Chapter 73 - A weird Awakening
Far from the chaos of Adam’s confrontation with Abbess Xinhui, a piercing, guttural scream of pain echoed through the halls in a towering structure that rose above even the clouds. The sound reverberated, carrying an unnatural weight that seemed to shake the very walls of the enormous edifice. Inside one of the many opulent chambers, decorated with intricate carvings and luxurious silks, a young woman dressed in a pristine black-and-white maid’s uniform gasped audibly, her face etched with worry.
"Lord Varek! Are you alright?!"
She exclaimed, her voice trembling as she instinctively took a step forward. Her hands gripped the edges of her apron, her knuckles white with tension. Her concern was palpable, her eyes darting toward the room's far end.
There, near an ornate throne, stood a tall, imposing figure. His silhouette alone radiated power and authority, his form towering and muscular, clad in a long, elegant robe befitting royalty. The design of the garment bore intricate embroidery and patterns resembling celestial constellations, gleaming faintly in the dim light of the room. One hand clutched his face, blood seeping through his fingers and dripping onto the polished marble floor below. The source of the injury was evident—a deep, grotesque wound in his right eye. The blood flowed in a steady stream, staining the side of his face and collar, yet his stance remained unyielding, exuding an almost terrifying control.
“I’m fine.”
He growled, his voice low and commanding.
“Do not approach me.”
The maid froze mid-step, her face paling as she exchanged anxious glances with two other maids who had gathered nearby. None dared to defy his order, retreating a few paces to maintain their distance.
Lord Varek stood motionless for a moment, his chest heaving as he struggled to compose himself. His breath came in short, sharp bursts, but the rage flickering in his remaining eye burned brighter than any pain he felt. Slowly, he began to lower his hand, revealing the extent of his injury. The blood had stopped flowing, leaving streaks of crimson on his face, but the damage to his eye was undeniable—it was closed, a jagged scar already forming over the deep gash.
He clenched his jaw, speaking to no one in particular but loud enough for those in the room to hear.
“To think I would be wounded like this... It was not within my calculations.”
His voice, though steady, carried a venomous edge.
“That boy... that strange boy from another world. To cancel my skill so easily… And now I’ve lost all sight and interaction with the situation at the crater. Abbess Xinhui... she may yet live, but this development could prove problematic.”
Varek trailed off, his hand tightening into a fist. He paced a few steps toward a grand window at the edge of the room, his figure framed by the soft glow of light filtering through the semi-transparent curtains. He stopped before it, his gaze piercing as he looked out. But there was no landscape, no distant horizon to admire—only an endless sea of clouds, the kind that could only be seen from a vantage point higher than any natural peak.
“I trusted her to handle the boy..”
He muttered, his voice quieter now, as though speaking more to himself.
“I even entrusted her with one of my most prized treasures. It should have been enough.”
His fists unclenched, and he straightened his posture, a renewed determination evident in his stance.
“But to think that he managed to strike back—no, I cannot overlook this.”
With a final glance at the vast ocean of clouds outside, he turned sharply toward the maids, who still stood frozen in place.
“Gather every force within the ‘Celestial Tower’.”
He commanded, his voice booming and unyielding.
“Send them immediately to the main temple of the Shaolin faction. I will go there myself.”
The maids bowed deeply, their voices trembling as they replied in unison.
“Yes, Lord Varek!”
They hurried out of the chamber, their footsteps echoing down the long corridors.
The man wasted no time. He approached the grand window, his every step resonating with an unshakable purpose. Reaching the edge, he crouched slightly, tensing his powerful legs. Then, with a mighty leap, he launched himself into the air.
The force of his jump shattered the sound barrier with a deafening crack, sending a shockwave rippling through the air. The sheer power of his movement tore through the dense blanket of clouds, creating a massive hole that expanded outward like a vortex. The sound was akin to a jet engine roaring to life, its deep, reverberating boom echoing for miles. The displaced clouds swirled chaotically in his wake, revealing streaks of sunlight piercing through the once-unbroken expanse of white.
As he ascended into the sky, his figure became a dark blur against the radiant light of the sun. For a moment, the scene was one of awe-inspiring power—a solitary figure tearing through the heavens with an explosive force that defied nature itself. The air itself seemed to hum in response to his presence, vibrating with the remnants of his immense energy.
Varek vanished into the horizon, leaving behind the gaping chasm in the clouds as a testament to his fury and resolve. The ‘Celestial Tower’ fell silent once more, save for the faint, fading echoes of his leap.
