Chapter 20: Don’t play with fire? Please, fire is my bitch.
"Arise."
As soon as he painlessly killed the boss, Adam dismissed the level-up notifications from his system and focused on summoning his new servant.
But, just as his shadows engulfed the lying corpse of the snake after his command, alternatively in the background, his army underwent a change.
Having killed a boss that was three ranks above him provided enough experience to reach and pass level 41, making him a B-ranked hunter...well, not exactly.
At this point, his stats were too high for him to be considered a B-Rank. He may have to come up with a different method of determining his Rank when he leaves this dungeon.
More notifications went off which he decided to check later. The reason?
His army was done with their evolution.
The shadow hobgoblins which were around 150 in number morphed into a more humanoid appearance. Their genders were now distinguishable as the females gained a strangely alluring air, and their womanly assets became extremely refined in comparison to their former selves.
The males did not fall behind; their faces became more appealing to look at along with a more robust and built body frame full of prominent muscles.
All in all, they resembled something akin to green-skinned elves now.
But even among this crowd, there was clear contrast.
Some were smaller in frame, others were sturdier, and there were some whose muscles remained compact but not bulky.
With his eyes of truth, Adam scanned over a member from the slimmest and more fragile-looking group, which amounted to 37.
[ Target's Name: N/A
Age: 37
Gender: Male
Race: High Shadow Hobgoblin (Magician Sub-Race variant.)
Rank: B-Rank.
State: Excited, Extremely loyal.]
'Don't tell me...'
To confirm his hunch, he did the same on a female hobgoblin that was on the sturdier side.
' Her body frame is surprisingly similar to Rumi's, but she's taller and bulkier.'
[Target's Name: N/A
Age: 28
Gender: Female
Race: High Shadow Hobgoblin (Warrior Sub-Race variant.)
Rank: B-Rank.
State: Happy, Excited, Extremely loyal, Horny?]
Their line of sight crossed for a second and Adam gulped uncounsiously. The shadow soldier was looking at him with a slight blush, almost imperceptible.
'Perfect, just perfect.'
Adam didn't know whether he should laugh or cry.
He already knew his shadows were intelligent and capable of having feelings.
Anansi was a very good example of this since she had the hots for Adam ever since she became a shadow soldier and one of his commanders.
This made Adam realize that his authority was more complex than he gave it the credit for.
He repeated this action with a different hobgoblin and this time their race showed "rogue" as their sub-race.
' Magicians, warriors, and rogues. Why are these considered sub-races? Shouldn't they be classes or jobs instead? I need to use that 'ticket' as soon as I leave this place. My eyes of truth need an upgrade.'
But then the system's "cool down" issue came back to him, which made him shake his head in annoyance.
One week.
7 more days he had to wait in order to use his "tickets".
' Patience is key, Adam. No need to hurry.'
His internal bickering was short-lived as he caught on to the changes his other soldiers had gone through.
His Umbral Wolves, which now amounted to 100, had evolved into two different species.
Moon werewolves and void wolves.
Unlike the Hobgoblins they did not show any 'job' related sub-species in their race bracket which only brought more confusion to Adam.
While the void wolves were just slightly bigger and stronger looking than their unevolved selves, the moon werewolves became bipedal, gaining a human-like body that was taller than the average human with a wolf head.
The plague spiders, as the system called them, remained as they were, with the only visible change being their size. Their rank had also increased from C to B like the others. They still represented the highest population in his army with an astonishing 250 members.
So in total, he had 150 high-shadow hobgoblins which were divided into magician (37), warrior(78), and rogue(35) variants. 100 evolved umbral wolves which parted into two different species namely the moon werewolves(40) and the void wolves(60). 250 enhanced plague spiders. 100 shadows from bat and lizard monsters he slayed a few days ago, and last but not least, the newly added forces of 100 ancient scorpions, which apart from gaining a shadow appearance did not change too much.
Though his troop numbers increased, the expenditure had once again increased as well. If not for the feature that allowed him to hide his shadows after summoning them it would be a hassle to call them all out in the middle of a battle where he needed numbers above anything else.
' I have to do something about my EP, it needs to be even higher.'
His commanders went through their own changes, not only in rank ( from upper C to upper B), but physically as well.
Ragnar became more humanoid, his height decreasing to be the same as that of the moon werewolves. His axe was now slightly bigger than him.
Anansi had probably the most drastic change, acquiring a humanoid lower body, adding to her already first-class sensual allure.
Now two single eyes remained on her beautiful face, the last noticeable feature that made her look nothing like a monster.
