The underground chamber was silent.
Dust drifted through the cold air.
Every officer watched the massive iron vault door.
Its surface was covered with ancient runes.
A soft blue light pulsed from within.
Sam rested his hand on the glowing panel.
Inside his mind...
Rex spoke.
Commander...
This vault belonged to the former Commander of Base 117.
Its contents were preserved by the System after his death.
Proceed with caution.
Sam nodded.
"I understand."
He pressed his hand against the panel.
A deep mechanical sound echoed through the chamber.
RUMBLE...
The heavy door slowly began to open.
Cold air rushed out.
Then...
Light flooded the room.
---
Rows of weapon racks stood untouched.
Shelves filled with monster cores stretched across the chamber.
Crates of food, medicine, and building materials were stacked from floor to ceiling.
Gold coins glittered beneath the torchlight.
George wasn't there...
But Sam could already imagine the Chief Engineer's reaction.
"This place..."
"...is a treasure vault."
Ben let out a low whistle.
"They were preparing for a long war."
Kael picked up one of the spare spears resting on a nearby rack.
Its balance was excellent.
"This isn't ordinary equipment."
---
A System notification appeared before Sam.
---
Commander Vault Discovered
Scanning Resources...
Resources Confirmed
- Food Supplies ×180
- Refined Iron ×420
- Hardwood Timber ×310
- Monster Cores ×156
- Mana Crystals ×94
- Gold Coins ×8,500
All Resources Eligible for Transfer.
---
Sam smiled.
Base 101 desperately needed these supplies.
This single vault could save them weeks of work.
---
Runa suddenly called out.
"Commander..."
"There's something else."
Everyone turned.
At the far end of the chamber...
A single pedestal stood beneath a white cloth.
Unlike everything else...
It had not been touched.
Sam walked forward.
He slowly lifted the cloth.
Resting beneath it...
Was a magnificent spear.
Its silver shaft was engraved with glowing blue runes.
The spearhead shimmered like crystal ice.
Even Ben's eyes widened.
"That's beautiful..."
Sam reached toward the weapon.
The moment his fingers touched the shaft...
A golden screen appeared.
---
Rare Weapon Detected
Name: Frost Spear
Grade: Rare
Attack: +80
Strength: +30
Dexterity: +20
Special Effect
Frost Strike
Successful attacks have a chance to slow enemies with each successful strike.
---
Kael stared at the spear without blinking.
His grip unconsciously tightened.
"...Commander..."
Sam smiled.
"You've stood on the front lines since the beginning."
"You've protected this Base with your spear."
"You've earned this."
He lifted the Frost Spear from the pedestal and held it out.
"Take it."
For a brief moment...
Kael didn't move.
Then he accepted the weapon with both hands.
The instant his fingers wrapped around the shaft...
A thin layer of frost spread across the blade before fading away.
A System notification appeared before Kael.
---
Rare Weapon Equipped
Frost Spear
Compatibility: Excellent
---
Kael spun the spear once.
The weapon moved as if it had always belonged in his hands.
A determined smile appeared on his face.
"I swear on my life..."
"I'll use this spear to defend Base 101."
Ben laughed.
"I'd expect nothing less."
Even Doran gave an approving nod.
"A masterpiece..."
"...in the hands of the right warrior."
---
Inside Sam's mind...
Rex spoke again.
Commander...
There is one final item.
Sam frowned.
"I don't see anything."
Look beneath the pedestal.
Sam crouched.
His fingers found a hidden latch.
CLICK.
A small compartment slid open.
Inside...
Rested a weathered leather journal.
The cover bore the crest of Base 117.
Sam carefully opened the first page.
The handwriting was rough.
But still readable.
«If another Commander is reading this...
Then I have already failed.»
The chamber fell completely silent.
Sam continued reading.
«My name was Commander Ethan.
If you're here... listen carefully.
The monsters are not the greatest threat.
Some Commanders stopped protecting humanity the moment the Trial began.»
Ben's expression darkened.
"So he knew..."
Sam turned another page.
«I fought Commander Bjorn.
He's terrifying... but he isn't cruel without reason.
He offered us one chance.
Submit... or fight.
I chose to fight.»
Kael lowered his head.
"A Commander until the end."
Sam nodded quietly.
The journal continued.
«If you meet Bjorn... don't underestimate him.
His greatest strength isn't his wolves.
It's that every soldier would gladly die for him.»
Inside Sam's mind...
Rex spoke.
Interesting...
Sam raised an eyebrow.
"What is it?"
Commander Ethan's observations match my analysis.
Commander Bjorn is building an empire... not merely conquering territory.
Sam slowly closed the journal.
He looked around the chamber.
The supplies.
The weapons.
The memories of a fallen Base.
None of it would bring Base 117 back.
But...
Its legacy wouldn't disappear.
He looked toward his officers.
"We're taking everything."
Ben nodded.
"We'll put it to good use."
Sam looked toward the broken fortress one last time.
"I couldn't save Base 117."
"But I can make sure their sacrifice strengthens Base 101."
Outside...
The sun dipped below the horizon.
Far to the north...
A lone wolf howled beneath the rising moon.
Inside Sam's mind...
Rex's voice echoed one final time.
Commander...
The next phase of the World Mission is approaching.
Prepare yourself.