He didn't move, but a faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips. It appeared to be a kind smile, but it wasn't.
As the moments stretched, a figure began to emerge from the shadows, its silhouette becoming clearer with every step. Arthur didn't flinch. His sharp eyes tracked the movement, taking in every detail as the figure stepped into the faint light of the clearing
The air between them grew heavy, the silence stretching just long enough to feel like a challenge. Arthur's gaze remained locked onto Adam's, sharp and unreadable, while the lieutenant stood firm, his posture betraying nothing. The forest around them felt distant, the usual rustling of leaves and the distant chirping of birds swallowed by the weight of their conversation.
Arthur's faint smile lingered, but it was devoid of warmth. "Lieutenant Adam," he said, voice steady, almost amused. "Why are you sneaking around? If you wanted to hang out, all you had to do was ask."
Adam's expression remained impassive, his stance unshifting as he met Arthur's gaze. "Fateless," he said, the weight behind his voice heavier than usual.
Arthur's smile remained. "Lieutenant"
Adam took another step forward, the dim light of the clearing casting shadows across his face. "I know it was you," he said plainly. "You're the one who took all the contribution points. No one else in the village has the strength to pull that off."
Arthur's eyes narrowed slightly.
His expression didn't shift, but inside, his thoughts moved quickly. He hadn't expected Adam to take the initiative to confront him about the matter.
Was he not afraid that I would kill him?
'If he knew how important each life was in this world, he wouldn't be dumb enough to come alone but he did...' Arthur thought, '...That means he has a trump card, something that makes him sure that I wouldn't kill him.'
Arthur decided to continue playing confused.
He tilted his head slightly, his voice casual. "Excuse me?"
Adam didn't repeat himself. He simply stood there, unwavering, his presence imposing yet calm.
Arthur exhaled slowly through his nose, shaking his head. "Lieutenant, these are some bold claims." His voice lowered, each word deliberate. "I've heard whispers in the village—players muttering, casting glances, talking behind my back. I expected them to accuse me. But you?" His sharp gaze flicked over Adam. "I didn't expect you to be one of them."
He took a slow step forward, the air around them tightening. "Or was it you who spread the word?"
Adam's face remained impassive, not giving away anything. Even though that was the case, Arthur was certain that it was Adam who was working behind the scenes.
Adam didn't deny it. nor did he confirm it either.
Arthur hummed a quiet sound that was neither pleased nor amused. "Interesting."
A breeze passed through the clearing, rustling the leaves above, but neither of them moved.
Adam finally spoke, his voice as level as ever. "Look, I don't want to fight you."
Arthur raised an eyebrow. "Is that so?"
"There's no need to." Adam's eyes didn't waver. "What I want is to invite you."
Arthur said nothing, waiting.
Adam continued. "Join us. Join the military. You'd be given authority, resources, protection. You would become one of the heads of the main groups. You'd have real power—here in this world, and on Earth."
Arthur studied him, his expression unreadable. Then, slowly, he chuckled. It was a quiet, dry sound, one that didn't quite reach his eyes. "That's quite the offer."
Adam remained still. "It is."
Arthur's smirk returned, though there was something colder beneath it now. "Lieutenant Adam, you're mistaken."
"Yes," Arthur said smoothly, his tone taking on an almost lazy amusement. "I'm really not that strong."
Adam's brows furrowed slightly, but he said nothing.
Arthur continued, his voice dropping. "I'm just a businessman, you see. A simple entrepreneur, looking to make a living in this world. Buy low, sell high. That sort of thing."
Adam didn't react immediately, but Arthur saw the way his fingers twitched slightly at his side.
"You expect me to believe that?" Adam asked finally.
Arthur spread his hands in a loose shrug. "Believe whatever you'd like."
Adam took a slow breath, his stance shifting just slightly. "You can downplay your strength all you want, but I know what I saw. The monsters that should have come from multiple directions during the horde were wiped out before they even reached the village. Players from other villages confirmed it—this wasn't normal. You were the only one unaccounted for."
"Unaccounted for? I told you that I was logged out," Arthur said, his tone even. "I didn't have much time left on the twelve-hour limit. If I didn't log out when I did, I wouldn't have had enough time to participate in the event."
His sharp gaze locked onto Adam. "Furthermore, what makes you so sure that it was even a human who did it?"
Adam didn't blink. "Because beasts don't attack each other. Not like that. Not at such a large scale."
Arthur scoffed, crossing his arms. "What if it was a boss gone rogue?"
Adam's expression remained firm. "Then it would have continued its rampage toward the village. It wouldn't have stopped conveniently after clearing out the monsters."
Arthur studied him for a moment, taking in the quiet certainty in his voice. Adam wasn't here to throw blind accusations—he was convinced.
Arthur sighed, shaking his head. "That's a bold assumption, Lieutenant. Let's say, hypothetically, I did it." His smirk returned, slow and edged with amusement. "Wouldn't it make more sense for me to flaunt that kind of power? Make demands? Intimidate the other players?" He spread his arms. "Yet here I am, standing in front of you, just another guy in the village."
Adam's eyes didn't waver. "You're not just another guy."
Arthur chuckled. "You sure sound convinced."
Adam exhaled. "I've been watching."
At that, Arthur's amusement flickered. His smirk faded just slightly. "Oh! I know what you are talking about."