Any idea how long he will be out? Leo asked Hunter as he laid Adam on the nearest mattress. The small boy seemed at peace, breathing softly, his chest rising up and down in a slow rhythm. However, the fact he could wake up and attack at any moment remained.

Hunter hissed back, and Leo frowned. Of course, the beast wouldn't know. What they did to Adam was purely experimental, and he didn't have a single doubt in mind it could have backfired. Not that Adam was a risk to them in any case, but still...

What do you think? The curse still has some way to go, but if it continues at its current pace, Adam most likely doesn't have more than a week. Leo balled his fists at the thought, letting out a long breath. I can't let the Void take him, Hunter. I won't let it.

'Find way.' The beast called back. Yet, Hunter didn't say more, didn't give him any miraculous ideas to save Adam. It just stayed at the forefront of his mind, not backing off like it usually did.

Nonetheless, an almost unnoticeable smile tugged at Leo's lips. Yes, we will. Let's get to work.

With the three observers hovering over his shoulders, Leo slowly laid his hand upon Adam's chest, just where the deformed skin met the healthy part. Now came the hard part, as no matter how ahead he was when it came to levels, it didn't really transfer to knowledge about the Void's curse and its workings.

Still, I can control Essence better than most. That has to count for something...

Leo gave his own energy a tug and let it flow over the surface of his hand. When the Essence touched the healthy part of Adam's skin, nothing happened. However, the moment it came into contact with the ugly, deformed area, something tugged at his energy, trying to rip it away.

Interesting and quite disturbing. Leo narrowed his eyes, repeating the process only for the same to happen again. It's like he has Drain permanently activated and can use it with any part of his body...

Hunter growled suddenly, forcing a certain memory from the awakening to resurface in Leo's head. It came and went away just as quickly, but not without leaving a piece of vital information that shined some light on this entire situation.

Shit... If Adam can absorb Essence in the air just like other Voidlings, then it would explain how he is already level six. Leo shook his head. But it also doesn't make sense! He is not a Voidling, not yet. And hell, I can't do that, and I'm an Akirian, a step above those stupid beasts.

'Yet,' Hunter hissed, freezing Leo in place.

You mean? He asked, only to get an instant confirmation back. Well, that's good to know, but it still doesn't explain how Adam can do it. He is only a Tainted Human, nothing more. And he had to have this ability from the beginning if the single Ameist was his only kill...

This time, Hunter had no answer to his plight. Leo could even feel that the beast was just as confused as him, and so, with a sigh, he dropped the subject.

Can worry about it later. In the long run, it isn't important anyway. Leo nodded and brought his hand closer to the boy again. Maybe you can help me.

Essence once more surged into the hand hovering over Adam, coalescing into a dense ball. Leo, just like with every pulse, focused on a goal, on the thing for the skill to find. Yet, unlike any time before, the objective wasn't a physical object or a living being.

"Please work," Leo muttered, unleashing the pulse.

The crimson Essence dived out, but only for a second, as when it passed through Adam, the skill returned, carrying more information than expected.

Leo groaned, processing everything bit by bit.

Of course, the source had to be there. He scowled, his gaze dropping to the area right above Adam's heart. My curse came from my arm, but you weren't that lucky, kiddo. It just had to start in your bloody heart... Fuck!

Leo closed his eyes, the urge to lash out becoming stronger with each second. If Adam's curse originated from a limb, then maybe — despite it being a horrendous idea due to the Taint's nature — he could devour it. Or, if nothing else worked and there was no other way to save his godson, they could cut the limb off and hope for the best.

However, with the source growing right in Adam's heart, Leo didn't dare to try anything, much less unleash Devour anywhere near the organ. The damage this skill could do was likely much worse than even the curse itself.

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So that idea is out. Maybe that's for the best, or I would have been tempted to try it. Hunter hissed at the thought, making Leo drop his shoulders. You would stop me, eh? Thanks... I guess.

"Leo? Something's wrong?" Ava asked out of nowhere, coming to a crouch next to him.

Leo shook his head. "No," he lied, seeing no reason to worry the poor woman even more. "Just my skill not working like I wanted. Nothing to stress about."

Ava nodded but didn't back off.

Can't fault her. Leo sighed, returning his gaze to Adam. Devour is out. I won't risk it... Hunter, do you think there is a chance that Minor Tak-

Before he could even finish, the inner beast roared louder than ever. A moment later, images of Voidlings Leo had taken over in the past flashed in front of his eyes. He blanched, understanding both messages.

