Ch. 86..90: Interstellar_ Return of the Villain Chapter 86-90

Chapter 86: Commander Phillip

On the rolling hills, massive machines buzzed as they swiftly cleared the surface rocks. Within six hours, they carved out an entrance large enough for people to enter.

Lyra stood at that entrance, gripping a gun in her hand. The orange glow of the nearby star cast long shadows on the ground, the heat rising in visible waves. Sweat trickled down her face.

The robots drilled deeper into the earth until a voice echoed from within, "Just like the scans showed—fragments of ore found 200 meters down!"

A man in a protective suit emerged, holding a sample. The dark crystals, laced with a faint blue tint, looked ordinary at first glance, blending with the dirt.

Lyra stayed close to the drilling worker, using her psychokinesis to subtly probe the ore. It wasn’t energy ore.

Inside a tent nearby, researchers huddled over their equipment, quickly analyzing the sample. The data rolled off the printer, and they secured it for further study.

"What are we looking at?" Kogar asked as he walked in.

"After some quick tests, the hardness falls between six and seven. It’s got solid potential for development."

Lyra listened quietly. This ore could be used for crafting mecha shells, high-end weaponry, and custom-made cold arms.

Even though it wasn’t the energy ore everyone had hoped for, it was still a promising start. The team members felt a sense of accomplishment, knowing this find would raise their standing in the future.

As Kogar and Zorion discussed the next steps, a chatty man with a mop of curly hair strolled in, laughing. "So, the analysis is done. What’s the verdict? Is it worth anything?"

This was Phillip, a commander in Oleg’s guard. His boss had sent him to protect the exploration team and to keep an eye on Kogar and the others, under the pretext of safeguarding them from high-level beasts.

Throughout the journey, Phillip had stuck to his mission, focusing on protection without meddling in Kogar and Zorion’s work. But his sudden interest now raised a few eyebrows.

He walked straight to the table with the data, but Kogar smoothly intercepted, gathering the papers and sealing them in a file bag right in front of Phillip’s slightly annoyed expression.

"What brings you here, Commander Phillip? Did you spot any high-level beasts while on patrol?"

Mining and ore analysis weren’t part of Oleg’s mission, but Phillip seemed unusually interested.

Phillip frowned, "What’s with the secrecy? I can’t even take a peek?"

"Sorry, no can do. Until this information is officially released to the Alliance public, it’s classified." Kogar tucked the file securely under his arm. "If you’re that curious, you’ll need to go through the proper channels."

Phillip’s frustration was evident, but he knew better than to push further. He huffed and left, knowing his rank didn’t grant him the authority to demand more. Energy ore was the real prize, and he was content to bide his time until they found it. When they did, not even the generals would be able to stop them from claiming it.

Meanwhile, reports came in from the other two exploration teams—no energy ore had been found at their sites either.

After a couple of days spent at the third mine, assessing the reserves and considering the challenges of mining, they packed up and moved on.

Their next stop was the fourth mine, located at the mountain’s base. It was another ordinary ore site, but the geology was unstable, making extraction more difficult. Its value was lower than the third mine, but it had vast reserves—enough to last forty or fifty years.

The group’s spirits were pretty low. They had all hoped this new star would be brimming with energy ore, but so far, nothing. Not a single trace.

The night before they were set to head out again, Kogar gathered everyone around the campfire. His voice steady but firm, he said, "Stay focused, everyone. We’re far from base now. After we explore the seventh mine, we’ll head back and figure out a new plan."

The seventh mine was the furthest from their base, hidden beneath a mountain range that stretched for miles. All three exploration teams would have to work together there. They were supposed to arrive first.

Lyra sat quietly on a rock by the fire, her gun still in hand. She was the type to blend into the background, except when Kail shot her the occasional glance, or when Zorion found something else for her to do.

As three satellites slowly arched across the night sky, Zorion noticed Kogar wasn’t around. Taking charge, he began ordering the others to pack up the equipment. Then he turned to Lyra. "Everyone, get in the tents and rest. Lyra, go scout the area."

Lyra didn’t move right away. Instead, she cast a glance at the soldiers from the Shedd family corps chatting by the fire. "Sorry, but no. I’m too tired."

The night was prime time for beasts to be on the prowl. No one knew what dangers were out there. She was just an intern, and it was just abdurd to let her be the one to take that risk while the regular soldiers just sat around.

The conversation around the fire died out. Everyone turned to look at Lyra, the intern who had just refused an order from her leader.

