The room grew eerily quiet.
"Now, I can finally absorb the traits of Facility No. 2 in peace."
In front of Ron floated a crystal orb visible only to him, its glow intensifying as tiny points of light drifted into it, drawn toward the fifty-per-cent mark.
Ron settled himself in a corner and waited patiently for time to pass.
Dandins watched him on the monitor, but what he didn't realize was that every pained expression he saw was nothing but an illusion crafted by Chii. The real Ron remained perfectly calm, with food and water laid out nearby.
Dandins shook his head as he stared at the screen.
"Even in this state, he doesn't dare seek death? How boring."
He grumbled, "All the toys I had prepared... wasted."
With that, Dandins turned away from the screen. Thanks to Chii's infiltration, he had plenty of problems arising in Facility No. 2 that needed his attention. Handling them had already delayed his meeting with Greed.
Meanwhile, Greed had returned to the manor, where Waters, the butler, was surprised that Ron hadn't come back with him. But Waters kept silent; Greed's affairs weren't his to question. As merely a servant, he didn't hold any official title within the Underworld Mafia. In Aurean City, his rank was far below Ron's, and Greed could dispose of him without consequence.
However, with Ron missing, Greed had some explaining to do to his other associates.
"Ten days," Greed muttered to himself. "In ten days, I hope Dandins's experiment succeeds."
"By then, my strength will have increased significantly."
"I won't be outclassed by the Shadow Beasts."
The memory of his recent visit to the Shadow Beast manor lingered in Greed's mind. Even though he was a high-ranking official of the Underworld Mafia, and even though the Seven Deadly Sins were second only to the Shadow Beasts, the way the Shadow Beast members had looked down on him grated on his nerves.
In the past, Greed wouldn't have dared challenge them. But now, with the prospect of his own power growing, his attitude was shifting.
"Ron, your sacrifice will be worth it. You'll become a part of my strength."
"I will undoubtedly become one of the Shadow Beasts."
"And not just a mere member of the lower ranks."
Ron opened his eyes. "That should do it."
The crystal orb's glow had dimmed as the absorption rate slowed, the progress having reached fifty per cent.
As the iron door slid open, a bright light filtered in, framing the figure standing in the doorway. Dandins stared directly at Ron, who was resting in the corner. In an instant, Ron dashed toward him.
Dandins raised an eyebrow.
"You think you can take me on? Foolish."
"Do you really think you're some kind of prodigy?"
"You could never be a match for me."
With a smirk, Dandins's form blurred, easily dodging Ron's lunge.
But instead of pursuing him, Ron spun on his heel and made a break for the open door. Dandins frowned.
"A diversion? Is his real goal to escape?"
With a cold snort, Dandins charged after Ron.
Ron reached the doorway, but he didn't step through. Instead, he hit a switch beside the door. The heavy metal door began to descend, sealing them inside a makeshift chamber.
The iron door clanged shut, transforming the room into a sealed enclosure, trapping both Ron and Dandins within.
Dandins blinked in confusion.
Ron had been right at the exit. Why didn't he leave? And why lock himself in with me?
To trap himself? What is he thinking?
Dandins's expression darkened as he tried to make sense of it.
He thought to himself, "Could this kid actually be trying to fight me? Is he worried I'd flee?"
Dandins found it laughable.
Who did this kid think he was up against?
Dandins was a high-ranking figure in the Underworld Mafia, an experienced Nen user, and the head overseer of Aurean City's Facility No. 2. He held power, respect, and had a legion of followers at his command.
A mere competitor from the 200th floor of Heaven's Arena, a teenage boy with no significant rank beyond being a member of the Underworld Mafia.
The idea of Ron challenging him was absurd.
"Is this kid brain-damaged?"
"He really thinks he can take me on?"
Dante shook his head, almost in disbelief.
"Kid, do you really want to fight me?"
"Yes," Ron replied with a slight nod.
Dandins was genuinely curious about the reason behind such a reckless decision, especially when he saw no possible way for Ron to win.
"Do you think you stand a chance against me?"
"You should know your own limits."
"My strength surpasses even Greed's."
"You're nothing but a stray dog he picked up. What makes you think you can challenge me?"
"Explain yourself, and I might spare you some suffering."
Ron simply looked at him calmly.
"You'll see soon enough."
Without another word, Ron launched himself toward Dandins again, uninterested in explaining.
After all, villains always meet their end by talking too much.
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