The Arrogant Smile

As Snake tried everything he could to find Kai, but failed. Knowing he couldn't even see his opponent, fear was visible on Snake's face—his widened eyes, dripping sweat, and hesitant steps backward all showed that he was already defeated. The only thing Snake could do was run.

Seeing Snake near defeat, Arthur finally felt relieved. He had completely forgotten that Kai had a skill that made him invincible. Arthur smiled inside, thinking he could survive.

Knowing there was no way he could see Kai, Snake slowly but cautiously moved backward. Suddenly, he sensed something. Shocked, he looked forward after detecting a presence near him. Then, he looked slightly downward. In front of him, at a very short distance, Kai was standing, blending into the dungeon's dim light, completely unseen by Snake.

Realizing that Kai was standing right in front of him, before Snake could react, Kai spoke.

"I can tell that if you evolve once more, you'll gain the ability to speak and become even stronger than you are now. But… this evolution will not happen in this lifetime."

As Kai spoke, he started walking around Snake. Snake could tell that Kai was moving, but he couldn't pinpoint Kai's exact position. As Kai circled him, Snake kept turning, trying to follow the movement. However, his fear was rising. He understood what Kai was saying, and hearing those ominous words made him realize he could die at any moment.

"So, how about we work together?" Kai added, suddenly stopping in front of Snake, completely erasing his presence so that Snake couldn't sense him at all.

"What?! That Snake is definitely not trustworthy!" Arthur thought instantly. "You idiot beetle," he tried to say, but he couldn't. Snake's skill still had him frozen. Arthur was shocked—knowing Snake's behavior so far, he had a gut feeling that Snake couldn't be trusted.

Hearing Kai's words, Snake was just as shocked. He froze for a moment. He knew that Kai could kill him at any time. In fact, he knew he was already dead—Kai had simply chosen to let him live out of interest.

Stopping in place, Snake thought for a moment. Then, he changed his expression. His fearful face disappeared, replaced with a calm demeanor. Lowering his eyes, he looked down, as if accepting defeat and surrendering himself. Then, he suddenly forced his body backward, lowering his head toward the ground.

It was the same position Snake had taken before when he attacked Kai using his tail in midair. But this time, instead of an attack, he was bowing—just like a subject kneeling before their king, trying to show complete trust.

Seeing Snake bow in front of him, a smile appeared on Kai's face. He was still invisible, standing extremely close to Snake, yet Snake had no idea.

"Ohhh, I guess Snake isn't that bad," Arthur thought, seeing the supposedly trustworthy gesture. He was shocked but couldn't help but believe it. Snake's display of submission was so convincing that it felt as if this was a completely different Snake—unlike the one who had frozen him and fought Kai earlier.

"Okay then, I guess you're ready to work with us," Kai said with a smile. He was still invisible to both Snake and Arthur.

Hearing Kai, Snake slowly nodded, signaling that he was ready to work with him.

"Hmmm… first, release Arthur—the spider you froze with your skill," Kai commanded.

Hearing Kai's words, Arthur was filled with happiness. "Thanks, Kai!" he tried to say, but he still couldn't speak because he was frozen.

Obeying Kai's command, Snake slowly raised his head and began slithering toward Arthur, who was still frozen in the back. Seeing Snake approaching him, Arthur's heartbeat quickened in fear. But then, he calmed himself—knowing that from now on, Snake was supposedly on their side.

With a quiet expression, Snake stopped in front of Arthur. Then, once again, he growled at Arthur for a moment. Seeing Snake growl at him, Arthur instinctively leaped backward, raising his hands. But then, he realized—he was no longer frozen.

Using his second growl, Snake had freed Arthur from his frozen state.

Knowing he could move again after having accepted his death moments ago, Arthur was finally filled with happiness. A big smile appeared on his face.

After releasing Arthur, Snake turned back and lowered his head again, just like before, knowing Kai was standing somewhere in that direction.

Seeing Snake's changing behavior once more, Kai smiled. Still invisible, he slowly walked toward Snake and stood in front of him.

"Okay then, I guess now we can all work together," Kai said, slowly making himself visible in front of Snake.

Snake was still bowing, looking down. Hearing Kai's words, he slowly looked up toward the source of the voice. As he did, he saw Kai gradually becoming visible again—standing right in front of him.

Without wasting a moment, with rapid speed, Snake suddenly growled at Kai!

The attack landed.

Kai's entire body froze—he was unable to move.

"Heheheh…" Snake lifted his head, grinning smugly. He couldn't speak, but he laughed in his own way.

Arthur watched everything unfold. His eyes widened in shock. His heartbeat stopped for a moment.

"You really think I would believe in you, Snake…?" Arthur spoke, his voice calm yet filled with rage. His expression was different. There was a smile on his face, but his eyes burned with fury—something that had never happened since his reincarnation.

"Well… this isn't the first time someone has stabbed me in the back, Snake," Arthur added, his voice laced with anger and frustration. His eyes gleamed with a rage he had never shown before.

Without hesitation, Arthur leaped toward Snake, raising his hands. He shot web shot from one hand while attacking directly with his sharp fingers from the other.

Snake swiftly dodged Arthur's attack. Compared to Kai, Arthur's speed was slow. Neither the web shots nor his direct strike landed.

But Arthur didn't stop. Without wasting a second, he attacked again. Frustration was evident on his face.

Kai, still frozen, watched Arthur carefully. He was confused. Since Arthur was reborn, nothing had ever triggered this kind of reaction from him. Arthur's words and expressions didn't match his usual personality at all.

Once again, Arthur lunged at Snake, attacking with rage and frustration. But Snake dodged once more.

Then, with a quick counterattack, Snake struck Arthur's back with his tail.

The impact sent Arthur flying, crashing into the ground, leaving a long trail in the dirt. The attack wasn't as strong as when Snake fought Kai, but it was still powerful. Blood trickled from Arthur's body, staining the ground where he landed.

Arthur lay motionless. Unconscious.

Seeing Arthur was no longer a threat, Snake turned his gaze toward Kai, who was still frozen.

And with the same arrogant smile, Snake watched his helpless opponent, Kai, who was frozen and unable to do anything.