(Joyce's Perspective)
Darkness. And a lecherous, triumphant grin.
"I'm going to pound you, Joyce," Oslo Park sneered, his voice a slimy crawl in the suffocating darkness of my dream. "Who's going to save you now? You've always been such a bitch. Hahaha."
I was naked, pinned down, his heavy, suffocating weight pressing the air from my lungs. I was terrified. I screamed, a raw, desperate sound that had no voice. Help me! Someone, please help me! Adam! ADAM!
And then, he was there. A figure of righteous fury, bathed in a holy light. Adam. He threw Oslo aside as if he were a ragdoll. He stood over me, a guardian, a protector. "Don't worry, Mom," he said, his voice a deep, calming rumble. "I'm here."
I threw my arms around him, sobbing with relief. "Thank you, Adam. You saved me. I love you. I love you, too, Adam." I looked up at his face, and we were leaning in, our lips about to meet—
I woke up with a gasp, my heart hammering against my ribs. Huh… huh… What was that? The dream was so vivid, so real, especially that last part. A dull, throbbing headache pulsed behind my eyes. I looked around the room, my vision slowly focusing. I saw him then. Adam. He was dozing in the chair beside my bed, his head slumped forward, his hand still holding mine.
And then, the real memories came flooding back, a tidal wave of horror. The office party. Oslo forcing drinks on me. The dizziness, the world tilting sideways. Waking up in that hotel room, half-naked. The terror. And then… Adam, Isabel, and Christine bursting through the door. I saw Adam beating that bastard, the same cold, calculated brutality he'd used on those thugs in the parking lot, but somehow more focused, more terrifying.
I'm such a burden. The thought was a cold, sharp stone in my gut. I'm always getting myself into these weird, dangerous situations, and he always has to save me.
Just then, Adam stirred, his eyes fluttering open. The moment he saw I was awake, he was alert, his face a mask of concern. "Mom, you're up," he said, his voice thick with sleep. He leaned forward and wrapped me in a gentle hug. "Are you fine? Please tell me. I'm here."
I melted into his embrace, the solid warmth of him a comforting anchor in the storm of my thoughts. His protectiveness, his absolute certainty… it was something more than a son's duty. "Does… does anything happen when you're here to protect me?" I whispered, the words tumbling out before I could stop them.
He pulled back just enough to look me in the eye, his gaze firm and unwavering. "You are not going back to work there, starting today. Don't worry about anything. I will manage it. You just rest. I'll go and prepare breakfast."
He stood up and left the room, leaving me staring after him. I looked at him in a new light. How caring he was, how daring. He was doing everything for me. He loves me… as a son, of course. But then the dream came rushing back, his face leaning in, my own voice whispering, I love you, too. Just thinking about it made a hot blush creep up my neck. Why in the world did I have that dream? Aww… What is going on with me? Every memory of what had happened between us—the kiss on the balcony, his hands on my skin—was now swirling in my head, a chaotic, forbidden mix. I buried my face in my pillow, a groan of frustration escaping my lips.
Just then, the door opened again, and Christine and Isabel rushed in. "Sis! Are you okay?" "Mom, how are you feeling?" Their worried faces were a welcome distraction. I told them I was fine, just a little shaken. But deep down, I knew that was a lie. I was far from fine.
(End of Joyce's Perspective)
The breakfast table was a council of war. I had just finished explaining my decision: Mom was not going back to that toxic, dangerous workplace. Ever.
"But Adam, the money…" Mom started, her voice weak.
"We'll manage," I said, my tone leaving no room for argument. "Your safety is more important than any job."
Isabel and Aunt Chris immediately backed me up. After a few minutes of unified persuasion, Mom finally relented, a look of profound relief washing over her face.
After breakfast, Isabel and I started our walk to school. The morning air was cool and crisp, a welcome contrast to the heavy atmosphere in the house.
"You're amazing, Adam," she said, linking her arm through mine. "If you hadn't been there last night… something terrible could have happened to Mom."
