LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 37 - Underground Operations
Crystal Dream – Amdusias’s Glass Room
In the lush green flower room entwined with vines, the soft sound of a violin bow gliding across strings echoed, only to be interrupted after a few notes. The melody would start again shortly after, tentative yet earnest.
Hestia sat with her eyes closed, one hand gently supporting the neck of the violin while the other wielded the bow, slowly drawing out sounds and exploring the nuances of tone. Nearby, Amdusias poured steaming water into a teacup, preparing a floral tea, then sat quietly, listening with a serene expression.
The girl’s progress was slow, her technique still clumsy, with frequent pauses as she struggled to find the correct positions before continuing. Yet, her patience was unwavering. Like a tranquil orchid, she maintained a composed focus, diligently acquainting herself with the instrument.
This routine continued until the midday break came to an end. Hestia finally opened her pale blue eyes, carefully placing down the violin and bow.
Amdusias clapped lightly, smiling at the young girl before her.
“Well done, Dantalion. You’ve improved a lot compared to yesterday.”
“Thank you.” Hestia carefully returned the violin to its case, closing it with deliberate care.
Ever since agreeing to Botis’s request, Hestia had dedicated her lunch breaks and post-work hours to practicing the violin. The instrument belonged to Amdusias, who had once performed for patrons of Crystal Dream but seldom did so anymore.
After placing the violin back in its designated spot, Hestia bid farewell to Amdusias and left the vine-covered flower room, heading toward her afternoon workstation.
As the shop’s simulated sky gradually transitioned to hues of crimson with the setting sun, her workday finally concluded. Yet, she made her way back to Amdusias’s room, resuming her practice with the violin.
Day by day, under Amdusias’s guidance, Hestia grew more familiar with playing the instrument, eventually moving on to her first proper piece.
“Let’s start with Canon in D,” Amdusias decided after some thought, selecting a classic for the young girl.
Handing over the sheet music, Amdusias instructed Hestia to familiarize herself with and memorize the piece over the next few days.
“That’s all for today. Rest well and see you tomorrow.”
…
After leaving Crystal Dream, Hestia ascended to the staff quarters upstairs to change out of her uniform. She then began her walk home.
While waiting for the vertical lift, she took out her personal terminal and started browsing messages. Immersed in her practice over the past week, she had hardly kept up with her class group chats.
“Millie’s interview results are out!”
“Did she pass?”
“Yes! I saw her name on the Sreb Academy list!”
“So soon?”
“Each academy moves at its own pace. It depends on their process. If you’re lucky enough to get multiple offers, you can take your pick.”
Curious, Hestia scrolled through her chat history and found that many classmates were already taking interviews or had even been listed as successful candidates.
The process seemed straightforward: pass the interview, complete the administrative steps, and await the formal admission letter.
“Erin Academy’s list is out,” someone in the group chat announced.
“Let me check.”
Hestia opened the official announcement, her heart racing with anticipation. Scanning through the names, she finally spotted her own. Relief washed over her as a weight lifted from her shoulders.
However, a new dilemma emerged as she noticed the interview date conflicted with the one for Swallow Garden Academy, one of the most prestigious schools in the Northern District. Hestia frowned.
Attending Swallow Garden Academy’s interview would mean forfeiting Erin Academy’s opportunity. Yet, choosing familiarity over such a rare chance seemed like a waste, especially considering the favor someone had extended to her.
“I’ll prepare for both,” she resolved, hoping she might manage to attend both interviews somehow—perhaps one in the morning and the other in the afternoon.
…
Lost in thought, Hestia barely noticed her surroundings on her walk home. When she arrived at her residential area, she realized something was amiss.
Groups of people gathered in the wide corridors, murmuring amongst themselves, while loud announcements echoed in the distance.
“Attention all federal residents: starting today, Industrial Zone D390 and adjacent Residential Zone F31 are under full lockdown. No entry or exit is permitted!”
Confused, Hestia glanced at a temporary notice posted on a nearby wall.
_____________________
Notice on the Lockdown of Residential Zone F31
Residents are advised not to enter or approach the affected area. Attempts to cross the lockdown boundaries, even to contact family or friends inside, will be treated as federal violations.
The notice bore official seals from multiple departments, underscoring the severity of the situation. Police cars lined the perimeter, and white-uniformed officers patrolled vigilantly.
Curiosity piqued, Hestia checked the local forums, where speculation ran rampant. According to rumors, this was a follow-up to a prior incident involving an out-of-control individual. Authorities seemed to have uncovered something alarming, though details remained tightly sealed.
The situation had escalated far beyond what Hestia, a witness to the earlier chaos, had imagined. What she thought was an isolated incident now revealed itself as just the tip of the iceberg.
_____________________
Industrial Zone D390, Underground Level 69
The lowest depths of the city sprawled out in industrial desolation. Damp and sweltering, the air was heavy with the scent of oil. Massive, dark-red steel pipes crisscrossed overhead, their oppressive presence accentuated by the rhythmic pounding of distant machinery.
The dimly lit area was devoid of human presence, save for faint orange LED lights casting an eerie glow across the metal jungle.
Amidst this scene, three figures stepped cautiously onto rust-streaked steel grates. The metallic clang of their boots echoed with each step.
Clad in yellow-and-black uniforms, the trio wasn’t part of the federal forces but members of a private agency contracted for this mission.
“How’s it looking, Luth?” Yang Che, holding a loaded electromagnetic rifle, scanned the surroundings from the front. Behind him, one member carried a specialized scanner, while the other lugged a heavy-duty munitions box.
