Chapter 74: Assassins

’They’re after me.’

The observation settled with chilling clarity, his heart beating erratically.

"You alright, kid?" Captain Jack asked, his eyes shifting to the attackers and to the treeline uphill. He stood in front of Adam to shield him from another sniper shot, his hand hovering just above the blade at his back.

He could not act rashly. The situation was dire.

"I-I’m fine. Thanks." Adam replied, brushing the dirt off his clothes in an attempt to calm his racing heart.

Cognitive Partition came alive with a thought, his body working to return him to peak physical state. Carefully taking in the scene while being vigilant, Adam analysed the situation.

He counted nine masked men. Three were in the second realm, five in the third realm and one in the fourth realm.

Three third realm experts were at a standoff with the members of the security team while the fourth held Miss Xin at gunpoint. The final third realm expert, along with the second realm experts, stood over the technicians and students.

The students and technicians had their hands raised. Riley was the only one whose hands remained at her side. The vigilance and defiance in her eyes could not be hidden.

When their eyes met, Adam subtly shook his head, hinting at her not to do anything foolish. The silver-haired girl reluctantly tore her gaze away. Everyone was combat-trained, but they were all not fighters.

Things could get messy really fast.

The fourth realm expert stood before Captain Jackson, his arms crossed over his chest dominantly. No one spoke for several long seconds, the tension palpable.

’That only leaves the sniper.’

Adam glanced in the direction where the first shot came from. He narrowed his eyes thoughtfully. Something wasn’t adding up. That shot had been aimed at him.

And although everyone was now aware of the ambush, the sniper was still at large. That meant the sniper could still take shots at him. But several seconds had passed, and no second shot came.

’Their intention is not to kill... at least not immediately.’ Adam deduced, his racing heart a bit steadier. ’Were they sent by the same group that hired the Black Dragons?’

It was possible.

But these ambushers could be sent by someone or another group entirely. Adam still could not understand it. Just what did they want with him? Was his life going to be all about surviving attacks on his life?

A rush of anger flooded his system.

"Assassins."

Adam heard the captain whisper coldly.

Taking a second look at the ambushers, Adam agreed. Their demeanour and presence suggested discipline and one-mindedness. They were not a rag-tag team of awakeners after a little bit of money.

"There’s no need for bloodshed today." The fourth realm expert facing the captain spoke, his voice masked and deep. "Hand over the boy and we can all go back to our lives."

The man gestured at Adam with his head.

"Why would I do that?" Captain Jack shot back, his eyes darting around.

"You’re a smart man, Captain. That shot had simply been a warning." The assassin said smoothly. "I could give the signal right now, and someone here would lose their life. Now choose, Captain."

"No! You can’t-"

Miss Xin tried to interject, but her assassin pressed the gun to her temple, forcing her to shut her mouth.

The captain remained motionless, seemingly considering his options. He knew the assassin was right. They were outnumbered and outmatched. If a fight broke out, the students would be the first to fall.

And the sniper was still unaccounted for.

Captain Jackson looked over his shoulder at Adam. The captain’s gaze met Adam’s quivering ones. The boy was clearly scared but was pretending otherwise. Just who was after the kid?

"It’s alright, Captain." Adam suddenly spoke, drawing everyone’s attention.

"What?" He raised his brow.

"The man is right."

Adam stated, his eyes roaming over the others. He saw the desperation and helplessness in their eyes. This was the very thing he wanted to avoid. Sadly, those after him were meticulous in their ways.

He took a step forward, coming to stand beside the Captain.

"I wouldn’t want anyone losing their lives for my sake," Adam added, placing a hand on the captain’s shoulder. "Just make sure you get everyone back safe and sound."

The captain narrowed his eyes at Adam. He knew the boy was scared. But the look in his eyes also conveyed confidence. That confidence, however, was all too familiar. It had ended a lot of lives.

Then again, what were their options?

The only viable one was to let the assassins take Adam, ensure the safety of the others and then go after him, praying against all hope that he caught up with them.

What the captain did not know was that Adam had already pinpointed the position of the sniper, as well as the sniper’s realm. The sniper was at the second realm of Mortal Evolution. That meant there was only one fourth-realm expert—the one who stood before him.

This gave him a chance to escape with his life. He had been captured once before. He wasn’t about letting it happen again.

"Adam..." Miss Xin whispered, her eyes beading with tears.

Adam looked at the woman and flashed a small, reassuring smile. "It will be alright, Miss Xin. And I’m sorry."

His words confused Miss Xin.

Adam was the one in danger. He was the one the assassins wanted. So why would he be the one apologising? It made no sense.

Riley was the first one to catch on. She had observed Adam enough to understand a few things about him. Although he looked scared, there was also this confidence in him.

It was strange.

And that strangeness was what allowed her to see through Adam’s apology for what it truly was. Adam was not apologising for his presence bringing them trouble. He was apologising for what he was about to do.

Adam lowered his hand from the captain’s shoulder and took a step toward the assassin. But the captain grabbed his shoulder, stopping him.

"Don’t," he whispered, his voice filled with anguish and helplessness.

"I’ll be fine, Captain," Adam replied without looking back. "You’ll know what to do when the time comes."

Adam took the second step, his eyes momentarily shifting onto Riley. The silver-haired girl narrowed her eyes, her heart racing. She knew Adam was about to do what he intended.

The moment he raised his leg to take the third step, he vanished.

"Huh?"