The Truth Behind the Trial, the "Staircase" They Never Left

[Explorer Trial—Abandoned Factory Ruins]

The pale blue teleportation light faded. The moment Chen Kong and the other two landed, the pungent stench of rust made them frown.

Beneath their feet was oil-stained concrete, while all around them stood collapsed steel furnaces and rusted, twisted mechanical conveyor belts.

Not far away, several broken pipes were still dripping unknown black liquid with a steady drip-drip. In the distance, a chimney rose like a ruined pillar, looking especially oppressive beneath the gray, overcast sky.

While Chen Kong and An Qin were still surveying their surroundings, the camera on Cameraman's head emitted an almost imperceptible red glow as he spoke. "Detector activated. Coverage radius: fifty meters. No Star Beast or pursuer signals currently detected."

"Thirty meters northwest is an abandoned control room. It has metal shielding and is suitable for hiding."

"Fifteen meters northeast is an equipment warehouse. It's piled with discarded parts and can also provide cover."

In just an instant, Cameraman had analyzed the surrounding environment inside and out.

Hearing that, Chen Kong asked curiously, "Did you do this often before?"

Cameraman looked somewhat puzzled. "Analyzing the surroundings and finding the perfect shooting angle and camera position—isn't that the most basic quality a cameraman should have?"

Chen Kong: "..."

The most basic quality of a cameraman? It sounded perfectly reasonable, but something still felt off.

Just as the three of them were about to head for the control room, Cameraman suddenly stopped. His lens snapped toward an abandoned residential building nearby, and he said in a deeply puzzled tone, "Wait. There are multiple abnormal signals over there."

Chen Kong and An Qin immediately halted.

"What do you think? Should we take a look?"

Cameraman said, "Either way works for me."

Chen Kong made his decision at once. "Then let's go take a