The trembling ceased, and the golden structures returned to their passive pulsating state. The chamber's bioluminescence shifted back to its warm, welcoming glow, the crisis having passed as quickly as it had arrived.
At least for Lin and Ren…
«There», confirmed the mushroom with something that sounded suspiciously like satisfaction. «Now withdraw your hand slowly and don't break synchronization until all the lines break free from the sphere.»
Ren obeyed, backing away with slow movements while maintaining his breathing in perfect harmony with the chamber's pulse. The sphere containing the golden liquid gleamed in his hands.
"We did it," he whispered to Lin when he reached her position. "Now we can leave, exactly as we entered."
Lin nodded, her eyes fixed on the small golden sphere. "That's all you needed? You brought that enormous backpack and it seems... small."
They had anticipated collecting dozens, perhaps hundreds of individual mushrooms.
