Outworld: Awakening

For a long while, Adam remained silent as he gathered his thoughts. X's words shook him to the core, especially when she mentioned The Scavengers were de facto ran by believers of a demon. X, on the other hand, said nothing further. She knew fully well that her statements were overwhelming. She stared at Adam in silence, occasionally fiddling with her hair, or glancing at the bathroom ahead.

Ten minutes later, Adam snapped out of his pondering state. An indiscernible gleam covered his eyes as he met X's gaze. Before she could comprehend why Adam stared at her so passionately, she heard his voice, "Tell me. Have you heard of a demon by the name Korgrath?" Adam asked.

"Korgrath? No." X said, slowly shaking her head.

"Is that the name of a Èṣù or a Demonkin?"

X couldn't mask her curiosity. From the manner in which Adam mentioned the name, she could infer it was a name that held some significance to him.

"If you don't know, then don't worry. Let's talk about the mission," Adam said.

X bit her lower lip while curling her hands into a fist. She glared at Adam, however, he continued to look her nonchalantly. He had absolutely no intention of telling her about his history with Korgrath.

"How could you do this? I thought we were bonding?" X said, pouting as she crossed her arms around her c.h.e.s.t.

'Bonding? Is this lady crazy or something? Does she think I would be here if I had a choice?'

Adam scoffed at X's words, however, he said nothing further. He couldn't be bothered to waste his time on her.

With her words and posture not affecting Adam, X sighed while removing a small amulet from the c.h.e.s.t region of her robes.

"Here," X said, tossing the amulet towards Adam.

Instinctively, Adam caught the beetle-shaped amulet.

"I was told to give this to the person who didn't wear the mask," X said in a low voice.

That Adam left her hanging still played on her mind.

'Huh? How did that maniac know I wouldn't use the mask?'

X's words only deepened Adam's curiosity for Vicar's true identity. He didn't understand who Vicar could roughly predict matters relating to him. Absorbed in his thoughts, Adam pressed hard on the amulet. At that moment, it pricked his fingers. The moment his blood coated the amulet, a brilliant blue glow filled the room.

[Starting Identification…]

[Identity Confirmed!]

Name: Candidate 8

{Mission Objectives}

- Become an Archbishop of The Scavengers.

{Time frame}

- None.

Adam's eyes bulged as he read the mission's objectives. Within seconds, rage distorted his features.

'Why does he look so angry? From his reaction, it doesn't look like they gave him an easy mission… well, I already warned him.'

Just as this thought flashed through X's mind, Adam's fervent gaze landed on her.

"W-What? Why are you staring at me like that?"

X slowly adjusted her cloak while increasing the distance between herself and Adam. She had seen that look a lot of times, and nothing good came from it.

"What's your rank here?" Adam asked, not bothered with X's thoughts.

"Huh? What does that have to do with anything?" X retorted.

From her point of view, Adam's question and the look in his eyes didn't correlate. She further distanced herself from Adam.

"Let me rephrase my question. If I wanted to be the Pope of The Scavengers or a Cardinal, and so on… what would I need to do and how long would it take?" Adam asked.

Since he didn't know whether or not he could trust X, he took the roundabout method in asking her about his true objectives.

'Is he insane? Does he even know what he's asking? Who in their right mind would want to climb up the ranks in The Scavengers of all places? This kid might really be a true pyscho…'

X's brows creased as she stared at Adam. The manner in which he looked at him had done a complete turnaround. Adam noticed, however, he wasn't in the mood to pick her thoughts.

'Calm down. Let's just tell him and get out of here…'

Taking quick breaths to calm her thumping heart, X returned to the side of the bed. Not bothering to hide her disgust, she stared into Adam's eyes as she said, "I won't say this a second time, but I would advise you not to have aspirations of climbing the ranks. You still have a choice. Run and don't look back. You can—"

"Thanks for the heads up, but I have no intention of going anywhere. Please answer the question," Adam interjected.

'Do you expect me to take your advice? Who knows if that bastard Vicar put you up to it. I rather take my chances in a situation I can control…'

Reclining on his chair, Adam gestured for X to continue. Although he could see she was a little angry, he didn't care.

"Well, I tried to warn you. I have been a Scavenger since I was ten. In two years, I will be eligible to become a Bishop," X said.

