Chapter 68 - The escape plan begins! But…
Adam sat on the cold, hard floor of his cell, his knees drawn up as he leaned against the damp wall. The weight of the situation pressed heavily on his mind, his mind now his only companion in the suffocating silence, so he replayed the words Park Zhen had spoken earlier, dissecting each one with the precision of a surgeon.
Park Zhen’s cryptic statements gnawed at him, each syllable steeped in ambiguity and half-truths.
"Why did it work?"
Adam thought, his brows furrowing. The gamble he'd taken—initiating that conversation—had been reckless, something he generally avoided. Yet, against all odds, it had worked.
The realization left him both awed and uneasy. For someone as logical as Adam, the idea that such a precarious move had succeeded felt... Weird. He hated relying on luck, hated the volatility of it, so his thoughts circled back to his title, ‘Luck's Last Laugh’. Its activation conditions were still a frustrating mystery, and the ambiguity gnawed at his rational mind. Was it even active now?
He ran a hand through his hair, trying to bring order to his spiraling thoughts.
“Why did they leave me here?”
He muttered under his breath, the faint echo of his voice a stark reminder of his solitude. He thought about the others—Kazue, Drake, Sebastian, Li, Gregor, Emir, Katya, and even Chloe. Were they safe? Or were they somewhere in the labyrinthine prison? His logical mindset insisted that speculating without data was a waste of time, yet he couldn’t shake the unease. The gnawing uncertainty crept into his chest, threatening to undermine the meticulous control he prided himself on.
And then, his gaze fell on the adjacent cell.
There, on the cold floor, lay the cube—the artifact that had sealed Jianfeng. Its surface was smooth and dark, faintly shimmering in the cell's dim light. Adam stared at it for a long moment, pushing himself up with a faint groan, he moved closer to the bars separating his cell from the next. The cube was just out of reach, so he activated his skill, [Ghost Phasing], letting a faint tingle run through his arm as he reached forward.
Passing through the bars wasn’t as effortless as he'd hoped. He had to maintain intense focus, shifting the intangible field over his body piece by piece. His arm passed through first, then his shoulder, then his torso. Each shift required precise timing and concentration; if he moved too quickly, the skill would falter, and he risked injury, for now it was his limit, phasing over a hard wall was out of the question.
By the time he was fully through the bars, a thin sheen of sweat coated his forehead.
“Still clunky.”
He muttered to himself, flexing his fingers to shake off the residual strain. But despite the challenge, he could feel himself improving, each use of the skill refining his control little by little.
Now standing over the cube, Adam crouched to examine it more closely. The system’s description flashed before his eyes, but to his frustration, it offered nothing new. The same basic details about its purpose as a containment unit were displayed, with one small addition: a note that it was currently “occupied” and could not be moved.
He frowned, running his fingers along the smooth surface. There were no seams, no obvious mechanisms, no indications of how it could be opened—or if it even could be opened.
Adam leaned back on his heels, thinking about it for a while. The cube’s construction and description, its function as a prison, and the lack of any built-in release mechanism pointed to one conclusion: it came from a technologically advanced world.
“If it’s a prison, then it’s designed to keep its occupant contained indefinitely. There’s no way they’d build something like this with a simple release built in. The key must be external—another device, another system. Something that isn’t here.”
He reasoned aloud, his mind conjured theories and counterarguments, exploring every possibility he could think of. The cube’s design suggested efficiency, a ruthlessness that prioritized containment over everything else. Whoever had created it likely intended for whatever was inside to stay there, forever.
After several minutes of examination, Adam let out a frustrated sigh. He hadn’t learned anything useful, at least not for the immediate situation, so he straightened, giving the cube one last look.
“I can’t do anything with this now.”
He muttered, taking a step back. Still, he committed every detail to memory—the cube’s texture, its faint hum of energy, the exact wording of the system description. Not because he felt any obligation to Jianfeng, but because he knew this artifact might prove important later.
He stepped back through the bars using his phasing skill once more, this time with slightly more caution than before. As he returned to his cell, he glanced at the empty corridor beyond.
For now, there was nothing he could do but wait—and think. But before he could settle on his next move, the sharp sound of a distant explosion echoed through the air, followed by a deep rumble that made the rocky ground beneath his feet quiver. His entire body tensed as he froze, his senses sharpened by the sudden chaos.
What the hell was that? His mind immediately shifted into high gear. He looked around, trying to gauge his surroundings for threats or opportunities, the logical part of his brain was quick to calculate the risk: staying here guaranteed his demise, whether by the Lord Varek or whatever chaos was now unfolding. On the other hand, running provided a slim chance—slim, but better than nothing, so his decision was made.
He approached the cell door cautiously, his heart hammering in his chest. To his surprise, it was slightly ajar. The faint creak as he nudged it open with trembling fingers sent chills down his spine.
“Park Zhen? Did she leave it unlocked for me? Why?”
He had no time to linger on the thought. The explosion, whatever it had caused, might have been his doing—or something else entirely.
Just as he stepped out into the corridor, Adam’s worst mind scenario materialized. The sound of hurried footsteps echoed down the stone halls, accompanied by faint voices barking orders so quickly that he barely recognized the language, he flattened himself against the wall, peering around the corner. A group of guards—monks, from their attire—were rushing toward him. They were clad in traditional Shaolin garb, their weapons an unusual mix of ornate staffs and wickedly sharp crescent blades.
Adam's breath hitched. These weren’t the Jade Castle’s well-armed guards but something entirely different and he had no idea how skilled they were, but their numbers were overwhelming. Fighting them head-on was out of the question.
Without hesitation, the boy extended his arm and summoned the Spectronomicon. A spectral skull materialized in front of him, its hollow eyes glowing with an eerie green light. Its jaw opened wide, releasing a deep, echoing laugh that sent a chill through the air.
"Do it."
Adam commanded under his breath, his voice firm despite the adrenaline coursing through him.
The skull emitted a burst of golden light that engulfed the approaching monks. The corridor lit up briefly, and Adam watched as each guard stumbled, their movements slowing until they collapsed onto the ground. Their limbs were sluggish, their agility drained entirely by the [Golden Hex of Sloth], the boy didn’t linger to admire the result; he bolted past them, his steps echoing loudly in the now-silent corridor.
This scene repeated itself as Adam moved through the labyrinthine temple. Another group of guards appeared in his path, their weapons raised, but this time, he opted for the [Crimson Hex of Wrath]. The Spectronomicón’s laughter changed, darker and more menacing, as a crimson glow spread over the guards. Their once-imposing forms sagged as if their strength had been sapped away. One swung his staff weakly, but the movement was pitifully slow and off-balance. Adam darted past them, his breaths growing heavier with every sprint.
Each hex took a toll on him. While his debuffs were effective, they weren’t infinite, and he could feel the strain slowly building in his chest. His legs went non-stop as he climbed staircase after staircase, weaving through corridors that seemed endless. The temple's architecture was a blend of elegance and menace, with towering columns and intricate carvings depicting ancient myths and legends.
Finally, Adam reached a large window, which made him pause, panting heavily, and gaze out to orient himself. The view was breathtaking yet daunting. The temple stretched high above the surrounding forest, its golden rooftops gleaming faintly in the moonlight. From this vantage point, Adam guessed he was on the sixth or seventh floor. The exterior walls were adorned with traditional carvings, red and gold banners fluttering despite the stillness of the night.
The temple courtyard below was chaotic. Figures darted around, some fighting, others seemingly trying to flee. A strange, guttural roar pierced the air, and Adam’s eyes widened in alarm. His gaze shifted back to the corridor ahead just as a deafening explosion shattered the tranquility. The walls to his right erupted in a storm of debris, forcing Adam to throw himself to the ground and shield his head with his arms as stone fragments pelted him, the air thick with dust and smoke.
When the dust settled, the boy slowly lifted his head, and what he saw made his blood run cold. Standing amid the wreckage was Abbess Xinhui, her presence commanding and fierce despite her slighly battered appearance. Her robes were a little torn, and her staff was chipped at the edges, but her eyes burned with determination and a big smile adorned her face. Opposing her were two monstrous figures, grotesque and unnerving. One resembled a twisted amalgamation of flesh and bone, its limbs unnaturally elongated and covered in jagged protrusions. The other was reptilian, its scales blackened and cracked, with greenish ichor oozing from numerous wounds.