I'm sorry, but I had to consider everything. If I have anything that might save Adam, I can't ignore it. Hunter growled again, and Leo quickly relented. But you are right. Takeover is too much, even as a last resort. I won't mention it again...

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Minute after minute passed as Leo just sat there, trying to devise another method to save Adam. He already went through every skill he possessed and used Hunter Pulse a dozen more times, not even knowing what he was searching for.

No matter how much I want it to be false, I'm going about it the wrong way. Leo scowled. Evolution. That's the only way to get rid of it. That's how the world works now. Not even Nikra can change that. At least not with how she is now... But. He looked down at his own hands. I might be able to slow down the curse. Maybe even stop it from spreading for a time. Hunter? Your verdict? This is the only lead we have.

The beast remained silent for a moment before releasing a low screech, finally giving Leo some hope. I just hope we won't make it worse...

With a nod to himself, Leo put both hands in the same place where deformed and healthy skin met. This time, a bit more Essence dived into one of the limbs, but when Adam's curse attempted to snatch it away, he let it go in a steady flow.

With the other hand, he studied how the curse reacted to the influx of new power. A grin almost split his face as the Void Essence within the curse stopped attacking Adam's healthy side and retreated, joining Leo's energy that began to flow toward the source.

Like I said, I'm an Akirian, a step above Voidlings. My Essence must be better than random corpses Holden can bring. Leo reasoned, and for the first time today, Hunter fully agreed with him. About half of my reserves should be enough for now, don't you think?

Just when Leo wanted to increase the flow of Essence, a hand landed on his back. "Hale! Whatever you're doing, stop!" Holden's voice echoed in his ears.

Jerking his hands away just in case, Leo whirled around to glare at the man. "What?! It was working!"

Nonetheless, Holden didn't back down, facing Leo's glare with his own. "Identify," he growled. "Use it."

What? Leo blinked, turning back to Adam and doing as Holden said.

Tainted Human | LVL: 7

He leveled up. I made him level up. Leo's eyes widened, scanning the boy for any changes, only to find none. The number might have raised, but the curse also paused its slow assault on his godson's healthy side just like he had hoped. Hell, he even checked again, just to make sure.

"But it worked," Leo spoke finally.

On his left, Ava moved, grabbing her son and pulling his head on her lap. "Worked how?" She asked, not even looking in his direction. "Nothing’s changed, Leo."

Holden, who seemed like he wanted to say something, paused, waiting for Leo's reply. Behind him, Dylan wasn't much better, surveying them all like some unique subjects.

"Nothing’s changed, that's true. But at the same time, the curse isn't spreading anymore. Hopefully, it will remain like this for some time," Leo answered, moving his hand to check on the movement of Void Essence within Adam again.

"How?" Holden spoke up. "From what I see, you only made him stronger."

Biting back the urge to curse the man, Leo took a deep breath. "Like you know, a Tainted Human needs Void Essence to stop the curse from spreading. Going by this, I supplied Adam with some of my own. And as I'm much stronger than your usual beast, it worked. Unfortunately, Voidlings, and somehow Adam too, grow stronger thanks to absorbing Essence flowing in the air. Thus, when I paused the curse, I also..."

Leo trailed off, seeing the understanding on Holden's face. Yet, a hard frown quickly replaced it.

"And what's next?" The man asked. "You said it yourself. The curse is paused, not stopped. That doesn't fix our problem, and now we have to deal with him being even more dangerous during frenzies. Those walls aren't impenetrable. Sooner or later, he will tear them down and then us."

At that, Ava moved away from her son, a snarl on her face. And even though Leo didn't like how Holden voiced his fears, he quickly stepped in. A fight was the last thing they needed. Ironic... A monster is stopping an argument...

"Ava, calm down," Leo hissed, freezing the woman in place. "And you." He turned to Holden. "You ask what's next? Well, I don't have a solution yet, but I will do anything to stop this madness. In the meantime, he needs more corpses to drain, and I will transfer some of my own Essence each time I visit. That should work until we either make Adam evolve or find a different way to end this."

Or so I hope.

Slowly, Holden backed off, running a hand through his dirty hair. "And you will help both with the corpses and with what we discussed earlier."

Leo nodded. "You kept your end of the deal and protected my family until now. As long as that doesn't change, I will help you. Just remember, I'm not a dog that will dance to your every tune. And," his eyes narrowed, "if you even try to harm Adam or Ava, I will end you. No matter the consequences."

Holden grunted, extending his hand once more. "Then I suppose we have another deal."

Gripping the offered hand, Leo grinned, showing the long monstrous teeth.

"I suppose we do."