Chapter 138: Aura

Fall Hill Prison was divided into several zones, much like any prison. However, in Fall Hill Prison it wasn't to keep the prisoners in one place, it was for a different reason.

Everyone who entered Fall Hill Prison went straight to the F-Zone, as did Adam. It was the first zone where the most people stayed.

It wasn't about what kind of crime the Phantom was committing, it was about how far he could get....

The first test for each prisoner was the main gate - which Adam approached, accompanied by Lola.

"Please. Put your hand on the gate and be ready. This may be unexpected, as everyone knows a newcomer is coming soon." Lola smiled sweetly before taking a step back. She had been on the same level with Adam before, but now she decided to make way for him.

Adam paid no mind to such a gesture and simply touched the gate.

With a loud crack, the gate slowly opened, releasing a bright, snow-white light that blinded Adam for a moment.

Then, before the light passed, Adam stepped forward, and crossed the gate line, entering the F-Zone.

Tremble. Tremble. Tremble.

As soon as Adam's foot touched the ground, a tremendous pressure came down on him. He had experienced this before when fighting against Steel Knight or Mirna, but it was different.

The Steel Knight's aura was emanating from him and exerting a general pressure on Adam as well as everything around him, but now dozens of origins were directed solely at Adam.

Various auras, of different powers descended upon Adam, gradually increasing in intensity.

First, a slight shiver went down Adam's body, then a chill down his back, and soon, his fingertips began to tremble. His condition was getting worse with each passing second.

"Well, well, he's doing well. A lot of newbies would have passed out already at this point." A mysterious voice boomed out, spreading throughout the room.

"Hah, that's only part of it. Sooner or later, he won't be able to stand it and will fall, it's inevitable." A caustic voice rang out.

At the same moment, the pressure on Adam increased to the point where he fell to one knee, and everything in front of his eyes went black.

"ARGH!!!!" Adam spat out a mouthful of blood, feeling his skin ready to tear, his bones to break, and his mind to sink into darkness for hours.

Adam hadn't expected such a reception but quickly realized what he needed to do.

If he was being suppressed by other people's auras, then he had to use his own!

Tremble. Tremble. Tremble.

Adam clenched his teeth tightly as his pupils narrowed. His Evolution Tree trembled, and an aura began to emanate from it.

The prisoners turned around, looking at the warden of their prison, Prago Avino, and the only K2-Phantom in this remarkable place.

His gaze and Adam's met, showing only disdain and slight contempt.

"Come to greet me in person?" Adam narrowed his eyes, "What's next? Attacking K1-Phantom? On an F-Zone prisoner?"

Prago smirked.

"Hah, looks like you're starting to understand how this prison works, right? If it were up to me, though, you wouldn't have any special areas or facilities. You're lucky Azure Lotus isn't the main organization in the Citadel, yet..." Prago's voice grew harsher at the last words.

Then, his gaze drifted to the confident Adam.

"I came here to show you that you shouldn't get cocky. You were able to withstand the aura attack of these F-Zone scum, nothing to be proud of. However... most can't even handle that."

Prago took a deep breath.

"Since this is your first time here, let me give you some advice - 'Stay in the F-Zone and spend your six months comfortably, otherwise there's only pain and suffering waiting for you.' Well, to make you believe me, I'll demonstrate." Prago shrugged before his pupils narrowed slightly.

Tremble. Tremble. Tremble.

In a heartbeat, another aura descended upon Adam. This time, there was only one source - it came from Prago, who stood calmly in the distance.

Moreover, Prago's aura had a distinct shape and wasn't something as simple as a stream, sphere, or blade, like the prisoners who had attacked Adam before.

Prago's aura had the silhouette of a monster - with long arms woven from dozens of roots, crooked fingers with dead petals, and a strange head. The monster had no face - just two ghastly flowers instead of eyes and a horrible jaw that struggled to open as if tearing its own flesh - all to sink its fangs into its victim.

Before Adam could realize it, the monster swung its paws upward, tearing Adam's aura apart effortlessly.

Blobs of white-hot flame quickly dissipated while a new layer of aura strived to protect Adam, but it was too late.

The monster thrust its paws into Adam's stomach, opening its mouth wide as if roaring.

At the same moment, Adam fell to the ground, as a stream of blood gushed from his mouth.

It was only Prago's aura and not the real monster, so neither Adam's body nor his clothes were harmed. The monster's claws were only a representation of how Prago's aura crushed Adam, breaking him under tremendous pressure.

Adam's mind quickly clouded over, and only darkness filled his eyes.

Then, the tips of his Evolution Tree trembled, releasing white sparks as if trying to create something above the Evolution Tree in Adam's space, but... he wasn't ready for it, yet.

In Fall Hill Prison, he either had to waste six months of his life or learn what the Phantoms were capable of when there were no monsters around, only humans.