The Union was not, by nature, an organization meant to judge crimes or evil. However, there existed regulations that bound Climbers, forbidding them from dragging ordinary civilians into conflicts between Climbers.
The Demon Faction violated that rule.
They dragged ordinary people into their schemes, kidnapping them and using them as fuel for their summoning rituals.
"Sir Kyran, dealing with them would require a vast amount of ammunition. The Demon Faction is powerful both in strength and political influence. Opposing them would offend many noble families under their control."
Merlin glanced at Kyran briefly before leaning back against his chair, his gaze drifting toward the ceiling.
"…True. Unless you can persuade one of the most influential noble families in Sirus to cooperate," Kyran said, tapping the table lightly with his index finger.
"Who?" Merlin asked, his curiosity piqued.
"The Calone family, and the Polaris family."
"!!!"
Merlin was visibly startled.
'Wait, isn't the Calone family… Jane's family?' he questioned inwardly.
"…Those two families possess influence far greater than most other nobles," Kyran continued.
"However, forming a relationship with either of them is extremely difficult. Unless you are a high-floor Climber, they likely won't even acknowledge you."
Kyran explained just how difficult it was to communicate with the Calone and Polaris families. To them, strength stood above all else.
"…I see," Merlin murmured, the corner of his lips curling into a faint smile.
…
Evening.
Sirus City, the Noble District—a place where luxury and extravagance reigned. Gold, silver, and bronze were the fundamental symbols of the district, yet gold itself was treated like mere bronze by those who lived there.
Magnificent buildings stood tall, designed in the style of medieval cathedrals. Stained glass mosaics, glowing with vivid colors and symbolic imagery, dominated the church's facade.
A massive bell rang from the pointed spire atop the structure. Birds scattered into the sky as its deep resonance echoed through the district.
The Church of Rebecca.
Inside the church, rows of neatly arranged pews faced a statue of a goddess with wings upon her back. Her beautiful face depicted Rebecca, the Goddess of Rain and Fertility.
A man dressed as a priest stood before the statue, his hands clasped together in prayer.
He had short brown hair and slightly wrinkled skin. His focus was absolute, his heart submerged in the wishes he whispered in silence.
As he prayed, a presence emerged from his shadow.
"Flaudis, how are the preparations?"
A small figure appeared, its body wrapped in tattered cloth, leaving only two narrow openings through which its eyes peered out.
Pastor Flaudis slowly opened his eyes. His clasped hands loosened as he sensed the presence behind him.
"Almost complete," he replied coldly.
"After the failure on Floor One, the higher-ups are growing displeased," said the figure, its voice childlike and unnervingly sharp.
"If you fail again, they will descend personally to finish it."
With that warning, the figure dissolved back into Flaudis's shadow.
Left alone once more, Pastor Flaudis gazed at the statue of Goddess Rebecca.
"You look especially beautiful today, my Goddess," he murmured with a smile.
At those words, a deep rumble echoed, as if he had spoken a hidden command.
A magic circle instantly formed before the statue, and in the next moment, Flaudis's body vanished.
He reappeared within an underground chamber beneath the church—accessible only through teleportation magic.
The corridor was dark and damp, illuminated by dim, flickering light as Flaudis walked between the narrow walls.
He proceeded deeper until he reached a large cubic chamber filled with a nauseating stench.
Human bones were embedded into the walls, bound together by iron chains that encircled the room. Dried blood stained the stone, while remnants of organs and rotting flesh clung to the surface.
At the center stood a raised circular altar. Upon it rested an object shaped like a human skull.
Flaudis stepped closer.
As he approached, the screams of sacrificed victims echoed in his ears. Yet his expression remained unchanged—his mental fortitude rendering him indifferent to the whispers.
He extended his right hand toward the skull.
Dark mana poured from it, thick with hatred and resentment.
Even so, it was still not enough to initiate the summoning ritual.
"Soon… the Relic Skull of Resentment will be filled with hatred," Flaudis whispered.
"When that happens, the ritual will finally begin."
