I have always been a cautious and steady young man.

However, in order to dispel the tense atmosphere in the team, he still talked about an optimistic topic:

"Don't worry, we will be fine. Don't forget the divination I went to first, and the result tends to be optimistic."

It would have been fine if he hadn't said this, but once he opened his mouth, the others suddenly became even more nervous...

They didn't dare to forget the bloody omen on the table...

"Ahem... Let's stop chatting for now and stay alert!"

Old York awkwardly smoothed things over, and then the 'Team Private Chat' fell into silence.

The silence was not broken until the investigator Bai Yueguang discovered something on the walls on both sides.

"Look, what is engraved here?"

He pointed at a 'nameplate' carved into the wall. It looked like an ordinary signpost, but it was carved directly on the wall in a magical way. Even after thousands of years, it was still clearly visible.

It is even equipped with a detailed topographic map, with various symbols and a large string of small words marking the internal structure distribution here.

But those words were written in an ancient language that ordinary investigators could not understand at all. Only Old York tried hard to translate:

"It means... this road leads to a... confidential area?"

“It’s a high-risk testing area.”

Lloyd helped correct it and continued:

"Let me speak it. I happen to know a little about ancient languages..."

As he spoke, he moved closer to the topographic map, pointed at each area and said:

"There are training areas, rest areas, weapons areas, storage areas, residential areas, study areas, armor repair areas, and several experimental areas and production workshops. Even a cemetery has been divided out, and the area is not small?"

"This... means there is a super-large shelter underneath?"

Old York asked in a very shocked tone.

"Strictly speaking, it should be a comprehensive military base, right? Hmm... Now I understand why they built such wide roads and why we now have such an advanced subway system."

"You mean... that thing from the Holy Inquisition? I tried it once and almost vomited my stomach... So this thing is also left over from previous civilizations? But hasn't the Cult always claimed that this is their cutting-edge technology?"

Do you believe whatever the cult says?

Lloyd was also a little amused and complained in his heart, but he did not directly respond, but continued to talk about the main topic:

"You should all know that our current cities are more or less built on the 'legacy' of previous civilizations."

Old York nodded and replied:

"Yes, the City of Order where I was born is actually similar to the Eternal City. Both were expanded on the basis of the shelters left by previous generations."

"Yes, but the situation in our Brilliant City looks different. It's obviously a military base, not just a shelter. And judging from the timeline, this base has been in operation for a long time. It's not the kind that was just built and hasn't had time to operate yet..."

Lloyd paused and asked again:

"Then you can probably guess what this means, right?"

Old York thought for a moment and replied:

"You mean... a base that has been operating for a long time, but was eventually forced to abandon it. And it doesn't look like it was abandoned because it was destroyed. At least I haven't seen any battle damage yet."

"So the situation below is probably more complicated than we expected. It's probably far more than just a simple Karma Demon..."

As Lloyd spoke, his expression beneath the mask became more serious.

He could no longer hide the masterpieces of the engineering department in his pocket, so he immediately took out several pieces of protective equipment and lent them to everyone.

This was clearly a violation of school rules, and the student handbook immediately began to shake, trying to stop his actions.

However, Lloyd ignored it.

So the student handbook severely deducted his name from the school for violating school rules...

100 credits?

What a severe punishment!