Redy leaned back slightly.
"Right now," she said calmly, "the Family will probably believe a miracle was used on you."
Adam blinked.
"A miracle?"
Redy nodded.
"Yes. In their eyes, the only reason you could co back after dying is because a Saint personally intervened."
She folded her arms.
"And since miracles have a long cooldown, they’ll assu you’re extrely valuable to that Saint."
Adam listened quietly.
Redy continued.
"So they’ll step back for now."
"No matter how arrogant the Family can be, they still have limits."
"When they’re facing an equal power... they beco cautious."
Adam exhaled slowly.
Just by faking his death, they had convinced the enemy that a miracle had been used.
Even though the truth was nothing more than smoke and mirrors.
Adam looked at Redy.
"I think I need lessons in scheming."
Redy shrugged lightly.
"Don’t worry."
"I’ll handle the scheming."
"All you need to do is fight harder."
Adam didn’t know whether he should feel offended or relieved.
He decided not to argue.
Instead, another question surfaced.
"What about this Saint?"
"My ’master.’"
Adam hesitated slightly before continuing.
"How did you even et them?"
"And... is there anything I should know?"
What he really ant was simple.
Can I trust this Saint? Or
Do I need to sleep with one eye open?
Even though Adam could remove the Saint’s blessing through Equip, he still wanted to know whether the Saint would beco a future problem.
Redy answered imdiately.
"Don’t worry."
"That won’t happen."
Adam studied her face for a mont.
Then nodded.
He decided to trust her.
The room grew quiet.
Adam resud absorbing essence.
But after a few minutes, he noticed sothing.
Redy was still staring at him.
He opened one eye.
"What is it?"
Redy tilted her head slightly.
"Did you forget sothing?"
Adam frowned.
Forget what?
Then it hit him.
Before the launch event, he had said sothing.
Adam’s expression froze.
Right.
He had asked Redy to save him a dance.
Adam looked at her.
Redy looked back with calm, shining eyes.
For a mont, It almost looked like she might cry if he refused.
Adam didn’t believe that for even a second. But he still sighed and stood up before offering his hand.
Redy smiled at the gesture before taking it.
A soft lody suddenly filled the room.
Adam raised an eyebrow.
"You planned this?"
Redy only smiled wider.
She stepped closer, resting her head lightly against his shoulder.
And the two of them began to dance slowly in the quiet manor.
****
Adam opened his eyes slowly.
For a mont, he didn’t move since Redy was asleep on his chest.
Soti after they started dancing, she had gone to grab drinks so they could "enjoy the night."
Adam had quickly discovered sothing important.
He could not hold his liquor.
Especially not the kind Felecia usually drank.
Just rembering it made his head throb slightly.
Felecia is terrifying...
If she could drink that stuff regularly, then she really was built differently.
Adam carefully shifted.
Redy stirred faintly but didn’t wake.
He gently lifted her and laid her down on the couch.
For a mont, her brows knit together in a small frown.
Then her expression softened again as she continued sleeping.
Adam watched her for a second.
Then he quietly stood.
He headed to his room and grabbed a change of clothes before stepping into the bathroom.
A quick shower later and the lingering sll of alcohol was gone.
Adam dressed in fresh clothes and stepped back into the living room.
Redy was still asleep on the couch.
Adam grabbed a blanket and draped it carefully over her.
She shifted slightly under the warmth but didn’t wake.
Satisfied, Adam turned toward the door.
There were still things he needed to do tonight.
Or rather early this morning.
The sun hadn’t risen yet.
But that didn’t matter.
Adam activated Fake Skin.
His face shifted, muscles and features subtly reshaping until the familiar identity returned.
John Doe.
Next, essence surged through his body.
Rapid Charge.
Lightning crackled around him.
And in the next instant, Adam vanished from the manor.
****
Adam sped through the streets of Tristan.
Lightning flickered around his body as Rapid Charge pushed his speed to absurd levels.
A few minutes later, he slowed down and slipped into a quiet alley.
Adam adjusted his posture, straightened his clothes, and cald the residual essence in his body.
Then he stepped out onto the street like nothing unusual had happened.
Just another early morning in Tristan.
The Mission Hall stood at the end of the street.
Even from a distance, the building looked as imposing as ever.
Martial artists moved constantly through the entrance.
So arrived alone.
Others left in groups.
The place was already busy despite the early hour.
Adam walked toward the entrance.
After a quick identity check at the gate, he was allowed inside the compound.
The interior was just as lively.
Reception desks stretched across one side of the hall, each with a line of martial artists waiting to submit or receive missions.
Adam joined one of the lines.
He had co for two reasons.
First, to submit his mission from Infinite Worm Mountain.
Second, purchase new conduits.
He wanted to experint with Fuse and see how different conduits interacted with Judgent.
If he was lucky, he might discover a stronger combination.
Adam glanced at the line ahead of him.
It barely moved.
He sighed.
And I ca early to avoid the crowd.
Apparently, martial artists never slept.
While waiting, Adam noticed several large screens mounted on the hall’s pillars.
The TVs were broadcasting the morning news.
Many people around him had already turned their attention toward the screens.
Curious, Adam looked up as well.
His brow slowly rose.
"...Isn’t that ?"
****
"...Isn’t that ?"
Several people standing closest to Adam turned toward him when he spoke.
Their eyes swept over his face.
Then they looked back at the screen.
After a mont, they shook their heads and returned their attention to the broadcast.
No resemblance.
At least, none that they could see.
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