Chapter 648: See Through
Seeing Adam's expression turn so grave, the rest of the Magi present knew that something terrible had happened. They hurriedly drew their weapons, ready to fight.
Just when Daneli was about to ask about this sudden development, Adam solemnly gazed at him with his index finger on his lips. Seeing the raven-haired youth react in such a manner, everyone's worst fear had come true, and Adam's following gesture only confirmed their speculation.
A moment later, Adam showed them three fingers. A Rank 3 - Mana Vortex Magus was approaching them!
He donned his black gauntlets that Blacky had given him all those years ago. Then, the mysterious black feather tattoo around his wrists shone with a soft light before two daggers appeared in the palm of his hands.
Nighthollow - The Rank 4 Artifact crafted in the likeness of a raven's feather. Of course, the strength of these daggers was relative to Adam's current strength, meaning they were slightly weaker than Rank 3 artifacts at the moment.
Then, he stood before his team, ready to face the powerful Magus who was making their way here.
Damn it, what are the chances? He thought to himself bitterly. Who is this person? Is he related to the Cult? How did he find us? Did we trigger some sort of mechanism when we entered this abandoned base?
Countless thoughts swirled in his mind as he waited for the Magus to arrive. It was not that he was afraid of facing this person. He was confident in his ability to fight this Magus, though he couldn't confirm that he could defeat him-not without the lotus, at the very least.
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No, what he was actually worried about was the fact that he and his team would now be found out. Years of planning would go down the drain if this Magus found them in the secret base. A ruthless glint flashed in Adam's dark pupils as he immediately came to a decision.
Consequences be damned. Kill. No matter what it takes!
This way, even though their enemies would realize that someone was onto them, at the very least, he and his team's identity would remain anonymous. This was a far better outcome.
Of course, there was also the other possibility that the Magus was unable to see through his spell, but Adam didn't count on it.
Should I use the white lotus now? No, what if the Magus enters this room? We'll be found out nonetheless. Damn it, the only option is to take him by surprise and kill him!
At that moment, the incoming Magus slowed down his speed and then started walking toward the secret room.
With every step he took, the hearts of the group of Agents grew heavy. The difference in strength between Mana Vortex and Mana Liquefaction was enormous. There was no way that they would be able to beat the enemy.
However, when they saw Adam's broad back, they found some semblance of hope. This person was several times stronger than a regular Mana Liquefaction Magus! Maybe they really did have a chance to come out of this situation, after all.
The sound of footsteps grew closer and louder. Daneli, Liriel, and Kael's grips around their weapons tightened as they aptly gazed at the entrance to the room.
Adam, on the other hand, turned cold as ice. His eyes narrowed and he expertly concealed any semblance of killing intent forming within him. The moment this Magus dropped his guard, he would go in for the kill.
Finally, after what felt like forever, the group saw a burly figure draped in a gray robe appear at the entrance of the room. The person was more than 1.8 meters tall and had a stocky build. However, because of the hood over his head, his face was concealed.
The robed figure took one step inside the room and then stopped. He carefully observed the room and everything inside it-the wooden crates, the food supplies, the clothes, the weapons, the herbs, everything.
When his gaze passed across the group, they couldn't help but feel anxious. They wondered if they would be found out now. However, nothing happened the first time around. When the man ran his gaze across them the second time, still nothing happened.
This caused Adam to frown intensely as he struggled to go in for the kill. He thought to himself in doubt, Can he really not see us?
Right at that moment, something shocking happened. The man cast his gaze across the room and momentarily met eyes with Adam. It was an extremely short duration, a split second perhaps, but Adam was sure that the man had noticed him!
Before Adam could make his next move, the gray-robed individual had turned around and left. His footsteps echoed inside the tunnel for a minute or two before finally fading away.
Only then, did Daneli, Liriel, and Kael let out a deep breath of relief.
"I... I thought we were truly done for!" Liriel placed her hand on her chest where she could still feel her heart beat wildly.
Kael simply nodded in response. He appeared calm and indifferent, but the layer of sweat on his forehead gave him away.
Daneli walked forward and clasped Adam's shoulder. He spoke with a wide grin and immense admiration, "You bastard, your illusions are truly something!"
"...Yeah, I guess so," Adam replied in a daze, still staring at the spot where the gray-robed man stood a few minutes ago.
Was I wrong? He thought to himself. For a brief moment, he was sure that their eyes had met but the man's subsequent action left him questioning himself.
There's no way he just let us go... Did he really not see through my spell?
Liriel's words, awoke him from his thoughts. "We need to hurry and leave, Adam. There's no knowing if that person might come back again."
"She's right," Daneli added. "The masquerade is only a couple of days away. Now that we've found substantive evidence linking the Red Fists and the Duskfall Family, we can finally put our plan in motion."
Adam nodded absentmindedly. He then took one final look at the secret base before leading the group through the tunnels and back to the surface.