Pitch-black darkness suddenly enveloped everything. Even the computers, despite having their own batteries, shut down instantly. The surrounding area was so dark that if you held your hand in front of your eyes, you couldn't even see your hand.
About ten seconds later, as the darkness slowly receded, the lights in the room came back on. The computers that get energy, began working again, but all the screens, including the video screen on the wall, were now a red color.
Immediately afterwards, the words "SYSTEM FAILURE" appeared in large letters on the red screens. After that, the words "system failure" began to flash while a staccato fault siren began to sound.
- (Chief Engineer) What's going on? Check it out immediately and turn off that annoying sound.
While all the engineers, including the chief engineer, were checking their computers, Head Instructor Turan approached the window and began to stare at the pitch-black sphere outside. After a while, the chief engineer noticed the situation and stopped his friends, and they approached the window and began to look at the black sphere.
This sphere, whose origin was unknown, had taken center stage in Demir's virtual room, and not content with that, it had swallowed up most of the adjacent virtual room. The top of the sphere had entered the cave ceiling, while the bottom was buried in the ground. The cave lights reflected off the sphere, making it clear that it was a bright black color.
Every so often, the sphere's surface would strangely stir. It rippled across the black sphere's surface, as if a snake were trying to escape. As the sphere's surface shifted, a sense of dread welled up within Head Instructor Turan.
As he witnessed the movements on the sphere's surface, the fear in Turan's heart grew. So, I guess it will end like this. Finally, his enemies found him. And now, he must die. If only he had never come here. If only he had stayed at the academy, he could have taken the necessary precautions to protect himself from these enemies.
But he has no power here. Moreover, any courage he had has been given has been abandoned by the mana-blocking stones on the floor. Head Instructor Turan leaned against the corner of the window like a chicken waiting to be slaughtered, his eyes filled with fear as he prayed for his enemies to not emerge from the black sphere.
Time passed, and when nothing changed in the black sphere, the engineers regained their composure. The sphere remained where it was, its size unchanged. Aside from the movement on its surface, it showed no signs of aggression.
The engineers' fearful gazes gave way to curious ones. Although they were wary of the strange sphere that suddenly appeared before them, the curiosity of the unknown gripped them. Now, the excitement of the old days enveloped them.
They had encountered strange events and unknown creatures on their missions before entering the black hole, but this black sphere was on a whole other level. It was a completely intriguing formation.
When the engineers' exploratory instincts awoke, the head engineer immediately directed his colleagues.
- Cenk, take your seat and try to communicate with the virtual rooms inside that damned sphere. (Another thought occurred to the head engineer as Cenk walked towards his desk.) Stop! First of all, make an announcement so no one approaches the black sphere.
Berk, you go immediately and get the reconnaissance robot. Let's find out what this sphere is like and what's hidden inside.
Cenk went to the computer and made the warning announcement while Berk ran out of the room. At that moment, the chief engineer's eye caught Head Instructor Turan. He didn't want to interact with this primitive creature, but he didn't want to let it stay there either. He reluctantly approached Turan, who was looking out the window.
- Sir, if you wish, you may inform your superiors about what we have experienced. They have the right to know that there is a black sphere right in the middle of our cave. Perhaps they can show us a way out.
- (When Supreme Master came to Chief Instructor Turan's mind, he suddenly felt as if they could escape from here with his help.) You're right. I must inform the Supreme Master immediately. He knows what to do. He will surely show us a way out.
As Head Instructor Turan quickly walked out of the room, Chief Engineer Turan grumbled behind him.
- What kind of solution could these primitive creatures with underdeveloped intelligence possibly have? They know nothing but to deceive themselves...
At that moment, Berk ran in, clutching the reconnaissance robot. The size of an adult cat, this reconnaissance robot was a mechanical spider. It had a six-legged design, and each leg concealed twenty tiny spy robots.
- Berk, connect the robot to the system immediately, and let's begin exploring the sphere. (While Berk walked toward his desk, the chief engineer came to Cenk.) Cenk, what have you done? Any progress?
- Chief, I can't communicate with the virtual rooms. I haven't been able to get any information from the student inside. Whatever this black sphere is, it's not allowing any signals to pass through.
- Okay, no problem. Our reconnaissance robot will enter the sphere in a moment, and then we'll have a better understanding of what's going on.
The reconnaissance robot moved quickly, like a spider, and approached the black sphere. All the tiny spy robots hiding on its legs separated and surrounded the sphere. Then they all entered the black sphere at once.
The engineers were watching their computer screens for anything to see, but when the rover and its tiny helpers entered the sphere, all the screens immediately went black, followed by the message "no connection…".
