Foundation

The youth climbed the stairs leading to the second floor, his expression gradually turning serious. Valerian noticed this and put his paws around Adam's neck, fondly rubbing his cheek against the latter's.

Brother, are you afraid of the pain?

Adam glanced at the little guy and patted his head with a doting smile. "I'm not afraid of it… but I don't like it either."

"Myuu…" Valerian's hold around the youth's neck tightened ever so slightly.

Ever since Berger found out that Adam had advanced to the Neural Stage, he had been making the latter take a medicinal bath every few days. Although this was very beneficial to the youth, at the same time it was also highly painful.

This unique medicinal bath was something that the old gnome had created himself. The main ingredient for this solution was a type of mushroom called the Blood Fungus.