Chapter 522

"Nice decor," Geralt said.

It wasn't to his taste, though.

The interior featured plenty of brown hardwood, antique furniture, and ornaments, giving it a weighty sense of history.

Most young people would probably just find it old-fashioned.

"Thank you," Megan said with a smile. Her grandfather had chosen the decor and furniture, putting a great deal of thought into them. She happened to share his taste.

Thinking of how she had considered selling the house, Megan felt even guiltier.

Through Spirit Sight, black mist so thick it seemed almost solid poured from upstairs and the basement entrance.

A normal person living here for a week would either go mad or die. Anyone who did neither was hardly normal.

"This really is a pain."

Geralt scratched his head and asked Megan, "What's upstairs?"

"Eight bedrooms, four bathrooms, a study, and a large attic."

"And the basement?"

"A pile of junk. All sorts of odds and ends. There's also a locked wooden door."

"Have you been through it?"

"No. It has an old U-shaped brass padlock, and I can't find the key." Megan shook her head. "Besides, the basement has poor ventilation. It's stuffy and smells sour enough to make me sick. I generally don't go down unless I have to."

"Let's take a look down there." After a moment's thought, Geralt asked, "Is there lighting in the basement?"

"Yes, but it's dim."

"You have flashlights, right? One each."

Electrical problems were common in old houses. Megan had prepared not only flashlights but also a portable lamp.

The basement entrance was in the living room. Behind the door, a wooden staircase led straight down, creaking underfoot in a way that set their nerves on edge.

Geralt went first.

Megan had said the basement was dim.

She hadn't been kidding.

Every light was