"One. The ravine is the only approach that doesn't take us through burning forest or over exposed ridgeline. Whatever designed this ecosystem made sure the core had a single chokepoint for defense."
"Of course it did." Jordan sat against the trunk and rubbed his face with both hands. "Because why would a Void Gate make anything easy."
Hikaru materialized beside Naomi without sound or announcement, which was the only way Hikaru ever arrived anywhere. The compression binding was invisible beneath the tactical suit, the short black hair was plastered to a face that remained composed despite everything, and those red eyes swept the group with an assessment that missed nothing. Hikaru carried two mana cores in one hand, harvested from the mosquito creatures they'd fought through to reach this ridge.
