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The vision dissipated right in that moment, as we were left once more speechless. The series of scenes they watched surely left a mark on their hearts. Most of them were able to connect the dots.
These scenes were most likely several years after the previous one, where the tree they were growing died, but left children, the last hope for these people.
"These trees… just what were they?" Benladann wondered.
"I think… they might have been made out of the same crystal that emerged from that… Gate." Said Miranda.
"But why would they try to use that dangerous component to create something that would be their hope?" I wondered. "Wait, we don't even know what is even happening aside from these clues. I guess we can only guess once we see more…"
["…"]
The System seemed quite silent, making me wonder what she was thinking about. And then, suddenly, the walls surrounding us started to shake.
The same scenario than the last time was being repeated, our group quickly got themselves ready for battle, as armies of mechs emerged, of varying sizes.
And then, of course, the Boss, a mighty Juggernaut, which through the same trick as before, and without any changes, Kate and Emerald deactivated the barrier and everyone else destroyed the robot.
BAAAAMMM!!!
The Juggernaut fell into pieces over the floor, its body slowly fading into particles of light. Nothing inside of Dreams were "real", usually, except for the rewards it provided.
Monsters, visions, or even people one could see inside of dreams, would usually dissipate into particles of light once they were killed, or once they fulfilled their purpose.
Ding!
[You've completed the Trial successfully! You will be rewarded Special Rewards for your efforts.]
[You received: [Technomancy Divinity Fragment] x5 [Dungeon Divinity Fragment] x5 [Divine Treasure Chest (S+++ Grade)] x1 [Nexus Company Personnel Authorization Card Fragment (2/2)] x1]
[You gained +150.000.000 Divine Power.]
The second fragment of the card appeared in front of Drake's hands, as both pieces merged together, forming the true Dream Treasure, which would help them open the way to the next stage.
"It's done… Let's go. We'll have time to check the rewards later." I quickly led everyone towards the Gate we couldn't open before.
"Here we are, this better works."
I showed the silver-colored card to the huge metallic wall, as we were able to finally see the red lights turn blue, and a voice echoing from within.
Oddly enough, this voice and also the voices of the computers all sounded similar to the System's voice…
[You have showed the [Nexus Company Personnel Authorization Card], Authorization to Level 2 of the Nexus Corporation Laboratories has been given.]
[Opening accessibility Gate.]
TRUUUMMM…!
The gate opened in a mere second, as we quickly made our way through. The moment we did, the silver card didn't disappear, but remained at my side.
I guess it might be still useful for something else, maybe to open the other gate? No, it wouldn't be so easy, right?
"Well, this sure has changed a bit…" Miranda said, looking around.
"W-What's going on?" Asked Benladann.
The moment we stepped into Level 2, the stage changed drastically, there was a huge set of stairs leading upwards, as we found the surroundings covered by colorful crystals everywhere.
The metal seemed corroded and oxidated, and there was some toxic, burning red crystals on the floor, the stairs were barely safe, but many of these crystals irradiated a burning aura that once you touched, it felt as if it was trying to drain all energy.
Divine energy included…
"It has been filled with crystals…" Benladra said. "T-This is bad! Aren't the crystals toxic?"
"Hmm…" Kate looked around. "We have to move upstairs…"
There was also a hue glass window right behind the stairs, half-shattered, showing us a ruined city in the other side, a city that seemed to have been abandoned long ago, covered in crystals.
The sky was dark, but the clouds had opened a small opening in between, revealing the pale light of the sun, giving the entire scenario an even more depressing atmosphere.
"I've never seen buildings this tall before…" Tyrannus wondered, as we slowly walked upstairs.
"They are like gigantic monoliths! Are they taller than the Trial of the Venerable of Flames?" Emerald asked wondering about it. "But it looks abandoned, there's not a single soul around."
"It is a dystopian future of some sort…" I said. "Perhaps a lost world, and we're seeing the memories of someone that lived in such a world."
["A Ruined World…"]
"System?"
["No, nothing…"]
She was acting weird, as if she didn't wanted to tell me something, or maybe, she wasn't sure if what she wanted to say was really the truth and wanted to make sure beforehand.
The only way to find out is to keep advancing through this place. I had attempted to extract the crystals to analyze them further, but extracting them, aside from being painful, made them dissipate on the spot, so it wasn't even worth it.
"You can't extract materials from a Dream Dungeon before it gets added into your Divine Realm, Drake!" Belle said. "Remember that don't lose your time trying to get these weird crystals."
"Right…" I laughed a bit. "Now… Two stairs."
At the second floor of Level 2, we found two stairs. Both were covered on corrosive red crystals, constantly making some strange, boiling sound, emanating an acidic gas everywhere.
The stair to the left led to a larger open area, the one at the right led to a huge gate, both seemed mysteriously ominous.
And in front of all, there were another set of stairs, which were destroyed, and a floating, holographic sign above them.
[The stairs leading to Level 3 of the Nexus Corporations Laboratories Building have been destroyed by [Subject-005]. Level 3 has become temporarily inaccessible.]
[To access Level 3, please retrieve enough materials for the [Reconstruction Mechanoids] to remake a new Staircase.]
"So we need materials now?" Miranda wondered. "What if we fly over it?"
"Let me try." I said, sending off a slime clone.
FLAAASH!
However, the Slime clone was instantly sent out of the Dream Dungeon the moment it tried to fly over.
"Looks like it's some sort of expulsion void, if you enter, you're going to get sent back to the outside…" Belle said. "Better do as the dream suggests."
"No other way around it then. Let's go."
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