The group continued deeper.
As they moved closer to the subterranean depths, the surrounding scenery became increasingly bizarre.
Strange, bioluminescent fungi began to grow on the walls.
Translucent, jellyfish-like creatures floated slowly through the air.
"Hmm, the ecosystem here is quite unique."
Viktor, looking like a biologist surveying a nature reserve, recorded notes in his book as he walked.
"Environment: High radiation, high humidity, low oxygen."
"Species: Primarily fungi and invertebrate mollusks, possessing phototaxis and a strong instinct for energy consumption."
He even went so far as to catch a floating jellyfish with a tentacle and place it into a sample bottle with great interest.
"Looking at this cellular structure... it's actually silicon-based life?"
"Amazing!"
Elizabeth and Mia, following behind him, had become completely numb to it all.
In their eyes, this was the interior of an ancient god, a forbidden realm, a terrifying dead end that could drive even a dragon insane.
Yet in the eyes of the Director...
It seemed like...
A wild natural history museum filled with rare flora and fauna?
"Director, look at that!"
Alice, who was walking at the very front, suddenly pointed toward an open space not far ahead.
Everyone perked up and hurried over.
Passing through the final narrow passage made of flesh and blood, the view suddenly opened up.
An underground space the size of a football field, resembling a massive grotto, appeared before them.
From the dome of the space hung countless thick, stalactite-like pillars of flesh.
On the ground flowed a viscous river emitting a dull golden glow.
And in the very center of the entire space...
Everyone was rendered speechless by the sight before them.
There.
Floating quietly was a...
Heart.
A heart as massive as a three-story building, more than half of it rotted, its entire body a dark purple...
A giant's heart.
"Thump... Thump..."
The heart was still beating weakly.
With every beat, the entire underground space trembled, causing circles of invisible ripples to emanate through the surrounding air.
Countless massive chains, thicker than an adult's thigh and flickering with black lightning, extended from the walls in all directions. They coiled tightly around the heart like venomous serpents, binding it firmly in mid-air.
The surfaces of the chains were covered in dense golden runes filled with a holy aura.
Clearly, this was an ancient cage used to seal this heart.
"So this is... the core?"
Viktor looked up, gazing at the magnificent scene filled with epic scale and overwhelming pressure, his eyes sparkling with unprecedented light.
"The heart of an ancient god..."
"So... this is what it looks like."
He showed not the slightest hint of fear or awe.
Instead, like a madman seeing a perfect work of art, he began to circle the heart, muttering to himself.
"Large areas of myocardial fibers have already undergone necrosis... severe pericardial effusion..."
"Looking at this color, it's ischemic necrosis caused by coronary artery blockage."
"And these chains... tsk tsk, foreign bodies in the system. They've already triggered a severe rejection reaction and localized infection."
Viktor spoke while rapidly scribbling in his notebook.
"Preliminary diagnosis:"
"Giant cardiac tumor, accompanied by malignant heart failure, coronary heart disease, and... multiple foreign body penetration wounds."
He closed his notebook, his face wearing that specific expression of 'benevolence' and 'pity' unique to doctors when they see a terminally ill patient.
"How tragic."
"To be this sick and still be pierced by iron chains."
"This is practically a medical malpractice!"
He turned around and issued a command to the completely petrified God-Chosen that could only be described as sacrilegious.
"Don't just stand there!"
"Prepare for surgery!"
"A tumor this large must be resected immediately!"
"And those obstructive iron chains, cut them all for me as well!"
Viktor raised the chainsaw in his hand, pointing it from a distance at the weakly beating heart of the ancient god, the 'soul of a doctor' burning like a fierce fire in his eyes.
"Today."
"I am going to perform for this 'elder' who has been sleeping for God knows how many millennia..."
"An unprecedented..."
"Heart bypass surgery!"
Rate on N.U.
