Outbreak (2)

The young crossbowman was a step too slow.

The moment the gray light touched his shadow, his entire body suddenly froze. The terror on his face dissolved into a daze.

He slowly lowered his head, looking at his own feet. Then, he smiled. It was an extremely strange smile. It wasn't one of greed, nor was it one of fear. It was a look of relief, as if a great burden had been lifted.

“The exit...” he murmured. “I see the exit.”

The shield-bearing adventurer’s face changed drastically. “Grab him!”

But it was already too late. The young crossbowman spun around and charged toward the direction where the stone door had just fallen.

There was no exit there. There was only the heavy stone door and the dust on the ground. But in the young crossbowman’s eyes, it seemed to have transformed into something else entirely.

He ran incredibly fast, as if all his fear had been converted into raw survival instinct. “The exit is right there!” he shouted. “I’m going first! I’m going first!”

The old adventurer tried to reach out and grab him, but his fingers only brushed against a corner of the man’s clothing.

In the next instant, the young crossbowman reached the stone door. He didn't slow down. He didn't stop. As if he were completely blind to the door’s existence, he slammed straight into it.

A dull thud echoed through the chamber. The young crossbowman hit the stone door with immense force; his forehead split open instantly, and blood began to stream down his face.

Yet he seemed unable to feel the pain. He continued to claw at the stone door with his hands, the smile on his face growing more frantic. “It’s right here... I see it... the door is open... don't stop me...”

As he spoke, he desperately pried at the crevices of the stone door with his fingers. Even as his fingernails broke and blood seeped out, he didn't stop. That sight was more chilling than seeing someone dragged away by a monster.

He wasn't being taken by some external force. He was walking toward death of his own free will.

Sutton’s face turned ashen. “Knock him out!”

The shield-bearing adventurer immediately lunged forward, swinging his shield horizontally to slam it heavily into the young crossbowman’s back.

The crossbowman let out a muffled groan and was knocked to the ground. Even then, he continued to crawl toward the stone door, his voice slurred as he called out for the exit.

The female axeman gritted her teeth and stepped forward, slamming the butt of her axe into the back of his neck.

The young crossbowman’s body jerked once before he finally lost consciousness.

Silence returned to the burial chamber. But this time, everyone’s expression was even grimmer than before.

Noel was the first. The adventurer who lost control to greed was the second. Now, the young crossbowman was the third.

The influence of the empty sarcophagus was spreading. Moreover, everyone saw something different.

Some saw a home. Some saw treasure. Some saw an exit. This was the most terrifying part. It didn't need to manufacture a single, collective hallucination.

It only needed to find what each person desired most, feared most, or found most impossible to refuse, and then give them a gentle push.

Matthew’s back was soaked with cold sweat. He suddenly realized that he wasn't absolutely safe either. He had managed to remain cautious because he had never trusted his eyes or ears.

But what if the empty sarcophagus targeted him? What would it show him? More magic stones? An absolutely safe passage? Or perhaps some false change in the map within his mind?

At that thought, Matthew’s heart tightened. The map. If the sarcophagus could influence sight and hearing, could it influence his map?

The moment the thought appeared, a chill ran up Matthew’s spine. He had always treated the map in his mind as his greatest trump card.

But now, he had to consider a worse possibility. What if that dark line on the map was also bait? What if it wasn't a path to survival, but an “exit” the sarcophagus wanted him to see?

Just like the young crossbowman seeing an exit behind the stone door. Matthew forced himself to calm down.

He couldn't deny everything out of fear, nor could he believe everything out of hope. He re-examined that dark line. He didn't just look at the map; he looked at reality.

He looked toward the half-collapsed stone wall in the northwest corner. The gray light hadn't spread directly over there. At the very least, the runes on the ground weakened significantly as they approached that area.

Between the rubble, there was a faint, almost imperceptible air current moving, stirring the dust on the floor. It was very slight. If Matthew hadn't been observing intentionally, he would have missed it.

There was an air current. This meant the space behind it wasn't completely sealed. Matthew felt slightly more at ease.

The map could be deceived. His eyes could be deceived. But when both aligned, combined with the physical change in the air current, the probability of the path being real increased significantly.

