As soon as the voice from somewhere reverberated throughout the underground facility, the Moon siblings and Amelie Rose quickly proceeded in front of the smart lock on the side of the large grey door. Russell Moon, who was holding the keycard that he picked up from the second guard, swiped the keycard on the thin gap of the smart lock, which was then followed by a click sound.
Although he wasn't certain that such a thing would work, Russell Moon couldn't help but try on instinct as some footsteps were quickly entering the ears in the midst of panic because of their existence in this facility.
As the sound of the large grey door resounded, several thoughts surfaced in Russell's mind. First, it's the identity of the second guard, who was holding such a keycard that could unlock the door that's blocking access to the controversial existence residing in the Strayed Dungeon called Cemetery of Oblivion; Second, it's probable that Ayleen Mayfield, the one leading the research in this place under the permission of the other heads of the Obelisk Organization, as well as Artorious Hall, entrusted the keycard to the second guard; and last, but not the least, there might be always someone in each department in this facility that possessed such a similar keycard to open the large grey door. In other words, it's also possible that such a rule was implemented so that backup keycards would come in handy whenever there's an unprecedented scenario.
"Where are the guards!? Catch them-!"
As the three of them heard a voice from one of the workers or specifically a researcher in this place, they quickly run towards the whirling greyish portal that appeared in front of them as soon as the enormous metallic door in front of them opened.
With that, the seemingly sentient voice of the System echoed in their heads.
[You have entered the Strayed Dungeon, "Cemetery of Oblivion."]
[The "Maid of the Moon" has felt your presence.]
[The "Maid of the Moon" looks at you through the Eye of Oblivion.]
***
As their bodies dissipated from the outside world, they felt the change in the surroundings as their visions then screened a dim, forested place, with an enormous whitish moon hovering in the sky, which seemed to look at them with its solemn nonexistent eyes.
Recalling the content of the System messages, Russell Moon thought to himself:
'Eye of Oblivion…?'
As the one who had written this unpublished novel that he had considered a failure, the Eye of Oblivion that Lunaria possessed was something that he had no idea about. But, considering the unknowns or deviations that he had encountered up to this point, Russell Moon was less surprised but more intrigued. He thought that there must be different, countless variations of the Eye-related Skills that existed in the entirety of the Great Universe, but the Eye of Night, which came from the Primordial Goddess of Night, was one of the unique ones.
As his thoughts raced, he was jolted awake by another series of System messages a minute or two after entering the Cemetery of Oblivion.
[Follow the "White Thread of Fate."]
[Meet the "Maid of the Moon" in her abode in the middle of this ancient place.]
[After meeting the "Maid of the Moon", the restrictions imposed on your Attribute: Nihility will be revoked.]
[After meeting the "Maid of the Moon", the restrictions imposed on utilizing any disguise-related matter will be revoked.]
Almost at the same time, after the System messages popped up in front of them, a thin, barely visible to the naked eye, white fog, which turned into a whitish thread, extended and then reached its original position, which was directed in the middle of nowhere. This white thread wrapped itself on the foot of Russell Moon. But, to their surprise, it also connected to Freya Moon and Amelie Rose Merveil, which was implicating something as they glanced at each other for a moment before moving toward the end of the White Thread of Fate.
***
"Where are the guards at the entrance?! How did those intruders manage to come in here, with a specialized keycard at that!"
The researcher, who shouted at the three of them previously, shouted in general, causing some others to quickly call the front desk of this facility. After that, the receptionist explained the matter on a gigantic holographic screen. She then explained the appearance of the second guard, along with two young women. However, this misunderstanding was almost instantly corrected by the researcher as she shared captured footage of the infiltration of three individuals, but this time, with the absence of the second guard.
"Because of the protocol, we can not enter the Cemetery of Oblivion without Miss Ayleen's permission. Also, even if some of us chase after those infiltrators, we're just getting to be buried in that place due to Lunaria's circumstances, in which she only talks to Miss Ayleen and any other presence would be deemed as aliens that must be quickly ejected.
"But, based on the expressions of the three infiltrators, it looked like they know what they were doing, though I'm not certain if they are aware of the danger that Lunaria possessed.
"Sigh, I'm having a bad day right now. Check the guards at the entrance first and tell them to explain themselves! Also, I'll inform Miss Ayleen regarding this matter since we have evidence, or at least the faces of those brats."
The certain woman researcher said to the receptionist and the others listening in about this urgent matter. After that, they quickly informed Miss Ayleen as they called her using the contact number that was meant for emergency use only.
***
Meanwhile, Ayleen Mayfield, after Russell Moon and his younger sister had asked for the verification of the existence of something called Lunaria, recalled the words of the young man before they left.
