Chapter 38 38: The Sorcerers
A large number of agents were busy working throughout the area, yet none of them knew that right beside them stood several unseen observers.
This was a world composed of countless transparent crystal-like structures—fragmented, layered over reality, yet non-interfering: the Mirror Dimension.
Walking within this space, even if one's body collided with the agents in the real world, it would feel no different from passing through air.
Several figures in plain robes moved through the area, occasionally stopping to examine the cracks in the ground. Eventually, they arrived at the edge of a massive, bottomless crater nearly a hundred meters wide.
"What astonishing destructive power."
After a careful observation, a slightly stout Asian sorcerer gave his conclusion:
"The shockwave formed by the collision and compression of two completely different forces shattered the rock and soil at the molecular level."
"The key point is—this wasn't purely an energy collision."
Even as he finished his analysis, the sorcerer himself found it hard to believe.
"Not an energy collision?"
The other sorcerers exchanged glances, equally puzzled.
Only one man, a stern-looking middle-aged sorcerer with stubble who had remained silent until now, agreed with the assessment.
His voice was low and slightly hoarse. "If it were an energy collision, there would be scorching or carbonization in the rock and soil. That isn't present here."
The others looked more closely.
The earth had been compressed to an extreme degree. Its surface was smooth and glossy, covered in radiating cracks.
The surrounding soil had bulged and rolled outward, while stones were embedded deep within it, their edges completely crushed—more like the result of repeated, overwhelming compression.
"A purely physical impact like this… how much force would that require? This kind of situation is extremely rare, Sorcerer Kaecilius."
They all turned toward the man addressed as Kaecilius, whose demeanor remained cold and somber.
"Wong, how many times have you seen something like this?" Kaecilius asked instead, ignoring the others.
"Almost never."
Wong shook his head, then pointed toward the bottom of the crater.
"I can sense traces of dark magic—Hellfire."
"It must be a demon. And a very powerful one."
The other sorcerers frowned.
As practitioners of magic, they knew very well that such power was not something ordinary demons could wield.
"A battle of this scale, yet the Sanctums detected nothing. To block the Sanctums' magical barriers in such a short time… a major figure has appeared this time."
Kaecilius's eyes flickered faintly.
Both he and Wong had concluded that one of the participants was a powerful demon—but they could not identify the other.
The reason was simple: as sorcerers, they were highly sensitive to magic, yet only traces of dark magic remained at the scene.
Moreover, this was the Mirror Dimension, separate from reality, making it impossible to examine certain traces through normal means.
The area in the real world was already surrounded by personnel from human government agencies.
They could not reveal themselves freely.
"Let's go. We'll return and report this to the Ancient One."
After speaking, Kaecilius turned around. Another sorcerer raised a somewhat unusual double-fingered ring and traced a circle in the empty air.
A ring of sparks flared into existence, forming a portal over two meters tall.
On the other side lay a plaza filled with classical architecture, with snow-covered mountains faintly visible in the distance.
The group of sorcerers stepped through.
…
As evening approached—
An aircraft slowly came to a stop on the runway.
As the rear hatch opened, Matthew stepped out, followed by a somewhat uneasy Needy.
A cold wind swept past, and snowflakes drifted down from the sky.
Needy looked around, realizing this appeared to be a relatively secluded military base—there were guard posts, warehouses, and various buildings.
Even in the night, she could make out towering mountains in the distance.
Not far away, several armed vehicles and military helicopters were parked. Aside from that, fully equipped soldiers passed by from time to time.
While she was taking everything in, Karla—who had been waiting—walked over.
Karla was mature and beautiful, dressed in a white down jacket. Originally a teammate from Reacher's 110th Special Investigations Unit, she had become the accountant and secretary for Matthew's team through Neagley's introduction.
Although she was a woman, her individual combat capability was also very strong. She excelled in undercover work.
"Boss."
After meeting them, Karla greeted Matthew first, then turned to Needy with a warm smile on her composed and attractive face.
"Needy? You can call me Karla."
"This is the Night Owl Base. For the time being, you'll be staying here."
Karla's tone and pacing naturally put people at ease.
Needy was no exception—her earlier unease quickly faded.
"Hello, Karla."
"This base is set up pretty well."
Matthew glanced around and found it quite decent.
This private military base had been arranged by Reacher and Karla. It was used to train and drill the soldiers they recruited—it hadn't come from Pierce.
With his cautious personality, Reacher preferred to build something like this himself, even if it took more effort.
Of course, the planes and helicopters had been sponsored by the Secretary-General.
The number of soldiers in the base wasn't large—barely around two hundred. All of them had been carefully selected as suitable recruits.
It could only be said that, with enough money, forming a private armed force in the United States wasn't particularly difficult.
The prerequisite, however, was having sufficient expertise and professionalism.
Otherwise, such an operation would attract attention from certain agencies almost immediately.
Matthew himself didn't involve himself in these matters, leaving everything to Reacher. These forces were mainly used for routine missions.
Through observation, suitable soldiers would be further selected and considered for entry into the core team for additional training.
"This kind of setup is our specialty, Boss," Karla replied with a smile. Then she turned and led Matthew and Needy toward one of the buildings in the base. "Come on, we've already prepared dinner for you."
Braving the cold wind, Karla brought the two of them to a single-story building.
This was where she worked, lived, and ate.
It covered around four hundred square meters. Aside from her own room, there were three or four additional rooms, including Neagley's quarters.
The style was simpler than a typical home—basic beds, furniture, and essential supplies. As one of the female executive, she naturally couldn't stay in the same quarters as the regular soldiers.
Food had already been set out on the dining table in the living room.
Mashed potatoes, burgers, pizza, canned beef, and similar items.
Karla had waited for Matthew and Needy before eating.
So the three of them began their meal together.
Matthew didn't mind much. His appetite was enormous, but thanks to nutritional supplements, he no longer needed to eat the portions of ten or twenty people like before. He maintained regular meals now, more for taste and habit than necessity.
After several hours of travel, Needy was starving. She didn't hold back, devouring the food eagerly.
Seeing her like that, Matthew smiled lightly. After these past few days, this once ordinary girl had already begun to adapt.
...
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