After resting for a short while, Li Xuan opened his eyes and quietly sat up, his mind already returning to a state of alertness.
Although his body had regained some strength, he knew very well that information was far more important than rest in a place like this.
Without understanding the situation clearly, even a safe zone could turn into a trap at any moment.
He stood up calmly, stretched slightly to ease the stiffness in his muscles, and then reached into his bag to take out a small pack of cigarettes.
These were not anything special, just a local brand he had picked up earlier, but in the current world, even small items could become valuable.
"In times like this, something like this can easily open conversations," he thought as he slipped the pack into his pocket.
After making sure everything was in place, Li Xuan walked out of the house without drawing much attention, blending naturally into the surroundings like just another survivor.
The village appeared relatively calm on the surface, but beneath that calmness, there was a constant undercurrent of tension that could be felt if one paid attention.
People moved around cautiously, their eyes always observing others, as if they were measuring threats and opportunities at the same time.
As Li Xuan wandered through the village, his gaze remained steady, quietly analyzing everything without making it obvious.
At one point, his attention was drawn to a man standing near a narrow path between houses.
The man appeared to be around twenty-five years old, thin and slightly hunched, with ragged clothes that looked worn from long use.
His face carried a screwed, uneasy expression, and his movements were strange, as if he was trying to look at everything while pretending not to.
He kept glancing around cautiously, his eyes constantly shifting from one person to another, almost like he was searching for something.
At first, Li Xuan thought that the man was simply being overly cautious or curious about others, which was not unusual in this kind of environment.
However, as he continued to observe him for a few seconds, he noticed something odd.
The man's behavior was not just cautious—it was anxious.
There was a sense of unease in his movements, as if he was afraid of something he might suddenly encounter.
Just as Li Xuan was thinking this, the man's gaze suddenly shifted and landed directly on him.
For a brief moment, their eyes met.
And in that instant, the man's expression changed completely.
It was as if he had seen something terrifying beyond comprehension.
His pupils shrank, his face turned pale, and his entire body stiffened in shock.
A trace of panic quickly appeared in his eyes.
Without saying anything, he immediately turned his head away and began to move, trying to leave the area as quickly as possible.
He acted as if he had seen nothing, as if he had not disturbed anyone at all.
But the sudden change was too obvious.
Li Xuan narrowed his eyes slightly as he watched the man retreat.
"This is not normal," he thought calmly.
The reaction was too extreme to be simple coincidence.
For some reason, it felt as if the man had seen through something he shouldn't have.
Without wasting any more time, Li Xuan moved.
His steps were steady but fast, and within a few moments, he caught up to the man from behind.
He reached out and placed his hand firmly on the man's shoulder, intending to stop him and ask a few questions.
Originally, Li Xuan only planned to use a small amount of strength, just enough to restrain him without causing unnecessary attention.
However, the moment his hand made contact, the man reacted violently.
"Let go!" the man shouted in panic, his voice trembling as he struggled to break free.
At the same time, he released a burst of strength that was clearly beyond what an ordinary human could produce.
Li Xuan's eyes narrowed slightly in surprise.
"This strength… he's not normal," he realized immediately.
At first, he thought the man might simply be physically stronger than average, so he increased his strength to around thirty percent to keep him in place.
But even then, the man continued to struggle desperately, his movements becoming even more frantic.
"Let me go! I didn't see anything!" the man shouted, his voice filled with fear and urgency.
The strength he displayed became even more intense, far beyond the limits of a normal person.
In that instant, Li Xuan understood the truth.
"This guy is a sequencer," he concluded quickly.
More importantly, the man's reaction confirmed something else—
He had seen something.
Without hesitating further, Li Xuan immediately used his full strength.
With the enhancement from his spatial ability, his physical power surged beyond that of an ordinary awakened sequencer.
Although it was not as overwhelming as when he had first awakened, it was still more than enough to dominate the current situation.
Before the man could react further, Li Xuan tightened his grip and dragged him swiftly toward a nearby alley.
Their movements were fast and controlled, avoiding unnecessary attention from others nearby.
Within seconds, they disappeared into a narrow, shadowed corner between buildings.
Li Xuan quickly scanned the surroundings to ensure that no one had followed them.
After confirming that they were alone, his expression turned cold.
Without holding back, he grabbed the man by the collar and slammed him lightly against the wall.
Then his hand moved to the man's throat, gripping it firmly enough to restrict movement but not immediately cut off his breathing.
The man's face turned even paler, his eyes filled with fear as he struggled weakly.
Li Xuan leaned slightly closer, his voice calm but carrying a clear threat.
"What did you see?" he asked directly, his gaze piercing into the man's eyes.
The man shook his head desperately, trying to deny it, but his expression had already betrayed him.
"I… I didn't see anything… please let me go," he stammered, his voice trembling uncontrollably.
Li Xuan tightened his grip slightly, just enough to make the man feel the pressure.
"Don't lie," he said coldly, his tone leaving no room for negotiation.
"Then tell me why you ran the moment you saw me."
The man's breathing became uneven as fear spread across his face.
His body trembled, not just from the grip on his throat, but from something deeper.
Something he was clearly terrified to speak about.
Li Xuan watched him silently for a moment, his eyes sharp and focused.
Whatever this man had seen—
It was not something ordinary.
And for the first time since entering the village, Li Xuan felt that he might have just stumbled upon something far more important than simple information.