CH 54: FRIENDLY VISIT
As the sun rose in the sky, the world seemed to have come alive, from its previous stagnant and silent state, as people started waking up with the first rays of the sun and prepared themselves to face the day ahead. Whether to go to work, exercise, or simply sleep in as it was a Saturday.
The neighborhood where Adam and Cecilia lived was no exception to this phenomenon. Everywhere, one could see cars leaving houses or young and old people alike running on the asphalt with their earphones plugged in. Jogging or just simply taking a quick run out to enjoy the scenery of an early morning.
Everywhere, there were touches of Halloween decorations that could still be seen occupying the streets and houses. Though some were already starting to take them off to clear out the rubble as the holiday was no more.
It was the start of a beautiful day. At least that is what Shuri thought as she pulled over and stopped in front of the house of her dear friend and nephew.
Once she stepped out, a few men and women who had been running along the road nodded at her. The Gospels had been living in this place for years already and while neither Adam nor Cecilia were particularly friendly or outgoing, the neighbors still knew that this house belonged to Shuri.
Some with a gossiping soul had summarized that Shuri and Cecilia were in fact a couple while the vast majority simply did not care enough to bother thinking about things that did not matter to them.
On this day, Shuri was clad in a light one-piece short white robe that seemed to fly with the gusts of wind. At first glance, perhaps thanks to her genetic heritage, one would never think that she was in her thirties. She had a beautiful body, and a luscious hourglass figure —The result of hours after hours in the gym to take care of her health and a very strict diet.
Shuri did not particularly care about how she looked. But as a lawyer, she had long since learned how to weaponize her beauty to use to her advantage. The clothes might not make the man, or the woman in this case, but it sure helped in smoothening out some deals.
Opening the backdoor of the car, she bent down and began taking out some provisions she had bought on the way here.
She knew that neither Adam nor Cecilia were cooks. In fact, she was sure that Cecilia would live off of fast food if she was not here to admonish and take care of her.
This lifestyle choice of hers was something that really irked her since no matter how much junk food that woman engulfed, she seemed to have never gained even an ounce of fat from that. Her devilish figure to this day was a testament to that fact.
'Ugh…'
There was no woman who wouldn't be jealous of such a glamorous body. Much more so if that body was simply built in such a way that it would never lose its most optimum and beautiful state.
'I wonder what they are doing right now.'
Reaching the door she began to search for the spare key to the house in her purse. In the past, she had always been very careful about this notion. After all, she did not want to make Cecilia feel like she was trying to impose herself on her or anything.
But such consideration had long since vanished after they became closer and became bosom friends. True friends that always had each other's back and cared for each other's well-being. Now she saw herself as a member of the family and rather than eating alone in her house while tiringly drowning in the shadows of her loneliness, she liked coming here on the weekends and relaxing with her wonderful friend and her nephew.
Opening the door, she was surprised to hear the sound of the TV rolling out of the drawing room. Neither Adam nor Cecilia were particularly fans of TV. She was even more surprised to see Cecilia sleeping on the couch and a can of beer with its content spilled on the floor.
The odor of alcohol was completely filling the house, making her sigh in exasperation.
'Why do I feel like I am a wife taking care of her drunk husband.'
She was feeling pretty frustrated right now. Cecilia was already quite unwell, due to the complications with her heart, and drinking certainly wouldn't help her in any scenario. As if that wasn't enough, Cecilia was only wearing a pair of white panties and a white shirt that was loosely coming off her due to half the buttons being open.
The weather was pretty warm and cozy currently but still, one shouldn't be so careless like this. It would be a disaster if she caught a cold in her current situation.
She put down the provisions she had brought with her and approached the sleepy Cecilia.
"Cecilia. Wake up."
She made sure to stand a little away from her. Not only because of the alcohol that was spilled on the floor but also because she had learned the hard way to not startle Cecilia awake. The last time she did so, she nearly had her arms broken by this friend of hers.
From what she knew, Cecilia was some sort of retired soldier or perhaps even a mercenary. She had never asked about her situation in more depth as she knew that even friends had the right to keep some secret from each other. Even lovers and life partners had the right to keep some secrets for themselves much less friends.
Thankfully, she only had to call once and Cecilia began to move.
Her eyes slowly opened while her body stayed completely still in an eerie position. It was only after a few seconds that Cecilia finally turned toward her, while still laying down on the couch.
Even though she should have woken up abruptly, she showed no drowsiness or confusion in her eyes.
It was in moments like this that Shuri realized that despite her usual bluster and clumsiness, Cecilia was someone who was hiding a very dangerous edge to her.
But as fast as that moment came, it vanished when Cecilia gave a goofy grin as she stood up,
"Oh my… I didn't hear you. I was having a good dream I guess."
She stretched up, showing her toned stomach as well as a few small scars that looked like blades and bullet wounds.
"Ugh… All my bones are creaking like I am some old woman."
Cecilia smiled before looking up. It was a look directed toward the room of her son.
"Adam! Stop sleeping and come down for breakfast!"
Cecilia shouted using the voice all mothers seemed to obtain when they had to hurry their lazy children.
"Give me a second!"
Shuri chuckled as she witnessed the interactions of the mother-son pair. In moments like this, she wondered what would her life be if she had a child of her own.
Though, thinking of her husband and the current situation of her marriage, she was happy to be childless. She did not wish her child to go through such a traumatic experience.
"Cecilia, wipe the floor while I go make something light for the morning.'
"Yes, ma'am!"
Cecilia grinned and walked away to get a mop.
The dream she had in her sleep was still lingering in her mind and this helped her once again realize what her goal was.
She had a good friend and a good son. What more could she ask for in life?
It was a fulfilling life…
CH 55: BREAKFAST
Shuri looked incredulously as Adam gorged down the food she had prepared for breakfast like there was no tomorrow.
It was a pretty standard breakfast at first. Some ham, eggs, toast, apple juice, and some fruit as dessert. Adam was not really a big or a picky eater usually and neither was Cecilia, for the matter. It would often seem like they could survive on anything and without eating much in particular.
But today she felt like she was looking at a literal black hole as she watched Adam literally devour everything that came his way.
"Huh… Did you not eat anything for the last few days or something?"
She asked as she prepared a few more pancakes for him, knowing that at this pace he'll need a few more servings.
"I did… Simply hungry. I started training again."
Shuri was surprised by this news, "I thought you gave up on fighting after high school?"
She knew that Cecilia had trained him in the arts of self-defense when he was younger, but after his delinquent phase in high school, he seems to have given up on fighting altogether.
"Well… I guess I just want to be sure that I can protect myself from now on."
Adam did not wish to lie outright to his aunt Shuri if he could, so he simply gave her the half-truth and omitted the rest. It was for her own good.
Shuri, who knew that Adam went through a near-death experience not long ago simply nodded without adding further. She did not wish to make the atmosphere heavier by uttering anything else.
"By the way, Cecilia, we need to go check you up again. I still don't understand why you left the hospital in such a hurry but at least let's be sure it won't be a problem."
She really didn't want to make the atmosphere heavy. But she couldn't let her friend act like an idiot either.
Cecilia sighed inwardly at her friend's words. She was debating how to inform Shuri about the truth but she also knew that doing so would be a waste of their time. Shuri was no hunter and she did not seem to have any sort of talent for spiritualism either. There was no way that the Veil would let her pass on any information to her and even if she could she wouldn't believe it.
'I need to start preparing some protection for her.'
Since she was about to reveal herself to the supernatural world once more, it was necessary that she made sure about Shuri's well-being.
She had made many enemies during her revenge-fueled days of being a hunter when she was in her younger years and she knew for a fact that those people would not hesitate to put civilians in danger.
If people were to ever learn that her Heart Chakra was damaged…. Let's just say that things would go from bad to worse very very fast.
"I will be fine. Please trust me."
Shuri sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose with annoyance and helplessness. She knew that Cecilia could be more stubborn than a mule once she took a decision. But this was just going too far.
"Adam, please say something. Your mother is acting crazy."
Adam looked up like a deer in front of a headlight and nearly choked on the food. He swore that if he died like this he would curse every deity in the world.
After receiving a glass of water, he patted his chest and breathed deeply, "Sorry. The food was so good that I couldn't help myself. I don't remember the last time I had some good homemade stuff like this."
"Hey! What about the food I make!?"
Cecilia seemed quite offended to which Adam just shrugged with a sneer on his face, "I mean. Spaghetti with Ketchup is pretty easy to make. I don't even know if it can be called a homemade dish or not."
"Heh, you don't understand, everything is in the art of how you use what you have. Adding some little ingredients here and there can completely change the dish."
"Heh… If you say so…"
The two entered a light bantering mode while Shuri shook her head with a bitter smile and raised her hands in surrender,
"Alright, alright. I give up. No need to try changing the topic like this. Though I would give a B- for the attempt. You guys seriously need to up your game if you want to misdirect a judge and jury in the future."
Adam opened his eyes wide into saucers, "So you are telling me cases are won with lies and deceit?"
"I decide to use my right to stay silent. Though, with your appearance, I guess you won't really need to talk too much."
She tilted her head as she said this. She had always known that Adam was a handsome young man underneath his usual unfashionable self. But now, she felt a little awkward looking at him. She could even feel her heartbeat accelerate a little whenever he traced his flawless jawline and immaculate face.
'Get a grip. Just how thirsty are you?'
She immediately shook those thoughts away from her mind. She might not have been in a physical relationship for years now but lusting after her nephew, no matter how handsome he was, seemed a little too much.
She also shook away the insidious thoughts that were reminding her that Adam was not blood-related to her.
Like this, the three of them laughed and spent the rest of the time having fun.
For those three souls with their own wounds, moments like this were precious souvenirs that helped them continue forward in their daily stressful lives.
"Thanks for the breakfast. I will take care of the dishes. Go watch Tv or something."
He shooed away Shuri from the kitchen and Cecilia followed her with a chuckle, fleeing from the chores.
Now alone in the kitchen, the smile slowly slipped off his face as he looked up at the book hovering in the air.
After his ordeal last night, he had fallen asleep so he was now able to see how much he had changed. His physical stats had not changed much if not at all. But his others stats did grow a bit.
[Prana: F → D+
Charm: C → C+
Willpower: C+ → B
Luck: EX]
The greatest growth was definitely to his Prana and he could feel the difference. He had been able to levitate a little yesterday but it had been quite straining for him to do so.
Rather than the lack of Prana, it seemed more like his own limitation and understanding of the skill.
For now, he could basically lift something that was equivalent to the weight of a young man.
What really felt great for him, was the feeling of lightness and freedom passing through his body.
He felt like he had been cleaned in and out of all filth and was now feeling very good. He wondered if it was something like what happened in those Xianxias when the MC cleansed their bodies off of all the impurities but it did not really matter.
'Genesis, how much Karma do I have right now?'
[Karma: 300]
'Hmm… Shouldn't I have only 250?'
He had no Karma left after deducing it to accelerate the analysis of his ability, The World, and recently he choose the Industria ordeal.
[Love is also one of the sources of Karma.]
Adam then remembered that feeling of Love, Lust, Fear, and Respect could provide him with Karma. But for that to happen they needed to surpass a certain threshold.
He then remembered that making someone reach orgasm once only gave around 10 karma.
Cecilia's feeling of love when he succeeded was equal to—
'Ugh. Fuck. I should stop already.'
He felt revulsion as his thoughts went into the gutter.
'I need skills. Please find a few skills that will help me have better control of my domain.' [1]
He needed to be able to think faster and separate his thoughts. This would make it easier to control many weapons at once.
He had so many plans and for them, he needed a more efficient way to farm Karma.
He also needed to start obtaining books from the library that would actually benefit him monetarily.
Wealth was one of his greatest goals and he sure as hell was going to become rich.
CH 56: NEW SKILLS
The rest of the day moved along pretty smoothly. The three of them were used to spending time like this together.
Though Adam had noticed a peculiar fact— Shuri seemed to be coming to their house more and more on a regular basis. He had never really paid attention to her constant visits, but despite her position, Shuri seemed to be isolated and living a rather lonely life.
She did not regularly attend the cocktail dinners of the firm. Did not spend the night out and it seemed like she had no friends outside of his mother, Cecilia.
"I need to study for a bit."
He stood up and gave an excuse to go into his room.
His bedroom had no particular features worth remembering at first glance. It was just a normal room with a bed and a nightstand not far from it.
Looking at all the study books messily stocked on the desk, he began to remember the fact that he was actually a student studying at a prestigious university.
'Hahah…'
His days as a student seemed so far away now. But, to be exact, it had only been a few days since his life entirely changed in its roots.
He wondered what he should do now. Continue to act like someone living a normal life? Get a degree and work as a lawyer? Or should he simply give up on school altogether?
In the future, it would be possible for him to open his own enterprise once he got a hang of possible new technologies with the help of the Library.
'Well… I shouldn't think too much about it now.'
Taking his eyes off those books, that once entailed the story of his life, he sat on the bed and got down to business.
"Genesis, show me a few skills I can buy right now."
[As of now I have discarded skills that can only be used by unlocking other Chakra pathways. Their current prices for those skills are not accessible to you.]
Adam nodded in understanding. Opening the appropriate Chakra was one of the prerequisites of the skills and without it, forcibly obtaining the skill would only result in a price increase. An exponential increase to the point that even thinking about buying them was a lost cause.
[According to your current stats, martial art skills are not a priority. I suggest that you should avoid any close combat as much as possible. At least until you unlock the Heart Chakra or any major Chakra pathways that can help in boosting the physical body and enhance bodily parameters.]
Adam was a peak human with his current stats. He had yet to test out the limits of his powers but they were the best one could achieve among the confines of humanity.
But since he could not go beyond D+, it would be unwise to face supernatural beings. He did not know how wide the difference could be between D+ and the Cs and higher ranks…
Thankfully, he could at the very least learn to do cladding. So he could better protect himself just in case it were to be needed.
[For now. These skills are the most optimal ones after doing a little research.]
[Parallel Thinking:
Rank – C
Description: Using the skill enables you to separate your thoughts into a maximum of ten individual and separate processes when the skill is maxed out.
Price: 1000→100 Karma]
[As always, this is a skill that you should be able to obtain in the future by yourself. The skill has been greatly discounted because of the existence of the Crown Chakra and your innate ability The World. Obtaining this skill now will be greatly useful when you enter the Library the next time and for your current Telekinetic capabilities.]
Adam's eyes twinkled at the information relayed to him by genesis. This was indeed a very useful skill that would greatly enhance his overall capabilities. Simply being able to separate his thoughts in two would help him maximize offense and defense by a great margin.
The number of actions that the brain could simultaneously do were simply too much to count but humans could generally only focus on one thing at a time so having a skill that would allow him to up that count to ten was a godsend.
[Hawk Eyes:
Rank – D
Description: Using this skill allows the user to have the same level of vision as that of a Hawk.
Price: 50→10 karma]
[This skill does not have a great synergy with The World but it will be assimilated by the Eyes of Truth. Until your domain can cover kilometers at will, it should be rather useful for you.]
Adam took his phone out and did some research. Birds of prey like hawks and eagles had a vision that was eight times sharper than that of humans. They could see perfectly clearly even if the object of their interest were a few miles away.
If he needed to observe anyone from afar, this would certainly be very useful. He was basically slowly transforming himself into a sniper rifle.
[Eyes of Empathy:
Rank – C
Description: Using the skill enables the user to observe the mood and emotions of an individual toward the user in the color spectrum.
Price: 700→70]
[I believe I do not need to explain how useful this skill will be in your line of work. Be it as a Lawyer, Gigolo, or Hunter. This will have a perfect synergy with The World when in close range of the target and an even better synergy with Hawk Eyes when observing the target from afar.]
Adam tried to imagine the implications of the skill. It would be like being able to identify hostile, neutral, or allying individuals on a mini-map. He tried imagining being in a court and being able to immediately know what people really thought about him or when flirting with clients while working for Yui.
Depending on the situation, this could indeed become one of his most useful skills.
[Eyes of Empathy is also one of the prerequisites to lower the price for the S ranked skill Mind Reading and the EX ranked skill Telepathy.]
"What would be the price if I try to acquire an S rank skill without filling the prerequisites?"
[S rank skills can cost anything between a hundred thousand to a million. The price of EX rank skills has no limit.]
"Haha…"
Indeed. It seemed like even being a pay-2-win player had a certain limit.
"Though why did Eyes of Truth cost so low then?"
[The reason EX rank skills can fall so low in price is that you need to go through trials to actually obtain them. There is also the possibility of failing or being corrupted mentally or losing your sense of self.
The Eyes of Truth is the skill with the lightest prerequisites and if your compatibility with Buddha had been higher, the trial would have been less risky.]
Adam just shrugged at this piece of information. He doubted anyone that wasn't a monk or a saint could have a great compatibility with someone like Buddha.
Thankfully at least, since the Eyes of Truth was the summit of all skills under the Third Eye, he could obtain all of them at a discount.
After this, Adam added one more skill. A D rank skill called [Owl Vision]. Which of course gave him the ability to see in the dark. There was no questioning how useful it would be when paired with [Hawk Eyes].
He wondered if he should buy more but decided to not recklessly splurge everything in one go.
He wished to buy more skills like [Future Sight] or perhaps even something like [Copy eyes]. Though he doubted a skill like the latter really existed.
In the end, he knew that he should take one step at a time. Rome was not built in one day after all.
[Karma: 300
Parallel Thinking – C rank: -100
Eyes of Empathy – C rank: -70
Hawk Eyes – D rank: -10
Owl Vision – D rank: -10
Total: -190
Karma Remaining: 110]
[Do you wish to purchase all those skills?]
[Y/N]
Adam chose yes…and immediately regretted it.
Pain shot through his brain as four skills were immediately engraved in his mind and body.
The only saving grace for him as he bent down and held his head while grimacing was that at least this time he did not die.
It was truly a sad saving grace.
CH 57: NEW DAILY LIFE
After Adam woke up from the pain of obtaining a few new skills, he spent the rest of the day having fun with Shuri and Cecilia.
It was after Shuri left that things became serious for Adam.
As Cecilia started the training in earnest. For one she was quite excited about the skills he had obtained. Genesis, despite its clear dislike for Adam, had fulfilled its role as an advisor and had chosen skills with great synergy.
For the rest of the week, Adam was completely wrung dry as Cecilia followed a series of tests to find exactly what where his limits.
Only by knowing those limits could she create an effective training plan.
The basement had thankfully some weight-lifting equipment from the day he trained with her.
His lifting strength was judged to be easily around a few hundreds of kilograms with no straining on his part. Cecilia judged that with those numbers, he should theoretically be able to reach near a tone if he strained and more if he used Prana.
After all, while the efficiency of reinforcement was far lower than hunters, it wasn't completely zero either.
From the get-to-go it was decided that Adam should be careful if he was to fight any normal human. He remembered quite clearly how easy it had been to snap the bone of the two men that had nefarious intentions toward Sae.
After his strength, came speed measurement. Once again it was clear that even without trying, Adam could outrun even the fastest man alive.
Cecilia was quite impressed as his body should not allow such prowess with no particular boost. But since he was not truly human, this was understandable.
In reality, it was impossible for most hunters to even reach the peak of what was humanly possible with pure training. Only by using Prana or special medicine could they truly reach the limit.
She had been quite clear that without the use of Prana, Adam was stronger and faster than her.
But this did not particularly please him. He knew very well that no hunter would be stupid enough to fight him without Prana and the most supernatural creature would be stronger than him.
As such, what followed was what truly interested him.
Firstly, after opening all his chakra points, the most important thing to note was that his domain had expanded greatly. Going from 20 meters at max to around 50 or 60 meters.
After obtaining Parallel thinking, Adam realized just how smoother the operation of his Telekinesis became. Currently, he could only separate his thoughts in two but this was enough. He could more easily control objects and was able to move four different things at the same time without having to focus too much. He knew that he would be able to do more in the future.
It would be incredible if he was able to reach the level of moving thousand of swords at the same time. But what he could do was already incredible.
The skills also helped him when absorbing information obtained by using The World. He could dedicate one mind to focus on the influx of information and the other on moving objects or simply acting normal.
They also tested his weightlifting this time. But while he could only lift around 100 kg of weight for now, he realized that he could move them at nearly the speed of sound.
In the future, he could say that he was truly a human-shaped gun or would it be more exact to say that he was a lance roquet?
What made truly scary this part was that the law of inertia did not apply to this case. He could make anything under his control immediately reach the top velocity and what was even better was that if the object did leave his domain, the law of inertia would then apply and keep the object moving for a long while even without his control. [1]
The more they tested his skill, the more excited Cecilia and Adam became. In fact, Cecilia seemed even more excited than him as she jumped and hugged him tightly.
Cecilia understood perfectly well how scary the current spec of Adams were. As long as he managed to obtain more experience and became more used to his power, he would be able to protect himself pretty well with no problem.
The only limit now was his own mind since, while his Prana was constantly replenished thanks to the Crown, this did not soothe the straining his mind had to go through.
But this did not deter him. He likened this power to a new muscle. Only repeated training would be useful or perhaps the use of Karma could help speed up things.
He would have to see if he could obtain some kind of meditation-type skills to help him trudge along.
The others skills he had obtained proved to be worth the prize. They all fused with the Eye of Truth. So it was a little hard to consciously filter through everything but Parrarel's thinking shone once again and helped him.
The most confusing thing had been how to differentiate the color from Prana and the one from Emotion but it was quite easy all things considered. The one of Prana showed internally, following the Chakra in the body.
The color of emotions, on the other hand, covered mostly the head. Like a small halo.
He needed to test a little and discover more emotion but when he looked at Cecilia, all he could see was an overwhelming gold color. The significance was clear in his mind.
This was one of an absolute ally.
Her feelings for him were firm and unshakable.
Knowing this made Adam tears up a little inside, but he showed none of this on his face.
Still, the feeling of knowing that no matter what happened in the future, he would always have her on his back was heartwarming.
Sadly for Adam. He had forgotten that Cecilia absolutely loved him.
She was also a tough instructor who accepted no-nonsense.
The rest of the weekend made Adam wonder if the golden color did not in fact mean hatred.
"Are you really my mom? I call this child abuse."
"Sorry dear, but right now you are only a trainee."
Adam groaned as he moved to avoid a hit coming at his head, only to receive another one at his midsection.
It was necessary to say that he was fighting completely blind.
The same thing had been happening for the entirety of the week.
Firstly, he had to keep a blindfold no matter where he was.
If she attacked him physically he had to move to dodge or block. If she threw something at him, he had to move it or stop it with his mind.
When watching the TV, she made him keep the remote floating and constantly changing the channels and asked him to bring her beer from the fridge without leaving the sofa as well as clean the house by moving the mop and everything with his mind.
Her argument was that she was following the instruction of a long-lost martial master who believed in using chores for training.
In his mind though, she was simply using him as a servant.
Of course, the result was clear. There was a great difference between moving the maximum weight as fast as possible and moving more fragile things with carefully.
Cecilia clearly thought the later was more important and he had to admit, she was right.
In simply two days, his level of control had grown tremendously.
While the number of objects he could control at the same time hadn't increased, he was sure he could do things many more things now.
Though when she said that he would only be considered to have graduated from this training when he could play an orchestra with just his mind—He began to wonder just kind of other wacky things she would make him do.
In a way, this was rather fun.
It was like this that the weekend ended.
In a weird, exhausting but very meaningful day.
This was also why, standing now in front of the campus, looking at all the students walking around with no care in the world, Adam couldn't help but feel a sense of incongruity.
He realized once again that his life had truly deviated from what was considered normal.
But this was alright. He just had to create a new normal every day.
At least this was what he thought until he gazed at Natasha and used the Eye of Truth.
