Outworld: Awakening

While Mikan and Dotson walked towards the farmhouse, Adam and X walked towards the opposite direction. Unlike Adam who had a relaxed look on his face, X couldn't hide her apprehension and curiosity. After she had forcefully taken Adam away, he hadn't said a word. In fact, he acted as if his previous display was nothing out of the ordinary.

"So…?" X said.

"Huh? So, what?" Adam asked, meeting X's probing gaze.

"Are you going to pretend that didn't just happen?"

"I don't know what you're talking about. I was only showing my devotion to the Bishop," Adam said, his lips curved into a faint smile as he stared into X's eyes.

"Bullshit! You think I would buy that crap?"

Unperturbed, Adam shrugged without saying a word. He really didn't care whether or not X believed him.

'With how controlling Igor and Bricteva are, I doubt they would be unaware that their lackey is here… but what relationship could they have with The Scavengers?'

"Hey? Don't Ignore me. Why did you—"

"Who was that guy with Bishop Mikan?" Adam interjected.

Instantly, X's countenance darkened. Not only did Adam refuse to answer her question, instead, he asked a question of his own.

'This brat thinks that little of me… I think it's time I gave him a piece of my mind.'

A sly smile slowly crept up X's lips, she turned her head to the side while nonchalantly staring at Adam.

"Even if I knew, why would I tell you that? Do you think—"

"X, you misunderstood me. I wasn't asking. That's an order. Protocol C is still in effect. You remember, right?" Adam said.

'This bastard! Damn it! Why did it have to be him of all people?'

X glared at Adam while struggling to control her rising temper. According to the instructions of the people she worked for, Protocol C made her the subordinate of anyone who activated the code word. Unlike X who knew the implications of the code word, Adam didn't really know the weight it carried, not that he cared, though. He only leveraged on it, because he didn't want X to continue nagging, and he also hoped she would have some useful information on Mikan and Dotson's relationship.

"Apart from that he visits the Bishop regularly, I know little about him," X said.

"Do you anyone by the name Igor or Bricteva?" Adam asked.

'Huh? Impossible! How does he know about them?'

X's eyes quivered slightly as she came to a halt.

"How do you know those names?"

Her countenance turned serious. Meanwhile, a smile bloomed on Adam's lips as he slowly waved his index finger.

"Remember, I'm the one asking the questions. How or whether I know is not important. Please go on," Adam said.

'F.u.c.k this guy! Who the hell is he to be acting so arrogantly?!'

X could barely control her anger as she glared at Adam, she hadn't pegged Adam to be the arrogant type when they met initially.

"They are our patrons in Dratol. Although, they haven't come here in the last few months. During their absence, the visits of the man walking beside the Bishop increased. Think what you may."

Saying nothing further, X charged ahead, brushing past Adam's right shoulder as she made her way deeper into the wheat plantation.

'What kind of business would they have with The Scavengers? Hmmm… the more I learn about the people around me, the more f.u.c.k.e.d up things turn out…'

"Hey! If you don't hurry, don't blame me if you get lost in the fog!"

Adam could see X flipping him the bird while muttering to herself.

'Why the hell did Vicar want me to bring her along? What could that bastard be planning this time around?'

With a wry smile covering his lips, Adam quickened his pace.

* * *

Thirty minutes later.

Adam and X stood before a depleted barn who had seen better days. Through its broken doors, Adam could see stacks of hay bales and several rusted farm tools. Just like the farmhouse, nothing stood out of the ordinary.

"Is this your first time seeing a barn? We don't have all day. Let's move."

Even before she completed her statement, X walked towards the barn. Adam, on the other had, could not stop himself from chuckling.

'It seems I have really pissed her off. She doesn't even bother to act friendly anymore. If my guess is correct, this barn should a front. The portal should become active once we cross the entrance.'

Following X's lead, the two of them walked towards the barn. As they crossed the entrance, Adam subconsciously closed his eyes, it helped him feel a little better before teleporting.

However, contrary to Adam's expectations, nothing happened.

"What the f.u.c.k are you doing?"

Out of the corners of her eyes, she noticed Adam closing his eyes as they walked into the barn. Although she was still angry with him, she couldn't hold her curiosity.