Zorion, clearly ticked off by her defiance, snapped, "Are you disobeying a direct order?"

"Commander Phillip just said the beast threat isn’t cleared. If something happens to me, will you take the blame?" Lyra’s half-smile, half-challenge left Zorion momentarily speechless.

NMA interns were originally under Cohen’s watch. But after Erin injured Lyra with just one punch, Cohen had gotten a stern warning. If anything happened to her now, Zorion wouldn’t just get a slap on the wrist for overstepping; he might end up facing a military tribunal.

At that moment, Kogar emerged from his tent. He had finished up some final arrangements. When he heard that Zorion was at it again, ordering around the intern under his care, his temper flared.

He bellowed at the onlookers, "You’re soldiers, aren’t you? And you’re okay with letting a first-year intern do your patrols? Have you no shame?"

The soldiers by the fire immediately jumped to their feet, laughing it off. "Sir, you’ve got us all wrong. We’re on it."

Having worked with Kogar for years, they knew exactly whom he was calling out.

Kogar then turned to Zorion, whose face had turned as dark as the night. "Apologies, my men can be a bit undisciplined at times."

Zorion could only swallow his frustration, grunting as he barked orders at his own troops. "Legion Glory is out patrolling, what are you waiting for?"

These men, who used to serve under Erin, didn’t have much respect for Zorion. Now, feeling unjustly singled out, they reluctantly went to do their rounds.

Kogar, with a hint of sarcasm, smiled at Lyra. "Miss Shedd, you should get some rest. You’ve had a long day."

Lyra rolled her eyes inwardly, thinking how Kogar had mastered the art of snark. She wrapped herself in a blanket from her pack and closed her eyes, quickly drifting off.

The bottom of the sleeping tent had a moisture-proof mat. As she shifted in her sleep, her fingers brushed against the dirt underneath. Suddenly, her eyes snapped open. She carefully stepped over the others sleeping in the tent and slipped outside.

She spotted Zorion, Kail, and some of Kogar’s men standing watch. Without missing a beat, she asked, "Have the patrols returned?"

Zorion, clearly annoyed, tossed a piece of wood into the fire. "What’s it to you?"

Lyra ignored his attitude and spoke sharply, "Call them back. Now!"

Chapter 87: Beast Swarm

To Zorion, Lyra was trying too hard. If she really was Erin’s cousin Lyra, he might have given her more credit. But in his eyes, she was just a clone—a knock-off.

Zorion sneered, "I assigned you with a mission and you didn’t seem to care the least about our Legion Skywalkers. And now you’re screaming and yelling, asking them to come back?"

He didn’t buy her act. Yet, the soldiers from Legion Glory, sensing something, quietly went into the tent and woke Kogar. "Lyra might’ve found something important," the Soldier whispered.

Kogar, well aware of Lyra’s capabilities, jumped to his feet and rushed out. "Lyra, what did you find?"

"There’s a massive tremor, about thirty miles out. We’re in serious danger," she said, her tone dead serious. But Zorion just laughed, dismissing her.

"Who do you think you are? Thirty miles away? Really?"

But Kogar wasn’t as skeptical. He immediately got in touch with his men who were patrolling up north. "Anything unusual to report?"

The voice on the other end was tense. "Yeah, we’re picking up strong tremors. Drone footage shows a massive beast swarm heading this way!"

Within moments, Zorion received a similar report from his own patrols. "There’s a big beast swarm coming up from the south!"

His expression turned grim.

Kogar wasted no time. He ordered his men to return right away and got everyone up, preparing for a hasty departure.

Thankfully, they’d already packed most of their gear. They didn’t even bother with the tents—once the patrol team returned, they were ready to move out.

The tremors underfoot were getting worse, making it feel like they were already driving on rough terrain.

"Where to?!" The driver’s hand was trembling as he gripped the power lever.

"Back to base, obviously!" Zorion shouted, clutching the safety handle beside him.

Their base was on a plateau to the west, the perfect spot to face down a beast swarm.

"No!" Lyra cut in sharply. "The swarm’s already gathering to the west and moving in our direction. We can’t go that way!"

Zorion’s temper flared, and he was about to blow up at her, but drone footage backed her up.

Finally, the highest-ranking officer, Commander Phillip, stepped in. "We’re heading to Mine No. 7 to the east. At least we know the terrain there."

Kogar trusted Phillip’s judgment. He knew he was more familiar with the area and didn’t argue.

