NOVEL NEXT Chapter 216: 210
The cry of "Demon Horses!" sent a wave of raw panic through the gathered villagers. People started to run, their faces masks of terror.
But the older hunters, men disciplined by a lifetime of facing the jungle's horrors, stood their ground.
They quickly formed a defensive line, ushering the women and children behind them, their hands gripping the worn handles of their axes and spears, ready to sell their lives dearly.
But to their astonishment, the monsters didn't charge. They descended from the sky with a strange, unnatural grace and landed softly on the ground outside the village wall. They were calm, almost serene.
A woman in the crowd pointed a trembling finger. "Wait," she shouted, her voice filled with disbelief. "There are people riding them!"
Everyone looked up, their fear momentarily forgotten, replaced by a profound, jaw-dropping shock. At the head of the flying formation, riding the largest of the beasts, was their chief, Ricky.
One by one, the riders dismounted. Behind Ricky was Anastasia. And just behind her, dismounting from a magnificent horse of black and white, was Adam.
Everyone gets very surprised when they see Adam coming down from there, then they realize that the Adam had really gone into the forest and nowhere. But everyone is even more surprised to see that Adam is returning from the jungle with this horse.
As Adam's feet touched the ground, his mother, Rachel, broke from the crowd. She ran to him and threw her arms around him, holding him in a desperate, relieved embrace.
Adam stood stiffly, completely stunned by the physical contact. Lady, he thought, a cold, detached part of his mind observing the scene, I am not your son. But he did not say the words aloud. He just stood there, a silent statue in her arms.
Ricky had not yet spoken. The villagers were still staring, wide-eyed and afraid, at the strange, powerful creatures that now stood docilely in their midst. It was Edward who stepped forward, his voice booming with a newfound authority.
"Villagers!" he announced. "From today, these beasts are our allies! They will protect this village with us!"
The declaration spread through the crowd like wildfire. Murmurs of amazement and disbelief rippled through the assembled people.
Meanwhile, Anastasia stood silently behind Adam. Rachel, seeing her daughter, released Adam and ran to embrace Anastasia, holding her just as tightly.
Adam quietly separated himself from the emotional scene. He began to walk away, his demeanor distant and cold. His behavior did not go unnoticed.
It was especially clear to Ricky, who watched his son walk away and felt a pang of sadness. Adam has grown distant, he realized. His dream, his attitude, his reactions… it's obvious now. He no longer wants to be a part of us.
Rachel, noticing Adam's coldness, turned to Anastasia. "What happened to Adam?" she asked, her voice filled with a mother's worry.
Anastasia, supporting her mother, replied softly, "Don't worry. He'll be okay. He just needs time."
Adam, now alone, went to the house he shared with his new family and sat down quietly at the table. Food had already been laid out.
He began to eat in silence. Soon, Rachel and Anastasia joined him, but no one dared to bring up the topic that was on all their minds.
They felt that if they mentioned anything about him staying permanently, he would just repeat his intention to leave. The day passed in a quiet, unspoken tension.
Later that evening, Adam sat alone under the large tree in the meadow, lost in thought. He sensed someone approaching, a presence he didn't recognize. A young man, around Anastasia's age, walked up to him.
"My name is Andrew," he said, his voice laced with a smug superiority. "You've stirred up quite a mess in this village. Don't you feel even a little ashamed for always upsetting Anastasia?"
Adam looked at him, his gaze calm and utterly devoid of emotion. "Do you need something from me, weak boy?" he asked, his tone cold and dismissive.
Andrew's face twisted in anger. "Say that again!" he growled, grabbing Adam by the collar of his tunic. "Just because I like Anastasia doesn't mean I have to like you. In my eyes, you're just a parasite that should have never entered her life!"
Adam was internally baffled. What nonsense is this idiot talking about?
Without hesitation, he grabbed Andrew's wrist and twisted. Andrew cried out in pain as Adam forced him to the ground. Still holding his arm in a painful lock, Adam leaned in close.
"Don't cross the line again," he said, his voice a low, dangerous whisper. "Next time, I won't leave this arm in one piece."
He released Andrew and walked away. Andrew, despite being one of the most promising young warriors of the next generation, had one great weakness: his obsession with Anastasia. And because of that, he hated Adam with a passion. As Adam left, Andrew scrambled to his feet.
"No matter what you do, Anastasia will never accept you!" he yelled at Adam's retreating back.
Adam paused for a moment, considering whether to go back and teach the boy a harsher lesson. But he just sighed and continued walking. He had held back enough.
Just then, a few of Andrew's friends ran over. "What happened?" one of them asked. "Why were you on the ground?"
Andrew quickly stood up and brushed himself off. "Nothing," he said, his face flushed with embarrassment. "Let's go."
"Did you teach him a lesson?" another boy asked.
Andrew remained silent and just walked ahead, his pride wounded.
Meanwhile, Anastasia had returned from a long hunting trip with her father. The first thing she did when she got home was look for Adam.
"Mom, where's Adam?" she asked.
Her mother's face was filled with worry. "I don't know," she said. "He came for breakfast, but he never showed up for lunch. He hasn't been home since. I'm worried. He's just wandering around the village."
Hearing this, Anastasia's own worry resurfaced. "Don't worry, Mom," she reassured her. "I'll go find him."
It was now dusk. The sky had begun to turn a brilliant orange.
Adam sat alone in the same field where Ricky had once confronted Anastasia. He was focusing, analyzing the flow of magical power within his new body.
He realized that this vessel was incredibly capable of enhancing his abilities, but there was a limit. If he concentrated all of his immense energy in one spot, even this resilient body would become unstable. But right now, there was a more pressing issue: the constant feeling of people hovering around him.
He sensed someone approaching again. He opened his eyes and spoke without turning around. "I don't understand you. You once wanted to kill me, and now, when I want to leave, you won't stop following me."
He turned. It was Anastasia. She looked hurt by his words.
"I already apologized," she said, her voice soft. "And I will keep apologizing forever. It was my fault. But I won't let you go now."
Adam stood up, his expression firm. "That is just your illusion. No one can stop me anymore. I am only here for a short while."
With that, he turned and walked away.
But Anastasia had made up her mind. No matter what, she would not let Adam go. If her brother left the safety of the village, he would surely die. She followed behind him, a silent, determined shadow.
Suddenly, Andrew appeared, blocking her path. He smiled smugly. "You're back, Anastasia. I was waiting for you."
Seeing him, Anastasia's face twisted with a sudden, violent rage. She clenched her fist and swung at him. Andrew quickly dodged the blow.
"You're the one who poisoned my mind!" she screamed, her voice filled with a newfound clarity and fury. "You made me think this was all Adam's fault! But now I know the truth. You just don't like him." She took a menacing step forward. "Stay away from my brother. And stay away from me. If you come near us again, you will not like what happens."
Andrew was stunned by her words, by the venom in her voice. How does she know?
Just then, he spotted Adam walking in the distance, and his expression turned furious. So, it was Adam's doing! He told her!
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We are so grateful to each and every one of you for joining the adventure! Your assistance is greatly appreciated. I appreciate each and every one of your Power Stones, which are like mana potions that keep me writing if you are enjoying the story.
Let us have some fun now! I want YOU in this world. The new signature technique is about to be named by our hero. What ought it to be called?
Leave your most inventive suggestions in the comments section! I will choose my favorite, and it will be included in the story's canon with a special mention for you.
I am eager to read your insightful recommendations!
Alphaboss
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