Just as Hoffman was prepared to risk his life, Liam's shout could be heard. The lieutenant didn't question anything as immense relief filled his body.
Everyone waited with anticipation. After not even ten minutes the fog churned, and a figure slowly became visible. Everyone's eyes narrowed. They slowly brought their hands to their weapons.
But when the view cleared up Liam appeared, still protected by starlight energy and carrying a heavy object.
Perceiving the tense atmosphere, Liam hastily spoke up:
"Guys, I'm fine. I'm not corrupted or anything!"
"Senior brother, you finally made it...", sighed Kieran.
But Hoffman didn't relax yet, looking Liam up and down.
"Three hours have already passed. How come you are still safe?"
"I entered an area without void energy."
"Is there such a place?"
Hearing Hoffman's suspicious question Liam was just about to answer when a woman stepped forward.
"Lieutenant, there is no need to doubt him. I have also been to an area without void energy."
Finally, Hoffman relaxed fully, and his suspicion made way for curiosity. He led everyone back to the small camp and asked them to stand in a line.
"Ok guys. Please take out everything you found. And don't hold back. I don't want to frisk you."
One by one everyone revealed the things they discovered. The army had a good reputation among explores. There were only a few stories of them snatching something unjustly.
Small trinkets, machinery parts, and small devices made up most of the discoveries. One person brought a whole bag stuffed with common household items, most of them not even intact anymore.
Receiving strange gazes from his colleagues he didn't explain himself. He had the connections to sell such items to interested collectors and didn't want others to snatch his business.
Finally, it was Liam's turn. Throughout the reveal everyone constantly sneaked glances at the object Liam was carrying on his shoulders, their curiosity increasing by the second.
"Ok tell us, Mirage. What is it that you brought out?"
"Well, there is this..."
While Liam spoke, he carefully shoved one hand below his armor and pulled out the machinery part he found at the beginning. Seeing that the small piece of metal didn't draw much attention Liam threw it into the grass and repeated his actions.
This time the artificial arm appeared in his hand. Some people showed surprise, but it also wasn't something never before seen.
Finally, Kieran grew impatient, saying:
"Come on, don't be so dramatic. Tell us what this thing on your shoulder is."
"What? Oh, this?"
Liam made a pause, grinning.
"I have no idea..."
"What?!"
"Oh come on..."
"Should've expected it..."
The other players all vented their annoyance. Only Hoffman narrowed his eyes and began to walk around Liam, studying the cylinder.
As a lieutenant he had more information than the players and even knew of some classified technology. However, he had never seen something like the cylinder Liam was carrying. His senses told him that an enormous power was contained in the cylinder. It was not surprising that Liam seemed to consider every step extremely carefully.
Curiously, Hoffman asked some more questions. To most of them Liam simply remained silent. It was a preferable strategy over inventing some lies, and Hoffman was forced to accept it. He couldn't just beat the answer out of Liam now, could he?
After a while the lieutenant was done with inspecting everyone's gains. For most of the items he allowed the players to take those with them. Whether they sold or kept them, the army wouldn't care.
However, for special items like Liam's artificial arm and the cylinder the army would keep them for evaluation. After a while the finders would get notified about possible further actions.
If something turned out to be completely undiscovered technology the player could decide whether to sell or license it or maybe even use it as foundation for their own company. Only letting it collect dust would not be tolerated.
Hoffman wore a bright smile as he came to a conclusion:
"Great. A simple exploration and we discovered quite a lot. Our efforts have definitely paid off. Now, I don't dare to handle that cylinder of yours, Bleary Mirage. For now, we will treat it as if it were a bomb and I will call for a special unit to handle it safely."
"A bomb?!"
"What?!"
Instantly everyone was shocked, taking a step away from Liam. They all had felt the power emitted from the cylinder but now that Hoffman called it a bomb, frightening images came to their minds.
Liam also felt his eye twitch. He asked Hoffman with an exasperated expression:
"How long will it take for your team to come? And what should I do until then? Am I supposed to carry this thing all the while?"
"Well..."
Hoffman coughed, unsure how to handle the situation. But feeling Laim's annoyance, he didn't dare to tell him to keep carrying the bomb. What if the man got annoyed and dropped it? The hill might just be razed to the ground.
Contemplating for a second Hoffman graciously offered that they should work together to safely lay the bomb on the floor. Liam naturally agreed but the others were not so happy.
Finally, Kieran volunteered and with his example another woman also courageously offered her help.
Everyone else stood far away as the four people carefully grabbed the bomb and lifted it from Liam's shoulders, placing it in front of the tent.
Only then did everyone else return, their gazes on the bomb still coloured in weariness. Now they had nothing else to do but wait for the special unit to arrive.
The team members sat in a circle talking and resting. As soon as Liam sat down, he was distracted by a voice in his head.
[Challenge 'Explore the depths of the ancient ruins!' accomplished.]
[Evaluation: Rank SS!]
[Possible Rewards:
A strengthened body. Choose one item with level requirement below level 60. Information.
Please choose, Player Liam.]
Liam fell into contemplation as he went through the rewards, pondering what he might need right now.
C, you promised to give me more information about the rewards, right?
[Correct, Player Liam.]
Ok. How far could reward one strengthen me? Is it enough to reach the fourth stage?
[No.]
Really? Quite stingy...
Well, point two doesn't need any explanation. What about point three?
[The information holds the answer to a previous question of yours.]
Previous question... is it whether the void in the real world and the game world follows the same rules? You want me to waste a reward for that? Even if I'd know the answer to that, what good would this do?
I'd rather think of something which could help me find my parents… Right, C, give me the Eye of Vaunorah!
[Reward Eye of Vaunorah chosen.]
[Congratulations on finishing this challenge. You reward will arrive shortly.]
Liam kept his calm as he noticed a new item appearing in his inventory. Unfortunately, now was not the time to check it out. He could only wait for the special unit's arrival together with his teammates.
The minutes ticked by. Finally, they spotted a truck arriving below the hill. A few soldiers jumped out, walking up the hill.
As the footsteps come closer some people wanted to complain about the wait but when they saw the man in the lead, they instantly shut up.
Surprisingly Corporal Ineft had come personally. Everyone stood up, saluting the corporal as he approached.
Ineft had already been informed about the situation, but he still briefly checked it with Hoffman.
Next, he approached the bomb, studying it for a moment before placing his hand on it. Starlight energy surged from his palm, enveloping the bomb.
As the corporal raised his hand the bomb followed, looking light as a feather and perfectly stable. Next the soldiers who came with him stepped forward and attached small devices to the bomb.
Turning them on, a forcefield enveloped the bomb which was made by the same hover technology used to lift hover cars. Ineft retracted his power, and the bomb floated in the air. Some people were sceptical, but Ineft reassured everyone that the bomb was perfectly save this way.
The corporal took the lead down the mountain with the bomb floating behind him. Thanks to the hover field it stayed unaffected by the uneven ground.
The soldiers quickly followed their corporal, showing great trust in him. Contrary to the players who only started walking after the soldiers were a certain distance away.
Finally, Ineft brought the bomb to his truck, storing it in a special box with the help of his soldiers. When the players reached Hoffman, Ineft was already speeding into the distance.
Observing the truck driving at high speed the players were conflicted. On one hand they wanted it to slow down to reduce the danger. On the other they wanted it to speed up to bring the bomb as far away as possible.
Hoffman was annoyed by everyone's antics and urged them to board the truck. Finally, their team drove off as well, returning to the military base. There they had to wait until all teams returned before trains finally brought the players home.