———————
Adam's eyes snapped open, his breath catching in his throat. For a moment, his mind was utterly blank, a void where thoughts and sensations should have been. Unlike the previous times he’d lost consciousness, there was nothing—no visions, no whispers, no return to that eerie, endless space in his mind. The Overmind’s presence was absent. It was as if, for the first time, he had truly experienced the emptiness of unconsciousness.
A wave of dizziness washed over him, leaving his thoughts fragmented. He struggled to piece together what had happened, his memories swirling like debris in a storm. Faint flashes of his fight against Abbess Xinhui began to emerge, and with them, the sinking realization of his “defeat” as his energy had been drained completely before being able to escape.
His eyes widened further, panic setting in as the memory came rushing back. He sat up abruptly, the movement so forceful that his head collided with something above him.
*Thud!*
“Ah! Damn it!”
Adam hissed, immediately clutching the back of his head with both hands as a sharp pain radiated through his skull. His fingers pressed against the tender spot, trying to soothe the ache.
“Hey! What the hell was that for?!”
Adam looked up, his vision clearing just enough to see Chloe, her pink hair tousled, her hands covering her face. She groaned loudly in pain, her voice muffled.
“You headbutted me right in the nose!”
Realization hit Adam like a slap. His eyes widened further as he stared at her, stunned into silence. He had thought everyone was dead, that’s what Abbess Xinhui had told him. She had claimed his companions were gone, wiped out. Yet here Chloe was, very much alive and visibly irritated.
“Chloe?”
He managed, his voice weak and disbelieving. His mind raced as a single thought anchored itself amidst the chaos: If Chloe was here… does that mean the others were alive too? Could Abbess have lied? He frowned, trying to make sense of it. But why would she lie about something like that?
Chloe’s muffled grumbling brought him back to the present. She removed her hands from her face, revealing a nose that was red and slightly swollen.
“I was just here taking care of you, and this is the thanks I get? Seriously?”
Adam didn’t respond to her complaint. Instead, his words tumbled out, laced with urgency.
“The others... Are they okay? Is everyone alive?”
Chloe paused mid-rant, clearly still irritated but caught off guard by his question. She crossed her arms and huffed.
“Yeah, everyone’s fine. Not that you deserve to know after headbutting me.”
Her tone softened just slightly, though her annoyance lingered. Adam’s shoulders sagged with relief. His head dipped slightly as he processed her words. The tight knot in his chest began to loosen.
But before he could say anything, Chloe’s expression shifted. Her brows furrowed, and her annoyance gave way to confusion. Her gaze locked onto his face, and she leaned slightly closer, inspecting him.
“Adam…”
She said slowly, her voice tinged with hesitation.
“Are you… crying?”
The question jolted him.
“What?”
His hand moved instinctively to his face, brushing against his cheeks. To his surprise, his fingertips came away wet. He hadn’t even realized it, but two thin trails of tears were streaming down his face, unchecked.
Chloe stared at him, her initial confusion morphing into an amused grin.
“Oh my God, you are crying. What, did you miss me that much? Or are you just so relieved that I’m alive?”
Her tone shifted to teasing, her smirk widening. Adam’s cheeks flushed slightly, and he quickly wiped at his face with the back of his hand.
“I’m not crying.”
He said defensively, though his voice lacked conviction.
“It’s just… I don’t know. I’m relieved, or maybe my eyes are irritated or something.”
Chloe let out a laugh, clearly enjoying the moment.
“Sure, sure. Blame it on allergies. Go ahead and cry, big guy. I won’t judge… much.”
Adam sighed, clearly realizing there was no winning this exchange.
“Can we focus on something else, please? Where are we? How did I get here?”
He muttered, eager to change the subject. Chloe, still grinning, leaned back and crossed her arms.
“We’re in the ruins of an old sanctuary. Qingyun Shenggong. Or as some call it, the ‘Holy Palace of Azure Clouds’.”
She paused, letting the name linger for effect.
“Apparently, it used to be the palace of the Immortal Emperor himself.”
Her words made Adam pause. His eyes wandered around the space for the first time, taking in his surroundings. He was lying on an old, makeshift bed, the fabric beneath him rough and worn. The room itself was in a state of disrepair—cracks lined the walls, and part of one side was completely missing, exposing the room to the outside. Dust and debris covered the floor, and the remnants of intricate carvings hinted at the sanctuary’s former glory.
