Mutant

Adam stood on high ground, looking down at Mansla and the man in black robes.

Things were more troublesome than expected. The man Mansla brought along was hard for Adam to read.

Rupert's strategy had completely failed. Mansla, relying on his merit power, had instantly turned the tables.

But the key point was the man in black. If not for him protecting Mansla, allowing him to maximize his abilities, things might have been different.

Had Mansla not charmed Sam, Rupert's situation wouldn't have been so desperate, and Adam might not have intervened.

However, Adam didn't dwell on the past. He focused on the present and prepared for the future.

"A water-wielding mutant," Adam had observed carefully. He knew the strengths and weaknesses of everyone present, and planned how to defeat them if necessary.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have easily controlled and defeated Sam.

Sam's strength lay in his immense power, exceptional swordsmanship, and fearless fighting style.

But he had a major flaw: perception.

His thick armor and simple mind hindered his perception. He could sense life forces and sounds but was poor at detecting mental and natural forces.

Gold's black smoke clung to his armor. He noticed it only after feeling pain from the damage.

Adam realized he had an edge over Sam.

So, as Sam passed him, Adam quietly inserted a mental thread into Sam's wound, transferring his mental power into him.

He then used illusionary techniques, creating phantasms and mental suggestions, successfully making Mansla appear as Rupert.

The half-giant, easily angered and manipulated, couldn't discern simple illusions, making him an easy target.

One precise strike exploited Sam's weak spot, severely injuring and incapacitating him.

As for the other mutants who fell, did they really think Adam wouldn't prepare against them?

After learning curses and developing aura techniques, it was easy for Adam to manipulate those under his control.

Purdore frowned, looking at Adam, or rather, at Adam's monk robes.

"Mr. Riggs!" Rupert's exclamation cut off Purdore's imminent question, turning it into astonishment.

"You monks are peculiar. All of you are mutants..." Mansla got up, speaking.

Though his abilities mainly had two effects, they also included a sense for detecting mutants. He could easily sense a mutant among humans.

That's how he found Gold, the strongest mutant.

Now, he clearly sensed the mutant aura from Adam, hence his taunting words, quickly regaining confidence.

In dealing with mutants, he had great faith in his abilities.

Any mutant with ill intent towards him couldn't escape his merit power.

"We're friends, right?" Mansla said to Adam.

The natural energy from the emblem spread out, then dissipated. Mansla adjusted his clothes, wearing an elegant smile.

Gone was the previous ferocity.

Adam paused, his eyes filled with mocking laughter. "Sorry, there's nothing to discuss."

Mansla's expression froze. He felt a chill as many transparent lines, like thin wires or slender blades, appeared before him, poised to slice him to pieces.

Adam's eyes showed disappointment. He had no time for idle talk. Killing Mansla instantly was the ideal outcome.

Purdore grabbed the enraged Mansla, tossing him aside, looking bewildered.

Mansla's power even affected Purdore slightly, but the monk named Riggs seemed completely unaffected.

Moreover, something about Riggs felt off.

If Adam knew Purdore's thoughts, he might laugh. Mansla's charm worked on mutants, but Adam observed its effects clearly.

However, Adam's presence here was just a puppet.

Adjusting his mental power weight, he could negate his thoughts, making him immune to charm.

Mansla's power had clear signs. If Adam was unaware, he might fall for it, but knowing the signs, it was a non-issue.

"Spare us these tricks," Purdore said, waves forming around him, trapping the invisible blades.

"Really?" Adam tilted his head, something exploded around them, cutting the mental threads. A heart-stopping force erupted in everyone's perception.

Adam leaped from Sam's body, transforming mid-air.

As Purdore recovered, he saw Adam's claws swinging towards him.

Purdore wasn't at ease. In that moment, he couldn't distinguish reality from illusion.

Adam's hidden thread and invisible blade techniques caught people off guard. His attacks began with stealth.

Any opponent would focus on detecting hidden attacks.

But this was a trap. The mental threads contained substantial aura.

Though seemingly chaotic, they formed a spell model, amplifying the aura's impact.

Aura could disrupt perception. Purdore, momentarily stunned, experienced sensory confusion.

Confused, he couldn't tell if the attack was real.

But Purdore's combat experience prevailed. He protected himself regardless.

Having transplanted an ancient sea monster's spine, he became a mutant, gaining some sea monster abilities.

He could convert natural energy into water, a useful defensive power.

Natural energy surged, forming special water around him.

Purdore realized Adam's true target wasn't him, but Mansla.

Adam, in white werewolf form, swiped at Purdore, then quickly moved, flipping over Purdore. The previously immobilized invisible blades struck Mansla.

A faint glowing barrier appeared around Mansla.

"Divine magic!" The blade struck the barrier. Surprised, Adam reverted, flipping back, warily watching Purdore.

The divine magic wasn't powerful, but it was odd. Yet, it was indeed divine magic.

Typically, mutants couldn't use divine magic unless they were former monks.

In Roia, only two were known as renegade monks: Adam himself and the previously rescued and vanished Purdore.

"Something's off… his strength isn't right!" Adam quickly realized.

"Even if this is Purdore, his power is far less than before."

Realizing this, Adam felt confident, boldly declaring, "So, it's you, Purdore."

4o