They eventually did return to the ground, but it wasn't through a manhole cover. They took the corridors for a very long time and used connecting tunnels and corridor systems until they finally reached a ladder.
After climbing it, they found themselves on another floor below the ground filled with various boxes and shelves filled with miscellaneous items.
From there, an elevator took them back to the surface. The elevator door opened to blaring music and flashing lights. Evidently, it was the scene of a club.
Gio walked through the club, pushing between people as he followed the pink ponytail in front of him. A lot of walking, a flight of stairs, and going through several people later, they arrived in front of a door that took them away from the chaos of Helix's nightlife.
That door led to an office they used to get to a garage.
Finally, they arrived in front of a car without any sort of identification on it.
Gio marveled at the sight.
