While Ninsun wandered the shadows of the 10th floor, Jongmae returned to the tomb. Upon arriving, he saw Arachne, enraged at Kairos, striking him in the face to vent her anger. Kairos, hands behind his back, simply endured in silence, clenching his fists tightly. Arachne noticed Jongmae's presence and, upon seeing him, backhanded Kairos, throwing him against the wall.
– Where is she? Don't tell me you let her escape? – asked Arachne, her expression twisted with extreme rage, a vein bulging on her forehead and her teeth grinding so hard it seemed they might shatter.
– She slipped into the shadows. There was nothing I could do. Unlike you, I don't have your flames. – replied Jongmae mockingly.
Arachne's flames flared around her, radiating power and hatred toward Jongmae.
– Jongmae, don't you think you're crossing the line? Have you forgotten who I am? The legacy my family carries? – said Arachne.
Jongmae only smirked ironically and stepped closer to her.
– Tell me... what are you going to do? Attack me? You may be rank S, but under our contract you can't lay a finger on me. – said Jongmae.
Arachne walked toward the chest, staring at it with burning desire. She was a step away from opening it, but in the end, she failed to achieve her goal.
Injured, Kairos dragged himself toward the exit, passing by Arachne and Jongmae's swords. Jongmae glanced at him with curiosity—not pity, but interest.
– Tell me, Kairos... how did you end up in this situation? You may be of lower rank than Arachne, but you have experience and a powerful innate ability. – asked Jongmae.
Kairos stared at him in silence for a moment, then looked down, feeling miserable and dejected in the face of his situation.
– Not going to answer, huh? Very well, I won't force you. – Jongmae continued toward Arachne, who was still staring at the chest.
– Arachne, why do you want the contents of this chest so badly? I know it's a cursed chest, and they usually hold fine treasures, but... we're on the 11th floor. How can you be so sure there's something valuable inside?
Arachne shot Jongmae a piercing look and clicked her tongue. She knew she would have to tell him—she could not break one of the clauses of their contract.
– Kairos's ability allows him to know what's inside the chest. – said Arachne.
– Wait?! Are you talking about Kairos's lie-detection ability? It also works on false item descriptions? – asked Jongmae, surprised.
Arachne let out a weary sigh.
– The item inside the chest is a teleportation necklace. – said Arachne.
Jongmae looked at her in surprise, but soon burst into laughter. His laughter pierced Arachne's ears. She knew he was mocking her. He laughed as if what he had heard was the funniest thing in his life, his belly aching from it.
– HAHAHA! So, you want this item to keep up with the speed of your older sister? – said Jongmae, holding his stomach.
– If you were in my position, you would understand. – said Arachne with a furious glare.
– You should worry more about improving your fire technique. It's your younger brother who should really have your attention. – said Jongmae.
Arachne glared at him with contempt and headed toward the stairs. Jongmae and Kairos merely watched her go.
– People who choose not to see the truth are the ones I despise the most. – said Jongmae.
Three days later, at night, after the incident on the 10th floor, Arachne was on the top floor of the Black Phoenix Association, inside an office, facing a man: Jin Mortalis, CEO of the Black Phoenix Association. Despite his position, the office did not flaunt luxury, except for its view of the City of the Cross. It held only what was necessary for comfort and work, with no useless decorations or personal trinkets.
Jin Mortalis appeared to be around sixty years old. He wore a purple suit with a golden tie. Despite his age, he had a strong build. His hair and beard were long and gray, his hair reaching down to his shoulders. He wore a black band across his eyes. If his eyes were visible, they would likely show a cold, serious expression.
He was sketching in his notebook—a skull holding a person in its hand. Arachne felt uneasy in his presence, but dared not interrupt him. She avoided looking him in the eyes, staring only at the floor, waiting for Jin to speak. At last, he stopped sketching, picked up a red pen, looked at Arachne, and said:
– Do you know why you were summoned here?
– No, sir... Did I do something wrong? – asked Arachne.
– Three days ago, there was a massive disturbance of mana on the 10th floor, perhaps the greatest in history. And you were there, weren't you? – said Jin.
– Well... yes. – Arachne answered nervously.
Jin took his notebook, stood, and walked toward her.
– Tell me what you know. The disturbance began on the 10th floor, but it spread so far it reached even our angelic adventurers. – said Jin.
Arachne was momentarily surprised, but quickly regained her composure.
"What could it have been? I don't remember sensing any surge of mana... Nor do I recall anything that could have caused such interference. Could it have been the chest?" – she thought.
Though she tried to hide it, Jin noticed her hesitation, but kept staring, waiting for her answer.
– D-despite being on the 10th floor, I don't know what could have caused the disturbance. – said Arachne.
Jin sighed and handed her the notebook and pen before returning to his desk.
– Deliver this notebook and pen to our 'Painter' at the art gallery. He will know what to do. – said Jin.
Arachne simply nodded and hurried toward the door.
Jin gazed out the window of his office, overlooking the illuminated City of the Cross. He let out a heavy sigh.
– I hope this disturbance is nothing... but nothing in life ever goes the way we want.