Beneath the pitch-black ravine lay a cave where not even a hand could be seen before one's eyes.
The cave was filled with the stench of decay.
Had he not known for certain that he was in the Death Desert, Reilo might have thought he was exploring a swamp or forest.
Thud, thud, thud...
A gigantic creature slowly lumbered past overhead.
The underground cave reeking of decay shook, sending down a shower of sand and dirt. By the light of the white-clad woman's green lantern, Reilo could just make out the cave's contents. Apart from a rust-covered Bronze Ancient Coffin, there was nothing else.
Cough, cough, cough...
Sensing that the scholar from the Biological Specimen Academy seemed to have regained some of his vitality, Reilo laid him down on the coffin lid to rest.
"How are you feeling?"
The mummy-like scholar had fully regained consciousness. With difficulty, he said, "Much better, Grandmaster. What happened to me?"
Reilo couldn't bring himself to tell him that his body had undergone a severe deformity. Even Reilo couldn't tell what shape it might eventually take.
"It's good that you're recovering. We'll talk about the rest once we get back to the Biological Specimen Academy."
After offering some reassurance, Reilo got straight to the point. "By the way, how did you end up here?"
"I... cough, cough, cough..."
After a few weak, gasping breaths, the scholar said, "I'm Saleon, a third-rank specimen master at the Biological Specimen Academy. Grandmaster Corleon ordered me to come here and search for the previous intelligence observer who went missing, then bring back the information from this place."
"And what did you find?"
Reilo asked succinctly.
Saleon shook his head. "I've been here for over a month, but I still haven't found his body. From the scattered clues, I suspect