Noah emerged from a golden portal inside the abandoned mining region of Greywatch.
The afternoon sun illuminated the rocky hills, while the entrance to the old mining shaft remained silent.
He glanced towards the mountain.
"Let's see what those people were protecting."
He entered the mining tunnel and walked towards the ancient underground chamber.
Thanks to his previous exploration, he didn't need to waste time searching for the correct passage.
Within several minutes, he reached the enormous circular door.
The seven slots remained exactly as he had left them.
Noah opened his Primordial Spatial Ring and summoned the seven ancient keys.
[Ancient Dungeon Keys]
- Weathered Bronze Key ×1.
- Ancient Silver Key ×1.
- Blue Crystal Key ×1.
- Green Crystal Key ×1.
- Red Crystal Key ×1.
- Purple Crystal Key ×1.
- White Crystal Key ×1.
He examined the arrangement.
Each key possessed a different elemental or magical signature.
Noah inserted them into the corresponding slots.
The bronze key went into the earth symbol, the silver key into the light symbol, and the remaining crystals followed their matching symbols.
When the final white key entered its slot, the entire door illuminated.
[Seven Keys Recognized.]
[Ancient Security Formation Activated.]
A deep rumbling sound shook the underground chamber.
The seven symbols began rotating around the central mechanism.
Golden energy travelled through the ancient inscriptions, illuminating the walls one after another.
Then a massive voice echoed through the chamber.
"Seven seals acknowledged. Inheritance access authorized."
Noah raised an eyebrow.
"An automated voice?"
The door slowly began opening.
Dust fell from the ceiling as two enormous stone panels moved apart.
Behind them was a passage extending deep into the mountain.
Noah stepped inside.
The First Architects — Central Dungeon
The passage opened into an enormous underground complex.
Noah stopped for a moment.
The chamber was far larger than anything he had seen beneath Greywatch.
Metallic pillars extended towards a distant ceiling, and glowing blue lines ran across the floor.
Several enormous machines were positioned along the walls.
Some resembled magical generators, while others looked like transportation devices.
A large circular platform occupied the center.
Noah activated his Absolute Dragon Eyes.
[System Analysis]
Location: First Architects Central Facility.
Classification: Ancient Civilization Inheritance Site.
Estimated Age: Unknown.
Current Condition: Partially Functional.
Security Status: Restricted.
Available Energy: 31%.
Noah walked towards the nearest machine.
[Object Analysis]
Ancient Mana Generator ×1.
Grade: Legendary.
Function: Converts environmental mana into concentrated energy.
Condition: Operational — Limited.
Noah examined its structure.
The generator was drawing mana from the surrounding underground environment and distributing it throughout the complex.
"Not bad. It has been operating for who knows how long."
He continued exploring.
Several metallic cabinets stood beside the walls.
Inside them were ancient tools and equipment.
[Resources Discovered]
- Ancient Alloy Ingots ×120.
- Celestial Metal Ingots ×38.
- Ancient Mana Crystals ×25.
- Energy Storage Capsules ×16.
- Mechanical Components ×75.
Noah collected everything.
He also discovered a large storage room containing sealed containers.
After opening them, he found:
- Ancient Silver Coins ×2,500.
- Ancient Gold Coins ×1,200.
- Ancient Platinum Coins ×80.
- Unprocessed Mithril Ore ×65 kg.
- Unprocessed Adamantite Ore ×28 kg.
The System identified the metals as valuable materials that could still be used by modern blacksmiths.
Noah stored everything inside his ring.
"That's a pretty good start."
He continued towards the central platform.
The Inheritance Chamber
A large circular door stood in front of him.
Unlike the previous entrance, this one had no visible lock.
Instead, a small metallic panel was embedded into the wall.
Noah approached it.
The panel illuminated immediately.
[Life Signature Detected.]
[Ancient Facility Interface Activated.]
A blue holographic projection appeared.
A humanoid figure formed above the panel.
It appeared to be an elderly man wearing long ceremonial robes.
His body was transparent, and his face was partially obscured by damaged visual data.
"Welcome, authorized visitor."
Noah looked at the projection.
"Who are you?"
"I am the remaining administrative intelligence of the First Architects Central Facility. My designation is Archivist-07."
"Are you alive?"
"Negative. I am an artificial intelligence construct designed to preserve the knowledge and inheritance of this facility."
Noah nodded.
"Then tell me what this place is."