But, as if the world wanted to balance these extreme changes somehow, two antennae were now present on her head.
If not for the shadows surrounding her like any other shadow soldier, one would have a hard time telling her apart from a human female. A stupidly beautiful one at that.
' Rumi's worry for my well-being after that last fight should be long gone if the bloodlust I'm sensing is anything to go by.'
Ignoring his girl's jealousy, which would be properly addressed later, without him playing dumb or making excuses he absolutely hasn't prepared beforehand for a week...
Where were we?
Right.
Ignoring Rumi's 'fervor' for answers, Adam directed his vision toward the figure emerging from his shadow. The newest soldier who would join his ranks, and the only S-Rank under his command.
His new and third commander.
....
Once out of the dungeon, Adam and the other two submitted the loot they had collected by the office desk at the dungeon's office centre.
The red head would usually ignore the loot and move on, but considering he wasn't alone this time he opted to keep it instead.
Even though Zoro was tasked to look after them by Kenji, it felt wrong not to reward him.
Although the swordsman was adamant about accepting the money from his newfound "little brother" he ended up doing so. Especially since Adam wouldn't take no for an answer.
" You have my number Adam, don't hesitate to call me if you ever find yourself in a tough spot."
Adam smiled at the green haired pirat…
' Is he even a pirate in this reality?'
" Thank you , feel free to ask for my help if you ever come to need it too."
The unofficial S-ranked hunter wanted to comply but ended up shaking his head after recalling what he saw inside the dungeon.
He didn't know how, but this guy who was roughly five years younger than him had managed to catch up to his level in a matter of hours.
If you added his shadows and everything else?
He was already ahead of him.
' I can't slack off, master wouldn't have liked that.'
With newfound resolve , he nodded like Adam did before stretching his hand for a handshake.
" See you around."
Adam smiled as he shook Zoro's hand.
" Until next time."
Like this, they parted ways.
...
As Adam was driving back to his parent's place in order to drop Rumi off, the latter stared daggers at him.
" Love, if you want to talk about something just say it."
Rumi's entire body shook at the way Adam referred to her.
If not for the current dilemma running through her head, her 'switch' might've been turned on.
" Are you…"
She couldn't find the words to ask what was on her mind.
" Am I?"
Adam could smell Rumi's intentions from a mile away, yet he played along with his fiancé.
" Are you planning to make a harem?"
'Eh?'
Ok, maybe he overestimated his olfactory senses a bit too much.
He thought she might ask about his relationship with Anansi. After all, she saw their interaction in the dungeon and he could tell she was a bit upset about it.
But a harem?
That was an unexpected question he never saw coming.
" How did you even reach to that conclusion?"
The bunny hunter furrowed her eyes even more.
" You playing dumb?"
"No?"
" Tsk."
She folded her arms under her bosom as she looked away from Adam.
When he was about to ask if she was mad, she interrupted him before he could do so.
" Harems are very normalized in society, Adam. I'm not angry at you, I genuinely just want to know."
Adam was taken back by this development.
Just like Rumi had said, Harems were not uncommon in today's society.
He knew that much, yet never considered it.
Even a few of Kenji's colleagues were in polygamous relationships. This was commonly seen in people with high status, either from being famous hunters or having elitist roots/upbringing.
Since he never fell in love with anyone apart from Rumi, Adam did not even thought of the idea of building a harem.
Though he had to admit that the present him, the Adam who was not just a 21 year old man but an ancient entity preceding even the oldest gods, found it very attractive to say the least.
He considered his answer carefully and wisely.
Yet, at the end, it all came down to one thing.
" I would never do something that could make you sad, Rumi. I have only loved three women in my life. My two mothers, and you. Jeopardizing what we have for the sake of "having a harem", would be unfair to you, regardless of how I feel about it."
Rumi side glanced at Adam, analyzing his body language.
" So, what if I said I'm ok with it."
"* Gulp*"
The way she asked that question sent a shiver down his spine.
' Is this a trap? She is kidding right ?'
" I still wouldn't-"
Before he could finish his sentence the young man felt a slight pressure in his pubic area. When he briefly looked down, he saw Rumi's exquisite right foot dangerously close to his little guy.
With a quick glance, he managed to catch a glimpse of her voluptuous yet muscular tight, and before he knew it, he got an erection.
Rumi started playing with his penis over his pants, by using her toes.
Just as he was about to lose it, Rumi stopped her gentle rubbing and applied a bit more force.
If Adam's stats weren't as high as they were he would've whimper like a bitch for a week.
" Don't lie to me~."
"But-"
"No buts."