The vehicles roared to life, pushing forward as fast as they could. A robot led the way, smashing through anything in their path.

The ride was brutal, shaking them all to the core. But no one could afford to lose focus as they watched the patrol team struggle to return.

A few flying beasts, faster than the rest, had already reached them. The patrol made it back, but not without injuries.

The sight of blood sent a chill through everyone.

Kogar kept his cool. "Where’s the med-kit?"

They couldn’t afford to lose any more fighters—they were already short-handed.

"It’s in the tech vehicle up front."

"I’ll handle it."

A girl, quiet up until now, unbuckled her seatbelt. Her hands glowed with healing power as she moved from one injured person to the next.

Zorion rolled his eyes. ’Typical. That’s all she was good for.’

While Legion Glory’s members appreciated the help, Legion Skywalkers’s soldiers felt a mix of gratitude and unease as they muttered, "Thanks."

Lyra, still focused on her task, simply replied, "No problem."

The vehicle’s rough ride indicated the reality that the beast swarm was closing in fast.

The sharp cries of flying beasts pierced the air. Outside, the darkness was impenetrable, making it feel like the creatures were all around them, their lives hanging by a thread.

The sounds grew louder.

Phillip Commander swore under his breath. "F*ck! Get ready to fight!"

The large armored vehicle lowered its ramp, and one by one, the smaller off-road vehicles rolled out, ready to face whatever was coming.

Even though Lyra and Kail were much stronger than regular soldiers, the soldiers’ duty to protect them meant they would never let these young people sacrifice themselves.

The vehicle’s door closed.

There were still a few technicians inside the vehicle. After the soldiers left, the technicians turned pale. "Who’s going to protect us?" they asked.

The only response was the increasingly loud roars coming from outside.

Lyra dragged a box of particle guns to the lift platform in the vehicle. She opened a hatch, and then stepped onto the lift, half of her body sticking out.

Seeing this, Kail followed suit.

When he saw the scene outside, he gasped—a massive swarm of flying beasts was chasing them. Feathered birds and furred mammals, noisy under the serene moonlight, cast countless shadows on the ground.

The beasts quickly noticed the "intruders" running on the ground and flapped their wings to chase after them.

"Fire!" Kogar shouted as he piloted his mecha, activating the thrusters on his back to fly up and confront a level-six beast.

A level-six beast was certainly the leader of a mid-level group. Killing it would greatly reduce the pressure on them.

Zorion and Phillip did the same, each taking on the leaders of different groups, while the soldiers on the ground focused on protecting the armored vehicle from attacks.

It was a chaotic battle.

The humans were clearly at a disadvantage. From above, the dense beast swarm almost completely obscured their figures.

As they fought fiercely, a sudden whirlwind broke through the defense line and rushed toward the armored vehicle.

Lyra calmly pulled the trigger, and a pale blue beam instantly pierced through the head of the beast that had revealed itself.

As that gun recharged, she picked up another and fired again.

She cycled through five guns like this, each time accurately taking down a beast.

Kail, standing nearby, was stunned by her calm and efficient shooting, and his own aim faltered. Suddenly, Lyra pointed a gun at him and pulled the trigger without warning.

A beast immediately dropped to the ground behind him, its camouflage disabled.

The impact of its wings hitting the vehicle startled everyone inside.

Someone, trying to muster courage, asked Lyra, "Wha-what just happened?"

She didn’t answer. When that person tried to approach her, she shot them a glare, "Don’t bother me."

Just then, she suddenly pushed Kail’s head down. A sharp whistling sound cut through the air, so loud it hurt their ears—a beast landed on the cockpit. It was about two meters long, with a wingspan of nearly six meters, resembling a giant bat.

A level-five beast.

Its thick tail swayed in front of the windshield, and the two drivers in the cockpit were so scared they held back their screams, their hands shaking but not daring to let go of the controls.

"Stay calm," Lyra’s voice came through the headset. "Thirty seconds."

"Y-yes..."

The beast had never seen such strange humans and vehicles before. It curiously looked around and suddenly thrust one of its claws into the cockpit.

The entire vehicle shook violently.

Lyra fixed her gaze on the beast. "I’ll attack first. You aim at the top."

Kail clenched his fist, "Got it."

In an instant, green energy bands shot toward the cockpit, forcing the beast to flap its wings and rise into the air. It opened its mouth to spit a fireball, but a green barrier blocked it.

