His pupils trembled, and his guts churned as he scrutinised the notification panel.
Yet, against his cracking scream and dearest wishes, the panel's fiery letters didn't move an inch. No new ones appeared either. He had lost the achievement to someone.
The realisation thundered in his mind, jolting his body in a trembling frenzy as his fist tightened and his jaw clenched hard enough for the bones to crack.
"Who did it?!" He hissed through his teeth, smoke accompanying each detached word. "Who stole my special building?!"
His frustrated roar caused the air to ripple as he hurled his fist at a carcass.
The noise of ripped flesh and crunching noise echoed before the corpse exploded. Blood drizzled like rain, dying his hair scarlet and dripping onto his distorted face.
Amidst his rage, he didn't notice that Sarah and Morwen rushed to him nor that the nearby citizens trembled in dread. But even if he did, would it matter when someone surpassed him?
He ground his teeth and raised his fist, ready to shatter hundreds more corpses if it was what it took to calm the raging inferno burning in his chest.
As he swung, four hands gripped his shoulder and pulled him by the armpit, forcing him a few steps back. Yet, his fuming anger still raged and covered his vision in a veil of red.
Despite his command and resistance, Morwen and Sarah didn't let him go. Instead, Morwen climbed on his shoulders and locked his arms with her legs while Sarah secured the lock further by hugging his arms with all her strength.
"No matter what annoyed you, we'll find a solution, big brother! Please calm down!"
Morwen's strained voice echoed in his ears as he felt her slender fingers wrap around his forehead.
Darkness engulfed his reddened vision next as she blocked his sight and kept whispering gently.
"It's okay to get mad, big brother. But you're scaring the citizens right now. Is that what you want?"
His head jerked back as the words sunk into the bubbling rage that shook his mind. The darkness helped him calm down, just enough to realise how strange his reaction had been.
'Shit! Something's wrong!'
It was the second time he let his anger burst for no reason. The worst part? It was his fault for not being good enough if someone beat him. That had always been his philosophy in games.
'So why did I explode?'
The question rumbled, causing his teeth to sink into his lip and his heart to tremble.
Of course, he knew the reason. He had only ignored it until now, hoping it wouldn't turn out to be that bad. But it was. The fragment had left more scars on his mind than he was comfortable admitting.
'I can't continue like that.' His knuckles whitened as Morwen and Sarah released their grip on him. 'Who knows what I'll do next time? I must find a fix before it worsens!'
Meanwhile, Sarah ruffled his long hair tenderly while Morwen hugged his sides before their worried voice echoed simultaneously.
"Are you alright now, big brother?"
He took a long exhale and opened his eyes to gaze at his once cute—now gorgeous—siblings.
He saw their frowns and the deep, genuine care in their sparkling eyes as he wrapped his hands around their back and pulled them into a warm hug.
"I'm sorry you had to see me like that." His hand shuddered on their graceful backs. "Thank you."
Morwen gently guided him to sit, then nodded at Sarah.
"Stay with him, sis. I'll get some fresh water and food to help him relax."
Sarah offered her a solemn, determined nod, then focused on Adam.
"Do you feel ok talking, big brother? You can tell us anything." She sat by him, her shoulder touching his to share her warmth. "If the world betrays you, know that the six of us would never. You saved us when we were troublesome imps, even convincing your reluctant subjects to protect us until we evolved into what we are."
She caressed his chin, raising his head with a finger to gaze into his dark eyes.
"And soon, we'll evolve again and again. We'll become your swords, shields, advisers, and most trusted allies."
The comforting words struck him in the gut, causing a bittersweet taste to fill his mouth.
How could he tell her his rage arose from something as stupid as not being the first to reach level 50?
He scratched his hair, embarrassment coloring his cheeks red.
"It's nothing important. But... I'll never forget your words, little sister. You're all precious to me, and all I want is to see you happy." His lips curled into a bright smile. "Don't push yourselves for me if that's not what you want to do."
Then, he summoned his lord chat box. Even if the anger evaporated, he had to know who surpassed him and made him lose a special building at such a critical juncture.
Eyes narrowed, he scanned past the flowery congratulations until he saw the culprit's boast.
[Greatest Imp (Asmodeus' contractor): Hahaha! Where are Adam and his righteous advice? Who's first now? But it's just the beginning. Mark my words, weaklings: I'll claim the event's place and devour his light!]
He clicked his tongue, his right cheek hurting as if an invisible slap collided with it. It felt so wrong, but he exhaled. It was alright. He would catch up soon and claim the next buildings. As for the event? Was he a fool to subject himself to the gods' cheating?
'Just take the first place if it makes you feel better. I don't care.'
He continued to read for a bit, seeing most lords praise the greatest imp profusely while a few manifested dissatisfaction. Among them, his breath caught in his throat when he saw Mimi.
[Mimi (Loki's contractor): Have some shame, everyone. You've been praising him for the entire day! Humph. Let's see if Adam won't destroy the event!]
'But I don't want to!'