World System's Wrath: Primordial Architect of Taboo Creations

With her eyes focused on the bumpy path, Yuna explained what she deduced when placed in Cyrus shoe:

"Tracy wanted you to pass a trial, and the way for survival happened to be the Trial Temple. Then again, maybe it was an elaborate scheme by someone trying to drive a rift between you and my team by arresting you after Tracy's publicity. 

Another thing is that it might have been Tracy's actions that attracted the Archon's attention. Remember, the Artificer class is rare, but many have forgotten about its rarity due to its perceived low status and little importance in society. The rise of the Craftsmith also caused that. So, the Archon might need an Artificer.

As for me, you might think I'm sending you to your death."

The place was eerily silent, and she turned to look at Cyrus, noticing him staring at her with slightly parted lips.

Cyrus shook his head and whispered, "You thought all of that in just one night in my shoes?"

"You shouldn't be surprised," she replied curtly.

Cyrus turned to face ahead. 

'Overthinkers are… scary. Even I, the owner of the POV, haven't considered it to that extent.'

Yuna continued, "However, I want to tell you that in the face of absolute power, schemes crumble. For example, if you're an Eminent rank Elite, they will think twice before putting that thing on your wrist. If you become an Archon… I don't need to explain what their behavior will be towards you. If you're smart, you should understand my logic; if you don't, you can just die."

The car plunged into another bout of silence. She finally brought the truck to a screeching halt.

"This is where we part ways. I have a dummy watch to draw their attention to me, but you need to quickly get to the Temple and enter it to disconnect their connection with your watch. I'll lend you this off-road truck," Yuna explained as she got out.

Cyrus moved to the driver's seat and gazed at Yuna's back. Suddenly, he asked, "You must have a tint of malicious intent against me if you think I feel that way about you. But why?"

Yuna turned, her eyebrows arched.

"What? I thought you must have noticed it. The only thing I liked about you is your perfect and precise artificing skill; I never liked you in person because you're unserious and an unmotivated wimp," she snapped. "But because of Bubble and Tracy…"

She spurned and continued walking away.

Cyrus started the truck, and it roared to life. He turned and yelled at her back, "You know what? You're right. I always thought of you as a bitch. The hidden disgust in your eyes always irked me. However, what you did today earned you a point in my good book. You are no longer a bitch; you are a good bitch."

With that, he laughed and stepped on the pedal, driving off and leaving Yuna stunned.

***

Beside a mountain, Cyrus parked the truck and dialed Helen's number.

"Hello?"

"Morning! Did you find the stuff?" Cyrus asked calmly.

"Yes. Where should I meet you?"

"Green mountain."

"Got it. See you in a while."

Cyrus hung up, closed his eyes, and relaxed into the chair.

Three hours later, the roaring engine of a truck drew closer.

Opening his eyes, Cyrus saw an armored black truck with tinted windows rushing toward him.

The truck slowed down as it approached, finally stopping a distance away. Two women alighted from the vehicle—Helen from the driver's side and a tall young lady with champagne blonde hair from the passenger's side.

Helen was dressed in sleek battle attire that hugged her frame, while her friend wore casual clothes.

They walked toward his truck casually, their eyes fixed on the driver's side as if they were already seeing him.

Taking a deep breath, Cyrus calmed his nerves, donned his dark glasses, pulled down the hood of his hoodie, and opened the door.

'Why does this feel like an underground deal? Like the one I did when I was eleven, but more mature,' Cyrus thought as he approached the women.

They stopped a meter away from each other, between both trucks. Both girls began inspecting him from head to toe, like he was a piece of merchandise.

Cyrus remained silent during their scrutiny.

"You are Benedict?" Helen finally spoke, raising her head to meet his gaze.

"In flesh and blood," Cyrus replied calmly.

"Prove it."

Nodding, Cyrus picked up a small rock and tossed it lightly into the air. As it floated briefly, he activated [Chained Lock]. A black thread extended from his palm, weaving through the rock and anchoring it in place before his face.

"It is a thread?!" the girl with Helen exclaimed with arched brows, but her demeanor still aloof.

She turned to Helen, saying calmly, "You said it was Spatial Lock."

Helen raised an eyebrow at Cyrus for clarification.

"I never claimed it was Spatial Lock. You assumed it was. I remember clarifying that, while it resembled Spatial Lock, it wasn't actually that," Cyrus explained with a shrug.

"What other skills do you have?" the girl asked, her eyes narrowing with a glint of curiosity.

Cyrus eyed her for a moment before returning his gaze to Helen. "Was that proof enough?"

Helen nodded, then replied with a soft smile, "That was enough, but… Benedict isn't your real name, is it?"

Cyrus considered for a moment before nodding.

The forehead of the girl beside them bunched up at the blatant disregard for her presence, but Helen and Cyrus ignored her as if it were planned.

"So, what is your real name?" Helen asked.

"That wasn't part of the deal. However, I can tell you for the price of waiving the remaining amount I owe you for the beast cores," Cyrus said.

"Sure."

"My name is Cyrus. Now, can you show me the product?"

"Take off your glasses first."

Cyrus inhaled before removing them.

Helen arched an eyebrow and smiled ambiguously. "You can get it from the trunk of the truck. It's open. There are ten duffel bags in there, each containing a hundred Awakened beast cores."

Cyrus nodded, put his glasses back on, and quickly walked to their truck, heading for the trunk. He had expected her to make him prove his real name, but she didn't, which felt strange.