Outworld: Awakening

Standing at the entrance of the flying ship port, Adam's gaze lingered on the hundreds of people who flooded the busy streets.

Unlike the vast nothingness that encompassed the Wazar Desert, Dratol was a bubbling metropolis. Unlike conventional counties, Dratol had no capital, or individual cities. They regarded the entire country as a city on its own.

Buildings as tall as skyscr.a.p.ers decorated the skylines, while several cylindrical towers towered over different regions of Dratol.

"They built all these around dungeons?" Adam muttered as weaved through the bustling crowd.

'I'm already seventeen years old, yet I don't know common knowledge in this world. If only that battle maniac had allowed me to study, I wouldn't be so awed every minute,' Adam thought.

The scenery felt surreal.

Having assigned Wallace with the task of finding Erik Gilmore, all that remained, was to show up at Varidan Academy.

Deep in thought, Adam continued walking towards the Eastern section of Dratol. According to what he heard in the port, Varidan Academy occupied that section of the City.

Although he had the urge to explore the wonders and mysteries Dratol offered, Adam believed it was best he did that after formally joining the academy.

While Adam's thoughts wandered, Dominic and six men tailed him. Using the crowded streets to their advantage. They showed no obvious signs of malicious intent, neither did they wield any weapons. One would not expect they had vile intentions.

"Dominic, are you sure you don't need any reinforcement?"

"Stop worrying over nothing. Do you think that poser can take me on? Even if he can, what about you guys? Do you think someone fragile like that can best all seven of us?" Dominic whispered.

The young man who spoke earlier shook his head and said nothing further.

"Since he is heading east, it makes things easier for us. The two of you follow him," Dominic said as he pointed to two of his underlings. "The rest of you guys will follow me. We'll cut him off at the bridge. If he makes a turn, you let us know, okay?" Dominic added.

The two men gave a silent nod before stealthy following Adam. Meanwhile, Dominic and the others followed a different route.

Five hours later.

The cold and moonlight of the night replaced the warmth and sunshine from the day. Dazzling lights illuminated the streets of Dratol, with the frequent echo of laughter and music filling the air.

Men and women of varying ages lined the bustling streets going about their business. Adam could see various wares displayed through transparent windows. One thing they all shared in common, was the ridiculous price tags attached to them.

As Adam walked further towards the Eastern section of Dratol, the number of people on the streets slowly decreased. However, it wasn't that significant, and only someone who paid attention would notice.

Adam also noticed that the commodities being displayed, slowly changed the further he walked.

Earlier, Jewelries, luxurious clothes and accessories were all he could see. But now, every other shop displayed, intricately crafted weapons of varying shapes and sizes and armor of varying quality.

Apart from the merchants who dealt in physical wears, Adam could see various information brokers along the streets, and an influx of people trooped in and out of these buildings.

Also, a holographic projection hovered at every street corner. Displaying the map of Dratol. Having checked some a few hours ago, Adam knew he was on course to Varidan Academy.

Even if he had not checked the map, signposts placed at strategic locations, showed the distance before the academy came into view.

'If I continue at this pace, I should arrive at the bridge in the next hour, then it should take another two to arrive at the academy. It has been a long journey; at least, it is almost over.'

Deep in thought, Adam continued trekking. The moment he took his tenth step, a cryptic voice echoed in his mind.

[Two Potential Sources of Danger Detected]

'Those guys don't know when to give up. At least, they haven't tried to do anything yet. I wonder where the other five went? Well, there is no point bothering myself. Eventually, they would turn up,' Adam thought as he continued his journey.

One hour later.

The number of people had reduced; tall trees and a lush field replaced the magnificent buildings.

Adam stood before a floating signpost which displayed flashing words in gold.

'Warning! Beyond this point is Varidan territory. Severe punishments awaits trespassers.'

"No wonder this place looks so deserted… At least, I'm almost there," Adam muttered.

From where he stood, he could see an arching bridge over a pristine river. The bridge starched as far as sixty meters, and Adam could see the outline of several massive buildings at the other side.

