The slip of paper revealed multiple tasks, with the first objective being to eliminate the observation area's executors.
Adam retrieved his pen, checked off the first task, and returned the paper to his pocket.
"Now, I must neutralize the patrol team," Adam thought.
Activating his God's Eye within the observation room, Adam located the patrol team's positions.
He spotted a patrol member outside the second-string dorm. On the other side, another member was patrolling near Central Asia.
Further scanning revealed a third member outside the lab.
The fourth patrol team member was stationed outside the trainers' dorm.
[11.59 seconds remaining…]
Adam knew he had to hurry. Neutralizing the observation area's executors wouldn't guarantee complete safety, as trainers and executives in the administrative area would soon sense something amiss.
Scene outside Central Asia:
The corridor outside Central Asia was dimly lit, with a Zero String trainee patrolling, sword in hand.
Having performed this duty for two years, it had become routine. With no past abnormalities, his vigilance had waned.
But it's said that when you least expect it, the unexpected occurs.
[11.55 seconds remaining…]
A shadow emerged behind the Zero String Trainee, and in an instant, the trainee's neck was severed from his body.
This shadow was none other than Adam. Spotting the patrolling trainee outside Central Asia, Adam teleported behind him and eliminated him with a swift slash.
[11.50 seconds remaining…]
Adam vanished, leaving the lifeless Zero String Trainee to crumple to the ground.
Scene outside the lab:
The Zero String Trainee whistled as he strolled along, then his neck was swiftly severed by a gleaming metal.
[11.53 seconds remaining…]
Scene outside the second-string training dorm:
As the Zero String Trainer emerged, a shadow materialized before him. A shining, razor-sharp metal pierced his forehead, ending his life instantly.
[11.50 seconds remaining…]
Scene outside the trainers' dorm
The Zero String Trainee took a step forward when suddenly, an attacker struck from behind, severing his head from his body.
[11.48 seconds remaining…]
Zara's Trainer Room
Zara, until now asleep, jolted awake. His instincts, honed from years of experience, alerted him to trouble.
Zara sat up in bed, uneasy. "Why do I feel like something's off?"
He rose from bed and approached the room's table, opening the drawer to retrieve his knife.
[11.40 seconds remaining…]
Zara grasped the knife tightly and swiftly swung it behind him.
A black shadow materialized behind Zara as he swung the knife.
The blade barely missed the shadow, striking air.
However:
The knife's swift passage revealed Adam's presence; the blade had grazed his ear.
Adam's eyes locked onto Zara.
Adam's Perspective
Adam activated God's Eye outside the trainer dorm, seeing Zara awake.
[Host Skill Active: God's Eye]
Adam knew Zara's cunning; he had to trap him. "Apparition."
[Host Skill Active: Apparition]
[Skill Description: This skill creates illusions.]
Adam crafted an illusion of himself behind Zara. As Zara attacked the illusion, Adam teleported above him.
Zara's Perspective
"I sensed someone behind me, so I struck without thinking," Zara reflected.
His knife sliced through the shadow, leaving him perplexed. A foreboding feeling gripped him.
Turning back, a gleaming metal reached his neck. Before he could react, the metal pierced his neck.
Zara's torso separated from her body.
[11.35 seconds remaining…]
Adam worked with swift precision, ensuring no sound escaped the room.
"1 gone, 7 left," Adam whispered.
He gazed at Zara's lifeless body, her eyes frozen in a final, grief-stricken stare.
Adam teleported again, arriving in another trainer's room, where his target slept.
Adam swiftly eliminated the trainers, catching them off guard in their slumber. He cleared the rooms, leaving only one trainer alive.
[8.39 seconds remaining…]
Adam entered Riker's room, where Riker slept peacefully.
Adam activated Disorder.
[Host Skill Active: Disorder]
Adam delivered a crushing punch to Riker's sleeping form. Riker screamed silently, his voice muffled by some unseen force.
Riker's voice was silenced by Adam's skill, Disorder, which also disrupted his mana, rendering mana-based skills impossible.
As Riker regained consciousness, he saw a mysterious boy in a black outfit standing in his room. Riker's mind reeled, unable to comprehend the situation.
He questioned reality, wondering if this was a dream, but the pain felt all too real.
Riker screamed silently, wanting to ask, "Who are you? How did you get here?" but his voice was trapped.
Adam removed his mask, his bone-chilling voice sending shivers. "Recognize me?"
Riker's eyes widened in shock as he saw Adam's face, his mouth opening in a soundless scream.
Adam understood Riker's unspoken call.
Adam drew his blade. Riker saw it and attempted to attack, but his severed legs failed him.
Riker silently screamed, cursing Adam in his mind.
He placed his hands on the ground, looking up at Adam, trying to speak.
"You don't need to say anything," Adam said, his voice cold and detached.
Riker's eyes locked onto Adam, filled with hatred and despair.
With a swift motion, Adam severed Riker's hand and throat, saying, "This is my mercy for you."
[00 seconds remaining…]
[The host has one hour to leave this base.]
[1:00 hours remaining…]
Adam checked the system notification, then retrieved the slip from his pocket, verifying the second and third tasks before returning it.
Typically, 25-30 executors manned the administrative area, but at night, only 18 remained.
Scene from the Executive Area:
Executor 1 suggested to Executor 2, "Let's go smoke... There's a unique pleasure in nighttime smoking."
Both executors exited the administrative area, heading toward the observation area.
Midway, Executor 2 paused, saying, "Hey, look at this."
Executor 1 followed his gaze, curiosity etched on their faces.
The two Executors approached the Zero String Trainee's lifeless body, head severed from his torso, blood pooling on the floor.
Executor 1 whispered urgently, "Intruder... we must report to Admin."
Before he could continue, a blade sliced through his throat, claiming the second Executor as well.
Adam emerged, responsible for the swift executions. He claimed Executor 1's ID card and headed toward the administrative area.
Adam activated Mask.
[Host Skill Active: Mask]
[Skill Description: This skill allows the user to assume anyone's appearance until canceled.]
Now disguised as Executor 1, Adam stood before the administrative area's gate.
Adam scanned the ID card and entered, blending in seamlessly. Other executors acknowledged him with a glance before returning to their duties.
Adam's deception remained undetected.
Adam swiftly threw eight needles, each finding its mark in the heads of eight Executioners, killing them instantly.
The remaining Executioners watched in confusion as their comrades crumpled, blood streaming from their heads.
Adam drew his Short Sword and continued his relentless assault on the nearby Executioners.
As the others witnessed the carnage, they sprang into action, charging toward Adam.
Adam's superior agility allowed him to dodge and defeat the Executioners with ease.
Only one Executor remained, and witnessing his comrades' fate, he contemplated escape.
He attempted to activate Shadow Walk, but Adam's pre-emptive Disorder skill rendered it useless.
Adam struck, eliminating the last Executor.
Beyond the now-secured administrative room lay the Officer's Chamber, the innermost sanctum of the base.
As Adam knew, Officers, typically noble family members, held the highest authority below the Royal Family within the Umbrella Collective Organization.
"Let's see what makes a Noble so esteemed," Adam thought, intrigued.
With calculated calm, Adam approached the Officer's Chamber, ready to confront the elite.