ZERO SHIFT

The mouth of the cave loomed before Unit Zero like the gaping maw of some ancient beast, dark and foreboding. The group paused, taking in the eerie silence that surrounded the entrance. Shadows seemed to stretch and twist unnaturally within the cave, as if the very air held its breath. The tension was palpable, the weight of the mission pressing heavily on their shoulders.

Inside the arena, the crowd watched the live-feed intently, their cheers and murmurs filling the air. Ace, lounging in the waiting room, watched the screen with mild interest, his arms crossed. Meanwhile, Kyle, the commander of Unit Zero, stood nearby, his sharp eyes focused on the screen. He said nothing, but his expression betrayed his concern.

The stakes were high this was no ordinary trial. The Gene Spider, a monstrous creature described only in whispers, was said to guard the orb with a ferocity unmatched. The audience knew that whoever claimed the orb would gain immense prestige, but they also understood the danger that came with such a prize.

Back at the cave, Josuke stepped forward, his usual laid-back demeanor replaced by a focused intensity. He drew his massive Full Bringer sword, the blade gleaming even in the dim light. The weapon was an extension of himself, and he wielded it with practiced ease.

"Reduce size and ignite," he commanded.

The sword responded instantly, shrinking to a more manageable size before bursting into flames. The fire danced along the blade, casting flickering light across the rough, jagged walls of the cave. With his weapon now a makeshift torch, Josuke led the way, the rest of Unit Zero following close behind.

The air inside the cave was damp and heavy, each step echoing ominously in the enclosed space. Stalactites hung from the ceiling like jagged teeth, and the ground beneath their feet was uneven, scattered with debris and loose stones. Despite the oppressive atmosphere, the group moved forward with determination, each of them acutely aware of the competition still at hand.

Their objective was clear: retrieve the orb or get out alive.

As they ventured deeper, the faint glow of the orb came into view. It rested on a pedestal in the center of a vast chamber, its light illuminating the surrounding darkness. The sight of it was almost hypnotic, the promise of victory tantalizingly close.

Unit Zero wasn't alone for long. Members of the other units began to trickle in, their footsteps echoing through the cavern. Tensions rose as each team eyed the prize, the unspoken rivalry crackling like electricity in the air.

Arden, a member of Unit Four, was the first to break the stalemate. He dashed forward, his speed catching everyone off guard. The orb was within his reach, just a few steps away. But the moment his hand extended toward it, the shadows around the pedestal came alive.

With a screech that echoed through the cavern, the Gene Spider revealed itself.

The creature was a nightmare made flesh, its body towering at 45 feet tall. Its six eyes glinted in the dim light, reflecting the flames of Josuke's sword. Its exoskeleton was black as obsidian, harder than pure diamond, and its legs ended in razor-sharp points. Venom dripped from its fangs, sizzling as it hit the stone floor.

Before Arden could react, the spider struck. One massive, poison-tipped leg lashed out, catching him in the chest and sending him flying backward. He hit the ground hard, sliding several feet before coming to a stop.

"Arden!" Eira shouted, rushing to his side.

The poison worked quickly, not only burning through his skin but also corroding the chest plate of his uniform. The metal hissed and melted away, exposing the flesh beneath. Desperately, Arden tore off the top of his uniform, leaving him defenseless. His breathing was labored, his face pale.

Josuke stepped forward, his expression unreadable. Without a word, he removed his own top and tossed it to Arden.

"Put it on," he said firmly.

Arden shook his head, his pride refusing the offer. "I'm fine," he muttered, though his trembling hands betrayed him.

Josuke didn't argue. Instead, he dropped the shirt on the ground beside Arden and stepped forward, his eyes locked on the monstrous spider.

A low growl escaped Josuke's throat, his usual playful demeanor vanishing entirely. His body began to change, dark marks spreading across his skin like ink. His nails elongated into sharp claws, and his canines grew into pointed fangs. A single, curved horn erupted from his the side of his head, and his eye glowed with a fierce , crimson light.

The transformation was complete in seconds.

The others stared in shock.

"Is that…?" Arden whispered, his voice trembling. "He's… transforming into a devil?"

The rumors had always swirled around Josuke, tales of his connection to some darker, more primal force. But seeing it in person was another matter entirely.

Josuke flexed his claws, his voice a deep, guttural growl. "Stay back," he ordered, his tone leaving no room for argument.

The Gene Spider hissed, its six eyes narrowing as it focused on Josuke. It reared back, its massive body blocking the light of the orb entirely.

Josuke lunged forward, his ignited blade slashing toward the creature. The spider's exoskeleton proved as tough as Chaos had warned each strike glanced off its body, leaving only faint scratches. The creature retaliated, its venomous legs striking out in rapid succession. Josuke dodged with inhuman agility, his movements almost a blur.

"Harder than diamond," Josuke muttered under his breath, his frustration growing. Chaos had described the creature in detail but had failed to mention any weaknesses.

The spider lunged again, its fangs aimed directly at Josuke's chest. He barely managed to sidestep the attack, slashing at its leg in retaliation. The blade sparked against its exoskeleton, the impact sending vibrations up his arm.

"How the hell am I supposed to beat this thing?" Josuke growled, his voice tinged with desperation.

Behind him, the others watched in stunned silence, unsure of how to help. Arden, still clutching Josuke's shirt, whispered, "He's going to get himself killed."

But Josuke wasn't backing down. His devil form was powerful, but against the Gene Spider's armor, it wasn't enough.

As the spider reared back for another strike, Josuke gritted his teeth, his mind racing. He needed a plan a way to exploit a weakness he hadn't found yet. The orb's glow seemed almost mocking, so close yet impossibly far.

Then, from the shadows of the cave, a faint sound echoed a low, resonant hum that sent a chill down everyone's spine. Josuke froze, his eyes darting toward the source.

The spider paused as well, its movements halting. Something else was in the cave, something that even the Gene Spider seemed to fear.

The humming grew louder, and the air grew heavier, oppressive.

"What… is that?" Hinata whispered, her voice trembling.

Josuke didn't answer. His glowing eyes narrowed as he prepared for whatever was coming next.

The chapter ends with the sound growing louder, a new, unseen threat descending upon the group.