With only a few meters separating Adam from the bridge, he halted his steps. At that moment, the sound of someone clapping broke the silence enveloping the area. A few seconds later, five men emerged from their hiding spots behind the trees just ahead of Adam, while two approached from behind.

"We have been waiting for you. Do you mind if we continued from where we left off? Well, you don't really have a choice now, do you?"

A slight smile tugged at the side of Adam's lips as he heard Dominic's voice.

"Oh? You are smiling. I see. You're a poser to the end. Let's see if you can still maintain that smile when we are done with you," Dominic said.

With less than five meters separating him and Adam, he stopped in his tracks. An eerie silence enveloped the area as Dominic and his companions stared at Adam, observing like a prey amidst hungry predators.

"Are you guys sure you want to do this? First, you do not know what my identity is. Second, I'm sure you bastards can read, right? Didn't you see the warning earlier? Do you really want to fight in Varidan territory?" Adam said.

Although he said this, he crackled his knuckles while casually stretching his legs.

Dominic's expression distorted, his countenance turned ugly.

"Who cares who you are? Admittedly, I'm curious what business someone that looks like a peasant has with Varidan Academy; however, your status can never be compared to mine. If there is a possibility that a riffraff like you came from a decent household, I won't have to worry much. I'm just going to break a few of your bones. Nothing too serious," Dominic said as he motioned towards his men.

Just as they were about to spread out, Adam's voice reached them, "What if I'm a student of the academy? Can you bear the repercussions? Well, it's not like I care. You guys can come. However, it won't end with just broken bones."

Dominic and his men froze as they heard Adam's declaration. As much as they wanted to beat him, they were not idiots. If he was truly a student of Varidan, it was within his right to maim or kill anyone who assaulted him. That Adam looked relaxed despite being surrounded, sent alarms bells ringing in their heads.

"It seems you gentlemen have reconsidered. As much as I'd like to chat, I have somewhere to be. Take care."

Wasting no time, Adam continued his journey.

Dominic and his companions watched as he reduced the distance with each passing second; however, they showed no reaction. A few seconds later, Adam and Dominic stood side by side. Dominic blocked Adam's path with his raised arm.

"Hmm…? What do you want?" Adam said as his brows creased, while staring directly into Dominic's beady eyes.

Dominic's mouth opened and closed several times, yet he said nothing.

"I'll be on my way then," Adam said as he brushed past Dominic's arm.

A few minutes later, Dominic and his companions watched Adam's figure as he walked across the bridge.

"Dominic, what do we do? What if he was lying?" A young man asked.

However, silence greeted his words. Dominic's eyes still lingered on Adam's body.

"Dominic? Why don't we—"

"Forget it. Just forget it. Even if he was lying, I don't think he was someone we could have handled. When our eyes met, it didn't feel as if I was looking at another human. I felt as if I stood in the presence of a beast. That guy is dangerous. Let's head home before the guards realize we have trespassed," Dominic interjected.

Taking one final look at Adam, the seven of them returned towards the bustling center of Dratol.

While Dominic and his companions retreated, Adam heard another ring his mind.

[Danger Abated]

'What an anticlimactic end. I didn't expect him to have some sense. I guess today is their lucky day.' Adam thought.

As much as he would have loved to beat Dominic and his men, he would not go out actively seeking for trouble. Especially, when the other party knew the folly of their actions.

With Dominic and his lackeys retreating, Adam diverted his full attention to structures that came into view.

"Wow. How can a place have so many dungeons?" Adam muttered as he stared at different towers at the end of the bridge.

[Danger Detected]

[Establishing Connection to The Omen...]

[Connection Successfully Established.]

'Huh? Who? From where?'

Just as this thought filled Adam's mind, he felt a hand on his shoulder. Before he could react, a hoarse voice reached him, "Identify yourself. If you can't, then under the authority of the Varidan towers, I will execute you for trespassing into Varidan territory."