The morning sun cast long shadows across Crafter's Haven as Mike made his way to the central underground chamber. Two months had passed since he'd first discovered the Map Chamber during his desperate search for resources to build the Void Ripper trap. Back then, with only his woodworking ring active, the map had shown just enough to guide him to the special wood, crystals, and obsidian he needed. Now, with Morin's Smith's Ring also awakened, he hoped the map would reveal far more.

  "Morning," Trolley greeted him as he descended the stone steps. The blue tattoos spiraling across her cheek seemed to shimmer in the cool underground light. "Nott and Morin are already at the Map Chamber. Our refugees are helping reinforce the eastern wall—they're surprisingly skilled with stonework."

  "Mining experience translates well to construction," Mike observed, falling into step beside her. "How are they adjusting?"

  "Remarkably well for former captives," Trolley replied. "Especially Kirgen—he's been asking thoughtful questions about the Haven's architecture. More scholarly interest than you'd expect from a typical mine worker."

  Mike nodded, having noticed the same. The older man's technical knowledge surpassed what would be gained from mere labor experience. He filed the observation away for further consideration as they reached the Map Chamber's entrance.

  Unlike his first visit when the heavy stone door had barely yielded to his woodworking ring, the entrance now stood wide open, welcoming them with a soft blue-silver glow that emanated from within. The Map Chamber itself had transformed dramatically—what had once been a dim, partially active space with limited functionality now hummed with energy, the massive three-dimensional map at its center alive with pulsing lights and flowing information.

  Morin and Nott stood at the control pedestal, their faces illuminated by the map's glow as they studied its complex displays. The dwarf's thick fingers moved across the controls with surprising dexterity, guided by the Smith's Ring that gleamed on his hand.

  "Perfect timing," Morin called as Mike and Trolley entered. "We've just discovered something significant. The activation of the second ring has unlocked new mapping functions."

  Mike approached the central display, immediately noticing the increased detail and expanded range. The map now showed territories far beyond what he'd been able to access during his solo explorations, revealing the true extent of both the Crafter network and the Zengrid incursion.

  "The corruption is worse than we thought," Nott observed grimly, indicating the sickly green stain that covered nearly a third of the visible territory. "The Ki energy is spreading faster each season, particularly from these main nodes."

  The elf pointed to seven intensely green points that pulsed with malevolent energy—clearly major Zengrid installations pumping Ki energy into the surrounding landscapes. The pattern of spread wasn't random; even to Mike's untrained eye, it appeared strategic, targeting specific resources and chokepoints.

  "They're following a plan," Mike observed. "Not just random corruption, but coordinated expansion."

  "Precisely," Morin agreed. "And if current patterns continue..." He adjusted a control, causing a time projection to appear above the map. The green corruption advanced along existing trajectories, showing Crafter's Haven surrounded and isolated within months.

  "Can we trust this projection?" Mike asked, his Tactical Positioning skill already analyzing defensive implications.

  "The map draws on actual energy readings through some kind of network we don't fully understand," Trolley explained. "It's not prediction so much as extrapolation from real data. If nothing changes, this is what will happen."

  "Then we change it," Mike stated firmly. "Starting with finding the remaining Crafter tools and rings."

  He moved closer to the map, studying the seven glowing blue points that represented Crafter sites. Crafter's Haven pulsed steadily at the center, while six others were scattered across the landscape—each potentially containing tools, knowledge, and power to oppose the Zengrid expansion.

  "When I first found this chamber, it showed me just enough to locate the resources for the Void Ripper trap," Mike explained to the others. "The special wood from the mill, the crystals from the mine, the obsidian from the volcanic region. But with two rings active, it's revealing the complete Crafter network."

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  Trolley nodded excitedly. "And these other colored markers represent resource deposits—red for metals, purple for alchemical components, amber for specialty timber. But most importantly..."

  She adjusted the controls, causing seven distinct points to glow more brightly than the others—one at their current location and six more scattered across the map.

  "The Crafter tools," Morin finished. "The locations where we'll find the keys to the remaining chests."

  Mike studied these highlighted points intently. His hammer and Morin's had been found at Crafter sites, but the map suggested the remaining tools were distributed across various locations—some dangerously close to Zengrid territory.

  "We need to prioritize," he said, assessing distances and apparent risk factors. "Which one is most accessible with least exposure to Zengrid patrols?"

  Nott manipulated the controls, focusing the map on a location about three days' journey to the northeast. "This one appears to be in the Verdant Expanse—a forest region with minimal Zengrid presence, though the ecosystem has been affected by Ki energy. According to the classification system, it should house the Artificer's Tools."

  "Artificer," Trolley breathed, her eyes lighting up. "Mechanical devices, complex mechanisms, integration of components—that discipline would be invaluable for understanding and countering Zengrid technology."

  "That becomes our first priority, then," Morin decided. "A team travels to this location, recovers the Artificer's Tools, returns to open the corresponding chest."

  "I should go," Trolley said immediately. "My technical background makes me the most qualified to recognize and retrieve Artificer components."

