Chapter 404: Chapter 405 : Evil Spawn

A vein bulged on Alex’s forehead as he heard the pink girl’s sharp reply.

He turned his gaze toward her properly this time.

She had short brown hair that barely reached her shoulders, slightly messy from battle. Strands clung to her cheeks from sweat. Her features were soft but defined, and despite the bruises on her face, she was undeniably quite good-looking. Her eyes were sharp and stubborn, filled with both anger and humiliation.

Before Alex could fire back—

The one who had worn the red suit raised his voice.

“Guys, stop it for a moment.”

His tone was firm.

“Lower your weapons.”

The yellow-suited one hesitated.

Pink frowned.

Red stepped forward slightly and looked directly at Alex, who still wore the skeleton mask.

“He doesn’t look like an enemy.”

Pink snapped back immediately. “Why are you saying that? Did you not see that he let one of them get away?”

Red’s voice rose. “Did you forget he was also the one who just saved your life? You were going to die just now.”

Pink gritted her teeth, crossed her arms, and let out a small huff. “Hmph.”

She looked away.

Alex tilted his head slightly and looked at the one in red.

The red-suited man deactivated the device on his wrist.

Light flickered across his body.

The red armor dissolved into particles—

Revealing a tall, handsome man in his mid-twenties.

Sharp jawline.

Calm eyes.

Short dark hair, neatly styled despite the chaos.

He had the aura of someone used to leading.

Alex let out a whistle. “Would you look at that. You really do deserve to wear the red suit. You’re intelligent and more humble than the rest of them.”

Red smiled politely. “Thank you for the praise. And I’m grateful for your help in saving us.”

Alex waved his hand. “Don’t worry about it. You can repay me by giving me as much information about this place as possible. I’m a bit new here.”

Red blinked. “Oh?”

A faint look of realization crossed his face. “Looks like you’re also a challenger from the Tower of Ascension, then?”

Alex’s interest immediately spiked. “Did you just say… Tower of Ascension?”

Red looked confused. “Are you not?”

Alex shook his head slightly. “No, I’m also a challenger. Just tell me what you mean.”

Red nodded. “I will. Don’t worry. But first, let me introduce myself.”

He extended his hand slightly.

“My name is James Wilson.”

He gestured toward the pink girl. “This is Clara.”

Clara gave Alex a suspicious look but said nothing.

James then pointed toward the yellow-suited fighter.

The man deactivated his device. His armor dissolved, revealing another man in his twenties. He looked plain and sturdy, with short blond hair and a tired but steady gaze.

“This is Elias.”

James’ expression darkened as he pointed toward the fallen body of the blue-suited fighter.

“And the one who just died… his name was Solen.”

Silence fell over the group.

Clara lowered her gaze.

Elias clenched his fists.

James’ jaw tightened.

“I wish he could’ve been saved as well. But time was not on his side. If only he had held out a little longer until you arrived.”

Alex’s voice came out slightly awkward. “Of course… it’s not like I would’ve just let you guys die. If I had arrived a little earlier…”

He paused briefly.

“It was just his bad luck. But he died as a hero. So I pray that his soul finally finds true peace. Let’s pray for him for a moment.”

James closed his eyes.

Clara followed.

Elias bowed his head.

Alex also lowered his head, pretending.

Inside his mind—

The system spoke dryly.

[You really are a hypocritical asshole, you know that?]

Alex’s mouth twitched slightly.

’Shut up.’

He remained silent outwardly.

After a few moments, they opened their eyes.

Alex looked at James again. “So, can you tell me what’s happening here, James?”

James nodded. “Sure. We’re here to clear the fifth-floor trial assigned to us by the Tower.”

Alex froze. “Fifth-floor… trial?”

James nodded again. “Yes. The Tower of Ascension assigned us this trial to clear the fifth floor. And this world… is one of its testing grounds.”

Alex was slightly surprised to hear all this. He crossed his arms.

“So let me get this straight. You’re all here to clear a trial assigned by the Tower?”

James nodded. “Yes. And not only us. There are many other challengers here as well, from different and powerful clans. They’re all attempting to clear the fifth-floor trial too.”

Alex tilted his head. “So I take it you guys are from some powerful clan as well?”

James scratched his cheek awkwardly. “Well… not exactly. We’re not from a famous clan within the Tower. It’s just a clan the five of us built ourselves. I’m the leader.”

His expression dimmed.

“But as you can see… one of my founding members is already dead.”

His gaze drifted toward Solen’s lifeless body.

A brief silence followed.

Clara suddenly folded her arms. “By the way… why are you asking so many questions?”

Her sharp eyes locked onto Alex.

“When you’re also a challenger, you should already know all of this, right?”

Alex shrugged casually. “Well. I’m a beginner.”

Clara smirked. “You’re quite arrogant for a beginner.”

James frowned slightly. “Clara. You should be respectful. He just saved your life.”

Clara rolled her eyes. “Alright, alright.”

She looked directly at him. “Your name is Lucifer, right?”

Alex nodded. “Yes.”

Clara continued, “We, along with several other challenger teams, accepted this fifth-floor trial.”

Alex leaned forward slightly. “Which was…?”

Clara inhaled slowly. “The Tower assigned us to locate the spawn of an Evil Calamity.”

James continued in a grave tone. “Somewhere in this world, a vessel exists. A being carrying the seed of a future Calamity. If it fully awakens… this world will be consumed.”

Elias spoke quietly. “Our mission is to find the spawn before it matures.”

Clara’s eyes hardened. “And prevent the Fallen Angels from taking it.”

Alex narrowed his eyes. “Taking it?”

James nodded. “Yes. The Fallen are searching for it too. We don’t know why—whether they want to control it, weaponize it, or present it to their higher command. But we can’t allow them to capture it.”

Clara continued firmly, “And once we find it, we have to kill it immediately. No hesitation. No delay. Before it awakens.”

Silence hung in the air.

Alex spoke slowly.

“So you’re saying… there’s someone in this world who carries the seed of an Evil Calamity. You’re searching for them. You must prevent the Fallen from taking them. And the moment you find them… you execute them.”

The three nodded without hesitation.

“Yes.”

Alex fell quiet.

’An Evil Calamity spawn…’

’The Fallen want it.’

His lips curved faintly beneath the skeleton mask.

“Now this just became far more interesting… if what I’m thinking is right.”

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