[Name: Natasha Antonovna Nikitina
Affiliation: Great Wolf
Alias: Silver Princess
Race: Shapeshifter/Werewolf
Age: 21]
Life really liked throwing curveballs when you least expected them.
[1]: Summary. Even after reaching max speed in his domain, the speed won't suddenly vanish once it left his domain.
CH 58: LET'S FUCK!
Natasha Antonovna Nikitina. She was one of Adam's best friends at the university and someone who was generally easy to talk to despite her great background.
When seeing her banter and trade insults with Sae on a daily basis, one would never even believe in a million years that she was actually a rich young lady from a prestigious family in the city of LA. She did not wear branded clothes when coming to the University premise, or in general to be frank, and while her car was quite expensive, it wasn't something so extraordinarily luxurious that people would stare in awe whenever she drove it in the public.
All in all, she was a person worth respecting who was down to earth and never lorded her status in her interactions with others. It was easy to see that she was someone from a great family from the olden times rather than from an upstart family of the modern era.
But, Adam would have never guessed that she was in reality a werewolf. A shapeshifter to be precise.
[Name: Natasha Antonovna Nikitina
Affiliation: Great Wolf
Alias: Silver Princess
Race: Shapeshifter— Werewolf
Age: 21]
Adam wasn't the only one to be surprised by the current situation.
Genesis had told him that now that he had opened all the minor chakra in his body, even if he were to use the Lock, it would change literally nothing as the people from the supernatural side would still be able to feel his Prana.
Moreover, since his Prana was in constant circulation thanks to his two main Chakra pathways,
locking them would actually be the cause of constant pain that would probably weaken him over the period when the lock was activated for.
Cecilia was also of the same opinion as Genesis about the usage of the Lock. Which now meant that the lock was a no-go unless truly necessary.
The time necessary to unlock his two main Chakra, after kickstarting it by deactivating the Lock, might be the difference between life and death in the future.
She asked him to keep The World, the main spiritual power that established his domain on reality, constantly active now in a passive format. This would heighten his response time in case of any dangers and would also serve as a form of training for him to prolong the activation of his ability and also make it easier for him to process information in real time.
For all the reasons above, Adam went from being someone normal for any human to someone clearly from the supernatural side in the eyes of those who were able to feel his supernatural status. And that someone happened to be his best friend Natasha.
"Adam…"
Natasha stopped when she caught sight of Adam.
She had been ready to greet him at first but now, she was looking at him with clear bewilderment.
Tension rose between the two as Adam saw the color of her emotions for him go from a friendly Green to a wary Yellow in real time.
"Adam! How have you been!?"
Someone jumped at him from behind. Adam nearly moved away by reflex, a perk of his training with his mother for the past few days, but stopped himself once he realized that it was, in fact, Sae— his other bosom friend who recently also became his sex friend.
"Hi… You seem pretty chirpy today…"
Adam took away his eyes from Natasha and smiled brightly at the girl hanging on his back while directing a mischievous smile toward him.
"Hehehe. I am happy to see you. Also damn. Look at you. You finally decided to do away with the glasses, huh?"
He nodded to her words, "I am wearing a pair of contact lenses now. Seemed more convenient."
He wasn't. Yesterday, after much effort he had finally been able to stop his eyes from shining like he was some lamp in a dark passageway. Though they still shone when he used his powers actively it wasn't enough to be a problem.
Even though he was speaking to Sae, he was keeping his 'eyes' on Natasha. He was relieved to see that her color went back to green again in the meantime.
The color around Sae though was a coquettish mix of pink and red.
[Name: Sae Kirishima
Affiliation: none
Alias: none
Race: Human
Age: 21]
He let out a sigh of relief inwardly. He didn't know what he would have done if Sae ended up being a supernatural creature as well.
This time, imperceptibly their sitting arrangement changed as Adam was sandwiched between Natasha and Sae. He would have liked to put Sae between them but he didn't want to use her as a shield in this situation.
"By the way, where is Al? He is rarely late like today."
"I don't think Alberto will be able to come today. His family seems to be quite busy and he needs to be there for them."
Natasha spoke quietly while giving Adam a look and then focused on her phone.
Sae meanwhile didn't seem to care very much even though she was the one to bring up the topic. Alberto wasn't a child and his grades wouldn't suffer just because of a few absences.
She was more focused on humming a little song. Right now she was wearing a more conservative dress than she used to.
It was a simple black skirt that went past her knees, something that was uncharacteristic of her usually flaunting self, and a beautiful white shirt as well as a white Cardigan.
"I guess getting laid really put you in good mood."
Both Adam and Sae literally choked a little at this explosive statement. She had spoken loud enough for the two of them to hear her words but not enough for the others to notice it.
"You told her?"
"I didn't have a choice…"
The two began to talk in hushed voices, clearly a little agitated due to the bomb she threw at them. Meanwhile, Natasha looked at them with a grin.
She had been a little wary at first, thinking that Adam was an enemy. But she realized now that he was no different from usual.
She didn't know what happened and why he was suddenly part of the supernatural world. But she could ask about that later.
Now though, she just wanted to tease her friends a little.
She just hoped that he didn't enter some weird cult. While she had nothing against priest-type supernatural beings, she knew that the vast majority either fell prey to old evil gods or outright devils.
They either ended up dead, crazy, or became extremely dangerous criminals.
The only ones who seemed to be the exceptions were witches and warlocks. But Natahsa would argue that witches were already quite crazy by definition.
Adam was a sweet boy and her dear friend. Someone she cherished deeply. It was her duty to make sure that nothing bad happened to him.
The three of them stopped joking around when the professor of the day entered the classroom but it was then that his phone buzzed. Multiple times even. Which prompted him to open the lock to stare at the assortment of messages that popped up on the screen.
[Sender: Yui
Adam, we will not be able to open tonight. You should stay at home and also avoid staying late at night for the rest of the week.]
[Sender: Natasha.
Let's go to a restaurant after school. We need to speak.]
[Sender: Sae.
I am horny. Let's fuck?]
CH 59: WASHROOM
Looking at the three messages he received, it was easy to understand why Adam was unable to focus on the class even though he had the equivalent of two individual minds in his current capacity.
The message coming from Yui was a little bit unexpected, but at the same time, Cecilia had warned him about the way the underworld worked in the supernatural world. So, it was not all that surprising once he really thought about it.
It was impossible for hunters to cover all the grounds of their respective territories so people like Yui were given more leeway as long as they did not go too far and cause too much trouble and kept it under wraps. In exchange, they had to take care of the problems that could appear in the territory that they, as gangs, controlled as long as it was related to the supernatural side.
The Feng family were hunters while the Hanekawa family were shamans. None of them were really at the top of the top like the Kaminaris, but they were still age-old and powerful families. They were still crucial in maintaining the equilibrium of the supernatural side.
Adam understood now why Cecilia had been so insistent in separating him from Yui. Since not only was she a criminal, but she was also deeply entwined with the supernatural side of the world.
'I need to talk to her later.'
Yui wasn't much of a problem if he had to be honest about it. The first and greatest of all his problems now was Natasha— his best friend.
Since Natasha was blending so seamlessly with normal humans, what about the others? Exactly how many of the students or professors were also part of the supernatural world? He couldn't help but have this disconcerting and jarring thought.
This was something he hoped he would be able to clear up when he would have the ensuing meeting with her.
[To: Natasha
Sure… No problem… I'm free for the day so we can have something to eat together. Where should we meet?]
He hit on the send button and finally looked at Sae who returned his gaze with an impish smile gracing her cute pink lips.
He had always known that Sae was a hyperactive and very direct sort of woman. But this surprised him by a great deal, nonetheless.
He remembered something. Sae had told him last time that she would sometimes come to the university with no panties on.
Moreover, looking at the long skirt she was wearing today,
'It couldn't be…'
Seeing him look at her thighs, the smile on her face stretched even further.
[Sender: Sae
Follow me during recess. We are going to have some fun.]
Natasha sniffed a little and shook her head when she felt the arousal of both Sae and Adam practically bombarding the air due to the release of their pheromones.
She gave them a side glance and again couldn't help but shake her head in both surprise and bewilderment as she remembered her discussion with Sae the last time she had visited her apartment.
Even though she did not go too deep into the details, she had been quite clear about just how much pleasure Adam had brought her despite the two of them being virgins.
She growled a little internally as she shook away the obtrusive and vile images from her head. Her mating period was approaching and her father kept pushing for her to find someone so that she could finally do the deed.
This notion was truly irritating her to her core and what was happening right now, in such close proximity to her, wasn't helping.
After sending a message to Adam to tell him where they should meet, she scrolled her contact list and sent another message to the woman she had been in contact with recently.
She was not interested in finding a mate. But she needed someone to act as a smokescreen and the situation was becoming quite urgent.
She hoped that she wouldn't be disappointed
—
"You are really crazy, you know that?"
"Hehe!"
After the morning classes finally ended, they had two hours with nothing to do. So both Adam and Sae left the classroom together.
The meaningful smile Natasha threw at them bothered him a bit but then again since she was a werewolf she could perhaps smell their arousal? He didn't really know how they worked but he was sure that Natasha was aware of what they were intending to do right now.
After following her for a while, he had wondered where she would lead him and was surprised when he found himself in front of the women's washroom.
"So? Will you come in or nah? You know the longer you stand here the more suspicious you will look, right?"
She grinned and pulled him before closing the door behind them.
He could have refused then and there but the devil on his shoulder kept convincing him to just walk on the whims of the devilish girls. She was like a satanic spawn with the ludicrous and debauched way she was behaving today.
All things said, he could still use his domain to keep watch. He already knew that the toilets were not currently occupied by anyone.
Nothing could happen, right?
The sad thing was that the angel on his other shoulder kept nodding in acquiescence too. As though it were charmed by the little minx that was Sae.
The women's washroom was pretty well taken care of. There was a smell of lavender floating in the air and everything was sparkling clean. As expected of a prestigious University, he idly thought.
Looking at their reflection in the large mirror, he could see that Sae's face was completely flushed red right now and her breath was quite hurried and ragged. The smell of her arousal was so intense right now that, werewolf or not, anyone would be able to tell that she was horny. That included Adam as well.
The washroom had six toilets and he made sure once again that none of them were occupied by anyone. The door of those toilets had no space below and they were completely separated by quite high walls in order to avoid any peeking.
After they entered one of the toilets, Sae immediately made him sit on the toilet bowl while making sure to lock the door.
"Haha~ You can't even begin to imagine how much I waited for doing something like this."
She sat on his lap before kissing him deeply. It was a full-blown french kiss from the get-go.
"Ah~"
Sae moaned when he hugged her back and reciprocated the kiss with equal fervor in his actions.
Their tongues began to wrestle as the two of them began devouring each other for all they were worth.
How long did it last? None could truly answer but the kiss itself felt so good for Sae that she felt like she was going to melt then and there.
As their lips began to pull apart, they left a long trail of saliva between them, making for quite a lewd sight. But Sae had no care for it.
Her eyes were fully dilated as she was still focusing on the aftertaste of their steamy kiss. Adam swore that he could almost see hearts in her pupils which made him wonder if his eyes were seeing things or not.
"You seem to be really wound up."
He gently caressed her hair as he said so and Sae smiled as she took his right arm and brought it down below her skirt.
"You can't even imagine."
"You…You really came to classes with nothing below."
Adam muttered speechlessly as he felt the heat and wetness of her most intimate place.
As he had previously guessed, there were no panties blocking his way but only a smooth and moist slit.
"Kuh~ Adam~"
Sae curled her toes inadvertently and moaned his name when she felt his finger begin to lightly caress her outer lips.
"You are really a pervert, aren't you?"
He grinned as he muttered to her ears, "I wonder how I should punish you."
He realized that he was as perverted as this impish girl was, if not more. But this realization was not enough to stop him right now.
CH 60: SAE (5) [R18]
Hearing the word 'punishment', Sae shuddered with a surprising bout of ecstasy.
She had long since realized that she had a great number of fetishes, but she never thought that masochism was part of the lot too. She was starting to discover new parts of herself she had no idea about.
She was not given the time to think deeply about this sudden notion as she felt his digits slowly enter her quivering quim before retreating back.
Again and again, the motion continued, never really going deeply inside but never leaving far either. Only working around the edge as if taunting her quim with mischievous touches.
"Adam~ please, ugh, don't tease me like that."
She felt like she was being tortured by his hands in real-time which was probably what was taking place in this cubicle.
But at the same time, the feeling of having no control over her own pleasure made her feel even hotter and wetter than before, perplexing her mind further.
Seeing the disheveled state of Sae, Adam felt his shaft growing painfully hard against his pants.
"Take off your shirt."
Sae obeyed his orders, taking off her cardigan and opening her white shirt to show her beautiful and heavy breasts still encased in her brassiere.
It was a beautiful white bra with a simple design that only covered the lower part of her breasts. A teasing design that let the nipples slightly peek out as well as show the smooth springy skin of the upper part.
"How erotic."
He bent down and gave a planted kiss on her luscious and heavy breasts while still teasing her outer lips.
Then lowering the bra with his teeth, he gently bit down on her perky nipple that had become achingly hard. He teased the sensitivity of the nipples with his teeth, being careful but also indulgent in offering pain and pleasure to her tangled senses.
"Ugh~! You are going to leave a mark."
Sae groaned but did nothing further to stop his act. She was feeling delirious right about now. She could feel that she was slowly approaching the brink of her sanity and soon, the melting orgasm she was dying to receive would wash over her mind and body like a tsunami.
Even though Adam was only teasing her, she was already pretty excited before coming here so it was understandable as to why she was reaching orgasm this early and with such little stimulation.
'A little more. A little more. Just a little– Ah?'
"Wha-?"
She was so close. So very close. Yet, so very far.
"Adam… Please."
She directed a pitiful glance toward Adam. Her eyes were moist with her tears and her chest was heaving up and down continuously due to the arousal she was feeling and the hopes she was harboring for the incredible high she sought.
She even tried to grind herself against him but he entirely stopped her from doing so by clutching her shoulders and body.
Adam was merciless, not giving an iota of thought to what Sae was feeling right now. No matter how hard she tried she would not let her cum.
He took out his finger and directed a mean smile toward a pitiful-looking Sae, "You are pretty selfish, aren't you? You brought me here and now you want to come all by yourself?"
"Ugh~"
"Take off your skirt or you will make a mess of your attire. You might have forgotten already but let me remind you again we are in a public place right now and not at your home."
She was able to realize that it was his own consideration for her that had stopped him from delivering to her the high she sought.
"Haha." She was completely speechless right now. But she indeed realized that it would be stupid of her to stain her skirt right now in such a place.
She stood up to take it off at a record speed. But it was then that she realized that his boner was pushing painfully against his pants.
She had been a little upset to see that he could stay so clear-headed while she was going crazy with lust and deliriousness. But seeing this, she realized once again that he wanted her as much as she wanted him.
"Should I give you some help first?"
She did not wait for him to answer and crouched down before his knees.
Once his penis was freed from its constraints, she looked at it with undisguised wonder.
She realized once again that this thing had been in her a few days ago and now.
A blush covered her face as she muttered under her breath–
"You are really a beast."
–Before she caught it by the base and gave a lick to the mushroom-shaped head with delight in her eyes.
It tasted a little sour and salty, but she did not mind. She realized that she quite liked his taste and slowly began to lose herself in the act.
This time it was Adam's turn to groan as Sae went from simply licking to truly taking it in her mouth.
She only took in as much of the penis as she could manage with her small mouth and wrapped her trembling tongue around it.
Then she started making obscene sucking and slurping noises while moving her chestnut-colored head back and forth in pistoning motions.
Each time her head moved, her long twin-tailed hair shook with it. At the same time, a numbness raced through his rock-hard erect penis and more precum flowed out from the throbbing tip.
Adam felt like he wanted to grab her shoulder and slam into her throat with reckless abandon but his last thread of rationality stopped him from doing so as it would only make things difficult for Sae.
Seeing that beautiful girl doing her best to pleasure him filled his penis with a sense of approaching ejaculation and the throbbing of the meat rod quickened, signaling his ensuing release.
"I am going to…"
He tapped her a little on the head to warn her of the impending release but Sae continued to move her head bringing him even closer to the climax.
The trembling and throbbing of his penis told her that he was about to ejaculate, so she sucked on it like a straw and her tongue wrapped around the shaft to massage and stimulate the bulbous tip to release even a moment faster.
Her youthful and lovely face moved back and forth, shaking her long chestnut-colored hair everywhere, and her tongue licked up the shaft to the tip again and again, as if to urge the semen along.
Finally, Adam was unable to stop himself as he reached the peak.
The rod throbbed as it sprayed his fluids inside her mouth.
Overwhelmed by the pleasure of ejaculation, he started to slowly move his hips to release the rest of the semen down into her throat, but the milky liquid had filled both her throat and mouth.
Sae choked, removed the penis from her lips, and spat out the semen she had not managed to swallow.
He was not done ejaculating yet, so more thick liquid erupted from the tip and splattered on her face even as semen spilled from her lovely lips.
With the milky liquid dripping down her breasts, Sae gave a smile of ecstasy as she licked the semen on the corner of her lips with her tongue.
"You can still cum, right?"
She grinned at him. There was no way that she was satisfied with just this.
She wanted more. Way more.
She put her hand in the discarded Cardigan and took out a tissue to wipe away the semen from her face while looking at Adam's gradually hardening penis
She was once again surprised at how quickly he recovered from an ejaculation since she had read that men needed more time to rest after ejaculating.
Then again she had no reason to dislike this.
Straddling him, she brought her mouth to his ears and muttered.
"Let's do it raw this time. I made sure to take my pills."
Adam's penis had never been so hard in his entire life.
Raising her beautiful butt, she took hold of his shaft with her small hands and adjusted it before slowly sinking down.
The feeling of the heat and wetness produced by a tight entrance made Adam feel like he was in heaven.
As she slowly took more and more of his penis inside her, the two of them groaned as the difference between raw and protective sex became more than evident to them.
But it was then that…
"Ugh. Do you believe it? That girl is so stupid."
"Haha. Don't mind her. She is just a freshman."
The two of them froze as they heard the door of the washroom open followed by heard the voices of two girls from outside of the cubicle.
On this day, Adam learned a valuable lesson. Even two minds could not focus on anything else when sex and pleasure were involved.
CH 61: SAE (6) [R18]
Both Sae and Adam became silent and unmoving when they heard the voices of the girls speaking in the washroom outside.
There was only a single door separating them from being seen and Adam could not help but berate himself for his carelessness.
He had thought he could keep himself focused even during sex, but clearly, he had overestimated himself or underestimated just how erotic Sae could be.
'What should we do now?'
He wondered how to proceed from now on when he felt Sae trembling in his arms.
'Ah… She must be even more nervous than me right now.'
It was understandable. They lived in a harsh world full of hypocrisy. If the two of them were found out in the women's washroom and in such a situation, the one who would suffer the greatest backslash would be Sae herself.
He looked down, wishing to help her calm down but then was left absolutely speechless when she saw Sae's visage as she looked up at him as well.
He had expected nervousness or even outright fear to mar her enchanting oriental features. But there was none of it in her eyes. Far from it, in fact.
All he could see was a feverish gleam radiating in those beautiful pupils of hers as she brought her face close and started kissing him heavily and wantingly. At the same time, her vagina which had simply tightened around his girth started some gentle wriggling movements, and the many folds of her quivering flesh wrapped around the penis as if licking across every inch of it.
He could even feel her love juice flow more freely than before.
One didn't need to be a genius to understand that far from feeling fear, Sae only felt even more excitement at the current state of their situation. As if a switch had been flipped inside of her.
Sae was indeed feeling emotions and sensations that she had never come across in her entire life.
All her life, Sae had been heavily interested in sex and any-and-all matters related to it. She always had this seemingly insatiable curiosity about debauched subjects. Like a thirst that could not be quenched and she had so many fantasies that it was mind-numbing.
The only thing she had lacked until now was a trusty partner. Someone she could believe in and entrust herself to. Someone who would not be put off by her inner raunchiness but at the same time who would not take advantage of her.
That person now was Adam and he was helping her realize one of her greatest fantasies. How could she keep calm, right now then?
Everything felt so much vivid. The feeling of his shaft inside her honeypot. His skin roughly rubbing against her, his rough breath and his tongue wrestling with hers.
'Hah…'
Right now, two people her age were talking just a few inches away from her while she was being fucked by one of her dearest friends. She was feeling like a harlot in heat, completely drenched in love juices with his penis deeply embedded inside her snatch.
What if they heard her?
What if they saw her?
What would they think? Would they look at her with disgust? Think of her as a slut? Insult her?
Just thinking about their expressions if this happened made Sae feel a kind of euphoria she had never thought was possible for someone to feel. It was just out of this world.
She stopped caring about the possibility of being heard and started moving up and down along the length of his shaft, wishing to feel Adam even more deeply inside her. In the end, she was so excited that she only had to move twice before reaching the peak.
"Ugh~!"
Her body stopped moving as a powerful climax swept through her mind and flesh, making every inch of it tremble with undisguised euphoria.
The only reason her intermittent groans did not change into a full-blown scream was thanks to her lips still being locked with Adam's as their tongues still danced to the tune of a euphoric duet.
"Hey, I think something might be wrong. I heard something."
"You're right. Um, are you okay?"
Suddenly, someone spoke through the door of the bathroom stall they occupied for their debauched acts.
They had heard Sae groan and while they were a little embarrassed, they wondered if everything was alright for the person inside.
'Heard… They heard my voice…'
She thought hazily but could not stop her hips from resuming their movements along Adam's girthy and elongated member.
The obscene wet sound of penetration rang through the stall and her moans echoed on and on even reaching the ears of the ones outside.
"Um, should we call someone, is there a professor close by that we can ask for assistance?"
Adam wanted to stop Sae from moving. He really really wanted to.
But while the mind was willing, the body was weak and submissive to the tune of heavenly pleasure.
Sae wasn't the only one feeling a great amount of thrill at the current situation. He could feel his imminent ejaculation bubbling inside his scrotum.
Still, they couldn't really allow themselves to get caught by the pair of girls outside. While it wouldn't result in great problems immediately, the rumors that would inevitably spread would leave a stain on their resume.
So, after summoning all his inner strength, he snapped out of his sex-fuelled stupor and stopped Sae from continuing to move her hips by clenching them powerfully. This prompted her to break out of her own haze and stare at him with a dull yet quizzical look.
Once he was sure that he had her attention, he indicated to her that she needed to speak while being careful to not make a sound.
Sae pouted a little, but this helped her come back a little to their reality and gauge their current situation. No matter how exciting this was, she couldn't mess up her future because of a few minutes of pleasure.
She will have time to try many interesting things with Adam in the future, after all. She was sure that he would always be there for her.
"I-I'm okay…!"
She bit her lips to contain the moans that were stuck in her throat all along, but she could not keep a wet and steamy sigh from escaping her lips. It took all her strength to even utter those words to those bothersome girls outside.
"But we keep hearing strange voices…and noises."
"I said I'm fine! Ugh. I am just having… cramps. This is that day of the month, you know?"
She replied with uncontained moans mixed in her voice.
"Ah…"
The girls leaked a voice of understanding after hearing her explanation. They seemed to understand the 'pain' Sae was going through right now and decided to leave in order to not embarrass the girl further.
"Sorry. Take care."
It was only after they left and Adam made sure that there was no one in the surrounding that he sighed in relief and looked, nay glared at Sae…
"You are really crazy, you know that?"
" —And you are as crazy as me."
She grinned as she felt that he was still hard and throbbingly ready inside of her.
"Of course, if you want, we can stop?"
She spoke those words as she tilted her head in a cutesy manner, causing Adam to growl menacingly and grab her by the hips.
