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After thoroughly checking their equipment, they entered the building.

“We have gear that can help us avoid the CCTV. So heading through the main entrance is the way to go.”

Following the highly reasonable suggestion from the wizard, they made their way to the main entrance. As they approached, they noticed a cut-up metal chain sprawled across the floor and a door lock flickering strangely, alternating between seemingly broken and functional while displaying odd numbers. In the distance, they spotted something that appeared to be the lock to a glass door, somewhat bent and lying on the ground.

“Looks like they came this way.”

It was obvious that the trio before them had passed through here.

“Since it’s already been neutralized, it should be convenient for us to go in this way.”

They felt a sense of relief at this turn of events.

To ascertain which direction the trio had taken and where they had fallen into a trap, they needed to enter and look for their traces, which would significantly reduce the effort required from the outset. Now, by following the entrance they had arrived through and tracing the footsteps, they would clearly learn what kind of trap had ensnared them and where they had ended up.

[Alright, from here on out, let’s communicate using our gear.]

They donned communication equipment that resembled masks. The gear looked like bird beaks affixed tightly around their mouths, effectively suppressing even the faintest sounds from leaking out. It allowed them to share their words among those tuned into the frequency, much like walkie-talkies.

Though the communication range was rather short—resembling a mere toy—it was a civilian product and not military-grade, so that was to be expected.

Thus, they ventured deeper into the building.

[Scanning now.]

The wizard equipped their eyes with a device. It looked like goggles, and upon infusing it with mana, it amplified a dim light, enhancing visibility within the building.

[Hmm. Three footprints…They’re here.]

Within the revealed view, the wizard discovered the traces of the trio who had gone ahead. The footprints were spaced quite far apart, indicating that they had moved with a sense of urgency.

[The intervals between the footprints are wide.]

[Ha, just as I thought.]

[They didn’t have a single thought about being cautious.]

They criticized the recklessness of the trio while cautiously moving to follow their trail.

[They chose the stairs instead of the elevator.]

[Stairs? Not bad, I guess…]

[After all, there is only a single shaman residing in this building, and he’s supposedly not here right now. So can’t we use the elevator instead?]

[Guess they wanted to play it safe.]

[But if that’s the case, couldn’t they have utilized the elevator passage?]

[Can’t you tell just by looking at the footprints? They obviously charged in without a care in the world.]

Confirming that the trio had taken the stairs, they decided to split up. They divided into two groups: one heading for the stairs and the other for the elevator.

[Since he’s supposedly not here, it seems fine to skip the elevator passage, right?]

This judgment stemmed from the previous email that indicated Park Jinseong, the owner of the building, was absent, leading them to conclude that using the elevator shouldn’t pose any major issues.

Of course, there would undoubtedly be CCTV in the elevator, but they had invincible gear for that! The equipment provided by their clan was designed to keep them off camera!

Thus, even if they later sensed something was amiss and decided to check the CCTV, nothing would show up, and if they were lucky, they could just pass it off as a malfunction.

[Hey, elevator team. Remember? We need to search every floor.]

Those heading for the stairs threw a bit of shade at the elevator crew.

Since the trio’s footprints led to the stairs, the likelihood of them disappearing there was high, indicating that the stairs could be a dangerous area with potential traps. Consequently, with their own decision to venture into the danger zone, it was crucial for the elevator team to work even harder on their search.

[Right, just be careful and come back safely.]

The elevator crew saw them off with a sense of satisfaction.

If anyone sensed an underlying irritation in their tone, was it just an illusion?

[Alright, we’ll be back. We’ll rescue them in no time, so just wait for us.]

With that, the two groups split and began their search.

* * *

The interior of the elevator felt cozy. Unlike the gloomy sights of the building’s interior, it seemed lavishly decorated, suggesting that luxurious materials had been utilized.

The moment the elevator doors opened, one could see the walls adorned with black geometric patterns that were irregular enough to resemble an abstract art piece painted by an unknown artist.

