Chapter 787 Confrontation [Pt 3]

Chapter 787 Confrontation [Pt 3]

"Adonis..."

Rey's tone was low, but intentionally heavy. He tried to be as calm and friendly with Adonis, not resorting to harsher methods to get the information he wanted, but... the Hero wasn't cooperating at all.

'I'm sure he knows what he's doing, but if there's a chance it would affect my mission, then it's important I find out what it is.'

Besides, ever since he met Adonis, Rey hadn't stopped thinking about how useful he would be to his current objective. However, he couldn't bring him on board yet.

... Not until he knew Adonis' true motives.

"Look, Rey... I won't ask any questions about you. I won't ask how you got so strong... how you were able to hide your power for so long... or even why you're here. None of those things matter to me now." Adonis said this in such a serious, detached manner that Rey had to wonder if this was truly the guy he knew.

Not only did he lack that glow of optimism and compassion that usually filled his eyes, but he was cold—too cold for Adonis.

Perhaps this was his true self all along, and Rey had merely gotten used to a facade.

Either way... the confrontation was jarring.

"It's best if we go about our individual activities like we don't know each other. I won't trouble you, so I'd really appreciate it if you didn't bother me."

"Bother... you?"

The boy in front of him was truly Adonis, but something had definitely happened to him—something that changed him.

For a moment after these words echoed in the air, no one spoke.

The two simply stared.

Then—

"I'd assume that that Luc'ia Dragon you came with is also an ally. She's Lucielle, isn't she?"

"Yeah." Rey responded nearly half-hartedly.

Adonis didn't even look Rey in the eyes as he spoke. Instead, he just rose to his feet and bowed his head, not wasting any time to walk towards the door.

'He's just going to walk away? For real...?'

Rey had two options at that point—both of which involved stopping Adonis from leaving—but he already knew the one he was going to go with.

"Wait!" Raising his voice, he also stood from his bed.

As soon as he heard this, Adonis came to a grinding halt. He didn't turn back to look at Rey, neither did he display any sign of a change of heart. Chances were that he would only stand there for a few more seconds before leaving.

But those few seconds were all that Rey needed.

"I... I just don't understand." Rey muttered, looking at the back of the same boy he admired for a long time. "I don't understand why you would abandon everything and everyone."

One of the reasons why he changed his perspective on life and people in general was due to Adonis. The latter was always so selfless, considerate, and confident—and he helped everyone, no matter the cost.

Rey didn't have that kind of selfless side to him, but he always felt inspired by the act of empathy and kindness that Adonis displayed.

—The responsibility that came with having power.

Yet... it seemed like none of that was even present in the boy he was staring at.

"Look, man, I'm sorry... okay? I apologize for keeping things from you, and from everyone. I had various reasons for doing it, but those are all excuses at this point. I take responsibility for my mistakes, but I recognize the hurt and harm I caused everyone... including you. So, I'm sorry."

Despite pouring his heart out apologizing, Adonis merely smiled at Rey and slightly shook his head.

"It's fine, Rey. None of that matters now..."

His calm, casual manner of addressing these heavy issues bothered Rey to no end. There was no passion or attachment to his words—just pure disinterest.

"Why..." At this point, Rey began to clench his fist and grit his teeth. "Why are you being like this?"

His emotions were on a rollercoaster, jumping up and down as he stared at Adonis with an intense gaze.

"When did you become this way?"