The group's footsteps echoed in the dark tunnel.
Reko turned on the flashlight he just pulled out from his backpack and laid his eyes on the all-too-familiar tunnel.
The sloped tunnel was dark and wet. The walls lining both sides were made out of an unknown reinforced metal that was impossible to break.
"Hurry up, you two, we're burning daylight over here! Or night light? Still not sure what time it is outside," Ash called out to Reko and Steven while eagerly heading deeper into the Pit.
Steven mumbled under his breath.
"That psycho's got the survival instincts of a hamster..."
"Yeah, but he's probably anybody's best bet for coming out of the Pit alive. Do I gotta remind you of what happened a couple of minutes ago?"
Steven cleared his throat, looking away from Reko.
"Point taken."
Reko quietly smirked and continued walking down the steep slope.
Ash headed into the Pit every day just like everyone else. However, he went deeper than anybody else, alone. Usual solo expeditions go down to floor 20 on a good day, and after that, until floor 29, you need a squad. Floors 30 and lower were meant for the visiting Gifted squads. The Essence density from that point onwards was difficult for most regular humans to handle, and Voidbeasts became much more common beyond that point.
To go to floor 30, you needed to have a couple of screws loose and a good combat capability. Ash had more than enough screws loose and an unknown amount of explosives on him at all times. Needless to say, he's been below floor 30 several times and has come back alive every time.
'I want to see how he does it today. Maybe I could learn a thing or two.'
Reko himself was by no means fresh himself. In fact, he'd been one of the first people to be sent to the containment zone due to some strange government movement he didn't even have time to comprehend before being sent away.
Reko shook his head and put a lid on those thoughts.
Having walked down the slope for over 20 minutes, the small squad reached flat ground again. In front of them stood an inconspicuous door, made out of the same unknown metal as the tunnel walls.
Ash was already waiting for Reko and Steven at the door.
"Reko, you be the leader. I can blow stuff up, but thinking's not really my strong suit."
Reko gave Steven a questioning glance.
"Yeah, that works for me too. I ain't the sharpest tool either."
Reko gave himself a self-deprecating smile.
'Still the youngest one here. No helping it, I guess.'
"Alright, I'll be the brains then. Ash, you'll be clearing the way forward, while Steven and I gather scrap."
Reko knew Ash didn't enjoy being a leader, since he'd be forced to show that he wasn't a complete dunce.
Ash gave an exaggerated salute.
"Aye aye, captain."
"We're not even on a ship," Steven said, and rolled his eyes.
"Wah wah, stop being such a downer," Ash mocked, while rubbing his hands against his eyes.
Reko appreciated Ash's attempt at lightening the mood and gave both of them a nod.
"Alright, stop arguing. Get yourselves ready mentally. Even if we're on the lower floors, it doesn't hurt to be careful just in case."
The two of them settled down, and Reko approached the cold metal door and pushed down the worn-out handle.
Reko scanned the surroundings. They were in a short hallway with the same ever-present walls as in the tunnel, with a turn to the left at its end. Incandescent lights illuminated everything in sight, so the group turned off their flashlights. The walls were lined with spaced-out doors on both sides.
"We've got an office floor here. We'll start with the nearest door on the right. Ash, time for your act."
Ash smirked. He pulled out a strange contraption reminiscent of a hedgehog from his backpack.
"Even though it's the first floor, these types suit me the best."
The layout of the Pit changes daily, meaning it's impossible to map out. However, the floors have certain templates, most of which were related to some military facility. This time, it was an office floor, which was relatively tame.
Ash cracked his knuckles and swung the door open with his left hand while the weird contraption sat in the other.
Empty.
In the room, there were piles of paper and random scraps of metal scattered everywhere. There were desks and tumbled-over office chairs everywhere as well.
Ash stepped in and looked under all the desks and found nothing.
"A dud, huh?" Ash clicked his tongue.
Reko threw a glance at him.
"That's not a bad thing. Don't worry, I have a feeling you'll get to blow something up sooner or later."
Ash gave Reko a regretful look.
"Yeah, but still...I wanna see BANGs right now."
Steven lightly smacked Ash on the head.
"Stop being so impatient, you pyromaniac. You have others with you, so you can't act so recklessly."
He usually enjoyed their banter, but their lives were on the line here. Even if they weren't in danger right now, they might end up getting careless because of it and let their guards down when it really mattered.
Ash grumbled something under his breath and turned away. He walked back into the hallway.
"Alright, just gather up the scraps and let's get going. I'll stand guard."
Steven turned to Reko.
"He's difficult to keep up with. Let's just gather our scraps and get a move on, or he might combust."
"Alright. I'll take the desks on the left."
Steven nodded.
Reko and Steven stepped into the messy office and began gathering scraps. Soon, the pair stepped out, their bags a little heavier.
"I got a pretty good haul from that room alone, and we're on the first floor! Today's gonna be a great day," Steven cheered.
Reko mentally facepalmed, feeling like Steven had just killed all of them.
"Why are you looking at me like I just cursed your whole family?" Steven raised his eyebrow.
Ash growled at him.
"You pretty much just did! Dumb fuck."
Steven shot a furious glare at Ash.
"The hell did you just say to me!? I'll-"
Reko cut in.
"Alright, enough of that. You two gotta get your shit together. I don't care if you two wanna become a Voidbeast's afternoon snack, but me personally, I wanna get out of here alive."
Ash and Steven shot their gazes away from one another.
Reko hadn't been a squad leader before, so he had no idea if he was any good, but he could tell he had to be harsh with these two if he wanted to get everyone out alive.
'So hot-headed.'
"Alright, let's clear out the rest of the rooms."
They repeated the same process for all the rooms on the floor, while Steven and Ash argued every few rooms, which they promptly stopped each time after a glare from Reko. They gathered a decent amount of scrap, then turned the corner at the end of the hallway. A sleek door stood at the end of the turn, similar to the one at the entrance.
"We can manage this, but let's be more careful from now on. OKAY?"
Reko gave an exaggerated look at both Ash and Steven, who both reluctantly nodded.
Reko smiled as he pushed open the door to the next room.
"Good."