Chapter 15: The Golden Lions headquarters
A servant accompanied Adam to the Golden Lions library to pick a skill as a reward for saving Yassir.
"Welcome to the family's most sacred place: Golden Lions Library, where the family's legacy is kept." the servant announced proudly after opening the enormous wooden gate.
Unlike the rest of the simply decorated stone rooms, the library was so magnificent and extravagant that it was hard to believe that it belongs to this filthy old castle.
It was a piece of art with beautiful trappings on the wooden tables and bookshelves. But what was more appealing in the room than the accessories is the large inheritance of ancient fighting techniques, historical paintings, and rare pills recipes.
Adam was amazed by all the valuable knowledge contained in this room. Yet he was very hesitant and anxious because he knew very well that any skill from this heaven-defying library wasn't the reward for a mere attempt of rescue. They must want something in return.
But after the insistence of Yassir's father, Adam had no choice but to accept this reward.
He first headed toward the skills section and started to read the titles one by one. But to his surprise, most of the books were sound-based techniques. Thus he couldn't learn them because he doesn't have the ability to control sounds. It was the ability that made the Golden Lions Family one of the top five strongest families in Independence City beside their superior physiques. After a while, Adam decided to pick a body enhancement technique called Golden Lion flesh.
He chose it mostly because it was a high tier skill and it was written in the description very hard to master. It may sound like a disadvantage but Adam knew that the harder the process, the better the result.
After picking his reward and out of curiosity, he walked to the pills and potions creation section. After all, he had no idea how they are made. In fact, he has never had the chance to consume one. The pills and the potions are used for a variety of purposes: from healing wounds and curing diseases to enhancing fighters' capabilities either temporary or permanently or their talent(World energy absorption rate)…
Adam left the library unwillingly, there was just too much knowledge that he desired to learn. It was like a paradise for every fighter who wants to become stronger.
Adam was walking down the corridor immersed in his deep thoughts reviewing all the things that happened to him that day from the clay creatures or whatever they were, to the reward and his bad feelings toward it.
As he felt the glaring gazes, he lifted his eyes to see a group of boys that seemed around 16 years old wearing expensive black jeans, white shoes and black leather jackets with a big golden lion head logo on the back. They were frowning and looking him with disdain.
They started to talk loudly on purpose so that he could hear what they are saying.
"The rumors were true, our family is giving charity to a poor commoner."
"Such a lucky bastard!"
"He is a stranger yet he was allowed to enter our ancestors' library. Even we are allowed to visit it only once a month."
"This is unacceptable. Do you think we will just let you steal our techniques and keep watching like little b**ches?"
Adam just kept watching them in silence. Even though he wasn't afraid of them, he was seeing where this is gonna end. He was in the enemy's territory.
"Your patriarch was the one who proposed that I can pick one thing I want from the library. If you got any problem with that we can settle it with a fight, me against all of you at once. If you win I will give what I took but if you lose you will stop complaining. How does it soun..."
_HaHaHa_
"Did you just heard what he said? So arrogant! You think you could take all of us at once. We will crush you, stupid commoner."
"Copper Lion Flesh" one of the five boys activated a body strengthening technique while moving forward toward Adam. His already muscular body seamed to gain more power, his muscles became even bigger and his skin gained a reddish-brown color.
He threw a heavy punch to Adam's face. But the later managed to block it with his right arm in time. Contrary to his expectations the blow was very strong all though his opponent was just an E ranker.
_Bump_Bump_Bump_
After another ten clashes, Adam retreated as he felt the numbness in his arms. The opponent had trained his body strengthening technique to a very high level to be able to generate power equal or even higher than D rankers.
"Inner Energy Fist"
_Roar_
Adam was about to lend his attack when several waves of sounds blown him away.
"Angry Lion Roar" the four other boys in the back used a sound attack to prevent Adam from reaching the boy in the front.
"You will regret underestimating us. We, The golden cubs, are the strongest squad in the younger generation. And we don't take orders from anyone except the young master."
"Well, I admit I have been fighting recklessly. But playtime has come to an end."
"Rocket Burst." He squatted down slowly while the dark faint energy enveloped his legs then he was launched like a projectile with a 45-degree angle. This was an upgraded version of his previous skill: Inner Energy Legs. It creates a strong and quick dush to reach the opponent in no time.
_Roar_
The four boys in the back used again their sound attack, Angry Lion Roar, to prevent him from coming but it was all in vain.
Soon Adam was standing straight in front of the four boys. Black energy enveloped his arm as he threw a punch to the boy in front of him which sent him flying with a broken bloody nose.
"Sound Prison" the other three boys quickly encircled him and used a skill that creates a sound barrier but again it was in vain as Adam used the Rocket burst to break free. And with the short distance, his dush was even more powerful and undodgeable. He crushed with the boy on his right side and slammed him with the wall.
"Only three left."
The other two retreated and covered behind the copper-skinned boy to use his body as a meat shield. Their strategy was simple yet effective: the four boys in the back who are experienced in mid-range use the sounds to attack while the muscular boy in the front defends them.
The copper-skinned boy rushed toward Adam angrily and launched a barrage of heavy blows. But Adam no longer clashed with his them head-on, he only dodged the attacks and waited for the right moment to counter. His opponent was strong but not fast, Adam managed to avoid all the hits and as soon as he sensed the tiredness in his attacker. He used his Inner Energy Fist to strike him in the stomach mouth. The boy bent in pain as his copper layer shattered just to be knocked with a hard right in the face. The big boy fell on the ground like a sack of meat unconsciously.
"I think this fight is over. Can I go now?" Adam said to the other two trembling boys who were in the back.
"Th...thi...this is impossible! Who is this man? He took all of us just by himself. He must be at the same level as young master Yassir."
"Brother, I am afraid we have offended a prodigy."
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone