Adamantine

The girl that was smiling seductively suddenly had a dangerous glint in her eyes. A black fire erupted in her hand which was carrying the matchsticks, burning everything to cinders.

With no prior indication, she hurled the black ball of fire toward Cole.

Cole stepped back.

"You are Polluted?" Surprise flashed across his eyes. Instead of getting answers to his question, the black fireball appeared in his vision.

Cole smiled lightly as he lifted his hand and a similar black ball of fire erupted in his hand—slightly smaller but more condensed and thicker. He stretched it forward as the two black balls met. Soon they melted into each other like a small stream of water entering the main river.

The girl: "…"

"So tell me why did you attack me, otherwise…" Cole put the black ball of fire dancing in his hand near her face at a dangerously close distance. His eyes were cold, and a ruthless aura erupted from his body, drowning the girl.

The girl felt her face burning… not from heat but from humiliation.

This was her strongest attack!

Oh no! I attacked a Rogue that is much stronger than me! Cold beads of sweat appeared on her forehead as if she was having a heatstroke, even though the black ball of fire didn't produce any heat.

"Hehe… brother. Wh-what do you mean?" She feigned innocence but seeing his eyes that were still emanating a dangerous gleam, she knew, if she made any unnecessary moves, he would lose interest in asking questions.

She sighed softly and bowed her head. She felt no shame in doing so. She has lived a cruel life and knew that being alive was her greatest pride and she valued her life much more than some useless dignity. She started explaining her circumstance:

"Sir, whenever I am in need of money, I target anyone ordinary who might have some cash with them. You seem to wear good quality clothes, as such, I couldn't help myself… I'm sorry for offending you with my parlor tricks. Please forgive me."

Even as she said this, her eyes were brimming with energy, the moment Cole unleashes his killing intent, she would go all out and either attack or—run away.

However, she didn't expect Cole to be so nonchalant about it.

Cole nodded, "Hum hum. As usual. No money. Got polluted and somehow survived, and then was able to wield the powers of darkness to a certain extent."

"But…" his eyes narrowed, "You wouldn't live long. You know that, right?"

The girl wasn't surprised by how quickly he was able to summarize her life. However, a hint of sadness appeared on her face as she heard the latter half of his review.

She knew she wouldn't survive long. The power of darkness polluted humans. Sooner or later, her lifespan would be depleted and she'd pass without warnings beforehand.

She herself didn't know whether she'll die tomorrow or the day after tomorrow. She hung her head low without speaking anything.

"Heh~ Since you are Polluted and even wield the power of Darkness, why don't you forget the consequences for once and venture into the Dark world?" Cole suggested with an intriguing smile as he clenched his fist while the darkness vanished.

"Sir?" The girl was confused. What do you mean? Wouldn't moving in the dark world increase the pollution in her body even further? Wouldn't she die quicker?

As if sensing the direction of her thoughts, Cole chuckled, "You already don't know when you'll die. What if your limit is up then you wouldn't even be able to see the dawn of tomorrow? You might as well, view some sights that ordinary people wouldn't even dare to think about."

The more the girl thought about it, the more she felt it was viable. She wanted to argue against it but she knew this ordinary-looking man was not wrong in the least.

Suddenly, she became puzzled. She attacked this person… and now this person was suggesting exploring the Dark World. How did this happen?

However, a moment later, she remembered how Cole had caught the fireball.

"Wait! Aren't you the same?" The girl asked.

"I'll tell you if you tell me your name."

"Adamantine." She raised her head to look at Cole, but before she could get any answer, Cole was nowhere to be seen.

However, she didn't notice a small ember of darkness twirling around the tip of her hair.

…..

What a magnificent test subject. Cole's smile extended.

A person that survived the Pollution. What will happen if she embraces Pollution further? Will she die or survive?

It was a small episode for Cole as such, he quickly threw those thoughts to the back of his mind, as he shifted his attention back to a dilapidated two-story house.

Cole stretched the hood of his black clothes so it conceals most of his face. Of course, he could've used his powers, but he wasn't sure whether someone was stronger than him here. If there was, then it would be a complete waste. Not to mention, he would have to use a Bargain.

And each Bargain was extremely precious! They were his trump cards that could turn the situation around even if fights an Order 5 despite being an Order 3 Sorcerer himself. He couldn't afford to waste it away.

Cole approached it and hesitated for a moment before he tapped the door three times—two times very lightly while the third tap was hard.

After waiting for a few seconds, a man fully covered in black clothes opened the door. He was wearing a mask and it was hard to discern anything but the fact that he was a man from his physique.

Hmm, I wonder why this guy uses a normal mask when working in such a business. Does he not know people who want to see behind that mask can see it regardless of any disguise?

Well, whatever works for him… He probably wears it for a false sense of security. Even our society is built upon this FSS as a whole.

After all, not everyone can become ordinary like me.

A/N: The name Adamantine is from the Ancient Greek Adamas, meaning incorruptible.