There was no way that he could stop now and Sae felt even happier as she saw his reaction.
The obscene wet sound of penetration rang through the stall once more and her moans echoed on and on like no tomorrow. Her vagina tightened even further and the folds of her sticky flesh wrapped tightly around his massive girth.
With each thrust, her long and messy twin-tailed hair would scatter as if blown by a gust of wind and her large breasts would shake so hard he thought they would tear off any moment now.
Her perfectly flat and smooth belly trembled slightly, telling him she was approaching an orgasm once again and he knew that he would not last long as well.
"Adam~!"
A truly unrestrained cry finally escaped her pink lips and she embraced him tightly. Her breasts were crushed between the two of them, so he felt their indescribable feeling of softness emanate from his chest and could even feel her two perky nipples rubbing and rolling against him.
He could not hold back any longer. No one could in such a situation.
His rod trembled several times, it grew thicker, and a mass of cloudy liquid began rising inside the length of his shaft. He tightly embraced her body and thought of nothing except pumping her vagina full of his cloudy semen.
His hips pumped even faster and the wet sound of penetration was joined by the sound of slapping flesh as he pounded into her pussy like a machine gun. The countless folds of flesh reacted to her approaching climax by wriggling deeper and more violently which tickled even the inside of his rod with a pleasurable numbness.
"Please~ Fill me up~~"
It was as if he had waited for her permission all along… He forcefully inserted his penis down to the very base and released the thick milky liquid inside her violently shuddering quim.
The pleasant numbness even felt somewhat painful while the liquid shot deep inside her. As the milky liquid filled her vagina and womb, Sae let out a lust-hazed scream that was quickly stopped by another heated kiss as she clung to him for dear life.
The stimulation of her vaginal walls and folds of flesh did not end even when he came, so he pumped more semen inside her womb than he had ever produced before. This sensation of conquest was truly different from simply cumming inside a condom.
"This…Is…The best."
Sae's body convulsed and she spoke incoherently. Something seemed to click inside of her. As if she was now fully whole.
Unknown to her, her eyes flashed with a strange light for an extremely short instant before coming back to normal.
Once her orgasm passed, she panted and continued to give small kisses to his face and his collarbone. Before finally gracing him with a lazy, lethargic smile.
Her body emanated a sweet scent that tickled Adam's nose, giving him the urge to go for another round.
But he held himself back. They already took enough risk and they needed to freshen up for their future classes.
In their current state, going to class was pretty unwise.
Finally calming down, Sae wiggled her hips a little, feeling Adam still fully hard against her.
"The two of us are partners in crime now."
Her smile was contagious, causing Adam to smile as well.
This would surely be a day to remember. After all the stress he went through the last few days, this moment was Sae really helped him relax greatly.
Even without exchanging a word, the two of them hoped that this current relationship would last for a long time.
CH 62: AWKWARD MEETING
After the two of them calmed down and looked at how sweaty they were, they both chuckled. There was no way they could go back to class no matter how they looked at it.
Even if they sprayed perfume, there were limits to what they could hide while sitting down in a closed classroom with many students around them.
Adam was even more hesitant since he knew that Natasha would certainly be able to smell them.
He didn't know sensitive she was while in her human form, but he didn't think it would be polite of him as a friend or simply a classmate to sit next to her while reeking of sex or overdosed perfume.
"Hah, I need to stand up."
Sae gathered strength in her legs but they were trembling so much that she could not move.
In fact, all it did was send shivers down her spine since Adam was still inside her.
In the end, she simply gave up and leaned forward against his chest. Her nipples gently pressed down making her moan a little. It was like all parts of her body were currently in erogenous zones.
'Sigh. I am tired.'
His odor, as well as his strong arms, gave her a sense of security. It gave her mixed feelings. Either sleeping in his embrace or fucking once again.
"Say, do you think I am freaky?"
Sae asked with a low voice as her face was buried in his chest. Now that she had come down from the high of sex, she realized how dangerous what she just did was.
It wasn't just about her. Her lust could have also caused many problems for Adam. He might have lost his scholarship and his internship in Professor Shuri's law firm.
Sae knew that there were limits that should not be crossed and she believed harming your partner because of your own selfishness was one of them.
But even beyond that…She recognized that she was not normal.
She wondered if she was a nymphomaniac or anything of the like.
But it wouldn't really make sense. She had no impulse to engage in meaningless sex, she certainly had no interest in changing partners every other day, and being with Adam was more than pleasurable. [1]
Still…This was not normal. Normal people did not take risks like these.
They did not risk their future simply because they wished to be seen. They didn't fuck in toilets just for the thrills and there were so many more things she wanted to do.
"Heh…I believe you are indeed a little freaky."
Adam laughed quietly.
What was considered normal or not was decided by the society you lived in. He did not know in any other place, but at least here her deep desire would not entirely be considered normal.
Still, "We are partners in crime, right?"
Sae never forced him into anything. It would be pretty hypocritical of him to act like a victim in this situation.
In fact, being with her helped him blow away some of the stress he accumulated. So he had absolutely nothing to complain about.
"If you want to go crazy. Go crazy as much as you want with me. At least I will make sure you stay safe."
Adam did not wish to see anything happen to this chirpy and overexcited friend of his.
There was also a very very small selfish part in this. He wanted Sae all to himself and he wanted her to rely on him more.
Sae chuckled as she had her words thrown back at her.
"Indeed. We are partners in crime."
A quiet but comfortable silence settled between the two of them as they made their relationship a little clearer.
This was something that went beyond simply being sex friend. They were partners drowning together in their madness and foolishness.
In the end, the first one to break the increasingly long silence was Sae. Her face was completely red and this time it was not because of sex.
If anyone told her a few days ago that she would have such a relationship with Adam, she would have laughed at their faces.
"Ugh. I can't believe we had such a cringy discussion."
She shook her head to hide her embarrassment and this time gathered her strength enough to stand up.
Moving away from Adam, she looked down as she felt his semen dripping out of her. It was certainly a fascinating sensation.
Not only that, she still had some semen on her breasts.
She felt she had been marked entirely by Adam and this made the heat that had been calming down rise once again.
Looking up, she could see how Adam was staring at her with lust evident in his eyes.
She tilted her head, "Well, since we won't be able to go to classes anyway. Another round?"
Adam's answer was evident.
Soon the toilets were once again filled with groans of seemingly insatiable lust.
Thankfully this time, there was no one to interrupt them.
—-
One hour later, Sae was walking while leaning on Adam on the campus.
Her attire was much the same except that she was now wearing a pair of black stockings below her skirt and a pair of panties.
She had also used her sanitary pads as a way to stop the semen from flowing out of her.
They had wiped the sweat, semen, and love juice on their bodies with wet towels she had prepared in advance and sprayed some of her perfume to hide the odors of sex as much as possible.
"Haha, thankfully I anticipated something like that."
Since she already decided to have sex with Adam even before coming to school, she was smart enough to make some preparations in advance.
Still, they decided to simply go to Sae's house in order to take a bath and then decide whether or not they would come back for afternoon classes or not.
After all, Sae felt like she was about to die.
She was currently so tired she honestly wished she could just jump on his back and sleep but even she had some shame.
"I thought men were the ones who were supposed to get tired during the act. How the heck are you able to walk so calmly?"
She gave him a gaze full of resentment. While she looked like she was on her last leg. Adam walked like he had been swinging his hips crazily and pouring his lust into her.
His hair was a little ruffled but outside of this, everything about him was pristine.
Adam chuckled as he looked at the pitiful Sae.
How could she understand that there was simply no way for her to ever match him stamina-wise?
Even the athlete with the greatest stamina in the human world would stop running before him.
There was no way she could face him and outlast him.
[Karma received: +50]
[Total Karma: 160]
Sae was really his lucky star. Making him love with her was the equivalent of getting five D rank skills.
Which was honestly quite surprising. But he had no reason to complain.
Now that he had some means to boost his control, he decided that he should buy some skills that would help increase his memory capacity.
He would use the free pass soon now that Cecilia had given him the basics and he could use the time dilation in the Library to train or read books about technology or medical discovery of the future.
In his opinion, working with Yui was just the beginning stage. He had no plans to stay a gigolo all his life. He wanted to be as rich as humanly possible and for that he needed innovation.
"You seem thoughtful. Whatever is bothering you?"
"Hum…just thinking about the future I guess?"
"The future, heh? Well, I guess everyone gotta worry about this. Now my future is pretty much set. As long as nothing bad happens to me."
"You just jinxed yourself, you know?"
"Haha, I don't believe in jinx. If my future can be completely altered just because of my word then I would be z god."
They laughed and walked together.
It was simple fun. A quiet moment. They had been friend before but never this close.
Sae had thought that entering in a sexual relationship might worsen their relationship but the results was far from it.
It was then,
"Sae…"
Sae stopped while Adam called her name quietly.
Not far from them, they could see Steven walking in their direction. Next to him was a beautiful brown skinned woman wearing tight jeans that emphasized her butt and a simple shirt.
Her clothes were in no way sexy but her body was enough to turn head on her way.
From the fact that she was walking hand in hand with Steven, Adam intuited that she was the so called Marlen.
He could certainly understand why Steven had been attracted to her.
The two couples stopped a few steps away from each other.
This certainly was quite the coincidence.
"I told you—you jinxed yourself."
Sae could only facepalm.
CH 63: END OF HER FIRST LOVE
Sae facepalmed in annoyance as Adam muttered to her how she had just jinxed herself.
To say that she was feeling awkward and bothered right now would be an understatement. She was feeling like she wanted to be anywhere else than here.
"Sae… How have you been?"
Sae cringed slightly when she heard Steven's words and the undisguised worry that was tinged in his tone.
She had been avoiding him during the weekends and answered none of his calls, only writing a message to say she was at home.
As such, this was the first time the two of them came face to face with each other since the argument they had on the day of Halloween.
Sae had been thinking about how this meeting would go. Agonized over what she would do. But she would have never imagined that the meeting would take place in their current situation— while she was walking with Adam's semen packed in her womb.
She blushed slightly as the mere thought gave her quite an immoral feeling. But there was no point in thinking about it further.
"I am good. Great even, I would say."
Her lips formed into a grin before she glanced at the caramel-brown-skinned woman holding hands with Steven. She spoke to her in a bright tone…
"Hi, Marlen."
"Hi…"
Marlen answered with a beautiful voice leaking out of her lips before looking at Steven and letting go of his hand.
"I have classes soon. See you later."
She nodded to Adam and walked past Sae before leaving the premise quietly.
There was no gloating in her expression and it was easy to see that she simply wanted to give some space to Steven and Sae.
"Well, I guess I should also leave."
He was feeling pretty uncomfortable being here, in the current atmosphere, and he did not wish to stay here any longer and intensify the awkwardness that was literally saturated in the air…
At the same time, there was that small side of his in the corner of his heart. The side that made him realize that he did not really want to leave. He didn't want to leave Sae alone with Steven.
He didn't know if it was because of his desire to have her all for himself or simply because he wished to be there for her. But the fact of the matter was that he wanted to stay with Sae.
In the end, he theorized that he simply wanted to make sure if Steven was indeed a human before taking a step back.
"I think I should leave the two of you alone."
But, he decided that the only way for Sae to move forward from this obsession of hers was after discussing with Steven about it and make her amends.
Deciding this, Adam took a step back in order to leave but his movements were stopped by Sae. She gripped his arms so hard that it was hard for him to move.
"Where are you going?"
Sae gave him a quizzical look. To which Adam answered with bewilderment.
"I thought you might want to discuss things with him."
"Hah…"
Sae gave a nod as if finally understanding what was running through his mind.
"Stay here."
She patted him lightly on the shoulder before leaving him and taking a few steps toward Steven…
"I am sorry about ignoring you. You must have been worried. Everything is good now."
"Sae…"
"Heh, look at you. One would think I died or something. It's alright. They say first love never works out for anyone. My situation is pretty normal in that case."
Steven was just as surprised as Adam. In fact, he felt even weirder than him in some aspects.
After all, he knew how much affection Sae had for him and he had seen how upset she had been when he finally told her the truth about his views toward her.
Seeing her look so calm felt foreign to him. He stretched his hand towards her but Sae took a step back almost unconsciously.
"Oh…"
"Sorry. My movement must have been abrupt."
"Haha. I'm just a little sweaty right now."
Sae gave him an awkward laugh. Her body had been covered in semen not long ago. Even though she had used some wet towels to wipe out the stains, it was definitely far from enough to wipe out everything cleanly.
It would be pretty disrespectful towards anyone to let them touch her currently.
Of course, there was no way she would explain all of this to Steven. She had no reason to.
Once she was sure to maintain the appropriate distance between them, Sae continued,
"I have been following you around for years now. Even though you never complained, I must have been a pain, right? I am sorry for that. I understand my mistakes now."
Sae smiled as she said those words. It was a smile full of derision towards her past self who did not understand or refused to accept reality even though it was blatantly thrown at her face multiple times.
"I should have understood the truth back when I first confessed to you."
When she first told him about her feelings for him, Steven acted as if he had misunderstood what she meant and gave a totally different answer.
She had covered her face with a veil of lies, refusing to accept the naked reality that was there for all too see. She just thought that Steven was simply dense and that he had simply not heard her words well enough.
But life wasn't like an anime with a dense main protagonist.
There was no way Steven didn't understand what she really meant and his words had been a veiled form of rejection to her.
She simply had refused to accept it till now.
One could argue that Steven was at fault for not making things clearer. In a way, he had strung her along for years because of his indecisiveness.
But she was guilty of much the same due to her own delusions for not accepting reality.
The two of them were just kids. One dealing with her first love and the other not knowing how to keep his dear childhood friendship intact without losing her.
"Sae, I am sorry for being so stupid and indecisive…"
She laughed, "Well, you are indeed pretty stupid, right? But I guess I can't really have the high ground here now, can I?"
Tears gathered at the corner of her eyes but she refused to let them fall.
"I really loved you."
Steven noticed the past tense in her words. He gave her a look before looking at Adam who was standing not far away from them.
"I see."
He didn't exactly know what had happened between the two of them, but it seemed like they had gotten closer. A lot closer.
A part of Steven felt uncomfortable as he realized that Sae's eyes would never have the same shine they had when she used to look at him in the past.
But at the same time he felt happy since, while he wasn't best friends with Adam, he had known him long enough to know that Adam was a good man. Worthy of his childhood friend's affection and attention.
Steven understood pretty well that he could have been more decisive. But he didn't do so.
He had been scared of losing his best friend and because of his indecisiveness, he had hurt her all the more in the end.
"Well, anyway that's it. You should go now. I don't think your girlfriend will appreciate it if you stay here any longer."
Steven hesitated but looking at Adam, he nodded and began walking away.
When he reached Adam, he stopped a little before saying,
"Please take care of her and thanks for being there for her while I was acting like a douche."
He didn't wait for Adam to answer back and continued walking away.
Today he had learned a valuable lesson.
Hypocritical kindness was only hurtful to everyone involved.
If back then he had been more honest… At least, he wouldn't feel like he had just lost his best friend.
He didn't know if the both of them would be as close as they used to be in the future. But he sincerely hoped for her happiness from the bottom of his heart. Because no matter what… Sae Kirishima will always be his best friend.
Adam approached Sae from behind. He could see her shivering and looking at her small back, he wondered just how sad she must feel now.
"Hey Adam…"
"Yeah."
"Your cum was flowing down my thighs while I was talking with Steven, you know?"
"?"
"Isn't it kinda like NTR!? Hehe~ I knew you had the potential to be a hentai protagonist."
Adam closed his eyes in resignation.
"I was an idiot for worrying about you."
"Teehe~!"
"Stop trying to act cute."
"Oh my~! I do not act cute. I am cuteness incarnate, you know?"
The two of them walked away like this while bantering.
Sae continued to laugh before taking Adam's arm in hers.
"You know. Being rejected really fucking hurt."
"I don't know. I was never rejected, after all."
"Fuck you."
"Well, I fucked you. So there is that."
Sae had never laughed so loud in her life.
Indeed. This is what she wanted. Moments like this were what she wished for.
Once again, she felt that choosing Adam had been the best decision in her love life so far.
CH 64: QUADRUPLE KILL
[?]
"How is the plan advancing?"
Somewhere in a warehouse, a man wearing a trench coat was looking down at his body as he heard a woman speaking.
The woman was wearing a featureless black mask with the number 10 engraved on it.
"I am reaching my limit. My body cannot take the load anymore. I will die soon."
The man answered calmly as he opened his coat, showing off his body.
The stench of rotten flesh and wiggling maggots spread through the air as the horrifying body of the man beneath the coat came into vision.
His flesh was mangled beyond recognition. At first glance, it looked like it would repair itself but then it would simply collapse and worsen ever so slightly.
The man inserted a finger in his chest and scrapped the flesh away while the maggots continued to wiggle in said discarded piece of flesh.
"I already lost all sensations below my neck. My body responses have slowed considerably."
"How much?"
"I guess I am at only about 30% or maybe even 20% capacity at most. I cannot use shadow as much anymore either."
"So this seems to be a failure."
"Indeed."
The silence spread as the two talked indifferently. As if the disgusting scene of the man's crumbling flesh had no importance to them.
"Very well, the experiment is coming to an end. Failure is the mother of success after all."
"..."
"Your sacrifice will be remembered."
The connection went off and the man stood up.
He looked up at the illuminating Sun sitting still in the air. It was noon. But soon, the night would come.
It might very well be his last night as such…
—
[Campus]
After Sae and Adam left together, he passed the rest of the afternoon in her apartment playing video games.
Sae liked VR games but she also liked simple console games of the past. In her opinion, a game didn't need to be fully immersive to be interesting.
There was something nostalgic about the old games of the year 2020 and so on.
Adam honestly found those games quite old for his liking. But there was one game in her collection that caught his attention.
It was a rogue-lite rpg game that had been nominated game of the year in 2022. That game had the main character dying again and again while learning all the move sets of the bosses in order to win in the end.
What made him interested in this game was the ability to use magic in order to 'cheat' the difficulty.
Sae groaned when she saw him choosing a mage build but he was fascinated by his choice. Not only because he didn't want to suffer because of a game. But also because it reminded him of his current situation.
'Say, Genesis. How fast do I resurrect when I die?'
[The time necessary for your body to reconstruct depends on how heavy the damage you've sustained.]
Adam spoke with Genesis while he played the game. It was simple for him to do so now, with his two minds and whatnot, and there was something he wanted to make sure of.
'I am certain the regeneration rate increased when I was dying over and over again last time. Am I right?'
[Indeed.]
Adam nodded. The curse of Kain that was plaguing him was pretty strident. He didn't like that he was shackled with the curse of a Murderer when the only one he had killed so far was himself.
But the disadvantage of the curse would only really show in the future. As of now though, he could make full use of it.
If he could reach a level where he could regenerate immediately after dying… It would be more than useful for him. It would be a true game-changer in a fight.
'Well, it would be more useful if I could rewind time altogether though.'
He wondered if he could be able to do so in the future. But it all seemed so far away that he stopped thinking about it.
[Skills that deal with time and space are exponentially more costly than skills at the same level as they enter the level of higher dimensional beings and concepts.]
Adam nodded. The World for example seemed to be in the domain of space. It was a skill he acquired after attaining enlightenment through someone as powerful as Buddha. Someone who could hold an entire universe in the palm of his hand. [1]
Space and time were inseparable in the grand scheme of things.
'I just have to train. Who knows?'
Perhaps in the future, he would even be able to stop time like a certain iconic character.
"Argh! Magic is cheating."
Adam chortled and ignored Sae as he killed another boss with a blue laser beam while his clone summons was tanking the monster for him.
Cheating sure felt great.
—
After spending hours mocking Sae and making her scream in frustration, Adam felt light-hearted as he left her apartment.
He wished he could have spent more time with her but he had a meeting he could not miss today.
It was time for him to discuss about their future with Natasha. Now that the two of them knew that the other was from the supernatural world, they had to make clear how they would interact with each other going forward.
He hoped that there would be no big problems as Natasha was also a good friend of his. At the very least, he didn't wish to have enemies on the campus until he decided whether he would continue studying or drop out altogether.
At least this was the plan he went in mind when he reached the place they were supposed to meet.
'Where is she?'
It was a clearing. From what she said they would go to the restaurant from there.
But when he reached the place, he could see Natasha running towards him with terrifying speed while screaming at the top of her lungs,
"RUN!"
Adam felt goosebumps rise on his skin and faster than his mind could react, he instinctively moved to the left.
*Bang*
The sound finally reached him and he saw a huge hole in the ground not far from where he stood.
'A sniper!'
Natasha finally reached him and took him in her arms before running at full speed to avoid the sniper's aim.
He could have prevented her from carrying him but he let her do as she wished while he spread his ability, The World to the maximum capacity.
'We are surrounded.'
He could already 'see' more than five armed people coming at them from all directions.
His Eyes of Truth immediately activated as he noticed that they were all humans and they were all hostile toward him.
Adam's body was only that of a human. He would not be able to dodge hundreds of bullets coming at him from all sides and there was a limit to what he could do to block the projectiles. He didn't know if he could block bullets and he didn't want to try it out yet.
They were all in the range of his ability.
The amount of Prana they had going through their bodies was pitifully low compared to what he had felt from his mother, even though she was in a severely weakened state due to the complications in her Heart Chakra, and even from him who did not have the Heart Chakra at all.
Are they hunters?
Adam did not really care about that. There was only one response when dealing with an enemy.
Answer hostility with even greater hostility.
Since they had used lethal attacks against him then…
*Crack*
After dying nearly a hundred times, Adam realized one fundamental aspect…
The human body was truly fragile.
This was what he thought as he twisted the neck of four of those five people with no hesitation while twistings the arms and legs of the last one.
There was a small resistance as their prana tried to protect their bodies. But the resistance was so small it might as well not have existed.
Feeling their existence fade away from his sight, Adam realized once again how frail life was.
From the moment Natasha took him to the moment four people died and one was crippled.
—All it took was a few fleeting seconds.
CH 65: BULLET TIME
Ever since he woke up after getting his heart pierced in that incident with the vampire and had his life completely changed in its entirety, with the introduction to the Supernatural world and his supernatural origins, Adam had always wondered what he would feel like after taking a life for the first time.
If he had to be honest, he had hoped that he could be like the heroes he grew up watching. The kind of people who could repay evil with kindness and who could make people love him simply by existing.
After all, who had never dreamed of being a hero in their lives? Being respected, and acclaimed by everyone.
But when he awakened his powers… He was startled to realize that, in reality, he could never be a hero.
Watching a hero spare an enemy and seeing how they become friends, later on, could certainly be heartwarming.
But the reality was not that kind to anyone. There were never moments when an enemy could become your unconditional ally and friend. That was only a pipe dream. Life was a constant struggle for survival.
Kill or be killed. That was the way of life.
Adam chose to kill and he would never regret his decision. Because if he didn't choose to kill then, all that remained for him to choose was the path of agony and despair as he lost everything.
He grasped his shivering hand and forced it to calm down. He forced his mind to get a hold of itself.
'I can go all philosophical later.'
The scene had become absolutely silent as Natasha watched Adam with stupefaction evident on her immaculate face.
But even while doing so she did not stop running for even an instant. It was understandable. After all, there was still a Sniper out there, waiting for them to slow down so that they can pack a bullet straight at their heads. Perhaps, there could be even more enemies waiting to ambush them. She couldn't be sure about it.
'Incoming!'
This time Natasha moved faster than he could even react and jumped on her right immediately hiding behind a large wall.
Bang—!
The asphalt broke under the shock of the bullet but Adam did not lose his concentration.
