Outworld: Awakening

'Oh. Adelaide? I wasn't expecting to hear from her.'

Adam's lips curved into a smile as he stared at the transmission crystal.

"Adelaide, it's been a while… what has that maniac been up to lately?" Adam said.

"I see you haven't changed much. That's good," Adelaide said.

Adam could hear her soft laughter through the crystal.

'That maniac doesn't deserve someone as calm as Adelaide. He would ruin her…'

Adam couldn't understand why someone like Adelaide served Vicar of all people, especially after enduring hell under his tutelage. In total contrast to the miserable memories he had with Vicar, he still remembered his short time with Adelaide fondly. After all, if she hadn't helped him back then, he would have been another mindless puppet of the demons.

"That reminds me. I heard you have no interest in controlling the guild. Why is that?" Adelaide asked.

"Too much work and I don't have any interest in managing a guild. It's best they continue to operate as usual. I'm okay being a ceremonial head. However, I may use their resources from time to time," Adam explained.

"Wow. Master was right. He already knew you would say that. As long as you're happy, then it's all right, I guess… By… nevermind. Master is here…"

Adam wore a slight frown as Adelaide's words trailed off.

'Who knows what this maniac will ask of me… maybe I shouldn't have contacted him just yet.'

Absorbed in his thoughts, a familiar voice filled Adam's ears, "Congratulations on merging with your second soul. I didn't expect you to succeed, at least not this early. Do you still have those nightmares?"

'Jesus. I hate this guy. That confirms it. This is a terrible idea. What was I thinking?'

Over the years, Adam had grown accustomed Vicar's snide and sarcastic remarks. However, he still hated it.

"To be honest, I wasn't expecting to you be alive either. Especially with that shitty personality of yours…" Adam retorted.

However, all he could hear from the other end was static.

'What's going on? Did he cut off the transmission?' Adam thought as he reached for the crystal.

Just then, Vicar's voice echoed again, "Did you say something? Don't bother answering. Knowing you, it was probably something irrelevant."

'This bastard did that intentionally. God. This was definitely a terrible idea.'

Adam's features distorted while he rained all manner of curses on Vicar in his mind.

"Now that the introductions are out of the way, I have three topics to discuss with you today. Firstly, are you still a rank E Awakened after merging with your second soul?"

'Why is this bastard asking something I'm sure he already knows? After spending all those years with him, does he really think I don't understand the extent of his reach?'

Although Adam mostly took part in harsh trainings with Vicar in the Wazar Canyons, he could determine the kind of person Vicar was from their minimal interaction and constant observation. Adam knew that Vicar wasn't the type to do anything or say something that he didn't have a firm grasp over.

"Pretending to be clueless doesn't suit you. I believe you already know the answer to that," Adam said.

"Oh? I guess there is hope for you, after all. All right, I will go straight to the point. What is your current rank? Think carefully before you answer, because it would determine—"

"I'm a ranked C Awakened," Adam interjected.

Silence greeted Adam's words. However, he was unperturbed. No matter how vast Vicar's influence reached, such a news would surprise him. If it was anyone else, he wouldn't reveal his true rank. Although he hated Vicar with every fiber of his being, if not for him, he wouldn't be alive.

"Adam, are you…"

Before Adelaide could finish her statement, her words trailed off. Adam could sense the disbelief in her voice and he was certain it was Vicar who prevented her from speaking further.

"I must admit, I'm pleasantly surprised. This changes everything. You have done well, Adam. You have done really well."

'Huh? Is this proud bastard actually praising me?' Adam smirked as he awaited Vicar's follow up.

"You're a lucky boy, Adam. I had no intentions of reaching out so soon, however, the events in Targarth has complicated a lot of things. Do you remember our deal?" Vicar asked.

"Of course. Why do you think I even bother to tell you anything?" Adam's brows creased as an unpleasant memory filled his mind.

"Good. We are working on finding the whereabouts of Korgrath. Like I told you before, I can't divulge anything to you until you become a member of our organization. And, to do that, you have to be deemed worthy by completing your missions. I must remind you again, Adam. It is likely you wouldn't survive all the missions. Even if you do, you won't remain the same again. With that said, your first mission has arrived. Will you accept it?"