Adam's eyes quivered as he heard X's words. Although he didn't know her age or the rank of her Blessing, that is, if she wasn't an Omen Awakened or one that used the elixirs, he knew she wasn't older than him by much. From facial features, he believed she was only in her early twenties or late teens. It meant she had spent a minimum of nine years as a Scavenger.

"My case is different though. A few who entered the same time with me are now Bishops and Archbishops. In any organization, especially one that comprise Awakened, the rank of the Awakened would always determine their status." X suddenly stopped as she reached for her inner pockets again.

This time she retrieved a small parchment secured with green wax seal.

"I was told to hand this over to you once you have received the amulet, and if you wanted to know the hierarchy of The Scavengers," X said, handing the letter to a stunned Adam.

'Vicar either has someone who can predict the future, or he has planned for every decision I would make…'

"The contents of the parchment would only become visible once you place the amulet on the seal."

X wondered why Adam had a daze expression as he stared at the parchment.

Following X's orders, Adam placed the amulet on the seal. Just then, the parchment turned blue, before morphing into a sealed envelope. Wasting no time, Adam tore through the envelope, revealing a letter.

'Adam, if you're reading this, it means you haven't died yet. I guess that's an achievement on your part. Congratulations on passing the first test of The Scavengers. Who would have thought the weakling of those years would become a Priest? Do well to become an Archbishop soon. With that said, here is the hierarchy of the Scavengers.

Rank: Pope.

Rank Requirements: S.

Note: Chosen by the 171 Cardinals.

Status: Crucial.

Rank: Cardinal.

Rank Requirements: A/B.

Note: Chosen by the Pope. The Pope chooses only those who meet the rank requirements.

Status: Integral.

Rank: Archbishop.

Rank Requirements: B.

Note: Ordained by the Cardinals. Only Bishops who meet the rank requirements would attain the rank.

Status: Important.

Rank: Bishop.

Rank Requirements: C.

Note: Ordained by the Archbishops. They choose only those who meet the rank requirements.

Status: Easily disposable.

Rank: Priest.

Rank Requirements: D/E.

Note: Ordained by the Bishops. Only Awakened can become Priests.

Status: Very disposable.

Rank: Deacon.

Rank Requirements: None.

Note: Not worth mentioning.

Status: Not worth mentioning.

Finally, instead of the regular mission assigned to Priests, we have chosen a special one for your development. The details of the mission is in the amulet you received as a replacement for Varidan's. It should be accessible now. This letter will explode when the paper turns red.'

With a flick of his wrist, Adam tossed the paper to the side. He didn't know whether to laugh or cry as he read the letter. Apart from the information on the farmhouse, he didn't know that the amulet had some parts he couldn't access. Two seconds later, the paper turned red, and a small flame turned it to ash.

Under X's curious gaze, she watched as Adam removed the blood red amulet from his pocket. Within seconds, his thumb pressed on its smooth surface.

Just them, X watched as Adam's countenance darkened. With rage visible in his eyes.

'What is it this time? Well, it's none of my business, I'm almost done here.'

Just as this thought floated in X's mind, Adam once again diverted his attention towards her.

"According to what you said earlier, your rank will change to C in two years, is that right?"

Saying nothing, X slowly nodded.

"Did you start from being a Deacon?"

Once again, X nodded without saying a word. Although she didn't know why, she believed Adam already knew the answers to the questions.

"When did you start taking the elixirs?" Adam asked.

This time, however, X neither responded nor reacted.

"When did you start taking the elixirs?" Adam asked again, his voice firmer than before.

"Nine years ago…" X muttered under her breath.

She lowered her head not daring to meet Adam's gaze.

"Then, how long do you have to live?"

X suddenly raised her head, staring at Adam in disbelief.

'I thought he knew nothing about the elixirs? How could he know about the side effects? They probably mentioned it in the letter… yes. That's it.'

"I-I don't know… but, it doesn't really matter. It might happen soon, or might happen thirty years from now. I don't care. It's not like I have a life worth living in the first place," X said.

Despite putting up an unfazed front, Adam could see the sadness in her eyes. However, it wasn't his place to say anything.

"Well, I really hope it doesn't happen soon," Adam said.

"Huh? What do you mean?" X asked, her brows furrowed as she had a suspicious gleam in her eyes.

They had only known each other for a few minutes; it wasn't enough for him to have empathy for her. Especially when she remembered how ruthless the organization was.

Adam, on the other hand, said nothing further.