Both creatures bore the marks of a brutal battle, their bodies riddled with injuries, yet they seemed far from finished. Adam’s heart pounded as he cast a panicked glance at the chaotic battle unfolding before him. The two grotesque monsters were relentless, their movements violent and erratic as they clawed and lunged at Abbess Xinhui. Yet, she seemed unfazed, her strikes fluid and unyielding. Her staff whirled through the air like an extension of herself, meeting each attack with precise, calculated force.
Adam didn’t understand what was happening—why the monsters were attacking, why the Don was fighting them, or even why he had been brought to this place in the first place. All he knew was that he needed to leave. His instincts screamed at him to run, and he decided to act before the opportunity slipped away.
He moved cautiously at first, inching backward and glancing over his shoulder toward a corridor that looked like a potential escape route. The woman appeared too focused on the creatures to notice him—or so he thought. With a deep breath, Adam turned and broke into a sprint, desperate to put as much distance between himself and the chaos as possible. His footsteps echoed faintly against the stone floor as he ran.
Unbeknownst to him, Abbess Xinhui’s sharp eyes caught his movement immediately. Even as she parried another blow from the monstrous entities, her attention briefly shifted to Adam. A faint smile curled her lips, a mix of amusement and disdain flashing across her face.
Adam had barely made it a few steps before the air around him shifted. A whistling sound cut through the air, and before he could register what was happening, something slammed into the ground mere inches from where he was running. The impact sent a powerful tremor through the floor, forcing him to stumble back in shock. He stared, wide-eyed, at the source of the disturbance: a long, polished staff embedded deeply into the stone, its shaft still vibrating from the force of its landing.
Adam’s heart leaped into his throat as he froze, his body tensing. A shadow passed over him, and he instinctively looked up. Abbess Xinhui descended gracefully from above, her movements smooth and deliberate. She landed atop the staff with perfect balance, her feet resting lightly on its narrow surface as if she were standing on solid ground. Her robes swayed slightly from the motion, and her piercing gaze locked onto Adam’s.
“Why the rush?”
She asked, her voice dripping with mockery.
“Is the temple not to your liking, ‘Park Zhen’s little favorite’?”
Her words struck Adam like a physical blow. Her tone was laced with derision, but there was a deeper meaning to her words that made his skin crawl. Park Zhen’s favorite? The only explanation was that she was referring to how he and Jianfeng had been separated from the others for supposed safety reasons. It was clear now that the Don did not view that isolation as a sign of protection—it was a mark of ridicule.
Adam opened his mouth to respond, but his voice caught in his throat. Before he could form a coherent thought, movement drew his attention as one of the monstrous creatures materialized silently behind the Abbess, its hulking form rippling with dark, distorted energy. Its jagged claws gleamed as it raised them high, aiming directly for her back.
Abbess, however, didn’t even glance back. With an almost dismissive motion, she sidestepped the attack, the monster’s claws swiping harmlessly through the air. Her movements were precise and effortless as if she had anticipated the attack long before it came.
“Please, I’ve seen enough of these pitiful attempts to know how they’ll strike before they even decide to do it.”
She said, her tone almost bored, spinning her staff once, still balanced on its tip, before turning slightly to glance at the monster over her shoulder.
“These things are nothing more than manifestations of her consciousness.”
She continued, her voice calm and conversational as though explaining a simple concept even though Adam had never asked for it.
“The only reason I haven’t destroyed them yet is because every little injury I inflict on them makes her feel it. Slowly. Painfully. And once I’m done toying with them, I’ll deal with her myself.”
Adam stared at her, uncomprehending. Manifestations? Consciousness? None of it made sense. The monsters, the woman’s cryptic words, her absolute dominance—it was all too much. What he did understand, however, was that she was distracted again. His moment to escape had returned.
Swallowing his fear, Adam crouched slightly, ready to bolt. His focus sharpened as he tapped into his skill, [Feral-Type Manifestation Lv1]. A faint, ghostly glow surrounded his limbs as spectral claws and bestial legs formed around him, their ethereal energy crackling faintly in the air. His muscles tensed, and with a burst of speed, he shot forward like an arrow released from a bow.
