How many?

How many people had knelt before him against his will? He still couldn't comprehend why they did it.

Was it because it was revealed that he'd been alive for thousands of years? But he doesn't even remember any of that—for him, he was just a lab rat.

Was it because it was revealed that he had pre-Game abilities, and that he couldn't die? But there were far more special people than him now.

Or perhaps it was because he tried his best to save people? But countless others were saving far more lives—why didn't they praise them instead?

Regardless of all that, it didn't matter. The people kneeling to him right now were strangers he'd never met before. They shouldn't know him at all.

And yet, here was their King, on his knees before him. The only natural course of action was for his people to follow—and they did.

Once again, like dominoes falling, they all kneeled, a mass of scared and confused subjects bowing to a complete stranger.

To him whom they don't even know.

Why are you even complaining, Adam? Isn't this what you wanted? No, you wanted them to be scared of you to remove the idea that they could fight you. But… this is another version of that, Adam. If they respect you enough, if they worship you… then they also wouldn't want to fight you.

"Please, get up," Adam said, but the Chief didn't budge, refusing to move a single millimeter. Adam could only glance at Katherine, who seemed mildly amused by the situation.

It wasn't until several long seconds had passed that the Chief finally rose, dignity intact. His red waistcape flowing in the wind, and his dull armor still caught the sun's gleam, but his luscious beard remained the most striking feature.

The Chief was saying something to them, but the two had no idea what he wanted. Before Adam could attempt a response, Bagani appeared behind them, kneeling before the Chief and raising his hand.

Almost as if presenting some ancient treasure, he opened his palm and revealed… the earpiece. The Chief glanced at it while Bagani explained the artifact to him, then grabbed it, placed it in his ear, and finally spoke.

<I apologize for the actions of my people,> he said. <I am Sikatuna, Chief of people.>

Katherine squinted, and she leaned closer to Adam to whisper.

"Bala, Bagani, Sikatuna…" she said. "I knew it—these are all names from before the Philippines became a colony. That's why their language feels… ancient?"

Adam only glanced at her and then also bowed his head to Sikatuna.

"It is not your people who made a mistake," he said, glancing back to where Bala was now being restrained by Bagani's men, as well as his own men. "It's just the fault of a single person."

<...I know.> The Chief nodded. <If not for him becoming Emperor, I would execute Bala myself. Please, forgive my people and country. Please, stay for peace.>

"No. Our people can still strive for peace, but I will not be staying here." Adam glanced at Katherine again, and the two started walking again, making their way around the chief. But Adam stopped for a moment.

"It is up to your people now to convince mine that you want peace. I'm… done here. I need to see to my friend."

<But—>

Before the Chief could finish his words, Adam removed his earpiece. Katherine did the same, the two merely bowing their heads before heading to the portal—again. Fortunately, this time, no more interruptions or people blocking their path.

"Endless! What happened?!"

"Did they hurt you?! We are ready to fight!"

"The Endless!"

And soon as they stepped outside, they instantly saw dozens of people ready to storm inside the other world—even the President's guards were equipped with high-caliber automatic weapons, and his Hero guard was in full combat gear.

But most of all, Sang Moon Park seemed to have also rallied the members of the Church of Administrators, as all of them who were still there had this weirdly resolute expression on their faces.

"So…?" President Ronald stepped forward, looking Adam in the eyes as he ordered his men to follow behind him. His shirt was completely covered with Beatrice's blood. "Are we going to war?"

"I'm not." Adam shook his head, sighing as he looked around. "Where's Beatrice?"

"We…" Ronald sighed, breathing hard as he glanced at a particular medical tent. "...the doctors are doing their best. They said she would be fine—but if she were a normal human like the rest of us, she would have—"

"Thank you," Adam cut him off, extending his hand. "For acting fast and bringing her out when you did."

Ronald stared at his hand for a moment before nodding and shaking it. "I just did what anyone would've done."

