Chapter 125

"The position within the Shadow Beasts has indeed recently become vacant, and I'm determined to secure it."

"Really? That's great."

Ron paused for a moment and said, "But Lord Greed, while I know your strength is unquestionable and you'd have no problem becoming a member of the Shadow Beasts, do you think others might use underhanded tactics?"

"Underhanded tactics? Like what?"

"In the Sky Arena, I've seen it happen often. Some people even approached me, offering money to throw fights and intentionally lose."

Ron continued, "The decision on who fills the vacant Shadow Beast position likely falls to those at the top of the Underworld Mafia. Perhaps even current Shadow Beast members have a say or can influence the decision."

"My point is, Lord Greed, should you perhaps consider giving some gifts?"

Greed glanced at Ron.

Naturally, Greed had already thought about this.

He wasn't lacking in life experience, having spent so many years in the morally murky waters of the Underworld Mafia.

He had long prepared the necessary gifts and chosen the right people to receive them. However, issues at Laboratory No. 2 had delayed his plans.

Greed was well aware of his own capabilities. Compared to the members of the Shadow Beasts, he still had a long way to go. Even among the Seven Deadly Sins, Pride was notably stronger than him.

Bribery wouldn't help if he didn't meet the required combat standards, so Greed had been planning to go to Laboratory No. 2 first, conduct his experiment, and only deliver the gifts after he succeeded in strengthening himself.

Now that Ron brought it up, Greed reconsidered.

If the experiment to enhance his strength failed, his ambitions would be over anyway, and the gifts would be meaningless.

With that in mind, he thought it might be better to proceed with the gifts now.

Even if he failed, he could at least gain some goodwill.

"Naturally," Greed said. "I've already prepared everything. Now is as good a time as any."

"Lord Greed, will you be going to the Shadow Beast Manor?"

"You want to tag along and take a look?"

"Would you allow it, Lord Greed?"

Greed hesitated.

"Fine, I'll take you, but stay close to me. Do not speak unless I permit it. If you jeopardize my purpose, don't blame me."

"Rest assured, Lord Greed, I won't interfere."

As they entered the Shadow Beast Manor, Greed's usual aura became noticeably subdued.

Ron, by contrast, remained calm and paid little attention to the Manor's surroundings, focusing instead on the crystal sphere before him.

"But Greed's visit won't last long enough for me to fully absorb the Shadow Beast Manor's essence."

"So, I need to create a distraction."

A pulse of energy separated from Ron, swiftly merging into Chii's body, which then started moving. A sudden flare ignited within the Shadow Beast Manor, growing rapidly, dark smoke spiraling as though fuel had been ignited, engulfing the building in flames.

This fier originated in one of the Manor's storage rooms, which held numerous items, many of them highly flammable.

After infiltrating the security system, Chii altered the surveillance footage, so the fire initially went unnoticed until it was too late.

"Firefighters! Put out the flames!" 

The entire Shadow Beast Manor was soon bustling with activity.

Meanwhile, Greed, halfway through delivering his gifts, had no choice but to stay, lest he arouse suspicion. Leaving abruptly right after a suspicious fire started would raise eyebrows, so he remained seated.

Ron watched the flames rising in the distance.

"That should give me enough time."

"Once I've absorbed the essence of Laboratory No. 2, I'll have no reason to stay in Aurean. I'll move on to other territories of the Underworld Mafia."

Greed furrowed his brows, uneasy about how the fire might impact his gift-giving and his chances of securing a spot among the Shadow Beasts. 

His gaze fell on Ron.

"This is all that brat's fault!"

"Dandins and I agreed on a timeframe of ten days."

"However, I could still just deliver him to Laboratory No. 2 sooner."

---

Finally, the fire was extinguished.

Ron had nearly absorbed the essence of the Shadow Beast Manor.

As the Shadow Beasts returned and found Greed and Ron still there, it was clear from their expressions that they were not pleased.

"You two should leave."

"Understood."

Greed took Ron out of the Shadow Beast Manor but did not return to his own. Instead, he headed directly towards the second base.

While en route, Greed made a call to Dandins.

"Senior Dandins, I'm on my way over."

After hanging up, Greed's expression grew colder.

Recognizing the familiar route, Ron raised an eyebrow slightly.

"Heading to Laboratory No. 2?"

"Based on Chii's surveillance, shouldn't be until ten days later that the experiment would start?"

"So, he's redirecting his frustration onto me because of what happened at the Shadow Beast Manor?"

"How amusing."

Ron didn't see this as a bad turn of events. On the contrary, it saved him time.

The same corridor as before, the same downward staircase, but the room was different this time.

Dandins led the two into a large, empty hall.

*Bang!*

The entrance closed.

Greed turned to Dandins.

"Senior Dandins, I can't wait any longer. Do we really have to wait ten more days? Can't we start now?"

Dandins shook his head.

"No, the preparations aren't complete."

"And after ten days, it'll be ready?"

"Yes."

"Fine, then I'll leave Ron here with you for now."

Greed turned to leave without so much as a glance at Ron.

"Lord Greed?"

Hearing Ron's voice, Greed didn't even turn his head.

Dandins gave Ron a smirk.

"Ron, you'll stay here for the next ten days. There's no chance Greed will come back for you."

"Oh, and you probably don't know what's planned for you, do you?"

"I've designed an experiment."

"By using the human body along with certain components, I can produce an additional aura. If this aura is attached to a Nen user, it will enhance their strength."

"And you, Ron, are the raw material Greed brought."

"In ten days, you'll perish in this experiment. Your death will be converted into power, to become a part of Greed."

"This is an experiment I've spent years developing."

"Consider yourself lucky to be chosen as my experimental subject!"

"Enjoy your time here."

Ron's expression changed, from disbelief to anger, then finally to fear.

Dandins seemed pleased with Ron's reaction.

Before Ron could respond, Dandins turned and exited, pressing a switch as the enormous iron doors slid shut.

Ron rushed forward, but he was a moment too late.

The iron door was sealed completely, with not a single gap left.

However, what Dandins could not see was Ron's expression changing as soon as the door closed.