John remained silent, simply observing the person across from him.
He was well aware that a significant reason this person still entertained a conversation with him was the potential benefit he represented.
"The world revolves around profit," he thought.
If he could bring them sufficient benefit, they wouldn't utter a word of complaint even if he demolished the Rose Hotel.
"I don't know what you're talking about," John responded coolly, genuinely unclear about the significance of the fragments.
Moreover, it seemed there were several pieces involved, and he wasn't ready to share information with the person before him without a full understanding.
"If we are to cooperate, we must both show some sincerity. You won't even answer such a simple question; how can I trust that you're willing to work with me going forward?"
The owner of the Rose Hotel spoke these words with a tone as flat as the horizon.
John glanced at the swirling mass of black mist before him.
He found he couldn't see through it at all, not even with the aid of his system.
What was this black mist? What secrets did it hide?
"You won't even show your true face to me, and you have the nerve to talk about my lack of sincerity?" John's voice carried a tinge of mockery.
"Isn't that a bit hypocritical? On one hand, you demand sincerity from me, yet on the other, you stand before me neither fully human nor ghost."
"How dare you!"
Jasminette's voice rang out sharply beside them.
"How can you speak to the master in such a manner?" Your next chapter awaits on mvl
Startled by Jasminette's sharp rebuke, John couldn't help but laugh.
"It seems your subordinates are indeed fiercely loyal to you, which is more than I had anticipated," he remarked.
Upon hearing this, Jasminette's face twisted into a peculiar expression, and she glared at John.
He knew very well that all this was just because he had spoken ill of her master.
Regardless of how he had verbally provoked Jasminette earlier, she had shown no sign of anger.
But now, just a few words against her master had made her visibly upset, indicating her deep respect for this so-called master.
He was very aware that this was his first encounter with this so-called master, with no prior interactions.
But why would this supposed master want to help him? Even offering him his so-called servants.
"Alright then, let's see who can write faster," John responded.
The black mist across from him seemed to laugh, and then the swirling black mist moved a pen and paper towards John.
After receiving the pen and paper, John thought for a moment about how to phrase his words, then began to write directly.
He knew things wouldn't be this simple.
But he could guess what the other party wanted to know.
The immediate task was to resolve the situation at hand.
After John finished writing, he noticed the black mist across from him roiling as if wrestling with something.
Eventually, a piece of paper floated towards him.
When John saw the words written on it, his pupils dilated in shock.
"What does this mean?" he asked.
The voice from the other side chuckled softly, then spoke deliberately.
"It means nothing specific, I've simply disclosed everything I know. These two matters are indeed connected. You wouldn't be here investigating if you knew nothing, right?"
There was a clear hint of pleasure in the voice, as if it was anticipating John's response.
John closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and calmed his emotions.
"If what you've written is true, then this matter must be of great importance. How could you reveal it to me so easily? What exactly is your plan?" John's tone carried a measure of caution.
He had suspected from the start that this wasn't a simple affair, but he hadn't anticipated it being connected to such a matter, far different from what he had imagined.
This forced him to regard the person before him with increased wariness.
"Does the Chaos Star, the Rose Hotel, really fear anyone?"
The master laughed lightly, their androgynous voice echoing through the air once more.
"Don't forget, if they dared to send someone to my domain, they've implicitly agreed that I can handle the matter as I see fit. Otherwise, how do you think you would have found this person so easily?"