"I'm the one who stopped them, after all. I want to make sure they're locked up."

The tent became quiet after those words. Well, none of the members of the Nightraptor guild were actually surprised.

They haven't seen the videos yet since they were busy, and the use of phones was also ill-advised to prevent any information about their Leak leaking out into the open.

After all, they truly did luck out in getting this type of Leak—a lot of other guilds would have eyes on them if they knew. Well, not like that was going to be a problem anymore, now that Adam sealed the Leak.

But still, even without seeing the video, it was easy to put two-and-two together. There was a reason why the smugglers surrendered on their own, and now they knew the reason.

And while Jerry's eyes twitched, a small smile crept onto Vincent's face.

"You?" Vincent stared. "You're the one?"

"Yes," Adam said, looking Vincent straight in the eyes. "I was there when the monsters they smuggled started terrorizing the town. And they also told me who they're working for, so… it's best to process us at the same time, right?"

He turned his eyes back to Jerry, who forced out a smile. As for Vincent, he let out a small, amused scoff.

"Now I really want you in the guild," he said. He was about to say something to Adam, but Jerry quickly moved behind Adam.

"We're leaving." Jerry pulled out a pair of handcuffs, thick and solid, especially made for veterans. He snapped them around Adam's wrist and pulled him up from his seat before he could say anything else.

"Since the Leak has been sealed, IBAA business is concluded here, gentlemen. I'll be taking my leave with these… criminals."

Jerry no longer waited for Vincent or anyone to say anything, but Rick still managed to talk to Adam on the way out.

"Your equipment," he whispered. "I'll still have them made, don't worry."

"Thank you, Sir…" Adam nodded. "...Nothing's changed. I'll contact you before the next Game. It—"

Jerry yanked him out, hastily dragging him straight toward the van. It wasn't wise to stay there with all the eyes on Adam, after all.

"Long ride to the IBAA," Jerry said, clicking his tongue as they reached his van.

He opened the back doors, revealing the two smugglers inside… who weren't handcuffed at all. But still, as soon as they saw Adam, they instantly pressed themselves against the far wall, then even further when Adam climbed in.

The two of them even flinched as Jerry slid the door closed. Jerry didn't waste any time at all and just drove away.

Adam glanced at the two smugglers for a bit and then sighed. He rested his head against the window, watching as they pulled out of the camp—judging from how fast Jerry was driving, he was mad. Really mad.

It didn't take long for them to leave the gravel and dirt and into the smooth pavement of the main road. Jerry also started driving more calmly.

And then, black SUVs appeared ahead—four of them, moving in a line in the opposite lane. Adam quickly ducked his head even though the windows of the van were tinted.

It's them.

The Hospital, he was sure of it. Fortunately for Adam, the vehicles just quickly passed by. Jerry also glanced at the vehicles, but didn't really think much of them at all.

A few more miles accumulated, and Adam started to relax as he started weighing his options while studying the mountains and the passing landscape.

He could rip his hands apart. The cuffs would slide right off with his blood as the lubricant. Push open the door, and then escape into the fields and disappear.

But if he escaped now, what would be the chances of the IBAA truly getting involved? He was sure Jerry wasn't actually taking him to the IBAA. That much was obvious.

He was probably taking them to the people they're working for.

If Adam escaped now, Jerry might put him into the system in order to find him and then bring him to his boss. But of course, if that did happen, the Hospital would find him first.

Should… he just let Jerry take him? He was sure it was some sort of large crime syndicate… that meant they weren't worse than the Hospital.

"Ah…" Adam suddenly remembered something. His bicycle. He left it near the Nightraptor's camp… along with all of his money and belongings strapped to it.

Great.

Adam groaned in frustration, lightly hitting his head on the window. But he quickly calmed down and gazed at his chest—at the very least…

I still have the two of you with me. I'm—huh?

His eyes felt heavy suddenly. Fighting the Verdant Snake, his skin melting over and over again… everything was finally catching up to him.

I'm tired… oh?

Adam glanced at the two smugglers, and they were completely knocked unconscious. Not asleep. Unconscious.

How… long have they been like that?

Adam finally realized it—the two had actually been knocked out since earlier. He covered his nose for a few seconds and then took in a deep breath.

Oh… halothane. Nice.

And with that, Adam lost consciousness.

***

"Kh!"

Pain exploded across his jaw. He could feel his head snap sideways, and he blinked several times as he woke up. He looked around, and while everything around him was still blurry, he was sure he was no longer in the van.

He was still seated, however. Tied to a chair, metal chains bit into his wrists and ankles. There were people in suits surrounding him. Six? Seven? It was hard to count with all the lights pointed at him and blinding him.

Not the Hospital, he thought. If it was… then he wouldn't be tied to a chair, but a metal bed.

But most importantly, the men in suits had halos above their heads.

Was he… inside a Leak?

Adam groggily looked to the side, and the two smugglers were also there, tied up.

One was dead. The other? Praying while bleeding from his eyes.

"There he is." A voice came from the front, followed by a couple of light slaps on his cheek. "Welcome back to Earth. You created a lot of trouble for us, huh?"

Adam looked up at the man who slapped him—no. Maybe it was a woman? He was… unsure of it because of the semi-bald blue hair. But what he was sure of was that—

[Susan, The Limbcrusher.]

—It was a Hero.

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