I Became The Novel's Biggest Antagonist - Chapter 91

Chapter 91: Adam Convincing Lunevy

“Where exactly are we supposed to look?” Luke sighed, already sounding exhausted.

The sun blazed mercilessly overhead, making the task even more grueling.

“In your ass,” Stephen snapped, irritated by Luke’s constant complaints.

“Pfft!”

Luke frowned, but before he could retort, Agatha stifled a laugh. Her amusement earned a sharp glare from him, though she didn’t seem particularly fazed.

Still, the heat was taking its toll on everyone, including Agatha, whose brow was slick with sweat. It had been half an hour, and they’d found nothing.

To make matters worse, they couldn’t just demolish the site to search for cavities beneath the rubble. This land belonged to Irisdina’s father, and the consequences of damaging it were something none of them wanted to face.

“Do you have any leads, Adam?” Julius asked.

Adam, kneeling on one knee with his palm pressed to the ground, shook his head. “Nothing.”

He had been scanning for traces of demonic entities below the surface. If Krainel’s ally had still been there, Adam could have tracked him. Unfortunately, the area was devoid of any presence.

He considered using his other abilities—assuming Ivan’s form or using Isaac’s eyes—but doing so here wasn’t an option. The risks were too high.

Adam stood, brushing off the dirt as he glanced around. The World Order members could push forward, but the other three were visibly struggling. They hadn’t even stopped to eat, rushing here immediately after spotting Luna-Evelyn earlier. This presented an opportunity.

“We should take a short break,” Adam said.

“Finally!” Luke exclaimed, collapsing onto the ground as if his legs had given out.

“What break? They can rest, but we don’t need to stop. Let’s keep going,” Stephen argued, as always against Adam.

Adam remained composed, turning his gaze toward Stephen. “We should keep an eye on them. Do you want to risk a demon showing up with the Book of Asmodeus? They’d make easy targets for hostages—or worse, get killed. Unless, of course, a member of the World Order is prepared to take responsibility for that?”

“You—!” Stephen’s face immediately contorted when Adam dissed him quickly.

“Yes, yes, you two can bicker later,” Ophelia interrupted, stepping in before the argument could escalate further. She grabbed Stephen by the arm and dragged him away.

Julius chuckled, shaking his head at the scene already becoming familiar. “Alright, let’s rest for a bit,” he said, following after them.

Irisdina, Luke, and Agatha had already settled on nearby boulders, each clutching bottles of water and drinking greedily.

Everyone had gathered to rest—except Luna-Evelyn.

She remained crouched on the ground, intently searching through the rubble with the end of her scabbard, brushing debris aside with impatient movements. She seemed singularly focused on finding the book as quickly as possible.

Adam’s gaze lingered on her for a moment.

The truth was, he hadn’t called for a break out of concern for Luke obviously. He needed time alone to pinpoint the exact location of the hideout without distractions. But Luna-Evelyn’s continued effort complicated things. If she didn’t stop, neither could he.

With no choices, Adam reached into his spatial storage shoulder bag, and retrieved a glass. He poured water into it from a bottle and then carefully drew out one of his special syringes. As he injected the syringe’s contents into the water, the liquid turned a pale lemon color, accompanied by a faint citrus scent. A few ice cubes completed the drink.

“You should rest,” Adam said, walking over to Luna-Evelyn and holding out the glass.

“I’m fine,” she replied without looking up, her focus fixed on the ground.

“Just five minutes won’t delay us,” Adam said. “Your body is strong, no doubt, but that doesn’t mean you should push it unnecessarily.”

Luna-Evelyn finally glanced at him, her expression tinged with slight coldness. “If we stop now, we might not find the place before the day is over. I can keep going for this long,” she said curtly, her voice colder than before as if hoping to dissuade him from pressing further.

Unfortunately for her, Adam wasn’t one to back down easily. Rejection didn’t bother him; he was far too thick-skinned for that.

Without a word, Adam reached out with his free hand and grasped her wrist, halting her movements.

Luna-Evelyn frowned, finally raising her gaze to meet his. “What are you—?”

“Look,” before Lunevy could speak, Adam twisted her wrist showing her palm. “See. Your body is giving you clear signals. The reddened skin indicates increased blood flow, likely due to exertion and heat stress. The perspiration is your body’s attempt to regulate temperature.”

“…”

“Prolonged exposure to these conditions can lead to dehydration, heat exhaustion, and potentially heatstroke. These conditions can significantly impair physical and cognitive function. Even for someone with your physical capabilities, pushing yourself beyond your limits is counterproductive. It can lead to decreased endurance, increased risk of injury, and ultimately hinder our progress.”