He now knew the relative direction from which he was being shot at. He was able to advance to the next step with that piece of tiny yet crucial information.
[Hawk Eyes] + [Eyes of Empathy]
He immediately noticed the sniper thanks to noticing the heightened hostility that was being emitted from that direction. That was definitely the location of the sniper.
'Around 500 or so meters away from here, huh…'
"Natasha. Can you distract him for a bit? I have a way to attack the sniper and kill him."
Natasha merely glanced at Adam after hearing that piece of information.
There were only three ways this could go.
One— he was lying and wanted to sacrifice her by using her as bait as he ran to save himself.
Two— he was serious but overestimated himself with whatever abilities he possessed.
Three— he was sure of his success and was genuinely asking for her help to take down the killer.
Since it was her fault they were in such a situation, Natasha decided to believe in him. Believe in her dear friend.
The fact that he just twisted the head of those four mercenaries earlier might have also played a role in giving her confidence in Adam but there was no need to divulge that information to anyone.
She placed him down on the ground and leveled herself to his eye level and gazed into those enchanting blue orbs of his.
"What should I do?"
"Give me a minute, ok?"
Adam scanned the warehouse but found nothing of interest.
He moved his mind towards the guns of those mercenaries who were already dead and took four of the bullets out of the weapon barrel.
'This should do it.'
He made sure that the movements of the bullets were not visible to the enemy and brought the bullets close to himself and Natasha.
Natasha watched all of this with wonder and confusion. She had seen many kinds of magic but it was the first time she had seen something like this. Was Adam a warlock or something? If she survived through this, which she very well hoped that she did, she would definitely ask Adam what the hell was up with him and his powers.
Adam paid no attention to her reactions as he started the rotation of the bullets.
'Accelerate.'
This was a more delicate operation than what he had been doing till now but he had to thank Cecilia for making him do those chores. This helped him in getting the handle on this operation
Soon, Natasha had to grind her teeth due to the noise she was registering in her sensitive ears. A grinding sound resonated as the rotation of the bullets continued to increase with each passing second. She felt like sparks would even come out if this continued as the friction with the air was increasing and she had a hard time looking at them without feeling slightly dizzy in the head.
"I am ready. The plan is simple. You play the bait and I will hunt the hunter."
Natasha grinned as she heard his confident tone. "If I die, I am going to haunt you for the rest of your life."
Adam wondered if he should take this threat seriously. It was a world where magic and the like existed after all. So ghosts should also be a possibility.
Natasha laughed out loud when she saw his bewildered face. This helped her release the tension that was building in her mind and body.
The bullets had been laced with silver without a doubt and since she was their target, there should also be some 'Wolfsbane' inside the shells too. If she got shot, her chances of dying were pretty high.
But she showed no fear on her face as she prepared herself.
'This is fun.'
Compared to the war she fought back in the icy plains, this can almost be called cute.
Adam watched as Natasha's teeth changed into canines that were too sharp to belong to a human. They were now wolf fangs, sharp enough to tear human flesh to shreds with even the most minimal pressure.
This was followed by her nails changing into claws and her eyes shining with a blue luster.
Adam could feel her Prana increase explosively and the air around her became wilder. As if he was facing a beast ready to pounce on her target.
The moment Adam gave her the signal *Boom* Natasha moved.
Adam felt like he lost track of her for a moment even though she was still inside his domain. This was how fast she was. The concrete caved in and cracked under the pressure exerted by her feet the moment she launched herself and she rushed so fast it seemed like she would break the speed of sound.
Adam then focused all his senses on his target.
His domain could only expand a few tens of meters but it was more than enough for what he had planned. He only needed Hawk Eyes to keep him in his line of sight now.
He could see absolutely everything. The target was a middle-aged man wearing a green uniform that felt like a suit belonging to an organization. He was crouching down on a building not far from here and was observing Natasha as she moved.
Adam could almost see the hesitation in the eyes of the man as he wondered if he should shoot now even though Natasha was moving alone. In the end, he decided to shoot and as such, sealed his fate.
The moment the sniper placed his finger on the trigger.
Adam felt like time itself seemed to have slowed down for him. His focus had been heightened so much that the world around him and everyone else seemed to move in slow motion.
It was so high that he could even see the flash of light and fire as the sniping rifle ejected the bullet after the trigger was pressed.
This was the moment Adam choose to attack.
"Goo!"
He roared as he launched the bullets under his control at the maximum speed he could bring them to with all his concentration.
He felt like he had broken a limit inside him. Like he was now entering a new level altogether. He poured all his pent-up energy and Prana into this attack, willing it to destroy his enemy with no pity or remorse.
The moment those bullets left his domain left The World they once again fell under the control of the laws of physics.
—Bang!
The sounds they produced were almost deafening. The bullets immediately went over the speed of sound, going at nearly Mach 2.
Adam's eyes and nose were now bleeding. His vision was blurry with tinges of red near the edges. His breathing was rough and he felt like his brain was about to break apart as he felt a mighty headache settle in.
But he did not care. He could just die again later to get back to full health. All that mattered was taking down the enemy that threatened him first.
He gazed deeply at his target and it was only after seeing the bullets pierce the hunter's head, causing the brain of the sniper to explode like a watermelon, that Adam finally allowed himself to lose his focus.
He did it. He broke through his limits and took down an enemy that was very dangerous.
Perhaps he had the making of a Hero after all? A little bloody along the edges but well, not all heroes could be Boy Scouts after all.
He laughed. He definitely shouldn't be laughing right now but the situation he was currently in was so absurd that it was simply funny.
As if responding to his laugh, the Book of Genesis opened above Adam's head as Natasha began to run toward him, worry evident in her eyes at the sight of his bloodied self cackling like a deranged lunatic.
[New Skill Generated]
[Accelerated Perception
Rank: B
Description: Tremendously increases the perception of time of the user once he enters into a state of deep focus and concentration.]
Adam grinned as he read the description.
He didn't know who were the ones who had just attacked him, but he really had to thank them for helping him generate such a broken skill.
'May your soul rest in peace?'
He chortled. He was sure that his brain must have been damaged for him to laugh so much now or the adrenaline was wearing off so he was feeling the effects perhaps?
Well… Now was the time to ask Natasha what the hell was going on and why he had a lethal encounter with some assailants that seemed to have come straight from some gangster movie just now.
"Adam! Are you alright!?"
Natasha shook Adam, causing him to groan in pain from the massive headache that was wreaking havoc in his brain. "You think I would be alright after being shaken like this? Calm down, I am not dead."
'At least not yet.'
He truly needed a place to kill himself or something. He might have been joking before but he was sure that he had quite literally a few screws loose right now. Blood did not fall from your eyeballs and nose for no reason, after all.
"There's a mercenary who is still alive. Let's catch him and leave this place."
Natasha nodded and walked away, leaving Adam alone as he stayed down on the ground.
Now that the threat had passed and the adrenaline was wearing off, he was able to face what he had just done.
He had killed five men in cold blood and had crippled another one in order to obtain information from him.
What made him feel weird and a little squeamish was the fact that— he felt absolutely no remorse.
He finally realized that all the training he went through in order to open all his Chakra must have made him more desensitized toward death than he would have liked it to be.
Whether this was good or bad remained to be seen.
CH 66: IGNORANCE AND ARROGANCE
[Las Vegas]
Las Vegas, widely regarded as the city of sins. A place where people came with the desire to let out all their deepest desires without a care in the world. A place where they could be free.
It was the place that had every vice possible and imaginable by humankind. A playground for adults. Of course, it had the largest amount of gambling dens in the entire world.
The casinos of Vegas were so numerous that they would make those who had never visited the city completely dizzy with just their numbers alone.
It was also a very dangerous city. With a crime rate almost as much as twice the national average.
All in all, it was a beautiful city of freedom and unfettering entertainment that hid how dangerous it could truly be under the veil of its propaganda that promoted fun.
In one of those casinos, scrolling through pages of floating holographic pictures was an old man with tanned skin that bordered on the reddish hue rather than your average tan. His expression was cold and the more he read the document, the colder his expression became.
Finally, he sighed and gazed at the second man sitting face-to-face in front of him. A young man with a complexion that was similar to the older man. Anyone looking at them for the first time could easily wager a guess that they were related. Most likely, father and son, and they would be right.
"So you gave orders to a group of mercenaries to capture the silver princess?"
His voice was calm and all expression vanished from his face to form an indifferent and uncaring mask as he asked that question to his prodigal son.
The young man showed a contrite expression as he mustered all his courage to reply to the old man, "Father. I need to have her—"
He was not allowed to finish his sentence as a hand with nails seemingly as sharp as a blade each clenched around his throat and tightened its hold on him.
A bestial growl resonated in the room, as the man who had looked like a simple and tired old man was now looking at his son with eyes shining in a maniacal red hue, emitting unrestrained bloodlust.
"Are you the Alpha, or am I?"
The young man choked due to the hold. He tried to claw out from his father's grasp but the hand of the old man seemed like steel. In the end, all he could do was let out a low trembling sound, like a scared puppy, through his throat, expressing his surrender.
Scoffing at his reaction, the old man threw the young one away as if he was disposing of some filthy trash.
"You are lucky that you are my only son. Otherwise, I would have snapped your neck right now."
The young man coughed repeatedly as he stood up while massaging his throat which had been marred by claw marks.
"This is not just a question of pleasure, father. You know already that the Alpha of that Pack refuses to work with us. If we can catch his daughter, I am sure that this will ease the negotiations and if I make her pregnant, they would have no other choice than to do as we wish."
The old man scoffed once again after hearing the ramblings of his descendant as he looked at his son with unbridled disgust. "Times have really changed. If you want her so much. Go and defeat her. Make her yield and submit by using your strength rather than those cowardly tricks!"
He was completely enraged. Again and again, he wondered where he had gone wrong in raising his son.
His ancestors would weep and howl their lungs out in shame if they could see this shameful sight and his deceased wife would scold him like a mad woman for not bringing up their son right.
"Your mating rituals are outdated. Furthermore, using my influence is a form of power in itself. Why should I not use it then?"
The son directed an equally disgusted stare toward his father. He could never understand those old bastards who were still immersed in tradition even though there was no difference either way.
But this did not matter to the older one of the two as he sneered at the lame excuse that was given. "Don't make me laugh. You were simply too scared to face the silver princess, weren't you?"
"Why are you so against my actions!? It isn't like your hands aren't drenched in blood already, right?"
"It's because I fucking know how to pick my enemies!"
All the gentlemanly manners vanished out the window and were replaced by pure and absolute rage at how clueless his son truly was.
He closed his eyes as he made a decision.
"Call them back and leave Las Vegas. I will give you a few able males and some mates for you to form a new pack in another state."
"Father. You are disowning me!?"
"I am not. You just need more training to forge your personality. You need to understand that you cannot mess with everyone just because you are my heir. The pack will never follow you if you are weak."
This was a fact. This was not a kingdom. Being his Heir gave him an inherent advantage. But if he proved to be unworthy, he would be challenged by the others.
"Why are you overreacting!? I just sent a group of veteran mercenaries. They are hunters with a great reputation. Furthermore, they have no way to know I am the client."
"You are truly a sore disappointment."
The man sat down and took one of the drinks arranged on his table.
Those drinks were encased in crystalline bottles and were just used for display but he did not care as he only wanted to drink now and calm down the growing bloodlust that was growing in him. If it was a subordinate that made such a mistake, he would have never forgiven him.
"Call them back."
As long as the attack wasn't already launched there was still a way to salvage the situation. He didn't fear the Alpha of the Great Wolves. This was not Russia after all.
This wasn't their home ground. Moreover, they were in Las Vegas, far away from Los Angeles where they still held some semblance of influence of their Russian heritage. That man could hardly extend his arms to this territory.
But werewolves cared greatly about honor. Whether they were criminals or not. If it was to become known that his son had launched such an insidious strike simply because he could not chase after a mate himself, then the honor of the tribe would be severely damaged and some upstart would start attacking them.
'I am becoming old.'
Unlike vampires, werewolves were not immortal. Powerful ones like him could stay alive for at most two hundred years or three hundred years if they were lucky and didn't get offed along the way. But that was as much as their lifespans went.
'I failed you.'
He sighed and looked down, not paying attention to the vicious gaze his son was directing toward him.
He still had hopes for the boy. He did not wish to give up on the last proof that his mate had lived.
He had been urged many times to take a few mates in order to sire many more children, but he simply did not wish to do so. At least, until now that was.
His love for his deceased mate was eternal. But he could not continue fostering a child that showed no sign of maturity despite already being 60 years old.
'One more chance. Just one more. I am sure he can change. I am sure that the fruit of our love can not be this rotten.'
"Now leave and make sure to call off this operation."
The young man arranged his suit angrily and left.
—
"Argh! That old bastard!"
Sweeping everything on the table of his office, the same man that was scolded by his father was raging and throwing a tantrum like a child.
He could not believe that his old man would act like such an outdated monarch even now.
He took his phone and dialed a number. But it was not the one that linked him to the mercenaries he had hired.
[Hello…]
A sweet but dangerous voice tickled his ear.
"I considered your offer. I accept."
[My, my. Then congratulations are in order. I believe you will make a great Alpha.]
"Humph!"
He sneered, not caring for her flattery.
[Of course, you know we will not do this for free, right?]
"Do not worry. I do not have the stupid moral hang up of my father. If humans want to kill themselves with Fairy Dust, I am more than happy to make money on their backs."
[Very well.]
"Just be sure. My old man may be old but he is still a powerful and wise wolf."
[Trust me. This will change nothing.]
The call ended on those words and the young man gave a cold smile.
The old wolf had lasted long enough on the throne. Since the old bastard wanted to disown him, he would take matters into his own hands.
Until then, he had to act and follow the orders of that old geezer like an obedient puppy.
He took his secured phone and called the number of the mercenaries he had hired.
He waited. Then waited some more.
But no matter how long he waited…
No one answered back.
CH 67: BOOM
A few minutes after Adam left the premise of the battlefield, a black man with a cigar in his mouth wearing a pair of black glasses and a black coat appeared not far from the scene alongside a few more behind him.
He looked at the scene with a face that gradually scrunched up the more he deciphered the contents and happenings of the battlefield.
The subordinate went forward and took a look at the deceased man's body before shaking their head and calling their leader to deliver the bad news.
[Falcon is also dead.]
The man took out the cigar from his mouth and let out a strained sigh, puffing up a great deal of smoke into the air.
"Smoker. what do we do now?"
Smoker, the leader of this small mercenary group, looked at the dead bodies of his companions once again and couldn't help but click his tongue with sadness and frustration.
A few hours ago they had been drinking together and talking about how they might retire and live without the risk of the job always behind them, targeting their heads and spreading terror into their souls. But now, his friends are all dead. It was a comeuppance for them.
But he wasn't just mourning at this moment.
"Diary. What do you see."
A woman wearing a black dress advanced and gave her opinion, "The target had help. Falcon recorded the altercation. We will have enough then. But I believe the one who helped the target managed to kill all of them simultaneously. There is not even a trace of struggle. So their death was instantaneous and swift. They were probably overpowered."
This was worrying, Smoker thought in his mind. This would mean the enemy had some wide-area skills. There was a limit to what they could do while operating in LA.
The LAPPD and the affiliates generally didn't interfere with what they did but this only went on as long as they did not take things too far.
"What about, Knight?"
"I believe he wasn't dead when he was taken away. But from the amount of blood, then he doesn't have much time to live on either. He will most likely also get tortured until he dies or blurts out every piece of information the torturer wants from them."
"I see…"
They stayed silent. They had no fear of being betrayed. They rarely shared their personal information and in the first place, they had all received training to last at least a few days even with torture.
"This was my mistake. I should have come with them."
"Boss…"
Smoker raised a hand to stop them from giving him undue pity. "Send their part of the money to their families and activate the retirement plans we already have for them."
Mercenaries could die at any moment. For those who had a family to protect, such measures were basically necessary if they didn't want their family to live in poverty. This was why each time they would prepare life insurance and the like to make sure the mercenaries can fight without worrying.
"Let's go."
"Boss, do we give up on the job?"
"We will try to recuperate Knight and if impossible we shall dispose of him. Either ways, we will need to leave L.A."
They looked at each other and nodded their heads in understanding. The best would be to leave now but they knew they would also wish to be saved from torture if something like this happened to the too.
"Tracker. Do your job."
The man called tracker was a muscular man. He growled before crouching down on all fours and sniffing the blood on the ground.
He caught the odor of the target and slowly advanced until he finally caught the complete odor of the intruder.
They should be this way.
"What about the civilians?"
"They will unconsciously walk away from here. The veil is as impressive as always."
"Very well. Let's move and catch the two targets.
—
On Adam's side, alongside Natasha, the two of them found themselves in an abandoned factory with the barely breathing body of the surviving mercenary.
Adam breathed harshly as he realized an unintended side effect of his high willpower.
Currently, his eyes were throbbing. His brain hurt and he felt like his body was hollowed out even though he still had Prana running through his pathways. He realized that he had strained his mind too much when using Accelerated Perception.
All he wished right now was to faint here but his willpower did not allow him to do so. The constant pain was bothering him so much that he wished he could simply off himself now and wake up later.
But he did not wish to show this ability to Natasha. He trusted her but not enough to reveal his deepest secrets if he had any other choice.
'How did I manifest that skill?'
[Your willpower mixed with The Crown and the Third Eye brought this result. I believe the Eyes of Truth and The World also played a role.]
Adam breathed deeply. His head was hurting even more. He looked at Natasha as she was busy trying to stop the blood of the man with mangled limbs to die but Adam knew that he had been too heavy-handed in the heat.
"So now, will you tell me what the hell was that?"
He moved his mind away from the horror he committed. Kill or be killed. There was no other way in that situation.
"I do not know."
Natasha sighed, "Adam, firstly I would like to apologize, I wanted to have a talk with you but instead I put you in danger. I am sorry."
He frowned and waved his hand, "Don't worry about this and now tell me what we should do."
"We need to leave. I do not know who is targeting me. But whoever it is, there will be more. You seem to be in a bad state and I do not wish to fight a group of mercenaries without more knowledge."
"What about this man?"
"He died."
Adam gazed once again at the man and realized that his chest had stopped moving, realization sunk in and he sighed,
"I should have simply killed him."
Adam knew what it felt like to die in pain. He knew all too well, the fear and terror that would grip one heart as life slowly left you.
In those kinds of situations, a swift death was a mercy.
Natasha frowned as she looked at Adam.
She felt like she was receiving too many mixed messages from his scent. There was a mix of, fear, sadness, simple indifference, and even a hint of joy.
Those contrasting feelings were clearly affecting him and it confused her as it was like Adam was someone who had seen death but at the same time someone with no experience with it.
"I rested enough. Let's move."
"Very well."
It was then that alarm bells rang in both Adam's and Natasha's minds. One reacting thanks to his domain and the other with her sense.
Natasha's eyes widened when she felt Adam pushing her down before covering her entire body with his.
BOOM!
What followed was an explosion of light and heat as the factory was entirely set on fire by an explosion.
CH 68: SILVER PRINCESS
Smoker placed down the mini Prana-powered rocket launcher that was installed in his arm and looked at the results of his work.
The smoke was constantly rising into the air as the flame filled the factory. Diary was able to keep track of the life signals of all the members of the squad so the moment she said their comrade had died as well, there had been no more hesitation in Smoker's mind and he readily launched the weapon into the building.
Ideally, he wished he could use it a second time. But his body was already heating up terribly, almost going into the alarming territory for a human, and his Prana was emptied by at least one-fourth of its total capacity. This was his trump card. But he had not hesitated to use it from the start. There was no reason to hold back, after all.
He remembered the information Diary had gleaned from their survey of the battlefield where the targets had slain their comrades.
The intruder had a large-scale AOE technique but it seemed to be of a low range. At the very least between 10 to 100 meters.
He had no particular weapon or did not judge it necessary to use it to finish Falcon and the others off.
Furthermore, he could attack from afar but the means should be limited.
Watching the video, they also confirmed that the technique used to finish Falcon should take some time to set up as he had used the capture target as bait to lure in Falcon's focus before landing the attack that took their comrade's life.
"The result?"
"The vital signal of one of them vanished. The aid probably died."
Smoker smirked at the news. At the very least, they had avenged their dead comrades. Still, it was too soon to rejoice.
"Mage. Place the buff and shields on the whole team. Tracker, prepare the wolfbane-infused bullets to use on the target. Since the intruder died, we will try to finish the capture mission. If all else fails then we have no other choice but to switch to the elimination of the target. Diary…"
The woman with the code name Diary touched her temple with two of her fingers and her eyes immediately shone with a blue luster as innumerable strings of 1s and 0s moved on her retina at terrifying speeds. She was processing information in real-time and determining the most accurate set of actions for them.
"We have five minutes. Six minutes if we push for it. The firewalls of the LAPPD are weaker than I thought of them to be."
"Then we will keep it at four. Once the allotted time passes, whatever the result may be, we fall back and retreat. Warn Transporter to warm the motor."
Smoker knew that if they faced the LAPPD squad, they would be wiped out without even any chance of retaliation. There was no second measure. All the bastards of the Paranormal department were equipped with the latest tech and had received the best training possible. They simply were not equipped with the capabilities to face them,
They all nodded in understanding and looked vigilantly at the building that was set on fire due to Smoker's attack.
They knew very well that it was impossible for a werewolf to be done in simply because of that mini explosion. Killing the intruder was already a great win for them.
Thankfully, the werewolf would be greatly wounded at least.
Werewolves had a great regeneration capacity. They could even recover lost limbs if they had enough time and energy in hand. But they were not immortal.
Compared to creatures like vampires, their regeneration was rather slow and cost more energy to use. Said energy could only be recovered by eating and sleeping. Unlike vampires who could drink blood to recover energy at any moment.
When facing a vampire. Group tactics were unadvised. As it only meant more cannon fodder for the vampire to feed on and recover itself.
This wasn't the case here, however.
Smoker grinned as he threw away the cigar in his mouth and uncovered his cybernetic right arm.
"It's time to hunt."
Hunters never fought fairly against supernatural creatures after all. That's what it meant to 'hunt' for a hunter.
—
Meanwhile, in the factory that was filled with fire and the odor of burning flesh, Natasha was panicking like she had never before in her life.
"Adam!?"
She kept shaking the body of her friend, but no matter how much she tried, no matter how much she shook him, he stayed unresponsive throughout.
She could not accept that her friend had died like this.
In fact, Adam was currently unrecognizable. His entire back was charred beyond belief. The scent of his flesh still sizzling with the fire of the explosion, made her feel nauseous. Furthermore, shrapnels were embedded in his body and Natasha knew that they were all made out of silver.
'He… He protected me.'
Had she received this blow from the assailants, she would have been unable to heal at her normal speed and would have most likely become completely helpless before them.
Tears streamed down the soot-covered face of Natasha. She thought back to all the time she had spent with Adam and their other friends.
Adam had never been very sharing with them. He had his own circumstances, after all. But he was never the kind to cry and whine without any reason and was a firm individual. This was why the two of them became friends.
Perhaps not the best of friends. But certainly, very good ones who could enjoy time spent with each other.
"You died for me because of my mistake."
Her eyes shone as her body began to change. Her golden hair became silver. Her blue eyes became a shade of deep crimson red and wolf ears protruded up from her head out of nowhere.
The cracking of bones resounded throughout the fire-strewn factory as her body began to grow and shift visibly.
In the end, there was no more beautiful girl standing close to Adam, but rather a menacing two meters tall wolf with a sleek figure and silver-white fur.
Raising her head up high, she howled to the sky…
Awooo—!
The wind stirred under her cry as frost began to cover the ground and chased away all the flames.
Glancing one last time at Adam's damaged body, a low growl escaped her lips and she slowly turned her body.
