The interior structure of the black disc was full of a technological feel, giving a rather avant-garde impression.
The obscure runes on the walls, ceiling, floor, and even the platform where the Scarecrow lay added a sense of mystery.
Bound by the centipede, the Scarecrow, capable of freely becoming intangible, seemed trapped in an inescapable cage, unable to struggle, let alone break free.
Around it, a group of Humanoids of varying sizes observed the Scarecrow coldly, like a fish on a chopping board.
Thus watched, and aware of its predicament, the Scarecrow showed a trace of despair and fear.
From its birth until now, this might be its first experience of fear, perhaps its last.
'A lamb to the slaughter' was a fitting description for the Scarecrow at this moment.
Among the Humanoids, one whose skin and build appeared older had a small, cloudy eyeball revealed through a slit in his smooth mask, which bore a pattern of a mythical beast.
He moved his head slightly, like a scanner, from the Scarecrow's head down to its feet.
A glint of satisfaction passed through that small eye.
"It's been a long time since I've seen a [Subdued Beast] of such high quality. If we can master it, it will be a formidable force."
"Yes, very strong indeed."
"True, but it increases the risk of integration."
"Hmph, so what if it's risky? It's a hurdle every member of our clan must overcome. If successful, our clan's combat strength will increase."
"But with this level of Subdued Beast, failure during integration basically means death."
"Can Little Button... handle it?"
Everyone looked towards the shortest Humanoid.
The smooth, white mask covering his face prevented them from seeing his mood.
But from his slightly trembling body, they could tell he was a bit nervous and scared, or perhaps excited.
He didn't speak, but nodded firmly.
The leading Humanoid said no more and signaled the youngest to prepare for integration.
The Scarecrow seemed to sense its imminent death. Light seeped from its eye sockets, full of turmoil.
However, the centipede's binding was absolute, leaving the Scarecrow no chance even for a desperate struggle.
The Humanoid stepped forward to the platform's edge.
An ominous black light suddenly shone from the incomprehensible runes, very conspicuous in the bright white space.
The black light quietly transformed into countless fine threads, passing through the gaps between the centipede's legs, slowly wrapping around the Scarecrow's exterior.
It looked like spinning a cocoon.
Soon, the intangible Scarecrow was bound into a black mummy, round like a chrysalis.
Just then, the centipede that had been controlling the Scarecrow returned to the Humanoid's mask, becoming a fierce pattern.
Next, the Humanoid who had not yet mastered Subdued Beasts reached out and embraced the cocooned mummy.
Upon contact, the Scarecrow melted like spring snow, seeping into the Humanoid's body and onto his white mask.
Like splashing black ink on white paper, the entire mask was stained with chaotic ink marks.
The ink marks moved across the mask, like black smoke stirring the elements, seeming to break free from the mask's constraint.
The Humanoid, called Little Button, trembled violently, apparently in great pain.
Around him, every Humanoid watched coldly, offering no help.
Further away, Humanoids standing on the floor or on protruding structures on the walls silently watched the integration at the platform.
About ten minutes later, beads of blood seeped from Little Button's gaunt limbs, increasing in number, gradually merging into a bloody flow.
Soon, a pool of blood formed beneath his feet.
This continued for another twenty minutes before the external bleeding showed signs of stopping.
By then, Little Button's body had stopped trembling, but his gaunt limbs had turned pale and bloodless, like a corpse.
The surrounding Humanoids nervously watched Little Button's mask. When they saw the wild ink coalescing into a vortex, they were slightly delighted.
Within seconds, the vortex became an egg-sized ring of reincarnation, settling at the nose position on the mask.
"Success."
The older Humanoid said with relief.
Successful integration meant another warrior added to the clan.
This would become one of the cornerstones for regaining the dawn's path.
...
Inside the Hide-and-Seek Dimension.
Law took the freshly forged spare key from Knov.
As soon as he held the key, the method for using it appeared in his mind.
He was sure this wasn't a function of the White Smoke Font, but an inherent ability of the spare key itself.
"Impressive."
Law looked at the key and couldn't help but praise.
In the Nen System, Conjuration was the most interesting.
Giving mundane objects extraordinary abilities was the charm of Conjuration, far more interesting than simply using Enhancement to strengthen the object itself.
"The key allows the user to automatically grasp its use. Was that a mechanism you deliberately set?"
"Yes. It's common knowledge that keys open doors, so setting that mechanism was very easy."
"Very convenient."
Law nodded slightly, then immediately tried out the spare key's function.
First, the room he wanted to go to was, of course, his assigned single room.
Using a method akin to room numbers or identification tags to distinguish the apartment's rooms, a door to the desired room could be opened on the wall with a thought.
The usage method was very simple. Law tried it and successfully opened a door to his own room.
After several attempts, Law basically familiarized himself with the spare key's use, as if he had become the apartment's owner.
In reality, the ultimate authority still lay with Knov.
Functionally, the spare key wasn't much different from Knov's master key, except that the spare key couldn't freely set the apartment's entrances and exits.
That was only natural, of course.
Law was getting used to the spare key's use when Ging and the others noticed and gathered around.
Learning it was the apartment's spare key conjured by Knov, the interested ones all wanted one.
Unfortunately, Knov couldn't oblige. The most awkward part was that he couldn't explain why, so he blamed it on quantity limitations.
Naturally, Law wouldn't expose this.
Soon, Law grew accustomed to the spare key's use and put it away.
Due to its mechanics, the spare key became his exclusive item, also one of his conjured objects. It was very convenient to use, but it consumed Knov's Nen.
The drawbacks were obvious.
First, creating a spare key reduced Knov's Manifested Aura, effectively weakening his combat ability.
Also, once the spare key's Nen was depleted, Knov would need to recharge it.
Overall, while convenient, there were drawbacks, but overall practicality outweighed them.
At the very least, Law was very satisfied with this spare key.
Seeing Law satisfied, Knov was overjoyed.
...
Haunted by the Mender's shadow, everyone in the apartment remained vigilant.
About four hours later, Coo finally woke up.