Chapter 117: Re-awakening A Special Talent

Adam was breathing hard.

Each breath scraped his lungs raw, his chest burning as he stared at the direction where the profound lord had crashed. His arms trembled and his legs felt distant.

…Still not enough.

That attack had taken everything.

Vehicles screeched to a halt at the edge of the district. The manager and several acolytes stepped out, and froze.

The street looked like a war zone. Countless corpses lay scattered across the ground, buildings shattered as if struck by gods, streets torn open by thunderous impacts. Smoke and dust hung heavy in the air.

The manager stared, mind blank.

One of the acolytes swallowed hard and tugged at his sleeve.

“Manager… isn’t that Mr. Adam?”

The manager’s gaze snapped forward.

Adam stood at the center of it all, alone, battered, surrounded by ruin.

Before he could speak, he noticed movement.

A collapsed building groaned and the profound lord stepped out.

The manager’s blood ran cold.

So that’s him.

The very instant the thought formed, killing intent exploded outward.

The intent swept through the district like a tidal wave. Acolytes dropped where they stood, unconscious before they could even scream. The manager tried to remain standing, teeth clenched, conduit flaring uselessly, before his vision went dark as well.

Adam remained standing.

The killing intent slammed into him and… did nothing. His death affinity swallowed it naturally, like fog dispersing into night.

The profound lord appeared in front of him, the wound in his chest still gaping, essence leaking like mist.

All traces of playfulness were gone.

“When they’re done dissecting you,” he said coldly, “to find out what makes you tick, I’ll make sure you suffer unfathomable pain.”

Adam met his gaze.

Unblinking.

His essence reserves were nearly empty. He could feel it, hollow and dry. His profound technique was unusable now.

He could still use his special talents, though. Equipped talents didn’t require essence or stamina, but without essence, Wind Carnage: Requiem, the only way to wound the Lord, was out of reach.

The profound lord backhanded him, sending Adam crashing into a building, stone collapsing over him.

Before he could rise…

Hands clamped around his head and the lord slammed him into the ground.

Again.

And again.

“You do not know your place!” he roared, pounding Adam into the earth. “A vermin like you, injuring me?!”

He hurled Adam across the street, appeared above him, and drove a fist into his gut.

Adam folded, breath exploding out of him as he smashed into another building.

“I will break every bone in your body,” the lord screamed, “and make you watch as I feed your organs to the dogs, your pain—”

“You talk too much.”

The words were calm.

Almost bored.

The profound lord froze for a fraction of a second, then kicked Adam’s head, followed by a storm of blows. Adam could have tried to dodge, but he chose not to.

Not yet.

The lord grabbed his head and drove a knee into his face. Bone cracked. Adam’s nose dislocated, blood spraying. No weapons. Just raw, overwhelming strength.

Punishment after punishment.

Adam didn’t scream.

He didn’t beg.

He only offered quiet remarks.

“Is that all?”

“All that bravado for this?”

It only made the lord angrier.

When it ended, Adam lay broken on the ground.

Bruises blackened his body. Joints were dislocated. His face was swollen beyond recognition.

The profound lord stood over him, breathing heavily, expression twisted.

Then…

Adam smiled.

The lord’s brow furrowed.

Is he insane?

Adam’s smile widened, not from madness, but understanding.

His panel flashed before his eyes.

[You are at the point of life and death]

[Conditions have been met]

[You may choose a Rankless Talent to reawaken]

[Equip can be reawakened]

[Connect can be reawakened]

Adam’s smile deepened.

She was right.

****

Before the fight had even started.

Back at the cemetery.

Adam had looked at the rabbit-masked figure and asked the question that mattered.

“What do you mean… if I don’t follow you, I’ll die?”

The figure didn’t answer immediately. But when they did, their voice was calm, for the situation.

“The Family has placed you on their highest-priority kill list,” they said. “It won’t be surprising if one of their people is already waiting for you at your home.”

Adam’s gaze narrowed.

Martha was one. But, could there be more already?

The thought gnawed at him, sharp and irritating.

“Then why don’t they come here?” Adam asked.

The figure tilted their head slightly. “Misdirection.”

Adam felt it immediately.

They’re not going to explain.

He clicked his tongue softly.

“Since you want to help me, do I really have to follow you? Can’t you just point me in the right direction?”

His voice hardened.

“I don’t associate well with people who hide their identities and keep secrets.”

Silence followed. Long enough to be deliberate.

Then a sigh escaped their mouth, as the figure reached up and removed the rabbit mask without hesitation.

Blond hair spilled down to their shoulders, catching the pale cemetery light. Deep, clear and almost unreal Blue eyes met Adam’s. Soft pink lips. Skin so smooth it looked untouched by the world.

She didn’t look human.

She looked like a spirit princess pulled from a myth.

No blemishes. No scars. No disguise left.

She met his gaze evenly.

“My name is Remedy,” she said.

Adam didn’t respond.

“The reason I want to help you is simple,” Remedy continued.

A faint smile curved her lips.

“I’m your biggest fan.”

“….”

Adam stared at her.

“…Are you serious?”

Remedy nodded, her expression completely straight.

Adam held her gaze for a long moment, then exhaled through his nose.

“That doesn’t make it very convincing to trust you”

Remedy didn’t answer immediately.

Instead, she stepped closer, just one step, and spoke softly.

“What if I showed you a way to awaken your talent?”

Adam paused.

That got his attention.

Before he could respond, she continued, her voice steady.

“And I’ll tell you who caused your mother’s death.”

The air snapped.

Killing intent erupted from Adam like a blade being unsheathed. The temperature around him seemed to drop as his eyes locked onto Remedy, all warmth drained from his face.

The intent wasn’t wild. It was focused, controlled and lethal all at the same time.

He stared at her coldly.

“What do you mean?”

****

A/N: Happy Valentine’s Day

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