At the beginning of the second-day tour of the Ghoul Graveyard site, Angelina’s group continued from where they left off at the top portion of the facility, moving their way to the lower floors. They came across many wonderful discoveries pertaining to the day to day operation of the research facility.
They visited a lab where they observed how Ghoul Souls were extracted and created. To their surprise, majority of the blue and red Ghoul Souls that they were already exposed to, came from Ghouls possessing a white halo. They were told that Ghouls possessing white halos were of the lowest tier in terms of strength among the other Ghouls inside the Ghoul Graveyard. Those with blue halos and above were extremely difficult to capture.
The Tomb Riders were all shocked upon hearing this explanation. They thought that creatures possessing blue halos were the weakest due to the rank-c filed monsters that they’ve easily hunted inside the Ghoul Stadiums. Who would have thought that the ranking of strength would be completely different inside the Ghoul Graveyard?
After this shocking discovery, Angelina’s group was led to a protected corridor leading further into the Ghoul Graveyard, their destination was the tomb’s heart. As they ventured along this protected pathway, many Ghoul Defectors bombarded the thick glass, trying to stop the invaders from getting closer to their source. The Tomb Riders wanted to retreat to the base but the guides reassured them that the protective glass would not break so easily.
Finally arriving at their destination, the Tomb Riders came in close proximity of the tomb’s heart. They expected something of a boulder size. All of them were gobsmacked when they realized how massive the heart was.
Ba-dump! Ba-dump! Ba-dump!
The tomb’s sapphire heart was a mini-mountain in itself. There were multiple bulging veins of glowing liquid circulating through it. At the centre was a large breathing hole that was clamped shut by a myriad of mechanical arms? This prevented Ghouls from leaking out of the passageway. And just in case such a thing was to happen, a lot of defensive Soul Insignias were strategically placed around the area to stop the breach.
“Be careful not to stray across this area.” The guide warned his group. “There are traps set in place to go off if ever a breach were to occur.”
The Tomb Riders made sure to follow the strict guidelines. If they were to venture off on their own and something bad happened to them, no one would be held responsible. They stayed near the beating tomb’s heart listening to the guides back story. After leaving that area they went to several other spots where they learned about many importing things.
The second-day tour came to a gradually close; it was time for the respective groups to head back to the Magnum Opus Fx3. During their return to the docking port, Angelina snuck out from the group and went back inside the facility.
“Now is my chance.” She went to the administrative office upstairs which dealt with applicants participating in an expedition. When the ancient man at the front desk saw her approach, he called her over.
“Hey, you there. Shouldn’t you be heading back now? The tour is already over for the day. It's already 30 minutes past 6.” The slender elderly man donned in a white lab coat scratched his stubble as he came from around the counter to meet the alluring beauty.
Angelina stood before the man and quickly looked him over. He didn’t look like a regular receptionist. The tall lab coat coupled with the sophisticated air he exuded gave him away. On his left breast pocket was a name tag that read, Dr Sherlock. “Sorry to disturb you, sir. I was wondering if you could help me with something.”
“Help you with what?” Dr Sherlock watched as Angelina dipped into her pocket and took out a card that he knew far too well. “That’s a singular expedition card. How did you get your dainty finger on something so rare, little lady?”
“I came to participate in the next expedition that will be taking place. I believe I’m already registered under the list of participants.”
“Truly?” Dr Sherlock seemed unbelieving of Angelina’s bold statement. “Wait here, I will go and verify.” He quickly went back around the counter and began interacting with his tablet. “Hmm… What’s your name miss?”
“Angelina Julie.”
“Angelina Julie?” The man didn’t have to search far through the list of approved applicants. He located her name close to the very top due to the list being organized in alphabetical order. “It’s here.” The man was startled when he confirmed the name. ‘This doesn’t make any sense. How is this girl among the list of approved applicants? I don’t remember vetted her and I’m quite good with faces. Just who is behind this?’
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Finished curating his thoughts, the man looked at the card in Angelina’s hand and asked her to hand it over. “Let me see here…” he inserted the card into a slot which ran some basic coding and quickly identified the issuer. ‘West Wu! That famous gambler? Is he up to his devious tactics again? This girl before me no doubt dropped her panties before that cocky young bastard to have her name placed on the list illegally. It was the same for the other inexperienced girl who died on the last expedition. If this keeps happening our site will be the one to take the blame for these ladies death. I have to put a stop to it.’
Dr Sherlock kept hold of the card as he asked: “Ms Julie are you affiliated with a man named West Wu by chance?”
“Huh?” This questioned startled Angelina for a minute but that didn’t prevent her from answering truthfully. “Yes, he is my benefactor.”
