After Chris entered the elevator and began ascending to the 99th floor, he started talking to himself:
"Is this Skull Head? What is happening?! He told me to go to the director, and my job is on the 99th floor. It must really be him who summoned me—no doubt about it."
Chris looked out through the glass window of the elevator at New City, a place of advanced technology and prosperity. In contrast, the other city was poor, except for the company's towering building. When he finally reached the 99th floor, the elevator doors opened, and he walked toward the reception desk.
"I'm Jacob, the new employee. Skull Head told me to come here," Chris said.
A female receptionist replied, "Welcome, Jacob. Skull Head already told me about you. I am his assistant, Diva. Come with me and I'll explain your work. It isn't much different from your old job, but you must pay close attention to every detail."
Diva then began training Chris about the nature of his tasks. Afterward, she handed him a card and said:
"Now you can leave. This card is your apartment key. Your apartment is inside this very building, on the 127th floor."
Chris asked, "If I want to wander around the city, do I need to use the work elevator?"
Diva smiled. "No, you don't need to use the work elevator. You have your own private elevator. You can reach any floor you wish."
Chris headed to his apartment and was shocked. The apartment was not only futuristic but also extremely luxurious—luxurious enough to make him feel like a billionaire. He sank into the couch, turned on the news, and heard the anchor say:
"Skull Head has just purchased a bank to make it his own. Its name will be Skull Bank. The name might sound ordinary, but it comes with strong copyright rights in the city. He is the most powerful man after the president himself. There are even rumors he might run in the upcoming elections."
Chris turned off the news, realizing: Skull Head was no ordinary man. He controlled New City entirely.
Later, lying in bed, Chris whispered to himself:
"Is Skull Head really this powerful? Could I ever defeat him—or is he truly an enemy? It's impossible he's stronger than Edward… though Edward did say Skull Head was his student. That explains everything—he learned from Edward and then developed himself further."
Chris drifted into sleep.
The next morning, he woke to the sound of knocking on his door. A waiter stood outside.
"Good morning, Mr. Chris. Your breakfast has been prepared on Lady Diva's orders, so you can work with full energy. Once you finish, please report to the 99th floor."
Chris ate nervously, realizing the danger of being so close to Skull Head. If his true identity were discovered, he would be as good as dead. After finishing, he went back up and met Diva.
"Chris," she said firmly, "your job won't be easy. After your regular tasks, you will accompany Skull Head to an important meeting with the president. You must be careful—any mistake will cost you dearly. Do you understand?"
Chris nodded. "I understand. But why was I summoned from my simple job to work directly beside Skull Head? Have you really judged my work as excellent?"
"Yes," Diva answered. "We brought you here because you are diligent and have never missed a single day, Jacob."
Chris began working, preparing the files Skull Head had requested. While working, he kept wondering:
If Skull Head isn't the director… then who is? If he's the president of the company, who is the director he trusts so much?
Soon, Diva returned. "Once you're done, head to the first floor and join Skull Head."
"Alright," Chris replied. "But I'll go to my apartment first to change clothes. May I?"
She agreed. Chris returned to his apartment, changed, and used Kevin's anti-spy device to contact Jota.
"Jota, I'll be attending a crucial meeting with Skull Head. I need you to track us. Tonight, we leave this country."
"Alright, my friend," Jota replied. "I'll prepare a luxury plane for us. Farewell for now."
After ending the call, Chris went to the first floor where Skull Head greeted him:
"You seem energetic, Jacob. Keep up that energy—you're talented. If this meeting goes well, you'll become Diva's co-assistant, which means you'll be working directly with me."
Chris bowed slightly. "Really? I'm honored, sir. Thank you for this opportunity. I won't let you down."
They entered a long limousine and drove toward the presidential palace. Chris observed the lively streets, full of people, peace, and order—so different from the dark truth he knew.
At the palace gates, they were welcomed inside. The president greeted Skull Head warmly:
"Welcome, the man who will save our nation! Welcome, the man who saved New City!"
Chris was shocked at such warmth.
They sat at the table, and the president noticed Chris. "Oh, Skull Head, is this the new employee who will present his idea?"
"Yes," Skull Head replied. "I personally summoned him."
The president looked at Chris with curiosity. "Very well, young man. Introduce yourself."
"My name is Jacob. I work for the Purity Refinement Company, and I would like to present my project."
Chris then explained:
"I noticed there is an enormous empty space in the city—larger than some districts. My proposal is to build there a headquarters for Skull Head. A place to welcome extremely important guests, including foreign presidents, instead of using the presidential palace."
The president slammed the table. "What do you mean?! Are you belittling me?! Your proposal is insulting!"
"Let him finish," Skull Head interrupted sharply. "Don't judge before hearing him out."
"Fine, Jacob," the president muttered. "Continue."
Chris continued, "The building would be massive, secure, and resistant to espionage. Right now, we might even be under surveillance. With this building, we could protect the nation's secrets."
Skull Head began clapping. "Brilliant! Exactly what I expected from you, Jacob. Well done."
The president nodded in awe. "What genius! He truly is brilliant."
Chris excused himself to the bathroom. But inside, a gang member whispered:
"Hey, Chris. Look inside."
Chris saw a lifelike doll.
"It's a bomb-doll. When it explodes, it will scatter blood everywhere. Don't ask where the blood came from," the man said.
Chris disguised himself with a mask, and moments later, the explosion rocked the palace.
Skull Head rushed to the bathroom, horrified at the bloody scene. On the floor lay Jacob's employee card. He picked it up.
"Jacob was right. We are being watched. He died after giving us his genius project. And the reason… is you, Mr. President."
The president stammered, "No, I swear I did nothing! You're mistaken!"
But Skull Head snarled: "No. Your so-called tight security is pathetic."
Just then, Diva called Skull Head.
"Skull Head, the 127th floor—Jacob's apartment has exploded!"
"As I suspected," Skull Head muttered.
Suddenly, Chris burst through the door with a gun and shot at the president.
"Black Mask…" Skull Head growled. "So, you killed the loyal employee Jacob."
Chris said nothing. A truck crashed into the palace wall, and Jota shouted:
"Black Mask! Let's go—we must escape!"
They climbed into the truck and fled, pursued by police. Gunfire erupted. Chris called Kevin.
"Kevin, we're being chased! Is the plane ready?"
Kevin replied, "After a month and a half, all you ask is 'Is the plane ready?' Yes—it's ready. Edward himself is piloting it, and he has completed the new base in record time. I'll send you the location—drive the truck into the flying plane."
Chris asked, "Will it hold us all?"
"Yes," Kevin assured. "Now fight your way to the site."
The chase grew more dangerous as police rammed the truck. Jota took the wheel skillfully. "Let me drive. You don't know how to handle a truck like this."
With his talent, they managed to reach the plane. The back ramp was already open. They drove the truck inside, and Chris collapsed from exhaustion.
Edward greeted him warmly:
"Welcome, Chris. It's been a while. Don't worry—I modified the plane with Kevin. Now we're heading to the new base. The location has changed for better security."
After their miraculous escape, Chris called Kevin again.
"Kevin, we escaped… but we must prepare for the worst