Unholy Player Chapter 507 Hidden Intentions, Quiet Madness

Based on the briefing he had received, Henry was already aware that Adyr had successfully reached Rank 4. From that detail alone, it wasn't difficult to deduce which specific Spark had been utilized for the evolution.

Nevertheless, a celebratory mood was absent. While the advancement should have been categorized as positive news, the physical transformation Adyr underwent presented complications that Henry was forced to address.

Adyr merely chuckled at Henry’s visible distress and dramatic reaction. "Are you worried that Zephan might catch a glimpse of me in this state?" he inquired, strolling forward and sinking into an unoccupied chair as if the predicament held no weight for him.

"How could I not be, considering the tale you shared with me?" Henry retorted sharply. The pressure in his chest only intensified in the face of Adyr’s nonchalance; it seemed the man didn't grasp the gravity of the risk at all.

"What tale would that be?" Rhys interjected, arching a brow as he scrutinized Adyr’s altered form. "Why do you reek like you’ve been submerged in a vat of blood?" He caught the scent in the air—a heavy metallic tang of sweat emanating from Adyr, which mingled with the sharp aroma of alcohol clinging to his own clothes and breath.

Rhys remained ignorant of the specific path Adyr’s evolution had taken. Consequently, he failed to realize that this new appearance would trigger a catastrophe if the Lunari—who were currently stationed at the city's training grounds—were to see Adyr and realize the truth.

Henry had clearly kept the details to himself. The secret of what had transpired in the Lunari kingdom and Adyr’s deception remained untold. It was a burden too heavy to distribute—the fact that Adyr had slaughtered their ancestors to harvest the blood required for his Rank 4 breakthrough.

"Well," Adyr remarked, his lack of concern suggesting his focus had already shifted toward other matters.

The fact that Rhys didn't react strongly to the scent seemed peculiar to Adyr. However, he chose not to comment on it. After watching him for a moment, he recounted the entire sequence of events exactly as he had explained them to Henry, omitting no detail.

Once the story concluded, Rhys erupted into sharp, carefree laughter. "Just as expected of our Young Master—a master of the scam, possessing the perfect face for the human race."

He didn't seem at all insulted on behalf of the Lunari. On the contrary, he appeared entertained, viewing the betrayal as just another admirable ploy.

"Rhys, have you also lost your mind?" Henry barked, his agitation peaking at the sound of the unchecked laughter. "Do you truly not comprehend the magnitude of the mess we're in?"

"Oh, I understand perfectly." The laughter died down as Rhys retrieved a small vial from his pocket and snapped it open. A pungent alcoholic odor—identical to the one on his breath—filled the room instantly.

After taking a pull from the bottle, he looked at Henry. "We are already standing atop the ashes of countless Umbraens. What does it matter if we pile a few Lunari on top of them?" His eyes drifted back toward Adyr. "Besides, it looks like he has everything under control." Adyr gave a thin smile, as if the issue was settled. "Exactly. I'll handle them. There won't be any complications. You should focus on their training. Ensure they are Cultivation-ready by pushing their limits in the VR rooms."

Without another thought for the previous topic, Adyr moved on. "On another note, I’ve acquired some slaves that need processing. I want them taught basic agriculture and disciplined within a week." He spoke as if he were merely assigning a mundane chore. "Slaves?" Henry repeated. His mind was still stuck on the previous revelation, causing a delay in his processing—and when the word finally registered, it hit him with full force. Noticing Henry’s expression harden as the reality set in, Adyr preempted his protest. "They are just a few individuals I deemed useful and spared within the radiation zones of Earth. I want you to take charge of them and provide some basic training in fieldwork." The explanation was delivered with cold, clinical efficiency.

This wasn't the first time the concept of slaves had been mentioned by Adyr. However, he had never used the term so bluntly before. This time, the word carried a finality that left no room for euphemisms.

As Henry’s face tightened further, Adyr immediately cut him off before an argument could be mounted.

"Don't start acting righteous now," Adyr challenged. "Haven't you utilized criminals for grueling labor in the prisons before? This is the same principle." He kept his gaze fixed on Henry, unwavering. "Every person I captured is a criminal from a terrorist cell. If it makes you feel better, call it convict labor instead of slavery—just like you used to."