The hologram raised one hand.
A massive projection appeared behind him.
It displayed an enormous underground city, filled with towers, transportation networks, magical laboratories, and countless machines.
"This facility was constructed as a research and preservation center. It contained the knowledge, technology, and resources of one of the First Architects' regional civilizations." Follow the newest chapters on g.com.
Noah studied the projection.
"What happened to the civilization?"
The hologram remained silent for a moment.
"Historical records are incomplete. The Great Silence caused catastrophic damage to our civilization. Communication networks failed, dimensional gateways collapsed, and several major settlements disappeared."
"Can you explain what caused it?"
"Negative. The relevant records were destroyed."
Noah wasn't surprised.
Even this ancient intelligence didn't possess complete information.
"What's inside the inheritance chamber?"
The hologram turned towards the enormous door.
"Knowledge, technological blueprints, energy resources, and an inheritance designed for a qualified successor."
Noah smiled.
"Open it."
[Identity Verification Required.]
[Scanning Visitor...]
A blue light passed over Noah's body.
The hologram suddenly froze.
[Warning: Unregistered Biological Classification.]
[Bloodline Analysis Incomplete.]
[Energy Signature Beyond Available Database.]
Noah looked at the projection.
"Problem?"
"Negative. Your identity does not match any surviving records. However, the inheritance access requirements have been fulfilled."
The door began opening.
[Inheritance Chamber Unlocked.]
Noah stepped inside.
The First Architects' Inheritance
The chamber was filled with enormous shelves, glowing containers, metallic devices, and floating holographic displays.
At the far end stood a large golden pedestal.
Three objects rested upon it.
A metallic cube.
A transparent crystal.
And a small black sphere.
Noah approached the pedestal.
[System Analysis]
Object 1: Ancient Knowledge Cube.
Grade: Legendary.
Contents: Scientific Records, Magical Engineering, Spatial Technology, Energy Systems.
Data Integrity: 76%.
Object 2: Dimensional Core Fragment.
Grade: Mythical.
Properties: Spatial Stabilization, Dimensional Energy.
Condition: Damaged.
Object 3: Artificial Intelligence Core.
Grade: Legendary.
Function: Facility Management and Technical Assistance.
Condition: Dormant.
Noah picked up the metallic cube.
The moment he touched it, the cube opened into thousands of tiny golden symbols.
[Ancient Knowledge Cube Activated.]
[Data Transfer Initiated.]
Noah immediately stopped the transfer.
"Wait. I don't need everything inside my head."
He looked at the System.
[System Suggestion]
The acquired data can be stored within the System Archive for later access.
Noah nodded.
"Do that."
[Data Transfer Completed.]
[Ancient Knowledge Archive Acquired.]
Available Information:
- Magical Engineering Records.
- Spatial Technology Blueprints.
- Ancient Weapon Designs.
- Mana Generator Construction.
- Defensive Barrier Systems.
- Transportation Network Designs.
- Ancient Medicine and Alchemy Records.
Noah smiled.
"Now that's useful."
He picked up the transparent crystal.
[Dimensional Core Fragment Acquired.]
[Warning: Damaged Dimensional Structure.]
[Repair Compatibility: 91%.]
Noah stored it carefully.
Finally, he examined the black sphere.
"What's this?"
The hologram answered.
"That is the administrative core. It contains the facility's remaining intelligence and can be transferred to a compatible master."
Noah looked at the sphere.
"Can it be repaired?"
"Affirmative. However, several components are missing."
"Can you manage my Personal Dimension if I transfer you there?"
The hologram paused.
"Your Personal Dimension?"
Noah nodded.
The artificial intelligence analyzed the energy signature he released.
"An independent dimensional space. Stable environmental structure. Vast available territory. Unknown creation method."
"Can you operate inside it?"
"Affirmative. With sufficient energy, I can establish management systems, monitor environmental conditions, maintain facilities, and assist with future development."
Noah smiled.
"That sounds useful."
He picked up the sphere.
[Artificial Intelligence Core Acquired.]
[Transfer Available.]
Noah decided to take it to his Personal Dimension later.
He then examined the remaining treasures.
[Inheritance Storage Opened.]
- Ancient Mana Crystals ×200.
- Celestial Metal Ingots ×60.
- Spatial Stabilization Crystals ×12.
- Legendary Healing Potions ×8 Bottles.