He furrowed his brow, a mix of curiosity and suspicion creeping into his voice.
“How do you even know that?”
Chloe smirked, clearly enjoying his reaction.
“Park Zhen told me.”
Adam’s eyes widened in shock. His body stiffened as a jolt of fear shot through him.
“What?!”
Adam's mind raced, questions tumbling over each other as he struggled to process what Chloe had just told him. Park Zhen? His pulse quickened as he recalled the last words he had heard before darkness claimed him… That voice could only have belonged to Park Zhen. The realization sent a shiver down his spine, making him wonder what had transpired in his absence and why the Don’s name had surfaced now. He opened his mouth, ready to ask Chloe what she meant and how it was possible, but as he glanced at her expression, a part of him knew that this conversation wasn’t meant to be had now. Not in this room, not just between the two of them.
He paused, a fleeting sense of resolve settling over him. It would be better to speak with everyone together, and if possible, with Park Zhen himself. He nodded, trying to clear the questions swirling in his mind.
“Forget it. We’ll talk later when everyone’s here.”
Adam said, his voice tinged with an urgency he couldn't quite mask. Chloe's eyes shifted, the playful smirk returning to her face, but there was a small, worried crease on her brow.
“Now might not be the best time. We’ve been discussing something for more than a day already, and things are… complicated.”
Adam frowned, the confusion tightening in his chest.
“Eh? What could possibly be so important that you’ve all been talking about it for this long?”
The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.
The air between them grew dense as Chloe hesitated, the faintest flicker of anxiety flashing in her eyes.
“It’s Katya. We’re all worried about her.”
The name struck him like a physical blow, leaving him speechless. Katya? His mind grappled with the connection, trying to bridge the gap between what he knew and what Chloe had just said. What did Katya have to do with any of this? Before he could voice his questions, Chloe spoke up again, this time with a tight, controlled tone.
“Listen, it’s more complicated than you think. If you want to understand, you should go and see for yourself. Maybe seeing you will help ease some of the tension. Everyone’s on edge.”
Adam’s confusion deepened, but he nodded, taking a shaky breath. He swung his legs off the bed, feeling the weight of his own body pulling at him. His limbs were still weak, a dull ache reverberating through his muscles. He pushed himself to stand and his legs wobbled, giving way beneath him, but before he could topple over, Chloe’s hand shot out, catching him with surprising strength.
“Whoa, hold on!”
She said, her voice laced with amusement.
“Did you forget how to stand up? Need a hand, or are you going to keep pretending you’ve got it all under control?”
Adam grunted, both from the embarrassment and the strain of holding himself upright. He managed a sheepish smile and decided to capitulate.
“Thanks, Chloe, I guess I’m still not fully recovered.”
He muttered, a little breathless. The girl’s smirk returned, a playful glint in her eye.
“You don’t say. It’s only been a day. You think you can just wake up and be the hero again?”
Adam scowled, a small laugh escaping him.
“Why were you even the one staying with me while I was out? The others should have taken turns like last time.”
Chloe’s face shifted, the humor melting away to reveal something serious, almost solemn. She looked him straight in the eye, her expression unyielding.
“Because I like you, obviously.”
She said, the bluntness of her words struck him harder than the blow he’d taken to the head earlier. Adam’s eyes went wide, his mouth dropping open as the reality of her words registered.
“What—what did you just say?!”
His voice cracked, the surprise and embarrassment evident as he stumbled backward, tripping over his own feet and nearly falling again. The awkwardness of the moment seemed to stretch, and Chloe burst out laughing, the sound ringing through the cold, empty room.
“Relax! It was a joke!”
She said, still giggling. She reached out, placing a hand on his arm to steady him, her fingers warm against his skin.
“I just wanted to see that look on your face. But, seriously, it’s not because I have a crush on you, sorry.”
Adam’s heart thudded in his chest as he caught his breath. He exhaled slowly, relief washing over him as the tension left his shoulders. Chloe’s laughter faded into a more genuine smile, but then her eyes narrowed, and she turned serious again.
“Bromance aside, I stayed because I have my [Lifeweaver’s Gaze] skill. I can keep an eye on your body’s condition in real time. Your vital signs were fine, except—”
She paused, her brows knitting together as she stared at him.
“—except for your heart rate. It was extremely agitated. Were you having nightmares or something?”
She said, the humor slipping back into her voice. Adam frowned, puzzled.
