Bab 25: The Plan Unfolds

As Adam exited the school, he pondered his next move.

Now's the time to activate the plan, he thought, a faint smirk hidden beneath his black mask.

Adam's presence was enigmatic, marked

Without delay, Adam summoned Pratham and Mikasa through his phone. In moments, their voices crackled to life on the other end.

"Yes, my Lord," Pratham responded smoothly. "We've activated the plan. I've pinpointed an isolated location. I'll set it on the map in your phone now."

A satisfied glint flashed in Adam's eyes. "Well done, Pratham." Then, turning his attention to Mikasa, he asked, "Mikasa, report the progress."

From the other end, Mikasa's calm voice carried through. "Lord Adam, I couldn't separate two of them, but I managed to secure a target among the seven. I hacked his phone, and he's en route to Pratham's selected location. He should arrive there within half an hour."

Hearing this, Adam's expression turned to one of approval. "Mikasa, keep a close eye on him. If possible, keep tabs on Ani as well."

"As you wish, Lord Adam," Mikasa replied with steadfast loyalty.

Adam boarded a train, his eyes focused on the map Pratham had sent. The location wasn't far from the school, and within minutes, he'd arrived. Stepping off the train, he activated his comms. "Pratham, listen closely."

Pratham responded, "Yes, Lord Adam. What are your instructions?"

"Pratham," Adam began, "learn a skill focused on neutralizing a person through martial arts—preferably without a weapon."

Pratham responded with enthusiasm, "Sir, I've found several suitable techniques. Do you have a preference?"

Stepping off the platform, Adam switched to a low voice. "Any will do. I don't have the time to select. I'll be the one facing him soon."

Pratham's tone reflected his readiness. "I'll choose a specific martial arts skill for you right away."

Once Pratham started the skill download, Adam activated his connection skill, a unique ability that allowed him to instantly absorb skills his allies learned.

"Sir," Pratham's voice broke through as he finished, "the skill I found is MMA—mixed martial arts. This should suit you well, as it leverages the opponent's movements against them. It doesn't require intense physical strength."

Adam nodded. "Excellent. Master it, when I give the word."

Pratham acknowledged, "I'm ready to learn the skill whenever you command, my Lord."

With his connection skill active, Adam absorbed Pratham's MMA knowledge fully. As the techniques registered in his mind, he felt as though he'd practiced MMA for years, mastering defense, offense, and the balance between them.

Each maneuver—the stance, the way to parry, the tactics for counter-attacks—became as familiar to him as breathing.

Opening his eyes with a renewed sense of confidence, Adam instructed Pratham to find a skill focused on knocking opponents out. Pratham's response was immediate.

"Lord Adam, boxing would be most effective for that. From what I've gathered from Mikasa, this target is likely stronger and more experienced than we anticipated, so a focused skill like boxing would suit you best."

"Then start learning it now," Adam commanded.

As Pratham initiated the boxing download, Adam felt the flood of new information—the techniques and strategies layered into his mind as if they were apps installing in rapid succession.

The essentials of boxing—the cross, the hook, the uppercut, and each defensive tactic—entered his mind with precision. He felt the footwork, the strategic rhythm, each calculated movement.

He now carried a potent set of skills he felt would be invaluable against the adversary he'd soon face.

Adam clenched his fists, feeling the surge of confidence.' I'm ready now,' he thought.' I can defeat him.'

---

Following Pratham's directions, Adam ventured through the adjoining town near his school.

The location set on his map led him toward an abandoned alley, one he'd noted before as a desolate, secluded place.

The alley was a forgotten stretch, where discarded trash piled along the sides, and the air was thick with the scent of neglect.

It was a passageway hidden behind various storefronts, the kind of spot that no one frequented.

A black cat prowled near the garbage, dragging out a fish bone it had scavenged.

"Sir, this is the location I chose," Pratham's voice came through his earpiece.

Adam's lips curved into a faint smile. "Perfect. Now, tell me how close our target is."

Pratham replied, "The thug will be here in about five minutes."

Adam considered for a moment, then asked, "Pratham, do you know how to set traps?"

Pratham paused. "Give me a few seconds. I'll learn a trap skill right now."

Adam activated his connection skill once more, and as Pratham acquired the trap skill,

Adam absorbed it simultaneously. He felt the newfound knowledge of setting ambushes and traps settle in his mind, like fitting pieces into a well-designed puzzle.

"Sir, I've learned it," Pratham confirmed.

Adam began arranging the scattered junk around the alley.

Every discarded item had its purpose now, from broken crates to stray glass shards, as he meticulously constructed a hidden trap.

He worked quickly, knowing he had mere minutes before the thug arrived.

---

Meanwhile few minutes prior, elsewhere in the city, Mikasa was operating with precision.

The moment Adam left the school, she had set her own plan in motion. Attempting to separate two of the thugs from the group of seven had proven challenging, but she quickly adjusted her strategy, hacking one of the thug's phones.

With a few deft commands, she initiated a call directly to him.

The thug answered, his voice gruff and wary. "Hello? Who are you, and how did you get this number?"

Mikasa altered her voice, adopting a tone that was sharp yet familiar. "Forgotten me already?"

The thug's breath hitched, recognizing the voice. He assumed it was from his higher-ups. "Boss, is that you? Why are you calling me directly?"

A calculated silence lingered before Mikasa replied, "Out of all seven of you, I trust you the most. That's why I'm calling you personally. If you don't capture that girl by tomorrow, it's not just you who will pay. You all will."

The thug stammered, "But Boss, we've run into repeated problems. Each time—"

"I don't care about your excuses," Mikasa interrupted. "I'm sending you the exact location of the girl. I'm handling what should have been your job. Now, don't tell anyone. Go there alone and capture her."

The thug hesitated, "Wouldn't it be better if we went together? It would improve our odds."

"Do you know why you've failed so many times?" she questioned, voice turning cold.

He swallowed hard, stunned into silence.

"It's because there's a traitor among you," she said, delivering the lie with impeccable conviction. "Each time you fail, it's because someone leaks our plans. That's why you haven't captured the girl."

His body tensed with paranoia as he glanced toward the remaining six men. One of us… a traitor? The realization struck him with palpable fear.

"Now listen," Mikasa continued. "Memorize the location I'm sending you. Destroy your phone and head there alone. Make no mistakes."

With that, Mikasa ended the call, knowing the thug would follow her instructions to the letter, setting the stage perfectly for Adam's trap.

To be connected.....