However, it wasn't enough. He still needed an opportunity. And that opportunity came quickly.

After the young crossbowman was knocked out, Sutton finally realized that staying in the main burial chamber would only cause more people to lose control. He didn't wait for Herbert’s judgment this time.

Instead, he spoke directly. “Everyone, move along the edges. Don't take the main paths. We’re leaving this place now.”

Herbert frowned. “Which way?”

Sutton glanced at him and said coldly, “Since the main paths bring people back, we won't take them. Search the walls for hidden openings, gaps, or anything that doesn't look like a road.”

Having said that, he looked at his subordinates. “Split into two groups and search.”

The moment those words were spoken, the adventurers’ faces changed. Split up? At a time like this? No one wanted to.

But when Sutton’s gaze swept over them, no one dared to object. Sutton continued, “I’m not telling you to go far. Search along the edges of the main burial chamber. Everyone must stay within sight of each other.”

The shield-bearing adventurer gritted his teeth and nodded. “Yes, sir.”

The female axeman also turned away in silence. The old adventurer helped the unconscious crossbowman up, his face as grim as stone.

Sutton handed Noel over to the shield-bearer to watch while he and Herbert observed the changes in the runes on the ground together.

The team finally moved. Chaos hadn't fully erupted, but there was enough distraction for everyone’s attention to be divided.

Matthew knew his chance had come. He didn't immediately rush to the northwest corner. Instead, following the group’s movements, he shifted a short distance to the side first.

His movements were natural. He looked just like everyone else, searching for a possible exit along the perimeter of the burial chamber. No one paid him any special attention. At least, not on the surface.

As Matthew walked, he kept his pace steady. He couldn't be too fast, as that would arouse suspicion. Nor could he be too slow, or he might miss the opportunity.

His hand still gripped his short staff, while his other hand hung naturally at his side, though it was actually touching the leather pouch at his waist. The weight of the magic stones gave him a sense of reality again.

He had to get out alive. These things only had meaning if he survived. He drew closer to the northwest corner, step by step.

Ten steps. Eight steps. Six steps.

Right then, Sutton suddenly turned his head to look over. Matthew’s heart tightened, but his expression didn't change at all.

He stopped walking, looking down at a rune beneath his feet as if he had found an anomaly. Sutton’s gaze lingered on him for a brief moment.

It was a short instant, but it made Matthew feel as if a cold needle were pressing against his back. Sutton didn't speak. He just watched Matthew.

Matthew could feel the scrutiny in that single eye. This man had indeed never completely relaxed his watch over him. Perhaps from the moment Matthew had continuously explored the secret rooms, Sutton had taken note of him.

It was only because the current crisis was too great that Sutton temporarily lacked the energy to deal with him. Matthew kept his head down, offering no explanation. At a time like this, explaining would only make him look guilty.

He simply maintained the reaction of a cautious explorer: alert, silent, and steady. A few moments later, a low vibration came from beneath the central sarcophagus again.

Sutton’s attention was finally pulled back. Matthew breathed a small sigh of relief. But he didn't move forward immediately.

He waited for two breaths. Only when Sutton began speaking to Herbert again did Matthew continue toward the northwest corner, acting as if he had just confirmed there was no danger beneath his feet.

Four steps. Three steps. Two steps.

Finally, he arrived before the half-collapsed stone wall. Up close, this place looked even more inconspicuous than it did from afar.

The rubble was piled haphazardly, and many stones had merged with the dust on the ground, appearing as though they hadn't been moved in years.

However, Matthew quickly noticed that near the bottom, the dust distribution on a few stones was off. Their surfaces were covered in thick dust, but there was a cleaner line deep within the crevices.

It looked as if a faint air current had been blowing out from within for years, carrying away the finest dust. There really was a gap.

Matthew’s heart rate quickened slightly. He didn't immediately move the stones. Instead, he used his short staff to gently poke at a small piece of rubble on the outer edge.

The stone rolled away with a light sound. The female axeman nearby turned to look at him. Matthew didn't look back at her, merely saying in a low voice, “There seems to be a breeze here.”

His voice wasn't loud, but it was enough for those nearby to hear. He didn't plan to hide it completely. At this distance, it was impossible to open a hidden passage silently.