“It should be close by,” Luther replied, adjusting the settings on a multi-dimensional scanner known as the Wind Seeking Eight Mountain Compass. As the device calculated frequencies and displayed shifting data, they closed in on their target.
“The interference with my Eight Mountain Compass is unusually strong, something I’ve never encountered before. The other party might have mastered some unique method,” said Luther, his brow deeply furrowed.
“If the usual methods could solve the issue with the Arpeggio City government, they wouldn’t have hired us. They wouldn’t spend the money otherwise,” Yang Che shook his head, accustomed to encountering troubles in their line of work.
When the federal government assigns a task, it’s best to be mentally prepared for various complications. If the task were straightforward, they wouldn’t pay to involve them.
“The other party is a cunning individual. Based on current intelligence, they were likely hiding in this dairy factory, using its equipment to produce a batch of potions,” Yang Che continued.
“By adding the potion to milk, it created a mild dependency, which significantly boosted sales.”
“Wouldn’t the Federation’s testing department have detected this?” Luther asked, puzzled.
“That depends on the department,” Pascal responded. “If the factory’s products were sold locally and not distributed to other cities, then only local agencies would conduct tests. Arpeggio City isn’t a major city, and its inspection units are relatively easy to bribe—or maybe there’s no need for bribery. A little profit-sharing might be enough for them to turn a blind eye.”
Pascal’s insight, born from years of experience, reflected the unfortunate realities they faced.
“If it were just a mild dependency, it wouldn’t have escalated to this point. But whether out of luck or sheer madness, this person discovered something new,” Yang Che added.
“Apparently, drinking this potion strengthens mental awareness, making advancement easier.”
“That’s… surprising,” Luther remarked, astonished.
“If it worked, it would be classified as a T3-grade rare spiritual elixir, worth tens of thousands of federal credits per dose,” Yang Che explained. “Unfortunately, it’s not legitimate. While it strengthens mental awareness, the side effects are terrifying—causing mental instability, memory loss, and insanity.”
“As a researcher, he wasn’t surprised by these initial flaws. Early prototypes always have issues that need refining.”
“So, he found numerous people for testing, enticing or deceiving them before disguising the potion as contraband smuggled from a prosperous star region. This way, not only could he earn a fortune, but he also reduced the subjects’ vigilance.”
“Advancement failures and mishaps in transcendent sequences happen every year. If the local government hadn’t suddenly taken notice, this might have gone undetected for a long time,” Yang Che concluded.
“Maybe they just decided to do their jobs for once,” he added cynically, having little faith in government officials.
“Alright, break time is over. Let’s get to work. Let’s hope we catch this big fish this time.”
…
After their brief rest, the three continued navigating the foggy underground industrial zone. Apart from their footsteps, only the occasional hissing of steam filled the air.
The factory machinery emitted heat absorbed by flowing water through pipes, which was partially used for power generation. The excess heat was pumped to the surface for circulation and dissipation.
An hour later, they reached a dead end—a sealed steel wall marked with spray-painted warnings: “Do Not Approach.”
Luther examined the scanner in his hand.
“It’s sealed, but the Eight Mountain Compass shows there’s a hollow space behind it.”
“This is the 70th underground level, right? Any further down, and we’d be under Arpeggio City,” Yang Che noted.
“Who knows? The official level counts of underground cities are often unreliable. Gray zones—where undocumented individuals, criminals, and fugitives gather—might exist even below Arpeggio City’s 70th level,” Pascal speculated.
“Should we go in?”
“Old Pas, prepare the explosives. I’ll file a report. Luther, keep watch,” Yang Che instructed.
“Got it,” they replied in unison.
Each took their position and began working. Soon, an explosion echoed underground, creating a large hole in the steel wall.
The three climbed through, inspecting the interior.
“Good news: this isn’t a gray zone, so no criminal elements to deal with,” Luther said, sweeping the dark cavern with his light.
“Bad news: the damp rock walls suggest an underground river below. The target might escape through it,” Pascal warned.
“If we let him go, we lose two-thirds of our commission,” Yang Che muttered, adjusting his protective goggles and scanning the environment with his AI assistant for signs of recent activity.
“Typical. Nothing ever goes smoothly,” Luther grumbled, securing his Eight Mountain Compass to his belt before jumping down. Several glowing devices spilled from his hand, illuminating the surroundings like flares.
The dark cave revealed its damp moss-covered walls and uneven slopes. Suddenly, a shadow leapt from a corner toward the light sources.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Three blue streaks of light flashed in the darkness, shredding the creature into chunks of flesh.
Yang Che provided cover fire with his electromagnetic rifle, ensuring Luther landed safely. Once the area seemed clear, Pascal followed, leaping down with his heavy weapons case. His imposing frame and armor resembled a gray rhinoceros.
When he landed, water splashed around him, breaking a few fragile rocks underfoot.
Yang Che descended last, but as he did, another shadow lunged at him mid-air. With his rifle slung behind him, there was no time to draw it.
Years of experience kicked in as he quickly drew a sword hilt from his waist. With a sharp hum, a bright yellow energy blade ignited, illuminating the darkness.
Brightflow Cleave [Rare Gold-Grade], a current-type lightsaber imbued with “Blazing Electric” and “Piercing Magic” effects. It could be charged instantly with magic power from a Sequence practitioner, delivering massive damage but consuming immense energy. Standard Sequence 5 transcendents could only wield it continuously for one minute.
Electric sparks danced along the blade as it sliced through the shadowy creature, filling the air with a crackling sound and the smell of burning flesh.
Seconds later, Yang Che landed, extinguished the blade, and sheathed it. Only then did charred pieces of the creature fall, trailing white smoke in the dim cavern.