Immortal In A Death Game-Chapter 192: Creature of Habit

"It’s... happening."

Adam glanced back at the translucent Dome. Even from afar, the sound of their screams caused him to tremble. He closed his eyes and lowered his head. The memory of Grace burning in front of him resurfaced—her brief scream.

He shook his head quickly.

When he opened his eyes, he straightened his posture and let himself hear the pained screams whispering from the distance. The vast glade and rolling hills amplified every cry, every last breath.

He didn’t look away, even deepening his breath.

Chris noticed Adam’s expression. The lieutenant straightened his own posture, paying respects to the dead.

The soldiers behind him did the same.

Usually, by this time, they’d be preparing to pack up. Getting the cleanup unit ready. Moving on to the next crisis. But not this time. This time, they all stood in silence, following Adam’s lead.

Chip held his breath at this sight, and a chill crawled down his spine. As someone from the military, he knew how rare this was. These soldiers, at this very moment, were practically all following Adam.

Chip wouldn’t be surprised if Adam told them to be at ease; they’d all do it in perfect unison.

He knew it. He’d known from day one there was a reason he worked for Adam as soon as it became known and available to them—after all, he’d seen his videos before.

Adam has never really shown he has the ability to lead, not yet. But what Chip had noticed was something even more dangerous—Adam had this innate ability to inspire people.

Just what sort of future awaits this boy? Chip thought.

And then, for a split second, Chip saw an image flash in his mind—people kneeling to Adam, him standing at the center of it all.

"Pft..." He quickly shook his head, almost laughing at the thought.

They paid their respects for several more minutes. But as the translucent Dome began to wither and fade, Adam turned around.

"Sir Chris, is it all right to borrow your helicopter?"

"Yes, sir," Chris answered immediately. "Where are you planning to use it?"

"Chip and I left something behind."

"Ah! The monster attack?" Chris nodded. "I was told to send some of my men there."

"Hm." Adam nodded. "I’d like to... see what’s happening there."

"That’s fine. We’ll be here for a few more hours, anyway." Chris ordered some of his men nearby to ready the helicopter. "Just... return the chopper in one piece."

"...Of course."

***

Several minutes later, the helicopter touched down in the same glade where Adam had fought Bjorn. The rotors kicked up dust and flower petals, scattering them across the field.

Adam hopped out, his boots hitting the soft earth. The peaceful meadow from before was gone. Now it looked like a crime scene, literally.

Tents dotted the landscape. Yellow tape sectioned off areas. People in hazmat suits moved between evidence markers. Military vehicles formed a perimeter around the entire site.

Just... when did they have the time to set this all up?

Every head turned as Adam walked forward, and every person there stopped whatever it was they were doing. They made way for him, and Adam quickly found the area where he left Bjorn—after all, almost everyone was there, and the area was circled behind a wall of yellow tape.

"Hm..." Adam stared at the gruesome mound. He watched for any sign of change from when he left it behind—a misplaced eye, a new limb, anything that might suggest Bjorn actually regenerated during the last hour.

But from his observation, he was really dead.

"Good." Adam sighed, relief flooding through him.

"Mr. Smith?"

He turned. A woman in a white lab coat approached, clipboard in hand. She was middle-aged, with graying hair pulled back in a tight bun.

"I’m Dr. Fielding. Gordon called me to check this site." She extended her hand. "I was hoping we could speak? I have some questions about... that thing."

"Of course. Adam shook her hand. "I’ll answer anything you need to know."

"Excellent. Then should we—"

"But first, did you find anything?" Adam asked, then subtly pointed at Dr. Fielding’s clipboard, where a plastic evidence bag was attached.

"Oh. This?" She handed him a plastic evidence bag. Inside was a small device, no bigger than a coin, covered in flesh and blood.

"What is it?"

"We think it’s some kind of GPS or tracking device. Found it embedded in the creature’s spine." Dr. Fielding adjusted her glasses. "I think it’s broken, though. We’ll have it sent to the IT department."

"Hm..." Adam nodded and slipped the bag into his pocket.

Dr. Fielding’s eyes went wide. "Wait—why did you just pocket evidence?"

"Can I have it?"

"I..." She blinked rapidly. "You’d have to ask someone higher up the chain."

"No problem. I’ll make a call." Adam looked around. "Can I borrow a phone?"

"That..." Dr. Fielding sighed and handed him her cell phone. "Just... don’t go far. We still need to ask questions."

Adam moved away from the crowd, finding a quiet spot near the tree line. He dialed a number from memory.

The phone rang twice before someone picked up.

<Gustav’s Rice and Tacos, what can I get you?> The voice was coquettish, almost flirty.

"It’s me."

"Oho...?" A pleased hum came through the speaker. <Twice in one month? Whatever did I do for me to be this lucky? Hmm? What is it? Do you need a new ID?>

"No. Can you hack or do something with a fried tracking device?"

<You might as well ask me to perform magic.> The Forger’s tone shifted, becoming more serious. <But what’s it for?>

"Is it possible to know where the tracker was sending coordinates?"

<Ooh, mysterious. I can try. Send it to me.>

<No. Let’s meet in person.>

<Oh, darling...> The Forger’s voice became even more flirty. <You know I don’t do meetups. Too messy.>

"Please."

<Okay.> The Forger responded instantly. <You don’t need to call again. I’ll come and find you within twenty-four hours.> 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

And then the line went dead, not even giving Adam the chance to say anything else. He could only sigh, and then suddenly crushed the phone in his palm.

Adam was about to walk back to Dr. Fielding when he saw her terrified and looking at his hand.

Adam also looked back at her, blinking several times as he looked at the crumbled phone in his hand.

"Oh..." he muttered.

"...Sorry. Habit."