Izroth took to the skies using Sky Steps and soon after disappeared from view of One Shot Brick's group.

As he soared through the air, Izroth thought back to One Shot Brick's words and his speculation about what was happening.

​​

The more he pondered, the more Izroth started to believe that One Shot Brick may be correct. It also made him question his run-in with Tigran.

'Was meeting Centurion Tigran truly just a coincidence? It's a bit ridiculous to entertain the thought I'm having, but it's not entirely impossible. However, if what I'm thinking turns out to be true, then-'

Swoosh!

Izroth gained a burst of movement speed as he activated his Light Feather Footwork.

'She is even more dangerous than I anticipated.'

...

Meanwhile, somewhere in the Demilitarization Belt...

"Surrender yourself quietly, guild leader Meng Jiang! If you do, then we may just allow your guild members to walk away from here in one piece. However, should you refuse... Well, I'm sure you get the picture." A mocking voice sounded.

If Izroth were here, he would have immediately recognized that voice as it subconsciously gave rise to deep resentment carved into his body.

The voice belonged to none other than the guild leader of the Headhunter Syndicate, Vault!

At the moment, Meng Jiang and the members of her guild were surrounded at all angles by Vault and more than 100 players from the Headhunter Syndicate!

But, this was not the worse of the situation at hand.

Five players stood next to Vault, and it was clear that their status towered over the other Headhunter Syndicate players present on the battlefield.

That's because these five players were part of the Twelve Banes of the Headhunter Syndicate!

Ranked 12th among the Twelve Banes, The Doctor, Doctor Dark. Ranked 11th, The Wounded, Fractured Anatomy. Ranked 6th, The Jester, Joker. Ranked 4th, The Ruler, King Crown. And ranked 2nd, The Puppeteer, Menerva.

This was the first time that so many of the Twelve Banes moved together, and it was all with one goal in mind—the elimination of Sacred Beasts' guild leader, Meng Jiang!

"Hey, you should accept those terms, girlie. It's quite generous, you know? Though I'd be perfectly fine if you refused. Something tells me you'd be fun to play with. Hihihihi..!" Joker spoke out with a playful grin on his face.

Joker wore a classic jester's costume with black and gold patterns. His face was covered with an expressionless white mask with painted red lips and pitch-black eyes.

"Indeed, it would be a waste for a beauty like yourself to die a pointless death here, guild leader Meng Jiang. Tell you what, as long as you agree to become my woman, I don't mind looking the other way and letting your Sacred Beasts walk out of here alive." Vault stated as he looked at Meng Jiang with lustful eyes.

Grrrrrrrrr..!

Meng Jiang's companion, Acogu'An, growled as it lowered its stance and glared at Vault in a threatening manner as if it understood his words.

"Don't screw with us! You think we'd let you harm our guild leader?!" Hundred Lakes scowled.

"That's right! You think you're worthy of our guild leader? Dream on!" One of the other Sacred Beasts players chimed in.

Soon enough, every member of Sacred Beasts started hurling insults at Vault and Joker.

There was no greater shame for a top guild like them than allowing their guild leader to be killed or humiliated, especially when they were right there with her. If Vault and the Headhunter Syndicate wanted to get to their guild leader, every player from Sacred Beast held the same view—it would have to be over their dead bodies!

Meng Jiang lifted her hand as her guild members fell silent. However, they continued their death glares and quietly cursed the Headhunter Syndicate under their breath.

Meng Jiang then reached her hand out and placed it on top of Acogu'An's head.

Acogu'An ceased its growling as it glanced at Meng Jiang before shifting its gaze back to the enemies in front of it.

Meng Jiang smiled and said, "I did not expect such a warm welcoming party from the Headhunter Syndicate."

"Of course, when it comes to receiving guests, my Headhunter Syndicate is second to none." Vault stated proudly.

"I see. I was unaware that your guild's specialty is the same as that of a servant's. Though I suppose such a specialty is suitable for you, guild leader Vault." Meng Jiang commented with a delightful smile.

She then continued, "As for your request, I will have to happily decline. I tend not to make a habit of having a connection with every piece of trash that I pass lying on the side of the road."

"You-!" Vault's face turned red from anger. She dared to openly mock him before his guild members by comparing him to trash on the roadside?!

"Good, very good...! I give you a way out of the hole you've dug, but you insist on ignoring the hand I've extended to you and continue to dig yourself deeper!" Vault glared.

He barely contained his anger as his eyes became saturated with killing intent.

"Ah, I would much rather prefer digging for an eternity than touching something so filthy." Meng Jiang said without changing her expression.

Vault nearly coughed up blood. This Meng Jiang—her tongue was too sharp, and her words cut deep. She did not hesitate with her responses in the slightest, as though she was speaking without any type of filter in place!

If he allowed her to keep talking as she pleased, Vault felt as if he really would cough up blood and die from anger alone!

"Enough! Since guild leader Meng Jiang wishes to disregard our kindness, then we can only respond with force! Kill them! I don't want a single member of Sacred Beasts left alive in the entire Demilitarization Belt, starting with the ones right here!" Vault commanded.

"Yeeeeaaah!" The members of the Headhunter Syndicate released a battle cry as the first wave of players went on the offensive!

Woosh! Swoosh! Boom!

The next moment, a rain of physical and magical ranged attacks poured down towards Meng Jiang and her group.

"Acogu'An, Twin Barriers." Meng Jiang said calmly.

Hooooooowl!

Acogu'An unleashed a great howl as a translucent blue sphere of energy emerged from its mouth before rapidly expanding and creating a dome-like structure around Meng Jiang and her guild members.

Clink! Bang! Clink!

The ranged attacks struck the dome and sunk into it as though it was formed from elastic.

The dome abruptly changed from a tranquil blue to a fiery red as it launched the attacks towards the direction they originated from with a powerful slingshot effect!

"Ahhhh!"

"Hey, watch where you're aiming!"

"Are you blind?! That wasn't me, you idiot! That barrier is strange!"

After deflecting the incoming attacks and skills, the red dome regained its blue appearance.

"Acogu'An, go play." Meng Jiang said as she removed her hand from Acogu'An's head.

Hoooooowl!

Acogu'An darted out of the barrier and swiftly rushed into the crowd of players from the Headhunter Syndicate with great ferocity.

Acogu'An moved like the wind as it avoided attacks while simultaneously tearing through players' defenses with its sharp fangs and claws.

At the same time, the players from Sacred Beasts made their move. The supporters started to buff their allies, and those with ranged skills paired up with the melee members of their group.

The melee players stepped out of the barrier first with their guard raised. They were soon followed by their respective ranged players, who immediately used an AOE or high-burst damage skill.

Using this method, the ranged players could cast skills with peace of mind as the melee players focused on parrying, blocking, or guarding against any unexpected attacks.

Then, once they finished their attack, the ranged players would re-enter the barrier along with the melee player.

This strategy lured members of the Headhunter Syndicate into targetting Sacred Beasts backline in the hope of interrupting their casting. However, those from Sacred Beasts would always retreat into the dome just in time to avoid the attack.

This made it so that the enemy attacks that targeted the Sacred Beasts players would be deflected back at its owner and cause even more damage to occur to the Headhunter Syndicate!

Seeing the mess being created at the center of the battlefield, Vault was seething with rage.

"Useless bunch...!" Vault cursed under his breath.

He then ordered, "Fractured Anatomy, Joker—you two go deal with that barrier! King Crown, I want you to go teach that wild dog what happens when it dares to bare its fangs at my Headhunter Syndicate!"