"Since when did you become such a talkative Vicar? After everything that has happened, do you expect me to runaway to some countryside to live the rest of my miserable life? What good am I if I can't make that bastard pay for everything he did? Or, do you think I want to be a dog to some shady organization? Just make sure you guys keep your end of the bargain and I'd keep mine," Adam retorted.

'Even if I have to throw my life away, I will make sure Korgrath pays for everything he's done!'

For Adam it wasn't just about revenge. His intentions for Korgrath had transcend mere revenge. Finding Korgrath was the only reason he could wake up each morning and the sole purpose for his existence. He was the idiot who sold his soul, albeit ignorant of the implications, he was responsible for everything that followed. He would do anything to eliminate Korgrath, even if it meant swearing his allegiance to devils in the tenth layer of hell.

As he looked back on the events that brought him to his current predicament, darkness slowly covered his hands and the whites in his eyes turn black.

"Three months from today, you will receive details of your first mission—"

"Huh? Three months from now? I thought it would be sooner," Adam said.

"Let me finish. You're the reason the mission is being delayed. That's the second talking point of our discussion. You're not supposed to know this, but Varidan has intensified its surveillance on you. In a day or two, they will invite you to recount the events that occurred in the Valar Pits. You must clear Varidan's suspicions before you can proceed with the mission," Vicar explained.

'Huh? Why would they increase their surveillance on me? Did someone detect I'm an Omen Awakened? No. That shouldn't be possible…'

Adam didn't know how to react to the news. Although he knew someone had been tailing him since Arianna and Niamh interrogated him, he assumed it ended when he went for his first mission.

"Your silence tells me you're confused. Unfortunately, I won't go into specifics. But you have caught the attention of someone problematic. Why would you draw so much attention to yourself? Didn't you realize clearing missions from two dungeons above your rank would draw suspicion?"

Adam said nothing as he lowered his head. He knew his actions would draw attention, but it didn't expect it cause such a reaction from Varidan Academy. Although rare, it wasn't untold for lesser ranked Awakened to complete their missions.

After the mission in the Gido, he only wanted to complete another mission. However, he didn't expect Haider's words to trigger him into taking one of the most difficult missions in Targarth.

'I hate to admit it, but I think I overdid it,' Adam mused.

"There's no point scolding you for what's already done. I don't know what made you make those decisions, but I would recommend you don't draw attention to yourself from now on. Especially, if you want to join us. Is that clear?"

"Yeah. It won't happen again," Adam whispered.

He really hated being scolded by Vicar, but he knew he deserved it.

"Good. I'm surprised you haven't asked why I know this."

"Does it matter? It's not as if you'd tell me if I asked. So, what's the point? What's the last thing you wanted to talk about?" Adam asked.

'Knowing Vicar, he usually saves the most important topic for last. I wonder what's more important than Varidan increasing their surveillance on me?' Adam mused.

"Have you remembered how you triggered your first ability?" Vicar asked.

'This question again? How many times will I tell him I don't remember? Does he think I enjoy being asked the same question over and over?'

"I have told you repeatedly, I can't remember. You know I'm also searching for answers on what happened that day. Do you think I like to be in the dark on the origin of my ability?" Adam retorted.

"Adam, master left," Adelaide said.

"Son of a bitch…" Adam cursed under his breath.

"Adam, unless Varidan Towers believe you're a threat to the academy, they wouldn't take extreme measures to interrogate you. Please keep the transmission crystal safe, I will contact you ninety days from now. Goodbye."

Just then, the silver glow receded into the gray crystal. Adam remained seated with a scowl donning his face.

'Some important must have happened that day, but why can't I remember anything? It's as if some erased my memories… wait. Didn't Adelaide have an…'

A chill suddenly went down Adam's spine as a certain thought filled his mind.

'Why would they erase my memory? What warranted Vicar wanting me to never remember?'

Absorbed in his thoughts, the gray transmission crystal disappeared into Adam's inventory. A few minutes later, he exited the mysterious room.