Outworld: Awakening - 66 Prelude To The End I

Three Years Ago.

Wazar Region, Wazar Canyon.

Surrounded by boulders large and small, a barely clothed youth lay on the ground, chest heaving, with eyes focused on the dark clouds partially covering the star-studded skies and lonely moons. Bathing under the silver luminescence, a wry smile tugged at the sides of his lips while his hands reached for a short sword just inches from where he lay. Lying in a pool of his own blood, low groans escaped from his mouth as he stared at a bald man just a few meters away. Unlike him, he showed no movement.

A moment later, a brooding voice punctuated the silence, “Congratulations. You have passed this round. Prepare yourself for the next round.”

“Hahaha… Fuck off you sadistic bastard! I barely survived this round, yet you want me to go for another… you’re a real piss off shit, Vicar!” Adam’s eyes roamed his surroundings as he cursed with reckless abandon.

“This wasn’t what you promised me. You said…” Adam’s words suddenly trailed off as a figure towered over his body.

“I know what I said, and to be honest, you can’t do anything if I act contrary. Why should I waste my time with someone useless?” Vicar retorted.

With a causal disdain, Vicar retrieved a small glass bottle containing a glistening blue liquid from his trenchcoat. Without saying a word, he poured the contents on Adam’s body, before walking towards the man a few meters away. At that same moment, however, the injuries all over Adam’s body sealed with lightning speed, with blood visibly frothing. Adam’s body spasmed while bestial howls escaped from his mouth.

Vicar, on the other hand, paid no attention to his screams; instead, he focused on the man who lay motionless on the ground. A section of his neck had been brutal hacked off, while his wrists and his left knee bled profusely.

‘The last four years hasn’t been a waste. It’s fairly decent a fourteen-year-old can assassinate trained warriors.’ A faint smile bloomed on Vicar’s face as he retrieved another bottle from his coat. This time, it contained a fiery red liquid. Wasting no time, Vicar emptied the contents on the corpse. Instantly, a blazing inferno erupted. Burning the corpse to ashes.

‘This isn’t enough, however. If he can’t become an Awakened, then the last four years would be meaningless…’ Vicar suddenly turned his head to the side, only to see Adam wielding a short sword while approaching him. Adam could not hide the hate and fury in his eyes.

“Oh? Are you planning on challenging me?” Vicar sneered while taunting Adam with his index finger.

“I shouldn’t have listened to a bastard like you. I won’t die as the plaything to fulfill your sadistic desires. I’m leaving this place.” Adam declared. His eyes shown with unyielding determination.

Although he knew Vicar was not someone he could match, he didn’t care. He wanted nothing to do with the mysterious man anymore.

“Oh? So, what are you going to do when you get out? Do you even know anything about this world? I hope you don’t have the grand delusion that you are something important because you killed some flies. How many files have you killed so far? Nine? Ten? And, you what to leave now?” Vicar chuckled as sarcastically shook his head.

Adam continued moving, showing no reaction.

“I won’t stop. You can do whatever you want. However, let me remind you. The moment you leave this canyon, that’s the end of the line for you. No second chances. No one will avenge your friends and family…” Vicar’s words suddenly trialed off as Adam paused in his step.

“Oh? Are we having a change of heart? You should—”

“Never mention my family or friends you piece of shit! You promised you will give me the power to avenge them, however, all you did was try to kill me. Only God knows where you got those assassins from. Do you know how many times, I thought I would die? I don’t even know how long I’ve stayed in this forsaken place. I’m tired of this bullshit! I would rather take my chances out there. You can go fuck yourself.”

Without turning his head, Adam continued walking.

‘Fuck that guy. I have had enough of this. I will find—’ Mid-thought, Adam came to stop as he heard Vicar’s thunderous laughter.

‘What the hell is wrong with him? Is a masochist that gets off from being humiliated?’ A scowl distorted Adam’s features as he turned his head. A split second later, his brows creased as his eyes wandered in every direction.

‘Huh? Where did he go?’ No matter where Adam looked, he couldn’t find Vicar. However, he could still hear his cheerful laughter.

Adam suddenly felt a small tap on his shoulder, sending a chill down his spine. Before he could react, he heard Vicar’s voice once more, “I’m right here. You want answers, right? Then, I will give you answers.”

A moment later, the earth underneath Adam’s feet loosened, swallowing him all the way to his neck. At that same moment, Vicar walked in front of Adam with a causal smile donning his lips. Without saying a word, the earth rumbled once more. This time, a chair made from the earth appeared, and Vicar comfortable took his seat.

“What are you—?” Before Adam could finish his statement, hands formed from the earth sealed his mouth.

