Valdrin remained silent for a few moments before speaking again, his calm voice carrying a clear sense of seriousness.
“That’s not the only reason.
We need that power…
to use it against Ildar.” Adrian frowned and watched him cautiously.
“And why should I trust you…
and go with you?” Valdrin thought for a moment before answering without hesitation.
“You’re not forced to.
You can stay here if you want.
But if you remain the way you are, that power will eventually consume you.
A day will come when Adrian will no longer exist…
and only the Power of Rage will remain.” Silence fell between them.
Valdrin fixed his eyes on Adrian before speaking in a cold voice.
“And when that happens…
I’ll come and kill you myself.”
Adrian’s expression didn’t change, but his fist slowly tightened.
He stared at Valdrin without saying a word, trying to figure out whether the man was truly threatening him or simply trying to force him to make the right decision.
But Valdrin’s eyes were enough to tell him that those words were not an empty threat.
Valdrin let out a short breath, then suddenly said, “By the way…
I saved your grandfather from the rubble.” Adrian’s eyes widened instantly, and all the caution disappeared from his face.
“Really?
My grandfather is alive?!” The question came out before he could stop himself, and he quickly followed with, “Where is he?” Valdrin calmly answered, “In our world.” Then he added, “But he’s being held there.”
Adrian quickly turned toward him.
“Held?
Why?” Valdrin answered, “Because he somehow cooperated with Ildar.” Adrian’s gaze hardened.
“If anything happens to my grandfather…
you’ll pay for it.” A mocking smile appeared on Valdrin’s face.
“Then come to our world…
and make us pay yourself.” Silence filled the room for a few moments before Adrian finally made his decision.
“Fine.
I’ll go with you.
But I’m not leaving Dan here.” Valdrin casually shrugged.
“Fine.
We’ll take him with us.” He then looked at Adrian and added, “Now, get up.” Adrian glanced down at himself in frustration.
“Can’t you see my condition?
I can barely stand.” Valdrin stepped closer and lightly punched him on the shoulder, making Adrian cry out, “Stop!
Fine…
I’ll stand.”
Adrian pushed himself off the edge of the bed and managed to stand with difficulty.
“Dan is in there, but his injuries are serious.
He could die if—” Before he could finish, Valdrin disappeared from in front of him.
Adrian stared at the spot where he had been standing moments ago, then muttered in frustration, “These people…
they’re all demons of the same kind.” A few moments later, Valdrin appeared in front of him again, carrying Dan in his arms.
He simply said, “I heard you.” Adrian scratched his head awkwardly.
“I meant…
in terms of power.”
At that moment, Dan began to regain consciousness.
He slowly opened his eyes, and the first thing he saw was Valdrin’s face, followed by his long red hair, horns, and crimson eyes.
Dan’s eyes widened in fear, and he immediately began struggling wildly, trying to escape from his arms with all his strength.
“Let me go!
Stay away from me!” Dan shouted.
Adrian quickly stepped in.
“Dan!
Calm down.
He’s not our enemy.” Dan turned toward the voice, and the moment he saw Adrian, he stopped struggling.
He stared at him for several seconds before quickly pulling himself out of Valdrin’s arms.
But the moment his feet touched the ground, he grabbed his chest and groaned in pain.
Adrian moved closer and said, “Easy.”
Dan raised his head, tears filling his eyes.
“You…
you’re still alive.
I can’t believe it…
I can’t believe I’m actually seeing you.” The next moment, Dan broke down crying, and Adrian pulled him into an embrace.
“From now on, you won’t just be my closest friend…
you’ll be my brother too.” Dan held onto him tightly before speaking through his sobs.
“They told me…
that your brother and grandfather were dead.” He raised his head slightly and asked, “But…
what happened there?
And what happened to you?” Adrian looked at him calmly and answered, “I’ll tell you everything, but we need to leave this place first.”
Dan cautiously looked toward Valdrin before asking, “But…
what is that thing doing here?” Adrian looked at him and said, “Dan…
we’re not just leaving this hospital.
We’re leaving this entire world.” Dan stared at him in disbelief before shouting, “What?!
Are…
are we going to die?!” Adrian lightly smacked him on the head and said, “No, you idiot.
We’re going to another world.”
Dan stared at him in confusion.
“I…
Valdrin let out an annoyed breath.
“Are we going to spend the entire day with this idiot?
We need to leave now.” Dan immediately turned toward him, anger flashing across his face.
“Who the hell are you, anyway?
And why do you keep calling me an idiot—” Valdrin gave him a cold smile.
“If you want, I can tear your bones apart too.
Then…
you won’t have anything left to complain about.” Dan swallowed hard and took a step back before moving closer to Adrian and whispering, “I…
I’m not going with him.”
Adrian looked at him seriously and held out his hand.
“If you stay here, this won’t end well.
So, are you coming with me…
like you always have?
Or are you going to leave me this time?” Dan stared at Adrian’s outstretched hand for a few moments before letting out a long breath and giving him a faint smile.
“You know?
Sometimes I feel like being your friend is the biggest disaster that ever happened to me.” He then took Adrian’s hand and added, “But…
I can’t leave you alone.”
Valdrin slowly raised his hand and opened his palm.
At the same moment, thick red smoke began pouring from it.
The smoke twisted rapidly through the air until it formed a massive circle in front of them.
Its surface rippled like water, and an image of another world soon appeared within it, showing a sky and land Adrian had never seen before.
Valdrin looked at the two of them and calmly said, “Follow me.” He then stepped forward and disappeared through the portal.
Dan looked at Adrian nervously and swallowed hard.
“Do…
do we really have to go through?” Adrian stared at the portal before giving him a faint smile.
“I guess…
we don’t have a choice anymore.” Dan let out a deep breath.
“If I die there…
my spirit will haunt you for the rest of your life.” Adrian smiled and patted him on the shoulder.
“Don’t worry.
You won’t die before me.”
Adrian then gently pushed him forward, causing Dan to lose his balance and fall through the portal.
“You bastard!” Dan shouted as he disappeared on the other side.
Adrian smiled for a moment, then turned toward the portal and followed him.
Adrian and Dan finally made it through the portal.
Honestly, I really enjoyed writing Dan’s reaction to Valdrin.
I think these two are going to be an interesting combination.
But now the real question is…
What do you think Adrian and Dan will find in the new world?