Kail raised his hand, summoning a thundercloud and suddenly called down a lightning bolt.

But the beast was astonishingly fast—it vanished in the blink of an eye.

"Keep going," Lyra ordered.

Several green energy bands swiftly lifted the fully charged particle guns, and a stream of bullets fired into the sky.

Kail quickly regained his focus, dropping lightning bolts wherever Lyra’s guns pointed.

Finally, a scream echoed.

They hit it!

Lyra didn’t stop. With a gun in each hand, she fired repeatedly into the air until the beast, its head riddled with holes, appeared and fell to the ground.

 

Chapter 88: Running Out Of Power

The group pressed on eastward, moving through the flat, open terrain created by the mountains looming over Mine No. 7.

"No obstacles ahead—speed up!" The driver’s voice crackled through the headsets, urging everyone to return to the vehicle.

The team scrambled to get back on board. Lyra stayed up top, ready to provide cover, while Kail positioned himself at the rear, helping the others climb back in.

Of the ten vehicles that initially set out, only six had made it back. The loss weighed heavily on the convoy, a somber reminder of what they’d already endured.

Midway through the journey, they came across the third team, led by Robin. They merged into a larger convoy, which sparked a flicker of hope.

As they drew nearer to the mountain range where Mine No. 7 lay, their spirits lifted.

The mountains, with peaks reaching up to 4,000 meters, towered above them, forcing everyone to crane their necks just to take in the sight.

Some of the larger vehicles couldn’t handle the steep incline, so they were parked under a cliff, carefully hidden among jagged rocks to protect the valuable equipment inside. Resources were scarce on this alien world, and every bit of gear was essential.

The mechas and technical staff took the lead, scaling the hundred-meter cliff first and dropping a soft ladder for the rest. The rest of the team climbed up quickly, weapons ready.

Above them, flying beasts circled, but they didn’t attack.

"What’s going on?" Kogar muttered, uneasy despite the lull.

"It’s the second team!" someone shouted. Through the sparse group of beasts, three armored trucks appeared, kicking up clouds of dust as they barreled forward.

Thierry, standing atop one truck, used his powers to crush the attacking beasts. Zinnia, in golden armor, smashed through them, leaving the truck splattered with blood. Vivian summoned a water barrier, shielding the driver’s cabin.

The soldiers fought fiercely, using mechas and small jeeps, but their condition was worse than the first team’s. Less than half of them had survived, and even their squad leader had fallen.

With a grim look, Kogar commanded, "Help them!" He then activated his communicator. "We’re on the cliff to the southeast, come this way!"

The team sprang into action, setting up their weapons and lowering the ladder. Zinnia spotted them quickly. "It’s Lyra!"

"Focus!" Thierry, looking pale, pulled her back down. "There’s a ton of beasts below—hold on!"

The armored truck plowed through the scattered beasts like a battering ram. Some of the creatures were so tough that the truck swerved wildly. The sharp turn almost sent Vivian flying off the roof, but Zinnia grabbed her just in time.

Finally, they reached the base of the cliff. The technical staff climbed up first, while the others held off the beasts. The creatures, large and grotesque, swarmed the truck, their numbers overwhelming.

Out of nowhere, a long tail lashed out, snatching a soldier from Legion Glory and tearing him to shreds in seconds.

Zinnia, nerves on edge, kicked a beast’s claw off the ladder as it tried to climb. "Climb faster!" Cuss shouted, his voice hoarse, urging the techs to hurry.

But the technicians, their skills more suited to labs than battlefields, were paralyzed with fear. Fireballs and hailstones pelted them as they clung to the ladder. Some of them were even too terrified to move; they sobbed as one was struck by a fireball and fell into the beastly horde below.

Kogar, realizing the grim reality, ordered the remaining techs hiding behind the cliff to pull up the ladder. But fear kept them rooted in place. They huddled together, unwilling to risk their lives to save anyone.

"I’ve had enough!" Vivian yelled. Her voice was laced with frustration as she kicked at the beasts below while climbing the soft ladder. "Why am I risking my life for these weaklings?"

Just then, Lyra appeared at the edge of the cliff. She sent down several green light bands that wrapped around those stranded below, lifting them to safety.

"Your superpower really comes in handy," Phillip commented, firing his rocket launcher with precision.

The beasts below were hit, but the distance was too great for Phillip to take out many at once, and Lyra could only carry a few people at a time.

Lyra worked quickly, rescuing all the technical staff. "Let’s go!" Cuss, the leader, shouted.

