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After killing the monster, Rose gained the corresponding experience points—a pivotal step for Adam's ultimate goal. To truly harness Rose's power and break free from the chains of poverty, Adam needed the official status of a Doom-Breaker. Only then could he venture beyond the city walls, where the real monsters lurked, and carve out a new destiny.
As he stood in the dim room, a slight smirk played on his lips. This so-called assessment? Far too easy. He grabbed the severed head of the corpse-eater from the corner, its lifeless eyes staring blankly into space, and walked out of the room with confident strides.
The hall fell silent at the sight of him.
"He couldn't have possibly—"
"Wait. What… what's he holding?!"
Eyes widened and whispers turned into stunned silence when they recognized the grotesque trophy in Adam's hands. He tossed the head to the examiner, who caught it, eyes bulging with disbelief.
"Time: twenty-one seconds. Test... passed!" the examiner announced, his voice wavering.
The silence turned electric. Faces that moments before were mocking him now flushed with embarrassment. Stella's eyes widened in shock. She, the pride of her family, had taken over a minute—and he had finished in a third of that time.
A girl in the crowd whispered, "Twenty-one seconds? He's incredible."
Adam's brow twitched. Incredible? No, that word wasn't what he aimed for. It felt like a curse. He shot a cold glance at the crowd and spoke tersely, "Where do I go for certification?"
The examiner stammered, "Th-the side door to Area C... Special staff will assist you."
"Thanks." Without another glance, Adam pocketed his identity card and walked away, eyes forward. The weight of the room's attention pressed on his back, but he kept moving. Being the center of attention was dangerous; it was like being a deer in a clearing, exposed and vulnerable.
Stay low, stay safe, he reminded himself.
"Stella, let's go celebrate. I've got a table at the restaurant next door," a young man in a suit said to the stunned Stella.
But she barely heard him, her gaze locked onto Adam's retreating form. "You go on without me," she muttered and pushed past the throng.
"Stella?" the man spluttered, turning beet red as the old butler at his side leaned in.
"Master, it seems Miss Stella is intrigued by the young man."
"I can see that, thank you!" the man hissed, eyes narrowing as he watched her follow Adam. "Find out everything about him," he growled.
"Yes, young master."
Meanwhile, Adam reached Area C, a bustling hall where Doom-Breaker gathered to take missions, recruit teammates, and buy supplies. A massive screen displayed job listings and alerts, flickering with information as groups of battle-hardened Doom-Breaker clustered below, debating and discussing. The scene reminded Adam of stock traders in the chaotic exchanges of his previous life.
He pushed those thoughts aside and approached the certification window, handing over his identity card. The customer service attendant, a woman with a kind smile, nodded. "Congratulations on passing the assessment. Please wait while I finalize your paperwork."
As Adam waited, a sudden shadow loomed beside him.
"Hello, my name's Stella Cromwell." Her voice was smooth, confident.
Adam turned, eyes narrowing. "And?"
Taken aback, Stella's smile faltered. "I… just wanted to get to know you."
If a man weren't stirred when suddenly approached by a beauty like Stella, it would defy nature itself. Adam, of course, was no exception. But his life experience had already taught him a crucial lesson: there was no such thing as a beautiful, innocent woman descending from the heavens without reason. In this world, unsolicited kindness was never without a hidden agenda—it was either deceit or manipulation.
"Consider it done. Goodbye," he said coolly, turning away.
A rare flush crept up Stella's cheeks. He dares to brush me off? she thought incredulously.
"Congratulations, sir!" The attendant's voice broke the tension, handing Adam his updated identity card. "You are now officially a Doom-Breaker, rank D. Your card allows you to access the association's network and take missions."
"Thank you."
Before he could step away, Stella's hand darted out, snatching his card.
"Adam," she read, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "So, that's your name."
"Give. It. Back." His voice dropped an octave, eyes glinting dangerously.
The tattoo on his arm tingled, and Rose, his Tamed Alienor, stirred, ready to unleash chaos at a moment's notice.