Chapter 192: Skinless
At this point in time, Adam sat in one of the VIP seats. The lighting had dimmed to a low, ambient red.
Beside him sat Zinee, arms folded, legs crossed. He didn't look at her; for there was no need. Everything within a twenty-meter radius was as clear to him as daylight, sight, smell, and sound, all hyper-attuned.
Even without looking, he could feel her eyes on him. Ever since Nyx had left to prepare for her upcoming performance, Zinee's gaze hadn't left his side. As she chose to sat beside him.
Curious, Adam subtly reached out with his power, probing her surface desires.
Suddenly, a rush of memories and longing flooded into him.
"I've encountered many supernatural beings in my life. Some weak, others powerful, and a rare few bordering on the divine. But in this world, evolution is a law just like the wind that blows, the fire that burns, and the lightning that strikes."
"Every race, whether bound by logic or supernatural, is subject to it."
"But all things has a mortal limiter... once you reach it... It means you have achieved the status of a Shinso. And any creature, logical or supernatural, that achieves this state reaches the pinnacle of evolution."
"By its nature, the Law of Evolution teaches that nothing is fixed, that all things change, grow, and unfold with time. Though this process may follow patterns or appear constant, its very essence is movement. Yet this law ceases to hold sway over that which transcends the physical. When a being sheds its limited, material form and becomes not flesh but concept, or pure idea, it steps beyond the reach of evolution itself. For what is abstract cannot evolve; it simply is. And becoming a Shinso existence means, your one step away from achieving abstraction."
"To be classified as a Shinso means your very cells generate infinite energy through supernatural means."
"Such a being can theoretically do anything, create one universe or a thousand, hell even infinite amounts, wield their powers without limits, never need sleep, food, or even rest. It's the ultimate state of existence under the Law of Evolution."
"But what truly defines all Shinso is that each possesses a unique form of immortality."
"That is what makes them almost impossible to kill."
"Unfortunately, I'm not like Nyx, who is a Metahuman, and has also achieve this state but for Metahumans. However my Anthem, Host, can make me dangerous in my own right to even match her, but this kid… he unsettles me."
"He is from the same group of Monsters that Nyx's family treats like gods."
"And as a former captain of the Supernatural Council, I've always been open to working with non-human beings. Many Monsters from the Monster Worlds operate alongside us, alongside other supernatural entities from countless planes across the universe and others."
"I've even met several Shinso in my time..but never one this young. He looks no older than twelve… and yet he carries such terrifying power."
"Then again, he could be far older."
"Now I find myself sitting next to this small powerhouse… and I want to speak to him, to understand him better."
"But I don't even know how to begin."
Those lingering fragments, memories of her desires, flowed into Adam one by one as he process them all instantly.
He sat there, eyes half open, thinking over on what he has seen. Then, with a low sigh, he looked over.
"You know"
He said, lips curling into a faint smirk.
"I get that I am devastatingly attractive, but at this rate, your glare might bore a hole right through my head you know."
Zinee blinked, snapping out of her thoughts. She looked away quickly. Finally realizing her excessive staring was impolite, and just made the atmosphere between them more weird.
"Ah...sorry. I didn't mean to stare."
But Adam didn't care, however he wanted to talk this woman as well.
As such he quickly de-escalate this weird scenario by starting off the conversation with.
"If there is something you want to ask, then just ask."
Adam said casually.
"If I feel like answering, I will."
"...Wait, seriously?"
"Yes. Seriously. Go ahead."
Zinee hesitated only a moment, then leaned in, her voice firm but not confrontational, just curious about this weird boy.
"Alright. Since you're being so generous… I'll cut straight to the point."
"What are you, exactly? You feel human, look human. And my powers don't usually lie. You see my <Host> allows for a shit ton of abilities, but I specialize in analysis, and information gathering mostly. Some of my girls have similar gifts, but I've got a few tricks of my own too. I can tell when something's off. And you...
She paused, brow furrowed.
"You don't read like anything else I've met. You're definitely human, but there is something more. Something deeper. Something... wrong about you, if I'm being honest."
Adam gave her a thoughtful glance, then shrugged, letting a small smile slip.
"You're not wrong...
"I am human...by species, at least. But I was raised…differently you see."
He raised his hand, slowly. As It began to shift and contort, flesh blackening, stretching into something monstrous, dark claws tipped in shimmering black, muscles rippling with unnatural strength.
Zinee tensed slightly at the sight of it, but she didn't flinch at all.
As Adam began to explain a little about himself.
"My sisters… they're not exactly normal either."
He added, tone quieting slightly.