“That shouldn’t be possible. I can’t dream, not even sleep. It’s part of a trait I have; I’m incapable of both.”
Chloe’s eyes widened slightly at that, and she nodded slowly, absorbing the revelation.
“That’s weird then.”
She said, her voice low. The room seemed to grow colder as Adam’s mind raced, the memory of a distant sensation surfacing in his thoughts. He remembered the moment he’d absorbed the heart of the Jiang Shi, the pulse of energy that had filled him with a sickening force. And the system message that had flashed across his vision—the absorption was interrupted.
The boy stopped abruptly, Chloe’s hand still gripping his arm to keep him upright. The sudden motion made her pause, eyes narrowing with concern. Adam's breath came in quick, shallow gasps as a wave of shock and dread swept over him. He steadied himself, focusing on the sensation in his chest—pounding, like a drum calling his attention.
He reached up with his right hand, fingers trembling slightly as he traced them through the air in front of his face. A soft, metallic hum filled the space as a transparent window materialized, glowing faintly with an otherworldly blue light. His eyes widened as he took in the details, scanning them as if searching for a clue that might bring some sense to what he was seeing.
⌠Name: Adam Scholar ⌡ ⌠Age: 1⌡ ⌠Species: Demi JiangLich (Variant) - Rank E⌡ ⌠Points: 367⌡ ⌠Potential: D⌡ ⌠Merits: None⌡ ⌠Titles:⌡ ⌠Ghostmarked Warden: Bound and Cursed⌡, ⌠Luck's Last Laugh⌡, ⌠Overmind’s Champion⌡, ⌠Commander of the Truly Strong⌡, ⌠Lord of Vampires⌡ ⌠Skills:⌡ ⌠Cursed Vision (Mutation) Lv4⌡, ⌠Undead Control Lv2⌡, ⌠Spectral Mist Step Lv2⌡, ⌠Mental Resistance Lv8⌡, ⌠Mark of the Damned LV10 (Sealed)⌡, ⌠Blood Covenant Lv2⌡, ⌠Parasitic Undead Plague Lv1⌡, ⌠Vampiric Infection Lv1⌡, ⌠Soul Ingestion Lv1⌡, ⌠Soul Corruption Lv1⌡, ⌠Hivemind Lv1⌡, ⌠Autosealing Lv1⌡, ⌠Resist Hunger Lv1⌡, ⌠Parasitic Mutation Lv1⌡, ⌠Vitality Predation Lv1⌡, ⌠Life Drain Lv1⌡, ⌠Blood Rage Lv1⌡, ⌠Superhuman Strenght Lv1 (Passive)⌡, ⌠Magic Resistance Lv1 (Passive)⌡, ⌠Blood Consumption Lv1⌡ ⌠Treasures:⌡ ⌠Necronomicon Single Page [1/5] (Replica) - Rank F⌡, ⌠Spectronomicon - Rank ?⌡, ⌠Dragon’s Pride Aegis - Rank D⌡, ⌠Overmind Parasite - Rank A+ (Assimilated)⌡, ⌠Jiang Shi 4th Tier: Yong Xian Sovereign’s Heart - Rank A+ (Assimilated)⌡ ⌠Treasure Skills:⌡ ⌠Insanity Aura Lv1⌡, ⌠Mgehye'lloig Lv1⌡, ⌠Ghoul-Type Manifestation Lv1⌡, ⌠Feral-Type Manifestation Lv1⌡, ⌠Drake-Type Manifestation Lv1⌡, ⌠DeathKnight-Type Manifestation Lv1⌡, ⌠Demon-Type Manifestation Lv2⌡, ⌠Light of the Six Sins Lv1⌡, ⌠Wraith Creation Lv1⌡, ⌠Jiang Shi Creation Lv1⌡, ⌠Yong Xian Sovereign’s Body Manifestation Lv1⌡,⌠Physical Manipulation Lv1⌡, ⌠Dark Consumption Lv2⌡, ⌠Summon: Sacred Guardian of Envy Lv2⌡, ⌠Spectral Parasitic Biomass Lv2⌡, ⌠Onyx Hex of Envy Lv2⌡, ⌠Cogwheel Bastion Lv2⌡
The words “Demi-JiangLich (variant)” blinked on the status window in bold letters. The shock struck him like an electric current, making him feel as if the ground beneath him had shifted. Demi-JiangLich? His heart clenched, a sudden burst of adrenaline sharpening his senses as he realized that the implications were deeper and far more unsettling than he could have imagined.
