Secrets in the Depths
The passage was deeper than expected. After carefully descending the stairs, another massive space unfolded in the deeper underground.
[Ancient Secret Space Discovered!]
Scale: 3-story underground scale (approximately 1,650 square meters)
History: Over 300 years
Purpose: Defective Martial Arts Research Headquarters
Security: Multi-layered barrier system
Special Note: Connected to ancient civilization ruins
This place was much more systematically organized than the research room upstairs. Thousands of ancient books were arranged along the walls, and a huge circular table was placed in the center. Complex martial arts-related charts were spread across it.
"Wow..." Min-woo exclaimed in amazement.
But the most surprising thing was that there were already other people here. Five people were sitting around the circular table, all appearing to be students from different universities.
"Let me introduce you." Kim Chul-su said. "These are the core members of the Broken Arts Underground."
Introductions followed one by one.
"I'm Shin Hye-won, third year at Cheongun University. I specialize in sound-based martial arts." A composed-looking female student stood up.
"Jo Min-seok, second year at Martial Arts Technical University! I research the fusion of mechanics and martial arts!" An energetic male student waved his hand.
"Lee Seo-jin, fourth year at Cheonhwa Women's University... healing-type defective martial arts..." A quiet-voiced female student bowed her head.
"Han Tae-woong, third year at Sword Dragon University. I specialize in sword techniques." A taciturn male student gave a brief greeting.
"And there's also someone called 'Shadow' who only operates online." Chul-su explained. "Their identity is secret, but they provide us with important information."
[New Alliance Network Discovered!]
Organization Name: Broken Arts Underground
Members: Alliance of 5 universities nationwide
Purpose: Defective martial arts research and Purification Alliance response
Activity Period: Approximately 50 years
Current Status: Emergency system due to increased Purification Alliance threats
"We've been secretly operating for 50 years." Shin Hye-won explained. "It's a network connecting defective martial arts researchers from each university."
"But recently, surveillance from the Purification Alliance has been intensifying..." Jo Min-seok said worriedly.
"Especially since movements related to the Eternal Cycle Scripture have become active." Han Tae-woong added.
Min-woo was surprised. These people also knew about the Eternal Cycle Scripture.
"By any chance... how much do you know about the Eternal Cycle Scripture?" Min-woo asked cautiously.
Lee Seo-jin quietly answered. "We... possess 2 core fragments."
[Critical Information Acquired!]
Broken Arts Underground Possession: 2 Eternal Cycle Scripture core fragments
Purification Alliance Possession: 3 core fragments (professor information confirmed)
Min-woo's Possession: 1 core fragment (acquired through Iron Wall Phantom Step combination)
Total Progress: 6/15 fragments secured
Remaining Fragments: 9 (location unknown)
"Then if we join forces..." Min-woo said excitedly.
"We can truly compete with the Purification Alliance." Chul-su nodded.
But just then, an alarm suddenly sounded from the communication equipment on the table.
An emergency message had arrived from "Shadow."
[Emergency Communication]
Sender: Shadow
Content: "Evacuate immediately. Purification Alliance special forces have surrounded the school. Forced search to begin within 15 minutes."
Everyone's faces turned pale.
"Oh no..." Chul-su stood up hurriedly. "We need to execute the emergency plan we prepared!"
Scene 5: New Beginning
Fifteen minutes later, the Broken Arts Underground members escaped to safe locations through different emergency passages. Min-woo and Ji-eun evacuated with Kim Chul-su to a small mountain behind the school.
"We'll have to hide here for a while." Chul-su said while setting up a makeshift tent.
"But what do we do now?" Ji-eun asked.
"First, we need to move to a safe place." Chul-su replied. "And we need to cooperate more closely with friends from other universities."
Min-woo looked up at the sky. Stars were twinkling brightly. Just a few days ago, he was an ordinary college student. But now he was caught up in a massive conspiracy in the martial arts world.
[New Quest Activated!]
Main Quest: Cooperate with Broken Arts Underground
Stage 1: Establish safe new headquarters
Stage 2: Secure additional Eternal Cycle Scripture core fragments
Stage 3: Stop the Purification Alliance's conspiracy
Final Goal: Prove the true value of defective martial arts to the world
"It'll be okay." Ji-eun took Min-woo's hand. "We have real companions now."
"Right." Min-woo smiled. "And we'll prove that we're right."
Chul-su took out his communicator and said, "Another message came from Shadow. They've informed us of a new safe house location."
[Next Stage Information Acquired]
New Headquarters: Underground of abandoned building in city center
Security Level: Maximum
Special Facilities: Advanced martial arts laboratory, library, training ground
Support: Research teams from each university scheduled to join
Dawn was breaking. Min-woo felt both excitement and fear about the new beginning. His real journey as a defective martial arts collector was just beginning.
Scene 6: Emergency Evacuation
Just as they were settling into the temporary camp, Chul-su's communicator buzzed with another urgent message.
"What now?" Ji-eun asked nervously.
Chul-su's face darkened as he read the message. "The search has begun. They're conducting a full sweep of the underground research room."
Through his binoculars, Min-woo could see flashlights moving around Building 3 in the distance. Dark figures were methodically searching every corner of the campus.
[Real-time Situation Update]
Search Team Size: 12 operatives
Search Method: Professional systematic sweep
Estimated Discovery Time: Research room will be found within 2 hours
Current Safety: Temporary, relocation required immediately
"We can't stay here either." Chul-su packed up the tent quickly. "They'll expand the search perimeter soon."
"Where can we go?" Min-woo asked.
"Shadow has prepared multiple safe houses throughout the city." Chul-su explained while checking his encrypted phone. "The closest one is an old bookstore in downtown. The owner is one of us."
As they prepared to leave, Ji-eun suddenly grabbed Min-woo's arm. "Look over there."
Three black SUVs were slowly driving up the mountain road, their headlights cutting through the pre-dawn darkness.
"They found us faster than expected." Chul-su muttered grimly. "We need to move. Now."
[Immediate Threat Detected]
Pursuit Vehicles: 3 SUVs, estimated 9-12 operatives
Time to Contact: 8-10 minutes
Escape Routes: 2 viable paths through forest
Success Probability: 73% if immediate action taken
The three of them quickly gathered their essential items and headed deeper into the forest. Behind them, the sound of car engines grew louder, and flashlight beams began sweeping the mountainside.
"This way." Chul-su led them along a barely visible trail. "There's an old hiking path that leads to the other side of the mountain."
As they moved through the darkness, Min-woo couldn't help but think about how drastically his life had changed. A week ago, his biggest worry was passing his martial arts theory exam. Now he was running from government agents in the middle of the night.
But strangely, he didn't feel afraid. With the Iron Wall Phantom Step technique flowing through his meridians and trusted friends by his side, he felt more alive than ever before.
"You know what?" Min-woo said quietly as they navigated through the trees. "Even if this is dangerous, I'm glad we're doing this."
"Really?" Ji-eun looked at him with surprise.
"Yeah. For the first time in my life, I feel like I'm doing something that really matters."
Chul-su smiled despite their precarious situation. "That's the spirit of a true researcher. Welcome to the real world of defective martial arts, Min-woo."
Behind them, shouts echoed through the forest as their pursuers discovered the abandoned campsite. But by then, the three friends were already well on their way to safety, ready to begin the next chapter of their underground resistance.
Next Chapter Preview: Establishing the new headquarters, intensive research begins, and the true identity of the enemy hidden within the Purification Alliance is revealed...