The world around him blurred as his enhanced legs carried him through the winding corridors. The walls seemed to stretch and warp in his peripheral vision, his singular focus on getting as far away from the Abbess as possible. His breaths came in rapid bursts, his heart pounding with adrenaline.
But just as he began to feel a flicker of relief, a shadow loomed over him. It was long and thin, cutting through the dim light with unnatural speed. Adam’s mind barely had time to process it—a staff, moving faster than he could believe.
His instincts flared, and in a split-second reaction, he veered sharply to the side. The staff struck the ground where he had been with devastating force, the impact creating a deep crater and sending shards of stone flying. The shockwave was so strong it threw Adam off balance, and he stumbled forward, his enhanced limbs faltering as he hit the ground hard.
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Groaning, he pushed himself up, his body trembling with the effort, but before he could fully rise, a familiar presence loomed over him once again. He looked up, dread sinking like a stone in his stomach. Abbess Xinhui stood before him, her staff now back in her hand, her expression was calm, almost serene, but her only eye glinted with a cold, merciless light.
“You didn’t think it would be that easy, did you?”
She said, her tone light and mocking. Her lips curved into a faint, knowing smile.
“You’re fast, I’ll give you that. But not fast enough.”
Adam’s chest heaved as he tried to catch his breath. His mind raced for a solution, any way to escape, but the realization was sinking in—he was trapped, cornered by a predator far beyond his comprehension. His eyes narrowed as Abbess took a single, deliberate step forward, her expression unwavering.
But he didn’t wait, and with a swift motion, Adam thrust his hand forward, summoning the [Golden Hex of Sloth]. The golden energy surged from his floating spectral skill in an intense burst, arcing toward her like a judgmental comet. It illuminated the space in an eerie light, the raw power of the hex crackling in the air around them, but Abbess didn’t flinch. The hex slammed into her with full force, enveloping her form in its golden glow, and For a moment, Adam dared to hope that it might work—that the culmination of his efforts had finally paid off.
But then she emerged from the glow, utterly unscathed, her smirk deepening into a sharp-edged sneer.
"Is this the best you can do? I feel a slight numbness, maybe. Barely worth mentioning."
She taunted, her voice dripping with condescension while tilting her head mockingly, and continuing advancing, each step deliberate, each one closer to him.
Adam’s heart raced as he leapt backward, trying to maintain the distance between them. The walls of the dim chamber felt suffocating, the space shrinking with every move she made. His mind raced with possibilities, knowing full well that running wasn’t an option. He gritted his teeth, his resolve hardening. If he couldn’t escape, then he had to fight—with everything he had.
“Fine.”
He muttered under his breath, steeling himself.
“Let’s see how you handle this.”
Summoning all his focus, Adam activated his most powerful summoning skill, [Demon-Type Manifestation Lv1]. A ripple of dark energy exploded from his chest, accompanied by a guttural roar that resonated in the very foundation of the room. The air grew thick, heavy with an oppressive aura, and from the epicenter of his chest emerged a colossal, spectral arm, its demonic visage stark against the ambient light. The arm, so massive it filled the space, phased through the walls without causing a single mark, its spectral nature transcending the material realm. The monstrous limb shot forward, its clawed fingers reaching for Abbess with a predatory fury.
The force of the attack was immense. It struck Abbess directly, the impact reverberating through the room. Adam’s lips curled into a grim smile. This was it! He could feel the moment—the chance he’d been waiting for. The arm began to pull back, dragging her further from him, creating the precious distance he needed. His eyes darted around the room, scanning for an exit, and that’s when he saw it—a window on the far wall. He could make it if he timed it perfectly, he could break free.
But then, as quickly as it had come, the arm began to dissolve. Adam’s smile faltered. The demonic limb disintegrated into motes of black energy, vanishing into thin air before his eyes.
“What?!”
He exclaimed, his voice tinged with disbelief and frustration. His gaze snapped back to Abbess, who now stood unscathed, her hands glowing with a radiant, golden energy that seemed to pulse with divine authority. Her lips curled into a knowing smile as she raised her glowing hands in mock applause.
“Ah!”
She said, her tone almost casual, yet underlined with dangerous intent.