"Let the wounded go first! I can hold them off!" Zinnia called out without looking back.

"I’m with you!" Thierry added, ready to fight.

Cuss, teeth clenched, barked, "Wounded first! We can’t lose anyone. You two, stay behind me!"

The leader of the Legion Skywalkers glanced at the ladder, a shadow of something dark crossing his face.

Despite their injuries, the soldiers moved fast. Finally, it was the turn of those at the rear to climb.

"Go!" They started up the ladder, stepping on the heads of the beasts below. But midway up, the ladder was suddenly yanked from the cliff by the beasts!

Seeing this, Lyra quickly extended her light bands again. The leader of the Legion Skywalkers reached out, trying to grab one, but the green light band wrapped around Thierry, Zinnia, and Cuss instead.

Fury flashed in his eyes as he glared up at Lyra. He was about to shout something, but then he felt a grip around his waist.

For a brief moment, he thought he was being saved—until he looked down and saw it was a thick tail.

"Help—ah!" His scream was cut short as the tail crushed him, tearing him to pieces in an instant.

After pulling the last three people to safety, Lyra slumped down on a rock, panting heavily.

Zorion pushed through the crowd, his face twisted with anger. "Why didn’t you save him? You could’ve lifted five people at once. You did that on purpose, didn’t you?!"

Lyra narrowed her eyes, her voice barely above a whisper. "I ran out of power."

"Let’s see if that’s true!" Zorion moved to attack her, but Kogar grabbed his wrist before he could strike. "Zorion, are you questioning Legion Glory’s honor?"

Thierry quickly stepped in to defend her, "Lyra didn’t save him because she couldn’t, and I’m sure she feels awful about it."

’Not really,’ Lyra thought to herself.

Zinnia, ever blunt, shot back, "Why didn’t you save your own men? Why are you blaming her?"

Zorion’s face twitched with barely controlled rage as he glared at her with open hostility.

"Enough!" Phillip snapped, pulling a trembling technician forward. "Get in touch with the base. Find out when the rescue team is coming."

If it weren’t for the general’s orders, Phillip would’ve taken off in his mecha long ago.

As the technician hurried to contact the base, Phillip stared up at the towering mountains. He silently hoped they wouldn’t be left to fend for themselves.

"The base replied. The rescue team is already on their way. The general and two Lieutenant Commanders are leading them. They plan to clear out some of the beasts first, so we need to find a safe place to wait."

The rescue team was still thirty hours away, even by aircraft. Their arrival wouldn’t be immediate, and for them, there were more crucial personnel at the base—experts and technicians—who couldn’t be put at risk by the beasts.

Saving this group was now a lower priority.

Despair settled over the group once more. Their particle guns and mecha were nearly drained of energy, and other weapons were running low. The armored trucks had been shredded by the beasts’ claws.

How were they supposed to survive?

Chapter 89: Facing Fierce Beasts

The rescue team was taking their sweet time, and Zorion couldn’t help but mutter a curse under his breath. Meanwhile, Kogar kept his cool, as if nothing could faze him.

Phillip’s eyes darted around nervously before he finally spoke up, "Let’s head up the mountain. Those beasts don’t have the guts to follow us up there!" Without waiting for a reply, he started barking orders for everyone to gather their things.

"Commander Phillip," Kogar said, his voice steady as his eyes locked onto Phillip. "Do you even know why those beasts won’t climb up the mountain?"

Down below, the beasts were causing a ruckus, their roars and howls filling the air with a foul stench.

The sky wasn’t much better—swarms of flying beasts screeched and snapped at each other like they were in some twisted dance.

It was almost as if an invisible line separated the chaos below from the eerie calm where the team stood.

Phillip shrugged, barely hiding his impatience. "Who knows? But take a look down there, Kogar. Those beasts are just waiting to pounce on us. What choice do we have but to head up?"

Kogar didn’t bite at Phillip’s sarcasm. "Then we need to figure out why first. We’re safe here, for now."

Phillip’s expression darkened. "It’s my responsibility to protect everyone here. In situations like this, you need to trust my decisions."

"I believe these technicians might have a more informed opinion than us on this matter," Kogar said, staying calm.

All eyes turned to the technician, who was a professor in college. He cleared his throat before speaking. "Mr. Kogar has a point. Usually, beasts only fear something more powerful than themselves. If they won’t come up, it means something’s scaring them. We should investigate before making any moves."