“…”

“I imagine most of what I say is insignificant to you. Someone of your strength would likely be immune to such petty concerns, wouldn’t they? But I can see that you have a tendency to push yourself to the absolute limit when it is needed, disregarding the signals your body sends. You seem to believe that because you are physically strong, you are invincible to most sickness which isn’t completely wrong. This is a dangerous misconception. Do you understand why?”

Adam asked with a low and soft tone, his brilliant hazel eyes reflecting the ruby red of Lunevy’s own.

Lunevy shook her head unconsciously, almost captivated by Adam’s explanation.

“Your body, despite its resilience, is not indestructible. Ignoring its needs will have consequences. You risk pushing yourself beyond your limits, leading to injuries, exhaustion, and ultimately, decreased performance. This is not merely about efficiency. It’s about self-preservation. Pushing yourself to the brink repeatedly is not sustainable. It will inevitably lead to burnout, both physical and mental. And in this line of your peculiar work, burnout can be fatal. Am I wrong?”

Once again, Lunevy answered with an unconscious shake of her head.

“Understanding my words is a sign of intelligence, of recognizing your limitations and respecting your body’s needs. Ignoring these signals is not strength, it’s self-sabotage. It’s a selfish act, not only towards yourself but also towards your team.”

His words, dripping with arrogance, strangely resonated with Lunevy despite herself. The others who were overhearing him were similarly captivated, despite the off-putting delivery.

“The human body,” Adam’s eyes, usually detached, gleamed with a rare intensity. It was a reflection, a subtle echo of the same awe and fascination that had consumed his adopted father, Victor Frankenstein, in his pursuit of the limitations of the Human body and that Adam had inherited.

“The Human Body…is the most magnificent and complex machine ever conceived. A sublimed interconnected systems, a marvel of biological engineering. And your body… is a true evidence to the beauty and resilience of the human form. It is the most beautiful specimen I have ever encountered here.”

“Ah…”

Lunevy’s eyes widened, her mouth agape in surprise. Adam’s words, though seemingly clinical, resonated with an unexpected intimacy. Obviously she knew what he meant but still his words sounded embarrassingly like a confession of admiration, a compliment that left her flustered.

“That’s why, do not damage such a wonder. Nourish it, respect it, and it will serve you well. You have a unique gift, Miss Luna-Evelyn. You should appreciate it. Do you understand?”

Luna-Evelyn could only nod silently.

“Good,” Adam said simply, placing the glass gently on her palm he was holding. “Now rest.”

Without another word, Luna-Evelyn moved to join the others, her earlier seriousness and insistence replaced by a rare, almost subdued silence. Adam’s attempt to force her to rest had taken on an unexpected gravity, turning into something akin to an impromptu but deeply moving speech. It was classic Adam—unintentional yet long and impactful—and it carried its own distinct charm.

The people who had witnessed it also had quite reactions.

“This is the most beautiful confession I’ve ever heard,” Agatha murmured, her cheeks tinged with a rosy flush.

“Wait—was that even a confession? He just told her to rest!” Stephen shouted, looking completely bewildered.

“Stephen,” Julius said, laughing. “Can your brain even handle processing more than five words at a time?” He shook his head, amused.

“What did you say?!”

“Don’t start already,” Ophelia laughed before looking at Adam gently.

While she knew it wasn’t a confession, the way Adam had spoken—the sincerity in his tone, the gentleness of his actions—made it feel like one. And for teenagers eager for drama, it was enough to spark misunderstandings.

“I… I think I’m in love,” Agatha suddenly muttered, drawing all eyes to her.

“Huh? Agatha?!” Luke blurted, staring at her in shock.

Agatha sighed wistfully. “If only someone would do that for me…”

Irisdina, meanwhile, quietly observed Adam. For the first time, she felt an unexpected twinge of jealousy toward a woman about a man. Adam’s demeanor was stoic, even detached, yet there was a unique sincerity in his actions—a rare charm that seemed entirely unintentional. Adam probably wasn’t even aware of it himself, which only made it more captivating.

Luna-Evelyn settled onto a boulder, holding the glass carefully in both hands to feel the coolness against her palms. She’d recovered somewhat from her earlier embarrassment and watched Adam as he walked away, hands casually tucked into his pockets.

She knew better than to ask why he wasn’t resting with them. He’d likely come up with a convenient excuse, deflecting attention as he always did. Normally, she’d have ignored it and minded her own business. But after what he’d said, she expected at least that he’d take part in their break.

But… his words lingered in her mind, resonating deeply in a way no one’s ever had—except, perhaps, Krainel’s.