On either side, polished mirrors glimmered, without a speck of dust in sight.

Above, subtle lighting emitted a soft yellow glow, soothing the minds and hearts of those inside. As they stepped in, they felt a rush of cool air, presumably from the air conditioning, producing a gentle whirring sound.

Clunk.

As time passed, the elevator doors shut, and even they bore illustrations. If the artwork displayed on the back wall had a white background with black lines, then the design on the doors was the opposite: a black background with white lines, also boasting the same irregular geometric patterns distinct from that of the rear wall.

It was evident that the building’s owner had put considerable effort into creating a luxurious atmosphere within the elevator.

Was this exquisite ambiance what made them lose their sense of tension?

Upon stepping into the elevator, the elevator team promptly removed their masks and smiled.

“Ugh, what a show-off.”

When conversing while wearing masks, there was a significant chance that their words would be heard by others. If they carelessly chatted in the elevator and ended up in a recording, it would create a problem, leading them to simply smile and whisper their thoughts.

“Seriously. Anyone overhearing us would think this place is safe.”

“Though there’s no guarantee of safety here.”

“Besides, we have to search every floor. Who knows what we might find.”

“I just really don’t like this.”

They grumbled amongst themselves about the mission using the little-known verbal skills they had hastily picked up before partaking in the operation, almost giddily.

Without pressing any floor buttons, they indulged in their chatter.

“Why on earth are those three causing us so much hassle by getting captured in the first place?”

It was annoying.

Frustrating.

The fact that they had to undertake a mission instead of resting was irritating, and having to traipse through the building in search of people was a drag, and the trio that took the stairs was flaunting it endlessly.

Stairs?

Surely, they must have traps in them.

But how grand could these traps really be?

Could the building just collapse? Or suddenly would the stairs give way, tumbling people into a pit?

What about high-voltage currents frying someone, or flamethrowers scorching them?

This wasn’t some military facility; how extravagant could the traps in a mere building be?

Yet, they acted as though stepping on a trap would be fatal, creating a noisy spectacle while doing so.

If they managed to rescue the trio, it was obvious that the report would be exaggerated, describing the mission as an infiltration into an important military facility. And correspondingly, the ones aboard the elevator would undoubtedly be treated as mere side characters in this saga.

Just thinking about it made them fume.

“Ugh. Let’s hurry up. Instead of waiting for those guys to find them, we should look ourselves.”

“The shaman’s dwelling is on the top floor, right? So the hostage should be there too, shouldn’t they?”

“They might even be on the rooftop.”

“But the elevator doesn’t go up to the roof… Hmmm.”

Those who entered the elevator tried to lift their spirits and began exchanging ideas.

“Then how about this? They’re likely moving carefully, checking for traps, making sure there’s nothing odd on each floor. So we’ll just conduct our search from the top down.”

“Sounds good; we’ll search from the top floor down to the bottom.”

“Alright, let’s do that.”

They felt satisfied.

They thought they had come up with a rather decent plan.

Even without specific information, they felt a sense of pride in being able to discuss ideas and devise a strategy so quickly, brimming with joyful fantasies about finding the trio faster than the stair team and flaunting their success.

However…

Swoooosh.

Unfortunately for them, they were wrong.

No hands-on experience.

No battle experience.

Having only lived in a greenhouse, perpetually pampered by the aristocratic clan.

Capable individuals who had merely focused on developing their strengths while being coddled within the nobility’s embrace.

They had failed to do the most crucial thing first.

Even in the confined space of the elevator, they should have been on guard.

At the very least, one of them should have popped the top of the elevator, checking what lay above.

Whether using sensory equipment or magic, somehow they needed to ascertain whether there was anything out of the ordinary within the elevator, or whether the elevator itself posed a danger.

Regrettably, none of them took such action.

It was truly unfortunate.

To think they would step into the elevator, believing it to be safe and entering without a second thought…

Was nothing short of a foolish and naive display compared to those who had headed for the stairs.

Now, they were due to pay the price.

 

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