Today should have been a simple day. She was just supposed to hang out with her friend and make sure that nothing bad had happened to him or that he had not joined any sketchy cult.
But because of an abominable turn of events, her friend had died. Far from taking care of him, her meddling had indirectly caused his death.
This was a pang of guilt she would carry on her back for the rest of her life. If they were lucky to become friends again in the next life, she swore she would dedicate her life and everything she would have to him.
But now? Now she was going to tear apart some humans for their transgression against her and her dear friend.
CH 69: EDGE
"Smoker, we have a problem."
Smoker kept his gaze on the factory as he felt the great spike of Prana coming from the demolished building and simultaneously heard the howl full of rage and agony that almost ruptured his eardrums.
Watching as even the raging fire, which seemed to be able to engulf the building whole, was immediately put down as a sheen of ice spread from the factory and even plummeted the surrounding temperature, Smoker couldn't help but curse in his mind.
"An Alpha…"
The expression of the others also changed drastically when their fear was confirmed. The fact that they still didn't show any signs of panic was proof of their experience and level-headedness. But this did not change their current harrowing situation.
"What do we do?"
"Retreat immediately. This howl was most likely a signal used for calling some members of her pack. Be that as it may, we have no chances against an Alpha, to begin with. This is a lost cause."
If the whole team had been present from the start, they could have given it a try. It would've been a long shot but at least they could've tried to contain the monster and could've retreated safely if things went south. But, since they had already lost half of their members, there was no other way for them other than to flee as if their life depended on it, which, unironically speaking, did.
"That fucking bastard never told us the target was an Alpha."
Tracker cursed their client for withholding this crucial piece of information. Most shapeshifters were rather low-ranked in the hierarchy of the Supernatural.
They had many weaknesses and outside of their physical abilities, they had nothing particularly special about them. Of course, this was relatively speaking on the scale of supernatural creatures. A Beta of a pack could still massacre groups of unprepared hunters with no problem whatsoever. Still, the limitations were clear to them from the start.
Alphas, on the other hand, were a completely different breed altogether.
'Something is wrong here.'
Smoker was no newbie hunter. There was no way he would have attacked the Princess of the Great Wolf tribe without doing extensive research beforehand. A pack could only have one Alpha Male and one female. Never more than that.
The current Alphas of the Great Wolf tribe were well-known and still alive and well.
It should be impossible for Natasha to be an Alpha. He was certain of it.
'Fuck. I don't have time to think about other shit in this situation.'
"Change of formation. This is a survival mission now guys. We will suppress her with firepower while we retreat."
Holding back to capture her now would be a foolish endeavor. But they couldn't just give their backs to the raving monster while fleeing either. Doing so would only result in a complete massacre of their whole team.
Smoker felt his hair stand on end and immediately shouted.
"Mage!"
Not even a moment later, seven translucent shields appeared in front of all of them only to crack one after another due to a terrible impact.
It was only after the last remaining shield showed signs of cracking that the attack finally stopped. The shields were able to restrain the devastating strike successfully.
Smoker realized that his instinct had once again saved him and his team as he watched the long trail of ice and frost in front of them— the aftermath of the devastating attack.
The temperature around them had already lowered so greatly that they felt that they were walking on a land of ice and snow and if they had not used the shield right now, they would have most likely died already.
Smoker cursed before asking in a heavy voice. "How much left?"
"About half."
"Oh!?"
Mage was a skilled sorcerer who had once been part of the academy. Even though he had only lasted one year there, his skill was the real deal. He had managed to sign a contract with a low-level spirit and specialized in protection and healing-type spells and skills. He could also cast debuff-type spells but he didn't specialize in that as much as he did on the other two.
However, no matter how much skilled Mage was, him being able to stop the attack was astonishing, to say the least.
The team tensed visibly as a giant wolf broke out through the front door of the factory. She was a majestic beast with silvery white fur. Showing the pride of a superior being who could control the elements. But there was something lacking in the presumed Alpha wolf.
Smoker frowned as he looked at this scene. He had once seen a video of an alpha taking its true form and they were approximately two or three times bigger than the wolf in front of them. Furthermore, the fact that Mage managed to withstand an attack, albeit by using half of his energy in one go was weird in itself.
'Is she holding back because we are not far from the city?'
It was a possibility. But his instincts were telling him that it wasn't the case in this situation. There was another significant reason, one that could tilt the battle in their favor. So, he decided to bet on his instincts.
[Prana Cannon]
A simple name for a simple skill that condensed Prana inside a special bullet composed of silver shrapnels and launched the bullet at the opponent with the power to decimate an entire building.
He could fire pure Prana alone, but using those bullets was both expensive and very useful.
'Fire.'
The bullets launched out of his cybernetic hand with the explosive strength of a bomb that could decimate an entire building in one blow. But the explosive bullet was swiftly stopped by the formation of an ice wall that halted the bullet in its tracks. However, everyone could see that it had been difficult for the monster to halt the strength of the bullet like that.
Now, Smoker was definitely convinced of his hypothesis. This was an Alpha that had trouble reaching its full strength, otherwise, it wouldn't have any problem stopping his attack. Things were definitely looking good for them…
He grinned maliciously as his cybernetic arm changed forms to turn into a sharp and long blade laced with silver while he filled the weapon to the brim with his Prana.
He could already feel the protection that Mage had placed on him. This would be more than enough for him to fight the Pseudo-Alpha wolf. He just had to avoid being hit by her.
He rushed at the wolf with Tracker on his back. The two of them were the main damage dealers of their little group.
Diary kneeled on the ground and took out her sniper rifle. She alongside the deceased Falcon always took care of suppressing the enemy with their cover fire. Her job also entailed the protection of Mage as he continuously cast boosts on the team.
[Shield]
[Accelrated Healing]
[Swift]
But his contribution didn't stop there. Even as the damage dealers engaged in a frontal clash against the silver-furred wolf, he started casting debuff spells like [Lag] [Blear] and so on that decreased movement speed and hindered the wolf's vision among other things.
Each of his spells was pretty weak, all things considered, as he had to use his Prana wisely but when added together, they allowed them to hold on against the ravaging onslaught of the crazed wolf.
Their mercenary group, Edge, was renowned because of their seamless teamwork and skill diversity. As long as they did not face someone with absolute power that could wipe them off the face of the earth with a single thought, they could keep them occupied.
If the full team had been present, they would have been even more confident about their chances against the Pseudo-Alpha wolf but the reality was different and they could do nothing about it.
Holding the rifle in her hand, Diary would sometimes take a shot at the wolf's weak points in order to disrupt her whenever she was about to bite one of her teammates.
Sweat covered her brows but was immediately wiped away by Mage's careful ministrations. She could not afford to be distracted for a single second. She was still counting the time remaining for them to safely finish the mission and the more they fought, the clearer the fact became that…while the silver wolf was weaker than an average Alpha should be, it still wasn't something they could take on with just their current members.
The wolf let out a howl of frustration and pain as her thigh was wounded by a well-placed slash of Smoker's silver-infused sword. Silver slowed down the already slow healing speed of the werewolves, hindering their dominance on the battlefield.
'Is she protecting the factory?'
Diary realized that fact after analyzing her behavior and was also able to understand the reason behind her decision. The wolf was protecting the dead body of her comrade.
'I guess even monsters can feel emotions.'
Diary commented in her mind. Most hunters had no good feelings against supernatural monsters. The vast majority of supernatural crimes were committed by either Demon Worshipers or Earthly Supernatural creatures.
Like many hunters. She had lost people she loved to those monsters and she hated how the LAPPD was spreading more and more talk about conciliation and peace.
'They should just all fucking die.'
She growled menacingly as she spoke to her teammate in an icy tone, "Mage, tell Smoker and Tracker that they should target the factory."
They were losing this battle of attrition. So she needed a tactic to turn this situation in their favor. She did not consider this tactic to be cheap. There was no such thing as cheap tactics when hunting monsters.
"Roger."
Mage did not ask why and immediately sent the message to the frontliners. When she was sure that Smoker had received the message, she aimed at Natasha's eyes to distract her once again, and using the diversion, Tracker immediately entered the factory.
Awooo—!
A cry of outrage spilled out of Natasha's jaws as the ground immediately froze with a hard layer of icy barrage. Nearly trapping Smoker who jumped ahead of time to save himself. Sadly, when he landed, he had a hard time adjusting his position due to slippery ice impeding his movements.
This was enough for the silver wolf as she smacked Smoker hard against the ground using her claws.
Gah—!
Smoker let out a harsh sigh of pain after getting smacked by the wolf's mighty blow and landing dozens of meters away with a harsh crash. Cladding consumed an enormous amount of Prana and he wasn't even proficient in utilizing it. However, even after using it while being protected by Mage's shield, he felt like all the bones in his body had cracked from the impact.
Keeping that Pseudo-Alpha wolf occupied all alone was definitely impossible for someone of his caliber.
He rolled on the ground from his spot and avoided another strike from the wolf, that intended to finish him once and for all, while his body shone with a soft glow as the light of healing fell on him.
'Mage, I could kiss you.'
He immediately stood up and swiftly turned his blade into its cannon form when he realized that the wolf wanted to turn around and enter the factory after disposing of him as soon as possible. It seemed that the wolf wanted to protect the body of her dead friend. He couldn't miss this chance when the wolf was distracted due to thinking up about her companion.
Unlike Diary, Smoker did not consider supernatural creatures as must-kill targets. It wasn't like humans were saints either. The proof was the fact that, as mercenaries, they had to drench their blood many times in shady deals that didn't specify the reason for the target's elimination.
This was a dangerous job and sooner or later, they would either retire or die like dogs. There was no in-between in this line of work. This was why he called their group. Edge. Because they were constantly living on the edge, treading on the thin line between life and death.
"We won't die today!"
He shouted at the top of his lungs and avoided another off-handed attack from the silver wolf that aimed at his head before sliding in front of it on the devastated ground and using his cannon at point-blank range to shoot at her chest before it could react.
His heart felt like it was bursting due to the over usage of his Prana and he felt like his body was creaking due to the rapidly circulating overdrive that his Prana pathways were under right now. His blood felt like it was boiling inside his body and even his cybernetic arm was heating as though it would explode at any moment.
But he did not care about anything. A mad maniacal grin was etched on his face even as he was engulfed in the explosion of his [Prana Cannon] attack. He believed in Mage and knew that he would protect him from the blast as much as possible.
"Uggh."
Blood spilled from his mouth but his grin grew larger and larger with each passing moment. Being in pain meant that he was alive and the howl of pain and misery that the wolf was emitting right now was like the most beautiful music he ever heard in his ears.
On Mage's side, he sighed at the recklessness of their leader but he was all the happier for his success. His Prana was bottomed out after deploying that protective measure and he could only maintain the shield around Smoker and no one else. But this was enough for them. The end was close. He could feel it.
Smoker had greatly incapacitated the Pseudo-Alpha wolf. Once Tracker came back with the body of her comrade, they might even be able to bargain with her. After all, he knew that even with this devastating attack there were no chances for them to win this fight.
'We can do it. No, we will do it.'
God never let down those who never gave up and never surrendered. This was his greatest belief—
—This was also his last thought as his head exploded after being pierced by a bullet moving at two times the speed of the sound.
"How…"
Diary looked down at the large hole in her chest even as the brain matter of her teammate splattered all over her face and body.
The only thing that went through her mind was the impossibility of Tracker dying inside the factory, while the life signal of the one that should have been dead appeared once again on her radar.
'So… This was a trap all along, huh…'
Even as she began to fall over from her position, she used her remaining energy to send a message to Transporter, their last companion.
[Flee…]
She hoped that at least one of them would survive for she knew that even Smoker had no chance of survival in this situation.
CH 70: ALWAYS LOOK ABOVE
[A few moments ago…]
When Adam realized that an attack was coming at them, he had not hesitated to use his new skills to increase his perception as much as possible with his current condition.
This had been quite excruciating for him but he was thankful to have done so. Thanks to his hasty measures, he was able to see how the large shell exploded in smaller shrapnels with a sheen of coating over them. He didn't know their composition, but one didn't need to be a genius to know that it would be something very dangerous for a werewolf like Natasha.
Adam had tried to use his powers to slow them or stop them in their tracks, but he still lacked enough practice to handle speeding objects properly. It was impossible for him to control so many targets at the same time more so when they were coming at them at the speed of sound maybe more.
As such he was given a simple choice. A path that divided into two paths.
Protect himself or protect Natasha.
Adam took the most logical choice on hand. He was already extremely tired and using his accelerated perception once again didn't help him out of this predicament. No matter what, after this, he would be down for the count for their upcoming battle ahead.
If he chose to save himself, Natasha would be greatly wounded, if not dying outright, and he would be unable to defend himself with his declined condition.
If he saved Natasha, he would most likely die and she would be able to defend herself from them. Furthermore, by dying now, he would be able to revive at his peak strength and stamina.
Still, in his accelerated state, he found out that moving his body was pretty difficult. It felt extremely weird as his body was moving far slower than he would have wished for it to. He simply was unable to move at the same speed as his perception. But it didn't matter, in the end.
He covered Natasha's body with his own, made sure to protect as much part of her body as he could, and did not even give himself the slightest protection possible from the onslaught of the shrapnel and the explosion that decimated the abandoned factory.
In order to ensure that he would be to protect her well, he was forced to stay in this state and as such went through a slow and excruciating death as the shrapnels tore through his body slowly and painfully.
For Natasha, everything happened in an instant but for him, he had to go through everything in slow motion due to his accelerated perception. Furthermore, the enhanced senses born from the Third Eye and The Crown, made the pain all the more vivid to him and thus enhanced the already excruciating pain he felt.
In the end though, even if it felt like it was extremely painful, even if it felt like he wanted to scream, all Adam did was leak out a sigh of relief.
If there was one good thing about his body being human, it was that he could not go past the human limit. Even this death would be instantaneous if he let go of his perception.
The pain was only momentary and the death felt like a gentle slumber.
Death…was not so scary after all. He idly thought.
[The Curse of Cain is reacting to your excessive number of deaths…]
[A change is ensuing…]
He would come to regret that thought very soon.
—
When Tracker rushed into the factory, he felt even colder than he felt outside. Clearly, the silver wolf had used her power over the elements to push away all the fire inside.
He looked around, only for his eyes to fall on the body of his dead comrade. He could see how broken down his body had become as all the limbs were twisted beyond belief.
Tracker could not even begin to imagine how much pain his friend must have gone through before dying so pitifully.
Knight was the most righteous out of them all and he even had a son and a pregnant wife. A family that was awaiting his return.
Even though they would receive money, there was nothing money could do to bring back the dead.
Just imagining their expression when they give them the news made him light-headed. A deeper sense of sorrow settled in his mind.
'Focus.'
There was nothing they could do for the dead and if he continued to waste time they would soon follow Knight, Falcon, and the others.
'Where is it?'
He was searching for the body of the target's aid who fucked up their whole plan. If not for that wretched aid, so many of them wouldn't have to die.
He didn't know how the man looked but he shouldn't have been so hard to find.
"Where the fuck is that fucker's body?"
He cursed and advanced deeper into the factory, well intent on finding the body of the bastard who killed so many of his comrades.
But, just as he finally reached the center and looked around— Alarm bells rang in his mind, warning him of incoming danger.
He did not have time to think and tried to move out instinctively but his body refused to properly respond. He felt like he was walking in a swamp filled with the most viscous liquid possible, stopping him from advancing any further.
He pushed his Prana to the maximum, slightly pushing off the sensation he felt around his neck and joints but it changed nothing in the end. Like a prisoner given locked by the most solid chain, he was unable to offer the slightest resistance.
'What the fuck!'
He realized that something was coming down from above his head with his senses and could only crash down helplessly as someone fell on top of him.
The shock made his reel and he felt a few bones in his body snap as he received the full weight of a grown man while being unable to protect himself.
Sitting on his back, Adam was holding a long metal spike that he had randomly taken from the ground near him before he jumped and hid on higher ground.
People never seemed to look up.
"Fuck!'
'Should I kill him now?'
He ignored the groans and made sure to press the head hard against the ground while adding his own telekinetic powers to make sure he wouldn't be able to move from his spot.
[One of the members seems to have a skill that can determine the life and death of a certain target.]
'How inconvenient.'
Him being alive was a trump card that he had achieved after dying once.
They might not realize immediately that he was alive, but they would definitely notice the death of their companion once he killed the guy he was restraining below.
'I guess I have no other choice then.'
[Eyes of Truth ] + [The World] + [Accelerated Perception.] + [Pararel Thinking]
Adam felt the world come to a crawl as he took out two bullets from the magazine of the man locked under him.
His eyes gazed at the battlefield and he had to force himself to not gawk at the sight of the giant wolf fighting the muscular man to a standstill.
He was about to attack him, but when he saw how the man got healed by someone, Adam's gaze settled a little farther away.
There he could see a man and a woman. One with a sniper rifle in hand and the other directing his hands toward the muscular man while his hands glowed in the same light that had enveloped the muscular man before.
Clearly, they were the rear support and the man was the healer while the woman provided backup fire support.
She also seemed to be akin to an operation tower of their little group.
'The two of them are dangerous.'
If the wolf was Natasha as he surmised, then she was perfectly taking care of the man on her own. Even if she was getting wounded quite a bit along the way.
As such, what he had to do now was clear to him.
'Always take care of the healer first.'
Adam was not a beast who would attack the one with the highest aggro. Rather, it was necessary to eliminate the most troublesome ones first to ensure complete victory.
'Remember what you did earlier.'
Adam focused with all his mental energy and started to make the bullets spin once again as he did before to take out the sniper.
Currently, he felt like he was an overloaded and overworked computer of 2010 trying to run a game from 2030. He was using all his skills in an instant, after all. The toll that was being put on his body was something that couldn't be described with words alone.
All of his software was top notch but the hardware was not enough to truly give him the power he wished for. Here the software was his powers and the hardware was his body. His body and mind were simply too weak for him to make complete use of his powers.
It was a pity. But then again he had only awakened for less than a week.
Thankfully, this was not a major problem in this situation. Unlike a computer, even if all his content melted, he could easily put himself back to normal with a bout of resurrection.
So all he had to do was push himself beyond his limits every time he was in need of greater firepower.
Until the day he could upgrade his hardware to a satisfactory level, he would need to persist with breaking his body like this.
His attack was like a death sentence for those who could not react to it.
Like the spear of death that never missed their target, they rushed beyond the speed of sound and brutally reaped the life of the hopeful souls.
Unlike him, death was eternal for them.
This was the simple reality of the battlefield.
One moment was all it took to lose everything.
Looking at their tumbling bodies, Adam zoned out of the overclocked state that he put himself through.
His eyes and nose were once again bleeding but he didn't care for that.
All that mattered was,
'Should I kill him?'
The fight was basically close to the end. They had won. There was nothing more they could do.
So shouldn't he spare him?
Adam closed his eyes.
Killing with his telekinetic powers was so easy. It was like he was playing a game. He could not truly feel the weight of the life he had taken.
The man was cursing at him. It seemed as if he tried to move away but Adam was not really listening to him right now.
He knew that this man would never forgive him.
This was not a war with regulations.
This was not an honest and honorable fight.
This was a fight to the death where nothing was too dirty and nearly everything was allowed.
"I am sorry."
Perhaps, if he had not been so heavy-handed at the start, the situation could have been different.
There were so many possible paths this scenario could've gone towards. But he would never come to know them because he already made his decision.
"I am really sorry."
Placing his hands over his head, cladding them in Prana— Adam twisted his neck.
*crack*
This small sound seemed so loud and vivid in the silence of the factory.
Adam knew that he would never forget this moment for the rest of his life.
The sound of the bones cracking underneath his palms. The feeling of despair in the man's eyes as his trashing body slumped and life drifted out of it.
The supernatural world was such a dark and dreary place.
A place where life and death mattered little and where you could die at any possible moment.
On this day, Adam had officially stepped inside that dark world.
CH 71: WRAPPING THINGS UP
Adam had to admit that he felt a little nauseous this time around, killing another human like this. The feeling of taking someone's life and witnessing it in bullet time was simply too vivid for him to ignore.
'Ugh. I am definitely going to have nightmares after this.'
He stood up from above the dead body of his latest kill, only to feel his legs buckling under him but he managed to avoid falling on the ground by getting a hold of himself.
The skills he had just used were too mentally taxing for the current him. The strain on his mind intensified further since he had gone even higher than when he used it to kill the first sniper.
'Well, at least I found a new technique. Though I need to ameliorate it and use it conservatively.'
By using all his skills together, he was able to create an incredible synergy that made him nearly equal to a top-grade homing device.
There were still many small problems with this technique, however. After all, using it in a fight without a way of distracting the opponent was simply impossible as it just took way too much time to prepare and use on enemies.
Perhaps in the future when he increased the proficiency of his skills then this problem would cease to persist but until then, he would need to be conservative and precise in using this technique.
'Hey, is it possible to buy proficiency in a skill with the use of Karma?'
[No.]
It was a clear-cut answer as always. Adam frowned at the blatant show of disrespect before shaking his head with a sigh.
'The two of us need to have a discussion later.'
Genesis was very useful so he initially decided to put up with his way of acting.
But now, he realized that he had enough shit in his life already and didn't want to deal with a conscious entity in his mind that continued to act so belligerently toward him in every possible moment of their interaction.
Speaking of Genesis…
Adam willed the book to appear and opened it to check it out. He realized that the book had opened to form some words about his curse when he was dying earlier and he was eager to know what the book had tried to convey to him.
The first thing he saw after reading through the pages though were the strings of notifications that showed no signs of ending.
[You have instilled fear, hatred, and despair into entities…]
[+10]
[+5]
.
.
.
.
[+50]
[Karma Obtained: +200]
[Total Karma: 360]
Adam whistled in surprise before sighing bitterly after reading the description of the way in which he obtained his karma.
'This system is basically telling me to become evil.'
He had noticed this earlier with the Pivots. But acts of 'evil' were the ones that gave the greatest short-term rewards to him while the 'good' acts seem to be rather lacking.
[It's simply because negative emotions are easier to bring forth and thus result in a greater gathering of Karma.]
Adam nodded, acknowledging the book spirit's words that were conveyed in its usual robotic tone. It was hard to make someone like you, but it was pretty easy to make them hate you.
The same went for Love and Lust and so on and so forth. It was always easy to be evil and hard to be good and that principle seemed to be ingrained in the Karmic path.
If Adam gave up on all restraints and focused solely on farming Karma then…
'Don't think about that.'
He had rested enough and he could feel that the fight between Natasha and the hunk of a man had come to an end.
He spread his senses, unwilling to move, and realized that the outside of the factory had become a complete and utter mess.
'So this is her power, huh…'
It was rather frightening if he had to be honest. Natasha looked like a true force of nature.
But Adam was not particularly scared of her powers or rather he was not scared of her. He knew very well that Natasha must have done all this for him…
She could have simply fled the scene, after all. But she didn't and fought them to avenge him. Still, the way she manipulated Ice and Snow gave him an idea of what he wanted to try in the future.
Though he doubted that he had the mastery necessary as he was right now… This was something he could slowly train in the future.
Once Natasha subdued the man and crushed his cybernetic arm, she turned around to direct a deep look of confusion and bewilderment toward the factory.
She had felt the attacks that had been launched from inside and remembered clearly that they were exactly the same as Adam used.
But… That should be impossible.
Bashing the human, who had been fighting her till now, once again, just to make sure that he was out for the count, she took him in her maws and advanced toward the factory.
Her heart was beating powerfully against her beastly chest but when she finally entered inside and looked at Adam standing with difficulty with the dead body of the second mercenary under him, she opened her maws in utter surprise. This prompted the body to fall onto the ground but she didn't have the time to focus on that.