Chloe’s grip on his arm tightened, sensing his sudden shift in demeanor.
“Adam, are you okay? You look pale.”
Adam ignored her, eyes scanning the rest of the status screen that continued to flicker in front of him. His skills and traits were there, but they had changed, mutated almost. He could barely recognize them, and he felt a surge of anxiety as he scanned them, one by one. Some had names he didn’t even understand, strings of words that twisted his mind as he tried to process them.
New skills, new traits. The list seemed endless, a monstrous catalog of power and potential, and it was overwhelming. He remembered how many abilities he had already accumulated after assimilating the Overmind parasite. This felt like an entirely different level, a transformation that had taken him beyond what he thought was possible.
“What… What happened to me?”
Adam muttered, his voice a mix of awe and fear. His hand trembled, the screen flashing a warning message that said.
⌠New traits acquired. Review for potential stability issues.⌡
⌠Species: Demi JiangLich (Variant) - Rank D⌡ ⌠Cursed Vision Knowledge⌡ ⌠The ‘Demi JiangLich (variant)’ is an evolution of the undead that transcends typical boundaries, merging the vampiric hunger of Jiang Shi with the necromantic sorcery of liches and the collective consciousness of an Overmind host., it possesses fewer weaknesses and abilities than a full-fledged Lich, a complete Jiang Shi or full-grown parasite.⌡ ⌠*Half-Undead (Variant) Psyche (Innate)⌡ ⌠As a variant of a half-species, the Demi JiangLich (Variant) mind can manipulate its own psyche thanks to its parasitic infection, it can enhance, reduce, or block any emotion or physical sensation at will.⌡ ⌠*Sleep Immunity (Innate)⌡ ⌠The Demi JiangLich (Variant) is immune to the status effect “Sleep”. It has lost the ability to sleep and to dream.⌡ ⌠*Night Predator (Innate)⌡ ⌠The Demi JiangLich (Variant) gets all of its abilities slightly buffed when fighting on the night.⌡ ⌠*Malediction Reversal (Innate)⌡ ⌠Boons and Curses have the opposite effect on the user. Buffs and Debuffs from those sources are inverted.⌡ ⌠*Fire Max Vulnerability (Innate)⌡ ⌠Any Fire attribute damage to the Demi JiangLich (Variant) is increased to the maximum damage output possible for the attack.⌡ ⌠*Divine Great Vulnerability (Innate)⌡ ⌠Any Divine attribute damage to the Demi JiangLich (Variant) is greatly increased.⌡ ⌠*Energy Reserves (Innate)⌡ ⌠The user can consume fresh blood, Life Energy, or Souls and store them inside the body for future use. When the reserves are full, they enhance the user’s abilities and skills.⌡ ⌠*The True Hunger (Variant) (Innate)⌡ ⌠The Demi JiangLich (Variant) is tormented by the lack of natural vital energy production as a member of the undead race, which is necessary for the parasite in its body to stay alive. It needs a constant source of vital energy absorbed from living beings, if the levels of vital energy are lower than a certain threshold, the Demi JiangLich (Variant) will activate ⌠Vicious Predator (Variant) (Innate)⌡ automatically.⌡ ⌠*Vicious Predator (Variant) (Innate)⌡ ⌠The Demi JiangLich (Variant) is in critical condition due to the lack of vital energy to sustain its body, at this point, the ⌠Half-Undead (Variant) Psyche (Innate)⌡ skill will be deactivated and it will enter into an uncontrollable feral state, exponentially increasing all its abilities to prey on every living thing in the vicinities until the levels of vital energy return to maximum capacity.⌡
⌠Titles: “Commander of the Truly Strong”⌡ ⌠Cursed Vision Knowledge⌡ ⌠Enhances the attributes and skills of its bearer and their summoned allies, amplifying their power when there are three or more Rank A or higher.⌡
⌠Title: “Lord of Vampires”⌡ ⌠Cursed Vision Knowledge⌡ ⌠Grants dominion over all vampiric beings, enhancing the user's strength, control, and influence over their kind.⌡
Chloe’s eyes were wide with worry. She had never seen Adam look this way—paralyzed by something as simple as his own status window.
“Adam, talk to me.”