“Now I understand why Park Zhen isolated you. You’re quite the anomaly, boy. Such power, it’s almost tragic.”
She paused, her eyes narrowing as her expression turned cold.
“Tragic that you ended up here, with me. I’m afraid you’re facing the worst possible opponent for someone like you.”
Adam’s breath hitched as his eyes locked onto a floating window of information that appeared before her. His gaze darted over the text, and his mind reeled as he processed an unfamiliar term.
[Skill: Blessed Energy Lv 9] [Transcendent force imbued with divine essence, often derived from celestial beings, sacred artifacts, or intense spiritual devotion. It is the purest form of energy, untainted by corruption or malice, and is inherently aligned with the principles of order, justice, and life. Direct usage on a living organism will trigger the [AutoHealing] status effect.] [Cursed Vision Knowledge] [Notice: The energy is immune to corruption from demonic or chaotic influences.] [Warning: As a member of the undead race, the demi-lich (variant) is vulnerable to this energy.]
“What?!”
He blurted again, his voice rising in desperation. Before he could react further, Abbess vanished in a blur. In the blink of an eye, she was upon him. Adam barely had time to shift, willing his body intangible in a desperate bid to avoid the incoming blow. But it didn’t matter.
Her fist collided with his face with devastating precision. The impact sent a shockwave of pain ripping through him. Adam stumbled backward, clutching his face, his eyes wide with disbelief, his body intangible was damaged the same way Bai Huolong did. This shouldn’t have been possible. And yet, the searing pain was undeniable. More than that, an unbearable burning sensation spread from the point of impact, like molten fire coursing through his veins.
“Relax, child.”
Abbess said, her voice calm yet dripping with malice.
“Lord Varek may see all of you as disposable. Weak. Worthy only of death. But I...”
She reached into her pocket, her movements slow and deliberate, as if savoring his agony.
“I have other plans for you.”
Adam’s vision blurred from the pain as she drew a gleaming golden crucifix from her pocket. The intricate design glinted in the dim light, exuding an aura of divine power. She let it fall from her hand, and it landed with a resonant *clang* on the ground before him.
“What are you…”
Adam’s voice faltered as he struggled to form words, his body writhing in pain. The burning sensation in his face intensified, and he could feel smoke beginning to rise from his skin.
The crucifix began to glow, its light growing brighter with each passing second. Then, as if responding to an unseen command, golden chains erupted from the object, their metallic surfaces shimmering with holy energy. The chains coiled around Adam’s body with serpentine precision, binding his arms, legs, and torso. He struggled against them, but his efforts were futile, the chains tightened, forcing him to the ground. The metal burned against his skin, sending plumes of smoke into the air as if his very essence was being scorched.
“The more you resist, the worse it will get.”
She said, her tone almost pitying. Almost.
“You should save your strength, boy. You’ll need it.”
Adam gasped as Abbess Xinhui’s hand moved with precision, pulling out a long, narrow sheet of parchment-like material. The golden crucifix, still glowing faintly, flickered briefly as the woman pressed the paper against his face. The texture was cold, almost metallic, and as it adhered, Adam’s vision was consumed by an overwhelming white light.
For an instant, he felt nothing but the oppressive brightness, as though the entire world had been erased. Then, as suddenly as it had appeared, the light vanished. His senses returned in a violent rush, accompanied by the persistent burning pain from the golden chains still binding his body.
When Adam’s sight adjusted, his surroundings had entirely changed. The air was different, carrying a sterile chill that made his skin crawl despite the heat of the chains. The room around him was a bizarre amalgamation: sleek metallic surfaces gleamed under an unnatural light, lined with instruments that resembled both advanced machinery and crude torture devices. Golden statues of monks in meditative poses stood at symmetrical intervals, their serene expressions clashing eerily with the sharp, clinical ambiance of the place.
Adam’s head throbbed as he tried to piece together what had just happened.
“Where... am I?”
He thought, his confusion mingling with the relentless pain. The disorientation was so complete it felt as though he had been torn from one reality and thrust into another in the blink of an eye.
The heavy, metallic door at the far end of the room creaked open, and none other than Abbess Xinhui entered. She looked entirely different now, the bandages that had previously covered part of her face were gone, revealing unblemished, porcelain skin. Her beauty was striking, her once-hidden features perfectly symmetrical, glowing with an almost divine radiance. She smiled, an unsettling mixture of joy and malice lighting her expression.