"And the size of this beast swarm isn’t normal," the professor added. "We need to tread carefully."

As daylight fully broke, the technical team found a hidden spot to set up their equipment. Then they launched drones to scan the mountains.

The soldiers, exhausted from fighting all night, took the chance to rest or tend to their wounds under the shade.

The growls and howls from below grew louder as the hours ticked by.

When anyone peered over the cliff, the sea of beasts seemed endless, stretching out as far as the eye could see.

The sky was no better—thick with flying beasts, which made it tough for the drone operators to get clear readings.

Around noon, while the leaders were discussing how to ration the remaining supplies, the professor was analyzing the data. Suddenly, he gasped, his eyes wide with surprise.

"What’s going on?" Phillip asked, rushing over.

Kogar noticed Phillip’s reaction, and he started piecing together a plan in his mind. He was no longer as concerned about keeping any secrets.

"We might have found an energy mine down below!" the professor exclaimed. He pointed to the screen. There, a map of the mountains showed a wave-like pattern near the base, suggesting the presence of an energy mine.

Energy mines were a huge deal, as they held the power to produce superpower particles. These particles were essential for creating high-tech weapons like elastic metals and mechas.

The discovery of the energy mine lit a spark of excitement among the group. With it, they could recharge their mechas and particle guns—game changers in a place like this.

"It’s real... and judging by the energy levels, it’s likely a high-grade energy mine! What are we waiting for? Our mission is to analyze the mine, right?" Phillip urged once more, his impatience growing.

But Kogar, ever cautious, didn’t budge. "Yet, why don’t those beasts dare come up here?"

The professor, though tempted by Phillip’s enthusiasm, thought it over before answering. "It could be the energy mine itself. Maybe it’s giving off something that tricks the beasts; they thought a high-level predator is around, keeping them at bay."

This only strengthened the idea that they had stumbled upon a high-grade energy mine.

Zorion wasn’t convinced. "But what if there IS a high-level beast down there?"

The professor shook his head. "Very unlikely. If there were, the energy field would’ve reacted by now."

This seemed to settle the debate, and soon enough, the researchers were on board with Phillip’s plan to head further up the mountain.

"We should move toward this spot," one of the researchers suggested, pointing to a location on the map. "There’s energy leaking out there, and the rock layer is at its weakest."

The technical team, who had been dragging their feet just moments before, suddenly found a second wind. They started chatting excitedly, making plans for what they’d do next.

Meanwhile, Zinnia noticed Lyra struggling and walked over to help. "Lyra, are you alright? Want me to support you?"

Lyra just shook her head. She took a sip of water, and kept moving without a word.

Vivian had been trailing behind. She saw this as an opportunity and stumbled over. "Zinnia, how about you carry me instead?"

Zinnia shot her a distain look. "I’m not carrying a coward," she snapped back.

She couldn’t forget the sight of Vivian scrambling up the ladder earlier—she stepped on a technician’s face just to get up.

Vivian’s face turned red with anger. "What was I supposed to do then? Stay and get killed?" She then shot a pointed look at Lyra. "You all have teammates who would save you. I don’t have that luxury!"

Vivian had seen Lyra ignore the chance to save the Legion Skywalkers’ leader earlier, and the memory still stung.

Before the argument could heat up any further, Cuss, clearly exhausted, shot them a stern look. "Enough! Save your energy for something that matters."

By evening, they finally reached the weak spot the professor had identified. It was on the leeward side of the mountain, where the slope was gentle at first but became steep as it rose. The area was dotted with bushes and jagged rocks, making it a decent spot to set up.

Even here, the distant roars of beasts echoed through the air.

The technical team quickly marked off an area and began preparations to drill.

But then, Lyra stood up, her gaze fixed on a specific direction, her expression sharp.

Kogar noticed immediately. "What is it?" he asked, now fully alert.

"A group of beasts is heading this way," Lyra said, pointing. "We need to hide."

Everyone exchanged uneasy glances, but this time, no one, not even Zorion, questioned her instincts.

They hurriedly took cover in the bushes, and soon enough, a loud buzzing sound filled the air. A swarm of bee-like creatures, each the size of a human head, zipped past them.

These beasts were carrying plants back to their nest, and no one dared to peek out and watch.

When the buzzing finally faded, they emerged from their hiding spots, breathing a collective sigh of relief.

"Weren’t we told the beasts wouldn’t come up the mountain? How did these ones make it here?"

