Apocalypse Baby

"My Master would like to have a word with you."

Adam's voice was calm but layered with something deeper.

His eyes glowed gold, unnaturally bright, and his hand remained outstretched.

There was a subtle pressure behind his words—like a force gently nudging Alex's mind forward. A coercion effect.

Probably some kind of passive skill meant to make people nod and follow like sheep.

It was too bad for him; Alex wasn't just anyone.

His resistance to illusions, mind tricks, and mental manipulation held firm.

The effect bounced right off.

Alex exhaled, raised his hand slowly... and brushed Adam's offer aside with a casual shrug.

"Sorry," he said, tone sharp and flat. "I'm not interested in meeting this master of yours."

Adam's glowing eyes flickered.

His hand dropped, just slightly.

Shock broke through the mask of calm on his face—just for a second.

He hadn't seen that coming.

Most players would've jumped at the chance. Eager. Wide-eyed. Grateful just to be noticed.

Maybe Alex didn't realize what he was turning down.

Adam's brow furrowed, and he narrowed his glowing eyes to study him more closely.

Then his expression shifted.

His eyes widened in surprise.

"You..." he muttered, stunned. "You're still a tutorial player?"

Alex simply nodded.

There was nothing wrong in admitting it after all he wasn't the only tutorial player here.

That made Adam's shock double.

He took a step back, blinking like he'd just seen a glitch in the system. There was no way. No way someone this powerful—this composed—was still in the tutorial phase.

It finally made sense. That must be why he doesn't understand what this means…

Adam exhaled sharply and then straightened.

Time for a little context.

"You clearly don't know who the Dragon Emperor is," he said, his tone a little sharper now. "He's not just some high-tier boss or a system NPC. He's one of the strongest deities in existence. His power? Near infinite. Real myth-level stuff."

He stepped closer again.

"Players would kill—literally kill—for a shot at inheriting his legacy. The fact that he wants to meet with you?" Adam pointed. "It means he's considering making you his candidate. And let me be clear—he doesn't hand out invitations. Ever."

A pause.

Then, more firmly: "Don't waste this offer, Alex."

Alex listened quietly, arms crossed, eyes calm.

He waited until Adam finished talking before replying—voice steady, firm.

"Well... I don't want to be a candidate."

Adam blinked.

For a second, he just stared, trying to figure out if Alex was joking.

Then he realized he wasn't.

A crease formed between Adam's brows.

Was this guy just naïve… or straight-up insane?

"The only reason you're saying that is because you're still in the tutorial," Adam said slowly, trying to be patient. "You don't get it yet. Outside the tutorial? It's hell. Every step forward is blood, death, and desperation. If you're not under the protection of a deity, you're a target. An easy one."

"No new realm player would ever say no to this offer. Not when the Dragon Emperor himself is extending a hand. That kind of chance doesn't come twice."

Adam's words were heavy, and serious.

But Alex didn't flinch.

He didn't even hesitate.

"My answer is still a no."

Adam stared at him, stunned.

Then exhaled, rubbing the bridge of his nose.

"You're either the bravest player I've ever met… or the dumbest."

He sighed again, then gave a slow shake of his head.

"The Dragon Emperor… will not be pleased by your refusal."

"Well, I don't care," Alex said casually, brushing invisible dust off his shoulder. "After all, I've already refused many."

Adam froze.

"Many... what do you..."

He trailed off, confusion etched across his face.

Then Adam's head suddenly jerked upward, like a string had been yanked. His pupils dilated, and in the blink of an eye, his eyes lit up—glowing an intense, burning gold.

The air shifted.

Alex felt it immediately.

The chatty guy in front of him was gone.

In his place stood something else.

The sheer weight of the aura pouring out from Adam was suffocating—like a massive hand pressing down on the entire arena.

Alex narrowed his eyes, watching carefully.

Adam—or whatever was now in control—locked eyes with him.

"YOU!" he roared.

His voice wasn't just loud—it rippled.

The entire floating coliseum trembled as if thunder had cracked through its core.

Dozens of players jerked their heads toward them. Conversations halted. Footsteps froze.

Even the seasoned New Realm players, immediately tensed.

They understood.

"Who the hell is that guy?"

"Doesn't he know who Adam is?"

"He's a tutorial player. He probably has no clue."

"Damn... he's really done it now."

Whispers rippled across the arena like sparks jumping from wire to wire.

Alex stood still, frowning, eyes fixed on Adam—or rather, the thing speaking through him.

The presence pouring out of him was no longer human. It was thick, ancient, and coiled with fury.

Then came the voice. Deeper. Heavier. Like molten iron being forced through the cracks of a volcano.

"You dare... refuse me?"

Alex's eyes narrowed.

No way...

He tilted his head slightly, staring harder.

Don't tell me—

Is this the Dragon Emperor himself?

He blinked once, then gave a half-shrug.

"Sorry..." Alex said dryly, "Who the hell are you again?"

"Damn you..."

SLAP!

Adam's head snapped sideways from the force.

He stumbled a step, nearly losing his balance.

Alex's eyes went wide.

What the hell?

He just… slapped himself?

The furious aura that had been flooding the coliseum vanished in an instant—like someone had flipped a switch. It evaporated so fast it left behind a weird silence.

Adam straightened slowly and turned toward Alex, his expression now calm… and weirdly apologetic.

"Sorry," he said, rubbing his jaw. "My master tends to do that sometimes."

Alex narrowed his eyes, suspicious.

"Wait… you mean you don't have control over your own body?"

Adam shrugged with a half-smile like this was just another Tuesday.

"I do. Mostly. But I can't say it's a hundred percent. My master has the ability to temporarily possess me if he really wants to."

"Really?" Alex asked, brows raised. He stared at Adam like he'd grown a second head.

Adam quickly waved his hands.

"It's not as bad as it sounds. I mean—it only happens if I allow it!"

Alex gave him a slow, suspicious look.

"That didn't seem like you 'allowed' anything just now."

Adam let out a weak laugh, scratching the back of his neck.

"Okay, maybe that one was a little forceful. But look, it's not all bad."

He flexed an arm, muscle bulging beneath his robe.

A faint glow ran along his vambrace.

"There's a lot to gain—like strength, insight, power most players can only dream of."

He pumped his arm again like a gym bro trying to sell protein powder.

Alex wasn't impressed.

He just shook his head.

"Yeah, still not buying it."

To him, this wasn't an upgrade. It was a red flag.

Possession? Even temporary?

Nope.

Didn't matter how powerful the god was—Alex wanted....