A Sudden Blast

Matthew immediately realized the gravity of the situation.

This could not possibly be a trace left behind by accident.

Such a weak yet precise fluctuation felt more like some pre-set, triggered alarm, or perhaps some entity at a distance was observing the anomaly here through some means.

Almost like surveillance?

Almost instinctively, he immediately retracted and enhanced his spiritual perception.

However, a reality that made his heart sink even further lay before him:

If danger were truly approaching right now, how would he smoothly evacuate from this basement?

When he came down earlier, he hadn't worried too much about his retreat.

First, the commotion from the battle upstairs was not small. If there were other guards nearby or if the yellow-haired youth himself were present, they would likely have rushed over long ago upon hearing it.

Second, after his battle with Stefan, he had gained more confidence in his own strength. Even if he were intercepted, he was confident he could carve a path out.

But now, seeing the scale and layout of this underground laboratory with his own eyes, especially those precision instruments, magic lighting, and potential hidden mechanisms, a trace of regret couldn't help but flash through Matthew's mind—this place was by no means a common gang hideout. The forces and dangers involved behind it likely far exceeded his initial estimations.

“For now... I can only hope those Class holders who left ahead of me can scout out the situation outside,” he thought to himself. His hands did not slow down as he stuffed all the notes and small items on the desk into the cloth pouch at his waist.

Although they carried unknown risks, these materials and vessels held undeniable value for Matthew at this moment.

They were the clues he had long yearned for.

Moreover, even if he turned around and left right now to return to the surface, would he be able to evacuate safely?

Were there still ambushes outside?

Had that yellow-haired youth already noticed the anomaly and was now waiting at the exit?

Everything was unknown.

Rather than running blindly in the dark, it was better to stand his ground for now and wait to see how things developed.

Using the other departing adventurers, he could easily detect if there was any other movement above.

If danger really approached, being in the dark would instead allow him to seize the initiative.

“In any case, it won't take long.”

While Matthew was lost in thought, the paper records and other small items on the desk had already been completely gathered into the cloth pouch at his waist.

He felt a surge of joy—though this trip was dangerous, these records regarding potions, experiments, and potentially even magical principles were worth far more than ordinary wealth.

But at that very moment, a powerful wave of Spirit suddenly swept over him!

This wave was almost from the same source as the weak trace he had perceived earlier, but its intensity was entirely different—

Like a giant beast fully awakening from its slumber, it carried distinct hostility and a chilling pressure, instantly flooding the entire underground space like an invisible tide!

In an instant, it completely shattered the weak spiritual barrier Matthew had put out!

“Not good!”

Alarms blared in Matthew's mind, and his pupils contracted sharply.

Coming so fast?! Or... had the enemy been lying in ambush nearby all along, biding their time, only to suddenly strike at this moment?

What made his heart sink even further was that the strength of this Spirit far exceeded his expectations.

It wasn't the heavy sensation of life energy resulting from Realm Suppression that Matthew was familiar with, but a more condensed, more “solid” spiritual essence.

Like an invisible yet resilient barrier, it not only blocked detection but also faintly carried a sharp edge of counterattack.

Its condensation and total volume were clearly a large step above Matthew's own Spirit!

Almost simultaneously—

“Boom—!!!”

A deafening explosion echoed from above, and the entire basement shook violently!

Debris and dust showered down from the ceiling, and the glowing stones on the walls flickered wildly.

A powerful blast wave swept down along the staircase corridor, bringing scorching air currents and choking dust!

It was the entrance!

Matthew made a prompt decision, no longer caring about any remaining items.

Immediately, his body turned into an afterimage as he rushed toward the staircase!

He sped up the stone steps he had come down. The closer he got to the surface, the heavier the smell of burning and smoke in the air became.

When he burst out of the staircase and returned to the villa's first-floor lobby, the scene before him made his eyes narrow.

The lobby was a complete mess, with most of the original furniture knocked over or overturned.

But the most shocking sight was the solid stone wall to the north—it had been forcefully blasted open, leaving a massive, irregular gap.

The edges of the gap were torn and charred, large enough for an adult to easily pass through. The midnight cold wind, carrying dust and smoke, howled through the breach, sending debris flying across the hall.

The moonlight from outside and the sporadic lights from afar projected through this gruesome hole, forming pillars of pale light in the swirling dust.

Not far from these pale pillars of light, several corpses lay scattered. Two of them were none other than Karon, the Vice Captain of the Iron Spine mercenary squad who had thanked Matthew earlier, and the young woman who called herself Leah.

Karon lay flat on his back on the shattered stone floor. A charred hole the size of a bowl gaped in his chest, its jagged and torn edges showing that it had been instantly pierced and scorched by some violent energy.

His leather armor had completely vaporized at the wound, and the surrounding fabric showed radial scorch marks.

His eyes were wide open, his face frozen in shock and agony, his right hand still tightly gripping his unsheathed longsword.

Leah lay on her side a few paces away from Karon.

Her death was even more tragic—a large hole had been violently blasted open in her left abdomen, exposing her organs and shattered bone fragments, with the edges of the wound also bearing traces of high-temperature burns.

One of her hands stretched forward, her fingers slightly curled, as if she wanted to grab onto something before she died.

Her originally delicate face was contorted in intense pain, and dark red, dried foam seeped from the corner of her mouth.

On the ground around the two corpses, fine stone fragments and burnt ash were scattered, and the air was filled with a faint, acrid smell of burning and blood.

...

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