A terrifying smile spread across his face.
…
The next day, inside Merlin's house.
"What did you bring?" Merlin asked as Jane arrived to keep her promise.
Jane wore a closed gray cloak, carefully concealing the book beneath it to avoid drawing attention.
She pulled the book out from under her cloak and handed it to Merlin.
"Lightning Breakthrough Aura…" Merlin read the title aloud.
He took the book from her hands and opened it. On the very first page was a clear explanation of how the Lightning Breakthrough Aura functioned.
"…Where did you get this?" Merlin asked, unable to suppress his curiosity.
"This technique has been passed down through my family," Jane said, lowering her head slightly.
"I intended to give it to you in exchange for the information you provided."
"…Hmm."
Merlin closed the book, despite having read only the first page.
"Handing over your family's secret technique to a stranger…"
He couldn't comprehend how Jane could part with the original manual so easily.
Jane lowered her gaze, unsure of what payment would truly suffice for the invaluable information Merlin had given her.
"…Don't worry. I also brought another one hundred gold coins as compensation," she said hurriedly, producing a pouch filled with gold.
"Hah…" Merlin let out a sigh.
He finally realized that Jane believed the information he provided was extremely valuable. In truth, Merlin hadn't given it much thought at all.
One hundred gold coins for a single piece of information was absurdly expensive—especially considering he had paid Kyran only seven bronze coins for details about the Demon Faction.
Still, Merlin could sense Jane's sincerity.
Suddenly, an eyeball emerged from Merlin's neck, splitting through the skin like an opening eyelid.
"…Just accept it," a voice echoed within Merlin's mind.
"Are you insane? Appearing in front of Jane?" Merlin snapped inwardly.
Whenever Arkan spoke, the eye manifested as a medium for communication. Though no one else could hear Arkan's voice, Merlin's appearance visibly changed.
"Let it be. She already swore not to reveal our identities," Arkan replied.
"Merlin, that book contains a powerful technique. If you master it, no one will be able to defeat us."
After a moment of contemplation, Merlin finally agreed.
When he looked at Jane again, her eyes froze in terror.
"What's wrong?" Merlin asked.
Jane's body trembled.
What she saw was no longer the image of a normal child. In her vision, Merlin resembled a monster. His mere presence forced her body to bow.
Merlin snapped his fingers.
Jane jolted back to reality.
"Alright. I'll accept your gift," Merlin said, taking both the book and the pouch of gold.
"Merlin…" Jane's voice trembled as she clutched her cloak tightly.
"…What exactly was that being?"
Despite the fear clawing at her heart, her curiosity overcame her caution.
Merlin smiled faintly.
Suddenly, his eyes turned pitch black.
A deep, oppressive darkness surged from his body.
"!!!"
Jane's mana went wild as terror seized her.
"Hey."
A single word echoed inside her mind.
"…This feeling," she whispered, recalling the horror she had felt in the library warehouse.
"Merlin has permitted me to introduce myself," said Arkan, now fully in control.
"I am the strongest god. My name is Arkan."
Jane's face went pale.
A god… residing within his own Apostle.
She rose from her chair and knelt immediately, bowing her head.
"Oh…" Arkan chuckled, stroking his chin.
"I quite enjoy seeing humans kneel before me."
"…I shall grant you a small gift."
Arkan reached toward Jane's head.
His hand became enveloped in a writhing black mass, covered in countless eyes and gnashing teeth.
The creature entered Jane's body.
"!!!"
"Kyaaaah!"
Her mana spiraled out of control as her mind was flooded with endless eyes and teeth.
She screamed in agony.
Moments later, she endured.
"…What was that?" Jane asked, tears streaming down her face as she gasped for breath.
"A gift," Arkan replied simply.
"…Until next time."
Arkan returned to Merlin's body.
Merlin's eyes returned to normal as he looked at Jane—now reborn with greater power.
"…Seed of Predator," Merlin muttered.
"A power born from greed."
"It devours enemies… and absorbs their strength."
Jane stared at him in shock.
"!!!"