"You'd be surprised. Now, if you'll excuse me, Mr. President."

Adam left Ronald alone. His guards looked at each other, then waited for the president's orders on whether or not they'd continue their attack—but in the end, President Ronald shook his head.

"No. Just tell the IBAA to start barricading the Leak—I'm not going to be the President who declared war against someone who could've been our ally."

While Ronald relayed his decisions, Adam and Katherine made their way to Beatrice's tent. They weren't allowed inside, but they could see from the monitors that her condition was stable; she was, however, still unconscious.

One of the doctors saw them staring inside, quickly disinfected himself, and stepped out.

"Dr. Katherine," he said, shaking Katherine's hand first, and then bowing his head to Adam. "Endless."

Adam blinked, then noted the doctor was wearing the sigil of the Church of Administrators on his neck. Just… how many members does the church have, exactly?

"How's the patient's condition? Does she need to be transferred?" Katherine asked, but the doctor quickly shook his head and smiled.

"Her condition's stable. The only thing we need to do now is wait for her to wake up."

"How… long will that take?" Adam asked.

"It is hard to tell with Heroes, Endless." The doctor's voice, suddenly incredibly polite, addressed Adam's title. "It could be anytime soon, but it could also be a day. The blade grazed her in the pericardium, and she lost a lot of blood, but she will be fine."

"That's good." Adam sighed in relief. "And when can we see her?"

"Once she wakes up, Endless. But we can make an exception for—"

"No. I can wait," Adam quickly cut the doctor off. "And please transfer her to a better facility once she can be moved."

"Of course, Endless." The doctor bowed. Adam and Katherine were about to leave, but the doctor seemed slightly fidgety, causing Adam to squint.

"Is… there something else?" Katherine was the one to ask.

"Ah. Yes. There's one more thing I need to tell—it doesn't involve Ms. Beatrice, but rather the people of the other world."

"What is it?"

"From the reports we've received, the world on the other side of the Leak was filled with… humans?" The doctor paused, glancing at the portal. "We… detected measles in Ms. Beatrice—pre-symptomatic stage. She likely contracted it a week ago or so. And even if you were only inside the other world for less than an hour, that is enough exposure to—"

"She could spread the measles." Katherine's eyes widened. "I didn't really think of it until now, but Heroes can be dangerous carriers since our bodies would suppress the symptoms—we would never even know we had them until it's too late… for others."

"Are… you saying there's a chance they'll get sick?" Adam muttered.

"No…" Katherine shook her head. "...He's saying that there's a chance for an outbreak, Adam. A lot of people will die."

"Ah…" Adam closed his eyes, pinching the bridge of his nose as he breathed out in exhaustion. "...It's just one battle after another, huh? Fuck."

Katherine blinked, not used to Adam swearing at all. "So, what do you want to do?"

"...What do you mean?" Adam squinted.

"Do you want to help them?"

"Well… yes?" Adam looked confused at the question. "I'll relay the news to the IBAA. Prepare what you need to prepare—can you take point in this?"

"Me…?" Katherine quickly shook her head. "I haven't practiced for years. And this isn't my expertise."

"I can handle it, Endless." The doctor stepped forward, lowering his head. "Please, leave this task to me."

"Okay. In the meantime…" Adam sighed, glancing back at the portal. "...I guess I have to go back and tell them to not leave their city?"

"I'll go back with you." Katherine nodded. "I can also prepare them so they could be ready once we can administer the vaccine."

"And we can—"

"A vaccine?"

Before Adam could say anything, a familiar voice approached them from behind. He turned, and Harvey, Mira, and Selena were walking toward them.

"The people from the Leak are sick… and you want to help them?" Harvey's eyebrows lowered. His eyes snapped toward Beatrice inside the tent. "They put Beatrice in that state…

…and you still want to help them, Adam?"

Adam looked Harvey in the eyes, and without any hesitation—

"Yes."