Henry wanted to argue that penal labor and slavery were fundamentally different. However, the words wouldn't come. Eventually, he yielded with a weary sigh. "Give me the coordinates. I'll dispatch a unit to transport them to Shelter City 9." He sounded more exhausted than convinced.

Once he received the location data, he entered it into his wristwatch along with a set of brief orders and transmitted them to his subordinates.

The device gave a quick flash to signal the message was sent; the entire transaction was completed in moments without Henry needing to stand up.

Rhys took another drink from his flask. "And just like that, decades of Earth's problems are solved, eh?"

Before the discovery of the Beyond, their primary obstacle was the first-generation mutants residing outside the 12 Shelter Cities. They were spread across the desolate wastes, making them nearly impossible to track or eliminate.

There were factions that harassed anyone venturing out, and bandits who raided trade routes and supply convoys. Occasionally, they even launched direct assaults on the Shelter Cities, causing significant casualties. No matter the number of patrols, they could never be fully eradicated.

Now, following Adyr’s slaughter, only a fragment of those troublemakers remained. Those survivors were being hauled back to Shelter City 9 to serve as prisoners—or rather, slaves. A long-standing conflict had finally been terminated in the most brutal manner imaginable.

The outcome was blood-soaked and ethically bankrupt. Yet, they had to accept it. A villain was required to end the stalemate, and Adyr had stepped into that role without a shred of remorse.

"I also secured a few Sparks—mostly Rank 1, with a couple of Rank 3," Adyr mentioned. "Make sure the personnel you send are actually capable of transporting them." Lately, the frequency of Sparks appearing on Earth had increased. This was particularly true in the radiation zones, where the struggle for survival turned men into monsters. Entities even more lethal than Cannibal were beginning to rise. Unfortunately for them, none matched Adyr’s lethality. He had snuffed them out with his own hands before they could reach their full potential, ending their threat before it could escalate.

Henry’s brow furrowed at this news, his previous concerns momentarily forgotten. "Have you discovered why these Sparks are manifesting on Earth?" This remained a mystery that their scientists had failed to solve, despite exhaustive research.

Adyr nodded. "A few of them were cooperative enough to admit that a specific man provided them with their Sparks."

Neither Henry nor Rhys needed to ask for a name. One specific individual came to mind—the same figure linked to all their recent headaches. The Mad Scientist. He was the one who had facilitated the discovery of the Beyond. Now, he was funneling Sparks from the Beyond back to Earth. There was clearly a motive behind his actions; it wasn't a random occurrence.

"I'll bring this up with the other 12 city managers and report back," Henry stated. He recognized that this was too serious for a casual meeting, particularly one involving an alcoholic and a madman.

Adyr gave another nod. He had a rough idea of what the Mad Scientist was aiming for, yet the finer details of the 'how' and 'why' remained elusive. Gaining another perspective might help him clear the fog and identify his own blind spots.

A silence fell over the room as Adyr’s gaze shifted to Rhys’s flask. The man continued to sip from it habitually, seemingly immune to the liquid's burn.

"That drink smells quite potent," Adyr remarked with a light laugh. The scent of the spirits was now competing with the metallic odor of blood coming from his skin, and the odd mixture piqued his interest regarding the contents of the flask.

Rhys smirked and offered the container. "It’s top-shelf stuff. Want a taste?"

Adyr accepted. He took the metal flask, caught the scent first, and then took a measured sip to properly evaluate the flavor.

He swirled the liquid in his mouth, an eyebrow twitching at the finish. "A fermented spirit made from potatoes," he noted, "but there's an additive I can't quite identify." He returned the flask, still pondering the profile.

Rhys took it back with a look of approval. "You have a refined palate." After taking another gulp, he added, "I spiked it with that mutation serum the lab team gave me."

Henry stared at him in pure shock. "You did what?" His face contorted in disbelief, looking at Rhys as if he had finally snapped.

Even Adyr’s expression wavered. The fact that Rhys was casually mixing a Synergy Crystal-based mutation serum with hard liquor and drinking it was a level of recklessness that even he found difficult to fathom.