Norm's dealings with the Order Bureau were few, but each encounter was nerve-wracking, yet none were like the current situation.
No conspiracies or tricks, just a straight-up intrusion.
Thick scent of blood wafted from the front; pale lights fell one by one, illuminating bloody operation tables, alongside which lay some people on hospital beds, seemingly asleep, without any response.
"We can't just flee, all the goods are here; if they're destroyed, the 'Man-eaters' will kill us."
Norm opened the cabinet, revealing a safe inside, lined with rows of crimson crystals, vivid as blood.
For a moment, both stopped breathing.
These were like treasured gems, seemingly glowing by themselves; even in the dimness, they sparkled brightly.
This was the material form of the soul, "Golden Soul's" Condensation.
Like magic power, upon seeing them, their thoughts emptied instantly, leading to the most primal desire birthed from the void, to grip them tightly in their palms, to own these holy, "Golden Soul" forever.
"Philosopher's Stone..."
Reid took a deep breath, slowly extended his slender, angular hand, reaching towards the blood-like beauty.
"Reid."
A calm voice sounded, carrying a piercing venomous resentment.
Reid snapped awake, his panicked gaze meeting Norm's icy eyes.
"S-sorry."
Reid breathed rapidly, hastily pulling back his errant hand, rubbing it nervously.
"Though the purity isn't high, this batch of goods is still exceptional."
Norm took out a Philosopher's Stone; upon close inspection, it showed some impure cloudy streaks within the red crystal, disrupting its purity.
"Besides these goods, what matters more are these things."
He said while placing the Philosopher's Stone back in the safe, opened the cabinet below, dragging out a heavy suitcase, within which were neatly arranged potions, the dark red liquid visible through transparent glass containers.
"So many?" Reid exclaimed.
"Indeed, these things can't be lost just like that," Norm's gaze flickered with determination as he spoke to Reid, "Wake those guys up."
Upon hearing the command, Reid was momentarily stunned, trembling all over.
"But... but those guys have been hungry for a long time."
"With me here, what are you afraid of?" Norm countered.
Reid swallowed hard; under such circumstances, his opinion was meaningless; he could only nod with difficulty and rushed to the hospital beds, awakening the slumbering patients on them.
Norm took all the Philosopher's Stones from the safe, stuffing them into the empty slots in the suitcase.
Reid arrived at the bedside; a heavy, rotten stench emanated from the bed, as if what lay upon it was not a person, but a corpse decaying for years.
In fact, that wasn't wrong; these guys' bodies were alive, but their souls long decayed and perished.
Demons, the people in deep sleep on the beds were demons, different from ordinary demons; these guys were trapped by Bulimia Nervosa, hadn't fed on souls for an incredibly long time, their entire minds and consciousness entirely warped by the void of hunger.
Ordinary demons retain some level of awareness, but these demons have become complete beasts.
Norm kept these dangerous fellows here only to test new potions; otherwise, even he would choose to cast them into the Great Rift's Abyss.
Now these hungry demons were rendered comatose by potions; Reid trembled as he inserted the needle into the intravenous tubes, administering awakening potions one after another.
"In about three minutes, these guys will wake up."
After finishing, Reid shouted to Norm.
"Alright, head to the escape passage."
Upon hearing Reid's response, Norm grabbed the suitcase.
In this line of business, thorough preparation was vital, and these were what Norm had prepared for.
Just then, a thunderous metallic clanging sounded, overwhelming the auditory sense, the ground shook beneath their feet, dust swirling in the air.
The custom iron door trembled, its coarse surface slightly bulged, as if a beast was pounding on it; yet, it failed to break through, barred outside.
"At least we bought the right iron door."
Seeing this, Norm remarked.
Saying no more, both rose to head toward the escape passage; with the custom iron door and soon-awakening demons as hindrance, Bologue would struggle to catch up quickly, given he was alone.
The Order Bureau was powerful and mysterious, yet even rats have their survival methods; this was why they survived in the gutters until now.
Everything seemed fine, quite smoothly, but then a violent tremor hit.
Boom—Boom—
Explosive roar erupted, as if a giant was pounding the building, walls and iron plates all shuddered in agony, like a disturbed swarm of bees.
The overhead lights flickered erratically, choking dust fell heavily, veiling the view like fog.
The iron door remained unbroken; this tremor came from all directions, and Norm couldn't discern what was happening.
"Move!"
Norm shouted at the stunned Reid.
The clinic space was ultimately limited, whether the hidden passage or secret lab, it was all cramped here like organs, hence the escape passage was not far, right behind the door.