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The iron cages were opened one after another, and the imprisoned Class holders stumbled out.

One of them, a middle-aged man who looked like a swordsman, managed to steady himself. He cupped his fists toward Matthew and said in a hoarse but solemn voice, “I am Karon, the Vice Leader of the Iron Spine Mercenary Group. I will always remember your life-saving grace, sir! If you ever need anything in the future, you can find me at the Iron Spine headquarters in the western district of the outer city. I will do everything in my power to repay you!”

Another young woman also said in a low voice, “I am Leah. Thank you for saving me... I will remember this favor. If you need anything, come find me...”

The others also introduced themselves or stated their backgrounds, their voices filled with the relief and gratitude of surviving a disaster.

Matthew merely smiled and nodded, politely agreeing. However, he knew very well in his heart that most of these expressions of gratitude were just pleasantries. When the time really came to ask for their help, it was hard to say how many would actually risk themselves to fulfill their promises.

Furthermore, letting them leave first was a test in itself. If there were still ambushes or traps outside, these people would be the best “pathfinders.”

This was not cruelty, but rather the wisdom of survival in a chaotic world.

Soon, the five conscious prisoners supported each other as they rushed out of the room, their footsteps fading down the corridor.

Matthew then checked the two unconscious individuals.

One was still breathing, but the other had already passed away.

He helped the one who still had a breath of life out of the cage and placed him in the corridor outside. Whether he survived or not would depend on his own luck.

With all this done, only Matthew and Aidan remained in the room.

Aidan had already crawled out of the cage and was barely standing, though his legs were still trembling slightly.

He looked at Matthew, his eyes turning red as his voice choked up, “Brother Matthew... I-I thought I was a goner this time...”

Matthew first offered some words of comfort, and then asked with a look of confusion, “Why were you captured?”

After all, based on the information he had, the Blood Hand Gang wanted Class holders. They shouldn't have gone so far as to kidnap ordinary people.

A complex expression crossed Aidan's face. He steadied his breathing slightly and quickly explained:

“That day, I followed your instructions to gather information on the Blood Hand Gang's movements in the western district of the outer city. Everything was going smoothly at first. I mingled in taverns and markets, picking up some scattered pieces of information about their recent activities.”

He paused, a lingering fear flashing in his eyes.

“Just as I was planning to leave, I ran straight into three people in a narrow alley. The leader... I recognized him. He's a core member of the Blood Hand Gang named Butcher. He's a bald man with a very powerful aura, at least at the peak of the Brass Rank. They clearly recognized me too—probably because my face had already been marked from my previous investigations.”

Aidan's voice grew quieter.

“I turned and ran, but they were prepared and had blocked both ends of the alley. That Butcher was too fast. I barely blocked two strikes... then I felt a sharp pain in the back of my neck, and I lost consciousness.”

He subconsciously raised his hand to touch the back of his neck, where a bruise still remained.

“But before I completely blacked out, I vaguely heard them talking... That Butcher spat and said, ‘This kid is a bit weak, but he's at least touched the threshold. The higher-ups are pushing hard, and we really can't find a suitable candidate, so we can only use him to make up the numbers and see if that medicine can force him through...’”

Aidan looked up at Matthew, his tone filled with disbelief. “The ‘medicine’ they mentioned should be that strange potion... and ‘force him through’ probably meant forcing a breakthrough to overcome a Class holder's bottleneck.”

Hearing this, Matthew's gaze suddenly sharpened.

He took a step forward and placed his right hand lightly on Aidan's shoulder. A wisp of pure life energy quietly emerged, trickling into Aidan's body like a gentle stream and slowly flowing along his pathways.

—As expected.

The energy pathways in Aidan's body, which had originally been congested, were now completely open.

Although his aura was still somewhat unstable and his energy circulation was not smooth or fluid enough, the spontaneous flow of life energy unique to a Class holder was clearly discernible.

He had actually broken through.

He had leapt from an aspiring Class holder who was always stuck outside the threshold to a true Black Iron Rank Class holder!

A trace of imperceptible surprise flashed in Matthew's eyes.

Was the effect of this Blood-Burning Potion actually this domineering? Not only could it temporarily boost a user's strength and realm, but it could also be used to forcibly break through Class barriers?

Or was there another kind of potion?

But soon, this surprise was replaced by deeper suspicion.

Forcing a breakthrough by relying on external objects—especially a potion of unknown origin that clearly came with immense risks—could it really be without a price?

Matthew withdrew his hand and cast a deep look at Aidan.

A breakthrough was certainly a good thing, but if his foundation was damaged, his potential exhausted, or if some hidden side effect was left behind that would only erupt over time... then this “blessing in disguise” might ultimately turn into a disaster.

However, now was not the time to delve into this.

Matthew suppressed the doubts in his heart, merely nodded, and said briefly, “Let's leave here first. We can talk about your breakthrough in detail once we get back.”

Then, he instructed, “But before we go, head upstairs immediately. Loot everything of value in the villa—gold coins, jewelry, weapons, potions—take anything that can be carried, pack it up, and bring it with you.”

He paused and added, “This is the Blood Hand Gang's stronghold, so their savings won't be small. Since we are here, we cannot return empty-handed.”

Aidan was stunned for a moment, then nodded heavily. “I understand!” But he immediately asked with concern, “Brother Matthew, what about you? Aren't you coming with me?”

A trace of hesitation flashed in Matthew's eyes.

He looked deeper into the corridor—there were still several doors he had not investigated. The notes, experimental data, or more magic items that the yellow-haired youth might have left behind... the value of these clues far exceeded money.

“I still have some things to investigate,” Matthew said in a deep voice. “Take the items back to the inn and hide them first. If I do not return before dawn...”

He was silent for a moment before finally saying, “Go to the innkeeper and have him contact Regg. Tell him I might be trapped in the Blood Hand Gang's stronghold and need assistance.”

...

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