God-Tier Extraction Talent: Reincarnated in a Game-like World! Chapter 526: Obtaining Memory Fragments and Face to Face with VV

Gabriel’s initial doubt quickly dissolved, replaced by a startling realization. This explained the sponsor’s unconditional generosity with potent treasures and resources. It became clear the sponsor was already aware of the target’s formidable power, recognizing that conventional tactics would prove insufficient.

Gazing down at the vanquished foe now kneeling, Gabriel maintained a steady grip on his sword. Crimson liquid slickened the blade, each drop meeting the scorched earth below only to vanish almost instantly, evaporated by the oppressive heat radiating from all directions within the chamber.

More questions burned within him. He desperately needed to understand the circumstances of Torin’s meeting with the sponsor, the very method of initiating contact, and, critically, how this enigmatic figure traversed between realms. Acquiring even a fragment of this knowledge might offer a sliver of hope for his eventual return to Earth and a reunion with his beloved family.

"Describe your encounter with him," Gabriel commanded, his voice resonating with urgency. "Explain how he entered this world, and how he departs."

Torin, sensing the shift in Gabriel’s demeanor, grasped the profound significance of his inquiry. A weak, humorless smile touched his blood-splattered lips. For the first time since the brutal loss of his arms, a flicker of defiance returned to his eyes.

"So, that is your true desire," Torin rasped, his voice strained.

Gabriel remained silent, his presence exuding a chilling pressure that intensified with each passing second.

Torin assessed his dire situation with grim clarity. Defeat was absolute. His stronghold lay in ruins, his forces decimated. Even the surrender of all his secrets offered no illusion of clemency from the man standing before him.

His smile widened slightly as he uttered a final, defiant statement:

"In that case, I shall impart nothing to you."

Before Gabriel could even consider a response, an inferno erupted from Torin’s very being.

Flames surged forth simultaneously from his chest, shoulders, and back. They coiled around him like ravenous serpents, licked at his neck, and consumed his face as the ambient temperature in the chamber surged to new, unbearable heights.

Gabriel’s expression hardened into a mask of fury.

"You demented fool," he spat.

Torin offered no verbal reply as the flames intensified, rapidly charring, shriveling, and disintegrating his flesh. The conflagration consumed everything with horrifying rapidity.

The inferno raged for less than sixty seconds.

When the flames finally subsided, only a desolate mound of ash and the acrid stench of burnt remains marked the spot where Torin Black Star had stood.

Gabriel surveyed the ashes in stark silence, a rare expression of genuine frustration clouding his features. The opportunity he had desperately sought had vanished in smoke, and the path back to Earth seemed more distant than ever.

Rumble! Tumble!

At that precise moment, a deep tremor emanated from the structure above. A section of the ceiling fractured, and a colossal stone dislodged, hurtling downward. Gabriel instinctively raised an arm, intercepting the massive projectile and halting its deadly descent. The sheer force of the impact drove his boots a fraction deeper into the ravaged floor.

With a powerful twist of his shoulders, he hurled the stone, easily five times his own size, away from him.

Crack! Crack!

This was merely the prelude. More fissures spiderwebbed across the chamber walls, and debris began to rain down from all sides. The very foundations shook violently, causing the myriad torches lining the walls to sputter and extinguish one by one.

"This entire place is coming down," Gabriel realized with grim understanding.

His gaze rapidly scanned the crumbling chamber, a desperate plan already forming. While the loss of Torin was a severe blow, a final recourse remained before the base completely succumbed to the cataclysm.

Gabriel moved swiftly towards the remains.

A few skeletal fragments still lay scattered amidst the dust. Even in death, a faint, residual aura emanated from the remains. Gabriel placed a hand upon the corpse, activating his innate Talent.

A translucent system interface materialized before his eyes.

[Do you wish to extract the Level 108 corpse? Cost: 80 EP]

"Yes," Gabriel affirmed without a moment's hesitation.

The chamber convulsed violently once more as the interface options flickered. Gabriel’s focus immediately zeroed in on a specific selection. Without wasting another precious second, he committed to the choice, claiming the reward.

...

Far above, the rising heat and the pervasive tremors shaking the foundational structure had already compelled ChaosCleric and the apprehensive player into a hasty retreat. Dust billowed through the tunnel, loose stones continued to fall from the ceiling, and the ominous sounds of the collapsing levels below were enough to make even Vv cease their resistance.

Initially immobile, Vv was forced to disengage as the very floor beneath them cracked. Catching up with ChaosCleric, both were driven back towards the breached entrance as the disintegrating base sealed off any further descent.

Boom! Boom!

They stumbled out into the open air just as the ancient edifice and everything within its subterranean depths finally imploded. Stone, timber, and compacted earth collapsed inward in unison, unleashing a colossal plume of dust that billowed into the street, spreading outwards in a choking wave.

Several long moments elapsed as the dust cloud settled over the ruins, obscuring all visibility. ChaosCleric stood catching his breath, his face pale from the residual heat, while Vv remained motionless beside him, observing the swirling dust without uttering a word.

Even after the immediate danger had passed, Vv did not retreat. The armored combatant stood with hands relaxed at their sides, face obscured, as if calmly assessing the lingering peril below rather than succumbing to fear.

A nervous player swallowed, finally asking, "Do you believe they are still alive?"

ChaosCleric frowned, his gaze fixed upon the scattered wreckage.

"Buried beneath all that, with that level of heat? Anyone would be dead by now."

Just then, the dust stirred once more, and a figure materialized within it.

Initially, it was merely a dark silhouette, but with every step closer, it became more defined until Gabriel stepped forth from the debris, shattered stones crunching underfoot and dust blanketing his attire. In one hand, he clutched a luminous orb.

Gabriel’s grip tightened around it.

[Memory Fragments]

This was his choice at the very last instant. Even amidst the chaotic collapse, he had managed to salvage what he could from the fallen. While it was regrettable that he couldn't extract the complete remains, this was still a valuable find.

If these fragments were not entirely useless, he might at last discover a path back to Earth.

Securing the orb within his inventory, he advanced a few steps.

It was only then that he became aware of the other presences lingering outside.

His gaze ascended, resting first on ChaosCleric, then shifting to the armored figure standing nearby.

For the first time, Gabriel and Vv met each other's eyes directly.