The thing killing his teammates was a statue.
Since no one checked near the statue where the man hadn't explored, it was the biggest mistake or fortune.
The statue is hidden in shadow behind the crown statue which has a crystal.
There wasn't any blood in the statue's blood even though it killed his two players.
After knowing and evaluating the statues, he knew he wasn't that thing's match.
When everyone was focused on the surroundings, one figure was focused on the wisp present between the alters. The faint light released from the corpse went into it.
The figure focusing on the wisp is none other than Jessica. Jessica has the attribute of healing and nature. She can read the flow of nature's energy, mystical veins, and use some power by circulating the mystical energy like a tree to heal herself and others' wounds. But her core feature is her eyes, which can see the sensation of vibration, wave, energy. While others can only feel them, she can follow them through her eyes. Her eyes are so mysterious that her husband prohibited her from ever telling anyone.
Now what she is seeing is the flow of mystical energy that should disappear in nature is being absorbed in the wisp like a dungeon. At first, she thought it was a crystal that absorbed surrounding energy and released them again after purifying them, nurturing rare plants.
But the absurd thing is that the whole signature has disappeared.
Energy shouldn't be created and shouldn't be destroyed but should transfer. But that sense is not applying to that thing. Not only is this thing just a wisp, but it also doesn't change its heat signature, vibration, and motion.
Until now, Jessica thinks her eyes useless, even though it being an epic class rare skill. But now she is revising her thought process again.
Now that she was sure her husband is probably dead, she wants to also meet the same fate. But whenever she thinks that the boy with black hair and black eyes and the girl same as her, who likes to complain a lot and likes to eat a lot, come into her mind. That is the only reason she wants to leave this dungeon.
Reading the energy level and signature, she first inspects Charles and then Harnik. Both of them are full of vitality and energy so that can probably buy her other members to reach the core.
Clap clap, Jessica turns around to see the direction of the clap sound.
Charles was telling her to follow him and stay in close perimeter.
She nodded her head, then she told him to take her near the wisp.
And don't... when Jessica tries to explain the reason, Charles nods his head in agreement.
She was surprised. How is he believing the other person so easily, was her thought, but she didn't go too deep into it.
Since death is roaming around.
After that, they slowly but steadily started to move toward it.
Harnik noticed their movement but didn't care much.
Currently, his main goal is his self-safety and remain unharmed at max.
He is thinking to use the awakener and researcher as bait since not all can survive.
And seeing the movement of both of them, he started to weigh his chances of survivors.
He shouts at Jessica, "Jessica!"
Everyone's daze was broken, and their vision shifted to the subject of the voice.
They are near the alters, everyone is looking at them as if they are stupid.
They all know the consequences of going near the statues, and they are moving in the same direction.
Jessica was startled to listen to the shout of Harnik.
But didn't comment and let the other party continue.
Seeing everyone's attention on Jessica and Charles, Harnik smirks. But none notice except two people.
The two people are Jessica and Charles.
Seeing the environment he wants, he speaks again, "You knew all along, right?"
Now everyone gives Harnik a confused gaze.
"You knew there is some entity who can kill us in seconds but chose to hide," says Harnik in a loud voice so that everyone can listen to him.
Jessica was baffled. She knew where the trend would go.
"What nonsense are you barking, Harnik? Did you go senile?" says Jessica in an angry tone. "I will not tol—"
Cutting the speech of Jessica, Harnik continues his story.
"You just want to come here. You want to find your husband. Since your influence is quite big, the guild has prepared us in case something happens to you. Now who do you think is the preparator of all of this?"
"Even now, you are making your move even though this is truly very dangerous for all of us," says Harnik.
Everyone lost in their thoughts, thinking about the situation and coincidence of Jessica.
Many have already made up their minds, and some are still thinking. Even before harnik state the situation that are planning something like this
Knowing this is bad and will not help her, she starts to speak.
"Harnik, do you really think this is the right time to fight between us?" says Jessica with a clear angry tone.
"Mrs. Jessica, I know you already noticed, but we cannot defeat that disaster. Even though we have 2 S-class members, we cannot win in this situation," Harnik responds.
He then turns and faces the crowd. "My teammates, I know many of you are thinking what I meant is wrong and will not place within your upright personality. But believe when I say sacrifice is the only way you can leave this dungeon. So either you all fight that baggage or sacrifice them and yourself. I believe you can achieve much more if you are alive rather than dead."
Harnik's intentions aren't only for Jessica but the whole research team. The thing he is worried about is Charles.
Charles observes everyone, seeing the confused and gloomy faces, he can predict their next course of action.
He turns toward Jessica and signals her to move forward.
After all, their destiny is already written, so Charles doesn't think much about it. The only mission he got is to save Lady Jessica, and he is an upright person. The person who asked him to save him is his benefactor, after all.
Soon, everyone stops the movements of researchers and ties them up. Some are still thinking whether this is right or not, but now that is meaningless since the deed is already done.
_______________****
Harnik's plan is simple. When the sacrifices and their preparator halt the movement of the statue, he will snatch the core.
He is sure that only a handful of people will remain alive, and they will shut their mouths outside since they too have families.
Some people start to swarm Jessica, but they are stopped by Charles.
__________________***
While Harnik plays his part, Jessica too doesn't wait for a ceremony and goes near the wisp. Seeing that the statue isn't moving despite the commotion, she is relieved and decides to approach the wisp.
Jessica observes the wisp closely. The wisp is a mixture of white and good light.
When she is within 5 feet, the wisp starts to move and closes the distance between them.
At first, Jessica is confused but doesn't mind the situation.
When the wisp is at the distance of a hand, she extends her hand, and the wisp sits in her palm like on an altar, floating 2 inches above.
Charles, who saw the whole thing, feels like Jessica knows what she is doing, so he doesn't focus there but in front of him where a few people are