  "I'll accompany her," Nott offered. "My tracking and survival skills will be useful in forest terrain, particularly one as treacherous as the Verdant Expanse has become under Ki influence."

  Morin nodded in agreement. "And I should join you as well. The Smith's Ring might be needed to access Crafter facilities. Many of their sites were designed to recognize and respond to authorized ring-bearers."

  Mike considered their proposal with mixed feelings. The expedition made strategic sense—Trolley's technical expertise, Nott's wilderness skills, and Morin's ring authorization created a well-balanced team. But their absence would leave Crafter's Haven significantly more vulnerable, with only Mike, his woodworking ring, and the two recovering refugees to defend it.

  "What about the Haven's security?" he asked, voicing his concern. "With three of you gone, our defenses would be considerably weakened."

  "The activation of two rings has already enhanced the Haven's automated security systems," Morin pointed out. "And your trap network is more comprehensive than anything we could design. The Haven would be in the most capable hands possible—yours."

  "Additionally," Nott added, "our refugees are recovering quickly. Kirgen especially has shown remarkable adaptability and a willingness to contribute to defense preparations."

  As they discussed logistics and timing, a new symbol appeared on the map—a pulsing alert overlaid on the Artificer's location. The marker flashed with increasing urgency, drawing their attention.

  "Something's happening at the Artificer's site," Morin observed, adjusting the controls to focus on that area. The view zoomed in, revealing a complex of buildings nestled within dense forest. Unlike Crafter's Haven's partially ruined state, this facility appeared largely intact, though overgrown by vegetation that moved with unsettling purpose.

  "The guardians are activating," Trolley said, studying the energy readings displayed alongside the map. "Like the Phase Mantis that protected the mill, but potentially more sophisticated given the Artificer's mechanical focus."

  "Why now, after centuries of dormancy?" Mike wondered.

  "The awakening of two rings has sent ripples through whatever remains of the Crafter network," Morin theorized. "Systems are responding, perhaps preparing for visitors or simply returning to active status after long shutdown."

  "Which means the Workshop will be defended," Nott concluded grimly. "All the more reason for a team with complementary skills. The three of us together stand a better chance against mechanical guardians than any single ring-bearer alone."

  Mike couldn't argue with the logic, though the prospect of staying behind while the others faced unknown dangers didn't sit well with him. Still, someone needed to protect the Haven and continue investigating the Map Chamber's capabilities.

  "There's something else to consider," Trolley added, indicating a substantial settlement on the map that lay between Crafter's Haven and the Artificer's Workshop. "Stonebridge. One of the largest free settlements in the region—a trading hub where various races and factions interact under a tenuous truce."

  "A potential ally?" Mike asked.

  "Potentially," Morin confirmed, though his expression remained cautious. "Stonebridge maintains its independence by strict neutrality in most conflicts. They trade with everyone, share information with no one, and defend their borders with impressive efficiency."

  "But they have resources," Trolley pointed out. "And contacts throughout the region. If we need specialized equipment for navigating the Verdant Expanse safely, Stonebridge would be the place to acquire it."

  "A detour to Stonebridge would add at least a day to your journey," Mike calculated. "But might prove worthwhile if they have items that could help with the Workshop's guardians."

  The strategic discussion was interrupted by a soft chime from the map's control panel. Trolley moved quickly to check the alert, her expression growing serious as she studied the readout.

  "Movement at the western perimeter of our detection range," she reported. "Multiple entities, moving with purpose rather than random wildlife patterns."

  "Zengrids?" Mike asked, his Tactical Positioning skill already calculating defensive options.

  "Unclear at this distance. The energy signatures are muted—could be Zengrids, could be humans, could be mutated wildlife. But they're definitely heading in our direction."

  "How long until they reach us?" Morin demanded, his hand moving to the Forge Hammer.

  "At current speed, perhaps three hours," Trolley estimated. "Enough time to prepare, but not to evacuate if needed."

  The expedition plans would have to wait. Mike's mind raced through immediate security measures, balancing defense needs against the strategic importance of their long-term objectives.

  "Nott, take position at the western observation post," he directed. "Your eyesight might identify them before our sensors can determine their nature. Trolley, help me activate all perimeter defenses. Morin, check on our refugees—we need to make sure they're in secure positions, just in case."

  As they moved to implement these precautions, Mike realized the expedition decision had been temporarily postponed by immediate security concerns. Whether Morin, Trolley, and Nott would depart for the Artificer's Workshop while he remained to defend the Haven, or some other configuration would emerge, depended greatly on what approached from the west.

  The Map Chamber had revealed both their opportunities and their vulnerabilities. Now they needed to address the immediate threat before they could pursue the long-term strategy that might ultimately save this world from Zengrid corruption—and potentially return Mike to his own.

  With one last glance at the glowing representation of the Artificer's Workshop, Mike followed the others toward the surface, his mind already calculating defensive positions and response options. The expedition plans would resume once they dealt with whatever was coming—friend, foe, or something else entirely in this increasingly complex world.