Neo pov
Besides, I noticed that, in addition to this, at the very end of the northern and southern edges of the map, there are two more black dots with their own numbers.
'These points with numbers must indicate different substations like the one we are in . But as for the exits from the sewers ? '
I thought, focusing my gaze. My eyes scanned every line and path, looking for any markers or descriptions. And finally, I found it. Unfortunately, to my disappointment, the only option turned out to be unusable.
' And , there are no other exits from the tunnel described or marked. The only marked exit is where the collection tank was .'
But looking at it, I immediately thought of the tank at the bottom od witch we landed. Going back that way will probably be impossible.
' I gnoring the fact that everything has collapsed there. Which may not be a problem if we can climb up or something. But looking at Kurumi's condition, I'm sure that's impossible. However, the police, hunters, and city authorities will now secure that area. Not to mention that, apart from them, the media and onlookers will certainly appear. So the scene will be full of people. '
I thought uncertainly. Although, it wouldn't hurt to see the situation there. If it works, it works; if not, then it doesn't. However, I must remember Kurumi's condition. Even if Kurumi is really able to stand up and walk, it doesn't mean she'll be able to climb.
As for normal people, my illusion will definitely be able to fool them, but I'm not sure if there will be a hunter with sensory abilities other than sight. If so, my illusion won't help at all. As for my certainty that this is the tank we fell into and not some other one ?
' Well, the marked on the map tank also had the name of the street on which it was located. Thanks to this, it was possible to figure it out quite quickly. '
I thought about it and then I looked again at the tank marked on the map . It was close to us, only one kilometer and three hundred meters away, looking at the map scale. But looking at the situation, we can't go back that way. At most, I'll be able to check it quickly before we leave. But once again, I already know what to expect, so I'm not getting my hopes up about this exit.
' So I have to find something else. '
I thought, after which I focused on studying the map again . The only option left, apart from the tank, was to reach the next room in the hope that there would also be a piece of the map of that area there. The question was whether to go north or south.
' We will make this decision together with Kurumi. '
I thought, knowing that she would have her own thoughts on the matter.
' Now . Apart from the route itself, it would be useful to find out how deep underground we are. This would also help a lot in determining the route and the potential time it would take us to get out.'
I thought, looking away from the lines to start looking at the corners and edges of the map . And thanks to the good layout and planning of the map, I quickly found my way around it.
' Level - 6 ... '
I thought, scratching my head. Looking at the number - 6, I wasn't sure exactly how many meters under ground it was. I also didn't know how many numbers down the marked tunnels went. What was the last level? If it was -7, then we're not in a very good situation. However, if -6, it's at least halfway up, then that's good.
Well, in the end I didn't really know how deep we actually were. I had a feeling that it wasn't at the same level as the bottom of the tank. I had a feeling that we were closer to the middle. But it was just a feeling. Again, looking at the distant tank on the map , I thought about the person who had dragged us here.
' The person who brought us here must have been really determined. '
I thought about how difficult it would be to get two girls out of the bottom of a slowly sinking tank. and then transporting them to the depths of the sewers. I just couldn't imagine anyone climbing down, pulling two seriously injured girls out of the bottom, and then carrying them so far and so high . It was impossible to think of that person as normal.
' And what reason would this person have for doing that? '
I thought, and my thoughts began to stray further and further from our current situation toward strange thoughts and theories.
"No.... It doesn't matter right now."
I thought, putting my scattered thoughts back together.
' Every question will eventually be answered. However, in order to receive the answer, we must first live to see that time. '
I thought, and my eyes and thoughts regained their sharpness. Without thinking about that mysterious person anymore , I turned away from the map from which I had already gathered all the useful information I could . Now was the time to search the rest of the room.
So I looked around the room for other useful things. First thing I noticed was that on the left wall , wall opposite the cabinets, there were many pipes and old glass pressure indicators. I didn't know anything about them, so I didn't even check them. Instead, I went to the two cabinets on the right wall .
Of course, they were locked with padlocks. But the lockers and the padlock on them had seen better days; both were badly rusted. Unfortunately, even though they were rusty the metal they were made of wasn't rusty enough for me to open them by force with just hands .
