Transmigrated as The Forgotten Extra-Chapter 125 Entering the Ravine.

When the engine finally went silent, Cain exchanged a glance with Peter beside him and nodded. He opened the door and stepped out of the vehicle.

The hard sensation beneath his boots produced a crisp sound as he landed, kicking up a small cloud of dust. A gust of wind quickly swept it away, whistling past his ears and prompting him to look up at the cliff before him.

Its height was imposing, so towering that it seemed to blot out half the sky.

The sound of another door closing drew his attention back. Senior Luna walked up and stopped beside him, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

"So, what’s next?"

Her question made Cain turn to her, then to the four teammates behind her, who also stared at him, waiting for an order.

He paused, drawing in a long breath, lost in thought. During the journey here, they hadn’t found a single trace of virus beasts roaming the land.

The absence itself made his head ache with unease. Yet he still hoped to let things keep going this way, so that the journey would be smooth all the way.

Still, Luna was right. He had brought them here, and it was now his responsibility to guide everyone, including Senior Luna.

’Wait, why am I the one taking command?’

Cain swallowed hard to moisten his throat and shifted his gaze to the girl beside him.

"Senior, is it really okay for me to lead this group? Shouldn’t you be the one in charge?"

Luna shook her head. Through her visor, Cain could see her slightly parted lips curve into a smile.

"No. I think you’re better suited to be a leader than I am. Besides, this is a good chance to see you in action, fufu."

The boy flinched at her soft laugh. As usual, Cain was weak when senior Luna showed that teasing side of her.

He shrugged in resignation and immediately began thinking of their next move. His eyes scanned the surroundings as he searched his memory of the area.

’If I remember correctly, there should be a ravine nearby.’

Cain nodded and turned to the others.

"For now, let’s explore the surrounding area together. There’s also a place I want to check."

"Understood."

Hearing the unified response, Cain stepped forward, with Luna and the rest following behind him.

As they walked, everyone remained alert. Even though there was nothing as far as the eye could see, only a vast stretch of blackened land, the towering rock cliff not far away unsettled them.

To be safe, Cain glanced over his shoulder at Rika.

"Rika, keep an eye on the higher ground. I’m worried something might be hiding up there and raining fire down on us."

"Alright."

The group advanced gradually until Cain spotted a massive gash in the land, like a wound carved into the earth. It stretched across both sides, one end sinking into the cliff face, the other disappearing into the distance.

"Woah, a ravine."

Abel jogged ahead with clear curiosity. Cain raised a hand as Rika opened her mouth to say something, but the blond boy had already stopped at the edge, leaning forward to peer down.

"So deep..."

Standing beside him, Cain looked down as well and sighed in disappointment. He had hoped that a ravine like this, combined with the surrounding cliffs, might lead them to water.

Water flowed downward, after all. Perhaps there would be remnants pooled at the bottom.

That hope vanished instantly. The ravine’s depths were dark, and what little he could see revealed nothing but sand and massive rocks.

’Those damn beasts, they really suck everything dry without mercy.’

Cain clicked his tongue, once again reminded of the endless hunger of the virus beasts.

He traced an imaginary line southeast from where he stood. According to the map he had borrowed from the excavation supervisor, a sea should lie dozens of kilometers in that direction.

From what he’d read, of all the liquids on the planet, virus beasts couldn’t endure seawater, its salinity and corrosive properties repelled them. That didn’t mean the sea could kill them outright, but it was still an anomaly.

Unfortunately, humanity didn’t have the luxury to study why. Babylon’s scientists were desperately searching for a cure for infected patients. They had no leeway to think of another.

’What a waste,’ Cain thought bitterly, then glanced back at the ravine.

’Well... it doesn’t hurt to try.’

"It really is deep."

Louise’s comment made Cain turn to Peter. Feeling Cain’s gaze, the blue-haired boy met his eyes, and the two locked stares for several seconds.

"Can you take us down there?"

The question instantly silenced the group. Every pair of eyes shifted between Cain and Peter.

"Are you sure, leader?"

Peter asked, his blue eyes flicking through his visor toward Senior Luna, who tilted her head innocently, utterly unaware of the power hidden within them.

