I Die to Rise: Resurrection System-Chapter 84: Vacation: Black Swans!

Kurt arrived at the volcano’s base and found the entrance almost immediately, a service tunnel marked with faded warning signs about geothermal activity and authorized personnel only. The lock had been forced open recently, metal bent outward like someone had simply torn it apart.

He slipped inside, and the temperature climbed instantly. The tunnel descended in a gentle slope, lit by emergency lighting that cast everything in sickly yellow, and steam vented from pipes running along the ceiling.

Kurt moved carefully, boots silent on the grated floor. He was about twenty meters down when he heard voices that sounded low and cautious, echoing from deeper in the tunnel. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

He stopped immediately and backed against the wall, pressing into shadow. He instinctively tried to will himself invisible with his photokinesis, but nothing happened.

Of course it didn’t, he never upgraded the ability from F rank. The ability could barely generate a flashlight beam, let alone bend light around his entire body.

"Bollocks," he muttered, stubbing out his cigarette.

He crept forward, staying low, until he could make out two figures standing near what looked like a massive hole sealed by a red ethereal light on the base of the volcanic rock.

Weirdly enough, it looked like an entrance into a dungeon, but one that was apparently sealed. Kurt crouched behind a cluster of pipes and listened.

"So we blow a hole through the seal and then what?" one man asked. His voice was rough, uneducated.

The second man who was taller and more composed replied, "Not our business. Our job is to break the seal and call when it’s done."

"And you really think the black swans are gonna do it?"

"Definitely. Five charges placed at the geothermal stress points. When they detonate, the pressure alone will crack this thing wide open."

Kurt adjusted his trench coat and kept listening. "Solo recon. What could possibly go wrong?" Then his system chimed softly in his vision as though it was responding.

[NEW SYSTEM QUEST]

[Primary: Prevent the explosion of Bangrock Island]

[Reward: +15 Points]

[Sub-Quest 1: Clear the B-rank dungeon ]

[Reward: +20 Points]

[Sub-Quest 2: Defeat the operatives ]

[Reward: +15 Points]

Kurt blinked at the notification. "Huh? What bloody dungeon?"

He frowned, staring at the glowing text. "Well, it’s been a while since you piped up. You must be going mental or something. Perhaps a glitch?"

Then it hit him. The massive hole surrounded by a dim crimson hue, the talk about breaking a seal. "Ah... that bloody dungeon."

’But are dungeons usually sealed?’ he thought to himself and turned back to the notifications.

Before he could dismiss it, a third figure appeared from deeper in the tunnel, moving so smoothly it was like he’d materialized from the shadows themselves.

This one was different. Taller. Dressed in a black suit that looked expensive. And when he stepped into the light, Kurt’s blood went cold.

Red hair. Red slit eyes. It reminded him of someone.

"Is everything on schedule?" the newcomer asked.

The two workers started to respond, but the red-haired man raised one hand sharply, silencing them. His head tilted slightly, eyes narrowing, and Kurt realized with creeping horror that the man was listening.

Not to the conversation. To him.

The sound of blood traveling through veins. The rhythm of a heartbeat. The shallow breathing of someone trying very hard to stay quiet.

"It appears," the man said slowly, "we have ourselves a rat problem."

He vanished.

Kurt’s enhanced senses screamed a warning, and he caught a glimpse of red trails of motion blurring through the air. Then the man was behind him, hand already reaching for his face.

"Shit—"

Kurt’s eyes widened. He could perceive the movement, track it with his evolved senses, but his body couldn’t react fast enough. The gap between perception and physical response was a chasm he couldn’t cross.

The name surfaced in his mind just as the hand closed around his face. ’Eli, right. Silver Tail’s second lieutenant. Why does this fucker look similar?’

The man’s fingers clamped down on his face, and he twisted, snapping Kurt’s neck with a sickening crack.

His vision went dark instantly, and the familiar sensation of death washed over him... cold and absolute.

[DEATH REGISTERED]

[Deaths: 15]

[Resurrection in 20 minutes]

The man released the corpse and let it drop, pulling out a pristine white handkerchief to wipe his hands with meticulous care. "Now that that’s been dealt with, we must proceed earlier than planned. Begin the charge."

"Yes, sir!" The two workers scrambled into motion, pulling equipment from nearby crates.

The man watched them work for a moment, expression bored, then sighed. "Notify me when it’s done." He gestured dismissively toward Kurt’s body. "And see to it that you clean this up."

He vanished again in a red blur, disappearing back down the tunnel.

The workers set to their task, assembling the black swans. The devices were compact, about the size of small suitcases, black boxes that clamped magnetically into the volcanic rock.

When activated, drills shot from the undersides, boring deep into the geothermal layers with a high-pitched whine that echoed through the tunnel.

The drills extended, carving down, down, down until they punched through into the magma chambers far below. Then they retracted, replaced by pipe-like constructs that locked into the drill holes, creating direct channels from the black swan devices to the planet’s molten core.

Two of the charges were successfully activated within ten minutes. The goons stepped back, sweating heavily despite the climate-controlled gear, and proceeded to set the charge for the rest.

***

Meanwhile, back at the resort, Cassandra had gathered the guild in the main lounge of the villa. She stood near the window with her arms crossed and expression serious.

"We have a quest," she announced. "Official contract from the island management. Triple the standard B-rank rate, paid upfront."

Her smile was brief, and they were very motivated to hear her continue. "We’re to handle the black swan bombs planted in the volcano discreetly. Kurt went ahead to investigate."

Emma’s jaw clenched. "That fucking idiot." She rubbed the bridge of her nose, exhaling sharply. "Of course he fucking did."

"This changes things," Rook said, already shifting into tactical mode. "I’d say gear up, but we only brought swimsuits and vacation attire." He glanced around the room. "I suppose it’ll have to do."

Emma disappeared into her room and emerged thirty seconds later with her handgun. She held it up with a grim smile. "Never leave home without it."

Lizzie, in yet another neon green bikini, she apparently packed several, reached into her fanny pack, rummaging with intense focus. "Great minds!"

Emma stared. "Who still wears those?"

"You’re just not fashion-savvy, Emma," Lizzie said, finally pulling out Betty and grinning triumphantly. "Fanny packs are so in season now."

"No, they’re not," Cassandra said flatly.

Rook clapped his hands once, cutting through the banter. "Alright, people. We’ve got an island to save." His gaze swept the room. "Emma, Lizzie, Sam, you’re with me. The rest of you stay here and keep a lid on things. If civilians start panicking, we need someone to maintain order."

Sam’s eyes lit up immediately, and in contrast, Cassandra’s narrowed.

"I’m not coming with you?" Cassandra’s voice was dangerously calm.

Rook sighed, and his gaze dropped briefly to her leg, the one she’d been favoring since the volleyball game, before meeting her eyes again. "We both know why you can’t."

Cassandra wanted to argue. But for as cold and conniving as she was, she respected authority, and Rook had given her no reason to question his judgment. Yet.

"Fine," she said finally. Knowing deep down that he was right to bench her.

Zaza, standing in the corner, adjusted her glasses and said nothing. Staying behind suited her fine.

Rook looked toward the center of the island where the volcano loomed, steam rising from its peak against the evening sky. He started walking, and the others fell into formation behind him.

"Alright," he said. "Let’s move."

Sam hurried to keep pace, heart racing with excitement and terror. Lizzie on the other hand, felt nothing but excitement, pumping her fist in the air. "Volcano, baby!"

And Emma... Emma checked her gun’s magazine, chambered a round, and followed without comment.