Outworld: Awakening

Chapter 20 - Pyren's Valley

Adam found himself in the dimly lit room. Unlike before, he didn't feel muddle-headed. Just as he arrived, he heard the feminine voice from earlier, "Don't just stand there. Do you have any other business here?"

"No," Adam said.

"Goodbye."

Adam heard a click and his vision distorted again. A split second later, he found himself in front of the registration hall.

'Who would have thought I'd travel through portals? Mason and Jimmy would have loved this.'

Slowly shaking his head, Adam turned around to leave.

At that moment, however, he saw a familiar face. Adam paused for a moment, his eyes lingering on a stern-faced lady. Despite the slight breeze, her mohawk remained firm like a rock.

She only spared Adam a causal glance and didn't bother to halt her steps.

"Thanks for the other day," Adam said the moment they stood side to side.

"You can thank me by not talking to me. Better still don't make me do any additional work."

Although she said these words, Adam could see a slight smile tugging at the sides of her lips.

Adam chuckled and said nothing further. Wasting no time, he walked towards the direction Hendrix said he would wait.

A few minutes later, Adam could see Hendrix standing under a tree.

'This guy is really something else...' Adam thought as he watched Hendrix make exaggerated gestures while laughing.

Backing Adam, he focused his attention on the two beauties. Just like Hendrix, Adam could hear their laughter from his position.

'Who knows what would happen if he notices my presence. Since he already pointed out the location of Pyren's Valley, it's better I head over there myself.'

With this thought in mind, Adam paused, then walked towards the north. Hendrix didn't notice his presence, and neither did the two ladies.

From the discussion Adam had with Hendrix, he knew that only students in year one were present at Varidan. Some older students either explored subset dungeons or grand dungeons, while others explored the different regions of Outworld. From what Vicar told him, Adam understood what he meant when he said Varidan Academy would handle the next stage of his training.

Being an Academy devoted for grooming the very best of the Awakened, Adam knew he would have to work hard if we wanted to have the qualifications to enact his revenge.

Adam could not wait for the day he would explore the dungeons. Apart from the dangers it's grounds held; one could also find vast wealth within.

Naturally, Adam had no interest in become rich. Only Korgrath's whereabouts interested him, and he would do anything, anything, to find out where the Demon hid.

Without saying a word, Adam continued his journey under the radiance of dual moons.

One hour later.

Adam stood before a valley. He could see towering trees whose branches twisted with each other, forming a mesh.

As he stared at the thick vegetation, Adam could hear footsteps and strange noises akin to bird calls, running water and the hooves of several horses.

However, no matter how much he looked, he couldn't see anything. Only the tall trees and the two rising mountains in the background came into Adam's limpid eyes, and darkness covered the only path into the valley.

'What an eerie place. I wouldn't mind a portal transfer in this kind of place.' Adam thought.

Wasting no time, he walked into the darkness.

Contrary to Adam's expectations, no portal activated; neither did darkness obstruct his view. Although surrounded by towering trees, and with no visible source of light, Adam could see as clear as day.

'What's going on?'

Adam thought as he retreated from the valley. Like before, he couldn't see anything within.

"Wow. This place keeps on surprising me. I wonder what sort of mechanism is behind this," Adam muttered.

Since he left Wazar Desert, different innovations had left him awed. Although he didn't know the principle behind them, Adam could not wait to dabble into them. He felt it would be a crime if he couldn't understand the items of Outworld.

With different thoughts flashing through his mind; Adam, once again, descended into the valley. This time, however, he didn't retreat. Although the mysterious source of illumination fascinated him, he focused on what lay at the depths of the valley.

"Name?"

Adam flinched as he heard the high-pitched voice.

"Adam."

He tilted his head, left and right, yet he couldn't determine the source of the voice.

"You have one hour to subdue a weapon of choice. If you do not subdue one, you leave with nothing. Don't harm creature in the forest. If you do, I will take yours as penance. Proceed."

Despite the permission of the unknown individual, Adam remained in the same position.

'Subdue a weapon? I don't like the sound of that. Am I supposed to fight a weapon?' Adam thought.

Unable to answer his own question, and with his time limited, Adam continued his journey towards the depth of the valley.

Twenty minutes later, Adam came to a stop. His eyes lingered on a tree with gray leaves.

"Are you kidding me?" Adam muttered as he stared at the top of the tree.

He could see two Katanas fiercely striking each other. From Adam's position, he felt as if he was watching two samurais duke it out. However, these Katanas acted on their own free will.

[Establishing Connection to The Omen...]

[Connection Successfully Established.]

[Arranging Data...]

Name: Sakura.

Type: Katana.

Creator: Pyren.

Rank: C.

Omen Points needed for submission: 2.

"Sakura?" Adam muttered.

At that moment, he recalled what Vicar said to him when he entered Outworld.

"How much as Outworld influenced Earth?"

There was no way Adam could answer his own question.

He didn't care, though.

But, he couldn't stop himself from smiling as he read the last system message. He had always wondered purpose the Omen Points served.

"I don't discriminate, but I don't see myself using a Katana. Especially one name Sakura. There should be something better ahead."

Taking a second glance at the Katanas, Adam continued his journey.

Ten minutes later, chimes reached him, accompanied by the melody of singing birds. Tilting his head to the side, a golden luminescence assaulted Adam's eyes.