"They probably live here and were just returning from foraging," one of the professors explained. "We didn’t find any nests on the surface, so they’re likely living underground."

Despite the surprise, the team still needed to drill the well, but the most effective equipment was still back on the truck.

After a rough night’s sleep, the team woke to find that the drill hole was way smaller than they expected—less than a meter in diameter.

"We’ve hit the underground water layer," one of the technicians reported, "but the drilling equipment isn’t deep enough. We sent a drone down, but it lost signal—probably due to interference from the energy mine’s magnetic field. We need someone to go down there in person."

The technical team had already lined up a few volunteers, but the issue was who would protect them.

"You’ve got to be joking," Phillip said, eyeing the narrow hole. "With all the oxygen and lighting gear, who’s even going to fit down there?" He glanced at the hole again, knowing his own broad frame wouldn’t stand a chance.

"There’s one person who can," Zorion said, his eyes landing on Lyra. "She’s small enough to fit and get the job done."

Vivian, who was about the same size as Lyra, stiffened. ’Am I about to be dragged into this too?’

Kogar’s temper flared. "Lyra’s just an intern. She shouldn’t even be considered for this."

"I think she should," Phillip countered, siding with Zorion. "She’s here to learn, right? How’s she supposed to learn anything if she doesn’t get her hands dirty?"

Thierry and the others started to panic. "Lyra’s not fit for this!" they protested.

Amid all the back-and-forth, Lyra finally spoke up, her voice steady. "I’ll do it."

Chapter 90: Underground World

The chosen three were gearing up to go down into the underground, with others helping them get suited up.

"The underground should be a vast area. If you don’t locate the energy crystals, make sure you find a safe drilling spot," the professor advised the three who were about to head down.

Lyra stood still with her arms outstretched as the technicians fitted her gear, her eyes fixed on the pitch-black abyss below.

"The safety ropes are ready. You can begin the descent," someone announced. The three of them stood at the edge, tense and silent.

"I’ll go first. You two follow me slowly and wait for my signal," Lyra instructed through her protective helmet, her voice slightly muffled.

She summoned a bright green light with her fingers. "Since communication devices might not work down there, we’ll use my powers as the signal. Three flashes mean it’s safe, two flashes mean pause, and one flash means we retreat immediately."

The other two had initially been uneasy about relying on an intern for protection, but seeing Lyra’s preparedness and willingness to lead, they felt reassured.

With a particle gun strapped to her waist and a dagger secured to her leg, Lyra tightened the safety rope and leapt into the hole.

The tunnel was rough, with rocks and dirt occasionally breaking loose. The opening above shrank from a wide circle to a small dot, until all light vanished.

The darkness was overwhelming, and the sensation of weightlessness as they continued their descent was unnerving.

It felt like they were dropping into the fiery depths of the earth.

The sound of their breathing apparatuses echoed loudly in the confined space, and as they neared the bottom, the temperature displayed on Lyra’s electronic glasses climbed from 17 degrees Celsius to 40.

Just as Lyra began to question whether their equipment could withstand the heat, her psychokinesis picked up on something below. She quickly grabbed the rope and signaled a pause with two flashes of her light.

The two above her halted immediately, hearing static in their earpieces. One of them whispered, asking what was happening.

"There’s something down there. I’m going to check it out," Lyra responded.

Before they could say anything else, a sharp burst of static filled their earpieces, then silence.

At the bottom of the shaft, Lyra clung to the rope, staring at a glowing purple entrance below. Her eyes sparkled with a mix of excitement and caution.

She had finally found it.

Letting her psychokinesis relax slightly, she frowned but continued her slow descent. What she encountered was an otherworldly landscape.

Violet energy crystals, shaped like three-sided pyramids, jutted out from the gray rock like clusters of radiant flowers. The crystals varied in size, resembling a garden of luminous plants.

Ahead, a vast underground river stretched out, its surface eerily calm and dark, broken only by mineral columns rising from it.

These eroded columns ranged from nearly three meters in diameter to some so slender a person could wrap their arms around them. Sparse clusters of energy crystals bloomed along the columns.

But what stood out the most was an unfamiliar orange substance connecting the columns, dotted with enormous hives.

It turned out the swarm that had flown over their heads earlier had made their home here, constructing hives the size of rooms.

The creatures appeared to be sleeping, clinging to their hives.

Seeing them up close sent a shiver down Lyra’s spine.

