The Heart System Chapter 578

We traversed the yard with deliberate slowness, treading carefully to prevent anything from cracking beneath our feet. As our proximity to the house increased, more details became discernible. The windows were not shattered as I'd initially assumed; they were merely coated in grime from neglect. Curtains were drawn from within, indicating that the place was utilized at least sporadically.

We arrived at the main entrance. It was a substantial door, fashioned from dark, sturdy wood. I stepped aside and gestured to Cora.

"Your expertise is needed now."

She lowered herself into a crouch and retrieved a compact lockpicking set from her pouch. Her fingers danced with silent efficiency as she worked the lock. I remained standing guard, my senses surveying both the area behind us and the edifice itself.

Each moment seemed to expand, lingering longer than it ought to. A gust of wind rustled something unsecured nearby, causing my muscles to coil defensively.

"Nearly there," she murmured.

A subtle click echoed.

She glanced up at me. "Success."

I gave a curt nod. "Well done."

She eased the door inward, ensuring minimal sound. We stealthily entered and secured it behind us.

The interior was plunged in darkness. I paused, allowing my vision to acclimate. The dim ambient light from outside provided just enough illumination to discern outlines. A broad hallway stretched before us, flanked by furniture draped in protective coverings. The air was heavy with a musty scent, suggesting a lack of ventilation for an extended period.

"Stay close," I instructed in a low voice.

We proceeded with caution, our movements measured.

Suddenly, a faint sound emanated from deeper within the dwelling. It was not loud, yet it compelled me to halt instantly. I signaled Cora with a raised hand.

She froze behind me.

The sound repeated, more distinct this time. It was the unmistakable trace of movement, subtle yet clear. I leaned towards the wall, peering cautiously around the hallway's bend.

A man was seated in a chair adjacent to a side room. A small lamp beside him cast a meager glow. He was largely inactive, his head bowed slightly, seemingly engrossed in boredom or fatigue.

I retracted immediately.

"Someone's inside," I reported in a whisper. "Looks like security... blast, there's a rear exit there."

Cora swallowed audibly. "What's the plan?"

"We bypass him," I stated firmly. "No unnecessary risks."

We retreated deliberately, retracing our path just enough to find an alternate route. A narrower corridor diverged near the entrance, less illuminated and seemingly less frequented. We chose this path without hesitation.

The passageway guided us to a staircase.

"We ascend," I conveyed quietly.

Cora moved ahead, her footfalls light and precise. I followed closely. One step emitted a slight creak under my weight, causing me to freeze once more, straining to detect any response from below. There was none. Either he was oblivious or indifferent to the noise.

We reached the second level without incident.

Though, if the situation escalated, I could resort to Time Stop. However... I was reluctant to expend my credits needlessly given the penalty Mana had imposed.

Multiple doorways lined the upper hallway. We inspected them sequentially, proceeding with haste yet maintaining silence. One chamber resembled a guest room; another appeared to be for storage. None hinted at being the primary objective.

Eventually, we discovered a set of double doors at the corridor's terminus.

"This must be it," I declared softly.

Cora tested the handle. It was secured.

She knelt once more, producing her instruments. This lock proved more challenging. I kept my gaze fixed on the staircase, anticipating the sound of approaching footsteps at any moment.

"Almost accomplished," she whispered.

Another faint click resounded.

She carefully opened the doors, and we slipped inside, closing them discreetly behind us.

The chamber was capacious, demonstrably the largest within the house. Even in the subdued light, it was evident this was the master suite. A sizable bed occupied the center, with expansive windows overlooking the ocean. The furnishings were of high quality, immaculate, and well-preserved in contrast to the rest of the dwelling.

Cora promptly retrieved the compact camera from her pocket.

"No time to delay," she stated.

I nodded and moved to the opposite side of the room, searching for an optimal placement. We required a vantage point offering a clear view of the bed and the majority of the room, yet one that would go unnoticed.

"Here," I indicated, pointing towards an ornamental shelf positioned near a corner.

She joined me and manipulated the camera, artfully concealing it amongst other items. She verified the alignment, adjusted it further, and then nodded in satisfaction.

"Perfect."

Precisely as she concluded, a sound reached both of us.

A subtle noise from the floor below.

We became rigid.

Footsteps.

Slow. Advancing.

I met Cora's gaze, and she returned mine. No words were necessary.

We moved swiftly yet silently towards the door. I pressed my ear against the wood. The footsteps were more pronounced now, echoing through the hallway beneath.

"He's moving," I reported in a hushed tone.

"We must depart," she responded.

I opened the door a fraction, allowing a cautious peek. The upper hallway remained unoccupied.

"Now," I declared, signaling the moment had arrived.

We made our escape, the bedroom door closing softly behind us. However, before I could even proceed further down the corridor, Cora's hand darted out, gripping my wrist and halting my movement.

"Wait," she breathed, her voice a mere whisper.

I turned to her, a questioning frown on my face. "What is it?"

"We cannot simply leave it this way," she stated, her gaze flicking towards the door we had just exited.

"How do you mean? It's closed, isn't it?"

"It's not secured," Cora countered. "Should Jack return and notice that, he'll realize someone has been inside. Individuals of his kind are exceptionally perceptive to even minor details."

A soft sigh escaped me as understanding dawned. "So, we lock it and depart."

She responded with a shake of her head. "No, we still need to account for the front entrance. If that remains unlocked as well, it will be abundantly clear that an intrusion occurred."

Running a hand through my hair, I scrambled for a solution. "Then, what's the strategy?"

"I shall remain here," she responded without hesitation. "I will re-enter, ensure all appears undisturbed, and then secure the bedroom from within. Following that, I'll exit through the window."

My eyes met hers. "And myself?"

"You will proceed downstairs and fasten the front door," she instructed. "Then, you will make your exit through the rear of the building. This minimizes the possibility of us being observed together."

I paused for a fleeting moment before nodding in agreement. "You truly consider every angle, don't you?"

A faint, almost shy smile touched her lips. "I'm endeavoring to."

"Understood," I murmured. "Be cautious."

"You as well."

Cora's demeanor was… altered. The usual hesitation in her speech, the ingrained shyness, were absent. Only a resolute focus remained. It was remarkable.

She slipped back into the room without another word, the door closing soundlessly. Moments later, the faint, distinct sound of a lock engaging from the interior reached my ears.

I remained still for a beat, listening intently. No sudden disturbances. No hurried footsteps approaching us.

That was good.