[Establishing Connection to The Omen...]

[Connection Successfully Established.]

[Arranging Data...]

Name: Subhūti.

Type: khakkhara.

Creator: Pyren.

Rank: B.

Omen Points needed for submission: 4.

As Adam stared at the dazzling prayer staff, he felt a strange form of longing. He couldn't explain the feeling, it felt as if it was something he had always yearned for.

"Adam!"

Adam snapped backed into reality as he heard the loud shout.

"Who is there? Show yourself!"

Silence greeted Adam's words.

'This staff is really dangerous. I almost lost myself by just looking at it. And, it is just a C ranked Weapon.'

With this thought in mind, Adam hurried away from the brilliant prayer staff. That a strange voice called his name still left him apprehensive.

Just as he took his twentieth step, he could hear loud drums akin to those from Norse folklore. Before he could determine the source of the sound, the leaves on the trees surrounding him rustled.

[Danger Detected]

[Establishing Connection to The Omen...]

[Connection Successfully Established.]

Just as the system's message appeared, Adam's eyes widened as an ernomous green python slithered from the surrounding trees.

It's eerie gray eyes stared at Adam for a second, before ignoring his presence. It covered the path it passed with mucus and a whitish-blue substance.

[Establishing Connection to The Omen...]

[Connection Successfully Established.]

[Arranging Data...]

Title: ???

Type: ???

Creator: Pyren.

Rank: E.

Omen Points needed for submission: 10.

Before Adam could react to the system's message, the whitish-blue substance on the ground morphed into a shapeless blob floating in midair.

'What the hell is that? Is this considered a weapon, too? How can it cost 10 Omen Points to subdue something that looks like a slime? A f.u.c.k.i.n.g level E weapon costs 10 Omen Points.'

Adam didn't know whether to approach the blob or not.

"What do you seek?"

Adam flinched as he heard another strange voice. Unlike the first voice which called his name, this voice sounded like that of an old man.

"Who is there? Show yourself!"

Adam's shout echoed into the distance.

"Do you seek power?"

Adam took a step back with his gaze falling on the floating blob.

'It couldn't be, right?' Adam thought.

"Do you seek vengeance?"

This time around, Adam knew the voice belonged to the floating blob, because it floated closer towards him.

"What are—"

"I've been searching for someone, anyone. One who would make it pay. Will it be you!"

Before Adam could react, the mass floated towards his body like a venomous snake. A split second later, it binded Adam's hands while slowly covering his arms.

[Danger Detected]

[Establishing Connection to The Omen...]

[Connection Successfully Established.]

"Unlock my limiters," Adam muttered.

At that moment, the whites in his eyes disappeared and darkness replaced them. His blue irises glowed like neon lights as he stared at his binded arms. A black patch stained the whitish-blue blob, and it slowly bubbled.

"Who are you? Why won't you let me use you? Why won't—"

"I don't want to hear your nonsense. Use the Omen Points. Subdue this bastard."

[Title: Dominator Activated]

The moment Adam finished his statement, a massive shockwave rocked Pyren's Valley. It uprooted several trees, flinging them through the air. Adam could see different strange beasts and weapons within the whirlwind of destruction. He too was flung into the air, his body moving around like a ragdoll.

"You?! You're not Human... Hahaha... This is wonderful. Finally, someone can wield me. Finally!"

At the center of the storm, Adam couldn't open his eyes. However, he noticed that the blob receded, but his hands remained binded.

[Omen Subjugation Completed]

The moment the system's message echoed. A thunderous explosion rocked the entirety of Varidan Academy. Sending the guards, students and teachers into a frenzy.

A massive shockwave moved upwards, however, a silver barrier blocked its path. A split second later, a crack formed on the barrier which spread to the entirety of Pyren's Valley.

At that moment, the blast tore through the barrier, rising into the skies. From the Cafeteria where Isabel and Madeline stood, students in the area could see it. Even Hendrix and the two beauties by his side could see it through his dorm window.

Arianna and several individuals who wore trenchcoats raced towards Pyren's Valley. Even Wallace who walked the slums of Dratol could see the explosion. Just like him, most people in Dratol stared in disbelief.

A few seconds after it appeared, the explosion disappeared. Not leaving even a waft of smoke. At that same moment, the only Grand Dungeon in Dratol; The Labyrinth of the Nameless had a red glow for a spilt second, before returning to its golden radiance.

Adam landed at the entrance of the valley, his bloodstained uniform had torn in multiple places and blood flowed from his mouth and nose.

[Subjugation Information]

Title: Cataclysm, Runed Blade of Delusions.

Type: Twin Battle Axe.

Creator: Pyren.

Rank: Omen Synced.

With his vision partially blurred, Adam saw two battle axes drop by his side. Four feet in length with a crisscrossing pattern etched on the blood-red handle; it had a obsidian black head.

Just as they appeared, a red glow covered them; and, Adam watched as the disappeared into thin air.

Name: Adam Staples.

Age: Seventeen.

Race: Human & Demonkin.

{Stats}

Constitution: 5. Agility: 10. Endurance: 12. Luck: 0.5

Dexterity: 12. Strength: 12. Charisma: 5.

{Skills}

Summoning.

Illusion Inducement.

{Title}

Manipulator.