The biological supercomputer kept checking everything in detail—looking at fallen pieces of building, checking for signs that someone had been there recently, and searching for any marks showing a fight.
[We should. The lobby looks clear to me, and aside from the exits, we checked most of the rooms on this floor already.]
With the system's blessing, Erik walked toward the staircase. The steps faded into darkness above like the maw of some ancient beast waiting to swallow him whole.
[Stay close to the wall,] the system said. [It will give you better cover, and the steps might be more stable there.]
He followed the suggestion, pressing his shoulder against the cold surface as he began his ascent. Halfway up, a distant crash echoed through the building. Erik froze, his breath catching in his throat.
[Upper floors, northwest corner,] the system said after a moment. [Likely structural settling, but stay alert.]
