Unchosen Champion

As the rough walls of the caves gradually smoothed out and Coop approached the pearlescent chambers at the center of the subterranean zones, he noted the distant echoes of people hard at work. The banging of hammers, what could have been drilling, and the shouts of workers organizing with each other drifted through the tunnels, aided by the reduced obstructions of an undeveloped level.

Coop found himself intrigued by the difference in textures as he moved closer to the chasm beneath Ghost Reef. The contrast between the pearlescent chambers and their adjoining tunnels with the more naturally formed caverns was pretty significant, even to his untrained eye. It seemed as though the Ruin Excavators had been attracted to the source of mana that the chasm represented and their collective actions had progressively eroded the surfaces, sanding down the rough rock the closer they drew to the center, especially bolstered by the Field Bosses that had formed before human parties entered the darkness.

The direct connection between the surface and the Underlayer made the chasm a funnel of energy that the Primal Construct invaders sought out. In order to evolve into more advanced forms they needed the increased concentrations of mana, and especially at the start of the assimilation, the chasm was certainly a potent source. Their attraction led them to carve out their nests directly beneath the fort, eventually culminating in an early Infestation with a Field Boss that Coop had encountered when he first explored the basement with Jett.

Meanwhile, the expansion of Earth had left vast gulfs within the crust of the planet, and the resultant caverns were more jagged, as if formed from natural tectonic movement that should have occurred over millions of years but had instead appeared overnight. While Coop hunted monsters in the darkness, it felt like he was really exploring complicated cave structures that had never been seen before. Once he was back in the smooth tunnels, it gave the entire underground a different feel, like the difference between a wild forest and a cultivated garden.

Eventually, he made it back to the edge of the traditionally lit cavern, the glow of the smooth walls shining slightly brighter thanks to the extensive use of small mana torches. This particular level was barely developed, having only been assigned to a new group of residents in the last few days. Despite that, they were exceptionally organized, having become refugees all together. They had committed to joining Ghost Reef long before they arrived and to be fair to their limited progress, it was over 100 levels beneath the surface.

Rather than the frameworks of their first new buildings, they almost seemed to be working in reverse, constructing smaller furnishings before even their foundations. Instead, executive groups reviewed plans and others sectioned off what Coop could only imagine to be the future location of relatively large structures.

Coop was spotted quickly, and he could see the fact of his presence spread like a wave through the workers until it reached someone that had apparently been looking forward to greeting him. The way the message passed so smoothly through the assemblage left him somewhat impressed, considering this group was large enough to be granted all four chambers of the layer at once. They were well-coordinated. His mere presence triggered a pause in all of the construction, replaced instead by a surge of movement.

“Chairman Coop!” An outspoken man called out as he waved and led a small group of professionally dressed individuals through the parting crowds of more eclectic workers. If Coop looked closely, he could see how their clothes had been frayed, singed, torn and repaired, but he respected that they were conscious of outward impression, though he really couldn’t relate.

“Chairman?” Coop questioned in response, confused as to how he got that particular title. It certainly wasn’t one from his status.

“That’s right.” The man confirmed as he settled in front of Coop with his hand out to shake, two people flanking him, each with their own entourage trailing behind. “It’s good to see you again.” He added with a wide smile on his face as Coop took his hand.

“Sure.” Coop happily agreed, regardless of any actual recognition on his part. “Um, sorry, who are you again?” He asked as they shook, assuming he should have remembered and feeling a bit ashamed that he didn’t.

The man at his side, who curiously had one arm immobilized within a cast, laughed out loud at the question. “Hah! I knew it.” He leaned over to the woman on the opposite side and nudged her. “I believe your Sang-hoon overstated his relationship with the world famous Coop.” He slapped the other man on the back. “Never change, old friend.”