Her body shrunk rapidly until she took her Human form and rushed at Adam at full speed while shouting with unconcealed joy in her tone…
"Adam!"
Adam barely had time to react as he was tackled by a rapidly approaching Natasha.
He hugged her back on reflex as the two of them fell under her tremendous momentum.
Sitting on top of him, Natasha looked down at Adam with blurry eyes as tears threatened to fall at any moment from her sockets.
"Are you really alive?"
Adam coughed awkwardly due to the sight before him. "You should wear clothes first, Natasha."
It seemed that Natasha's transformation didn't spare her clothes either. Leaving her completely naked from head to toe.
As a result, he now had a smoking hot golden-haired Russian girl sitting on top of his crotch while being completely bare for him to witness.
Even though she was quite lacking in the chest department compared to someone like Sae, this did not change the fact that she was an extremely enchanting, ravishing, and beautiful woman. Adam almost thought that it was cheating to be this much beautiful as he witnessed Natasha's naked form on top of her.
Adam looked away out of respect for his friend, not willing to bring her further shame, while Natasha blushed and coughed out loud, not knowing what to do in this situation. She was feeling too many emotions at this moment, so much so that her head went completely blank, rendering her unable to gather her bearings.
It was then…
"Princess!"
…Two women wearing black suits, akin to the bodyguard uniform, rushed past the gate of the factory and stopped in surprise at the sight that greeted them.
They had rushed at full speed after receiving the [Call of the Alpha] but they would have never thought that such a scene would be waiting for them to witness.
The two women became excited at the prospects that this situation entailed.
Perhaps their princess had finally found a mate for herself? They were sure that the Leader of their clan would be really happy to witness such a scene.
"This… This isn't what it looks like."
Natasha covered her face in utter shame, embarrassment, and unceasing agony. This situation was not how she expected it to go at all. Today seemed to be a dark day for her.
—
After Natasha and Adam left the premise of the battlefield with the 'sole' surviving members of the mercenary group, the roar of an SUV resounded throughout the devastated landscape as a group of armed people jumped out of it after they reached the destination of the devastating fight.
They were all wearing black bodysuits as well as small pieces of armor over their bodies, covering their vitals. Their head was covered by white helmets that covered the upper half of their face, like a visor of sort, and they were all holding special rifles in their hands.
Observing all this, Theresa, the current director of the LAPPD organization, who was also present in the SUV, sighed under her breath…
"See, I told you we just had to ignore the fight. Now. simply bring the cleaning crew and erase all the proofs of the battle."
Humans could not observe supernatural events normally. But they could still see a destroyed factory.
This was why the cleaning crew was perhaps the most important group of an organization as it took care of the aftermath of a clash between the Supernaturals.
They could repair buildings in a matter of minutes or at most hours. This was a transcendental concept.
Standing next to her, Makoto nodded silently to her words.
Theresa grinned as she glanced at her pupil, "So, what did you think of that fight?"
The LAPPD might have been slow to answer her call but that was not the case for Makoto. She had rushed immediately after noticing the disturbance. So she was able to perfectly witness what transpired in this scene.
"Dangerous. But inexperienced…"
"Heh… Well, he would need to be like that to get their attention."
Adam Gospel. Her instincts were screaming at her that she needed to look at him, not as a mere supernatural creature but something else, something greater.
"Well, he is just a small fish in a great ocean. At least, right now…"
She was even, more or less, thinking of recruiting the young boy. All paranormal departments had a quota for supernatural creatures that needed to be filled in as regular members.
Theresa hated things like this. But she was not strong enough to discard the system, yet.
So for now. She should simply do her job.
CH 72: DANGEROUS MAID
[Los Angeles; Bervly hill]
When Adam woke up, he found himself lying down on a soft mattress.
'Where am I?'
He immediately spread his senses wide and used the full coverage of [The world] to capture any movement.
Wherever he was, it was some kind of upper-end house. He felt like he was lying down in a small castle.
The bedroom alone was more than 30m2 and there was an adjacent bathroom and dressing room.
In the end, Adam was kinda embarrassed to realize that he could only barely cover the room.
Thankfully, his zone was a spherical domain. He was able to feel the presence of a few people walking around, all of them wearing something akin to maid clothes. As he scanned, he was startled to realize that there were only women in this place but more than anything.
'Human, werewolf, human, werewolf.'
Out of around twenty or so servants he had managed to analyze, a third of them were all werewolves.
This made him realize that he should be somewhere that belonged to Natasha.
He looked down and inspected his body. He still had a mild headache, but it seemed better than he thought it would be. After all, he used all his skills to his maximum not long ago. He had expected that he would be quite suffering now.
'Someone gave me a bath and changed me.'
He didn't quite know how he should feel about this. It seemed that there were only women in this place. So the one who did bathe him were quite evident to pinpoint.
Should he feel embarrassed?
He sighed when—
*Knock* *Knock* *Clack*
Someone knocked before entering.
The moment the person stepped into his zone, Adam frowned as he felt goosebumps ride his skin.
[Name: Aleksandra Antonovna Nikitina
Affiliation: Natasha Antonovna Nikitina
Alias: Crying Baby; War Hero; Heartless Wolf; Babayaga; Doting maid; Defender
Race: Shapeshifter— Werewolf
Age: 135]
There, in front of him was an old relic who had lived through the two world wars and the cold war.
But all one could see was a beautiful black-haired, red-eyed woman who seemed to be in her early thirties and was wearing a beautiful maid robe reminding him of those from the Victorian era, with a hint of modernity.
For anyone else, they would only see a woman in the prime of her age who could still easily turn heads. But in Adam's [Eye]; he felt like what was walking toward him was not a woman but simply an apex predator ready to charge at him at any moment.
For an instant, ten different scenarios flashed in his mind as he wondered if he could take her on. But he immediately realized that it was simply laughable. Compared to the power he had felt from those mercenaries, it was like night and day.
Her presence was so overpowering, that even Natasha's giant wolf form seemed small and weak when compared to this woman.
He understood once again why humans always hunted Supernatural creatures in groups as hunters and did not hesitate to 'cheat'. Fighting fair and square against monsters like this was simply pure stupidity.
His muscle tightened in reflex, causing the woman to raise an eyebrow in surprise before she gave a nod, seemingly showing an expression of approval.
"I hope you slept well, dear guest, I am Aleksandra, the head maid of Milady."
Adam nodded carefully. He did not want to accidentally anger the old woman. He still had a hard time wrapping his head around such a young-looking woman being more than six times older than him.
"I am Adam Gospel. A friend of Natasha."
"Friend?"
Aleksandra tilted her head in wonder, but she got a hold of herself while wearing a thoughtful expression as she thoughts
'Did those idiots make a mistake?'
From the reports she had received from those from the Pack, they had found Natasha just about to mate with this young man after a bloody fight.
She knew very well, that their libido could become heightened after a fight to the death and as such, she had no doubt and in fact, had been quite happy.
After all, once her Princess found a mate…
'Sigh. I will scold them later.'
She was a little disappointed if she had to be honest.
The young pup had been trying to find a fitting mate for his daughter, but in her impression, all those stupid young men were nothing but pampered and domesticated dogs.
If they had been alive during the supernatural world war, the only result would have been dying or beggings grace to the Vampires and the Drows.
The only good thing about them was their pedigree. Nothing more.
But the boy here seemed different. If those idiots didn't make a mistake about the reports once again at least.
'Well, at least he had a good reaction when seeing me.'
She couldn't remember how many times she had been disappointed when those so-called young masters would look at her with lust or disdain, clearly not even realizing the difference in power between them.
How could she allow those bastards to become mates with the Lady? Sooner or later they would cause her death by messing with the wrong person because of their stupid pride.
'Young, handsome, talented, careful, and ruthless. Furthermore, he seemed to have quite a beautiful thing when I was bathing him. Perfect for siring good and healthy children.'
'The only sad thing is that he is human. But it isn't a problem. In fact, this is a blessing in disguise. Once Lady bites him, he could perhaps obtain some of the power of Frost.'
The days when pure blood was important were long behind them and while she was old, she was born human as well. So she was even less bothered.
Adam felt a chill of different nature as Aleksandra's gaze seemed to look like she was appraising a great product.
"Is there something bothering you?"
Aleksandra was startled, "My, I am sorry. It seems like I am becoming quite old."
Adam gave an awkward chuckle, "So, where am I currently? I suppose it's Natasha's home?"
"Indeed. The lady is out currently. She needs to handle the matter of those mercenaries. She asked me to verify if you were still asleep and make sure you would be cared for."
"I see…"
He looked down at his body. All he had was a boxer and a shirt.
"We did not have any male clothes in this mansion and your clothes were completely destroyed. A few servants search ones once you tell me your preference."
"Hah…I guess a simple shirt and jeans will do."
"I see. Indeed, a black suit and a white shirt would go very well with your skin and the color of your hair."
"I…"
"Yes?"
Adam sighed. Aleksandra answered while looking at him with a small smile at the corner of her lips. He could already feel that this woman would be someone troublesome to deal with.
"I guess a suit wouldn't be bad."'
"Hehe."
She laughed quietly before shaking her head, "I am sorry for teasing you. If you truly want simple clothes I would be happy to do so."
Aleksandra was already considering Adam as the future mate of her lady. So she was quite laid back.
After all, in her mind, there was no way any man could reject her young, beautiful,++ and cute lady. Doing so would be no different from a crime against humanity and all that was beautiful in the world.
"I will go with the suit."
If someone was willing to give him some branded stuff, then he had no reason to refuse.
Aleksandra smiled, liking his answer.
She of course knew that she was being biased. When you took a liking to someone, all his actions were observed with rose-tinted glasses.
"I will come back with your clothes soon."
She sauntered toward the door and closed it behind her with a smile.
Once she was sure that no one could see her, her expression became slack as she began daydreaming.
'Hah, I can't wait! I wonder what they will call the children? How many will there be? Four? Five? Fufufu.'
She had fought alongside the previous Alpha during the war and had raised the current Alpha, then did the same for Natasha and her brothers. She couldn't wait to start raising the fourth generation.
She idly started to wonder if she should simply lock the young man in now and wait until Natasha seduced him.
CH 73: SILVER TONGUE
After Aleksandra left the room to find some clothes for him, Adam stood up from the bed and approached a rather large mirror, that was fitted near a dressing table in the large room, in order to inspect his current state.
'No wounds. Not even a scar.'
As always, his body was currently in a flawless state, courtesy of dying and then resurrecting in his peak form. But it still didn't change the fact that he should be in pretty bad shape right now after having used his powers like that.
'What happened, Genesis?'
[They gave you a special potion. It was a low-grade potion, but for someone with a mortal body like yours, healing simple wounds like the ones you received as backlash wasn't that much complicated.]
'Potion?'
He mused, a bit taken aback, but still nodded in understanding. Since there were witches and the like already, then the existence of special potions was nothing out of ordinary.
[Alchemy is a deep and profound road with limitless prospects.]
Adam shrugged and walked back to the bed and quietly sat on the comfy mattress…
'Today was pretty close.'
He had been lucky. Extremely lucky. He could have died multiple times today but he was glad that he only died once.
While death by itself wasn't something scary, he didn't want to think about what would happen if his secret was discovered. He could imagine that his immortality would interest many people and would lead him to a life of being a lab rat for eternity.
'Well, what should I tell Natasha now?'
He was seriously having a headache just thinking about this subject.
'Say, are there any skills that can help me when masking the truth?'
[Researching…]
The pages of the book, which had materialized with the intrusion of Aleksandra in the room, turned as a bunch of skills started being engraved on its pristine white surface…
[Telephaty: Rank – EX]
[Common Sense Alteration: Rank – S]
[Mind Manipulation: Rank – S]
[Snake Tongue: Rank – A]
A few more skills appeared, but Adam just sighed after having witnessed the skills at the top.
"You are doing this to piss me off, aren't you?"
A and S rank skills cost so much that it wasn't even funny as he could only gawk at the cost and do nothing else about it. His measly 360 Karma wouldn't be enough even if they were increased by an order of ten or perhaps even by a hundred.
As for Telepathy….
'Telepathy is the EX-ranked skill of The Crown Chakra, right?'
[Indeed. Telepathy represents the most powerful skill available for The Crown. It's the skill that can encompass all other mind-type skills and adjust them for you to use as you acquire them.]
Adam groaned as he tried to imagine the implications of such a broken skill. Simply being able to read the thoughts of everyone would be so useful in itself not to mention the other broken abilities this skill could branch off to.
The Eyes of Empathy was partially under the Telepathy skill and the skill had been of great use to him.
'What are the prerequisites and who will I have to possess in order to acquire the skill?'
Adam was honestly quite scared about the second part of the requisite. Telepathy encompassed the mind realm. He might really lose himself and his identity for real this time if he was met with someone with low compatibility like Buddha.
[Telepathy: Rank – EX
Skill Prerequisite: [Eyes of Empathy: Rank – C] || [Snake Tongue: Rank – A] || [Mind Reading: Rank – S]
Karma Necessary: 100]
[The person Possessed is randomly selected in the Database of Akasha.]
'Random?'
He sighed. He honestly hoped that the next time this happened he would find someone with extremely high compatibility.
This would lower the risk of him losing himself while they were acquiring the skill.
'I should be able to buy snake tongue at least, right?'
The snake tongue was a A rank skill but since he had the Crown and The Third Eye unlocked, it should receive some kind of discount.
Even if he couldn't buy it now, he wanted to save for it.
For one, obtaining Telepathy in the future would be great and two, the Snake tongue would be very useful to hide his identity.
[You also need to fulfill the prerequisite of that skill. This rule applies to all high-ranked skills.]
[Name: Snake Tongue
Description: Your words have a great persuasive effect. Twisting lies and truths is as easy as breathing for you. Your words may now bend some measures of cognition and expedite themselves to be more believable and logical to your target. The following effects are now applied…
Effect 1: ?
Effect 2: ?
Effects 3: ?]
[Warning: Eyes of the Truth proficiency is too low for you to acquire and meld this skill]
[Prerequisite(s):
Buy Silver Tongue and bring it to a high level of Proficiency
Obtain enough knowledge in the field of Psychology and Psychoanalysis]
Adam frowned after reading through the information displayed before him. It was the first time he had seen a message that warned him of the proficiencies in his skill. This made him realize once again that simply obtaining a bunch of skills would be useless if he could not use them to their full potential.
'After this, I will not buy any skills for some time and work on the proficiency of my skillset.'
He wished to make the skills completely his. Not only to fulfill the prerequisite but also to have greater control over them so that he could unleash their full potential.
Furthermore, the book had given him a hint already. It seemed that he needed to develop his knowledge – learning about new fields and acquiring understanding in them – when it came to at least A-rank skills and above.
This didn't really surprise him since the only way to obtain the [Eyes of Truth] was through enlightenment. Even the Book couldn't make him cheat this requirement, so he was forced to live through Buddha's enlightenment as a result.
What if he decided to learn more now?
What if?
'Bring me the description of The World…'
[Name: The World
Description: Create a zone of absolute control where the user can manipulate all forces in existence.
Rank: Tentatively judged to be at the S rank. Possible reevaluation to EX-rank depending on further observation and usage of the skill and signs of evolution.]
Adam covered his face and chuckled under his breath.
Had he been going at it the wrong way from the start?
Did he unconsciously limit the power of his skill?
He had been so amazed by the power of Telekinesis his power offered to him that he had forgotten this.
The power to manipulate 'all forces' inside his domain… What did this entail? All of the laws of physics? Gravity? Electromagnetism? Sounds? Thermodynamique? Light? Perhaps even Time and Space.
There was so much possibility that he became dizzy just by listing them in his mind.
'This… This is worth giving a try.'
It seemed like he would have to review his plans and re-awaken the nerd in him to further on this path. The next time he visited the Library he would focus on books about those theories and he could even start now.
After all, the Internet was the greatest library of mankind that one could possibly access on earth. While not all knowledge could be trusted. Surely not everything humanity found until now was false, right?
Even in the worst-case scenario, where he found out that he was wrong, there was no such thing as having too much knowledge. It could always be good for something else.
'Okay. I have decided. Let's buy Silver Tongue for now.'
[Name: Silver Tongue
Description: Lies and Deceit are your bread and butter. Your lies are slightly more believable as long as they follow a certain logic and rationality with them. Furthermore, any lies you say cannot be detected by machines or any lie-detecting skills.
Rank: C
Price: 1000 → 200]
[The skill is partially under the Throat Chakra as well as the Crown Chakra, as you have not unlocked one of the required Chakra, the skill is only partially discounted. Will you acquire it?]
[Y/N]
'Yes.'
[Total Karma: 360 → 160]
Adam felt a weird sensation at the tip of his tongue. But the odd sensation faded quietly and as suddenly as it had appeared and he was left wondering what to do with this new skill.
'Is it more of a passive skill?'
He would find out about this later.
'I will need a few good skills that can enhance my memory later. Find me a few good D or C class ones that I can learn and assimilate.'
Having multiple minds and a perfect memory would make studying a breeze for him.
Finally, Adam could focus on the last thing that had been bothering him since the moment he witnessed it.
When he died once again not long ago, a message had flashed but he had not been able to read it.
[The Curse of Cain is reacting to your excessive number of deaths…]
[A change is ensuing…]
He looked at those ominous words, but nothing seemed to be changing within him which only left him confused.
'What does this mean, Genesis?'
[I do not know. After your most recent death, your curse began to show some obvious changes but then the changes abruptly stopped and reverted back to normal.]
Adam felt quite uncomfortable about this fact…
'Excessive number of deaths?'
He studied this part keenly and mused. The more he died, the more the curse would change.
But what kind of change would this be? Good or bad?
In the first place, his immortality was the result of the curse of Cain. So perhaps his number of death was limited?
[Impossible. This is the true and authentic Curse of Cain. Death is impossible for you.]
It was rare for Genesis to be so sure and precise about something. But this reassured but at the same time saddened Adam.
Being immortal was certainly helpful. But what about in the future?
He sighed and shook his head to shake off those thoughts,
"Well, I guess I just have to avoid dying too much."
It couldn't be that hard, right? Most people only had one life and they did pretty well with it.
*Knock* *Knock*
The door was opened once again as Aleksandra entered the room with his clothes in hand. Though this time she was walking with two other maids behind her.
"I have your clothes and Milady asked me to tell you that she is waiting for you in the dining room."
Adam looked at the clothes in her hand, the two maids with serene faces, and the ancient head maid with a mischievous glint twinkling in her eyes and couldn't help but sigh in his mind.
"I guess saying that I can wear it myself won't make you go away and give me privacy now, will it?"
The smile on her face stretched even further as her eyes seemed to shine like stars in the night sky, "My my… We only met a few minutes ago but you already understand me so much. Fufu~"
'Well, I guess I can live the life of a prince for once this way.'
He always wondered what it would be like to be a prince or royalty and be pampered by loyal and beautiful maids.
This was a good occasion to enjoy that feeling for the first and perhaps the last time in his life. He didn't really know if there would be another occasion like this, after all.
CH 74: DINNER (1)
When they finished dressing up Adam with their expert hands, he found himself wearing a simple black-themed suit with a designer's brand, the branding embedded at the side of his cuffs, that was completely unknown to him.
|~S.K~|
The entire attire felt quite smooth and comfortable on his skin. He barely felt like he was wearing anything but the temperature of the room suddenly felt far warmer than before. He chalked that phenomenon up to the quality of the suit and also to him being almost naked until then.
'Surely, the suit didn't have something like a warming enchantment, right?' He idly thought along those lines when a certain maid of mischief broke his reverie with her praising voice.
"My, my…! What a strapping young man."
Aleksandra nodded in approval after watching the transformed Adam. The results were not super eye-catching but they had a certain beauty in their simplicity. Furthermore, those who truly knew about the brand would immediately notice that it was not a fake imitation as there was no one in the supernatural world that would dare to imitate the creations of 'that' person.
From the corner of her eyes, she could clearly see that the other two young maids had become quite smitten with Adam's looks as they hungrily gazed over all his features when they tended to him. But if she had to be honest, she couldn't really blame them for being like that.
She had to admit even to herself that only races like Elves, Vampires, or perhaps Succubi had such impressive charms as the boy before her did.
'As I thought. His body isn't normal.'
Beyond simply teasing the young man to her delight, the true reason she had wanted to help him wear the suit was in order to examine his body once again.
She hadn't paid much attention to him when they were bathing him. But now she was certain that his body was beyond what could be considered normal.
His muscles were perfect. His balance was absolutely perfect as well.
This should be impossible for someone like him. No human could have reached such a level of beauty and perfection. There would always be muscle groups that were stronger than the others depending on the fighting style, training, and natural physiology.
'Is he really human? Or was it the result of the blessings the god he prayed to had bestowed on him?'
She had seen the photo of the massacre Adam brought about with his powers and she also received first-hand information from Natasha.
Normally, witches or warlocks and their counterparts needed years of studying to understand the power bestowed upon them. As gods, spirits, and other Celestial Supernatural entities were quite stingy.
Devil summoners on the other hand could have power faster than their peers but they needed a great number of sacrifices for that.
None of this was applicable to Adam from what Natasha spoke of him. He allegedly only entered the Supernatural world a few days ago. So, how was it possible for him to attain his current level?
'So many contradictions.'
A body beyond what could be humanly possible even with years of training and fine-tuning.
A power that could not be obtained without great sacrifices or knowledge and experience.
A willingness to kill that was extremely surprising for someone who was completely normal only a few days ago. She almost started to consider the probability of the boy being a psychopath.
With no other thing to explain his bizarre circumstances, she briefly wondered if the true Adam had actually died and was possessed by another soul but that shouldn't be the case.
She had hunted those kinds of people many times throughout her life and she could always see and more importantly smell the aura of death around them.
Those people were just undead and their bodies would slowly decay until they completely rotted away.
'Such an interesting young man.'
Adam was hiding a secret. She was sure of it.
But as long as that secret wasn't detrimental to her Lady, she truly didn't care about it.
Everyone had secrets after all.
Her eyes bent into crescents as she clapped in delight…
"What do you think?"
"Well, I like it."
Adam felt quite good about his current appearance as he inspected himself in the mirror. He had never really been interested in branded clothes or items of such caliber. But he knew that clothes made the man in today's society.
"Heh. The suit is made with a material similar to Kevlar. Only far more supernatural in nature. The spiders are given condensed Prana every day and the best elixirs ever made. The results are what you have here. Honestly, even a shot at point-blank range from an assault rifle would only leave a trace on this suit. Its durability is top-notch."
Assault rifles could shoot bullets at 3 times the speed of sound. It was easy to imagine how much power they packed. Adam whistled when he realized that what he was wearing was basically the equivalent of armor.
Seeing his reaction, Aleksandra knew that at least Adam didn't seem to be related to a powerful group.
The |~S.K~| type made armors were rare and priceless for those at the lowest level of the hierarchy but for powerful Hunters it was a must-have piece of equipment.
It had also slowly transformed into a fashion trend as hunters discarded their bulky armor for more stylish clothes like this one.
Supernatural creatures didn't really need such clothes as they could even feel restricted sometimes. But having extra armor never hurt anyone.
'Well, the version that can conduct Prana for cladding is Military grade secret though.'
Even for them, it was very difficult to obtain such an item and there was no way she would give one to Adam, no matter how adoring she found him to be, as it was forbidden for non-authorized personnel to wear one.
The current version Adam wore was mainly used by politicians who could not awaken Prana but needed the extra protection just in case.
"Well then, shall we go? The young miss should be fidgeting quite a bit by now."
Adam nodded. Soon he would test the utility of his newly obtained skills.
