Floors 30 through 80 were supposed to be standard offices and employee housing. But he didn’t know what was on floors 80 through 86, so if he had to fight his way up the stairs, he’d have to pass through those floors.

’...Shit. Am I really going to have to fight my way through?’

*Click* In the tense silence, the sound of a revolver being cocked rang out.

"...Damn it, Noir, I really wanted to believe you were a decent guy."

"Huh?" said the man in the hat and strange mask, puzzled.

Sitting next to him was a girl in a cap and a mask covering half her face. In her hands was a tablet playing a video of the final of the Selection.

But now the girl had set the tablet aside, and her crimson eyes stared in shock at the newcomers.

"Look, bro, it seems like something’s happened again..."

"Watch your fucking mouth, damn it!" he exclaimed, raising his revolver.

"..." At the same time, a small patch of the cat’s fur stood on end, and her stance on his shoulder turned sharp, threatening.

"It’s... Y-you..." the girl stammered in shock.

"Get up. Behind me."

"B-but..."

"Now!" he shouted, keeping his sights locked on Noir.

’How did this happen? Did they really catch those two? Or they did hand her...’

"Bro... What the hell is going on?" Noir asked, scratching his cheek.

"You’re the one who needs to explain this to me! What the hell are you going to do to her?!"

"..." The cat’s predatory gaze conveyed the same question.

At that moment, Kuronuma grabbed his hand.

"Y-you’ve all got it wrong...!"

’What?’

"H-he just offered me a job...!"

’...What?’

"Ah, I think I get it." Noir put his hand to his face. "So you are acquainted with Mrs. Somebody. ...Well, I suppose that makes sense."

"What the hell?! Where are her guardians? Do you know that she’s actually...

"Half Fool Baal and half Dirty Baal? Yes, I know."

Mr. Nobody exchanged a stunned glance with the cat.

"...So they did hand her over after all."

"Who? Those two, the brother and sister? Nope, that’s not it. They have no idea that I know about the girl’s origins," Noir replied casually. "They didn’t hand her over."

"But then how did you..."

"I can sense it because I’m just like her."

"...?!"

"Well, almost... I’m half human, half Dirty Baal," Noir admitted awkwardly. "Pretty much the worst kind of trash you can imagine."

"..."

"Now, maybe you’ll put the gun down and we can talk normally?"

...

Three people were now seated around the oval table, which was set with plates of cookies and mugs of tea. The cat had moved to sit on the girl’s lap; judging by the look on her face, she felt very uncomfortable.

"Haa..." Mr. Nobody sighed heavily, pressing both palms to his face.

"Bro, I totally get it... But are we just going to ignore the fact that this cat is wearing a damn cape?"

"...." He just stared at him.

"Alright, alright... But you’re something else, bro," Noir replied with a smirk. "Didn’t you say you didn’t have anyone close to you? You were ready to go up against the entire tower for this little girl."

"..." Kuronuma’s face flushed, and she nearly sank under the table.

"That’s certainly commendable... But it’s also incredibly reckless. What were you even hoping for? Even though you’re unusual and stronger than most, you’re still just a human, after all."

"...Just a human." He gave a wry smile. "That’s the phrase I’ve heard most often in my life."

"And... what’s that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing. People just don’t understand what it really means. What someone ’just human’ can actually do."

"Damn..." Noir grinned, clearly impressed. "I knew I was right about you, bro. You’re exactly what this contract needs."

"Is that so... Then maybe you’ll finally tell me what all this was for? And why do you need... her for the job?"

"Of course. But first, answer this question... What do you know about the Fool Baals?"

...

According to Noir, somewhere in the vicinity of Concord lay the Village of Fool Baals. Mr. Nobody knew about it, too.

However, Noir’s next words truly stunned him.

"These creatures... are going to hold another Ceremony."

"...Ceremony?"

"Yes. If no one stops them, another creature of Havoc will appear in the world... and that means another catastrophe. Do you know what the First Step on the Path of Havoc is called? You haven’t even...

"The Thing. It’s called The Thing."

"..."

Noir explained that the Ceremony referred to a ritual in which one of the Fools Baals would take the First Step on the Path of Havoc.

This was exactly the information Mr. Nobody had been so desperately searching for. The way to take the First Step on one of the Paths.

However, the nature of this ritual... made his heart sink.

"Madness. Total carnage," Noir replied. "They will kill each other—their own family—until only one remains. The survivor will devour all the others and thus step onto the Path of Havoc."

"...Is that the only way to take the First Step on the Path of Havoc?" he said, looking at the girl with the cat in shock.

It seemed that if the girl hadn’t been kidnapped, the same fate would have awaited her.

"You must understand who the Fool Baals are and what will actually happen if one of these creatures gains power."

"Yes, I understand, Noir... And I understand that this is utter madness. To try to stop these creatures? This isn’t just the highest risk—it’s certain death."

Noir smirked.

"That’s exactly why I called on you specifically as my partner. Not even a Solitium-level mercenary would dare take on such a job. Perhaps one of the Six Supreme Kings might agree, but for their level, it’s not worth the trouble... As for ordinary Diamonds, it’s out of the question."

Mr. Nobody sighed and fell into deep thought.

’This is a great chance to witness the First Step initiation ritual with my own eyes—something that could give me the clue I so desperately need... But on the other hand, it’s complete madness.’ 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

He slowly shifted his gaze to Kuronuma, who was nervously exchanging glances with the cat.

’...Since when did I start playing it safe in the face of mortal danger? I’ve been living on the edge of death for the last two years... After all, that’s the only thing that made me feel alive.’

He sighed wearily.

"Alright, tell me something else about the job. For example, what do we get if we don’t die and pull it off?"

"Yeah! I’ve been waiting for you to ask so I could show off." Noir began tapping his fingers on the table, mimicking a drumroll. "Ta-da-da-daaaam...! If we pull this off, I’ll be allowed to take the Second Step! Cool, right?"

"..."