'Huh? Nothing happened? Then, how are we supposed to leave Dratol?'

Adam didn't bother to answer X's question, that a portal didn't activate plagued his mind.

"I don't know what nonsense your thinking about, but you have to stay focused from here on. Okay?"

"Sure, no problem. Ummm… why are we here?" Adam asked.

X smirked, but said nothing. Wasting no time, she walked towards the hay bales.

'What the hell is she…' Mid-thought, Adam's eyes bulged as X disappeared the moment she touched the hay.

Within seconds, he too, approached the same stack. The moment he touched it, he felt a numbing sensation course through his body. Suddenly, his vision turned blurry. A second later, he found himself in an underground cavern.

'Wow! Where is this?'

In front of him stood a serene green river surrounded by beautiful glistening crystals embedded into the walls of the cave. He could see hundreds of people who donned either the black or red robes of The Scavengers. Some glanced at him in passing, while others totally ignored him.

"How long do you plan on standing there? Our trip will take us several months, don't extend it further."

Looking over his shoulder, Adam could see X staring at him with a smug grin.

"So, what's this place?" Adam asked.

"We called it the Valley. Even if Dratol hadn't closed its borders, this is the only route for us. Here, no one can track or detect our presence." X explained.

"Wait. Do we trek underground or what?" Adam asked.

X's smug grin only widened as she said, "It's better you experience it yourself. Follow me."

Twirling like a little girl, X walked towards a rock formation just ahead. Curious, Adam followed behind, while staring at the different oddities in the cavern.

Five minutes later, they stood in front of strange rock formation comprising black and gray rocks.

"Rub your hands on the black rock. It will tell us where to go," X coolly said.

'I wonder if it will project a map or something…'

Curious and slightly apprehensive, Adam stretched towards the closest rock. With barely inches separating his fingers from touching the rock, an aged voice filled his ears, "Hey! Hey! Hey! What are you doing? Who gave you permission to touch me?"

Before Adam's eyes, the seemly plain rock shook slightly. A pair of purple crystal eyes and a large craggy appeared on the rock's surface.

'What the f.u.c.k? Is that... isn't that a golem?'

Adam retreated without a second. At that same moment, however, he could see all but one of the rock had opened their eyes. Just then, he noticed X's cheerful muffled laughter.

Turning his head to the side, he could see her clutching her stomach with her left hand while her right hand covered her mouth. She could barely maintain her standing posture, bending as tears fell from the sides of her eyes.

"You naughty child! You're still playing these pranks. How dare you tell him to touch me?"

The golem chided, however, X was too busy enjoying herself to be bothered with its words.

"… Ahahaha… Dhuglu, you were always complaining of being lonely, yet you reject someone willing to make you feel good… Hahahaha…"

X couldn't hold herself any longer, she crouched slightly as she laughed unabated. She didn't care that various gazes landed on her; she was too busy enjoying the fruits of her scheme.

Apart from Adam and Dhuglu, the other golems laughed in sync with X.

Adam, on the other hand, shifted his gaze towards the golem. Noticing the spot his hands would have touched earlier, his lips curved into a wry smile.

'She almost made my grope a f.u.c.k.i.n.g golem…'

Although he was the victim of the prank, he found it amusing. From her outward appearance, he wouldn't have pegged X to be a prankster.

"Brat, what the hell are you smiling for? I don't swing that way. What is wrong with you humans?"

Misunderstanding Adam's smile, Dhuglu couldn't hide his anger as he stared at Adam. His words only sent X into further hysteria. Unlike most living beings in Outworld, golems had the simplest minds, and the intricacies of certain situations could fly past them.

Meanwhile, Adam only stared in stunned silence. He believed Dhuglu would only misinterpret any explanation he gave.

'This has to be a record or something… who would have imagined that a golem would accuse me of being…'

Mid-thought, Adam suddenly heard X's voice, "Hahaha… don't be like that, Dhuglu? Do you want to grow old alone? Let him give you some good loving… Hahahaha…"

Adam didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Several Scavengers had gathered too, and most of them were laughing along with X and the golems. From the way they acted, Adam knew it wasn't the first time X had done something juvenile.