—
Natasha was indeed feeling quite fidgety as she sat in the dining room and waited for Adam to come and join her.
Earlier, when the maids were bathing her, she noticed how they were putting extra care in the clothes they chose for her and even the perfumes and makeup they dolled her up with.
'Sigh. Why am I surrounded by so many meddlesome people?'
She blushed when she noticed the meaningful smile some of the maids were showing on their faces while standing in the corners of the room and fanned herself a little to get a hold of her gradually disorienting mind.
'Why is the room so hot?'
Natasha knew what was bothering her so. Adam seeing her naked wasn't much of a problem to her. She knew it was an accident and she wasn't such a prude that she would scream or hit him for something that was unintentional of him.
But…
'The oath I made…'
She had sworn that she would dedicate her life and everything she would have to Adam if they found each other in a next life.
But how the hell could she have guessed that he wasn't really dead? Now she was put in a very awkward situation because of her meddlesome tongue.
"Blyad!"
"Milady, your manners…! I am sure I taught you better."
Natasha unconsciously straightened her back when Aleksandra's reprimanding voice entered her ears. Even Pavlov in the flesh would be proud of this conditional reflex. [1]
This was normal. After all, with her parents generally occupied, the one who had always taken care of her was none other than Aleksandra herself.
She was her mother, a caring sister, best friend, and staunchest loyalist. For these reasons and many more she couldn't even hope to count, Natasha respected the woman greatly.
She was also the one who instilled manners in her and taught her how to fight. She would never forget the spankings she received as a kid whenever she would misbehave or say a swear word. Those were some really scary days for her.
[1]: Won't go into detail. Most people should know about Pavlov and Pavlov's dog. The funny thing is Ivan Pavlov is Russian. So yeah. Haha. The not-so-funny thing is that after experimenting with dogs, he supposedly experimented on orphaned children, involving drilling a hole in their cheeks and applying electric shocks, this was continued by his assistant Nikolay Krasnogorsky. I say supposedly because there is no proof. Perhaps it's just a legend to discredit him.
CH 75: DINNER (2)
After subconsciously straightening up, Natasha replied to her with the sweetest voice she could muster. As if she was a spoiled child talking back at her favorite person in the world.
"Sasha! [1] You know that I am just a little flustered right now."
"Heh."
Aleksandra smiled at the affectionate way Natasha called her. She knew it was a way to appeal to the motherly instinct that was deeply rooted inside her and she was sad to admit that it always worked. Anyways, she walked up to her and directed Adam to a chair facing Natasha.
The dining room was well-decorated and worthy of the like that could be seen in palaces. There was a long, way too long, table placed in the middle of the fancy room. From a glance, one could tell that the table was made of expensive wood as its surface was smooth and shined as light perfectly reflected along it.
A never-ending set of chairs were placed perfectly apart in a synchronized fashion. Four maids occupied the four corners of the room and stood with perfect elegance, ready to arrive and serve them for any demand one may make. And in the middle of such a grand room, there was a chandelier that sparkled with iridescent colors and illuminated the room in its incandescent hue.
In such a room, Natasha sat along the seat at the edge of the table, and the seat Adam was directed towards was perfectly complementary to Natasha's.
"Thanks."
Once Adam took a seat, Natasha coughed a little and found herself calming down as she tried to go back to their more natural interactions as their relationship as friends.
"I hope Sasha didn't tease you too much. She can be a little too much sometimes."
Natasha knew that her Sasha, Aleksandra, could be quite hard on the men who approached her. Though the moment she noticed the name of the brand on his clothes, her eyes opened wide and she gave a look to the maid in question before looking down and blushing like never before.
Adam noticed the subtle exchange between the two and suddenly felt quite uncomfortable wearing this set of clothes.
He also noticed that the gazes of all the maids were fixed on him and never left since he entered the room. Furthermore, all of them were werewolves.
The quote, "Entering the wolves' den" had never been more appropriate than it did right now for Adam.
—
There was a strange silence in the air, but a simple cough from Aleksandra seemed to change the mode in its entirety.
The stares on his back vanished and for an instant, he even wondered if he had imagined them, in the first place, and Natasha managed to calm down and get her bearings back.
"Sigh. Anyway, I am sorry for detaining you for so long. I am truly grateful for the help you provided to me in my hour of need. I could have been in danger without your intervention."
Natasha couldn't use her full powers without restraint as there were limits she could not afford to cross due to certain circumstances.
The team of mercenaries had been quite competent and full of skilled individuals who worked seamlessly with each other. If the full team had gone after her from the start, she would have been unable to fight back for long and would have gotten captured or killed.
"Well, we are friends. So me helping you is a given."
Natasha smiled at his response, "If all my so-called friends were like you, I would never fear for my back."
Natasha once again reaffirmed that going to university rather than being home-schooled had been the best decision she ever made. She could have banter and raunchy talk with Sae and now she knew she could leave her back to Adam whenever she needed him.
Even Alberto, despite his nature and origin, was a precious friend to her. Well, at close as she could be to an Albertini without incurring any suspicions, that is.
Compared to this, the 'friends' she had made as the silver princess were quite flimsy, to say the least.
Adam shook his head, not willing to talk more. Truth be told, all his actions had been calculated from start to finish. He killed the first few out of a desire to not be killed and he protected Natasha with his body because this was the most obvious and logical choice for him in that scenario.
While some feelings might be involved, he didn't know how he would have acted if he wasn't an immortal, undying being.
"So, did you find out what was all of this about?"
Natasha looked at Aleksandra as she spoke out in a more dignified tone. She was also curious about the result. After all, she had also fainted like Adam in the end.
Her maid's answer was calm and composed, "We saved the man. But we will need a… Let's say… A rather strong way of interrogation to get the information we want. He is tough. But even the toughest ones always crack sooner or later."
She showed a chilling smile and an uncaring face as she spoke about torture like it was the most common thing in the world. In fact, Adam could even see a slight smile peeking out of her lips that was etched on her face when she uttered the last part of her sentence. Clearly, she even enjoyed doing something like this quite a bit.
This reminded him of all her aliases and he realized that while she could be a gentle and teasing woman with the aura of a big sister, she was never to be underestimated.
This woman was and would always be an old monster who witnessed the worst of humanity by living through two world wars.
Natasha was a little uncomfortable by her response but she was not so naive that she would offer complaints.
A powerful team had attacked her out of nowhere and for no apparent reason. It was necessary to find the truth.
Aleksandra had once worked with the secret services of the Russian Supernatural Empire and was a specialist when it came to torture and interrogation. She knew that the job would be done if it was in her hands.
"As for the ones who were sadly sent to the afterlife, we already came to an understanding with the LAPPD and there will be no problems on that front. After all, they illegally entered this territory and they acted in an unjustifiable way."
Adam felt quite uncomfortable with how easily the situation was handled. Even though he was the one who killed them and should be happy about facing no repercussions from the law. He knew that this was extremely hypocritical and quite contradictory of him. But that was just how the world worked.
After all, if the situation could be swept under the rug so easily, it also means that the same could happen to him or someone close to him in the future.
"Don't worry Adam. The LAPPD is very fair when it comes to this kind of thing. Their main goal is protecting the humans after all. As long as you don't break the rules of the supernatural world, nothing will happen. Trust me."
Natasha gave words of consolation to him. It would be a mistake to think they could do whatever they wanted.
Supernatural creatures were stronger than humans. But the ones ruling the surface world were humans for a reason.
This was the way of this world. The absolute rules. Whenever a great evil rose and try to change this rule, an even greater hero would appear and slay him.
But as long as they worked within the grey lines and never went too far, everything would be well and good.
"So Adam… I have a question for you. Of course, you are free not to answer and I am sorry if it offends you but…"
She hesitated a little before sighing and speaking to him in a determined voice. "How did you obtain your power?"
Natasha was very careful with this question. This was considered extremely rude to ask such a thing in the supernatural world as this kind of question could lead to people finding out about your weak point.
If Adam was just a stranger, she would not care. But he was a dear friend and he had saved her life not long ago. She wanted to at least make sure that he hadn't got himself involved in something shady.
While Natasha was clearly uncomfortable, Aleksandra took a few steps back and observed Adam carefully, increasing all her senses to the highest degree until she was able to perceive even his heartbeat.
The sound of his heartbeat, the smallest twitch, and expressions on his face, the direction he was looking at. She was capturing each and every detail and embedding it in her brain,
Ideally, she needed to create a reference base to better understand Adam, but it was enough for now.
She wondered what answer he would give.
CH 76: END OF DINNER
Once Adam heard the question, he smiled while thinking about what to say. The advantage of being able to separate his thought became clearly apparent. At least, he would never be taken aback by a question.
'I should keep my Zone active with my second mind constantly now.'
Thinking so he nodded, to Natasha, "I think it's pretty easy to deduce, but I am an apostle."
Natasha gave a glance at Aleksandra who nodded. This was in line with what they had thought. Humans did not have magical power normally. They needed the support of special weapons for this generally.
The same way the man called smoker could shoot special bullet-filled Prana thanks to his cybernetic arm.
The only other way for humans to obtain magic was to sign a contract with a Celestial. Be it a low-level elemental spirit, a Yokai or a powerful god, devils, and even outer gods.
But now here came the problem.
Celestial supernatural creatures were generally simply mischievous. This went for most Yokai or Fae and Fairies.
Some other Celestials were benevolent. Beings like angels were the best example of this.
Of course, some angels were fucking crazy, but Natasha thankfully never had to deal with the church as Vampire did. They weren't weakened by holy water like those undead after all.
Then there were the Outer gods and the devils. The true problem and the worst beings to contract to. Depending on who you were.
This was why the Academy was created in a way. To teach control and avoid blood baths caused by sacrifice.
'If Adam signed a contract with a malevolent spirit…'
It wouldn't be too late. As long as it wasn't a powerful god, it was possible to call an exorcist and separate them. Even if he lost his power, she was willing to bite him and make him a werewolf if he really wanted to stay in the supernatural world.
'*Cough* What are you thinking.'
Or she could give him a recommendation to the academy. After all, with his power, they would open the gate wide for him.
'Either way, I need to help.'
"What…Hum… Did you have to seal your soul?"
Adam shook his head, "I understand what you are worried about. *Sigh* You remember what happened to me last time? When I went to the hospital not long ago."
"Indeed… Don't tell?"
"Yeah. I faced the serial killer. Well, 'face' is a strong word. I was offed directly without being able to defend myself. But, just as I was about to die, it was then that I meet him or should I say…It? I don't really know.."
Adam initially planned to use his story about Akasha and make a few tweaks but he suddenly had a mischievous Idea. Something he wished to test.
"The god saved me in exchange for me becoming his apostle and spreading his name in the future."
Natasha sighed a little. Gods who onnly needed preachers were generally weak and righteous or at least neutral gods. There was the possibility it was still an evil one, but only a weak evil god made this kind of trick.
If things went south, she could still act and help him.
"I see and what does it call itself?"
Since god wanted a preacher; it should be happy to reveal its Epthitet. Directly using the true name of a god was ill-advised as they could feel when their name was called. The gods would generally not bother if it was someone who did not know better doing so. But if it was someone from the supernatural world, then they might receive a punishment.
Adam's smile stretched wide, "The World."
—-
The rest of the dinner proceeded pretty simply as Adam and Natasha were able to talk more naturally.
In the end, when Adam left, they proposed to drive him, but he adamantly refused. So even Aleksandra decided to not insist.
Natasha thanked Adam once again before letting him go and went back to the dining room. All the others maids had vanished, and only Aleksandra was present.
"What do you think?"
"Well, at least I believe he was not completely telling the truth. As is normal. But it did not seem like he was lying either."
Aleksandra frowned. When she had observed Adam, she had observed absolutely no instability.
But something was telling her that he had not been entirely forthcoming.
"I see. Well, I guess we can only observe for now. Please bring me a detector of demonic aura next time and a few talismans. Just in case."
"From werewolf to excorrcist wannabe?"
Natasha stammered, "Well, he is a friend and he saved my life. This is the least I can do."
"A friend. I see. Very well milady. I will not insist. Speaking of, who do you plan to bring for the event your father is preparing? Mayhap your Friend would be happy to help?"
Natasha did not miss the emphasis on the word friend.
"Well, I already have my back covered for this I think. Soon, I will receive an answer. From the agency I contacted."
"Then, let's hope it will end well."
Aleksandra bowed, "Now then, if you would excuse me, I have a work I need to finish."
She smiled with anticipation while taking out a pair of gloves used in surgery. She was sure that he was going to be a fun toy to play with.
—-
On Adam's side, after he left, he was walking calmly while observing the cars on the asphalt.
[Why this specific lie?]
Adam shrugged, "Aren't you curious?"
A grin formed on his face. "I can receive faith, right and transform it in Karma like Lust, fear and love, right? So I was wondering, what would happen if people prayed to [The World] which is in fact, me?"
Faith was the most powerful and dangerous feeling in this world; There was nothing scarier than facing a true fanatic.
'This could be a good way to obtain Karma.'
He had asked Natasha, the best way new and old gods obtained faith.
The answer to that question was oh so unexpected but also very logical.
"Entertainment."
Adam laughed. Anime, music, movies, video games and so much more.
From what Natasha told him, rather than faith, the first thing any god needed was a belief in its existence. As long as people believed that being existed, then the gods would never vanish.
This was why mythology had become more spread in Media and all the big conglomerates of the media industry had relationships with cults or were formed by cultists.
'We truly live in a strange world.'
[Humans are beyond my understanding.]
"Trust me, humans do not understand each other and generally not even their own self."
It was easy to become lost while growing up. This was what it mean to change.
"Mama, the strange man is talking to himself."
"Shhh…Ignore him and don't point your finger at him. Let's go."
Adam sighed and looked up at the light of the setting sun far on the horizon. A mix of light and darkness spread from afar as Adam mused about the prejudice caused by simple observation and no wish to better understand the other side.
This same comportment shouldn't be taught to children. This was a blasphemy of the highest degree.
In the end, Adam only found a good argument as he stood under the hot water flowing from the showerhead in his home.
CH 77: BLACKSMITH
[Sweden — Harnosand]
Sweden is a Nordic county located in the Scandinavian Peninsula in northern Europe. It's considered one of the places of origin of the Vikings— a ruthless warrior race that was active around the late 8th to the late 11th century until their numbers dwindled and the race became extinct from the face of the earth.
Harnosand is a small city in Sweden, close to the sea with a population of around only around twenty thousand people.
It was the kind of small city where everyone seemed to know everyone else but the aura of nature that was still prevalent made it a good place to live for nature lovers and humans in general far from the bustle and pollution of the city's high population.
In a small cottage, close to the sea and somewhat isolated from the rest of the city, the sounds of a hammer clashing against metal could be heard resounding from miles away. The smithing room was nothing particularly special all things considered. But for the old generation of hunters, this place would be no different from a holy ground.
A young man, one pretty tall and incredibly sturdy, wearing a loose tank top showing his bursting muscle was repeatedly hitting the metal with such ferocity and power that one may think of the material to be his worst enemy. The movement of his hands was steady and his breath was unhurried and followed a certain rhythm. One would think that he was breathing with the fire.
The heat in the room was so high that anyone else would literally have blisters from being in this place for even a second and may have grave burns forming on their skins if they were to linger around long enough. But the man in question was barely sweating even in such a sweltering and inhumane heat.
The process continued for a long time until finally, he placed the metal bar in a liquid that seemed to be close to water, but with a viscosity much higher. It was a special mix of holy water and the fluids from certain fruits that could be called elixirs.
His work finished, he showed a nervous expression as he asked,
"What do you think?"
"Well…"
The young man wasn't alone inside the room.
Close to numerous half-finished equipment and farming tools was an old man or at least what looked like an old man.
Since, among the features of an old man, he only had the face and the graying hair going for him.
His body was so muscular and seemingly healthy that even a bodybuilder would be put to shame. Age wasn't an obvious thing in the Supernatural after all.
His eyes were deep and unfathomable as he inspected the work of the young man before finally nodding.
"Not bad. You pass."
It was only after hearing this remark that the young man let out a sigh of relief.
"Damn, this geezer. I feel like he wants to kill me."
"You said that out loud."
"I know. It was intentional."
The young man grinned and stood up from his seat. His muscles were still quivering because of how tired the previous process had rendered him into becoming.
But even though he didn't want to show it. Getting acknowledgment from his grandfather and master really made him damn happy.
"Ma told me you should come home sometimes."
"Yeah, yeah. She should stop nagging. I am only a little old anyways. Not like I can't take care of myself."
"Well, you are close to 80 years old now, you know? It's not something you'd only call a little old now, is it?"
"And so? Look at me, I'm still healthy and fit."
The old man laughed as he flexed his ginormous muscles.
"You see Viktor, what did I always tell you?"
Viktor sighed as he wiped the small beads of sweat that were lingering on his brows, "Muscles never let you down."
"Yep, my boy. Look at me and look at you. When I was your age I would fight brown bears barehanded with no Prana before going to school. Then I would bench press with their passed out body and come back the next day."
Viktor facepalmed after hearing him speak.
"I think I am pretty big already."
"You think you're big enough? Man, I must be getting old. Sigh. Young boys nowadays don't really know about hardship."
"Yes, yes, I am sorry. Now I am gonna go. See ya."
He rolled his eyes and was about to leave.
His grandfather was a great man. Viktor knew that firsthand. He knew very well that even though the man always liked to brag, he was one of the most respected and applauded blacksmiths of all Eras.
A man who even received the teaching of the dwarves, descendants of the Sons of Ivaldi [1] as well as those from the lineage of the Huldra Brothers [2].
He was none other than Makarov Björn Ulvaeus.
"Wait."
Just as Viktor was about to leave this place, Makarov stopped him.
"I have been working on a new project."
Viktor's eyes opened wide after hearing his grandfather speak, "I thought you swore to never create a weapon again."
"I thought so as well. Those youngsters don't know how to respect weapons and anyway with |~S.K~| present, I am just an old relic of the past."
Makarov laughed sadly at this dismaying truth. He knew that hunters were more about using technology rather than focusing on Prana and their weapons like in the past.
He understood and accepted it by now. Every era brought changes and rather than being stubborn, the weapons that would bring fewer casualties on the hunters' side were the ones that should be accepted as the norm.
This was why he retired from blacksmithing. The World didn't need his crafts anymore.
But now…
"The one who saved us needs our help."
The fact that he could speak with his grandson like this and complain about the nagging of his daughter was only thanks to Cecilia.
She saved him and his family and no matter how much she asked for in the future, he would never be able to repay this heavy debt. Even with his life.
"But you know… I am still too old now."
Had it been twenty years ago… No, even ten years ago, he would have flown directly to America without the slightest bit of hesitation to help his friend and benefactor.
But now? Even though his body was still healthy, he knew very well that he was reaching his limits.
His heart was not as strong as in the past. He had abused it too much. His Prana was withering every day. He could still forge simple weapons, but it was impossible for him to create a masterpiece as he did for Cecilia all those years ago.
A true named weapon bestowed with the power of a legend.
So…
"Follow me to America."
In order to create the best weapon possible, he would need help.
As hurtful as that was to his pride, there was no other choice if he wanted to help Cecilia.
"I want to see him."
A perfect weapon needed to be perfectly suitable for the wielder.
"I want to thank her."
This would most likely be the last weapon he ever created in this life of his. His heart might even give out after the completion of this craft.
This was why he wanted to…needed to make sure this would be the best work he ever made.
This would be his legacy.
He looked at his grandson— the pride of his life. He had taught him absolutely everything he knew but he knew the lad needed to witness a new sight for him to advance.
Only by facing new trials could Viktor grow even more and surpass him.
"Will you accompany me?"
Viktor's fists clenched unconsciously. He wanted to say no. He knew very well that his grandfather's health was declining rapidly.
Reaching the same level of skills as dwarves despite being a human?
How could such a thing be possible without paying an equivalent price?
But he knew. He knew that his grandfather was unhappy.
Every day… He would see him slowly wasting away as he looked at the work he could never do again.
As such…
"Let me tell Ma and Pa."
He turned around and walked away.
Looking at the back of his departing grandson, Makarov's lips formed a small sad smile and walked towards his hammer.
"My friend, let me use you for one last time, okay?"
Whether he survived or not, he would never be able to use Prana again after this.
Would it be worth it?
As long as he was able to make his masterpiece then… Yes. It would be more than worth it.
"Well, I hope her son won't disappoint me."
He muttered. It would be truly saddening if her son wasn't up to par. After all, a great weapon needed an equally great warrior.
He was about to place his weapon down when his phone, on the table, began to vibrate.
A normal phone could have never been able to be kept in this small room. It was a special phone he always kept close to him.
Even when working.
Looking at the name of the caller, he frowned.
[S.K]
He immediately interrupted the call.
If he was the greatest weapon creator. Then, S.K was the greatest armor creator. One who fused technology with magic so beautifully that it became a work of art.
She was also his first disciple. And also his greatest regret.
CH 78: SHOWER
[United States — Los Angeles]
As Adam continued to walk through roads known and unknown, he slowly became more and more absent-minded as the high brought about by his previous precarious situation was slowly receding from his body, leaving him in a lethargic and dizzying state.
Even when he had woken up previously, at Natasha's home which was akin to a mini castle in the midst of LA, he had been in a highly stressful environment overall.
There was a woman, the ancient werewolf Aleksandra, always in his immediate vicinity who, no matter how friendly she seemed and acted, could crush him with just a wave of his hand.
Moreover, all around the mansion were strong individuals that could become his potential enemies with just a single wrong move on his part.
This was why, even until this very moment, he never truly had the time to stop and think about his actions that had dictated the scenario he lived through this day. Until this very moment…that is…
'I…'
He closed his eyes and shook his head to put those dismal and harrowing thoughts at the very back of his mind. He was still outside. He was still not completely safe from the hands of the Supernatural.
There could still be potential threats to his life lingering everywhere, in every corner of every block and even every household.
He needed to stay vigilant. He needed to focus. He needed to…
But…
All he wanted to do now…was just to go home and sleep.
—
When Adam finally reached his neighborhood, reached the vicinity of the small apartment that he could call home, and entered his house, he stopped advancing further and just stared in a daze at the hallway and everything that encompassed the starting layout of their apartment.
Just this morning… He had simply left his house because he wanted to go to school and have a normal day. Away from the Supernatural, away from all the troubles that his new life entailed…
But what did that bring him…?
Now it was only night, not even a single day had passed since he left the confines of his house, and he had murdered nine people in cold blood while causing the last one to be sent to be tortured.
Adam was sure that the man would be killed once he had lived through his usefulness or may even die through the process.
He was sure that whatever situation that he was going through, even at this very moment, would be excruciatingly painful and horrifying for the man.
All of this, every single thing that transpired today, had happened because of him. Because of his choices. And then the subsequent actions he took following them.
"Adam? Why didn't you say that you were home?"
Walking out from the end of the hallway was Cecilia, having exited the shower a few moments ago. She was wearing a simple red colored shirt and shorts while her hair was still damp due to the shower.
She had been training not long ago in order to understand her new limits and had taken a shower afterward to wash off the sweat and the fatigue away from her body.
When she saw Adam standing before the door, she came close, wishing to hear about his day with a slight smile tugged on her lips. But as she came near him and looked at him proper, the gaze Adam threw at her before walking past her made Cecilia stop in her tracks as the smile slowly receded from her mouth.
This was the first time she had seen her child make such a look, and for a second everything seemed to have frozen for her. As memories of her past resurfaced.
"I am sorry. I was distracted."
Adam said quietly before walking toward the shower. He desperately needed that to wash away the thoughts plaguing his mind.
—
The sound of the water dropping on the wet ground filled his head as he savored the sensation of the hot water against his skin.