I tried to pull and I even kicked the door. Apart from damaging the paint and denting it, I achieved nothing. I didn't continue to use force for fear of damaging the hinges or jamming the door. In that case, I wouldn't be able to open it at all. Brute force was not the solution. The padlock and the metal it secured were still strong enough.
I sighed, and then my gaze fell on a table nearby. At first, I only glanced at it briefly. But suddenly, my gaze recognized a familiar shape that I couldn't take my eyes off. Looking at what was on it, I smiled and walked over.
' I forgot about you... I'm sorry. '
I thought, picking up my umbrella. Looking at it, I saw that nothing was missing and nothing was damaged. I sighed with relief. Turning it in my hands, I pulled out the blade, which still gleamed as beautifully as it had in the morning when I cleaned and oiled it.
My sharp eyes reflected off the blade, allowing me to see relief within myself. This blade was too important and valuable to disappear in a place like the sewers. Hiding the blade, I pressed the umbrella close to me. Looking back, I saw Kurumi resting on the ground with her eyes closed. This gave me the courage to tighten my grip on the umbrella.
'What a shame, to forget about you.'
I thought, scolding myself for this oversight. Even if I didn't have much influence on what happened to her after the fall. Still, it's my fault for not noticing her absence.
' Well, enough with the affection '
I thought, putting an end to this rather childish behavior . Instead, I turned my attention back to the table. Just to check if there's anything on it. Looking back at the table in search of something else. There was nothing left there except for one view because of which I felt sick . I was disgusted by the sight of old cans, their lids broken by decay and time, allowing disgusting slime, fungi, and mold to escape from inside. In the form of a hairy mass of whatever it was .
Well, there was nothing left on the table. But above the table, on the wall, there was something interesting hanging. It was something resembling an old dial telephone . Yet it was completely destroyed. Useless in this form. Nevertheless, it reminded me of something important. It reminded me of our scrolls.
' I must have some kind of amnesia if I forgot something so important again. '
I thought , patting my inside pockets quickly. I immediately breathed a sigh of relief. I found both of them. Mine and Kurumi's. After checking them, however, I could only sigh with dissatisfaction. Mine looked fine on the outside, but for some reason it wouldn't turn on. The screen wasn't working. Kurumi's scroll had a crack on the physical part. The screen was working, but there was no signal.
' Well, it couldn't be too easy. '
I thought, already picturing myself calling somebody to send someone to pick us up. Ash or Hei Xiong , they certainly have connections and probably have the means to help us .
' But well, there's no other choice than dealing with it alone '
I thought, taking the umbrella back to the lockers. And now, with a few taps and a little leverage, I managed to open them with the umbrella handle. Fortunately, nothing terrible happened to the umbrella. But that was to be expected from something designed for combat. However, even if something happened to the umbrella, looking at our current situation and what I found in the locker, I knew it would be worth it.
"Neo?"
Kurumi called out, most likely awakened by the noise. Reaching inside, I pulled out something that I then showed her with a smile. It contained two gas masks and a pair of special goggles. There were also a few work clothes inside, but I didn't take them out. However, the masks and goggles were enough to make Kurumi smile.
Of course, I understood her reason for joy. Gas masks and goggles enable us to protect our eyes and respiratory system from anything that may be suspended in the air in the tunnels. As for the work clothes ? Even though they are too big, that doesn't mean we can't alter them into something useful.
"Well, at least one worry is gone. See if you can find anything else. "
Kurumi said, I listened and continued searching . Leaving the masks next to Kurumi, I returned to the open locker to look again . And indeed, besides the suits, there were also flashlights and tools . However, only three of the five flashlights worked .
Besides that problem, I also didn't know how full their batteries were, so I didn't even know how long they would last. There were no spare batteries, unfortunately, so that was it, if we lost the light, that was it. As for the tools, the most important ones were wrenches, screwdrivers, and a crowbar.
' From the knowledge about urban infrastructure provided to us by Big Papa. We have learned that some passages, drains, and manholes like to be screwed shut . This will help us deal with them. Unless they are welded shut, then we'll have to come up with something else,'
I thought, looking at the toolbox. As for the crowbar ? It was also useful for levering things open. For example, a crowbar can be used to open the locker next door. Putting the screwdriver aside, I took the crowbar and went to the second locker .