The members of Sacred Beasts were shocked. As core players of a top guild, they always maintained a certain level of focus and attentiveness to their surroundings. However, after witnessing the scene before them, they halted their steps and looked on dumbfounded.

The players from the Headhunter Syndicate started to randomly die and attack one another—how could they not be stunned?!

​​

"What are they doing? Did they have some kind of falling out?" One of the Sacred Beasts players commented.

"I don't know. But do you think it has something to do with that light we saw earlier? Or maybe that terrifying pressure just now..." Another player mentioned.

"Yeah, what was that? It didn't feel like it was targeting us, but I got chills when it passed by."

"I think it's that guy's doing." Hundred Lakes chimed in as his gaze was drawn to the center of the battlefield.

At the moment, that area was the only peaceful place on the battleground—like the eye of a storm.

"Isn't that Palace Master Izroth? When did he get here? No, better yet, that pressure just now—was it really him?"

"This kind of large-scale effect has to be the work of at least an S-ranked skill. No... Maybe even an SS-ranked skill..!" Hundred Lakes stated.

SS-ranked?! The players from Sacred Beasts went speechless.

If obtaining an S-ranked skill was like scaling a cliff without the use of tools, then acquiring an SS-ranked skill would be comparable to climbing with one hand tied behind your back!

An SS-ranked skill was powerful enough to wipe out a small army and change the tide of a battle!

When Hundred Lakes caught sight of the person at that storm's center, he felt cold sweats run down his back.

"Just what kind of person did our guild leader befriend?" Hundred Lakes muttered under his breath.

Hundred Lakes released a long sigh as he shook his head and cleared his mind. Right now, they still had a task to complete!

"That's enough standing around! Let's teach these Headhunter Syndicate dogs what happens when they mess with our Sacred Beasts!" Hundred Lakes said as he brandished his sai.

After Hundred Lakes spoke, the other members of Sacred Beasts regained their focus.

Now that the numbers had been trimmed and the Headhunter Syndicate was fighting each other, they no longer had to worry about escaping the encirclement before taking action. Now, they could go on the offensive without restraint!

...

Several moments later, Izroth deactivated his Soul Pressure as his Essence was retracted.

At the same time, he noticed that the players from Sacred Beasts were taking good advantage of the opportunity he provided them and mercilessly slaughtering the remnants of the Headhunter Syndicate.

'This should suffice. I have a little under 250 points of Essence remaining. Since we're still behind enemy lines, I have to reserve at least this much.'

Swoosh!

Suddenly, Acogu'An landed in front of Izroth with Meng Jiang on its back.

"You seem to have a sharper nose for danger than Acogu'An, Palace Master Izroth. Should I thank you for your assistance?" Meng Jiang said with a pleasant smile.

"I'm certain guild leader Meng Jiang was never in any danger with this level of threat. I merely lent a hand in expediting the inevitable." Izroth stated in a carefree manner.

"My, well, that's true. It was quite a disappointing experience. I will say, the ambush, however, was an unexpected surprise. It reminded me of facing that bothersome Wang Qiang a couple of years ago." Meng Jiang stated.

Wang Qiang was one of Cross Haven's Five Great Generals and was regarded as the top strategist in RML.

For someone like Meng Jiang, who wore her emotions on her sleeves due to her unique circumstances, a strategic type like Wang Qiang was her worst possible match-up. It was no surprise that someone like Menerva controlled the flow of events so effortlessly.

'Oh? I suppose it's not too shocking they've crossed paths. If I remember correctly, excluding the Headhunter Syndicate, the rest of the top guilds have a pretty strong history. When RML was released, they all transferred over from the previous top-ranked MMO.'

Izroth and Meng Jiang exchanged a few words as the two caught one another up on current events.

As the two did so, they casually made their way towards Vault and Menerva while simultaneously getting rid of any stray players from the Headhunter Syndicate on the way over.

Meng Jiang gave a slight nod as she walked next to Izroth and said, "I see, so you and group two also encountered an ambush- Ah, it seems that our communication is back working properly. Poor timing, wouldn't you say?"

"Whatever the cause behind it seems to have been dismantled. Though it is precisely as you say, poor timing, as the matter has already been concluded." Izroth replied.

"Well, there is one more matter to attend to, is there not?" Meng Jiang noted as she came to a stop along with Izroth and looked down.

"Indeed, but... This matter may take me a bit of time to settle." Izroth said as he narrowed his eyes and his gaze turned cold.

"Is that you, you bastard?! Release me, and I'll be sure to make your death painless! Otherwise, you better pray that I never escape, or I will make your life a living hell! You hear me?! Both you and that Sacred Beasts bitc-"

Bang!

A foot crashed into the back of Vault's head, immediately silencing him and knocking him into a daze.

"Ah, my apologies, Palace Master Izroth. It would seem that my foot accidentally slipped on purpose. I will pay for any damages to your property." Meng Jiang said with a lovely smile as she removed her foot from Vault's head.

Izroth inwardly shook his head. How could something done on purpose be an accident?

'This Meng Jiang has a sharp tongue with words that cut deeper than any blade.'

"It's fine. After all, guild leader Meng Jiang also has some rights to file a grievance." Izroth responded nonchalantly.

Vault almost fainted from anger at Izroth and Meng Jiang's casual conversation.

Accident? Property? They were talking as if they did not put him in their sights like some stray mutt!

Vault grit his teeth as his eyes became filled to the brim with rage. When was the last time he had to endure such humiliation?!

"...pay... I'll make all of them pay...! I swear I'll kill them!!!!" Vault thought to himself as he started to drown in his fury.

"So? What should we do with her?" Meng Jiang asked as she pointed to Menerva, who stood a couple of meters silently away from them.

Izroth's Crystallization skill had already come to an end; however, Menerva did not attempt to flee or run away, despite her chance to do so.

Meng Jiang clearly saw that Menerva was one of the players who stood on Vault's side; therefore, her identity as a member of the Headhunter Syndicate was no secret.

But, Meng Jiang was no fool. She understood that Izroth must have left Menerva alive for some reason.

"That's a good question. She has caused both of us quite a bit of trouble. I guess some discipline is in order." Izroth answered unhurriedly.

Menerva inwardly sighed as she closed her eyes. Regardless of her reasons, she still sided with Vault and the Headhunter Syndicate. They had every right to feel wronged by her actions, and she was ready to accept her punishment. After all, she knew better than anyone that all actions, good or bad, had consequences that could not be avoided.

"But, first..."

Woosh! Phhtk!

Without warning, Izroth stabbed his Sword of The Storm through Vault's neck.

"Y-!" Vault tried to speak, but with a sword run through his neck and his face buried into the ground, his words could not escape his mouth.

Phhtk! Phhtk!

Izroth casually pulled his sword out and stabbed down again. Since Vault was a warrior-type class with plated armor, his defenses were somewhat high. However, with the mystical chains suppressing him, there was nothing Vault could do but anguish every time the blade pierced into his body.

Meng Jiang observed in silence. However, she could not help but wonder—what kind of grudge did Izroth hold against Vault that caused him to go this far? It was as though this much was not nearly enough to satisfy whatever hatred lay in his heart.

But, even someone like Meng Jiang could tell that in a moment like this, it was best not to ask questions.