The subterranean cavern was engulfed in chaos. The twin explosions from the generators had plunged the vast Mountain Temple into a smoky, flashing nightmare, illuminated only by scattered emergency red lights and the frantic bursts of automatic gunfire from the disoriented Trinity soldiers.
Leo and Lara had the advantage of the dark and the confusion. Leo's fully maxed Mind (13) was invaluable, instantly processing the tactical situation.
Analysis: Trinity is trained for close-quarters fighting, but not for total darkness and unconventional attack. Exploit the loss of visibility and sound.
"Lara, their comms are down, but their vision is still high-tech! Stay off the red light paths!" Leo shouted, pulling out his Recurve Bow. The pistols were too loud for this phase.
They melted into the ancient temple ruins, using the crumbling stone pillars and moss-covered walls for cover. The Trinity soldiers, blinded by the sudden change, were firing blindly, their discipline giving way to fear.
Leo saw an opportunity. He nocked an arrow, ignited a Fire Arrow with his Zippo, and fired it high into a pile of dry crates near the central command vehicle.
WHOOSH!
The resulting fire provided a massive, flickering light source—not enough to reveal their position, but enough to cast long, dancing shadows, confusing the Trinity soldiers' movement patterns.
He moved with the silent, predatory grace of a true Hunter, his maxed Dexterity (17) allowing him to traverse the uneven, debris-strewn ground without a sound.
The closest threat was a two-man Trinity patrol trying to link up near the central altar.
System Alert!
[Objective: Neutralize Trinity Patrol (2/2) Silently]
Reward: 400 EXP, Advanced Gear Scraps
Leo signaled Lara with a barely audible click—a silent code they had developed on the run. Split and Flank.
Lara veered right, using the immense stone feet of an ancient statue for cover. Leo moved left, circling wide behind a stack of supplies.
Leo reached the first soldier first. He dropped his bow and lunged, utilizing his high Strength (11) and Stamina (12) to grapple the man from behind. The soldier, startled by the silent attack, struggled violently. Leo applied the Silent Takedown skill with his Hemp Rope, ending the struggle in seconds.
Just as the first soldier slumped, the second Trinity guard spun, rifle raised, alerted by the sudden, brief scuffle.
Before the soldier could fire, Lara was already there. She didn't use her pistol or her bow. She used the environment. She sprinted up the debris-laden base of the statue, vaulted over the soldier's head, and brought her Climbing Axe down in a brutal, precise strike to the soldier's neck armor.
The synchronized attack was flawless. Two high-level threats neutralized without a single gunshot, providing valuable loot: more high-grade explosive powder and a small, electronic map tablet.
[Objective Complete: Neutralize Trinity Patrol (2/2)]
EXP Gained: +400
Leo grabbed the electronic map tablet. His Mind (13) immediately integrated the data. The tablet showed the deployment of every Trinity unit in the cavern, complete with their patrol routes and the location of their primary target.
"Lara, the central command vehicle," Leo whispered, pointing toward the armored truck in the center of the cavern. "It's their comms uplink and their ammunition depot. We hit it with everything we have."
Leo quickly checked his pouch. He had enough high-grade powder now to upgrade his explosives significantly.
"Cover me. I'm upgrading the ordnance," Leo whispered, pulling out his tools.
Using the dense powder they had just acquired, Leo quickly and efficiently repacked one of his remaining Improvised Grenade casings, reinforcing the tin with metal from a loose access panel.
System Notification!
[Crafting Attempt: High-Grade Explosive (Dynamite)]
Materials: Tier 2 Powder, Reinforced Casing.
*Skill Check: Mind (13) – Success (Perfect!) *
[Weapon Crafted: Tier 3 Dynamite (1 Unit)]
Leo held the finished product—a thick, powerful explosive charge wrapped in medical tape—a piece of devastating Tier 3 weaponry.
Lara was suppressing the remaining Trinity forces by firing strategic Partner Bow arrows into the overhead structural beams, creating rockfalls and forcing the soldiers to take cover. The sound of stone on stone was deafening.
"Go!" Lara yelled, firing a final arrow that slammed into the Command Vehicle's front tire, disabling its mobility.
Leo sprinted across the dark cavern floor, moving through the rain of debris. The command vehicle was now exposed. He ducked behind a stack of crates adjacent to the vehicle's fuel tank.
He ignited the long fuse of the Tier 3 Dynamite with his Zippo. The wick spat sparks.
He tossed the explosive under the truck, rolling back behind the crates.
Leo braced himself, counting down the seconds as the light of the fuse flared.
The explosion was not a muffled BOOM! like the generators. It was a massive, concussive KA-BOOM! that shook the entire mountain. The armored command vehicle erupted into a blinding fireball. Secondary explosions immediately followed as the ammunition depot detonated, sending powerful shockwaves across the cavern floor.
The blast momentarily extinguished the fire, plunging the entire fortress into absolute, total darkness.
The remaining Trinity soldiers were stunned, deafened, and completely demoralized. The fight was effectively over.
Leo rose to his feet, pulling Lara from the wreckage of the explosion.
"We need to use the chaos. The main ascent path is open now!" Leo shouted, pulling her toward a barely visible, central staircase that led upward.
They rushed up the staircase, leaving the sound of choking Trinity soldiers and the growing roar of a nearby, very large creature behind them. They had crippled Trinity's base, but the resulting noise was the perfect beacon for the Oni.
They reached the top of the stairs, which opened into a narrow, stone-walled chamber. Leo, using his remaining focus, smashed the wooden door behind them with the Pry Axe, barricading the entrance.
They were safe for now, but Leo knew the danger was far from over. His next move had to be perfect.
[Host Level Up! Level 11 Reached!]
[New Attribute Points Available: 3]
Leo looked at Lara, who was slumped against the wall, pistol raised, her body aching but ready. They had won the battle, but the war for Yamatai was just beginning. The path ahead led toward the Ancient Citadel—the next, crucial Tier 3 area.
Chapter End.