With a sigh, Adam loosen his strained shoulders a bit and spoke his mind, truthfully.
"If you mean it, then I would be ok with it as well. You're the only woman I love romantically in the present, but not the only one I like. Is that better?"
" Good."
She removed her leg away from Adam's crotch and returned to look through the passenger's sit window. Though she still looked upset, somehow her mood had improved significantly.
Adam still wanted to ask some questions about this sudden topic, but he decided to let it rest for now.
....
*bzt, bzt*
The intercom next to Irene's desk vibrated shortly before she pressed a key in the device.
" What is it?"
" A hunter named RED is asking to meet you."
A seductive smile made its place in her lips as she heard this.
" Let him pass."
" Yes Mrs.President… eh!?"
Irene frowned when she heard the yelping sound coming from her secretary on the phone line.
" Brandish?"
After a few seconds of silence, Brandish replied calmly.
" He's gone. He was standing right in front of me, but when I looked away for a second he just disappeared out of thin air."
Irene sighed after realizing what truly happened.
" Forget about it."
" As you wish."
*bzt*
Once the call disconnected, the woman took a glance around the room, but alas, she couldn't find what she was looking for.
" Stop hiding, boy. I know you're here."
Once this was said, a pool of shadows manifested at the centre of the office, and from within, a tall figure emerged.
" Boy? I thought we were in first name bases already, Irene."
The woman's eyes opened slightly at what she was seeing, unable to comprehend it.
'No fluctuations? So it's not mana he's using.'
Yet, she did not let her surprise show on her face.
"I never agreed to such a thing, boy."
A sly smile formed in Adam's face as he walked slowly toward her desk.
" Playing hard to get, I see."
Irene's smile now mirrored his own.
" You ain't getting anything in the first place."
" We'll see about that."
Once he reached the front of her desk, he materialized a chair made out of shadow like energy with a swing of his hand, in which he sat on.
She did not deny his statement, but instead eyed the shadow creation he had just made with interest.
Sadly for her, no matter how hard she tried to figure out what this shadows were, she failed to come to a satisfactory conclusion.
" So, to what do I owe this pleasure?"
" Right to business?"
Adam mockingly remarked as he made himself comfortable.
His previous conversation with Rumi had opened his eyes to a fact.
He loved to flirt.
Not just with anyone, but with those he deemed attractive enough to catch his attention.
Irene was one of them.
The inexplicable pressure surrounding her body, the way she carried herself, her beauty.
Adam felt attracted to her in every aspect.
And, unlike his past self, who did not have memories of any of his previous lives and experiences, he could tell she was interested in him as well.
" Enough playing, I can tell it's important."
Seeing that play time was over, Adam straighten his posture a bit.
" I need a promotion."
Irene quizzically observed him for a while before arriving at a question.
" Why come to me directly? There's a department for that. Your identity issue was solved by me already. Just wear the mask I gave you and you should be fine."
Adam shook his head.
" That won't do. Only you can evaluate my current rank."
The red haired woman leaned backwards and crossed her arms under her bosom, her eyes staring at Adam with a hint of mock.
" Why would I need to promote you myself, boy? The workers here are capable enough. Also, unless you are significantly stronger than you were last week, you can't just jump ranks like it's nothing, you need achievements after all."
She could tell he was stronger than when she last saw him.
But strength was not everything when determining a rank.
Dungeon experience was as important.
If a Hunter could raid a dungeon of a higher level than themselves, that called for a promotion.
Same if they did so 5 times with a team composed of similarly ranked hunters.
The higher ranked these "other hunters" were, the higher the number of successfully cleared dungeons needed to be.
This, in addition to a satisfactory result in a "promotion test" carried out by a Hunter Association member, would allow someone to be promoted.
' Well, I was expecting this answer from her anyways.'
A sigh escaped the young man's mouth as he stood up from the chair he created, which dispersed back into his shadow in the process.
" I don't doubt their capabilities, Irene.
But I can assure you one thing with full confidence.
Currently, only YOU in this building can test me if I go all out.
Anyone else would die.
If you think I'm bluffing, allow me to show you then~."
A flicker of excitement was ignited somewhere in Irene's heart when she saw the daunting expression that Adam was currently wearing.
He was challenging her.
An "F-Rank" newbie was challenging her, "Irene Fucking Belserion".
An SSS-Rank entity.
The first dragon.
A crazed, uncharacteristic smile adorned her otherwise beautiful face as she stood from her sit and walked towards Adam, standing close enough for him to reach her.
" Don't break~."
To this, he responded with a crazed smile of his own.
" You wish~."
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone