The black van slowed to a stop in front of a gated residential complex on the edge of the green zone. A tall security fence surrounded the quiet neighborhood, and a uniformed guard stepped out of the small checkpoint booth as Andrey lowered the driver-side window.

The guard looked at the three of them carefully. "Good morning. This is a private residential area. May I ask your business here?"

Andrey didn’t hesitate. He reached into his jacket, pulled out his official Hero Association ID card, and held it up clearly so the guard could see the holographic seal and his rank.

"Andrey Thompson, B-Rank Hero. This is an emergency inspection regarding Rank A hero Miguel Pestrine. He’s been reported missing, and we have reason to believe there may be a connection to recent demon activity. We need immediate access to his residence."

The guard’s eyes widened slightly when he saw the ID, then scanned the card with his handheld device. After a moment, the screen beeped in confirmation.

"Understood, sir. Hero Association emergency protocol recognized." He gave a respectful nod and pressed a button on his console. The heavy gate slowly slid open. "Miguel Pestrine’s house is the last one on the left at the end of this road, the two-story white house with the dark roof and poison ivy planters near the entrance. You can park right in front." 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

Andrey nodded. "Thank you."

"Good luck, sir."

The guard stepped aside and the van rolled forward through the gate. Sein, still sitting in the back, shifted uncomfortably and muttered, "At least the security here is competent. Saves us from having to break in."

Lisa looked around as they drove down the quiet street. "It’s surprisingly peaceful for someone who deals with poison skills. I expected more... warning signs or something."

Andrey parked the van neatly in front of the two-story white house. The property looked well-maintained from the outside, but the curtains were all drawn and there was an unnatural stillness in the air.

"Alright," Andrey said as he killed the engine. "We stay together. Lisa, keep your Aegis ready in case there’s any lingering dark mana or traps. Sein, you take point, your Crimson Impact should break any physical barriers if needed."

Sein unbuckled her seatbelt and stood up with a small wince, one hand unconsciously rubbing her sore ass again through her battle dress.

"Tch... got it," she grumbled. "Let’s just hope we find the artifact or at least some clues before whatever took Miguel decides to come back."

The three of them stepped out of the van. The morning air felt deceptively calm as they approached the front door of Miguel Pestrine’s house, ready to begin their investigation.

The front door was locked, but that didn’t stop them for even a second. Andrey placed his palm against the wooden door and channeled a thin thread of Ki. With a soft click, the lock mechanism disengaged and the door swung open silently.

"Clear," Andrey said quietly. "Let’s move."

The three of them stepped inside Miguel Pestrine’s house. The interior was neat and modern, almost too normal. No signs of struggle, no broken furniture, no dark mana residue in the air. They searched the living room, kitchen, and upstairs bedroom thoroughly, but everything looked untouched.

"Nothing," Lisa whispered, her voice tense. "It’s too clean..."

Sein, still walking with a slight stiffness, paused in front of a large built-in wardrobe in the corner of the study. She narrowed her eyes.

"Wait... something feels off here."

She reached out and yanked the wardrobe doors open.

The moment the doors swung wide, a foul, sickly-sweet stench hit them. Inside, propped upright against the back wall, was Miguel Pestrine’s corpse. His skin had turned a grotesque bluish-purple, veins blackened and bulging across his face and neck. His eyes were wide open, frozen in an expression of pure terror.

Sein instinctively stepped back. "Shit—! That’s him..."

Andrey’s eyes sharpened instantly. A cold chill ran down his spine.

"Lisa, barrier! Now!"

Lisa reacted instantly, years of training kicking in. She thrust both hands forward and activated her skill.

"Aegis of Dawn!"

A bright mint-green dome of protective energy flared up around the three of them just as Miguel’s corpse began to swell violently. A split second later—

BOOM!

The body exploded with a wet, sickening burst. Thick, dark-purple poisonous liquid sprayed violently in every direction like a gruesome fountain. The toxic fluid splattered across the walls, floor, and furniture, hissing and bubbling as it instantly began corroding everything it touched.

The Aegis barrier shimmered under the impact. Several droplets of the corrosive poison slid down the glowing surface before evaporating harmlessly.

Lisa’s face was pale but focused as she maintained the shield. "That... that was a trap! The body was rigged with some kind of delayed poison explosion..."

Sein stared at the gruesome mess outside the barrier, her hand unconsciously moving to rub her still-sore ass as she shifted her stance.

"Fucking demons... They killed him, turned him into a bomb, and left him here like bait." Her voice was low and angry. "They knew someone would come looking."

Andrey’s expression was grim as he scanned the room through the green barrier.

"Stay inside the Aegis for a few more seconds. The poison is still active." He glanced at the dissolving remains of Miguel’s body. "No artifact here either... which means they already took it."

The three of them stood in tense silence inside Lisa’s barrier while the poisonous liquid continued to eat away at the floorboards around them.

The poisonous mist slowly settled as Lisa’s Aegis of Dawn barrier began to fade. The mint-green dome shimmered once before dissolving completely, leaving the three of them standing in the middle of the now-contaminated study.

Andrey stared at the gruesome remains of Miguel Pestrine and the corrosive purple liquid still eating away at the floor.

"We’re too late," he said quietly, voice low and frustrated. "They killed him days ago and rigged the body as a trap."