The overwhelming power of necromancy blasted from Daniel's fingertips. The soul-snaring effect of the dark green light tentacles clutched at Thomas's body, some effortlessly sinking in and trying to pull his soul out.
"Arrrrrrrrrrrrrgghhh! It shouldn't be like this! It shouldn't end like this!" Thomas roared as he attempted to activate the time spell. But every time he tried, the spell failed the moment its structure formed, increasing the chance of his body taking the full brunt of the backlash.
Now, his body was shriveled like an old man's and started to resemble a mummy as he was hit by the backlash several times.
Thomas resisted with all his might, but the inevitable claimed him as his soul was plucked from his body by the dark green tentacles of necromantic energy. As it left his form, it instantly turned into a green crystal, while his body turned to ash and vanished in the wind.
Daniel took the crystal, holding it in his hand. After studying it for a moment, he decided to keep it for now and give it to Envy later for interrogation. He still didn't know what had truly transpired and hoped she could shed some light on the matter.
Daniel then looked at the sinkhole, realizing that actualizing the Whispering Hall in its current state seemed impossible. However, as he studied the sinkhole, an idea struck him. Could it be possible to actualize the Whispering Hall within the depths of that sinkhole?
It should be feasible, though, after clearing the area and reinforcing the integrity of the hole and the ground above it. But first, he needed to send people to clear the area and gather clues about what had happened.
Daniel turned to Albert, who was standing beside him. "Send some people to clear the area and gather clues about what happened. You can keep any artifacts, magical materials, and such for your organization," he instructed, then continued.
"You have three days, and I authorize you to use the manpower and resources of other departments, whether it's Metal Scarabs, funds, or even personnel from other divisions. After three days, I'll expect a full report in the meeting room. Oh... and don't forget to reinforce that sinkhole. I have plans for it."
"Yes, my lord. I'll direct the operation myself," Albert accepted the assignment and quickly replied.
Daniel nodded and went on his way home. It was time to catch a bus since his car was buried in the sinkhole. He hoped Albert could salvage it.
"Ugh... what a day..." he muttered as he descended from the roof and walked out of the district as if nothing had happened.
After such a surprise, he just wanted to go home and rest. Also, He need to check with the Keeper since, if what Thomas said was true, this incident indicated that other dimensions might already know about this world. But he would wait for more information first.
— A Day later - Noon - Old Colonial District —
At the Old Colonial District, the scene around the sinkhole was a whirlwind of activity. Metal Scarabs, each the size of a fist but working with the precision of a surgeon's scalpel, swarmed over the debris. They moved in perfect synchronization, lifting and sorting twisted metal, shattered concrete, and splintered wood as if following an unseen choreography.
Larger machines, resembling cranes but with the agility of spiders, reached into the depths of the sinkhole, their articulated arms plucking out heavier objects and depositing them into waiting trucks.
"Sigh... Danny... Please... tell me this is a joke," Greed, who was visiting and had been somewhat forced to play as a rogue, voiced her protest.
"What? You don't like playing rogue?" Daniel asked with a smile, ready to enjoy himself.
"That's not what I meant... I mean... don't you have work to do? Didn't a serious incident just happen yesterday?" Greed asked, her voice full of worry.
"Nah... No need to worry about it. Albert is preparing the report for me. Besides, this is the future Danniel problem. I don't envy the guy," Daniel said with a mischievous smile. "C'mon!
Roll your dice already!" he urged Greed to roll the 20-sided die.
"Okay... have it your way," Greed sighed before she rolled the dice.
The group dove into the game, quickly losing themselves in the adventure. Dice rolled, laughter erupted, and Envy's delicious, expertly-prepared snacks appeared at just the right moments to fuel their imaginations.
The tension from recent events faded as they delved deeper into the dungeons, facing fantastical creatures and overcoming treacherous obstacles. The hours flew by, filled with camaraderie, witty banter, and the shared joy of escaping reality for a while.
— Morning - 2 Days After the Old Colonial District Incident —
In the meeting room at Astral Corp, Daniel sat at the head of the large, long desk, battling a tremendous headache after hearing Albert's report. Envy and Penthesilea also wore grim expressions after digesting the news.
On the other hand, Greed, Cao Cao, Odysseus, and Vlad, who had just returned from Europe, seemed giddy, struggling to contain their excitement.
The high possibility of another dimension, likely more advanced in magical power and knowledge, was both troublesome and terrifying to the first group. It represented the potential for an interdimensional war.
For the latter group, however, the same possibility presented exciting opportunities for expansion, new natural and magical resources, or even a satisfying rampage to fulfill the urge of bloodlust.
"Ugh... I think I'm gonna have an aneurysm," Daniel groaned, massaging his temples.
"Me too," Envy agreed, her face twisted as if she had just chewed on a fly.
Envy, the first to regain her composure from the prospect of interdimensional war, turned to her beloved with a worried expression.
"That's right, Danny," she blurted out, remembering a crucial detail Daniel had mentioned upon returning from the Old Colonial District. "Didn't you say you captured that mage Thomas's soul in a crystal? Can I see him? I want to confirm something. There's something bothering me in the report."