"As a child, I was abandoned in the Monster World. By some stroke of luck, I was found and taken in by my sister. So I grew up there, raised by five super hot and super powerful Monster girls, trained in their ways, shaped by their world. Biologically, yeah, I am human. But I'm not really the same as a normal Earth human anymore. To make a long story short, a human child can't survive in a place like the Monster World, so to make that possible I was expirmented on to save my life you can say. If anything, I am more like a Monster World human, a version of the species that has adapted to survive in that environment."
"Think of it like this... I am a human in name and structure, but I've got the physiology and perks that all Monster Kind typically have. I can control Miasma, withstand the world's many poisons and toxins in their atmosphere without dying or going Hollow, and I can even generate Monster Energy like one of them."
Zinee sat back, exhaling through her nose. At Adams short but somewhat description explanation about himself.
"Sheesh, kid... sounds like you had it rough growing up ha?!"
Adam blinked, then grinned, genuinely this time. His voice was light, almost amused.
"Ohh, absolutely not. My sisters were the best despite them brining me close to death doors when we train one-on-one."
Zinee raised a brown. A little confused did he not just say he was monster expirment.
"Wait, what... Really?!"
"Yuppp...
Adam said, chuckling softly.
"Despite being some random human kid that apparently showed up in their trash can, they treated me like family from day one."
Zinee blinked at his words, amuse then concerned as she said.
"Hold on...trash can?"
Adam nodded, still smiling as if recalling an old joke.
"Yahhhh...hehehe... that's what they always Apparently as child they found me in their trash can wrapped in a blanket in their stables."
There was a pause as Zinee just stared at him.
"...How the hell did you end up in a Monster World trash can?"
Adam tilted his head, then shrugged with a lazy smile.
"No idea."
Zinee laughed, a little louder than she meant to.
"You're serious?"
"Dead serious."
He said.
Making up few lies as he goes along, while explaining some truths as well.
"I've got no clue, or memories of the event, being a baby and all."
"But they all confirm this is true."
"I see, what an interesting story, still though… your sisters sound like good people, if they did all that for you a total stranger at the time."
Zinee said softly, causing Adam to reply back in equal measure.
Saying...
"They are."
"They didn't just save me. They raised me, trained me, and made sure I never felt like I didn't belong. Even if they did turn me into quite the power house along the way."
"... But yeah I wouldn't trade them for anything in this world."
Zinee watched Adam closely, noticing the genuine care in his eyes for his sisters. It reminded her of how her own daughter doted on her little sister, and the thought brought a warm smile to her face.
"That's sweet."
She said, her voice softening before shifting to a more serious tone.
"But, Adam, what's the deal with you and Nyx? I mean, beyond her worshipping you as one of her gods?"
Adam caught the weight in her question and leaned in slightly, his expression earnest.
"Honestly? I'm really into her. Nyx is kind, sharp as a tack, and way stronger than she looks. Plus, she's got this flirty vibe that's hard to ignore. Sure, she calls me 'babe' sometimes, which is a bit weird, but I love hanging out with her. She's a friend, a mentor… and, well, I'd be lying if I said I didn't find her attractive. With a figure like hers, it's hard not to think about something more."
Zinee raised an eyebrow, tilting her head.
"Okay, but how old are you? No offense, but you don't look a day over twelve."
Adam grinned, unfazed.
"I'm six."
The room went dead silent.
Zinee blinked, her jaw practically on the floor.
"Wait, what? Did you just say six years old?"
"Yup, you heard me right."
He said, chuckling at her shock.
"I'm six."
"You're messing with me, aren't you?"
"Nope, dead serious."
Adam replied, his grin widening.
"But look, age is just a number for me. I'm a shapeshifter, Zinee. I can turn into a full-grown guy with all the charm to sweep a girl off her feet, or even become a woman that is more than sexually capable of starting a family, if I wanted. Not that I swing that way, though it is possible."
Zinee stared, completely thrown back by Adam words.
"I… have no idea how to wrap my head around this."
Adam laughed, leaning back with a casual shrug.
"Just think of me as a guy with the mind of someone in their thirties despite me default appearance. I've got the experience, the smarts, and the Shapeshifting chops to back it up. Age doesn't define me as it would a normal human."
"Right....
Replied Zinee, but as they continue there talk, a voice suddenly knocked them out of it.
And turning to the point of distraction.
Their they saw a man dress in what Adam could only called a purple tuxedo.
"Evening, you beautiful wrecks. It's I Vesper, your most generous guide through this velvet dark. Tonight is indeed a special night."
He said while walking holding the mic to his mouth walking around the front of the stage
"We're not here to pose or preach are we? Like myself our excitement bubbles, we're all here to feel something. So light your cigarettes, down your drinks, and let's lose ourselves to the star of the show... Please put your hands together for Skinless."
The moment he announced that the entire crowd went loud. As applause and whistles could be heard in the background.