**Chapter Nine: The Price of Insight**
Rhein didn't flinch under her sharp gaze. On the contrary, he took a step forward, approaching the black crystal until he could feel its chaotic whisper against his skin. He closed his eyes for a moment—not out of fear, but to focus entirely on his spiritual vision.
Before his soul's eye, the crystal was a raging sea of dark energy. But it wasn't entirely random. There were currents, whirlpools, and relatively calm zones—a chaotic ecosystem.
He opened his eyes and pointed to a specific spot on the left side of the crystal, a place no different from the rest to the naked eye.
*"Here,"* he said with quiet confidence. *"This current is weaker. The energy here is exhausted, as if at the end of its cycle. Start here, and it will respond to you easily."* Then he moved his finger upward. *"But avoid this area at all costs. The energy there is coiling in on itself, preparing for another violent backlash."*
The girl stared at Rhein's finger, then at the points he had indicated, then back at him. His face was expressionless, but his eyes held absolute certainty. He wasn't guessing—he was *seeing.*
*"Ridiculous,"* she muttered, but there was a hint of doubt in her tone. Still, she had no better option. Her previous attempts had made little progress.
She gripped her sword again, and with a flash of light, the blade returned to its massive, glowing form. She hesitated for a moment, then exhaled and plunged the tip precisely into the spot Rhein had indicated.
The difference was immediate and staggering.
The black energy flowed into the sword smoothly, like a waterfall following its natural course. There was no resistance, no violent reaction. The girl felt the purified energy coursing through her weapon with an efficiency she had never experienced before. She looked at Rhein with faint astonishment—the first time her icy demeanor had cracked.
*"It worked..."* she whispered to herself, then raised her voice to him. *"You were right. Continue."*
But Rhein didn't move. He didn't point to another spot. Instead, he crossed his arms and met her gaze directly.
*"My insight comes at a price,"* he said simply.
She stopped absorbing and narrowed her eyes. *"What did you say?"*
*"I've proven my worth,"* Rhein repeated, his voice as cold as the cave's stone. *"I'm not a servant, and I don't work for free. You want my guidance to purify this entire crystal? That's possible. But in return, I want my share."*
The girl burst into laughter. It was a cold, joyless laugh—but a genuine one. *"The audacity! A rat trying to negotiate with an eagle. Do you not realize I could crush you and take what I need by force?"*
*"You could try,"* Rhein replied without blinking. *"But my insight is tied to my consciousness. If I die, it dies with me. You'll be back to your random methods, and this crystal will destroy you in the end. We both know you need me."*
He had cornered her. His logic was flawless. He had transformed himself from an intruder into an indispensable asset, and now he was demanding his reward at the height of his leverage.
The girl fell silent, realizing the truth in his words. She was furious at his audacity, but pragmatic enough to assess the situation. *"What do you want?"* she finally asked, her tone sharp.
*"Ten percent,"* Rhein said immediately. *"I'll guide you to purify this entire crystal safely. In return, I take ten percent of the final purified energy."*
It was a bold but reasonable request. He didn't ask for her weapon, nor did he inquire about her identity. He only wanted a small share of the treasure he was helping her obtain.
She studied him for a long moment, her eyes evaluating every inch of his being. Then she nodded slowly.
*"Ten percent. Agreed,"* she said with finality. *"But listen well, 'Rhein.' If you try to deceive me, slow me down, or if I sense for even a moment that you're scheming... our deal ends. And so do you."*
*"Fair terms,"* Rhein said, as if her threat hadn't affected him at all.
And so, in the heart of a dark cave, an unexpected alliance was forged. One born of necessity and greed—between a mysterious girl of immense power and a boy who had nothing but terrifying insight.
*"Alright,"* Rhein said, turning back to the task and pointing to a new spot. *"The next point... is here."*