She said, her voice soft but urgent, but he could barely hear her, the rush in his ears drowning out everything else. His thoughts were spinning, questions slamming into each other, each one more terrifying than the last. What had changed? Why was he now considered a ‘variant’ of the JiangLich race? And what did all these new skills mean? Were they a blessing or a curse? His mind flashed back to the moment when the heart of the Jiang Shi had been absorbed, and the system’s message about the parasite absorption of the heart being interrupted. The memory sent a jolt of fear down his spine, the real possibility dawning on him that the interruption had led to this.
Chloe let out a soft, worried sigh, her eyes narrowing as she realized Adam was slipping into his own thoughts, staring blankly at the screen. She reached forward, her fingers brushing against the side of his face, grounding him in the present.
“Honestly, Adam, I get that you want to be with me all the time, but you’re starting to wear me out with all this brooding.”
She said, a playful smirk tugging at the corner of her lips. The corners of Adam’s lips twitched in initial confusion as he realized he had been lost in thought for far too long.
“Sorry…”
He muttered, his voice hoarse, the weight of the changes pressing down on him. He took a deep breath and steadied himself, pushing past the anxiety that gnawed at him.
“It’s okay. Let’s just go.”
Chloe said with a soft chuckle, giving his arm a reassuring squeeze. They continued down the corridor, stepping over debris and navigating the rubble-strewn path until they reached one of the less damaged rooms. It was dimly lit, with shattered glass and cracked tiles scattered across the floor, but it was enough to provide a semblance of shelter.
Before Adam could push the door open, the sounds of raised voices penetrated the room, carrying through the cracks and gaps. It was chaos—shouting voices, sharp words, accusations. He froze, the sounds embedding themselves in his mind.
He stepped inside with Chloe, the door creaking as it swung open. The room was in the middle of a verbal fight and Adam managed to catch the last words of a heated argument.
“—ridiculous to think there’s any other choice! She’s a danger to all of us!”
Li’s voice thundered, his eyes blazing with fury as he stood stiffly near the edge of the room. He had Kazue in front of him, who looked equally incensed, her fingers clenched into fists at her sides, and Katya, her face set in a scowl as she stood behind Kazue, defiance brimming in her eyes.
Drake, caught in the middle of it all, rubbed his temples in frustration.
“Calm down, everyone! We need to talk this out without—”
“Without what?!”
Kazue interrupted, her voice straining as she fought to keep control.
“We can’t ignore the fact that Katya was the reason we got out of the Shaolin temple alive! If it weren’t for her, we’d still be—”
“Minutae! The danger we expose ourselves to with her here is far worse than that!”
Li’s voice roared, his hands clenched into tight fists. His eyes flicked to Adam, who was now fully inside the room, his presence drawing every eye like a magnet. Drake’s face lit up as he saw them.
“Adam! Chloe! It’s good to see you back on your feet!”
His relief was palpable, and he didn’t waste a second to deviate from the topic. The room fell silent, the conversation interrupted, and every head turned toward Adam. For a moment, the tension seemed to dissipate, replaced by wary anticipation. The boy could feel the pressure mounting, a kind of gravity pulling at him as the room waited for him to speak.
Li’s eyes sharpened, a spark of hope flaring in them.
“Adam’s here. He’s logical—he’ll understand. He’ll see why we can’t keep her here.”
Kazue’s face, however, reflected the same hopeful urgency.
“No, Adam knows better. He knows that we need her. He saw what she did; he saw that she’s not the enemy.”
The sound of their voices clashing in rapid-fire arguments was almost comical. Adam, caught in the crossfire of conflicting expectations, felt his mind start to spin. His head throbbed from the influx of arguments, accusations, and the sheer weight of the choices he had yet to make.
“Enough!”
Adam finally shouted, the strength in his voice surprising even him. The room fell into a stunned silence once again, and all eyes shifted to him. His chest rose and fell with each breath as he struggled to steady himself, fighting the overwhelm and confusion that threatened to drown him.
“Before anything else, tell me what the hell is going on here.”
Li’s eyes narrowed, but he pointed to Katya, his voice hard and unyielding.
“She’s not a novice. She’s from a group dedicated to eliminating users in the scenarios. You know what that means. You can imagine what they’re capable of.”
The room shifted with murmurs of surprise, the weight of the revelation hanging thick in the air. Adam’s expression was unreadable, but a flicker of understanding crossed his eyes as he took Li’s words for consideration, they would be very serious if true. His thoughts raced as he processed the implications. This was more than just a disagreement.