“You’re awake.”
She said cheerfully, her voice almost sing-song as she moved to one of the many instruments in the room. Her movements were graceful yet deliberate, as though she was savoring every step.
Adam clenched his teeth, the searing pain making even the simplest actions unbearable. Summoning every ounce of strength he had left, he forced a hoarse whisper from his dry throat.
“W-where... am I?”
Abbess paused, tilting her head as though surprised he could still speak. Her smile widened, and she laughed softly.
“You can still talk? Impressive. I was beginning to think you’d collapse entirely after all that. But I suppose if you weren’t resilient, you wouldn’t be such a fascinating specimen.”
Her words made Adam’s stomach churn. Specimen? The term echoed in his mind, stirring equal parts fear and anger, but seeing the flicker of emotion in his eyes, the woman sighed, folding her hands neatly in front of her.
“I suppose I owe you a little courtesy, allow me to explain. You see, I have a particular... hobby. I’ve always believed that the key to enlightenment lies in the discipline of necromancy.”
Adam’s breath caught. Necromancy? His mind raced, recalling the monstrous Jiang Shis Bai Huolong had unleashed earlier.
Abbess smiled knowingly, as if reading his thoughts.
“Yes, those Jiang Shis you encountered? My creations. Lord Varek granted me the blessings I needed to perfect such experiments. His divine energy allows me to push the boundaries of what the human body and soul can endure when tampered with.”
She moved to the center of the room, turning her back to Adam as her hands formed a deliberate, practiced gesture. Her fingers curled inwards, palms pressed together as though in prayer, while her thumbs and forefingers created a perfect triangle. Her posture radiated calm, her knees slightly bent as if she were about to kneel.
A radiant golden aura began to emanate from her body, bathing the room in a warm yet oppressive light. The statues seemed to glow in response, their serene faces more menacing in the flickering shadows.
“This energy allows me to deal with the cursed powers released when experimenting on the undead. It’s fitting, don’t you think? As the leader of the Shaolin faction, it’s my duty to seek spiritual enlightenment. And what better way than to explore the boundaries of life, death, and the soul itself?”
She continued, her voice steady, almost reverent. Adam’s breathing quickened, panic clawing at his chest. He strained against the chains, but the burning only intensified. His mind screamed at him to think, to act, to do something.
“What... d-do you want from m-me?”
He forced out, his voice strained, every word a battle.
The Don turned to face him again, her golden aura dimming slightly. She studied him, her gaze piercing.
“What I want, is to use you as my newest subject. Your ability to control souls and mutate other beings is extraordinary. Even between the Lord Varek’s blessings, there is none to do the same as what I believe you are capable of.”
Adam’s eyes widened, his thoughts a jumbled mess of fear and disbelief. His lips moved before he could stop himself, the question slipping out almost involuntarily.
“What... w-what happened to t-the others?”
He regretted the question immediately, though he wasn’t sure why. The moment the words left his mouth, his chest tightened, as though bracing for a blow. Abbess’s smile returned, cold and cruel.
“Oh, them? They’re all dead. Just as Lord Varek commanded.”
She said lightly and Adam froze. His mind went blank, the weight of her words crashing down on him like a tidal wave. His eyes widened, staring at her in disbelief, his pupils dilated and unfocused. The burning pain, the chains, the strange room—all of it faded into the background as his thoughts fixated on her statement.
The Don chuckled at his reaction, shaking her head as though amused.
“Oh, come now. Don’t look so shocked. It’s not as though their fates were ever in question. But enough of that…”
She said, her tone shifting back to its earlier cheerfulness while stepping closer, her hands resting lightly on the edge of the table beside him. Leaning in slightly, she whispered.
“Shall we?”
–––––
The minutes blurred into hours, the hours dragged into an unrelenting day and so on… Two days passed, and Adam remained trapped in the sterile, gleaming chamber. It was a place where the line between light and shadow was as thin as paper, marked only by the ominous glow of the golden statues and the flickering of the harsh, artificial lights. The air was tainted with the metallic scent of blood and the acrid stench of chemicals that burned at Adam’s senses. The room itself was a contradiction—cold, calculated, and entirely lifeless, save for the slight hum of machinery that chugged and hissed as if breathing in sync with the torture that occurred within its confines.