Her gaze shifted to the columns, where numerous dug-out holes revealed plants the monstrous bees had gathered and stored.

...

The other two researchers were hanging mid-air, suspended halfway down the shaft. They felt more hopeless with each passing minute.

It had been seven minutes since they last heard from Lyra, and they were starting to question if anything was happening at all.

"Is she dead? Should we keep going?" the young man muttered, his face drawn with worry.

The woman wasn’t ready to give in to that kind of thinking. "She said she’d signal us. Let’s give it a little more time."

Just then, a faint green light flickered up from below—three quick flashes in succession.

Both researchers exhaled in relief, their tension melting into excitement. No danger meant they were halfway to success.

As they continued their descent, the glow from the energy crystals became more pronounced. They felt an almost irresistible urge to let go of the rope and dive straight down.

Lyra’s green light band guided them the rest of the way.

"You—" the man began, but the green light swiftly wrapped around his helmet, silencing him. Lyra raised a finger to her lips, signaling for quiet.

It was then that the woman noticed the enormous beehive hanging above the underground river. She gasped and tugged on the man’s arm.

The man, upon seeing the hive, opened his eyes wide in shock.

Even through their helmets, the terror in his eyes was clear.

Lyra tapped her electronic glasses, and a screen appeared, enabling them to communicate via text.

"I’ve checked the area. The creatures are temporarily asleep, but we need to be extremely careful," she typed out.

The researchers’ earlier excitement was now mixed with anxiety. They nodded in agreement.

"You two can start your work. I’ll keep an eye on the hive," Lyra instructed.

The researchers began their tasks. They moved like thieves in the night, quietly sampling and analyzing the minerals. But when they tried to send their data, they realized that all signals to the surface had been cut off.

"It’s probably interference from the energy crystals. Save the data, and we’ll do a full analysis once we’re back up," the woman calmly wrote on her tablet.

She turned to find Lyra standing behind her, watching intently. Startled, she instinctively tried to hide the screen, but Lyra had already taken the tablet, flipping through the data.

The woman noticed something different about Lyra’s eyes. They had been lifeless before, but now they glowed with a strange, almost unsettling light.

"How powerful are these energy crystals?" Lyra asked, her voice calm but with an undercurrent of intensity.

With just the three of them down here, the woman didn’t bother with formalities. "So far, they’re at least a level-seven," she typed quickly, her excitement evident. "In areas with higher energy concentration, we might even find level eight crystals, but that usually means the reserves are smaller."

Such high-grade energy crystals could power a large passenger ship for three years or provide the flight energy for a military spacecraft carrier for six months. But of course, the Alliance would never squander such precious resources in that way.

"Is that so? That’s amazing," Lyra replied, handing the tablet back.

The woman watched as Lyra slowly turned around, pulled out an odd-looking dagger, and began cutting the crystals.

The woman opened her mouth to say something, but she held it back. Anyone would want to collect a few of these valuable crystals.

After all, Lyra had risked her life to protect them; it seemed only fair that she took some for herself.

Yet, she couldn’t help but notice that Lyra, with her Space Button, was gathering an impressive amount of crystals, almost like she was harvesting a crop.

Meanwhile, the man returned from exploring the energy distribution. He discreetly tugged on the woman’s sleeve and pointed toward the holes in the stone pillars, writing a quick note.

"They’re all plants, but nothing high-grade."

He nodded subtly in Lyra’s direction, making it clear what he meant: She must have taken all the best stuff.

The woman frowned. "Focus on your work. If you want something, go get it yourself."

The man forced an awkward smile. Unlike the woman, he was struggling financially, so her words hit a nerve. But her message was clear: if he wanted a piece of the prize, he’d have to take the risk himself.

Once they had pinpointed the location of the energy crystals and gathered most of the data, the young researcher made his move. He stepped into the water, and with a splash, dove in.

Lyra reacted instantly, extending a light band to pull him back, but he dodged it on purpose. His diving gear kicked in automatically, adjusting to the sudden submersion.

As the seconds ticked by, the woman’s frustration grew.

Just as she was about to jump in after him to wring his neck for being so reckless, he surfaced near the water’s edge, holding up a purple fan-shaped crystal with a smug grin. He didn’t say a word, but his look said it all—he wanted to show off his find.

"Get up here, you idiot!" the woman barked.

He climbed out of the water, still grinning from ear to ear.

Suddenly, a sound from behind him made them all freeze—the unmistakable buzzing of wings.

The hive had awakened.