"Impressive," Vernian said, his voice smooth and confident. "Few have survived my punch. You are stronger than you look, Adrian."
"Just who the fuck are you?" Adrian demanded, wiping so blood off his lips.
Adrian had fought plenty of people. Both strong and weak. But sothing about the man before him scared him. Even after having evolved and gained [Beast Form], the White Tiger leader made him lose around 20% of his HP with a single attack.
’I know you want to run, but that’s not possible. Not anymore.’
The leader was the apex predator who had set his eyes on him. There was nowhere he could run off to where he won’t find him.
Besides, if he were to return to where the rest of the hunters were, the man would undoubtedly end whatever little resistance they were putting up. It would lead to countless deaths, and Adrian didn’t want that to happen.
’I have to deal with him myself.’
[The entities are watching the mortal with keen interest.]
[An unprecedented amount of entities want to establish a relationship with the mortal.]
[A rogue entity, ???, smiles upon hearing praises of their apostle.]
[The entities are hurriedly leaving the User’s channel.]
’What just happened?’
Adrian wasn’t sure about it, but it looked like the entities were scared of soone and left when the rogue entity, whoever it was, appeared. Just who was this entity whom everyone was afraid of... even the mighty ?
Unfortunately, for Adrian, there were more pressing concerns. The leader walked up to him, but Adrian couldn’t sense the faintest bit of hostility coming from him, unlike before.
Ignoring Adrian’s previous question, Vernian asked, "Join my clan, Adrian. Swear loyalty to , and I will let you live. But first, you must prove your loyalty. How about you kill Vex and bring her head."
Adrian’s eyes flashed with anger. Deliver the head of the one he was to assigned to protect? Like hell, he would ever do that.
"Fuck off," he spat.
Hearing Adrian’s response, Vernian’s lips curled into a smile beneath his mask. They were brothers, all right. After all, stubbornness ran in their family.
But despite that, Adrian had made a decision which would lead to his death, which Vernian was all too keen to hand to him.
"Understandable," he said calmly.
Without warning, he curled his fist and threw another punch at Adrian. This ti, Adrian was ready. He gritted his teeth and caught Vernian’s fist, though it took all his strength to hold it. With a push, he forced Vernian back a few steps.
Vernian’s eyes widened in surprise. He had expected to kill Adrian with that punch, dismissing him as a weakling. But now he saw sothing different—a potential ally with great strength.
Besides, they both had the sa blood coursing in their veins. On top of that, even his sponsor thought Adrian could beco an asset to them in the future.
That was the reason Vernian offered Adrian to join him. But it seed Adrian’s stubbornness wouldn’t let him choose the right path. Still, Vernian tried one last ti to recruit him.
"You are stronger than I thought," Vernian admitted. "Are you sure you want to waste your potential-"
"I’ve already told you. I’m never joining bastards like you-"
"You know how to bark, but do you know the situation you’re in?" Vernian scoffed. "One punch was all it took to make you kneel before . You think you can keep fighting?"
"..."
Honestly, Adrian wasn’t sure about it. The leader was way stronger than he was. If he couldn’t defeat him in his beast form, then he wasn’t sure if he could defeat the man at all.
’Unless...’ Adrian thought, placing his hand on his chest.
’I know. But that raging beast is the only shot I have at defeating this fucker.’
But before he activated the skill, he wanted to inform the rest to run. While Vernian was far away, Adrian reached for his earpiece. Thankfully, it was still there and working. He imdiately linked up with Seraphina and A’Mila.
"Evacuate the place," Adrian spoke calmly. "Take everyone and leave. Get as far away as possible from here. I don’t care if you have to leave Vex behind-"
"Adrian... you’re scaring us now. Where are you-?"
"Just do as I say, or none of us will leave this place alive!" Adrian yelled, silencing anything Seraphina or A’Mila might have to say.
"Roger that-"
Adrian heard what he wanted to and threw the earpiece away. He wouldn’t need it either way.
"Telling them to escape won’t do them any good," Vernian shrugged, towering over Adrian. "After you, they’ll be the next to die."
"For that, you’ll have to deal with first!" Adrian yelled.
Adrian saw an opening and took it. He lunged forward, grabbing Vernian by the shoulders and driving his forehead into Vernian’s face with a powerful headbutt.
Surprisingly, this ti, Adrian managed to catch Vernian off guard, his head smashing against the latter’s nose and mouth. Vernian stumbled backwards, grabbing his mouth as blood filled his cracked mask.
However, sothing happened that shook Adrian. Ti froze as he saw the leader’s face for the first ti. Vernian’s face was a mirror image of his own, the only difference being the hair colour.
Adrian’s usual golden hair contrasted sharply with Vernian’s jet-black hair. It was like staring into a distorted reflection, like an evil twin he never knew existed.
At the sa ti, Vernian looked down at the broken pieces of his mask, his expression hidden from Adrian. A mont later, he looked up. His nacing blue eyes stared right into Adrian’s red ones.
"Who... Who are you?" Adrian stamred, prompting Vernian to laugh, but it was no ordinary laugh but one that made Adrian’s spine chill.
"Isn’t it obvious?" Vernian laughed. "Brother?"
"This... can’t be," Adrian shook his head. "That bitch Maria, she must have done sothing-"
"Co on, big bro," Vernian took a step closer, his eyes never leaving Adrian’s. "Don’t ruin our happy reunion like this."
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