The discussion continued for several more minutes, but neither side was willing to change their position. Some wanted to leave immediately, while others were reluctant to abandon the ancient ruins after finally reaching them.
Alex listened quietly as the argument went back and forth.
'At this rate, we'll be here until another sentinel finds us.'
He glanced toward the last section of the ruins shown on his System Map. There was still much more to explore, and he had no intention of leaving before completing his quest.
"If we can't agree, why don't we split into two groups?"
The discussion gradually quieted as everyone turned toward him.
"Those who want to leave can slowly make their way back toward the entrance. The rest can stay with me and continue exploring deeper into the ruins."
Several expedition members exchanged glances. It was a simple solution, but it allowed both sides to make their own decision without forcing anyone to take an unnecessary risk.
After some more discussion, the expedition finally agreed to the arrangement. Most of them decided to leave, including Fredrick and Emma.
They had spent years searching for this ancient ruin, but after being reunited with their daughter, their priorities had changed. They had unknowingly missed three years of Sherry's life, leaving her to believe they were gone and worry about them so much that she had eventually come all the way here herself.
They couldn't bring themselves to make her worry any longer.
"We'll leave with the others." Emma said, and Fredrick nodded in agreement.
Sherry looked at them before hesitating and finally saying, "I want to stay."
Both of her parents looked at her in surprise.
"You want to stay?" Fredrick asked.
Sherry nodded, though she still looked somewhat nervous.
"I know it's dangerous, but we've come this far. I want to know what's deeper inside the ruins."
She had always been interested in ancient relics and the mysteries surrounding places like this. Now that they had finally reached the middle section, leaving without seeing what lay beyond felt wrong.
Besides, Alex also seemed determined to continue exploring for some reason. Since he had already helped her so much, Sherry felt that it was only natural for her to stay and help him in return.
'If he's going to continue, then I should go with him too.'
She genuinely wanted to uncover the secrets hidden deeper within the ruins, and staying with Alex would allow her to do both.
Fredrick and Emma exchanged a glance.
They had expected their daughter to leave with them after everything she had gone through to find them. Yet as they looked at her now, they realized how much she had changed during the years they had been gone.
The timid girl they remembered had grown into someone capable of traveling all the way here and standing alongside an expedition team in the very place that had trapped them for years.
Emma smiled faintly.
"You've really grown up while we were gone."
"Mom..." Sherry's cheeks reddened slightly.
Fredrick let out a quiet sigh before nodding.
"If that's what you want, we won't stop you."
Sherry looked at him in surprise.
"Really?"
"Really. But be careful, and don't take unnecessary risks."
Sherry nodded before hugging him.
Fredrick then looked toward Alex.
"Please take care of her."
Alex gave a small nod.
"I will."
With that, the decision was settled.
Most of the expedition team would begin making their way back toward the entrance, while Alex, Sherry, and three researchers would continue deeper into the ancient ruins.
The decision had been made, but there was still one problem. They couldn't simply split up and walk in opposite directions.
There were fewer sentinels near the first section, and they patrolled the area sparsely, so the group heading toward the entrance should have little trouble making their way back. The problem was the area ahead.
Several red markers were gathered around the route leading toward the third section.
Alex studied the System Map for a moment. If he were alone, he could probably find a way through by carefully avoiding the sentinels, but moving with several other people was a different matter.
'This is going to be troublesome.'
Aurora, who had been observing the situation beside him, suddenly spoke. "What if you gather them all in one place?"
Alex glanced at her. "Gather them? Hmm, what do you mean?"
"Create a large enough disturbance somewhere away from your path. If they're guarding this area, they'll probably investigate."
Alex's eyes narrowed slightly as he considered the idea. It was risky, but it should work. They didn't need to fight the sentinels. They only needed to draw them away long enough for both groups to move through.
Alex turned toward the expedition members.
"Does anyone have anything that can make a large explosion?"
One of the researchers hesitated before raising his hand.
"I have a few mining bombs. They're normally used for small-scale excavation."
Alex immediately gave him a thumbs-up.
'I'll have to remember to carry something like that in the future.'
The plan was quickly decided.
They would place the bombs at several different locations throughout the ruins, far enough apart to create disturbances in different directions. Once everyone was ready, they would detonate them using a predetermined signal.
The sudden explosions should draw the nearby sentinels away from the route leading toward the third section. Of course, there was no guarantee that every sentinel would take the bait, but it was better than trying to sneak an entire group through an area filled with them.
Alex checked the System Map one more time before they began putting the plan into action.
Most of the red markers were moving along their usual patrol routes. However, one of them, which had been stationary just moments ago, suddenly started moving again.
It was the sentinel Alex had frozen earlier.
'No way! It already broke free?'
He had expected
Alex's expression became slightly more serious. Luckily, they had already moved away and regrouped with the others, but the sentinel's sudden movement meant the area could become more dangerous if the other sentinels were alerted.
Alex then gave them a quick briefing on the plan. "The bombs will pull most of the sentinels away, giving us a window."
Before putting the plan into action, Alex also explained his thoughts to the three expedition members who had decided to continue deeper into the ruins with him.
"The area we've explored so far is mostly just abandoned ruins. If we're going to keep searching, there's no reason to waste time here."
He pointed toward the deeper part of the ruins.
"We should head for the third section."
The three researchers exchanged glances before agreeing. They had already spent enough time exploring the ruins around them, and whatever secrets remained were more likely to be found deeper inside.
With the plan settled, the expedition members began getting ready to split up. Some would slowly make their way toward the entrance, while the others would follow Alex toward the third section.
All that remained was to create enough noise to keep the sentinels distracted.
◆ ◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ ◇ ◆
With everything prepared, the expedition team finally parted ways.
Now that the secret realm was anchored to the outside world, the connection between the two spaces had also restored communication with the outside.
Many of the expedition team's communication devices and other gadgets started working normally again, allowing both groups to remain in contact as they moved in opposite directions.
Gleam had already gone ahead and planted the mining bombs at several locations far away from their planned route. All they had to do now was wait for the signal from the other side.
Alex kept his attention on the System Map as they moved.
The red markers representing the sentinels shifted across the ruins in real time, allowing him to keep track of their positions. Most of them were still patrolling the area ahead, but none had moved toward their route yet.
'Everything is going according to plan.'
A few minutes later, the signal came through, and the bombs detonated almost simultaneously.
Several loud explosions echoed through the ruins, their sound spreading across the abandoned complex. Almost immediately, the red markers on the map began moving toward the locations of the explosions.
The plan was working.
The sentinels abandoned their patrol routes and headed toward the disturbances. The path toward the third section gradually became clearer.
With most of the sentinels drawn away by the explosions, there were no red markers anywhere near the massive gate ahead. Alex continued watching the System Map as he led Sherry and the three researchers through the ruined streets.
For the first time since entering this section, they could move without constantly worrying about a sentinel suddenly appearing.
Alex glanced toward the enormous structure in the distance.
'Did we actually get lucky?'
The thought had barely crossed his mind when several red markers suddenly changed direction.