After bursting out of the snake and climbing out of it, Adam felt the weakly pulsing lump of flesh in his hand. It was the snake's heart; he involuntarily frowned as the heart's slimy flesh squirmed in his hand.
He almost threw it away when he felt its disgusting movement, but Eve's ethereal voice whispered.
[I recommend that you eat it]
What? Almost throwing up as he imagined eating it. Do you hate me? Did I do something?
[No, I do not. I only believe that it would benefit you greatly]
Sigh... Will it hurt like last time? He asked with a hint of resignation.
[I believe not]
Adam looked at the heart in his hand, which had stopped pulsing and had become entirely silver. He closed his eyes and bit into the heart. Though it had no taste, its slimy texture coated his mouth as he chewed. He wanted to spit it out, but instead swallowed.
As the chewed flesh slid down his throat, his vision blurred, and his body tingled. Adam felt something flowing through his body. Then, Eve spoke once more.
[You gained a new ability.]
[Silver blessed- Gains the ability to become, manipulate, and manifest silver]
What? Just like that?
[Just like that]
How?
[Most of the serpent's power was likely stored in its heart, so with your special constitution, you were able to absorb its power]
So I'm just able to get others' powers?
[Not exactly, from what I know, you are only able to do so with individuals whose powers are stored mostly in one area instead of spread throughout]
Ah- Interrupting Adam's thoughts was the voice of a woman, one that was not Eve. He turned to the direction the voice was coming from. He saw two beautiful women of similar height standing side by side, one with blond hair and onyx eyes and the other with black hair and misty grey eyes.
The blond girl- Bethany, who called out to Adam, spoke, "Great sir, may I ask who you are?"
Adam looked at the girl in confusion, Me? Is she talking to me? Do they think I'm some great master like in those fantasy novels?
He jumped down from the body of the snake, his hair being washed with its silver hue once more, and the armor disappearing, leaving only the crimson leather. The girls put up their guard in response. Adam studied the girls for a moment. If they think I'm a great master, why not act like one? It might work in my favor.
Adam put on a confident smile and a relaxed demeanor as though nothing could harm him while he spoke, "Fret not, I am merely a lost soul, I mean no harm."
The two girls, clearly still on guard, lowered their weapons. Then Lilith spoke, placing a hand on her chest, "We are warriors of the heart order. We ask you, great sir, who are you, and where have you come from?"
"My name is Adam, a man from a far-away land." He bowed momentarily before continuing, "I was fighting that snake when I was swallowed. I was here when I got out. May I ask your names as well?"
"I am Lilith Karmine, this is Bethany." She replied, not taking her eyes off of Adam.
I can feel her gaze burning through me... Adam thought, feeling uncomfortable.
"What are you ladies doing in the forest so late at night?"
Bethany spoke, "We are on our way home after running an errand."
Adam thought for a moment before asking, "May I come with you girls?"
The two women got ready for combat, then asked, "Why?"
"I have nowhere to go", Adam replied without qualms.
Not letting the two women reply, he continued, "I am sorry, but I can't let you refuse." His eyes were glowing red as he spoke.
Lilith and Bethany felt their consciousness fading; the last thing they saw was Adam's smile, and his eyes faded back to golden.
~~~
Lilith woke up feeling groggy with a slight headache. Her hair was a mess, a strand finding its way into the corner of her mouth. After a few minutes, she sat up, shifting to the edge of the bed.
'When did I get home?'
Her memories were foggy. After the man- Adam, or so he calls himself- asked to come with her and Bethany back to the village, his eyes turned red. After that, she could only remember the sensation of walking.
'Sigh... I'll try asking Bethany later'
She took off her clothes and covered her body with a towel, then entered the bathroom. After bathing and changing into an oversized shirt and black shorts, she did her morning routine and entered the dining room.
~~~
Taking a bite of his breakfast, Adam noticed that the dark-haired middle-aged man seated in front of him was looking to his right while smiling, clearly about to say something, but was interrupted.
Lilith looked at Adam, completely dumbfounded. "Y-Y-YOU!" She exclaimed, "What are you doing here!?"
The middle-aged man looked at her in confusion. "Didn't you bring him here? Why are you so surprised?"
"Huh? I did?" She looked at the man, equally as confused.
"I was so surprised that my socially inept daughter finally brought a man home." The man wiped a fake tear, "They grow up so fast."
"I am NOT socially inept!" She said while clearly offended. "And YOU! Why are you here? I don't even remember bringing you with me, much less to my home!"
Adam thought for a moment, then answered, "After I asked for you two to bring me to the village, you led me here and 'you' suggested letting me stay here for a while." A relaxed grin lay upon his face as he finished speaking.
"I can confirm, at least for the 'stay here a while' thing." Her father said, giving the short explanation more validity.
Lilith stood there for a moment, processing the words of the two men speaking of things she had no recollection of, before sitting at the dining table and eating, finally giving up on her fruitless objections.
"Lilith." She turned to look at her father, who spoke, "After speaking with Adam for a while, I've decided to let him stay here until we prepare a house for him or until further notice. As such, I would like you to give him a proper tour of the circles."
"Circles?" Adam asked curiously.
"Our village- Radius village- is divided into three parts, the Outer circle, the Inner circle, and the Center circle. This is due to our village being founded and run by believers of the Spiral church, who believe in the great mother of desire.
If you wish to learn more about our beliefs, just head to one of the churches.
In the Outer circle reside those who aren't fully indoctrinated or haven't been baptized. The Inner circle houses those who have been baptized and had their desires and sexual nature unrepressed. It is also for guests, hence why you are able to be here.
And lastly, the Center circle is where Individuals who have closely aligned them selves with the Mother's beliefs and chose to lay themselves bare in her witness. It is where our main church is located."
"Ah, good to know." Adam had been nodding along and absorbing the information, making sure not to show any major reaction.
'It seems I have stumbled upon a bunch of weirdoes' He thought, his smile threatening to crumble.