Just Extra

After removing her foot from the wooden piece, Naviga focused on locating the source of the mechanical sound. The echo had no clear direction, so she began methodically searching the cave. She instructed her AI chip to scan for any hidden doors or irregularities in the walls.

Her sharp eyes and the chip's advanced scanning capabilities worked in tandem, carefully examining the black volcanic walls as she retraced her steps.

When she reached the center of the cave, the chip alerted her. It indicated a spot on the right-hand wall where the surface was slightly recessed.

Guided by the chip, she approached the wall. To her naked eye, it appeared identical to the rest of the cave—solid, black, and impenetrable.

However, when she pressed her hand against the area the chip had highlighted, she immediately felt the difference.

The wall was slightly softer, almost muddy compared to the rest of the cave. This was unusual, as all other walls in the fire giants' domain were hardened by volcanic heat, making them nearly indestructible.

The texture of this particular section was distinct, and its softness hinted at a hidden purpose.

Convinced that it was a hidden door, she attempted to push it open. The door gave way slightly but required more force as she pushed further.

She managed to create a small opening, barely enough to fit half her face, but the space beyond was pitch black—darker than even the deepest part of the cave.

Unable to discern what lay beyond, she decided it was best to call Minerva for assistance. Leaving the cave, she walked to the adjacent large cave where Minerva had gone to search.

Naviga could can use Universal Essence there but she wanted to invite Minerva in the discovery.

Naviga walked to Minerva, who was thoroughly searching the cave, touching its walls and inspecting every corner. Her face showed signs of disappointment.

"Miss, I found a hidden door," Naviga said.

Minerva, hearing this, turned to her with a smile. Naviga continued, "The hidden door is concealed in the walls. It's invisible to the naked eye, but I can't open it fully, only slightly."

Minerva nodded, and Naviga led her to the hidden door within the cave. Upon reaching it, Minerva examined the door but couldn't see anything beyond the narrow gap.

"We'll try to push it together," Minerva said.

Naviga nodded, and the two began pushing the door. The door budged slightly again, but it was incredibly heavy and required significant force.

They infused their hands with Universal Essence to apply more power. With their combined effort, the door finally opened.

After the door was open, she cast a fire magic spell to light the way, and they both stepped inside.

Behind the hidden door was a dark tunnel. Thanks to their fire magic, the darkness wasn't an issue. The tunnel's walls were black like the cave walls they had seen earlier.

As they walked deeper, the tunnel seemed endless, but suddenly, the wall color changed to one that felt cooler, though it still emitted a faint warmth.

The color of the wall was a deep reddish-brown, radiating a faint warm glow.

Minerva observed the change and remarked, "It seems our suspicion was correct, Naviga. This is indeed the work of humans."

Naviga nodded, adding, "Indeed, Miss. Even the mechanism for the hidden door was cleverly concealed. If it weren't for the melted ice and water, I might not have discovered the key. They hid it well."

"Oh! How did you find the key? Minerva asked Naviga. Naviga:"When I went to the deeper cave of the fire giant, there was a pile of bones, and I thought it was the waste from its meals".

"I wanted to search every wall, but I didn't find anything. So, I went to the bones and disturbed them. I wanted to examine the walls in that area, but I noticed that the ground under the bones felt slightly wet, so I checked it."

"Beneath that, I found the key for the hidden door mechanism. It was a really suitable place."

Minerva nodded, "We must proceed carefully now. We don't know what traps might be hidden in this tunnel, especially since the wall color has changed. This warm feeling suggests someone spent a long time here."

Naviga nodded again, aligning with Minerva's assumption. "That could explain why these deep reddish-brown walls were constructed."

"It's likely these walls were built over the volcanic rock for insulation or comfort."

She pondered further, realizing the thoughtfulness behind the design. "Chip, let me know if you detect any hidden dangers," she instructed.

Chip replied, "Understood, Host."

"Let's go," Minerva said, leading the way.

With caution, the two continued walking through the reddish-brown tunnel, every step deliberate, their senses heightened for any signs of traps or danger.

As they ventured deeper into the tunnel, the heat gradually diminished, replaced by a faint warmth that clung to the air.

The further they walked, the more noticeable this change became until they arrived at a door.

The door was entirely black, its surface carved with simple designs but devoid of any keyhole, handle, or noticeable mechanism.

Minerva scrutinized the door, frowning. "This door is suspicious," she remarked. "The tunnel has been oddly quiet—no traps, no obstacles—yet this feels like the kind of place where something should happen.

Even stranger, there aren't any runes on the door. I think it's better not to touch it."

Naviga nodded in agreement. "Perhaps we should use Universal Essence instead, Miss. But we should remain cautious—there's a chance a trap could trigger when we try to open it."

Minerva nodded, forming Universal Essence in her hand. She slapped it against the door with a resounding boom.

The sound echoed in the tunnel, but nothing else happened. Both women waited, tense and vigilant, but no traps or changes occurred.

Minerva slapped the door a second time, pouring more energy into her strike. Again, the door remained unmoving, and the surroundings remained eerily calm.

On the third attempt, Minerva struck the door harder, and just as they began to think nothing would happen, Naviga's AI chip blared an urgent warning: "Host, arrow incoming!"

Naviga's instincts kicked in as she spotted a sharp projectile hurtling toward Minerva's left side, emerging from a crack in the reddish-brown wall. Without hesitation, she leapt forward, kicking Minerva out of harm's way.

Minerva, caught off guard, stumbled and landed against the doorframe, just as the arrow narrowly missed her.

The danger wasn't over, however—Naviga heard the ominous whoosh of more arrows from above.

"Miss, roll to your right!" Naviga shouted urgently.

Minerva reacted immediately, throwing herself to the right. Arrows rained down from concealed holes in the ceiling, missing her by mere inches.

One arrow passed so close that it brushed the space between her two fingers. By sheer luck and quick reflexes, she avoided injury, but the tense encounter left them both wary of what other dangers might lie ahead.

Naviga's ears perked up, scanning for any further sounds of incoming arrows, but the tunnel was silent once more.

She hurried over to Minerva and asked, "Miss, are you all right?" Extending her hand, she helped Minerva to her feet.

"Yes," Minerva replied, gripping Naviga's hand and standing up.

Naviga brushed the dust off Minerva's shoulders, slightly embarrassed as she apologized, "Sorry for kicking you earlier, Miss. It was urgent."

Minerva smiled warmly and nodded. "It's okay, Navi. Thank you. You made the right decision." Although the kick had left her sore, Minerva said nothing, understanding that Naviga had acted out of necessity.

There was no anger in her expression, only gratitude.

Minerva moved to the side, examining the three arrows on the ground.

Naviga took one of the arrows lodged in the tunnel wall. The two pulled out the arrows and inspected the arrowheads but found nothing.

Naviga said, "Miss, it seems there's no poison on these arrows. They're just normal arrows." Minerva nodded.

The two women turned their attention back to the door, studying it cautiously. Minerva broke the silence. "It seems the door triggers traps when we try to force it open.

We can't keep pushing it recklessly. Let's search this area—there might be another way to open it."

Naviga agreed with a determined nod. Together, they began carefully examining the reddish-brown walls for any hidden mechanisms, runes, or other clues that might reveal a safer way to unlock the door.

Both remained on high alert, knowing the tunnel's silence could be hiding further dangers.

÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