Chapter 15: The Deal

The air in the underground lab was thick with the scent of chemicals and decay. Adam stood across from Professor Lee, who seemed to be in his element in this dimly lit, cluttered space. The walls were lined with shelves of strange vials and mysterious devices, some of which hummed with a faint, unsettling energy. In the center of it all, a large table was covered with scattered papers, cracked crystal cores, and faded maps.

Monica was standing beside Adam, her eyes narrowed in suspicion as she took in the room. She had her hand resting on the grip of her pistol, though she didn't draw it. She knew how dangerous Professor Lee could be. The man was a master of manipulation, a survivalist who had found his niche in the chaos of the world. He wasn't someone who could be trusted lightly, no matter how much information he had to offer.

"Well, what do you need?" Professor Lee's voice snapped Adam out of his thoughts, his smile still in place. The older man seemed far too comfortable in his surroundings, as though he had all the time in the world to make deals and play games.

Adam's grip tightened slightly on the machete at his side, but he kept his expression neutral. He wasn't here for games. "We need information on the crystals. Specifically, how to upgrade abilities using them."

Professor Lee's eyes glinted with interest, his fingers tapping rhythmically against the edge of the table. "Ah, so it's power you seek. But of course, that's not something you can just acquire by asking, is it? There's a price for everything in this world—especially power."

"I'm not interested in your riddles," Adam replied, his voice low but firm. "I need to know how to use the crystals to upgrade my abilities. Tell me what you know."

The professor chuckled softly, a sound that felt more like a warning than anything else. "Straight to the point. I like that. But as I said, everything comes with a cost. The question is: what are you willing to give up?"

Monica took a step forward, her eyes still locked on the professor. "We don't have time for your games. We're here to make a deal, not dance around in circles."

Professor Lee leaned back in his chair, his smile widening as he regarded her. "Ah, the fierce one. No wonder you follow him." His gaze shifted back to Adam. "Very well, I'll give you what you want. But first, you must prove that you're worthy of it. After all, you wouldn't want information like this to fall into the wrong hands, would you?"

Adam didn't flinch. "What do you mean by 'prove it'?"

"I mean," the professor said slowly, "you must pass a test. You see, not all energy crystals are created equal. Some are more potent than others, and only those with the right ability can harness their full power. But the process is dangerous. There's a certain… unpredictability to it. If you survive the test, I'll tell you everything you need to know about upgrading your powers."

A cold chill ran down Adam's spine, but he didn't let it show. He had dealt with danger before—hell, he thrived on it. But the way the professor spoke about the process made him wary. The man wasn't offering knowledge out of the goodness of his heart. He was setting up a trap, and Adam knew it. Still, he had no choice but to play along.

"What's the test?" Adam asked, his voice steady.

Professor Lee's eyes gleamed. "There's a rare crystal hidden in the ruins of the old hospital. It's said to contain the essence of a powerful mutant. Whoever can harness its energy will gain extraordinary power—if they survive the process. Bring me that crystal, and I'll give you everything you need to know about your upgrades."

Adam's expression remained unchanged. "And if we don't survive?"

"Then you won't be of much use to me, will you?" Professor Lee said with a shrug, his tone casual. "But don't worry. I have no doubt that you'll be able to handle it. After all, you're not the type to back down from a challenge, are you?"

Adam's jaw tightened. "No. I'm not."

Monica's hand was still on her pistol, but she glanced at Adam, her gaze unreadable. "Are we really doing this?"

Adam nodded. "We don't have a choice. If we want to get stronger, this is the only way."

Professor Lee's grin widened, clearly pleased with Adam's resolve. "Good. I knew you'd come around. I'll give you directions to the hospital. But remember—if you fail, don't come crawling back to me. I don't have time for failures."

"We won't fail," Adam said, his voice firm. "Now, give us the directions."

The professor handed over a tattered map, pointing to a location on the outskirts of the city. "It's in the ruins, beyond the outskirts. The mutants there are unlike anything you've encountered before. Be prepared."

Adam took the map, his eyes scanning it quickly. The location wasn't far, but it was in a part of the city that had been overrun by the most dangerous creatures. He knew this wasn't going to be easy, but it was their only shot at getting the power they needed.

"We'll be back," Adam said, his voice steady. "And if we survive, I expect you to keep your end of the deal."

Professor Lee didn't respond immediately. He simply watched them with that same calculating gaze, as if he were sizing them up. Then, after a long pause, he nodded.

"Good luck," he said softly, his tone almost mocking. "You'll need it."