Dimensional Codex System: I'm really not a cultist!

Chapter 825: Chapter 824: Everything is Normal in Front of the Protagonist’s Aura

After that, Fang Zheng encountered quite a few Star Alliance soldiers along the way, but for Fang Zheng, these enemies were clearly not a problem. He cut through them effortlessly, and Iona also received a significant amount of nanomaterial supplies from the Star Alliance resources, at least reducing repair time by more than half.

”So, is this the Forerunner’s relic?”

Having dealt with the last of the dying Star Alliance soldiers, Fang Zheng walked up to the gate of the high tower, curiosity lighting up his eyes. Unlike the Star Alliance’s previous biomimetic style, the Forerunner relic gate exuded a very clean, sci-fi, and tidy mechanical sense.

To put it another way, it matched Fang Zheng’s aesthetic closer to humans, yet it was more advanced than current human technology.

Hmm... this thing is pretty nice.

Looking at the door ahead, Fang Zheng nodded with satisfaction, then stepped forward and knocked on the door.

”......”

There was no response at all.

”How do you open this thing?”

”Please wait, Master.”

Nymph hurried forward, reaching out to place her hand on the door. Shortly thereafter, a halo appeared in Nymph’s eyes once again.

”...This door uses some sort of sensor technology, only allowing entrance to creatures that match a certain frequency. Please wait, I will modify the frequency immediately... huh?”

”What’s wrong?”

Seeing the little angel’s surprised shout, Fang Zheng couldn’t help but ask, and the little angel paused before answering.

”Well, I detected that another relic entrance had been opened, and the one who entered was the Chief Officer!”

”Him? How did he get in? Was it the AI’s doing?”

”No, according to the records here, the Forerunner relic scanned him, confirmed that he met the requirements, and simply opened the door for him.”

”...Are you serious???”

Hearing Nymph’s answer, Fang Zheng was momentarily stunned, then quickly composed himself. After all, protagonists often have auras that lead them to casually learn long-lost martial arts, find keys to mysterious relics, or discover their own royal bloodline—it’s all part of the trope.

”Looks like he’s really the protagonist, nothing out of the ordinary there. Never mind him, we’ll do our thing and open the door.”

”Yes, Master.”

Although she didn’t quite understand what Fang Zheng was saying, Nymph nodded, extending her hand to make a few gestures in the air. Soon, the once tightly shut heavy door slowly rose, revealing the interior space.

It was a massive hall, looking extremely sci-fi from the outside, with glowing lines and sci-fi-esque white armor everywhere. Just from the style alone, it was clear these things were completely different from the styles of the Star Alliance and the human world. Perhaps because the Star Alliance soldiers couldn’t enter, the hall seemed extraordinarily empty, without any visible enemies.

”This place is quite pretty, come on, let’s take a photo... oh damn!”

Just as Fang Zheng was about to pull Nymph, Iona, and the Little Fire Dragon in for a group photo, a few strange small mechanical creatures suddenly appeared from not far away beneath their feet, similar to the Star Spirits’ Tanji but with a more mechanical feel.

”There’s actually a Grave Keeper here?”

Seeing these strange creatures, Fang Zheng quickly jumped back, readying a Magic Missile Storm. Unlike the Trial World, in the Aid World, Fang Zheng could use a certain degree of magic power, although he needed to consume his own mana. In the past, this might have been an issue for Fang Zheng, but after mastering the Third Magic, Fang Zheng essentially gained infinite magic power, no longer needing to rely on atmospheric magic like ordinary mages to cast spells.

However, the strange machines merely glanced at Fang Zheng and his companions before quickly turning and flying toward another side, seemingly patrolling or defending something.

”What is that?”

Patting the Little Fire Dragon’s head, who looked eager to fight the strange machines, Fang Zheng turned to Nymph, who once again extended her hand, her eyes flickering with radiance.

”...They’re called ’Sanctuary Defenders’, the guardians of this place.”

”Guardians? Can we take them back with us?”

Ever since entering this world, Fang Zheng felt like Alibaba entering the treasure trove of the forty thieves, wanting to take everything he saw...

”Of course.”

Hearing Fang Zheng’s question, Nymph nodded.

”As long as we find the control terminal here, I am confident I can control these Sanctuary Defenders. It seems, however, that the Forerunner, despite their advanced technology, are somewhat lacking in information manipulation compared to Synapsus. But there’s something strange about...”

”Hmm?”

”In the Forerunner system’s code, I’ve found structures and codes similar to the ones in the Star Alliance warship, the latter appearing to be a... knock-off replica of the former.”

”So, the Star Alliance gains high-tech by robbing a grave?”

In response to Nymph’s inquiry, Fang Zheng seemed quite composed. After all, this sort of thing is quite common. From what is evident, Forerunner technology is superior to both human and Star Alliance technology. Clearly, the Star Alliance has benefited greatly from the Forerunner’s archaeology (or grave robbery), becoming hooked after acquiring the spoils.

Since the Sanctuary Guardians didn’t intend to attack Fang Zheng and his companions, Fang Zheng naturally wouldn’t go out of his way to provoke them. He led the others through the hall to the control terminal on the other side, extending his hand to press on it... and as expected, there was no response.

But why can the Chief Officer activate the facilities here? Isn’t he human? According to typical game or novel logic, is it possible that the Chief Officer is a Forerunner’s long-lost child, perhaps even a prince?

One day he’ll return to his homeland and reclaim their legacy?

He’ll eventually be crowned king?

”—————!”

While Fang Zheng’s mind was wandering, suddenly there was a light sound, and the once dim machine abruptly began to shine, quickly activating.

”What happened??? Wait... I think I’ve got it...”

Seeing this scene, Fang Zheng first tensed, but quickly realized something. According to Nymph, the Chief Officer and the AI had entered this relic before, and judging by their actions, they were obviously not here solely for archaeology or tourism. Evidently, if Fang Zheng wasn’t mistaken, it was probably something the Chief Officer activated here that caused a chain reaction.

”I’ve entered the system.”

Meanwhile, Nymph quickly stepped forward, establishing a connection with the Forerunner system through a communication channel.

”Target confirmed... this is the Forerunner’s Shield World, named Anshune Star. This is... huh?”

Noticing a change in Nymph’s expression.

”Master, something’s off. This place isn’t as simple as we thought. It is imprisoning a Forerunner!”

”Alive?”

”Yes, according to the data, the Forerunner here is an extremely dangerous entity, hence it was confined here, never to be released.”

”...That’s a massive headache. Why not just execute it? What’s the point of life imprisonment? Isn’t it just asking for a day when a monk releases a Monkey Sun... wait, is that what the Chief Officer is here for?”

With that thought, Fang Zheng shivered. He knew all too well that protagonists tend to act impetuously, always wanting to meddle, and many boss fights result from the protagonist’s reckless actions!

”Nymph, is there a way to sever or shut down their control over this relic?”

”I can try to shut down the system! Then initiate a reboot.”

”Shut it down immediately.”

”Yes!”

At Fang Zheng’s command, Nymph extended her hand, gesturing through the air. The next moment, the glowing lines around them vanished instantly.

Meanwhile...

”Cortana, what happened?”

Seeing the map vanish before him, the Chief Officer paused, then asked.

”I don’t know...”

In response to the Chief Officer’s inquiry, Cortana looked bewildered.

”The cartography suddenly shut down. Looks like we’ll have to reboot it manually.”

”Then what are we waiting for.”

With Cortana’s report, the Chief Officer raised his weapon.

”Let’s move.”

Fang Zheng overlooked another aspect—protagonists usually have strong initiative...