Chapter 117 Interesting [3]

Chapter 117 Interesting [3]

The Evenus Household was unusually quiet. With servants running all over the place to hold ceremonies for nearby noble houses, the estate was usually busy.

Today, however, things were different.

In a highly decorated room within the estate.?A man stood with his arms crossed while staring at the projection in front of him.

"....."

He stood in silence as he watched the scene in front of him replay over and over again.

Whenever the scene would end, he would bring his hand forward and shift the video back so he could watch it again.

It was a broadcast that had swept the entire Empire. Originally, Aldric wasn't interested. There were many things that he needed to take care of.

However, curiosity still got the better of him and he ended up getting a subscription for the event.

Aldric was curious about something.

His son, Julien.

Had he really changed as the reports suggested?

"....."

In the end, he ended up witnessing something that he hadn't expected to see.

"....Was he hiding his abilities?"

He watched as his son, Julien, completely took over the entire event with his abilities. The two of them had a slight resemblance with each other, but staring at the figure in the middle of the projection, Aldric didn't feel any of those familiarities he once used to feel.

Rather, he looked foreign to him.

Was this really his son?

"Father."

A figure appeared beside Aldric. It was Linus. His second child. He too was staring at the projection with a frown.

"That's Julien, isn't it?"

".....Yes."

"Has he always been this capable?"

"...No."

"Do you think it's possible that he improved so much after joining Haven? No, even then, he is the Black Star. He's been outstanding ever since his entrance, hasn't he?"

"He has..."

Aldric turned his head to stare at his second son.

Where was he getting with this?

"....."

Without saying anything, Linus turned his head and their gazes met. Just slightly, Aldric noticed something peculiar in his second's son expression.

However, he couldn't quite tell what it was.

"Do you think he's been hiding something from us? No matter how you look at it, that seems to be the case."

"....."

At his words, Aldric remained silent.

He couldn't deny his son's words. There was certainly something about Julien that didn't make sense.

"He must've had his reasons."

"Which are?"

".....I don't know."

"Ha."

Linus scoffed slightly. He found the situation ridiculous. Aldric on the other hand, remained silent while looking back at the projection.

"You don't have to worry about it too much."

"Why?"

Aldric didn't respond immediately.

Rather, he swiped his hand and replayed the video again. This time, he didn't focus his attention on Julien but a figure at the back.

With dull gray eyes, he stood motionless as Julien took the spotlight.

Raising his hand, he pointed it towards the projection.

"....Because of him."

***

"So they've all died...?"

In a quiet room outside of his office, Atlas leaned against the wall as he talked to the air.

"....Not even one survivor?"

—No.

A soft voice replied to his left.

"I see."

Atlas closed his eyes to absorb the information. One lower seat and several Fiend ranks had been sent to delay Delilah. The goal had been to delay her for as long as possible, which should've been possible given the strength of the group.

However, things took an unexpected turn.

"How did she do it?"

It had to be noted that the ones sent weren't just random people that the organization had sent. They were extremely powerful people.

Their loss was a pretty severe blow to them.

—I am not entirely sure. However, from what I was able to gather, she used a domain.

"A domain?"

Atlas frowned. A domain was something that anyone who reached Tier 5 would be able to create. It was usually something that most individuals would keep a secret since it was a sort of trump card.

That being said...

"...Have you gotten any information on what her domain does? I'm still struggling to comprehend the situation."

The fact that so many strong people had died was a big deal. Especially when it only took her four to five hours to do so.

Was her domain really that powerful?

—From what I'm gathering through the memory fragments of those who died, her domain is an entirely different world that absorbs the energy of anyone who is inside. I believe she's capable of absorbing their energy and making it into her own.

"Is that so...?"

—So far, yes. We're still looking into it.

: Progress - 0%

Kiera Mylne : Slumber

: Progress - 9%

Evelyn J. Verlice : Slumber

: Progress - 0%

A new notification appeared. One that I easily dismissed as I struggled to help myself up.

'How long have I been out for?'

".....!"

It was at that moment that I spotted a figure sitting down on the couch on the opposite end, and I froze.

He was staring at me with an interested look.

'When did he get here...?!'

I was so sure that I had been the only person in the room just a few moments ago.

How was he here?

"The more I look at you, the more interesting you become in my eyes."

His gentle and clear voice echoed within the room. As his golden pupils stared at me, he cocked his head slightly.

"I was just outside when I noticed something irregular coming from your body. I thought something had gone wrong and came to check on you, but..."

He lowered his head to scan my body up and down.

"Do you know how surprised I was to see your strength suddenly jump up out of nowhere?"

Atlas appeared just before me.

Before I even had the chance to say anything, he went on to grasp my hand.

I wanted to take it back, but as if I had lost all energy from my body, I found myself unable to resist.

"....."

I stared at him with bated breath.

I could practically feel the beat of my heart drum loudly inside of my mind. Anxiety was starting to creep within me. Did he find something out? Is he...

He eventually let go of my wrist before muttering,

"....So interesting."

Interesting?

What did he find out?

"You have an interesting constitution."

"....?"

"While your injuries are still present, you were able to absorb some of the medical properties of the pill. It's because of that reason that you were able to become stronger. From what I can tell, you're halfway into becoming Tier 3. That's a considerable jump. Not bad."

The fuck is this guy...

'Ah.'

Then I understood.

'....He's misunderstanding the reason for why my strength increased.'

He didn't find anything about the 'quest' or the fact that there was anything wrong with me. That I wasn't the real Julien.

I took the opportunity to roll with the misunderstanding.

"Thank you."

"Hmm, there's no need to thank me for something you were born with. You can however thank me for saving you."

"....."

I remained quiet at that.

"Oh?"

His brow raised as he turned to look at me.

"Not even a word of thanks? It seems like you're taking my abilities for granted."

"...."

I again said nothing.

However, as if understanding what I meant, he leaned back on his chair.

"You were lucky."

Raising his hand, he pulled his black glove down while clenching his hand at the same time.

"Orphion isn't a drug that is designed for human consumption. It was originally designed for the boss monster in the labyrinth. The fact that you were able to withstand so much energy is itself a miracle."

Closing his hand into a fist, the leather glove squeaked slightly as he turned his attention back to me.

"....The only reason you were able to survive is because of me. Besides Delilah, there aren't many people that are capable of taking out that much energy from you. But I bet you knew that."

He suddenly smiled.

"Is that why you took the drug?"

"....Yes."

I nodded then.

I wasn't carrying on with the misunderstanding this time.

It was the truth.

The reason why I took the drug while knowing the consequences that would come from taking it was because I was certain he would heal me.

I knew my worth.

.....And so, I used it.

Them.

"Ha."

With a soft laugh, Atlas covered his mouth with his curled index finger. He seemed to be trying to hide his smile.

I just sat there in silence and waited for him to say something.

Eventually, he did.

....And his next words stunned me.

"It seems like we need to consider upgrading your potential within the organization."