As Kim Yoon-sung escaped from the Project Styx facility, Ryu Hyuk and Min-ah approached the same location from a different direction. They used the Guardians' cloaking devices, which made them appear almost invisible in the dark.
"Are you sure this is the right location?" Min-ah whispered, looking at the abandoned industrial complex.
"The Guardians were pretty safe," I replied. "But be careful. Yoon-sung sensed a strange energy here."
We moved cautiously through the grounds, avoiding areas illuminated by the few security lights that were still functioning. The energy jammer in my pocket vibrated slightly, indicating the presence of some kind of surveillance system.
We found a side entrance that seemed less guarded and made our way deeper into the main building. The energy jammer gave us a sense of security, but we still moved stealthily, listening for any noise.
The interior of the building was just as Yoon-sung had described. We found the room with the strange machinery and the central container, which glowed with a reddish light. The energy scanners we were carrying went crazy as we approached.
"This is the source," Min-ah whispered. "The same energy signature as in the warehouse."
While examining the machinery, we noticed signs of recent tampering on the control panel. Someone had been here recently.
We continued exploring, following a hallway that led to a series of smaller rooms. In one of them, we found several empty containers that appeared to have contained the modified Troubles. There were traces of the same dark, viscous liquid we had seen in the warehouse.
In another room, we found what appeared to be a makeshift laboratory, with tables filled with scientific equipment and computers. Documents were scattered everywhere. Min-ah picked up some of them and began reading them.
"This is... chilling," he whispered. "It seems like they're experimenting on the Troubles, trying to make them stronger, smarter... more dangerous."
One of the documents mentioned "Level Seven" and spoke of "mind control tests." This matched the information Yoon-sung had heard. We had to find that Level Seven.
We continued exploring, descending a metal staircase that creaked under our feet. We reached a lower level, which appeared to be a storage area. There were rows and rows of crates stacked to the ceiling.
While we were searching for any sign of Level Seven, we heard voices approaching. They were Project Styx agents. They seemed to have detected our presence, despite our cloaking devices.
"We have to hide," I whispered to Min-ah.
We took cover behind a large pile of boxes just as the officers entered the warehouse. There were several of them, dressed in the same dark uniforms Yoon-sung had described. They seemed to be searching for someone.
"Do you think they're looking for Yoon-sung?" Min-ah asked quietly.
"It's possible," I replied. "Or maybe they just realized someone had broken in."
The agents began searching the warehouse, moving with efficiency and coordination. We were nearly discovered several times, but managed to remain hidden thanks to our cloaking devices and our caution.
Finally, as the agents walked away to another section of the warehouse, we saw a door at the end of the hallway with a small, discreet sign: "Level 7 - Restricted Access."
We had found our target.