– "Miss Ayleen, you know it's not your fault. So, don't burden yourself." –
'Sigh, I wonder."
Ayleen Mayfield muttered to herself as she leaned the back of her head on the comfortable chair, in which she was sitting. Looking at the ceiling, without particularly thinking about anything as she tried her best to empty her mind at the moment, a few minutes had passed. Then, the sound of her smartwatch jolted her awake, prompting her to look at the details of the one who was calling. Finally seeing the familiar contact number, Ayleen Mayfield's purple eyes dilated as she quickly answered it.
"Hello, Laine, what's the matter? Is it the keycards again?"
– "Miss Ayleen! Please look at this footage. I'll send it to your email."
The urgency in the voice of the researcher named Laine was evident as Ayleen Mayfield opened her laptop to check the file that Laine had sent to her.
– "Miss Ayleen. I don't know what happened or how it happened, but it seems we're in our own reverie so we didn't notice them."
'Them…?'
Ayleen Mayfield thought, feeling the seriousness of the situation.
As she opened the footage file and watched what was happening on it, Ayleen almost instantly recognized the three infiltrators, who just left a few minutes ago after learning about Lunaria's existence.
– "Miss Ayleen, since it's protocol, we haven't risked anyone going inside the Cemetery of Oblivion, especially without your permission. We will wait for your orders."
Laine said in a formal manner. After a few seconds, Ayleen then made a response.
"...Laine, turn off the call for now. And don't send anyone inside. I'll ask Artorious regarding this matter."
– "Yes, Miss Ayleen."
Without questioning, Laine turned off the call. Since they had already informed one of their higher-ups, especially the one who could be said to be the center of this research, all they needed to do was to wait for further instructions. But this wouldn't mean that they would let their guard down due to uncertain possibilities or the consequences that the three infiltrators would cause.
***
After the call ended, Ayleen Mayfield stared blankly into the air. Her thoughts were flooding with possibilities, though there wasn't any concrete. However, knowing the young man's peculiar existence, Russell Moon, and his contributions to preventing the massive deaths caused by the Tower of Growth's Failure Penalty, as well as his efforts in the ongoing war against the Vampire Race, Ayleen couldn't easily make a judgment on what to do about the current circumstances that the Moon siblings and Amelie Rose had brought upon themselves.
But… she knew one thing – that the impact of the action that these three individuals would cause would be immense.
'The other higher-ups would be infuriated…'
Ayleen Mayfield thought, recalling Project Lunaria. Although she's the one who could communicate with her with ease, it wouldn't mean that the others couldn't. They could but with risks involved.
'Sigh. Again… with another work-!'
She thought to herself before leaving her personal office and going straight to where Artorious Hall currently was.
***
"I see."
Artorious Hall, in formal greyish clothes, spoke in a succinct manner. Ayleen Mayfield arrived a minute or two ago and then showed up and informed him of the situation.
"He's considerate enough that he didn't drag my daughter into this."
Artorious added. It's a reaction that Ayleen failed to understand.
"What do you mean? It's not about your daughter, but how to explain this to others. You know we can not disclose this in public since it would compromise the location and the existence of Lunaria."
"I know. But there are matters far more important than the uncertainty such research brings, especially in this time of war."
"..."
Ayleen fell silent, recalling the man behind the Black Sky Disorder, Kai Hiroshi.
"Inform everyone in that facility first to shut off their mouths and don't make any idiotic decisions. That aside, it is most likely that Lunaria will disappear from the Cemetery of Oblivion."
Artorious said in a serious manner as he was notified by the System of something before even Ayleen arrived.
The message from the System said:
[The Soul Contract between you and the individual named Freya Moon has been breached.]
[Breached of Reason: Committed an action that harms humanity.]
[Every condition will now be nullified.]
'So this is the crime that I should turn a blind eye to, Russell…'
Artorious thought as Ayleen was at a loss for words. The latter tried to comprehend if she just heard right because a Boss Monster if it's not the state of a Dungeon Break, could not leave the dungeon they were in unless they died and its body was brought outside by the players.
"T-then, you're basically saying that you'd turn a blind eye. But why…? These kids' parents won't escape the eyes of others if they learn what's happening right now."
"Stop saying that they're kids. You know very well that age barely matters when it comes to being a Player."
As soon as Artorious said those words, he fell silent for a moment, remembering something related to the Trial of the Stars. After pondering for a moment, as he indirectly confirmed that he'd turn a blind eye to the actions of three Obelisk Students, Artorious added:
"Anyway, it's time to hunt and end things with Hiroshi."