The chapter begins with Genesis at the scene after the group has escaped. He is visibly disappointed but intrigued by Takeru's magic.
Genesis: (with a faint smile) That boy… he seems interesting.
The surviving intruder looks up, astonished to see Genesis.
Intruder: (shocked) M-My lord! What are you doing here?
Genesis: (without looking at the intruder) I came for the bearer of Excidium, but it seems they managed to get away, ha.
Intruder: (hastily) We wanted him too! We know how valuable he is to y—
Genesis: (with elegant anger) Silence.
Genesis casts a look of contempt and disgust at the intruder. The last thing the intruder sees is Genesis's palm emitting a blinding light, ending his life with a blast to the head.
After killing the intruder, Genesis heads toward the exit but notices Zanko's notebook. He picks it up, examines it briefly, and sets off for the trade hub.
The scene cuts to the main group arriving at the trade hub in the state of Nakata.
The shaken group reaches the trade hub, a blend of a traditional market and a modern urban area, bustling with food stalls, shops, and a crowd of people coming and going.
They head to a simple yet cozy bar near the main gate. The place has wooden tables and a warm atmosphere.
Izumi: (pointing) Let's sit over there.
They settle in, and a waitress approaches.
Waitress: (with a friendly smile) What'll you have?
Niori: (listlessly) Three full meals and water, please.
While they wait for the food, Izumi observes the activity around them, still reeling from the recent battle.
Izumi: (serious) We're lost, aren't we?
Takeru: (trying to sound optimistic) Yeah. But we need to recover first, then figure out the next step.
As the waitress returns with their meals, a commotion erupts outside. Two men are fighting until one is hurled away with a thunderous sound, crashing dead into a pile of broken pots. The man who threw him stands up, his face showing mild irritation and disappointment.
The trio jumps at the noise and sudden flash.
Lumen: (disappointed) Ugh, boring again…
He enters the bar and orders a drink.
Niori: (trying to be diplomatic) Hey, can you help us?
Lumen glances at them, noticing that two of them carry spirits, but ignores them, turning back to his drink.
Lumen: (irritated) I'm not interested in you.
Niori: (probing to find his interest) You look strong. Are you interested in hunting someone?
Lumen: (uninterested) And who would that be?
Niori: (with a determined look) Genesis.
Lumen shakes his head, his expression one of pure disinterest.
Lumen: (calmly) Hunt Genesis? I just want to stay as far away from that headache as possible. I'm here to have some fun while I still can.
Niori presses on, knowing Lumen could be a valuable ally.
Niori: (pleading) But we need help. Genesis is a real threat, and we're lost. If you could just point us in some direction, it'd mean a lot.
Lumen sighs, looking at the group with a mix of exasperation and curiosity.
Lumen: (exasperated) You guys are really persistent, huh? (takes a sip of his drink) Fine, let's get out of here. We'll talk somewhere more private.
They follow Lumen to a small, abandoned square nearby. The group sits on a bench, waiting for him.
Lumen appears behind them, his blue eyes glinting in the shadows.
Lumen: (serious) Alright, I'll help you. But don't get it twisted—this is temporary.
Before they can react, Lumen knocks them out with swift, skilled movements, planning to deliver them to Genesis.
Lumen: (coldly) I'll take you to Genesis. He's got big plans, and I've got my own reasons for going along with this.
Lumen brings the trio to Genesis, who is surrounded by a cult of his worshippers. Upon seeing them, Genesis smiles, pleased.
Genesis: (serenely) Ah, Lumen, always so unpredictable.
Lumen kneels before Genesis, a sinister smile creeping across his face.
Lumen: (maliciously) Let's see how far this alliance takes us.
The chapter ends with the trio captured and Lumen kneeling, while Genesis watches with a triumphant expression.