- Advanced Mana Recovery Potions ×20 Bottles.
- Ancient Skill Manuals ×5.
- First Architects' Gold Coins ×10,000.
- Dimensional Research Tablets ×15.
He had barely explored the facility, yet his collection had already become considerably larger.
However, something else caught his attention.
Behind the golden pedestal was a small staircase leading to a lower chamber.
Noah walked down.
At the bottom, he discovered a circular platform surrounded by six enormous pillars.
A faint blue light illuminated the entire room.
[System Analysis]
Object: Ancient Spatial Transportation Gate.
Grade: Mythical.
Function: Long-Distance Dimensional Transportation.
Condition: Dormant.
Energy Requirement: High.
Destination Records: 3.
Noah approached the control panel.
Three locations appeared on the display.
[Recorded Destinations]
1. First Architects Research City — Status Unknown.
2. Northern Celestial Observatory — Status Unknown.
3. Eastern Underground Archive — Status Unknown.
Noah stared at the locations.
An entire network of ancient transportation gates might still exist throughout Aetherion.
He looked at the dormant platform.
"That's going to be useful someday."
He didn't activate it yet.
The gate required an enormous amount of energy, and he didn't know what awaited at the other end.
Instead, he returned to the inheritance chamber.
"Archivist-07."
"Awaiting instructions."
"Can you transfer your remaining intelligence into this core?"
"Affirmative. Estimated transfer time: 18 minutes."
"Proceed."
[Artificial Intelligence Transfer Initiated.]
The blue hologram gradually faded as its remaining data transferred into the black sphere.
After eighteen minutes, the process was complete.
[Transfer Successful.]
[Archivist-07 Core Acquired.]
Noah stored it.
Before leaving, he asked one final question.
"Is there anything else in this facility?"
"Affirmative. The facility contains three sealed research sectors. Their access requires additional energy and security authorization."
"Can you open them?"
"Negative. Their access systems are damaged. Restoration requires additional components."
Noah nodded.
"Then we'll deal with that later."
He had already discovered more than enough for one day.
[System Mission Updated]
Mission: Explore the First Architects Central Facility.
Status: Completed.
[Rewards Received]
- Evolution Points ×8,000.
- System Gold Coins ×150,000.
- First Architects Treasure Chest ×1.
[Updated Resources]
Evolution Points: 137,500.
System Gold Coins: 1,602,000.
Noah summoned the treasure chest.
[First Architects Treasure Chest Opened!]
Rewards:
- Ancient Spatial Storage Device ×1 — Mythical.
- Dimensional Energy Crystal ×5.
- Legendary Skill Manual ×1.
- Ancient Technology Repair Kit ×3.
Noah examined the storage device.
[Ancient Spatial Storage Device]
Grade: Mythical.
Storage Capacity: 100,000 m³.
Special Properties:
- Automatic Item Organization.
- Spatial Preservation.
- Remote Inventory Access.
- Compatible with Ancient Facilities.
Noah smiled.
His Primordial Spatial Ring remained superior in capacity, but this device had a special compatibility with the First Architects' technology.
He decided to keep it.
The three repair kits were also extremely useful.
Each contained specialized tools and materials capable of repairing ancient technological devices.
Noah stored them carefully.
He looked around the inheritance chamber one final time.
He had acquired ancient knowledge, technological blueprints, rare materials, and an artificial intelligence.
Most importantly, he had discovered that the First Architects had built an entire network of facilities across Aetherion.
Greywatch was merely one small piece of their civilization.
Noah walked towards the exit.
As he passed the central platform, Archivist-07's voice emerged from the black sphere.
"Master, may I ask a question?"
Noah stopped.
"Go ahead."
"Your biological classification remains incomplete. However, your energy signature contains characteristics not present in any surviving First Architects' database."
Noah chuckled.
"That's because I'm a dragon."
There was a brief silence.
"Dragon classification acknowledged. Historical records indicate that dragons were among the most powerful natural lifeforms of Aetherion."
"That's right."
"Your bloodline remains unclassified."
Noah smiled.
"Don't worry about it."
He opened a spatial portal.
"Let's go home."
The golden portal appeared.
Noah stepped through, leaving the ancient facility behind.
Deep beneath Greywatch, the First Architects' machines continued humming quietly.
For the first time in countless years, their central inheritance had found a new master.
And the secrets of their lost civilization were slowly beginning to awaken.
End of Chapter 13