<h4>Chapter 496 Into The Tomb We Go</h4>


    Rumble. Rumble. Rumble~


    The ground shook for what seemed like an eternity, as everyone took cover, feeling the tremors beneath the sand.


    Locals moistened their dry lips, military tightened their jaws and many schrs kept their lips opened in a silent O as the reveal was truly magnificent.


    Damn!


    They were doubting if this was truly the ce earlier.


    But seeing the mysterious trap door portal open up, everyone only felt reality was fast to p them in the face.


    Hhahahahhahaha~


    Eldoraughed merrily, knowing her daddy''s money did not go down the drain in hiring these old geezers and their disciples.


    Well, as they say, Money makes the world go round.


    Eldora admitted she wasn''t as brilliant as these people, and truly had not much interest in studying hard for something money can buy.


    People call her Dr. Eldora.


    But did you know the reason she excelled far above her ssmates was because her dear daddy got her the cheat sheets for all exams?


    With the cake dropped before her on a golden tter, how can she not excel with excellence?


    Hehhehehe~


    This was her first expedition, and she didn''t want it to be ordinary.


    Why be ordinary? Her name was meant to touch the stars.


    Thus, she requested her dear daddy ce her in the team, so her name can be recorded among them when they discover the greatest Find of the century.


    For thousands and thousands of years, people have looked for this tomb with blood in their eyes to no avail.


    So imagine how popr and famous she will be once the expedition is over.


    Hehehehehe~


    Her daddy will pay the journalists interviewing to talk about her brilliance and how she yed a key role in revealing the tomb''s entrance.


    That''s right.


    She already nned to steal Ashaku and Miguel''s credit all to herself.


    Hmph!


    If they feel salty, she would snack them with millions to pay them off.


    After all, is there anything in this world money can''t buy?


    (^_^)


    ---


    Drrrrrrr~


    The Pentagon''s space opened at the center, swallowing the sand above it. And soon, the noise stopped, and everyone waited for a full 2 minutes before they dared to move.


    Ashaku and Muriel looked at each other tactfully, feeling the stone in their heart drop.


    Phew~


    For a moment after turning the stones, nothing happened which made them think they were wrong.


    But just in the nick of time, the grinding sound echoed, revealing a shifting pentagonal b covering a dark foreboding staircase descending into the ground.


    Harping with relief and anticipation everyone in the team exchanged triumphant nces.


    Muriel and Ashaku weren''t the only ones who were to bemended.


    Everyone on the schrly team had to bemended for their dedication and intellect that led them to one of the list sought-after archeological finds in history.


    What? Do you think finding this exact location far out in the Desert was easy? No.


    They put their sweat and backs into this, ensuring sess woulde. So seeing their hard work pay off, many wanted to cry but had no tears to give in this scorching desert.


    (Sniff. Sniff.)


    (:T^T:)


    They chose to save their tears forter.


    Hey... who knows, maybe it can use it for drinkable waterter, though that wouldn''t be such a good idea.


    ----


    As the desert winds howled around them, everyone soon gathered themselves, knowing the moment of truth hade.


    "Hold on, everyone, remember... Those going on must wear cameras and mica so we can understand what dilemmas you''ll be facing down there. So please line up for preparations." One of the tech geniuses in the team ordered.


    They were also working with the military tech teams to ensure everyone was safe there too.


    For this mission, 5 military soldiers, alongside 3 site operators and Ashaku will be leading 30 locals into the tomb.


    The locals who signed up are here to do things like digging if need be and other mental tasks that they might have to ovee while inside.


    Of course, this first team is only going on the scout and ensuring the structure can support their travels depending on the space.


    The site inspectors/operators will check the structures and ensure each step ahead is safe for walking, lest someone falls into an even deeper ravine they can''t escape from.


    In the end, these structures have been here for so long without maintenance that it''s hard to guarantee it''s all safe.


    Sire, most are made of stone and canst several lifetimes without issue.


    But don''t forget that some paths are booby-trapped waiting for a sucker to fall into.


    So what''s safe about that?


    Miguel yfully pped Ashaku''s back when the tech team was cing cameras and mics on him.


    "Damn it, old dog. I envy you for going in first. How is it that you get to see the tomb''s interior before me?"


    Tsk.


    Miguel''s eyes wereced with envy, so much so that Asjaku had the illusion blood was dripping from his eyes the longer the bastard stared at him.


    "You... isn''t it all the same?"


    "The same, my ASS! If it''s all the same, then why not exchange with me?"


    "No way!"


    Not for all the money in the world. Ashaku thought, almost kicking Miguel away with his legs.


    Want to rub his chance?


    Hmph! You''re a thousand years too young for that!


    (*^*)


    ----


    Wearing his peculiar headband, Ashaku clicked on a button to make sure the headlight worked. He looked to use this light source as a backup.


    What he preferred to use were glow sticks that illuminate the entire space at once, rather than a torch that focuses its light source in one direction.


    Well, his trusty raider belt had several satchels and sheathpartments with little glow sticks ced in them like daggers hanging at his sides.


    Although he was ready, the team still had a few things to check before their departure.


    First, they sent in a device attached to a long wide that read the air inside, confirming there was no ammonia gas or other deadly built-up gasses that could affect them yet.


    Emphasis on the <YET> because some ces far deep inside might have insanely high concentrations, so they must be cautious when they go.


    With various checks confirmed passable, the team gave the go-ahead and now it was time for Ashaku and the others to head on in.


    ''I guess this is it...''


    Staring at the space, Ashaku took deep breaths trying to contain his excitement.


    "Everyone, let''s go!"


    (^◇^)