Adam studied the monk carefully, concluding that he was the head monk of the South District Church.
The structure of the Holy Sound Church was not complex. In district churches, monks were assigned different roles, with most being simply called "monks." Their ranking was determined by a combination of achievements, mastery of divine powers, and the age at which they joined the Church.
Though all were called monks, the quality of their vestments varied. Newly inducted monks typically had only a simple pattern on their collars, while more senior monks might have three patterns. Only senior monks were allowed to oversee a church, and these monks, known as "head monks," were also the only ones permitted to embroider their sleeves.
The head monk before Adam, who appeared gentle and benevolent, was now slowly bending down to take out a piece of holy bread from the cupboard. With a warm and welcoming gesture, he placed it in front of Adam, as though offering a snack to a beloved neighbor.
"You must be hungry after a long day. Have some food," he said kindly.
Adam understood that the risks associated with using Monk Fura to gain access to the church had also become apparent. Though the Holy Sound Church had made many concessions in recent years due to the rising influence of the nobility—some monks even corrupted by them—there were still powerful figures within its ranks.
Adam hesitated for a moment, then, with a touch of reluctance, said, "No thank you, Monk. My uncle and aunt have left me food at home."
"Nonsense. Young people need to eat more," the head monk said with a reassuring smile as he drew back the curtains, standing by the window and gazing outside.
"Thank you, Monk," Adam responded politely, not wanting to insist further. He picked up the holy bread and ate a couple of bites.
"Take your time, I have plenty more here," the head monk said, his eyes narrowing in a pleasant smile. Then he added, "Fura is a young man I hold in high regard. His soul has never been tainted, so I wanted to see what kind of person he would recommend. What kind of soul do you possess?"
Adam glanced at the remaining holy bread on the table, suddenly feeling a bit awkward about taking more. Upon hearing the head monk's words, he asked in confusion, "Soul?"
"Indeed," the head monk replied, tapping the window as he turned to look at Adam. "At first, there is no distinction in a person's soul."
"From the moment one is born into this world, everything they encounter begins to shape that soul."
Adam followed the monk's gaze as he continued.
"You are learning to paint under Alva. Let me use that as an analogy: a person's soul is like a blank canvas. Their experiences are the colors, and their choices—how they decide to engage with those experiences—are the brushstrokes."
"Those choices determine how one accepts their experiences and, ultimately, what their soul looks like."
"Some write epics with theirs, others become a sun, warming those around them, while some allow their soul to sink into the mire, becoming foul and unbearable. What about you?" The head monk's eyes seemed to pierce into Adam's very being, as though reading the depths of his soul. "Adam, what will your soul be like?"
"I… I don't know," Adam replied, his head lowered as he avoided the monk's penetrating gaze. His fingers clenched around his trousers as he suppressed the growing panic within him. He forced himself to speak with calculated calmness, as if in a self-induced trance: "I just want to live a better life, without having to wander aimlessly again."
"Then may the glory of the gods guide you, and may you never feel lost again." The head monk's broad palm rested gently on Adam's head, his voice rising in a majestic tone, as if the sound of countless bells were ringing in harmony or celestial choirs were singing around them.
As Adam felt a sense of peace spread through him under the monk's touch, the head monk released his hand and shuffled back to the cupboard, continuing to rummage through it.
"I'll just check here… last time, Purdoh brought some dried fruit..." The monk muttered to himself, clearly absorbed in his search. "Where did I put it? I'm sure it was right here."
Adam snapped out of his thoughts, feeling somewhat embarrassed. He quickly said, "Monk, you don't have to bother. It's getting late, and I should head back soon…"
"Found it!" The head monk exclaimed with delight, as if he had uncovered a great treasure. Laughing, he retrieved a bag of dried fruit from the cupboard and, without paying much attention to Adam's protests, handed a generous handful to him.
"Be careful on your way home. Come early tomorrow. Alva doesn't like latecomers, though he can't even remember anyone's name."
"I'll have a word with him tomorrow…" The head monk's words were lighthearted, betraying none of the dignity one would expect from someone in his position of authority.
Adam could only hold the dried fruit in his hands, thanking the monk before hastily heading out.
After Adam left, the head monk took a piece of holy bread, tearing it slowly into small pieces as he chewed thoughtfully, his head lowered as if deep in contemplation.
A monk entered the room, quietly asking about the situation.
"He's an ambitious one, certainly has motives for using Fura," the head monk sighed, shaking his head.
"Then I'll stop him at the door tomorrow," the monk replied with a frown, clearly displeased.
"There's no need, Rob, no need," the head monk replied, shaking his head. "Everyone has their own path to follow. Ambition isn't necessarily a bad thing. What matters is the choice within. Fura needs to grow, and Adam needs redemption. I believe they are both good children, capable of finding the light under the glory of the gods, their souls shining bright."
...
"Almost exposed myself," Adam thought, realizing that a head monk in a border city like Roya was no simple figure. However, he hadn't anticipated just how formidable this one was.
Had he been anyone else—any other purebred werewolf—they likely would have lost control and transformed right then and there, only to be struck down in an instant.
That old man's frail body concealed an unimaginable power of the divine, a force rare to come by. Adam could feel the scar on his face burning, the pain radiating deep into his bones, almost making him cry out.
"I must accelerate my progress!" Adam knew one thing for certain: his identity was not without flaws. Though 'Adam Boku's' birthplace was some distance from Roya, with enough time, someone could uncover the truth and realize he was not the real Adam.
"But I must be careful, no more raising suspicion," he thought. Using Fura to enter the church had already made the head monk suspicious, and the monk had tested him.
If Adam revealed any more oddities, the monk would likely investigate him thoroughly.
The kind of spy who repeatedly gets suspected, clears his name, and ultimately earns the trust of those in power was nothing more than fiction. The higher up one went, the less they believed in coincidences.
Once suspicion had been cleared, the person might be believed, but after two or three times, the spy's cover would be blown.
"My soul will never remain here," Adam thought, feeling the werewolf bloodline—the so-called 'blood of sin'—stir within him, but his face revealed no trace of it.
Before night fully fell, Adam returned home to the Boku household, placed the dried fruit in a jar, and called for Lina to join him.
After messing up the little girl's hair, he carefully tied it up again, and slowly, his mind began to settle.
He began to reflect on the events of the day, analyzing what he had gathered from the church.
"I was a bit careless, overestimating my ability to conceal myself. If I had been more prepared, I could have handled the situation more calmly."
"There are places where I can make use of Jim, and that Lord Ruba… I overheard some useful information about him when I was spying on Mansra's estate."
"My understanding of otherworldly beings must go deeper to better track them down and control them," Adam pondered, "I have so little power, and that is my disadvantage."
"My advantage lies in my ability to remain hidden, and my mastery in concealing the abnormalities of my bloodline. And now, I've already infiltrated the South District Church."
"Next, I must leverage these advantages to gain more initiative and use that to compensate for my disadvantages."
"And, of course, there's the biggest issue—time." Adam chuckled, pinching Lina's cheek and feeding her a piece of dried fruit before sealing the jar. He smiled at the sight of her eagerly devouring it.
"When I set things up back then, I never knew how long it would mislead them. Once they find their way to Roya, with their understanding of me, they'll likely find me quickly."
With this thought, Adam gazed out the window, watching the crescent moon slowly rise in the night sky.