[10 Status Points Available]

Five Leaks. Several days later, Adam had cleared four more Leaks after the Feinor Giant. And in all that time, he hadn't even allocated a single point.

He stared at the floating words in front of him, almost… mesmerized by them. He didn't know why… but it almost felt fun accumulating the points and letting them climb.

Was… this the reason why some of his fellow scavengers back then liked playing video games?

Of course, fun wasn't the reason why Adam wasn't using any of the points. It was caution—he wanted to challenge himself. After all, what was the point of physically getting stronger if he lacked all sorts of combat experience?

Also, it wasn't enjoyable defeating monsters in one strike.

…Enjoyable? Since when did you think fighting is enjoyable, Adam? Just because they're not humans, and they don't have feelings… you think you have the right to enjoy killing them?

Adam quickly shook his head off of the thoughts he was having. There was another reason why he hadn't used his Status Points just yet—it was so the others wouldn't notice him getting stronger so fast.

But perhaps he wouldn't have to worry about that in the near future—after the Feinor Giant's cavern, where he'd leveled up eight times, the four Leaks that came after only granted him five more points total... and it was mostly from clearing them.

The opponents weren't weaker, either. It… was going to get harder and harder to level up. It—

"Santé!"

And finally, Adam's thoughts were completely interrupted as Hugo raised his glass. Perhaps… this wasn't the time to be lost in his own world.

"To another successful clear!"

Adam sat at a long wooden table in a restaurant somewhere in the city, watching the others celebrate. The atmosphere was… comfortable, warm even. Clementine had insisted on ordering the finest wine after their latest victory, and the conversation flowed as freely as the alcohol.

"You know," Margaux leaned forward, her flame-colored hair almost pulling the candlelight, "I still cannot believe 'ow you just... poof... regenerate like zat. Even after days together. It iz like watching magic, non?"

"Magic that makes me want to vomit," Xavier muttered, though he was grinning. "Ze way you fight with reckless abandon... Mon Dieu."

Adam shrugged, just shaking his head at them, not knowing how to respond.

Across the table, Sylvie watched Adam interact with the others. She'd been quieter than usual tonight, and Adam caught her sighing.

In truth, she truly wanted to talk with Adam… but Clementine sat directly between the two of them. And whenever she tried to lean forward, Clementine also leaned closer to Adam, blocking him completely from view.

Was she… doing that intentionally? Sylvie wondered, glancing at her sister.

The thought bothered Sylvie more than it should have. When had things become so... complicated?

She'd grown closer to Adam over these past days, but their relationship felt stagnant somehow. Even Margaux seemed closer to Adam than her.

Maybe… she shouldn't have introduced him to the others? What if Adam slowly forgets her? Maybe she should just approach him and take their friendship to something else?

…Something else? The sudden thought made her cover her mouth. Did she want their relationship to be… more?

And all of a sudden, Sylvie was the one lost in thought—what would it be like if Adam stayed? Not just for a few weeks, but permanently. They could clear Leaks together, travel the world, maybe even…

…maybe even stay with her, and her alone? No one else.

No one else but her. Maybe he would even smile for her?

The Hospital had kept him locked away for twenty years—wouldn't it be better if she kept him safe? Protected him from everyone who might hurt him again?

Yes. All to herself. All to—

And soon, Sylvie snapped out of her thoughts, startled by how intense they were. She forced herself to look away, focusing on her wine instead.

What… even were those thoughts she was having? She stared at the wine… but then thought of how it looked quite similar to Adam's blood.

His blood. Yes… Adam's blood was affecting her. But why like—

"I'm going back to America."

And before her thoughts could spiral again, Adam's words stopped it completely. It wasn't just her thoughts; the entire table turned quiet.

"What?" Margaux blinked. "But... we thought you would stay! You fit so well with ze guild, non?"

Hugo nodded enthusiastically. "Oui! You are like family now! Please, join ze guild."

"I…"

…would really like that.

"...can't," Adam said. "But thank you."

"Ha…" Clementine nodded. In truth, she'd been waiting to ask that herself… but she already knew what Adam would answer in the first place. "I need more wine. Lots more wine."

She headed toward the bar… finally leaving an empty chair between Adam and Sylvie.

Sylvie, of course, immediately slid over.

"You are… certain?" she asked quietly. "And the Hospital? They will be there, waiting for you, yes?"

"I have to face them eventually." Adam met her eyes. "Running away won't solve anything."

"If you stayed, we could help you. The guild has resources and connections. We could—"

"You've already helped me enough. More than enough. But…" Adam sighed. "I need to do this myself. I'm tired of being dragged around by other people, having my choices made for me."

"Oh. That…" Sylvie felt her chest tighten. "I... I didn't mean to drag you—"

"Not you," Adam said quickly. "I didn't mean you, or Clementine. In fact, thank you for dragging me around, actually."

"Oh…"

"But it's time I stood on my own feet." He looked Sylvie in the eyes, and Sylvie nodded at him before gazing down at her hands.

"I wish I could come with you. But after what I did in America..." She scoffed before forcing out a smile. "I'm persona non grata in America now. They would arrest me."

"I'm sorry. That's my fault."

"Non. It was worth it. But..." She hesitated, then looked up at him hopefully. "...I still want to help you, Sir Adam. Maybe the only thing I can give…?"

"Hm…?"

"M-money? For your travel, your equipment—whatever you might require?"

Sylvie readied for Adam to refuse… but contrary to her expectations.

"Yes," he agreed. "You need to pay me for clearing the Leaks these past few days, Ma'am. I don't work for free."

"You…" Sylvie gasped, then let out a surprised giggle. "…This is the first time I hear you make a joke."

"...A joke?" Adam blinked.

From across the room, Clementine watched the two talk. And with a heavy sigh, she chugged the bottle she was supposed to bring back to the table.

But of course, she brought another one, and the party continued.

***

Soon, night had fallen over the Rousseau estate. Adam stood on his room's balcony, leaning over the railing as he breathed in the fresh air. He… was trying to get rid of the scent of alcohol that seemed to have stuck inside his nose.

He also thought about everything that had happened. Everything… felt like a lifetime compressed into weeks.

Tomorrow, he would leave. Return to America, to whatever waited for him there. The Hospital would be expecting him, but he was stronger now.

But… is it enough? What if—

A soft knock suddenly interrupted his thoughts. He glanced back at the door, only to see Clementine stepping inside. She moved quietly, approaching Adam while wearing only an oversized t-shirt.

Adam didn't say anything, just watched as she joined him on the balcony.

"Hey…" she whispered. "Couldn't sleep either?"

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