'Is this brat messing with me? Is it because I have been too friendly?'

X glared at Adam as she rose to her feet.

"What do you mean by—?"

"Keep your voice down. Don't bother yourself with travesties. You have been activated. Enact Protocol C."

Shock replaced the anger on X's face. Her lips trembled as she struggled to speak, while her hands subconsciously shook.

"W-What's the mission," X asked, calming her thumping heart.

With a sardonic smile on his face, Adam rose to his feet. As he locked gazes with X, he said, "We are to report to Marblis, in Vihir. Someone would deliver the details of the mission at the Nuhlum Tombs."

X's mouth opened wide as she plummeted on the bed. Tears gathered at the sides of her eyes, however, she said nothing. Just then, Adam could see flashes of blue from her robes.

'Transmission crystal?'

Wasting no time, X removed the transmission crystal from robes. Within seconds, a rough voice with a heavy accent echoed, "Greetings, Priests. The temple of Lord Jolran have sent the details of your mission. You will use the name Ulric and Uri until the completion of your mission. Prepare yourselves. You depart for Vihir at dawn."

With that, the gleaming crystal returned to normal, and silence enveloped the room.

Unlike X who had a multitude of thoughts plaguing her mind, the extent of Vicar's reach only further made Adam curious and terrified of the organization behind him.

* * *

Dawn, the next day.

Thick fog covered the length of the wheat farm, and one could occasionally hear the howling winds and the clanking of rusted metal striking each other. Within the mist, Adam and X walked in light steps without sharing a word. They both wore matching all black robes provided by The scavengers.

Unlike the previous night, X had recovered from her melancholic state of mind.

"How do we plan on leaving? Flying ship, land or sea?" Adam asked.

"After the terrorist attacks of last night, Dratol's borders are temporarily closed. We will have to improvise… don't ask too much questions. We have something panned for a situation like this," X said.

Without waiting for Adam to retort, she increased her pace.

'What's wrong with her this morning? Is this how—? Huh?'

Adam came to a sudden stop as he saw two people coming from the distance. Just like him, X stopped too, but only for a moment. She gave a bow, but continued walking.

Adam, on the other hand, couldn't believe his eyes. The two men were people he met the previous night, on the right was Mikan the limping Bishop, while on the right was someone Adam only saw in passing, Dotson.

"What are you looking at?!"

Adam came back to reality as he heard Dotson's voice. He had a stern look on his face as he scrutinized Adam's features. He had noticed Adam staring at him and Mikan earlier. Although he didn't know why, he didn't like the look in Adam's eyes. Naturally, with manipulator active, Dotson didn't recognize Adam.

X who had walked ahead of Adam earlier also heard Dotson's shout. Wasting no time, she made her way back in hurried steps.

"I stand before he who ordained filth like me! I'm not worthy! I'm not worthy! In the presence of he who has seen the light. I'm not worthy! I'm not worthy! He who has basked in the glory of Lord Jolran. Oh. I'm not worthy! I'm worthy!"

Adam prostrated before Mikan while his shouts echoed in all directions.

Earlier, Mikan had wondered if Dotson knew Adam. However, with Adam's display, he believed he was just another ardent believer.

"Lord Jolran shall see your benevolence and guide you into the path of light. Depart, chosen one. Spread the wonders of Lord Jolran, that all may bask in his light," Mikan said.

Saying nothing further, Mikan and Dotson continued walking towards the farmhouse. Meanwhile, Adam continued shouting words of praise while laying on the ground. A few seconds later, X forcefully carried him away.

"Why do you keep look at him, do you know him from somewhere?" Mikan asked.

He had caught Dotson glancing over his shoulder several times.

"I'm not sure. But, I don't have a good feeling about him. Who is he?"

"A newly ordained priest. He's no one special. Don't worry about him," Mikan said as he patted Dotson on his shoulder.

"I don't know why, but I feel something isn't right with—"

"Here we go again. You and your strange feelings. You know what, I will contact the branch in Vihir. I will tell them to enlisting him as a material. That should lessen your worries, right?"

Dotson slowly nodded his head and his visage visibly softened.

"Hahaha… that's more like it. How's Igor, Bricteva and Decker? Unlike you guys, I get to live in his dump."

"Brother, let's talk inside. We don't know how maybe listening," Dotson advised, sporting a cheerful smile.

Saying nothing further, the duo continued their walked towards the farmhouse.