“I’m not usually in a good mood, so don’t spoil tonight by opening that foul mouth of yours,” Vicar said, casually stroking his beards. Adam, on the other hand, could only glare at him.

“It’s been four years since you came here, and if I’m being honest with you, I didn’t expect you to be such a useless person.” Vicar could not stop himself from chuckling as he watched Adam struggle.

“Surviving the demonification process meant you could never get a Blessing. Hence, ruling out that path to becoming an Awakened. The path of the Omen-Awakened is the only other path available to you; however, to undertake that path, you would have to sacrifice your soul. No demon would accept your corrupted soul. Hence, bring us back to the where we started. Now, do you realize why you are so useless?” Vicar locked gazes with Adam while slowly fiddling with a golden ring.

Unlike before, Adam no longer struggled. He had a somber expression with the light of uneasiness covering his eyes. Just then, the earth covering his mouth loosened, turning to sand once more.

“You have fought and killed ten flies in the past four years. If not for my training, with your body, I dare say you couldn’t even beat a normal fifteen-year-old. Not to talk of the Awakened or—” Before Vicar could finish his statement, Adam sudden interjected.

“I know I’m weak. Tell me, how do I get strong. Make me understand how I can get stronger. Each day that demon lives leaves a scar on my heart. I keep—”

“You keep having dreams of the demon, I know. If you don’t want me to seal your mouth again, don’t interrupt me.” Vicar causally glared at Adam. “How much can you remember from your battles?” Vicar suddenly asked.

“Huh? What are you talking about? What do you mean?” Adam retorted, unable to hide his confusion.

“Let me make it simpler for you. Can you recollect how you killed all your foes?” Vicar asked again, his gaze lingering on Adam. Unlike before, he no longer fiddled with the ring. Instead, it rested on the caricature chair.

‘What does he mean by that? Of course I can…’ Mid-thought, a sudden realization dawned on Adam.

‘Wait… I can’t remember exactly how I killed that bald bastard and the one before him. At one point, I thought they would kill me, only for me to wake up with them dead…’

Absorbed in his thoughts, Adam heard Vicar’s voice again, “From the look on your face, I believe you’re uncertain.”

Saying nothing, Adam slowly nodded.

“I thought so. I won’t say anything further, at least, not until you figure it out yourself. However, know that everything I have done and will do while training you is for your own good.” Vicar declared.

Meanwhile, Adam could not hide his dissatisfaction. Just as he was about to complain, Vicar spoke up again, “I believe I have found a way for you to join the ranks of an Awakened. Don’t ask me to explain my thoughts.”

Just then, the earth churned, spiting Adam out.

“Like I said earlier, prepare for the next round. This time, you will fight someone different, I’d advise you not to underestimate him. After all, he’s an Awakened.”

“What?! Are you trying to kill me? How do you expect me to fight an Awakened?” Adam couldn’t hide his horror as he heard Vicar’s words. Although he didn’t know how powerful an Awakened was, he knew they were far more powerful than regular humans. That Vicar would want him to fight an Awakened was tantamount to a death sentence from his point of view.

“Don’t worry, he has been handicapped. Fight to your full capabilities. You have a minute before the fight begins. Good luck.”

“Are you fucking kidding me? Fight to…” before Adam could finish his statement, Vicar disappeared, leaving him seething with unrepressed rage.

‘I knew it. That bastard is out to kill me. I can’t let that bastard play with my life, I have to get out of here.’ The same moment Adam thought of escaping, the earth trembled once more. This time, it extended to a five hundred meter radius. Like a small boat caught within the raging sea, Adam staggered until he fell on his knees. A moment later, thunderous explosions echoed from all directions.

“What the…” Adam gasped while his eyes bulged. Ahead, a towering wall had emerged from nowhere. Most shocking was the fact that it covered a five hundred meter radius, trapping him within the canyon.

A split second later, the earth rumbled once more, this time, it vomited dozens of weapons. Unable to overcome his shock, Adam sat motionless, mind blank and mouth opened. Then, an explosion followed. Before Adam could determine the source of the explosion, the rolling thunder echoed, and rain descended.

‘What the hell is going on? Is—huh?’ Mid-thought, Adam suddenly turned his head. Only to see a barely clothed man motionlessly staring at him.

As they locked gazes, Adam felt his heartbeat quicken while his limbs trembled. Although he had already killed ten men, and was no stranger to bloodshed, the eyes of the man promised nothing but death.

Vicar’s voice suddenly echoed from an unknown location, “Only one of you can walk out of this ring alive. If you don’t fight, it will squash you both. You have ten minutes. Begin!”

Just then, the walls rumbled, and to Adam’s horror, it moved.