38: A Pleasant Surprise

The elevator descended steadily, and the sensation of weightlessness lasted far longer than Akechi had expected. Just as he thought they might sink all the way to the earth's core, the car finally came to a gradual stop.

The touchscreen displayed "-12," which surprised Akechi. Judging by how it had felt, he had assumed they had already descended dozens of levels underground.

Apparently, either the elevator had been specially designed for safety due to the badlands' geological conditions and was simply slow, or dense identity verification and scanning procedures had been built into the intervals between each floor, making the descent take so long.

If that was true, then Arasaka Saburo was truly cautious. Had dying once made him afraid of dying again? Once bitten, twice shy?

The elevator doors slid open soundlessly, revealing a dimly lit underground space. The concrete walls were rough and heavy, clearly built to standards deep enough to withstand a nuclear blast. The air carried the low hum of machinery and the cold scent of metal.

Hanako Arasaka's voice sounded at his side, clear and solemn. "When we urgently transferred Father out of Arasaka Tower, we only removed the key components needed to sustain his digital life, in order to avoid Yorinobu's notice."

Her gaze swept over the somewhat crude surroundings, but her tone allowed no doubt. "This place may be rudimentary, but what you are about to hear and face will be Father's own will. Remember your manners, Akechi. You are about to meet Arasaka's true ruler."

"Yes, Miss Hanako."

Akechi lowered his head respectfully, his posture flawless. Hanako Arasaka gave a slight nod, then turned her gaze toward the depths of the shadows and called softly:

"Father."

Her voice seemed to trigger some mechanism. The low hum of the equipment abruptly intensified, and