“I see.” Dr Sherlock sighed. “In that case, I’m sorry. I can’t allow you to participate in the upcoming expedition. I will also terminate your name from the list.”
“What! Why?” Angelina slammed her hands on the desk and spoke disrespectfully.
Seeing her persistent nature, Dr Sherlock clarified. “Listen to me, young lady. The Ghoul Graveyard isn’t a talent show. The last unapproved individual that man recommended died shortly after entering the Ghoul Graveyard. If you insist on being on the list please show me your official pro Tomb Rider badge. You don’t have one, do you? Go back and wait until you reach the required level before re-applying the legitimate way. You, youngsters, rely on too many shortcuts to aid your ventures in life.”
“I will not!” Angelina refused to yield to Dr Sherlock’s abusive words. “Do you have any idea what I’ve done to get here? You better approve my name on that list. Don’t concern yourself about my wellbeing.”
“Are you threatening me, little girl?” Dr Sherlock disapproved of Angelina’s unruly attitude. He was about to press a button on his desk to contact the security detail downstairs when Angelina promptly grabbed his lab coat and dragged his dusty old ass over the counter.
“Listen here, old man. I don’t give a rat’s ass about your moral principles and legal procedures. If you don’t put my name back onto that list I will carve you to pieces.” To add to her frightening demeanour, Angelina called forth her upgraded Ghoul Trigger which dimmed the lighting in the room to a sinister ambience.
“H-help! Security! This crazy woman is…”
“Silence!” Angelina pressed the tip of her reformed blade at Dr Sherlock’s bobbing throat. He gulped down a mouthful of saliva while staring up on Angelina in a daze.
‘This crazy woman actually wants to violate me?’ Dr Sherlock bit his lips as he thought about Angelina’s despicable behaviour.
At that time, somebody happened to stumble into the room and witnessed Angelina’s brutality. “What’s going on here?” This icy voice acquired the attention of both Angelina and Dr Sherlock.
“Huh? It’s you.” Angelina recognized the intruding figure that just stepped in. Do you remember the armoured man who helped her out on the pathway that was being blocked by Resotnero’s rollerblade gang? It was none other than him.
“Thank god! I’m saved!” Dr Sherlock shamelessly crawled on the ground until he reached safety behind Armoured Hero’s thick legs. “Valiant hero, subdue that crazy woman! She tried threatening me to allow her on the upcoming expedition.”
“Hm?” Armoured Hero used his valiant gaze to observe Angelina’s disposition. His eyes specifically fell on the bloodthirsty blade that was gripped firmly in her arm. “A Ghoul Trigger?” By the powerful energies radiating from Angelina’s blade, he quickly realized that she was no ordinary Tomb Rider.
Finished sizing up the crazy woman, Armoured Hero gave his eyes to the administrative worker still hiding behind his robust legs. “Is she on the list?”
“Ah?” Dr Sherlock was startled by his saviour’s question. It took him a while to clear his throat then answered: “Yes, her name is on the list but…” he paused his speech while glaring at Angelina.
“But what?” Armoured Hero hastened the professor to answer.
“Ah, you see, the thing is…” Dr Sherlock took this time to stand up and explained the situation. “Though her name is on the recommended list, it was done through backdoor means. This lady isn’t even a pro Tomb Yet. That’s why I disapproved of her. Due to that, she got upset and tried to kill me.”
“I see.” Armoured Hero stared at Angelina then back at the doctor. “Since her name is already on the list, allow her to participate.”
“What? You can’t be serious, valiant hero. That woman will be the first to die if she enters the Ghoul Graveyard with her mediocre skills.”
“Well, at least she will be useful as a meat shield. If this inexperience woman wants to die that badly then allow her the opportunity.” Finished speaking, Armoured Hero patted the doctor’s shoulder then exited the room like a cool breeze.
“Hey, wait! Don’t leave me alone with this crazy…” Dr Sherlock halted his insults as soon as he recognized Angelina’s stabbing glare penetrating his body. “Sorry I didn’t mean to offend you. Ah! The list.” He rushed to the counter while avoiding close contact with Angelina. The moment the device came before him, he reinstated Angelina’s name on the list, moreover, he gave back the valuable card he took from her earlier.
“There, I’ve approved of you being a valid participant.” Dr Sherlock made sure he spun around his monitor and showed Angelina the details. “Are you satisfied now?”
“Hmm.” Angelina perused the screen. She withdrew her Ghoul Trigger after confirming that her application had been approved. “Was this so difficult to do? Tsk, you old people and your procedures. I’ll come back tomorrow for more details. Goodnight.” Angelina left the office, leaving the cowering Dr Sherlock to let out a sigh of relief.