His mind was completely blank as he gazed at his hands while he placed his head against the wall. It was done subconsciously, just like many things he had been doing after leaving Natasha's place. As he looked at those hands, wetted by the dripping water, there weren't many things that he could think of anyways…
Not long ago, those hands were used to twist the neck of a man. [1]
It was funny that out of the nine people he killed, this particular one was the most vivid. Killing by using his telekinetic powers made the process so easy. It was like he was in a video game and was killing some NPCs for his leisure.
Meanwhile, using his hands, feeling the life leave out the body of the desperately struggling man under his palms was so much more vivid that it felt disgusting and nauseating.
That was the moment that had truly woken him up today…
Those people weren't just some mindless NPCs. They were people, with a past and people who loved them. Parents, children, friends, family and so much more.
For him. Death was just an afterthought now. He became numb to it and now simply saw it as the best alternative when taking damage to his body and mind.
But for humans, death was all too much real. They only had one chance at life.
Death represented not only the end of the individual but everything that encompassed him, Death didn't just destroy one individual, it wrecked the lives of so many more.
And Adam now found himself acknowledging that he too had been the cause of destruction for innumerable people's lives. Not just the nine that were openly hostile to him and he had decided to kill.
Perhaps what made him feel worse was that… Deep down, he knew that his remorse was nothing more than pure hypocrisy.
After all— he would do it again without hesitation if he was placed in the same situation once more.
"Adam."
Adam was woken up from the spiraling hell hole of guilt mixed with indifference that he was slowly crawling towards as he heard Cecilia's timely voice coming from the other side of the door.
"I am taking a shower. I will be out fast."
He tried to put more joy in his voice. Trying to act as normal as possible even though it was quite hard for him currently.
While he was feeling drained in mind and soul, feeling as though his life and everything he lived for were crashing down in front of his eyes, Adam refused to burden his mother with his own issues.
He just had to deal with them by himself. He had two minds currently and could have more in the future. Surely he could simply repress the memory and walk away from this without any issues. Surely there would be nothing wrong with him after a much-needed sleep.
"..."
Cecilia did not talk for a few seconds before she finally continued with a calm tone, "We need to talk. Finish your shower and come down."
Adam rose his head from looking down and let the cold refreshing embrace of the water wash his face. Cecilia had already walked away, not waiting for his answer.
'Did she notice?'
Adam idly wondered in his mind. He also wondered to himself just what he should say to her when he was questioned by her about the happenings of today. That is… If she had really sensed something out of place…
"Well, I deal with it when I need to."
His desire to sleep was still lingering in his mind. Just sleep for a bit and forget everything else that did not matter. Casting away all his worries and taking refuge in the world of dreams.
He wished for nothing more than that.
CH 79: SHOWS
When Adam walked out of the shower, he found a pair of clean pajamas placed on the clothing rack not far from the bathroom door. Clearly, courtesy of Cecilia, his mother.
His lips naturally formed into a wane smile as he witnessed the kindness and consideration his mother constantly showered him with, however, he was not in the right state of mind to relish in those indulging feelings right now.
Nevertheless, he took those clothes from the rack before swiftly changing into them. They were quite comfy to wear. He did not really remember having a set of comfy pajamas like these but he was sure that it must be something bought by Shuri, his dear aunt.
He stood in front of the mirror in the bathroom and looked at his face for the first time after leaving Natasha's place. Unlike the relaxed expression that was donned on his face when he was in Natasha's house, he found his current expression to be quite hollow with an absence of any positive emotions.
It was as if he was previously walking in auto mode. But now that he was back to manual mode once again and he didn't like what he was seeing in the mirror. It was the face of a man that had lost a part of his soul, a look that no one would wish to witness.
'No wonder she called me like that.'
With a face like this, it would have been a pipe dream for Cecilia to not feel that something was wrong with him currently.
'I thought I did a good job hiding it.'
He had tried to be as nonchalant as possible. But Cecilia was simply too perceptive. Or he may have just thought too highly of himself. Who knows…
'Well, let's face the music.'
He walked with reluctance, ready to receive a barrage of questions from his concerned mother.
This was why, when he came down to the drawing room and saw Cecilia making popcorn in the attached kitchen and taking out cans of soda from the fridge before plopping on the sofa, he was quite astonished by the contradiction of the scene in his mind and the one that was transpiring in reality.
'What the hell…'
"Oh! My little boy. Bring your ass over here. It's time for us to binge-watch some shows. It has been a while since we tried doing something like this. So, let's do it together"
He wanted to say no as he was quite tired mentally but in the end, remembering some childhood memories, he simply sighed and complied with her wish. Perhaps it would help him relax and recuperate his strained mind?
He took a place on the sofa and Cecilia switched off the lights of the room before bringing the popcorn, drinks, and a shawl then sat next to him.
"Now then, let's start, shall we?"
She winked and placed the large shawl on their legs while dragging the lethargic boy close to her before starting the movie.
"Hehe. How long has it been since our last movie marathon?"
Neither Adam nor Cecilia were avid TV watchers. But when he was younger, Cecilia would make a game out of watching the worst and greatest shows with him before comparing them and having a debate.
This was a pretty stupid game, all things considered. But even as a kid, looking at his mother exploding in laughter while watching some stupid scene always put a smile on his face.
"I think we stopped after I started high school."
"Hah, Indeed, during your rebellious phase."
Adam coughed slightly to hide the embarrassment and shame that his dark past evoked in him, "Let's watch the shows?"
"Let's go!"
Cecilia seemed quite excited about this movie marathon and they started strong in the trash department — A show that was the adaptation of an anime.
Even after all these years and despite the rapid technological advancement. Most live-action adaptations were still so trashy that they could be barely considered to be watchable.
The night was already falling and deepening with each moment, but the two of them did not care about the outside world. Slowly, ever so slowly, Adam started to let go of his worries as he simply focused on having fun with his mother after a long time.
They laughed when they saw something stupid, laughed when they saw something good, and still laughed even when they watched something mid.
There was no deep meaning behind their watch. They were just happy to live in this moment.
But then Adam suddenly started to wonder.
—What was the price of this happiness that he was currently feeling?
The reason he could sit here and laugh with his loved ones was only because he killed other people and destroyed the lives of the ones that loved and cherished them.
He had sacrificed their life and happiness to assure his own life and happiness.
Did he truly have the right to sit here and laugh as if nothing happened? As if everything was alright and perfectly normal?
"Adam?"
Adam glanced at Cecilia with his gradually hollowing expression as he felt her hand on his head.
It was a gentle caress— one filled with tender love and affection that only a mother that dearly loved her son could provide. He closed his eyes and savored this feeling quietly, even ignoring the sound from the movie running on the TV.
"Will you tell me what happened, my boy?"
Cecilia's quivering lips formed a sad yet gentle smile as she asked this harrowing question to the person she loved the most in the world.
She already had an inkling about what happened. Even if she did not know the exact events that led to that conclusion.
She could see it in his eyes when he walked past her. The kind of look she wished to never witness in her life again, How could she not see it? She had the same eyes after what happened to her when she was a kid.
Those were the eyes of someone whose innocence would never come back for all eternity. Someone who had killed, someone who had been the cause of the demise of others' lives, could never truly be the same.
Cecilia watched as Adam fell silent and the hollow look in his eyes deepened.
She did not insist and simply brought his face to her bosom and hugged him tightly. Showering him with all the love and care she could muster in her as her arms trembled against him.
The little boy of yesteryear was no more. He was now taller than her and was becoming a proper and responsible adult, unlike his old woman.
He was also slowly but surely becoming stronger and she knew that one day, he would be so strong that even at her peak, she would only be able to look up to him.
But in her eyes, even if a dozen more years went past, even if he became so strong the whole world trembled at his feet, as long as she stayed alive, Adam would always be her little adorable boy that just some time ago needed her to have his diapers changed.
"Adam, do you wish to hear a story?"
She had never shared her story with anyone. Not even Mei. The only ones who knew about her past were Musashi, the old man who took them in, and Theresa, her little sister.
But she had not told them their story of her own volition. One witnessed it, and the other lived through it alongside her. So, this was the first time she was going to unfold her life in front of someone. It was daunting, to say the least.
But if her past could help Adam lighten the weight he seemed to carry on his shoulders, she would not hesitate to re-open those wounds buried deep in her heart.
The scars that never truly healed even to this day.
"This is the story of a nine years old girl who lived with her parents and little sister."
It was a sad story.
But at the same time, it was a story so common that it could be found anywhere in the world.
When viewed from afar, life was a lighthearted comedy. But when viewed from up close, it was the saddest tragedy one could ever bear to witness.
CH 80: MOTHER AND SON
Adam listened quietly to Cecilia as she told him her story.
This was the first time she had heard her talk about her past so freely. Her life and mischief as a kid. The games she did with her sister and the scolding she sometimes received from her parents.
Indeed. Children sometimes made the mistake to forget that their parents were also children in the past.
They made their own mistakes, had their own experience, and braved their own trials.
Cecilia's voice was steady. Even when she spoke about the darkest time of her life, she did not waver.
Adam closed his eyes and continued to listen.
He imagined this small nine years old girl, facing an unreasonable event that destroyed her whole life in an instant.
On that day, she lost everything. Her childish innocence went to the grave alongside her parents.
Adam suddenly found himself pathetic.
His life had changed one day suddenly like for Cecilia. But he had only been complaining.
Even the fact that he killed people not long ago seemed so trivial.
He…
"Hey… I hope you aren't thinking something stupid like, she suffered so much. I don't have the right to complain."
Adam didn't speak, but his reaction was enough, she sighed and took his head away from her bosom before holding tightly and looking at him deeply in the eyes.
"Pain is the one thing that should never be compared."
She said firmly.
"I was lucky. I had great parents. I still have my sister and I was adopted by a great man. Some people in the world are born with no one to love them.
"Some people, are born in war-filled countries.
"Some others will never be able to eat enough to satiate their hunger."
She continued to list different situations,
"Objectively speaking. Their pain and suffering are even more heartbreaking than mine. But does that mean I don't have the right to feel sad?"
Adam shook his head which caused Cecilia to smile,
"See. Pain is something personal. Even if all the people in the world went through the same pain, they could never truly understand each other."
Cecilia knew this reality more than anyone else.
"Well, Adam, now your turn."
He gave a bitter chuckle, "This isn't truth or dare."
"Haha. Of course, it isn't. Now speak. Stop leaving me hanging on a cliff."
"Hah…"
Adam closed his eyes and fell silent.
*Thump*
His heart was beating so fast, he felt like it would burst.
In the end, he was a mama boy down to the core.
Cecilia's opinion of him had always been one of the most important things in his opinion. He loved and respected her so much and did not want to see her look at him with disgust or disappointment.
But,
'Why am I letting my insecurities dictate my actions?'
Cecilia had proven without a shadow of a doubt that she would always be on his side.
This was why,
"I killed nine people today."
Cecilia's eyes opened wide at this declaration.
He wondered what he should ask first. Perhaps asking if the one who died where innocent. Or simply ask what happened or why.
But—"Are you alright?"
Adam was quite surprised as he saw Cecilia show worry towards him first. As if dismissing the death of the nine people.
"Mom, I am immortal."
"- and you have to die to activate it."
Cecilia's eyes were full of sadness. She knew very well that the only way for him to activate his power was death.
How many times did he have to suffer so much?
"I killed nine people! Don't you want to ask me about that first!?"
Adam stood up and shouted but then stopped himself and bowed his head in shame.
"I am sorry. I shouldn't have raised my voice."
Adam felt ashamed about the lack of self-control he had just shown.
"Come here."
She patted the sofa and once Adam hesitated a little, she simply dragged him down.
"I understand what you did."
Cecilia spoke with a soothing tone.
"I also wish to hear in more detail what truly happened."
Still, there was one thing that Cecilia would never doubt.
"Whatever you did. There is one thing I know…My son would never hurt innocent people."
Her voice held a belief beyond measure.
In that instant, Adam understood that his mother believed more in him than he believed in himself.
"So now, tell me everything that happened."
Cecilia was calm.
Death was something all too common. But if Adam died during this fight, it means that those who faced him were hunters or supernatural creatures.
She needed to know everything that transpired to make the appropriate preparation and possible attack that might come at them.
But now, what she needed more than anything, was to make sure this did not leave a shadow in his mind.
Adam quieted down and then explained everything as he was told.
His feeling when he was attacked, and his ruthlessness when he retaliated. The way he killed them all. The new skills he obtained.
All this time, Cecilia stayed silent. Even when he spoke about Natasha's transformation and Aleksandra, she simply frowned but did not interrupt.
When Adam finished, Cecilia could only sigh and pat his head,
"You had a rough Day."
Adam chortled, "This is the understatement of the year."
Talking had helped him greatly. But he wasn't finished.
"Mom…"
"Yes?"
"You know… I am scared of myself."
He spoke softly.
"When I was attacked, I had no thought about this being a misunderstanding. Nor did I search for a peaceful option."
"You did right. Hesitation means Death in a fight. Even if you woke up later, your hesitation might have cost the life of your friend."
"I know but…Is it normal for me to think like that even though it was my first real fight to death?"
Adam wondered. He had fought many times in the past. But it was simply for money. Never did it involve his life.
Adam wondered if it had something to do with his identity.
At the end of the day — Adam was not human.
He had moved and attacked through sheer instinct alone. Like an animal.
Even the last time when he saved Sae, he had not hesitated in using enough force to completely cripple them.
In a way…It was as if he was born to kill.
"What am I exactly?"
He was a Primogenitor. But of what? What was his race exactly? What was his weakness? His strength?
Vampires saw humans as nothing more than food or pets.
Werewolves and shapeshifters were under the influence of the instincts of their inner animals.
Dwarves were the beloved of earth.
Elves and Drows were the beloved of nature.
Then what about him?
"You are my son."
Cecilia hugged him tightly. Wishing she could show how much she loved him. Mere words were not enough.
Who he was or what he was, stopped mattering for her long ago.
In the past, she had cared about it. Worrying and even fearing what could happen.
She had considered Adam to be the source of all her suffering and though she had never abused him, she did not care for him at first when she had to raise him.
But this was the past.
Raising him, taking care of him when he was sick. Bathing him when he was dirty, going to his play, and cheering when he brought good results from school.
This was such a mundane life compared to her time as a hunter.
But she would change all of this for nothing in the world.
Cecilia knew that they indeed needed to uncover more about his power. To understand his origin in order to prepare for the future.
Perhaps one day, Adam might really stop seeing himself as a human and perhaps even reject her.
Even so…There is one truth that would never change.
"You will always be my son."
Be it now, ten years, or even thousands of years in the future.
Even if she was not the one who gave birth to him.
Even if she did not share even a drop of the same blood as him.
Even if the whole world one day went against him.
"You are my dearest child and my greatest pride. You are Adam Gospel. The son of Cecilia Gospel."
Nothing more, nothing less.
CH 81: FRIGHT
[Beverly Hills — Natasha's Mansion]
No matter from which angle one looked at it, Natasha's house was more akin to a minor castle than a house or apartment.
Even by Beverly Hills' standards, it was clear that the one living there was in the upper class of the upper class. The very top of the hierarchy.
It was a beautiful and picturesque house, seemingly straight out of one's dreams as one imagined the beauty within such a wonderful accommodation.
What they wouldn't know though, was that below this beautiful and enchanting house was a dreadful dungeon that held scenes that would only be found in one's most horrific nightmares. Even then, it might pale in comparison to the horrors of what transpires between these walls.
The most beautiful things in this world were generally also the most dreadful.
.
.
.
.
Unlike what one might expect from stereotypes, the rooms in the dungeon of the mansion were not dirty nor were they stuffy or anything of the sort.
There was no way that Aleksandra would accept such an unsanitary place to exist in the house that she was taking care of as the head maid no less.
Rather, it was extremely clean and decorated entirely in white.
An incandescence so pure that it was almost blinding.
"I must say, it has been quite a while since I faced such a tough nut to crack. This is quite exciting, you know?"
Standing in front of a screen, Aleksandra commented as she observed the man nicknamed Smoker while he was imprisoned in the room of this dungeon of horrors.
Aleksandra had learned this long ago that the best form of torture was actually a mix of both physical and psychological trauma and she was currently on the phycological part.
Like how one would tenderize meat before cooking it, she was slowly weakening the mental defense of the man before starting the actual work.
From the inside, the room was absolutely white on all sides. It was even impossible to distinguish the door from the walls.
This alone gave a feeling that one was facing an endless desert of pure white. Staying alone in such a room for a few hours was already enough to make a few people feel like bashing their skulls against the pristine white walls.
But she didn't just stop there.
This was a special room that completely blocked all forms of sounds.
The inside of the room was so silent that the background noise measured was actually in the negative decibels.
The quieter the room, the more things one would hear. They would hear the beating of their hearts, sometimes even the movements of their lungs, and even the gurgling of their stomach, churning loudly on the inside.
After a while, you would become completely disoriented and even standing up would be a problem as sounds were a very important sense for movement and orientation.
All of this would compound with the presence of the pristine white room.
In the end, the room was slowly filled with a gas that would rob the ones within off their sense of touch.
You could hear nothing. See nothing. Feel nothing. Smell nothing and taste nothing.
The absolute perfect isolation.
"How long since he stopped moving?"
"Ten minutes."
"Oh? Very interesting."
Aleksandra mumbled. The man had already been staying there for nearly three hours.
To think that he was able to fight back the creeping feeling of insanity for two hours straight, Aleksandra had to recognize that the man called Smoker was truly different from the usual walking disappointment that role-played as mercenaries.
For reference, a normal human could only stay around forty-five minutes in a room that only robbed the sense of Sound.
For hunters, the time record was two hours.
Supernatural creatures fared even less inside such conditions because their senses were simply too sharp. For them, this wasn't just torture but an absolute monstrosity of the highest order.
During wars, using this room for torture was actually considered to be a crime by some sides.
Not that Aleksandra had much care for others' opinions.
"Anyway, did you do the background search on this one?"
"Indeed. They are a relatively famous group so it was easy to obtain all the information we needed."
"Hmmm…"
Aleksandra took the documents and briefly looked at the names and relevant information about each of the members.
"This one. He isn't part of the dead ones."
"Code name Transporter. He is a man who drank the blood of a gremlin and obtained the power to interfere with mechanical machines. He mainly uses it for driving as the powers he obtained were quite weak. This was the same for the girl codenamed Diary. Though her powers were quite interesting and diverse."
Aleksandra nodded. The blood of Celestial Supernatural creatures could indeed bring miraculous effects to the hunters.
Like how Siegfried obtained near invulnerability by bathing in the blood of the evil dragon, Fafnir.
But doing something like that was ill-advised. Most humans simply died when ingesting the blood of the Celestial creatures. They were called the Celestials for a reason, after all.
Those who survived generally only obtained weak powers for the pain, suffering, and near insanity they went through.
Because of that very reason, Bloodline-type hunters were extremely rare and limited in the Supernatural world. It was even frowned upon by some hunter factions.
She mused briefly with a frown etched on her mature face. The fact that a fish had escaped the net displeased Aleksandra greatly.
After all the wars she went through, she knew very well that even the smallest gears could cause an entire machine to halt when disjointed from the whole mechanism.
There was also the fact that they needed to know the identity of the person who hired those mercenaries to capture Natasha and brought about this situation.
"Very well. Keep that man in the room for one more hour. This should make him more amenable to further interrogation. Also, you two, prepare my tools. I will need to give this one some 'special' care it seems."
The maids shuddered on their spot when they heard her speak that ominous line.
They had all seen how sadistic Aleksandra could become when she started torturing the prisoners.
They cast a glance of pity at the man imprisoned before leaving the room at a swift pace.
Once the two maids hastily left the scene, Aleksandra scratched her chin and mused by herself about her next steps.
When it came to the Celestial-type Bloodline Hunters, the best ones for the jobs were the Hunters who made contracts with Celestials themselves.
Adam wasn't an option as he was clearly too inexperienced as he had just awakened a week or two ago at most.
As such…
"Should I call the Hanekawa family?"
The Yakuza under the control of the Hanekawa family were concurrent with the werewolves Mafia.
But they could still call in for some favors if necessary.
In the end, Aleksandra merely shook her head to deny that possibility. She had long since stopped being the interim Alpha of the pack.
She would let the young pup decide once she gave him the information.
As for her— she would just have some little fun with breaking this tough man slowly but surely.
"Head Maid."
"Hmmm?"
Aleksandra was broken out of her malefic dream by the new maid who entered the room.
"Here are the documents you asked about Adam Gospel."
Aleksandra nodded and took them in her hands.
She had nothing against Adam and quite liked him, in fact. But she could not afford to let someone with a muddy past affect the life of her Lady.
This was the least she could do. There was a need for measures to be taken no matter who the person was and no matter how adoring she found them. In the supernatural world, nothing was set in stone.
At first, there was nothing special about his documents. Things went more or less according to her expectations of the charming young boy.
Adam was an intelligent young man highly ranked in his university. A little withdrawn but a good friend of Natasha's throughout the years they've been together.
But…
"Huh?"
When Aleksandra saw the photo of his mother…
Her mouth opened so wide, one could have put an egg inside it and still have some room.
Most people would not know this face as she was always clad in full body armor but Aleksandra was one of the few that actually managed to break her mask— an action she had immediately regretted doing.
She shuddered when repressed memories surfaced from the deepest part of her mind.
Her pupils dilated in fright for an instant as wounds that no longer existed started to ache in phantom pain.
"He is the son of that crazy bitch!?"
Her mind buzzed as she remembered that the Destroyer of the battlefield had vanished basically 20 or so years ago.
'So it was because she was pregnant?'
Aleksandra's hand shook a little before she took a deep breath and calmed herself down.
She was beginning to wonder if keeping Natasha close to Adam would be a curse or a blessing for them.
.
.
.
.
When Adam woke up, he realized that he was sleeping on the Sofa next to Cecilia.
Looking at her face with her mouth open wide and her unseemly sleeping appearance, Adam shook his head before making sure to cover her properly with the shawl.
The sudden movement agitated her sleep a little but she soon went back to the land of dreams as though nothing happened.
'Thanks.'
Adam planted a kiss on his mother's head which made her giggle slightly before going back to her laid-back appearance.
Looking at her like this, it was hard to imagine how much wisdom she truly had and how much she cared for him while never asking for anything in return. That was just what it meant to be a mother it seemed…
Though…
"You are really a mess, you know that?"
He looked at the room and sighed. Food and drinks everywhere.
This would take the whole morning to finish cleaning.
'I need to prepare for school.'
Thankfully, he only had a class with Shuri, and that too on this afternoon so it was all good.
He opened the book of Genesis and took a look at his current stats.
『 Name: Adam Gospel
Affiliation: N/A
Alias: N/A
Race: Primogenitor
Age: 21
Weakness: Curse of Cain *Changing*
Acquired Power: Book of Genesis
Innate Authority: Origin
Unique Skill: The World.
Skills: Eyes of Truth, Parallel Thinking, Accelerated Perception, Silver Tongue.
Overall Combat Capability: C → B-
Remarks: You stopped being a grunt, congratulations. Though the road is still far. Keep working hard. 』
Adam frowned as he wondered who the hell was creating those condescending remarks about him. But then, he just chose to ignore it altogether.
He also briefly glanced at his stats and while none of his physical stats increased, he was happy to see that his Prana went from D to D+ at least. This would give him a boost in his future battles.
'Then again, what I need now is skill mastery rather than an increase in stats.'
He felt like once he had a certain control over his current skill set, he would become much much stronger. Stronger than he could even imagine himself to be…
As such, what he needed now—
'Give me a list of skills related to memory increase and memory retention.'
—Was to study his ass off.
