This was a sizeable, flat underground area, about half the size of a football field. Rows of heavy oak shelves and tables, all covered in dust, immediately came into view.
They were filled with various blood-stained torture devices.
Little Mike explained, "This place was carved out by my father and his few students at the time, using modern tools during the initial renovation. It was also where they first conducted 'baptisms'."
"It looks like no one has touched this place in a long time."
"Yes, to be precise, eleven years and seven months ago," Little Mike said indifferently. "Every time my father brought people in here, he would always have me by his side to immerse me in it, so I remember very clearly."
"But you're only a little over twelve years old!" Dean exclaimed, noticing the inconsistency in Little Mike's statement.
"That's quite normal," Little Mike said, rubbing his forehead tiredly. "I've remembered everything since birth, a perfect recall. That's also why my health has always been poor."
Normal, my ass! Even with fifteen points in Spirit, Dean couldn't achieve true photographic memory; he had to consciously memorize things for his brain to retain them. He had to struggle hard for abilities others possessed from birth. Envy gnawed at him.
They passed through this area of torture devices.
The two arrived at a zone of glass rooms further back.
These glass rooms were piled high with various items, including many crude tools resembling mechanical arms, all with a cyberpunk aesthetic.
"My father secretly built these laboratories for me after he recognized my talent when I turned six," Little Mike mentioned. "Actually, if it weren't for him, I would have found it very difficult to conduct experiments at all."
"Also, due to my physical condition, I've focused more on biology and mechanics."
The labs were labeled: "Explosives Modification!", "Firearms Modification & Research!", "Biological Observation!"...
There were about a dozen such crude laboratories in total.
Biology subjects were the most numerous, followed by explosives and mechanical modification. The place looked like a mad scientist's lair.
Perhaps due to Little Mike's physique and stamina.
Everything here seemed somewhat miniaturized.
Little Mike pointed to a shelf near the edge of the glass room in front of them. "Those few tubes of red and blue reagents are liquid bombs I formulated. Their destructive power is about ten times that of an equivalent volume of TNT, but the reaction is too sensitive."
"So, I modified them to be trigger-detonated, which gives them more commercial value."
"Also, there are mechanisms between the test tubes. They must be removed in a specific sequence. Otherwise, these reagents could destroy the load-bearing points of this underground space, burying us alive in here."
Dean stared at the test tubes, which looked like mere models, his pupils constricting.
Barely visible thin wires connected the test tubes.
Moreover, the information Little Mike revealed suggested he also had a profound understanding of mechanics.
The two continued deeper.
Next, Dean witnessed clay explosives the size of a cigarette yet capable of destroying a car, a black plant-derived powder with aphrodisiac effects, tobacco with sedative properties, and crude but versatile gun silencers...
From mechanics to biology to chemistry, Little Mike had dabbled in them all, achieving significant results in each.
Shock after shock coursed through Dean. His grip on Little Mike tightened unconsciously, as if he weren't holding a slender boy, but a life-sized doll crafted from diamonds.
He couldn't help but ask, "Mike Smith probably didn't have access to much of the knowledge involved here. How did you acquire it?"
Little Mike pointed to the last laboratory. "For that, I have the internet to thank. I traded a small invention for a vast amount of resources, which is the main reason I could develop so quickly."
Dean quickened his pace, reaching the laboratory at the very end.
This lab was distinctly different from the others. Not only was it concealed by completely sealed black tempered glass, but it also featured independent ventilation ducts connected to the top for exhaust and air exchange.
Dean wanted to enter but was stopped by Little Mike.
"This laboratory requires fingerprint and iris scan to unlock. Otherwise, forcing the door open will trigger another self-destruct device, destroying this entire underground space."
Dean glanced around, puzzled. "But I don't see any scanning equipment."
Little Mike explained, "It's the latest off-the-shelf model. I made some simple disguises for it on the inconspicuous glass and black cloth to ensure sufficient secrecy. Otherwise, a simple fingerprint and iris lock would only create security risks for me, rather than acting as a warning."
"Sorry, I've never encountered anything ," Dean said. "Please, open it so we can take a look."
Little Mike nodded, extended a finger, and casually tapped on what appeared to be ordinary black tempered glass. Surprisingly, a green electronic screen materialized on its surface.
The left side of the screen displayed a fingerprint scanning area, while the right showed a red light spot.
It looked like something out of science fiction, almost magical.
Little Mike didn't immediately place his finger on the scanner. Instead, he turned to Dean for help. "Could you take off my left shoe and sock? I've set it to unlock with my little toe print."
In his heart, Dean now truly considered Little Mike his equal.
If not for his physical frailties, this kid would probably have a much better life.
Dean complied, carefully pressing Little Mike's little toe against the left side of the electronic screen on the glass.
Maintaining this awkward posture, Little Mike leaned in, aligning his right eye with the red light spot on the right side of the screen.