System S.E.X. (Seduction, Expansion, eXecution)-Chapter 356: A True Gentleman

The golden light of the Colorado sun pierced through the thin curtains of the inn. Ethan sat at the edge of his bed, his eyes closed as Crul projected a detailed 3D map of the canyon’s geology directly into his mind.

[Master, I have finalized the entry path. The most effective way to reach the matrix without raising alarms is through the tourist climbing zone. The town is famous for its rappelling routes. If you descend there, you will blend in perfectly with the thrill-seekers,] said Crul.

"Perfect. Let’s head out. I want to see what these matrices are made of and why they were left to rot," Ethan said.

Ethan headed downstairs. The scent of fresh coffee and old wood filled the air. Helen was busy laying out clean linens on the tables, her movements graceful despite the visible fatigue in her eyes. When she saw him, her posture straightened, and a faint, genuine smile touched her lips.

"Good morning. I hope the bed was comfortable enough for you?" Helen said.

"I slept like a log. There’s a silence in this desert that you just can’t find in the city. I’d like some breakfast before I head out—eggs, coffee, and my mineral lemonade, please," said Ethan, taking a seat with the effortless poise of a man born to lead.

She moved quickly to the kitchen, returning shortly with her meal. As Ethan ate, he noticed her lingering nearby, pretending to organize the counter while stealing glances at him. When he finished, he stood up and placed a generous stack of bills on the table.

"Keep the change. It’s for the excellent service," said Ethan.

"This is far too much for breakfast," said Helen, her eyes widening as she looked at the tip.

"Think of it as a thank you for your resilience. By the way, in the chaos of last night, I never properly introduced myself. My name is Et... Etienne," Ethan said. He had caught himself just in time; his real name was a ghost he wasn’t ready to summon here.

"Etienne. That’s a beautiful name. I’m Helen," she said, her voice softening as she offered her hand.

Ethan took it, giving it a gentle, lingering squeeze as if he didn’t already know every dark secret of his family tree.

"A pleasure to meet you, Helen. I’ll be out exploring the canyons today," Ethan said.

"Be careful out there, Etienne. The rocks can be treacherous if you don’t know the paths," said Helen.

Ethan waved goodbye and drove to the outskirts where the excursion trailers were parked. He walked up to the equipment rental shed where a grizzled man with sun-beaten skin was checking ropes.

"Morning. I’m looking to do the north face rappelling route. I need the full harness and a 200-meter line," Ethan said.

The man stopped his work and looked Ethan up and down, noticing his expensive boots and calm demeanor.

"The north face? That’s for experts only, son. It’s a straight drop with some nasty overhangs. You sure you don’t want to hire one of our guides? We’ve got a couple of boys who know every crack in that stone," said the man.

"I appreciate the offer, but I prefer the solitude. I’ve handled worse drops than this," Ethan said.

"Suit yourself. But if you get stuck, it’s a long wait for the rescue team. Sign the waiver and the gear is yours," said the man.

Ethan signed the papers, slung the heavy bag over his shoulder, and headed for the ridge. Standing at the edge of the massive ravine, he felt the air begin to hum. The energy signature of the matrix was getting louder. Although he could have simply manipulated the space around him and floated down to the bottom, he took his time setting up the anchors. He clipped into his harness, checked his carabiners, and kicked off the ledge, descending into the abyss in rhythmic, controlled bounds.

Ethan reached the canyon floor with a soft thud as his boots hit the dusty earth. Unlike the desolate heights above, the basin was surprisingly lively. Dozens of tourists were scattered around, snapping photos and recording videos of the towering red walls. The atmosphere was vibrant, almost festive.

Ethan unbuckled his harness and let it drop to the sand. He looked up, and for a moment, even he had to admit the view was breathtaking. The afternoon sun hit the jagged rock formations at such a precise angle that it created a stunning optical illusion—a shimmering trail of golden light that looked like a serpent of fire descending from the heavens.

[This place is more mystical than the data suggested, Master. The "fire serpent" isn’t just a reflection; it seems the matrix is inviting us in, or we are seeing a massive leak of residual energy. Look closer,] Crul said.

Ethan activated his amethyst eyes. The world shifted. The golden light was no longer a trick of the sun; it was a flowing stream of pure, concentrated energy. He watched as the serpent slithered across the stone and disappeared into a narrow, dark crevice hidden behind a cluster of fallen boulders.

"Let’s see where it leads," said Ethan.

He walked toward the back of the canyon, far away from the designated photo spots. A massive pile of rocks blocked the entrance to a natural cave. Ethan reached out, his fingers digging into the stone as he began to toss the heavy boulders aside as if they were made of styrofoam.

"Hey! You! Stop right there!" said a park ranger, rushing over with his partner.

"That area is strictly off-limits, sir! It’s unstable and highly dangerous. We’ve had people die in there trying to play explorer. It’s not a playground!" said the second ranger, breathless as he reached Ethan.

Ethan didn’t stop. He moved a final, half-ton slab of granite, clearing a path into the darkness. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

"Don’t worry. I know exactly what I’m doing," said Ethan.

"Listen to me, kid! This isn’t a joke. There’s a massive risk of a cave-in. If those overhead beams shift, you’ll be buried alive before you can even scream. No one is coming in to dig you out of a tomb like that!" said the first ranger, stepping forward to grab Ethan’s shoulder.

Ethan turned slightly, his gaze cold and piercing enough to make the ranger freeze mid-step.

"The risk is a matter of perspective. For some, it’s a tomb. For me, it’s just a doorway. Stay back if you value your lives," said Ethan.

The rangers watched in stunned silence as the young man vanished into the black maw of the cave. They looked at the massive boulders he had moved with his bare hands and felt a shiver of primal fear.

"Should we call it in?" said the younger ranger.

"And say what? That a guy just moved a mountain and walked into a death trap? Let him go. If he wants to be buried in the dark, that’s his business," said the veteran.

Inside, the air grew cold and heavy with the scent of ozone. The "fire serpent" was now a blinding trail of purple and gold light, leading Ethan deeper into the bowels of the earth.