Chapter 1777: Aiden Henk (Part 1)

Adam knew what Aiden Henk looked like. He had memorized his face well on the day of the test. Also, Aiden’s face wasn’t something he actively tried to hide.

Silvana had high enough access levels to view basic information about him, including what he looked like.

However, now, Aiden’s appearance was completely different, at least from Adam’s perspective.

Aiden still had white hair and amber eyes. But he didn’t look like an evil scientist who constantly performed horrific experiments on innocent people.

He looked much more like a tired worker trying to stave off drowsiness with yet another cup of coffee.

"You..." Adam gulped, staring at Aiden in disbelief. "It really is you."

Aiden nodded.

"Yes. This shouldn’t surprise you. You came here to meet me, didn’t you?"

Adam had imagined this meeting countless times. He’d thought hundreds of times about what questions to ask Aiden when they finally met.

But now that it had finally happened, his mind was a blank.

Step.

With visible uncertainty, Adam took a step forward. He clenched his fists tightly, though it was clear from his expression that he had no intention of fighting.

Deep down, he still had the urge to attack Aiden and beat him up for what he’d done that day, but the Adam of today simply couldn’t afford to give in to his emotions.

"Why?" Adam growled with a deep frown. "Why did you do that? Why did you decide to dump me at the tar lake like some kind of trash?!"

Before answering, Aiden sat down in his chair and crossed one leg over the other.

"First of all, you were trash, Adam. There’s no denying that."

Adam’s eyes widened as the veins on his face bulged with mounting anger. Silvana, who was standing to the side, bit her lip.

’How? How can he say things like that with such a calm face? He’s just a bastard and nothing more!’

"Hmm?" Aiden glanced at Adam. "Looks like you don’t like what you’ve heard at all. But it’s not all that bad for you. I’m talking to you as a K4-Phantom who’s practically reached the border of the First Circle."

Adam waved his hand.

"So what? Is my life worthless now?"

Aiden’s gaze remained unwavering.

"Right now your life definitely has value, but when you were just a kid from the slums? No, neither to the Citadel nor to me personally did your life mean anything."

"Tsk. Is that why you dumped me in the Dead Lands? You didn’t even explain anything!"

Given Aiden’s previous responses, Adam expected him to say something cold and cruel. However, that wasn’t quite the case.

"No. I dumped you in the Dead Lands for a different reason."

"Agh...?" Adam froze.

Sip.

Aiden took a sip of bitter coffee, as if recalling that day.

"Believe me or not, but you were supposed to be just like everyone else. You were supposed to pass the test, get your money, and go home. The fact that one girl among you had a Spark was, in itself, a stroke of luck. I’m sure you understand that."

Sure, Adam knew who Aiden was talking about - Lana. He also knew that the odds of an ordinary person having a Spark were slim, but that was beside the point now.

"And? Then why, instead of money or an apology, did I end up locked in a container with a dead monster? Why did I almost die?!" Adam shouted. He wanted to hear the answer directly from Aiden.

Tap.

Aiden set his cup aside as his amber eyes fixed on Adam.

"Because I forgot about you, Adam."

"Argh...?"

Adam gasped. He couldn’t believe what he’d heard.

"What does that mean?"

Aiden turned.

"It was a mistake on my part. I didn’t notice you, I don’t know why, but you just slipped my mind. By the time you spoke up, it was already too late."

He leaned forward, staring intently at Adam.

"Could I have saved you and opened the container? Sure. But I’ve already explained to you why I didn’t do it. It made no sense for me to do that. I would have wasted time on paperwork and questions from the government. I just didn’t need that kind of headache, and it was much easier for me to just get rid of you."

Adam was speechless. He had expected his conversation with Aiden to be harsh and cold, but Aiden’s cynicism struck Adam right in the heart.

’Damn it!’ Silvana exclaimed inwardly. ’Couldn’t you have chosen your words a little better? I’m sure he knows how much Adam wanted to meet with him. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have asked Sano and Natta to meet us!’

Step.

Adam stepped forward, running his hand across the table with a grim look.

"So... Are you saying I was so unlucky that even a scientist like you made such a stupid mistake?"

Aiden looked up, leaning back in his chair.

"Exactly. Whether you like it or not, that’s exactly how it happened. What’s more, to my own surprise, my mistake was the reason you showed up. Not some boy from the slums trembling with fear, but a K4-Phantom, one of the most promising and talented."

Silence.

A tense silence hung in the room as Adam mulled over what he’d heard.

It would have been much easier for him if Aiden had said he was a cruel sadist and had done it just to mock Adam.

However, all of this was the result of a mistake, and Aiden was the kind of person who hated making mistakes. Everyone understood that.

"Still, even if everything you say is true. Why did you help me? Why did you invite me here? Gladius wouldn’t have handed over the vial containing Queen Elisa’s blood without your permission!"

Aiden glanced at Adam before reaching for the panel on the table.

"Let me show you something."

Tap.

He activated the panel, and at that very moment, hundreds of screens located throughout the hall lit up. On each screen was a photo of a person, and among them were both Adam and Lana Tiates.

"What is this...?" Adam muttered, looking around.