I pulled her into a quick, reassuring hug. "Izzy, nobody can hurt the people I cherish. I will do anything to protect all of you."
She hugged me back tightly. We walked in a comfortable silence after that, the unspoken horrors of the night before left behind us. As we neared the school, I saw the park and remembered my newest, most volatile investment.
"Izzy, you go on ahead," I said. "I need to meet someone. I'll see you later."
She agreed and left, and I walked into the park, my eyes scanning the benches. I found him near the pond. The change was… staggering. The scrawny, pathetic kid from yesterday was gone. In his place stood a young man who was a solid 5-foot-9, his frame packed with lean, powerful muscle. He walked towards me, carrying a cup of cold coffee, and knelt without hesitation.
"Good morning, Leader."
"How are you doing, Kenji?" I asked, my voice betraying none of the shock I felt. "You've changed so much in just one day."
My [Advanced Appraisal] skill was already active, the translucent white panel shimmering before my eyes.
Status:
Name: Kenji Satao
Strength: 260
Agility: 253
Endurance: 257
Mentality: 242
Intelligence: 233
Mana: 120
Potential: B+
Skills: [None]
Passive Skills: [Indomitable Will], [Guan Yu], [God of War], [Aegis of Atlas]
Superpower: [None]
Soul Ledger: [Eternal Fealty] & [Adam's Mountain]
The numbers were insane. He had gone from below average to a powerhouse overnight. And his Soul Ledger… it was no longer the simple devotion of a fan. This was the absolute, unbreakable vow of a sworn knight.
"It is all your grace, my lord," he said, his head still bowed.
I looked at him, my eyes turning cold. "Listen to me, Kenji. You are not allowed to speak of how you got like this. It is my order. If you dare to reveal the secret of your transformation, I will make you suffer more than you can possibly imagine. Do you understand?"
A shiver went through him. "Yes, Leader," he said, his blood running cold. "I will not mention how I became like this to anyone. Not even in my dreams."
"Very good," I said, my tone softening slightly. "Now, tell me. How does it feel to have power?"
"My lord," he said, looking up at me, his eyes shining with a fierce, unwavering gratitude. "I am grateful for you giving me another chance."
"Then do you remember the task I gave you?"
He didn't say a word. He just stood up, walked to the side, and returned, dragging a boy by the hair. It was the same muscular kid who had beaten him yesterday. The boy, whose name was Gun, was terrified, his face a mask of pure fear.
"I'm sorry, Kenji! Please let me go!" he pleaded.
Kenji dropped him at my feet. "He's my neighbor," he explained calmly. "He was always picking on me. When he came to bully me this morning, I beat him like this."
I was amazed. A wave of pure ecstasy washed over me. My 500 Prayer Coins… they were worth every single one. I patted Kenji on the shoulder. "Can you do anything I ask? Are you willing to become my mountain? Are you willing to serve me?"
He knelt again, his gaze fixed on me with an intensity that was almost frightening. "Leader, you are the man who gave me another chance. I am willing to do anything. I will be Adam Wilson's mountain. My lord's unbreakable mountain."
"Good," I said, a cold smile touching my lips. "Then first, give that bastard a kick. Show me how far you are willing to go."
The kick Kenji delivered was a thing of brutal beauty. It was pure, raw power, a testament to his new strength and his absolute loyalty. Gun let out a choked, agonizing sound and curled into a ball on the ground.
"Welcome to the Hunter's Guild," I said.
Afterward, we both went to the guild room. Kenji walked a step behind me, my right-hand man, even carrying my bag. As we entered, only one thought was running through my head: I finally have a member who will do anything I ask. This is what I wanted.
The moment we walked in, the room erupted. Everyone was there, and they were all staring at Kenji, their jaws on the floor.
He stepped forward, his posture straight, his voice ringing with a newfound confidence that was worlds away from the timid boy he had been.
"I am Kenji Satao," he declared, his gaze sweeping over the members of my inner circle. "And I will be the mountain for the Hunter's Guild. I will be the mountain for our Leader."