"Child, I will ban you from using the—"

"Dhuglu, I'm sorry. I'm sorry. It won't happen again. I promise," X pleaded, struggling to stop herself from laughing.

"That's what you said the last time, and the time before that. Why should I trust you this time?" Dhuglu retorted, glaring at X with obvious rage.

"I know… I know… but, I mean it this time. I won't do it again. I promise," X said, bowing slightly.

"Oh. Then, I forgive you…" Dhuglu said.

'Huh? Just like that? Bro, she's obviously lying…' Adam couldn't believe Dhuglu forgave X just like that.

As X raised her head, she had a mischievous smile on her face while her eyes gleamed like that of a criminal who had gotten away with the crime.

"So, Dhuglu, please open—"

"Before I do anything, this brat must apologize for having wicked thoughts about me," Dhuglu said, glaring intently at Adam.

"Huh? Me? You're kidding—"

Before Adam could finish his statement, X used her small and soft hands to cover his mouth.

"Hurry. Apologize. This guy may be simple-minded, but it also makes him obstinate. Apologize if you want us to leave here…" X whispered.

Adam's hands curled into a fist while he glared at X. If looks could kill, he would have killed her several times over.

Taking one deep breath to calm his rising anger, Adam walked two steps forward. He arched slightly, while saying, "I-I apologize for having wicked thoughts about you…"

"Pfttt…"

X covered her mouth instantly as she noticed Adam's bloodshot gaze. However, she continued to laugh while using her hands to cover her face.

"Good. I forgive you. Now, where are you headed?" Dhuglu's gaze softened.

"Dhuglu, we need to leave Dratol, please open a path close to Vihir," X said.

She spoke in a low voice, while trying to suppress her urge to laugh.

"Hmmm… Vihir… All right. Based on your ranks, I've chosen a path that suits you. Please proceed."

At that moment, Adam noticed the only normal rock among the golems rumbled. A split second later, a crack split the rock into two halves, revealing a fairly dark tunnel.

"That's us. Let's move," X whispered as she noticed Adam scrutinizing the passage.

Locking Adam's arms with hers, they took hurried steps into the passage. A few seconds later, both halves of the rock slammed shut, and Dhuglu and the other golems once again closed their eyes.

* * *

"So, are you going to explain what this is and where it leads to?" Adam asked.

Over twenty minutes had gone by since they entered the tunnel, yet all they could see was the same smooth walls of the passage.

"Oh? I thought you weren't talking to me," X teased, grinning as she met Adam's gaze.

The only source of illumination in the tunnel was a black box which emitted a yellow glow. It was the same box she brought to Adam's room the previous day.

"There's nothing special about this place… we call it the bridge. You might not know this, but most dungeons are connected with each other. Traveling between dungeons is easy if you know the right path to take. With the notoriety of The Scavengers, we have to be extra careful with our movements," X explained.

'There was something like that?'

From what he had studied in Varidan and the information he got from Igor, he hadn't heard anything about a bridge between dungeons.

"Let me get this clear, we would enter various dungeons until we arrive in Vihir. Is that correct?"

"Bingo! For your prize, you get to spend the next few months with a goddess like me," X teased, grinning from ear to ear.

'This could be bad, especially with that stupid Title…'

"Don't worry, we only need to pass through one dungeon. Once we are out of Dratol, we can take a flying ship to Vihir. It would take several months if we had to pass through various dungeons to get there. I don't know about you, but I would rather take the quicker route."

Absorbed in his thoughts, X suddenly dr.a.p.ed her arm around Adam's neck, "Are you even listening to me?"

"Get off."

With a second delay, Adam pushed X's arm away. However, she only laughed it off.

"Why the long face? Are you still pissed off with what—"

"How fast can you run?"

"Huh? What do you mean?" X asked, pausing in her tracks.

"Don't worry, you will find out soon."

Adam had a smug grin as the light bounced off his face. Saying nothing further, he continued walking.

'Damn it. I know that look… what is he planning?'

"Hey! I'm sorry, okay? You don't have to take my joke seriously. Hey?! Wait for me…"

Since Adam didn't bother to halt his steps, X chased after him while apologizing for the earlier incident.