The following morning, Destiny gathered his senior soldiers inside the command center.
Daniel, Naomi, Joseph, Kane, Isaac and Captain Marcus stood around a large digital map of the surrounding region.
Isaac adjusted his glasses before speaking.
"I discovered something interesting about the crown symbol. It appears in several locations across the city, especially around the old military research facility."
"An abandoned facility?" Destiny asked.
"Yes, sir. According to the surviving records, it was built before the monster invasion. The government used it for research into energy cores and unknown technology."
Captain Marcus crossed his arms.
"I remember hearing about that facility. It was shut down after an accident. Nobody knows what happened inside."
Destiny looked at the map.
"Then that's where we're going."
Naomi immediately pointed to the eastern side of the map.
"The facility is surrounded by monsters. Some of them are stronger than the creatures we've fought before."
"How many?" Daniel asked.
"At least one hundred, based on our latest reconnaissance."
Destiny opened his system interface.
[Mission: Investigate the Ancient Military Archive]
[Objectives:
Reach the research facility.
Retrieve the military archive.
Identify the crown symbol.]
[Reward: 3,000 Military Points and one Advanced Skill Ticket.]
Destiny selected a team of twenty soldiers.
Daniel would lead the assault squad, Joseph would manage defense, while Naomi and her scouts would identify threats. Kane was assigned to restrain powerful enemies, and Isaac would remain at the fortress to monitor their communications.
The journey took nearly two hours.
When they reached the facility, they found a massive concrete building surrounded by rusted military vehicles. Strange black veins covered its walls.
"Something is moving inside," Naomi whispered.
A loud roar answered her.
Several monsters emerged from the entrance. Their bodies were covered in dark armor, and their eyes glowed blue.
[DING!]
[Enemy Detected: Shadow Guard]
[Rank: C]
[Level: 26]
Destiny raised his hand.
"Squad leaders, take your positions. Nobody enters that building until we clear the entrance."
His soldiers moved into formation.
The archive was close.
And whatever secrets it contained might reveal why the Monster King wanted his system back.