Cain nodded firmly.

"It’s fine. You can trust Senior Luna. If anything happens, I’ll do something later."

"...Alright."

Though hesitant, Peter lowered himself, placing both hands on the ground and closing his eyes.

"What’s going on?"

Curious, Senior Luna stepped closer and stopped beside them, glancing between Peter and Cain.

Cain let out a short breath, forcing his expression to remain flat and emotionless as he met her gaze.

"Just watch. And please, don’t tell anyone about this."

His voice was cold, almost robotic, making Luna flinch.

Even though they had grown close and shared secrets before, Cain refused to gamble with his team’s safety. If anyone was endangered, he was prepared to act decisively.

For a moment, he saw his own reflection in Luna’s serene blue eyes. Then she nodded, placing a hand over her chest.

"Very well. On my family’s name, I swear to keep this secret."

The ground beneath Cain trembled the moment she finished speaking, and a broad smile broke across his face.

"Thank you."

Not wanting to dwell on it any longer, Cain turned his attention downward.

Moments later, a stone block protruded from the ravine wall below. Then another. And another. One by one, solid stone platforms extended downward, forming a staircase carved straight into the cliff.

A small groan sounded beside him. Cain and the others turned to see Peter on all fours, panting heavily. Creating that many stone platforms had completely drained the Ether in his body.

"Huff... that was exhausting."

"Are you okay, Peter?"

Louise crouched beside him, wrapping an arm around his back.

"I’m fine. I just need a short rest."

It was no surprise. Cain estimated the ravine to be roughly thirty meters deep. Creating solid footholds and aligning them perfectly was no small feat. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

Cain peered into the dark depths again, another thought crossing his mind.

Have the soldiers ever explored this far?

If they had, this might all be pointless. But Cain couldn’t waste the opportunity Peter had created. Results or not, he had to see it through.

Before moving, Cain glanced at Rika and Abel.

"We’ll rest here for a bit."

At his order, Cain, Abel, and Rika formed a triangular formation, eyes sharp and alert. Senior Luna also drew her pistol, ’Winter Hawk’, and smoothly adjusted her position to cover their blind spots.

"Sorry to trouble you, Senior," Louise said.

"No, no. We’re a team now. It’s only natural that I protect my comrades."

Their exchange drew a small smile from Cain. He tightened his grip on his katana, reassured by the knowledge that he could entrust his back to someone he trusted.

...

After resting for about thirty minutes, the group began their descent down the stone steps Peter had created.

Cain led the way, placing extra force into each step to ensure the footing was stable for those behind him.

Their footsteps echoed louder the deeper they went, while the darkness thickened. Cain drew his pistol, ready for anything.

Minutes later, after carefully descending the steep staircase, Cain finally reached the bottom. A crunch echoed beneath his boots, something gripping the soles of his feet.

’Just as I thought, sand.’

Suddenly, a cold gust of wind howled through the ravine, carrying a chilling wail that sent shivers up his spine.

But mixed within it was a faint, unmistakable salty scent.

’The sea?!’

His body tensed, instinct urging him to search for the ocean immediately. He shook his head sharply.

’Focus. I’m on a mission.’

Cain took a deep breath, letting the salty air fill his lungs. His eyes narrowed as they adjusted to the dimness.

The ravine floor was littered with massive rocks, while the towering walls on either side, eroded by centuries of flowing water, felt feral and ancient. Cain’s once-calm heart began to pound.

Cain stepped forward and froze. A chill crawled down his spine. Instinctively, he raised his gun and aimed forward.

"Cain, what is it?!" Rika asked from behind him.

"Get ready!"

The moment the words left his mouth, a mechanical grinding noise echoed through the ravine. Everyone tightened their grip on their weapons.

The sound didn’t stop. Instead, it spread throughout, accompanied by dozens of red lights igniting across the darkness.

"Behind us too! Cain, we’re surrounded!"

Senior Luna’s voice cut through the air. Cain gritted his teeth, fury boiling over at the fundamental mistake he’d made under pressure.

"God... damn it!"