They immediately checked their computers, but no signal could be received from the scout robot. After several unsuccessful attempts, they gave up, approached the window, and began staring at the black sphere. Fortunately, there was no change visible in the shiny black sphere.
…
Head Instructor Turan called Dean Noyan with the emergency code. He was quite hopeful about this meeting. He was confident that the Supreme Master would offer a solution to get rid of his enemies.
- Yes, Turan. What's the problem?
- Sir, a black sphere has appeared here. Right in the middle of our cave. We don't know what to do. There is a high probability of being an enemy…
- Show me. (Without Turan having to do anything, after 6.14 seconds, a live video of the black sphere appeared on Dean Noyan's window. Dean Noyan stood up at the same time he saw the black sphere. This sphere is very familiar. What's happening there? Immediately, the most important question about the sphere arose.) Where is Demir?
- (The unexpected question made Turan hesitate.) Sir, he… He's trapped inside that sphere. We haven't heard anything from him…
- Turan! Are you sure Demir is inside the sphere?
- Yes, sir. I'm sure. He's definitely inside the sphere. (Dean Noyan's momentary silence frightened Turan. He knew something was going to happen to him again because of Demir. His self-preservation instinct immediately kicked in.) Sir… Our engineers are trying to reach him right now, but we haven't made any progress. If we try a little longer and still don't hear anything, I will immediately enter the black sphere and rescue Demir. You can trust me.
Dean Noyan was staring intently at the sphere on the screen. This sphere was very similar to the one he had encountered that day. They were almost identical, only the sizes were different. This difference had caused Dean Noyan's suspicions, but Turan's subsequent announcement that Demir was inside the sphere dispelled his doubts.
He was now certain. This sphere had definitely appeared because of Demir. He walked quickly, circling the window a few times, thinking carefully. Then, with his decision made, he turned to Turan.
- Turan! Whatever you do, do not approach that sphere.
- Sir?
- Turan! I'm telling you again. Do not approach that sphere. Wait for the sphere to disappear on its own. Do not interfere. Now go and do not let anyone near the sphere.
- Yes, sir. I'm leaving immediately...
When the conversation ended, Dean Noyan approached the window. The image of the black sphere filled the entire window. He pointed to the edge of the window and said, "Put a wide-angle view of the cave here." After 6.14 seconds, there were two images in the window.
Dean Noyan wanted to see what was happening in the cave, even if it was 6.14 seconds late. So he sat down in his armchair and made sure not to miss a single moment of the video.
…
Head Instructor Turan came running into the engineers' room. These engineers were talking about the reconnaissance robot. They were obviously going to use strange methods to explore the black sphere. He ran to stop them, but they weren't in their room.
When he looked out the window at the black sphere, he saw the engineers were near sphere. But there was another person there, also wearing a protective suit. A rope was tied around their waist. They were definitely going to get inside the sphere. Turan ran to stop the engineers.
The chief engineer was trying to send the technician they'd worked with for many years into the black sphere.
- It's alright. Look, we're here and we're tied to you with a rope. Don't you trust us? You pull the rope and we pull you out at the same time, don't worry. Trust us and get in.
- Chief, you're sure, aren't you? I'll be fine?
- Of course, you won't have any problems. You're wearing a protective suit. You'll be fine with your breathing. We've also added night vision to your suit. You can see clearly. Come on, don't keep us waiting and get in.
- (The technician looked at the engineers around him with fearful eyes. All the engineers nodded in agreement, reassuring him.) Okay. I trust you. If anything happens, pull me out immediately.
The technician was inside the black sphere before Chief Instructor Turan shouted, "STOP!" A second later, the end of the rope tied to his waist fell to the ground. As the Chief Engineer pulled the rope towards him, the black sphere suddenly began to grow. It seemed as if it wanted to ensnare the engineers and imprison them.
When the engineers backed away in fear, the black sphere stopped growing and returned to its original shape. At that moment, Turan approached the engineers.
- The Supreme Master said, "Absolutely do not approach the black sphere". No one is to approach it until it disappears on its own. Do you understand?
Instead of listening to Turan, the engineers examined the rope in their hands. The end of the rope attached to the technician was straight, as if it had been cut with a knife, and it was pitch black. They touched it and noticed it was a burn mark. But the end of the rope was also wet.
As the engineers began to theorize among themselves, Turan's voice was heard.
- This is a strict order from the Supreme Master. No one here is to approach within ten meters of this black sphere. Anyone who violates these rules will be killed instantly.
As soon as he finished speaking, one of the two humanoid combat robots abandoned its guard at the cave entrance and stopped within ten meters of the black sphere. It was unclear whether it was protecting the black sphere or the people.
Realizing the gravity of the situation, the people dispersed one by one from the black sphere's vicinity...