Rather than looking suspicious when caught, it was better to announce the discovery first. But he kept his voice low and didn't shout for Sutton. This way, those nearby would know he wasn't being secretive without immediately drawing everyone’s full attention.

The female axeman’s expression shifted, and she immediately stepped closer. “A breeze?”

Matthew nodded and pointed his short staff at the crevice in the rubble. “It might not be solid behind here.”

The female axeman crouched down to look, her brow furrowing instantly. She felt it too. It was indeed a very weak air current. In a sealed tomb like this, any air current was abnormal.

She immediately turned and shouted, “Lord Sutton! There’s a discovery over here!”

Matthew’s heart sank slightly. He hadn't wanted to alert Sutton so quickly. But the female axeman’s reaction was expected. This path could no longer be kept secret.

In that case, he had to change his approach. He wouldn't monopolize the retreat. Instead, he would be the first to enter it during the chaos.

Sutton and Herbert quickly rushed over. Sutton looked at Matthew first, his gaze deeper than before. “You found this?”

Matthew nodded calmly. “I noticed an air current while checking the perimeter.”

His voice was neither fast nor slow. He didn't act as if he were seeking credit, nor did he seem overly panicked. Sutton stared at him for a moment.

“You certainly have good luck.” It was impossible to tell if that was a compliment or a suspicion.

Matthew said in a low voice, “It was just a coincidence.”

Sutton didn't press further, as now was not the time for interrogation. Herbert had already crouched down to examine the rubble.

He held his hand before the crevice for a while, his expression shifting. “There is indeed space behind this.”

A glimmer of hope finally appeared in everyone’s eyes. Even if it was faint, it was better than being trapped in the main burial chamber waiting for death.

The shield-bearing adventurer asked urgently, “Can we get out?”

Herbert didn't answer immediately. He observed for a bit longer before saying, “I’m not sure. But this gap isn't fully connected to the runes of the main burial chamber. At the very least, it’s not the main path currently being guided.”

At those words, everyone’s spirits lifted. It wasn't the main path. That was enough. At least it meant they wouldn't be looped back to the central altar the moment they stepped inside.

Sutton immediately ordered, “Clear it out.”

The shield-bearing adventurer and the female axeman immediately stepped forward to move the stones. The old adventurer left the unconscious crossbowman by the wall and came to help as well.

Matthew stood to the side. On the surface, he didn't fight for a position, but he was calculating everything in his mind. If the passage behind the rubble was narrow enough, it would be impossible for everyone to enter at once.

Whoever entered first would hold the initiative. Sutton certainly wouldn't let Matthew go first. Herbert might also demand to check it first.

But as long as the central empty sarcophagus triggered another bout of chaos, the team’s order would break. He needed to wait for that moment.

And the central sarcophagus, as if hearing Matthew’s thoughts, suddenly emitted a very faint laugh. It wasn't a sigh. It was a laugh.

The sound was light and slow, as if coming from the depths of the empty coffin, or perhaps from the place everyone feared most in their hearts.

The adventurers moving the stones froze simultaneously. Noel suddenly clutched his ears, his face deathly pale. Herbert cursed under his breath.

Sutton spun around to face the central sarcophagus. The empty coffin remained open and silent. However, the humanoid indentation at the bottom had lit up with a very faint grayish-white light at some point.

The light resembled a blurry, hollow silhouette lying there, slowly becoming more complete. Noel suddenly let out a scream.

Everyone whipped their heads around. They saw the grayish-white lines on his neck spreading again, already climbing across half of his face.

His eyes were filled with terror, yet the corners of his mouth were curling upward uncontrollably. He began to laugh through his tears. “My lord...”

Noel looked at Sutton, his voice shattered beyond recognition. “It says... the vacancy is open. We should go in now.”

In the next instant, every gray rune on the floor of the main burial chamber lit up simultaneously. The light was no longer dim; it was as if a ritual dormant for years had finally reached its moment of activation.

The entire burial chamber shook violently. Rubble tumbled down. The cold-light stones flickered frantically.

Beneath the central sarcophagus, shadows stretched out like countless black threads, snaking frantically from beneath everyone’s feet toward the bottom of the coffin. Chaos erupted completely at that moment.

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