Chapter 278. Abnormal Readings
Flames flickered and crackled, consuming the overgrown vines that had overtaken the ruins of Crustle City. A group of mages worked diligently, their concentrated spells clearing the path toward the famous Mayor’s "Good Boy" Statue, a once-pristine symbol of the city’s pride.
Warriors stood on high alert, scanning their surroundings for any signs of danger, while the mages continued their task. The air was heavy with tension and the faint, oppressive hum of Abyss Mists swirling in the distance. Once the area was cleared, the mages placed glowing barricades around the statue, their energy shields flickering to life. These shields served as a temporary barrier, ensuring the Abyss Mists couldn’t encroach further into the safe zone.
Tyler and the other Engineers moved swiftly, their hands deftly assembling pieces of equipment. They hurried inside a nearby building that had been repurposed as their temporary operations hub, the remnants of shattered glass and twisted metal crunching under their boots. Tyler set to work on building a series of interconnected arrays, the hum of prana-infused machinery filling the air.
As the Engineers worked, a girl in a white lab coat strode in with an air of authority, her eyes glued to the screen of her communication device. It was Sandra, a renowned researcher who often appeared aloof yet commanded respect with her sharp intellect. Without acknowledging the Engineers, she approached the central monitor in the room, her expression growing more serious with each passing second.
Tyler, carrying a pillar-like piece of equipment, noticed Sandra’s intense focus as she studied the readings on her device. Intrigued, he placed the pillar near the monitor and walked closer to her. Before he could speak, Sandra grabbed his arm and pulled him closer.
"What are y—?" Tyler began, startled by her abrupt action.
"Shush," Sandra interrupted, her sharp gaze never leaving the monitor.
She studied the data intently, her fingers hovering over the controls as if afraid one wrong move would set off a catastrophe. Tyler, now curious, leaned over to glimpse the readings. His eyes widened.
"The Abyss Energy level is at 5.1?" he muttered under his breath, barely able to contain his shock.
Abyss Energy levels were measured on a scale of 1 to 10, with anything above 5 considered dangerously high.
Rabbit Kyla entered the room, carrying another device in her hands. She froze in her tracks when she saw Sandra holding onto Tyler. Her first instinct was to scold Sandra, as there was still much work to be done, but something about the woman’s intense focus made her pause.