章節 43: IM HERE TO STEAL

"I'm just an ordinary guy." The moment his words concluded, the very atmosphere in their vicinity began to tremble. Gibbs, observing the escalating situation, sensed that the red-haired man was getting deadly serious, and it gave him a sense of foreboding

Gibs found himself in an increasingly precarious situation, unsure of the true extent of his opponent's abilities. He harbored no doubt about his own skills, but the unpredictable nature of the red-haired man's capabilities unsettled him.

Realizing that he couldn't afford to let this unfold any further, Gibs signaled Lily to initiate a pincer attack on the red-haired man. It was a calculated move, driven by the need to secure a favorable outcome, even though he still retained confidence in his own prowess.

The red-haired man observed Lily and Gibs closing in on him from both sides, and he couldn't suppress a sigh as he briefly cast his gaze skyward.

With a nonchalant attitude, he declared, "You can never be what I am." As the words left his lips, the entire vicinity around him became enveloped in fiery petals, their radiant heat causing the air to sizzle. Then, a thunderous eruption ensued, and the ground beneath him crumbled, transforming his immediate surroundings into a chaotic chasm.

...

Adrian, who had distanced himself considerably from the park, couldn't ignore the deafening explosion and turned his gaze in the direction from which it emanated.

"They seem to be enjoying themselves," he contemplated with a faint smile, dismissing the thought of the ongoing clash as he resumed his journey toward the task he had been assigned. The notion of securing the compass for Alaya no longer appealed to him; instead, he desired it for himself.

In the distance, he marveled at the impressive quarters of the House of Gentle Tablet, a structure that stood as a testament to both its grandeur and tasteful architectural design. Its imposing form, adorned with intricate details, radiated an air of both beauty and grace, serving as a symbol of the organization's prestige and power.

'It truly is astonishing. Perhaps I should consider forming my own organization and acquiring a building of this caliber,' Adrian contemplated, entertaining the idea as he ventured into the seemingly deserted edifice.

While Adrian was surveying his surroundings, a man in a disheveled white suit, glasses perched upon his nose, emerged from an adjacent room. His surprise was evident as he spotted Adrian exploring the building, for he had not anticipated the presence of anyone at this late hour.

"Good evening, sir. How can I be of assistance to you?" The man in the white suit inquired, running a hand through his hair to appear more presentable. The stark contrast between Adrian, cloaked in black, and himself, draped in white, led him to ponder the symbolism of their attire, akin to day and night.

"Thank you, and good evening to you too. I couldn't help but notice how deserted it is in here. Are you the only one present at this moment?" Adrian inquired, feigning ignorance of the circumstances at hand.

Upon hearing Adrian's query, David couldn't suppress a soft chuckle and replied, "It's not as empty as it seems. We're currently immersed in various tasks, so most of our colleagues are out in the field."

Noticing Adrian's nod, David gestured for him to take a seat. "So, what brings you to this place? Have you come across any unusual paranormal occurrences in your vicinity?" David inquired, his curiosity piqued by Adrian's presence in formal attire.

Adrian, seated, cast a vigilant gaze around the room before offering his response: "You see, I've come here for an item in your possession. I'm well aware it doesn't rightfully belong to me, and I shouldn't be coveting it, but its significance to me is profound."

Struck by Adrian's pleasant and courteous demeanor, David found himself briefly impressed. It took him a few moments to fully grasp the weight of Adrian's statement before he finally inquired, "What do you mean?"

Despite maintaining a composed exterior, David couldn't entirely conceal a hint of apprehension as he posed the question to Adrian. He held no concerns about unauthorized individuals breaching this location; any potential threat would have surely triggered the security alarms.

Adrian assured David, "There is no need for alarm; I come with no ill intent. I'm here to acquire a particular item known as the Compass of Findings. Do you happen to know its storage location?" He maintained his polite demeanor, as though his request were an entirely ordinary matter.

Upon hearing Adrian's inquiry, David couldn't suppress a chuckle, finding the question rather naive. His unspoken thought was, 'Who would openly admit to their intent to steal something?' His laughter slipped out inadvertently.

"That's a rather amusing joke, I must say. But I'm genuinely intrigued—how did you become aware of it?" David inquired, his curiosity piqued. He was more than willing to engage in a conversation with this peculiar visitor, who had arrived late in the evening.

The office had become somewhat monotonous, and he was no longer alone, but the recent call to send reinforcements to Lily and Gibs had further depleted the usual occupants of the facility.

"This is no joke, and I came to know of it through Lily," Adrian replied calmly, observing the look of surprise that crossed David's face.

"You're acquainted with Lily?" David inquired, the timing of Adrian's visit now appearing more deliberate and thought out, given the late hour.

Adrian confirmed, "Yes, I crossed paths with her in a park. She's rather lively, I must admit. I'm not particularly inclined toward that type of companionship, or else I might have reciprocated her advances, to be honest." As he spoke, he casually placed his cane on the table, a gesture that struck David as rather peculiar.

"I'd kindly request that you depart," David stated with a sudden seriousness in his expression. He began to reflect on the unusual chain of events: the relics had arrived at their organization just yesterday, and today, the city was embroiled in a series of unforeseen incidents.

"Was this your doing?" David inquired, his teeth tightly clenched, suspicion coloring his tone.

Adrian regarded him with a gentle and polite smile. "What do you mean?" he inquired innocently, tapping his cane on the table. As David's eyes rolled back, he slumped out of the chair, succumbing to the unexpected turn of events.