Adam’s body remained bound by the divine chains, each link searing his skin, relentless and unyielding. His muscles ached from the strain, his joints stiffened, and yet, he felt no pain beyond the blinding, pulsating heat of the chains. They dug into him, pressing against his skin, as if trying to claw their way through. He had long since stopped screaming. At first, when the experiments began, he had yelled, his voice raw and desperate, echoing through the cavernous room. But that had been before, before the numbness seeped into his bones, before the light in his eyes dimmed like the last embers of a dying fire. He didn’t even feel the hunger anymore, the woman had discovered his necessity of vital energy and had been giving him her own raw Ki without divine elements every few hours, which was humiliating.
Abbess Xinhui moved about the room with the practiced ease of someone who had spent countless hours perfecting her art. Her silk robes, dark and glistening, swished with every step, casting fleeting shadows that danced across the cold, metallic walls. She approached Adam with a soft, almost maternal smile, her golden eyes glinting with anticipation.
“Today, we’ll try something different.”
She said, her voice like a lilting song tinged with malice. She raised a slender hand, and a series of mechanical arms whirred into life above Adam, their polished metal limbs glistening in the harsh light. Each one ended in a tool, sharp and precise: scalpels, syringes, tiny needles that seemed to sparkle ominously.
Adam’s head lolled to one side, his gaze unfocused, yet he watched her with hollow eyes. His silence spoke louder than any scream, his mind had become a fragile prison, its bars made of broken thoughts and desperate memories. He would remember his mother’s smile and the warmth of his father’s strong, reassuring hand—but those memories felt distant, as if they belonged to someone else. The yearning for freedom had withered, replaced by the cold acceptance of his fate.
Abbess extended her hand, and one of the mechanical arms approached, carrying a thin needle shimmering with a deep, crimson fluid. It hovered above Adam’s arm, poised and ready. The moment the needle pierced his skin, a searing warmth spread through his veins, radiating through him in waves. The substance felt like fire, each drop an agonizing pulse that traveled through his blood. His muscles spasmed, but the sensation was familiar now, a repetition of tortures past, his mouth opened in a soundless scream, but his eyes, hollow and dull, did not betray him.
“Tell me, Adam.”
Abbess murmured, leaning close so that he could feel her breath on his cheek.
“Is it painful?”
The boy’s lips trembled, but no sound came. He stared at her, a ghost of defiance glimmering in his eyes before fading once more. And then, just as she pulled back, a sharp, wet noise broke the suffocating silence. It was the sound of Adam’s tears, falling from his eyes, unwelcome and incongruent with the agony etched into his expression. Abbess’s eyes widened in surprise as she stepped back, her gaze fixed on him in a mix of fascination and something deeper, something she couldn’t quite name.
“What’s this?”
She whispered, a note of incredulity in her voice. She took a step forward, peering down at him with a mixture of curiosity and sudden unease. Adam, his eyes bloodshot and rimmed with tears, did not answer her. The tears trickled down his temples, mixing with the sweat that clung to his face. His chest heaved with the effort of breathing, his throat tight. His lips moved, but the words were barely audible.
“I’m sorry.”
Adam whispered, a fragile apology directed at the ghosts of his parents, those intangible presences that had once been his whole world.
“I’m sorry for everything.”
Abbess’s expression shifted, the tightness around her eyes relaxing. It was the first time she had seen him cry, the first time her relentless experiments had pulled more from him than silence or pain. But before she could process the sight, Adam’s whispered words deepened. He took a breath, his voice low and tinged with desperation.
“Seal it…”
⌠[Autosealing Lv1] will seal skill [Resist Hunger Lv1]⌡ ⌠Are you sure?⌡ ⌠Y/N⌡ ⌠[Resist Hunger Lv1] is now sealed.⌡ ⌠…⌡ ⌠…⌡ ⌠[The True Hunger] innate trait is now maxed out.⌡ ⌠[Vicious Devourer (Incomplete-Acolyte)] innate trait will activate.⌡