Subjugation

On the following night, Adam still did not seek out Adel.He needed to heighten Adel's anxiety, to prolong his suffering a while longer.Of course, he couldn't wait too long—if Adel completely collapsed and caused a commotion, subjugating him would become a troublesome endeavor.Thus, Adam decided to meet with Adel the following night.In the cellar, Adam left a brief message, mentioning that he had a method for concealing abnormalities and that he would seek him out when time permitted.Creating an air of mystery, he knew that by manipulating Adel's fear, he could bend the man to his will, turning him into a source of power.After fiddling with the cracked artwork on the table, Adam exchanged greetings with Magie and Aris, glanced at the sleeping Lina, and then left.Entering through the side door, he greeted the passing monks with a smile.Adam remembered each monk's name, their position, and even the subtle preferences they'd inadvertently revealed.This allowed him, after a few pleasantries, to engage in casual conversation.Though some monks, like Brother Rob from the Defense Division, or the nobles among the clergy who valued their lineage, still held a disdain for Adam, many others had begun to warm to him.His diligent nature had caught their attention, and his charm, eloquence, and handsome appearance made a favorable impression on many.Even Brother Jim, who had often haggled with Adam, now exchanged a few extra words with him.Though Adam was just a commoner, his position as Alva's student promised a future of social standing—something Adam understood well, and it was wise to cultivate good relations.Monks, despite their faith, were human and had their own desires.Take Brother Fura, for instance. Although he rejected noble entreaties and some of his actions lacked common courtesy, no one dared to trouble him.That was because it was well-known that the head monk held Fura in high regard.Reflecting on Fura, Adam realized he hadn't seen him in a while. Since Fura had brought him to the church, the monk had barely appeared.Noting this, Adam continued with his work.It was another day of menial tasks, but today, Alva had begun to explain the properties of the various materials as Adam prepared them, occasionally mentioning a trick or two.Adam turned and glanced at the distant room where the head monk resided, lost in thought.Alva still couldn't remember his name, a clear sign that Alva still looked down on him—such a personality rarely forced itself to make exceptions."Unless someone has told him something... Fura hasn't been to the church lately. Could it be the head monk's doing?" Adam mused, uncertain."Has my behavior in these past few days gained his approval?" Adam had a solid self-awareness. He was naturally charismatic, and animals seemed to be instinctively drawn to him. Even humans, who might initially harbor prejudice, often found him pleasant upon further contact.But this charm had its limits, especially with someone like the head monk or Alva, who could see through a person's true nature.Even if Adam maximized his charisma, these individuals would still sense the darker sides of him.There were always those who could pierce through facades.The head monk was one of those people. Adam was certain that, though the monk hadn't discovered his lycanthropy, he understood Adam's ulterior motive in approaching Fura."So, you wish to redeem me?" Adam smiled to himself, making no further comment.Time passed swiftly, and as Adam watched Alva meandering away with a wine bottle, he lowered his head and began cleaning up the discarded tools."It's been three days since I took Adel's things. During this time, his anxiety must have caused him to reveal some weaknesses. If, under such conditions, he hasn't been captured, it means the church hasn't targeted him yet. It's time to approach him further."Adam longed to subjugate Adel, to expand his own power, but he was careful not to ignore the risks. To expose himself just to capture one person would be a costly mistake."The full moon is only four days away." Returning to the attic, Adam looked up at the sky. Once again, in his transformed state, he could feel his bloodline stirring, as though something within him were about to burst forth.Leaping from the attic, Adam swiftly vanished into the streets. But this time, he did not head directly for the slums. Instead, he shed his transformation and retrieved a set of monk's robes.As the church's procurement officer, Brother Jim frequently negotiated with Adam regarding the mural materials. It wasn't difficult for Adam to acquire a new set of robes in the process, and it would raise no suspicion.After all, Jim had no idea how much he'd extorted from the church; missing a single robe would hardly draw attention.Adam then donned a worn, grey mask made from mural material, leaving it unpainted. The mask gave off an eerie, mysterious aura.To avoid detection by experts, he made slight modifications to the mask—anyone unfamiliar with murals would be unlikely to recognize it."Subjugating Adel doesn't rely on force, but on his fear. Fear is a sharp blade that can pierce through all of Adel's defenses.""Of course, I am not without means of defense beyond my transformation." Entering a heightened state of perception, Adam became acutely aware of his surroundings. Engaging in combat might expose his limitations, but confronting a mere test of mystery posed no danger."Cough, cough, cough..." Adam cleared his throat and altered his voice. Wearing thick-soled shoes to alter his height, he was ready. With everything set, he followed his carefully laid plan to Adel's home.Adel was a picture of haggardness, bloodshot eyes betraying his sleepless nights, his entire body frail with anxiety.In order to avoid suspicion, he had been chopping wood days ago but had inadvertently struck his own foot with an axe, severing two toes.Though confined to rest at home, the more idle time he had, the more his mind spiraled.He gnawed at his fingers in a frenzy, blood staining his face as he couldn't stop. Adel was consumed with thoughts of that person.Who was he? Why did he steal my notes? How did he know I went to the church? What does he want from me? Is his claim of concealing abnormalities true? Why hasn't he come for me yet?The questions swirled relentlessly in Adel's mind, trapping him in a spiral of torment.Then, a knock at the door shattered his thoughts, sending a wave of disorienting shock through his mind, leaving him blank.He wasn't sure how he opened the door—his vision blurred, but he vaguely remembered lunging forward, only for pain to explode in his foot, causing him to lose his balance.When his mind returned to him, he found himself sprawled on the ground outside his door, and the mysterious figure in monk's robes, mask on, sat in the chair, gazing down at him.A sly smile curled beneath the mask as Adam's once charming aura now emanated a suffocating pressure.Everything had gone perfectly. Adel's injury had revealed key information.From inside, the unmistakable scent of blood lingered—a foul, rotten stench, unlike that of fresh blood, but the fetid smell of decay.Most telling was the discarded bandages nearby.After knocking, Adam had stepped back, not standing at the door. As soon as Adel emerged, Adam locked onto the injured foot.In his heightened perceptive state, prepared in advance, Adam easily evaded Adel's wild lunge, landing a swift strike to his wounded foot.Adel's attack wasn't a probe; it was essentially a gift."Looks like my psychological strategy is already working," Adam mused with a smile. No matter how powerful one's strength, it could only be effective with a clear and focused mind.Once that mind was shattered, the body was no more than a target, a lifeless shell.Looking down at Adel, Adam knew—he had claimed this blood slave.