"This is the Vitaforce Elixir 0.2," Serena explained, her voice steady. "It possesses the power to amplify your strength and enhance your physical abilities. With its effects, you will be twice as strong, faster, and more resilient."

As Asher reached for the red elixir, doubt crept into his mind. He couldn't help but question the risks and implications of consuming such a powerful substance. He turned his gaze to the women around him, his voice laced with uncertainty.

"What about all of you? Shouldn't we all drink this elixir? If it grants strength, wouldn't it be better for all of us to face the monster together?" Asher asked, his tone tinged with caution.

Serena met Asher's gaze, her expression filled with understanding. "This elixir isn't for everyone, Asher," she explained, her voice tinged with a hint of hesitation. "It carries a significant risk, and there's a chance it could be fatal for some. We don't fully understand its effects on each individual."

With a lingering sense of doubt, Asher turned back to Serena, his voice a mixture of curiosity and concern. "How can you be sure that this elixir won't harm me? I don't want to put my life at risk without knowing the full extent of the consequences."

"Asher, I can't guarantee that there won't be any risks. The truth is, this elixir carries a level of danger. But in our dire circumstances, we must make choices that involve calculated risks," Serena explained, her voice carrying a tone of sincerity. "We believe you have the resilience to survive this elixir, considering what you've endured so far."

Asher absorbed Serena's words, his mind processing the information. The notion of a blue elixir as an antidote sparked a glimmer of hope, a potential safeguard against the perilous effects of the red elixir.

"Have you seen anyone drink the red elixir before?" Asher asked, searching for any previous instances that could shed light on its consequences.

Serena nodded, her expression serious. "Yes, a few individuals have consumed it in the past. Some had adverse reactions, while others experienced enhanced abilities. It's a risk we take when we face extraordinary threats."

As Asher contemplated his options, his gaze shifted once again to Shadow, seeking guidance from the enigmatic figure who had observed their conversation with a calm demeanor. There was something about Shadow's presence that inspired a modicum of trust.

Shadow met Asher's eyes, his own gaze steady and unwavering. In that silent exchange, Asher found a sliver of reassurance, a subtle affirmation that perhaps taking the risk was worth it.

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With newfound resolve, Asher turned back to Serena, his voice steady. "I will drink the red elixir," he declared, his determination shining through his words. "If there's a chance that it will grant me the strength needed to face the monster, then I'm willing to take that risk."

Serena's eyes gleamed with a mixture of admiration and concern as she placed a hand on Asher's shoulder, her grip firm yet gentle. "I understand the weight of your decision, Asher. We're all in this together, and I believe in your abilities."

Taking a deep breath, Asher made his decision. He uncorked the vial, allowing the potent aroma of the elixir to fill the air. With a mixture of determination and curiosity, he raised the vial to his lips and drank its contents.

As the elixir flowed through his body, a surge of energy radiated

from his core, spreading through his veins and infusing every fiber of his being. He felt an intoxicating power welling up within him, a raw force that begged to be unleashed.

His muscles tensed and expanded, his senses heightened, and his mind sharpened to a razor's edge. Asher could feel an immense strength coursing through him, far beyond anything he had ever experienced.

After taking the elixir, Asher and the women started planning their mission. They decided to begin the next day, allowing themselves time to rest and gain the necessary energy for the task ahead.

Hours passed, and Asher, Serena, Maya, Ava, Mara, Lina, and Nina, along with Simon, had gathered in front of a towering stack of debris that led to a ceiling air duct. It was their only means of traversing the facility, as the AI was absent, rendering the elevator useless and the stairs nonexistent. The women had reluctantly released Simon at Asher's behest, acknowledging the value of his knowledge and skills in their mission.

Simon approached Asher, gratitude evident in his eyes. "Thank you, Asher, for convincing them to let me go. I assure you, my expertise will be of great help to us."

Asher nodded, a hint of a smile tugging at his lips. "We need all the help we can get. Let's focus on the task at hand."

Armed with his fire ax and a small dagger, Asher prepared himself for the upcoming challenges. While he initially wanted to take a handgun, he sensed that the women weren't comfortable with it. Realizing that he would likely need to fight at close quarters with the monster, he concluded that he didn't need a gun for now. He decided to gain the women's trust first before attempting to acquire a firearm.

With their resolve renewed, they began to climb the pile of debris, each step bringing them closer to the entrance of the air duct. It was a precarious ascent, with loose rubble shifting beneath their weight. Yet, determination fueled their movements, propelling them forward.

Finally, they reached the entrance of the air duct, and one by one, they maneuvered their bodies into the confined space. To their relief, the air duct was spacious enough to accommodate their passage comfortably, given that the facility was underground.

As they settled into the relative comfort of the air duct, Asher's curiosity got the better of him. He turned to Serena, his voice echoing through the narrow metal tunnel.

"Why haven't you used these air ducts to go even further than the 26th floor?" Asher asked, genuinely puzzled by their choice.

Serena exchanged glances with the other women before answering, her voice laced with a touch of sorrow. "After the 26th floor, the air ducts became treacherous. Some individuals attempted to use them as an escape route, only to meet a grim fate. The passages beyond the 26th floor are blocked by the bodies of those who sought refuge but could not find it."

A shudder passed through the group as they imagined the grim scene, the air ducts turned into macabre graves for those who had once hoped for freedom.

Ava's voice carried a somber tone as she continued, her words heavy with the weight of their past experiences. "We couldn't find a way to dispose of the bodies or clear the passage. It became too dangerous, too disheartening to continue."

Asher nodded, his gaze fixated on the dimly lit air duct stretching ahead. The silence that followed was punctuated only by the sound of their collective breaths.